TITLE:
Structural Pattern Related to Gold Mineralization in the Essakane Area (Northern Burkina Faso, West African Craton)
AUTHORS:
Marc Desire Valea, Benjamin Sawadogo, Kalidou Traoré, Urbain Wenmenga, Naba Seta, Benjamin Allou
KEYWORDS:
Burkina Faso, Essakane, Shear Zone, Deformation Phases, Orogenic Gold
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Geology,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
20,
2024
ABSTRACT: The finite deformation structures recorded in the Essakane area, located in the northeast corner of Burkina Faso, highlight three major compressive deformation phases, successively named D1, D2, and D3. The D1 event phase, trending NE-SW, is characterised by P1 folds and S1 axial plane schistosity. The D2 phase trending NW-SE is characterised by folds P2, schistosity (S2) and shear (C) planes. And the D3 phase trending NNE-SSW to N-S is characterised by P3 folds, crenulation microfolds and S3 spaced schistosity. It has also been noted that gold mineralizations are mainly hosted in quartz, carbonate, pyrite, and arsenopyrite veins. Structural interpretation indicates that these veins are organized into lenticular bodies that were formed during the first two deformation phases (D1 and D2). This suggests a strong structural control typical of orogenic gold concentrations.