Dominant role of remote sensing mineral exploration information in the discovery of the Luodong Ni deposit,Xinjiang.

By comprehensive analysis and field validation of remote sensing mineral exploration information for the known Poshi Cu-Ni deposit in the Beishan rift zone,Xinjiang,a mineral exploration model mainly of remote sensing information was constructed for mafic-ultramafic type Ni deposits.On the basis of this exploration model,the multi-spectral ETM data were used to extract structural features and hydroxylate remote sensing anomalies,and the LuoDong malic-ultramafic Ni deposit was found through an integrated analysis and on-the-spot checks in July 2005.Thus a breakthrough in mineral exploration using remote sensing has been made.The 6th Geological Party of the Xinjiang Bureau of Geology and Mineral Exploration and Development has outlined two Ni orebodies by geochemical and geophysical surveys of the ultrabasic body,some pits and trenches for the control of the superficial mineralization zone and one borehole for deep control and obtained Ni metal resources of 57,200 tons.The Luodong Ni deposit has potential of a large deposit.It is worthwhile to further input work for evaluation of the deposit.The discovery of the Luodong Ni deposit has further expanded the ore prospects for magmatic liquation-type Cu-Ni deposits in the Beishan metallogenic belt.The authors have selected some ore target areas in the northwest of the Luodong Ni deposit.With the rapid development of the aerospace technology and information processing technology,the role of mineral exploration information using remote sensing in prospecting and forecast of mineral resources will become more and more important.