Report on research and development of remote sensing technology for non-renewable resources. The study of applied aster data techniques for the determination of the geological settings forming a skarn type ore deposit (Central Area de la Republic of Peru)

Abstract

The study area covers the Central Andean region of the Republic of Peru where a lot of skarn type metallic ore deposit such a Huanzala zinc-lead deposit, Pallca zinc-lead deposit and Anta Mina copper-zinc deposit occurs. This study aims to evaluate the applicability of ASTER data for the determination of the geologic settings forming a skarn type ore deposit. The study was carried out with the collaboration of Instituto Geológico Minero y Metalúrgico del Perú "INGEMMET'”. As a result of our examination referring to the geological documents and site survey data that were obtained this year, we were able to acquire good results by zoning and extracting a skarn zone mostly corresponded to the distribution of the skarn in an existing geological survey map. In the Anta mina area, the distribution of the epidote skarn zone mostly corresponded to the distribution of the skarn in an existing geological survey map. The distribution of an epidote skarn belt is recognized in the area surrounding the Anta mina area, on the south side of Huanzala area and southeast of Palluca area. A skarn belt was not extracted in the Huanzala area. We believe it was not picked up even with the resolution of ASTER data because the exposure area of the earth´s surface is not so large in this area. Based on the above results, a comprehensive analysis was implemented and two promising areas were extracted. The Palluca area was selected as the model for the promising area because of the good extraction result in the target area. We extracted the area where the Santa and Pariahuanca layers are distributed and the area where distribution of muscovite and hedenbergite are found overlapping based on the IFP analysis. This year’s research indicated that it is possible to select the characteristic skarn mineral band and make an unguided classification from ASTER log residual data by the extraction and zoning of the skarn belt as the components of the skarn ore deposit formation place. By the analysis of IFP, it was shown that the iron oxide belt and hydrothermal alteration part of the acid intrusive rock type including the argillized belt could be extracted. As a result of our research, it was found that the extraction and zoning of skarn belt could be made by ASTER data in the mineral deposits of remarkable surface characteristics such as Antamina and Palluca. It was also found out that the same data was effective for extraction of the skarn deposit formation place.