Geochemical exploration around the pegmatitic Sn-Nb-Ta mineralization of Southwest Nigeria

Matheis, G. (1979) Geochemical exploration around the pegmatitic Sn-Nb-Ta mineralization of Southwest Nigeria. Bulletin of the Geological Society of Malaysia. pp. 333-351. ISSN 2637-109X

Abstract

A metallogenetic belt of pegmatitic Sn-Nb-Ta-mineralization stretches for about 400 km in Southwest and Central Nigeria with only a few sites where active mining occurs. To explore other parts that may have additional economic mineralization, a geochemical orientation survey was initiated in Southwest Nigeria in three areas of alluvial small scale mining. At the reconnaissance level, a geochemical stream sediment survey indicated cold extractable Li as the most useful indicator for outlining mineralized pegmatitic source rocks. A heavy mineral survey at the same scale proved to be very inconsistent due to the lack of a well developed perennial drainage system; its application should be restricted to the last stage of detailed surveys. A geochemical soil survey with a density of 1 sample per square kilometer around the former mining area of Ijero indicates that the best reflection of the pegmatitic parent rocks are given by the elements Mg/Li, Li, Rb, Cs, Be in decreasing order of significance. Interpretation of all five pathfinders will render the best results. Investigations of F as an additional pathfinder and the application of the presented methods in the mining area of Egbe were made.

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