Granulometric and Geochemical Analyses of Stream Sediments from Part of Southwestern Nigeria: Implication for Mineralization Potential
Keywords:
Granulometric analysis, Mineralization, Heavy Mineral, Geochemistry, GeologyAbstract
This work investigates the mineralization potential of an area bounded by longitude 4˚ 52′ to 5˚ 00′ E and latitude 8˚ 22′ to 8˚ 28′N represented on Ilorin Sheet 223. The methods adopted in this work include field mapping, granulometric, heavy mineral, stream sediment and statistical analyses. The result of the granulometric analysis reveals that the sediments range from very coarse sand to coarse sand, are poorly sorted and exhibit very platykurtic distribution. The result of Factor Analysis identified eight distinct Factor groups. Factor 1 of the group was interpreted to be related to hydrothermal sulphide ore mineralization that is complex and formed at low temperature, while Factor 2 is interpreted to imply gold-associated gangue minerals. Factor 3 was interpreted to indicate the presence of a vein deposit that is mafic in composition, while Factors 7 and 8 were interpreted to indicate the presence of low temperature hydrothermal sulphide mineralization. Heavy minerals identified in the samples include zircon, sillimanite, goethite, hematite and olivine among others. The conclusion drawn from this work is that the southeastern and northwestern parts of the study area have enhanced ore-forming elements; hence, the area is mineralized with pockets of such sulphide. The northeastern part is barren. It was also concluded that exploratory work should focus on the southeastern and northwestern parts of the area. In addition, mineralization in the area consists mainly of low-temperature hydrothermal sulphide ore deposits, including gold.
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