Mapping of favourable mining areas in the Tiouit area by multispectral remote sensing and airborne gamma-ray spectrometry coupled with geochemical data (Eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)

Abstract

The current investigation concern Tiouit region in order to perceive potential mining zones. Remote sensing data were the main component to process. In order to spot geochemical anomalies associated with the target zones, multispectral ASTER data, gamma-ray spectrometry, and stream sediment data were used. Crosta and SAM applications granted to map a spatial distribution of propylitic, phyllic, clay, and ferruginous alteration zones. The normalized ratios let the delineation of potassic alteration zones, including the Tiouit gold mine characterized by an intense alteration in the Ikniwn granodiorite. Thus, the potassic alteration zones are consistently co-located with the tectonic structures materialized by strong fracturing densities. The stream sediment geochemical investigation revealed that the cited areas have an important potential of mineralization, with high concentrations of As (136 g/t), Cu (91 g/t), Pb (141 g/t), Zn (392 g/t), Ag (3 g/t), Mo (11 g/t), Mn (0.2 g/t), and Fe (10.63 %).

The Missing Link in the Genesis of the Lower Paleozoic Copper Deposits of the Anti-Atlas (Morocco): The Late Triassic Central Atlantic Magmatic Province Event

“…Within the Igherm and Foum-Zguid Ridges, iron oxides are closely related to copper, and sometimes, the iron/copper ratio can reach only iron poles, especially around the Agadir Melloul, Taifast, Iguerda, and Zenaga areas, where many oligist quartz veins are artisanal mines [100]. In the Zagora-El Fecht Ridge, mineral occurrences are dominated by Ba, which is related to Pb and Zn, forming zonality away from the copper mining area.…”

Mapping and litho‐geophysical classification of potential mining areas by spatial remote sensing and helicopter‐borne gamma‐ray spectrometry (Tikirt, Anti‐Atlas, Morocco)

“…Several techniques have been proposed to orient mining exploration by targeting hydrothermal alteration zones (Amin et al., 2011; Bolouki et al., 2020; Di Tommaso & Rubinstein, 2007; El Janati, 2019; Et‐Tayea et al., 2021; Lamrani et al., 2021; Mamouch et al., 2023, 2022; Masoumi et al., 2021; Miftah et al., 2022; Ouchchen et al., 2022, 2021; Rowan et al., 2003; Salehi & Tangestani, 2020; Shirmard et al., 2020; Zamyad et al., 2019). Some of these studies have proved the usefulness of satellite image processing of multispectral sensors such as Landsat, Sentinel and especially ASTER in targeting hydrothermally altered areas.…”