Integration of geophysics and remote sensing techniques in mapping zones mineralised with disseminated gold and sulphide minerals in Lolgorien, Narok County, Kenya

Even though ground geophysical surveys (especially Induced polarization and resistivity) are applied in mineral exploration, their effectiveness in identification of mineralised zones is often enhanced by integrating other mineral exploration techniques such as remote sensing and geological investigations. Integrating different techniques helps in reducing uncertainty that is often associated with mineral exploration. The methods being integrated also depend on characteristics of mineralisation and those of host rock. In this study, geophysical survey methods (induced polarization and resistivity) were integrated with remote sensing and geological methods to delineate mineralised zones in Lolgorien beyond reasonable doubt. By integrating these methods, it was found that Lolgorien’s gold and sulphide minerals (disseminated minerals) are hosted in massive quartz veins and auriferous quartz veins hosted in Banded Iron Formations. It was also found that this mineralisation was controlled by faults which mainly trend in two directions (NW-SE) and (NE-SW).

[1]  L. Marinangeli,et al.  Volcanic Holocrystalline Bedrock and Hydrothermal Alteration: A Terrestrial Analogue for Mars , 2020, Minerals.

[2]  A. Bloise,et al.  Hydrothermal Alteration of Etna Ash and Implications for Mars , 2020, Minerals.

[3]  Xiangyun Hu,et al.  Electromagnetic characterization of epithermal gold deposits: A case study from the Tuoniuhe gold deposit, Northeast China , 2020 .

[4]  D. Morata,et al.  Silver-Rich Chalcopyrite from the Active Cerro Pabellón Geothermal System, Northern Chile , 2020, Minerals.

[5]  C. Moreira,et al.  Geophysical and Metalogenetic Modelling of the Copper Occurrence in Camaquã Sedimentary Basin, Brazilian Southern , 2019, Pure and Applied Geophysics.

[6]  Asrafil,et al.  Identification of hydrothermal deposit mineralized zones using the induced polarization method in Kasihan Area, Pacitan, East Java , 2019, Journal of Physics: Conference Series.

[7]  M. Fries,et al.  Resistivity and Induced Polarization applied to epithermal gold deposit in the Torre Target, at Castro Basin-PR , 2019, Proceedings of the 16th International Congress of the Brazilian Geophysical Society&Expogef.

[8]  Olayanju,et al.  Geophysical Characterization Of Mineralization Potential Of Eastern Parts Of Ife-Ijesha Schist-Belt, Southwestern Nigeria. , 2018 .

[9]  J. Ishibashi,et al.  Depth profiles of resistivity and spectral IP for active modern submarine hydrothermal deposits: a case study from the Iheya North Knoll and the Iheya Minor Ridge in Okinawa Trough, Japan , 2017, Earth, Planets and Space.

[10]  Jungho Kim,et al.  Induced polarization imaging applied to exploration for low-sulfidation epithermal Au–Ag deposits, Seongsan mineralized district, South Korea , 2016 .

[11]  C. Moreira,et al.  Geophysical modeling in gold deposit through DC Resistivity and Induced Polarization methods , 2016 .

[12]  Sammy Ombiro,et al.  The complexity and uncertainty involved in Mine Planning and Design , 2016 .

[13]  J. Henckel,et al.  Lake Victoria Goldfields , 2016 .

[14]  Reda Amer,et al.  ASTER spectral analysis for alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization , 2016 .

[15]  I. Gaafar.  Integration of geophysical and geological data for delimitation of mineralized zones in Um Naggat area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt , 2015 .

[16]  D. Ichang'i,et al.  Integration of Geological Mapping and Remote Sensed Studies for the Discovery of Iron - Ore Mineralization in Mutomo - Ikutha Area, SE Kenya , 2015 .

[17]  S. C. Emmanuel.  Sulphide Microchemistry and Hydrothermal Fluid Evolution in Quartz Veins , Batouri Gold District ( Southeast Cameroon ) , 2013 .

[18]  A. Fon,et al.  Application of Electrical Resistivity and Chargeability Data on a GIS Platform in Delineating Auriferous Structures in a Deeply Weathered Lateritic Terrain, Eastern Cameroon , 2012 .

[19]  Maysam Abedi,et al.  Integration of various geophysical data with geological and geochemical data to determine additional drilling for copper exploration , 2012 .

[20]  A. Hezarkhani,et al.  Enhancement of hydrothermal alteration zones using the spectral feature fitting method in Rabor area, Kerman, Iran , 2013, Arabian Journal of Geosciences.

[21]  E. Ariyibi.  Integrated Geochemical and Geophysical Approach to Mineral Prospecting – A Case Study on the Basement Complex of Ilesa Area, Nigeria , 2011 .

[22]  Pierre Keating,et al.  Metalliferous mining geophysics — State of the art after a decade in the new millennium , 2011 .

[23]  Donna L. Whitney,et al.  Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals , 2010 .

[24]  F. Santos,et al.  Geophysical exploration for gold and associated minerals, case study: Wadi El Beida area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt , 2009 .

[25]  Clay Minerals.  Genesis of Clay Minerals , 2008 .

[26]  E. Auken,et al.  A survey of current trends in near-surface electrical and electromagnetic methods , 2006 .

[27]  A. Meunier,et al.  CLAY MINERALS IN HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS , 1996 .

[28]  W. Maclean,et al.  The Archaen volcanic facies in the Migori segment, Nyanza greenstone belt, Kenya: stratigraphy, geochemistry and mineralisation , 1991 .