Journal of Earth Sciences and Geotechnical Engineering

Geophysical and Geochemical Investigation of Tantalite Mineral Deposits in Laisamis, Marsabit County, Kenya

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• Abstract

   

  This study investigated tantalite mineralisation in the Laisamis area, Kenya, using integrated geophysical and geochemical methods. Electrical resistivity surveying employed the Schlumberger configuration along four 400 m profiles with 10 m spacing. Resistivity pseudosections revealed that mineralized zones occur within conductive layers ranging from 12–186 O · m in the upper 30 m of the subsurface, while high-resistivity bedrock of greater than 2,000 O · m marks the lower boundary of mineralisation. These conductive anomalies correspond to weathered troughs and fractured zones within pegmatite bodies hosting tantalite deposits, which are the primary source of tantalum. Geochemical analysis via X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry confirmed concentrations above 43% in six of ten rock samples, positioning them as high-grade ores. Niobium, iron, and manganese were present as associated elements, with low minor element content indicating clean mineral assemblages favourable for processing. The combination of resistivity imaging and XRF data successfully delineated the spatial extent, depth, and grade of mineralisation. This study demonstrates that integrated geophysical and geochemical methods offer a non-invasive, cost-effective approach for exploring critical metals in underdeveloped regions, supporting sustainable resource development in Kenya.

   

  Keywords: Tantalite, Resistivity, Schlumberger, Pegmatite, Pseudosection, X-ray fluorescence.