Reconnaissance geological mapping and mineral exploration in northern sudan using satellite remote sensing

Abstract

In suitable terrain. Landsat and other satellite imagery can be used for the production of reconnaissance geological maps which contain a comprechensive range of lithological and structural information. The method described here is based on aerial photogeological intrpretation. This approach does not require extremely sophisticated image processing and is most effective wen supported by a liited, controlled field check. Maps produced in this way can be called ‘image-geological’ maps to distinguish them from (aerial) photogeological and conventional geological maps. Using this procedure image-geological maps have been completed at 1:250 000 scale of an area of 92 000 km2 of the Sudance Nubian Desert, based on interpreation of Landsat MSS and RBV imagery and one swath of SIR-A radar imagery as well as on a rapid field check. The work was undertaken to provide a basis for detailed planning and execution of a regional mineral exploration programme that is being conducted by the Egypt-Sudan Integration Project and was initially assisted by the UNDP. This paper describes the main geological and mineral exploration results and the interpretability of the satellite imagery. The complementary nature of methods of geological mapping based on satellite imagery, aerial photography and fieldwork is discussed briefly. It is shown that the absolute reliability and accuracy of each method is a less important issue than an understanding of thir different potential uses in a regional mineral explortion programme.