Detection of alteration zones using the Dirichlet process Stick-Breaking model-based clustering algorithm to hyperion data: the case study of Kuh-Panj porphyry copper deposits, Southern Iran

Abstract

Detection of hydrothermal alteration zones (HAZs) associated with porphyry copper systems using remote sensing imagery is a crucial stage for discovering high potential zone of ore mineralization. Statistical model-based clustering methods have great potential for automatic and accurate detection of hydrothermal alteration minerals using hyperspectral remote sensing imagery. In this research, the Dirichlet Process based on Stick-Breaking (DPSB) model-based clustering algorithm was implemented to hyperion remote sensing imagery to discriminate HAZs associated with the Kuh-Panj porphyry copper deposit, south, Iran. The DPSB clustering algorithm was implemented and subsequently compared with the k-means algorithm, CLARA clustering, hierarchical clustering, Gaussian finite mixture model (GFMM), Gaussian model for high-dimensional (GMHD) and spectral clustering as well as spectral angle mapping (SAM). Results derived from the DPSB model-based clustering algorithm show 88.6% accuracy in distinguishing propylitic, argillic, advanced argillic, propylitic-argillic and phyllic alteration zones. The DPSB algorithm can be broadly implemented to hyperspectral remote sensing imagery for detecting alteration zones associated with porphyry systems.

Keywords:

• Alteration zones
• remote sensing
• hyperion
• DPSB
• SAM
• porphyry copper systems

Acknowledgements

We would appreciate Isfahan University of Technology for supporting this. This study is part of the research activity carried out during the first author’s PhD research at Isfahan University of Technology. The Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) is also acknowledged for providing facilities during editing, rewritten and re-organizing the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.