1 J Geol Geophys, Vol.10 Iss.4 No:1000990
Characterization of Iron Ore Deposit using 2D Resistivity Imaging and Induced
Polarization Techniques at Diddaye: Potiskum Area, Northeastern Nigeria
Aliyu Mohammed Lawan
1*
, Ahmed Usman
2
, Jimoh Raimi
3
, Aminu Lawal Ahmed
3
1
Department of Geology, School of Science and Information Technology, Skyline University, Kano, Nigeria;
2
Department of Physics,
Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, Nigeria;
3
Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
2D Electrical resistivity imaging and Induced polarization (IP) techniques were used to characterize Iron Ore deposit
at Diddaye-Potiskum area of Yobe State, Northeastern Nigeria. The area lies between latitudes 11
0
46'00'' and 11
0
56'
00'' N, and longitudes 11
0
00'00'' and 11
0
10'00'' E. The survey was targeted at determining resistivity and chargeability
values that are associated with the iron ore deposit and determining possible depth, thickness of the deposit. The
protocol chosen were the Wenner-Schlumberger array and dipole-dipole for 2D resistivity and induced polarization
imaging respectively. Data processing and interpretation were carried out using RES2DINV software. This
research characterized the alluvium deposit in the study area into two: the alluvium deposit that is enriched with iron
ore and alluvium deposit with disseminated iron ore. The portion of the models characterized by resistivity and
chargeability values of 32 Ωm to 886 Ωm and 0.376 msec to 2.4 msec respectively is inferred as highly enriched iron
ore alluvium; The other part is the portion of alluvium with disseminated iron ore. The range of resistivity and
chargeability values of this portion are respectively 252 Ωm to 1161 Ωm and 1.28 msec to 12.11 msec. The study
delineated high resistive medium to coarse sandstone with resistivity value that range from 3182 Ωm to 124309 Ωm at
fringes of depth range between 9 m to 11 m at models of profile one, four and six. The fracture inferred in this
research has been suggested to be filled with the resistive medium to coarse sandstone. This fracture zone cannot be
mapped with IP since it is sensitive to disseminated iron ore that the zone probably contains. Therefore it can be
concluded that the occurrence of iron ore deposit is probably more at northeast and southwest directions of the
survey area that is profile one to six. It can also be inferred that the iron ore deposit is striking in the Northeast-
Southwestdirection.
Keywords: Iron ore; Chargeability; Electrical resistivity imaging; Induced polarization
INTRODUCTION
Iron is an abundant element in the earth's crust, averaging from
2 to 3 percent in sedimentary rocks to 8.5 percent in basalt and
gabbro. The deposit must have a high percentage of metal to be
considered ore grade. Over 300 minerals contain iron but
five are the primary sources of iron-ore minerals: magnetite
(Fe3O4), hematite (Fe2O3), goethite (Fe2O3H2O), siderite
(FeCO3) and pyrite (FeS2) [1].
The first three are of major importance because of their
occurrence in large economic and mineable deposits. Iron ore
deposits have been found in various locations in Nigeria, but
mainly in the north-central, north-east and south-east regions
[2]. Iron ore deposits in Nigeria typically occur in the
following forms: hematite, magnetite and bands of
ferruginous iron. Table 1 presents some of the notable iron ore
deposits in Nigeria. Rich ore constitutes more than 4.5% of the
total reserves with medium grades estimated at 85.4% and low
grades ore at 10.1% [2].
Correspondence to: Lawan AM, Department of Geology, School of Science and Information Technology, Skyline University Kano, Nigeria, E-Mail:
ahmedusman064@gmail.com
Received: July 02, 2021; Accepted: July 16, 2021; Published: July 23, 2021
Citation: Lawan AM, Usman A, Raimi J, Ahmed AL (2021) Characterization of Iron Ore Deposit using 2D Resistivity Imaging and Induced
Polarization Techniques at Diddaye-Potiskum Area, Northeastern Nigeria. J Geol Geophys. 10:990.
Copyright: © 2021 Lawan AM, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Journal of Geology & Geophysics
Research Article