<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">OJG</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>Open Journal of Geology</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2161-7570</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/ojg.2023.1311050</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">OJG-129176</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Earth&amp;Environmental Sciences</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Aeromagnetic Imagery as a Tool to Help Identify the Structures Controlling the Emplacement of the Kenieba Kimberlite Pipes (Western Mali, West African Craton)
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Baco</surname><given-names>Traore</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Gbele</surname><given-names>Ouattara</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref><xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1"><sup>*</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Marc</surname><given-names>Ephrem Allialy</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"><sup>2</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Ousmane</surname><given-names>Wane</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff3"><sup>3</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Mohamed</surname><given-names>Moustapha Ndam Njikam</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff4"><sup>4</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Adama</surname><given-names>Youssouf Kone</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff5"><sup>5</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Souleymane</surname><given-names>Sangare</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff6"><sup>6</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff5"><addr-line>Faculty of Sciences and Technics (FST), University of Sciences, Technics and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff3"><addr-line>Laboratory of Mineralogy and Petrology, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff4"><addr-line>School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere, Ngaoundere, Cameroon</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff2"><addr-line>UFR-STRM, University of Cocody, Abidjan, C&amp;amp;#244;te d’Ivoire</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff6"><addr-line>Bamako, Mali</addr-line></aff><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Civil Engineering, Geosciences and Geographic Sciences Laboratory, Yamoussoukro, C&amp;amp;#244;te d’Ivoire</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>22</day><month>11</month><year>2023</year></pub-date><volume>13</volume><issue>11</issue><fpage>1177</fpage><lpage>1194</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>28,</day>	<month>September</month>	<year>2023</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>19,</day>	<month>November</month>	<year>2023</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>22,</day>	<month>November</month>	<year>2023</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial International License (CC BY-NC).http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  A kimberlite field, represented by fertile and sterile kimberlite pipes (chimneys) is located in the region of Kenieba (West Mali, K&#233;dougou-Kenieba inlier, West African Craton). Thirty pipes and kimberlite dykes have been identified in the birimian formations, composed mainly of metasediments and granitoids, covered by sedimentary formations (sandstones and conglomerates) of Neoproterozoic age. All these formations are injected with dykes and doleritic sills of Jurassic age. The study of kimberlite pipes is still stammering in Mali, and thus no previous study has allowed to characterize the structures controlling their implementation. The reinterpretation of aeromagnetic data validated by field work indicates that the major structures of the Kenieba region are oriented NNE-SSW, NE-SW, E-W and NW-SE. These structures (faults and kimberlite pipes) are often associated with dolerite dykes, which would imply an injection of dolerite magma into the other formations. The location of the known kimberlite pipes makes it possible to say that the direction NW-SE is the most favorable for the exploration of kimberlites in the region of Kenieba.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Kimberlite Pipes</kwd><kwd> Doleritic Dykes</kwd><kwd> Fractures</kwd><kwd> Aeromagnetism</kwd><kwd> Kenieba</kwd><kwd> Mali</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>The Kenieba kimberlite field in western Mali (West African Craton, WAC) is characterized by kimberlite pipes (chimneys), gem-quality diamonds and indicator minerals [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref1">1</xref>] . The results of previous works show that some of the highlighted pipes contain microdiamonds with low economic potential, and that miners frequently announce the discovery of large diamonds in the alluvium.</p><p>Intrusions located, approximately, more than ten kilometers from the city of Kenieba, were highlighted by BRGM during the year 1958. These rocks have been identified as kimberlites. This discovery caused a sudden and growing interest in this area, for exploration in the 1960s. The age of implementation of kimberlite intrusions in West Africa was determined by the work of [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref2">2</xref>] , who used the Rb/Sr method on phlogopite. They got an age of 1072 Ma for a chimney in S&#233;konomata near Kenieba. This age corresponds to the establishment of the Neoproterozoic sandstone formations crossed by the intrusions of doleritic sills and dykes [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref3">3</xref>] .</p><p>Structurally, the work of [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref4">4</xref>] shows, through a geophysical study, that the major structures affecting this part of the West African craton are linked to: 1) the opening of the Atlantic Ocean with a NW-SE orientation; 2) Pan Africa with N-S to NNE-SSW guidelines; 3) some structures associated with the establishment of the Taoud&#233;ni basin during a rifting with NE-SW and E-W orientations; 4) Eburnean orogenesis with NW-SE orientations at ENE-WSW. The works on swarms of mafic dykes indicate NE-SW to NW-SE directions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref5">5</xref>] . The use of aeromagnetic data revealed several directional structures NW-SE [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref6">6</xref>] , N-S (Senegalese-Malian shear zone in the western part of the study area and NE-SW (K&#233;dougou-Kenieba shear zone) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref7">7</xref>] .</p><p>The objective of this work is to understand the conditions of formation of Kenieba kimberlites in order to bring new arguments for the diamond exploration sector in Mali. Aeromagnetic images were therefore used to understand the structures favoring the formation of these kimberlites. Known pipes are interpreted and new targets are proposed.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Geological and Tectonic Settings</title><p>The study area belongs geologically to the K&#233;dougou-Kenieba Inlier (KKI), which is included in the WAC, of which it formed a central-western margin [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref8">8</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref9">9</xref>] . The KKI is made up of metavolcanic, metavolcano-sedimentary and intrusive formations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref10">10</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref11">11</xref>] , as shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>.</p><p>The Birimian formations are deformed and metamorphosed, mainly in greenschist facies, and were structured during the Eburnean orogeny, which is dated at around 2270 - 1960 Ma [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref9">9</xref>] . They are bounded to the east by the vast sedimentary cover of the Neoproterozoic domain. The kimberlite pipes intersect the Paleoproterozoic formations of the Kenieba plain and the Neoproterozoic formations of the Tambaoura [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref12">12</xref>] .</p><p>Kimberlites from Mali are intrusive in both Birimian rocks and Neoproterozoic sandstones, but have greater abundance in the Birimian domain.</p><p>The first discovery of diamonds in the Kenieba region was made by gold miners in 1954. Subsequently, several kimberlite pipes were identified as part of the extensive exploration work [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref12">12</xref>] . The diamond of the Kenieba region is found in alluvium and/or kimberlite pipes.</p><p>Knowledge of Mali’s geology has been considerably enhanced by a cooperative program between the government of the Republic of Mali and the BRGM/Geo-system Maps consortium, which led to the production of the 1:200,000 geological map [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref13">13</xref>] . The rocks of the Malian part of the K&#233;dougou-Kenieba inlier are associated with the Eburnean orogeny dated approximately between 2000 and 2600 Ma.</p><p>Haggerty [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref16">16</xref>] estimated that the kimberlites of Mali were “associated” with those of Liberia and that all were structurally controlled by the Archean subsoil complex of the Leo Ridge. This author clearly identifies a structural relationship between the Liberian kimberlites and that of Kenieba. Although the majority of known kimberlites in West Africa are restricted to the Liberian domain, diamonds have however been discovered in Birimian suggesting that an overall distribution of kimberlites in this part could be expanded beyond the Liberian (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref17">17</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref18">18</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref19">19</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref20">20</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref21">21</xref>] .</p><p>A large portion of the West African kimberlites is dyke type that is associated with structures with an overall E-W trend. But conjugate trends have been mapped in Guinea with approximately N-S or NE-SW directions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref22">22</xref>] . In Mali, we have NW-SE and E-W (Delys Dyke) management. Major structures (shear zones, faults, fractures, sills and doleritic dykes) have N-S, NE-SW, NW-SE and E-W directions [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref4">4</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref5">5</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref6">6</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref7">7</xref>] (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>).</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Data Used and Methodology</title><sec id="s3_1"><title>3.1. Data</title><p>The magnetic data used in this study come from aeromagnetic surveys carried out between 1996 and 1997 by the company High-Sense Geophysics, on behalf of the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water of the Republic of Mali. The aeromagnetic coverage was conducted at a flight altitude of 100 m following the N65E oriented profiles and spaced 200 m apart, with a magnetometer recording sensitivity of more or less 0.001 nT.</p><p>After correction of the measurements due to the temporal variation of the magnetic field, the data of total magnetic intensity (TMI), were deducted by making the difference between the measured field and the fraction of the regional field taken from the 1995 IGRF model. The TMI grid was then developed using the minimum curvature as the interpolation method for a 100 m sampling step (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(a)). A reduction at the pole was applied to the TMI grid in order to bring back the anomalies observed vertically from their causative sources. This was done by selecting a point in the center of the magnetic anomalies map (−11.25˚E and 12.92˚N), with tilt values (I = 4.509˚) and declination (D = −8.093˚) from the 1995 IGRF model. The RTP map obtained, which is the basic data used for the different treatments performed in this study, is given in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(b).</p></sec><sec id="s3_2"><title>3.2. Methodology</title><sec id="s3_2_1"><title>3.2.1. Spectral Analysis</title><p>Spectral analysis has been widely used by many authors to determine the depth of magnetic and gravimetric anomalies [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref23">23</xref>] - [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref32">32</xref>] .</p><p>Magnetic anomalies can be properly treated as a spatial series applicable to Fourier synthesis and analysis without affecting the intrinsic appearance of the anomalies [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref26">26</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref27">27</xref>] . Spectral analysis does not require a priori knowledge of the geometry or density contrast of the bodies responsible for the observed anomalies. It simply requires the study of spectral energy as a function of wavelength [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref29">29</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref30">30</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref32">32</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref33">33</xref>] . Near-surface sources will thus give a flatter power spectrum, while deeper sources will give a steeper power spectrum [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref26">26</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref27">27</xref>] . The depth (h) of an interface can be obtained using the formula of [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref23">23</xref>] given by “Equation (1)”.</p><p>h = Δ ( Log E ) / 4 π Δ ( n ) (1)</p><p>where E represents the energy spectrum; Δ(LogE) is the variation of the logarithm of the energy spectrum in the frequency interval Δ(n).</p></sec><sec id="s3_2_2"><title>3.2.2. Vertical Derivative (DZ) and Analytical Signal (SA)</title><p>The vertical derivative filter amplifies the effect of surface sources by mitigating the effect of deep sources. This filter enhances the relief of a near-surface anomaly by allowing its geometric boundaries to be further defined [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref34">34</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref35">35</xref>] . In this study, it is mainly used in structural interpretation and the relationship between deep and superficial structures. The operator of the vertical derivative of order n is given by Equation (2).</p><p>O D V = ( k x 2 + k y 2 ) n (2)</p><p>Regarding the analytical signal method, it was first described by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref36">36</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref37">37</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref38">38</xref>] as a complex field deriving from a complex potential. This method does not require knowledge of source parameters or ambient magnetic field parameters [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref32">32</xref>] . It is very effective in highlighting areas of intrusion or geological contacts. This technique has been used in many studies, not only for structural interpretation but also to highlight areas of deep geological formations or contacts or under cover [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref32">32</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref39">39</xref>] .</p><p>The mathematical expression of the amplitude of the analytical signal (AAS) proposed in 1984 by Nabighian [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref38">38</xref>] and which is a function of the horizontal derivative (following x and following y) and the vertical derivative z is given by Equation (3).</p><p>‖ AAS ( x , y ) ‖ = ( ∂ f ( x , y ) ∂ x ) 2 + ( ∂ f ( x , y ) ∂ y ) 2 + ( ∂ f ( x , y ) ∂ z ) 2 (3)</p></sec><sec id="s3_2_3"><title>3.2.3. Euler Deconvolution (ED)</title><p>This technique is very often used to automatically estimate the location and depth of magnetic and gravimetric sources [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref30">30</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref39">39</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref40">40</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref41">41</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref42">42</xref>] . This method was established by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref43">43</xref>] and was applied mainly to real magnetic data along the profiles.</p><p>Using Thompson’s approach [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref43">43</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref44">44</xref>] developed the equivalent grid method. The mathematical expression of Euler 3-D deconvolution given by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref44">44</xref>] is represented by Equation (4).</p><p>( x − x 0 ) ∂ T ∂ x + ( y − y 0 ) ∂ T ∂ y + ( z − z 0 ) ∂ T ∂ z = N ( B − T ) (4)</p><p>With: (x<sub>0</sub>, y<sub>0</sub>, z<sub>0</sub>): position of the anomaly source; (x, y, z): position of the observer; T: magnetic or gravimetric field detected at (x, y, z); B: regional value of the total field; N: degree of homogeneity often called structural index.</p></sec></sec></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Results</title><p>On the RTP map (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(b)), important positive and negative anomalies of very varied shapes and intensities can be observed:</p><p>• The negative anomalies whose amplitudes vary from −120.3 to 0 nT are located mainly in the north of Yatia and in the SE frame of the study area. These are diamagnetic formations that can correspond to sedimentary formations. Although, uniform in their distribution, these areas of negative anomalies are littered with positive anomalies of very small extent that may correspond to volcanic formations or intrusive bodies;</p><p>• Positive anomalies with amplitudes ranging from 39.5 to 296.8 are much more widespread and correspond to ferromagnesian materials. They have both circular (Yatia anomaly) and rectilinear (E-W anomaly of the Farina-Koufara axis north of the study area). Circular anomalies may correspond to granitic intrusion zones like the positive Yatia anomaly, while rectilinear anomalies may be interpreted as lineaments, fault zones or doleritic dykes. On the NE-SW anomaly corridor passing through the Kofeba-Fatako axis, a set of structural features can be observed from the relief of rectilinear anomalies and these geological structures can be interpreted using specific filters.</p><p>In order to evaluate the average maximum depth associated with the RTP grid (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>(b)) and thus define the different depth domains, a 2D radial spectrum was applied to the RTP grid. The spectrum obtained (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>) highlights the average depth slices (roof and wall) corresponding to the four information domains searched. According to this spectrum, the average maximum depth of the deep sources is 1339.65 m, while those of the intermediate sources are, in descending order, 206.61, 95.62 m and 17.36 m (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref>). Unlike the others, the 17.36 m depth corresponds to that of near-surface formations and structures, and is the least accurate because it incorporates noise (or Nyquist frequency) generated by the method used as one approaches the surface.</p><p>To enhance the relief of magnetic anomalies associated with geological structures, a vertical derivative (DZ) filter was applied to the RTP grid. Analysis of the resulting DZ map (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>(a)) reveals a series of structural features. Despite a decrease in intensity and volume, the circular positive anomaly associated with the Yatia granite is visible on the DZ map, demonstrating that this granitic formation</p><p>outcrops at the surface. The positive E-W anomaly along the Farina-Koufara axis has also decreased in intensity and volume. The structural feature enabling us to identify the line of this E-W anomaly on the DZ map, leads us to understand that it is covered by superficial deposits but that its roof is fairly close to the surface.</p><p>The general interpretation of the various structural features of the DZ map has led to the development of a synthetic structural model (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>(b)). This model, whose major axis in the shape of a ponytail is oriented NE-SW, defines a set of dexter and sinistral wrench faults.</p><p>Correlative analysis of the spatial distribution of diamondiferous and non-diamondiferous kimberlite samples collected in the study area, with the interpreted structures (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>(b)), shows that they are predominantly located in fault zones. As kimberlites are generally associated with deep-seated structures, to identify faults in the structural model in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>(b) that meet this criterion and thus delineate the geometry of target anomalies, an analytical signal (AS) filter was applied to the RTP grid (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>(a)).</p><p>Analysis of the AS map shows that most of the structures interpreted on the DZ map correspond at depth to anomalous zones that may be associated with the dolerite dykes observed in the study area. The distribution of diamondiferous and non-diamondiferous kimberlite samples on the AS map shows that these samples are also related to the doleritic dyke anomalies highlighted. These dykes, which are potential diamondiferous targets in the study area, are thought to be the product of a mixture of doleritic and diamondiferous magma lodged in fault zones.</p><p>A categorization of the AS grid into ranges of 0.04 nT/m combined with the spatial distribution of the kimberlite samples enabled us to define the geometry of the various diamondiferous targets (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref>(b)) and their relationship with the structural model in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>(b). To assess the depth of interpreted faults and dykes, the Euler deconvolution method was applied to the RTP grid for specific Euler parameters (structural index N = 0.1; tolerance Z = 5% and window W = 8).</p><p>The distribution of Euler solutions compared with the plots of the various structures (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref>(b)), shows that the depth of the interpreted structures varies from surface to a maximum depth of 400 m. A complete categorization of the AS grid into ranges of 0.005 nT/m, based on the variation in magnetic relief, shows the relationship between the interpreted structures and the basic geological formations of the study area (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>(b)).</p></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Discussion</title><p>The Kenieba region (straddling the Birimian domain and the Neoproterozoic cover) was the site of diamond mining in the 1960s. However, very little exploration works on the primary origin of the diamond has been completed. Earlier work on the kimberlites of the West African craton showed varied ages [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref17">17</xref>] , as well as varied ages of the mafic dykes more or less associated with certain kimberlites [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref3">3</xref>] . The reinterpreted aeromagnetic data bring new insights, both structurally, and in terms of prospecting targets for kimberlites.</p><p>Aeromagnetic structures reveal several faults directions. The central part of the zone is marked by NE-SW to N-S structures, ending in a ponytail towards Kof&#233;ba. E-W and NW-SE structures are also present throughout the zone. All these structures can be observed in the Birimian domain. Only NW-SE directions predominate in the Neoproterozoic sedimentary cover.</p><p>The processing carried out (DZ map obtained) has enabled us to draw up a synthesis structural model which suggests that the known kimberlite pipes are located close to the structures, or at the junction with other structural elements, and therefore at depth. These structures, and some kimberlite pipes, are also associated with doleritic dykes. Most of the known pipes seem to trend in a NW-SE direction, following the magnetic structures and supposedly derived from a mixture of doleritic and kimberlitic magma.</p><p>Indeed, many relationships between dolerites (or diabases) have been described in Canada (as xenoliths in kimberlites) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref45">45</xref>] , Russia [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref46">46</xref>] , and West Africa [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.129176-ref47">47</xref>] . So, taking into account the relationships between pipes and dolerites, we have a good correlation between the two.</p><p>Taking into account geochemical data, particularly from the dolerites of the Kenieba kimberlite field, and integrating them with geophysical and structural data would increase the potential for the discovery of new diamond exploration targets in the study area.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>6. Conclusions</title><p>This study is based on the use of airborne geophysical data as a tool in diamond exploration in southwest Mali.</p><p>The methodology adopted in this work consisted in reprocessing the available aeromagnetic data, followed by a geological field survey.</p><p>Based on analysis of the airborne magnetic map, we have demonstrated for the first time in Mali a control model for structures associated with kimberlite pipes and their relationship with dolerite dykes. The results of this model have made it possible to locate kimberlites near or at the junction of structures oriented along NE-SW and NW-SE directions. Indeed, the majority of known pipes appear to be aligned in a NW-SE direction along the magnetic structures, possibly resulting from the injection of kimberlite and dolerite magmas.</p><p>However, the quality of these data can be improved by integrating geochemical data on the dolerites located near the kimberlite field.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Acknowledgements</title><p>This study was initiated as part of the thesis of Mr. Traore Baco at the Polytechnic Doctoral School of INP-HB in Yamoussoukro, C&#244;te d’Ivoire. Thanks to funding from the EurekaGeo Consulting Company of Bamako, in particular the field works. We would like to say a big thank you to the Manager of this company, Dr. Sangare Souleymane.</p></sec><sec id="s8"><title>Conflicts of Interest</title><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s9"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Traore, B., Ouattara, G., Allialy, M.E., Wane, O., Njikam, M.M.N., Kone, A.Y. and Sangare, S. (2023) Aeromagnetic Imagery as a Tool to Help Identify the Structures Controlling the Emplacement of the Kenieba Kimberlite Pipes (Western Mali, West African Craton). Open Journal of Geology, 13, 1177-1194. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojg.2023.1311050</p></sec></body><back><ref-list><title>References</title><ref id="scirp.129176-ref1"><label>1</label><mixed-citation publication-type="other" xlink:type="simple">Sangaré, S. and Diallo, T. (1998) Mali Diamond Exploration B.V. MaDE. Rapport annuel 1997-Bafoulabé-Kenieba Concession. 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