The University of Arizona: Using Satellite-Based Hyperspectral Imagery for Mineral Exploration in Rugged Terrain

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Colloquium presented by Dr. Jennifer Buz The transition to green energy technologies requires unprecedented quantities of copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements for batteries and electronics manufacturing. However, accessible deposits are increasingly depleted, driving exploration into remote regions. Societal pressure to minimize mining’s impact on inhabited areas and culturally significant sites further necessitates exploration in isolated regions. Ironically, the same geologic processes that concentrate these critical minerals, such as volcanic arc magmatism and crustal compression, creates much rugged, isolated, mountainous terrain. However, these locals make traditional ground-based surveying logistically challenging and expensive. Hyperspectral imagery (HSI) in the visible to near-infrared (400-2500 nm) offers a solution to this exploration challenge. HSI is sensitive to diagnostic absorption features of alteration minerals associated with ore deposits, including phyllosilicates, iron oxides, and sulfates indicative of hydrothermal systems. Further, high-elevation exploration targets often provide ideal conditions for HSI analysis: sparse vegetation and excellent bedrock exposure that would be obscured in lower-elevation environments. Orbital Sidekick Inc. (OSK) leverages satellite-based HSI to map alteration minerals and lithologies in remote exploration areas, enabling mining companies to prioritize field campaigns and assess deposit viability without extensive preliminary ground surveys. OSK’s capabilities extend beyond exploration to include monitoring active mine tailings and supporting post-mining restoration efforts. This presentation will demonstrate the application of atmospheric correction, mineral mapping algorithms, and spectral analysis techniques to real-world mining challenges, highlighting how satellite remote sensing is transforming mineral exploration in inaccessible terrain. Host: Dr. Sukrit Ranjan To request Zoom Meeting link, contact LPL-UA@email.arizona.edu