Delineation of hydrothermal alteration zones associated with mineral deposits, using remote sensing and airborne geophysics data. A case study: El-Bakriya area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract El-Bakriya area is situated in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. It includes several mineral occurrences and/or deposits. Data from remote sensing and airborne geophysics (gamma-ray magnetic) were combined to identify hydrothermal alteration zones structures related these occurrences. Various processing ASTER satellite images revealed fifteen high probability for metallic mineralizations. Airborne gamma-ray spectrometric data clarify K-enrichment zones, which are correlated geologically with distribution calc-alkaline, alkali feldspar granites (Younger granites), calc-alkaline quartzdiorites granodiorites (Older as well basement metavolcanics metasediments. An integrated map was constructed, based on both data. This delineates some deposits, located detected zones. Besides, it displays new potential mineralization, such as: Gabal (G.) El-Shalul, G. El-Bakriya, Siwat El-Arsha Umm Bisilla. The geologic magnetic maps demonstrate five structural lineament trends E–W, ENE–WSW, NE–SW, NW–SE, NNW–SSE directions, might act pathways transport solutions study area.