Mineral Exploration
using
RS and GIS techniques
by
Ragab El Banna
Egyptian Mineral Resources
Mineral Exploration
E.Mail: [email protected]

Aim of the Present Study

The aim of the present study is to use the capabilities of remote sensing and GIS to delineate the probable sites of mineralization in the Umm Tuyur area. To achieve this goal, some materials and methods were used and applied

Materials and Methods

q Satellite Data

    The study area is a subset from two Landsat-7 ETM+ scenes which were captured November 6, 2000 and numbered path #173 and rows # 044 & # 045 with UTM projection.

q Ancillary Data

§  Topographic maps with different scales

§  Geologic data were extracted from several previous geological maps

§  structural setting were compiled from many literatures

§  Ore deposits and mineralized zones data were collected

Mineral Exploration using RS and GIS through

1- Geological Mapping

2-Highliting of Alteration Zones

3- Analysis of Structural Lineament

- Geological Mapping using Remote Sensing Techniques by applying

       1- Band and Band- ratio Combinations

      2- Principal Component Analysis (PCA)

     3- Unsupervised and Supervised Classification

Results of band combinations and band-ratio combinations using OIF method led to choose the best three band combinations

These band combinations are useful for discriminate between the different rock units. Moreover, the principal component analysis

Supervised and unsupervised classifications are also very useful for discriminate between the rock units in the investigated area.

Representative samples for each rock unit on the satellite image were choosed to detect the spectral signature. Analyses and interpretation of the processed satellite image were combined with field observations, published and unpublished maps to produce verified geologic map.

Mineral Exploration

Using

Structural Lineament Analysis

•         Mapping of  Structural  Lineaments

•         Lineament Density Map

•         Counting of the lineament  parameters

•         Selecting the optimal cell dimension

•         Statistical analysis of  structural  lineament

•         Contouring

•         Interpretation

•         Correlation between the interpreted anomalies and

•         known old  gold districts

•         New target areas were obtained

Highlighting areas of hydrothermal alteration associated with the rocks hosting (or guide for) Ore deposits

Application of GIS in Mineral Exploration

Now, we have several layers of data

q Verified geological map

q Maps of structural lineament parameters

ü lineament frequency map

ü lineament length map

ü lineament intersection map

ü NW trend of lineament map

q Maps of alteration zones

Ø Clay minerals distribution map

Ø Iron oxides distribution map

Ø Ferrous minerals distribution map

Ø Vegetation  cover map

Map of known old gold mines