Abstract
This study applied Electrical Resistivity Tomography geophysical investigation technique to evaluate the gold mineralization potential of Iperindo in Ilesha Schist Belt, southwestern Nigeria, where commercial exploitation capable of generating revenue and employment for the inhabitants has been challenged by lack / inadequate subsurface geological/geophysical information. The filtered and inverted electrical resistivity data acquired through five (5) 336 m long E – W trending profiles, established 10 m apart from each other, delineate isolated near surface but thick (> 30 m) low resistivity zones, especially at the eastern and western ends of the study area. Some of the delineated low resistivity zones (3 – 200 ð›€m) present vertical sharp edges, likely created by vertical faults that flank the zones on both sides. The low resistivity of these zones could be attributed to the occurrence of conductive material such as gold and associated base metals which probably exist in pegmatitic veins within the zones.  Â
Highlights
Gold is a precious metal of high commercial value and great economic importance that Nigeria is endowed with
Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) geophysical investigation technique was applied to delineate zones of anomalous ground conduction which could be attributed to the occurrence of high gold concentration and associated base metals, in the host rocks of Iperindo in Ilesha schist belt, southwestern Nigeria
The imaging ability of electrical resistivity tomography has been demonstrated in this study to evaluate gold mineralization potential of part of Iperindo in Ilesha Schist belt, southwestern Nigeria
Summary
Gold is a precious metal of high commercial value and great economic importance that Nigeria is endowed with. The total reserve estimate remains largely unknown owning to inadequate exploration data and unreliable subsurface information where available. This has encouraged artisanal mining (with associated ills such as banditry, communal clashes and environmental degradation) of the resource inplace of commercial exploitation which is able to contribute meaningfully towards the GDP growth of the country. Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) geophysical investigation technique was applied to delineate zones of anomalous ground conduction which could be attributed to the occurrence of high gold concentration and associated base metals, in the host rocks of Iperindo in Ilesha schist belt, southwestern Nigeria. Electrical Resistivity Tomography which measures the ease with which electric current flows within the subsurface (Reynolds, 1997) through the determination of potential difference generated between two potential electrodes as a result of flow of injected direct current or low frequency alternating current within the ground has been widely reported to give successful subsurface information (conductivity distribution) useful for evaluating occurrence of metallic deposit (Sharma, 1997)
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