Integrating aero-spectrometry and ASTER remote sensing data for revealing mineralization potential in the Gabal El-Degheimi region, central eastern desert, Egypt

The present study is very important to explore the ore deposits to increase the national outcome of Egypt. This study employs advanced remote sensing and geophysical techniques to enhance lithological mapping and evaluate mineralization potential in the Gabal El-Degheimi region, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. ASTER satellite data, processed using Spectral Ratio Indices (SRI) and Crosta Principal Components Analysis (CPCA), delineate alteration zones with high precision. Complementary gamma-ray spectrometry data—potassium (K%), thorium-to-potassium (eTh/K), uranium-to-potassium (eU/K) ratios, and the F-parameter—identify radioactive element enrichments. Field validation, including 11 rock samples, supports the findings. By integrating alteration maps, lineament density, airborne spectrometry, and geospatial data, the study identifies geologically favorable zones with significant mineralization potential, providing a foundation for future exploration and resource development.