Hyperspectral

West Pilbara Hyperspectral gold exploration case-study

Airborne HyMap hyperspectral data was used to map mineral assemblages associated with gold deposits. A previously unknown gold zone was immediately found by association with pyrophyllite detected by hyperspectral imaging..

Read More: Bierwirth, P.N., Blewett, R and Huston,D (1999). Finding new mineral prospects with HYMAP: early results from an hyperspectral remote sensing case study in the West Pilbara. AGSO Research Newsletter, No 31, November 1999

Bierwirth, P.N., Blewett, R and Huston,D., (2002). Hyperspectral mapping of mineral assemblages associated with gold mineralization in the West Pilbara, W.A. Economic Geology, vol 97, no 4, p819-826.

Captains Flat, N.S.W. acid mine drainage case-study

Airborne hyperspectral HyMap data for the Captains Flat area was used in conjunction with samples collected for laboratory analysis and ground spectral data to produce maps of the environmental hazards. Spectral studies, XRD and electron microprobe of mine drainage materials identified schwertmannite, jarosite goethite, gypsum and black algae as the main components.

Read More: Bierwirth, P.N., (2005). Chapter 3: Captains Flat (NSW) - Acid Mine Drainage pollution. In: Methods of spectral geology utilizing airborne-hyperspectral and satellite remote sensing – applications for exploration and acid-mine drainage. PhD Thesis, Australian National University.

Laboratory and imaging spectroscopy of tourmaline group minerals- a tool for mineral exploration

This is a study of the spectral features of tourmaline group minerals in the VNIR to SWIR wavelength range. Tourmaline is a hydrothermal mineral that is important as an indicator for gold and metals exploration. The spectroscopy is complex and for natural materials, there may be no rivals in terms of the number of narrow spectral features across the VNIR-SWIR range. Analysis of hyperspectral imagery in the Pilbara region, W.A., demonstrates that rapid spectral identification of tourmaline be used to determine proximity to ore-bodies and hence is a valuable exploration tool.

Read More: Bierwirth, P.N., (2008). Laboratory and imaging spectroscopy of tourmaline - a tool for mineral exploration. 14th Australasian Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Conference, Darwin (Paper) (Presentation)