Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)

Journal: Pakistan Journal of Geology (PJG)
Author: Muhammad Siddique, Shahid Ghazi

This is an open access journal distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

DOI: 10.26480/pjg.02.2025.121.130

The present study employs an integrated geospatial framework to delineate placer mineral potential zones along the Indus River corridor in District Attock, Pakistan. Utilizing multi-temporal Landsat 5 and 8 imagery (2000–2024), Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data, and advanced cloud-based processing via Google Earth Engine, key mineralogical and geomorphological indicators were extracted and analyzed. Spectral band ratio techniques were applied to identify ferrous and ferric minerals, iron oxides, clay assemblages, and hydrothermal alteration zones. Concurrently, Digital Elevation Model (DEM)-derived slope, flow direction, and aspect layers were analyzed to evaluate terrain controls on mineral deposition. Hydrological indices such as the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and vegetation indices (NDVI) were employed to assess surface dynamics and isolate stable zones for mineral concentration. Morphological features including point bars, meanders, and potholes were mapped and buffered to spatially constrain zones favorable for sediment trapping and heavy mineral accumulation. Results reveal distinct placer-enriched zones coinciding with low-gradient floodplains, meander belts, and fluvially reworked terraces. The integration of spectral and terrain-based analyses demonstrates the efficacy of remote sensing and GIS in early-stage mineral exploration, providing a replicable framework for sustainable resource targeting in alluvial environments.