Applications of deep convolutional neural networks in prospecting prediction based on two-dimensional geological big data

There are many challenges in the task of predicting ore deposits from big data repositories. The data are inherently complex and of great significance to the intervenient spatial relevance of deposits. The characteristics of the data make it difficult to use machine learning algorithms for the quantitative prediction of mineral resources. There are considerable interest and value in extracting spatial distribution characteristics from two-dimensional (2-d) ore-controlling factor layers under different metallogenic conditions. In this paper we undertake such analysis using a deep convolutional neural network algorithm named AlexNet. Training on the 2-d mineral prediction and classification model is performed using data from the Songtao–Huayuan sedimentary manganese deposit. It mines the coupling correlation between the spatial distribution of chemical elements, sedimentary facies, the outcrop of Datangpo Formation, faults, water system, and the areas where manganese ore bodies are present, as well as the correlation among different ore-controlling factors by employing the AlexNet networks. By comparing the training loss, training accuracy, verification accuracy, and recall of models trained by different scales of grids and different combinations of ore-controlling factor layers, we further discuss the most appropriate scale division and the optimal combination of ore-controlling factors to make the model achieve its strongest robustness. It is found that the prediction performance of AlexNet networks reaches its peak when selecting a grid division of 200 pixels × 200 pixels (the actual distance is 10 km × 10 km) and inputting the distribution layers of 21 chemical elements maps, lithofacies–paleogeographic map, formation and tectonic map, outcrop map of Datangpo Formation, and water system map. The training loss, training accuracy, verification accuracy, and recall of the optimal model are 0.0000001, 100.00%, 86.21%, and 91.67%, respectively. The proposed method is successfully applied to the 2-d metallogenic prediction in Songtao–Huayuan study area. And five metallogenic prospective areas from A to E are delineated with large probability for potential ore bodies.