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GIS-Based Spatial Analysis of Regional-Scale Structural Controls on Gold Mineralization Along the Bétaré-Oya Shear Zone, Eastern Cameroon

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Abstract

Bétaré-Oya is one of the gold mining districts in the eastern region of Cameroon. Structural controls on gold mineralization were examined along the Bétaré-Oya Shear Zone, providing further clues on favorable areas for mineral exploration. GIS-based methods combining point pattern (i.e., quadrat count, Fry analysis) and distance distribution analysis were employed here to delineate the spatial patterns of known gold deposits and to evaluate their spatial association with geological structures. Results show that the gold deposits in this area are spatially clustered. At the regional scale, the Fry plot indicates an alignment of deposits, suggesting that gold mineralization is controlled by structures oriented NNE–SSW and NE–SW. At the deposit scale, an alignment is also evident, indicating that the mineralization is also controlled by ENE–WSW-trending structures. The cumulative relative frequency distribution of distances from lineament features to gold occurrence points (DM) and to non-occurrence points (DN) ratio (DM/DN) was used to rank these two major structural trends and their relative importance as mineralization control. The yielded grades show that NE–SW-trending lineaments, akin to P-type structures, play a major role in controlling the gold mineralization in the area compared to other structures. Beyond the goal to foster mineral prospection in the Bétaré-Oya gold district, information yielded in the present study provides relevant criteria for further exploration in the eastern region of Cameroon.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Ms. Sandra Isiminger, Mrs. Madeleine Ketou, Mrs. Julienne Ngo Matip, Dr. Jorelle Meli’i, Dr. Robert Kringel and Prof. Carlos Roberto de Souza Filho who read and criticized the work technically and grammatically. Prof. John Carranza, the Editor-in-Chief, and the anonymous reviewers are greatly acknowledged for their constructive criticisms and suggestions that improved the overall quality of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Salomon César Nguemhe Fils & Brunot Nyeck

  2. Image Processing Laboratory (LTI), IRGM, P.O. Box 4110, Yaounde, Nlongkak, Cameroon

    Salomon César Nguemhe Fils & Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba

  3. School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 115, Meiganga, Cameroon

    Melvin Tamnta Nforba

  4. Ore Processing Laboratory (LTM), IRGM, P.O. Box 4110, Yaounde, Nlongkak, Cameroon

    Boniface Kankeu & Joseph Victor Hell

  5. Laboratory of Geophysics and Geoexploration, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Philippe Njandjock Nouck

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  1. Salomon César Nguemhe Fils
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Nguemhe Fils, S.C., Mimba, M.E., Nyeck, B. et al. GIS-Based Spatial Analysis of Regional-Scale Structural Controls on Gold Mineralization Along the Bétaré-Oya Shear Zone, Eastern Cameroon. Nat Resour Res 29, 3457–3477 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11053-020-09695-3

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