Xiaodong Zhou – The Use and Limitations of Aster Satellite Imagery for Exploration

Xiaodong Zhou, Senior Geologist, Barrick Gold will give a presentation on

The Use and Limitations of Aster Satellite Imagery for Exploration

Speaker:
Xiaodong Zhou is a senior geologist with Barrick Gold Corporation, based in Toronto. She has over 25 years of experience in the gold exploration industry, and for the past 12 years has specialized in spectral geology and remote sensing applications in Barrick’s exploration programs worldwide. She graduated in Geology from Shenyang Gold Institute (China) in 1983 and received a master’s degree in Exploration Geochemistry from Queen’s University in 1994. She has presented papers at the PDAC, CIM, GSN and Exploration ’07.

Abstract:
Aster is a multispectral optical sensor on board the EO-1 satellite. Since its launch in December 1999, Aster has become a cos- effective mapping tool with better mapping capability than Landsat for discriminating advanced argillic, argillic, phyllic, or propylitic alteration and silicification over large areas, especially in arid and semi-arid terrains. Surface exposure, style of alteration, overprinting alteration assemblages and atmospheric conditions may affect Aster signals and the mapping results. The fundamentals of Aster technology and examples of different deposit types and terrain types are discussed to illustrate the use and limitations of Aster imagery for exploration.