Extraction of remote sensing ore-indicating information and block optimization in middle-northern segment of Zhongtiao Mountain, Shanxi Province

ObjectiveOre block optimization is an important task in the new round of strategic prospecting breakthrough actions, and a key initiative to respond to the Ministry of Natural Resources in further improving the efficiency of prospecting, developing new-quality productive forces, and enhancing the support capacity of mineral resources. As one of China's key national strategic resource concentration areas for gold, copper, iron, and other critical minerals, the Zhongtiao Mountain in Shanxi Province is abundant in mineral resources. However, to date, there is relatively limited research on the large-scale remote sensing geological interpretation and prospecting applications based on remote sensing satellite images in this region, which is of great significance for prospecting prediction. MethodsThe middle-northern segment of the Zhongtiao Mountain in Shanxi Province was selected as the study area. Based on human-computer interactive interpretation of ore-controlling structural and ore-controlling ring features from Spot-6 remote sensing images, the regional structural distribution of the study area was summarized from a macro perspective. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to preliminarily extract mineralization alteration anomaly information via Aster data. Additionally, with field spectral curves of typical rocks and minerals collected by an ASD spectrometer as training samples, the spectral angle mapping (SAM) method was applied to extract the distribution of ore-bearing strata. The distribution results were then used to screen the PCA extraction results to identify three major types of mineralization alterations, including iron staining, hydroxyl, and carbonate. The spatial correlation between alteration anomalies and ore-controlling factors (such as regional structures, ore-bearing strata, and rock mass distribution) was further analyzed. ResultsThe results indicated that: (1) The linear and ring structures were well-developed in the study area, with 84 newly interpreted faults and 136 ring structures, which helped refine and supplement the shortcomings of previous geological survey findings. (2) The mineralization and alteration information obtained by PCA and rock-ore spectral inversion could effectively indicate mineralization anomalies, highlighting the important role of regional structures in ore formation. (3) A comprehensive anomaly isodensity map was obtained through combined analysis of field verification and existing regional geological data to delineate three optimal mineralization areas. ConclusionThe research findings provide a basis and guidance for subsequent evaluation of mineral resource potential, prospecting prediction, and strategic actions of deep prospecting. The findings also promote the application of remote sensing-based geological prospecting in the Zhongtiao Mountain, and provide insights into future remote sensing-based geological prospecting efforts in other regions of Shanxi Province.