Geophysical Modeling of Electrical Resistivity and Induced Polarization Data for Copper Exploration in the Benvid Area, Naein

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Authors

1 School of Mining, Petroleum and Geophysics, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

2 Geology Supervisor, Central Iron Ore Company of Iran, Bafgh, Iran

10.22044/jrag.2026.17334.1382

Abstract

In recent decades, mineral exploration methods have advanced significantly. Geophysical methods have been substantially developed and are now among the most widely used tools for mineral exploration, particularly for metallic deposits. Electrical resistivity and induced polarization (IP) methods are among the most commonly applied geophysical techniques and have been extensively used for copper exploration in Iran.
In this study, electrical resistivity and IP methods were employed for copper exploration in the Benvid deposit, Isfahan Province, Iran. Evidence of mineralization, including copper oxide, gold, and iron mineralization, has been observed in the study area. The main associated minerals include malachite, hematite, magnetite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and chalcocite. Based on surface exposures of mineralization and the identification of faults within the mineralized area, five profiles, each 420 m long with an electrode spacing of 20 m, were designed and surveyed using a dipole–dipole array to investigate the extent of copper mineralization and associated minerals.
Considering the characteristics of the acquired profiles, two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) modeling were employed to image the subsurface structure of the Benvid area. The 2D modeling results revealed two high-chargeability zones at depths of approximately 20–50 m along the profiles. These zones occur within areas characterized by moderate resistivity values in the resistivity sections. The 3D modeling results were subsequently used in the study area to determine the spatial extent and their continuity at depth. Finally, four boreholes were proposed by integrating the 2D and 3D modeling results with the tectonic and geological characteristics of the study area.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 19 September 2026

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