Attempt for application of multi-criteria decision making method for mining exploration in order to prioritize and best area selection for exploration according to their importance is the aim of this study, that plus saving time and money, the results are logical too. To achieve this goal, the AHP and ELECTERE multi-criteria decision making method used which are prioritizing ways, and the results compared. Varzaghan 1:100,000 sheet was used in this study which located in Northwest part of Iran and its potential for porphyry copper mineralization has been proven. There are some well-known deposits such as Sungun, Anjerd and mineral indices like Mesgar, Nabijan, Bizarin, Barghzar, Sad dareh, Zand abad and etc. After that, digitizing of information layers like geochemistry, remote sensing, geological and structural layers were done in Arc GIS software. Catchment basis approach was chosen for geochemical layer, performing on stream sediment samples of Varzaghan 1:100,000 sheet. Aster and ETM + were utilized to detect the alterations of the area, after their preprocessing. Structural and geological information layers were prepared by weighting the faults and geological maps based on their degrees of significance. After providing the mentioned information layers, to map the high potential area of mineralization, the ELECTRE and AHP methods were performed and the results compared. Finally, to validate the results, known mineral indices and areas that showed high mineralization potential, were compared with each other. Despite the fact that both methods have some advantages to each other, AHP method has approximate superiority
