Geological interpretation using multivariate K-means and robust factor analysis in Dezak area, SW Iran

The Dezak limestone area, located SW Iran, is a potential site for industrial survey project of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate (PCC). Economic geology studies and geochemical implications of the area involve a high-risk level given the high purity of the limestone and the amount of penalty elements in the deposit. Generally, considering the compositional properties of geochemical data and using multivariate methods for a total of 527 composite samples showed that the data can be classified into five classes based on geological characteristics. According to K-means analysis, the grades of CaCO₃ and SiO₂ were 96.066% and 1.4754% within the second zone, and 94.5914% and 2.3278% within the fifth zone, respectively. Therefore, these zones were recognized as the first and second highest priorities having in common 165 and 133 samples on the specific geological units of K_d^l and K_d^ld, respectively. Geochemical classification confirmed the geological units and variations. The priorities may preferably change depending on the time, place, plant requirements, access position, and the concentration of MgO and SiO₂. Results from the robust factor analysis indicated that CaCO₃ enrichment was mainly associated with depletion of SiO₂ and Fe₂O₃ as well as P₂O₅ and, to some extent, MgO. This indicates the suitability of the selected study area, as major penalties are in contrast to CaCO₃ enrichment. Geological and geochemical studies suggest different types of crystallized limestone and micritic limestone as the best zones for extraction. Therefore, geological properties were verified using multivariate K-means and factor analysis in the Dezak area.