Geochemical survey of residual soils was undertaken in Dagbala-Atte District of Igarra Schist Belt, southwestern Nigeria to explore for base and precious metals (Cu, Pb, Zn, Au and Ag). It involved sampling residual soil from 49 sites in a grid pattern; analyzing the soil samples for the base and precious metals and other commonly associated elements including As, Cd, Fe, Hg and Sb; subjecting the geochemical data generated to statistical analysis; and preparing the geochemical distribution map of the district for each element. On the basis of the multivariate statistical analysis (correlation matrix and factor analysis) of the soil geochemical data , three mineralization types were inferred to be present in the district. The suspected types of mineralization consist of: 1) Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization with associated As, Hg, Sb and Fe; 2) Au-Cu mineralization with associated As; and 3) minor Hg-bearing Au-Pb mineralization. With the aid of the elemental geochemical distribution maps , the suspected mineralization was linked to rock types from which the sampled residual soils were apparently derived. Hence , the suspected Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization is linked to the quartz-biotite schist at the southwestern part of the district while the suspected Au-Cu mineralization is located on the silicified sheared rock at the northern and southern parts and the minor Hg-bearing Au-Pb mineralization within the granitic gneiss at the northeastern and eastern areas of the district. Based on the foregoing findings , it is recommended that lithogeochemical survey for the base and precious metals should be done in the area.
KeywordsDagbala-Atte DistrictFactor AnalysisGeochemical Distribution MapMineralization
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