STREAM SEDIMENT SURVEY OF ERUKU AND ITS ENVIRONS, CENTRAL NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR EXPLORATION
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Date
2011-07-17
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IJRRAS
Abstract
Eruku and its environs lie within two belts of different lithologies (Osi migmatite – gneiss complex to the west and
Egbe schist belt to the east) which have been well studied. This area has remained relatively uninvestigated in terms
of mineralization and hence its mineralization potential is unknown. This work therefore aims at identifying the
mineralization types and also to delineate the mineralized zones in this area.
In order to achieve these objectives, stream sediments sampling in Eruku and its environs was carried out. The
stream sediments were collected at the confluence points of two or more rivers mostly at a depth of 20 – 25cm. The
stream sediment samples were analyzed for trace and rare-earth elemental concentration using ICP-MS analytical
method. The result of the geochemical analysis was thereafter subjected to multivariate statistical analysis and
isograde plotting.
The multivariate analysis shows a total of five factor groups. Four of the five factor groups are related to
mineralization. From the dendogram, a total of six cluster groups were distinct, three of these groups are related to
mineralization while the other three are considered to be product of weathering and erosion of both mineralized and
barren rocks in the study area. The correlation analysis of some selected elements from the result of the geochemical
analysis shows Cs, Nb, Sn, Ta, Cu, Mo, Ni, V, Zn, Co among others to be strongly correlated while Ba is negatively
or not correlated with most of the elements. The isograde plots show that almost all the elements have their peaks in
the south-eastern part of the study area.
The conclusion drawn from the integration of the geochemical analysis, multivariate analysis and isograde plotting
in this study is that the study area is mineralized with tantallite-cassiterite-columbite. These mineralizations are
hosted by pegmatites that intrude the country rocks in the southeastern part of the study area. Also, these
mineralisations are similar to the mineralization type in Egbe that lies to the east of the study area in terms of their
host rocks and mineralization type