Caracterización geológica del área de operación de la concesión minera Nanguipa Leo, parroquia San Carlos de las Minas, cantón Zamora, provincia de Zamora Chinchipe

Abstract

Abstract: This research describes the geological characterization of the operating area of the Nanguipa Leo mining concession, which comprises seven contiguous mining hectares in the San Carlos de las Minas parish, within the Nambija metallogenic belt. The methodology integrated three phases: a topographic survey using drone photogrammetry with two geodetic control points; a 1:10,000-scale structural geological mapping with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses of eight samples; and the elaboration of a detailed structural geological map. The results indicate a steep terrain (1,417 1,621 m a.s.l.) with average slopes of 25°. The local geology is dominated by tuffs of the Piuntza Unit, and skarn to the south. Two quartz-calcite-pyrite veins were identified (trending SE and dipping SW), along with two geological faults (trending NE and NW, dipping SE and NE). XRD and XRF analyses defined three domains: volcanic host rock (andesitic to dacitic tuffs), metasomatic alteration (skarn), and oxidized shear zones. The 1:10,000-scale geological map serves as a technical resource for future exploration.