Research Article
Lithology, Sulfide Mineralization, and Hydrothermal Alteration in an Emerging Birimian Gold District: Yas Permit, Boundiali Area, Bagoue Basin, West African Craton
Issue:
Volume 13, Issue 6, December 2025
Pages:
170-179
Received:
10 October 2025
Accepted:
21 October 2025
Published:
28 November 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11
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Abstract: The Birimian greenstone belts of West Africa are globally recognized for hosting some of the most prolific orogenic gold deposits. In Côte d’Ivoire, the Bagoue Basin forms a major segment of the Boundiali Belt and represents one of the most promising yet underexplored gold provinces. This study focuses on the lithological, petrographic, and mineralogical characterization of the volcano-sedimentary formations within the YAS exploration permit, located in the Boundiali area. The research is based on a detailed analysis of diamond drill cores obtained from three mineralized targets (Targets 2, 3, and 10). The intercepted sequences are dominated by sedimentary units including sandstones, shales, and polymictic conglomerates, locally intruded by fine-grained mafic dykes. These rocks display intense and multiphase hydrothermal alteration, mainly silicification, chloritization, carbonation, and potassic alteration, which are closely associated with polymetallic sulfide mineralization composed of pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, and chalcopyrite. The occurrence of visible gold within Target 3 confirms the presence of a structurally controlled orogenic gold system, spatially related to NE-SW-trending shear zones. Collectively, these results demonstrate the strong influence of structural and hydrothermal processes in the metallogeny of the Bagoue Basin and emphasize the significant exploration potential of the YAS permit for future large-scale gold discoveries in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
Abstract: The Birimian greenstone belts of West Africa are globally recognized for hosting some of the most prolific orogenic gold deposits. In Côte d’Ivoire, the Bagoue Basin forms a major segment of the Boundiali Belt and represents one of the most promising yet underexplored gold provinces. This study focuses on the lithological, petrographic, and mineral...
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,
Yaya Ouattara,
Chiaye Larissa Koffi epse Coulibaly
