University of Kentucky UKnowledge Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences Earth and Environmental Sciences 2019 MINERAL EXPLORATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN Cosmas Pitia Kujjo University of Kentucky, [email protected] Author ORCID Identifier: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8314-7029 Digital Object Identifier: https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2019.061 Right click to open a feedback form in a new tab to let us know how this document benefits ou.y Recommended Citation Kujjo, Cosmas Pitia, "MINERAL EXPLORATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN" (2019). Theses and Dissertations--Earth and Environmental Sciences. 64. https://uknowledge.uky.edu/ees_etds/64 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Earth and Environmental Sciences at UKnowledge. 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Cosmas Pitia Kujjo, Student Dr. Dhananjay Ravat, Major Professor Dr. Edward Woolery, Director of Graduate Studies MINERAL EXPLORATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN DISSERTATION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky By Cosmas Pitia Kujjo Lexington, Kentucky Director: Dr. Dhananjay Ravat, Professor of Geophysics Lexington, Kentucky 2019 Copyright © Cosmas Pitia Kujjo 2019 ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION MINERAL EXPLORATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN South Sudan, a new country formed in 2011, has been planning to develop its mineral sector by allocating exploration licenses to investors. This decision requires preliminary knowledge of geology and mineral occurrences, both of which are unavailable because the country has been engaged in a civil war for more than 50 years. Exploration of mineral resources in South Sudan has lagged behind its petroleum industry, except for artisanal gold mining, which is practiced intermittently by local communities. Freely available satellite gravity and remote-sensing data were used to map the basement architecture as well as zones of hydrothermal alteration in the Didinga Hills; both basement architecture and hydrothermal alteration are of prime importance in exploration and development of mineral resources in the study area. Qualitative interpretation of gravity data is consistent with the known geology of petroleum fields and the Precambrian basement complex. Remote-sensing data and techniques—optimal band combination, band ratioing, and principal component analysis—have been effective in extracting information related to lithology, hydrothermal alteration, and geologic structures. The resulting basic information and methods have identified additional prospective exploration areas where more detailed gravity, magnetic, electromagnetic, and seismic surveys should be carried out; this will assist decision makers in matters related to land use, mineral titles, and exploration of natural resources, and lead to prosperity for the new nation of South Sudan. KEYWORDS: Mineral Exploration, Sustainable Development, Remote Sensing, Geophysics, South Sudan. Cosmas Pitia Kujjo Date: March 20, 2019 MINERAL EXPLORATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN By Cosmas Pitia Kujjo Dr. Dhananjay Ravat Director of Dissertation Dr. Edward Woolery Director of Graduate Studies March 20, 2019 DEDICATION To my parents, Salvatore and Pukun, and to all peace-loving beings. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to thank my committee and especially my advisor, Professor Dhananjay Ravat, for his guidance. I am grateful to the faculty and my colleagues in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kentucky for their cooperation during my study. I acknowledge the contributions of Professor Timothy Warner of the University of West Virginia and Professor Robert Vincent of Bowling Green State University for their invaluable comments and guidance during the early phases of this study. I am thankful to our department manager, Adrianne Gilley, for her professional assistance and support throughout my stay overseas. My family patiently witnessed every moment of this research, especially my wife, Jokudu, whose love and support have been consistently great and fruitful. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iii LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES............................................................................................................vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Previous Studies .................................................................................................................. 1 The Present Study ............................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 2: COUNTRY AND GEOLOGIC BACKGROUND ...................................... 4 Country Background ........................................................................................................... 4 Physiography......................................................................................................... 4 Regional Geology ................................................................................................. 4 Geologic and Tectonic Setting of South Sudan .................................................................. 6 Precambrian Basement Complex .......................................................................... 7 Mesozoic Nubian Supergroup ............................................................................... 7 Quaternary Surficial Deposits ............................................................................... 8 Structural Setting .................................................................................................. 8 Mineral Potential of the Study Area ................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 3: MAPPING GEOLOGY AND MINERALS IN THE STUDY AREA ...... 18 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 18 Regional Geologic Setting ................................................................................................ 20 Methodology ..................................................................................................................... 20 Optimal Color Composite Images..................................................................................... 22 Band Ratioing ................................................................................................................... 22 Principal Component Analysis Transformation ................................................................ 23 Results and Interpretations ................................................................................................ 25 Discussion ......................................................................................................................... 27 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 28 iv CHAPTER 4: GEOPHYSICAL MAPPING IN SOUTH SUDAN AND ITS ROLE IN EXPLORATION ............................................................................................................... 42 Introduction ......................................................................................................................