Aeromagnetic Data Interpretation for Mineral Potential Assessment in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Plateau State in North Central Nigeria hosts diverse mineral occurrences including tin, columbite, tantalite, and industrial minerals associated with its Jos Plateau Basement Complex and younger granites. This undergraduate study interprets publicly available aeromagnetic data from the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency to identify magnetic lineaments and anomalies indicative of mineral-hosting structures across the central Jos Plateau. Total magnetic intensity data were subjected to standard enhancement filters including reduction to the pole, first vertical derivative, analytic signal, and tilt angle derivative to accentuate structural and lithological boundaries. Euler deconvolution was applied using a structural index of 0.5 appropriate for dyke-like bodies to estimate depths to magnetic sources. Interpreted lineament maps reveal a dominant NE-SW structural trend consistent with the regional Pan-African orogenic fabric, alongside secondary NW-SE and E-W trending features associated with younger granite emplacement. Several circular magnetic highs are identified as candidates for ring dyke complexes associated with Jurassic anorogenic magmatism. These structural intersections historically correlate with mineralised zones in the Jos-Bukuru complex. The study delineates priority areas for follow-up ground geophysical surveys and geological mapping campaigns. Results are compared with available mineral occurrence data from the Geological Survey Agency to validate the approach. Keywords: aeromagnetic interpretation, mineral potential, Plateau State, structural lineaments, Jos Plateau