Using Spatial Distribution of Termite Mounds To Support Subsurface Geological Imaging In A Complex Regolith Terrain of Sefwi-Bibiani Gold Belt, SW Ghana

Termites burrow along discontinuities in search for food and water in the earth system. Some discontinuities intersect with major and minor faults others coincide with stratigraphic contacts whilst others extend to the base of the regolith. Using the spatial distribution of termite mounds can support subsurface imaging of the hidden structures that may be hosting minerals of interest. In this research, a total of 1171 termite mounds were mapped, processed to determine the termite mounds correlations, densities, directional trends and relationships with geological structures as well as geophysical anomalies. The results showed most of the termite mounds spatially were located along a major NE-SW trend, a recognized major structure in the Birimian of southwest Ghana and NNW-SSE. In conclusion, the study realized the highest density per kilometre occurred along the stratigraphic contacts and fault zones. Significantly the application of spatial distribution of termite mounds can define structures hidden under the regolith and will be cheaper compared with other techniques of structure identification for mineral exploration.