Geophysical Exploration of Gold Mineralization Zones using Induced Polarization and Electrical Resistivity Imaging Methods at Itagunmodi Area of Ilesha, Osun State, Southwest Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62292/njtep.v3i2.2025.76Keywords:
Gold mineralization, Electrical resistivity imaging, Induced polarization, Low resistivity, High chargeabilityAbstract
Gold is a valuable and economically solid mineral due to its unique physical and chemical properties. However, this research investigated the potential zones of gold mineralization at Itagunmodi in Atakunmosa West Local Government Area of Ilesha, Osun State, Nigeria, through the generation of subsurface 2D resistivity and induced polarization models that provide helpful information in determining the depths and lateral distances of suspected gold deposits. The time domain-induced polarization and electrical resistivity imaging (ERI) measurements were carried out along six traverses using dipole-dipole configurations with electrode separations of 5.0 m and profile lengths ranging from 128.0-315.0 m. The apparent resistivity and chargeability data were used to generate 2D subsurface models using RES2DINV software to accurately and effectively interpret the location of gold mineralization potential zones. The results from the 2D ERI and chargeability models along traverses 1 and 2 revealed low resistivity zones ranging from 16.3-669.0 Ωm corresponding to high chargeability zones ranging from 288 to 444 msec on the 2D chargeability section, which were identified at lateral distances of 82.5-102.5, 167.0-187.5, 164.0-260, 95.0-110.0, and 55.0-75.0 m from approximated depths 9.94-26.20, 6.76-36.98, 11.0-23.0, and 6.0-12.0 m beneath the subsurface. These anomalous zones along these traverses weresuspected to harbour minerals such as goldsince they can also be attributed to quartz veins and fractures that may likely be filled with conductive materials like gold and associated base metals. This research has revealed the efficacy of electrical resistivity and induced polarization methods in delineating the suspected regions of gold mineralization.
References
Adekoya J.A., 2003: Environmental effect of solid minerals mining. Journal of Physical Sciences Kenya 8(1): 625 – 640
Aigbedion I., Iyayi S.E., 2007: Environmental effect of mineral exploitation in Nigeria. International Journal of Physical Sciences 2(2): 33 - 38
Ajeigbe O.M., Adeniran O.J., Babalola O.A. 2014: Mineral prospecting potentials of Osun State. European Journal of Business and Management 6 (2): 115 - 123.
Akpan A.E., Chidomerem T.E., Akpan I.O., 2014: Geophysical and laboratory studies of the spread and quality of the Odukpani limestone deposit. American Journal of Sciences 10(4):347-356.
Arifin M.H., Kayode J.S., Izwan M.K., Zaid H.A.H., and Hussin H. (2019). Data for the potential gold mineralization mapping with the applications of Electrical Resistivity Imaging and Induced Polarization geophysical surveys. Data in Brief 22, 830-835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2018.12.086.
Awoyemi M.O., Onyedim G.C., Arubayi J.B., Ariyibi E.A., 2005: Influence of lithology and geological structures on drainage patterns in part of the basement complex terrain of Southwestern Nigeria. Ife Journal of Science 7(2):291-296.
Ayman T., Ahmed I., Usama M., Hany M., Vladimer K. 2018: Induced polarization measurements for gold exploration at the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Bulletin of Earth Sciences of Thailand 2(1): 20-30
Ayodele O.S., Oshin O.O., Awokunmi E.E., 2017: Auriferous showings in the bedrocks and stream sediments of Okemesi-Ijero Area, Southwestern Nigeria. American Journal of Earth Sciences 4 (2): 8-31
Elueze A.A., 1986: Petrology and gold mineralization of the amphibolites belt. Ilesha area Southwestern Nigeria. Geologic on Mijnbouw 65:189-195.
Ewusi A. 2006: Groundwater exploration and management using geophysics: Northern region of Ghana. Thesis, Bradenburg Technical University
Fantahun G.T., 2011: Integrated geophysical investigations for gold in Dembi Dolo zone, Western Ethiopia. Thesis, Addis Ababa University.
Folami S.L., 1992: Interpretation of aeromagnetic anomalies in Iwaraja area, South Western Nigeria. J. Min. Geol. 28(2): 391-396
Garba I., 2003: Geochemical characteristics of mesothermal gold mineralization in the Pan-African basement of Nigeria. Applied Earth Science 112: 319–325.
Ideozu R.U., Shaibu B.O., Chiazor F.I., 2024: Application of induced polarization and resistivity methods in mineral exploration of part of sheet 263 NW Osun State Nigeria. Nigeria Journal of Exploration Geophysics Maiden Ed. 67– 72
Idowu G.O., 2013: Mineral prospecting and exploration with special references to Nigeria. https://www.academia.edu/14144845/mineral_prospecting_and_exploration_in_nigeria. Accessed 21 May 2019
Idowu, I.O. and Ojo, A.O. (2024). Exploring Groundwater Resources in Southwestern Nigeria: An Integrated Geophysical Approach. HydroResearch 7, 213-224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydres.2024.04.002
Julius O.F., Adekunle O.T., 2015: Evaluation of terrain conditions in Ilesa schist-belt area, Southwestern Nigeria, using remotely sensed data. World Scientific News 19:69-79.
Kearey P., Brooks M., 1991: Introduction to geophysical exploration. Second Edition, Blackwell Scientific Publication, London.
Kazeem, O.O, Gbenga M.O, Ayokunle A.A. 2021: Integrated geophysical investigation of the mode of occurrence of mineralization in part of Ilesha schist belt, Southwestern Nigeria. Arabian Journal of Geosciences 14: 1-9
Maman S., 2014: A geophysical prospecting using induced polarization method on gold bearing sulfide deposits at Pasawahan area, Simpenam Sub-District, Sukabumi District, West Java. Indonesian Mining Journal 17 (2): 53-62
Manu E., Preko K., Wemegah D.D., 2013: Application of ground penetrating radar in delineating zones of gold mineralization at the Subenso-North concession of Newmont Ghana gold limited. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publication 3: 1-11
Michael T.A., Kazeem O.O., Olawatoyin K.O., Joshua B.O., 2022: Characterisation of gold associated base metals in Itagunmodi, Ilesha schist belts, Nigeria, to ascertain their ore body formation trends. Earth Sciences Pakistan 6(1): 36-42.
Nasir K.A., Muhamad S.A., Ango A., 2018: Application of electrical resistivity tomography technique for delineation of gold mineralization in Bugai town, Burnin Gwari, Kaduna, North Western Nigeria. Environmental and Earth Sciences Research Journal 5: 29-35
Naskar D.C., Kulkarni A.V., and Lakshmana M. (2018). Geophysical investigation for base metal mineralization in Karoi-Rajpura area, Bhilwara district, Rajasthan J. Ind. Geophys. Union, 22(4), 379-388
Ojo A.O., Olurin O.T., Ganiyu S.A., Badmus B.S. and Idowu O.A. (2022): Electrical Imaging Characterization of a Dumpsite on an Abandoned Quarry Site in Abeokuta, Nigeria. Scientific African 17, e01330. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2022.e01330
Olusegun O., Kehinde P., Gerd F.T., 1995: The mineralogy and geochemistry of the weathering profiles over amphibolite, anthophillite and talc- schists in llesa schist belt, Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Mining and Geology 31 (1), 53 - 62.
Osinowo O.O., Falufosi M.O., 2018: Magnetic and very low frequency electromagnetic investigations for gold exploration around Ihale in Bunnu Kabba Area of Kogi, North Central Nigeria. Contributions to Geophysics and Geodesy 48: 191-205.
Rahaman M.A., 1976: A review of the basement geology of Southwestern Nigeria. Kogbe, C.A. (ed.). Geol. Nig. Elizabeth Publi. Co. pp. 41-58.
Reynolds J.M., 1997: Introduction to applied and environmental geophysics, John Wiley and Sons Ltd.
Samson A.O., Akinlolu F.A., Dieter R., 2014: Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of gold bearing quartz veins and soils in parts of Maru schist belt area, Northwestern Nigeria. Journal of Geological Research 2: 1-18.
Talaat M.R., Mohammed F.A. 2010: Characterization of gold mineralization in Garin Hawal area, Kebbi State, NW Nigeria, using remote sensing. The Egyptian Journal of Remote Sensing and Space Sciences 13:153-163
Thermo Fisher Scientific Incorporation 2012: Identification of lithology and base metal anomalies-pathfinders for gold exploration using thermo scientific portable XRF analyzers. Example from the blackwater gold deposit, British Columbia, Canada.
Yuval, Oldenburg W., 1996: DC resistivity and IP methods in acid mine drainage problems: results from the Copper Cliff mine tailings impoundments. Journal of Applied Geophysics 34:187-198
Osinowo O.O, Usman A.K. and Omitoogun A.A. 2020: Application of electrical resistivity tomography for mapping gold mineralization potential in Iperindo, Ilesha schist belt, southwestern Nigeria. International Journal of Advanced Geosciences, 8(2):146-152.
