eng Science and Education Publishing Journal of Geosciences and Geomatics 2373-6704 2022-04-08 10 1 65 73 10.12691/jgg-10-1-5 JGG20221015 article Bravo Martin Mbang Bonda bravobonda@gmail.com 1 Akumbom Vishiti 1 Mbai Simon Joel 1 Bayiga Elie Constantin 2 Ngon Ngon Gilbert Fran?ois 2 Etam¨¦ Jacques 2 2 Department of Civil Engineering, University Institute of Technology, University of Douala, P.O.Box 8698, Douala, Cameroon Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon The Sanaga magnetite bearing iron ore deposit is hosted in the eburnean Nyong complex which constitutes the northwestern edge of the Congo Craton. It is compose predominantly of magnetite bearing quartzite and magnetite-biotite gneisses related to charnockites and amphibole orthogneisses. In this study we use the composition of the magnetite bearing ore to determine their origin and ore formation process. A deposit model is also proposed for a better understanding of the emplacement of the iron ore. EMPA analysis on magnetite reveal variable amount of V, Ti, Al, and Mn. Most of the samples present Ti contents > 0.1%, this indicates a hydrothermal overprint. Although the texture and chemical composition of the magnetite bearing rocks neither represents typical skarn nor BIFs, on Ca + Al + Mn vs Ti + V and Ni + Cr vs Ti + V discrimination diagrams the magnetite reveals a double affinity for skarn and BIF. Elevated contents of Al, Mn and Mg in the magnetite signify crustal contamination while BIF signatures are related to hydrothermal activities. The variable content of V and Ti/V ratio suggests a mixture of reducing and oxidizing environments. On the Al + Mn vs Ti + V binary diagram the magnetite bearing ore reveal hydrothermal temperatures that vary between 200-300°C and 300-500°C. This suggests their precipitation from hydrothermal fluid with medium to high temperature and slight enrichment in Al and Ti. Integrating the data obtained from studies such as regional geology, ore geology and mineral microchemistry, we suggest that the Sanaga magnetite bearing iron ore deposit is similar to the Lake Superior iron ore type and was formed from transgression-regression in back arc basin or continental margin. http://pubs.sciepub.com/jgg/10/1/5/jgg-10-1-5.pdf magnetite trace element hydrothermal alteration Sanaga prospect Cameroon