Processing of Multispectral ASTER Data for Mapping Alteration Minerals Zones: As an Aid for Uranium Exploration in Elmissikat-Eleridiya Granites, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Elmissikat-Eleridiya district is one of the most important uranium localities in the central Eastern Desert of Egypt. The feature oriented principal component selection (FPCS) and spectral angle mapper (SAM) techniques were applied on ASTER L1B imagery for mapping the common alteration zones. The study revealed that ASTER VNIR-SWIR bands are effectively used for delineating sericite, kaolinite, chlorite, illite and hematite bearing alteration zones, whereas ASTER TIR bands are most effective in delineation of silica-rich zones, which associate and could be used as pathfinder for radioactive mineralization within the study area. The resultant alteration maps show good coincidence with the explored uranium sites and suggest further similar unexplored sites. The results could assist the development of uranium exploration in the study area and other similar localities within the Egyptian deserts.