Implementing Geological, Remote Sensing and Magnetic Data for Structural Control Analysis of Mineralization in the Atshan Area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

The study integrates geological mapping, remote sensing, and magnetic measurements to delineate structural controlling of mineral occurrences in the Atshan area, located southwest of the Marsa Alam area (the Red Sea, Egypt). The Atshan area, characterized by meta-volcanics, Dokhan volcanics, and highly fractured rocks, shows significant potential for mineralization. The geological map and remote sensing data reveal alteration zones and fault elements trending NE–SW and E‒W. Structural elements and alteration zones identified from magnetic survey, including reduced-to-pole (RTP), regional-residual, tilt derivative (TDR), Euler deconvolution, and source edge detection (SED) maps, and finally, we make thirty magnetic profiles along high–pass map also exhibit NE–SW and E‒W trends. In seismological activity in the research area, most of the recorded events are associated with fault structures identified through geological and magnetic data interpretations, indicating that these shallow structures influencing the area extend to deeper levels, and suggesting that the same tectonic event affected both shallow and deep structures. The meta-volcanics display varying magnetic anomalies, indicating compositional inhomogeneity. Sulfide mineralization and gold-related minerals are primarily located within alteration zones and structures in the western, southeastern, and central parts of the area. Quantitative magnetic data analysis shows ore deposit depths ranging from 10 to 42 m, with half-widths between 4 and 20 m. The study recommends detailed geological and geochemical surveys, including drilling tests, for future exploration, particularly in the altered meta-volcanics of the western and southeastern locations. The spatial and temporal association of sulfide mineralization and gold with fault and shear zones suggests that focusing on these structural elements can enhance gold exploration efficiency. The results outline key compositional boundaries and structural zones favorable for mineralization, with highly magnetized bodies occurring near the surface to depths of approximately 35 m. Several sites are identified as promising for confirming the mineral potentiality in the area.