Prediction Perspective Areas for Gold Mineralization Using the Methods of Mathematical Information Processing and the Data Set of Remote Sensing Satellite Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 on the Polar Urals

Abstract—For the first time, an approach has been applied to the southwestern part of the Malouralsk zone of the Polar Urals, which was tested by combining (1) methods of mathematical information processing and (2) a set of data obtained by the Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 remote sensing spacecraft. The former is based on the analysis of search features and their functional and correlation relationships. The latter is the integration of maps of the distribution of hydrothermal alterations and the lineament density scheme, created on the basis of the results of statistical processing of remote sensing data. As a result of the study, two new areas have been delineated and new predictive and prospecting features of gold mineralization are identified within the study area. (1) Areas promising for the gold mineralization type in the southwestern part of the Malouralskaya zone are localized along transregional fault zones that intersect favorable horizons and structures and control ore mineralization and within the volcanic–tectonic structure (large morphostructure 40 × 45 km) of the first order. Within this depression, there are accepted systems of modern volcanic structures of the second order and higher, the position of which is controlled by junctions of northeast- and northwest-trending faults with a length of more than 10 km. (2) Potentially ore-bearing volcanic edifices show subsidence calderas and a large area of metasomatic aureoles (more than 30 km2) with elevated indices of hydroxyl-(Al–OH, Mg–OH) and carbonate-bearing minerals and iron oxides and hydroxides (limonite), as well as, to a lesser extent, ferrous oxides.