Evaluation of geophysics and spaceborne multispectral data for alteration mapping in the Sar Cheshmeh mining area, Iran

The Sar Cheshmeh porphyry copper deposit is located in the Central Iranian Volcanic-Sedimentary Belt (CIVSB). The hydrothermal alteration zones are well developed within and around the porphyry stock. Given the poor soil and vegetation cover in this area, we evaluated the usefulness of multispectral remote sensing data derived from Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETMþ) images and airborne magnetic–radiometric data for hydrothermal alteration mapping at a local scale. Principal component analysis (PCA), band ratios and the spectral angle mapper (SAM) technique were applied to the multispectral data sets to map hydrothermally altered rocks. PCA and band ratios were also applied to the airborne geophysical data. The overall results showed that the multispectral remote sensing data sets resulted in more accurate hydrothermal alteration mapping and lithological discrimination in the study area as compared with the airborne geophysical data. The radiometric data are also useful in enhancing areas with potassic alteration