Pseudo-gravity interpretation of high-resolution aeromagnetic data over northern Bida basin and environs, North-Central Nigeria: implication for mineral exploration

Abstract

In view of the ongoing interest of the Federal Government of Nigeria to diversify the country’s economy by moving away from dependence on fossil fuel to solid mineral sector; this research work was carried out to map potential areas of mineralization within the northern sector of Bida basin and environs. High resolution aeromagnetic data over the study area was subjected to regional residual separation, pseudo-gravity transformation and CET structural analysis using Oasis Montaj software. Result of the pseudo-gravity transformation showed anomalies ranging from -0.14 to 0.15 milligals. High density anomalies ranging from 0.11 to 0.15 milligals, observed in areas around Tegina, Kagara, Bako, Pandogari, Gurmana, Kuta, Bida, Wuya and Jima have been interpreted as mineralized zones. The lineament map revealed a major structural feature trending in the NNE-SSW direction cutting across Tegina, Kagara, Bako and Pandogari. This structural feature has shaded more light on the relationship between geologic structures and deposit of interest in the study area. Therefore, the NNE-SSW structural trend of anomalies within these zones depicts structurally controlled mineralization and is conformable with the NNE-SSW general trend of the Nigerian Schist belts. A ground truthing exercise over an extension of one of the anomalies at Anguwan Dorawa, southwest of Tegina town lead to the discovery of a gold mining site where mineralization is hosted within the schist phyllite and quartzite veins.