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Exploration of new gold occurrences in the alteration zones at the Barramiya District, Central Eastern Desert of Egypt using ASTER data and geological studies

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Abstract

The use of ASTER data and fieldwork supported by mineralogical and geochemical analyses enabled exploration of new gold occurrences in the alteration zones in the ultramafic–mafic successions at the Barramiya district. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) band ratios (4/8, 4/2 and 8/9 in R, G and B channels, respectively) helped in recognising of two listwaenite alteration zones (areas 1 and 2) promising for gold in the north-east and south-east of the Barramiya gold mine. Mineralogical studies and X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that areas 1 and 2 are characterized by variable concentrations of talc, ankerite, magnesite, quartz and calcite. Ore microscope studies revealed the sulphide minerals carry gold within these alteration zones; moreover, goethite and malachite are also observed. Fire assay results show Au contents in the range of 5.04 ppm in the graphite schist, 4.02 ppm in the quartz veins and 3.76 ppm in the listwaenite alteration. The atomic absorption analysis (AAS) of samples from area 1 yields an average Au content in the quartz-veins of 2.4 ppm, Ag content is 8.0 ppm and Cu content is 2.4 wt%. The listwaenite alteration gives an average Au content of 4.4 ppm and a Cu content of 2.8 wt%. In area 2, the AAS of the quartz-veins revealed an average Au content of 2.6 ppm, 6.2 ppm Ag and 1.9 wt% Cu. The listwaenite alterations of area 2 grade 3.5 ppm Au and 2.4 wt% of Cu. The Barramiya District is made up of ophiolitic ultramafic belts of serpentinites, talc carbonates and talc graphite schists, mainly thrust over the metavolcanic sequences. They include highly strained and tectonised parts enriched in sulphides, iron oxides and carbonates, with developed listwaenite alterations along the thrust contacts. Gabbro and granitic intrusions were intruded in the ultramafics and metavolcanic rocks. ASTER data are an accurate and helpful tool for detecting and mapping alteration zones for gold exploration.

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Acknowledgements

Great thanks are due to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Germany, for funding this work. Many thanks to NARSS and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology for their additional support. The authors also would like to thank Prof. Dr Ibrahim El Kassas, NARSS, for his sincere help and discussions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS), Cairo, Egypt

    S. M. Salem, N. M. Soliman & T. M. Ramadan

  2. Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Hertzstrasse 16, 76187, Karlsruhe, FR, Germany

    R. O. Greiling

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  1. S. M. Salem
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Correspondence to S. M. Salem.

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Salem, S.M., Soliman, N.M., Ramadan, T.M. et al. Exploration of new gold occurrences in the alteration zones at the Barramiya District, Central Eastern Desert of Egypt using ASTER data and geological studies. Arab J Geosci 7, 1717–1731 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-013-0874-9

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