f The application of ASTER remote sensing data to chromite bearing mineralized zones of Wadi Fizah ophiolite in Northern Oman

Wadi Fizah ophiolite in Oman has widespread ultramafic rocks, particularly in the basal dunite and harzburgite unit ofthe mantle section. This paper presents a research study to evaluate the discrimination and occurrence of chromites bearing mineralized zones within Oman ophiolites by analyzing the capabilities of Landsat TM and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) satellite data; using a number of selected methods including decorrelated stretching, different band rationing and Principal Component Analysis image processing techniques. The study results show that the processed VNIR and SWIR spectral wavelength regions are promising in detecting the areas of potential chromite bearing mineralized zones within the ophiolite region, and proved to be successful for mapping of serpentinized harzburgite containing chromites.