Discovery of gold deposit targets
A number of gold targets have been rapidly discovered by means of above mentioned methods and techniques, on basis of regional metallogeny and supported by large amounts of fieldwork. Two types of gold deposit found in Altai are described herein.

1. Quartz Vein Type of Gold Deposit Target. This gold deposit target is located in the Western Altai. It is realized using space borne data for reconnaissance over large area that this region is has good geological condition for mineralization. A series of faults lie in between of two major faults, which strike in WE direction and WWW direction respectively. It was identified on the imagery that a number of dark colour, polygonal geological bodies scatter over a large, light colour circular body which is a acidic-middle-mafic intrusion complex found out from existing geological data. The contact part of different intrusions usually is favorable for mineralization. Then the SPOT and airborne infrared images were interpreted. They reveal some very small "light dots" in complex. The fieldwork shows that they are single quartz vein or a group of quartz veins. Some of quartz veins are gold-bearing quartz veing, some contain native gold which is visible on samples.


The systematic sampling and chemical analysis show high gold contents, which lead the basic understanding of quartz vein type of gold deposit in the Western study area. Subsequently, large scale remotely sensed imagery was applied to the study area and more than 200 quartz veins were found, the longest is 200-800 meters, and 1-12 meters wide. A quarter of them are gold bearing quartz veins. The average tenor is 9 grams/per ton, the highest is more than 300 grams/per ton. The results state that there is a potential quartz vein type of gold deposit.
2. Altered Fracture Zone Type of Gold Target. Gold deposit is strongly associated with structures. The compressional structure is one of the typical containing structures for mineralization. One compress ional structure zone over 70 km long in We direction was discover from imagery interpretation in the Eastern Altai. It has obviously faded. It is inferred from metallogeny that altered fracture zone type of gold deposit is probably exist in the compression structure zone. The random and systematic sampling results show that 37.97% of one hundred samples reach the scattering mineralized coefficient, 10.14% reach rich mineralized coefficient, 4.35% reach mineralized coefficient. The conclusion to it is a large gold-bearing structure zone.


In order to sift out mineralized geological bodies for mining from the gold-bearing Structure zone.

In order to sift out mineralized geological bodies for mining from the gold-bearing structure zone, TM, SPOT and SAR data were interpreted and integrated to extract alteration information. The five gold-bearing geological bodies were founded. The highest tenor is over tens ppm. The mineralized rocks are Upper Devonian meta-volcanic rocks with fine quartz weins. It is an altered fracture zone type of gold-deposit target. The subsequent geological work has discovered several deposits for mining.

Discovery of nonferrous metal targets
The mineralization conditions for nonferrous metals are different from gold, so the techniques for exploration are different as well. Image interpretation needs to set up on the basis of well understanding of its specified mineralization characteristics. In the study area, copper deposits are strongly associated with mafic and ultra intrusions and distribute in the vicinity of deep fractures; tin deposits highly relate to granites and appear near the boundaries of boundaries of batholiths.

Understanding of geological conditions of mineralization will help to use remote sensing technology to explore minerals.

1. Tin Target


A large biotite granite batholith-Kalamaili granite batholith-distributes in the eastern marging of Junggar depression. Spaceborne data, especially airborne data obviously reveal the special feature and spectral feature of the batholith which provides ideal image marks to mineral exploration using remote sensing techniques. Through setting up the interpretation standards for known deposits, guided by regional metallogeny of tin deposits in tin spar form exist in greisen veins within granite batholith. The vein groups can be directly interpreted from the large scale airborne photographs. The chemical analysis results show that 70% of samples are tin amomolous rocks. It is a promising tin deposit for mining.


2. Copper Target


A 50km long are form structure zone was interpreted from imagery in central Alitai. The integration of aeromagnetic data with imagery and field work has proven its existence. Moreover, it controls mineralization. The front of arc-form zone usually is favourable position for mineralization. The 18 small mafic intrusions have been found out firstly. On the basis of regional metallogeny these small intrusions are favourable for copper or nickel mineralization.

Systematic filed work has been applied to these small intrusions. Special detailed work has been done on intrusions which lie in conjuction of arc-from structure and other large faults. The four of the of intrusions have good mineralization. The chemical analysis show that copper reach mining tenor and minerlization is getting richer from surface to deep surface. It is a meaningful copper target.