Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427

www.elsevier.com/locate/jafrearsci

Shrimp U–Pb zircon age evidence for Paleoproterozoic

sedimentation and 2.05 Ga syntectonic plutonism in the Nyong
Group, South-Western Cameroon: consequences for the
Eburnean–Transamazonian belt of NE Brazil and Central Africa
Cathérine Lerouge a,*, Alain Cocherie a, Sadrack F. Toteu b, Joseph Penaye b,
Jean-Pierre Milési a, Robert Tchameni c, Emmanuel N. Nsifa d,
C. Mark Fanning e, Etienne Deloule f
a
BRGM, Mineral Resource Department, BP 6009, 45060 Orléans cédex 02, France
b
Centre de Recherches Géologiques et Minières, BP 333 Garoua, Cameroon
c
Département des Sciences de la Terre, Université de Ngaoundéré, B.P. 454 Ngaoundéré, Cameroon
d
Département des Sciences de la Terre, Université de Yaoundé I, BP 812 Yaoundé, Cameroon
e
RSES, ANU, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia
f
Centre de Recherche Pétrographique et Géochimique, B.P. 20, 54501 Vandoeuve les-Nancy Cedex, France

Received 21 February 2005; received in revised form 24 May 2005; accepted 1 November 2005
Available online 19 January 2006

Abstract

The Nyong Group of the NW corner of the Congo craton is a metasedimentary and metaplutonic rock unit that underwent a high-
grade tectono-metamorphic event at 2050 Ma associated with charnockite formation. However, the age of the sedimentation and asso-
ciated plutonism was not known. In view of this, the unit was considered to be part of the Archean Congo craton reactivated during a
Paleoproterozoic or a Pan-African orogeny. Such interpretation was widely supported by the persistence of Archean inheritance revealed
by Nd isotope data on whole rocks and U–Pb on zircons. New SHRIMP analyses on detrital zircons from metasediments (BIF, orth-
opyroxene gneiss and garnet gneiss) yield Mesoarchean to Paleoproterozoic ages, with the youngest zircon at 2423 ± 4 Ma, thus giving
the maximum deposition age for the Nyong Group. Data on a metagranodiorite at Bonguen and a metasyenite at Lolodorf yield
emplacement ages of 2066 ± 4 Ma and 2055 ± 5 Ma respectively, with Archean inheritance (2836 ± 11 Ma) for the metasyenite. The syn-
tectonic emplacement of these plutonic rocks is supported by the age of 2044 ± 9 Ma obtained on the Bienkop charnockite, associated
with Eburnean high-grade metamorphism which continued probably up to 1985 ± 8 Ma. These new data permit correlation of the
Nyong rocks with the Paleoproterozoic of NE Brazil and the discussion of the source provenance of detritus for the Nyong Group.
Finally, it is proposed that the West Central African Belt (WCAB) in southern Cameroon, Gabon, Congo and Angola represents a seg-
ment of the Eburnean–Transamazonian orogeny that resulted from the convergence and collision between the São Francisco-Nigerian
Shield block and a former Congo megacraton.
Ó 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords: SHRIMP dating; Paleoproterozoic; Collisional belt; Nyong Group; Central Africa; Cameroon

1. Introduction

The West Central African Belt (WCAB) (Fig. 1) is a

*
Corresponding author. Fax: +33 2 38643652. N–S trending Paleoproterozoic belt that extends along
E-mail address: c.lerouge@brgm.fr (C. Lerouge). the western side of the Congo craton from Angola to

1464-343X/$ - see front matter Ó 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2005.11.010
414 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427

Fig. 1. Geological sketch map of the Nyong Group (after Maurizot, 2000). Number in parentheses represents the samples numbers. Insert: location of the
studied area (star). Greyed area represents the Congo and São Francisco cratons. Heavy lines delimit Africa and NE Brazil.

Cameroon (Feybesse et al., 1998), and continues to NE
Brazil as the Transamazonian belt (Teixeira and Figuei-
redo, 1991; Ledru et al., 1989, 1994; Toteu et al., 1994;
Van Schmus et al., 1995; Feybesse et al., 1996; Feybesse
et al., 1998; Penaye et al., 2004). This large belt resulted
from the collision between the Congo and São Francisco
cratons. Most of the WCAB is characterized by tectonic
reworking of Archean crust with little addition of juvenile
material, particularly in the southern part of the belt (Prian
et al., 1990; Thomas et al., 2002; Toteu et al., 1994).
However, this dominant recycling character is diminished
northward with the appearance of ca. 2.1 Ga juvenile meta-
plutonic and metasedimentary rocks intensively reworked
and dismembered in the Pan-African belt north of the
Congo craton (Penaye et al., 2004). The Nyong Group in
the NW corner of the Congo craton in Cameroon is a
well-preserved granulitic unit of the WCAB resting as an
Eburnean nappe on the Congo craton (Feybesse et al.,
1986; Toteu et al., 1994). The high-grade metamorphism
associated with arrested charnockite formation is dated at
2050 Ma (Toteu et al., 1994). However, it is not clear
whether or not these Paleoproterozoic tectono-metamor-
phic events were accompanied by any sedimentation or mag-
matism. This led to the assertion that the Nyong Group is a
reactivated portion of the Archean Ntem complex (northern
edge of the Congo craton in Cameroon; Lasserre and Soba,
1976; Feybesse et al., 1986; Maurizot et al., 1986). However,
Paleoproterozoic sedimentation and plutonism were sus-
pected from a Nd crustal residence age of 2.56 Ga (eNd at
2.05 Ga of 6.2) of metasediments of the Edea region (Toteu
et al., 1994) and by the presence of ca. 2.3 Ga zircons from a
metasyenite NE of Lolodorf (Tchameni et al., 2001). In fact,
 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427
the dominant Archean inheritance of the Nyong Group and
its Paleoproterozoic metamorphism have produced a diver-
sity of zircon populations, resulting in difficulties in using
conventional zircon dating methods to decipher the history
of the Group, particularly with regard to plutonic and sedi-
mentary rocks. In this paper we have applied the Ion Micro-
probe method on zircons to demonstrate the existence of a
post-Archean phase of sedimentation in the Nyong Group
and that the 2.05 Ga high-grade tectono-metamorphic event
was associated with an important plutonic event. We also
discuss the bearing of our data on the proposed Ebur-
nean–Transamazonian collision between the Congo and
the São Francisco cratons.
2. Geological setting
The Nyong Group is a high-grade gneiss unit, which was
initially defined as a Neoproterozoic, or a Paleoprotero-
zoic-reactivated NW corner of the Archean Congo craton
(Lasserre and Soba, 1976; Feybesse et al., 1986). It is dom-
inated by biotite–hornblende gneisses, which locally appear
as grey gneisses of TTG composition, orthopyroxene–
garnet gneisses (charnockites), garnet–amphibole–pyroxe-
nites, and banded iron formations (BIF). Magmatic rocks
include augen metadiorites, granodiorites, and syenites.
The latter are represented by a SW–NE trending group
of small intrusions extending from Lolodorf to Olama.
The Group is characterised by a regional flat-lying S1/S2
foliation associated with a variably oriented stretching lin-
eation and local large open folds associated with N–S sinis-
tral strike slip faults. The metamorphic evolution is
polycyclic with Paleoproterozoic granulitic assemblages
overprinted in the western part of the Group by Pan-
African high-grade recrystallizations (Toteu et al., 1994).
Previous Rb–Sr, U–Pb and Sm–Nd isotopic data on the
Nyong Group permitted the establishment of: (1) the dom-
inant Archean (ca. 3 Ga) origin for most of the protolith,
(2) a major late-Eburnean tectono-metamorphic event at
ca. 2.05 Ga and, (3) a Pan-African overprint essentially
revealed by mineral ages. In detail, Lasserre and Soba
(1976) obtained a composite Rb–Sr whole rock isochron
of 2980 ± 45 Ma, with an initial 87Sr/86Sr of 0.7010, on
seven samples of the Nyong Group, which is comparable
to that obtained from the Ntem Complex. These authors
also concluded from amphibole and biotite K/Ar ages
between 500 and 800 Ma that the Nyong gneisses under-
went Pan-African rejuvenation. Kornprobst et al. (1976)
reached a similar conclusion from K/Ar dating on horn-
blende from the Nkonglong and Akom syenites, which
yielded 525 and 807 Ma, respectively. More recent U–Pb
and Sm–Nd mineral and whole rock ages of Toteu et al.
(1994) suggested that the Nyong Group is a Paleoprotero-
zoic unit which was deposited at the edge of the Congo cra-
ton and was subsequently involved in the Eburnean
orogeny, before being locally overprinted by later Pan-
African events. Critical data for this interpretation are:
(1) Archean TDM ages for most of the rocks from the
415
Nyong Group which are consistent with the data of
Lasserre and Soba (1976); (2) ages of 2050 Ma obtained
on zircons (U–Pb method) from orthopyroxene gneisses
at Lobe falls and from amphibolites at Kopongo and
Eseka, on sphene (U–Pb method) at Akom-II, and on a
garnet–whole rock pair (Sm–Nd method) at Eseka; (3)
the 590 Ma age of a syenite at Rocher du Loup, the U–
Pb zircon lower intercept (626 ± 26 Ma) of the amphibolite
at Kopongo, and a 585 Ma Sm–Nd garnet–whole rock age
of the same sample.
3. Description of analysed samples
To demonstrate the presence of post-Archean-Paleopro-
terozoic sediments in the Nyong Group, we collected three
metasediments with the objective of defining the age of the
youngest detrital zircons. The samples are: a magnetite–
garnet–bearing quartzite (128), a banded garnet–bearing
gneiss (IG-18), both collected south of Eseka, and an orth-
opyroxene–garnet gneiss (89-1) from Edea. To date the
plutonism associated with the Paleoproterozoic tectono-
metamorphic evolution, one metasyenite (IG-17) and one
metagranodiorite (IG-5) were collected at Lolodorf and
Bonguen, respectively. In order to obtain a precise age
for charnockitic formation and Pan-African imprint on
the Nyong Group, samples of the Bienkop charnockitic
massif (135) and the Rocher du Loup syenite (IG6) were
also collected.
3.1. Metasedimentary rocks
Two samples (128 and IG-18) collected south of Eseka
are from a metasedimentary sequence composed of interlay-
ered gneisses and magnetite-bearing quartzites. Magnetite-
bearing quartzites belong to the banded iron formations
(BIF) which are well represented in the Nyong Group and
host important iron deposits. The iron formations consti-
tute discontinuous NNE–SSW trending bands from south
of Kribi to north of Eseka, the most important being the
Mamelles deposit south of Kribi. The analysed sample
(128) was collected from a road cut about 20 km southeast
of Eseka. The rock displays fine banding with alternating
millimetre to centimetre layers of garnet–magnetite ±
orthopyroxene and quartz; garnet is a pure andradite.
The gneiss (IG-18) was collected from a road-cut about
5 km south of sample 128 above. It is composed of alter-
nating biotite–garnet–pyroxene, biotite–pyroxene–garnet–
hornblende, and garnet-rich bands. Both clinopyroxene
and orthopyroxene are present. Minor phases include apa-
tite, zircon, titanite. The third metasediment sample (89-1)
is from the road-cut at the gate of Edea town. It is a banded
orthopyroxene gneiss interlayered with amphibole bearing
pyroxenite. The outcrop displays charnockite formation
features characterized by the presence of charnockite as
veins parallel to axial planes of P2 folds, as cross-cutting
veins along gently dipping shear zones, and as irregular
patches of various sizes destroying the flat-lying foliation.
416 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427
The regional granulite facies metamorphism (quartz-plagio-
clase-orthopyroxene-oxides) was later overprinted by a
high-temperature recrystallization assemblage of a polygo-
nal mosaic of quartz, plagioclase, biotite, and late growth
of garnet at the expense of orthopyroxene and oxides.
3.2. Metaplutonic rocks
One metagranodiorite (sample IG-5) and one metasye-
nite (sample IG-17) were collected for zircon analyses.
The metagranodiorite crops out south of Edea as an N–S
elongated massif separated from the Pan-African Yaoundé
nappe to the east by a thrust-transcurrent tectonic contact.
Sinistral strike slip shear zones of similar orientation are
also observed within the massif. However, NW–SE gently
dipping foliations defined by tabular megacrysts of ortho-
clase, mafic xenoliths and schlierens, veins of pegmatites
and aplites may be locally preserved. Associated NNE–
SSW trending shear planes and rotational feldspars indi-
cate top to the NW movement. The massif is composed
of dominant porphyritic granodiorite and granite, with
K–feldspar, plagioclase, hornblende, biotite and quartz as
the primary magmatic assemblage. It is heterogeneously
affected by the regional flat-lying foliation associated with
an amphibolite facies metamorphism, characterized by a
fine-grained recrystallization of primary minerals and neo-
formation of garnet, epidote and sphene. The sample col-
lected for zircon separation is from the flagstone at
Bonguen village, 33 km south of Edea.
The metasyenites in the Nyong Group form a SW–NE
trending string (70 km long) of elongated small syntectonic
intrusions running from Lolodorf to Olama. The massifs
are fine-grained at the borders and coarse-grained, often
porphyritic at the cores. They exhibit foliation and mag-
matic banding concordant to the regional foliation.
Detailed petrographic and geochemical information are
given by Tchameni et al. (2001). In summary, two syenite
suites are distinguished: (1) a two-pyroxene syenite suite
composed of diopside, hypersthene, plagioclase and abun-
dant perthitic K–feldspar and a small amount of quartz
and biotite; (2) a clinopyroxene syenite suite is the most
abundant and ranges from melano-syenite to leuco-syenite.
The melano-syenites are composed of diopside and perth-
itic alkaline feldspar with a minor amount of amphibole,
biotite and sodic plagioclase. The leuco-syenites are com-
posed of perthitic alkaline feldspar and a lesser amount
of diopside. Metamorphic imprint led to local formation
of garnet–biotite assemblages. Trace elements and isotope
signatures indicate that the syenites are products of crustal
reworking. The sample for zircon separation (IG-17) was
collected 6 km north of Lolodorf, along the Eseka road.
It is coarse-grained with a primary magmatic assemblage
dominated by perthitic K–feldspar, sodic amphibole, and
large crystals of titanite, all deformed and oriented parallel
to the regional foliation.
The Bienkop charnockitic massif crops out about 20 km
north of Edea. It belongs to a group of charnockitic
massifs that were originally interpreted as Archean nuclei
preserved within the Pan-African belt and which include
the Kopongo and Yingui massifs (Lasserre and Soba,
1976). Previous work (Toteu et al., 1994) and new field
observations indicate that these massifs result from the
complete charnockitization of Edea-type pyroxene gneis-
ses. At the Bienkop quarry where the analysed sample
(135) was collected, the main rock-type is a foliated
coarse-grained charnockite containing xenoliths of norite
and gneisses. Garnet–pyroxene amphibolites are generally
associated with the charnockites (e.g., Kopongo amphibo-
lite, Toteu et al., 1994). Charnockites are subsequently
transformed into migmatites and granites, probably corre-
sponding to a retrogression induced by fluid inflow. The
mineralogy of the charnockite includes quartz, mesoperth-
ite, perthitic K–feldspar, plagioclase, orthopyroxene,
coarse-grained Ti-rich biotite (up to 4.77 wt% TiO2), and
oxides (ilmenite and magnetite), all oriented parallel to
the regional foliation. Post-S2 garnet and Ti-poor medium-
to fine-grained biotite (less than 2 wt% TiO2) with minor
hornblende grow around primary biotite, orthopyroxene
and ilmenite.
The Rocher du Loup is a small island composed of Pan-
African syenite about 200 m from the beach south of Kribi
(Nsifa, 1985). It is part of a N–S discontinuous sheet a few
hundred metres wide, intrusive into the Nyong Group and
extending from Eboundja up to north of Campo (Nsifa,
1985; Maurizot et al., 1986). The intrusive displays a sig-
moid shape consistent with emplacement controlled by
N–S sinistral shearing. The rock is heterogeneous and
characterized by banding of magmatic and metamorphic
origins. The three main rock-types include coarse- to med-
ium-grained leucocratic syenite, nepheline-rich pegmatoids,
and melanocratic biotite–amphibole–bearing syenite. The
analysed sample (IG-6) is a melanocratic biotite–amphibole
syenite collected at Rocher du Loup. It is a granoblastic,
medium-grained, foliated rock composed of K–feldspar,
plagioclase, biotite, sodic amphibole (ferrohastingsite),
oxides, and titanite with accessory quartz. K–feldspar is
partially transformed into microcline. Garnet (grossular-
andradite) and nepheline are locally present.
4. Analytical results
4.1. Analytical procedures
Three different ion microprobes were used for this study:
a CAMECA IMS-1270 at CNRS, CRPG Nancy (France)
and a SHRIMP RG and a SHRIMP II at the Australian
National University, Canberra (Australia). For each sam-
ple, about 50 grains were mounted in epoxy and polished
for U and Pb isotopes to be analysed by the ion micro-
probe. Spot analyses were carried out on zircon grains with
both instruments. Only the most homogeneous parts of the
zircons, without any cracks, were investigated after a care-
ful checking of cathodoluminescence images and reflected
light photomicrographs of the sectioned zircon grains.
 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427
Within the zircons, patches showing alteration domains
were avoided. The IMS-1270 probe was used to analyse zir-
cons from the Eseka metasediments (IG 18) and the Edea
metasediments (89-1), following the analytical procedure
described by Deloule et al. (2001). The SHRIMP RG was
used to analyse zircons from the metaplutonic rocks (Bong-
uen granodiorite IG5; Lolodorf syenite IG17; Bienkop
charnockite 135; Rocher du Loup IG6), and the SHRIMP
II was used for the magnetite-bearing quartzite (BIF) from
Eseka (128). The SHRIMP analyses were performed fol-
lowing the analytical procedure described by Claoué-Long
et al. (1995) and Willliams (1998). The zircon standards
used to calibrate the U–Pb ratio were the 91500 zircon
from Ontario (Canada) for the CAMECA ion micro-
probe (1062.4 ± 0.4 Ma; Wiedenbeck, 1995), and the
Duluth gabbro (USA) for the Australian microprobe
(1099.1 ± 0.5 Ma; Paces and Miller, 1993). The main differ-
ence between the data set on the two instruments is the size
of the oxygen beam, which is ca., 35 lm in diameter for the
CAMECA IMS-1270 measurements and ca., 20 lm for the
SHRIMP measurements. This represents a 3:1 surface ratio
for the scan area, which could contribute to the slightly
lower analytical error observed for the IMS-1270 results.
Using the same scan times for the same mass spectrum,
each analysis consisted of 10–14 successive cycles for the
IMS-1270 procedure, and six successive cycles for the
SHRIMP procedure. Consequently, the precision was
slightly better with the IMS-1270 for clear, homogeneous
single grains (Table 1). This, however, has no bearing on
the performance of the instruments themselves, which are
similar in terms of sensitivity and stability. Whatever ana-
lytical approach was used, all the uncertainty calculations
were made at the 2r level (95% confidence limit) using
the ISOPLOT/EX program (version 3.00) of Ludwig
(2003). All the data have been listed and plotted at the
1r level in order to make Figs. 3–8 easier to read.
4.2. Analytical results
4.2.1. Magnetite-bearing quartzite (BIF)
Zircons from the magnetite-bearing quartzite are
rounded, indicating a detrital origin. Grains are relatively
small (100–200 lm or less) and clear but often coloured,
pink to brown. As shown on CL images (Fig. 2) some
grains exhibit inherited cores surrounded by a rim (grains
1 and 2) whereas others are homogeneous (grain 5). Thir-
teen spot analyses were carried out on 11 zircon grains.
The proportion of non-radiogenic 206Pb is always very
low, less than 0.6%. Half of the analyses are slightly discor-
dant with a degree of concordance ranging from 96% to
98% (Table 1 and Fig. 3). Note that the discordance does
not appear to be related to a recent Pb-loss. A regression
line, controlled by a good MSWD at 1.06 (2), can be drawn
using all the analyses. It corresponds to an episodic Pb-loss
related to a partial opening of the system. In other words,
most of the zircon grains are Archean (2776 ± 34 Ma),
such as grain 5 (see CL image, Fig. 2), whereas some others
417
show a rim partly open with respect to radiogenic Pb (see
CL image of grains 1 and 2, Fig. 2). The lower intercept
of the discordia gives an age of 2126 ± 130 Ma. This is
an estimate of the time of the thermal event which affected
the Archean zircons, which we correlate with the high-
grade metamorphism of the Nyong Group (ca. 2050 Ma,
Toteu et al., 1994). In detail, most of the dated zircons
are Neoarchean, which is younger than the zircon age of
the Ntem charnockites (2896 ± 7 Ma, Toteu et al., 1994).
One complex grain (grain 1) displays an almost concordant
Neoarchean inherited core (2523 ± 24 Ma) and an almost
concordant early Paleoproterozoic rim (2423 ± 4 Ma).
4.2.2. Garnet–bearing gneiss (IG-18) and orthopyroxene–
garnet–bearing gneiss (89-1)
Zircons in IG18 are very rounded indicating a long trans-
port; they are brown in colour and may reach 250 lm in
size. In SEM images, no clear inherited core or overgrowth
was observed. The three analysed grains yielded ages
between 2761 and 2790 Ma, at the Mesoarchean/Neoarch-
ean limit (Table 2). Zircons from sample 89-1 are quite sim-
ilar in size and morphology to those of IG-18, but are pink
in colour. Results yielded three concordant Mesoarchean
grains (3064 ± 4 Ma, 3129 ± 10 Ma, 3174 ± 4 Ma), two
inversely discordant grains (2086 ± 8 Ma, 2300 ± 17 Ma)
and one discordant grain with 207Pb/206Pb age of 2519 ±
17 Ma (Table 2; Fig. 4). Despite the discordance of the three
last grains, it appears clearly that at least two populations of
detrital zircons are present in the protolith: Mesoarchean
and Neoarchean.
4.2.3. Augen metagranodiorite (IG-5)
The analysed sample was collected away from highly
deformed transcurrent shear zones. Zircons are clear and
elongated (up to 400 lm, Fig. 2). The 20 analyses show
very low common Pb (Table 1) and fall very close to the
Concordia curve (Fig. 5). No Archean inheritance was
recorded. Only one spot analysis is significantly younger
(5.1:2004 Ma) and has not been considered in the calcula-
tion of the mean weighted 207Pb*/206Pb* age of 2066 ±
4 Ma (2, MSWD = 0.79, n = 19), which corresponds to
the emplacement age of the intrusive.
4.2.4. Metasyenite at Lolodorf (IG-17)
Separated zircons are medium- to coarse-grained (200–
300 lm). They show two zircon populations. A first one
consists of dark and anhedral zircons, preferentially associ-
ated with clinopyroxene-bearing mafic layers, and a second
one of clear, colorless and euhedral zircons, preferentially
found in the leucocratic part of the syenite. The dark zir-
cons display also much darker grains using CL photos
(Fig. 2). Their dark color cannot be related to a poor crys-
tallization quality, since both types look very clear and
devoid of metamict domain. Colour is probably due to a
larger amount of trace elements such as REE, Y, etc.
The 19 analyses (Table 1) indicate that both types of zir-
cons show the same U and Th compositions and the near
 418
Table 1
Summary of SHRIMP U–Pb data on zircons of the magnetite-bearing quartzite (BIF formations) and of the intrusives
206 204
Grain U Th Th/U Pb* Pb/206Pb f206 Radiogenic ratios q Age (Ma) %
spot (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) % 206 238 207 235 207 206 206 238 207 235 207 206 Conc.
Pb/ U ± Pb/ U ± Pb/ Pb ± Pb/ U ± Pb/ U ± Pb/ Pb ±
Magnetite-bearing quartzite (128)

C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427

1.1 191 102 0.54 79 0.000033 0.05 0.4789 0.0054 11.3494 0.1546 0.1719 0.0013 0.8265 2523 24 2552 13 2576 13 98
1.2 224 46 0.21 88 0.000037 0.05 0.4564 0.0054 10.2295 0.1903 0.1626 0.0023 0.6342 2423 24 2456 17 2483 24 98
2.1 219 101 0.46 100 – <0.01 0.5340 0.0069 14.0815 0.1892 0.1912 0.0007 0.9671 2758 29 2755 13 2753 6 100
2.2 309 128 0.41 146 0.000018 0.02 0.5505 0.0060 14.8373 0.1728 0.1955 0.0008 0.9431 2827 25 2805 11 2789 6 101
3.1 432 240 0.56 188 0.000001 <0.01 0.5061 0.0061 12.6658 0.1557 0.1815 0.0004 0.9822 2640 26 2655 11 2667 4 99
4.1 286 181 0.63 136 0.000033 0.04 0.5547 0.0060 15.3597 0.1912 0.2008 0.0012 0.8733 2845 25 2838 12 2833 10 100
5.1 135 59 0.44 62 0.000041 0.06 0.5371 0.0063 14.1537 0.2017 0.1911 0.0015 0.8258 2771 27 2760 13 2752 13 101
6.1 305 148 0.48 121 0.000007 0.01 0.4631 0.0050 10.7253 0.1255 0.1680 0.0007 0.9262 2453 22 2500 11 2538 7 97
7.1 265 149 0.56 115 0.000018 0.03 0.5023 0.0056 12.8972 0.3091 0.1862 0.0039 0.4668 2623 24 2672 22 2709 35 97
8.1 238 117 0.49 111 0.000025 0.03 0.5432 0.0060 14.8075 0.1962 0.1977 0.0014 0.8359 2797 25 2803 13 2807 12 100
9.1 184 102 0.56 81 0.000035 0.05 0.5147 0.0059 13.3775 0.1610 0.1885 0.0007 0.9493 2677 25 2707 11 2729 6 98
10.1 302 175 0.58 139 0.000022 0.03 0.5377 0.0059 14.2525 0.1714 0.1922 0.0010 0.9051 2774 25 2767 11 2761 8 100
11.1 317 192 0.61 130 0.000045 0.06 0.4781 0.0052 11.6733 0.1434 0.1771 0.0010 0.8868 2519 23 2579 11 2626 9 96

Bonguen metagranodiorite (IG5)

1.1 207 236 1.14 68 0.000027 0.04 0.3826 0.0044 6.7545 0.0844 0.1280 0.0006 0.9221 2089 21 2080 11 2071 9 101
2.1 157 158 1.00 52 0.000025 0.04 0.3876 0.0047 6.7933 0.0885 0.1271 0.0006 0.9210 2112 22 2085 11 2058 9 103
3.1 119 142 1.20 40 – <0.01 0.3886 0.0047 6.8156 0.1107 0.1272 0.0014 0.7500 2116 22 2088 14 2060 19 103
4.1 68 75 1.11 22 0.000134 0.20 0.3828 0.0052 6.6934 0.1194 0.1268 0.0015 0.7587 2089 24 2072 16 2054 21 102
5.1 427 77 0.18 132 0.000017 0.03 0.3603 0.0038 6.1240 0.0682 0.1233 0.0004 0.9581 1984 18 1994 10 2004 6 99
6.1 246 536 2.18 79 0.000045 0.07 0.3735 0.0042 6.5968 0.0796 0.1281 0.0006 0.9305 2046 20 2059 11 2072 8 99
7.1 152 146 0.96 51 0.000029 0.04 0.3889 0.0046 6.8909 0.0892 0.1285 0.0007 0.9122 2118 21 2097 11 2078 9 102
8.1 135 115 0.85 43 0.000038 0.06 0.3747 0.0045 6.5807 0.0880 0.1274 0.0007 0.9014 2052 21 2057 12 2062 10 99
9.1 201 217 1.08 65 0.000025 0.04 0.3760 0.0043 6.6563 0.0807 0.1284 0.0006 0.9350 2058 20 2067 11 2076 8 99
10.1 150 240 1.60 48 0.000062 0.09 0.3716 0.0045 6.5038 0.0905 0.1269 0.0009 0.8670 2037 21 2046 12 2056 12 99
11.1 109 254 2.34 35 0.000059 0.09 0.3724 0.0048 6.5335 0.0953 0.1272 0.0009 0.8801 2041 22 2050 13 2060 12 99
12.1 129 196 1.52 41 0.000052 0.08 0.3711 0.0048 6.5981 0.0954 0.1290 0.0009 0.8860 2035 22 2059 13 2084 12 98
13.1 142 132 0.93 44 – <0.01 0.3651 0.0058 6.4052 0.1086 0.1272 0.0008 0.9335 2007 27 2033 15 2060 11 97
14.1 172 210 1.22 54 – <0.01 0.3665 0.0044 6.3923 0.0836 0.1265 0.0007 0.9139 2013 21 2031 11 2050 9 98
14.2 142 158 1.12 44 0.000005 0.01 0.3599 0.0045 6.3360 0.0899 0.1277 0.0008 0.8854 1982 21 2023 12 2066 12 96
16.1 52 103 1.98 17 0.000075 0.11 0.3793 0.0054 6.6737 0.1114 0.1276 0.0011 0.8498 2073 25 2069 15 2065 16 100
17.1 297 257 0.87 96 0.000026 0.04 0.3756 0.0041 6.6373 0.0769 0.1282 0.0005 0.9463 2056 19 2064 10 2073 7 99
18.1 173 261 1.51 57 0.000006 0.01 0.3825 0.0045 6.7449 0.0884 0.1279 0.0007 0.9061 2088 21 2079 12 2069 10 101
19.1 203 80 0.40 65 0.000030 0.05 0.3736 0.0042 6.5500 0.0792 0.1271 0.0006 0.9327 2046 20 2053 11 2059 8 99
19.2 342 291 0.85 113 0.000017 0.03 0.3834 0.0041 6.7420 0.0758 0.1275 0.0004 0.9563 2092 19 2078 10 2064 6 101

Lotodorf metasyenite (IG 17)

1.1 176 110 0.63 82 0.000023 0.03 0.5414 0.0062 14.9118 0.1772 0.1997 0.0006 0.9628 2790 26 2810 11 2824 5 99
2.1 394 354 0.90 128 0.000002 <0.01 0.3769 0.0040 6.5894 0.0732 0.1268 0.0004 0.9650 2062 19 2058 10 2054 5 100
3.1 170 182 1.07 58 0.000023 0.04 0.3957 0.0045 6.9056 0.0863 0.1266 0.0006 0.9197 2149 21 2099 11 2051 9 105
 4.1 258 246 0.96 82 0.000022 0.03 0.3690 0.0044 6.4390 0.0804 0.1266 0.0005 0.9525 2025 21 2038 11 2051 7 99
5.1 381 294 0.77 125 0.000019 0.03 0.3828 0.0041 6.6589 0.0746 0.1262 0.0004 0.9512 2089 19 2067 10 2045 6 102
6.1 308 187 0.61 143 0.000012 0.02 0.5390 0.0058 14.8766 0.1640 0.2002 0.0005 0.9751 2779 24 2807 10 2828 4 98
7.1 146 204 1.40 47 0.000075 0.11 0.3713 0.0043 6.4423 0.0836 0.1258 0.0007 0.8953 2035 20 2038 11 2041 10 100
8.1 174 228 1.31 57 0.000065 0.10 0.3832 0.0043 6.7141 0.0824 0.1271 0.0006 0.9232 2091 20 2074 11 2058 8 102
9.1 185 175 0.95 62 0.000019 0.03 0.3882 0.0043 6.8168 0.0816 0.1274 0.0005 0.9329 2114 20 2088 11 2062 8 103
10.1 204 311 1.53 66 0.000022 0.03 0.3746 0.0042 6.5995 0.0792 0.1278 0.0006 0.9276 2051 20 2059 11 2068 8 99
11.1 162 205 1.27 74 0.000021 0.03 0.5321 0.0082 14.8004 0.2449 0.2017 0.0012 0.9361 2750 35 2802 16 2840 9 97
12.1 174 196 1.13 81 0.000040 0.05 0.5431 0.0069 14.9084 0.2256 0.1991 0.0016 0.8436 2797 29 2809 14 2819 13 99
13.1 200 250 1.25 68 0.000018 0.03 0.3965 0.0045 6.9305 0.0937 0.1268 0.0009 0.8407 2153 21 2103 12 2054 13 105
14.1 204 187 0.92 69 0.000020 0.03 0.3955 0.0073 6.9794 0.1493 0.1280 0.0014 0.8665 2148 34 2109 19 2071 19 104
15.1 168 76 0.45 78 0.000073 0.10 0.5360 0.0061 14.7814 0.1984 0.2000 0.0014 0.8428 2766 25 2801 13 2826 12 98
16.1 150 335 2.24 49 0.000041 0.06 0.3839 0.0061 6.7390 0.1114 0.1273 0.0006 0.9547 2095 28 2078 15 2061 9 102
17.1 199 272 1.37 67 0.000028 0.04 0.3895 0.0064 6.8747 0.1278 0.1280 0.0011 0.8854 2120 30 2095 16 2071 15 102
18.1 136 158 1.17 45 0.000043 0.06 0.3845 0.0045 6.5446 0.0921 0.1234 0.0010 0.8260 2097 21 2052 12 2007 14 105

C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427

19.1 340 272 0.80 104 – <0.01 0.3575 0.0092 6.1704 0.1876 0.1252 0.0020 0.8470 1970 44 2000 26 2031 29 97
20.1 244 118 0.49 103 0.000020 0.03 0.4934 0.0054 13.3464 0.1538 0.1962 0.0007 0.9468 2585 23 2704 11 2795 6 93

Bienkop charnockite (135)

1.1 247 212 0.86 79 0.000030 0.04 0.3706 0.0041 6.3432 0.0760 0.1241 0.0006 0.9158 2032 19 2024 10 2017 9 101
2.1 590 365 0.62 189 0.000003 <0.01 0.3733 0.0039 6.4594 0.0697 0.1255 0.0003 0.9747 2045 18 2040 9 2036 4 100
3.1 597 414 0.69 192 – <0.01 0.3746 0.0056 6.4135 0.1126 0.1242 0.0011 0.8519 2051 26 2034 15 2017 16 102
4.1 969 187 0.19 302 – <0.01 0.3622 0.0038 6.0788 0.0677 0.1217 0.0004 0.9435 1993 18 1987 10 1981 7 101
6.1 451 229 0.51 146 0.000007 0.01 0.3763 0.0041 6.4424 0.0748 0.1242 0.0005 0.9436 2059 19 2038 10 2017 7 102
7.1 853 489 0.57 276 0.000010 0.01 0.3763 0.0046 6.5258 0.0890 0.1258 0.0008 0.8976 2059 22 2049 12 2040 11 101
8.1 312 118 0.38 149 0.000008 0.01 0.5566 0.0071 16.8690 0.2400 0.2198 0.0014 0.8903 2853 29 2927 14 2979 10 96
8.2 1180 121 0.10 378 0.000005 0.01 0.3733 0.0038 6.5799 0.0681 0.1278 0.0002 0.9864 2045 18 2057 9 2068 3 99
9.1 1309 191 0.15 410 0.000017 0.03 0.3643 0.0038 6.3278 0.0764 0.1260 0.0008 0.8549 2003 18 2022 11 2043 11 98
9.2 160 120 0.75 48 0.000046 0.07 0.3449 0.0041 5.8239 0.0768 0.1225 0.0007 0.9018 1910 20 1950 11 1993 10 96
10.1 365 233 0.64 113 0.000030 0.05 0.3587 0.0039 6.0358 0.0683 0.1220 0.0004 0.9497 1976 18 1981 10 1986 6 99
11.1 265 216 0.82 79 0.000046 0.07 0.3472 0.0077 5.9454 0.1341 0.1242 0.0006 0.9766 1921 37 1968 19 2017 9 95
12.1 142 151 1.06 46 0.000015 0.02 0.3778 0.0081 6.5784 0.1450 0.1263 0.0006 0.9743 2066 38 2056 19 2047 9 101
13.1 409 15 0.04 151 0.000005 0.01 0.4295 0.0047 10.2375 0.1268 0.1729 0.0010 0.8801 2304 21 2456 11 2586 10 89
14.1 142 147 1.04 44 0.000041 0.06 0.3647 0.0043 6.2244 0.0813 0.1238 0.0007 0.8997 2004 20 2008 11 2011 10 100
15.1 137 141 1.03 44 0.000054 0.08 0.3748 0.0044 6.5842 0.0850 0.1274 0.0007 0.9071 2052 21 2057 11 2062 10 100
16.1 2110 67 0.03 1016 0.000002 <0.01 0.5603 0.0057 17.0570 0.1741 0.2208 0.0002 0.9960 2868 24 2938 10 2987 1 96
17.1 858 271 0.32 273 – <0.01 0.3704 0.0038 6.3369 0.0701 0.1241 0.0005 0.9381 2031 18 2024 10 2016 7 101
17.2 445 122 0.27 139 0.000005 0.01 0.3645 0.0038 6.3593 0.0691 0.1265 0.0003 0.9678 2003 18 2027 9 2051 5 98
18.1 146 158 1.08 46 0.000055 0.08 0.3689 0.0043 6.3168 0.0817 0.1242 0.0007 0.9076 2024 20 2021 11 2017 10 100
f206 % is the percentage of 206Pb that is common lead. Uncertainties are given at the one r level. Correction for common lead is made using the measured 204Pb/206Pb ratio. For % conc., 100% signifies a
concordant analysis.

419
420 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427

Fig. 2. CL images of some selected analysed zircons from the different samples. Numbers in grains indicate spot analyses, numbers in bold represent the
number of analysed grains given in Table 1.

Data-point error ellipse are 1σ 2836 ± 11 Ma (MSWD = 0.94) calculated at the upper
0.58
Magnetite-bearing quartzite (128) 2.2 intercept of the discordia using six analyses (Fig. 6B); the
south of Eseka corresponding lower intercept gives a possible age of par-
5.1
2800
0.54 tial opening of the system around 782 Ma. The colourless
grains (13 analyses) are concordant within the analytical
2.1 error and lead to a mean weighted 207Pb*/206Pb* age of
0.50 1.1
2600 2055 ± 5 Ma (2, MSWD = 0.97) (Fig. 6C). The Paleopro-
Pb/238U

terozoic age of 2055 Ma corresponds to the emplacement

age of the syenite, whereas the Archean zircons reflect the
206

0.46
2400 crustal inheritance.
1.2
4.2.5. Bienkop charnockite (135)
0.42 Zircons are coarse-grained (100–250 lm) and generally
2200 Intercepts at
2126 130 & 2776 34 Ma (2σ) clear. CL images provide evidence of inheritance and over-
MSWD = 1.06 (n=13) growth at the rims of several grains, suggesting a complex
0.38
6 8 10 12 14 16 history. The 21 analyses (Table 1) show the near absence
207 235
Pb/ U of common lead: low 204Pb/206Pb ratios and low % 206Pb
issued of common Pb (f206 < 0.08 %). Zircon 8 is represen-
Fig. 3. Concordia diagram for SHRIMP analyses of zircon from the
magnetite-bearing quartzite (BIF). (5.1) stands for grain five, spot one.
tative of a typical inherited grain showing a main crystal
overgrowth on the inherited core and followed by signifi-
cant later overgrowth visible as a thin white rim on
absence of common lead: low 204Pb/206Pb ratios and low % the CL image (Fig. 2). The core of grain 16 (analysis 16.1;
206
Pb issued of common Pb (f206 < 0.11%). The two zircon Table 1) leads to a very similar old 207Pb*/206Pb* age, signif-
populations display two distinct age ranges (Fig. 6A). icantly discordant, while the border of grain 8 (analysis 8.2)
The dark zircons yield an Archean 207Pb*/206Pb* age at gives a concordant, much younger age. The discordia gives
 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427 421

3200
Garnet-pyroxene gneiss (89-1) at Edea

17.0

10.1
4.0

3.7

6.0
6.0
4.0
0.6 Garnet gneiss (IG-19) at Ngog Toss

±
2800

Pb/206Pb
0.5

2519.0
3066.0
3129.1
3173.4

2782.0
2787.0
2759.0
2400 IG-18
207

0.4
34.9
33.3
26.5
25.6

33.4
33.2
32.9

Pb/238U
±

2000
89-1
Pb/235U

206
0.3 1600
2269.1
3049.6
3103.4
3178.6

2891.3
2904.4
2845.9
207

1200
0.2
64.8
83.8
65.7
66.5

85.2
85.3
82.7
±

800
Pb/238U

0.1
Age (Ma)

0 4 8 12 16 20 24
2002.2
3025.0
3063.9
3186.8

3051.6
3076.3
2970.7

207
Pb/235U
206

Fig. 4. Concordia diagram for analyses of zircons from the garnet–

Correl.

bearing gneiss (IG-18, filled ellipse) and from the orthopyroxene–garnet–

0.97
1.00
0.97
1.00

0.99
1.00
1.00
Err.

bearing gneiss (89-1, empty ellipse) at the IMS-1270 ion microprobe.

0.0100
0.0026

0.0037
0.0034
0.0027
0.002
0.001
±

Data-point error ellipses are 1σ

0.40
Bonguen metagranodiorite (136)
Pb

Mean 207Pb*206Pb* age

206

2140
2066 4 Ma (2σ)
0.1662
0.2320

0.1946
0.1953
0.1919
Pb/

0.241
0.248

0.39 MSWD = 0.79 (n=19)

Summary of IMS-1270 U–Pb zircon data for samples IG-18 and 89-1 from the Nyong Group (Cameroon)

207

2100
0.33
0.67
0.56
0.58

0.58
0.58
0.54
±

0.38
Pb/238U

2060
U
235
Pb/

19.15
20.25
21.88

16.25
16.47
15.49
8.34

206

0.37
207

2020
Radiogenic ratios

0.01
0.02
0.02
0.02

0.02
0.02
0.02
±

0.36 1980
U

5.1
238
Pb/

0.36
0.60
0.61
0.64

0.61
0.61
0.59

0.35
206

5.8 6.0 6.2 6.4 6.6 6.8 7.0 7.2 7.4

Pb/206Pb

207 235
Pb/ U
0.00061
0.00002
0.00003
0.00004

0.00012
0.00004
0.00004

Fig. 5. Concordia diagram for SHRIMP analyses of zircon from the

Bonguen metagranodiorite.
204

0.01%
0.00%
0.02%
0.04%

0.00%
0.00%
0.00%
(%)
f206

Tos (IG-18)

an upper intercept age of 3113 ± 47 Ma and a lower inter-

cept age of 2026 ± 63 Ma (Fig. 7A). All the 16 other analy-
Th/U

0.51
0.99
0.51
0.83

0.84
0.51
0.73

ses are close to this younger age around 2 Ga. However,

they spread from 1980 to 2060 Ma; within the analytical
Garnet–pyroxene gneiss at Ngog
(ppm)

at Edea (89-1)

182.6 180.7

173.9 143.8
15.3

60.9

32.8
52.5
83.3

error (10–20 Ma at 2r) they are statistically different. The

Th

statistical treatment using the ISOPLOT/EX program (ver-

sion 3.0) of Ludwig (2003) allows distinguishing three age-
(ppm)

119.2

102.3
113.6
30.0

38.9

populations: around 2044, 2016 and 1985 Ma (Fig. 7B).

U

Grains showing two of these ages are related to two differ-

Pyroxene gneiss
(ppm)

ent age domains on CL images (Fig. 2) confirm this: grain

9.4
94.0
62.3
95.6

20.3
53.7
57.2
Pb

17 shows a core at 2051 ± 10 Ma and a border at 2016 ±

Table 2

Grain

14 Ma, while grain 9 shows a core at 2043 ± 22 Ma and a

spot

rim at 1993 ± 20 Ma. On the other hand, homogeneous

2
3
2
1

1
2
3
422 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427

data-point error ellipses are 1σ data-point error ellipses are 1σ

A 2800
A 3113 47 Ma (2σ) 3200
0.5 Lolodorf metasyenite (IG-17)
2400 B 0.6 3000
2987 3 Ma (2σ)

0.4 2800 8.1-16.1

2000
C 2600

206Pb/238U
0.3 1600 0.5

2400
0.2 1200
13.1
0.4 2200
800
0.1 8.2 Bienkok charnockite (135)
2000
2026 63 & 3113 47 Ma (2σ)
MSWD = 0.004 (n=3)
0.0 1800
0 4 8 12 16 0.3
4 8 12 16 20 24

0.56 9
B 2840 B Age 2σ fraction 2σ
8 1985.4 8.6 0.18 0.22
2016.1 7 0.44 0.35
2800 2044 5.5 0.38 ---
7 relative misfit = 0.544
0.54
2760 6
206Pb/238U

2720 5
0.52 4
2680
3
2640
Population 1 2
0.50
dark & anhedral zircons
1
782 320 & 2836 11 Ma (2σ)
MSWD=0.94 (n=6) 0
0.48 1900 1940 1980 2020 2060 2100 2140
12 13 14 15 16
Data-point error ellipses are 1σ
0.39
data-point error ellipses are 1σ C 2100

C
2060
0.40

18.1 0.37 17.1 200

2100
Pb/238U

8.2
17.2
1980
0.38 2060
206

9.1
1940
2020
0.35

0.36 1980 Population 2 9.2 Mean 207 Pb*/ 206 Pb*

ages (2σ)
colourless & euhedral zircons 2044 9 Ma, MSWD = 1.8 (n=6)
1940 2016 6 Ma, MSWD = 0.04 (n=7)
Mean 207Pb*/206Pb* age 1985 8 Ma, MSWD = 0.45 (n=3)
2055 5 Ma (2s)
MSWD=0.97 (n=13) 0.33
0.34 5.6 6.0 6.4 6.8
5.6 6.0 6.4 6.8 7.2 207
Pb/235U
207Pb/235U
Fig. 7. (A) Concordia diagram for SHRIMP analyses of zircon from the
Fig. 6. (A) Concordia diagram for SHRIMP analyses of zircon from the Bienkop charnockite (see the text for explanation). (B) Histogram giving
Lolodorf metasyenite; (B) detail for the population of dark and anhedral evidence of three populations of paleoproterozoic ages; (C) detail of the
zircons; (C) detail for the population of colourless and euhedral zircons. Concordia at around 2000 Ma.

grains were dated at the same ages: 7.1:2040 ± 22 Ma; analyses as they are concordant or sub-concordant at:
6.1:2017 ± 14 Ma and 4.1:1981 ± 14 Ma. Three mean 2044 ± 9 Ma (2r, MSWD = 1.8), 2016 ± 6 Ma (2r,
weighted 207Pb*/206Pb* ages can be calculated using all the MSWD = 0.04) and 1985 ± 8 Ma (2r, MSWD = 0.45)
 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427 423

Table 3
Summary of SHRIMP U–Pb data on zircons of the rocher du Loup metasyenite (IG6)
206 204
Grain U Th Th/U Pb* Pb/206Pb f206 % Total Radiogenic Age (Ma)
spot (ppm) (ppm) (ppm) 238 206 207 206 206 238 206
U/ Pb ± Pb/ Pb ± Pb/ U ± Pb/238U ±
1.1 54 13 0.24 4.1 0.000926 1.69 11.2245 0.2690 0.0659 0.0033 0.0882 0.0022 545.2 13.0
2.1 88 34 0.38 7.6 0.000977 1.79 9.9278 0.2212 0.0646 0.0020 0.1002 0.0023 615.4 13.4
3.1 35 24 0.68 2.9 0.001581 2.96 10.1437 0.2710 0.0592 0.0029 0.0987 0.0027 606.8 15.9
4.1 41 8 0.20 3.4 0.000313 0.56 10.3593 0.2598 0.0628 0.0016 0.0962 0.0025 591.8 14.4
5.1 90 10 0.11 7.7 0.000137 0.25 9.9952 0.2213 0.0600 0.0013 0.1001 0.0023 614.9 13.2
6.1 110 139 1.27 7.2 – 0.82 13.1679 0.2844 0.0630 0.0023 0.0753 0.0017 468.1 10.0
7.1 66 33 0.51 6.3 0.000320 <0.01 8.9918 0.1595 0.0600 0.0012 0.1115 0.0020 681.5 11.7
8.1 76 24 0.32 6.9 – <0.01 9.4789 0.1798 0.0597 0.0016 0.1057 0.0021 647.7 12.0
14.1 117 44 0.38 8.8 0.000205 0.15 11.4462 0.1924 0.0595 0.0011 0.0872 0.0015 539.2 8.8
15.1 55 22 0.40 4.5 0.000524 0.77 10.5683 0.2018 0.0656 0.0016 0.0939 0.0018 578.5 10.8
16.1 38 34 0.88 3.0 0.000510 0.52 10.9400 0.2357 0.0631 0.0020 0.0909 0.0020 561.0 11.8
17.1 87 31 0.36 7.1 – 0.08 10.6286 0.1893 0.0600 0.0013 0.0940 0.0017 579.2 10.1
18.1 98 30 0.30 6.0 – 0.46 13.9761 0.5412 0.0595 0.0022 0.0712 0.0028 443.5 16.8
f206 % is the percentage of 206Pb that is common lead. Uncertainties are given at the one r level. Correction for common lead is made using the measured
238
U/206Pb and 207Pb/206Pb ratios, according to Tera and Wasserburg (1972) modified by Compston et al. (1992).

(Fig. 7C). The most likely interpretation is that the 2044 Ma (1992), in which 207Pb/206Pb and 238U/206Pb ratios uncor-
event is related to charnockite formation while two younger rected for common Pb are reported. The points plot either
metamorphic events are also recorded at 2016 and 1985 Ma. on the concordia curve or very close to it. On the other hand,
the data spread widely along the U/Pb axis in accordance
4.2.6. Metasyenite at Rocher du Loup (IG-6) with 206Pb*/238U ages ranging from 681 to 443 Ma (Table
Zircons are large in size (200–300 lm). Except for a few 3 and Fig. 8). Due to uncommonly low U concentration
grains displaying numerous inclusions, most zircons are and the young age of these zircons, radiogenic Pb content
euhedral and clear. Eighty grains were mounted on a is always very low, leading to unusually high error on the
polished section and 13 spots were analysed. They show calculated 206Pb*/238U ages. Two analyses (6.1 and 18.1)
low uranium content and no Archean or Paleoproterozoic clearly show some radiogenic Pb-loss: they will not be taken
inheritance. Due to the analytical uncertainty of the into consideration. The 11 remaining analyses cannot be
206
Pb/204Pb ratio becoming critical for young ages considered, on a statistical point of view, as a unique popu-
(<1000 Ma), the 13 analytical points were reported in the lation. Two hypotheses can be considered: (1) analyses 7.1
207
Pb/206Pb versus 238U/206Pb Concordia diagram of Tera and 8.1 represent inherited grains (681–648 Ma), while the
and Wasserburg (1972), modified by Compston et al. 1.1 and 14.1 analyses are slightly shifted by Pb* loss. (2)
Those analyses are simply representative of the unusually
low precision of the data whose uncertainty is underesti-
mated. The CL photos of grains 7 and 8 do not indicate
Data-point error ellipses are 1σ
any evidence of inherited component. Similarly, grain 14
Rocher du Loup Syenite (IG-6)
0.078 206Pb/238U age: 591 19 Ma looks very similar to those grains and the other belonging
MSWD = 2.8 (n = 7) to average population. Only the grain 1 shows defaults that
0.074 may explain some Pb* loss. In any case, we have omitted
these four analyses in the estimate of the age. Using the
0.070 remaining group of seven analyses and the 207Pb/206Pb com-
position of common Pb according to Stacey and Kramers
Pb/206Pb

6.1
0.066 (1975) model (at 600 Ma), an average 206Pb*/238U age can
be calculated at 591 ± 19 Ma, with a reasonable MSWD
207

0.062 700 18.1

660 14.1 (2.8), which is the same age reported earlier using multigrain
620 TIMS analyses (590 ± 20 Ma, Toteu et al., 1994).
7.1 580
0.058 540
8.1 Pb* loss
500
460 5. Discussion
0.054 420

0.050
As a preliminary remark, we note that concordant
8 10 12 14 16 Archean detrital zircons were perfectly preserved despite
238
U/206Pb the subsequent high-grade metamorphism that affected
Fig. 8. 207Pb/206Pb versus 238U/206Pb Concordia diagram of Tera and
the Nyong Group at ca. 2050 Ma (Toteu et al., 1994).
Wasserburg (1972), for the Rocher du Loup syenite (modified by Thus, they can be used to evaluate the deposition age of
Compston et al., 1992); uncorrected for common Pb. the Group.
424 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427

5.1. Post-Archean deposition and source provenance of the
Nyong Group
Our data show that metasediments of the Nyong Group
comprise detrital zircons of various ages: IG-18 zircons
yielded only Mesoarchean ages, 89-1 zircons yielded Meso-
archean and Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic ages, and zir-
cons from 128 are Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic. The
2423 ± 4 Ma age obtained on the rim of the complex grain
(grain 1) of sample 128 indicates that the zircon underwent
a complex history prior to its incorporation as detritus into
the BIF protolith. Thus, 2423 ± 4 Ma fixes the maximum
deposition age for the Nyong Group. This is consistent
with the 206Pb/238U age of 2372 ± 58 Ma recorded on
one zircon of sample 89-1. We conclude that the Nyong
Group is a Paleoproterozoic supracrustal deposit that
was metamorphosed at ca. 2050 Ma during the Eburnean
Zircons from the São
5 Francisco craton
4
3 tance. However, Nd crustal residence age obtained on the
Number
orogeny. The ca. 2050 Ma collision of the Congo and
São Francisco cratons was associated with large-scale
nappe tectonics, but there is no clear evidence for the
source provenance of detrital grains of the Nyong Group.
The good match of the Nyong zircon ages cumulative curve
with those of both Congo and São Francisco cratons
(Fig. 9a and b) illustrates this, and shows that such detrital
grains could have been derived from either craton (see
below).
5.2. Age and origin of the plutonic rocks of the Nyong
Group
The emplacement ages of the Bonguen metagranodiorite
(IG-5) and the Lolodorf metasyenite (IG-17) are dated at
2066 ± 4 Ma and 2055 ± 5 Ma, respectively. Field observa-
tions have shown that they were emplaced syntectonically.
This is confirmed by the consistency of these emplacement
ages with that of the granulite facies metamorphism (Toteu
et al., 1994). Thus, the Eburnean orogeny in the Nyong
Group was characterized by plutonic activity that was
coeval with the Eburnean tectono-metamorphic events.
The crustaly derived origin of the metasyenite (Tchameni
et al., 2001) is confirmed by this study. The Bonguen
metagranodiorite did not display Archean zircon inheri-

same massif at Koukoue (five kilometres north of

Bonguen) yielded 2.9 Ga (Toteu et al., 1994) confirming
2
the general influence of the Archean crust in the genesis
of the Nyong Group granitoids. The interpretation of the
1 Nyong Group as an Archean part of the Ntem complex
Detrital zircons from the
Nyong metasediments was based on the presence of assumed Archean nuclei such
as Bonguen, Kopongo and Bienkop types (Lasserre and
0
1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400
Soba, 1976; Maurizot, 2000; Maurizot et al., 1986;
(a) Age (Ma) Feybesse et al., 1998). Our data do not confirm this, but
rather demonstrate that the Nyong Group is entirely com-
posed of Paleoproterozoic rocks.
5

5.3. Age of the granulite facies metamorphism of the

4 Nyong Group
Zircons from the Congo craton
(Cameroon and Gabon)
The ca. 2050 Ma age of the granulitic metamorphim of
3 the Nyong Group has been previously documented (Toteu
Number

et al., 1994). New data on the Bienkop charnockitic massif,

2
e.g., cores of zircons 17 (2051 ± 10 Ma) and 9 (2043 ±
22 Ma) and homogeneous grains confirm this age which
Detrital zircons from the also corresponds to that of the nappe tectonics of the
Nyong metasediments
1 Nyong Group. This study has also revealed younger meta-
morphic episodes between 2016 ± 6 Ma and 1985 ± 8 Ma
in the Bienkop charnockite and in the Bonguen metagran-
0
1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400 odiorite. These episodes may be correlated with the subse-
(b) Age (Ma) quent migmatization and granitization observed in the field
and indicate that the Eburnean orogeny in the Nyong
Fig. 9. Zircons cumulative age curve of the Nyong Group compared with
Group occurred between 2066 and 1985 Ma. The effects
that of the Congo craton in Cameroon and Gabon (a) and to that of the
São Francisco craton (b). Data from (Korsin et al., 2003; Oliveira et al., of this orogeny in the Archean Ntem complex are the het-
2004; Campos et al., 2003; Barbosa and Sabaté, 2002; Tchameni et al., erogenous high-grade recrystallization recorded in the
2000; Shang et al., 2004; Toteu et al., 1994; Caen-Vachette et al., 1988). Ntem charnockite and mafic dykes (Lasserre and Soba,
 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427 425

1976; Toteu et al., 1994). It is important to note that
despite this recrystallization, in particular that recorded
in the mafic dykes, no evidence of coeval tectonic features
is observed. This suggests that the Eburnean recrystalliza-
tion in the Ntem complex was essentially static and proba-
bly due to burial. Such behaviour has been interpreted as
the consequence of emplacement of the Nyong nappes over
the Ntem complex (Toteu et al., 1994).
5.4. Significance of the 2500–2600 Ma zircons in
metasediments of the Nyong Group
Detrital zircons with ages in the 2500–2600 Ma age
range have been found in the Nyong metasediments. The
grain-1 zircon of sample 128 (Fig. 2) suggests a complex
history at 2500 Ma prior to its incorporation into the
metasediments. Comparable U–Pb zircon ages from the
Nyong Group were previously discussed and considered
as resulting from partial opening of U–Pb system of
Archean zircons in relation to the Eburnean and Pan-
African metamorphic events (Toteu et al., 1994). The pres-
ent study has clarified this question by showing that ages in
this range correspond to growth/overgrowth of zircon
during a metamorphic/thermal event at 2500 Ma. Such
an event may correspond to a late Neoarchean plutonism
and intensive crustal reworking such as reported in the
São Francisco and Congo cratons (Nsifa and Riou, 1990;
Campos et al., 2003; Oliveira et al., 2004).
5.4.1. The Pan-African imprint in the Nyong Group
During the Pan-African, the Nyong Group was affected
by transcurrent shear zones coeval with the Yaoundé nappe
emplacement and along which plutonic bodies such as the
Rocher du Loup metasyenite (591 ± 19 Ma) were
emplaced. This event has also overprinted Paleoproterozoic
granulite assemblages at ca. 600 Ma (Toteu et al., 1994).
5.4.2. Comparison with NE Brazil
The Nyong Group, characterized by granulitic assem-
blages and the ubiquitous flat-lying foliation, can be
considered as the extension in Central Africa of the Trans-
amazonian granulitic belt in Brazil (Almeida et al., 2000;
Barbosa and Sabaté, 2002) in pre-drift reconstructions.
The geological features described in both regions are part
of a N–S collisional belt refered to as the West Central Afri-
can Belt (WCAB, Feybesse et al., 1998; Penaye et al., 2004)

Fig. 10. Schematic interpretation of the Eburnean (WCAB)–Transamazonian belt as the result of the collision between Sao Francisco-Nigerian shield
block and the mega-Congo craton. PaF, Patos Fault; PF, Pernambuco Fault; TB, terrane boundary; TBF, Tchollire-Banyo Fault: ADF, Adamawa Fault.,
BP, Borborema Province. Redrawn after (Feybesse et al., 1998; Almeida et al., 2000; Ferré et al., 1996; Barbosa and Sabaté, 2004; Penaye et al., 2004).
426 C. Lerouge et al. / Journal of African Earth Sciences 44 (2006) 413–427
and recognized in NE Brazil as the Transamazonian granu-
lite belt (Ledru et al., 1994; Teixeira and Figueiredo, 1991;
Van Schmus et al., 1995; D’Agrella-Filho et al., 1996;
Almeida et al., 2000; Barbosa and Sabaté, 2002). In both
belts, the age range of the orogenic cycle is constrained
between 2.4 and 1.9 Ga with a peak of tectono-metamorphic
and plutonic activity between 2.1 and 2.0 Ga. The supracru-
stal rocks associated with this orogenic cycle include pre-
granulite metasediments and a late-tectonic fluvio-deltaic
deposit; late to post-tectonic granitoids emplaced along
shear zones are also recorded (Corsini and Maurin, 1993;
Ledru et al., 1994; Barbosa and Sabaté, 2002). However,
in addition to the granulites, the Transamazonian belt of
NE Brazil contains intensively reworked Archean segments
(e.g., Gavião, Jequié and Serrinha and Itabuna-Salvador-
Curaçá; Barbosa and Sabaté, 2002), greenstones, and plu-
tonic rocks formed in a back-arc setting between 2.2 and
2.1 Ga. This implies that a subduction zone was active dur-
ing the Transamazonian in NE Brazil. These features char-
acterize the internal zones where granulites (including the
Nyong granulites) formed before being subsequently thrust
onto the cratons during the Transamazonian divergent
nappe tectonics (Ledru et al., 1994; Barbosa and Sabaté,
2002). This implies an allochtonous position for the Nyong
Group thrust onto the Ntem complex and makes it possible
that the Nyong metasediments may derive from the erosion
of Archean blocks in Brazil. Finally, the WCAB represents
only a small and incomplete part of a large Paleoproterozoic
Wilson cycle orogenic belt whose major components are
documented in NE Brazil. Such a situation also happened
in the Pan-African West-Congolian belt (Tack et al.,
2001), which also represents the external part of a more
complete belt extending in Brazil as the Araçuai belt
(Pedrosa-Soares et al., 2001). This stresses the importance
of trans-Atlantic correlations in the study of both
Eburnean–Transamazonian and Pan-African-Brasiliano
belts.
6. Conclusion
This study has shown that the Nyong Group is a Paleo-
proterozoic unit characterized by pre-orogenic sediments
(<ca. 2400 Ma), affected by a granulite facies metamor-
phism associated with ubiquitous flat-lying foliation and
syntectonic plutonism (ca. 2050 Ma). The Nyong Group
is interpreted as an allochtonous unit thrust onto the
Congo craton during the Eburnean–Transamazonian orog-
eny. This nappe tectonic event is the ultimate stage of a
complete Paleoproterozoic orogenic cycle whose major
characteristics, including the suture zone, are preserved in
NE Brazil. The WCAB in southern Cameroon, Gabon,
Congo and Angola represents the external parts of the belt
that remained attached to the Congo craton following the
Cenozoic rifting (Fig. 10). The internal zones of NE Brazil
correlate with the Paleoproterozoic juvenile domain of
north-central Cameroon and Nigeria and suggest that this
segment of the Eburnean–Transamazonian orogeny is the
result of the convergence between the São Francisco-
Nigerian Shield block and a former Congo megacraton.
Acknowledgements
This is BRGM scientific contribution financially sup-
ported by research projects of the BRGM. This work was
a part of the IGCP-470. The authors are grateful to B.
Thomas and J.M. Bertrand for their helpful comments
on the manuscript.
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