Mapping of hydrothermal-metasomatic alteration for prediction of gold mineralization based on processing a dataset of the Landsat 8 remote sensing spacecraft for the territory of the eastern slope of the Polar Urals

Based on satellite imagery from Landsat 8, an analysis was made of the territories of the eastern slope of the Polar Urals that are promising for identifying gold mineralization (from north to south): Shchuchinsky zone (Yunyaginsky deposit), Toupugol-Khanmeishorsky ore district (Novogodnee-Monto and Petropavlovskoye deposits) and the central part of the Malouralsk zone (Manyukuyu-Vorchatinsky ore cluster). The study was carried out with the aim of identifying similar patterns in the distribution of hydrothermal-metasomatic changes in order to develop a forecast and search criterion (material) for the gold ore type of mineralization. It was found that in areas promising for Au mineralization on the eastern slope of the Polar Urals, intrusions of basic composition should be localized, with which gold mineralization is genetically associated and metasomatic halos of a significant area (more than 30 km2) with increased values of iron (III) oxide indices should be localized. And iron (II) oxide, and to a lesser extent – iron oxides and hydroxides (limonite), as well as hydroxyl-(Al-OH, Mg-OH) and carbonate-containing minerals.