Application of AHP method in Copper potential mapping, Case study: Central Kerman metallogenic arc Fardad Maghsoudi 1* , Nader Fathianpour 2 1* : Mining Engineering Department. Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran (f.maghsoudi@mi.iut.ac.ir) 2 : Mining Engineering Department. Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran Abstract Mineral exploration is a complex, time consuming and risky process. Reducing the risk level has always been aimed by mineral explorers and managers. As for the all anomalies obtained from different exploration data are not showing mineralization, integrating of these anomalies are used to detemine the targets. Due to verification by different methods in such areas, the investment costs and risk will be low. The region which was investigated in this study was located at Kerman Cenozoic Magmatic Arc (KCMA). After prepation of geological, geochemical, geophysical, faults and remote sensing layers, using basin sample catchment, reduce to pole and analytic signal, band ratio and spectral angle mapper methods, paired comparisons between layers were performed by AHP method and results were used for mineral potential mapping (MPM). Results of the method were in a good agreement with the known mineralization at the zone and there could be used as a way to determine the vein and porphyry type of copper deposits in the zone. Keywords: MPM, exploration, copper, AHP, KCMA 1. INTRODUCTION Increasing demands for minerals is one hand and on the other hand reduction of mineral reservoirs with high grades, caused mineral exploration as a very important priority. Different methods have already been used to determine the mineral exploration. however, results of them is conclusiveness. In order to determine the mineral potential of an area, all geological, geochemical, geophysical, faults and alterations criteria should be in agreement [1]. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) has been used to mineral potential mapping (MPM). Carranza (2011), has explained in details different methods of MPM [2]. Yousefifar et al. (2010), have compared the weighted sum, fuzzy logic and AHP methods to determine the Cu- Au potentials at north part of Dalli Deposit [3]. Pazand et al. (2012) have used Fuzzy AHP method to determine the Cu mineralization at Ahar- Arasbaran zone [4]. Abedi et al. (2013), were also used Fuzzy AHP method to integrate geophysical data in Seridun area [5]. In other study Najafi el al. (2015) used Fuzzy AHP method to evaluate and determine Iron Oxide- Copper- Gold (IOCG) deposits in eastern Iran [6]. Methods of data preparation and also several other criteria such as gravity radiometry were used for MPM. The above mentioned method has advantages over previous methods in determination of high potential areas. 2. GEOLOGY OF DEHAJ-KOUHPANJ ZONE Kerman Cenozoic Magmatic Arc (KCMA) is a part of Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB) which is a volcano sedimentary complex and located at the north- western part of Kerman province [7]. The origin of this zone was the result of subduction of Arabian plate under the Central Iran during Paleocene to Oligocene [8-10]. As a result, wide alkaline and Calk-alkaline taken in the area [8]. Sar Cheshmeh Calk-alkaline porphyry stock is an example of such activities during Oligo-miocene [11]. Nedimovic (1973), has determined a set of 62 of porphyry, vein and polymetal deposits in the KCMA [12]. Sar Cheshmeh and Darreh Zar mines are among the deposits in this zone which are located in a mass of Granodiorite and Meidouk mine is located in a Quartz monzonite mass [13]. Figure 1 shows the geological properties of the area. 3. PREPARATION OF LAYERS A. Geological layer Geological layer including 28 lithological units was prepared using the results of comprehensive reports, paper and dissertations [12, 14 and 15]. Results at direct observations on sediment, intrusive and volcanic rocks and host units of copper minerals (Granodiorite) were also used. Conceptual model of porphyry copper which is presented by the Geological Survey of United State (USGS) used to recapitulate the data and making the easier to process [14]. A questionery was also distributed among local expertise including some university professors who are working in copper exploration and the group of exploration in National Iranian Copper Industries Company (NICICo) and ask them to weight the units. Results are shown in table 1. Finally geological layer was made fuzzy using linear method (Fig. 2). B. Faults Processing and filtration of the 8 th band of OLI imagery in combination with airborne magnetic survey, were compared to field observations. Those parts of results which were valid combined with the fault maps of Geological Survey of Iran (GSI). Then buffering was performed at intervals, considering the importance of the