TITLE:
Geology of the Structurally Controlled Quartz Vein Gold Mineralization in the Dikko Area, Part of Zungeru—Minna—Birnin Gwari Schist Belt, NW Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Abdullahi Adamu Mohammed, Adamu Usman Mohammed, Otorison Abdulganiu, Danladi Abubakar Sadiq
KEYWORDS:
Gold, Mineralization, Quartz Veins, Pan-African, Economic Potential, Mined
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.9 No.7,
July
28,
2021
ABSTRACT: Dikko area, Niger State, North Central Nigeria falls within the
Pan-African thermo-tectonic event which occurred in Nigeria as in other parts
of West Africa with widespread effect on the mineralization of rejuvenated
basement and geosynclinal trough deposits. The Pan-African Belt in Nigeria
forms part of the Benin-Nigeria (Dahomeyan) shield which is regarded as the
southern prolongation of the circumcratonic Pan-African belt of the West
African Craton. Structurally controlled, gold-bearing quartz veins were measured
and studied in the area from an extensive geological ground investigation.
Field and petrographical studies indicate that the Neoproterozoic rocks
constitute gneisses, amphibolite schist, amphibolites and migmatites. The
amphibolites are intruded by pegmatites. The associated quartz veins are
generally concordant with the main N-S
regional structural trend. The lithological and structural studies carried out
in these areas have demonstrated the relationship between structures and
mineralization and/or lithology. The main characteristics of the gold
mineralization in the area appear to indicate hydrothermal mineralization in
connection with shear zones. This study allows us to predict that quartz veins
in the amphibolite can be mined at a profit and a detailed geochemical and
resource valuation needs to be carried out for the Au and associated Galena and
Ag mineralization to fully exploit their economic potential.