Hyperspectral remote sensing for mineral exploration in Pulang, Yunnan Province, China

The launch of the first spaceborne hyperspectral instrument, Hyperion, in 2000 has provoked further research into its capabilities with regard to mineral exploration. Our study in the remote, mountainous region of Pulang, China employed a two-step progressive approach, first to locate target areas characterized by hydrothermal mineral alteration, using the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), and secondly, to attempt detailed mineral mapping using Hyperion. The preliminary target detection involved principal components and broad-band spectral analysis and led to the detection of two target areas characterized by argillic alteration, iron-oxide- and sulphate-bearing minerals. A focused hyperspectral study followed using Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) and Mixture Tuned Matched Filtering (MTMF) techniques, which allowed mineral species to be discriminated and mapped in more detail. This combined broad-band and hyperspectral approach is feasible and advantageous for mineral exploration in remote areas where primary information is limited or unavailable.