Application of CASI/SASI and fieldspec4 hyperspectral data in exploration of the Baiyanghe uranium deposit, Hebukesaier, Xinjiang, NW China

ABSTRACTHyperspectral technology can quickly identify hydrothermal altered minerals and can locate the possible hydrothermal/mineralization centres through the variations of the spectral characteristic parameters of some specific altered minerals. In this study, airborne sensors Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager (CASI)/ Shortwave infrared Airborne Spectrographic Imager (SASI) and visible-shortwave infrared spectrometer FieldSpec4 hyperspectral data were used to study the alteration characteristics to locate the possible hydrothermal/mineralization centres for the Baiyanghe uranium deposit, Xinjiang, NW China. The results showed that the hydrothermal altered minerals mainly included white mica (it is a general term for aqueous silicoaluminate mineral group, and mainly includes muscovite and illite in the text) (Al-rich, Al-median, and Al-poor white mica), montmorillonite, kaolinite, chlorite, carbonate, and ferric iron (Fe2O3, and the ferric iron alteration usually presents red, mainly hematite in the...