Fractal Structure Characteristics and Prospecting Direction of Dispersed Metals in the Eastern Guizhou Pb–Zn Metallogenic Belt, SW China

The eastern Guizhou Pb–Zn metallogenic belt (EGMB) is an important source of Pb–Zn resources and other critical minerals (including dispersed metals, such as Ge, Cd and Ga) in China. In order to ensure the continuous resource supply of Pb–Zn and associated dispersed metals, it is urgent to explore the direction of further prospecting for them. Fractal theory can realize the fractal structure characterization of fault structures and the spatial distribution of mineral deposits, which is helpful for mineral exploration. However, the fault fractal research and prospecting application are still seldom covered in the EGMB. We used fractal theory to determine fine-scale fractal structure characteristics of fault structures and ore deposits in the EGMB, and Fry analysis to delineate favorable metallogenic areas. The results show that within a scale range of 3.670–58.716 km, the integrated faults capacity dimension (CPD) is 1.5095, the information dimension (IND) is 1.5391, and the correlation dimension (CRD) is 1.5436, indicating fault structures with high maturity, which are conducive to the migration and accumulation of ore-forming fluids. The multi-fractal spectrum width and height are 0.3203 and 1.5355, respectively, implying a significant metallogenic potential. The spatial distribution fractal dimensions (SDD) of Pb–Zn specifically and metal deposits in general are 1.0193 and 1.0709, respectively; the quantity distribution fractal dimensions (QDD) are 1.4225 and 1.4716, respectively, and the density distribution fractal dimensions (DDD) are 1.422 and 1.472, respectively, indicating strong clustering. Hence, the favorable metallogenic regions can be divided into four grades, among which grade I region is continuously distributed in space and has the greatest prospecting potential.