ASTER and WorldView-3 satellite data for mapping lithology and alteration minerals associated with Pb-Zn mineralization

Abstract

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and WorldView-3 (WV-3) satellite remote sensing data were used for mapping lithological units and hydrothermal alteration zones associated with Pb-Zn mineralization in the Kerman–Kashmar Tectonic Zone (KKTZ), Iran. The visible near infrared (VNIR), shortwave infrared (SWIR) and thermal infrared (TIR) bands of ASTER were used to map iron oxide/hydroxides, Al-OH minerals, Fe,Mg-OH minerals, quartz and carbonate minerals. The VNIR bands of WV-3 were used to discriminate Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ absorption intensities. Selective Principal Component analysis (SPCA), Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), Linear Spectral Unmixing (LSU) and Automatic Lineament Extraction techniques were implemented. Lithological units were discriminated based on Al/Fe-OH, Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ and Mg-Fe-OH/CO3 absorption properties. The spatial distribution of hematite, goethite, jarosite, gypsum, calcite, dolomite, kaolinite and muscovite were comprehensively detected. Some prospective zones were identified in the intersection of N-S, NW-SE and NE-SW trending fault systems, gossan, argillic/phyllic and dolomitic units.

Keywords:

• ASTER
• WorldView-3
• Kashmar–Kerman Tectonic Zone (KKTZ)
• Pb-Zn mineralization
• Iran

Acknowledgments

The Iran Minerals Production and Supply Company (IMPASCO) is acknowledged for providing and collecting the field and laboratory data for this investigation. Special thanks to Shahram Adibfard the exploration manager of IMPASCO. The Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is also acknowledged for providing required facilities for writing and revising this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).