Browsing by Author "Mallya, Godfrey J."

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    Characterisation of Handali gold mineralization-Dodoma region, central Tanzania
    (The University of Dodoma, 2023) Mallya, Godfrey J.
    The study on the characterisation of gold mineralisation in the Handali area covers the aspect of gold hosting lithologies, structural control and elemental associations. Geophysical geological and geochemical techniques are used to establish the extent of gold mineralisation in the Handali area. Gold occurrences of Handali have shown an association with interpreted NW-SE shear structure that coincides with the linear magnetic low zone. Artisanal pit mapping and petrographic study of samples from these pits indicate that gold mineralisation is characterised by quartz ± feldspar veins/ veinlets in multiple zones confined to amphibolite. The main ore minerals are pyrite and chalcopyrite, with insignificant content of bornite and covellite. Alteration minerals are chlorite and sericite. Analytical results of rock samples from Artisanalpitsshow0.2 g/t Au in amphibolite, while sulphide-bearing quartz ± feldspar vein amphibolite returned up to 8.5 g/t. Gold concentration in the rock samples show moderate to strong correlation with Cu, As and W as shown by Pearson Correlation coefficient and Hierarchal Cluster Analyses (HCA), indicating this element suite is potentially proposed to be used as pathfinder elements for future exploration of gold. Geochemical results of soil samples returned gold anomalous values of up to 0.123ppm.Principle Component Analysis (PCA) of soil geochemical data shows that Fe, Cu and Zn are the main pathfinder elements while searching for gold in the area. The bubble plot of Au values generated from soil geochemical data delineates NW-SE and defines new NE-SW trending patterns extending Handali-type gold mineralisation. Lithological, structural and geochemical studies demonstrate the relationship between lithology, structure and gold mineralisation. Soil sampling and detailed structural mapping are recommended before any attempt to conduct drilling to the Handali prospect.