Integrating geospatial data and multi-criteria analysis for mapping and evaluating the mineralization potential of the Dschang pluton (Western Cameroon)

Abstract

The Dschang area has substantial mineral and geological exploration potentialities. However, its basement is unclear due to lack of studies on mineral and lithology mapping, and other mineralization indices. The lithological units and potential hydrothermal alteration zones in the Dschang area are investigated here using remote sensing; geographic information systems (GIS); and statistical analysis which are essential method for geological exploration. Landsat 9 OLI, ASTER data using False Color Composites (FCC), Band Ratios (BRs), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), fuzzy-logic methods, and field observations are used to identify the rocks units and potential mineralization. The integration o these multiple methods allowed the identification of orthogneiss, granites and basalts with iron-oxides, hydroxyl and ferrous bearing as potential mineralization in the Dschang area. The Evaluation of the fuzzy membership of each alteration mineral from Landsat 9 OLI and ASTER data indicates that the highest favorability index varies from 0.8 to 1 indicating a rating index related to iron mineralization. From the statistical analysis of the geochemical data, the calcic, alkaline-calcic, and metaluminous to weakly peraluminous I-type character of the Dschang granites prove their parent magma was fertile for mineralization in Rare Earths, Cu, Sn, Mo, Zn, and Pb. In addition, analysis of lineaments illustrated three structural directions in the area (ENE-WSW to NE-SW, N-S to NNE-SSW, and NW–SE). The innovative aspect of this research is the integration and processing of Landsat 9 OLI, Fuzzy, ASTER, statistical geochemical analysis of previous data, and field investigations, which allows for the identification of rock units and potentially mineralized rock formations and defining exploration targets as well.