Hydrothermal Alteration Mapping Using ASTER Images in the Rabor Area, Kerman

Rabor area is located in 160 km south of Kerman city and 40 km east of Baft. There is some evidence illustrating some porphyry copper type mineralization, co-operated with tens of within Urumieh-Dokhtar volcanic belt stocks. Identification of the high potential localities and mapping the porphyry copper mineralization within these sites look very necessary. To aim for this goal, we aimed to identify the probable mineralization zones related porphyry copper mineralization alteration haloes in Rabor. In this research, by using the satellite image processing of ASTER sensor, applying the methods such as band ratioing, principal component analysis (PCA) and selective principal component analysis (Crosta) as well as the direct data from the Baft geological map (1:100000), available metallogenical theories and porphyry copper mineralization models, prepare images based on available clay mineral concentration maps from the region could provide evidences for an existence of a porphyry copper mineralization. Band ratioing was applied to discriminate the altered areas from the non-altered ones and also area lithology, porphyry copper deposit boundaries by identification of kaolinite, alunite and illite as indicator minerals within the studied area. Selective principal component analysis was also applied to produce the clay mineral concentration indicator maps to potential mining area recognition. Ore index cross matching called Pey Negin based recognition presumed area, demonstrates the selective principal component analysis method accuracy and its efficiency by using the satellite ASTER data from the altered area.