Application of Ground Penetrating Radar in Delineating Zones of Gold Mineralization at the Subenso-North Concession of Newmont Ghana Gold Limited
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Date
2011-06-20
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Abstract
Ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted over the Subenso-north gold deposit
a property of Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd. (NGGL) to delineate fractures which are possible
gold hosting structures. The Mala GPR equipment with 25 and 50 MHz rough terrain
antennae frequencies were used to conduct the survey. The Maximum exploration depth
of approximately 925 ns corresponding to 50 m was probed. The survey was conducted over
a 1 km square block with a total of 21 profiles with a 50 m profile interval. The profiles were
in the direction of north-west - south-east. The common offset data collection mode was
used. This technique allowed the collection of useful geologic data, for example the upper
duracrust which overlain the thick saprolite was imaged with an average thickness between
0 m and 8 m. Different radar responses were also obtained from the saprolite indicating the
presence of highly weathered zones where complete oxidation includes all of the saprolite.
Two sets of inferred structural patterns were established. The structural patterns were S1 and
S2 . The S1 inferred structures were found between the depth range of (12 m and 42 m)
and the S2 also between (31 m and 48 m) for 25 MHz RTA. 50 MHz RTA also recorded S1
structures at the depth range of (14 m and 34 m) and that of the S2 at the depth range of (27m and 38 m). These sets of inferred structures are potential zones of gold mineralization
Description
A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Geophysics