Multisource Data Analysis for Gold Potentiality Mapping of Atalla Area and Its Environs, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

In this research, airborne geophysical and remote sensing datasets were integrated for gold potentiality mapping (GPM) over the Atalla area in Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Utilizing aeromagnetic data, detailed structural complexity maps were constructed using the center for exploration targeting (CET) procedure. Then, spectrometric gamma-ray data primarily located hydrothermally altered tracts with discriminating various rock units. The latter are precisely outlined by implementing various techniques (false-color composite (FCC), band ratio (BR), relative absorption band depth (RBD), directed principal component analysis (DPCA), and constrained energy minimization (CEM)) to ASTER, Sentinel 2 and ALOS PRISM datasets, with reference to the geological maps. The study exhibits that gold mineralization is structurally controlled by NW-SE direction. The findings of structural complexity and hydrothermal alteration (argillic, advanced argillic, phyllic, and propylitic) were used as weighted inputs for contouring gold potentiality. The resultant GPM accentuated five gold-promising zones; two are confirmed via locations of ancient gold mines, while the remaining three zones are strongly recommended for their gold potentiality.

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Utilization of Space-Borne Imagery for Lithologic Mapping: A Case Study From Um Had Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Journal of Geography and Geology ◽

10.5539/jgg.v6n2p113 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 113 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Nedal Qaoud

Keyword(s):

Remote Sensing Data ◽

Principal Component ◽

Eastern Desert ◽

Granitic Rocks ◽

Gray Scale ◽

Band Ratio ◽

Lithological Mapping ◽

Central Eastern Desert ◽

Dokhan Volcanics ◽

Central Eastern

Remote sensing data are used to discriminate between the different lithologies covering the Um Had area, Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Image processing techniques applied to the Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+) data are used for mapping and discriminating the different basement lithologies of Um Had area. Principal component analysis (PCA), minimum noise fraction (MNF) transform and band rationing techniques provide efficient data for lithological mapping. The study area is underlain by gneisses, ophiolitic melange assemblage (talc-serpentinite, metagabbro, metabasalt), granitic rocks, Dokhan volcanics, Hammamat sediments and felsites. The resulting gray-scale PC2, PC3 and PC4 images are best to clearly discriminate the Hammamat sediments, amphibolites and talc-serpentinites, respectively. The gray-scale MNF3 and MNF4 images easily discriminate the felsites and talc-serpentinites, respectively. The band ratio 5/7 and 4/5 images are able to delineate the talc-serpentinites and Hammamat sediments, respectively. Information collected from gray-scale and false color composite images led to generation of detailed lithologic map of Um Had area.

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