The use of satellite remote sensing imagery for mineral exploration is a fast and low-cost approach for indicating high potential zones. Exploration of iron skarn mineralization in metamorphic regions is challenging during the fieldwork campaign. In this study, Landsat-7 and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite imagery were used for mapping alteration zones and geological structures associated with iron skarn mineralization in the Galali region, NW, Iran. Band ratio and Directed Principal Component Analysis (DPCA) and Automatic Lineament Extraction methods were applied to Landsat-7 data. Relative Absorption Band Depth (RBD) and Constrained Energy Minimization (CEM) algorithms were implemented to ASTER data. Fieldwork and laboratory analysis were conducted to verify the remote sensing results. Results indicate that propylitic alteration zone and intersection of N–S and NW–SE and curvilinear features are typically associated with iron skarn mineralization and some high potential zones are identified for future exploration projects.

使用卫星遥感图像进行矿物勘探是一种指示低成本高地带的快速低成本方法。在野外工作期间，探索变质地区的铁矽卡岩矿化是一项挑战。在这项研究中，Landsat-7和先进的星载热发射与反射辐射计（ASTER）卫星图像被用于绘制伊朗西北部加拉利地区与铁矽卡岩矿化有关的蚀变带和地质构造图。将带比率和定向主成分分析（DPCA）以及自动线迹提取方法应用于Landsat-7数据。对ASTER数据实施了相对吸收带深度（RBD）和约束能量最小化（CEM）算法。进行了实地调查和实验室分析，以验证遥感结果。