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Geological and Structural Interpretation of the Konongo Area of the Ashanti Gold Belt of Ghana from Aeromagnetic and R

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See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312603586 Geological and structural interpretation of the Konongo area of the Ashanti gold belt of Ghana from aeromagnetic and r.... Article · January 2013 CITATIONS READS 3 82 3 authors: Benjamin Boadi David Dotse Wemegah 3 PUBLICATIONS 6 CITATIONS Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Te… 12 PUBLICATIONS 10 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Kwasi Preko Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Te… 20 PUBLICATIONS 99 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Foresic Geophysics View project All content following this page was uploaded by David Dotse Wemegah on 11 September 2017. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. International Research Journal of Geology and Mining (IRJGM) (2276-6618) Vol. 3(3) pp. 124-135, April 2013 Available online http://www.interesjournals.org/IRJGM Copyright©2013 International Research Journals Full Length Research Paper Geological and structural interpretation of the Konongo area of the Ashanti gold belt of Ghana from aero- magnetic and radiometric data Boadi B, Wemegah D.D and *Preko K Department of Physics, Geophysics Unit, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University post office, Private mail bag, Kumasi, Ghana Abstract Aeromagnetic and radiometric methods were used to investigate the Konongo area located at the north- eastern boundary of the prospective Ashanti Gold Belt in south-eastern Ghana. Datasets from these aerogeophysical methods proved vital for mapping geology and structure. The application of magnetic image enhancing techniques such as reduction to pole, analytical signal and first vertical derivative in processing the datasets helped in the delineation of folds, fractures, lithological boundaries and the two main Birimian tectonic structural deformation events D1 (NE-SW) / D2 (NNW-SSE) which are potential hydrothermal gold mineralization zones within the area. The contacts between Birimian meta- sedimentary and meta-volcanic rocks noted to host gold mineralization in the belt were also delineated. The radiometric datasets retrieving geochemical information on potassium (K), thorium (Th) and uranium (U) concentrations within the study area were used to delineate bedrock lithology of the Banso Batholith, Birimian meta-volcanics, Tarkwaian formation, as well as alteration and contact zones. High K, Th and U concentrations 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 work shows the usefulness of geophysical data in mapping possible geological structures that host hydrothermal gold mineralization within the Konongo area of the Ashanti Gold belt of Ghana. Keywords: Aeromagnetic, aeroradiometric, hydrothermal, alteration, mineralization. INTRODUCTION Airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys have been so that very subtle variations in the geophysical used extensively in the mineral exploration industry responses can be identified (Armstrong and Rodeghiero, predominantly for the delineation of metalliferous 2006). Geophysical techniques were used for prospecting deposits (Airo and Loukola-Ruskeeniemi, 2004). It as early as 1935 for extensive underground exploration application ranges from mineral exploration (Murphy, at the Konongo mines to maintain a reserve base 2007), structure mapping and rock characterization ahead of production. The surveys included Electrical (Telford et al., 1990). Recent advances in technology survey carried out by the Electrical Prospecting Company have substantially increased the accuracy and resolution of Sweden in 1935, Electromagnetics (Turam) and of these techniques so that they can be used to provide ground magnetic in 1967 and resistivity survey at useful enhanced information on lithology and geological Nanwa (extensions to Obenemase A and B lodes) in structures. Additionally, advances in data analysis, 1973. processing and image enhancement techniques have In 1960, Hunting Surveys Limited of the United improved the resolution of geophysical datasets further Kingdom undertook geophysical exploration for minerals in Ghana using airborne magnetic and radiometric survey with a total area coverage of 1.7 × 10 4 km 2.This included the Takoradi through Tarkwa and Prestea, Dunkwa and *Corresponding Author E-mail: [email protected] Obuasi to Konongo and Buem-Togo-Dahomeyan Boadi et al. 125 Figure 1. Geological map of the Konongo area (Modified From Griffis et al. (2002) contacts where chromite mineralization in serpentinite of Ghana. This is to help map the geology and to and iron ore in shale had been located (Kesse, 1985). delineate possible gold hosting structure within this part The survey provided magnetic maps showing detailed of the belt. The data used in this work was collected in geological structures of the area. Geoterrex (now owned 1997 as part of geophysical data collection programme in by Fugro Airborne Services) in 1993 used two airborne Ghana by Geological Survey of Finland (GKT) to support geophysical survey techniques namely a 125 Hz base- the mining sector in the country and other gold production frequency airborne time-domain electromagnetic belts of Ghana. This research seeks to review the (GEOTEM) and magnetic over the southernmost portion geology and to aid the delineation of regional and local of the Ashanti Greenstone Belt with an area cover of geological structures (shear zones and faults) that have about 2.7 × 10 3 km 2 (Asiamah, 2004). Sub-parallel the potential of hosting gold mineralization within the regional shear structures that traverse the study area study area. The work supplements the effort and allows continuously up to 40 km were delineated as well as a 5 the prediction of target areas for detailed exploration work km strike-length, section of the western-most shear zone. in search for metal ore mineralization within the Konongo According to Telford et al. (1990) the physical principles area that has not been extensively explored as compared of aeromagnetic methods are based on taking to the other parts of the Ashanti Belt. measurements of the ambient magnetic susceptibility of the surface geology and using the data to determine the distribution of magnetic minerals and hence changes in Geology and Mineralization lithology. Wilford et al. (1997) indicated that airborne radiometric survey similarly is used to measure variations Ghana falls mostly within the West African Craton which in the radioactive mineral composition in order to map stabilized in the early Proterozoic (2000 Ma) during the lateral lithological changes. This method involves the Eburnean Orogeny (Kesse, 1985). The Ghana shield measurement of naturally occurring radioactive elements area has two main rocks system, the Birimian with its that exist in rock forming minerals and soil profiles. These associated granitoid intrusives and the Tarkwaian elements are uranium (U), thorium (Th) and potassium Formation. The Birimian was deformed, metamorphosed (K), which can be found as trace elements in all rocks and intruded by syn- and post-granitoids during the and decay naturally giving off gamma radiation (gamma Eburnean orogeny at 2130-1980 Ma, (Feybesse et al., rays). The variation of magnetic and radiometric mineral 2006). In elongated basins which follow the north-easterly composition in rocks due to the different in lithological set trending Birimian belts, middle Proterozoic molasse type up and mineralization processes such as hydrothermal sediments of the Tarkwaian formation were deposited mineralization make the use of these methods in the (Kesse, 1985). mapping rock lithology, structures and mineral zones an The geology of the area (Figure 1) is dominated by NE important technique. trending bands of Birimian meta-sediments/volcanics and This paper discusses aeromagnetic and radiometric the Tarkwaian clastic formation. To the east, the datasets from the Konongo area of the Ashanti Gold Belt Tarkwaian formation widens out very substantially and to 126 Int. Res. J. Geo. Min. Figure 2. The Konongo Area (Study area) the west of the district, there are mainly Birimian meta- that the greenschist facies is widely retrograde after sedimentary units of the Kumasi Basin. Within the basin amphibolite facies conditions. domain are large masses of basin-type granitoids belonging to the Kumasi Complex (Griffis et al., 2002). The south-east of the district is dominated by the MATERIALS AND METHODS unusually large Banso batholith, which is rich in radiometric potassium (Griffs, 1998). Early workers in the Study site description area (Hirst, 1942) believed this granitoid to be post- Birimian and pre-Tarkwaian because of the lack of The study area is located around Konongo (Figure 2), the contact metamorphic effects in Tarkwaian formation close capital of the Asante Akim North District. It is 50 km from to the batholith. However, recent work has challenged Kumasi (Ashanti Regional Capital) and about 230 km this view and it appears that the Banso batholith is a fairly from Accra, the capital of Ghana. The study area is late-stage intrusion that apparently post-dates the define by the pillar coordinates P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 Tarkwaian formation (Griffis et al., 2002). (see Figure 3A respectively) (-1.0593 o, 6.7297 o), (- Gold mineralization is commonly associated with 1.1956 o, 6.7302
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