TITLE:
Application of Magnetic Survey in the Investigation of Iron Ore Deposits and Shear Zone Delineation: Case Study of Mutomo-Ikutha Area, SE Kenya
AUTHORS:
Aaron K. Waswa, Christopher M. Nyamai, Eliud Mathu, Daniel W. Ichang’i
KEYWORDS:
Iron Ore, Magnetic Survey, Neoproterozoic, Mutomo-Ikutha
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.6 No.7,
July
27,
2015
ABSTRACT: The main objective of this research was to
use ground magnetic survey to delineate shear zone and iron ore deposit within
the Neoproterozoic rocks of Mutomo-Ikutha area of south eastern Kenya. Total
field magnetic data was recorded by using high resolution proton precision
geometric magnetometer which recorded total components of the ground magnetic
anomaly data running through sixteen traverses. The field data was
qualitatively and quantitatively interpreted and the results gave values for
the total component measurements of ground magnetic anomaly that varied between
a minimum negative peak value of about 250 nanoTesla and a maximum of about
1000 nanoTesla. 550 nanoTesla was considered to be threshold of the iron
mineralization within the area. The results indicated that the western part of
Mutomo-Ikutha was sheared, faulted and contained iron ore mineralization trending
in the north-south direction. Areas with high anomalous values were
geochemically proven to contain magnetite.