Geological and Structural Interpretation of the Konongo Area of the Ashanti Gold Belt Using Airborne Magnetic and Radiometric Data
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Date
2012-06-18
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Abstract
Integrated airborne geophysical methods namely magnetic and radiometric were used to
investigate the Konongo mining area located at the north-eastern boundary of the prospective
Ashanti Gold Belt in south-eastern Ghana. These datasets provided useful information on
the lithology and geological structures within the area. The geophysics data processing
approach employed concentrated on enhancing the geophysical data quality and this
aided in tracing accurate positioning of geological boundaries, the responses related to
mineralization and geological structures that may be of vital economic importance. The
magnetic image enhancing technique such as reduction to the pole, analytic signal and first
vertical derivative helped delineate folds, fractures, tectonic boundaries and the D
1-NE /D2-NNW structural deformation events which are potential hydrothermal fluid traps. The Birimian Meta-sedimentary and meta-volcanic rocks noted to host gold mineralization and other metal ores in the Belt were also delineated. The radiometric data provided
geochemical information of potassium (K), thorium (Th) and uranium (U) that proved
valuable in delineating bedrock lithology of the area such as the Banso Batholith, Birimian
meta-volcanics, Tarkwaian Formation and alteration zones within the area and contact
zones. High K, Th and U concentration were mapped in the meta-sediments and the Banso
Batholith. The high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric data of the study area
resulted in better definition of both geological structures and lithological boundaries. This project shows the usefulness of geophysical data in mapping possible geological structures
that host hydrothermal gold mineralization.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Physics,Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology,in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Geophysics.