Abstract

In this study, magnetic signatures alongside with the geological settings of the study area were adopted in delineating the structures that may host the manganese ore deposit over the western part of Kebbi State. The acquired aeromagnetic data were analysed, process and interpreted using the following techniques; IGRF/DGRF computation, reduction to magnetic equator (RTE), analytic signal (AS), centre for exploration targeting (CET) and source parameter imaging (SPI). The result from AS shows that the regions were made of different magnetic zones and also exhibit substantial positive magnetic anomaly that are more of ferromagnetic minerals which could be associated with manganese deposits. Most of the shear structures from CET technique are associated with hydrothermal solutions of the host rocks observed within the NW part of Dandi and SE part of Bagudo which may probably forming manganese ore accumulation. The accumulation of these ores may appear to be in carbonate rocks/or shear zones intersections of the structures consociated with; biotite, gneiss, migmatite, granite, metaconglometrate, sandstones, siltstones and laterites as compared with the geology of the area. These types of rocks/structures usually play an important role in manganese ore exploration and it’s has agreed well with the geological setting of the area. With the aid of SPI, the metasomatic alteration of these rocks associated with manganese ore were estimated depth of about 135 m to 210 m and 210.2 m to 350 m and these allow the hydrothermal fluids to penetrated via shears, fractures and fissures to produce the manganese deposit at NW and NS part of Dandi, and NW and SE part of Bagudo.

Key words: Manganese Ore, Structures, CET, SPI and AS