In this study, the analysis and control of stability of surrounding rock in deep fractured soft rock roadway located in the underground mine of Jinfeng gold mine in Guizhou Province, China, has been investigated. The surrounding rock of roadway has been analyzed to characterize its deformation and failure mechanism through field survey, testing of rock physical and mechanical properties, in situ stress measure, analysis of mineral components of rock, and investigation of rock fragmentation degree. Based on the numerical simulation technology, the influence of different factors on the stability of roadway is studied. The physical and mechanical properties of surrounding rock and the bearing capacity of surrounding rock layer are to be improved to maintain the stability of broken soft rock roadway as high ground stress, rock fragmentation, and poor lithology leading to tunnel instability. Hence, a high‐strength “cable bolt + fiber‐reinforced shotcrete + steel mesh + split sets + resin bolt + cement grouting” combined support system has been proposed to improve the effective bearing structure significantly with high integrity and bearing capacity.

The Youjiang Basin in China is the world’s second-largest concentrated area of Carlin-type Au deposits after Nevada, USA, boasting cumulative Au reserves nearing 1000 t. This study examined the recently unearthed Lintan Carlin-type Au deposit within the Youjiang Basin. Factor analysis and association rule algorithms were used to identify exploration vectors and indicators essential for navigating this promising geological territory. In the Lintan mining area, the geological strata encompass the Triassic Bianyang, Niluo, and Xuman formations comprised clastic rocks, followed by the deeper Permian Wujiaping Formation with massive carbonate rocks. The orebodies are restricted to the F₁₄ inverse fault, cutting through the Xuman Formation, with an additional F₇ fault between the Wujiaping and Xuman formations. A total of 125 rock samples from the F₁₄ fault and a representative cross-section were analyzed for 15 elements (Au, Ag, As, Bi, Cd, Co, Cu, Hg, Mo, Ni, Pb, Sb, Tl, W, and Zn). The elements were divided into four groups based on cluster and factor analysis. Group 1 (Co, Cu, Zn, Ni, Tl, W, and Bi) was mainly enriched in the Xuman, Niluo, and Bianyang formations controlled by sedimentary diagenesis. Group 2 (Au, As, Hg, and Sb) was concentrated in the F₁₄ and F₇ faults, representing Au mineralization. Group 3 (Pb, Ag, and Mo) was mostly enriched near the F₁₄ and F₇ faults, displaying a peripheral halo of Au mineralization, and was probability controlled by ore-forming hydrothermal activities. Group 4 (Cd and Mo) exhibited extreme enrichment along the periphery of the F₇ fault. This pattern indicates the presence of a substantial hydrothermal alteration zone surrounding the fault, likely influenced by ore-forming hydrothermal processes. Additionally, Pb, Ag, Cd, Mo, and W are considered essential indicators for ore formation besides Au, As, Sb, Hg, and Tl. Twelve effective association rules were derived using the association rule algorithm, which can aid in discriminating Au mineralization. The spatial distributions of the 15 elements indicated that the F₁₄ fault is the main ore-bearing fracture zone, while the F₇ fault serves as the ore-conducting structure, channeling ore-forming fluids into the F₁₄ fault. Faults between the Wujiaping and Xuman formations, along with their associated reverse faults, present potential prospecting targets both within and outside the Lintan Au deposit in the Youjiang Basin. Exploration geochemical data can be fully utilized by combining factor analysis and association rule algorithms, offering key guidance for prospecting Carlin-type gold and similar deposits.

The Lintan gold deposit, located in the “gold triangle” of Qianxinan, Guizhou Province, has become a focal point for implementing the “exploring near existing deposits” strategy, aiming to identify another large-scale gold deposit within the region. This study addresses the challenges of deep-edge mineral exploration in the Lintan gold deposit by adopting a metallogenic system perspective. Using a multidisciplinary approach, it integrates geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets to construct various three-dimensional (3D) visualization and prospectivity models. The research leverages geostatistical theories and methods, multisource digital information analysis, and advanced 3D modeling and visualization techniques to verify mineralization anomalies. These efforts expand the scope of prospectivity evaluation for the deep-edge regions of the Lintan gold deposit into 3D space. In the 3D spatial framework, this study elucidates the metallogenic geological characteristics, geophysical anomalies, and geochemical signatures within the study area. Building upon this foundation, it conducts a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of geological, geochemical, and geophysical prospecting indicators under multisource geoscience datasets. This approach transitions from known to unknown domains, effectively reducing the ambiguities and uncertainties associated with single-source data interpretations. The findings demonstrate that, under the guidance of geological prospectivity models, the effective integration and synthesis of geological, geophysical, and geochemical data can reveal the interrelationships between metallogenic geological bodies and the contributing factors of the metallogenic system. This enables the identification of anomalous information associated with metallogenic geological bodies and facilitates the spatial localization and prediction of target areas for deep-edge mineral resources. The proposed methodology provides novel insights and techniques for deep-edge mineral exploration. Comprehensive analysis indicates significant prospectivity for mineral resource exploration in the deep-edge regions of the Lintan gold deposit.