Science Research

| Peer-Reviewed |

Geochemical Dispersion of Gold in Stream Sediments in the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Series, Southern Cameroon

Received: 29 October 2014    Accepted: 05 November 2014    Published: 27 November 2014
Views:       Downloads:

Share This Article

Abstract

Twenty-five stream sediment samples were collected in the Ngovayang area of southern Cameroon over a 1100 km2 area for heavy mineral fraction geochemical survey. The heavy mineral fraction of the stream sediments was analyzed for 45 trace elements. The majority of samples showed high Au concentrations though the anomalies were erratic. The geochemical data were processed using statistical and spatial analytical methods. R-mode Factor analysis produced a four-factor model which accounted for 77.02 % of the total variance in the data with the following metal associations: U-Th-Pb-W, Nb-Ta-Co-V, Au-Hf and Cu. The Au-Hf association indicated gold mineralization while the others reflect lithologic control. Uranium, Pb, Co, Ni and Ag show an almost uniform distribution within the Nyong Series indicating essentially the lithology. Anomalous gold concentrations clustered mostly in the northeastern part of the study area defining a potential primary gold target.

DOI 10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12
Published in Science Research (Volume 2, Issue 6, December 2014)
Page(s) 155-165
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Stream Sediments, Gold Exploration, Nyong Series, Cameroon

References
[1] Fletcher, W.K., 1990. Dispersion and behavior of gold in stream sediments, A contribution to the Canada/British Columbia Mineral Development Agreement. Open file, 1990-28.
[2] FletcherW.K., Muda, J., 2005. Dispersion of gold in stream sediments in the Sungai Kuli region, Sabah, Malaysia. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 5, 211-214.
[3] Fletcher W.K., Muda, J., 2003. Dispersion of gold in stream sediments in the Sungai Kuli region, Sabah, Malaysia. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 3, 51-56.
[4] Garret, R.G., Lalor, G.C., Vutchkov, M., 2004. Geochemical exploration for gold in Jamaica: a comparison of stream sediment and soil surveys. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 4, 161-170.
[5] Ohta, A., Imai, N., Terashima, S., Tachibana, Y., 2005. Application of multi-element statistical analysis for regional geochemical mapping in Central Japan. Applied Geochemistry 20, 1017-1037,
[6] Ali, K., Cheng, Q., Li, W., Chen, Y., 2006. Multi-element analysis of stream sediment geochemistry data for predicting gold deposits in south-central Yunnan Province, China. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 6, 341-348.
[7] Ali, K., Cheng, Q., Chen, Z., 2007. Multifractal power spectrum and singularity analysis for modeling stream sediment geochemical distribution patterns to identify anomalies related to gold mineralization in Yunnan Province, South China. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 7, 293-301.
[8] Nforba, M.T., Kamgang Kabeyene, V., Suh, C.E., 2011. Regolith Geochemistry and Mineralogy of the Mbalam Itabirite Hosted Iron Ore District, South Eastern Cameroon. Open Journal of Geology 1, 17-36.
[9] El-Nafaty, J.M., 1993. The ilmenite: magnetite ratio in heavy mineral concentrate as a guide for gold exploration, Kuba Area, Northwest Nigeria. Journal of African Earth Sciences 17(4), 577-579.
[10] Bellehumeur, C., Jébrak, M., 1993. Regional heavy mineral survey in the exploration for gold using regression: Grenville Province, southwestern Québec. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 47, 45-61.
[11] Bellehumeur, C., Marcotte, D., Jébrak, M., 1994. Multi-element relationships and spatial structures of regional geochemical data from stream sediments, southwestern Québec, Canada. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 51, 11-35.
[12] Fletcher, W.K., 1994. Behaviour and exploration geochemistry of cassiterite and other heavy minerals in streams. Journal of African Earth Sciences 10(1/2), 5-10
[13] Maňour, J., 2003. Heavy Mineral Prospecting. Geochemical Prospecting Methods and Their Environmental Applications. Pašava and Křibek (eds) © 2003 Czech Geological Survey, ISBN 80-7075-602-0, 33-39.
[14] Embui, V.F., Omang, B.O., Che, V.B., Nforba M.T., Suh, E.C,. 2013. Gold grade variation and stream sediment geochemistry of the theVaimba-Lidi drainage system, northern Cameroon. Natural Science 5(2A), 282-290.
[15] Suh, C.E., Lehmann, B., Mafany, G.T., 2006. Geology and geochemical aspects of lode gold mineralization at Dimako-Mboscorro, SE Cameroon. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 6, 295-309.
[16] Fressynet, P., Lecomte, P., Edimo, A., 1989. Dispersion of gold and base metals in the Mborguéné lateritic profile, east Cameroon. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 32, 99-116
[17] Suh, C.E., Lehmann, B., 2003. Morphology and electron-probe microanalysis of residual gold-grains at Dimako, Southeast Cameroon. N.Jb.Miner.Mh. 6, 255-275.
[18] Fon, A.N., Che, V.B., Suh, C.E., 2012. Application of Electrical Resistivity and Chargeability Data on a GIS Plat-form in Delineating Auriferous structures in a Deeply Weathered Lateritic Terrain, East Cameroon. International Journal of Geosciences 3, 960-971.
[19] Benjamin, O.O., Che, V.B., Fon, A.N., Embui, V.F., Suh, C.E., 2014. Regional Geochemical Stream Survey for Gold Exploration in the Upper Lom Basin, Eastern Cameroon. International Journal of Geosciences 5(9)
[20] Oberthür, T., Saagar, R., and Tomschi, H.P. 1990. Geological, mineralogical and geochemical aspects of Archaean Banded Iron-Formation-hosted gold deposits: some examples from Southern Africa. Mineral Deposita 25, 125-135.
[21] Cabral, A.R., Rocha Filho, G.O., Jones, D.R., 2003. Hydrothermal Origin of soft hematite ore in the Congo Soco iron ore deposit. Applied Earth Science 112, 279-286.
[22] Kwitko-Ribeiro, R., Cabral A.R., Laflamme, J.H.G., Cabri, L.J., Criddle, A.J.,Galbiatti, H.F., 2002. Hongshiite, PtCu, from Itabarite-Hosted Au-Pd-Pt Mineralization (Jacutinga), Itabira District, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Canadian Mineralogist 40, 711-723.
[23] Cabral, A.R., Lehman, B., Kwitko-Ribeiro, R., Crave Costa, C.H., 2002. Palladium and Platinum Minerals from the Serra Paleda Au-Pd-Pt deposit, Carajas Mineral Province, Northern Brazil. The Canadian Mineralogist 40, 1451-1463.
[24] Boeglin, J.L., Ndam, J.R., Braun, J.J., 2003. Composition of the different reservoir waters in a tropical humid area: example of the Nsimi catchment (Southern Cameroon). Journal of African Earth Sciences
[25] Nédélec, A., Miyem, D., Barbey, P., 1993. High P-High T anatexis of Archaean tonalite grey gneisses: the Eseka migmatites, Cameroon. Precambrian Research 62, 91-205.
[26] Lerouge, C., Cocherie, A., Toteu, S.F., Penaye, J., Milési, J.P., Tchameni, R., Nsifa, E.N., Fanning, C.M., Doloule, E., 2006. Shrimp U-Pb zircon age evidence for Paleoproterozoic sedimentation and 2.05Ga syntectonic plutonism in the Nyong Group, Southwestern Cameroon: consequences for the Eburnean-Transamazonian belt of NE Brazil and Central Africa. Journal of African Earth Sciences 44, 413-427.
[27] Nsifa, E.N., 1985. Analyse Structurale de la région du Rocher du Loup, Sud-Ouest Cameroun. In 110èmecongrès des sociétés Savantes, Montpellier 4, 41-52.
[28] Maurizot, P., Abessolo, A., Feybesse, J.L., Johan, V., Lecomte, P., 1985. Etude et prospection minière du Sud-Ouest Cameroun. Synthèse des travaux de 1978 à 1985.BRGM report CMR 066.
[29] Tchameni, R., Merger, K., Nsifa, E.N.,Poclet A.,2001.Crustal origin of early Proterozoic syenites in the Congo Craton (Ntem Complex) southern Cameroon. Lithos 57, 23-42.
[30] Lasserre M., Soba, D., 1976. Age Libérien des granodiorite et des gneiss à pyroxènes du Cameroun méridional. Bulletin du BRGM2, 17-32.
[31] Toteu, S.F., Van Schmus, W.R., Penaye, J., Nyobé, J.B., 1994.U-Pb and Sm-Nd evidence for Eburnean and Pan-African high-grade metamorphism in cratonic rocks of southern Cameroon. Precambrian Research 108, 45-73.
[32] Jégouzo, P., 1984. Evolution du Sud-Ouest Cameroun pendent l'orogenèse Panafricaine: association des technique cisaillant et chevauchante. Colloque chevauchement et Déformation, Toulouse 123.
[33] Cornacchia, M., Dars R., 1983. Un trait structural majeur de continent Africain. Les linéations centrafricains du Cameroun au golfe d’Aden. Bulletin Société Géologie de France 7(25), 101-109.
[34] Durmont, J., 1986. Identification par télédétection de l'accident de la Sanaga (Cameroun). Sa position dans le contexte des grands accidents d'Afrique Central et de la limite nord du craton congolais. Géodynamique 1, 13-19.
[35] Penaye, J., Toteu, S.F., Tchameni, R., Van Schmus, W.R., Tchakounté, J., Ganwa, A., Miyem, D., Nsifa, E.N., 2004. The 2.1Ga West Central African Belt in Cameroon: extension and evolution. Journal of African Earth Sciences 31, 159-164.
[36] [36] Rose, A.W., Hawkes, H.E., Webb, J.S., 1979.Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration.2nd edn, Academic Press, London, 657.
[37] Chandrajith, R., Dissanayake, C.B., Tobschall, J., 2001. Application of multi-element relationships in stream sediments to mineral exploration; a case study of Walawe Ganga Basin, Sri Lanka. Applied Geochemistry 16, 339-350.
[38] Surour, A.A., El-Kammar, A.A., Arafa, E.H., Korany, H.M., 2003. Dahab Stream Sediments southeastern Sinai, Egypt: a potential source of gold, magnetite and zircon. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 7(1), 25-43.
[39] Kessler, W., Müller, 1988.Minor and Trace-element data of iron oxides from iron-formations of the Iron Quadrangle, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Mineralogy and Petrology 39, 245-250.
[40] Ajayi, T.R., 1981. Statistical analysis of stream sediment data from the Ife-Ilesha area of Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 15, 539-548.
[41] Küster, D., Romer, R.L., Tolessa, D., Zerihun, D., Bheemalingeswara, K., Melcher, F., Obethur T., 2009. The Kenticha rare-element pegmatite Ethiopia: internal differentiation, U-Pb age and Ta mineralization. Miner Deposita 44, 723-750.
[42] Dampare, S.B., Nyarko, B.J.B., Osae, S., Akaho, E.H.K., Asiedu, D.K., Serfor-Armah, Y., Nude, P., 2005. Simultaneous determination of tantalum, niobium, thorium and uranium in placer columbite-tantalite deposits from the Akim-Oda District of Ghana by epithermal instrumental neutron activation analysis. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 265(1), 53-59.
[43] Salminen, R., Kashabano, J., Myumbilwa, Y., Pedro, F.N., Partanen, M., 2008. Indications of deposit of gold and platinum group elements from a regional geochemical stream sediment survey in NW Tanzania. Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis 8, 313-322.
[44] Seewald, J.S., Seyfried, W.E., 1990. The effect of temperature on metal mobility in subseafloor hydrothermal systems: constraints from basalts alteration experiments. Earth and Planetary Science Letters 101, 388-403.
[45] Naseem, S., Sheikh, S.A., Qadeeruddin, M., Shirin, K., 2002.Geochemical stream sediment survey in Winder Valley, Balochistan, Pakistan. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 76, 1-12.
Author Information
  • Image Processing Laboratory/Institute of Geological and Mining Research, BP 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon

  • Geocam Mining Sarl, BP 34375, Yaoundé, Cameroon

  • Economic Geology Unit, Department of Geology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon

Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba, Nforba Melvin Tamnta, Cheo Emmanuel Suh. (2014). Geochemical Dispersion of Gold in Stream Sediments in the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Series, Southern Cameroon. Science Research, 2(6), 155-165. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba; Nforba Melvin Tamnta; Cheo Emmanuel Suh. Geochemical Dispersion of Gold in Stream Sediments in the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Series, Southern Cameroon. Sci. Res. 2014, 2(6), 155-165. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba, Nforba Melvin Tamnta, Cheo Emmanuel Suh. Geochemical Dispersion of Gold in Stream Sediments in the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Series, Southern Cameroon. Sci Res. 2014;2(6):155-165. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12,
      author = {Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba and Nforba Melvin Tamnta and Cheo Emmanuel Suh},
      title = {Geochemical Dispersion of Gold in Stream Sediments in the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Series, Southern Cameroon},
      journal = {Science Research},
      volume = {2},
      number = {6},
      pages = {155-165},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sr.20140206.12},
      abstract = {Twenty-five stream sediment samples were collected in the Ngovayang area of southern Cameroon over a 1100 km2 area for heavy mineral fraction geochemical survey. The heavy mineral fraction of the stream sediments was analyzed for 45 trace elements. The majority of samples showed high Au concentrations though the anomalies were erratic. The geochemical data were processed using statistical and spatial analytical methods. R-mode Factor analysis produced a four-factor model which accounted for 77.02 % of the total variance in the data with the following metal associations: U-Th-Pb-W, Nb-Ta-Co-V, Au-Hf and Cu. The Au-Hf association indicated gold mineralization while the others reflect lithologic control. Uranium, Pb, Co, Ni and Ag show an almost uniform distribution within the Nyong Series indicating essentially the lithology. Anomalous gold concentrations clustered mostly in the northeastern part of the study area defining a potential primary gold target.},
     year = {2014}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Geochemical Dispersion of Gold in Stream Sediments in the Paleoproterozoic Nyong Series, Southern Cameroon
    AU  - Mumbfu Ernestine Mimba
    AU  - Nforba Melvin Tamnta
    AU  - Cheo Emmanuel Suh
    Y1  - 2014/11/27
    PY  - 2014
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12
    T2  - Science Research
    JF  - Science Research
    JO  - Science Research
    SP  - 155
    EP  - 165
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2329-0927
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20140206.12
    AB  - Twenty-five stream sediment samples were collected in the Ngovayang area of southern Cameroon over a 1100 km2 area for heavy mineral fraction geochemical survey. The heavy mineral fraction of the stream sediments was analyzed for 45 trace elements. The majority of samples showed high Au concentrations though the anomalies were erratic. The geochemical data were processed using statistical and spatial analytical methods. R-mode Factor analysis produced a four-factor model which accounted for 77.02 % of the total variance in the data with the following metal associations: U-Th-Pb-W, Nb-Ta-Co-V, Au-Hf and Cu. The Au-Hf association indicated gold mineralization while the others reflect lithologic control. Uranium, Pb, Co, Ni and Ag show an almost uniform distribution within the Nyong Series indicating essentially the lithology. Anomalous gold concentrations clustered mostly in the northeastern part of the study area defining a potential primary gold target.
    VL  - 2
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

  • Sections