The aim of this study is to search and explore for minerals and radioactive materials in the west Mallawi area, The study area is located in central Western Desert of Egypt, west of the Nile River. This study aims to interpret the airborne gamma rays to create a surface map based on the gamma radiation measurements to identify areas rich in radioactive content and compare them with the geological map. Subsequent analysis steps are applied to achieve our goal, which include elements maps (eU, eTh and K), which show that the major structural trend is the NW-SE, the composite image that collects eU (red), eTh (green), and K (blue) data, and then generating a zoning map by dividing the area into regions based on color difference in composite image. The brightest places were determined from the composite image and grouped into one map which is the Radioelement Leads Map. The two and three radioelement ratios composite images were produced to reduce the disturbing effects and contrast of the image and to enhance subtle variations in elemental concentrations due to lithological changes or alteration processes associated with mineralization, Ratio pattern maps (eU/eTh, eU/K and eTh/K) were constructed. Other maps were made to show sites of mineralization in the area, such as the (eTh*K)/eU ratio data that showed areas of high (eTh*K), the (eU*K)/eTh ratio data that showed areas of high (eU*K) and the (eU*eTh)/K ratio data that showed areas of high (eU*eTh).
The rate of exposure to radiation was calculated and presented in an exposure rate map to provide basic information about the natural background that can be used as a reference for any possible changes in the future. In addition, the radiation dose rate was calculated to reveal the degree of danger to mankind and the various effects on biological tissus. Concerning the study area and its surroundings the mean natural radiation dose rates from the terrestrial gamma-radiation range from 0.0 to 0.5 mSv/y.