Abstract

Since 2018, Cameroon opted for an aggressive mineral exploration in order to attain the status of an emerging country by 2035. Thus, any surface and sub-surface resources found important has to be valorised. This study therefore seeks to contribute towards the drive to an emerging nation initiative through the identification and mapping of exposed rock massifs in the city of Yaounde using Remote sensing techniques. The fieldwork constituted of locating the geographic coordinates of some rock outcrops with the GPS, projecting the samples on the a geo-referenced satellite image using GIS software (ArcGIS) and simulating the spectral behaviour of those spots to those of similar reflectance in order to conclude as the targets. This was then treated in GIS software for proper mapping to be done. The study revealed that Yaounde is actually endowed with enormous exposed rock massifs which can actually be valorised for construction works. Some of the exposed rocks are surrounded by vegetation especially at the outskirts of the city, others are actually engulfed within built-up areas with difficult accessibility while others could only be exposed on excavated areas for construction. Some are already under exploitation while others are not. Some of the rock outcrops were spotted of shallow extensions while others are small in surface areas but project deep down the soil. These results are of importance for use by quarry companies and the government of Cameroon through its Ministry of mines for onward allocation of exploitation permits.

Highlights

  • Aggregates resulting from the crushing of rocks constitute main construction materials throughout the world

  • The fieldwork constituted of locating the geographic coordinates of some rock outcrops with the GPS, projecting the samples on the a geo-referenced satellite image using GIS software (ArcGIS) and simulating the spectral behaviour of those spots to those of similar reflectance in order to conclude as the targets

  • The study revealed that Yaounde is endowed with enormous exposed rock massifs which can be valorised for construction works

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Summary

Introduction

Aggregates resulting from the crushing of rocks constitute main construction materials throughout the world. In parts of the Adamawa, West and North West Regions of Cameroon, the outcrops of these rocks cover extensive surfaces without any exploitation This is because of the cost of transportation to the construction sites. In the forested parts of the country, their limited surfaces of exposure is an indication of an extensive basement substratum and due to their proximity to major construction sites, most of them are under exploitation This is the case of the massif around Limbe and Tombel both in the South West Region exploited by DANGOTE, a cement manufacturing enterprise based in Douala, the economic capital of the country. Rock massifs within the city of Yaounde, which constitute the target in the use of Remote Sensing in this study, can be considered as bare surfaces.

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