Stream Sediments Geochemistry of the Nyambaka Drainage System Northern Cameroon (Central Africa): A Target for Mining Exploration

摘要

Mining exploration in the Nyambaka area Northern Cameroon still at reconnaissance stage. In this study, ten active stream sediments samples were collected for geochemical survey. These stream sediments were analyzed by inductively coupled Plasma/ Mass Spectometry (ICP/MS), the data set obtained was transformed into a standard formation an excel database, and was subject to statistical treatment using IBM SPSS statistics 21 for 33 chemical elements to highlight the relationship between the stream sediments geochemistry, the region lithology, the geological processes and eventual primary mineralization. The data were analyzed using multivariate statistics. R-mode analysis produced a five-factor model behind multi-elements associations which account for 93.40% of the total variance in the data with the following metals associations: Sc-Mo-V-In-Ga-Cu-Cr, Ba-Sr-Ag-Cr-Cu-Co-Be-Ni-Y-Zn-V, Ga-Hf-Zr, Sn-Au, As-Cd. Sn-Au association indicates that Au mineralization is link to Sn mineralization. As-Cd, Cu Ga, In, Mo suggested that the paragenesis represent others sulphidation events that is barren with respect to Au. The spatial distribution of Sn-Au and As-Cd factors show that these factors are mores express in the centre part of the study area; they can be link to granitic rocks, defining a primary gold target. A detail mining investigation have to me carry out in that area to highlight the primary mineralizations.