Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia

The application of optical remote sensing data for geological mapping is difficult in the tropical environment. The persistent cloud coverage, dominated vegetation in the landscape and limited bedrock exposures are constraints imposed by the tropical climate. Structural geology investigations that a...

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Main Authors: Pour, Amin Beiranvand, Hashim, Mazlan
Format: Article
Published: Elsevier 2014
Subjects:
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author Pour, Amin Beiranvand
Hashim, Mazlan
author_facet Pour, Amin Beiranvand
Hashim, Mazlan
author_sort Pour, Amin Beiranvand
collection ePrints
description The application of optical remote sensing data for geological mapping is difficult in the tropical environment. The persistent cloud coverage, dominated vegetation in the landscape and limited bedrock exposures are constraints imposed by the tropical climate. Structural geology investigations that are searching for epithermal or polymetallic vein-type ore deposits can be developed using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing data in tropical/sub-tropical regions. The Bau gold mining district in the State of Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo has been selected for this study. The Bau is a gold field similar to Carlin style gold deposits, but gold mineralization at Bau is much more structurally controlled. Geological analyses coupled with the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) remote sensing data were used to detect structural elements associated with gold mineralization. The PALSAR data were used to perform lithological-structural mapping of mineralized zones in the study area and surrounding terrain. Structural elements were detected along the SSW to NNE trend of the Tuban fault zone and Tai Pant fault that corresponds to the areas of occurrence of the gold mineralization in the Bau Limestone. Most of quartz-gold bearing veins occur in high-angle faults, fractures and joints within massive units of the Bau Limestone. The results show that four deformation events (D1-D4) in the structures of the Bau district and structurally controlled gold mineralization indicators, including faults, joints and fractures are detectable using PALSAR data at both regional and district scales. The approach used in this study can be more broadly applicable to provide preliminary information for exploration potentially interesting areas of epithermal or polymetallic vein-type mineralization using the PALSAR data in the tropical/sub-tropical regions.
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spelling utm.eprints-626922017-06-05T01:57:36Z http://eprints.utm.my/62692/ Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia Pour, Amin Beiranvand Hashim, Mazlan QE Geology The application of optical remote sensing data for geological mapping is difficult in the tropical environment. The persistent cloud coverage, dominated vegetation in the landscape and limited bedrock exposures are constraints imposed by the tropical climate. Structural geology investigations that are searching for epithermal or polymetallic vein-type ore deposits can be developed using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) remote sensing data in tropical/sub-tropical regions. The Bau gold mining district in the State of Sarawak, East Malaysia, on the island of Borneo has been selected for this study. The Bau is a gold field similar to Carlin style gold deposits, but gold mineralization at Bau is much more structurally controlled. Geological analyses coupled with the Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) remote sensing data were used to detect structural elements associated with gold mineralization. The PALSAR data were used to perform lithological-structural mapping of mineralized zones in the study area and surrounding terrain. Structural elements were detected along the SSW to NNE trend of the Tuban fault zone and Tai Pant fault that corresponds to the areas of occurrence of the gold mineralization in the Bau Limestone. Most of quartz-gold bearing veins occur in high-angle faults, fractures and joints within massive units of the Bau Limestone. The results show that four deformation events (D1-D4) in the structures of the Bau district and structurally controlled gold mineralization indicators, including faults, joints and fractures are detectable using PALSAR data at both regional and district scales. The approach used in this study can be more broadly applicable to provide preliminary information for exploration potentially interesting areas of epithermal or polymetallic vein-type mineralization using the PALSAR data in the tropical/sub-tropical regions. Elsevier 2014 Article PeerReviewed Pour, Amin Beiranvand and Hashim, Mazlan (2014) Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia. Advances in Space Research, 54 (4). pp. 644-654. ISSN 0273-1177 https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2014.02.012 DOI:10.1016/j.asr.2014.02.012
spellingShingle QE Geology
Pour, Amin Beiranvand
Hashim, Mazlan
Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia
title Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_full Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_fullStr Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_full_unstemmed Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_short Structural geology mapping using PALSAR data in the Bau gold mining district, Sarawak, Malaysia
title_sort structural geology mapping using palsar data in the bau gold mining district sarawak malaysia
topic QE Geology
work_keys_str_mv AT pouraminbeiranvand structuralgeologymappingusingpalsardatainthebaugoldminingdistrictsarawakmalaysia
AT hashimmazlan structuralgeologymappingusingpalsardatainthebaugoldminingdistrictsarawakmalaysia