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Origin and Tectonic Framework of the Ngovayang Iron Massifs, South Cameroon

Received: 11 January 2016    Accepted: 03 February 2016    Published: 23 February 2016
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Abstract

The Ngovayang massifs belong to the Paleoproterozoic Nyong unit complex located in the north western edge of the Congo Craton of southern Cameroon. It consists of granitoids and a banded series. The banded series presents the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of greenstone belts similar to those of Sao Francisco Craton in Brazil. Pervious works in this area involved geochemical (% Fe), mineralogical (hematite/magnetite) and geophysical characterization of the formation ores. The sedimentary and tectonic events related to the ore emplacement are poorly understood and has an effect on the exploitation of these ores in Cameroon. The objective of this work is to generate new petrographic and geochemical data of the Ngovayang massifs, and to determine the origin and emplacement process that favored the accumulation of these iron-bearing ferruginous quartzites in the study area. Polished thin sections were produced and observed using a scanning electron microscope at the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Western Australia CMM-UWA. Geochemical analysis of major and trace elements were carried out using XRF and ICP/MS in OMAC laboratory of Ireland. The results showed that the iron formation of the Ngovayang area composed of ferruginous and banded ferruginous quartzites series. Quartz, hematite and aluminosilicates occur as the main minerals associated with the ferruginous quartzite series. Geochemically, these ferruginous facies are very rich in Fe and Si but poor in other elements. Platy and massive type of mineralization were common with the hematites and are indicative of either metasomatic (or hydrothermal) origin and lateritic through meteoric water circulation. Three phase mineralization were identified from microscopic study: early Syn-sedimentary phase linked to the sedimentation of BIFs, a secondary tectonics phase and a tertiary phase related to weathering. The Ngovayang iron formations are characteristic of the lake superior-type.

DOI 10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13
Published in Science Research (Volume 4, Issue 1, February 2016)
Page(s) 11-20
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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

Ngovayang Massif, Lake Superior, Metasomatism, Ferruginous Quartzites, BIF

References
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Author Information
  • Institut of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon; Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Institut of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon; Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Institut of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Institut of Geological and Mining Research, Yaounde, Cameroon; Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

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    Ndong Bidzang Francois, Sobdjou Kemteu Christel, Mero Yannah, Ntomba Martial Sylvestre, Nzenti Jean Paul, et al. (2016). Origin and Tectonic Framework of the Ngovayang Iron Massifs, South Cameroon. Science Research, 4(1), 11-20. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13

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    Ndong Bidzang Francois; Sobdjou Kemteu Christel; Mero Yannah; Ntomba Martial Sylvestre; Nzenti Jean Paul, et al. Origin and Tectonic Framework of the Ngovayang Iron Massifs, South Cameroon. Sci. Res. 2016, 4(1), 11-20. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13

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    AMA Style

    Ndong Bidzang Francois, Sobdjou Kemteu Christel, Mero Yannah, Ntomba Martial Sylvestre, Nzenti Jean Paul, et al. Origin and Tectonic Framework of the Ngovayang Iron Massifs, South Cameroon. Sci Res. 2016;4(1):11-20. doi: 10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13

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  • @article{10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13,
      author = {Ndong Bidzang Francois and Sobdjou Kemteu Christel and Mero Yannah and Ntomba Martial Sylvestre and Nzenti Jean Paul and Mvondo Ondoa Joseph},
      title = {Origin and Tectonic Framework of the Ngovayang Iron Massifs, South Cameroon},
      journal = {Science Research},
      volume = {4},
      number = {1},
      pages = {11-20},
      doi = {10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13},
      eprint = {https://download.sciencepg.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sr.20160401.13},
      abstract = {The Ngovayang massifs belong to the Paleoproterozoic Nyong unit complex located in the north western edge of the Congo Craton of southern Cameroon. It consists of granitoids and a banded series. The banded series presents the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of greenstone belts similar to those of Sao Francisco Craton in Brazil. Pervious works in this area involved geochemical (% Fe), mineralogical (hematite/magnetite) and geophysical characterization of the formation ores. The sedimentary and tectonic events related to the ore emplacement are poorly understood and has an effect on the exploitation of these ores in Cameroon. The objective of this work is to generate new petrographic and geochemical data of the Ngovayang massifs, and to determine the origin and emplacement process that favored the accumulation of these iron-bearing ferruginous quartzites in the study area. Polished thin sections were produced and observed using a scanning electron microscope at the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Western Australia CMM-UWA. Geochemical analysis of major and trace elements were carried out using XRF and ICP/MS in OMAC laboratory of Ireland. The results showed that the iron formation of the Ngovayang area composed of ferruginous and banded ferruginous quartzites series. Quartz, hematite and aluminosilicates occur as the main minerals associated with the ferruginous quartzite series. Geochemically, these ferruginous facies are very rich in Fe and Si but poor in other elements. Platy and massive type of mineralization were common with the hematites and are indicative of either metasomatic (or hydrothermal) origin and lateritic through meteoric water circulation. Three phase mineralization were identified from microscopic study: early Syn-sedimentary phase linked to the sedimentation of BIFs, a secondary tectonics phase and a tertiary phase related to weathering. The Ngovayang iron formations are characteristic of the lake superior-type.},
     year = {2016}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Origin and Tectonic Framework of the Ngovayang Iron Massifs, South Cameroon
    AU  - Ndong Bidzang Francois
    AU  - Sobdjou Kemteu Christel
    AU  - Mero Yannah
    AU  - Ntomba Martial Sylvestre
    AU  - Nzenti Jean Paul
    AU  - Mvondo Ondoa Joseph
    Y1  - 2016/02/23
    PY  - 2016
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13
    DO  - 10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13
    T2  - Science Research
    JF  - Science Research
    JO  - Science Research
    SP  - 11
    EP  - 20
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2329-0927
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sr.20160401.13
    AB  - The Ngovayang massifs belong to the Paleoproterozoic Nyong unit complex located in the north western edge of the Congo Craton of southern Cameroon. It consists of granitoids and a banded series. The banded series presents the petrographic and geochemical characteristics of greenstone belts similar to those of Sao Francisco Craton in Brazil. Pervious works in this area involved geochemical (% Fe), mineralogical (hematite/magnetite) and geophysical characterization of the formation ores. The sedimentary and tectonic events related to the ore emplacement are poorly understood and has an effect on the exploitation of these ores in Cameroon. The objective of this work is to generate new petrographic and geochemical data of the Ngovayang massifs, and to determine the origin and emplacement process that favored the accumulation of these iron-bearing ferruginous quartzites in the study area. Polished thin sections were produced and observed using a scanning electron microscope at the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, University of Western Australia CMM-UWA. Geochemical analysis of major and trace elements were carried out using XRF and ICP/MS in OMAC laboratory of Ireland. The results showed that the iron formation of the Ngovayang area composed of ferruginous and banded ferruginous quartzites series. Quartz, hematite and aluminosilicates occur as the main minerals associated with the ferruginous quartzite series. Geochemically, these ferruginous facies are very rich in Fe and Si but poor in other elements. Platy and massive type of mineralization were common with the hematites and are indicative of either metasomatic (or hydrothermal) origin and lateritic through meteoric water circulation. Three phase mineralization were identified from microscopic study: early Syn-sedimentary phase linked to the sedimentation of BIFs, a secondary tectonics phase and a tertiary phase related to weathering. The Ngovayang iron formations are characteristic of the lake superior-type.
    VL  - 4
    IS  - 1
    ER  - 

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