Alteration Mapping for Porphyry Copper Exploration Using ASTER and QuickBird Multispectral Images,Sonajeel Prospect,NW Iran

The Sonajeel prospect is located in the Arasbaran belt which is one of the significant copper mineralization belts in NW Iran. There are mostly Eocene volcano-sedimentary rocks and Post Eocene intrusive units which are the source for mineralization in the area. ASTER multispectral images were used for delineation of alteration zones as a key feature of porphyry copper mineralization. Due to the need for geometric correction and ortho-rectification of the ASTER images, a high resolution QuickBird image with pixel width of about 60 cm (in PAN) was employed as a reference image in order to boost the rectification process. Ortho-rectification has been done by using digital elevation model which is created by topographic map in scale 1:1000. Potassic alteration as one of the essential alteration types in porphyry copper deposits, distributed mostly in the north of the Sonajeel prospect that determined by Thermal infrared bands processing. Phyllic and argillic alteration zones detected by creating relative absorption band-depth grids which are comparable to field observations. Moreover, silica rich areas which are remnants of hydrothermal circulation and form at the top of porphyry copper systems were detected for recognition of epithermal deposits (with 1 km distance from Sonajeel porphyry system). Finally, Remote Sensing results were compared by field evidences especially for determination of an epithermal system. Most parts of the alteration zones were observed of the surface confirmed with the remote sensing alteration (in average about 75% matched fittingly), displayed concentrations anomalous in the NE and NW parts of the studied area.     

Hydrothermal Alteration Mapping Using ASTER Data for Reconnaissance Porphyry Copper Mineralization in the Ahar Area, NW Iran

The Ahar area is located in East Azarbaijan province, and covers an area of about 2,500 km². Spectral mapping techniques were applied on VNIR and SWIR of ASTER data for discriminating between hydrothermal alteration zones and the identification of high potential mineralized lithological unit associated with hydrothermal porphyry copper mineralization in the Ahar. In this research to remove atmospheric and topographic effects from ASTER data, the log-residual method (LRM) was used. Four methods, Relative Band Depth Ratios (RBD), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF) and matched filtering (MF), were used to processing and interpretation of remote sensing data in the study area. Results show that ASTER images provide preliminary mineralogy information and geo-referenced alteration maps at low cost and with high accuracy for reconnaissance porphyry copper mineralizations.     

Synergetic use of remote sensing and geophysical data for exploration of porphyry copper deposits, using GIS

Darrehzar porphyry copper deposit is situated in the Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic assemblage of central Iran. In this paper, the integration of multiple geodata sets has been carried out using geographic information system for mapping lithology or hydrothermally altered rocks and also in selecting the best discriminating data elements for exploration of porphyry copper deposits located in areas with similar geological setting and climatic conditions. Principal component analysis is found useful for reducing large data sets into a few principal components. The integration of various geophysical data with SPOT image data through GIS has shown that the hydrothermal alteration and lithology can be mapped with more efficiency.     

Utilization of ASTER Data and Spectral Analysis to Discriminate Hydrothermally Altered Areas over Rabor,South of Kerman,Iran

This study attempts to evaluate the capability of the advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER) and the advantages of ground knowledge for generating maps portraying hydrothermally altered areas in relation to porphyry copper deposits. The northern part of the Rabor area in the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic belt, containing some copper mineralization occurrences, was investigated as a case study. Several image processing techniques, namely minimum noise fraction, pixel purity index, and n-dimensional visualization, contributed to the extraction of pure pixels as endmembers. The spectra of some rock samples collected around the well-known altered zones of the study area were resampled to ASTER bands and used to identify the image-extracted endmembers. Spectral analysis of the endmembers and ground sample spectra led to the identification of three types of hydrothermal alterations: (1) phyllic, (2) propylitic, and (3) argillic. The identified endmembers were used as the specified targets for mapping hydrothermal alteration zones over the study area by using a mixture tuned match filtering algorithm. Results demonstrate that high abundances within pixels correspond closely to the altered areas. Field observations, thin section, and X-ray diffraction of collected samples confirmed the accuracy of the alteration maps prepared by the application of the proposed methods. The final classified hydrothermal alteration maps showed the overall accuracy and kappa coefficient values of 85.41 and 0.72%, respectively. These results ascertain that ASTER data that use suitable image processing techniques appear consistent in mapping out the distribution of hydrothermally altered areas. In addition, ground knowledge data can act as a valuable information source to increase the image classification accuracy and reliability.     

陆地卫星TM及JERS-1卫星SAR数据用于西藏东部斑岩铜矿勘查

本文介绍了利用陆地卫星TM及JERS-1卫星SAR数据在西藏东部地区进行斑岩铜矿勘查项目的早期研究成果。文中通过对现有地质资料的分析认为,研究区内的矿化作用除受三叠系火山岩建造控制外,还与喜山期的中酸性侵入体有关。而陆地卫星TM图像的解译结果表明,区内的主要矿床几乎都分布在与三叠纪古火山机构相关的环形构造内。为了增强和提取出与斑岩铜矿化有关的蚀变岩信息,研究中采用了对数残差、矿物指数和HSI变换等方法对陆地卫星TM及JERS-1卫星SAR数据进行了处理与分析,所提取出的蚀变信息与目视解译所发现的环形构造位置极为吻合。实践证明,遥感图像上的环形影像及蚀变岩石信息对矿产勘查有指示价值。     

A general framework of TOPSIS method for integration of airborne geophysics,satellite imagery,geochemical and geological data

This work presents the promising application of three variants of TOPSIS method (namely the conventional, adjusted and modified versions) as a straightforward knowledge-driven technique in multi criteria decision making processes for data fusion of a broad exploratory geo-dataset in mineral potential/prospectivity mapping. The method is implemented to airborne geophysical data (e.g. potassium radiometry, aeromagnetic and frequency domain electromagnetic data), surface geological layers (fault and host rock zones), extracted alteration layers from remote sensing satellite imagery data, and five evidential attributes from stream sediment geochemical data. The central Iranian volcanic-sedimentary belt in Kerman province at the SE of Iran that is embedded in the Urumieh–Dokhtar Magmatic Assemblage arc (UDMA) is chosen to integrate broad evidential layers in the region of prospect. The studied area has high potential of ore mineral occurrences especially porphyry copper/molybdenum and the generated mineral potential maps aim to outline new prospect zones for further investigation in future. Two evidential layers of the downward continued aeromagnetic data and its analytic signal filter are prepared to be incorporated in fusion process as geophysical plausible footprints of the porphyry type mineralization. The low values of the apparent resistivity layer calculated from the airborne frequency domain electromagnetic data are also used as an electrical criterion in this investigation. Four remote sensing evidential layers of argillic, phyllic, propylitic and hydroxyl alterations were extracted from ASTER images in order to map the altered areas associated with porphyry type deposits, whilst the ETM+ satellite imagery data were used as well to map iron oxide layer. Since potassium alteration is generally the mainstay of porphyry ore mineralization, the airborne potassium radiometry data was used. The geochemical layers of Cu/B/Pb/Zn elements and the first component of PCA analysis were considered as powerful traces to prepare final maps. The conventional, adjusted and modified variants of the TOPSIS method produced three mineral potential maps, in which the outputs indicate adequately matching of high potential zones with previous working and active mines in the region.     

Gondwana-Derived Terranes Structural Mapping Using PALSAR Remote Sensing Data

Gondwana-derived terranes are now separated by major faults or suture zone, which are rarely simple and easily recognizable lineaments. Different association of ore mineral systems such as deposits of sediment-hosted/orogenic gold and granite-related minerals is discovered in collision and subduction zones of the Gondwana-derived terranes. They are associated with large-scale, terrane-bounding fault systems and broad areas of deformation. Mineralization mostly associated with structurally-controlled complex lodes, veins, sheeted veins and veinlets in diverse orientations. Recognizing the structural significance of lineaments and curvilinear is very difficult in tropical, arid and Antarctic regions due to environmental obstacles. Remote sensing data could be used to detect geological structures associated with suture zones between Gondwana-derived terranes especially for large inaccessible regions where fieldwork is limited or nonexistent. In this investigation, the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) satellite remote sensing data were used to map major geological structures in the Bentong-Raub Suture Zone of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the major structural zones in Sundaland, Southeast Asia, which forms the boundary between the Gondwana-derived the Sibumasu terrane and Sukhothai-Indochina arc. Structural features associated with sediment-hosted/orogenic gold deposits in the Central Gold Belt and tin mineralization in S-type granites in the Main Range were investigated using PALSAR data and comprehensive fieldwork. Results indicate that main faults strike along 340° to 350° that are intersected by many shear or lateral fault zones are high potential zone for gold mineralization in the Central Gold Belt. Hydrothermally alteration mineral zones and cataclastic rocks are also the other indicators of gold mineralized veins in the gold belt. High potential zones for tin mineralization are N–S strike-slip faults, fault zones and shear zones trending E–W, NE–SW and WNW–ESE in dissected crystalline granitic rocks that are associated with hydrothermal alteration zones in the Western Tin Belt. Lineament analysis using PALSAR satellite remote sensing data is a useful tool for mapping major geological structural features and detection of the boundary between the Gondwana-derived terranes and detailed structural analysis of fault systems and deformation with high potential for a variety of mineral resources, especially in tropical, arid and Antarctic regions.     

Characterizing hydrothermal alteration zones in Hamama area in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt by remotely sensed data

Abstract

Remote sensing techniques provide meaningful information to mineral exploration by identifying the hydrothermally altered minerals and the fracture/fault systems. In this article, Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data were processed to detect the hydrothermal alteration zones in Hamama area in the central part of the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Band ratios and principal component analyses successfully revealed the extent and the geometry of the hydrothermal alteration zones that trend in an NE–SW direction. Matching pixel spectrum derived from Minimum Noise Fraction, Pixel Purity Index, and n-dimensional visualization with reference spectra allowed characterizing key hydrothermal alteration minerals, including chlorite, kaolinite-smectite, muscovite, and haematite, in a successive alteration pattern. Field investigations and X-Ray Diffraction analysis validated the results revealed by ASTER data. In addition, the present prospects of significant gold and massive sulphide mineralizations are consistent with the detected hydrothermal alteration zone.     

基于矿物光谱指数的蚀变信息提取——以西藏多龙铜金矿集区ASTER数据为例

矿物光谱指数是利用比值的方法增强Fe和含OH矿物在可见光、短波红外区间的吸收特征,进而提取蚀变矿物信息的一种方法。由于斑岩型矿床的蚀变分带特征明显,西藏多龙矿集区中集中了斑岩型、浅成低温热液型等铜、金矿床,通过矿物光谱指数的计算提取相关蚀变信息,对该区域的下一步找矿具有指导意义。本文采用矿物光谱指数(5+7)/6、(6+9)/8等方法提取了镁、铝两类羟基及铝羟基类下的高岭石等蚀变信息,采用5/4、2/1的方法提取了二价铁、三价铁的蚀变信息。经过与OLI影像采用PCA方法及野外实地勘查采样,证实了利用本文方法所提取的蚀变信息有效。     

藏东三江地区金矿地质与遥感

运用遥感5要素,对区内含矿斑岩体、脆-韧性剪切等强变形带、破碎蚀变带及其与围岩蚀变相关的色调异常信息进行了分析,认为该区金矿资源非常丰富,并提出了遥感金矿找矿远景区。     

Remote sensing of Carhuarazo volcanic complex using ASTER imagery in Southern Peru to detect alteration zones and volcanic structures – a combined approach of image processing in ENVI and ArcGIS/ArcScene

A combined approach to detect hydrothermal alteration zones and their mineral distribution is proposed for a relatively remote area around the Carhuarazo volcanic complex in southern Peru encompassing 2222 km². In this region, tertiary volcanic structures associated with hydrothermal alteration are well known to host epithermal ore deposits. We make an attempt to detect and to quantify alteration minerals based on spectral analysis using ASTER reflectance data product provided by LP-DAAC. Besides commonly used ratio images, mineral indices (MI) and relative band depth images (RBD), we also extracted endmember spectra using Pixel-Purity-Processing preceded by minimum noise fraction transformation. These spectra are thought to represent the spectrally purest pixel of the image and show the typical absorption features of the main constituents. Based on this assumption, we used different spectral analysis methods in order to extract the most important alteration minerals for such an environment. These minerals were then used for matched filter processing in areas showing high values in MIs and RBDs. Using this method, we detected and mapped argillic alteration and variations in the distribution of important minerals like alunite, kaolinite or nacrite. There were no indications for the presence of propilitization at ASTER spatial resolutions. Our method can be applied easily to any ASTER scene and provides information about the intensity of alteration and the character of alteration zones. The intensity is highest in the centre of the Carhuarazo volcanic complex and is mostly argillic with a high content of alunite, dickite and other clay minerals.     

Evaluation of ICA and CEM algorithms with Landsat-8/ASTER data for geological mapping in inaccessible regions

Many regions remain poorly studied in terms of geological mapping and mineral exploration in inaccessible regions especially in the Arctic and Antarctica due to harsh conditions and logistic difficulties. Application of specialized image processing techniques is capable of revealing the hidden linear mixing spectra in multispectral and hyperspectral satellite images. In this study, the applications of Independent component analysis (ICA) and Constrained Energy Minimization (CEM) algorithms were evaluated for Landsat-8 and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) remote sensing data for geological mapping in Morozumi Range and Helliwell Hills areas, Northern Victoria Land (NVL), Antarctica. The results of this investigation demonstrate the capability of the two algorithms in distinguishing pixel and subpixel targets in the multispectral satellite data. The application of the methods for identifying poorly exposed geologic materials and subpixel exposures of alteration minerals has invaluable implications for geological mapping and mineral exploration in inaccessible regions.     

大型斑岩铜矿的遥感信息探讨

遥感影像解译的不同规模级别的线性构造、不同类型的环形构造和线-环组合类型以及色彩异常影像是寻找斑岩铜矿,特别是大型斑岩铜矿床最有用的遥感标志。1.砂岩铜矿的规模直接与不同规模不同级别的线性构造相联系区域性斑岩铜矿带直接受大型区域线性构造带和它们的汇聚格局控制,这种区域线性构造带多为区域压性壳断裂或超壳断裂,在遥感图像上常显示为浅色带,其长度超过100km,被称为主干边缘线性构造带(处于隆起单元向坳陷单元过渡部位,靠近隆起单元一侧).此外,一系列次级线性构造往往与主干边缘线性构造成一定角度相交,共同形成一种贯通性构造,在遥感图像上也常显示为浅色线;并直接控制斑岩铜矿田的分布和矿床的定位,被称为横向线性构造,长度一般1km-100km,主要包括三种类型(略),均显示张性特征。事实上,与斑岩铜矿有关的蚀变矿化直接受控于更低级别的线性构造(断裂和裂隙),它们常构成统一的环状和放射状断裂、裂隙系统。2.不同组合的多层环形影像是斑岩铜矿的不同呈矿环块构造的映像几乎所有的斑岩铜矿都与环块构造有关,特别是Ⅲ或Ⅳ级环块(直径50km-500km,包括环隆、环陷及褶皱-断裂环块等).它们控制了斑岩铜矿的定位。     

Regional Structural Analysis by Remote Sensing for Mineral Exploration,Paraiba State,Northeast Brazil

Abstract

Photogeological techniques were used to analyze Landsat‐TM images of the Paraiba State, which resulted in the identification of the following structures: lineaments of regional extent, short en echelon lineaments, intricate ramification of the wrench system, and infrastructures among major lineaments and circular or ring structures. This lineament map was correlated to existing geological maps, to areas of known hydrothermal mineralization (Cu, Au, Mo, Ni, W and Ti), and the lineament map was verified in the field reconnaissance. Due to lack of systematic studies of the geology and natural resources of the region the mineral exploration is still in rudimentary stages. The objective of this research is to emphasize the detection and analysis of lineaments, their patterns, and geometry and their relations with the occurrence of mineral resources and its exploration in areas as yet explored. A large number of mineral‐bearing pegmatites of the region are controlled by major lineaments and associated minor lineaments. It is believed that the structures of interest in search for mineral deposits are warping part of the minor shear zones, the intersections of short and regional lineaments, and the circular features.     

斑岩型铜矿找矿预测中环形构造的示矿作用——以玉龙—马拉松多子区为研究区

在斑岩型铜矿资源潜力评价中,斑岩体是圈定铜矿最小找矿预测区的重要依据。研究表明,遥感图像上的许多环形影像与岩浆活动(包括斑岩体)有关。为了快速进行斑岩型铜矿成矿预测,利用遥感技术在西藏玉龙—马拉松多斑岩型铜矿周边地区开展了找矿预测。首先建立了环形构造的遥感解译标志;然后开展了环形构造的解译工作,研究了该区环形构造的展布特征;最后总结了由环形构造推断斑岩体的标志。结果表明,遥感解译的环形构造为该区斑岩型铜矿最小找矿预测区的圈定提供了重要依据。     

中国兰坪地区铜﹑铅﹑锌矿潜在分布的GIS预测模型(英文)

Mineral resource potential mapping is a complex analytical process,which requires the consideration and the inte-gration of a number of spatial evidences like geological,geomorphological,and wall rock alteration.The aim of this paper is to establish mineral exploration model for copper,lead,and zinc in Lanping basin area using the capability of analytical tools of Geographic Information System(GIS) and remote sensing data to generate maps showing favorable mineralized area.The geo-exploration dataset used f...     

ASTER Data Analysis for Mineral Potential Mapping Around Sawar-Malpura Area, Central Rajasthan

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) SWIR bands are used in identification of alteration zones which have developed during hydrothermal activity. Among the available methods of hyperspectral data analysis, PCA and RBD techniques are found to be useful in delineation of clay alteration and iron oxide zones. ASTER data analysis by PCA and RBD of (B5+B7)/B6 shows delineation of two distinct alteration zones with characteristic mineral assemblages viz. propylitic zone (chlorite, epidote, montmorillonite and calcite) and phyllic zone (illite, kaolinite, white mica and quartz). Iron oxide rich zones (gossans) have been delineated using ASTER band ratio technique (B2/B1). Geochemical dispersion of soil samples shows that Pb and Zn concentration is higher in phyllic and propylitic zones around Sawar and Malpura area respectively. Thus, ASTER data shows the potential in discrimination of metasedimentary rocks and delineation of alteration zones for targeting base metals around Sawar-Malpura area in central Rajasthan.     

航天遥感技术在叶尔羌河中下游地区Au、Cu等多金属矿找矿有利地段预测中的应用研究

板块构造成矿理论认为西昆仑叶尔羌河中下游地区属于Au、Cu及多金属矿成矿远景区,但因其野外地质条件恶劣,交通状况差,地质勘探极其困难而影响了找矿工作的深入开展,为此我们利用航天遥感技术的优势进行了找矿有利地段预测研究。在研究中首先对区域地质遥感影像特征进行了综合分析,并根据板块构造成矿理论对矿化作用进行了空间划分和成矿条件总结。在此基础上,通过成矿相关影像特征信息的提取,圈定出Au、Cu及多金属矿成矿有利地段。     

航天遥感技术在叶尔羌河中下游地区Au、Cu等多金属矿找矿有利地段预测中的应用研究

板块构造成矿理论认为西昆仑叶尔羌河中下游地区属于Ａｕ、Ｃｕ及多金属矿成矿远景区,但因其野外地质条件恶劣,交通状况差,地质勘探极其困难而影响了找矿工作的深入开展,为此我们利用航天遥感技术的优势进行了找矿有利地段预测研究。在研究中首先对区域地质遥感影像特征进行了综合分析,并根据板块构造成矿理论对矿化作用进行了空间划分和成矿条件总结。在此基础上,通过成矿相关影像特征信息的提取,圈定出Ａｕ、Ｃｕ及多金属矿成矿有利地段。