Applying the Cluster Euclidian Analysis to Study Yagrumaje West

Abstract

Cuba has 34, 4 % of nickel ore reserves worldwide. Its main deposits of lateritic ores are located along   150 km of its northeastern coast and are now recognized by more than 3,000 million tons of ore nickeliferous, of which 25 % are in the category of proven reserves. Characterize the mineral deposits of nickel is a priority objective in the study of these mineral resources and for this, some prospecting geologic-geophysical methods are used together with effective techniques of mathematical statistical processing. In this research, applying the Cluster Euclidian Analysis about the magnetic susceptibility, iron content, nickel and cobalt ones, were possible to obtain the lithological classification on the Yagrumaje West located in Pinares of Mayarí, Cuba. The classification model obtained allowed clearly differentiate the lateritic crust lithology and those one make up the base, separating the bedrock, the initial structural ochres, the final structural ochres and ochres with ferruginous concretions. The information provided makes possible to map inhomoge-neity in the lateritic crust and better contribute to the exploration and exploitation of nickel and cobalt. The methodology can be extended to other laterite deposits.