Prospecting for iron ore occurrences was conducted by the Remote Sensing Center in Bahariya Oasis-El Faiyum area covering some 100,000 km squared in the Western Desert of Egypt. LANDSAT-1 satellite images were utilized as the main tool in the regional prospecting of the iron ores. The delineation of the geological units and geological structure through the interpretation of the images corroborated by field observations and structural analysis led to the discovery of new iron ore occurrences in the area of investigation

Abdelhady, M. A.

Elghawaby, M. A.

Elshazly, E. M.

Khawasik, S. M.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

N78-14581
APPLICATION OF LANDSAT SATELLITE IMAGERY
FOR IRON ORE
PROSPECTING IN THE WESTERN DESERT OF EGYPT
E. M. EL SHAZLY, M. A. ABDEL HADY, M. A. EL GHAWABY,
§ S. M. KHAWASIK
REMOTE SENSING CENTER AND ATOMIC ENERGY ESTABLISHMENT,
CAIRO, EGYPT
SUMMARY
Prospecting for iron ore occurrences has been conducted by the Remote Sen-
sing Center in Bahariya Oasis-El Faiyum area covering some 100,000 km2 in the
Western Desert of Egypt. Landsat-1 satellite images have been utilized as the
main tool in the regional prospecting of the iron ores.
The delineation of the geological units and geological structures through
the interpretation of the images corroborated by field observations and struc-
tural analysis led to the discovery of new iron ore occerrences in the area of
investigation. A new locality for iron ore deposition namely that of Gebel
Qalamun has been discovered accordingly, as well as new occurrences within the
already known iron ore locality of Bahariya Oasis. The previously mentioned
localities have been recommended for immediate detailed exploration using
airborne and ground remote sensing techniques. Six other localities have been
further recommended for long term exploration. The geological exploration cri-
teria found out during the present investigation include the geological units
ranging in age from Cretaceous to Eocene and the superimposed Laramide folding.
The structural features of the newly discovered Gebel Qalamun locality, as
well as other new occurrences in the environs of Bahariya Oasis locality show-
ing on Landsat satellite images are comparable to those of the already known
iron ore deposits in the latter locality. The iron ore deposits of El Gedida,
Gebel Ghorabi and El Harra are noted to be mostly located on crenulations re-
presenting hinge areas of meso or macro folds with axial traces attaining an
approximately NE-SW direction. Moreover, the iron ore deposits at El Heiz are
likewise located on crenulations representing hinge areas of meso or macro
folds. However, at least two generations of folding have acted on the strata
of Bahariya Oasis locality and its iron ore deposits, as the final folding
traces acquire trends varying from NW-SE to NNW-SSE. The tectonic setting
of the newly discovered iron ore occurrences and those of the already known
iron ore deposits is controlled by the same forces which led to the deposition
of iron ores in comparable localities regarding both time and space.
INTRODUCTION
A geologically favorable area for the deposition and accumulation of iron
ores has been selected in the Western Desert of Egypt to conduct regional pros-
pecting for these ores at the request of the Egyptian Iron and Steel Company.
The area in question, termed Bahariya Oasis - El Faiyum area (El Shazly, Abdel
Hady, El Ghawaby and Khawasik, 1976), covers 100,000 km2 which represents 101
of the whole coverage of the Egyptian territories. Due to the great extension
of the area of investigation and the limited time available to carry out the
project, which is less than one year, LANDSAT-1 satellite images have been
utilized as the main prospecting tool for iron ore occurrences.
As the regional prospecting for iron ores in Bahariya Oasis-El Faiyum area
is essentially governed by the geological units which host the iron ores and
the structures which control their deposition and accumulation, maps of geolo-
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gical units, structural lineaments and drainage have'been constructed for the
area in question on scales of 1:500,000 to 1:250,000 based on LANDSAT imagery,
intensive field measurements and structural analysis. The images used include
black and white positive transparencies and prints in bands 4, 5,6 and 7 of
the multispectral scanner carried on LANDSAT-1, false color composite trans-
parencies and prints produced from various combinations of three of the pre-
viously mentioned bands, as well as some images digitized from the computer
compatible tapes.
All images have been subjected to detailed photo interpretation. It has
been found out during this process and previous experience gained in the pre-
vailing arid conditions of the Egyptian deserts that the transparencies are
superior to the opaque prints and that in addition to the false color composi-
te transparencies images of bands 5 and 7 are most helpful in delineating the
geological units, structural lineaments and drainage lines.
Due to the particular importance of structural elements in the localiza-
tion of iron ore occurrences the numerous field structural measurements obtai-
ned have been treated by a structural analysis technique to determine the major
structures in the area of investigation which could not be fully investigated
in outcrops and their geometrical elements. The technique in question is based
on viewing the linear structures and the normals of the planar structures as
vectors of a unit magnitude each (Ramsay, 1967; Koch and Link, 1971).
LITHOLOGIC CRITERIA FOR IRON ORE PROSPECTING
Prospecting for iron ores in Bahariya Oasis - El Faiyum area is closely
connected with the identification on LANDSAT-1 imagery of the lithologic units
favorable for hosting these ores, and the delineation of such units on the in-
terpreted geological maps (Figures 2 and 3). This method is of direct nature
and has been previously applied by El Shazly, Abdel Hady, El Ghawaby and El
Kassas (1974) for the recognition of iron ore deposits and phosphorite beds on
LANDSAT-1 images in East Aswan area, Egypt. In the latter locality the iron
ores are restricted to the medium textured iron ore member which has the dark-
est color among the various members of the Nubian Sandstone. On the other hand,
the phosphorite beds represent an integral part of the phosphate-bearing for-
mation which is characterized by its very coarse texture and medium grey tone.
Examination of the satellite images of the investigated Bahariya Oasis-El
Faiyum area reveals striking similarities between Bahariya Oasis and Gebel
Qalamun environs, located in the western and eastern parts respectively of the
considered area at long distances from each other (Figure 1). Iron ore depo-
sits have been previously known at El Gedida, Ghorabi and El Harra in the
environs of Bahariya Oasis where they occur essentially in Middle Eocene sedi-
mentary rocks (Ball and Beadnell, 1903; El Shazly 1962 a and b; El Akkad and
Issawi, 1963; El Bassyouni, 1972; etc.). The latter are characterized, in
the appropriate LANDSAT images, by the presence of white chalky horizons inter-
calated by dark grey beds of limestones and clays of ferruginous nature. Sedi-
ments with comparable characteristics and age have been identified on LANDSAT
images in Gebel Qalamun environs. Field investigations which followed this
identification and delineation proved the presence of iron occurrences at Gebel
Qalamun locality outcropping along a curve attaining some 70 kilometers in
length (Figure 7). The geological unit' hosting the iron deposition has been
found by lithostratigraphic measurements to be correlatable to the lower for-
mation, named Gebel Qalaraun Formation, of the Middle Eocene sediments where the
known iron ore deposits in the environs of Bahariya Oasis are present. In Ge-
bel Qalamun environs the shaly horizons of the formation in question are the
ones incorporating the iron minerals.
STRUCTURAL CRITERIA FOR IRON ORE PROSPECTING
The structural lineaments interpreted from LANDSAT-1 imagery are discrimi-
nated as linear elements such as fractures and faults or as curved elements re-
presenting folds. One of the great advantages of using LANDSAT imagery is the
elucidation of major regional lineaments, thus enabling the detection of their
interconnections and their correlation over large areas.
1356
The structural pattern of the investigated Bahariya Oasis-El Faiyum area
has been formulated in three stages starting with the delineation of the struc-
tural lineaments on the most suitable LANDSAT images, followed by checking and
measuring of the structures in the field, and finally by computer programmed
analyses of the structural elements.
The similarity of the structural elements, notably folds, in the environs
of Bahariya Oasis (Figure 4) and Gebel Qalamun (Figure 5) has been noted at an
early stage of the work as has been the case with the lithologic units. This
has led to the orientation of prospecting towards the discovery of iron occur-
rences in the environs of Gebel Qalamun. Furthermore, the structural investi-
gations carried out in the environs of Bahariya Oasis proved that the already
known iron ore deposits are related spatially to small hinge zones of plunging
synclines and anticlines imposed on the host rocks. It may be added here that
Bahariya Oasis main anticlinal structure has been built up by an older folding
with an axial trace striking NNE-SSW which has been modified by a younger one
to acquire an axial trace striking NNW-SSE.
The same structural features noted in the already known iron ore deposits
have been also encountered in other localities in the environs of Bahariya Oa-
sis, and accordingly the latter are recommended for further detailed prospect-
ing in three successive time periods according to their priority. In the whole
area of investigation priority No.l has been given to Northern Bahariya Oasis
locality 1 (Figure 6) and Gebel Qalamun locality 2 (Figure 7). The choice of
localities belonging to priority No.l is based on favorable geological and
structural conditions, the presence of iron deposition in exposures or under
shallow depths, and the relative cheapness of the infrastructure required to
develop such localities. Priority No.2 is assigned to Qaret Had El Bahr
locality 3 and Ghard Ghorabi locality 4 in the vicinity of Bahariya Oasis,
and West El Faiyum locality 5 westwards of Gebel Qalamun. Localities selected
under priority No.2 possess favorable structural conditions while their infra-
structure may be connected with that of localities of priority No.l. Locali-
ties belonging to priority No.3 include those of Central Bahariya Oasis locali-
ty 6, Southern Bahariya Oasis locality 7 and West Giza locality 8. The
localities in question require separate infrastructure and may exist in the
subsurface at considerable depths.
REFERENCES
BALL, J., 5 BEADNELL, H. J. L. (1903). Bahariya Oasis, its topography and
geology. Survey Dept., Cairo, Egypt.
EL AKKAD, S., § ISSAWI, B. (1963). Geology and iron ore deposits of the Baha-
riya Oasis. Geological Survey and Mineral Research Dept., Cairo, Egypt,
Paper No. 18.
EL BASSYOUNI, A. A. (1972). Geology of the Area Between Gara El Hamra and Ball-
Qur Lyons and Ghard El Moharik and its Correlation with El Harra Area,
Bahariya Oasis, Egypt. M.Sc. Thesis, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
EL SHAZLY, E. M. (1962 a § b) . The Results of Drilling in the Iron Ore Deposits
of Gebel Ghorabi, Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert; and Report on the Mine-
ralogy of the Low Grade Iron Ores of El Heiz Area, Bahariya Oasis, Western
Desert. Geological Survey and Mineral Research Dept., Cairo, Egypt.
EL SHAZLY, E. M., ABDEL HADY, M. A., EL GHAWABY, M. A., § KHAWASIK, S. M.
(1976). Regional prospecting for iron ores in Bahariya Oasis-El Faiyum
area, Egypt, using LANDSAT satellite images. Remote Sensing Center,
Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Cairo, Egypt.
EL SHAZLY, E. M., ABDEL HADY, M. A., EL GHAWABY, M. A., 5 EL KASSAS, I. A.
(1974). Geologic interpretation of ERTS-1 Satellite Images for East
Aswan Area, Egypt. Proc. Ninth International Symposium on Remote Sensing
of Environment, Ann Arbor, Michigan, pp.104-117.
1357
KOCH, G. S.-J., § LINK, R. F. (1971). Statistical Analysis of Geological Data,
Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. John Wiley and Sons Inc.
^ -V
RAMSAY, J. G. (1967). Folding and Fracturing of Rocks. McGraw Hill Inc.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA
FIGURE 1. LOCATION MAP OF BAHARIYA OASIS AND GEBEL QALAMUN ENVIRONS, WESTERN
DESERT, EGYPT.
1358
LEGEND
Q5 CULTIVATION
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS DERIVED
FROM LATE EOCENE ROCKS
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS DERIVED
FROM MIDDLE EOCENE ROCKS
ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS DERIVED
FROM EARLY EOCENE ROCKS
Q. ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS DERIVED
I FROM LATE CRETACEOUS
N GEBEL EL KHASHAB FORMATION
|'"1&EBEL OATRANI
Lf * I VOLCANICS'BASALTS*
GEBEL QATRANI FORMATION
Clayey I L i m y Member
PGS Nummulitic Limestone
—LI Member
gog |P<»3 1 Mori-Limestone MemberZC- LI •* 1
51
oz
S£
S
<-,
*| Crystalline Limestone
»l Member
Oil Chalky Limestone
1 Member
G» Ferruginous Clay
—U Mernber
PG? 1 Crystalline Limestone
1
 I Member
f,t ] Chalky Limestone
—LLJ Member
p i i
G| Limestone Member
Kl lChalky Limestone1 i I LHWI 1*7 t
-LI Member
[ K 1 I Do4omitic Limestone
I—LI Member
I K j I Clay Member
I K ) 1 Ferruginous Limestone
II | Member
[ "i ]noolinic Member
|K{ I Shale Member
0 5 10 15 20Km
FIGURE 2. GEOLOGICAL MAP OF BAHARIYA OASIS ENVIRONS.
1359
LEGEND
CULTIVATION
03! NATURAL VEGETATION
Q? EOLIAN SANDS I SAND
ACCUMULATIONS
Qt ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS DER-1
 IVED FROM EOCENE ROCKS
[7771 Cebel Qatrani
Voleanics 'Basalts'
Clayey and Limy
Members
Sandy Member
lG$|Nummulitic Limestone
Member
Marl - Limestone
Member
Crystalline Limestone
Member
Chalky Limestone
Member
Ferruginous Clay
Member
0 5 10 15 20 Km
FIGURE 3. GEOLOGICAL MAP OF GEBEL QALAMUN ENVIRONS.
1360
ORIGIN^
OF POOR
ORIGINAL PAGE IS
OF POOR
LEGEND
F
°LDS
"FRACTURES INCLUDING
FAULTS
LINEAMENTS
BEDDING
BEDDING
^-^ FOLIATION
^ JOINTING
-^"GYPSEOUS VEINLET
LIMB
SHEAR ZONE
PRIMARV LINEATION
FOLD AXIS{ SYNCLINE-
ANTICLINE )
J|f*AXIS OF SYNCLINE
OF ANTICLINE
SHEAR ZONE ON HINGE
PLANE OF FOLD
K ATTITUDE OF FOLD AXISTO AXIAL PLANE
10 IS 20 Km
FIGURE 4. STRUCTURAL MAP OF BAHARIYA OASIS ENVIRONS.
1361
ORIGINAL PAGE IS
-W POOR QUALITY
FOLDS
FRACTURES INCLUDING
FAULTS
OTHER LINEAMENTS
BEDDING
CROSS BEDDING
FOLIATION
JOINTING
^•^GYPSEOUS VEINLET
LIMB
SHEAR ZONE
PRIMARY LINEATION
FOLD AXIS (SYNCLINE-
ANTICLINE)
OF SYNCLINE
AXIS OF ANTICLINE
SHEAR ZONE ON HINGE
PLANE OF FOLD
ATTITUDE OF FOLD AXIS
TO AXIAL PLANE
10 15 20 Km
FIGURE 5. STRUCTURAL MAP OF GEBEL QALAMUN ENVIRONS.
1362
ORIGINAL
CENTERALB\HARIW
OASIS LOCALITY
LEGEND
FOLDING
FIRST FOLD AXIS
SECOND FOLD AXIS
PROBABLE FOLD AXIS
KNOWN IRON OCCURRENCE
NEWLY INVESTIGATED IRON
OCCURRENCE
SAMPLE NUMBER
LOCALITIES SELECTED FOR
PROSPECTING AND EXPLO-
RATION
.PARTS OF LOCALITIES
CHOSEN FOR IMMEDIATE
PROSPECTING AND EXP-
LORATION
10 15 20 Km
FIGURE 6. LOCALITIES SELECTED FOR IRON ORE PROPSECTING, BAHARIYA OASIS
ENVIRONS.
1363
QALAMUN LOCALITY
LEGEND
FOLDING
FIRST FOLD AXIS
SECOND FOLD AXIS
PROBABLE FOLD AXIS
KNOWN IRON OCCURRENCE
NEWLY INVESTIGATED
IRON OCCURRENCE
SAMPLE NUMBER
LOCALITIES SELECTED FOR
PROSPECTING AND EXPLO-
RATION
PARTS OF LOCALITIES
CHOSEN FOR IMMEDIATE
PROSPECTING AND EXP-
LORATION
10 15 20 Km
FIGURE 7. LOCALITIES SELECTED FOR IRON ORE PROSPECTING, GEBEL QALAMUN
ENVIRONS.
1364


Application of LANDSAT satellite imagery for iron ore prospecting in the Western Desert of Egypt

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