Correction to: Airborne magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometric prospecting to delineate structures associated with gold mineralization—a case study in Yauri region, Northwestern, Nigeria

Topographic, airborne magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometric datasets were integrated to map the mineralized structures associated with gold occurrences in Yauri region, Northwestern, Nigeria. The surface and subsurface lineaments of the studied region were extracted from topographic (shaded-relief) and magnetic (total gradient) datasets respectively. The resulting superimposition of surface and subsurface lineaments were used to produce a composite structural map, with trends mostly oriented along the NE-SW, NNE-SSW, and E-W directions. These structural lineaments show strong correlation with the known localities of gold occurrence in the region. The three-dimensional Euler deconvolution technique provides a minimal depth estimate of less than 152 m to the concealed lineaments, which could be accessible by the miners. The gamma-ray spectrometric analysis reveals that occurrences of gold in the studied area are attributed to potassic hydrothermal alterations, which are linked to the structurally deformed zones with both surface and subsurface expressions. An exemplary stacked profile across Birnin Yauri reveals that the gold mineralization occurs in regions of potassic alteration and minima total gradient amplitudes. This showcases the influence of the hydrothermal fluids in decreasing the magnetite bearing signatures and also aid in forecasting new target zones for the gold mineralization. Hence, the findings from this study have shed light on the mineralized structures with occurrence of gold and also aid in curbing the chance finds pitting of the studied region.