Research Article
Geology and Geochemistry of Aberma and Its Environ Sheet 54se Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria
Bello Aliyu*
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
86-96
Received:
11 May 2024
Accepted:
7 June 2024
Published:
25 June 2024
DOI:
10.11648/j.earth.20241303.11
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Abstract: The study area falls within the northwestern part of Nigeria and is underlain by crystalline rocks of the Basement Complex. Field mapping in Aberma and its environs were carried out using topographical map sheet of 54 SE Gusau on a scale 1: 25,000 with an area extends of about 30.8052km2. This field work was carried out using traverse method in conjunction with field equipment such as compass/clinometers, geologic hammer, sample bag and global positioning system. This study however, aims at producing a detail geological map, including the various rock geochemistry and petrography of the study area. The area is underlain by two major lithological rock type which is mica schist and granite gneiss. The granite gneiss is strongly foliated, caused by high temperature and pressure and the minerals observed in plane polarized light include quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, muscovite, opaque mineral and biotite. The mica schists in the study area are mostly weathered in ditches below the ground surface, the rock is moderately weathered and show schistocyte. The minerals observed in plane polarized light include quartz and muscovite. The dominant structures observed include; joints, Quartz veins, foliation and pegmatite dyke. Structural analysis shows that the rocks have been affected by the Pan African orogeny with the joint’s orientation trending dominantly NNE-SSW and Quartz vein trending in somewhat E-W direction. The microscopic studies revealed that the mineralogical composition of the rocks types of the study area contain varying percentages of quartz, muscovite, plagioclase, orthoclase, opaque mineral and biotite as the major minerals. The geochemical analysis revealed the major and minor elemental distribution of the rock types of the study area. The chemical assay revealed that the granite gneiss and mica schist rock type of the study area are super-saturated with respect to silica, silica (SiO2) is the most abundant oxide with an average value of 78.12% in the rock sample. This implies that the rock analyzed is acidic in nature and must have formed from crystallization of an acidic magma because the silica content being greater than 65%.
Abstract: The study area falls within the northwestern part of Nigeria and is underlain by crystalline rocks of the Basement Complex. Field mapping in Aberma and its environs were carried out using topographical map sheet of 54 SE Gusau on a scale 1: 25,000 with an area extends of about 30.8052km2. This field work was carried out using traverse method in con...
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Research Article
Prospecting Tungsten (Scheelite) Mineralization in the Djouzami Area (Adamawa Cameroon) Using Ultra-Violet (UV) Fluorescence and Landsat-8 OLI Images
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 3, June 2024
Pages:
97-115
Received:
17 May 2024
Accepted:
11 June 2024
Published:
27 June 2024
DOI:
10.11648/j.earth.20241303.12
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Abstract: Remote sensing technology and X-rays fluorescence are largely used in the applied geology field. In this study, we combine field observations and petrography, remote sensing applications through the processing of the Landsat-8 OLI, and Ultra-violet fluorescence to map geological structures, hydrothermal alteration minerals, and characterize tungsten mineralization in the Djouzami area (Adamawa, Cameroon). Landsat-8 OLI satellite imagery, was processed to detect both hydrothermal alteration zones and regional structural lineaments associated with tungsten mineralization. Fieldworks and petrography revealed hydrothermal mineral assemblage made of muscovite, chlorite, tourmaline, hematite, calcite and sericite associated to metallic minerals including tungsten and pyrite hosted in quartz veins. This hydrothermal mineral assemblage is also identified in the gold-bearing quartz veins reported in several areas along the Lom group. Band Ratio (BR) and Principal component analysis (PCA) were implemented to extract spectral information related to alteration minerals. The Band Ratios 6/7, 4/2, and 6/5 have permits to map clay, iron oxide/hydroxides, and ferrous minerals, respectively. This study demonstrates the significant potential of fieldwork and multispectral remote sensing data processing for tungsten prospecting as a mineral exploration technique in the Djouzami region. The mapping led to the detection of 1334 lineaments which show four main directions. The ENE-WSW directions corresponds to the trending of the Sanaga shear zone; the NE-SW direction represents the trending of the Djouzami and the Bétaré-Oya shear zones or the main shear zone which underline the Lom group; the N-S and E-W directions are equivalent to the trending of the foliation in the Meiganga area. Most of the high hydrothermal zones and tungsten-bearing quartz veins are located along the NE-SW lineaments or shear zone. Gold-related NE-SW trending Djouzami shear zone is also proposed. The NE-SW structure constitute certainly pathway for mineralizing fluids and ground water circulation, and control tungsten mineralization. Results proposed in this work provide important information for research of characteristic hydrothermal minerals assemblage that accompany tungsten mineralization, and for identify structures that control this mineralization in the area.
Abstract: Remote sensing technology and X-rays fluorescence are largely used in the applied geology field. In this study, we combine field observations and petrography, remote sensing applications through the processing of the Landsat-8 OLI, and Ultra-violet fluorescence to map geological structures, hydrothermal alteration minerals, and characterize tungste...
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