Using the Landsat-8 Data Set and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission Digital Terrain Model for Gold–Polymetallic Mineralization Prediction on the Territory of the Central Part of the Malouralskaya Zone, the Polar Urals

Abstract

For the first time, we apply a new approach to processing earth remote sensing data obtained by the Landsat-8 spacecraft to the central part of the Maloyralskaya zone, the Polar Urals. It consists of integrating metasomatic alteration distribution maps and lineament density patterns that were created based on the results of statistical processing of remote sensing data and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital elevation model. This study is aimed at identifying morphological features and patterns and features of the deep structure and at identifying areas promising for the gold-polymetallic type of mineralization in the studied area. As a result of the study, it is established that areas promising for the gold–polymetallic type of mineralization in the central part of the Maloyralskaya zone are localized along transregional fault zones that intersect favorable horizons and structures and control ore mineralization and within large morphostructures complicated by radial faults of the first-order NE and NW direction with a length of up to 30 km, as well as areas with increased indices of iron oxides (II and III) and, less often, hydroxide (Al–OH and Mg–OH) and carbonate-containing minerals.