Structural Controls and Predictive Mapping of Tin, Niobium and Tantalum Mineralization Associated with the Mayo Darlé Stanniferous Granitoids;Contributions of Geostatistics

The aim of this study of the spatial dispersion of tin, niobium and tantalum mineralization associated with the Mayo Darlé granitoids was to produce prospecting guides through predictive maps of Sn, Nb and Ta in the region. It was based on a database (in appendix) obtained after analysis of rock samples (greisens and quartz veins) collected in the field, using a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. Two approaches were used: 1) structural studies in the field using the directions of veins and fractures 2) the use of variographic maps, an essential element in geostatistics for determining directional anisotropies. A joint synthesis of the modelling results shows that tin, tantalum and niobium mineralization at Mayo Darlé is concentrated along strike intervals N315E to N320E, with mineralization also occurring along strike N35E for high-grade Sn, medium-grade Ta and low-grade Nb. In short, mineral concentrations disperse progressively in space: positively from east to west for tantalum and niobium, and inversely for tin.

Petrology of Spinel-Lherzolite Xenoliths from Mazéléand Others Northen Xenoliths Localities of Cameroon Volcanic Line: Exchange Reactions and Equilibrium State

The alkaline volcanism of the Cameroon Volcanic Line in its northern domain has raised many fresh enclaves of peridotites. The samples selected come from five (05) different localities (Liri, in the plateau of Kapsiki, Mazélé in the NE of Ngaoundéré, Tello and Ganguiré in the SE of Ngaoundéré and Likok, locality located in the west of Ngaoundé). The peridotite enclaves of the above localities show restricted mineralogical variation. Most are four-phase spinel-lherzolites, indicating that this is the main lithology that forms the lithospheric mantle below the shallow zone. No traces of garnet or primary plagioclase were detected, which strongly limits the depth range from which the rock fragments were sampled. The textures and the wide equilibrium temperatures (884˚C - 1115˚C) indicate also entrainment of lherzolite xenoliths from shallow depths within the lithosphere and the presence of mantle diapirism. The exchange reactions and equilibrium state established in this work make it possible to characterize the chemical composition of the upper mantle of each region and test the equilibrium state of the phases between them. Variations of major oxides and incompatible elemental concentrations in clinopyroxene indicate a primary control by partial melting. The absence of typical “metasomatic” minerals, low equilibration temperatures and enriched LREE patterns indicate that the upper mantle below septentrional crust of Cameroun underwent an event of cryptic metasomatic enrichment prior to partial melting. The distinctive chemical features, LREE enrichment, strong U, Ce and Pr, depletion relative to Ba, Nb, La, Pb, and T, fractionation of Zr and Hf and therefore ligh high Zr/Hf ratio, low La/Yb, Nb/La and Ti/Eu are all results of interaction of refractory peridotite residues with carbonatite melts.

Petrological and Geochemical Studies on the Si-Undersaturated Rocks of the Mount Cameroon: Genesis of the Camptonite and Nephelinite at the Cameroon Hot Line

The Cameroon hot line is dominated by magmatic rocks. The variations of magma and chemistry are generally due to the difference of physical conditions and chemistry in the magma source region during the ascent of magma. The Mt Etinde and the Mt Cameroon, both edifices belong to the Cameroon Hot line, have a particularity some rare rocks such as camptonite and nephelinite. The relationship between the silica undersaturated rocks in the both edifices is characterized by the lateral variation appear through the petrography of the different rocks. The concerned geochemical data allow to compare the Mount Etinde nephelinite and Mount Cameroon camptonite where the differentiation process reflects geochemical affinities from a basaltic magma source on the Cameroon hot line. The compatible elements between the Mount Etinde nephelinite and the Mount Cameroon camptonite and basalt correlate with the difference in modal compositions of mineral phases. The lateral variation of major and trace element contents in the Mount Cameroon camptonite and Mount Etinde nephelinite seem to be related to the difference in the fractional crystallization processes of mineral phases, the difference in the partial melting processes and the metasomatism source rich in volatile. The silica-undersaturated character of the camptonite and nephelinite could be attributed to assimilation of carbonate rocks within depth-level magma chambers. Trace element AFC modelling revealed that the parental magmas of both edifice volcanic rocks were mostly affected by fractional crystallisation coupled with metasomatism process in Ca rich source.

A Typical Sublithospheric Mantle beneath the Tello Region, SE-Ngaoundéré (Cameroon Line)

Peridotite xenoliths,raised to the surface by alkaline basalts or kimberlites,provide us direct information on the processes and composition of the upper mantle.They are the major source of information on the state of stress,pressure and temperature in the deep mantle.They are thus a source of petrological and geochemical information that is generally not available on the Earth’s surface.Fresh spinel-lherzolite xenoliths exhibit a protogranular components of the Tello volcano.The Tello is the continental sector of the Cameroon Line,located in the South East of the town of Ngaoundéréat 75 km approximately between(N7°13’,N7°14’)and(E13°40’and E13°60’).Minerals’composition of the xenoliths is~64%olivine,~24%orthopyroxene,~11%clinopyroxene and~1%spinel.Significant variation in(Cr/Cr+Al)of the system shows the reciprocal nature of the spinel solution.The Tello spinel lherzolites show internal chemical homogeneity and represent a normal upper mantle.Their mineral chemistries suggest equilibrium condition of 830°-925°and 1.4 GPa-2.3 GPa.These data suggest that there is good correlation bracket between increasing activity of Al2O3 and decreasing of practionning of TiO2 into spinel.The AlIV and AlVI contents vary by 0.05-0.2 and 0.03-0.2 respectively.The majority of samples caracterise the lithospheric mantle.