Geology and Gold Mineralization in Ghana - Geological Provinces and Gold Mineralization

The book provides a comprehensive overview of the various geological provinces in Ghana, with a major emphasis on the gold mineralization styles. Specifically, it elucidates the geology of Ghana in the context of gold deposits. 
Ghana is located in the Leo-Man Shield of the West African Craton (WAC), enriched in several precious mineral deposits, especially gold, and hence was once called Gold Coast before independence in 1957. Today, Ghana is the largest gold producer in Africa and the sixth largest globally. Gold production in the country constitutes about one-third of the country s total revenue. Gold deposits in Ghana have been exploited for centuries. However, except for a few isolated and, probably, old literature, knowledge gaps towards understanding gold mineralization styles in Ghana are evident. Also, studies related to the genesis of the major types of gold mineralization in Ghana are inadequate. Therefore, this book mainly focuses on comprehensively describing the geology of Ghana and establishing the link between the geology and gold mineralization. The contributions involve current state-of-the-art knowledge of gold deposits based on field studies, petrology, structural geology, geodynamic settings/tectonics, geochemistry, isotope geology, economic geology, and related studies. 
The book is divided into five parts, covering all the aspects of the geology and gold mineralization in Ghana. The first part introduces readers to the geology and gold mineralization styles in Ghana and provides a brief description of the occurrence and general geological features of the main gold deposit types in Ghana. The second part features the structural controls on gold deposits in Ghana since gold mineralization in the country is primarily structurally controlled. Moreover, since the gold deposits in Ghana are largely hosted in lithologies belonging to the Birimian Supergroup and the Tarkwaian Group, the petrogenesis of these lithologies is discussed in the third part. In the fourth part, the geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, fluid evolution, and genesis of hydrothermal gold deposits in Ghana are discussed. Finally, in the last part, readers will find the application of new techniques like machine learning in predicting gold-bearing lithologies in Ghana.  The book would provide a conceptual framework for identifying gaps in future research on gold mineralization in the country. The book will be helpful to students/researchers/faculty members studying Earth Science-related programs and also assist industries in understanding the various rock types in Ghana and the general styles of gold mineralization. It can be used as a textbook at higher levels of education in the country and globally.

List of contents

.- Part I: Introduction to the Geology and Gold Mineralization in Ghana1-Geology and Gold Mineralization Styles in Ghana
.- Part II: Structural Controls of Gold Deposits in Ghana 2- Structural Controls on Orogenic Gold Mineralization: Evidence from the Major Operating Mines in Ghana
.- Part III: Geology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Fluid Evolution and Genesis of Hydrothermal Gold Deposits in Ghana3-Ore Petrography, Litho-characterization and Role of Host Rocks for Hydrothermal Gold Mineralization in the Subika Deposit, Ahafo, Ghana4-Constraints on Fluid Composition and Physico-chemical Conditions for the Birimian Gold Deposits in Ghana5- Footprints of Hydrothermal Gold Mineralization in the Kawere Sandstones, Tarkwaian Group, Ghana: Insights from the Badukrom Prospect at Iduapriem6-Trace Element Characteristics in Ore-associated Sulfides and their Records of Fluid Conditions During Hydrothermal Gold Mineralization in the Damang Gold Deposit, SW Ghana7-A Comparative Study of the Rhyacian-Hosted Gold Deposits in Ghana and Mali: Implications for Gold Exploration in the Sub-Region
.- Part IV: Lithostratigraphy and Sedimentological Characteristics of the Voltaian Basin in Ghana8-An Overview of the Voltaian Basin of Ghana:  A Guide for its Future Hydrocarbon Prospects Assessment.

About the author

Dr. Emmanuel Daanoba Sunkari is an Associate Professor of Mining Engineering at Sir Padampat Singhania University, India, with expertise in mining geology and sustainable environmental management. His interdisciplinary work combines technical expertise in mineral exploration, mining engineering, and environmental management with stakeholder engagement, community-centered design, and sustainable development. He holds a PhD in Geological Engineering from Türkiye, graduating top of his class. Dr. Sunkari has over a decade of academic and professional experience, including roles at the University of Mines and Technology (Ghana), TÜBİTAK (Türkiye), and the University of Johannesburg (South Africa). Dr. Sunkari has extensive consultancy experience with various exploration and mining companies and has secured numerous research grants. He has published over 55 peer-reviewed papers, presented at 50+ conferences, and received multiple best paper awards. His scholarly work has garnered 1500+ Google Scholar citations. He serves on editorial boards of several reputable international journals and reviews for over 30 international journals. Dr. Sunkari is also a member and fellow of numerous professional associations and maintains active collaborations with geoscientists worldwide.

Dr. Shakir Ali is a hydrogeologist and works for Jal Jeevan Mission, sponsored by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India. Dr. Shakir research domains include groundwater contaminants, particularly fluoride, environmental isotopes, and groundwater modelling. He has published 25+ research articles in international peer-reviewed journals and edited three books with Springer, including one in the HEC top series of Springer. Dr. Shakir has received 1250+ Google Scholar citations to date. He earned a master’s degree in hydrogeology from the prestigious Institute of India, IIT Bombay, and obtained his Ph.D. from the University of Delhi. He has 10+ years of research and teaching experience in the field of hydrogeology and geology. Dr. Shakir has qualified for several competitive exams in India and received numerous scholarships. He serves as a reviewer for dozens of international journals published by Springer and Elsevier. He has also served as an Assistant Professor at Himachal Pradesh University and delivered numerous lectures on hydrogeology and ore genesis. He is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Summary

The book provides a comprehensive overview of the various geological provinces in Ghana, with a major emphasis on the gold mineralization styles. Specifically, it elucidates the geology of Ghana in the context of gold deposits.
 
Ghana is located in the Leo-Man Shield of the West African Craton (WAC), enriched in several precious mineral deposits, especially gold, and hence was once called “Gold Coast” before independence in 1957. Today, Ghana is the largest gold producer in Africa and the sixth largest globally. Gold production in the country constitutes about one-third of the country’s total revenue. Gold deposits in Ghana have been exploited for centuries. However, except for a few isolated and, probably, old literature, knowledge gaps towards understanding gold mineralization styles in Ghana are evident. Also, studies related to the genesis of the major types of gold mineralization in Ghana are inadequate. Therefore, this book mainly focuses on comprehensively describing the geology of Ghana and establishing the link between the geology and gold mineralization. The contributions involve current state-of-the-art knowledge of gold deposits based on field studies, petrology, structural geology, geodynamic settings/tectonics, geochemistry, isotope geology, economic geology, and related studies.
 
The book is divided into five parts, covering all the aspects of the geology and gold mineralization in Ghana. The first part introduces readers to the geology and gold mineralization styles in Ghana and provides a brief description of the occurrence and general geological features of the main gold deposit types in Ghana. The second part features the structural controls on gold deposits in Ghana since gold mineralization in the country is primarily structurally controlled. Moreover, since the gold deposits in Ghana are largely hosted in lithologies belonging to the Birimian Supergroup and the Tarkwaian Group, the petrogenesis of these lithologies is discussed in the third part. In the fourth part, the geology, mineralogy, geochemistry, fluid evolution, and genesis of hydrothermal gold deposits in Ghana are discussed. Finally, in the last part, readers will find the application of new techniques like machine learning in predicting gold-bearing lithologies in Ghana. 
 
The book would provide a conceptual framework for identifying gaps in future research on gold mineralization in the country. The book will be helpful to students/researchers/faculty members studying Earth Science-related programs and also assist industries in understanding the various rock types in Ghana and the general styles of gold mineralization. It can be used as a textbook at higher levels of education in the country and globally.

Product details

• Assisted by: Ali (Editor), Shakir Ali (Editor), Emmanuel Daanoba Sunkari (Editor), Emmanuel Daanoba Sunkari (Editor)
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 12.09.2025
• EAN: 9783031971624
• ISBN: 978-3-0-3197162-4
• No. of pages: 356
• Illustrations: XII, 356 p. 101 illus., 81 illus. in color.
• Series: Earth and Environmental Sciences Library
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences; Geochemie, Petrologie (Gesteinskunde), Petrografie und Mineralogie, Petrology, Mineralogy, Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Lithostratigraphy, Geology of Ghana, Gold Mineralization, West African Craton, Hydrothermal Gold Deposits