Integration of remote sensing and magnetometry methods for exploration of iron deposit in the Maragh district of Bandar e Charak

Abstract :

In the present research, to identify potential and existence of possible iron ore-bearing in the Maragh district of Bandar e Charak in Hormozgan province, first, remote sensing studies using Aster sensor data through ENVI were conducted. Afterward the preliminary exploration of promised regions was performed by magnetometry method. Remote sensing operation of the region data comprises preprocessing sequences of geometric correction by image-to-image method and atmospheric correction as well as processing techniques containing false color composite, banding ratio, least square-fit, directed principal component analysis and finally supervised classification through spectral angle mapper method. Because of this process, alteration-zoning map associated with iron mineralization in the studied region was produced. Magnetic data was acquired in an area of approximately 11.2 km2 in 1913 measuring stations using a proton magnetometer. Geosoft Oasis montaj software was employed for processing operation and qualitative interpretation of magnetic data via applying various corrections and filters including reduce to pole, upward continuation up to the variety of elevations, low-pass filter, derivative filters containing total horizontal derivative and analytical signal. At the end, to investigate the trend of magnetic anomalies observed on the surface, determination of approximate shape of the deposit and estimation of its depth, 3-D inverse modeling of the data was carried out. The results of the research through integrating two methods of remote sensing and magnetometry with 3-D inverse modeling of magnetic data, reveal that Maragh district has a high potential from viewpoint of iron ore-bearing. The results of this research will be applied for all of the geosciences practitioner especially geologists and exploration engineers.