Field and ASTER imagery data for the setting of gold mineralization in Western Allaqi-Heiani belt, Egypt: A case study from the Haimur deposit

Although associated with carbonatized/listvenitized ophiolites and thrust structures, the morphology and internal structures of the auriferous quartz veins in the Haimur deposit suggest mineralization concurrent with NE-SW dextral brittle-ductile shear zones. The latter are attributed to intense transpression regime and are associated with (N)NE-trending tight to isoclinals folds that deform the early accretionary structures. Image processing techniques applicable to the Advanced Space-borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data are used for mapping structures and hydrothermal alteration associated with the Haimur deposit. The automated lineament extraction by LINE module on high resolution ASTER imagery provides efficient data for potential dilation loci. Emphasis is placed on reliability of mineral indices extracted from the ASTER band ratios for identification of possibly mineralized alteration zones associated with NE-trending shear zones. Field and remote sensing data, together with the structural fabrics along the lode-associated shear zones clearly constrain on the genetic relationship between the Haimur gold deposit and post-accretionary transpression/ shearing. We conclude that hydrothermal alteration zones that are confined to tightly enfolded ophiolites and transpressive shear zones along the Western Allaqi-Heiani belt are most potential targets for new exploration plans.