Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Lithology, Sulfide Mineralization, and Hydrothermal Alteration in an Emerging Birimian Gold District: Yas Permit, Boundiali Area, Bagoue Basin, West African Craton

Received: 10 October 2025     Accepted: 21 October 2025     Published: 28 November 2025
Views:       Downloads:
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.

Published in American Journal of Life Sciences (Volume 13, Issue 6)
DOI 10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11
Page(s) 170-179
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Birimian, Boundiali Belt, Bagoue Basin, Lithology, Sulfide Mineralization, Hydrothermal Alteration, Côte d’Ivoire

References
[1] Feybesse, J. L., Beziat, D., Lahondere, D., Milesi, J. P., Vinchon, C., Castaing, J. Y., Tegyey, M., & Triboulet, C. (2006). Geology of West and Central Africa. Paris: French Geological Survey (BRGM).
[2] Kouakou, Y. K. N., Yao, G. F., Nangah, K. Y., Guety, T. P., & Yao-Kouame, A. (2022). Geochemical characteristics of volcanic host rocks of gold and sulphide mineralization at Mangodara in the Paleoproterozoic greenstone belts of Banfora, southern Burkina Faso (West African Craton). In JSDC-6 - Abstract book, PTR Mines, Petroleum, Water and Soil (p. 37). CAMES. Available online: jsdc. cames. online.
[3] Konan, R. A., Kouame, S., N'Guessan, Y. E., & Brantson, E. T. (2024). Mapping of deep geological formations within the Akakro locality, Toumodi region, Central Côte d'Ivoire - West Africa. SSRN Electronic Journal.
[4] Pouclet, A., Kouamelan, A. N., Djemai, S., Doumbia, S., & Vidal, M. (2006). Review of the Palaeoproterozoic (Birimian) volcanism in central Ivory Coast (West Africa) and its geodynamic implications. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 44(3), 379-406.
[5] Egal, E., Coffi, K. E., Giresse, P., KOFFI, G. J., Osse, M. A., & Konan, G. (2002). The Paleoproterozoic (Birimian) of southwestern Côte d'Ivoire (western Africa): geology and U Pb geochronology from new mapped region. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 35(2), 167-180.
[6] Baratoux, L., Metelka, V., Naba, S., Jessell, M. W., Gregory, M., & Ganne, J. (2011). Juvenile Paleoproterozoic crust evolution in the southern West African Craton: The Boromo-Goren greenstone belt, Burkina Faso. Precambrian Research, 191(1-2), 18-45.
[7] Oberthür, T., et al. (1996). Gold mineralization in the Ashanti Belt (Ghana): genetic constraints from alteration assemblages and ore paragenesis. Economic Geology, 91, 289-312.
[8] Lüdtke, G., Accoley, O. Y., Ahile, K., & Houssou, S. A. (1998). Explanatory notes of the geological map of Côte d’Ivoire at 1: 200,000, Bondoukou sheet (071). Directorate of Geology, Abidjan.
[9] Lüdtke, G., Accoley, O. Y., Ahile, K., & Houssou, S. A. (1999). Explanatory notes of the geological map of Côte d’Ivoire at 1: 200,000, Dabakala sheet (072). Directorate of Geology, Abidjan.
[10] Phillips, G. N., & Powell, R. (2010). Gold-only deposits and myths: a discussion of LGM and LP orogenic systems. Geoscience Canada, 37(1).
[11] Milési, J. P., Ledru, P., Ankrah, P., Johan, V., Marcoux, E., & Vinchon, C. (1991). The metallogenic relationship between Birimian and Tarkwaian gold deposits in Ghana. Mineralium Deposita, 26(3), 228-238.
[12] Milési, J. P., Feybesse, J. L., Ledru, P., Dommanget, A., Marques, J. C., Vinchon, C., Johan, V., Tegyey, M., Castaing, J. Y., Poujol, M., & Barbey, P. (1992). The Paleoproterozoic of the western margin of the West African craton: a segment of the Amazonian chain individualized by the Eburnean orogeny. Chroniques de Recherche Minière, [Chronicles of Mining Research] 507, 3-26.
[13] Tagini, B. (1971). Structural outline of Côte d’Ivoire: an essay on regional geotectonics. Doctoral dissertation, University of Lausanne. Rap. Sodemi, Abidjan, 266 pp.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Atto, R. S. D., Ouattara, Y., Coulibaly, C. L. K. E., Monde, S. (2025). Lithology, Sulfide Mineralization, and Hydrothermal Alteration in an Emerging Birimian Gold District: Yas Permit, Boundiali Area, Bagoue Basin, West African Craton. American Journal of Life Sciences, 13(6), 170-179. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11

    Copy | Download

    ACS Style

    Atto, R. S. D.; Ouattara, Y.; Coulibaly, C. L. K. E.; Monde, S. Lithology, Sulfide Mineralization, and Hydrothermal Alteration in an Emerging Birimian Gold District: Yas Permit, Boundiali Area, Bagoue Basin, West African Craton. Am. J. Life Sci. 2025, 13(6), 170-179. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11

    Copy | Download

    AMA Style

    Atto RSD, Ouattara Y, Coulibaly CLKE, Monde S. Lithology, Sulfide Mineralization, and Hydrothermal Alteration in an Emerging Birimian Gold District: Yas Permit, Boundiali Area, Bagoue Basin, West African Craton. Am J Life Sci. 2025;13(6):170-179. doi: 10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11

    Copy | Download

  • @article{10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11,
      author = {Ronald Sosthene DesireYapi Atto and Yaya Ouattara and Chiaye Larissa Koffi epse Coulibaly and Sylvain Monde},
      title = {Lithology, Sulfide Mineralization, and Hydrothermal Alteration in an Emerging Birimian Gold District: Yas Permit, Boundiali Area, Bagoue Basin, West African Craton
    },
      journal = {American Journal of Life Sciences},
      volume = {13},
      number = {6},
      pages = {170-179},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajls.20251306.11},
      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.
    },
     year = {2025}
    }
    

    Copy | Download

  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Lithology, Sulfide Mineralization, and Hydrothermal Alteration in an Emerging Birimian Gold District: Yas Permit, Boundiali Area, Bagoue Basin, West African Craton
    
    AU  - Ronald Sosthene DesireYapi Atto
    AU  - Yaya Ouattara
    AU  - Chiaye Larissa Koffi epse Coulibaly
    AU  - Sylvain Monde
    Y1  - 2025/11/28
    PY  - 2025
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11
    T2  - American Journal of Life Sciences
    JF  - American Journal of Life Sciences
    JO  - American Journal of Life Sciences
    SP  - 170
    EP  - 179
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-5737
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20251306.11
    AB  - 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.
    
    VL  - 13
    IS  - 6
    ER  - 

    Copy | Download

Author Information
  • Sections