Presentation of an Advanced Mineral Exploration Plan by a Faculty Member of Lorestan University

Dr. Alireza Almasi, a faculty member of the Department of Geology at Lorestan University, during a research opportunity for industry collaboration at the Geological Survey of Lorestan Province, presented an advanced plan for the exploration of epithermal copper-gold-silver deposits in the Saveh-Yazd metallogenic zone.

According to the Public Relations of Lorestan University, in this research, which was conducted within the Urumieh-Dokhtar central magmatic arc, the main challenge was the presence of complex alteration patterns and structural overlap, which makes traditional exploration difficult.

Dr. Almasi, by innovatively integrating EMIT and PRISMA hyperspectral satellite data and employing the advanced CEM (Constrained Energy Minimization) algorithm, succeeded in accurately mapping hydrothermal alteration zones and identifying areas prone to mineralization.

Using Adaptive Vertex Component Analysis (AVCA), the main alteration assemblages, including argillic, advanced argillic, propylitic, oxidation/gossan, and carbonate-zeolite, were identified and mapped.

The results indicate that these zones are closely correlated with important regional faults such as Takht-e Chaman, Khankeshi, and Koushk Nosrat.

Field observations, petrographic studies, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis also confirmed the presence of silicic, sericitic, argillic, and propylitic zones along with Cu-Au-Ag sulfide mineralization.

Dr. Almasi emphasized: "The results of this project show that EMIT and PRISMA hyperspectral data, along with CEM processing, provide an effective, low-cost, and sustainable approach for exploration in the early stages, especially in areas with structural complexities. This method has high potential for the development of mineral exploration in the Tethys metallogenic belt."

This scientific achievement is an important step in the university's connection with the geological industry and mineral exploration and demonstrates the effective role of Lorestan University faculty members in solving the applied problems of the country's industry.

Source of news data: Lorestan University's Community and Entrepreneurship Relations Management.