Reassessing Gold's Economic Potential: An Integrated Geophysical and Geochemical Study of the Ilesha Schist Belt, Southwestern Nigeria

This study presents a comprehensive reappraisal of the economic significance of gold mineralization within the Ilesha Schist Belt, Southwestern Nigeria, through an integrated application of geophysical and geochemical exploration techniques. Despite historical artisanal mining and previous geological investigations, the full economic potential of this region remains underexplored with modern, systematic approaches. This research employed Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and Frequency Domain Electromagnetic (FDEM) surveys to delineate subsurface structures and conductive zones associated with mineralization, complemented by detailed geochemical analysis of soil and rock samples for gold and associated pathfinder elements. The geophysical surveys successfully identified anomalous zones indicative of potential sulphide mineralization and quartz veins, while geochemical analyses revealed significant gold concentrations spatially correlated with these geophysical anomalies. The integrated interpretation of these datasets provides compelling evidence for previously unrecognized or underestimated gold occurrences, suggesting a higher economic viability than previously assessed. The findings underscore the critical role of integrated exploration methodologies in unlocking the full mineral potential of complex geological terrains like the Ilesha Schist Belt and offer valuable insights for future targeted exploration and sustainable resource development in Nigeria.