Application of Remote Sensing in Identifying and Mapping of Exposed Rock Massifs, Potential Quarry Sites in Yaounde-Cameroon

Elvis Kah, Amaya Adama, Roland Ndi
2020 Energy and Earth Science  
Since 2018, Cameroon opted for an aggressive mineral exploration in order to attain the status of an emerging country by 2035. Thus, any surface and sub-surface resources found important has to be valorised. This study therefore seeks to contribute towards the drive to an emerging nation initiative through the identification and mapping of exposed rock massifs in the city of Yaounde using Remote sensing techniques. The fieldwork constituted of locating the geographic coordinates of some rock
more » ... crops with the GPS, projecting the samples on the a geo-referenced satellite image using GIS software (ArcGIS) and simulating the spectral behaviour of those spots to those of similar reflectance in order to conclude as the targets. This was then treated in GIS software for proper mapping to be done. The study revealed that Yaounde is actually endowed with enormous exposed rock massifs which can actually be valorised for construction works. Some of the exposed rocks are surrounded by vegetation especially at the outskirts of the city, others are actually engulfed within built-up areas with difficult accessibility while others could only be exposed on excavated areas for construction. Some are already under exploitation while others are not. Some of the rock outcrops were spotted of shallow extensions while others are small in surface areas but project deep down the soil. These results are of importance for use by quarry companies and the government of Cameroon through its Ministry of mines for onward allocation of exploitation permits.
doi:10.22158/ees.v3n2p19 fatcat:cuscg3mzwzf35izafx5zxc6gaa