Geochronology and correlations in the Central African Fold Belt along the northern edge of the Congo Craton: New insights from U-Pb dating of zircons from Cameroon, Central African Republic, and south-western Chad

Toteu, S.F.; Wit, Maarten de; Pénaye, Joseph; Drost, Kerstin; Tait, Joyce; Bouyo, M. Houketchang; Schmus, W. R. Van; Jelsma, Hielke A.; Moloto-A-Kenguemba, G.; Filho, Adejardo Francisco da Silva; Lerouge, Cathérine; Doucouré, Moctar

doi:10.1016/j.gr.2022.03.010

Cited by 45 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 92 publications

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“…(2) the Palaeoproterozoic Nyong Complex (e.g., Bouyo Houketchang et al, 2019;Loose & Schenk, 2018;Soh et al, 2021;Toteu et al, 1994) to the NW of the Congo Craton; and (3) the Neoproterozoic Yaoundé Group (e.g., Kamani et al, 2021;Nzenti et al, 1988;Toteu et al, 2022) representing the southern part of the Central African Pan-African Range that resulted from the convergence and continental collision at ca. 600 Ma (Figure 1a,b) (e.g., Kamani et al, 2021;Ledru et al, 1994;Owona, Ratschbacher, et al, 2020).…”

Section: Regional Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Eclogitic assemblages or residual seafloor sequences remain mysterious, and subduction processes have developed (Owona et al, 2022). The Precambrian basement of the Ntem Complex (Figure 1c) consists of three major structural units, including (1) the Congo Craton, locally called the Ntem Complex, consisting of Archean cratonic geological formations (e.g., Akame et al, 2021; Maurizot et al, 1986; Pouclet et al, 2007; Tchameni et al, 2010) in the south; (2) the Palaeoproterozoic Nyong Complex (e.g., Bouyo Houketchang et al, 2019; Loose & Schenk, 2018; Soh et al, 2021; Toteu et al, 1994) to the NW of the Congo Craton; and (3) the Neoproterozoic Yaoundé Group (e.g., Kamani et al, 2021; Nzenti et al, 1988; Toteu et al, 2022) representing the southern part of the Central African Pan‐African Range that resulted from the convergence and continental collision at ca. 600 Ma (Figure 1a,b) (e.g., Kamani et al, 2021; Ledru et al, 1994; Owona, Ratschbacher, et al, 2020).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The orthogneisses of the Nyong Complex underwent granulitefacies metamorphism associated with the intrusion of charnockitic rocks (Bouyo Houketchang et al, 2019; Lerouge et al, 2006; Owona et al, 2022; Toteu et al, 1994). The Nyong Complex also underwent a second, high‐temperature (amphibolite‐granulite) metamorphic event at around 600 Ma in association with the Pan‐African Orogeny (Toteu et al, 2022).…”

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Petrology and geochemistry of metamorphosed rocks associated with iron formations of the Toko‐Nlokeng iron deposit, (Southern Cameroon): Implications for geodynamic evolution and mineralization

2023

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Detailed petrographic, lithostratigraphic, and geochemical data of metamorphosed orthogneisses and mafic‐ultramafic metavolcanic rocks intruded into the greenstone belt of the Toko‐Nlokeng iron deposit have enabled the reconstruction of the tectonic and geodynamic setting and crustal evolution of the Nyong Complex. Samples were collected from the drill holes TNF11_01 and TNF11_02 from 17.16 m to 335.85 m depth. The lithostratigraphy supported by field and petrographic observations outlines two main lithologies: Iron formations (IFs) and metamorphosed host rocks. The IFs (granular iron formations (GIF) and banded iron formations (BIF)) are intercalated with host rocks consisting of orthogneisses and mafic‐ultramafic rocks. New and published geochemical data of metamorphosed associated IFs from Anyouzok (TNF08 prospect) of the Toko‐Nlokeng iron deposit, Mewengo iron deposit, Bipindi, and Kribi metavolcanic rocks in the Nyong Complex, suggest that these rocks were formed by material from intrusive and extrusive magmatic episodes with mid‐ocean ridge basalts (MORB) contaminated by either subduction or crustal components. CaO/Al2O3 and (Gd/Yb)N ratios >1 and positive Nb anomalies in ultramafic rocks indicate a mantle plume source contaminated by metasomatized subduction mantle lithosphere. These data also show that the mafic‐ultramafic metavolcanic rocks derive from magma of basaltic and basaltic andesite compositions, with a tholeiitic to calc‐alkaline tendency characteristic of the upper mantle. These data reveal that gneisses derive from granite and diorite subalkaline, peraluminous, and ferroan to magnesian compatible with Cordilleran magmas and island arcs with polygenetic crustal signatures. All samples of mafic granulites, garnet‐amphibolite, metabasites, and ultramafic granulites in the Nyong Complex reveal no residual garnet and predominantly show ca. 4% partial melting of an amphibole‐spinel‐peridotite source in the Dy/Yb versus La/Yb. Otherwise, hornblendites of Toko‐Nlokeng display ca. 5% partial melting of an amphibole‐garnet‐peridotite source, average (Gd/Yb)CN ratio of the hornblendites is (Gd/Yb)CN = 7.56 > 2. This result suggests these hornblendites do not have the same magmatic source as other mafic‐ultramafic rocks of the Nyong Complex. Mafic‐ultramafic host rock protoliths are classified as E‐MORB, P‐MORB, and G‐MORB (hornblendites) compositional types and arc, back‐arc ‘B’ in subduction unrelated, rifted margin setting with minor crustal contamination. The tholeiitic to calc‐alkaline and peraluminous affinity of these rocks indicate a mature arc and thickened crust during the Eburnean Trans‐Amazonian orogenic belts of the Congo Craton. This study shows that the host rocks were emplaced in a convergent tectonic setting and affected by a syn‐collisional episode where melts were derived from the partial melting of thick basaltic crust into amphibolite–eclogite facies in the subduction zone. The geochemical signatures of the mafic‐ultramafic rocks support the tectonic accretionary of the Palaeoprotero...

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Section: Regional Geologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Geological Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Petrology and geochemistry of metamorphosed rocks associated with iron formations of the Toko‐Nlokeng iron deposit, (Southern Cameroon): Implications for geodynamic evolution and mineralization

2023

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“…630–600 Ma, which are recorded by tonalitic to granodioritic calc-alkaline magnesian plutonism 83 , 110 – 112 . Similarly, a Cryogenian arc system is interpreted in the Mayo Kebbi area of Chad/Cameroon 107 , superseded by Ediacaran plutons interpreted as continental arc intrusions 113 .…”

Section: Opening and Closure Of V-shaped Oceans: The Generation Of In...mentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of V-shaped oceans and ribbon continents in the Brasiliano/PanAfrican assembly of western Gondwana

Caxito

Alkmim

2023

Sci Rep

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Western Gondwana amalgamated by collision of continental blocks that did not form prior conjugated margins (extroversion), and by typical Wilson cycles, when continental blocks that rifted away giving birth to new oceans were subsequently re-joined in approximately the same position (introversion). The introverted systems are characterized by the opening of V-shaped basins through rifting and hyperextension of various continental pieces (micro- and ribbon continents) from a former Central African Block. These continental fragments lost substantial parts of their mantle lithosphere and became decratonized while drifting towards the external Goiás-Pharusian ocean. Protracted seafloor spreading and consumption through subduction of the internal and external oceans, respectively, ultimately led to multiple, diachronous collisions with other continental blocks detached from Rodinia (Amazonian, West Africa, Embu, etc.). These collisions pushed the ribbon continents back and closed the introverted basins, squeezing and incorporating the reworked basement tracts between the main colliding blocks and the rigid remainder of the Central African Block (the São Francisco-Congo craton). Continental extrusion and lateral escape tectonics ensued, generating thousands-of-km long networks of anastomosing directional shear zones (keirogens), as a consequence of both the accretionary systems developed between the involved blocks and the highly deformable nature of the decratonized ribbon continents.

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“…2080-2050 Ma) with a Pan-African overprint at ca. 620-500 Ma (U-Pb zircon ages; Chombong et al 2017;Nzepang Tankwa et al 2020;Owona et al 2021;Soh Tamehe et al 2021;Djoukouo Soh et al 2021;Kwamou et al 2021;Kouankap Nono et al 2022;Mvodo et al 2022;Toteu et al 2022).…”

Section: Regional Geological Settingunclassified

Mapping geological configuration using geophysics data: an investigative approach in targeting iron ore, gold mineralization and other commodities, a case study of Toko-Nlokeng area (Nyong Greenstone Belt, SW Cameroon)

Aboula

Ondoa

Ndjigui

2023

Applied Earth Science

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Regional geophysical data are important for detecting the presence of mineral deposits under cover. This study used geophysical data coupled with field geology of the Toko-Nlokeng area, Cameroon, to locate and map structures and lithologies as part of an exploration campaign for mineral deposits. The airborne geophysical survey in the Toko-Nlokeng area located in the Nyong complex revealed a predominantly EW striking highly folded series result of polyphase deformation of iron formations and host rocks divided into domains based on magnetic and radiometric character. The geophysical data indicate that major faults and shear zones strike NE-SW, with N-S striking units on the western margin and mainly E-W striking units in the rest of the area. These data suggest a major N-S thrust fault similar to the Borborema Province (NE Brazil) terrane marked by accretionary processes during the assembly of Western Gondwana. Several significant NE-SW striking shear zones are present. The data revealed many moderate to highly magnetic bodies that are interpreted as magnetite-bearing iron formation, mafic-ultramafic intrusions and flows, skarns, carbonatites and kimberlites. The magnetic and radiometric trends reveal the internal regional rock fabric and strike, and iron ore targets with magnetic anomaly up to 27,000 nT related to iron formations and other significant targets for gold, potassium (alteration) and uranium. The Toko-Nlokeng iron deposit is comprised of magnetite-bearing quartzite beds and is concordant with the surrounding host rocks and stands as one of a broad group of magnetite-dominated iron formations that occur throughout West and Central Africa. A new geological map was produced from mapped lithologies and microstructure characteristics of the iron formations, interpretations of the aeromagnetic data and structural features. The study results have important implications for regional exploration programs.

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Geochronology and correlations in the Central African Fold Belt along the northern edge of the Congo Craton: New insights from U-Pb dating of zircons from Cameroon, Central African Republic, and south-western Chad

Cited by 45 publications

References 92 publications

Petrology and geochemistry of metamorphosed rocks associated with iron formations of the Toko‐Nlokeng iron deposit, (Southern Cameroon): Implications for geodynamic evolution and mineralization

Petrology and geochemistry of metamorphosed rocks associated with iron formations of the Toko‐Nlokeng iron deposit, (Southern Cameroon): Implications for geodynamic evolution and mineralization

The role of V-shaped oceans and ribbon continents in the Brasiliano/PanAfrican assembly of western Gondwana

Mapping geological configuration using geophysics data: an investigative approach in targeting iron ore, gold mineralization and other commodities, a case study of Toko-Nlokeng area (Nyong Greenstone Belt, SW Cameroon)

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