The ilmenite: magnetite ratio in heavy mineral concentrates as a guide for gold exploration, Kuba Area, Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

Heavy mineral concentrates from stream sediments in the Anka schist belt of NW Nigeria were examined for their ilmenite, magnetite and gold contents. A spatial relationship was found between samples with high ilmenite: magnetite ratios and gold anomalies. The ilmenite may have formed at relatively low temperatures from ulvo-spinel-magnetite exsolution at the same stage of gold mobilization.