Integration of geophysics and remote sensing techniques in mapping zones mineralised with disseminated gold and sulphide minerals in Lolgorien, Narok County, Kenya

Even though ground geophysical surveys (especially Induced polarization and resistivity) are applied in mineral exploration, their effectiveness in identification of mineralised zones is often enhanced by integrating other mineral exploration techniques such as remote sensing and geological investigations. Integrating different techniques helps in reducing uncertainty that is often associated with mineral exploration. The methods being integrated also depend on characteristics of mineralisation and those of host rock. In this study, geophysical survey methods (induced polarization and resistivity) were integrated with remote sensing and geological methods to delineate mineralised zones in Lolgorien beyond reasonable doubt. By integrating these methods, it was found that Lolgorien’s gold and sulphide minerals (disseminated minerals) are hosted in massive quartz veins and auriferous quartz veins hosted in Banded Iron Formations. It was also found that this mineralisation was controlled by faults which mainly trend in two directions (NW-SE) and (NE-SW). Keywords: hydrothermal alteration, chargeability, resistivity, band ratio, lineament densit

Removal of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solution Using a Micaceous Mineral of Kenyan Origin

A micaceous mineral (MicaM) available locally in Kenya was utilized as an inexpensive and effective adsorbent for the removal of Cu 2+ ions from aqueous solution. The effects of contact time, pH, temperature, adsorbate and adsorbent concentrations, and the concentration of electrolyte on the removal of Cu 2+ ions were studied. Maximum removal of Cu 2+ ions occurred over the pH range 4.0–7.0. The adsorption of Cu 2+ ions increased with an increase in the dose ratio of mineral to Cu 2+ ion concentration and decreased with adsorbent particle size. Isotherm analysis of the adsorption data obtained at 25°C showed that the adsorption of Cu 2+ ions on MicaM followed both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The uptake of Cu 2+ ions increased on increasing the pH of the solution from 1.5 to 7.0 as well as on increasing the temperature from 25°C to 60°C. An adsorption capacity of 0.850 g/g was achieved for MicaM towards the Cu 2+ ion. This study has demonstrated that locally abundant micaceous mineral can be used as an effective adsorbent for the treatment of waters containing Cu 2+ ions without any prior chemical pretreatment

Mapping of geological structural features in Lolgorien, Narok County, Kenya: Using hillshade analysis

Despite Lolgorien being one of the most active gold mining areas in Kenya, it is one of the most geologically understudied areas. To the best knowledge of the authors, Lolgorien geological map was last updated in the 1940s. Current technologies such as remote sensing allow new structural features such as faults to be easily identified. In this regard, this study employed remote sensed data to map structural features found in and around Lolgorien Subcounty, Narok, Kenya. This was done to identify any new structural features that might have been missed in the past. Shuttle Radar 152 Topography Mission Digital Elevation Model (SRTM-DEM) image was downloaded and analysed using hillshade technique. From this analysis, the research identified new structural features which were not included in the current geological map but exist on the ground. One such structural feature (fault) is located approximately at 9866237, 703601 (Universal Transverse Mercator, UTM coordinates) and trends in NW–SE direction. The study also found that most of the lineaments are concentrated in the southern part of Lolgorien area and around or at areas dominated by the banded iron formations. Petrographic analysis of the few samples collected from the area showed presence of gold, pyrite and chalcopyrite mineralisation. Keywords: SRTM-DEM, lineaments, geological structures, hillshade analysis, Lolgorien area &nbsp