Iron ore exploration in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt: Insights from remote Sensing, Geophysical, and geochemical data

The novelty of this study lies in applying an integrated workflow that combines geological mapping, aeromagnetic analysis, remote sensing, and XRF analysis to delineate extensions of known iron ore deposits and identify previously unrecognized occurrences, while simultaneously providing new insights into the tectono-magmatic controls of iron mineralization in the Central Eastern Desert. The findings provide critical data on the spatial organization, mineral characteristics, and geological controls of iron ore in this complex tectonic setting, enabling more efficient exploration plans in the Eastern Desert. Metamorphosed banded iron formations (BIFs) prevail at several localities, e.g., Gabal El Hadid, Umm Nar, Umm Ghamis El Zarqa, El Sibai, El Dabbah, and Wadi Kareem. These BIFs occur within a metavolcano-sedimentary environment, with thicknesses of up to 5 m, in the form of bands and lenses composed of magnetite, hematite, and silica. Magnetic spectral analysis enabled clear discrimination among lithological units, definition of structural controls, and demarcation of alteration zones associated with iron mineralization.