Validated surface mineralogy from high-spectral resolution remote sensing: a review and a novel approach applied to gold exploration using AVIRIS data

Remote sensing's main limitation to date was that geological surface information lacked detail due to the broad bandwidth of the operational scanners. Imaging spectrometers now allow acquisition of image data in many contiguous spectral bands, with the aim of producing laboratory-like reflectance spectra for each pixel in the scene which can be directly compared with spectra of known materials measured in the field or laboratory to allow mineral identification on the Earth surface. The advent of satellite-based imaging spectrometer systems justifies the surge for techniques that allow the automatic preparation of validated surface mineralogy maps. We show an extension of a procedure known as cross-correlogram spectral matching to retrieve accuracy assessed surface mineralogy from Airborne Visible/InfraRed Imaging Spectrometer data (AVIRIS). The procedure is based on the spectral cross-correlation of known mineral spectra with unknown pixel spectra from AVIRIS. The validation is performed through a root-mean square calculation of expected correlograms and pixel correlograms. Results obtained in the study outlined allow an accurate delineation of zones of hydrothermal alteration in an area of active gold exploration.     

ASTER spectral analysis for alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization

This study presents classifications of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery based on spectral analysis of alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization in Abo Marawat area which is located in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Spectral analysis of continuum removed reference spectra of alteration minerals alunite, kaolinite, sericite, and calcite from USGS and JPL spectral libraries show shifts in position, shape, and strength most probably related to changes in sample purity and particle size of analyzed samples. Spectral Information Divergence (SID) classification method proved successful for mapping sericite, calcite, and clay minerals. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification identified only sericite and calcite alteration minerals. The identified alteration zones are coincidence with the field sampling and geological map of the study area. The microscopic examination of samples collected from the quartz veins and hydrothermally altered wall-rocks from near surface and subsurface at Abu Marawat gold mine shows sericitization, argillaceous, and carbonatization alteration zones. Gold occurs as very fine inclusions in pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite and also found filling the fractures between chalcopyrite grains. This study concludes that ASTER image classifications using reference spectra are a stable and reproducible technique for mapping gold related hydrothermal alteration zones in areas with no dominant vegetation cover.     

Spectral delineation of albite zone using ASTER data in Khetri Copper Belt

The Khetri Copper Belt is well known because of its economically viable Cu deposits. In this region, there is a linear narrow zone following a major crustal fracture. Along this zone, due to hydrothermal activity and subsequent alteration, a new rock, albitite has formed. The study presents an account of the spectral analysis of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) dataset for albitite mapping in the Khetri Copper Belt. Spectral angle mapper algorithm is applied on the ASTER data taking the ground sample reflectance spectra (VNIR–SWIR) and image derived spectra (TIR) as reference spectra. The albitite-classified areas are analyzed spatially and statistically to determine the extent of albitite zone in the study area. This research is to contribute to the better understanding of the spatial extent of the albitite zone which will assist in determining the potential for the mineralization in the area. The remote sensing approach of utilizing multichannel data offers the capability to resolve the key geological features of this geologically dynamic area.     

Porphyry Copper Deposit Prognosis in the Middle Region of the Bangonghu–Nujiang Metallogenic Belt,Tibet, Using ASTER Remote Sensing Data

The B angonghu–N ujiang metallogenic belt is considered to be T ibet’s third copper belt after the Y ulong and G angdese copper belts. The D uolong gold‐rich porphyry copper deposit, located in the western part of the B angonghu–N ujiang belt was recently recognized as a superlarge prospect. The A dvanced S paceborne T hermal E mission and R eflection R adiometer (ASTER ) was used to characterize the D uolong porphyry deposit alteration area, and three methods, color enhancement, band ratio transformation, and spectral angle mapping, were utilized to extract the phyllic and argillic alteration zones, which are typically considered the most important predictors of porphyry copper. Seven prospecting areas, which match mapped alteration zones, were delineated in the D uolong deposit. In addition, an ASTER image of the eastern region of the B angonghu–N ujiang belt in the X iongmei area was used to extract alteration information, and an area with image characteristics similar to the D uobuza and B olong ore deposits was identified as a prospecting area. Numerous malachite outcrops were identified in the field, and both laboratory analysis and isotopic dating confirmed that the deposit had formed concurrently with the D uobuza deposit (119 M a). Geologic mapping at the 1:5000 scale was conducted in the area, and three types of ore‐bearing rocks were identified, indicating that this area has significant potential to host ore deposits. The discovery of the X iongmei copper mining area is significant for the B angonghu–N ujiang belt.     

Geology and Hydrothermal Alteration of the Duobuza Gold‐Rich Porphyry Copper District in the Bangongco Metallogenetic Belt,Northwestern Tibet

The Duobuza gold‐rich porphyry copper district is located in the Bangongco metallogenetic belt in the Bangongco‐Nujiang suture zone south of the Qiangtang terrane. Two main gold‐rich porphyry copper deposits (Duobuza and Bolong) and an occurrence (135 Line) were discovered in the district. The porphyry‐type mineralization is associated with three Early Cretaceous ore‐bearing granodiorite porphyries at Duobuza, 135 Line and Bolong, and is hosted by volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the Middle Jurassic Yanshiping Formation and intermediate‐acidic volcanic rocks of the Early Cretaceous Meiriqie Group. Simultaneous emplacement and isometric distribution of three ore‐forming porphyries is explained as multi‐centered mineralization generated from the same magma chamber. Intense hydrothermal alteration occurs in the porphyries and at the contact zone with wall rocks. Four main hypogene alteration zones are distinguished at Duobuza. Early‐stage alteration is dominated by potassic alteration with extensive secondary biotite, K‐feldspar and magnetite. The alteration zone includes dense magnetite and quartz‐magnetite veinlets, in which Cu‐Fe‐bearing sulfides are present. Propylitic alteration occurs in the host basic volcanic rocks. Extensive chloritization‐silicification with quartz‐chalcopyrite or quartz‐molybdenite veinlets superimposes on the potassic alteration. Final‐stage argillic alteration overlaps on all the earlier alteration. This alteration stage is characterized by destruction of feldspar to form illite, dickite and kaolinite, with accompanying veinlets of quartz + chalcopyrite + pyrite and quartz + pyrite assemblages. Cu coexists with Au, which indicates their simultaneous precipitation. Mass balance calculations show that ore‐forming elements are strongly enriched during the above‐mentioned three alteration stages.     

植被覆盖区高光谱遥感影像上蚀变岩与蚀变矿物信息的提取

在高光谱遥感找矿应用中,从影像上提取的蚀变信息经常包含了很多对找矿无用的信息。为了避免这些无用信息,本研究选取植被覆盖的云南普朗斑岩铜矿区作为研究区,使用该区高光谱遥感数据分别提取蚀变岩和蚀变矿物的信息,分析它们对找矿的有用性。提取蚀变矿物信息使用的是从影像上提取的矿物端元参考光谱,光谱匹配采用的是光谱角方法;提取蚀变岩信息使用的是野外蚀变岩参考光谱,光谱匹配不仅考虑光谱的整体形态,而且考虑吸收谷位置形态。在蚀变岩识别图上,4个典型蚀变岩点的野外验证表明:识别结果与实地地物基本一致。但是,在蚀变矿物信息图中,这4个圈定点无任何信息。这表明:这些点的蚀变岩信息较其表面蚀变矿物信息更丰富,因而能被有效提取出。通过比较蚀变岩、蚀变矿物的信息分布图,发现:一些粘土矿物(比如硬石膏和高岭石)的大量信息分布在沉积岩区,因而可能是假的蚀变信息。这表明:通过蚀变岩光谱获取的蚀变信息比通过蚀变矿物光谱获取的蚀变信息更可靠。在蚀变岩信息提取中,比较吸收谷位置识别前后的结果表明:考虑光谱整体和局部形态比仅考虑整体形态的识别结果具有更高的可靠性。     

Enhancement of hydrothermal alteration zones using the spectral feature fitting method in Rabor area, Kerman, Iran

Rabor exploration area is in southeast of Kerman province, south of Urumieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt. Since there are many evidences of porphyry copper mineralization in this belt, prospecting and exploration of the intact and undiscovered places, especially the southern part of this belt, seems necessary. In this paper, use has been made of the “spectral feature fitting” (SFF) method to process ASTER satellite data (in Rabor exploratory area as a case study) for the identification and enhancement of hydrothermal alteration zones related to probable porphyry copper mineralization. The method is based on the comparison of absorption features in the image and the reference spectra. The distribution map of the indicator clay minerals, such as kaolinite, muscovite, illite, montmorillonite, alunite, pyrophyllite, dickite, chlorite, and epidote in Rabor exploratory area has been prepared with the help of this method. Identification and enhancement of alteration zones and overlaying Pay-Negin ore index on every individual zone reveal the capability and high efficiency of the SFF method in processing ASTER satellite data and preparing the distribution map of alteration minerals. Field and laboratory studies have shown that main alterations in this area are phyllic and argillic. These studies confirm the results obtained from remote sensing in the area.     

Ore mineral discrimination using hyperspectral remote sensing—a field-based spectral analysis

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer data of Salem District and field-based spectral observations using SVC HR 1024 spectral radiometer is used to make a clear discrimination of ore mineral deposits in parts of Salem District of Tamil Nadu. Spectral analyses, one of the most advanced techniques, are used to discriminate the magnesite deposits in the central northern part of Salem District. Different spectral processes were used in ore discrimination, which include the following: (1) atmospheric correction (FLAASH), (2) minimum noise fraction and (3) pixel purity index preparation which helps in discrimination by matching these purest pixels with field spectral observations. Spectral angle mapper method is used to produce score between 0 and 1, where the value of 1 makes a perfect match showing the exact ore deposit in the study area. Using these techniques, we were able to find two ore deposits in the study area, i.e. magnesite and lateritic bauxite, recording different scores related to their abundance.     

Identification and mapping of some soil types using field spectrometry and spectral mixture analyses: a case study of North Sinai, Egypt

This study examines linear spectral unmixing technique for mapping the surface soil types using field spectroscopy data as the reference spectra. The investigated area is located in North Sinai, Egypt. The study employed data from the Landsat 7 ETM+ satellite sensor with improved spatial and spectral resolution. Mixed remotely sensed image pixels may lead to inaccurate classification results in most conventional image classification algorithms. Spectral unmixing may solve this problem by resolving those into separate components. Four soil type end-members were identified with minimum noise fraction and pixel purity index analyses. The identified soil types are calcareous soils, dry sabkhas, wet sabkhas, and sand dunes. Soil end-member reference spectra were collected in the field using an ASD FieldSpec Pro spectrometer. Constrained sum-to-one and non-negativity linear spectral unmixing model was applied and the soil types map was produced. The results showed that linear spectral unmixing model can be a useful tool for mapping soil types from ETM+ images.     

Mineral Paragenesis of the Lepanto Copper and Gold and the Victoria Gold Deposits, Mankayan Mineral District, Philippines

Abstract: Mineral paragenesis of the alteration, ore and gangue minerals of the Lepanto epithermal copper‐gold deposit and the Victoria gold deposit, Mankayan Mineral District, Northern Luzon, Philippines, is discussed. The principal ore minerals of the Lepanto copper‐gold deposit are enargite and luzonite, with significant presence of tennantite‐tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, native gold/electrum and gold‐silver tellurides. Pervasive alteration zonations are commonly observed from silicification outward to advanced argillic then to propylitic zone. The ore mineralogy of the Lepanto copper‐gold deposit suggests high f_S2 in the early stages of mineralization corresponding to the deposition of the enargite‐luzonite‐pyrite assemblage. Subsequent decrease in the f_S2 formed the chalcopyrite‐tennantite‐pyrite assemblage. An increase in the f_S2 of the fluids with the formation of the covellite‐digenite‐telluride assemblage caused the deposition of native gold/electrum and gold‐silver tellurides. The principal ore minerals of the Victoria gold deposit are sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite and native gold/electrum. The alteration halos are relatively narrow and in an outward sequence from the ore, silica alteration grades to illitic‐argillic alteration, which in turn grades to propylitic alteration. The Victoria gold mineralization has undergone early stages of silica supersaturation leading to quartz deposition. Vigorous boiling increased the pH of the fluids that led to the deposition of sulfides and carbonates. The consequent decrease in H₂S precipitated the gold. Gypsum and anhydrite mainly occur as overprints that cut the carbonate‐silica stages. The crosscutting and overprinting relationships of the Victoria quartz‐gold‐base metal veins on the Lepanto copper‐gold veins manifest the late introduction of near neutral pH hydrothermal fluids.     

湖泊亚像元填图算法研究

湖泊面积变化监测具有重要的科学和社会意义,使用中低分辨率卫星遥感数据进行大面积的湖泊面积变化监测有很多优势,但易受混合像元的影响。本文根据湖泊水体的遥感特性,发展了使用中低分辨率卫星遥感数据的混合像元分解算法,应用线性多端元混合像元分解技术,自动、快速地得到在每个像元中湖泊所占的面积百分比;在上述分类结果的基础上,基于地物的空间依存现象,建立空间吸引力的概念,用循环迭代的方法实现超过遥感影像自身分辨率的湖泊亚像元填图。在针对青藏高原不同季节不同地区的Modis影像的实践中,显示混合像元分解算法可以提供较高精度的软分类结果;使用迭代方法进行亚像元填图是简单高效的,具有很大的应用潜力。     

陕西略阳铧厂沟金矿床地质与矿床类型

铧厂沟金矿床位于勉略缝合带中泥盆系三河口群郭镇岩组中。含矿与容矿岩系为泥盆系三河口群郭镇岩组中的细碧岩和结晶灰岩。主控矿构造为寨子湾韧-脆性剪切构造带。围岩蚀变包括退化蚀变和矿化蚀变。在矿区内产出南北两条矿化带，矿石类型为蚀变细碧岩型、黄铁绢英片岩型和石英脉型。主要的金属矿物为黄铁矿和黄铜矿，金矿物是自然金。韧脆性剪切构造叠加和岩石强烈变形、彻底退化蚀变以及后期含矿热液交代与充填是主要的成矿作用，属于火山-沉积岩系中的类卡林型金矿床。     

内蒙古苏莫查干敖包萤石矿区遥感蚀变信息提取及其找矿指示意义

利用遥感技术可以经济、有效地获取地质找矿信息。基于多光谱遥感数据的蚀变信息提取已在地质填图和找矿工作中广泛应用,近几年,中国高分五号（GF-5）高光谱数据以其较高的光谱分辨率为地表蚀变矿物的精细化识别提供了基础数据。文章结合Landsat-8 OLI多光谱和GF-5高光谱数据,对内蒙古苏莫查干敖包萤石矿及周边开展蚀变信息提取,分析有利成矿区域,并进行野外验证,进一步发掘外围矿产资源潜力并探究遥感地质勘查的可信度。笔者基于Landsat-8多光谱数据,利用主成分分析方法提取了铁染、羟基类蚀变,并对其异常等级进行了划分;基于GF-5高光谱数据运用最小噪声分离（MNF）算法、纯净像元指数（PPI）算法、混合调制匹配滤波（MTMF）填图方法,在研究区内提取出白云母、绿泥石、高岭石、磁赤铁矿和褐铁矿5种矿物。将两者蚀变信息提取结果叠加,笔者发现苏莫查干敖包萤石矿区及外围存在热液蚀变特征,具备金属成矿潜力,野外验证发现研究区除萤石外,还伴生有铅锌多金属矿。因此,笔者认为多光谱和高光谱遥感数据结合的蚀变信息提取在地质矿产资源勘查领域具有一定应用潜力。     

Imaging spectrometry for geological remote sensing

Without use of imaging spectrometry, imaging of the Earth's surface from aircraft and from spacecraft is hampered by the low spectral resolution and limited number of spectral bands, typically less than 10 bands of 100 to 200 nm width. Imaging spectrometry in remote sensing concerns the acquisition of image data in many narrow (< 40 nm wide) contiguous spectral bands with the ultimate goal of producing detailed spectral reflectance curves for each pixel in the image. Many minerals and rocks have unique spectral signatures with characteristic absorption features that are 20 to 40 nm wide. Imaging spectrometers allow to depict these narrow features and thus map surface mineralogy based on spectral image characterization. This paper gives a review of imaging spectrometry and addresses the following topics: airborne and spaceborne systems available, spectral and geometric data pre-processing, atmospheric correction, techniques for thematic data analysis, and applications in the field of geological remote sensing. In the final section a case study is described where imaging spectrometer data is used for mapping surface mineralogy in a hydrothermal alteration system, thus guiding gold exploration.     

Unsupervised ore/waste classification on open-cut mine faces using close-range hyperspectral data

The remote mapping of minerals and discrimination of ore and waste on surfaces are important tasks for geological applications such as those in mining. Such tasks have become possible using ground-based, close-range hyperspectral sensors which can remotely measure the reflectance properties of the environment with high spatial and spectral resolution. However, autonomous mapping of mineral spectra measured on an open-cut mine face remains a challenging problem due to the subtleness of differences in spectral absorption features between mineral and rock classes as well as variability in the illumination of the scene. An additional layer of difficulty arises when there is no annotated data available to train a supervised learning algorithm. A pipeline for unsupervised mapping of spectra on a mine face is proposed which draws from several recent advances in the hyperspectral machine learning literature. The proposed pipeline brings together unsupervised and self-supervised algorithms in a unified system to map minerals on a mine face without the need for human-annotated training data. The pipeline is evaluated with a hyperspectral image dataset of an open-cut mine face comprising mineral ore martite and non-mineralised shale. The combined system is shown to produce a superior map to its constituent algorithms, and the consistency of its mapping capability is demonstrated using data acquired at two different times of day.     

Gold Minerogenetic Prognosis Using Satellite Data： Case Study of Paishanlou Gold Mine, Liaoning Province, China

INTRODUCTION AccommodationZones Currentmineralexplorationconceptshavefailed torecognizetheassociationofmineralizationwith uniqueextensionalstructurescalledaccommodation zones(Fauldsetal.,1987).Inmostcases,these zonesshowlittleobviousdeformation,yetfocusfl…     

西藏雄村斑岩铜金矿床Ⅱ号矿体元素地球化学特征及其指示意义

雄村铜金矿是冈底斯成矿带上新发现的岛弧型斑岩铜金矿床,矿床由3个矿体组成,Ⅱ号矿体位于Ⅰ号矿体北西侧3 km处。Ⅱ号矿体中铜、金、银矿化主要分布在早期钾-硅酸盐化带以及绢云母-白云母-石英-硫化物带中,早期钾-硅酸盐化的典型矿物组合为黑云母+磁铁矿±钾长石+黄铜矿+黄铁矿,热液磁铁矿含量较高。元素空间分布特征以及相关性分析表明,Cu和Au、Ag呈显著正相关,黄铜矿是Au和Ag的主要载体,分布在矿体中心。Cu与K、Rb呈正相关,而与Na呈负相关的特点表明矿化与钾质交代关系密切,晚期矿化以分布在外围的细脉状、脉状方铅矿和闪锌矿化为主。由矿体中心向外,与矿化有关的16种元素构成Cu、Au、Ag、K、Rb、Ba-Mo-Co、Ni-Pb、Zn、Mn、Ag、Sb-Na元素分带,元素带状分布特征与蚀变矿化分带吻合。分布在外围的Na同时受钾质交代过程中Na元素向外迁移作用以及早期深部高温环境下的钠质-钙质蚀变共同控制。元素空间分带特征与蚀变与矿化分带机理类似,受热液流体演化、运移、温压条件和原岩组分等综合因素控制,分带特征对今后的找矿与勘探工作具有一定的指示意义。     

The nature and origin of brecdation and mineralization at the White Crystal ore deposit,Ardlethan tin mine,New South Wales

The White Crystal ore zone consists of an ovoid mass of fine grained quartz‐tourmaline topaz rock containing disseminated cassiterite together with prominent vughs of quartz and/or tourmaline, cassiterite, and sulphides. Toward the margins of the ore zone the decreasing intensity of alteration illustrates formation via a process of brecciation, infill, and alteration. The rectangular slab‐like fragments are commonly aligned and their plunge indicates a dip towards a common epicentre. The tourmalinized ore zone is surrounded by successive zones of sericitization and argillization. The brecciation is of large scale tensional origin which is suggestive of collapse. Beneath the ore zone mineralization/alteration continues at subeconomic grades and limited data suggests an intrusive hydrothermal style of brecciation. The entire system is a form of breccia pipe and has yielded some 1.5 Mt of ore at around 0.64% Sn.     

Nature, origin and evolution of the granitoid-hosted early Proterozoic copper-molybdenum mineralization at Malanjkhand, Central India

At Malanjkhand, Central India, lode-type copper (-molybdenum) mineralization occurs within calcalkaline tonalite-granodiorite plutonic rocks of early Proterozoic age. The bulk of the mineralization occurs in sheeted quartz-sulfide veins, and K-silicate alteration assemblages, defined by alkali feldspar (K-feldspar ≫ albite) + dusty hematite in feldspar ± biotite ± muscovite, are prominent within the ore zone and the adjacent host rock. Weak propylitic alteration, defined by albite + biotite + epidote/zoisite, surrounds the K-silicate alteration zone. The mineralized zone is approximately 2 km in strike length, has a maximum thickness of 200 m and dips 65°–75°, along which low-grade mineralization has been traced up to a depth of about 1 km. The ore reserve has been conservatively estimated to be 92 million tonnes with an average Cu-content of 1.30%. Supergene oxidation, accompanied by limited copper enrichment, is observed down to a depth of 100m or more from the surface. Primary ores consist essentially of chalcopyrite and pyrite with minor magnetite and molybdenite. δ³⁴S (‰) values in pyrite and chalcopyrite (−0.38 to +2.90) fall within the range characteristic of granitoid-hosted copper deposits. δ¹⁸O (‰) values for vein quartz (+ 6.99 to +8.80) suggest exclusive involvement of juvenile water. Annealed fabrics are common in the ore. The sequence of events that led to the present state of hypogene mineralization is suggested to be as follows: fracturing of the host rock, emplacement of barren vein quartz, pronounced wall-rock alteration accompanied by disseminated mineralization and the ultimate stage of intense silicification accompanied by copper mineralization. Fragments of vein quartz and altered wall rocks and striae in the ore suggest post-mineralization deformation. The recrystallization fabric, particularly in chalcopyrite and sphalerite, is a product of dynamic recrystallization associated with the post-mineralization shearing. The petrology of the host rocks, hydrothermal alteration assemblages, ore mineral associations, fluid inclusions and the sulfur and oxygen isotopes of ores are comparable to those in Phanerozoic (and reported Precambrian) porphyry-copper systems, and the Malanjkhand deposit has important implications for both metallogenic models for, and mineral exploration in, Precambrian terrains.     

西藏冈底斯斑岩型铜钼矿床的Cu、Mo同位素组成及其意义

选取西藏冈底斯成矿带的驱龙、达布斑岩型铜钼矿及鸡公村石英脉型钼矿为研究对象,分别挑选含矿斑岩和石英脉中的黄铜矿、辉钼矿进行Cu、Mo同位素测定.结果表明,西藏冈底斯斑岩型黄铜矿的δ^65/63Cu介于0.01‰~0.98‰,辉钼矿的δ^97/95Mo介于-0.34‰^-0.15‰,热液脉型矿床中辉钼矿的δ^97/95Mo介于-0.35‰^-0.23‰.形成于陆-陆碰撞造山后的冈底斯斑岩型铜钼矿床的Cu同位素与俯冲带产出的斑岩型矿床中的Cu同位素组成具有一定的相似性,均表现为单峰分布的特征.驱龙斑岩型矿床中热液脉与含矿斑岩中的δ^65/63Cu具有一致性,可能反映了二者在来源上具有一致性.在冈底斯斑岩型铜钼矿床中,不同蚀变带具有不同的Cu、Mo同位素组成,自蚀变中心向外,δ^65/63Cu与δ^97/95Mo表现出负相关趋势,可能与成矿流体的性质密切相关.冈底斯石英脉型钼矿较斑岩型铜钼矿δ^97/95Mo相对偏负,结合两类矿床的成矿年代,可能暗示两类矿床的成矿物质是同一源区连续演化的结果.