Abstract
Dikko area, Niger State, North Central Nigeria falls within the Pan-African thermo-tectonic event which occurred in Nigeria as in other parts of West Africa with widespread effect on the mineralization of rejuvenated basement and geosynclinal trough deposits. The Pan-African Belt in Nigeria forms part of the Benin-Nigeria (Dahomeyan) shield which is regarded as the southern prolongation of the circumcratonic Pan-African belt of the West African Craton. Structurally controlled, gold-bearing quartz veins were measured and studied in the area from an extensive geological ground investigation. Field and petrographical studies indicate that the Neoproterozoic rocks constitute gneisses, amphibolite schist, amphibolites and migmatites. The amphibolites are intruded by pegmatites. The associated quartz veins are generally concordant with the main N-S regional structural trend. The lithological and structural studies carried out in these areas have demonstrated the relationship between structures and mineralization and/or lithology. The main characteristics of the gold mineralization in the area appear to indicate hydrothermal mineralization in connection with shear zones. This study allows us to predict that quartz veins in the amphibolite can be mined at a profit and a detailed geochemical and resource valuation needs to be carried out for the Au and associated Galena and Ag mineralization to fully exploit their economic potential.
Highlights
The use of gold as an ornament and as money makes it a precious metal with the attendant rush for its exploration and exploitation worldwide
Niger State, North Central Nigeria falls within the Pan-African thermo-tectonic event which occurred in Nigeria as in other parts of West Africa with widespread effect on the mineralization of rejuvenated basement and geosynclinal trough deposits
The lithological and structural studies carried out in these areas have demonstrated the relationship between structures and mineralization and/or lithology
Summary
The use of gold as an ornament and as money makes it a precious metal with the attendant rush for its exploration and exploitation worldwide. Considering the uncertainties in the international market for Nigeria’s major source of revenue (oil), there is that urgent necessity, to diversify the economy into other non-oil sectors which have been proven promising by many countries around the world. One of such sectors is the mineral resources, and of the many mineral potentials Nigeria has is Gold (Au) which is considered the most sensuous metal, no precious metal is as legendary and beautiful as gold. There is the issue concerning many parts of the schist belts where little geological information is available. One of such areas is the schist belt exposures around Dikko area, border between Suleja Local government from Northwestern Niger and areas around Kwakuti and Gedan, Southeastern border to Gurara Local Government of Niger State; this area geologically forms part of the Zungeru—Birnin Gwari Schist belt
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