LITHOLOGIC-PETROGRAPHIC-PETROLOGIC INVESTIGATION OF ROCK OUTCROPS ALONG A DISCERNED SCHIST BELT, GIDAN KWANO CAMPUS, MINNA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The conclusion drawn from the standalone macroscopic-lithologic study of a previous work was significant in correlating a vestige of the Kazaure-Karaukarau-Kushaka-Ilesha Schist Belt through the southern reaches of the Gidan Kwano Campus.The absence of acorresponding microscopic-petrographic analysis for that previous study creates a petrographic knowledge gap. Aims: To replicate and complete macroscopic and microscopic analyses of outcrops along the vestige of the Kazaure-Karaukarau-Kushaka-Ilesha Schist Belt, as well as to conduct a petrologic investigation of the percentage occurrence of schist rock-mass north of this discerned schist belt. Methods: The macroscopic-lithologic study proceeded by classifying observed outcrops at the 11 coincident groundwater-prospect/outcrop locations determined from that previous study by their physical attributes. The microscopic-petrographic investigation proceeded by subjecting rock samples collected during the concurrent macroscopic-lithologic survey phase to thin-section analyses. For the macroscopic-petrologic phase investigation, outcrop locations to the north of the Belt were classified on the basis of their observable characteristics. Result: The lithologic-investigation phase of this study reveals a higher number of outcrop rock samples identified as “granite” compared to schist based on textural and observable surface characteristics. The petrographic investigation of these outcrop rock samples reveals a higher occurrence of schist than of granite. The petrologic investigation phase reveals no presence of schist outcrops in the area north of the discerned Belt. Discussion: Thus, a stronger argument has been further presented that the discerned rock-mass diagonal of the revious standalone macroscopic-lithologic study is actually the Kazaure-Karaukarau-Kushaka-Ilesha Schist Belt. Conclusion: It is recommended that the Federal University of Technology, Minna, concentrate efforts on this rock-mass diagonal named “Jonahite” and its northeast-southwest extensions through the University’s landholding in order to explore for groundwater and gold-mineral resources, schist being the ideal repository host rock of sustainable groundwater and gold deposits in the Nigerian basement complex geological province.