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Importance of This Case Study
This Case Study shows how air photos are used for reconnaissance-scale mineral exploration. It illustrates how bedrock geology and structure can be mapped in the office using air photo patterns.
Mineral Exploration
Sparse vegetation means the extent of ultramafic igneous intrusions can be mapped on air photos before setting foot in the field.
Location
Tulameen area, Similkameen Mining District, south-central British Columbia, Canada.
 
Background
The Tulameen area of south-central British Columbia has a long history of gold and platinum placer mining and the search for host rock mineral deposits. Determining the location of some of the old assessment work is difficult. Some records go back one hundred years.
 
Objective
A junior exploration company needed more information on the geology and location of past exploration activities in order to acquire property by claim or joint venture.
Air Photograph Interpretation
Air photos were chosen as a primary data source for the program because they contain high-resolution spatial information and make an accurate base map. Air photo interpretation was used to generate and organize information about:
- Drainage patterns and lineaments
- Benches, terraces and other locations favourable for placer-bearing deposits
- Vegetation patterns caused by differences in the geochemical soil signature of bedrock
- Past exploration and mining activity
The information was synthesized into a tool that was used to screen large areas for prospective ground. The end result was a proprietary key correlating photo patterns to rock types (Fig. 1), which improved upon existing bedrock maps.
Information Sources
Air photos of the region were taken in 1995 at a nominal scale of 1:50 000 (Fig. 2). Additional information came from bedrock and surficial geology maps (Fig. 3), mineral assessment reports (Fig. 4), special studies on geology and glacial history of the area and satellite images from Google Earth.
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