Small-scale gold mining in southern Africa
- Authors: Joubert, Barend Daniel
- Date: 1992
- Subjects: Gold mines and mining -- South Africa , Abandoned mines , Abandoned mines -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5002 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005615 , Gold mines and mining -- South Africa , Abandoned mines , Abandoned mines -- South Africa
- Description: The general characteristics of gold deposits are reviewed, and a classification of gold deposits based on mineability is proposed. Evaluation, mlnlng and beneficiation methods are briefly discussed. It is concluded that the most viable targets for small-scale companies comprise deposits that require the least pre-production time and expense. Great potential exists for the small-scale reclamation of gold from tailings dumps and abandoned mines in Southern Africa. There is also potential for developing new smallscale gold mines in the Archaean greenstone terranes of the Zimbabwean and Kaapvaal cratons.
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- Date Issued: 1992
The nature and origin of gold mineralization in the Tugela valley, Natal Structural and Metamorphic Province
- Authors: De Klerk, Ian Duncan
- Date: 1991
- Subjects: Gold ores -- Geology -- South Africa , Gold mines and mining -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4979 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005591 , Gold ores -- Geology -- South Africa , Gold mines and mining -- South Africa
- Description: The project area is situated within the Tugela Valley, located in the Northern Marginal Zone of the Natal Structural and Metamorphic Province, and this work outlines the different styles of gold mineralization found in the Tugela Valley. Two different styles have been recognized and both have economic significance:- 1) Epigenetic shear zone-hosted gold occurs in late-stage relatively undeformed thin quartz veins confined to shear zones, and is present in both the greenschist facies Natal Thrust Belt and the amphibolite facies Natal Nappe Complex. However the vast majority of these occurrences are concentrated within the thrust front (i.e. the Natal Thrust Belt). The gold grades (up to 7 g/t) and the hydrothermal alteration assemblages associated with the epigenetic deposits have been documented. 2) An as yet unrecognized occurrence of syngenetic gold mineralization is found associated with the sediment-hosted exhalative massive, to semi-massive, sulphides of the iThuma prospect, located within the amphibolite facies Natal Nappe Complex. Here gold (up to 3 g/t) is concentrated together with the main sulphide are, as well as some gold enrichment (230ppb) in the hydrothermally altered footwall feeder pipe. It is proposed that the epigenetic mineralization was formed as a consequence of the northward directed abduction of the major thrust slices of the Natal Nappe Complex. This increased the permeability of the rocks and provided channelways for the focussing of fluids. Deposition took place at the thrust front where metamorphic hydrothermal fluids interacted with meteoric water.
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- Date Issued: 1991
Molybdeunum mineralization with emphasis on porphyry systems genesis and exploration
- Authors: Puig-Pichuante, R M
- Date: 1986
- Subjects: Molybdenum , Porphyry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5023 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006840
- Description: Mo became very important in the last century, because of its sophisticated properties and its use in the new technology of alloys . Porphyry systems (porphyry Cu-Mo and Mo) contribute a significant proportion (90 - 95 per cent) to the Mo world's production. This type of deposit is associated mainly with Phanerozoic orogenic belts. Above 87per cent of the world resources are in the American Circumpacific belts , both Andean and Cordilleran . Ore grade in porphyry Cu-Mo range from 0,005 to 0,04per cent Mo, whereas in porphyry Mo grades range from 0,08 to 0,75per cent Mo . These deposits are associated with a magmatism which shows an evolution from calcic in island arcs, to calc-alkaline in magmatic back arcs, with an increase of the Mo content in the same direction. Porphyry Mo deposits display several features in common with porphyry Cu deposits. hydrothermal Similarities include nature of host alteration patterns and distribution of rock intrusives, ore minerals. An interesting difference is found in the Re contents of the molybdenite mineral. This element is higher in the molybdenites of porphyry Cu, than in those of the porphyry Mo. The ore genesis process begins involves partial melting, within enriched zones of the upper mantle and magma differentation, liquid state thermogravitational diffusion, magma convection and boiling. These processes progressively concentrate Mo in the fluids, which are released at some stage, into sulphidic hydrothermal systems, under complex geologictectonic conditions involving fracturing, brecciation and hydrothermal alteration. Major concentrations of the ore mineral are always associated with potassic alteration, and with late magmatic-early hydrothermal stages (Chilean and Western North American porphyries). Geological mapping and a close understanding of alteration and mineralization patterns, and lithogeochemistry are important tools for the exploration of porphyry Mo deposits. Geochemical prospecting, using soils, vegetation and water as sampling media, and regional aeromagnetic, gravity surveys, aerial photography and remote sensing, are us.
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- Date Issued: 1986
Turbidite-hosted gold deposits
- Authors: Leeming, Prudence Mary
- Date: 1985
- Subjects: Gold ores , Turbidites
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5010 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005939 , Gold ores , Turbidites
- Description: Turbidite-hosted gold deposits contribute a significant proportion to world lode gold production and have also provided substantial gold to alluvial resources. Turbidity current deposits occur throughout geological time within Archaean greenstone belts, Proterozoic orogenic belts and rifted passive continental margins, and Palaeozoic geosynclines. Representing the end member of the sedimentary cycle, turbidites have the attribute of preservation not only on an individual bed basis but also due to below wave base accumulation in submarine deeps. Cyclic deposition according to the Bouma sequence punctuates turbidite deposition by a series of diastems. Accumulation of organic, pelagic and chemical sediments may concentrate gold to protore enrichment levels i n a primary sedimentary environment. Dewatering during diagenesis and low-grade metamorphism under reducing conditions may redistribute gold with transport as low energy organo- and thio-complexes. Gold may precipitate with diagenetic pyrite and silica near black shale and/or partially replace fine carbonate detritus. Gold solubility increases with high grade amphibolite facies metamorphism (T 400ºC) when efficient leaching of gold and transport by simple chloro- and hydroxychloro - complexes to lower greenschist regions takes place. Reduced permeability of turbidite strata induces hydrofracturing which focuses dewatering solutions. Gold is deposited due to pressure and temperature decrease or local changes in physico - chemico conditions caused by the reaction of fluids with wall rocks (reactive beds in turbidites are predominantly carbonaceous strata). The largest of turbidite - hosted goldfields are confined to back -arc or marginal sea basins with restricted oceanic circulation. The richest concentrations of gold occur proximal to the original source within the greenschist facies formations lowermost in a thick turbidite sequence and exhibit strong combined structural and lithological association. Turbidites represent important strata for the concentration and preservation of gold not only during sedimentation and diagenesis but also during later deformation and metamorphism.
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- Date Issued: 1985