Defining potential mineral exploration targets from the interpretation of aeromagnetic data in western Rwanda

Mineral resources take a leading economic role in Rwanda where geological structures play a key role in the exploration of mineral deposits. In this study, we used the newly developed Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) grid analysis on processed aeromagnetic datasets for structural interpretation over a portion of western Rwanda. The interpreted lineaments follow a predominantly NW- and NNW-trending orientation, while other orientations in the survey area include NE-, ENE- and, more rarely E-trending structures. Subsequently, a detailed structural complexity map based on the results was constructed. Delineated favorable exploration targets occur within meta-sediments or along lithological contacts between meta-sediments and igneous complexes and correspond to operating mine sites. This study reveals that structural interpretation based on aeromagnetic data is an efficient tool in mineral exploration.