Granulometric and Geochemical Analyses of Stream Sediments from Part of Southwestern Nigeria: Implication for Mineralization Potential
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Date
2025-08-31
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International Journal of Earth Sciences Knowledge and Applications
Abstract
This work investigates the mineralization potential of an area bounded by longitude 4˚ 52′
to 5˚ 00′ E and latitude 8˚ 22′ to 8˚ 28′N represented on Ilorin Sheet 223. The methods
adopted in this work include field mapping, granulometric, heavy mineral, stream sediment
and statistical analyses. The result of the granulometric analysis reveals that the sediments
range from very coarse sand to coarse sand, are poorly sorted and exhibit very platykurtic
distribution. The result of Factor Analysis identified eight distinct Factor groups. Factor 1
of the group was interpreted to be related to hydrothermal sulphide ore mineralization that
is complex and formed at low temperature, while Factor 2 is interpreted to imply goldassociated gangue minerals. Factor 3 was interpreted to indicate the presence of a vein
deposit that is mafic in composition, while Factors 7 and 8 were interpreted to indicate the
presence of low temperature hydrothermal sulphide mineralization. Heavy minerals
identified in the samples include zircon, sillimanite, goethite, hematite and olivine among
others. The conclusion drawn from this work is that the southeastern and northwestern parts
of the study area have enhanced ore-forming elements; hence, the area is mineralized with
pockets of such sulphide. The northeastern part is barren. It was also concluded that
exploratory work should focus on the southeastern and northwestern parts of the area. In
addition, mineralization in the area consist mainly of low-temperature hydrothermal
sulphide ore deposits, including gold.