Sustainable Iron Ore Prospecting Using Integrated Remote Sensing and Geochemistry: Taref Formation, Wadi El-Muweih, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Meeting future material needs requires expanding metal supply while reducing environmental footprints and improving the efficiency of exploration and resource assessment. The Wadi El-Muweih area, located north of the Aswan region in Egypt’s Eastern Desert, hosts significant iron ore potential within the Late Cretaceous Nubia sandstone (Taref Formation). This study provides a systematic, integrated approach for delineating ironstone extensions to support more targeted field campaigns and responsible development pathways. Remote sensing enabled the rapid screening and mapping of iron-bearing zones, subsequently validated through field observations and mineralogical and geochemical analyses. The iron-bearing middle member of the Taref Formation consists of glauconitic/chamositic and ferruginous sandstones, with ironstone bands occurring in three fining-upward cycles. The mineralogical results indicate chamosite, hematite, and goethite as primary constituents, with detrital quartz and apatite in varying proportions. The geochemical data show high Fe2O3 (avg. 68.83%) and SiO2 (avg. 13.13%), with elevated Al2O3, CaO, and P2O5 compared to Aswan’s oolitic ironstones. The study confirms that massive, oolitic, and conglomeratic ironstone facies formed in a near-shore environment during transgressive–regressive cycles. By combining remote sensing with ground-based validation, the workflow supports sustainable metal technologies by improving discovery efficiency, reducing unnecessary disturbance, and strengthening the geoscientific basis for future iron resource planning.