Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p>The Eastern Son Valley of Central India represents a tectonically complex region comprising the Archean basement, Proterozoic Mahakoshal Belt, Vindhyan Supergroup, and Gondwana sediments. This study integrates gravity and magnetic data to delineate lithological boundaries, subsurface structures, and prospective mineralisation zones. Magnetic data were processed using reduction to the pole (RTP), analytic signal, first vertical derivative, and tilt derivative, while gravity data were analysed through regional–residual separation, upward continuation, and derivative techniques. The Bouguer gravity and RTP magnetic anomaly maps reveal prominent ENE–WSW to E–W trending structural features associated with basement heterogeneity, major fault systems, and mafic intrusions. Derivative maps delineate the Son–Narmada North Fault (SNNF), Son–Narmada South Fault (SNSF), and associated structural corridors controlling lithological contacts and intrusive emplacement. Depth estimation using spectral analysis, Euler deconvolution, and PDepth indicates source depths ranging from shallow (<1 km) to deep crustal levels (~8 km). Integrated 2D GM-SYS modelling successfully constrains the subsurface geometry, identifying dense and highly magnetic metabasic, ultramafic, and BIF bodies emplaced within the granitic basement. The structurally disturbed corridor between the SNNF and SNSF is interpreted as the most favourable zone for concealed mineralisation. Seven prospective target blocks (A–G) were delineated, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated potential-field analysis for litho-structural mapping and mineral exploration in Precambrian shield terrains.</p>