A Comparative Study of Landsat‐7 and Landsat‐8 Data Using Image Processing Methods for Hydrothermal Alteration Mapping

Comparing spaceborne satellite images of Landsat‐8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Landsat‐7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM+) was undertaken to investigate the relative accuracy of mapping hydrothermal alteration minerals. The study investigated the northern part of Rabor, which contains copper mineralization occurrences, and is located in the Kerman Cenozoic magmatic assemblage (KCMA), Iran. Image processing methods of band ratio, principal component analysis (PCA), and spectral angle mapper (SAM) were used to map the distribution of hydrothermally altered rocks associated with the porphyry copper mineralization. The band ratio combination of both sensors for mapping altered areas showed similar outcomes. PCA exposed variations in the spatial distribution of hydroxyl‐bearing minerals. The representation of hydrothermal areas using OLI data was more satisfactory than when using ETM+ data. SAM analysis found similar results for mapping hydroxyl‐bearing zones. Verification of the results came through ground investigation and laboratory studies. Rock samples (n = 56) were collected to validate results using thin sections, X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and spectral analyses. Field observations and laboratory analysis revealed that phyllic and propylitic alterations dominate the alteration zones in the study area. Argillic and iron oxides/hydroxides alterations were observed to a lesser degree. The results indicate that alteration maps prepared by OLI data using PCA for visual interpretation are more suitable than those of ETM+ due to a higher radiometric resolution and lower interference between vegetation and altered areas. As the spectral bandwidth of ETM+ band 7 covers absorption feature of propylitic alteration, better mapping of propylitic alterations is achieved using ETM+ data.     

Temporal merging of remote sensing data to enhance spectral regolith,lithological and alteration patterns for regional mineral exploration

Remote sensing has been widely used to map geological structure, regolith materials and hydrothermal alteration minerals in different regions of the world, based largely on the spectral characteristics of clay/carbonate and iron oxide minerals. Given that features related to minerals may form very subtle patterns in Landsat imagery, finding suitable methods for enhancing the spectral information due to alteration minerals has been the subject of much research since the satellites were launched. Although multispectral sensors such as Landsat do not have enough spectral resolution to distinguish between specific minerals, effective processing of the data does yield useful images for regional exploration and targeting when combined with a good understanding of the associated landforms. ASTER and various airborne systems can now provide useful, high-resolution mineral information. However, the cost and time taken to acquire and process good resolution spectral data should now be balanced against the enhanced spectral discrimination possible using temporal merging, or data stacking, from the existing Landsat data archive dating back to 1972. One critical characteristic of the spectra related to surface mineral composition is its persistence over time. This study proposes a further enhancement to the data using temporal merging to create images that are both easier to interpret, and more reliable indicators of lithology and alteration. The new approach is to select a large number of scenes, typically separated by two or more years, and to merge the data for each band to give a cumulative spectral signature. The technique of stacking Landsat data to create a new dataset with much greater spectral depth is termed Landsat TM3, or Landsat TM Temporal Merge for Terrain Mapping. This emphasises not only the process used to create the dataset, but also the dominant use to which these data are ideally suited, namely mapping geological and mineral-related terrains.     

Remote sensing for mineral exploration

Remote sensing is the science of acquiring, processing, and interpreting images and related data, acquired from aircraft and satellites, that record the interaction between matter and electromagnetic energy. Remote sensing images are used for mineral exploration in two applications: (1) map geology and the faults and fractures that localize ore deposits; (2) recognize hydrothermally altered rocks by their spectral signatures. Landsat thematic mapper (TM) satellite images are widely used to interpret both structure and hydrothermal alteration. Digitally processed TM ratio images can identify two assemblages of hydrothermal alteration minerals; iron minerals, and clays plus alunite. In northern Chile, TM ratio images defined the prospects that are now major copper deposits at Collahuasi and Ujina. Hyperspectral imaging systems can identify individual species of iron and clay minerals, which can provide details of hydrothermal zoning. Silicification, which is an important indicator of hydrothermal alteration, is not recognizable on TM and hyperspectral images. Quartz has no diagnostic spectral features in the visible and reflected IR wavelengths recorded by these systems. Variations in silica content are recognizable in multispectral thermal IR images, which is a promising topic for research.     

普朗斑岩型铜矿区矿化蚀变特征矿物填图及找矿潜力分析：来自资源一号02D遥感卫星的证据

随着近年来取得重要找矿突破的普朗斑岩型铜矿的规模化开采，进一步摸清首采区外围资源潜力任务紧迫。遥感技术尤其是国产卫星资源一号02D星等高光谱卫星成功发射，为我国高海拔艰苦地区快速精准识别与矿化相关的蚀变矿物提供了可能。针对以往对植被覆盖区高光谱矿物识别有效性方法探索不足，本文选取普朗铜矿区为研究，采用资源一号02D高光谱遥感数据，使用比值植被指数划分植被覆盖区及非植被覆盖区。基于实测波谱，分层次构建了植被覆盖区及非植被覆盖区与普朗铜矿矿化密切相关的绢云母、绿泥石、绿帘石蚀变特征矿物波谱曲线，并采用匹配滤波方法开展了蚀变矿物填图示范应用。野外验证表明：该方法可有效探测普朗斑岩型铜矿外围尤其是首采区东侧植被覆盖区绢云母等蚀变特征矿物分布信息，结果显示普朗首采区东侧具有较大找矿潜力。     

高分五号航天高光谱遥感技术在甘肃龙首山铀矿找矿中的应用

为深入研究和探讨高分五号(GF-5)航天高光谱遥感技术在铀矿地质找矿中的应用效果和潜力,基于龙首山成矿带航天高光谱数据,开展高光谱数据处理和蚀变信息提取工作,创新实现了GF-5高光谱波段修复,通过构建标准光谱库和诊断光谱,运用MNF算法、PPI算法,结合SAM光谱角填图技术,完成蚀变矿物端元提取和光谱匹配,实现研究区钠长石、方解石、石英、绿泥石、赤铁矿和高岭土蚀变矿物的提取,综合区域铀矿成矿地质背景,通过开展地面波谱测量和野外调查,在验证蚀变准确度的基础上,剖析航天高光谱蚀变信息和成矿规律,构建了区域找矿定位模型,圈定找矿预测区3处,取得了较好的找矿效果,为国产GF-5高光谱遥感在地质找矿中的应用提供了参考。     

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。     

基于Aster和Landsat8数据在青海赛什腾地区蚀变信息提取研究

青海赛什腾地区位于无人区,穿越条件极差,传统地质找矿勘探工作难以开展,因其植被稀少,有利于多光谱遥感数据提取矿化蚀变信息.本文以Landsat8和Aster数据为数据源,利用成像光谱法和主成分分析法对赛什腾地区进行矿化蚀变信息的提取,成像光谱法包括最小噪声变换(MNF),像元纯净指数(PPI),n维可视化端元识别(n-...     

Integration of ASTER and landsat TM remote sensing data for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in Neyriz ophiolite zone,south Iran

Chromite deposits in Iran are located in the ophiolite complexes, which have mostly podiform types and irregular in their settings. Exploration for podiform chromite deposits associated with ophiolite complexes has been a challenge for the prospectors due to tectonic disturbance and their distribution patterns. Most of Iranian ophiolitic zones are located in mountainous and inaccessible regions. Remote sensing approach could be applicable tool for choromite prospecting in Iranian ophiolitic zones with intensely rugged topography, where systematic sampling and conventional geological mapping are limited. In this study, Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite data were used for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in the Neyriz ophiolitic zone in the south of Iran. Image transformation techniques, namely decorrelation stretch, band ratio and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied to Landsat TM and ASTER data sets for lithological mapping at regional scale. The RGB decorrelated image of Landsat TM spectral bands 7, 5, and 4, and the principal components PC1, PC2 and PC3 image of ASTER SWIR spectral bands efficiently showed the occurrence of major lithological units in the study area at regional scale. The band ratios of 5/3, 5/1, 7/5 applied on ASTER VNIR‐SWIR bands were very useful for discriminating most of rock units in the study area and delineation of the transition zone and mantle harzburgite in the Neyriz ophiolitic complex. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) technique was implemented to ASTER VNIR‐SWIR spectral bands for detecting minerals of rock units and especially delineation of the transition zone and mantle harzburgite as potential zones with high chromite mineralization in the Neyriz ophiolitic complex. The integration of information extracted from the image processing algorithms used in this study mapped most of lithological units of the Neyriz ophiolitic complex and identified potential areas of high chromite mineralization (transition zone and mantle harzburgite) for chromite prospecting targets in the future. Furthermore, image processing results were verified by comprehensive fieldwork and laboratory analysis in the study area. Accordingly, result of this investigation indicate that the integration of information extracted from the image processing algorithms using Landsat TM and ASTER data sets could be broadly applicable tool for chromite prospecting and lithological mapping in mountainous and inaccessible regions such Iranian ophiolitic zones.     

Application of Principal Component Analysis and Spectral Angle Mapper in the Mapping of Hydrothermal Alteration in the Jebal–Barez Area,Southeastern Iran

The southeastern part of the central Iranian Cenozoic magmatic belt contains many areas with copper mineralization. In an analysis of this region, we used the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper plus (ETM⁺) images to map the distribution of hydrothermally altered rocks, based on their mineral assemblages. The spectral measurements, based on the field samples and satellite‐image‐derived spectra, show dominantly Al–OH (sericite and clays) and Fe–O absorption features in the visible–near infrared to shortwave infrared regions of the spectrum. Silica–bearing rocks, as well as silicic alteration, show an intense Si–O vibrational feature in the thermal infrared wavelength region. We analyzed ASTER/ETM⁺ images, performed a directed principal component analysis, and used spectral angle mapper to map areas of hydrothermal alteration and iron oxide/hydroxide minerals. The individual principal component images compiled by directed principal component analysis reveal the distribution of individual alteration minerals such as sericite, kaolinite, chlorite, epidote, and quartz. The best results, in terms of mapping the distribution of alteration, were obtained using the spectral angle mapper method. The altered areas were then sampled and the samples subjected to X–ray diffraction analysis, spectral analysis, and thin sections were observed under a microscope. Field observations reveal that more than 98% of the known copper mineralization occurs within the interpreted alteration areas. The present results indicate the great potential of ASTER and ETM⁺ data for mapping the distribution of alteration and exploring for copper mineralization in areas with a similar climate and geological setting to those of the present study.     

Detecting Clay Minerals in Hydrothermal Alteration Areas with Integration of ASTER Image and Spectral Data in Kösedag-Zara (Sivas), Turkey

Remote sensing technology and its terrestrial components are more useful than classical geological investigation in mineral exploration and mapping the hydrothermal alteration areas and help to investigate larger areas in short time. Intrusive and volcanic rocks, namely Kösedag syenite and Karatas volcanics in Kösedag (Zara) area shows argillic alteration zones. Two different test area were chosen and sampled for mineralogical studies. XRD-CF investigations showed that kaolinite and illite are the dominant clay minerals in test areas of A and B respectively. The spectroradiometer measurements were carried out 5 times on different surfaces of clayey samples with self-illuminated contact-probe lens within the wavelength range of 350-2500 nm. The spectroradiometer measurements used as endmember were resampled to ASTER short wave infrared (SWIR) bandwidths. Band ratio, principal component and decorrelation stretching analysis were performed to visualize the distribution of clay minerals. In spectral classification method, matched filtering (MF) was used for integrating the satellite image and spectroradiometer measurement data. It was concluded that co-interpretations of the band ratio, principal component, decorrelation stretching analysis, MF results and geological map are very useful in determining, classifying and mapping of the argillic alteration zones related to hydrothermal processes on ASTER image and they seem to be very useful to identify the target areas for mineral exploration.     

热液矿床超大比例尺构造-蚀变-矿化填图:基本原理与注意事项

热液矿床超大比例尺填图是指1∶1 000以及更大比例尺的填图,主要用来记录矿区内露头、平硐、钻孔和手标本上等肉眼可直接观察到的各类地质现象.热液矿床超大比例尺填图的目的是查明成矿作用的地质特征、空间分布和时间演化,对于准确判断热液矿床的成因类型和成矿过程,以及圈定矿体和布置勘探工程等实践活动具有重要意义.在实际工作中,初学者由于对热液矿床的复杂现象不知如何下手,对于“填什么”和“如何填”等问题不甚清楚.鉴于此,(1)从基本原理出发,重点阐述了热液矿床构造、流体、蚀变和矿化形成过程,提出“成矿流体+新鲜围岩→围岩蚀变+矿石”这一热液矿床形成的通用性公式,并提出“构造→骨骼”和“蚀变→血肉”的类比;(2)重点介绍了热液矿床超大比例尺填图过程中一些长期被忽略的问题,如,成矿环境判别、成矿流体通道与圈闭、热液充填与交代成矿作用以及脉体穿插与成矿期次判别等.同时,对这些地质现象背后隐藏的成因启示做了重点阐释.      

A GIS and statistical approach to identify variables that control water quality in hydrothermally altered and mineralized watersheds, Silverton, Colorado, USA

Hydrothermally altered bedrock in the Silverton mining area, southwest Colorado, USA, contains sulfide minerals that weather to produce acidic and metal-rich leachate that is toxic to aquatic life. This study utilized a geographic information system (GIS) and statistical approach to identify watershed-scale geologic variables in the Silverton area that influence water quality. GIS analysis of mineral maps produced using remote sensing datasets including Landsat Thematic Mapper, advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer, and a hybrid airborne visible infrared imaging spectrometer and field-based product enabled areas of alteration to be quantified. Correlations between water quality signatures determined at watershed outlets, and alteration types intersecting both total watershed areas and GIS-buffered areas along streams were tested using linear regression analysis. Despite remote sensing datasets having varying watershed area coverage due to vegetation cover and differing mineral mapping capabilities, each dataset was useful for delineating acid-generating bedrock. Areas of quartz–sericite–pyrite mapped by AVIRIS have the highest correlations with acidic surface water and elevated iron and aluminum concentrations. Alkalinity was only correlated with area of acid neutralizing, propylitically altered bedrock containing calcite and chlorite mapped by AVIRIS. Total watershed area of acid-generating bedrock is more significantly correlated with acidic and metal-rich surface water when compared with acid-generating bedrock intersected by GIS-buffered areas along streams. This methodology could be useful in assessing the possible effects that alteration type area has in either generating or neutralizing acidity in unmined watersheds and in areas where new mining is planned.     

新疆地区西昆仑和田玉遥感信息提取与找矿远景区圈定

新疆地区和田玉主要产在西昆仑至阿尔金一带,这些地区属于高海拔和严寒地区,难以直接开展地质调查工作。当前遥感技术已在热液型矿床的找矿工作中取得重要进展。和田玉矿床属于热液型矿床,地表会留下明显的矿物蚀变信息,通过遥感信息技术寻找和田玉矿床在理论上是可行的。本次研究在西昆仑康西瓦地区,使用哨兵二号、ASTER等多光谱数据和高分5号高光谱数据提取与和田玉矿化有关的蚀变信息,构建了一个以蚀变信息为主的遥感找矿找矿模型,圈定了多处和田玉遥感找矿远景区,并对找矿远景区进行了野外验证。在选取的多个和田玉遥感找矿远景区内,发现了和田玉矿的典型蚀变类型,即蛇纹石化与透闪石化,以及多处出露地表的大理岩和多处正在开采的玉石矿。野外验证结果表明,本次研究采用的和田玉遥感勘查技术是有效的。     

基于GF-5高光谱数据的蚀变矿物填图及地质应用——以甘肃省瓜州县花牛山地区为例

[研究目的]"图谱合一"的GF-5 AHSI国产卫星高光谱数据可以根据光谱精细特征进行蚀变矿物的直接识别,一次过境成像即可获取宽幅大面积高光谱数据,能够为陆域自然资源调查提供重要的数据支撑,本文开展了GF-5高光谱数据蚀变矿物提取、分析与验证研究,以期推动国产卫星高光谱数据在地质领域的深化应用.[研究方法]建立了GF-...     

Prospectivity for epithermal gold–silver deposits in the Deseado Massif,Argentina

Previous prospectivity modelling for epithermal Au–Ag deposits in the Deseado Massif, southern Argentina, provided regional-scale prospectivity maps that were of limited help in guiding exploration activities within districts or smaller areas, because of their low level of detail. Because several districts in the Deseado Massif still need to be explored, prospectivity maps produced with higher detail would be more helpful for exploration in this region.We mapped prospectivity for low- and intermediate-sulfidation epithermal deposits (LISEDs) in the Deseado Massif at both regional and district scales, producing two different prospectivity models, one at regional scale and the other at district-scale. The models were obtained from two datasets of geological evidence layers by the weights-of-evidence (WofE) method. We used more deposits than in previous studies, and we applied the leave-one-out cross validation (LOOCV) method, which allowed using all deposits for training and validating the models. To ensure statistical robustness, the regional and district-scale models were selected amongst six combinations of geological evidence layers based on results from conditional independence tests.The regional-scale model (1000 m spatial resolution), was generated with readily available data, including a lithological layer with limited detail and accuracy, a clay alteration layer derived from a Landsat 5/7 band ratio, and a map of proximity to regional-scale structures. The district-scale model (100 m spatial resolution) was generated from evidence layers that were more detailed, accurate and diverse than the regional-scale layers. They were also more cumbersome to process and combine to cover large areas. The evidence layers included clay alteration and silica abundance derived from ASTER data, and a map of lineament densities. The use of these evidence layers was restricted to areas of favourable lithologies, which were derived from a geological map of higher detail and accuracy than the one used for the regional-scale prospectivity mapping.The two prospectivity models were compared and their suitability for prediction of the prospectivity in the district-scale area was determined. During the modelling process, the spatial association of the different types of evidence and the mineral deposits were calculated. Based on these results the relative importance of the different evidence layers could be determined. It could be inferred which type of geological evidence could potentially improve the modelling results by additional investigation and better representation.We conclude that prospectivity mapping for LISEDs at regional and district-scales were successfully carried out by using WofE and LOOCV methods. Our regional-scale prospectivity model was better than previous prospectivity models of the Deseado Massif. Our district-scale prospectivity model showed to be more effective, reliable and useful than the regional-scale model for mapping at district level. This resulted from the use of higher resolution evidential layers, higher detail and accuracy of the geological maps, and the application of ASTER data instead of Landsat ETM + data. District-scale prospectivity mapping could be further improved by: a) a more accurate determination of the age of mineralization relative to that of lithological units in the districts; b) more accurate and detailed mapping of the favourable units than what is currently available; c) a better understanding of the relationships between LISEDs and the geological evidence used in this research, in particular the relationship with hydrothermal clay alteration, and the method of detection of the clay minerals; and d) inclusion of other data layers, such as geochemistry and geophysics, that have not been used in this study.     

天然场音频电磁法在蒙古国朝格陶勒盖铜铅锌多金属矿勘查中的应用研究

通过天然场音频电磁法在朝格陶勒盖铜、铅、锌多金属矿区的研究工作,结合地质资料并运用EH4 Data Processing Program数据处理软件,对采集数据进行有效提取,实现了天然场信号的有效加密,并应用于推测和圈定矿区内中、深部地下构造及围岩蚀变接触带位置等.通过后期钻孔验证表明,该方法能够提供丰富的找矿信息.在...     

Using Remote Sensing Data to Delineate the Lineaments for Hydrothermal Mineral Prediction in Heqing Area, Northwest Yunnan Province, China

Lineament extraction and analysis is one of the routine work in mapping medium and large areas using remote sensing data, most of which are satellite images. Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper （ETM） of 945×1 232 pixels subscene acquired on 21 March 2000 covering the northwestern part of Yunnan Province has been digitally processed using ER Mapper software. This article aims to produce lineament density map that predicts favorable zones for hydrothermal mineral occurrences and quantify spatial associations between the known hydrothermal mineral deposits. In the process of lineament extraction a number of image processing techniques were applied. The extracted lineaments were imported into MapGIS software and a suitable grid of 100 m×100 m was chosen. The Kriging method was used to create the lineament density map of the area. The results show that remote sensing data could be useful to extract the lineaments in the area. These lineaments are closely correlated with the faults obtained through other geological investigation methods. On comparing with field data the lineament-density map identifies two important high prospective zones, where large-scale deposits are already existing. In addition the map highlights unrecognized target areas that require follow up investigation.     

The first discovery of Xinlong epithermal gold deposit in southern margin of the Bangonghu-Nujiang metallogenic belt: A new expansion of gold prospecting in Northern Tibet

The Xinlong gold deposit is located in Niyma County, Naqu area of Tibet and was discovered by the Institute of Mineral Resources, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences through the 1∶50000 mineral geological survey. The ore bodies occur in the Zenong Group volcanic rocks in the middle section of the central Lhasa subterrane and are structurally controlled by the NNW-striking faults. Four ore bodies have been found, exhibiting cloddy, dense-sparse, disseminated, and breccia structures. The ore minerals are mainly tetrahedrite group minerals, and other ore minerals include pyrite, chalcopyrite, nevskite, bornite, anglesite, native gold, and silver-gold bearing selenide, etc. The types of alteration are dominated by silicification, as well as middle- and high-graded argillization. The alteration mineral assemblages contain quzrtz, pyrophyllite, and kaolinite. The Zaliela Formation volcanic rocks of Zenong Group are silicified by later hydrothermal fluid with vuggy quartz in some fractured zones. The middle- and high-graded argillization are characterized by pyrophyllitization and kaolinization. The Xinlong gold deposit shows great metallogenetic potentiality and has been revealed by 1∶10000 geological mapping, IP sounding, and trial trenching in the mining area. Combined with the regional metallogenic geological setting, we suppose that a potential epithermal gold belt probably exists in the middle of the Lhasa terrane. The discovery of the Xinlong gold deposit opens a new chapter for the gold prospecting in Northern Tibet.©2023 China Geology Editorial Office.     

利用光学遥感数据、GIS及人工神经网络模型分析区域滑坡灾害

用光学遥感数据和地理信息系统(GIS)分析了马来西亚Selangor地区的滑坡灾害。通过遥感图像解译和野外调查,在研究区内确定出滑坡发生区。通过GIS和图像处理,建立了一个集地形、地质和遥感图像等多种信息的空间数据库。滑坡发生的因素主要为:地形坡度、地形方位、地形曲率及与排水设备距离;岩性及与线性构造距离;TM图像解译得到的植被覆盖情况;Landsat图像解译得到的植被指数;降水量。通过建立人工神经网络模型对这些因素进行分析后得到滑坡灾害图:由反向传播训练方法确定每个因素的权重值,然后用该权重值计算出滑坡灾害指数,最后用GIS工具生成滑坡灾害图。用遥感解译和野外观测确定出的滑坡位置资料验证了滑坡灾害图,准确率为82.92%。结果表明推测的滑坡灾害图与滑坡实际发生区域足够吻合。     

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…