Structural and Mineral Exploration Study at Transition Zone of Mambilla Plateau and Environs, Northeastern Nigeria, Using Integrated Geophysical Data

Abstract

To figure out the underground structures, the tectonic framework, and the minerals
in the area., the transition zone of the Mambila Plateau and surroundings in
northeastern Nigeria has been explored utilizing aeromagnetic, pseudo gravity, and
landsat-8 remotely sensed. Several depth estimation and filtering methods, such as
the first vertical derivative, total horizontal derivative, and total gradient, were used
on the magnetic data (analytical signal), upward continuation, and pseudo gravity
transform. Using landsat-8 imagery data, aeromagnetic, and pseudo gravity
transforms, it was possible to identify mineral zones with hydrothermal changes,
shallow and deep intrusive masses, buried faults, lineaments, and lithological units.
A thorough field mapping revealed and confirmed a few mineralization zones with
great potential. The mining areas exhibit high structural density, which highlights
the value of lineaments density maps in identifying probable mineralization zones
and the structures that regulate mineralization. The principal tectonic trends are
NE-SW, NNE-SSW along with less significant NNW, WNW, NS, and NE trends, is
shown by statistical trend analysis of the lineaments collected from geological,
filtered magnetic, and density maps. The corresponding magnetic structures were
scanned upward continuing at depths ranging from the surface to 3000m. Power
spectrum and source parameter imaging approaches have been used to determine
the depth of a structure. The results reveal that the average computed depth ranges
from 1.2 km to 1.7 km, whereas the depth to volcanic intrusions ranges from 0.345
km to 0.461 km