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Northern Tibet exhibits abundant placer gold deposits, with a longstanding history of mining activities. Despite the widespread placer gold occurrences, the reports on the primary rock gold deposits or occurrences remain scarce. The central Lhasa terrane in northern Tibet hosts well-developed Zenong Group volcanic rocks, indicating great potential for the exploration of porphyry-epithermal copper (gold) deposits. Here, we select the Dangreyongcuo area in this region to investigate its metallogenetic potentiality, through a comprehensive 1:50,000 stream sediment geochemical survey, analyzing 12 elements (Au, As, Sb, Ag, Te, Cu, Pb, Zn, W, Sn, Bi, and Mo), and a detailed geological mapping. We aim to identify gold-related mineralization anomalies and provide clues for further bedrock gold exploration in this region. Based on the stream sediment geochemical data, zones 1–4, have been delineated using single-element indicator Au and element association indicator Au + As + Sb, which was determined through robust principal component analysis (RPCA) and using the exploratory data analysis (EDA) method. Subsequent validation exercises evaluating these four delineated zones reveal that Zone 1, Xinlong-Langmeila area, is the most promising prospect due to its high element concentrations, large size, and marked coincidence of element assemblages (also referred to as high-large-coincidence anomalies; HLCAs) and its characteristics are in line with those of epithermal deposits. Notably, the Xinlong deposit represents the first documented epithermal gold deposit hosted within the Zenong Group volcanic rocks. The identification of this deposit offers valuable insights and strategic directions for the broader understanding of Zenong Group volcanic rocks across the central Lhasa terrane. Additionally, subsequent strategies have been proposed for mineral exploration at both Xinlong camp and regional scales. • Gold anomalies were detected in the western Dangreyongcuo area, Tibet. • Xinlong deposit is a newly discovered high-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit. • Xinlong gold deposit is linked to Zenong Group volcanic rocks. • Promising prospecting potential exists within regional Zenong Group volcanic rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole-rock geochemical data and compositional balance analysis (CoBA), combined with a magnetic susceptibility model obtained from a high-precision magnetic survey, are useful exploration tools in the Jiama porphyry–skarn deposit, southern Tibet, China. In this paper, three innovative aspects of the model are described that have assisted exploration of the Jiama deposit: an improved geological understanding of a thrust–nappe structure, hydrothermal fluid pathways, and magma mixing; data- and knowledge-driven compositional balance analysis of whole-rock geochemistry; and a high-precision magnetic survey of the deposit. The local strata provided the materials and natural trap for skarn formation, and a site for fluid circulation and porphyry ore precipitation. An interlayer detachment zone, gliding nappe structure, and cylindrical fissure system provided channels for fluid migration, and the Niumatang Anticline provided the accommodation space for the porphyry system. Miocene magma mixing and crustal contamination led to the development of complex mineralization in the Jiama area. The geochemical signatures obtained from CoBA, and the spatial distribution of the strata, structures, igneous rocks, alteration, mineralization, and degree of erosion enable integration of the geochemical and geological data. The "demagnetization skylight" identified by magnetic anomalies and a magnetic susceptibility model obtained with UBCmag3D software revealed the location of a concealed porphyry system. A magnetic susceptibility of 0.014–0.016 was found to identify the location of an interlayer skarn. Our exploration indicators of the Jiama porphyry–skarn deposit can be used to guide ore exploration throughout the region. • Meaningful geochemical associations are gained from data- and knowledge- driven CoBA. • Using geochemical associations to infer geology, alteration, mineralization and erosional degree of Jiama deposit. • Geophysics contributes to positioning porphyry complex and interlayer skarn. • A comprehensive exploration model involves multi-source information is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]