TITLE:
A Regional Structural Mapping Approach for Mineral Exploration: Application in the Southwestern Region of Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Kalidou Traoré, Benjamin Sawadogo, Koffi Vincent de Paul Vodounnou, Wilédio Marc-Emile Bonzi, Georges Alassane Ouattara, Morou François Ouédraogo, Séta Naba
KEYWORDS:
Magnetic Fabric, Shear Zones, Targeting, Gold Mining Exploration, sWAC, Burkina Faso
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Geology,
Vol.15 No.1,
January
26,
2025
ABSTRACT: From a harmonized structural map at the scale of a portion of SW Burkina Faso (90 × 80 km2), we targeted prospective zones on the basis of structural criteria and structure-geology relationships. The map was constructed from an aeromagnetic image, and the geology was deduced from old geological maps. The procedure involved extracting the magnetic fabric and deducing the deformation gradients, which led to the identification of shear zones. Analysis and interpretation of the structural geometry of the obtained structural pattern led us to target areas of interference between structures or geology-structures interplays, which are conducive to the deposition of metallic elements. The subsequent overlay of known gold prospects and deposits documented in the region revealed the validity of the predefined prospects. This result reinforces the applicability of the methodology as a first-order regional approach to mineral exploration.