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Identifying geochemical anomalies and spatial distribution of gold and associated elements in the Zuru Schist Belt, northwest Nigeria

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Abstract

The Zuru Schist Belt is one of the gold-bearing schist belts in northwestern Nigeria. The gold mineralisation is mainly associated with NE-trending shear zones and is hosted in veins of quartz, quartz-tourmaline and quartz-feldspar. In this study, the spatial pattern of gold and associated elements was identified and delineated through statistical analysis of trace element geochemical data. Statistical analyses including spearman correlation, principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied on the geochemical data to decipher and interpret multi-element association related with gold mineralisation. Spearman correlation revealed significant positive correlation amongst Co, Mn, Fe, V, Ni and Zn (>0.70), while Au has moderate correlation with Ag, Bi and Cu (>0.30). Based on principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis, three element associations can be recognised: (a) Zn-Ni-Co-Mn-Fe-V, (b) Au-Ag-Bi-Pb and (c) Zn-U-Th-Sr-La-Ba. The first two multi-element associations are related to gold mineralisation. The multi-element association of Zn-Ni-Co-Mn-Fe-V signifies lithogenic factor and associated hydrothermal alteration, while Au-Ag-Bi-Pb is indicative of gold mineralisation. The combination of Au and associated elements (Ag, Bi and Pb), which was achieved through the use of uni-element thresholds (median+2 median absolute deviation) in multi-element halo technique, enabled the mapping of multi-element geochemical anomaly. The uni- and multi-element geochemical anomaly maps show geochemical anomalies in the northern, central and southern parts of the area. These anomalies, largely restricted to metasedimentary rocks notably foliated quartzite, schist, and phyllite, represent where further exploration should be focused with more attention particularly in the northern part where higher concentration than previously reported was observed.

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Acknowledgements

Our sincere appreciation goes to Mr. Lawali Abubakar (Federal University of Technology Birnin Kebbi), Mr. Sa’adu Salisu and Mr. Lukuman Abubakar for their assistance during field work. We also thank Emmanuel Daanoba Sunkari of Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Niğde Ömer Halisdemir University, Niğde, Turkey, and Oluwaseun Olabode of School of Geosciences, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, for their useful suggestions. Our final appreciation goes to the anonymous reviewer whose constructive comments helped in improving the quality of the manuscript.

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This research is funded by the African Union under the Pan African University Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geosciences, Pan African University Life and Earth Sciences Institute (including Health & Agriculture), University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Babatunde Joseph Fagbohun & Ayotunde Allen Omitogun

  2. Department of Remote Sensing and Geoscience Information System, Federal University of Technology, P.M. B 704, Akure, Nigeria

    Babatunde Joseph Fagbohun

  3. Department of Applied Geology, Federal University of Technology, P.M. B 704, Akure, Nigeria

    Oluseyi Adunola Bamisaiye & Blessing Adeoti

  4. Department of Statistics, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Femi Joshua Ayoola

  5. Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Ayotunde Allen Omitogun

  6. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

    Blessing Adeoti

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  1. Babatunde Joseph Fagbohun
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  2. Oluseyi Adunola Bamisaiye
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  3. Femi Joshua Ayoola
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Highlights

• Multivariate statistical analysis of trace element geochemical data was employed to identify pathfinder elements associated with gold mineralization.

• The multivariate analysis revealed Au-Ag-Bi-Pb as the multi-element association indicative of gold mineralisation.

• Median absolute deviation and multi-element halo technique were combined to elicit spatial pattern of uni- and multi-element geochemical anomalies.

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Fagbohun, B.J., Bamisaiye, O.A., Ayoola, F.J. et al. Identifying geochemical anomalies and spatial distribution of gold and associated elements in the Zuru Schist Belt, northwest Nigeria. Arab J Geosci 14, 508 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-021-06828-7

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