Geoscience prospecting for gold mineralisation was conducted in Kwakuti town located within Latitudes 9.362500°N to 9.387500°N and Longitudes 6.920833°E to 6.945833°E in Northern Nigeria. The deployed geosciences techniques comprise surface geological mapping, processing and analysis of aeromagnetic total magnetic field intensity data using Oasis Montaj software and X-ray fluorescence analysis of soil samples. Migmatites and gneiss dominate the rock outcrops in the area. The migmatites occupy high elevations on the northeastern and eastern portion of the area, where they display low magnetic field intensity values. The schist occupies moderate to low elevation areas and they display high magnetic field intensity values. The migmatites are dotted with quartz veins which constitute the gold mineralisation zone. Oval shaped high magnetic anomalous zones within the schist indicate basic intrusive into the schist. First derivative map of the magnetic field intensity data reveal NE-SW trending lineaments. They likely conducted hydrothermal fluids from the basic intrusive into the migmatites on the northeast, where gold mineralisation occurred by metasomatic ionic exchange. Spatial concentration of TiO 2 and MnO 2 are the highest within the oval shaped high magnetic anomalous zones in the southern portion of the study area. This strengthens the inference that basic intrusive underlies the area. Gold concentration distribution pattern in the area is skewed NE-SW, thereby suggesting that the NE-SW structures control the mineralisation. Mining activities will be more efficient if directed along the NE-SW structural trend.
Aeromagnetic data coupled with Landsat ETM+ data and SRTM DEM have been processed in order to map regional hydrogeological structures in the basement complex region of Paiko, North Central Nigeria. Lineaments were extracted from derivative maps of aeromagnetic, Landsat ETM+ and SRTM DEM datasets. Ground geophysical investigation utilizing Radial Vertical Electrical Sounding (RVES) was established in nine transects comprised of four sounding stations which are oriented in three azimuths. Source Parameter Imaging (SPI) was employed to map average depths of structures from aeromagnetic dataset. Selected thematic layers which included lineaments density, lithologic structure, slope, drainage density and geomorphologic maps were integrated and modeled using ArcGIS to generate a groundwater potential map of the area. Groundwater zones were classified into four categories: Very good, good, moderate and poor according to their potential to yield sustainable water to drilled wells. The results from RVES survey reveal a close correlation to lineaments delineated from surface structural mapping and remotely sensed datasets. Hydrogeological significance of these orientations suggest that aeromagnetic data can be used to map relatively deep-seated fractures which are likely to be open groundwater conduits while remotely sensed lineaments and orientations delineated from the RVES survey may indicate areas of recharge. Regions with high lineament density attributable to thick regolith and highly fractured basement have better groundwater potential. Drill depths in this area should target a minimum of 80 m to ensure sufficient and sustainable supplies to drilled wells. The outcome of this study would act as information framework that would guide the siting of productive water wells while providing needed information for relevant agencies in need of data for the development of groundwater resources.
This study is the second of a series of work to be done on Bishini Sheet 165 SW, which is part of the basement complex of the Kushiriki-Minna area. The area lies between latitudes 9°34′ N and 9°40′ N and longitudes 7°00′ E and 7°08′ E. Due to the continuous play of geologic processes on the earth, there is the need to continuously update the geology of the Nigeria basement complex as this has a very important economic implication in areas like mineral and water exploration. Equally, less attention has been given to this sheet unlike other sheets within the zone. The study of the block has revealed the various rock types and their geological characteristics: field relation, macroscopic and microscopic features and structural elements. Results from the field shows that the block consists of migmatites, gneisses, schists and granites which all show a variety of colours, textures and mineralogy. The displacement of distinctive mineralogy, textures, optical and structural characteristics led to the nomenclature of the rocks. The granitic rocks displayed two petrographic varieties based on their textures. These are the fine-medium grained and coarse porphyritic varieties. The granitic rocks have greatly intruded other rocks and this is thought to be responsible for gold mineralization in the area, The NNE-SSW and the NNW-SSE are the major structural trends determined for the joints and faults while the minor ones are the NE-SW and NW-SE. All these trends are consistent with the general trends of the Nigeria basement rocks. A study of thin sections of the rocks under a petrological microscope reveals characteristic optical properties peculiar to each rock type. The type and nature of the minerals the rocks contain together with their geometry reveal that the rocks have undergone more than one deformational event since the time of their formation. The occurrence of numerous fractures (joints and faults) shows that the area has a great potential for water and mineral exploration.
Groundwater potential evaluation of Gidan Kwano campus of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Central part of Nigeria was undertaken using Vertical electrical Sounding (VES) to provide information about the subsurface lithology and structures with the aim of evaluating its groundwater potential. A total of 48 VES was made along eight profiles with six sounding stations per profile within an area of about 10km 2 , using the Schlumberger array configuration. A combination of VES, Horizontal Resistivity Profile and Sounding-Profiling produced a subsurface geological appraisal of the study area. The results of the interpretations of VES data were used to produce the Isopach map of depth to Basement and the Fracture map of the study area. The results and the surface geologic map were found to be closely correlated. Fractures located within the study area coincide with the direction of stream flow suggesting that the drainage system is structurally controlled. The VES curves reveal that the area is generally characterized by three geoelectric layers. The top soil layers thickness ranges from 0.2m to 7.4m. The weathered layer has an average thickness of 0.3m to 58.8m. The mean depth to bedrock was computed as 35m. Out of the 48 VES made, 8 VES stations have been selected as priority locations for the development of groundwater resources. The study area has a very high potential for groundwater development. Despite all the limitations of the VES technique, it has been found to be reliable for groundwater exploration in the Basement Complex terrain particularly when the Schlumberger Configuration and combined with computer-aided interpretation for the survey data.
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