Time-gated Raman proximal sensing for an Earth observation platform

Airborne and spaceborne sensors enable the rapid acquisition of large-area geospatial data, supporting multiple stages of mining operations, including exploration. While powerful, these techniques benefit from complementary proximal measurements to enhance mineralogical detail. This study investigates time-gated Raman spectroscopy as a field-deployable tool for Earth observation platforms, integrating a custom sampling solution for in situ analysis. Rock specimens and thin sections from Bockau, Germany, and Panagyurishte, Bulgaria, were examined under both field and laboratory conditions. Raman spectra revealed a minor systematic offset in peak positions compared with reference databases. Sixteen minerals were identified in the German samples and 21 in the Bulgarian samples, demonstrating the method's capability to deliver rapid, site-specific mineral characterization that complements remote sensing data.