Ardala Cu-Au-Mo porfiri yatağının (Ardanuç, Artvin) alterasyon özelliklerinin öngörüsel mineraloji ve çoklu sensörlü karot tarama yöntemleriyle karakterizasyonu

The Ardala Porphyry Cu–Au–Mo system, located in the Artvin district of northeastern Turkey, developed in association with Late Cretaceous to Eocene arc-related magmatism within the Eastern Pontides orogenic belt. This study integrates field observations, petrography, geochemical analyses, and multi-sensor core scanning-Boxscan to characterize the geometry, zonation, and mineralogical framework of hydrothermal alteration and mineralization. Geochemical data combined with predictive mineralogical mapping enables the distinction of alteration types and their spatial distribution, while results are cross validated with multi-sensor core scanning. Boxscan analyses, including portable X-ray fluorescence, magnetic susceptibility, and VNIR–SWIR spectroscopy, combined with predictive mapping of mineralogy, were used to determine the alteration zonation. The alteration is defined by a potassic assemblage (secondary biotite, K-feldspar, magnetite) hosting the main Cu–Mo mineralization, overprinted by quartz–sericite–pyrite alteration with pervasive quartz veining. Propylitic and argillic assemblages locally overprint earlier alterations, while skarn alteration developed where intrusions encountered carbonate host rocks. Petrography reveals a sulfide paragenesis dominated by pyrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite, with sphalerite, tetrahedrite, and bornite. Textural relationships indicate multi-stage hydrothermal evolution, reflecting fluctuating fluid chemistry. The results highlight the effectiveness of predictive mineralogy and scanning technologies in defining alteration zonation and vectoring toward mineralized domains. Integration of conventional geochemical methods with scanning approaches enhances the understanding of porphyry systems. These findings underscore the significance of porphyry deposits in the Eastern Pontides as potential sources of strategic metals, while providing methodological insights applicable to exploration of porphyry systems worldwide.