Gold exploration using multi-source remote sensing data in the northern part of the Wa State, Myanmar

Gold mining plays a vital role in the economic development of many countries, and Myanmar is known for its rich mineral deposits. Preliminary exploration suggests that the northern region of Wa State in Myanmar is a prospective area for gold mineralization. However, detailed geological investigations are currently lacking, and the target range for mineral exploration remains unclear. Remote sensing technology can provide significant guidance for cross-border mineral exploration. This study developed a multi-source remote sensing methodology to delineate Carlin-type gold deposits in northern Wa State, Myanmar. Landsat 8 OLI and ASTER data were used to interpret fault information. ASTER data were employed to extract iron-stained and silicified alteration information using the iCrosta method. Based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, lithological classification information was obtained using the random forest method. By comprehensively analyzing the fault, alteration, and lithological information extracted from remote sensing data, two gold exploration target areas were delineated. Taking the No. 1 exploration target area as an example, the pyrite information was further extracted by China’s ZY1-02D hyperspectral data based on spectral angle method, the scope of exploration target area is further narrowed. Through field investigations and petrographic analysis conducted in the narrowed exploration target areas, gold mineralization was indeed identified, demonstrating the effectiveness of the mineral exploration methodology based on multi-source remote sensing data. This study can provide an important reference for the exploration of mineral resources in other similar geological settings worldwide.