A UAV-based hyperspectral survey in the Idaho Cobalt belt near Salmon, Idaho

In May 2022, researchers from the Colorado School of Mines partnered with Norsk Elektro Optikk AS (NEO) to fly a series of UAV-based hyperspectral surveys in the Idaho Cobalt Belt near Salmon, Idaho. The goal of this effort is to improve our understanding of the potential for critical mineral resources in the Idaho Cobalt Belt and elsewhere by designing a workflow to map mineralogical gradients around these deposits at a range of scales. The UAV-based hyperspectral survey will help inform geophysical data interpretation and subsequent construction of interpretive 3D geologic models for improved exploration and critical mineral assessment.

The research conducted in the Idaho Cobalt Belt forms part of the ‘Mineralogy Across Scales’ program, a research project within the Center for Advanced Subsurface Earth Resource Models (CASERM). It is the goal of the center and this program to develop fundamental knowledge that transforms the way geoscience data are used in the discovery and mining of critical minerals and metals. CASERM is a collaborative research venture between Mines and Virginia Tech that is supported by a consortium of mining companies, analytical instrumentation and software developers, and federal agencies. The center forms part of the IUCRC program of the National Science Foundation.

The UAV-based hyperspectral survey involved a collaboration between CASERM, the Aviation Technology Program of Western Colorado Community College, the National Center for Autonomous Technology (NCAT) at Northland College, the USGS hyperspectral group, and NEO, which manufactures state-of-the-art hyperspectral sensors. The survey was in part supported by NSF’s START outreach program allowing the training of a group of young UAV pilots. In addition to the UAV-based hyperspectral imaging (SWIR and NVIR), LiDAR data were acquired in several key areas from the southeast portion of the Idaho Cobalt Belt.?

Despite sub-optimal weather conditions, densely vegetated target areas, and the relatively high elevation of the Idaho Cobalt Belt, the collaborative effort was highly successful. Based on this experience, CASERM will expand its research to establish UAV-based hyperspectral sensing as a standard mineral exploration and assessment tool.?