Global Journal of Earth and Environmental Science

Based on the selection and development of exploration areas and the detection and mapping of mining areas, remote sensing has been used more frequently to acquire information about a geographic area of interest. Remote sensing-based applications reduce the need for field work and ultimately save costs. This effort explores the potential of remotely sensed digital data in highlighting mineralized zones through hydrothermal alteration studies. Landsat 8 OLI data covering the investigated area was used to detect and map locations of hydrothermal alterations. Image processing methods used were spectral enhancement, false colour composites, band rationing and Principal Component Analysis. Results of false colour composites (FCC) of band ratio highlighted generally locations of hydrothermal alterations. The band ratios image of Sabin’s (6/7, 4/2, 4/6, and 4/6 in red–green–blue) revealed the presence of ferric, clay-rich, and ferrous iron minerals, respectively. The principal Components (PCs) of two sets of images (4, 5, 6, 7 H-image and 2, 3, 4, 5 F-image) were generated depicting iron-oxide and hydroxyl mineral deposits as bright pixels. The colour composite of H, F and H+F images enhanced the location of the mineral deposits by showing areas of mineralization in dark blue (clay-rich), bright yellow (Fe-rich), and white (alteration zones in bright reddish to orange) pixels. Fieldwork, previous remote sensing studies, and laboratory analysis were used to verify the image processing results. The remote sensing applications with field geochemical data results show that the spectral and spatial analysis of optical multispectral data in mineral exploration investigations is strengthened. This study recommends the use of remote sensing and geospatial technology in mineral studies through hydrothermal alteration within the basement complex rocks of the Arabian Nubian Shield.