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Contrary to what is currently known, archetypal zircon samples from gneisses and intrusive leucogranites in the Palaeoproterozoic Suhum Basin, SE Ghana, suggest the involvement of Neoarchean crustal material in the formation of the Palaeoproterozoic juvenile crust of the Birimian terranes in Ghana. The zircons dated using U–Pb dating methods and subjected to Lu–Hf isotopic analysis suggest that crustal‐forming events from different contemporaneous magmatic episodes within the Suhum Basin took place over a time interval of 139 Ma from 2224 to 2085 Ma. Whole‐rock Lu–Hf data obtained for the gneissic and leucogranitic rocks gave model ages (TDM2) ranging from 2789 to 2456 Ma with ɛHf(t) values ranging from −1.1 to +5.4. These model ages imply that the magmas that formed these rocks were sourced from the early Palaeoproterozoic juvenile mantle with substantial Neoarchean crustal reworking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metasedimentary rocks of the Sefwi and Lawra volcanic belts in Ghana respectively were analysed for their major and trace elements and Sr‐Nd isotopic compositions to constrain the provenance, palaeo‐weathering conditions, and tectonic setting of the rocks. Geochemical characteristics of the metasedimentary rocks show low to moderate chemical weathering in their source regions and the rocks are interpreted to have been derived from mixture of mafic and felsic rock components. The LREE show much enrichment in relation to the HREE (LaN/LuN, 4.67‐11.66). The εNd (2.1 Ga) values of −0.12 to +3.72 strongly suggest that the source of the sedimentary rocks was derived from a depleted mantle source and that they were most likely produced in an almost entirely oceanic environment with minor influence from the continental crust. The Nd model ages ranging from +2.05 to 2.41 Ga suggest possible contributions of a pre‐Birimian crustal material (or Archaean?) in the source material of the volcanic rocks. The rock types that contributed as detritus to the Birimian metasedimentary rocks were mainly pyroclastics and basalts, and their REE patterns suggest that the contribution to the phyllites can be modelled after 20% basalt, 13% andesite, and 67% dacite. Similarly, the schists can be modelled as a mixture of 16% basalt, 34% andesite, and 50% dacite. The Nd isotopic modeling implies that the bulk of the sedimentary detritus was supplied by the Palaeoproterozoic volcanic arc with contributions of less than 10% from the pre‐Birimian crust (Archaean?). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metavolcanics and mafic intrusive rocks of the Paleoproterozoic Birimian terrane in the southeastern part of the West African Craton, Ghana, were analyzed for major and trace elements and Nd and Sr isotopic data to constrain the geodynamic evolution of the Birimian Supergroup. The metavolcanic rocks consist of metabasalts, meta‐andesites, and amphibolites, whereas the mafic intrusions are mainly gabbros, hornblendites, and dolerites. The rocks are tholeiitic in composition and show the classic features of arc magmatism. The metavolcanics display significant enrichments in large ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements, relative to high field strength elements (HFSE) and heavy rare earth elements. The multielement patterns of the rocks also show positive Pb, Ba, Th, and Sr and negative Nb, Ta, and Ce anomalies that are typical characteristics of subduction‐related magmas. They also have La/Nb ratios <3 and La/Ta ratios <43 that are similar to other Archean and Birimian greenstone belts in West Africa. The rocks have εNd (2.1 Ga) values of −0.96 to +2.60, and Nd model ages of 2.24–2.51 Ga (TDM1) and 2.16–2.45 Ga (TDM2), indicating their juvenile character with possible contributions from pre‐Birimian crustal materials in their sources. The εNd values suggest a depleted source and further indicate that they were probably produced in an almost entirely oceanic environment with minor influence from the continental crust. The Nd isotopic results are consistent with the island arc model, which views Paleoproterozoic terranes of the West African Craton in the context of subduction–accretion processes. Accordingly, these processes may have played a role in the formation of the Columbia supercontinent during the Paleoproterozoic (2.1–1.8 Ga) orogenic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A steady state numerical groundwater flow model has been calibrated to characterize the spatial distribution of a key hydraulic parameter in a crystalline aquifer in southwestern Ghana. This was to provide an initial basis for characterizing the hydrogeology of the terrain with a view to assisting in the large scale development of groundwater resources for various uses. The results suggest that the structural entities that control groundwater occurrence in the area are quite heterogeneous in their nature and orientation, ascribing hydraulic conductivity values in the range of 4.5 m/d to over 70 m/d to the simulated aquifer. Aquifer heterogeneities, coupled possibly with topographical trends, have led to the development of five prominent groundwater flowpaths in the area. Estimated groundwater recharge at calibration ranges between 0.25% and 9.13% of the total annual rainfall and appears to hold significant promise for large-scale groundwater development to support irrigation schemes. However, the model suggests that with reduced recharge by up to 30% of the current rates, the system can only sustain increased groundwater abstraction by up to 150% of the current abstraction rates. Prudent management of the resource will require a much more detailed hydrogeological study that identifies all the aquifers in the basin for the assessment of sustainable basin yield.