ISSN: 2641-9165
Characterization of the Iron Ore Deposit Using 2D Resistivity Imaging and Induced Polarization Technique at Diddaye-Potiskum Area, Northeastern Nigeria
2D Electric 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 110 46' 00'' and 110 56' 00''
N, and longitude 110 00' 00'' and 110 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 done using RES2DINV software. This research had
characterized the alluvium deposit in the study area into two: the alluvium deposit that is enriched 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 m sec to 2.4 m sec 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 m sec 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. It can be concluded that the occurrence of iron ore deposit is probably more at
northeast and southwest direction 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-Southwest direction.
Keywords:
Iron ore; Chargeability; Electrical Resistivity Imaging; Induced polarization
