Olowofela J.A*, Ajani O.O** and
Oladunjoye, M.A***
*Department of Physics, University of Agriculture,
Abeokuta, Nigeria
**Department of Physics and Solar Energy, Bowen
University, Iwo, Nigeria
***Department of Geology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
E-mail:
aj_ani2000@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The
occurrence of sulphide ore bodies in Osina area of Benue state has been
reported earlier in the geology of Nigeria map, but the extent and abundance of
the mineral was not known. In this work, we investigated the thickness and
depth of the mineral deposit.Induced
Polarization (IP) survey employing the dipole-dipole array was conducted. The
survey consisted of three lines, each of length 600m with a dipole separation
of 30m in the E-W direction covering an area of approximately 1km2.
A total of 150 data points each were taken for three lines in the survey area.
Measurements were taken for chargeability in the time domain and Percentage
Frequency Effect (PFE) in the frequency domain. Using an iterative process, an
inversion scheme was carried out on the measured data to find a model M that
minimizes the objective function φm subject to fitting the data to a
specified degree. This model was formed and used to solve the optimization
problem defining a global objective function Φ. Measured and calculated
apparent chargeability’s are plotted as pseudo-sections to get the estimated
depth of the ore deposit from the surface. Model generated is the section of
the true estimated resistivity and chargeability.
The
results showed eight anomalous zones revealing certain mineralization having
attributes of galena, sphalerite and pyrite with a resistivity ranging from
100-300 ohm-m at an estimated depth of 50m. The plots of chargeability along
the three traverse lines also showed a consistent range of values between 20 –
90mV/V over the distance of 90 – 100m along the lines. Different regions of high anomaly are evident in the
inverse model resistivity section for the first two lines but due to bulk
resistivity of the disseminated body investigated, no distinct zone could be
localized. The quantitative interpretation showed that the range of overburden
thickness to the top of base-metal sulphide is about 30m.
Based
on the result of this investigation, it was concluded that the sulphide ore in
this area is not economically viable and can be best mined through shafts or
tunnels due to the depth and dipping shape of the deposit.
Key words:
Sulphide ore bodies, Osina area, Induced Polarization, Chargeability,
Percentage Frequency Effect (PFE),
Overburden thickness and recoverable deposit.
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