New Insights into the Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit in Southwest China: Indication of Alteration Minerals Detected Using ASTER and WorldView-3 Data
The Pulang porphyry copper deposit (PCD), one of the main potential areas for copper resource exploration in China, exhibits typical porphyry alteration zoning. However, further investigation of the indicative significance of alteration minerals, additional insight into metallogenic characteristics,...
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MDPI AG
2021-07-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/14/2798 |
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| author | Qi Chen Zhifang Zhao Jiaxi Zhou Min Zeng Jisheng Xia Tao Sun Xin Zhao |
| author_facet | Qi Chen Zhifang Zhao Jiaxi Zhou Min Zeng Jisheng Xia Tao Sun Xin Zhao |
| author_sort | Qi Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The Pulang porphyry copper deposit (PCD), one of the main potential areas for copper resource exploration in China, exhibits typical porphyry alteration zoning. However, further investigation of the indicative significance of alteration minerals, additional insight into metallogenic characteristics, and prospecting guidelines continue to be challenging. In this study, ASTER and WorldView-3 data were used to map hydrothermal alteration minerals by employing band ratios, principal component analysis, and spectrum-area techniques; and subsequently, the indication significance of alteration minerals was studied in-depth. The following new insights into the metallogenic structure and spatial distribution of alteration zoning in Pulang PCD were obtained and verified. (1) A new NE trending normal fault, passing through the northeast of Pulang PCD, was discovered. (2) Two mineralization alteration centers, exhibiting alteration zoning characteristics of potassic-silicified, phyllic, and propylitic zones from the inside to the outside, were observed on both sides of the fault. (3) At the junction of the redivided potassic-silicification and phyllic zones, favorable prospecting potential areas were delineated. This study shows that the spectral/multi-sensor satellite data are valuable and cost-effective tools for the preliminary stages of porphyry copper exploration in inaccessible and remote areas around the world. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:25:13Z |
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| id | doaj.art-fb3a916a56014624b7ab57c41d05e3da |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T09:25:13Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-fb3a916a56014624b7ab57c41d05e3da2023-11-22T04:52:33ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922021-07-011314279810.3390/rs13142798New Insights into the Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit in Southwest China: Indication of Alteration Minerals Detected Using ASTER and WorldView-3 DataQi Chen0Zhifang Zhao1Jiaxi Zhou2Min Zeng3Jisheng Xia4Tao Sun5Xin Zhao6Institute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, ChinaSchool of Earth Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, ChinaInstitute of International Rivers and Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, ChinaThe Pulang porphyry copper deposit (PCD), one of the main potential areas for copper resource exploration in China, exhibits typical porphyry alteration zoning. However, further investigation of the indicative significance of alteration minerals, additional insight into metallogenic characteristics, and prospecting guidelines continue to be challenging. In this study, ASTER and WorldView-3 data were used to map hydrothermal alteration minerals by employing band ratios, principal component analysis, and spectrum-area techniques; and subsequently, the indication significance of alteration minerals was studied in-depth. The following new insights into the metallogenic structure and spatial distribution of alteration zoning in Pulang PCD were obtained and verified. (1) A new NE trending normal fault, passing through the northeast of Pulang PCD, was discovered. (2) Two mineralization alteration centers, exhibiting alteration zoning characteristics of potassic-silicified, phyllic, and propylitic zones from the inside to the outside, were observed on both sides of the fault. (3) At the junction of the redivided potassic-silicification and phyllic zones, favorable prospecting potential areas were delineated. This study shows that the spectral/multi-sensor satellite data are valuable and cost-effective tools for the preliminary stages of porphyry copper exploration in inaccessible and remote areas around the world.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/14/2798alteration mineralsASTERWorldView-3Pulang porphyry copper deposit |
| spellingShingle | Qi Chen Zhifang Zhao Jiaxi Zhou Min Zeng Jisheng Xia Tao Sun Xin Zhao New Insights into the Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit in Southwest China: Indication of Alteration Minerals Detected Using ASTER and WorldView-3 Data Remote Sensing alteration minerals ASTER WorldView-3 Pulang porphyry copper deposit |
| title | New Insights into the Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit in Southwest China: Indication of Alteration Minerals Detected Using ASTER and WorldView-3 Data |
| title_full | New Insights into the Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit in Southwest China: Indication of Alteration Minerals Detected Using ASTER and WorldView-3 Data |
| title_fullStr | New Insights into the Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit in Southwest China: Indication of Alteration Minerals Detected Using ASTER and WorldView-3 Data |
| title_full_unstemmed | New Insights into the Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit in Southwest China: Indication of Alteration Minerals Detected Using ASTER and WorldView-3 Data |
| title_short | New Insights into the Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit in Southwest China: Indication of Alteration Minerals Detected Using ASTER and WorldView-3 Data |
| title_sort | new insights into the pulang porphyry copper deposit in southwest china indication of alteration minerals detected using aster and worldview 3 data |
| topic | alteration minerals ASTER WorldView-3 Pulang porphyry copper deposit |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/13/14/2798 |
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