Description

Recently, hyperspectral scanners have become available for making detailed mineral maps of drill core. The detailed mineral maps provide information about the presence of spectral minerals for the delineation of specific zones of importance for resource exploration. Although zone of interest contain specific geological textures, such as veins, layering and breccia’s, the standard classification techniques of the hyperspectral images do not consider the texture or microstructure in their classification scheme. This proposed study aims at identifying and extracting microstructural information from rock samples to enhance the success of delineation of the drill hole intervals of interest. The research can focus on rock textures in different settings or for various applications, for example permeability assessment in sedimentary drill-core. A hyperspectral infrared camera will be used to acquire high spectral and spatial resolution imagery for this study.

Objectives and Methodology

The methodology described in van Ruitenbeek et al. (2019) will be used as a basis and further developed in consultation with supervisors.

Further reading

van Ruitenbeek, F. J. A., van der Werff, H. M. A., Bakker, W. H., van der Meer, F. D., & Hein, K. A. A. (2019). Measuring rock microstructure in hyperspectral mineral maps. Remote sensing of environment, 220, 94-109.