Mapping and Petro-Structural Study of Northern Komborodougou Formations, in Korhogo Gold District: A Substantial Contribution to the Discovery of a Potential Gold Mineralization in Birimian Greenstone Belts

Abstract

The Gold District of Korhogo, in the northern region of C?te d’Ivoire, holds enormous potential for gold mineralizations, some of which are under exploration phase and others in exploitation phase (example of Tongon Gold Mine). Dormant since 1998, Mapping Services of most of the West African countries hardly provide geological maps at the scales of: 1/200,000, 1/50,000 and 1/25,000. This situation of unavailability of detailed geological maps does not help mining operators in the selection of prolific areas and also in the interpretation of in soil geochem anomies or gold mineralizations. Consequently, during the years 2020 and 2021, we have undertaken a campaign of geological mapping and petro-structural study of the northern sector of Komborodougou, located in the southern extension of Banfora Birimian Belt. This work, which allowed the realization of a geological map at 1/20,000 scale, reveals that: the mapped area includes three (3) major lithological units: 1) a volcano-sedimentary unit made up of metasediments (metaarenites, metasiltites and metaflyschs) and metavolcanites (metabasalts), which are metamorphosed and outcrop in the form of schists; 2) a metaplutonic and intrusive unit composed on the one hand of quartz-diorites and metagabbros, and on the other hand of granites and granodiorites; 3) and finally, a unit of dikes formed by microgranites, microgabbros, aplites and quartzites. The volcano-sedimentary complex is affected by a regional fold with an axis subparallel to the regional tectonic grain and an S1 schistosity oriented NE-SW to NNE-SSW with steep dips (>60o), except for those of the metaflyschs which are weak (o); a regional NW-SE compression would be at the origin of the setting of this schistosity. The volcano-sediment and metaplutonite complex is crossed in a NNE-SSW direction by a senetral shear-zone or main shear-zone and secondary shear-zones oriented sometimes NE-SW or N-S. These shear-zones are intersected by more or less dextral or senestral strike-slip faults of NW-SE and E-W trends. N-S to NNE-SSW (N0o - N20o) and NW-SE (N130o - N160o) vein systems associated with the various shear-zones are the hosts of the gold mineralization in the region. These veins have been mined by orpaillors for more than two decades. The northern sector of Komborodougou is in the NNE continuity of the gold mineralization highlighted by the mining company Mako Gold Sarl on its Gogbala and Tchaga prospects, Napie project.