Exploration

Mineral exploration geoscientists use diverse types of data sets to search for new economic deposits. Data sources vary from geologic maps, hyperspectral airborne and multispectral satellite images, and geophysical images to databases in many formats. GIS is an ideal platform to bring them together in a geoscientist's computer and deliver meaningful outcomes.

GIS is now able to help geoscientists in many aspects of their activities: data collection, management, analysis, and reporting. Field geologists can now capture field data electronically using ArcPad and global positioning system (GPS) receivers. Other data sets may be downloaded from the Internet. All of these data sets can be integrated, manipulated, and analyzed using GIS.

Integration with other specialized programs for geophysical data and image processing is easily done with GIS. Raster images, such as satellite imagery or geophysical images, can then be displayed in GIS and overlaid with vector data such as geology, faults, and geochemical samples. Gridding and contouring from point data can also be performed.

Mineral targeting can be done based on multievidence maps analysis, either using qualitative or quantitative methods. Multiple geophysical images can be displayed simultaneously using ArcMap and overlaid by other data sets to evaluate their qualitative spatial relationships. The quantitative method is done through geoprocessing and map algebra. The standard ESRI GIS works in vector-cased operations in which geologists can conduct multiple geoprocessing tasks such as querying, creating a buffer, and intersection operations. ESRI's ArcGIS Spatial Analyst extension helps geologists calculate and predict mineral prospectivity through raster-based map algebra, either using data-driven or knowledge-driven methods.

GIS In Action

• Mean Sea Level, GPS, and the Geoid—ArcUser, July 2003
• Predictive Probabilistic Modeling Using ArcView GIS
  [PDF-251 KB, 4 pages]—ArcUser, April 2000