The mapping of hydrothermal alteration zones associated with mineralization is of paramount importance in searching for metal deposits. For this purpose, targeting alteration zones by analyzing airborne geophysical and satellite imagery provides accurate and reliable results. In the Kelâat M’Gouna inlier, located in the Saghro Massif of the Moroccan Anti Atlas, natural gamma-ray spectrometry and ASTER satellite data were used to map hydrothermal alteration zones. Natural gamma-ray spectrometry data were processed to produce maps of Potassium (K in %), Uranium (eU in ppm), Thorium (eTh in ppm) and ratios of K/eTh and K/eU. In addition, four-band ratios were computed, on ASTER data, to map the distribution of clay minerals, phyllitic minerals, propylitic minerals, and iron oxides. The combined results obtained from geophysical and satellite data were further exploited by fuzzy logic modelling using the Geographic Information System (GIS) to generate a mineral prospectivity map. Seven hydrothermal alteration zones likely to be favorable for mineralization have been identified. They show a spatial correlation with (i) known surface prospects and mineral occurrences, (ii) the granite-encasing contact zone, and (iii) the fault zones (Sidi Flah and Tagmout faults). This research therefore provides important information on the prospecting of mineral potential in the study area.

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The current investigation concern Tiouit region in order to perceive potential mining zones. Remote sensing data were the main component to process. In order to spot geochemical anomalies associated with the target zones, multispectral ASTER data, gamma-ray spectrometry, and stream sediment data were used. Crosta and SAM applications granted to map a spatial distribution of propylitic, phyllic, clay, and ferruginous alteration zones. The normalized ratios let the delineation of potassic alteration zones, including the Tiouit gold mine characterized by an intense alteration in the Ikniwn granodiorite. Thus, the potassic alteration zones are consistently co-located with the tectonic structures materialized by strong fracturing densities. The stream sediment geochemical investigation revealed that the cited areas have an important potential of mineralization, with high concentrations of As (136 g/t), Cu (91 g/t), Pb (141 g/t), Zn (392 g/t), Ag (3 g/t), Mo (11 g/t), Mn (0.2 g/t), and Fe (10.63 %).

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