Abstract
Soil geochemical study was carried out in Ogudu-Ogbagba area of Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria to evaluate a prospect for gold mineralization. Ninety (90) soil samples from B-horizon were collected from the study area. The samples were air dried and sieved with a 177-μm sieve, while approximately 1.0 g each of the sieved samples was digested using hot aqua regia (3HCl + 1HNO3). The resulting solutions were analysed for Ag, Au, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn, using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) at the Department of Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. The geochemical data were subjected to both qualitative and quantitative analyses using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. The data were also used to plot location point symbol and contour geochemical maps of these metals with Arc GIS software, Oasis Montaj and Suffer 11 softwares.
The results revealed that the ten (10) metals determined in the soils have anomalous concentration values, out of which only Au, Cd, Fe and Ni are considered to be significant because of their associations. These metals are suggested to be derived from primary sources.
The study concluded that gold mineralization exists in the study area with occurrence of minor sulphides. The spatial distribution of the elements as shown in the geochemical maps indicate the most promising areas for both primary and alluvial gold prospecting in the area with Cd and Ni as pathfinder elements are Ogudu area and the north-western part of Ajebandele.
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Acknowledgements
The study is part of the first author Master thesis at the Department of Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The authors would like to thank the Department for the facilities provided in support of the research.
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Salami, M., Adetunji, A., Olorunfemi, A.O. et al. Geochemical soil survey for gold in Ogudu-Ogbagba Area, Osun State, southwestern Nigeria. Arab J Geosci 17, 24 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11821-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11821-3