Abstract:
This study addresses the issue of artisanal miners relying on trial and error methods to locate solid minerals by employing a geophysical technique to identify geological structures hosting minerals in the Wawa (Sheet 128) and Kubil (Sheet 159) areas of Niger State, Nigeria. The analysis involves both qualitative and quantitative assessments of high-resolution Aeromagnetic data to delineate potential mineral hosts. The study area is bounded by Latitude 4º00′ to 4º30E’ and Longitude 9º30′ to 10º30’N.
Various filtering methods, including the generation of Total Magnetic Intensity Map, Analytical Signal, First Vertical Derivatives, and Center for Exploration Targeting (CET) were applied to the aeromagnetic data. The Total Magnetic Intensity Map revealed positive and negative anomalies with magnetic values ranging from -66.589 nT to 129.237 nT within the study area. The Analytical Signal demonstrated high amplitude responses of magnetic anomalies (0.232 to 0.355 cycles) in regions of shallow magnetic intrusive rocks and low amplitude responses (0.010 to 0.218 cycles) in regions of relatively thick sedimentation.
The First Vertical Derivative allowed the identification of both low and high magnetic lineaments, particularly those of interest that may indicate gold veins. Notably, these lineaments were located around latitude 9º50′ to 10º10’N within Yangari, Lasun Sarabe, Wawa Malete town, down to Doro, and across rivers Yakumosin. The major lineaments were mapped as F1 to F7 on the first vertical derivatives. Similar structures were observed in the Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) grid analysis, albeit with more detailed information.
The regions mapped on the first vertical derivatives (FVD) hosting major lineaments are considered potential zones of mineralization. To confirm the mineral type and relative abundance, ground truthing should be conducted by relevant geological agencies in these zones. Additionally, it is recommended to perform resistivity surveys in the delineated regions of mineralization to achieve a more detailed characterization of the identified structures, given the regional scale of the current research.
Aeromagnetic Data Analysis for Solid Mineral Structures in Kubil (Sheet 128) and Wawa (Sheet 159), North Central Nigeria. GET MORE, ACTUARIAL SCIENCE PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS
