High-Resolution UAV-Based Fuzzy Logic Mapping of Iron Oxide Alteration for Porphyry Copper Exploration: A Case Study from the Kyzylkiya Copper Prospect in Eastern Kazakhstan

Orynbassarova E. Ahmadi H. Adebiyet B. Beiranvand Pour A. Bekbotayeva A. Sydyk N.
September 2025 Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)

Mining
2025 #5 Issue 3

Detecting surface mineral indicators with high spatial precision remains a significant challenge in mineral exploration, particularly in remote or geologically complex regions such as Eastern Kazakhstan. This study addresses this challenge by integrating high-resolution multispectral imagery from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to map iron oxide distributions, key indicators of ore mineralization such as copper porphyry at the Kyzylkiya mining site in Eastern Kazakhstan. The novelty of this study is the development of a statistical fuzzy logic model that integrates UAV-derived spectral indices, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and targeted band ratios, to generate probabilistic maps of iron oxide presence at a fine spatial resolution of 5.29 cm. This approach enhances prediction accuracy by incorporating uncertainty and variability in spectral responses. The model’s output was validated through a multi-stage process involving independent multispectral datasets and ground-truth sampling, achieving an overall accuracy of 80%. The results reveal concentrated iron oxide anomalies in the northeast and northwest of the study area, underscoring the method’s effectiveness. This integrated UAV-fuzzy logic framework demonstrates a scalable and cost-effective solution for early-stage mineral exploration and can be adapted to similar geological settings globally.

fuzzy logic , iron oxide detection , Kazakhstan , mineral exploration , porphyry copper deposit , remote sensing , UAV

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Geomatics Innovation Center, Satbayev University, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
Department of Geological Engineering and Exploration of Mines, Faculty of Geology and Mines, Kabul Polytechnic University, Kabul, 1001, Afghanistan
Department of Water Resources, Wood Rodgers, Inc., Orange, 92866, CA, United States
Department of Geological Survey, Search and Exploration of Mineral Deposits, Geology and Oil-Gas Business Institute, Satbayev University, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS), Higher Institution Center of Excellence (HICoE) in Marine Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Kuala Nerus, 21030, Malaysia
Institute of Ionosphere, Almaty, 050000, Kazakhstan

Geomatics Innovation Center
Department of Geological Engineering and Exploration of Mines
Department of Water Resources
Department of Geological Survey
Institute of Oceanography and Environment (INOS)
Institute of Ionosphere

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