TITLE:
Application of Electrical Resistivity and Chargeability Data on a GIS Platform in Delineating Auriferous Structures in a Deeply Weathered Lateritic Terrain, Eastern Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Albert Nih Fon, Vivian Bih Che, Cheo Emmanuel Suh
KEYWORDS:
Gold Exploration; Tropical Settings; Deep Weathering; IP-Chargeability and Resistivity; Betare Oya; 3D Maps; Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Geosciences,
Vol.3 No.5A,
October
31,
2012
ABSTRACT: Exploration for primary gold in tropical settings is often problematic because of deep weathering and the development of a thick soil cover. In this paper we present the results of both chargeability and resistivity surveys carried out over the Belikombone hill gold prospect (14?00' - 14?25'E, 5?25' - 6?00'N) in the Betare Oya area (eastern Cameroon), where previous soil sampling had identified gold anomalies. The geophysical data were obtained using Syscal Junior 48 resistivity meter and the Schlumberger configuration array for both the vertical electrical soundings (VES) and horizontal profiling. These data were further built into a GIS framework and the continuity of favourable gold-bearing structures at depth modeled using WINSEV, RED2INV and SURFER extensions softwares. IP (Induced Polarization)-chargeability and resistivity data combined, have identified irregular anomalous zones trending NE-SW. This trend is consistent with the attitude of most auriferous quartz veins exposed in artisanal pits and parallel to the regional shear zone system and foliations. The high resistivity anomalies correspond to quartz veins while the relatively high IP anomalies correspond to low sulphide ± gold concentrations in the quartz veins. Modeling IP-chargeability and resistivity data prepared as contours and 3D maps, culminated to the development of an inferred, irregular and discontinuous mineralized body at depths of up to 95 m. The size and shape of this mineralized body can only later be tested by drilling to ascertain the resource.