Abstract
Stream sediment geochemistry remains a versatile tool in exploration especially in regions where knowledge of the primary mineralization is lacking and the exploration activities are still at reconnaissance stage. In this study, we investigate the concentrations of gold and associated elements in stream sediment samples from the Vaimba-Lidi drainage system in northern Cameroon; a relatively remote area where alluvial gold is worked locally, and exploration activities are at early stage. The main river and its principal first and second order tributaries were sampled, panned for gold grain recovery and the 100 μm size fraction analyzed for Au by fire assay with Ni finish. A suite of other elements were analyzed for by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Gold grades estimated by the panning and weighing technique rarely exceed1 g/t while the Au concentrations from chemical analysis range from 3.0 to 354.0 ppm. The spatial distribution of gold and all the other elements are presented as point symbol maps and the data analyzed using multivariate statistics. From the principal component analysis (PCA), the As-Mo-W-Ag as well as the Au-Zn factors point to the presence of primary hydrothermal gold-sulphide mineralization in the area and this can be further investigated. These results highlight the importance of multielement analysis and multivariate statistical interpretation of sediment geochemical data in inferring the nature of the underlying primary mineralization in any region.
Highlights
Gold exploration using stream sediments commonly relies on two combined approaches: the proportion of gold grains in the heavy mineral fraction and the bulk major and/or trace element content of the samples
Gold Grade Estimated by the Panning and Weighing Technique
The gold grades estimated by weighing picked gold grains are generally low and erratic and only a few values exceed 1 g/t (Figure 3)
Summary
Gold exploration using stream sediments commonly relies on two combined approaches: the proportion of gold grains in the heavy mineral fraction and the bulk major and/or trace element content of the samples. New and aggressive approach to exploration in this little known (in economic geology terms) northern part of Cameroon with regards to Au mineralization is witnessing a heightened level of attention from both private investment groups and public research institutions like the Universities This contribution falls within this context and examines part of the drainage system that empties into the Lagdo dam. The other trace element associations show that granitic rocks underlie most of the catchment and we speculate that a primary granite-related gold mineral system is the princepal controlling factor These results are of more than local significance and add to the global discourse on the use of stream sediments for gold exploration in humid tropical settings
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