Investigation of radiogenic heat production in granites of the Goiás Tin Province, Central Brazil

•Characterized radiogenic signature of Goiás tin province granites.•Airborne gamma-ray spectrometry used for analysis.•Anomalous radiogenic heat (5.5–15 µW/m³) in granites identified and associated with tin and rare earth elements mineralizations.•A-type granites classified as high heat production granites (HHPG).•Method validated through geology and density model constraints. This study defines the radiogenic heat production of A-type granites in the Goiás Tin Province (GTP), Central Brazil, using airborne gamma-ray spectrometry. Pedra Branca Massif and Serra Dourada Granite are rich in tin, rare earth elements, and they exhibit anomalous radiogenic heat (5.5–15 µW/m³). They are therefore classified as high heat production granites (HHPG). By integrating radiogenic heat data, RGB imaging, magnetometry, density model and geological information, we associated anomalous radiogenic heat with mineralized regions present in the granites found in the GTP. Our methodology was validated using geological information, density model and other granites worldwide. It proved to be effective for targeting HHP granites.