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Application of remote sensing techniques in lithological and mineral exploration: discrimination of granitoids bearing iron and corundum deposits in southeastern Banyo, Adamawa region-Cameroon

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Abstract

Discrimination of granitoids bearing iron and corundum mineral deposits in the southeastern part of Banyo (Adamawa region of Cameroon) using Landsat 8 OLI data and provides essential information’s for exploration. Field data and remote sensing traditional mapping techniques including false color composites (FCCs), principal component analysis (PCA), Crosta-PCA, band ratios (BR), constrained energy minimization (CEM), classification algorithm as maximum likelihood, and spectral angle mapper (SAM) were applied to the visible, near-infrared, and shortwave infrared bands of Landsat 8 OLI data. The results of this research demonstrated to be most effective to highlight potential locations of granitoids bearing iron and corundum deposits. In addition, iron deposit was mapped using band ratio 4/2 due to high reflectivity in the visible red region while corundum deposits are detected by applying the constrained energy minimization method to Landsat-8 OLI band ratio 6/7 highlighting bright tones. The results of remote sensing data were validated through fieldwork and laboratory analysis (thin section analysis). Furthermore, lineaments analysis revealed the prevalence of three major structural trends affecting the southeastern part of Banyo ( N-S, E-W, and NE-SW to ENE-WSW) paired with mapped lithologies allows the potential emplacement of mineral deposits. The novelty of the present study relies in the integration of Landsat 8 OLI and field data enabling the identification of highly prospective lithological units, mineral deposits, defining exploration targets, and the minimisation of time consuming field reconnaissance in the study area.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during or analysed during the current study are not publicly available because it is part of a PhD research work but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This research paper is a component of Safianou Ousmanou PhD research work. The authors address their special thanks to the authorities of Banyo, Hadjijatou Abdoulkadiri, Ousmanou Meidounia, Habiba Djida, Faouziya, anonymous reviewers and editors for their help and continuous support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

    Safianou Ousmanou, Eric Martial Fozing, Maurice Kwékam & Leprince Dubois Alokeng Jeatsa

  2. Department of Geological Research, Mines-Emergence 2035, South-West-Limbe I, Cameroon

    Safianou Ousmanou

  3. Image Processing Laboratory, Geological and Mining Research Center (GMRC), Garoua, Cameroon

    Yaya Fodoue

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Contributions

SO and FEM wrote the integral main manuscript text, prepared all the figures, and analysed the remote sensing data. KM and YF reviewed the manuscript thoroughly and brought up major suggestions in the interpretation of the results. AJD prepared all the tables. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Safianou Ousmanou.

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Ousmanou, S., Fozing, E.M., Kwékam, M. et al. Application of remote sensing techniques in lithological and mineral exploration: discrimination of granitoids bearing iron and corundum deposits in southeastern Banyo, Adamawa region-Cameroon. Earth Sci Inform 16, 259–285 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12145-023-00937-5

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