Asymmetric fuzzy relation analysis method for ranking geoscience variables

A fuzzy relation analysis method is used to derive weights for qualitative variables based on their partial order relations. Two asymmetric measure indexes (incidence coefficient and probability difference) are proposed to measure the asymmetric associations between geoscience variables from which the partial order relations can be constructed. The fuzzy relation analysis method can be implemented in combination with the asymmetric measure indexes leading to new methods for pattern overlay and data integration in mineral potential prediction. Two types of models are proposed and illustrated by two artificial examples: one for predicting targets for undiscovered deposits, and the other for estimating the mineral resource potential of the targets.