Sengar, Vivek K., Venkatesh, A.S., Champati ray, P.K., Sahoo, P.R., Khan, Israil, and Chattoraj, Shovan L.
Simplified remotely sensed hydrothermal alteration map of the Mundiyawas-Khera copper deposit and photomicrographs of the mineralized rocks comprising sericite (Ser) and scapolite (Scp), the major constituents of the phyllic alteration zone. • Volcanogenic copper mineralization in the Mundiyawas-Khera area is hosted by felsic volcanic rocks and dolomites. • Phyllic and propylitic alteration zones are good indicators of the copper mineralization. • Phyllic, argillic and propylitic alteration in the area was identified using the SWIR bands of ASTER. • This study identified potential copper mineralized zones in semi-concealed to concealed areas of the Alwar basin. This paper discusses the effectiveness of spectroscopic techniques for identifying hydrothermal alteration zones associated with the Mundiyawas-Khera copper deposit, Alwar Basin, western India, and assesses implications for mineral exploration targeting in the greater Alwar basin. Mineral specific SWIR bands of ASTER were spectrally enhanced to highlight areas of anomalous Al-OH and Mg-OH responses, representing key mappable expressions of the Mundiyawas-Khera copper deposit. The hydroxyl-bearing mineral zones were identified at 98% and 95% threshold pixels, respectively. Kaolinite ± scapolite, sericite (muscovite), tremolite and dolomite, contained in the felsic volcanic and dolomitic copper host rocks, were identified from spectroscopic data and corroborated with petrographic and XRD data. On this basis, distinct argillic, phyllic and propylitic hydrothermal alteration zones could be identified at Mundiyawas-Khera. The integrated approach presented here (i) identified a well defined phyllic alteration pattern in the felsic volcanic rocks, (ii) resulted in a comprehensive remotely sensed hydrothermal alteration map illustrating the spatial distribution of the copper-related hydrothermal alteration zones (i.e., an eastern argillic, a central phyllic, and a western propylitic zone), (iii) helped to delineate potential copper-rich zones coincident with a known lithostructural trend, and (iv) has implications for copper exploration in the greater Alwar basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]