Spatial Distribution Of Gold And Associated Base Metals In Rock Units Of Ogute Area Edo State Nigeria

Abstract The solid mineral industry in Nigeria has not seen any major investment since Nigeria became a major player in the production and exportation of hydrocarbon products. In recent years the Federal Government of Nigeria has made reasonable efforts to revive the solid mineral industry through the World Bank assisted Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources Project. Regardless the exploration for gold a widespread mineral resource in the country continues to suffer from lack of funds when the global demand for gold as a store of value continues to surge. In this study samples of outcrops of Precambrian basement rocks in Ogute area were analyzed for their Au Ag Cu Zn and Pb contents using an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Statistical data and spatial geochemical concentration contour maps developed with Surfer software illustrates that the mineralization of Au Ag and Pb probably occurs in the porphyritic-biotite-granite. There is also potential for Zn mineralization to occur in the granodiorite. The microgranite is un-mineralized with the analyzed elements as a result of lateral depletion or element mobilization facilitated by thermal conductivity associated with the emplacement of quartz veins. The association of Ag with Au in the bulk fraction suggest that the Au-mineralization is probably epithermal Au-Ag vein deposits.