Lithologic and structural mapping of the Abiete-Toko gold district in southern Cameroon, using Landsat 7 ETM+/SRTM

The geology of the Abiete-Toko gold district in South Cameroon is investigated using a combination of Landsat 7 ETM+/SRTM image processing techniques, conventional geologic field mapping and geostatistical analysis. The satellite images were treated using Principal Component Analysis and Sobel filters to separate the background noise from lithotectonic structures which were matched with field data. The results show that this area has been affected by a polyphase deformation represented by S1 foliation, Sc1 schistosity, L1 lineation, S2 foliation, F2 folds, and F3 shear zones and faults. A detailed analysis of all the structures led to the identification of two major networks of dextral and sinistral shear zones oriented WNW-ESE and NE-SW, respectively. These results may serve in mining prospection, especially in the search for tectonically controlled primary mineralization and so may significantly guide the exploration of primary gold mineralization in the Abiete-Toko area subjected to years of artisanal gold mining.