A NEW SPECTRAL-SPATIAL SUBSPACE CLUSTERING ALGORITHM FOR HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGE ANALYSIS

We apply multi-range hyperspectral imaging on drill core material from a Kupferschiefer-type Cu–Ag deposit in Germany, mapping minerals such as iron oxides, kaolinite, sulfate, and carbonates at millimetre resolution and in a rapid, cost-efficient, and continuous manner to track hydrothermal fluid flow paths and vectors towards base metal deposits in sedimentary basins.

We integrate UAS-based magnetic and multispectral data with legacy exploration data of a Ni–Cu–PGE prospect on Disko Island, West Greenland. The basalt unit has a complex magnetization, and we use a constrained 3D magnetic vector inversion to estimate magnetic properties and spatial dimensions of the target unit. Our 3D modelling reveals a horizontal sheet and a strong remanent magnetization component. We highlight the advantage of UAS use in rugged and remote terrain.

Novel methods for mineral exploration play an important role in future resource exploration. The methods have to be environmentally friendly, socially accepted and cost effective by integrating multidisciplinary methodologies. We investigate the potential of passive, ambient noise tomography combined with 3D airborne electromagnetics for mineral exploration in Geyer, Germany. We show that the combination of the two geophysical data sets has promising potential for future mineral exploration.

We present a library of high-resolution laser-induced fluorescence (LiF) reference spectra using the Smithsonian rare earth phosphate standards for electron microprobe analysis. With the recurring interest in rare earth elements (REEs), LiF may provide a powerful tool for their rapid and accurate identification. Applications of the spectral LiF library to natural materials such as rocks could complement the spectroscopy-based toolkit for innovative, non-invasive exploration technologies.