Application of remote sensing and GIS techniques for exploring potential areas of hydrothermal mineralization in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt

Abstract

The integration of remotely sensed data allowed the successful characterization of the hydrothermal alteration zones of the Abu–Gaharish area in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt using image transformation techniques. The integration of several evidential maps highlighted the plausible areas with high concentrations of argillic and phyllic, key hydrothermal minerals that reflect the intensity of hydrothermal effects and the probable sites of ore bodies. The excellent prospective zone identified in the map occupies around 1.39% of the study area. Kaolinite–smectite minerals with correlation scores of around 0.97 were consistent with areas of hydrothermal alteration and mining activities; however, propylitic minerals were confined to basic metavolcanics and serpentinites. The resulting predictive map was assessed using existing mining data with significant consistency; therefore, field verification is essential. The overall results showed that remotely sensed data represent a valuable mapping tool for geological and mineral resources reconnaissance in the arid regions

Keywords

• aster
• alteration zone
• egypt
• eastern desert
• mineral resource