Exploration of Potential Ore Deposits along the Cameroon Volcanic Line from Gravity and Magnetic Studies

A gravity and magnetic study has been carried out along the continental part of the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), with the aim to explore the possibility of ore’s presence into the basement of this region. Different processing techniques have been applied, including the isostatic residual, the analytic signal and the Euler deconvolution to compute the Bouguer and magnetic anomalies. Following Euler solutions (result of Euler deconvolution) and the analytic signal results, four profiles crossing main structures on the isostatic residual have been used to enhance the structure of intrusions in the studied area. Despite the lack of constraints in the studied region, the results show that the basement is intruded by bodies of different density (2.57 g/cm3 to 2.87 g/cm3), different size and shape, with depths between 1 and 10 kilometers. These bodies have been interpreted as old rocks then as potential reservoirs of rare ores. In addition, volcanic rocks modeled have constituted potential reserves of other ores like graphite, sulfur, copper, iron.

Depositional and Structural Styles in the Logone Birni Basin (LBB), Northern Cameroon, from 3D Potential Field Modeling: Preliminary Results

A three-dimensional model of the Logone Birni Basin (LBB) is presented by combining gravity and magnetic data and constrained by broad seismic profiles. The 3-D model has revealed the distribution of the stratigraphic formations as well as the top basement variation. Detailed structure of different stratigraphic sequences is presented for the first time for this basin and some of the sequences correlate with established sequences of the neighboring basins. The sediments pill consists of six sedimentary units dating from the Neocomian to the Quartenary. The Makary subbasin or Northern Logone Birni Basin (NLBB) is the deepest part of the basin and may hold good prospect for hydrocarbon generation and accumulation. However, the limited presence of faults and intrusive bodies decreases the possibility of thermal degeneration, contrary to the Central Logone Birni Basin (CLBB) where conditions seem to be fulfilled for possible hydrocarbon generation and maturity. The complexity of the structural pattern of the model is further enhanced by the presences of volcanic bodies, some of which lay directly on basement or interbedded with the sediments layers mainly in the CLBB.