Assessment of Copper and Columbite Mineralization Potential in Gaya and Its Environs Northwestern Nigeria Using Aeromagnetic and Geological Mapping Approach

Abstract

This study uses high-resolution aeromagnetic data (NGSA sheet no.) to assess the copper and columbite mineralization potential of Gaya and its surroundings in northwestern Nigeria. 82integrated with the published geological map of the area. The geological map shows documented occurrences of columbite at Gaya and Bunin Kudu, and of copper minerals near Ajingi, within a basement terrain comprising porphyritic granite (coarse porphyritic biotite and biotite-hornblende granite) flanked by the Chad Formation (sandstone, clay, and limestone). The aeromagnetic data were processed to generate the Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI), regional field, residual field, Analytic Signal Amplitude (ASA), and First Vertical Derivative (FVD) maps, while lineaments were automatically extracted using the Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) tool in Oasis Montaj. Results show total magnetic intensity ranging from 33724.9 nT to 34179.1 nT, with high-amplitude analytic signal zones (up to 0.592 nT/m) and dense NE-SW to NW-SE trending lineaments coinciding with the mapped porphyritic granite terrain and the documented columbite and copper mineral occurrence points. This spatial coincidence between known mineral occurrences, structurally complex magnetic zones, and porphyritic granite lithology is interpreted as confirming the structural and lithological controls on copper and columbite mineralization in the area, and is used to extend the known occurrence zones into adjoining structurally similar, previously unsampled parts of the study area. The study recommends targeted ground geochemical and mineralogical follow-up over the extended anomaly zones to validate these additional geophysically inferred targets.

Introduction

This study evaluates the copper and columbite mineralization potential of Gaya and its environs in Kano State, northwestern Nigeria, using integrated aeromagnetic and geological mapping. Nigeria possesses abundant solid mineral resources, including economically important copper and columbite (niobium-bearing mineral), which are commonly associated with granitic rocks, pegmatites, and structurally controlled hydrothermal systems.

Previous studies have shown that aeromagnetic surveys are effective for identifying geological structures such as faults, fractures, contacts, and lineaments that control mineral deposition. High-amplitude magnetic anomalies and structural trends, particularly in the NE–SW and NW–SE directions, are frequently linked to copper, columbite, tantalite, and other base-metal mineralization in Nigeria's Precambrian Basement Complex and Younger Granite Province.

The geological map of the study area identifies documented columbite occurrences at Gaya and Bunin Kudu and a copper occurrence near Ajingi, all within or adjacent to porphyritic granite formations. However, the structural extent of these mineralized zones has not previously been evaluated using aeromagnetic methods.

The study aims to:

• Process and enhance aeromagnetic data to identify subsurface geological structures.
• Map structural lineaments and examine their relationship with lithology and known mineral occurrences.
• Integrate structural and geological evidence to identify additional prospective zones for copper and columbite exploration.

The study area lies between 9°00′–9°30′E and 11°30′–12°00′N and includes Gaya, Ajingi, Albasu, Takai, Bunin Kudu, and surrounding areas. The western part is dominated by porphyritic granite, while the eastern and central parts consist mainly of the Chad Formation (sandstone, clay, and limestone). The known mineral occurrences are concentrated within the granitic terrain or near the granite–sedimentary contact.

The research is based on the principle that variations in the Earth's magnetic field reflect differences in the magnetic properties of subsurface rocks, allowing the detection of faults, fractures, intrusive bodies, and lithological contacts associated with mineralization. High-resolution aeromagnetic data obtained from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) were processed using Oasis Montaj software. The analysis included:

• Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI)
• Regional–Residual separation
• Analytic Signal Amplitude (ASA)
• First Vertical Derivative (FVD)
• Automated lineament extraction using the Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) tool

The processed data revealed a magnetically heterogeneous basement terrain. Magnetic highs are concentrated in the northwestern, central, and southeastern parts of the study area, corresponding closely with the porphyritic granite that hosts the known copper and columbite occurrences. The regional magnetic field shows a gradual increase from northwest to southeast, while residual magnetic anomalies highlight near-surface structural and lithological features that are important for mineral exploration.

Conclusion

This study has used an integrated aeromagnetic and geological mapping approach to assess the copper and columbite mineralization potential of Gaya and its environs, northwestern Nigeria, anchored to documented occurrence points at Gaya, Bunin Kudu, and Ajingi. The Total Magnetic Intensity, Analytic Signal Amplitude, First Vertical Derivative, and lineament results reveal a structurally complex, magnetically heterogeneous basement terrain, with a dominant NE-SW lineament trend and a secondary NW-SE trend, particularly dense in the zone bracketed by the three known mineral occurrence points. The coincidence of high-amplitude magnetic anomalies, dense lineament networks, and the porphyritic granite terrain with the known columbite and copper occurrences confirms the structural and lithological controls on mineralization in the area, and defines additional target zones structurally analogous to the known occurrences. It is recommended that ground geochemical soil and rock sampling, petrographic and mineralogical analysis, and, where feasible, ground magnetic and gravity surveys be carried out over the extended anomaly zones identified in this study, particularly between Gaya, Ajingi, and Bunin Kudu, to validate these additional geophysically inferred copper and columbite mineralization targets.

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Babagana Alhaji Mustapha, Abba Usman Tanko, Muhammad M. Wase, Idrees Abdulshekur, Umar Sheidu Akeje, Labaran Mohammed Shuaibu, Fatima Mohammed Shehu, Fatima Hamza Tahir. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.