Spectral signatures for iron ore deposits in Tirthamalai area, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

The demand for iron ore has increased recently and employing geochemical and hyperspectral remote sensing techniques for discovering new ore and mineral resources have primarily been concentrated on the economic phases. The present study aimed to characterize the hyperspectral spectral signatures of iron ores of field samples to map the deposits that occurred in the Tirthamalai hill region, which lies in the parts of Harur Taluk, Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu state, India The measurement and study of spectral signatures of the different samples of the deposits showed strong spectral absorptions near 500 nm, 900 nm and 2400 nm wavelength regions and were confirmed with the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy method. The spectral absorption characteristics of the samples were evaluated by the study of the physical, optical, and chemical characteristics of the samples. The study of hyperspectral and FTIR spectral signatures with petrographic and major chemical elements revealed the best absorption characteristics of the iron ore deposits of the study region and can be used elsewhere in the world. This report presents preliminary findings on the use of hyperspectral imaging to characterize iron ore. The mineralogical products produced from hyperspectral images may improve in situ grade control on an iron ore mine face. It will be extremely useful for businesses in measuring large numbers of commodities quickly and objectively.