THE STRUCTURAL CONTROL OF BARITE MINERALIZATION IN GOMBE INLIER WITHIN GONGOLA BASIN UPPER BENUE TROUGH, NIGERIA
Mohammed Rabiu1, Ahmed Isah Haruna2 & Buhari Salihu3.
1Department of Geology, Gombe state University, P.M.B.127 Gombe, Gombe State Nigeria
2&3Department of Applied Geology, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University, P.M.B.0248 Bauchi, Nigeria
Email: marrah201354@gmail.com; Corresponding Author: Mohammed Rabiu
ABSTRACT
Structural elements have important role in the Barite mineralization and exhumation of ore bearing host rocks. Field investigation has shown that the development of Barite veins have close Relationship with the fractures orientation and distributions in the study area. The accommodation of Barite veins and their trends were finally established and compared with the trending directions of the major deformational structures in the area. Field observation, micro and Macro structural analyses were also used to distinguish between the mechanisms of fracture development in the area. The fractures served as permeable zones for hydrothermal fluid circulation and play a critical role in Barite Mineralization in the area. The Gombe inlier where Barite mineralization occurred within Gongola Basin can be considered as a geological epitome of the basin as it clearly displays general stratigraphic and structural styles within a relatively small, easily accessible area. The structural plots has indicate the presence of two type of trend of veins (the NE-SW and the ENE-WSW trend) that are Structurally controlled conforming with the direction of the two major deformational Structures that affect the area (NE-SW trending Gombe fault and N-S trending Wuro-Ladde-Wuro Dole fault that truncate Liji hill at the Northeastern part forming ENE-WSW trend).
Key: Structure, Deformation, Mineralization and Control,
