Mapping of bauxite mineral deposits in the northern region of Saudi Arabia by using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer satellite data

Abstract

Mineral deposit mapping is very essential for sustainable and eco-friendly exploitation of natural resources. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has abundant natural resources such as natural gas, oil and minerals. It reserves high quantity of minerals such as phosphates, bauxites, copper, gold and other industrial minerals. The red soil regions located in Hail and Qassim provinces of Saudi Arabia have rich amount of bauxite (major aluminum ore) deposits. In order to initiate the focus on mapping of mineral deposits along this area, standardized hyper-spectral analysis has been carried out by using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite data. The spectral signature of gibbsite (major element in bauxite) samples is analyzed with reference to the spectral features of gibbsite in the visible near infrared and short-wave infrared bands electromagnetic spectrum. Advanced hyper-spectral transformations such as minimum noise fraction function and pixel purity index have been performed to identify the target end-member. The existence of the mineral is confirmed by comparing the spectral signatures of the end-member with the predefined spectral plots of ASTER and United States Geological Survey spectral libraries. Finally, the end-members are mapped and their abundance is estimated in 0–1 scale. The study has opened up new areas for mapping of bauxite deposits in the area and leads to eco-friendly exploitation of natural resources. It also validates the high potential of ASTER multispectral satellite data for the exploration and mapping of mineral resources.