Integrated remote sensing and geophysical data for delineating the radioactive mineralization bearing-alteration zones, El-Missikat and El-Erediya areas, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt
Aya S. Shereif, Ali Shebl, Mahmoud Abdellatif, Mohamed A. Abdelkader, Mohamed Badawi, Abdelhalim S. Mahmoud, Árpád Csámer
Abstract
Relying exclusively on singular evidence nowadays is mostly insufficient for accurately identifying mineralized zones, particularly those hosting radioactive mineralizations. It is well-established that the integration of datasets leads to more reliable outcomes, particularly in the detection of potential mineralization deposits and the accurate discrimination of heterogeneous lithological units. Here, we combined multisource datasets like remote sensing data from Sentinel-2 and hyperspectral PRISMA with airborne geophysical data, encompassing magnetic and radiometric information. This study aims to meticulously investigate and map hydrothermal alteration zones associated with radioactive (uranium) mineralizations within the El-Missikat and El-Erediya regions. To accomplish this objective, satellite imagery underwent meticulous processing through a suite of techniques, including False Color Composites, Principal Component Analysis, Independent Component Analysis, Minimum Noise Fraction, and Band Ratios. Our study meticulously delineated the hydrothermal alteration zones associated with uranium deposition, including hematitization, epidotization, sericitization, and kaolinization. Furthermore, airborne geophysical findings provided insights into the spatial distribution of radioelements. In addition, the aeromagnetic findings highlighted the intricate structures that control mineralizations by depicting their depths via applying Tilt derivative (TD), Euler deconvolution (ED), and also distinctive mineralization sites through Center for exploration targeting (CET) grid analysis. Also, radiometric K/eTh ratio coupled with ternary composite maps of aeroradiometric data demarcated zones displaying potassic alteration that are associated with younger granitoids, proficiently differentiated radioactive mineralized zones, and different rock units, respectively. This integration is augmented through detailed fieldwork, petrographic analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The latter confirmed the U-Th-REE-Nb-bearing minerals such as zirconolite, euxenite-(Y) (polycrase-Y), and plumbo-pyrochlore (Pb-pyrochlore). Thus, we strongly advocate for the synergistic integration of remote sensing and geophysical datasets in future investigations to further refine mineral exploration strategies.