The Mapping Of Mineral Potential Zones In The Bauchi Area, Northeast Nigeria, Using Aeromagnetic Data

The present study focuses on the Mapping of Mineral Potential Zones of the Bauchi area in Northeastern Nigeria from Aeromagnetic Data. The aeromagnetic data was enhanced using the first vertical derivative, horizontal derivative, analytic signal and centre for exploration targeting (CET) techniques. The software used to process the data are ArcGIS, Oasis montaj® andRockworks. The total magnetic anomalies ranged from -29822 to 508.9 nT. The high magnetic anomalies could be from underlying ferromagnesian rocks while the low magnetic anomalies could be from granitic intrusions in the Bauchi area. The first vertical derivative and horizontal gradient map revealed short wavelength anomalies with relatively high frequency caused by shallow seated features assigned to igneous intrusions. The analytic signal map revealed clusters or high amplitude of analytic signals which is an indication of shallow seated intrusions of different shapes that could be associated with mineralization. The lineament map shows linear structures that could be faults, joints and dyke that indicated the study area has undergone structural deformation and the corresponding rose plot reveals linear structures that trend in ENE–WSW, ESE–WNW, NE–SW, SE–NW, N-S and E-W directions. This shows that minerals in the study area are structurally controlled. The mineral potential map shows that Jimbin, Jangu, Kafi Madaki, Rauta, Nasarawa, Dabin-Kasa, Waya, Tsakani, Gidajo, Tafawa Balewa, Balowa, Bagoro, Dull, Bala and Kanam areas have mineral potential zones.