Contribution to mineral exploration along the cameroon volcanic line in bafmeng area, nw cameroon: constraints from stream sediments geochemistry

Oku’s stratovolcano to which Bafmeng area belongs to, is the second largest summit of the Cameroon Volcanic Line and it has ne ver been investigated regarding their mineral potential. Stream sediments geochemistry of the Bafmeng area were carrying out with the aim to elucidating the mineral potential of Mount Oku. The data obtained by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry were statistically treated. Amongst major elements Fe, Al, Mn, Mg and Ti were the most representative and their highest values are 35.5%, 2.01%, 8.63%, 11.7%, 3.8% respectively. Base metal such as Cu, Zn, Sn have slightly high contents with their respective maximum values of 22.7ppm, 517ppm and 4ppm. Lithium has a contents ranging from 2.5ppm to 7.2ppm. A highest value of 950ppm was recorded for Ni, 426ppm for Cr and 76.7ppm for Co. Regarding the Rare Earth Elements, Ce and La were the most presents yielding the maximum contents of 500ppm and 150ppm respectively. Radioactive elements such as U, Th, Pb show very low contents. Stream sediments of Bafmeng area underwent little transportation and moderate chemical weathering. Little anthropogenic activities are carrying on in the localities, therefore enrichment of stream sediments in some elements are directly linked to the high contents of those elements in the country rocks, thus the follow up is recommend to define prospects in Bafmeng area.