BWM-SAW: A new hybrid MCDM technique for modeling of chromite potential in the Birjand district, east of Iran

Abstract

The Birjand chromite district, eastern Iran, is a part of the Birjand ophiolite complex. Although there is no known chromite mineralization in this district, its favorable geological setting suggests the presence of chromite endowment. Therefore, this study adopted a novel hybrid multiple-criteria decision making (MCDM) technique called BWM-SAW to mineral potential modeling (MPM) of chromite deposits in the Birjand district. For this, the authors developed three exploration evidence maps, including (1) proximity to the host rock, (2) fault density, and (3) multi-element geochemical signature. In addition, a further AHP-TOPSIS potential model was merely generated to check the adequacy of the developed BWM-SAW model. Also in this study, for the purpose of comparison and further investigation, we applied the above hybrid MCDM techniques to generate mineral potential map in the Dolatabad district hosting numerous chromite deposits. For this, we utilized three evidential maps previously generated and described by Roshanravan (2020). The results of this study manifest that the BWM-SAW technique to MPM outperformed the AHP-TOPSIS potential model and the previous continuous (i.e., data-driven index overlay, geometric average and fuzzy gamma) models of Roshanravan (2020).