Detecting Lithium Brine in Afghanistan Using Spaceborne Hyperspectral Data
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to utilize hyperspectral remote sensing technology for the identification
and evaluation of lithium mineral deposits in Afghanistan. Afghanistan boasts unique geological
formations with substantial potential for lithium resources beneath its land crust. The focal point of
this project revolves around exploring and developing lithium brine-rich deposits in the Dashti-e-
Nawar field, an exceptional brine accumulation that also harbors essential boron (B) deposits, crucial
for decarbonization efforts. These efforts aim to expand the understanding of lithium mineralization
beyond a specific location and explore the possibility of transferring spectral signatures to identify
lithium deposits in areas beyond Dashti-e-Nawar. To identify the potential of lithium deposits in
Dashti-e-Nawar, Afghanistan, advanced feature extraction algorithms such as Principal Component
Analysis (PCA), supervised and unsupervised classification techniques, spectral matching, and
spectral profile analysis were applied to PRISMA hyperspectral spaceborne data. Through this
analysis, various types of lithium minerals including Gypsum, Hectorite, Kaolinite, and Lepidolite
were identified across the dry lake of Dashti-e-Nawar. Furthermore, the analysis revealed the presence
of Boron and Borax deposits in the study area (Dashti-e-Nawar) as well as in the mountainous regions
on both the eastern and western sides, indicating significant potential for Boron and Borax deposits in
Dashti-e-Nawar, Ghazni, Afghanistan. The spectral profiles of lithium minerals in Dashti-e-Nawar
were analyzed and compared to reference spectra of lithium minerals from the United States
Geological Survey (USGS) spectral library and the JPL spectral library using ERDAS Imagine
software. The results demonstrate that Dashti-e-Nawar spans an approximate area of 361.6 km² of
lithium mineral resources over the dry lake. To identify the lithium (Li) mineral spectral signature,
PRISMA data was used to compare with the reference spectra from Bolivia, a known lithium area. The
analysis of lithium (Li) spectral signatures revealed a distinctive absorption pattern, with a narrow
absorption feature in the near-infrared (NIR) region and a broad absorption feature in the short-wave
infrared (SWIR). The most useful bands for identifying the lithium spectral signature using PRISMA
hyperspectral data were found at 1372.72 nm (NIR) and 1904.06 nm (SWIR). The natural
environmental conditions in Afghanistan facilitate relatively easy in-field exploration in certain areas,
and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) proves helpful for regional geological mapping and mineral
identification. With this advantageous combination of lithium sources, Afghanistan is well-positioned
to emerge as a major global producer of lithium in the future.
Degree
Student essay
Collections
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Date
2023-08-18Author
Azizi, Torpikay
Keywords
PRISMA Hyperspectral data
lithium mineral deposits
lithium brine-rich deposits
Dashti-e- Nawar
boron deposits
Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
supervised and unsupervised classification
spectral matching
spectral profile analysis
visible-near-infrared (VNIR)
short-wave infrared (SWIR) Gypsum
Hectorite
Kaolinite
Lepidolite
lithium carbonate
lithium chloride
Series/Report no.
B1269
Language
eng
Metadata
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