Drone-based Integration of Hyperspectral Imaging and Magnetics for Mineral Exploration

• Main Author: Jackisch, Robert
• Other Authors: Gutzmer, Jens, Micklethwaite, Steven, Gloaguen, Richard, Kirsch, Moritz, Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz-Institut Freiberg für Ressourcentechnologie, Freiberg
• Format: Doctoral or Postdoctoral Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Rohstofferkundung; Datenintegration; Hyperspektrale Bildgebung; Magnetik; Drohne; Mineral exploration; Data integration; Hyperctral Imaging; Magentics; Drones; info:eu-repo/classification/ddc/550; ddc:550; Drohne <Flugkörper>; Geomagnetik; Fernerkundung; Geochemische Prospektion; Feldgeologie; Hyperspektraler Sensor; Mittelfinnland; Kajaani; Titanit; Titanomagnetit; Magnetitlagerstätte; Ilmenit; Grönland <West>; Fernerkundungsgerät; Mineralischer Rohstoff; Prospektion; Geochemie; Spektralanalyse; Disko; Datenanalyse; Datenauswertung; Mineralbestimmung; Lagerstättenkunde; Bohrkernuntersuchung; Siilinjärvi <Region>; Magnetometer; Apatitlagerstätte; Datenerhebung; Fenitisierung; Karbonatit; Lagerung <Geologie>; Sulfiderz; Trapp; Mineralisation; Vorkommen; Arctic; Greenland; Qullissat; Grönland; Subarctic
• Online Access: https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:bsz:105-qucosa2-797891; https://tubaf.qucosa.de/id/qucosa%3A79789; https://tubaf.qucosa.de/api/qucosa%3A79789/attachment/ATT-0/

The advent of unoccupied aerial systems (UAS) as disruptive technology has a lasting impact on remote sensing, geophysics and most geosciences. Small, lightweight, and low-cost UAS enable researchers and surveyors to acquire earth observation data in higher spatial and spectral resolution as compared to airborne and satellite data. UAS-based applications range from rapid topographic mapping using photogrammetric techniques to hyperspectral and geophysical measurements of surface and subsurface geology. UAS surveys contribute to identifying metal deposits, monitoring of mine sites and can reveal arising environmental issues associated with mining. Further, affordable UAS technology will boost exploration data availability and expertise in the global south. This thesis investigates the application of UAS-based multi-sensor data for mineral exploration, in particular the integration of hyperspectral imagers, magnetometers and digital cameras (covering the visible red, green, blue light spectrum). UAS-based research is maturing, however the aforementioned methods are not unified effectively. RGB-based photogrammetry is used to investigate topography and surface texture. Image spectrometers measure mineral-specific surface signatures. Magnetometers detect geomagnetic field changes caused by magnetic minerals at surface and depth. The integration of such UAS sensor-based methods in this thesis augments exploration potential with non-invasive, high-resolution, safe, rapid and practical survey methods. UAS-based surveying acquired, processed and integrated data from three distinct test sites. The sites are located in Finland (Fe-Ti-V at Otanmäki; apatite at Siilinjärvi) and Greenland (Ni-Cu-PGE at Qullissat, Disko Island) and were chosen as geologically diverse areas in subarctic to arctic environments. Restricted accessibility, unfavourable atmospheric conditions, dark rocks, debris and vegetation cover and low solar illumination were common features. While the topography in Finland was moderately flat, a steep ...