Remote Sensing Techniques to map hydrothermally altered zones for Au-Sb, and W exploration: a case study in Castelo Branco District, Portugal

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A LCT pegmatite spectral library of the aldeia spodumene deposit: contributes to mineral exploration

Publication . Almeida, Cátia Rodrigues de; Santos, Douglas; Vasques, Julia Tucker; Cardoso-Fernandes, Joana; Lima, Alexandre; Teodoro, Ana Cláudia

Several methodologies can be employed in the prospection of Lithium (Li) in hard-rock (pegmatites). Spectrometry analysis, a Remote Sensing (RS) technique, can be applied to understand the surface spectral response of a sample, both to identify the rock-forming or alteration minerals in its composition and to validate the data collected in situ (by sensors onboard satellites/drones, for example). This paper aims to make available for public use the information acquired on the spectral composition of rock samples from the Barroso pegmatite field in Portugal, within the scope of the INOVMINERAL4.0 project. As a result, a spectral library was created with 47 spectra, collected from 11 different samples. All data is made available in a universal format, thus contributing to open science, corroborating the validation of local spectral data, and stimulating the creation of other databases, in other locations.

2023Conference paper

Open access

The INOVMineral project’s contribution to mineral exploration - a WebGIS integration and visualization of spectral and geophysical properties of the aldeia lct pegmatite spodumene deposit

Publication . Cardoso-Fernandes, Joana; Santos, Douglas; Almeida, Cátia Rodrigues de; Vasques, Julia Tucker; Mendes, Ariane; Ribeiro, Ricardo; Azzalini, Antonio; Duarte, Lia; Moura, Rui; Lima, Alexandre; Teodoro, Ana Cláudia

Due to the current energetic transition, new geological exploration technologies are needed to discover mineral deposits containing critical materials such as lithium (Li). The vast majority of European Li deposits are related to Li–Cs–Ta (LCT) pegmatites. A review of the literature indicates that conventional exploration campaigns are dominated by geochemical surveys and related exploration tools. However, other exploration techniques must be evaluated, namely, remote sensing (RS) and geophysics. This work presents the results of the INOVMINERAL4.0 project obtained through alternative approaches to traditional geochemistry that were gathered and integrated into a webGIS application. The specific objectives were to: (i) assess the potential of high-resolution elevation data; (ii) evaluate geophysical methods, particularly radiometry; (iii) establish a methodology for spectral data acquisition and build a spectral library; (iv) compare obtained spectra with Landsat 9 data for pegmatite identification; and (v) implement a user-friendly webGIS platform for data integration and visualization. Radiometric data acquisition using geophysical techniques effectively discriminated pegmatites from host rocks. The developed spectral library provides valuable insights for spacebased exploration. Landsat 9 data accurately identified known LCT pegmatite targets compared with Landsat 8. The user-friendly webGIS platform facilitates data integration, visualization, and sharing, supporting potential users in similar exploration approaches.

2023Journal article

Open access