Hydrothermal Altered Mineral Deposits Mapping Using Landsat 8 Etm+ in Parts of the Middle-Benue Trough, Nigeria

Abstract

The studies utilized landsat-8 ETM+ to delineate and unravel hydrothermal altered structures with mineralisation potential in parts of the Middle-Benue trough, Nigeria. The study area contained metal sulphides in the Cenomanian fractures of the Asu River Group. In the processing and analysis of the landsat-8 ETM+, Single Band Combinations, Band Ratio, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and reference spectra analysis method were employed using ENVI 4.3. Results revealed hydrothermal altered minerals around Gidan Shehu, east of Wukari, Kuka, Bambam, Uzam, Agor and minor alteration at Bangalala, Akwana and Dongwan. A composite using the bands 7, 5, 2 (RGB) highlighted areas with abundant iron oxides bearing minerals, and Clay minerals, as illite, kaolinite, and montmorillonite. The technique adopted is effective in mineral exploration as it covers large area without any form of environmental degradation.