Russian Journal of Earth Sciences Russian Journal of Earth Sciences Russian Journal of Earth Sciences 1681-1208 106652 10.2205/2025ES001077 kbfobz Special Issue: “Advances in Environmental Studies, from the VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Geology, Geophysics and Geoecology Using Modern Information Technologies’ ” Special Issue: “Advances in Environmental Studies, from the VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Geology, Geophysics and Geoecology Using Modern Information Technologies’ ” Special Issue: “Advances in Environmental Studies, from the VIII International Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Geology, Geophysics and Geoecology Using Modern Information Technologies’ ” Analysis of Spectral Remote Sensing Data for Geological Mapping of Rare Earth Elements (Case Study of the Kola Peninsula) Analysis of Spectral Remote Sensing Data for Geological Mapping of Rare Earth Elements (Case Study of the Kola Peninsula) https://orcid.org/0009-0008-5139-8086 Камаев Артём Анатольевич Kamaev Artem Anatolyevich Геофизический центр Российской Академии Наук RU Geophysical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences RU Национальный исследовательский технологический университет МИСиС Moscow RU National University of Science and Technology Moscow RU 10 12 2025 10 12 2025 25 6 ES6008 10 09 2025 10 11 2025 https://rjes.ru/en/nauka/article/106652/view

Rare earth elements (REEs) are strategically important components of modern industry; however, their exploration and extraction are complicated by the limited number of deposits and the difficulty of detection. This paper examines current approaches to the use of hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing data for REE mapping, including data processing methods, analysis of key spectral characteristics, and examples of successful applications. Special attention is given to adaptive cosine estimator. Using the Khibiny Massif as a case study, the significance of combining direct spectral indicators of REE-bearing minerals with indirect indicators related to metasomatic zoning is demonstrated. The results confirm the effectiveness of the integrated application of spectral methods and thematic classification for detecting REEs in the complex geological conditions of the Arctic zone.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are strategically important components of modern industry; however, their exploration and extraction are complicated by the limited number of deposits and the difficulty of detection. This paper examines current approaches to the use of hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing data for REE mapping, including data processing methods, analysis of key spectral characteristics, and examples of successful applications. Special attention is given to adaptive cosine estimator. Using the Khibiny Massif as a case study, the significance of combining direct spectral indicators of REE-bearing minerals with indirect indicators related to metasomatic zoning is demonstrated. The results confirm the effectiveness of the integrated application of spectral methods and thematic classification for detecting REEs in the complex geological conditions of the Arctic zone.

 Rare earth elements hyperspectral remote sensing remote exploration methods spectral analysis mineral deposit mapping Rare earth elements hyperspectral remote sensing remote exploration methods spectral analysis mineral deposit mapping This work was conducted in the framework of budgetary funding of the Geophysical Center of RAS, adopted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. This work employed facilities and data provided by the Shared Research Facility “Analytical Geomagnetic Data Center” of the Geophysical Center of RAS (http://ckp.gcras.ru/). The author gratefully acknowledges the reviewers for their valuable comments and the journal editor for the careful revision and improvement of the manuscript. This work was conducted in the framework of budgetary funding of the Geophysical Center of RAS, adopted by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. This work employed facilities and data provided by the Shared Research Facility “Analytical Geomagnetic Data Center” of the Geophysical Center of RAS (http://ckp.gcras.ru/). The author gratefully acknowledges the reviewers for their valuable comments and the journal editor for the careful revision and improvement of the manuscript.

Arzamastsev A. A., Ivanova A. A., Salnikova E. B., et al. Age and Origin of the Subalkaline Magmatic Series of the Khibiny-Lovozero Complex // Petrology. — 2024. — Vol. 32, no. 3. — P. 337–358. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s0869591124700024. Arzamastsev A. A., Ivanova A. A., Salnikova E. B., et al. Age and Origin of the Subalkaline Magmatic Series of the Khibiny-Lovozero Complex // Petrology. — 2024. — Vol. 32, no. 3. — P. 337–358. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s0869591124700024. Asadzadeh S. and de Souza Filho C. R. A review on spectral processing methods for geological remote sensing // International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. — 2016. — Vol. 47. — P. 69–90. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2015.12.004. Asadzadeh S. and de Souza Filho C. R. A review on spectral processing methods for geological remote sensing // International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. — 2016. — Vol. 47. — P. 69–90. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2015.12.004. Asadzadeh S., Koellner N. and Chabrillat S. Detecting rare earth elements using EnMAP hyperspectral satellite data: a case study from Mountain Pass, California // Scientific Reports. — 2024a. — Vol. 14, no. 1. — https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71395-2. Asadzadeh S., Koellner N. and Chabrillat S. Detecting rare earth elements using EnMAP hyperspectral satellite data: a case study from Mountain Pass, California // Scientific Reports. — 2024a. — Vol. 14, no. 1. — https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71395-2. Asadzadeh S., Koellner N. and Chabrillat S. Detecting rare earth elements using EnMAP hyperspectral satellite data: a case study from Mountain Pass, California // Scientific Reports. — 2024b. — Vol. 14, no. 1. — P. 20766. — https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71395-2. Asadzadeh S., Koellner N. and Chabrillat S. Detecting rare earth elements using EnMAP hyperspectral satellite data: a case study from Mountain Pass, California // Scientific Reports. — 2024b. — Vol. 14, no. 1. — P. 20766. — https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-71395-2. Balaram V. Rare earth elements: A review of applications, occurrence, exploration, analysis, recycling, and environmental impact // Geoscience Frontiers. — 2019. — Vol. 10, no. 4. — P. 1285–1303. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2018.12.005. Balaram V. Rare earth elements: A review of applications, occurrence, exploration, analysis, recycling, and environmental impact // Geoscience Frontiers. — 2019. — Vol. 10, no. 4. — P. 1285–1303. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gsf.2018.12.005. Boesche N. K., Mielke C., Segl K., et al. Hyperspectral Rare Earth Element Mapping of Three Outcrops at the Fen Complex, Norway // Rare Earths Industry: Technological, Economic, and Environmental Implications. — 2016. — P. 235–265. — https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-802328-0.00016-4. Boesche N. K., Mielke C., Segl K., et al. Hyperspectral Rare Earth Element Mapping of Three Outcrops at the Fen Complex, Norway // Rare Earths Industry: Technological, Economic, and Environmental Implications. — 2016. — P. 235–265. — https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-802328-0.00016-4. Boesche N. K., Rogass C., Lubitz C., et al. Hyperspectral REE (Rare Earth Element) Mapping of Outcrops-Applications for Neodymium Detection // Remote Sensing. — 2015. — Vol. 7, no. 5. — P. 5160–5186. — https://doi.org/10.3390/rs70505160. Boesche N. K., Rogass C., Lubitz C., et al. Hyperspectral REE (Rare Earth Element) Mapping of Outcrops-Applications for Neodymium Detection // Remote Sensing. — 2015. — Vol. 7, no. 5. — P. 5160–5186. — https://doi.org/10.3390/rs70505160. Gerasimova L. G., Nikolaev A. I., Maslova M. V., et al. Titanite Ores of the Khibiny Apatite-Nepheline-Deposits: Selective Mining, Processing and Application for Titanosilicate Synthesis // Minerals. — 2018. — Vol. 8, no. 10. — P. 446. — https://doi.org/10.3390/min8100446. Gerasimova L. G., Nikolaev A. I., Maslova M. V., et al. Titanite Ores of the Khibiny Apatite-Nepheline-Deposits: Selective Mining, Processing and Application for Titanosilicate Synthesis // Minerals. — 2018. — Vol. 8, no. 10. — P. 446. — https://doi.org/10.3390/min8100446. Goodenough K. M., Wall F. and Merriman D. The Rare Earth Elements: Demand, Global Resources, and Challenges for Resourcing Future Generations // Natural Resources Research. — 2017. — Vol. 27, no. 2. — P. 201–216. — https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-017-9336-5. Goodenough K. M., Wall F. and Merriman D. The Rare Earth Elements: Demand, Global Resources, and Challenges for Resourcing Future Generations // Natural Resources Research. — 2017. — Vol. 27, no. 2. — P. 201–216. — https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-017-9336-5. Herrmann S. Capacity of Imaging Spectroscopy for the Characterization of REO, REE Bearing Minerals & Primary REE-Deposits, Master Thesis (Scientific Technical Report; 19/08). — Potsdam, Germany : University of Potsdam, 2015. — 210 p. — https://doi.org/10.2312/GFZ.b103-19089. Herrmann S. Capacity of Imaging Spectroscopy for the Characterization of REO, REE Bearing Minerals & Primary REE-Deposits, Master Thesis (Scientific Technical Report; 19/08). — Potsdam, Germany : University of Potsdam, 2015. — 210 p. — https://doi.org/10.2312/GFZ.b103-19089. Kalashnikov A. O., Konopleva N. G., Pakhomovsky Ya. A., et al. Rare Earth Deposits of the Murmansk Region, Russia-A Review // Economic Geology. — 2016. — Vol. 111, no. 7. — P. 1529–1559. — https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.111.7.1529. Kalashnikov A. O., Konopleva N. G., Pakhomovsky Ya. A., et al. Rare Earth Deposits of the Murmansk Region, Russia-A Review // Economic Geology. — 2016. — Vol. 111, no. 7. — P. 1529–1559. — https://doi.org/10.2113/econgeo.111.7.1529. Karimzadeh S. and Tangestani M. H. Potential of Sentinel-2 MSI data in targeting rare earth element (Nd3+) bearing minerals in Esfordi phosphate deposit, Iran // The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences. — 2022. — Vol. 25, no. 3. — P. 697–710. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2022.04.001. Karimzadeh S. and Tangestani M. H. Potential of Sentinel-2 MSI data in targeting rare earth element (Nd3+) bearing minerals in Esfordi phosphate deposit, Iran // The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences. — 2022. — Vol. 25, no. 3. — P. 697–710. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrs.2022.04.001. Koerting F., Koellner N., Kuras A., et al. A solar optical hyperspectral library of rare-earth-bearing minerals, rare-earth oxide powders, copper-bearing minerals and Apliki mine surface samples // Earth System Science Data. — 2021. — Vol. 13, no. 3. — P. 923–942. — https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-923-2021. Koerting F., Koellner N., Kuras A., et al. A solar optical hyperspectral library of rare-earth-bearing minerals, rare-earth oxide powders, copper-bearing minerals and Apliki mine surface samples // Earth System Science Data. — 2021. — Vol. 13, no. 3. — P. 923–942. — https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-923-2021. Kogarko L. Chemical Composition and Petrogenetic Implications of Apatite in the Khibiny Apatite-Nepheline Deposits (Kola Peninsula) // Minerals. — 2018. — Vol. 8, no. 11. — P. 532. — https://doi.org/10.3390/min8110532. Kogarko L. Chemical Composition and Petrogenetic Implications of Apatite in the Khibiny Apatite-Nepheline Deposits (Kola Peninsula) // Minerals. — 2018. — Vol. 8, no. 11. — P. 532. — https://doi.org/10.3390/min8110532. Kogarko L. N. Rare Earth Element Resource Potential of Super-Large Deposits in Eastern Fennoscandia // Doklady Earth Sciences. — 2023. — Vol. 513, no. 2. — P. 1296–1300. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s1028334x23602067. Kogarko L. N. Rare Earth Element Resource Potential of Super-Large Deposits in Eastern Fennoscandia // Doklady Earth Sciences. — 2023. — Vol. 513, no. 2. — P. 1296–1300. — https://doi.org/10.1134/s1028334x23602067. Kokaly R. F., Clark R. N., Swayze G. A., et al. USGS Spectral Library Version 7. — US Geological Survey, 2017. — 61 p. — https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1035. Kokaly R. F., Clark R. N., Swayze G. A., et al. USGS Spectral Library Version 7. — US Geological Survey, 2017. — 61 p. — https://doi.org/10.3133/ds1035. Mars J. C. Mineral and Lithologic Mapping Capability of WorldView 3 Data at Mountain Pass, California, Using Trueand False-Color Composite Images, Band Ratios, and Logical Operator Algorithms // Economic Geology. — 2018. — Vol. 113, no. 7. — P. 1587–1601. — https://doi.org/10.5382/econgeo.2018.4604. Mars J. C. Mineral and Lithologic Mapping Capability of WorldView 3 Data at Mountain Pass, California, Using Trueand False-Color Composite Images, Band Ratios, and Logical Operator Algorithms // Economic Geology. — 2018. — Vol. 113, no. 7. — P. 1587–1601. — https://doi.org/10.5382/econgeo.2018.4604. Rodionov N. V., Lepekhina E. N., Antonov A. V., et al. U-Pb SHRIMP-II ages of titanite and timing constraints on apatitenepheline mineralization in the Khibiny and Lovozero alkaline massifs (Kola Peninsula) // Russian Geology and Geophysics. — 2018. — Vol. 59, no. 8. — P. 962–974. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rgg.2018.07.016. Rodionov N. V., Lepekhina E. N., Antonov A. V., et al. U-Pb SHRIMP-II ages of titanite and timing constraints on apatitenepheline mineralization in the Khibiny and Lovozero alkaline massifs (Kola Peninsula) // Russian Geology and Geophysics. — 2018. — Vol. 59, no. 8. — P. 962–974. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rgg.2018.07.016. Rowan L. C. and Mars J. C. Lithologic mapping in the Mountain Pass, California area using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data // Remote Sensing of Environment. — 2003. — Vol. 84, no. 3. — P. 350–366. — https://doi.org/10.1016/S0034-4257(02)00127-X. Rowan L. C. and Mars J. C. Lithologic mapping in the Mountain Pass, California area using Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data // Remote Sensing of Environment. — 2003. — Vol. 84, no. 3. — P. 350–366. — https://doi.org/10.1016/S0034-4257(02)00127-X. Turner D. J., Rivard B. and Groat L. A. Visible and short-wave infrared reflectance spectroscopy of REE fluorocarbonates // American Mineralogist. — 2014. — Vol. 99, no. 7. — P. 1335–1346. — https://doi.org/10.2138/am.2014.4674. Turner D. J., Rivard B. and Groat L. A. Visible and short-wave infrared reflectance spectroscopy of REE fluorocarbonates // American Mineralogist. — 2014. — Vol. 99, no. 7. — P. 1335–1346. — https://doi.org/10.2138/am.2014.4674. Van der Meer F. D., van der Werff H. M. A., van Ruitenbeek F. J. A., et al. Multi- and hyperspectral geologic remote sensing: A review // International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. — 2012. — Vol. 14, no. 1. — P. 112–128. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2011.08.002. Van der Meer F. D., van der Werff H. M. A., van Ruitenbeek F. J. A., et al. Multi- and hyperspectral geologic remote sensing: A review // International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation. — 2012. — Vol. 14, no. 1. — P. 112–128. — https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2011.08.002.