Exploration 101 Part VI: Remote sensing

Dr. Gisela Cobeas

Remote sensing in Mineral Exploration
 Remote sensing in Mineral Exploration
We are looking for subtle
anomalies
Mineral systems are rare
1% of mineral occurrences are
worth detailed study
1% of those are worth drilling
1% of those are worth mining
 Remote sensing in Mineral Exploration
Remote sensing is used as a
tool to extract information
about the land surface
structure, composition or
subsurface, but is often
combined with other data
sources providing
complementary
measurements.
 Remote sensing in Mineral Exploration
Other uses:
To support logistics, such as
route planning for access into a
mining area, reclamation
monitoring,
Generating base maps upon
which geological data can be
referenced or superimposed.
Adds value to exploration
 Most common techniques used in
Mineral Exploration

LANDSAT
ASTER
World View images
Hyperspectral methods

Aster image
 LANDSAT (Its free and really good)
The TM system records three wavelengths of visible energy blue, green,
and red (Band 1, 2 and 3) and three bands of reflected IR energy (Band
4, 5 and 7).

These visible and reflected IR have a spatial resolution of 30 m.

Band 6 records thermal IR energy 10.5 to 12.5 mm with a spatial

resolution of 120 m.

Each TM scene records 170 by 185 km of terrain. The image data are
telemetered to earth receiving stations.

The second generation of Landsat continued with Landsat 7, launched in

April, 1999, with an enhanced TM system. A panchromatic band 8 0.52
to 0.90 mm with spatial resolution of 15 m is added. Aster image
LANDSAT (Its free and really good)
Produces an
enhanced image with
rocky outcrops (quartz
porphyry, basalt and
quartzite) shown in
shades of purple and
blue. Many structural
features are visible in
the full-sized image.
Variations in regolith
geology appear as a
patchwork of yellows,
browns and greens.
Ideal for geology.
 Source: John Berry
Comparison of ASTER Bands (bottom) with TM bands
(top). Note multiple narrow ASTER bands where TM
has one broad band in SWIR and TIR.
ASTER (almost free but more detail)
ASTER obtains
high-resolution
(15 to 90 square
meters per pixel)
images of the
Earth in 14
different
wavelengths of
the
electromagnetic
spectrum,
ranging from
visible to thermal
infrared light.
Mineral mapping: Carlin Gold-style deposit example
Escondida mine,
Chile

SWIR bands 4-6-8 in

RGB, highlights
lithologic and
alteration
differences of
surface units.
Satellite image
acquired on April
23, 2000.
 Hyperspectral remote sensing
What is a
Hyperspectral
Image?
A Hyperspectral image is
one in which the signal
from each pixel is
measured at many
narrow, contiguous
wavelength intervals.
Such an image provides
detailed spectral
signatures for every
pixel.
Hyperspectral vs Multispectral

Source:MDA
Hyperspectral applications: Detailed Mineral Mapping

Source:Goetz 2011
Hyperspectral applications

Source:Kruse et al 2013
 Remote sensing technology
Advantages:
Archives of worldwide data are readily available
Images cover large areas on the ground
Prices per square kilometer are generally lower
Ideal for early exploration in arid regions with sparse vegetation,
Excelent first data package when combined with field mapping
and geophysics.

Disadvantages :
The latest hyperspectral technology is currently available only
from aircraft
Aircraft missions can be configured to match the requirements
of a project
Prices are high!
 Approximate cost for geophysical
surveys in USD
Airborne magnetics: 100-180 km/line
Ground magnetics: 150 per km
IP and resistivity: VIP, 7000 per station,
conventional IP: 200-250 per line/km
Ground Gravity surveys: 60 per station
Aster processing: 150-200 per scene
Hyperspetral surveys: varies depending size of
the AOI.
Preguntas??? Pueden escribirme a gisrocb@gmail.com