Spontaneous Frequency Polarisation (SFP) method application for mapping mineral deposits in the metamorphic sedimentary formations in the Bidzar area (North-Cameroon)

Daniel Hervé Gouet, Department of Mines, Oil, Gas and Water Resources Exploration, Faculty of Mines and Petroleum Industries, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 08 Kaélé, Far North – Cameroon

Marcelin Bikoro Bialou, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua, P.O. Box 46 Maroua, Cameroun

Arsène Meying, Department of Applied Geophysics, School of Geology and Mining Engineering, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 115 Meiganga, Cameroon

Abstract
The North Cameroon (Central Africa) region rests on Precambrian metamorphic rocks dating. In the areas covered by metamorphic sedimentary formations, this region conceals a significant mineral potential. The geological and geochemical works carried out in the study area permitted to analyze the mineralogy of the formations in place and to map the formations with good potential in useful minerals. This work, using the hammer prospecting technique, mapped the marble identified as the local commodity. A geophysical study using the Electro-Telluric or Spontaneous Frequency Polarization (SFP) method was carried out to evaluate the electrical parameters of the surface formations, particularly those of the ore in the Bidzar area. This study is based on a set of fifty-five (55) profiles, NW-SE direction, inter-profile distance one hundred (100) meters and length varying between 1 km and 2.2 km. The geophysical surveys are carried out at a step of fifty (50) meters using a PQWT500 geoelectrical device from the Hunan Puqi Institute (China). The results of this study show that the Bidzar marble ore is a network of lenticular corridors trending NE-SW. These corridors are mainly characterized by high electrical gradients (ddp > 3mV). They alternate with schist or sterile rocks of relatively low electrical gradients (ddp < 3 mV). The comparison of the above-mentioned results with the geological results of hammer prospecting and the borehole data show a perfect correlation of the electrical responses (ddp) with the geological formations in place. Thus, it confirms the validity of the spontaneous frequency polarization (SFP) method in the mapping of ores from metasedimentary formations, particularly those of the marble type.

Keywords
Electro-telluric, cartography, marble, electric gradient, lenticular corridors

Cite this paper
Daniel Hervé Gouet, Marcelin Bikoro Bialou, Arsène Meying, Spontaneous Frequency Polarisation (SFP) method application for mapping mineral deposits in the metamorphic sedimentary formations in the Bidzar area (North-Cameroon) , SCIREA Journal of Geosciences. Volume 6, Issue 1, February 2022 | PP. 1-22. 10.54647/geosciences17152

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