Optical and radar spatial remote sensing application for geological analysis and mineralized areas detection in the central part of the Deseado Massiff, Santa Cruz province

Abstract

The Deseado Massif, located in the southern part of Argentina, is a region of a great geological-mining interest, due to the presence of a numerous precious metals (Au - Ag) epithermal deposits. These deposits are spatially and temporarily related to the Jurassic volcanism of Bahía Laura Group. The investigations guided to the localization of this kind of deposits, developed by the Institute of Mineral Resources (INREMI), incorporating the satellite technology as a prospecting tool. This methodology allowed the identification of several sectors with hydrothermal alteration evidences and associated mineralizations. The results of a research based on the use of multispectral (LANDSATTM and ETM+, TERRA-ASTER) and radar images (ERS-1 and ERS-2 SAR and RADARSAT-1 SAR) for the geological analysis with prospective goals, are presented in this contribution. The diverse digital processing strategies that have been employed, conducted to the identification of several areas with geological-mining interest, which have been confirmed and characterized through detailed field works. The evaluation of the different information sources that have been used, allowed us to examine the benefits and limitations of the incorporation of this tool during the traditional stages of geological cartography and mining prospecting. It also conduced to the design of a work methodological sequence and to the definition of prospecting guides based on the available satellite imagery