Geosystems and Geoenvironment最新文献

{"title":"Innovative airborne geophysical strategies to assist the exploration of critical metal systems","authors":"Karl Kwan ,&nbsp;Stephen Reford","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100344","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100344","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Critical metals are essential in sustaining the high technology and the green energy transition of modern societies. The future discovery of new critical metal deposits will likely be made at increasing depths and under thick cover sequences. The key roles of the four airborne geophysical exploration methods, gravity, magnetometry, electromagnetism and gamma-ray spectrometry, are reviewed in this article. The measured data from airborne magnetic, gravity and electromagnetic surveys can be inverted to reveal the distribution of underlying mineral prospects in terms of magnetic susceptibility, density and electrical resistivity/conductivity beneath the surface.</div><div>The interpretation of geophysical data is important in relating geophysical responses to the lithology and geophysical anomalies to potential exploration targets that are concealed under cover. Gamma-ray spectrometry can identify near-surface hydrothermal alteration zones and uranium systems. Structural complexity maps can provide additional key parameters for the exploration targeting of structurally controlled critical metal systems. We briefly discuss the application of airborne geophysical methods to efficiently guide the exploration of concealed critical metal deposits. A robust understanding of the geological setting of the respective mineral prospect is the most relevant factor in choosing the most efficient geophysical exploration strategy. Geophysical tools will likely play an increasingly important role in guiding the future discovery of concealed critical mineral systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100344"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Litho-tectonostratigraphy of the Dhanjori Basin, India: A fold-thrust sequence and its tectonic relation with the Singhbhum Shear Zone","authors":"Saptarshi Mallick ,&nbsp;Arup Ratan Manna ,&nbsp;Arun Kumar Kujur ,&nbsp;J.P. Mohakul","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2025.100351","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2025.100351","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Based on direct field evidence, litho-tectonostratigraphy of the Neoarchaean-Palaeoproterozoic Dhanjori Basin, situated at the northeastern fringe of the Singhbhum Craton (SC), is being appraised for the first time. Entire sequence of the Dhanjori Basin is presently interpreted as a single-stack of volcano-sedimentary assemblage of terrestrial clastic metasedimentary rocks of conglomerate-quartzite-phyllite in the lower part followed by meta-volcanic-volcaniclastic sequence. Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) marks the eastern boundary of the Dhanjori Basin with Singhbhum Group representing North Singhbhum Mobile Belt (NSMB). In the western and southern margin, the Dhanjori sequence exhibits angular unconformity with the Palaeoarchean Iron Ore Group (IOG) represented by the Badampahar-Gorumahisani Belt and nonconformity with the Singhbhum Granite Complex and Mayurbhanj Granite-Gabbro which also indicates its post Iron Ore Orogenic development along SC margin. The rocks of the Dhanjori Basin and NSMB have undergone the same progressive deformational event of the North Singhbhum Orogeny but the Dhanjori Basin escaped the initial phase of it. SSZ, developed during later phase of this progressive deformational event, affected both of these packages. Prior to this, the Dhanjori Basin was undeformed. Four splays of SSZ transects the Dhanjori Basin longitudinally. These splays are characterized by development of two sets of mylonitic fabrics with moderate to low east-northeasterly dip and downdip mineral stretching lineation. They have resulted in thrust related repetition of the Dhanjori sequence within interior part of the basin. The third set of planes having same trend as mylonitic fabric but dipping steeply in opposite direction, is present in the form of spaced cleavage, kinks and fractures. These planes are formed out of stress release after the episodes of shearing-mylonitisation-thrusting. Older quartzites are thrusted over younger metavolcanics in all along the eastern margin and central part. Isolated overthrusted units of NSMB also overlie the Dhanjori package as thrust klippe. Mafic-Ultramafic rocks with plutonic fabric, present in the southeastern and northern part of Dhanjori Basin, exhibits intrusive relation with the Dhanjori package.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100351"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The heterogeneous distribution of critical metal mineral resources: An impending geopolitical issue","authors":"David I. Groves ,&nbsp;D. Müller ,&nbsp;M. Santosh ,&nbsp;Cheng-Xue Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100288","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100288","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Concerns that anthropologic carbon emissions will result in catastrophic climate change have resulted in Net Zero policies that have energized a clean energy transition in developed, particularly western, countries. This is resulting in attempts to produce so-called ‘renewable’ energy using critical metals that, unfortunately, are largely non-renewable. The critical metals that are essential to this clean energy transition occur in rare mineral deposits (0.02% of the Earth's land surface) that are ∼10 to &gt;10,000 times enriched in metals relative to their crustal abundance. The deposits are part of larger scale mineral systems that require a rare conjunction of parameters that involve natural recycling of metals through the crust and mantle via the Earth's unique subduction system during the tectonic evolution of the continents. As each continent had its own unique tectonic history, the global distribution of these rare metallic mineral deposits is very heterogeneous. A major issue for critical metal supply is represented by the evolution of BRICS as an economic group that comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, all metal-endowed nations, with only metal-endowed Australia and Canada and a few lesser endowed countries firmly aligned with another group strategically allied with the USA. In stark contrast, a well-endowed China has abundant critical metal deposits and obtains trace critical metals through processing of metallurgical biproducts of base metal ores, leading to a growing domination of the clean energy industry. Critical metals, particularly Ga, Ge, and REEs, and graphite are already used in trade disputes among some countries and industrial weaponization using critical metals such as Ni on to global markets is already evident. From a geoscience viewpoint, in the short term, global exploration is needed to provide a more homogeneous distribution of critical metal deposits. However, exploration is hampered by increasing environmental, and human rights issues and sovereign risks that are becoming ever more challenging for most major mining and exploration companies in western countries. This requires that a global circular economy involving recycling is a priority.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100288"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141144228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrated geophysical and remote sensing/GIS interpretation for delineating the structural elements and groundwater aquifers of the Foumban locality, Western Highlands of Cameroon (WHC)","authors":"Z. Mfonka ,&nbsp;P.S. Kouassy Kaledje ,&nbsp;A. Anaba Onana ,&nbsp;D. Nsangou ,&nbsp;A. Kpoumie ,&nbsp;M. Zammouri ,&nbsp;P-D. Ndjigui ,&nbsp;J.R. Ndam Ngoupayou","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100343","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100343","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study was conducted in the Foumban locality, in the Western Highlands of Cameroon (WHC) where a majority of the population is suffering from scarcity of water for domestic purposes and many other related uses. Thus, it aims at investigating the structural and geo-electrical characteristics of the aquifer system of the locality, based on an integrated approach (Geophysics and GIS). For this purpose, the Landsat 8 image with 30 × 30 m resolution and 20 vertical electrical sounding (VES) data were analysed with ArcGIS, ENVI version 5.3<strong>,</strong> Stereonet v9.3.2 and QWSELN software, coupled with the principal component analysis (PCA). Based on the structural aspect, a total of 224 fractures with lengths higher than 1 km have been identified and drawn. They are mainly grouped in the Centre, North-East and South-East of the study area. Five main families within linear directions have been identified: N10–20 (13.84%), N20–30 (17.86%), N50–60 (9.82%), N80–90 (5.90%) and N140–150 (7.59%). They are mostly oriented NE-SW, following the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). These fractures which play an important role in the capacitive and drainage function of the fractured aquifer result from the tectonic movements and decompression of rock masses. According to the geoelectrical characteristics, different VES curve types have been identified, corresponding to various alternate layers of conductive, semi resistive and resistive formations; with thickness ranging between 0.41 to 47 m and resistivity values between 82 to 3410 Ωm. The three cross-section realised (A-A’, B-B’ and C-C’) show that those alternate materials (topsoil, laterite, weathered layer, fractured basement and fresh basement rock) are discontinuous both vertically and horizontally, highlighting the geometry and hydrogeological complexity of these areas. This study is a contribution to a better understanding of the basement aquifers milieu; it could be used by the water supply departments and decision makers for locating appropriate positions of new productive wells in the study area.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100343"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of vehicular emissions on ozone levels: A comprehensive study of nitric oxide and ozone interactions in urban areas","authors":"Amaury de Souza ,&nbsp;José Francisco de Oliveira-Júnior ,&nbsp;Kelvy Rosalvo Alencar Cardoso ,&nbsp;Sneha Gautam","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100348","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100348","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examines the relationship between nitric oxide (NO) concentrations and vehicular traffic, focusing on trucks and buses as key sources of NO emissions. The conversion of NO to nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) influences ozone (O₃) formation, with excess nitrogen oxides (NO_X) limiting O₃ production. Elevated O₃ levels under certain conditions pose public health risks. This study analyzes seasonal and diurnal variations in NO₂, NO_X and O₃ concentrations, accounting for meteorological factors and the impact of agricultural fires. Pearson correlation coefficients between pollutants and climatic variables were calculated, along with the ventilation coefficient (VC), to explore pollutant-atmosphere dynamics. Analysis of 2021 data revealed peak SO₂, NO, NO₂, NO_X and O₃ levels between August and October, with O₃ values averaging 18 ppb (1.90–79.70 ppb range). Seasonal trends showed NO_X peaks in autumn and winter, while O₃ concentrations were highest in summer and spring, driven by temperature and solar radiation. Negative correlations between SO₂, NO, NO₂, NO_X and O₃ were observed (e.g., <em>r</em> = -0.312, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). VC values increased from 1 p.m., peaking at 10 p.m. (2000–4500 m/s), and stabilized during early morning hours. The findings emphasize the need for integrated urban air quality management, combining vehicle emission controls and strategies to address meteorological influences and agricultural fires. Continuous monitoring and targeted policies during high-risk periods, particularly August to October, can mitigate pollutant impacts, improve air quality, and safeguard public health in urban areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100348"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Critical metals: Their applications with emphasis on the clean energy transition","authors":"Daniel Müller ,&nbsp;David I. Groves ,&nbsp;M. Santosh ,&nbsp;Cheng-Xue Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100310","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100310","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The global demand for metallic mineral resources has been rising constantly not only due to the world's continued population growth, but also accelerated by the recently proclaimed 'green energy transition' aiming to replace fossil fuels by wind, solar, hydrogen, and geothermal energy. The current situation causes a dilemma as the supply of metallic mineral resources is limited and, at least when this article was written, most critical metals neither can be substituted nor recycled economically and at industrial scale. As a consequence, metallic mineral resources must be considered as non‐renewable commodities.</div><div>This study documents the main industrial applications and supply risks of the critical metals with special emphasis on their respective roles for the green (also referred to by the media as clean or renewable) energy transition. In summary, the natural distribution of critical metals in the Earth's upper crust is very heterogeneous and, at current consumption rates, will likely lead to supply risks in the near future. More specifically, &gt;40 vol% of the global reserves of critical metals, such as chromium, palladium, and platinum (South Africa), cobalt (Democratic Republic of Congo), cadmium, indium, rare earth elements, and tungsten (China), are concentrated in only a single country with obvious geopolitical and strategic implications. Importantly, most of these strategic metals, apart from chromium, are considered crucial for the success of the green energy transition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100310"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geochemical and C-O isotopic study of ∼2-1.9 Ga phosphate-bearing marine sedimentary rocks of the Sonrai Formation, Bijawar Group, Lalitpur district, UP, India: Implications for paleoredox, paleoclimate, and paleosalinity","authors":"Shamim A. Dar ,&nbsp;K.F. Khan ,&nbsp;Akhtar R. Mir ,&nbsp;Tsuyoshi Komiya ,&nbsp;Nurul Absar ,&nbsp;Mohd Shuaib ,&nbsp;Waseem Raza","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100324","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100324","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Sonrai Formation of Bijawar Group, Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh, India hosts phosphorite deposits. This study has been carried out using geochemical and stable isotope approaches to decipher the paleo-redox, paleo-climate, and paleo-salinity conditions of phosphate-bearing sedimentary rocks of the Bijawar Group. The high P₂O₅ (average = 25.07 wt%) and CaO (average = 41.80 wt%) contents in these rocks indicate high apatite contents, whereas the weak relationship between P₂O₅ and CaO contents depicts diagenetic phosphatization. Paleo-redox indicators such as Cr contents (average 61.11 ppm; 28.88–98.92 ppm), V <em>+</em> Ni contents (average 78.62 ppm; 34.14–137.61 ppm), V/Ni (average 0.62; 0.12–1.13), Ni/Co (average 2.50 ppm; 0.89–4.22), and V/(V + Ni) (average 0.35; 0.10–0.53) in the studied phosphorite samples indicate deposition under dysoxic to oxic conditions, whereas the associated rock samples show oxic depositional conditions. Further, Ce/Ce* values (0.98–1.41 and 0.97–2.02) and Cr vs. V + Ni, and Ce/Ce* vs. Pr/Pr* binary diagrams suggest dysoxic to anoxic depositional environment of sedimentary rocks of the Bijawar Group. High values of Ga/Rb (1.93–10.61) and low values of Sr/Cu (1.40–5.00) in phosphorite and associated rock samples indicate that warm and humid climatic environment existed for the period of the denudation processes of the Paleoproterozoic Sonrai Formation. On the SiO₂ vs. Al₂O₃ + K₂O + Na₂O diagram, the studied samples fall on the humid climatic field, indicating high chemical maturity. Warm conditions are also suggested by lighter oxygen isotope values (δ¹⁸O_SMOW between –8.34 to –7.83‰) of studied carbonate-phosphorite samples. On the basis of geochemical parameters like (Fe₂O₃ + CaO + MgO)/(SiO₂ + Al₂O₃), Sr/Ba, and Th/U, it is suggested that the deposition of associated rocks and phosphorites of the Sonrai Formation, Bijawar Group occurred in less saline or brackish, and marine saline water conditions, respectively. Positive δ¹³C_PDB values between 0.44 and 3.97‰ in Sonrai carbonates suggest greater burial of organic carbon and their chemostratigraphic equivalence with 1.95–1.88 Ga global marine carbonates.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100324"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131367","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High-resolution airborne magnetic detection of iron ore deposits","authors":"Fahad Abubakar ,&nbsp;Ismail Ahmad Abir","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100349","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100349","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The iron and steel industry has been called the \"backbone\" of industrialisation and the \"bedrock\" of national economies. For almost 50 years, Nigeria has endeavoured to construct a publicly sponsored iron and steel sector in Kogi State, Nigeria's iron ore hub, to expedite the nation's economic development. However, amongst the most significant geoscientific barriers hindering this endeavour are the unpredictability of local materials, notably iron ores, and the rugged topographical challenge of exploring more materials. As a part of the process of abating this challenge, a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey was conducted by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency. This study aims to delineate the spatial occurrences of the iron ore resources in Kogi State using the recently acquired high-resolution airborne magnetic datasets. The Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) grid analysis, analytic signal, and Euler deconvolution analytical technique were employed to aid the interpretation, and the known iron ore mines were used as control. The total magnetic intensity and residual map did not reveal the potential ore deposits by mere qualitative interpretation. The lineament density map displays a very poor consistency with the known iron ore deposits due to the geostructural complexity of the study area. However, the high-amplitude peaks of the analytic signal map are consistent, perfectly correlate with all the known existing mines, and reveal potential iron ore deposits. These peaks are in the range of 0.147 to 0.430 nT/m. The Euler deconvolution reveals the depth of potential deposits to be &lt;250 m, while the analytic signal reveals a depth range of 49.594 to 150.926 m. Compared with previous related studies, shallower depth estimates and relatively higher amplitude peaks from the analytic signal were observed. These were attributed to this study's higher resolution acquisition parameters. Finally, we recommend that stakeholders and policymakers prioritize the high-amplitude peaks of the analytic signal as target zones for further iron ore exploration and exploitation processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100349"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping and discrimination of the mineralization potential in the Bonako area (Central Cameroon Domain): Insights from Landsat 9 OLI data, GIS fuzzy modeling techniques and field observations","authors":"Nguimezap Marie Madeleine ,&nbsp;Fozing Eric Martial ,&nbsp;Safianou Ousmanou ,&nbsp;Achu Megnemo Ludovic ,&nbsp;Sobze Yemdji Robinson Belmien ,&nbsp;Sawadogo Sâga","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100347","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100347","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Bonako area is situated in the Central Cameroon Domain of the Central African Fold Belt. In this study, the discrimination of lithological units with hydrothermally altered deposits is investigated by combining Landsat 9 OLI data, fieldwork descriptions, GIS fuzzy modeling techniques, and remote sensing approaches including false color composite (FCC), de-correlation stretch (DS), standard principal component analysis (PCA) and minimum noise fraction (MNF). In addition, image processing methods such as band ratios (BR) and selective principal component analysis (Crosta-PCA) were applied to target and delineate hydrothermally altered and corresponding minerals and the spectral angle mapper (SAM) classification algorithm was used to classify the discriminated lithological units within the study area. The evaluation of the fuzzy membership of each alteration-derived mineral from Landsat 9 OLI and ASTER data indicates that the highest favourability index varies from 0.8 to 1 indicating a rating index related to iron mineralization. The integration of selected remote sensing methods allowed the identification of gabbro, granites, gneiss, and mylonites with iron-oxides, hydroxyl/clay, and ferrous occurrences as potential mineralization in the Bonako area. The analysis of lineaments illustrated two main structural trends (N-S and NE-SW) and an accessory one (E-W) in the study area. Merging these with the identified formations highlighted the formations with mineral deposits. Subsequently, the lithological maps displaying alteration minerals and lineaments were validated by fieldwork investigations and microscopic data. Quantitatively, the overall accuracy of the SAM method is 100 %, which also validates the effectiveness of the classification of lithologies using Landsat 9 OLI data. This research predicts how the integration and processing of Landsat 9 OLI, Fuzzy, ASTER data, and field investigations can simplify the identification of rock units with potentially mineralized zone. It also suggests that such a combined method is useful in defining targeted mineralized areas during exploration research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100347"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Australian critical metal exploration for analogues of Chinese ionic-clay REE deposits","authors":"Allan Trench ,&nbsp;Liang Zhang ,&nbsp;David I. Groves ,&nbsp;David Crook ,&nbsp;Nigel W. Brand","doi":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100293","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.geogeo.2024.100293","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The clean energy transition has focused attention on the critical metals required for manufacture of new energy technologies. The extremely heterogeneous distribution of critical metal mineral deposits requires that countries must make new discoveries of key critical metals to avoid potential future geopolitical risks. Although Australia has REE resources, they are mainly of LREEs, so deposit styles with significant HREEs are key targets. The most obvious are the so-called ionic-clay REE deposits of southern China that are the major global suppliers of HREEs. Mineral exploration in Australia using the Chinese model is producing hitherto unrecognized REE concentrations, here termed regolith-hosted REE mineralization, in a variety of regolith types in several weathering environments, particularly in Western and South Australia. Amongst these has been the discovery of near-surface, regolith-hosted REE mineralization in the Albany-Fraser Orogen which has the potential to complement REE production from the giant Mount Weld carbonatite and other monazite-sand deposits in Western Australia. Widespread near-surface, regolith-hosted REE mineralization is present over an area of 12,000 km² in the Esperance District. As much of this area is beneath barren Eocene-aged cover clays, all the new REE discoveries have been made, and are being delineated using shallow drilling, to depths of less than 80 m. The exploration implication is that the search space for regolith hosted REE deposits in Western Australia remains immature. These recently discovered deposits have both similarities and contrasts with geological features of ionic clay hosted REE deposits in China. Similarities include their apparent paragenesis and geometry, particularly their blanket morphology, sub-horizontal and gentle dips, and the common, but not exclusive, relationship with felsic basement terranes. However, Western Australian prospects are related to Upper Cretaceous to Eocene climates rather than more recent weathering under sub-tropical conditions. Whether the deposits can be developed to production remains unclear, with project economics tied closely to the efficacy of mineral processing technologies that target high REE extraction rates and recoveries.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100582,"journal":{"name":"Geosystems and Geoenvironment","volume":"4 1","pages":"Article 100293"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143131358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}