Nonlinear models and GIS technology for mineralization processes simulation and mineral potential mapping

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Mineral resources are essential for sustainable development of most nations. On the other hand, utilization of resources often causes serious problem threatening human health, ecological and environmental systems in many underdeveloped regions. It is essential both for mineral exploration and for resource optimum utilization to quantify non-linearity of mineralization processes and to model the spatial distribution of mineral resources . According to the new development of non-linear and complex science and technology, mineralization in the Earth's crust can be considered as nonlinear processes with singular properties that may result in anomalous mass accumulation and element concentration that, generally, are confined to narrow intervals in space. When the ore is mined as resources, the toxic elements in the ore may spread into the surface media around the mine causing environmental problems. Similar to other types of hazardous geo-processes for example earthquakes, landslides, hurricanes, flooding, and forest fire, the end products of these non-linear processes have in common that they can be modelled by the new non-linear theories and models of fractals or multifractals. New earth observation technologies and high resolution information have greatly promoted the development of non-linear theory and high-tech geo-informatics technology for modelling the complexity of these singular processes and for mineral resources and environmental comprehensive assessments. The research proposed in this application is devoted to study new non-linear theory, models and GIS techniques for mapping mineral resources and evaluating potential environmental impact. It involves three main objectives: (1) study of new non-linear theory and new methodology for characterizing singularity, generalized self-similarity and self-organized criticality of mineralization processes; (2) study of non-linear methods for geo-information extraction and geo-information integration; and (3) development of advanced GIS technologies for increasing the accuracy of mineral exploration and reduce the costs of exploration and for environmental assessment.