About This Special Issue
The effective management of natural resources in many areas of applied geoscience is influenced by obtaining detailed geological information from various sources. Exploration geologists are generally confronted with various problems mainly related to the difficulty of covering large areas (time and limited access, natural and human risks) leading to a disparity in the information collected and methods of extrapolation and interpolation used for map model. Remote sensing is an indispensable way to achieve this goal. The product of advanced remotely sensed data has increased the identification of surface mineralogy. Mapping of surface rocks with their associated mineralization by remote sensing methods in support by geographic information system (GIS) is a major asset in any geological and mineral exploration project. Thus, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), Landsat images, Worldview-3, Hyperion, HyMap and the Airborne Visible/IR Image Spectrometer (AVIRIS) multispectral and hyperspectral data support cost-effective techniques for ore mineral exploration around the world. Hydrothermal alteration minerals associated with ore deposits such as orogenic Au and porphyry Cu-Au, massive sulfide, podiform chromite, uranium, magnetite and iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposits have been successfully used for this goal. This detailed information on geology and mineralogy of surface rocks greatly influences and guides the early stages of all geological and mineral exploration projects. Advanced image processing algorithms based on state-of-the-art data extraction techniques can be implemented for detecting key alteration minerals associated with a variety of ore deposits.
Aims and Scope:
- Exploration information systems (EIS) for mineral mapping
- GIS and remote sensing integration for Mineral exploration Targeting
- Integration of multispectral and hyperspectral data for mineral mapping
- Application of RS data for structural mapping in metallogenic provinces
- Hydrothermal alteration mineral mapping
- The use of RS/GIS in mineral exploration targeting