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Petrogenetic characterization of the host rocks of the Sanaga iron ore prospect, southern Cameroon

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Abstract

The Sanaga iron ore prospect is a recent discovery in the Nyong Series with a resource estimated at 82.9 Mt at 32.1% Fe and whose origin remains debatable. The mineralization occurs as NE-SW oriented discontinuous lenticular bodies of magnetite-bearing pyroxene-gneisses (MPG) hosted by ortho-derived gneisses. Rare amphibolites are observed. The MPG mineral assemblage consists of quartz-magnetite-orthopyroxene-garnet-tremolite/actinolite exhibiting a granoblastic texture, which is characteristic of granulite facies metamorphism. The granodioritic gneisses show compositional features of the tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite association. Their trace and REE element geochemistry indicate their protolith melt resulted from the partial melting of a subducted oceanic slab, with interaction with the overlying mantle wedge during ascent. The amphibolites show enrichment in LILE with negative Ta–Nb and Zr–Hf indicating arc-related magmas generated by partial melting of a sub-continental lithospheric mantle source with metasomatism by subduction-related fluids. The MPG exhibits oxidation-exsolution features characterized by ilmenite lamellae, with hematite fracture-filling in magnetite, and lacks features characteristic of typical BIF such as LREE depletion relative to HREE, positive Eu, La, and Y anomalies. Based on the results of this study, we interpret the Sanaga MPG as a possible skarn-type mineralization formed by the metamorphism/metasomatism of a possible BIF protolith. The results of this study compare with similar magnetite-rich mineralization in the São Francisco craton in northeastern Brazil and enhance the correlation of pre-drift reconstructions of the São Francisco–Congo Cratons.

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Acknowledgements

This research publication is part of the PhD thesis of the first author. Funding for the research is provided by the African Union through the Pan-African University scholarship scheme at the Pan African University Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (including health and agriculture), PAULESI. The authors are grateful to West African Minerals Corporation for providing drillcore structural data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Pan African University Life and Earth Science Institute, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    Tasin Godlove Bafon, Anthony Temidayo Bolarinwa, Temesgen Oljira & Bekele Ayele Bedada

  2. Department of Geology, Mining and Environmental Science, University of Bamenda, P.O. Box 39, Bambili, Cameroon

    Tasin Godlove Bafon, Cheo Emmanuel Suh, Kevin Ijunghi Ateh & Cho Terence Ngang

  3. Explorers 33 Consulting Group Sarl, P.O. Box 6666, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Tasin Godlove Bafon, Gilles Nyuyki Ngoran & Cho Terence Ngang

  4. Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812, Yaounde, Cameroon

    Boris Martial Keuko Djoumbissie

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  1. Tasin Godlove Bafon
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  2. Anthony Temidayo Bolarinwa
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Correspondence to Tasin Godlove Bafon.

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Bafon, T.G., Bolarinwa, A.T., Suh, C.E. et al. Petrogenetic characterization of the host rocks of the Sanaga iron ore prospect, southern Cameroon. Acta Geochim 42, 195–220 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11631-022-00574-7

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