In the field of mineral exploration, it is strikingly evident that radioactive-bearing mineralization predominantly resides within granitic intrusions and along structural discontinuities. Consequently, the comprehensive mapping of lithological features emerges as a crucial means of accurately guiding the identification of these mineralizations. The present research is dedicated to enhancing the characterization of granitic rocks located within Egypt’s Central Eastern Desert (El-Missikat and El-Erediya regions). These areas have garnered attention due to their notably high concentrations of radioactive mineralizations, prompting the need for a more in-depth investigation. Despite the study area’s importance for potential radioactive mineral deposits, examining the geological map reveals notable challenges and inconveniences. Our research aims to address these issues using remote sensing data and machine learning algorithms (MLAs). We used image processing techniques, including FCCs, PCA, and ICA to identify eight lithological targets and generate reference maps for the study area. The widely used Support Vector Machine (SVM) was trained with informative image combinations, showing reasonable lithological allocations, especially when it fed with FCC 12-6-2 in RGB. Our study found that incorporating dimensionality-reduction techniques like PCA and ICA with false-color images (FCCs) significantly boosted accuracy by over 15%. Using Sentinel-2 imagery and SVM, we created a novel lithological map for the challenging study area, pinpointing mineralization-rich zones, particularly those linked to shear zones within granitic rocks. This map enhances progress in characterizing rock units, and we strongly advocate the use of dimensionality reduction techniques, such as PCA and ICA, to feed machine learning algorithms. These techniques play a crucial role in producing precise, unbiased lithological maps for complex terrains, aiding in the localization of valuable mineral deposits.

Between approximately 725 and 518 Ma, a suite of specialized felsic plutons and granitic stocks were emplaced across the Arabian Shield, many of which are now recognized as highly mineralized prospects enriched in rare earth elements (REEs), rare metals, and radioactive elements bearing mineralizations. The current investigation focused on the radiological and geochemical characterization of naturally occurring radionuclides, specifically ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, within three strategically selected granitic prospects, namely, J. Tawlah albite granite (TW), J. Hamra (HM), and J. Abu Al Dod alkali feldspar syenite and granites (AD). Concerning the radioactivity levels of the investigated granitic stocks, specifically the activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K, the measured average values demonstrate significant variability across the TW, HM, and AD stocks. The average ²³⁸U concentrations are 195 (SD = 38.7), 88.66 (SD = 25.6), and 214.3 (SD = 140.8) Bq/kg for TW, HM, and AD granitic stocks, respectively. Corresponding ²²⁶Ra levels are recorded at 172.4 (SD = 34.6), 75.62 (SD = 25.9), and 198.4 (SD = 139.5) Bq/kg. For ²³²Th, the concentrations are markedly elevated in TW at 5453.8 (SD = 2182.9) Bq/kg, compared to 77.16 (SD = 27.02) and 160.2 (SD = 103.8) Bq/kg in HM and AD granitic stocks, respectively. Meanwhile, ⁴⁰K levels are reported at 1670 (SD = 535.9), 2846.2 (SD = 249.9), and 3225 (SD = 222.3) Bq/kg for TW, HM, and AD granitic plutons, respectively. Notably, these values exceed the global average background levels, indicating an anomalous enrichment of the studied granitic occurrences. The mean radiological hazard indices for each granitic unit generally exceed global benchmarks, except for AEDE_out in the HM and AD stocks, which remain below international limits. The geochemical disparities observed are indicative of post-magmatic alteration processes, as substantiated by the interpretation of remote sensing datasets. In light of the significant radiological burden presented by these granitic stocks, it is essential to implement a rigorous precautionary framework for any future mining. These materials must be categorically excluded from uses that entail direct human exposure, especially in residential construction or infrastructure projects.

Wadi El-Nabi' area (῀400km2) constitutes Precambrian intrusive-extrusive complex related to the Egyptian-Nubian Shield (ENS). It includes ophiolitic serpentinites, felsic-mafic metavolcanics (bimodal metavolcanics), metapyroclastics (metatuffs), metagabbro-diorite complex, olivine gabbros, and troctolites (young gabbros), and monzo-syenogranites (younger granites). The field and lab radiometric measurements of radioelements, and their geochemical characteristics were carried out for (15) samples of monzo-syenogranites (55 km2) by RS-230 γ-ray spectroscopy, and HpGe detector. Chemical analyses by ICP-MS are also obtained for the studied granitic rocks to verify the concentrations of specific elements and their inter-relationships with (238U (ppm), 232Th (ppm), and 40K (%). Regarding the RS-230 measurements, the of radionuclide concentrations range are (4- 6.6 ppm) for eU, (8.7-14.75 ppm) for eTh, and (3.62- 5.15%) for K%. On the other hand, the chemical analysis for 238U, 232Th (ppm), and 40K%, of monzo-syenogranites give rise to 3.04 ppm for 238U, 9.44 ppm for 232Th, and 1.82 % for 40K%. The field, and lab radiometric measurements, chemical parameters of P, and D-factors (226Ra/238U, and Uc/Ur respectively) give rise to the disequilibrium state is well evident. On the other hand, the chemical interpretations given by multi-variation diagrams among 238U, 232Th, and 40K, as well as selected elements indicate that the origin of the studied radioactive elements are related to the magmatic process, followed by the later post-magmatic process (hydrothermal).