Rare earth element geochemistry and resource potential of alluvial sediments from the Mugheb watershed, Cameroon volcanic line
- 1Department of Geology, Mining and Environmental Science, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
- 2Higher Teachers Training College Bambili, The University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon
- 3Department of Geology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Abstract
The significance of rare earth elements (REEs) as critical metals in modern technology has led to the assessment of Mugheb sediments as a potentials unconventional resource. Sediments have sparked significant attention as a secondary source of REEs to traditional REE-bearing ores in recent times. This study evaluates resource potential of REEs, fractionation pattern, provenance and REEs signatures in alluvial sediments of Mugheb watershed, Cameroon. This area lacks data on REEs despite growing concerns on REE enrichment in sediments and unconventional economic potentials. Sediment samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total REE concentrations (∑REE) ranged from 215.30 to 457.90 mg/kg, with a pronounced enrichment of light REEs (LREEs: 204 to 431 mg/kg) over heavy REEs (HREEs: 11.30 to 21.60 mg/kg). The findings revealed anomalous concentrations for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, and Sm, critical for permanent magnet production in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Normalized ratios of (La/Yb)N :2.67 to 4.76, (La/Sm)N :0.87 to 1.29, (Gd/YbN :2.78 to 4.25 and (Ce/Sm)N :1.07 to 2.01), indicate significant REE fractionation during sedimentation processes. The multivariate statistical analysis suggests common input sources of REEs from natural geologic processes. The significant ∑REE (215.30 to 457.90), Nd + Pr (50.60-105.90), EI/SR (8.85–12.10), Y/Y* (0.73–0.87) and REEs + Y (225.80-476.10) values suggest a possible relatively promising unconventional or conventional REE-bearing ore. Positive Ce/Ce* and negative Eu/Eu*anomalies suggest oxic to sub-oxic depositional conditions. The variable LREE/HREE ratios and negative Eu anomalies in the alluvial sediments indicate that these sediments are sourced mainly from felsic rocks with contributions mafic origins. The negative Eu anomalies also signify plagioclase fractionation in the felsic source rocks during evolution or accessory minerals framework mechanism of the sediment deposition. These results highlight alluvial sediments in contributing to global REE exploration for technology-driven economy. These findings also establish a strong basis for future pilot-scale studies and the techno-economic assessment of a possible Mugheb placer deposit system (alluvial sediments) as an emerging source of REEs for future exploration.
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BibTeX
@article{yiika2026rare,
title = {{Rare earth element geochemistry and resource potential of alluvial sediments from the Mugheb watershed, Cameroon volcanic line}},
author = {Lemnyuy Prosper Yiika and Kouankap Nono Gus Djibril and Ngambu Aloysius Afahnwie and Pierre Wotchoko and Alice Magha Mufur and Margaret Tita Awah and Chin Thierry Berinyuy},
journal = {Discover Geoscience},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1007/s44288-026-00568-5},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-026-00568-5},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Rare earth element geochemistry and resource potential of alluvial sediments from the Mugheb watershed, Cameroon volcanic line
AU - Lemnyuy Prosper Yiika
AU - Kouankap Nono Gus Djibril
AU - Ngambu Aloysius Afahnwie
AU - Pierre Wotchoko
AU - Alice Magha Mufur
AU - Margaret Tita Awah
AU - Chin Thierry Berinyuy
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/01
JO - Discover Geoscience
DO - 10.1007/s44288-026-00568-5
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s44288-026-00568-5
AB - The significance of rare earth elements (REEs) as critical metals in modern technology has led to the assessment of Mugheb sediments as a potentials unconventional resource. Sediments have sparked significant attention as a secondary source of REEs to traditional REE-bearing ores in recent times. This study evaluates resource potential of REEs, fractionation pattern, provenance and REEs signatures in alluvial sediments of Mugheb watershed, Cameroon. This area lacks data on REEs despite growing concerns on REE enrichment in sediments and unconventional economic potentials. Sediment samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Total REE concentrations (∑REE) ranged from 215.30 to 457.90 mg/kg, with a pronounced enrichment of light REEs (LREEs: 204 to 431 mg/kg) over heavy REEs (HREEs: 11.30 to 21.60 mg/kg). The findings revealed anomalous concentrations for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, and Sm, critical for permanent magnet production in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Normalized ratios of (La/Yb)N :2.67 to 4.76, (La/Sm)N :0.87 to 1.29, (Gd/YbN :2.78 to 4.25 and (Ce/Sm)N :1.07 to 2.01), indicate significant REE fractionation during sedimentation processes. The multivariate statistical analysis suggests common input sources of REEs from natural geologic processes. The significant ∑REE (215.30 to 457.90), Nd + Pr (50.60-105.90), EI/SR (8.85–12.10), Y/Y* (0.73–0.87) and REEs + Y (225.80-476.10) values suggest a possible relatively promising unconventional or conventional REE-bearing ore. Positive Ce/Ce* and negative Eu/Eu*anomalies suggest oxic to sub-oxic depositional conditions. The variable LREE/HREE ratios and negative Eu anomalies in the alluvial sediments indicate that these sediments are sourced mainly from felsic rocks with contributions mafic origins. The negative Eu anomalies also signify plagioclase fractionation in the felsic source rocks during evolution or accessory minerals framework mechanism of the sediment deposition. These results highlight alluvial sediments in contributing to global REE exploration for technology-driven economy. These findings also establish a strong basis for future pilot-scale studies and the techno-economic assessment of a possible Mugheb placer deposit system (alluvial sediments) as an emerging source of REEs for future exploration.
SN - 2948-1589
ER -