A mineral survey of the Cretaceous of the Benue Valley, Nigeria

Abstract

The economic importance of the Cretaceous sequence of the Benue Valley is highlighted. The linear sedimentary basin or trough, as sometimes described, is underlain essentially by marine Cretaceous rocks, starting from the Middle Albian, and ranging to the Maastrichtian. There is, so far, no evidence of the occurrence of younger rocks in the Upper and Middle Benue area, though in the Lower Benue and the Niger Delta regions, Palaeocene to Recent formations overlie the older formations. The depositional processes and the tectonics associated with this period caused the emplacement of an accumulation of a number of important minerals of sedimentary and igneous origins, including lead-zinc, barytes, limestone and coal. There are indications of the possible occurrence of evaporites as evidenced by brine-springs associated with collapse features and fracture systems related to diapiric dome structures. The use of the minerals in the Nigerian economy is discussed. There are also favourable prospects for uranium and hydrocarbons. The immediate future will usher in a period of intensive exploration work aimed at evaluating these resources.