This paper is the result of mineral exploration engineering.

Objective Hyperspectral remote sensing technology enables the rapid extract of information on alteration minerals and linear structures based on their unique spectral features, and is significant for supporting the next round of prospecting breakthroughs.

Methods This study focuses on the Zhaojinggou and Hutushan areas in Wuchuan County, Inner Mongolia. The alteration minerals were extracted based on spectral hourglass technology using ZY−1−02D satellite hyperspectral data. The linear structures of the study area were extracted by conducting principal component analysis (PCA) and LINE module in PCI Geomatica. Furthermore, the spatial distribution characteristics of altered minerals and linear structures were analyzed.

Results Eight types of alteration minerals were identified—hematite, low aluminum sericite, medium aluminum sericite, lepidolite, biotite, chlorite, carbonate and kaolinite—and 127 linear structures were extracted from the study area. It is found that the alteration minerals and linear structures in the study area are closely related to the lithology of the geological body, and most of them are concentrated in the local section of the specific geological body. The extraction results of linear structures are mainly distributed on the interface of different tones and the abnormal zone with linear distribution in the image, indicating a good overall extraction effect. Based on the comprehensive analysis of alteration information and linear structure, 6 prospecting areas have been delineated, four of which coincide with known ore veins, indicating high consistency and confirming that such anomalies can serve as a basis for remote sensing prospecting.

Conclusions Hyperspectral remote sensing can not only accurately identify altered mineral information, but also clearly extract different rock mass, structure, and other geological bodies, providing strong technical support for mineral resources exploration and geological investigation.