Application of remote sensing techniques for estimation and mapping of iron oxides and iron-containing minerals in open pits of the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study is to use remote sensing data to map the deposits of the Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin. Several methods for estimating iron oxide content have been applied and tested. Using image processing techniques, color composites, band ratios and supervised classification, a map of rocks with different iron oxide contents in the Inhulets and Skeliuvats-Magnetite deposits was create. The proposed method uses six Landsat 9 bands to map iron-bearing minerals and rocks (spectra 1, 3, 4 and 5) and hydroxyl (spectra 1, 5 and 7), which are easily visible in the pictures of the operation land images. The final identification of iron deposition was based on the difference in reflectivity of iron oxide content. The Kryvyi Rih iron ore basin is an excellent environment for remote sensing experiments for iron ore identification. Quite large-scale outcrops of ore bodies with pronounced reflection spectra are observe at the deposits. The large extent of development of ferruginous horizons makes them easy to diagnose using Landsat series satellites.