ORIGINAL RESEARCH article
Front. Earth Sci.
Sec. Structural Geology and Tectonics
Volume 13 - 2025 | doi: 10.3389/feart.2025.1500162
This article is part of the Research TopicStructural Processes, Petrogenesis, Mineralization, and Geochronology in the Earth’s CrustView all 4 articles
Structure and mineralization potentials of the southwestern part of Sokoto basin Nigeria
Provisionally accepted
Usman Magawata Zayyanu1*
Olasunkanmi Nurudeen Kolawole2Godwin Egbeyale Babatunde2Aliyu Saleh Babangida3- 1Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Aliero, Nigeria
- 2Kwara State University, Oyo, Nigeria
- 3Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger, Nigeria
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This study utilized high-resolution aeromagnetic and radiometric data to investigate the lithological boundaries, structural features, and depth extent of suspected mineral veins in the southwestern part of the Sokoto Basin, Nigeria. The enhancement of aeromagnetic data revealed three primary magnetic zones, corresponding to different lithological units with varying magnetic contrasts (2.2 to 120.2 nT). These zones include high magnetic anomalies (53.3 to 120.2 nT), intermediate magnetic anomalies (27.0 to 53.2 nT), and low magnetic anomalies (-50.8 to 22.3 nT), which reflect the geologic diversity and potential for mineralization in the area. Depth estimations based on magnetic anomalies highlighted complex basement topography, indicating areas with potential for subsurface mineralization. Structural analysis identified faults, fractures, and lineaments that influence fluid migration and mineralization, with significant implications for exploration. A potassium concentration map derived from radiometric data delineated hydrothermal alteration zones associated with gold mineralization, primarily within metamorphosed rocks (amphibolites and quartz mica schists) trending in the NE-SE direction. These alteration zones correlate with key geological structures, such as faults and fractures, further enhancing the understanding of mineralization controls in the region. The findings provide valuable insights for mapping potential mineralized zones, emphasizing the relationship between mineralization, lithology, and structural features. This study offers essential information for mineral exploration in the southwestern Sokoto Basin and contributes to the broader understanding of the geological processes and mineralization potential in the region.
Keywords: Lithologic Boundaries, Structural trends, Mineralization potential, Hydrothermal alteration, Geological structures
Received: 22 Sep 2024; Accepted: 18 Apr 2025.
Copyright: © 2025 Zayyanu, Kolawole, Babatunde and Babangida. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Usman Magawata Zayyanu, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology Aliero, Aliero, Nigeria
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