Application of hybrid fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process AHP model for mapping alteration zones in Guelma basin; Eastern of Algeria

The fusion and analysis of multiple criteria is a critical step in increasing the precision of the location of areas of mineral potential during the mineral discovery phase. The study aims to provide a potential map of the hydrothermal alteration zones responsible for the formation of antimony mineralisation in the Guelma region, based on criteria derived from geological and remote sensing data. Remote sensing and GIS techniques were jointly applied to prepare and integrate several factors contributing to the mineralisation occurrences. Remote sensing techniques such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Minimum Noise Fraction (MNF), Band Ratio (BR), False Color Composite (FCC) and were used to define the geological characteristics of the study area including lithological units, structural features and hydrothermal alteration zones. The thematic layers extracted from each criterion were evaluated using a hybrid fuzzy _AHP model. The results of the applications in this study provide an acceptable map defining the areas that may contain antimony mineralisation in the Guelma region.The results of the method were in good agreement with known mineralisation in the area and could be used as a means of exploring for future deposits.