Geochemical characterization of Baryte-Cu veins, Gulani, NE Nigeria

The study area is located within the Upper Benue Trough of Nigeria. There were few investigations on mineral deposits carried out in this region as compared to the Lower and Middle Benue Trough areas where several economic mineral deposits were discovered. There was therefore, the need for investigation of mineral deposits such as the baryte and copper mineralizations of the study area. The work involves a general geological investigation with emphasis on using petrological and geochemical data. The geochemical data include major and trace elements of the unaltered and hydrothermally altered host rocks and vein mineral separates of baryte and malachite/chalcopyrite were intended to characterize the baryte-copper mineralization of the study area. The data show that the rocks and mineral separates of the mineralization areas show significant depletion of Si, Al and K with enrichment of Ba, Sr, Rb and Cu from the unaltered through hydrothermally altered rocks to the vein materials. The sulphur source of the baryte separates is of formational water. This work appeals to both senior levels undergraduate and postgraduate students of geology and to practicing geologists and researchers.