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A decade of research on gold exploration methods: A 2015–2025 Web of Science-based bibliometric analysis
Una década de investigación sobre métodos de exploración de oro: Un análisis bibliométrico basado en Web of Science (2015–2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15446/esrj.v30n(2).124957Keywords:
Web of Science, Bibliometric analysis, Gold deposits, Exploration methods, VOSviewer, Research trends (en)Web of Science, Análisis bibliométrico, Yacimientos de oro, Métodos de exploración, VOSviewer, Tendencias de investigación (es)
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This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research publications related to the optimization of exploration methods at gold deposits indexed in the Web of Science database between 2015 and 2025. A total of 66 articles were identified and analyzed using VOSviewer to visualize and map bibliometric networks. The analysis covered multiple parameters, including publication year, document type, research area, author affiliation, country, funding organization, and journal source. The results demonstrate a steady increase in publication activity after 2020, highlighting growing scientific interest in the application of digital technologies, geochemical modeling, and systems-based approaches to improve exploration efficiency. The majority of studies were published in high-impact journals such as Ore Geology Reviews, Geoscience Frontiers, and Science China – Earth Sciences. China, Australia, Russia, and Canada emerged as the leading contributors, supported mainly by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The citation analysis revealed that the most influential papers focus on orogenic gold deposits, structural control of mineralization, and multi-scale exploration models, underscoring the significance of integrated approaches in modern exploration science. These findings provide valuable insights into global research trends, collaboration patterns, and funding priorities, offering a foundation for future advancements in gold exploration methodologies.
Este estudio presenta un análisis bibliométrico integral de publicaciones de investigación relacionadas con la optimización de los métodos de exploración en yacimientos de oro, indexadas en la base de datos Web of Science entre 2015 y 2025. Se identificaron y analizaron un total de 66 artículos utilizando VOSviewer para visualizar y mapear redes bibliométricas. El análisis abarcó múltiples parámetros, incluyendo año de publicación, tipo de documento, área de investigación, afiliación de los autores, país, organización financiadora y fuente de la revista. Los resultados demuestran un aumento constante en la actividad de publicaciones después de 2020, lo que resalta el creciente interés científico en la aplicación de tecnologías digitales, modelización geoquímica y enfoques basados en sistemas para mejorar la eficiencia de la exploración. La mayoría de los estudios se publicaron en revistas de alto impacto como Ore Geology Reviews, Geoscience Frontiers y Science China – Earth Sciences. China, Australia, Rusia y Canadá surgieron como los principales contribuyentes, apoyados principalmente por la National Natural Science Foundation of China y el Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. El análisis de citas reveló que los artículos más influyentes se centran en yacimientos de oro orogénicos, el control estructural de la mineralización y modelos de exploración a múltiples escalas, lo que subraya la importancia de enfoques integrados en la ciencia moderna de la exploración. Estos hallazgos proporcionan valiosas perspectivas sobre las tendencias globales de investigación, patrones de colaboración y prioridades de financiación, ofreciendo una base para futuros avances en metodologías de exploración de oro.
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