Caracterización morfológica del depósito vetiforme epitermal en el NE del Batolito Antioqueño – Mina Los Balsos, Yolombó – Antioquia

Abstract

It is important to understand the morphology of a vein-type mineralization when seeking to estimate resources, as this knowledge supports subsequent decision-making in exploration and extraction processes, especially when structural factors play a significant role in mineral accumulation. In order to provide a tool that optimizes the exploration processes of the Los Balsos Mine project, a morphological model is being developed for the majority of structures intercepted by its tunneling, which serves as a basis for understanding the spatial behavior of veins, their hierarchization, spatial interaction, and their relationship with regional events. This information can be complemented with petrographic data in future projects. The study area is located in the northeastern part of the Antioquian batholith, in the youngest region of the body, where quartz vein deposits accompanied by sulfides are present and displaced by the interference zone of the Palestina Fault. These structures suffer from significant deficiencies in geometric and structural characterization, mainly due to the challenging accessibility of the area, which is mostly exploited by informal projects and lacks technical information in the public domain. That is why detailed mapping supported by samples and structural data was carried out, digitized into maps (1:500 and 1:50) that serve as the basis for prospective models. These models propose future exploration targets, which in turn facilitate economically and scientifically significant decision-making.