Application of geochemical, botanical, geophysical, and remote sensing mineral prospecting techniques to tropical areas, state-of-the-art and research priorities

ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL CONSIDERATIONS HAVE THUS FAR IMPEDED MINERAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE TROPICS WHERE MANY PROSPECTING TECHNIQUES ARE NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS IN OTHER REGIONS. HOWEVER, TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED COUNTRIES HAVE DEVELOPED PROMISING NEW TECHNIQUES WHICH, WITH RESEARCH, MAY BE USEFUL IN TROPICAL ENVIRONMENTS. SOME OF THESE ARE: AIRBORNE RECONNAISSANCE METHODS, GEOCHEMICAL PROSPECTING, ANALYTICAL AND DATA PROCESSING METHODS, GEOBOTANICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL PROSPECTING, REMOTE SENSING, RADAR MAPPING, MULTIBAND SPECTRAL IMAGERY AND MULTIBAND PHOTOGRAPHY. CAPITAL COSTS OF INSTALLING RESEARCH AND PROSPECTING EQUIPMENT ARE SUBSTANTIAL. HIGHLY TRAINED PERSONNEL ARE NEEDED, AND VAST AMOUNTS OF DATA ARE NECESSARY TO PINPOINT THE RELATIVELY FEW SMALL AREAS WORTHY OF DETAILED PHYSICAL EXPLORATION. HOWEVER, THE DEVELOPMENT OF MINERAL DEPOSITS IN TROPICAL LANDS WOULD AID DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND WOULD ALSO BENEFIT THE REST OF THE WORLD BY INCREASING THE SUPPLIES OF RAW MATERIALS.