CHARACTERISATION OF GOLD-ASSOCIATED BASE METALS IN ITAGUNMODI, ILESHA SCHIST BELTS, NIGERIA, TO ASCERTAIN THEIR ORE BODY FORMATION TRENDS

Abstract

The analysis of the discovered base metal elements in Itagunmodi, Southwest, Ife-Ilesha schist belts, Nigeria, with a case study of Amuta, was carried out to ascertain the likelihood of these elements forming ore bodies that might sustain mining activity in the area alongside gold. The aim is to determine the economic viability potentials of the detected base metals’ mineralisation to support mining activities in the study area. The geochemical analysis results indicated that the concentrations of these elements copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (pb), and zinc (Zn) are substantial in the majority of the locations when compared to the area’s typical concentrations. When the copper 614.2, nickel 705.1, lead 47.1, and zinc 987.8 threshold values were compared to their recoverable concentrations, it was determined that these elements, with the exception of lead in location 4, are not anomalous in the area. When these elements’ concentration factors were compared to their usual crustal abundance values, it was determined that they are not enough concentrated to form ore bodies in the studied location. Electrical geophysical methods utilizing induced polarization were used to determine the locations of selected stream samples. The results from the five locations typically indicated a significant IP signature with chargeability values ranging from 8 to 18 msec, confirming the occurrence of base metals mineralization in the study region. This indicates that the ore deposit is uneven and distributed within fault/fracture zones. As a result, the detected base metals’ mineralisation potentials in the study region are not economically viable to support mining activities. Thus, it is concluded that, while the studied area is mineralized in base metals, its ore body formation propensity is extremely low, and thus cannot sustain economically viable mining activities.