Aeromagnetic and Airborne Radiometric Data Interpretation on Chirano Area of the Sefwi Gold Belt
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Date
2015-11-03
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Abstract
The Chirano gold deposit is hosted in Paleoproterozoic rocks within the Sefwi Birimian metavolcanic belt which has been metamorphosed regionally to greenschist facies. Aeromagnetic and airborne radiometric datasets were used to examine the Chirano area. Very important information (lithology and geological features) were acquired from the datasets. These data (aeromagnetic and airborne radiometric) were enhanced to improve on the data quality to help locate the geological boundaries and features which may be of economical importance. First vertical derivative, analytic signal and reduction to the pole were some of the mathematical algorithms used in enhancing the magnetic data. These enhancements aided in locating the folds, fractures and faults which may entrap hydrothermal fluid (deposits). The Birimian metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks which are eminent in hosting gold mineralization and other metal ores were mapped as well in the Belt. The values recorded from the radiometric survey gave the amount of the uranium (U), potassium (K) and thorium (Th) which were very useful in mapping the Birimian metavolcanics, metasediments, zones of extreme deformation (altered zones) found in the lithology and contact zones between the main geological formations (lithological boundaries). The metasediments and the Belt-type granitoid (B1) were delineated to have high K, Th and U. The high resolution airborne radiometric and magnetic datasets of the study area (Chirano) gave an improved description of the major rock sequences, lithological boundaries and geological structures. This research demonstrates the worth of sets of data from geophysical surveys in mapping the possible geological structures which control the mineralization of hydrothermal gold.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Physics, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the Rrquirements for the Degreeof Master of Philosophy(Geophysics)College of Science Department of Physics,2015