Geophysical and Chemical Analysis of Iron ORE Deposits in Maua, Kenya

Authors

  • Benson C. Mwirigi  Physics Department, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
  • John G. Githiri  Physics Department, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
  • Willis Ambusso  Physics Department, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya

Keywords:

Iron ore, Ground Magnetics, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy

Abstract

Ground magnetic surveying was used to detect magnetic rocks within host formations in Kindani area of Maua. A fluxgate magnetometer was used to measure the vertical component of the Earth's magnetic field in some 98 stations, covering an area of about 25km2. Diurnal and geomagnetic corrections were done on the data. A RMI contour map delineates varied anomalies spread out within the region. The anomalies mostly trend on NW-SE and SW-NE directions. Four cross sectional profiles were drawn across anomalous regions. The data obtained was used in 2D modeling using Euler software which gives estimated depths to magnetic structures at between 0 -1500m. Forward modeling using Mag2dc software shows bodies of susceptibility between -1.724 SI to 1.7624 SI. The depth to top of magnetic structures ranges from 0-136m, which indicates shallow structures. A chemical analysis of some rock samples indicates quantity of Fe2O3 at an average of 25%. This shows significant quantities of iron which confirms presence of iron ore in the area. This confirms presence of extended iron deposits within the region, in addition to the deposits discovered at neighbouring Kimachia.

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International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology

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Published

2016-03-05

Issue

Volume 2, Issue 1, January-February-2016

Section

Research Articles

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

[1]
Benson C. Mwirigi, John G. Githiri, Willis Ambusso, " Geophysical and Chemical Analysis of Iron ORE Deposits in Maua, Kenya, International Journal of Scientific Research in Science, Engineering and Technology(IJSRSET), Print ISSN : 2395-1990, Online ISSN : 2394-4099, Volume 2, Issue 1, pp.563-570, January-February-2016.