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Identification of hydrothermal alteration minerals for exploring of porphyry copper deposit using ASTER data, SE Iran

Pour, Amin Beiranvand and Hashim, Mazlan (2011) Identification of hydrothermal alteration minerals for exploring of porphyry copper deposit using ASTER data, SE Iran. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 42 (6). pp. 1309-1323. ISSN 1367-9120

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2011.07.017

Abstract

The NW–SE trending Central Iranian Volcanic Belt hosts many well-known porphyry copper deposits in Iran. It becomes an interesting area for remote sensing investigations to explore the new prospects of porphyry copper and vein type epithermal gold mineralization. Two copper mining districts in southeastern segment of the volcanic belt, including Meiduk and Sarcheshmeh have been selected in the present study. The performance of Principal Component Analysis, band ratio and Minimum Noise Fraction transformation has been evaluated for the visible and near infrared (VNIR) and, shortwave infrared (SWIR) subsystems of ASTER data. The image processing techniques indicated the distribution of iron oxides and vegetation in the VNIR subsystem. Hydrothermal alteration mineral zones associated with porphyry copper mineralization identified and discriminated based on distinctive shortwave infrared (SWIR) properties of the ASTER data in a regional scale. These techniques identified new prospects of porphyry copper mineralization in the study areas. The spatial distribution of hydrothermal alteration zones has been verified by in situ inspection, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and spectral reflectance measurements. Results indicated that the integration of the image processing techniques has a great ability to obtain significant and comprehensive information for the reconnaissance stages of porphyry copper exploration in a regional scale. The results of this research can assist exploration geologists to find new prospects of porphyry copper and gold deposits in the other virgin regions before costly detailed ground investigations. Consequently, the introduced image processing techniques can create an optimum idea about possible location of the new prospects.

Item Type:Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:alteration zones, band ratio, copper exploration, minimum noise fraction, principal component analysis
Subjects:G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General)
Divisions:Geoinformation and Real Estate
ID Code:29134
Deposited By: Yanti Mohd Shah
Deposited On:21 Feb 2013 13:18
Last Modified:17 Mar 2019 03:02

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