Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial Systems

Mapping geological outcrops is a crucial part of mineral exploration, mine planning and ore extraction. With the advent of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) for rapid spatial and spectral mapping, opportunities arise in fields where traditional ground-based approaches are established and trusted, but f...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Robert Jackisch, Sandra Lorenz, Moritz Kirsch, Robert Zimmermann, Laura Tusa, Markku Pirttijärvi, Ari Saartenoja, Hernan Ugalde, Yuleika Madriz, Mikko Savolainen, Richard Gloaguen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/12/18/2998
_version_ 1797553674027794432
author Robert Jackisch
Sandra Lorenz
Moritz Kirsch
Robert Zimmermann
Laura Tusa
Markku Pirttijärvi
Ari Saartenoja
Hernan Ugalde
Yuleika Madriz
Mikko Savolainen
Richard Gloaguen
author_facet Robert Jackisch
Sandra Lorenz
Moritz Kirsch
Robert Zimmermann
Laura Tusa
Markku Pirttijärvi
Ari Saartenoja
Hernan Ugalde
Yuleika Madriz
Mikko Savolainen
Richard Gloaguen
author_sort Robert Jackisch
collection DOAJ
description Mapping geological outcrops is a crucial part of mineral exploration, mine planning and ore extraction. With the advent of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) for rapid spatial and spectral mapping, opportunities arise in fields where traditional ground-based approaches are established and trusted, but fail to cover sufficient area or compromise personal safety. Multi-sensor UAS are a technology that change geoscientific research, but they are still not routinely used for geological mapping in exploration and mining due to lack of trust in their added value and missing expertise and guidance in the selection and combination of drones and sensors. To address these limitations and highlight the potential of using UAS in exploration settings, we present an UAS multi-sensor mapping approach based on the integration of drone-borne photography, multi- and hyperspectral imaging and magnetics. Data are processed with conventional methods as well as innovative machine learning algorithms and validated by geological field mapping, yielding a comprehensive and geologically interpretable product. As a case study, we chose the northern extension of the Siilinjärvi apatite mine in Finland, in a brownfield exploration setting with plenty of ground truth data available and a survey area that is partly covered by vegetation. We conducted rapid UAS surveys from which we created a multi-layered data set to investigate properties of the ore-bearing carbonatite-glimmerite body. Our resulting geologic map discriminates between the principal lithologic units and distinguishes ore-bearing from waste rocks. Structural orientations and lithological units are deduced based on high-resolution, hyperspectral image-enhanced point clouds. UAS-based magnetic data allow an insight into their subsurface geometry through modeling based on magnetic interpretation. We validate our results via ground survey including rock specimen sampling, geochemical and mineralogical analysis and spectroscopic point measurements. We are convinced that the presented non-invasive, data-driven mapping approach can complement traditional workflows in mineral exploration as a flexible tool. Mapping products based on UAS data increase efficiency and maximize safety of the resource extraction process, and reduce expenses and incidental wastes.
first_indexed 2024-03-10T16:19:57Z
format Article
id doaj.art-c6748279f62a44a2a60b6cb74e3db64d
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2072-4292
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-10T16:19:57Z
publishDate 2020-09-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Remote Sensing
spelling doaj.art-c6748279f62a44a2a60b6cb74e3db64d2023-11-20T13:47:52ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922020-09-011218299810.3390/rs12182998Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial SystemsRobert Jackisch0Sandra Lorenz1Moritz Kirsch2Robert Zimmermann3Laura Tusa4Markku Pirttijärvi5Ari Saartenoja6Hernan Ugalde7Yuleika Madriz8Mikko Savolainen9Richard Gloaguen10Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Division “Exploration Technology”, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Division “Exploration Technology”, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Division “Exploration Technology”, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Division “Exploration Technology”, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Division “Exploration Technology”, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyRadai Oy, Teknologiantie 18, 90590 Oulu, FinlandRadai Oy, Teknologiantie 18, 90590 Oulu, FinlandDIP Geosciences, 100 Burris Street, Hamilton, ON L8M 2J5, CanadaHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Division “Exploration Technology”, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyYara Suomi Oy, Nilsiäntie 50, 71801 Siilinjärvi, FinlandHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Division “Exploration Technology”, Chemnitzer Str. 40, 09599 Freiberg, GermanyMapping geological outcrops is a crucial part of mineral exploration, mine planning and ore extraction. With the advent of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) for rapid spatial and spectral mapping, opportunities arise in fields where traditional ground-based approaches are established and trusted, but fail to cover sufficient area or compromise personal safety. Multi-sensor UAS are a technology that change geoscientific research, but they are still not routinely used for geological mapping in exploration and mining due to lack of trust in their added value and missing expertise and guidance in the selection and combination of drones and sensors. To address these limitations and highlight the potential of using UAS in exploration settings, we present an UAS multi-sensor mapping approach based on the integration of drone-borne photography, multi- and hyperspectral imaging and magnetics. Data are processed with conventional methods as well as innovative machine learning algorithms and validated by geological field mapping, yielding a comprehensive and geologically interpretable product. As a case study, we chose the northern extension of the Siilinjärvi apatite mine in Finland, in a brownfield exploration setting with plenty of ground truth data available and a survey area that is partly covered by vegetation. We conducted rapid UAS surveys from which we created a multi-layered data set to investigate properties of the ore-bearing carbonatite-glimmerite body. Our resulting geologic map discriminates between the principal lithologic units and distinguishes ore-bearing from waste rocks. Structural orientations and lithological units are deduced based on high-resolution, hyperspectral image-enhanced point clouds. UAS-based magnetic data allow an insight into their subsurface geometry through modeling based on magnetic interpretation. We validate our results via ground survey including rock specimen sampling, geochemical and mineralogical analysis and spectroscopic point measurements. We are convinced that the presented non-invasive, data-driven mapping approach can complement traditional workflows in mineral exploration as a flexible tool. Mapping products based on UAS data increase efficiency and maximize safety of the resource extraction process, and reduce expenses and incidental wastes.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/12/18/2998unmanned aerial systemshyperspectralmultispectralmagneticgeologic mappingdrones
spellingShingle Robert Jackisch
Sandra Lorenz
Moritz Kirsch
Robert Zimmermann
Laura Tusa
Markku Pirttijärvi
Ari Saartenoja
Hernan Ugalde
Yuleika Madriz
Mikko Savolainen
Richard Gloaguen
Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial Systems
Remote Sensing
unmanned aerial systems
hyperspectral
multispectral
magnetic
geologic mapping
drones
title Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial Systems
title_full Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial Systems
title_fullStr Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial Systems
title_full_unstemmed Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial Systems
title_short Integrated Geological and Geophysical Mapping of a Carbonatite-Hosting Outcrop in Siilinjärvi, Finland, Using Unmanned Aerial Systems
title_sort integrated geological and geophysical mapping of a carbonatite hosting outcrop in siilinjarvi finland using unmanned aerial systems
topic unmanned aerial systems
hyperspectral
multispectral
magnetic
geologic mapping
drones
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/12/18/2998
work_keys_str_mv AT robertjackisch integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT sandralorenz integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT moritzkirsch integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT robertzimmermann integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT lauratusa integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT markkupirttijarvi integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT arisaartenoja integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT hernanugalde integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT yuleikamadriz integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT mikkosavolainen integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems
AT richardgloaguen integratedgeologicalandgeophysicalmappingofacarbonatitehostingoutcropinsiilinjarvifinlandusingunmannedaerialsystems