Geological and Morphostructural Features of The Biwong Boulou-Mvangan Region (South Cameroon)

Abstract

The African continent, which has about 30% of the world's known mineral reserves, currently produces 40% of the world's gold, 60% of the cobalt and 90% of the platinum group metals. Artisanal (amateur, manual labor) gold mining is widespread in Africa and especially in Cameroon and South Cameroon region which is planned to be explored and local people are trying to operate these mines by traditional primitive methods. In this study, the general geological, stratigraphical and morphostructural features of the approximately 150 km2 area covering the Biwong Boulou-Mvangan Region has been evaluated. The study area is located in the Ntem Complex. The Ntem Complex has been subdivided into three units: Ntem, Nyong and Ayna. During the field studies more than 20 rock samples were collected from magmatic gneiss, green rocks (amphibole gneiss), Charnockite and quartzites in the study area. Morphostructurally, the study area presents a monotonous topography with comprise three morphological units, with elevation between 560 m and 900 meters. The topographical map and satellite images analysis reveals the limits of the exploited block. It forms on elliptical surface, oriented NE-SW as the regional foliation. This confirms that the drainage pattern of study area is under structural control. As a result of the studies carried out in the study area, The Archean metasedimentary, charnockite and migmatitic gneisses are located in the Biwong-Boulou Mangan region in the South of Cameroon. It is estimated that there is gold and uranium mineralization in the unit and more detailed studies are planned for this subject in the future.