Professional Documents
Culture Documents
157–183
Abstract
Remote sensing is the science of acquiring, processing, and interpreting images and related data, acquired from aircraft
and satellites, that record the interaction between matter and electromagnetic energy. Remote sensing images are used for
mineral exploration in two applications: Ž1. map geology and the faults and fractures that localize ore deposits; Ž2. recognize
hydrothermally altered rocks by their spectral signatures. Landsat thematic mapper ŽTM. satellite images are widely used to
interpret both structure and hydrothermal alteration. Digitally processed TM ratio images can identify two assemblages of
hydrothermal alteration minerals; iron minerals, and clays plus alunite. In northern Chile, TM ratio images defined the
prospects that are now major copper deposits at Collahuasi and Ujina. Hyperspectral imaging systems can identify individual
species of iron and clay minerals, which can provide details of hydrothermal zoning. Silicification, which is an important
indicator of hydrothermal alteration, is not recognizable on TM and hyperspectral images. Quartz has no diagnostic spectral
features in the visible and reflected IR wavelengths recorded by these systems. Variations in silica content are recognizable
in multispectral thermal IR images, which is a promising topic for research. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights
reserved.
Keywords: remote sensing; mineral exploration; thematic mapper ŽTM.; Goldfield mining district
0169-1368r99r$ - see front matter q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
PII: S 0 1 6 9 - 1 3 6 8 Ž 9 9 . 0 0 0 0 7 - 4
158 F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183
Table 1
Remote sensing systems for mineral exploration
Characteristic Landsat 4, 5 Landsat 7 SPOT SPOT AVIRIS
thematic mapper enhanced multispectral panchromatic hyperspectral
ŽTM. TM scanner ŽXS. ŽPan. scanner
Spectral region
Visible and reflected IR 0.45 to 2.35 mm 0.45 to 2.35 mm 0.50 to 0.89 mm – 0.40 to 2.50 mm
Panchromatic – 0.52 to 0.90 mm – 0.51 to 0.73 mm
Thermal IR 10.5 to 12.5 mm – – –
Spectral bands 7 8 3 1 224
Terrain coÕerage
East to west 185 km 185 km 60 km 60 km 10.5 km cross-track
North to south 170 km 170 km 60 km 60 km
single band of data, primarily at green and red Another advantage is that radar images may be
wavelengths, with a spatial resolution of 10 m. Both acquired at a low depression angle that causes pro-
image modes cover 60 by 60 km of terrain and may nounced highlights and shadows that enhance subtle
be acquired in a stereoscopic format. topographic features. These features are commonly
the expression of faults, fractures, and lithology.
2.3. Hyperspectral imaging systems Radar images of vegetated regions record the vegeta-
tion surface, rather than the underlying terrain. In
Conventional multispectral scanning systems, such Indonesia, Sabins Ž1983. demonstrated that the forest
as Landsat TM and SPOT XS, record up to 10 canopy conforms to the underlying terrain and that
spectral bands with bandwidths on the order of 0.10 geologic information can be interpreted from the
mm. Hyperspectral scanners are a special type of images. In Papua New Guinea, the Chevron Corpora-
multispectral scanner that record many tens of bands tion relied on aircraft radar images to discover major
with bandwidths on the order of 0.01 mm ŽSabins, oil fields.
1997, Chap. 1.. Many minerals have distinctive spec-
tral reflectance patterns at visible wavelengths and 2.5. Digital image processing
especially at reflected IR wavelengths ŽHunt, 1980..
Under favorable conditions, many minerals may be Modern remote sensing systems record image data
identified on suitably processed hyperspectral data. in a digital raster format that is suitable for computer
Fig. 1 shows the spectral region covered by the 224 processing using readily available software and per-
spectral bands recorded by the airborne visiblerin- sonal computers. Sabins Ž1997, Chap. 8. groups
frared imaging spectrometer ŽAVIRIS. which is a image-processing methods into three functional cate-
hyperspectral system carried on high altitude aircraft gories that are listed below, together with lists of
by NASA. AVIRIS image strips are 10.5 km wide typical processing routines
and several tens of kilometers long. The airborne 1. Image restoration compensates for image errors,
system is operated on an experimental basis, primar- noise, and geometric distortions introduced during
ily in the U.S. A website Žhttp:rrmakalu.jpl.nasa. the scanning, recording, and playback operations.
govraviris.html. provides access to the archive of The objective is to make the restored image re-
AVIRIS images. Green et al. Ž1998. describe the semble the scene on the terrain. Typical process-
AVIRIS system and summarize a number of applica- ing routines include:
tion studies, including geology. Examples of AVIRIS a. Restoring line dropouts
images are shown in the section on the Goldfield b. Restoring periodic line striping
mining district ŽSection 4.3.1.. Sabins Ž1997, Tables c. Restoring line offsets
1–4. lists some airborne hyperspectral scanners that d. Filtering random noise
are commercially available. e. Correcting for atmospheric scattering
f. Correcting geometric distortions
2.4. Radar systems 2. Image enhancement alters the visual impact that
the image has on the interpreter. The objective is
Radar is an active form of remote sensing that to improve the information content of the image.
provides its own source of electromagnetic energy to Typical processing routines include:
illuminate the terrain. Radar energy is measured in a. Contrast enhancement
wavelengths of centimeters that penetrate rain and b. Density slicing
clouds which is an advantage in tropical regions. c. Edge enhancement
Fig. 2. Landsat TM visible and reflected IR images of Goldfield mining district, NV. Fig. 4 is a map of the area which covers 7 by 7 km.
From Sabins Ž1997, Fig. 11-7.. ŽA. Band 1, blue Ž0.45 to 0.52 mm.. ŽB. Band 2, green Ž0.52 to 0.60 mm.. ŽC. Band 3, red Ž0.63 to 0.69
mm.. ŽD. Band 4 reflected IR Ž0.76 to 0.90 mm.. ŽE. Band 5, reflected IR Ž1.55 to 1.75 mm.. ŽF. Band 7, reflected IR Ž2.08 to 2.35 mm..
162 F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183
F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183 163
d. Making digital mosaics used TM and aircraft radar images to interpret linear
e. Intensity, hue, and saturation transformations features in western Nevada. They concluded that the
f. Merging data sets linear features correlate with the geologic structures
g. Synthetic stereo images that controlled mineralization.
3. Information extraction utilizes the computer to Ž2. Recognition of hydrothermally altered rocks
combine and interact between different aspects of that may be associated with mineral deposits. The
a data set. The objective is to display spectral and spectral bands of Landsat TM are well-suited for
other characteristics of the scene that are not recognizing assemblages of alteration minerals Žiron
apparent on restored and enhanced images. Typi- oxides, clay, and alunite. that occur in hydrother-
cal processing routines include: mally altered rocks. In my experience the best explo-
a. Principal-component images ration results are obtained by combining geologic
b. Ratio images and fracture mapping with the recognition of hy-
c. Multispectral classification drothermally altered rocks.
d. Change-detection images
The images in this report have been processed with
various combinations of these routines.
4. Mapping hydrothermal alteration at epither-
mal vein deposits — Goldfield, Nevada
Fig. 3. Recognizing hydrothermally altered rocks at Goldfield mining district, NV. ŽImage F courtesy F.A. Kruse, Analytical Imaging and
Geophysics, LLC, Boulder, CO.. From Sabins Ž1997, Plate 21.. ŽA. TM 1–2–3 normal color image. ŽB. TM color ratio image. Ratio
5r7 s red, 3r1 s green, 3r5 s blue. ŽC. TM ratio 5r7 image with density slice. High ratio values shown in red. ŽD. TM ratio 3r1 image
with density slice. High ratio values shown in red. ŽE. TM unsupervised classification map. ŽF. Color composite image of AVIRIS
endmember abundance images Žfrom Fig. 12.. Illite s red, alunites green, kaolinites blue.
164 F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183
Table 2
Representative mineral exploration investigations using remote sensing. From Sabins Ž1997, Table 11-3.
Locality Reference Comments
Western North and Spatz and Wilson Ž1994. Summarizes published remote sensing studies of
South America 12 major mining districts from British Columbia to Chile.
Altiplano, Bolivia Knepper and Simpson Ž1992. TM color ratio composite images used to recognize
hydrothermally altered rocks.
Canada Singhroy Ž1991. 10 papers on mineral exploration using Landsat and radar.
Chile, Peru, Eiswerth and Rowan Ž1993. TM color ratio composite images used to recognize
and Bolivia hydrothermally altered rocks. Field studies evaluated results.
Jordan Kaufmann Ž1988. Mapped hydrothermal alteration using digitally
processed TM images.
Jordan Abdelhamid and Rabba Ž1994. A variety of digitally processed TM images identified
a historic CurMn deposit and located prospects.
Sonora, Mexico Bennett et al. Ž1993. TM data were integrated with field and laboratory data
to discover several prospects.
Nevada Watson et al. Ž1990. TIMS data were processed to recognize silicified
rocks associated with gold deposits.
Spain Goosens and Kroonenberg Ž1994. TM ratio images were used to identify altered rocks
overlain by residual soil.
Sudan Griffiths et al. Ž1987. Landsat MSS images and field work showed gold
occurrences are concentrated along regional shear zones
in mafic metavolcanics.
Arizona Abrams et al. Ž1983. Mapped hydrothermal alteration using digitally processed
aircraft multispectral images.
Montana Rowan et al. Ž1991. Compared the association of linear features with ore
deposits in Butte region.
Idaho and Montana Segal and Rowan Ž1989. Mapped hydrothermal alteration in the Dillon region.
Utah Murphy Ž1995. Used hyperspectral data to map jasperoid.
Zaire, Zambia, Angola Unrug Ž1988. Major lead–zinc vein deposits occur at intersections of
Landsat lineaments with folds and thrust faults.
Unexplored intersections are potential targets.
were first developed to recognize hydrothermally formation of a small caldera and ring-fracture sys-
altered rocks ŽRowan et al., 1974.. tem. Hydrothermal alteration and ore deposition oc-
curred during a second period of volcanism in the
4.1. Geology, ore deposits, and hydrothermal alter- early Miocene epoch when the dacite and andesite
ation flows that host the ore deposits were extruded. Heat-
ing associated with volcanic activity at depth caused
The Goldfield district ŽFig. 4. was noted for the convective circulation of hot, acidic, hydrothermal
richness of its ore. Over 4 million troy ounces solutions through the rocks. Fluid movement was
Ž130,000 kg. of gold with silver and copper were concentrated in the fractures and faults of the ring-
produced, largely in the boom period between 1903 fracture system. Following ore deposition, the area
and 1910. The geology and hydrothermal alteration was covered by younger volcanic flows. Later dom-
of the district have been thoroughly mapped and ing and erosion have exposed the older volcanic
analyzed by the U.S. Geological Survey ŽAshley, center with altered rocks and ore deposits.
1974, 1979., which makes Goldfield an excellent In the generalized map ŽFig. 4., the hydrother-
locality to develop and test remote sensing methods mally altered rocks are cross-hatched and the unal-
for mineral exploration. tered country rocks are blank. Approximately 40 km2
Volcanism began in the Oligocene epoch with of the area is underlain by altered rocks, but less than
eruption of rhyolite and quartz latite flows and the 2 km2 of the altered area contains economic mineral
F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183 165
Fig. 4. Map showing geology and hydrothermal alteration of Goldfield mining district, NV. From Ashley Ž1979, Figs. 1 and 8..
deposits, which are shown in black. The oval band of Vitaliano, 1964.. The hydrothermal solutions also
altered rocks was controlled by the circular ring-frac- deposited jarosite and pyrite in the veins and argillic
ture system, with a linear extension toward the east. rocks. The pyrite weathers to iron oxides which
The central patch of alteration shown in Fig. 4 was impart pink and red hues to the altered rocks. The
controlled by closely spaced faults and fractures. The hydrothermally altered rocks at Goldfield, and other
most highly altered rocks are the veins of microcrys- epithermal vein deposits, are characterized by two
talline quartz with some alunite. The ore occurs in mineral assemblages:
the veins, but the majority of veins are barren. 1. Alunite and clay minerals
Adjacent to the veins, the country rock is altered to 2. Iron minerals
the clay minerals illite, kaolinite, and montmoril- The following sections describe how Landsat images
lonite plus alunite. This assemblage of alteration are digitally processed to recognize these assem-
minerals is called the argillic zone ŽHarvey and blages.
166 F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183
255. Ratio images are prepared by dividing the value which have low blue reflectance ŽTM band 1. and
for one band by that of another band, after atmo- high red reflectance ŽTM band 3.. Iron-stained hy-
spheric corrections have been made ŽSabins, 1997, drothermally altered rocks therefore have high values
Chap. 8.. Table 3 explains how TM ratio 5r7 distin- in a 3r1 ratio image. Fig. 6B is a 3r1 ratio image
guishes altered rocks containing clays and alunite with high DN values shown in bright tones. Fig. 3D
from unaltered rocks. Both rocks have similar values is a color density slice version of the 3r1 image,
in band 5. The reflectance of unaltered rocks in band with color assignments shown in the histogram of
7 is similar to that in band 5. Therefore, the 5r7 Fig. 6C. Highest ratio values ŽDN ) 150. are shown
ratio for unaltered rocks is unity Ž1.00.. Altered in red, with the next highest values ŽDN 135 to 150.
rocks, however, have lower reflectance in band 7 shown in yellow. The red and yellow colors there-
because of the absorption caused by the minerals fore correlate with the altered rocks.
shown in Fig. 5A. Therefore, the 5r7 ratio for
altered rocks is much greater than unity Ž1.45.. The
4.2.3. Color composite ratio images
numbers in Table 2 are typical and will differ for
Color composite ratio images are produced by
other examples. The decimal ratio values are con-
combining three ratio images in blue, green, and red.
verted to 8-bit digital numbers ŽDNs. and displayed
Fig. 3B shows ratios 3r5, 3r1, and 5r7 in red,
as images.
green, and blue, respectively. The orange and yellow
Fig. 5B is a 5r7 ratio image of Goldfield with
hues delineate the outer and inner areas of altered
higher ratio values shown in brighter tones. Compar-
rocks in a pattern similar to that of the density sliced
ing the image with the map ŽFig. 4. shows that the
ratio images. An advantage of the color ratio image
high ratio values correlate with hydrothermally al-
is that it combines the distribution patterns of both
tered rocks. Fig. 5C is a histogram of the 5r7 ratio
iron minerals and hydrothermal clays. A disadvan-
image that shows the higher ratio values ŽDNs ) 145.
tage is that the color patterns are not as distinct as in
of the altered rocks. Low ratio values represent
the individual density-sliced images.
unaltered rocks.
Fig. 3C is a color density slice version of the 5r7
image in which the gray scale is replaced by the 4.2.4. Classification images
colors shown in the histogram ŽFig. 5C.. Highest Multispectral classification is a computer routine
ratio values ŽDN ) 145. are shown in red, with the for information extraction that assigns pixels into
next highest values ŽDN 125 to 145. shown in classes based on similar spectral properties. In a
yellow. The red and yellow colors on the ratio image supervised multispectral classification, the operator
ŽFig. 3C. therefore correlate with the altered rocks. specifies the classes that will be used. In an unsuper-
vised multispectral classification, the computer spec-
4.2.2. Iron minerals on 3 r 1 ratio images ifies the classes that will be used ŽSabins, 1997,
Iron oxides and sulfates are the second group of Chap. 8.. An unsupervised multispectral classifica-
minerals associated with hydrothermally altered tion was applied to the TM bands in Fig. 2 and
rocks. Fig. 6A shows spectra of the iron minerals resulted in 12 classes. These classes were aggregated
Table 3
Calculation of TM 5r7 ratio values. From Sabins Ž1997, Table 11-1.
Band 5 reflectance Band 7 reflectance Ratio 5r7 DNs for
Žtypical. Žtypical. Žtypical. ratio 5r7
Unaltered rocks 160 160 1.00 100
Žwithout clays and alunite.
Altered rocks 160 110 1.45 145
Žwith clays and alunite.
168 F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183
techniques. The following section describes a suc- porphyry deposits and may be recognized by the
cessful commercial application of digitally processed same methods that were developed at Goldfield.
TM images.
5.1. Alteration model
5. Mapping hydrothermal alteration at porphyry
copper deposits — Collahuasi, Chile Fig. 9 is a model of hydrothermal alteration of
porphyry copper deposits that was developed by
Most of the world’s copper is mined from por- Lowell and Guilbert Ž1970.. The most intense alter-
phyry deposits, which occur in a different geologic ation occurs in the core of the porphyry body and
environment from vein deposits of the Goldfield diminishes radially outward in a series of concentric
type. Hydrothermal alteration is also common at zones described below.
Fig. 9. Model of hydrothermal alteration zones associated with porphyry copper deposits. From Lowell and Guilbert Ž1970, Fig. 3.
172 F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183
Potassic zone. Most intensely altered rocks in the pyrite oxidizes to form a red to brown iron-stained
core of the stock. Characteristic minerals are quartz, crust called a gossan, or leached capping. Gossans
sericite, biotite, and potassium feldspar. The re- can be useful indicators of underlying mineral de-
flectance spectra Žnot shown. of biotite and sericite posits, although not all gossans are associated with
have absorption minima in TM band 7, similar to the ore deposits.
spectra of clays. The TM ratio 5r7 is effective in Argillic zone. Quartz, kaolinite, and montmoril-
recognizing these micas, which have reflectance lonite are characteristic minerals of the argillic zone
spectra similar to those of clays. in porphyry deposits, just as they are associated with
Phyllic zone. Quartz, sericite, and pyrite are com- the argillic zone at Goldfield and elsewhere.
mon. Propylitic zone. Epidote, calcite, and chlorite oc-
Ore zone. Disseminated grains of chalcopyrite, cur in these weakly altered rocks. Propylitic alter-
molybdenite, pyrite, and other metal sulfides. Much ation may be of broad extent and have little signifi-
of the ore occurs in a cylindrical shell near the cance for ore exploration.
boundary between the potassic and phyllic zones. Few porphyry deposits have the symmetry and
Copper typically constitutes 1%, or less, of the rock, completeness of the model in Fig. 9. Structural de-
but the large volume of ore is suitable for open pit formation, erosion, and deposition commonly con-
mining. Where the ore zone is exposed by erosion, ceal large portions of the system. Nevertheless,
Fig. 10. Geologic map of Collahuasi mining district, Chile. Hydrothermal alteration anomalies are edited from Landsat TM ratio images.
Geology generalized from Vergara Ž1978A, B..
F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183 173
recognition of small patches of altered rock on re- Chuquicamata mine. Fig. 10 is a geologic map show-
mote sensing images can be a valuable exploration ing distribution of the Macata, Capella, and Col-
clue. lahuasi formations of Jurassic and Cretaceous age.
In the early 1980s, NASA and the Geosat Com- These country rocks are intruded by granitic stocks
mittee evaluated satellite and airborne multispectral of late Cretaceous to early Tertiary age that are hosts
images of porphyry copper deposits in southern Ari- for the porphyry copper deposits.
zona. At the Silver Bell mining district, Abrams and Mineral production in the Collahuasi District be-
Brown Ž1985. used color ratio images to separate the gan in the late 1800s when copper was mined from
phyllic and potassic alteration zones from the argillic veins at Rosario ŽFig. 10. now known to be related
and propylitic zones. A supervised classification map to the porphyry system. During the 1930s, these
defined the outcrops of altered rocks. veins were Chile’s third largest producer of copper.
Modern exploration began in 1976 when a joint
5.2. Geologic and exploration background
venture of Superior Oil and Falconbridge acquired
The Collahuasi Mining District is located in the Collahuasi properties. The joint venture discov-
northern Chile, 180 km southeast of the city of ered a porphyry deposit at Rosario. In 1985, owner-
Iquique. The district lies within a north-trending belt ship of the district changed to a three-way joint
of porphyry copper deposits that includes the major venture of Falconbridge, Shell Oil, and Chevron.
mines at El Teniente, Disputada, El Salvador, Escon- From 1985 to early 1991, exploration efforts were
dida, and Chuquicamata. The Collahuasi District is concentrated on evaluating the Rosario deposit.
bounded on the west by a major regional fault Rosario, however, occupies only a small portion of
system that also passes through the open pit at the the 28,000 ha of the Collahuasi District. There were
Fig. 11. Collahuasi mining district, Chile. Landsat TM bands 2–4–7 shown in red, green, and blue merged with SPOT pan image. From
Sabins Ž1997, Plate 22..
174 F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183
indications of other mineralized centers within the District. The ratio images were interpreted to identify
district, but geologic information was incomplete and areas with high concentrations of iron oxide miner-
additional exploration data were required. als, clays, and alunite. These areas, called anomalies,
were plotted on a preliminary map. The TM anoma-
5.3. Remote Sensing lies were evaluated to eliminate false anomalies.
Three major types of false anomalies are:
The Remote Sensing Research Group of Chevron 1. Sedimentary rocks, such as shale, that are rich in
processed satellite images of the Collahuasi District clay
and adjacent areas. Northern Chile is ideally suited 2. Rocks with an original red color, such as iron-rich
for such studies, because vegetation, soils, and clouds volcanic rocks and sedimentary red beds
are virtually absent in this arid environment of the 3. Detritus eroded from outcrops of altered rocks;
high Andes Mountains. Landsat TM bands 2–4–7 these recent deposits in alluvial fans and channels
were combined in blue, green, and red to produce a may indicate the proximity of altered rocks.
color image that is optimum for geologic interpreta- The edited anomalies are shown in black on the
tion in this arid terrain. A SPOT panchromatic image geologic map ŽFig. 10.. A circular cluster of anoma-
Ž10 m spatial resolution. was merged with the TM lies, over 6 km in diameter, occurs south and west of
image to produce the version shown in Fig. 11. Collahuasi and Rosario and is now called the Col-
TM 3r1 and 5r7 ratio images were produced lahuasi Hydrothermal System. The Rosario deposit,
using the methods developed at the Goldfield Mining with a diameter of 1.5 km, occupies only a small
Fig. 12. Contour map of resistivity values, Collahuasi mining district. H — high values. L — low values. Hydrothermal alteration
anomalies are edited from Landsat TM ratio images. From Sabins Ž1997, Fig. 11-13..
F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183 175
portion of the north margin of the system. The 5.4. Geophysical surÕeys
remainder of the Collahuasi hydrothermal system
was largely unexplored. Geophysical surveys were made to evaluate the
A second cluster of anomalies, 3 km wide, occurs Landsat TM anomalies. Dick et al. Ž1993. provide
southwest of Ujina ŽFig. 10. and is called the Ujina details of the configuration and results of the geo-
Hydrothermal System. Minor alteration had been physical surveys. The entire district was covered by
recognized earlier at Ujina, but the area has received a helicopter-borne aeromagnetic survey Žnot shown.
very limited exploration attention in the past. The that mapped subsurface geologic structures and the
alteration shown on the ratio images is much more distribution of magnetic minerals. The aeromagnetic
extensive than previously recognized at Ujina. map shows that the Collahuasi and Ujina hydrother-
Fig. 13. Landsat TM band 4 image of Salar de Uyuni and vicinity, southwest Bolivia. From Sabins and Miller Ž1994, Fig. 2..
176 F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183
mal systems are localized at intersections of major ŽFig. 12.. These patterns are analogous to those of
northeast- and northwest-trending faults. The Ujina classic porphyry copper deposits. At Collahuasi the
System has a circular rim of high magnetic values resistivity pattern is 5 km in diameter. The lowest
that is interpreted as an ore shell within the porphyry values form a marginal rim that may represent the
deposit, similar to that shown in the porphyry model ore shell of the porphyry model. The very low
ŽFig. 9.. overall resistivity of the Collahuasi system is inter-
A ground-based survey measured resistivity of the preted as an extensive development of veinlet miner-
rocks. Unmineralized rocks typically have high resis- alization.
tivity values. Metallic minerals, such as copper sul- The Ujina Hydrothermal System has a circular
fides, have low resistivity values; therefore, mineral- pattern of low resistivity contours 3 km in diameter.
ized rocks have low resistivity values. Fig. 12 is a The eastern portion of the resistivity feature is cov-
contour map of the resistivity survey at the same ered by the Ujina tuff that post-dates the hydrother-
scale as the image ŽFig. 11. and map ŽFig. 10.. High mal activity ŽFig. 10.. The Landsat anomalies coin-
resistivity values are shown by H; the very important cide with the exposed western portion of the system.
low values are shown by L.
5.5. Ore discoÕeries
Results of the resistivity survey are outstanding.
Circular patterns of low resistivity contours occur at Core holes were drilled to evaluate the hydrother-
both the Collahuasi and Ujina hydrothermal systems mal systems outlined by the remote sensing and
Fig. 14. Map of Salar de Uyuni. Triangles show high values for TM ratio 4r7 that correlate with high concentrations of ulexite. Contours
show boron concentration Žmg ly1 . in near-surface brine. From Risacher Ž1989, Fig. 34..
F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183 177
geophysical investigations. The first holes tested the Salar with more than 1 million ground resolution
low resistivity values at Rosario, on the north rim of cells that represent 9 = 10y4 km2 each. The Boli-
the Collahuasi system, where the drills found zones vian government contracted with Intercontinental
of structurally controlled copper mineralization. Resources, to conduct a Landsat evaluation of the
These results led to the discovery of two major ore Salar ŽSabins and Miller, 1994..
bodies within the Collahuasi system that are shown A major question in the evaluation was whether
by stippled patterns in Fig. 12. borate minerals in the crust of the Salar have spectral
At Ujina, drilling of the resistivity feature discov- features that can be recognized in TM data. Fig. 15
ered a major new porphyry copper deposit shown by shows the reflectance spectrum of ulexite ŽNaCaB5 O
the stippled pattern in Fig. 12. The primary ore P 8H 2 O. which is the principal borate mineral in the
deposit is overlain by secondary enriched ore. By Salar. Fig. 15 also shows the spectrum of halite
early 1993, drilling had outlined over 150 million ŽNaCl., or rock salt, which constitutes more than
tons of enriched ore with a grade of 1.8% copper. 90% of the crust. TM ratio 4r7 should have high
In late 1992, Chevron decided to sell its mineral values for ulexite and low values for halite. A 4r7
properties in order to concentrate on its energy busi- ratio image was generated and density sliced to
ness. Chevron sold its one-third interest in the unde- highlight the highest ratio values which are shown as
veloped Collahuasi District to Minorco for US$190 triangles in the map ŽFig. 14.. The highest ratio
million cash. Chevron’s total investment in the prop- values coincide with the contours of maximum boron
erty is estimated at US$23 million. The remote concentration in an embayment at the south margin
sensing work that contributed so much to the in- of the Salar. Additional triangles elsewhere around
creased value of the property cost less than US$50 the margin of the Salar indicate potential borate
thousand. In 1995, Minorco and Falconbridge pur-
chased Shell’s one-third interest for US$195 million.
Minorco and Falconbridge will spend US$1.3 billion
to develop Collahuasi into a world-class copper mine.
Production started in late 1998 and will last for 45
years. Total mineable reserves are 14 million tons of
copper with a value of US$36.4 billion at 1994
copper prices. Remote sensing played a key role in
defining this valuable property.
reserves that were not detected by the sample pro- Ž1. Lack of Õegetation. This may be caused by
gram. concentrations of metals in the soil that are toxic to
This ratio method should be useful for borate plants. These areas are sometimes called copper
exploration in other dry lakes. barrens where they are caused by high concentra-
tions of that metal. Areas that lack vegetation may be
seen on remote sensing images. These barren areas
7. Mineral exploration in covered terrain
may result from causes other than mineralization,
The Collahuasi and Goldfield districts are in arid however.
terrain with extensive exposures of bedrock and little Ž2. Indicator plants. These are species that grow
soil or vegetation. Much of the world has temperate preferentially on outcrops and soils enriched in cer-
to humid climates, however, and mineral deposits are tain elements. Cannon Ž1971. prepared an extensive
obscured or concealed by soil and vegetation. As a list of indicator plants. For example, in the Katanga
rule of thumb, remote sensing cannot reliably recog- region of southern Zaire, a small blue-flowered mint,
nize hydrothermally altered rocks where vegetation Acrocephalus robertii, is restricted entirely to cop-
and soil cover exceeds 50%. Remote sensing, espe- per-bearing rock outcrops.
cially radar, can map lithology and structure in cov- Ž3. Physiological changes. High metal concentra-
ered terrain. tions in the soil may cause abnormal size, shape, and
Explorationists have long recognized the relation- spectral reflectance characteristics of vegetation. A
ship between vegetation, soils, and underlying min- relationship between spectral reflectance properties
eral deposits that is shown diagrammatically in Fig. of plants and the metal content of their soils could
16. Geochemical exploration techniques analyze the form the basis for remote sensing of mineral deposits
metal content of samples of vegetation, soil, or wa- in vegetated terrain.
ter. Areas with high metal concentrations are targets It is reasonable to expect that vegetation growing
for follow-up investigations. High concentrations of over mineral deposits should have different spectral
metals in soils can cause changes in the vegetation reflectance patterns from vegetation growing in non-
cover that include the following: mineralized areas. The remote sensing of such spec-
Fig. 16. Copper enrichment of vegetation and soil overlying a concealed copper deposit. From Sabins Ž1997, Fig. 11-19..
F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183 179
tral differences could be an exploration method in whereas mineralized red spruce have a lower re-
covered terrains. This concept was evaluated by flectance than the normal trees ŽFig. 17.. In the green
several research projects in the 1970s and 1980s. spectral region, the mineralized trees of both species
Plants were grown hydroponically with metal salts have a higher reflectance. Labovitz et al. Ž1983, Fig.
added to the nutrient solution. A control group was 1. summarized other investigations of vegetation
grown with normal nutrients. Reflectance spectra of spectra. With some exceptions, vegetation re-
the two groups were compared throughout the growth flectance in the green and red bands generally in-
cycle, but the results were inconclusive. creased with increasing metal concentration in the
Yost and Wenderoth Ž1971. used the large, low- soil. In the reflected IR region, however, there is less
grade, copper-molybdenum deposit at Catheart agreement; some studies show increased vegetation
Mountain, Maine, as a remote sensing test site. Field reflectance and others show decreased reflectance.
spectrometers measured reflectance of trees growing Labovitz et al. Ž1983, p. 759. also noted that the
in normal soil and in mineralized soil overlying the geobotanical model of Fig. 16 is not universally
deposit ŽFig. 17.. Red spruce and balsam fir growing correct. In Virginia, they found that the leaves of oak
in the mineralized soil both had higher metal concen- trees growing in metal-rich soil may have a lower
trations than trees in unmineralized soil. In the re- metal content than leaves from trees in normal soil.
flected IR spectral region, the mineralized balsam Geophysical Environmental Research used a non-
firs have a higher reflectance than the normal trees, imaging airborne system that acquires detailed re-
flectance spectra. The spectra in Fig. 18 were ac-
quired for conifers growing in a mineralized area and
in an adjacent nonmineralized area. In the green
band Ž0.5 to 0.6 mm. reflectance is higher for trees
in the mineralized area, which is consistent with
other studies. Beginning at a wavelength of about 0.7
mm, vegetation spectra have a steep upward slope to
the high reflectance values in the IR region. In Fig.
18, this steep slope is shifted slightly toward shorter
wavelengths for the conifers growing in the mineral-
ized area. This shift, called the blue shift, has been
noted in vegetation over several mineralized areas
ŽCollins et al., 1983. and may have exploration
potential.
There is little research today on remote sensing of
vegetation spectra for mineral exploration, to my
knowledge. The original researchers are retired or
are working on environmental projects. The avail-
ability of hyperspectral data may encourage new
investigations.
8. Future technology
Fig. 18. Airborne reflectance spectra of conifers in Cotter Basin, MT. Note the ‘‘blue shift’’ for conifers growing in a mineralized area.
From Collins et al. Ž1983, Fig. 4B..
inability to detect quartz is a handicap for remote processed TIMS data of the Cuprite, Nevada district
sensing systems, regardless of their spectral resolu- and recognized the high concentrations of silica that
tion. A possible solution lies in the thermal IR region occur in the hydrothermally altered rocks.
Ž8 to 14 mm. where silica content is indicated by the NASA plans to deploy the advanced spaceborne
wavelength where the greatest energy absorption oc- thermal emission and radiation radiometer ŽASTER.
curs. Fig. 19 shows emissivity spectra of igneous on the first Earth Observation Satellite ŽEOS-A. that
rocks in the thermal region from 8 to 14 mm. All the may be launched in the future. Fig. 19 shows the five
spectra contain broad emissivity minima, called ab- thermal IR bands recorded by ASTER, which should
sorption bands, that are caused by the silica content enable us to interpret variations in silica content.
of the rocks. Arrows indicate the center of each TIMS and ASTER data can recognize high concen-
absorption band. Note that the arrows shift to longer trations of silica, but cannot distinguish hydrothermal
wavelengths as the silica content of the rocks de- silica from other forms such as igneous or sedimen-
creases. tary silica. Hydrothermal silica can be recognized by
The thermal IR multispectral scanner ŽTIMS. is a interpreting TIMS and ASTER images in conjunc-
NASArJPL experimental aircraft system that ac- tion with images showing geology and other alter-
quires six bands of imagery in the thermal IR region. ation mineral Žiron minerals, clays, and alunite..
Fig. 19 shows the TIMS bands which are positioned Australia is organizing support for a satellite that
to record the absorption minima. Hook et al. Ž1992. will include a hyperspectral scanner in the instru-
F.F. Sabinsr Ore Geology ReÕiews 14 (1999) 157–183 181
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