A decade of research on gold exploration methods: A 2015–2025 Web of Science-based bibliometric analysis

Abstract

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.