Geological mapping and mineral exploration based on the application of remote sensing (RS) in North Waziristan Pakistan

Abstract

In mineral exploration, remote sensing tools are important and cost effective. Minerals occur in a variety of genetic associations, commercial deposits of minerals are limited in genetic types and modes of occurrences. This forms the basis of modern concept based prospecting and is also responsible for the significant role of remote sensing in exploration. Remote sensing data can help to differentiate metalogenic provinces/belts/sides and mineral guides in a larger terrain. Keeping In view the importance of RS Tools, digitally enhanced OLI Landsat 8 images are applied to find alteration zones and for geological mapping of North Waziristan Pakistan. The territory is rough with sparse vegetation; the exposure of the Waziristan ophiolite, related sedimentary-igneous lithologies and inaccessibility to the area made the utilization of Landsat information helpful in this investigation. Spectral signatures recorded by Landsat 8 data were used to differentiate different rock units and alteration zones. RS tool i.e. band ratios, band combinations, principal component analysis and image classification are helpful in this regard. Final detection of the lithology and alteration zones is based on correlation between classes generated in the thematic map and the referenced geological map. On the basis of the image classification techniques; unsupervised classification, band ratios, five principles lithological units and alteration zones with highest percentage of clay and iron ratio, results are satisfactory with overall accuracy 63.07 % in comparison with referenced geological map using confusion matrix analysis. The results are subject to discussion and need to examine about the utility and confinements of remote sensing strategy on the investigation zone.