An Integrated Geoscientific Approach to Define Zones of Gold Mineralization <br/>—A Case Study in North Sudan

Abstract

The study area is located in Bayuda desert lying about 400 km from Khartoum in the state of River Nile, North Sudan. The present study aimed to identify gold mineralized zones through an integrated geoscientific approach. The approach integrated the results of geospatial studies, geological mapping, field observations and geochemical data. Remote sensing studies using ASTER and Quickbird data helped to identify the zones of chloritic, sericitic and phyllic alteration signatures and gossan rich zones. Geological mapping and field observations confirmed the presence of gold mineralization along the quartz veins which shared the litho contacts of biotite muscovite schist, biotite muscovite gneiss and silicate gneiss. These gold bearing potential areas were found to be structurally controlled and most of the mineralizations were along the proximity of shear-zones, faults and folds. The gold assay values obtained from the chemical analysis of stream sediment and pitting-trenching samples also confirmed the results of remote sensing and geological mapping. Integration of all these data helped to identify drill holes’ locations in the study area for further exploration. This focused plan facilitated cost and time optimization in exploration activities.