Iron ore prospecting using remote sensing and aeromagnetic data in parts of sheet 224 (Osi), Nigeria

Abstract

 In recent years, the solid mineral sector has emerged as a central focus of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda, attracting heightened attention from both policymakers and researchers. Iron ore, in particular, is of global economic significance, and its sustainable development has the potential to make substantial contributions to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This research applies an integrated exploration strategy that combines remote sensing with aeromagnetic techniques to investigate iron ore mineralisation in parts of Sheet 224 (Osi), located in southwestern Nigeria. Structural analysis reveals that the most prominent lineament orientations trend NNE–SSW (18.52%), NE–SW (17.28%), and ENE–WSW to NW (16.05%). Aeromagnetic data analysis shows prospective mineralisation zones concentrated in the central and northeastern sectors, while enhanced analytical signal values (0.200–0.398) delineate additional target zones primarily situated in the eastern portion of the study area. Spectral depth estimates distinguish two levels of anomalies: shallow sources ranging from 0.06 m to 0.82 m, and deeper sources between 0.40 m and 1.50 m. These results demonstrate that the integration of aeromagnetic datasets with remote sensing imagery provides a reliable framework for identifying subsurface structures and assessing the distribution of iron ore mineralisation.