GEOSCIENTIFIC MAPPING AND CHARACTERIZATION FOR IRON ORE MINERALIZATION IN PARTS OF KANDI, NUPE BASIN NORTH-CENTRAL, NIGERIA

Abstract

Kandi Iron-Ore exploration using a geoscientific approach involving the application of geological, geophysical, and geochemical techniques were conducted to identify and characterize the iron-rich deposits of the Kandi area. The integration of these geoscientific techniques influenced the discovery of the economic Iron-Ore deposits. This is for the wisdom of improved exploration process and efficiency. The results are a vital tool for mining companies and other stakeholders unveiling the economic viability of the exploitations as well as guiding the exploration efforts, minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency for responsible resource utilization wisdom. The Kandi subsurface structures, iron-rich bodies, creation of twodimensional models of the Iron Deposits capable of guiding the exploration and resource estimation was achieved by geophysically probing four profiles each of five VES points using ABEM SAS 4000. The modelled plots of the VES data using the IPI2WIN software programme indicated that the average Iron-Ore thickness deposit was 123.26 m with resistivity values ranging between 445 Ω-m and 409303 Ω-m. The Kandi Iron-Ore Deposit Reserve was estimated at 3.7 x 107 tons. The potential Iron-bearing formations, structures, and lithologies were identified through the detailed geological mapping of the Kandi area. The Iron and the associated trace elements were geochemically detected by analyzing the four collected samples using Genius IF - Xenemetrix XRF Equipment. The outcome revealed 18 different associated chemical components. Iron III Oxide was the pick in the varying concentrations across all the profiles with pick at profile 2, and followed by Silicon Di-Oxide which had its pick at profiles 4. The geophysical delineations correlated well with both the geological and the chemical analysis results. The observed outcrops from the geological field mappings, analytic signal peaks and thickness levels from the geophysical 2-D source parameter images and discoveries from the geochemical analysis results were the basis for the delineated economic Iron-Ore prospectivity for the Kandi areas studied