T. V. V. King
L.C. Morath
J. D. Phillips
B. R. Berger
2003
<p><span>Synoptic views of hydrothermal alteration assemblages are of considerable </span>utility<span> </span>in<span> regional-scale minerals </span>exploration<span>. Recent advances </span>in<span> </span>data<span> acquisition and analysis technologies have greatly enhanced the usefulness of remotely sensed imaging spectroscopy for reliable alteration </span>mineral<span> assemblages mapping. Using NASA's Airborne Visible </span>Infrared<span> Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) sensor, this study mapped large areas of advanced argillic and phyllic-argillic alteration assemblages </span>in<span> the southeastern Santa Rita and </span>northern<span> </span>Patagonia<span> </span>mountains<span>, </span>Arizona<span>. Two concealed porphyry copper deposits have been identified during past </span>exploration<span>, the Red </span>Mountain<span> and Sunnyside deposits, and related published hydrothermal alteration zoning studies allow the comparison of the results obtained from AVIRIS </span>data<span> to the more traditional field mapping approaches. The AVIRIS mapping compares favorably with field-based studies. An analysis of iron-bearing oxide minerals above a concealed supergene chalcocite deposit at Red </span>Mountain<span> also indicates that remotely sensed </span>data<span> can be of value </span>in<span> the interpretation of leached caps above porphyry copper deposits. </span>In<span> conjunction with other types of geophysical </span>data<span>, AVIRIS </span>mineral<span> maps can be used to discriminate different </span>exploration<span> targets within a region.</span></p>
application/pdf
10.2113/gsecongeo.98.5.1003
en
Society of Economic Geologists
Utility of high-altitude infrared spectral data in mineral exploration: Application to Northern Patagonia Mountains, Arizona
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