Modelo 3D, zonación hidrotermal, controles estructurales y estimación de recursos de un depósito VMS a partir de datos de perforación (litología, geoquímica y estructuras en núcleo)

Abstract

Abstract: The study integrates a three-dimensional geological and geostatistical model of a VMS deposit, in the Macuchi Formation of Ecuador's Western Cordillera, to characterize its lithological architecture, hydrothermal alteration zonation, and structural controls, and to generate a preliminary resource estimate. Geological modeling and resource estimation were carried out in Leapfrog Geo and Edge 2025 with 63 diamond drillholes. The lithology observed consists of mafic volcanic rocks, which represent between 50 75% of the stratigraphic sequence. Up to 25% felsic extrusive rocks (such as dacites and rhyolites) are also observed, and these are the ones that host the mineralized body. Grades were estimated using ordinary kriging for Ag, Cu, Pb, and Zn, and IDW² for Au, within a block model showing good fit (R²=0.729 for Cu). At a USD 70/t cutoff, the preliminary inventory totals 611.77 kt grading 2.68 g/t Au, 31.74 g/t Ag, and 2.64% Cu. No measured resources were assigned, and the results do not yet constitute a public JORC report.