The Leimengou giant molybdenum deposit, located in the Xiong’ershan district of the East Qinling metallogenic belt, represents one of the most important Dabie-type porphyry Mo systems in China. Although its magmatic evolution and ore-forming processes have been extensively studied, the district-scale distribution of alteration minerals and their structural controls remain insufficiently constrained, limiting the effectiveness of mineral exploration. In this study, we integrate multi-source remote sensing data, including Landsat-8 OLI and ZY1-02D AHSI hyperspectral imagery, to map hydrothermal alteration and assess exploration potential in the Leimengou district and its surrounding western Henan Mo belt. Landsat-derived hydroxyl, carbonate, and Fe-oxide anomalies provide the regional alteration framework, while ZY1-02D hyperspectral data allow pixel-level identification of kaolinite, sericite/illite, chlorite, montmorillonite, and K-feldspar. A fused alteration index (AI) was constructed by combining spectral indices, matched-filter results, lithological information, and structural features such as faults and ring structures. The integrated results reveal a well-defined annular alteration system around the Leimengou intrusion, with high-Fe zones coinciding with known orebodies and extending along NW–SE fault corridors. Three new high-potential exploration targets are identified. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining multispectral and hyperspectral remote sensing for characterizing alteration mineralogy in porphyry Mo systems and provides a transferable exploration model for the East Qinling Mo belt.

Yuanye Ping, Wei Xi, Peike Dong. Multi-Source Remote Sensing-Based Alteration Mineral Mapping and Exploration Potential Assessment of the Leimengou Giant Mo Deposit, Western Henan, China. Academic Journal of Engineering and Technology Science (2026), Vol. 9, Issue 2: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJETS.2026.090201.

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