Mapping geological configuration using geophysics data: an investigative approach in targeting iron ore, gold mineralization and other commodities, a case study of Toko-Nlokeng area (Nyong Greenstone Belt, SW Cameroon)

ABSTRACT

Regional geophysical data are important for detecting the presence of mineral deposits under cover. This study used geophysical data coupled with field geology of the Toko-Nlokeng area, Cameroon, to locate and map structures and lithologies as part of an exploration campaign for mineral deposits. The airborne geophysical survey in the Toko-Nlokeng area located in the Nyong complex revealed a predominantly EW striking highly folded series result of polyphase deformation of iron formations and host rocks divided into domains based on magnetic and radiometric character. The geophysical data indicate that major faults and shear zones strike NE-SW, with N–S striking units on the western margin and mainly E–W striking units in the rest of the area. These data suggest a major N–S thrust fault similar to the Borborema Province (NE Brazil) terrane marked by accretionary processes during the assembly of Western Gondwana. Several significant NE–SW striking shear zones are present. The data revealed many moderate to highly magnetic bodies that are interpreted as magnetite-bearing iron formation, mafic–ultramafic intrusions and flows, skarns, carbonatites and kimberlites. The magnetic and radiometric trends reveal the internal regional rock fabric and strike, and iron ore targets with magnetic anomaly up to 27,000 nT related to iron formations and other significant targets for gold, potassium (alteration) and uranium. The Toko-Nlokeng iron deposit is comprised of magnetite-bearing quartzite beds and is concordant with the surrounding host rocks and stands as one of a broad group of magnetite-dominated iron formations that occur throughout West and Central Africa. A new geological map was produced from mapped lithologies and microstructure characteristics of the iron formations, interpretations of the aeromagnetic data and structural features. The study results have important implications for regional exploration programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Geophysical survey
• lithology configuration
• iron–gold deposit
• structural analysis
• Toko-Nlokeng area
• Nyong complex

Acknowledgements

Yannick Saturnin Evina Aboula and Paul-Désiré Ndjigui dedicate this paper to Professor Joseph Mvondo Ondoa who has just left us in the revision status on this paper. The authors would like to thank the mining exploration company IMIC. PLC, in particular Mr. Simo Emmanuel, for permission to access unpublished data and to collect core samples from the Ntem iron project (Toko-Nlokeng iron deposit). We thank Pr. Sylvestre Ganno for his support and availability for the processing of the drilling data. We thank the anonymous reviewers for their critical and constructive comments that greatly reorganize this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).