The inability of geophysical methods to directly detect gold ore bodies remains a hot topic in the realm of gold geophysical exploration. Through the analysis of high-precision magnetic method, resistivity and induced polarization methods with the gradient arrays, electrical resistivity tomography, and well logging, combined with the discovery of gold mineralization in exploration trenches and boreholes, it has been found that gold mineralization can be classified into two types: terminal and channel. The terminal-type gold mineralization is marked by a buried depth of less than 30 m, accompanied by varying degrees of silicification and pyritization. In contrast, the channel-type of gold mineralization is buried deeper than 30 m and occurs within structural fractures or volcanic breccia mineralized alteration zones. The resistivity difference constitutes a significant geophysical indicator differentiating these two types of gold mineralization. Both types of gold mineralization are located adjacent to IP anomalies, potentially suggesting characteristics of low-sulfur gold mineralization. After comparing several globally typical epithermal gold deposits, we conclude that the findings presented in this paper encapsulate the geophysical traits of an un-eroded, low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit. These insights offer a valuable reference for the direct detection of similar gold orebodies using geophysical methods.

The Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) represents one of the largest Phanerozoic accretionary orogenic systems globally, with its easternmost segment located in Northeast China. This study integrated broadband magnetotelluric (MT) surveys, geochemical analyses, and high-pressure, high-temperature electrical conductivity experiments to elucidate the deep structural characteristics and tectonic evolution of the Heihe-Hegenshan Suture (HHS) within the CAOB. A dense MT profile survey comprising 15 stations was deployed across the HHS, revealing distinct high-conductivity anomalies interpreted as the suture zone and associated tectonic features. Geochemical and petrophysical analyses of representative andesite and granite samples under simulated crustal conditions (573–973 K, 1.0 GPa) provided critical constraints for MT data interpretation. The integration of MT inversion results with aeromagnetic and Bouguer gravity anomaly data delineates the strike and spatial extent of the HHS, confirming its continuity and northward extension beyond previously recognized limits. Numerical modeling of geothermal gradients and electrical conductivity–depth relationships highlights the dominant role of hydrothermal fluids and alteration minerals in controlling shallow high-conductivity anomalies (5 km) reflect temperature-controlled rock conductivity. These findings offer novel insights into the lithospheric-scale architecture and geodynamic processes governing the HHS, advancing our understanding of complex accretionary orogenesis in the CAOB.

The inability of geophysical methods to directly detect gold ore bodies remains a hot topic in the realm of gold geophysical exploration. Through the analysis of high-precision magnetic method, resistivity and induced polarization methods with the gradient arrays, electrical resistance tomography , and well logging, combined with the discovery of gold mineralization in exploration trenches and boreholes, it has been found that gold mineralization in the andesite distributed area can be classified into two types: terminal and channel. The terminal-type gold mineralization is marked by a buried depth of less than 30m, accompanied by varying degrees of silicification and pyritization. In contrast, the channel-type of gold mineralization is buried deeper than 30m and occurs within structural fractures or volcanic breccia mineralized alteration zones. The resistivity difference constitutes a significant geophysical indicator differentiating these two types of gold mineralization. Both types of gold mineralization are located adjacent to high-polarization anomaly areas, potentially suggesting characteristics of low-sulfur gold mineralization. These research results provide geophysical technical support for breakthroughs in the exploration of low-sulfide epithermal gold deposits and represent a valuable exploration in the field of directly detecting such gold deposits using geophysical methods.