Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725

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Journal of African Earth Sciences

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Implementation of ASTER data for lithologic and alteration zones mapping:

Derhib area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt
M.M.M. Ewais a, M.A. El Zalaky b, A.Q. Selim a, A.S.A.A. Abu Sharib c, *
a
Faculty of Earth Sciences, Beni-Suef University, 62521, Beni-Suef, Egypt
b
Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
c
Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, 62521, Beni-Suef, Egypt

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T

Keywords: Derhib area is dissected by narrow E–W-trending shear zones that delineate the alteration zones accommodating
Fuzzy logic model the infamous structurally-controlled talc mineralization in the South Eastern Desert of Egypt. A multidisciplinary
ASTER remote sensing approach using ASTER images integrated with field data and petrographic investigations have
Selective principal component analysis
been used for mapping the alteration zones at the Derhib area. Band ratios composites, band ratio, selective
Hydrothermal alteration zones
Principal Component Analysis (PCA) have been used for discriminating rocks and mineralization zones. Iron
oxide/hydroxides-, phyllic and propyllitic-rich alteration zones were mapped using band ratios and selective
PCA. Fuzzy logic modeling was implemented to integrate the most informative thematic layers for generating
mineral prospectivity map. Based on eigenvector loadings, the map was produced by merging the selected PC
thematic layers using fuzzy AND operator. The present study is consistent with the recent literature and shows
the capability of fuzzy model as a valuable cost-effective tool to produce mineral potential maps, especially at the
reconnaissance stages of mineral exploration.

1. Introduction
The last few decades witnessed a leap in the application of remote
sensing technique. In the field of mineral exploration, it drastically
reduced the overall cost the mining companies had to spend on the
preliminary exploration stages. Multispectral remote sensing data pro­
vide a cost-efficient strategy and robust tool for the exploration of ore
deposits and lithological discriminations in mountainous (Shayestehfar
et al., 2005; Rajendran et al., 2013; Gabr et al., 2015; Mamouch et al.,
2022) and arid to semi-arid regions (Rajendran and Nasir, 2019; Zoheir
et al., 2019; ElGalladi et al., 2022). Advanced Spaceborne Thermal
Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor resolutions are
superlative in detection of mineral assemblages associating metasomatic
alteration (Mars and Rowan, 2006; Gabr et al., 2010; Amer et al., 2016;
Mahanta and Maiti, 2018; Noori et al., 2019; Timkin et al., 2022).
Moreover, in metallogenic provinces, analysis of ASTER data using band
ratio and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) processing techniques
yields significant results in discriminating rock unit and delineating
alteration zones (Crosta et al., 2003; Abou El-Magd et al., 2015; Kumar
et al., 2015; Mohy et al., 2016; Liu et al., 2018; Yang et al., 2018; Ali-Bik
et al., 2018; Bolouki et al., 2020; Sadek et al., 2020; Mehdikhani and
Imamalipour, 2021). The technique fundamentally relies on the fact that
certain bands of the ASTER are sensitive to specific oxides, hydroxides as
well as particular minerals. For example, iron oxide/hydroxides (e.g.
hematite, limonite, jarosite, and goethite) and Al–OH, Fe, Mg–OH,
Si–OH, CO3, can be detected in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and
the shortwave infrared (SWIR), respectively (Hunt and Ashley, 1979;
Abrams and Hook, 1995), whereas the thermal infrared (TIR) bands are
capable of detecting calcite and quartz minerals (Ninomiya et al., 2005).
Hence, mineral prospectivity map is generated through fuzzy logic
modeling (Robinson,2000; Moradi et al., 2015; Pazand and Hezarkhani,
2018; Kim et al., 2019; Sekandari et al., 2020; Shirmard et al., 2020;
Traore et al., 2020; Wambo et al., 2020; Abdelkareem and Al-Arifi,
2021). Derhib area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt, is characterized by
structurally-controlled E–W-trending alteration zones accommodating
iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium-bearing minerals, of which
talc represents the appreciable constituent (e.g. Schandl et al., 2002).
The essence of this research is to reinforce the application of GIS-
based techniques, through integrating field survey and remote sensing
data, for mapping prospective areas during the preliminary stage of
mineral exploration. The presented method is a fast, accurate, time-
saving, and cost-effective tool in delineating highly prospective zones

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: aabusharib@science.bsu.edu.eg (A.S.A.A. Abu Sharib).

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2022.104725
Received 2 February 2022; Received in revised form 7 July 2022; Accepted 8 September 2022
Available online 12 September 2022
1464-343X/© 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
M.M.M. Ewais et al.
Fig. 1. (a) Simplified geological map of the Northern and a part of Southern Eastern Desert (after Saleh et al., 2021). (b) Location map of the Derhib area (red
rectangle in (a)) shows the distribution of talc deposits.
Fig. 2. Geological map of the Derhib area modified after (El Bassiony, 1983; and Selim, 1994).
for mineral exploration, particularly during the reconnaissance phase.
Based on a multidisciplinary remote sensing approach integrated
with petrographical investigation and field work, the main objectives of
this research are to: (1) map the alteration zones using band ratios and
selective principal component analysis; (2) discriminate the lithological
units using band ratios composites; (3) generate a mineral prospectivity
map; and to (4) extrapolate the results in exploring new talc minerali­
zation sites.
2. Geologic setting
The Egyptian basement complex represents the northwestern tip of
the Arabian–Nubian Shield (ANS), which constitutes the northern
continuation of the Neoproterozoic East African Orogen (EAO: Stern,
1994; Meert, 2001; Johnson et al., 2011; Abu Sharib et al., 2019). The
latter extends in a N–S direction, and portrays the suturing between East
and West Gondwana (Stern, 1994; Abdelsalam and Stern, 1996; Meert,
2001; Stern, 2002; Johnson et al., 2011; Abu Sharib et al., 2019). In
Egypt, the manifestation of the EAO is a group of gneissic domes that
represent tectonic windows (Sturchio et al., 1983; Fowler and Osman,
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Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725
2001; Greiling et al., 1994; Andresen et al., 2009) and are separated
from a structurally overlying eugeoclinal succession of island arc
ophiolitic and ophiolitic mélange rocks (Ries et al., 1983; Habib et al.,
1985; El-Gaby et al., 1988; Fowler and Osman, 2001) by a major tectonic
contact (Ries et al., 1983; Sturchio et al., 1983; Greiling et al., 1994;
Fritz et al., 1996, 2002; Loizenbauer et al., 2001). The structurally lower
and upper successions are intruded by syn-to post-orogenic intrusives
(Hussein et al., 1982; Fritz and Puhl, 1997; Andresen et al., 2009;
Johnson et al., 2011; Abu Sharib et al., 2019). The Derhib area repre­
sents the southeastern termination of the Shadli-Abu Hammamid belt: a
dominantly island arc association that hosts the superb economic talc
and massive sulfides deposits in Egypt (Stern et al., 1991; Selim, 1994;
Schandl et al., 2002; Botros, 2003; Abd Allah, 2012). Fig. 1 shows the
distribution of the different mines in the belt. The origin of the economic
talc deposits is beyond the scope of this research and for more details the
reader refers to (El Bassiony, 1983; Hussein, 1990; Selim, 1994; Schandl
et al., 2002).
The Derhib area exposes Neoproterozoic rocks that comprise a tec­
tonic window of gniesses and migmatites separated from the structurally
overlying eugeoclinal succession of dismembered ophiolitic succession,
M.M.M. Ewais et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725

fold of Um Heweikat (Fig. 2) and comprise alternating succession of

basic and acidic rocks displaying variable degrees of migmatization.
Metasedimentary rocks comprise a very heterogenous succession of
alternating calcareous, pelitic, and siliceous rocks that that have been
metamorphosed at the amphibolite facies condition. Volcanics are of
two main types: a highly sheared metamorphosed variety consisting of
basalt, andesite, and rhyodacite; and unmetamorphosed bimodal variety
comprising basalt, andesite and rhyolite. Granitoids comprise syn-
orogenic grey (older), and late-to post-orogenic pink (younger) gran­
ites. Gabbro comprises unmetamorphosed post-orogenic, and meta­
morphosed ophiolitic varieties (Fig. 2).

3. Materials and methods

To achieve the aims of the present study, a detailed remote sensing

study supplemented with field survey and a comprehensive petro­
graphic investigation have been applied. More than eighty samples were
collected from the alteration zones and rock units (Fig. 2) using global
positioning system (GPS). The samples were prepared for thin sectioning
for petrographic investigation using a Nikon transmitted polarizing
microscope with a built-in camera. A graphical representation of the
overall methods that have been applied for the ASTER images to produce
a reliable potential mineralization map is shown in Fig. 3. The following
is a brief description of the applied methods.

3.1. Image pre-processing

In this study, ASTER L1B scene (ASTL1B00305252004082432) was

acquired on May 25, 2004, and georeferenced using WGS-84 datum to
UTM zone 36 North projection. The Spatial, Spectral, and Radiometric
resolutions of the ASTER data are given in Table 1. For atmospheric
correction and radiometric calibration of ASTER (VNIR-SWIR) data, fast
line-of-sight atmospheric analysis of spectral hypercube (FLAASH) al­
gorithm was employed (Cooley et al., 2002), followed by layer-stacking
and resampling to 30 m spatial resolution.
Fig. 3. A flowchart shows the methodology used in the study area.
3.2. Image processing

3.2.1. Band ratios and combinations

Table 1
Band ratio is a transformation technique wherein the digital number
ASTER Data characterization modified after Fujisada (1995).
of one band is divided by another to highlight the spectral features of
Subsystem Band Spectral range Spatial Radiometric mineral groups (Sabins, 1999). It has the ability to reduce the topo­
no. (μm) resolution quantization levels
graphic effect caused by slope orientations and solar illumination angles
VNIR 1 0.52–0.60 15 m 8 bits (Colby, 1991), and hence is highly applicable for rugged terrains espe­
SWIR 2 0.63–0.69 30 m 8 bits
cially in arid to semi-arid regions. Moreover, it is considered a powerful
TIR 3N 0.78–0.86 90 m 12 bits
3B 0.78–0.86 technique for targeting hydrothermal alteration minerals and litholog­
4 1.600–1.700 ical mapping, and for spectral features enhancement (Abrams et al.,
5 2.145–2.185 1983; Pour et al., 2018; Eldosouky et al., 2020). Ratios of 4/2, 4/6, and
6 2.185–2.225 5/8 are used for mapping iron oxide/hydroxides(Gossan) (Volesky et al.,
7 2.235–2.285
8 2.295–2.365
2003), phyllic zone (Muscovite) (Sheikhrahimi et al., 2019), and pro­
9 2.360–2.430 pylitic zone (Fe, Mg–OH minerals) (Mars and Rowan, 2011; Bolouki
10 8.125–8.475 et al., 2020) respectively. For rock units’ discrimination, a combination
11 8.475–8.825 of different band ratios has been applied to produce color composites in
12 8.925–9.275
an RGB display.
13 10.25–10.95
14 10.95–11.65
3.2.2. Principal component analysis
*Note. Band number 3N refers to the nadir pointing view, whereas 3B designates
PCA is a multivariate statistical technique applied to reduce data
the backward pointing view.
dimensionality, and extract the components with the smaller variance
(Singh and Harrison, 1985). The technique is operating through selec­
and arc rocks by major thrust faults. The latter succession and the tion of the variables with uncorrelated linear combinations (Eigenvector
gneisses and migmatites are intruded by granitoids of variable compo­ loadings) (op. cit), and identifying the principal components through
sition as well as gabbroic intrusions (Fig. 2). E–W-trending shear zones computing the eigenvectors of the covariance matrix. The components
oriented parallel to strike slip faults that cut across the area, represent are arranged in a descending order based on their variance i.e. the first
most probably reactivated thrusts (Selim,1994) (Fig. 2). It is within PC has the highest variance followed by PCs with the lowest variances.
these shear zone, the Derhib, Abu Ghurdi and Kareem mines are located. The PCA technique is widely used to enhance minerals identification in
Gneisses and migmatites occupy the core of a major E–W-trending alteration zones (e.g. Honarmand et al., 2012; Nouri et al., 2012). In the

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M.M.M. Ewais et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725

Fig. 4. Laboratory spectra of hematite, muscovite, limonite, illite, goethite, epidote, chlorite and calcite (a) resampled to ASTER VNIR and SWIR band passes (b).

Fig. 5. ASTER band ratios 4/2 (a), 5/8 (b), 4/6 (c) images showing distributions of iron oxides/hydroxides in red; epidote, chlorite and carbonate (propylitic
alteration) in green; and of muscovite (Phyllic alteration) in yellow pixels, respectively.

PC image, moderate to high oppositely-signed eigenvector loadings of

specific bands indicative of particular minerals are crucial in enhancing
mineral identification. Accordingly, the pixels appear bright or dark
depending on whether the loading in the reflection band is positive or
negative, respectively (Crosta and Moore, 1989; Loughlin, 1991). In the
present study, Selective PCA technique (Kwarteng and Chavez, 1989;
Siljeström et al., 1997) was applied for mapping alteration zones.
Accordingly, iron oxide/hydroxides (gossan) were targeted using bands
1, 2, 3 and 4, whereas bands (1, 4, 6, and 7), and (1, 4, 5, and 8) were
used for identification of phyllic and propylitic zones, respectively. The
laboratory spectra of minerals are resampled to the spectral bands of
ASTER (Fig. 4) (Clark et al., 2007).
3.3. Fuzzy logic modeling
Fuzzy logic modeling follows the fuzzy set theory that was adopted
by (Zadeh, 1965). It is a multi-valued logic wherein the variables vary
over a scale of one, between zero and one, with true values that could be
any number within that range (Novák et al., 1999). A fuzzy set A can be
identified by the following formula:
А = {(χ , μA (χ ))|χ ∈ Х}
where μA (χ ) is the membership function or membership grade of x in A.
μA (χ ) maps x to.
The membership space (M), where M contains only the two points
0 and 1. Such a set is characterized by membership function through
which, each feature is a member of a set if its membership ranging from
one (full membership) to zero (full non-membership). Fuzzy logic
modeling has been applied for mineral prospective mapping in metal­
logenic provinces (Sekandari and Pour, 2021; Abdelkareem and Al-Arifi,
2021). It involves three main stages: (1) incorporating evidential data
fuzzification; (2) fuzzy evidential maps logical combination with the
assistance of an inference network and the convenient fuzzy set opera­
tions; and (3) the output defuzzification of the fuzzy mineral prospective
as a mean to support the interpretation (Kim et al., 2019).
According to (An, 1991; Nykänen et al., 2008), the fuzzy sets are
combined using five operators: fuzzy AND, fuzzy gamma, fuzzy OR,
fuzzy algebraic sum, and fuzzy algebraic product. In this investigation, a
multiclass evidential image-map was reclassified into 10 classes of an
equal interval and fuzzified using linear membership function. Fuzzy

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M.M.M. Ewais et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725

Fig. 6. ASTER band ratios color composite images: (a) (bands 4/7, 3/4, 2/1 in RGB) of Abdeen et al. (2001). (b) (bands (2 + 4)/3, (5 + 7)/6, (7 + 9)/8 in RGB) of
Amer et al., 2010. (c) (bands 6/3, 1/3, 9/5 in RGB) of Gad and Raef,2012, and (d) (bands 4/6, 4/2, 5/8 in RGB), in the present study.

alteration zones, metavolcanics, metasediments, and gneisses (Fig. 5a).

Table 2 The latter are represented by chlorite, epidote, and carbonate and
A. Eigenvectors loadings of the selected bands derived from principal compo­ muscovite minerals, respectively. Propylitic alterations appear as green
nent analysis of the ASTER data for mapping: gossans (a), and phyllic (b) and pixels accompanying mafic to ultramafic rocks together with talc zones,
propyllitic (c) alteration zones in the study area.
(Fig. 5b). Muscovite, a phyllic alteration mineral, appears as yellow
A. pixels associating metasediments, granodiorite, younger granite, and
Eigenvector Band 1 Band 2 Band 3 Band 4 acidic gneisses (Fig. 5c).
PC1 0.387584 0.524087 0.536289 0.536195
PC2 0.317704 0.369566 0.246713 ¡0.837626 4.1.2. Band ratio composites
PC3 0.741577 0.028891 ¡0.662929 0.098763 In the present study, we adopted the band ratio composites proposed
PC4 ¡0.445989 0.766758 ¡0.460492 0.033507 by Abdeen et al. (2001), Amer et al. (2010) and Gad and Raef (2012)
B.
(Fig. 6a–c). And propose ratios (4/6, 4/2, 5/8) to differentiate between
Eigenvector Band 1 Band 4 Band 6 Band 7
the different rock units. Following Abdeen et al. (2001) and Gad and
PC1 0.404799 0.581562 0.451107 0.542609 Raef (2012) band ratios, the granitoids appear in shades of blue, and in
PC2 0.911129
green following those of Amer et al. (2010). The metavolcanics appear in
¡0.206703 ¡0.267249 ¡0.236000
PC3 0.059349 ¡0.786764 0.396148 0.469624
PC4 ¡0.049591 0.007845 ¡0.753755 0.655235 shades of red following the composites of Abdeen et al. (2001) and Amer
C. et al. (2010), and in red-orange following those of Gad and Raef (2012).
Eigenvector Band 1 Band 4 Band 5 Band 8 The meta-gabbro and-ultramafic appear in green in applying the band
PC1 0.411393 0.591091 0.476407 0.504384 ratios of Abdeen et al. (2001) and shades of blue in applying those of
PC2 0.900306 ¡0.256022 ¡0.329939 ¡0.122648 (Amer et al., 2010; Gad and Raef, 2012). Olivine gabbro appears in
PC3 ¡0.083257 ¡0.563517 ¡0.093456 0.816568 orange, and bluish-cyan following the band ratio composites of Abdeen
PC4 ¡0.115212 0.517217 ¡0.809594 0.252528
et al. (2001) and Gad and Raef (2012), respectively. Amphibolite ap­
pears in dark green and light rose following the ratios of Abdeen et al.
AND operator is used for mapping prospective zones using the most (2001), and Gad and Raef (2012), respectively. Additionally, the met­
informative processed thematic layers. asediments appear in yellowish-green when applying band ratio com­
posites of Amer et al. (2010), and in bluish-purple using the composites
4. Results of Abdeen et al. (2001) and Gad and Raef (2012). In our proposed
composites, the meta-ultramafic and metavolcanics appear in purple
4.1. Remote sensing data and cyan colors, respectively, whereas meta-gabbro in cyan-blue. The
metasediments appear in greenish-yellow, and granitoids in green.
4.1.1. Band ratios Magenta and dark cyan colors characterize the amphibolite and olivine
Band ratios 4/2, 5/8, and 4/6 are used for mapping gossans and gabbro, respectively (Fig. 6d).
propylitic and phyllic alterations. The former, which is represented by
iron oxides/hydroxides, appear as red pixels associated with the

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M.M.M. Ewais et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725

Fig. 7. Eigenvector plotting of the selected principal component analysis applied on ASTER.

Fig. 8. Selective PC images show the distribution of iron oxides/hydroxides minerals as red pixels, PC2 (a); epidote, chlorite and carbonate minerals (propyllitic
alteration, PC3b) as green pixels (b); and muscovite (phyllic alteration, PC3a) as yellow pixels (c).

4.1.3. Selective PCA
Eigenvector loadings of the selected bands are shown in Table 2(a-c).
Correlating the loadings plotted in (Fig. 7) to the spectral characteristics
of the targeted minerals (Fig. 4) indicates that PC2 is characteristic for
gossans, whereas PC3a and PC3b are informative for mapping phyllic
and propylitic alterations, respectively. PC2 shows a high negative
contribution in band 4, and moderate positive contribution in bands
(1–3) (Table 2a). Iron oxides/hydroxides appear as dark pixels in PC2
image, therefore the PC2 values had to be negated to appear in bright
and displayed as red pixels (Fig. 8a). PC3a eigenvalue loadings
(Table 2b) show opposite signs in bands 4and 6 (Table 2b). The phyllic
alteration zones are seen in dark pixels, so the PC3a values had to be
negated and convert to bright pixels, and displayed as yellow pixels
(Fig. 8c). PC3b eigenvalue loadings (Table 2c) show a positive contri­
bution in band 8 and negative contribution in band 5. The propylitic
alteration zones are seen as dark pixels, which were converted to bright
by negation to be displayed in green (Fig. 8b).
4.1.4. Fuzzy logic model
A mineral prospectivity map (Fig. 9) was produced by fusing PCs
through utilizing fuzzy AND operator. The highest index values (0.9–1)
imply favorable and promising zones for talc mineralization. The talc
occurrences in the produced map are consistent with the documented
shear zone-related talc deposits.
4.2. Field work and petrography
Remote sensing results were confirmed through field investigation of
the exposed rocks within the area supplemented with a detailed petro­
graphic study of the collected samples. The purpose of the latter

6
M.M.M. Ewais et al.
Fig. 9. Mineral prospectivity map (inset labelled Fig. 9 in Fig. 2) at district scale derived from ASTER selected thematic layers.
investigation is to provide a broad view on mineralization and wall rock
alteration, and to trace the mineralogical changes accompanied the
shearing process.
4.2.1. Field study
Derhib area was intruded by different varieties of intrusive rocks
including older granitoid, younger granites and gabbros, and by dykes of
different compositions (Fig. 10a and b). Influx of CO2-, SiO2, and H2O-
bearing hydrothermal solutions that accompanied the different
magmatic activity accounts for the intensive metasomatic alterations of
Derhib rocks. The area is dissected by narrow E–W-trending shear zones
that mostly decorate the contact between the metavolcanic and meta­
sedimentary units (Figs. 2 and 10c, d and e). Fewer unmappable shear
zones have been recorded within the metasedimentary unit. Fragments
within the shear zone include sheared serpentinitized ultramafics,
marble (Fig. 10f and g), and metabasalt. The shear zones acted as con­
duits for hydrothermal solutions that associated younger magmatic ac­
tivities. Mineralizations of talc deposits together with tremolite, calcite,
actinolite, chlorite, epidote, quartz (Fig. 10h), malachite (Fig. 10i), he­
matite, goethite, limonite, and Pd-, Zn-, Cu-sulphides are characteristi­
cally restricted to the shear zones.
Phyllic and propylitic alterations are the most common types
recorded in the Derhib area, and evidenced by the distinctive formation
of epidote, chlorite and calcite, in the former and sericite in the latter.
Moreover, gossans constitute a large cavernous bodies containing un­
dissolved dark brown minerals and composed of hematite, quartz, and
goethite (Fig. 11).
4.2.2. Petrography
Petrographic study of the host rocks and mineralization zones reveals
that most of the rock units are partially to completely altered with
alteration intensity increases within the shear zones.
A diagnostic product of the metasomatic alteration in the Derhib area
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Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725
is the formation of the infamous talc deposits that commonly coexist
with iron oxides, copper, disseminated sulphides, in addition to, trem­
olite and chlorite. The genesis of the talc is the subject of a parallel study
by the authors and will not be discussed any further as it is beyond the
scope of this study. Surprisingly, the talcotization metasomatic process
is profound in the different rock varieties in the Derhib area (Fig. 12a, b
and c). Other metasomatic alterations involve chloritization, silicifica­
tion, epidotization, sericitzation, muscovitzation, phlogopitization, and
sassuaritization processes that might be attributed to the effect of vari­
able physico-chemical conditions on different rock compositions. For
example, intense alteration (propylitic) has been indicated in meta­
gabbros by replacement of orthopyroxene to epidote and chlorite, and
plagioclase to calcite (Fig. 12d), in mafic metavolcanics by replacement
of actinolite by phlogopite flakes (Fig. 12e), in mafic-intermediate
metavolcanics by replacement of actinolite by chlorite crystals
(Fig. 12f), plagioclase by sericite (Fig. 12g), and in quartz muscovite
schists by recrystallization of sericite into coarse flakes of muscovite
(Fig. 12h and i).
5. Discussion
Using multispectral remote sensing ASTER data, is effective in
mapping different rock units, alteration zones, and ore deposits in
metallogenic provinces. Different processing techniques have been
applied for lithological and mineral mapping based on band ratio and
PCA. The idea of using band ratios composite depends on the fact that
band ratio is a vigorous method for minimizing topographic effect and
discriminating mineral types. In the present study, for lithological
mapping, the applied band ratio composites have been evaluated visu­
ally. Band ratio combinations of Amer et al. (2010), Gad and Raef (2012)
and Abdeen et al. (2001) have been followed, and a new ratio (the
present study) was introduced. Of these combinations, those of Abdeen
et al. (2001) and the present study gave the best results.
M.M.M. Ewais et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725

Fig. 10. (a) Field photograph shows the metavolcanics (MV) intruded by older granitoids (OGR) exhibiting spheroidal weathering, SW of Umm Seliemat mine,
looking WNW. (b) Metabasic dykes cutting through the shear zone, Derhib shear zones, looking SE. (c) Field photograph of the E–W trending-trending Derhib shear
zone. (d) Field photograph showing wide (more than 30 m outcrop width) E–W-trending Derhib shear zone cutting through the metavolcanics. Younger gabbro (Gb)
appears in the foreground.(e) Close-up view of talcose rocks within the E–W-trending Abu Gurdi shear zone. Foliated talc schist, Keriem talc mine, looking SE.
Ultramafic (f) and marble (g) fragments enclosed in the talcose matrix, Derhib shear zone. (h) Wall rock alteration in Derhib shear zone shows talc stained with iron
oxides and malachite (MLC). (i) Close up view of a silicified fragment in talcose matrix, looking to north, Abu Gurdi mine.

8
M.M.M. Ewais et al.
Fig. 10. (continued).
Both composites have the ability to highlight the shear zones-related
hydrothermal alteration with the magenta color reflecting the mixing
composition, being of Fe, Mg–OH-bearing minerals such as serpentine,
talc, chlorite, muscovite, iron oxides and carbonate bearing minerals,
calcite, malachite and dolomite. Characteristically, the Fe, Mg–OH,
CO3, and AL-OH, Fe3+-bearing minerals have diagnostic absorption at
2.30–2.35 μm coinciding with bands 7 and 8, at 2.20 μm coinciding with
band 6, and at 0.48 μm close to band 1 of ASTER (Hunt and Ashley,
1979; Clark, 1999; Mars and Rowan, 2010). Although Abdeen et al.
(2001) composites proved to be successful to discriminate meta-gabbro
and -ultramafic with green color from volcanic/metavolcanic rocks,
they were unsatisfying to discriminate between meta-mafites and
ultramafite. In the present study, (4/6, 4/2, 5/8) composite has the
advantage for differentiating between the latter two rocks. Composite of
Amer et al. (2010) is unable to discriminate between amphibolite and
metavolcanics, younger and hybrid granites, and between metagabbro
and olivine gabbro. Similarly, disadvantage of using that of Gad and
Raef (2012) is the blurred vision, and the obscure boundary between the
different rock units.
Processing of ASTER data using band ratio and PCA gave reliable
results for mapping alteration zone-related minerals. For example, iron
oxide/hydroxide minerals have absorption features in band 2, and
reflectance in band 4 (Pour and Hashim, 2011), whereas Fe,
Mg–OH-bearing minerals such as, serpentine, talc, actinolite, epidote,
chlorite, and carbonate have distinctive absorption features in band 8
(Inzana et al., 2003; Zoheir et al., 2019). Muscovite/illite, on the other
hand, have significant absorption in band 6, and reflectance in band 4
(Sheikhrahimi et al., 2019). Based on the spectral signature of these
minerals, b4/b2 and PC2 were used for mapping iron oxides/hydroxides
(gossans), whereas b4/b6 and PC3a, and b5/b8 and PC3b were used for
mapping phyllic and propylitic alteration zones, respectively. The gos­
sans are commonly spatially associated with hydrothermal alteration
9
Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725
zones that highlight the leached capping, and indicate highly oxidized
zones well-exhibited in the metavolcanics, metasediments and gneisses.
PCA is a statistical technique that is used for feature extraction, and
removal of correlated data.
Therefore, to produce mineral potential map, fuzzy logic model was
applied by fusing the thematic layers derived from the selective PCA,
based on the spectral characteristics of their alteration minerals. Veri­
fication of the remote sensing results with the fieldwork and petrog­
raphy indicate that the processed ASTER data successes in alteration
zones delineation and coincides with the old talc mines.in addition, new
prospective zone for talc occurrence was discovered. The results suggest
that our approach is a promising alternative to be used in mapping
alteration zones and discovering metallogenic provinces.
6. Conclusion
This investigation demonstrates the application of ASTER multi-
spectral sensor for delineation of alteration zones and lithological
mapping in arid regions. Band ratios combination showed a good reli­
ability in discriminating different rock units in the area. Iron oxide/
hydroxides, phyllic and propyllitic zones were identified by imple­
menting Selective PCA and band ratio (b4/b2, b4/b6, b5/b8). Producing
mineral potential map was accomplished by selection and fusion of the
most informative thematic layers derived from Selective PCA. The pro­
duced prospective map shows a consistency with the location of the
known shear zone-related old talc mines, and shed light on a few new
prospective zones that might be of economic value in the near future.
The space-borne multispectral data are significant in producing
mineral prospectivity map. The results show that the approach applied
in the present study could be considered as a cost-effective method for
mining companies during the preliminary stages of mineral exploration.
M.M.M. Ewais et al. Journal of African Earth Sciences 196 (2022) 104725

Fig. 11. General (a) and close-up (b) views of gossans developed in the metavolcanics. (c, d) Close-up views of gossans spatially associated with talc mineralization,
(e) XRD analysis of the gossan.

10
M.M.M. Ewais et al.
Fig. 12. Photomicrographs in XPL showing the different types of alterations.
Chlorite (a) and serpentine (b) replaced by talc in meta ultramafic rock. (c) Tremolite in calc-silicate rock retrogressed into talc (c). (d) Chloritization and epido­
tization of orthopyroxene, and calcitization of plagioclase in metagabbro. Phlogopitization of actinolite (e) and chloritization of actinolite (f) in mafic-intermediate
metavolcanic, and intense sericitization of plagioclase in intermediate metavolcanics (g). (h, i) Recrystallization of sericite into coarse-grained muscovite in quartz
muscovite schist.
Declaration of competing interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest that could
have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
Acknowledgements
The authors are gratefully acknowledge the financial support from
the university performance development center, support and project
finance office, (project ID YR4-BSU2106), beni-suef university.
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