Genesis of BIF-hosted hematite iron ore deposits in the central part of the Maremane anticline, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Land, Jarred
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Hematite -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Anticlines -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geology, Stratigraphic -- Proterozoic , Hydrothermal deposits -- Northern Cape , Rare earth metals -- Northern Cape , Iron ores -- Geology -- Northern Cape , Transvaal Supergroup (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020905
- Description: The Paleoproterozoic Transvaal Supergroup in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is host to high-grade BIF-hosted hematite iron-ore deposits and is the country’s most important source of iron to date. Previous work has failed to provide a robust and all-inclusive genetic model for such deposits in the Transvaal Supergroup; in particular, the role of hydrothermal processes in ore-genesis has not been adequately clarified. Recent studies by the author have produced evidence for hydrothermal alteration in shales (Olifantshoek Supergroup) stratigraphically overlying the iron-ore intervals; this has highlighted the need to reassess current ore-forming models which place residual supergene processes at the core of oregenesis. This thesis focuses on providing new insights into the processes responsible for the genesis of hematite iron ores in the Maremane anticline through the use of newly available exploration drill-core material from the centre of the anticline. The study involved standard mineralogical investigations using transmitted/reflected light microscopy as well as instrumental techniques (XRD, EPMA); and the employment of traditional whole-rock geochemical analysis on samples collected from two boreholes drilled in the centre of the Maremane anticline, Northern Cape Province. Rare earth element analysis (via ICP-MS) and oxygen isotope data from hematite separates complement the whole-rock data. Iron-ore mineralisation examined in this thesis is typified by the dominance of Fe-oxide (as hematite), which reaches whole-rock abundances of up to 98 wt. % Fe₂O₃. Textural and whole-rock geochemical variations in the ores likely reflect a variable protolith, from BIF to Fe-bearing shale. A standard supergene model invoking immobility and residual enrichment of iron is called into question on the basis of the relative degrees of enrichment recorded in the ores with respect to other, traditionally immobile elements during chemical weathering, such as Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. Furthermore, the apparently conservative behaviour of REE in the Fe ore (i.e. low-grade and high-grade iron ore) further emphasises the variable protolith theory. Hydrothermally-induced ferruginisation is suggested to post-date the deposition of the post-Transvaal Olifantshoek shales, and is likely to be linked to a sub-surface transgressive hydrothermal event which indiscriminately transforms both shale and BIF into Fe-ore. A revised, hydrothermal model for the formation of BIF-hosted high-grade hematite iron ore deposits in the central part of the Maremane anticline is proposed, and some ideas of the author for further follow-up research are presented.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Land, Jarred
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Hematite -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Anticlines -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geology, Stratigraphic -- Proterozoic , Hydrothermal deposits -- Northern Cape , Rare earth metals -- Northern Cape , Iron ores -- Geology -- Northern Cape , Transvaal Supergroup (South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5095 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020905
- Description: The Paleoproterozoic Transvaal Supergroup in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is host to high-grade BIF-hosted hematite iron-ore deposits and is the country’s most important source of iron to date. Previous work has failed to provide a robust and all-inclusive genetic model for such deposits in the Transvaal Supergroup; in particular, the role of hydrothermal processes in ore-genesis has not been adequately clarified. Recent studies by the author have produced evidence for hydrothermal alteration in shales (Olifantshoek Supergroup) stratigraphically overlying the iron-ore intervals; this has highlighted the need to reassess current ore-forming models which place residual supergene processes at the core of oregenesis. This thesis focuses on providing new insights into the processes responsible for the genesis of hematite iron ores in the Maremane anticline through the use of newly available exploration drill-core material from the centre of the anticline. The study involved standard mineralogical investigations using transmitted/reflected light microscopy as well as instrumental techniques (XRD, EPMA); and the employment of traditional whole-rock geochemical analysis on samples collected from two boreholes drilled in the centre of the Maremane anticline, Northern Cape Province. Rare earth element analysis (via ICP-MS) and oxygen isotope data from hematite separates complement the whole-rock data. Iron-ore mineralisation examined in this thesis is typified by the dominance of Fe-oxide (as hematite), which reaches whole-rock abundances of up to 98 wt. % Fe₂O₃. Textural and whole-rock geochemical variations in the ores likely reflect a variable protolith, from BIF to Fe-bearing shale. A standard supergene model invoking immobility and residual enrichment of iron is called into question on the basis of the relative degrees of enrichment recorded in the ores with respect to other, traditionally immobile elements during chemical weathering, such as Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. Furthermore, the apparently conservative behaviour of REE in the Fe ore (i.e. low-grade and high-grade iron ore) further emphasises the variable protolith theory. Hydrothermally-induced ferruginisation is suggested to post-date the deposition of the post-Transvaal Olifantshoek shales, and is likely to be linked to a sub-surface transgressive hydrothermal event which indiscriminately transforms both shale and BIF into Fe-ore. A revised, hydrothermal model for the formation of BIF-hosted high-grade hematite iron ore deposits in the central part of the Maremane anticline is proposed, and some ideas of the author for further follow-up research are presented.
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Genesis of karst-hosted manganese ores of the Postmasburg Manganese Field, South Africa with emphasis on evidence for hydrothermal processes
- Authors: Fairey, Brenton John
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Karst -- South Africa -- Postmasburg , Manganese ores -- South Africa -- Postmasburg , Hydrothermal alteration -- South Africa -- Postmasburg , Manganese mines and mining -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Petrology , Mineralogical chemistry , Geochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020904
- Description: The Postmasburg Manganese Field (PMF), located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, once represented one of the largest sources of manganese ore worldwide. However, the discovery of the giant manganese deposits of the Kalahari Manganese Field (KMF) led to the gradual decline in manganese mining activity in the PMF. Two belts of manganese ore deposits have been distinguished in the PMF, namely the Western Belt of ferruginous manganese ores and the Eastern Belt of siliceous manganese ores. Prevailing models of ore formation in these two belts invoke karstification of manganese-rich dolomites and residual accumulation of manganese wad which later underwent diagenetic and low-grade metamorphic processes. For the most part, the role of hydrothermal processes in ore formation and metasomatic alteration is not addressed. The identification of an abundance of common and some rare Al-, Na-, K- and Ba-bearing minerals, particularly aegirine, albite, microcline, banalsite, sérandite-pectolite, paragonite and natrolite in the PMF ores studied in this thesis, is indicative of the influence of hydrothermal activity. Enrichments in Na, K and/or Ba in the ores are generally on a percentage level for the majority of samples analysed through bulk-rock techniques. The discovery of a Ba-Mn arsenate/vanadate similar to gamagarite may also indicate that the hydrothermal fluid affecting the ores was not only alkali-rich but also probably contained some As and V. The fluid was likely to be oxidized and alkaline in nature and is thought to have been a mature basinal brine. Various replacement textures, particularly of Na- and Krich minerals by Ba-bearing phases, suggest sequential deposition of gangue as well as oreminerals from the hydrothermal fluid, with Ba phases being deposited at a later stage. The stratigraphic variability of the studied ores and the deviation of their character from the pigeon-hole-type classification of ferruginous and siliceous ores in the literature, suggests that a re-evaluation of genetic models is warranted. The discovery of hydrothermallydeposited alkali-rich assemblages in the PMF and KMF provides grounding for further investigation into a possible regional-scale hydrothermal event at least re-constituting the ores. Some shortcomings in previous works include disregard for the highly variable nature of the PMF deposits, the effects of hydrothermal activity of the ores and the existence of stratigraphic discrepancies. This study provides a single, broad model for the development of all manganese deposits of the PMF. The source of metals is attributed to all formations that stratigraphically overly the Reivilo Formation of the Campbellrand Subgroup (including the Reivilo Formation itself). The main process by which metals are accumulated is attributed to karstification of the dolomites. The interaction of oxidized, alkaline brines with the ores is considered and the overlying Asbestos Hills Subgroup BIF is suggested as a potential source of alkali metals.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fairey, Brenton John
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Karst -- South Africa -- Postmasburg , Manganese ores -- South Africa -- Postmasburg , Hydrothermal alteration -- South Africa -- Postmasburg , Manganese mines and mining -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Petrology , Mineralogical chemistry , Geochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5094 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020904
- Description: The Postmasburg Manganese Field (PMF), located in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, once represented one of the largest sources of manganese ore worldwide. However, the discovery of the giant manganese deposits of the Kalahari Manganese Field (KMF) led to the gradual decline in manganese mining activity in the PMF. Two belts of manganese ore deposits have been distinguished in the PMF, namely the Western Belt of ferruginous manganese ores and the Eastern Belt of siliceous manganese ores. Prevailing models of ore formation in these two belts invoke karstification of manganese-rich dolomites and residual accumulation of manganese wad which later underwent diagenetic and low-grade metamorphic processes. For the most part, the role of hydrothermal processes in ore formation and metasomatic alteration is not addressed. The identification of an abundance of common and some rare Al-, Na-, K- and Ba-bearing minerals, particularly aegirine, albite, microcline, banalsite, sérandite-pectolite, paragonite and natrolite in the PMF ores studied in this thesis, is indicative of the influence of hydrothermal activity. Enrichments in Na, K and/or Ba in the ores are generally on a percentage level for the majority of samples analysed through bulk-rock techniques. The discovery of a Ba-Mn arsenate/vanadate similar to gamagarite may also indicate that the hydrothermal fluid affecting the ores was not only alkali-rich but also probably contained some As and V. The fluid was likely to be oxidized and alkaline in nature and is thought to have been a mature basinal brine. Various replacement textures, particularly of Na- and Krich minerals by Ba-bearing phases, suggest sequential deposition of gangue as well as oreminerals from the hydrothermal fluid, with Ba phases being deposited at a later stage. The stratigraphic variability of the studied ores and the deviation of their character from the pigeon-hole-type classification of ferruginous and siliceous ores in the literature, suggests that a re-evaluation of genetic models is warranted. The discovery of hydrothermallydeposited alkali-rich assemblages in the PMF and KMF provides grounding for further investigation into a possible regional-scale hydrothermal event at least re-constituting the ores. Some shortcomings in previous works include disregard for the highly variable nature of the PMF deposits, the effects of hydrothermal activity of the ores and the existence of stratigraphic discrepancies. This study provides a single, broad model for the development of all manganese deposits of the PMF. The source of metals is attributed to all formations that stratigraphically overly the Reivilo Formation of the Campbellrand Subgroup (including the Reivilo Formation itself). The main process by which metals are accumulated is attributed to karstification of the dolomites. The interaction of oxidized, alkaline brines with the ores is considered and the overlying Asbestos Hills Subgroup BIF is suggested as a potential source of alkali metals.
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Gold mineralisation at Masumbi Au-Cu Prospect, west Kenya : implication for gold exploration in the Archaean Ndori Greenstone Belt of Kenya
- Authors: Salimo, Luckmore
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Gold mines and mining -- Kenya -- Nyanza Province , Copper -- Kenya -- Nyanza Province , Prospecting -- Kenya -- Nyanza Province , Chalcopyrite -- Kenya -- Nyanza Province , Metamorphism (Geology) , Geochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5096 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020961
- Description: The Masumbi Au-Cu deposit in the Ndori Greenstone Belt of western Kenya is hosted in dacitic volcanics of the Nyanzian Group (2710 ± 340 Ma) and dioritic to granodioritic felsic intrusives (2504 ± 48 Ma). The deposit is characterised by gold and copper mineralisation that is associated with quartz-sulphide veins and veinlets. The copper mineralisation typically occurs as chalcopyrite. Gold is closely associated with pyrite in mineralogy and its pathfinder elements silver, bismuth, tellurium and selenium in geochemistry. The gold occurs in two forms that may indicate two generations of precipitation: the equant and the elongate forms. Based on Au/Ag ratios, the equant gold grains can be classified as native gold as their gold content is greater than 90 wt%. The elongate gold grains can be classified as electrums as their silver content is greater than 38 wt%. While there is a strong Au-Ag association within individual gold grains supporting an orogenic model for the gold mineralisation, mineralisation at the Masumbi Prospect appears atypical of Archaean orogenic gold deposits because of the abundance of copper (up to 0.43%). The enrichment of silver, copper, bismuth and tellurium in ore assemblages is common in porphyry, VMS and epithermal systems, but their presence at Masumbi does not preclude the formation as an orogenic deposit. Assay results from three Masumbi diamond drill-holes show an apparent correlation between gold and copper. However, petrography and electron probe microanalyses results from this study indicate that chalcopyrite is an earlier phase than pyrite as it occasionally occurs as inclusions in pyrite. This petrogenetic relationship between pyrite and chalcopyrite suggests that there is no temporal relationship between gold and copper mineralisation. Statistical analysis of the assays shows no linear correlation between gold and copper thereby supporting the above findings. The gold and copper mineralisation have been interpreted as forming as two separate events with copper forming first followed by gold. These events are both related to the intrusion of the felsic rocks that are associated with the Aruan metamorphic event that has been responsible for the bulk of the gold mineralisation on the Tanzanian Craton. The common alteration assemblage in the Masumbi rocks comprises chlorite and epidote. This alteration assemblage is typical of regional greenschist metamorphic facies grading into amphibolite metamorphic facies in the Nyanzian Group of Kenya. However, these alteration minerals could possibly be products of propylitic alteration in the rock groundmass. Other alteration mineral assemblages, possibly of hydrothermal origin, comprise muscovite, sericite, quartz, carbonate, associated with the sulphides pyrite and chalcopyrite. Although the occurrence of gold appears to be controlled by the presence of pyrite, it is also associated with silicification. Exploration methods have been proposed to target undiscovered gold deposits in the Ndori Greenstone Belt that are similar to the Masumbi deposit. These methods could probably be applied to vein-type gold deposits in other granite-greenstone terranes in the Lake Victoria Goldfields.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Salimo, Luckmore
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Gold mines and mining -- Kenya -- Nyanza Province , Copper -- Kenya -- Nyanza Province , Prospecting -- Kenya -- Nyanza Province , Chalcopyrite -- Kenya -- Nyanza Province , Metamorphism (Geology) , Geochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5096 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1020961
- Description: The Masumbi Au-Cu deposit in the Ndori Greenstone Belt of western Kenya is hosted in dacitic volcanics of the Nyanzian Group (2710 ± 340 Ma) and dioritic to granodioritic felsic intrusives (2504 ± 48 Ma). The deposit is characterised by gold and copper mineralisation that is associated with quartz-sulphide veins and veinlets. The copper mineralisation typically occurs as chalcopyrite. Gold is closely associated with pyrite in mineralogy and its pathfinder elements silver, bismuth, tellurium and selenium in geochemistry. The gold occurs in two forms that may indicate two generations of precipitation: the equant and the elongate forms. Based on Au/Ag ratios, the equant gold grains can be classified as native gold as their gold content is greater than 90 wt%. The elongate gold grains can be classified as electrums as their silver content is greater than 38 wt%. While there is a strong Au-Ag association within individual gold grains supporting an orogenic model for the gold mineralisation, mineralisation at the Masumbi Prospect appears atypical of Archaean orogenic gold deposits because of the abundance of copper (up to 0.43%). The enrichment of silver, copper, bismuth and tellurium in ore assemblages is common in porphyry, VMS and epithermal systems, but their presence at Masumbi does not preclude the formation as an orogenic deposit. Assay results from three Masumbi diamond drill-holes show an apparent correlation between gold and copper. However, petrography and electron probe microanalyses results from this study indicate that chalcopyrite is an earlier phase than pyrite as it occasionally occurs as inclusions in pyrite. This petrogenetic relationship between pyrite and chalcopyrite suggests that there is no temporal relationship between gold and copper mineralisation. Statistical analysis of the assays shows no linear correlation between gold and copper thereby supporting the above findings. The gold and copper mineralisation have been interpreted as forming as two separate events with copper forming first followed by gold. These events are both related to the intrusion of the felsic rocks that are associated with the Aruan metamorphic event that has been responsible for the bulk of the gold mineralisation on the Tanzanian Craton. The common alteration assemblage in the Masumbi rocks comprises chlorite and epidote. This alteration assemblage is typical of regional greenschist metamorphic facies grading into amphibolite metamorphic facies in the Nyanzian Group of Kenya. However, these alteration minerals could possibly be products of propylitic alteration in the rock groundmass. Other alteration mineral assemblages, possibly of hydrothermal origin, comprise muscovite, sericite, quartz, carbonate, associated with the sulphides pyrite and chalcopyrite. Although the occurrence of gold appears to be controlled by the presence of pyrite, it is also associated with silicification. Exploration methods have been proposed to target undiscovered gold deposits in the Ndori Greenstone Belt that are similar to the Masumbi deposit. These methods could probably be applied to vein-type gold deposits in other granite-greenstone terranes in the Lake Victoria Goldfields.
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Gold mineralization in a high grade metamorphic terrane in the Handeni District, Eastern Tanzania
- Bitesigirwe, Godfrey Stephen
- Authors: Bitesigirwe, Godfrey Stephen
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54756 , vital:26609
- Description: Most orogenic type gold deposits are formed under low greenschist facies to mid amphibolite facies metamorphic conditions and deposition is either structurally or lithologically controlled. A few known gold deposits found in high grade metamorphic terranes include those in the Yilgarn craton in Australia, Renco in Zimbabwe, Hemlo in Canada and the recently discovered Handeni deposit in Tanzania. Within Tanzania, gold deposits are mainly hosted in Archaean low grade metamorphic rocks commonly known as the Lake Victoria greenstone belt. The greenstone belts of Tanzania are of Nyanzian age (> 2.5Ga) and are located to the south and east of Lake Victoria on the Tanzania craton. The Tanzania Craton is surrounded by Usagaran 1.9 Ga rocks (the east African orogenic belt (EAO) better known as the Mozambique belt) to the east and the Ubendian belt to the south and west. Published reports show that the eastern part of the Tanzania Craton is dominated by the fragments of Archaean rocks. Metamorphism along East Africa and the Tanzania Craton is due to several geological events. These geological events include the intrusion of granites in the Archaean Tanzania Craton (3 Ga), subduction of ocean plate resulted to the formation of Usagaran belt (1.9 Ga), opening and closure of Mozambique Ocean, which resulted in the formation of the Mozambique belt between 700 – 800 Ma and the Pan African orogeny at 640 – 620 Ma, which is associated with the formation of Gondwana. It is believed that fragments from the Archaean Tanzania craton were re - metamorphosed during these events. The Handeni project (the focus of this thesis) is located in the northern portion of the eastern part of the Usagaran belt (1.9 Ga) comprising the eastern part of Archaean Tanzania Craton. The area is characterized by Proterozic rocks of basaltic composition. The documented 2.7 Ga rocks at the Kilindi Handeni Superterrane at the northern part of the Usagaran belt correlate well with 2.7 Ga of Nyanzian rocks of Archaean Tanzania craton. The Handeni project area is geologically dominated by metamorphosed and deformed units of quartzofeldspathic gneisses, migmatitic gneiss, garnet silicified rock, garnetiferous amphibolite, garnetiferous granulite, graphitic schist and hornblende pyroxenite. Intensive deformation features that were developed include folds (sheath folds, micro and macro scales), faults, shears and regional thrusts. This thesis focuses on identifying the protolith of the rocks, alteration minerals, and metamorphic assemblages in the project area in order to understand the timing of gold mineralization. Geological investigation of core, ore petrology and mineralogy, mineral composition by using JEOL microprobe analysis and XRF analysis of bulk rocks were utilized. All the analytical work was done at the Geology laboratory, Rhodes University. Petrographic analysis shows that the rocks sampled in the study area are characterized by alteration minerals such as calcite, dolomite and sericite. Sulphide minerals including chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, pentlandite and gersdorffite were identified. Gold mineralization is associated with disseminated sulphides in association with trace amounts of base metals. Four rock types were proposed as host rocks for the mineralization, namely garnet silicified rock with superimposed quartz veins, garnetiferous amphibolite, garnetiferous granulite and hornblende pyroxenite. Fold troughs, filled fractures associated with episodes of folding, quartz veins and shear zones are suggested as gold precipitation sites. The presence of high grade metamorphic rocks containing gold, intermediate to low grade assemblages with sulphides and associated hydrothermal alteration as well as a complex deformation history suggests that the Handeni mineralization took place over an extended time period stretching from a ductile to a brittle environment.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Bitesigirwe, Godfrey Stephen
- Date: 2014
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/54756 , vital:26609
- Description: Most orogenic type gold deposits are formed under low greenschist facies to mid amphibolite facies metamorphic conditions and deposition is either structurally or lithologically controlled. A few known gold deposits found in high grade metamorphic terranes include those in the Yilgarn craton in Australia, Renco in Zimbabwe, Hemlo in Canada and the recently discovered Handeni deposit in Tanzania. Within Tanzania, gold deposits are mainly hosted in Archaean low grade metamorphic rocks commonly known as the Lake Victoria greenstone belt. The greenstone belts of Tanzania are of Nyanzian age (> 2.5Ga) and are located to the south and east of Lake Victoria on the Tanzania craton. The Tanzania Craton is surrounded by Usagaran 1.9 Ga rocks (the east African orogenic belt (EAO) better known as the Mozambique belt) to the east and the Ubendian belt to the south and west. Published reports show that the eastern part of the Tanzania Craton is dominated by the fragments of Archaean rocks. Metamorphism along East Africa and the Tanzania Craton is due to several geological events. These geological events include the intrusion of granites in the Archaean Tanzania Craton (3 Ga), subduction of ocean plate resulted to the formation of Usagaran belt (1.9 Ga), opening and closure of Mozambique Ocean, which resulted in the formation of the Mozambique belt between 700 – 800 Ma and the Pan African orogeny at 640 – 620 Ma, which is associated with the formation of Gondwana. It is believed that fragments from the Archaean Tanzania craton were re - metamorphosed during these events. The Handeni project (the focus of this thesis) is located in the northern portion of the eastern part of the Usagaran belt (1.9 Ga) comprising the eastern part of Archaean Tanzania Craton. The area is characterized by Proterozic rocks of basaltic composition. The documented 2.7 Ga rocks at the Kilindi Handeni Superterrane at the northern part of the Usagaran belt correlate well with 2.7 Ga of Nyanzian rocks of Archaean Tanzania craton. The Handeni project area is geologically dominated by metamorphosed and deformed units of quartzofeldspathic gneisses, migmatitic gneiss, garnet silicified rock, garnetiferous amphibolite, garnetiferous granulite, graphitic schist and hornblende pyroxenite. Intensive deformation features that were developed include folds (sheath folds, micro and macro scales), faults, shears and regional thrusts. This thesis focuses on identifying the protolith of the rocks, alteration minerals, and metamorphic assemblages in the project area in order to understand the timing of gold mineralization. Geological investigation of core, ore petrology and mineralogy, mineral composition by using JEOL microprobe analysis and XRF analysis of bulk rocks were utilized. All the analytical work was done at the Geology laboratory, Rhodes University. Petrographic analysis shows that the rocks sampled in the study area are characterized by alteration minerals such as calcite, dolomite and sericite. Sulphide minerals including chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, pentlandite and gersdorffite were identified. Gold mineralization is associated with disseminated sulphides in association with trace amounts of base metals. Four rock types were proposed as host rocks for the mineralization, namely garnet silicified rock with superimposed quartz veins, garnetiferous amphibolite, garnetiferous granulite and hornblende pyroxenite. Fold troughs, filled fractures associated with episodes of folding, quartz veins and shear zones are suggested as gold precipitation sites. The presence of high grade metamorphic rocks containing gold, intermediate to low grade assemblages with sulphides and associated hydrothermal alteration as well as a complex deformation history suggests that the Handeni mineralization took place over an extended time period stretching from a ductile to a brittle environment.
- Full Text:
New geochemical constraints on the genesis of the Gamsberg zinc deposit, Namaqualand Metamorphic Province, South Africa
- Authors: Foulkes, Susan Elizabeth
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Zinc ores -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Molecular evolution , Geology -- South Africa -- Namaqualand
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5054 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012084 , Zinc ores -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Molecular evolution , Geology -- South Africa -- Namaqualand
- Description: The base metal massive sulfide deposits of the Aggeneys-Gamsberg (A-G) District are hosted within the Mesoproterozoic Bushmanland Group of the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Complex in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The district displays an apparent eastward trend in the economic concentration of base metals (+ barite) from relatively Cu-Pb-rich, Ba-poor mineralisation at Black Mountain to Zn- and Ba-rich ores at Gamsberg. Base metal sulfides at Gamsberg are restricted to the so called Gams (Iron) Formation which comprises a sulfidic mineralized unit (“B”) enveloped within a sequence of meta-sedimentary units (“A” and “C”). The aim of the study was to shed further light on the genesis and chemical evolution of the sulfide mineralisation at Gamsberg in the context of the entire A-G District, by interrogating further the apparent district-wide trend in base metal distribution. The Gams Iron Formation was sampled and studied from one key drill core intersection (“G1”) which intersects the largest part of it as described elsewhere; a small number of additional samples from a second drill core (“G2”) complemented the main sample suite. Minerals that make up the silicate assemblages across the studied section include quartz, garnet, pyroxene, pyroxenoid, phyllosilicates, carbonates, amphiboles, oxides (chiefly magnetite) and graphite. In a stratigraphic context, the mineralogical variations conform directly to those documented in the relevant literature from the Gamsberg locality. These are coupled, where possible, with mineral-chemical profiles of selected silicate species which replicate those of bulk-rock compositions, particularly with respect to Mn, Fe and Ca in the upper C Unit of the studied section. These signals collectively track the characteristic transition from a terrigenous, siliciclastic sediment-dominated footwall to an exhalative sediment-dominated hanging wall to the sulfide mineralisation as also seen in similar deposits elsewhere, particularly with respect to the characteristic Mn-rich signature increasingly observed in the hanging wall C Unit. The foregoing suggests that the examined section faithfully records the interpreted primary stratigraphy of the deposits, despite the complex structural and metamorphic overprint that characterises the region. This facilitates a stratigraphic analytical approach on the sulfidic Unit B, through a combination of mineral-chemical and stable isotope analyses. Dominant sulfides in Unit B are sphalerite and pyrite, with lesser pyrrhotite and minor galena. Sphalerite shows high and generally invariant contents of Fe (mean 12.18wt%, as FeS) whereas Zn anti-correlates with Mn (mean 5.58wt%, as MnS). Isotopic analyses for S, Fe and Zn in hand-picked sphalerite and pyrite separates were used with a view to providing new evidence for chemical and isotopic variation within the sulfide ore-body in a vertical (i.e. stratigraphic) sense, discuss the implications thereof, and ultimately interpret the new data in light of similar existing data from the A-G District and elsewhere. The δ³⁴S data for pyrite (plus a single pyrrhotite grain) and sphalerite from both cores G1 and G2 show comparable compositional ranges between 22.9 and 30.4‰ and between 27 and 30.1‰ respectively. The δ⁵⁶Fe data for pyrite show a range between -1.85 and 0.19‰, whereas seven sphalerite separates have a very narrow range of δ⁶⁶Zn from 0.06 to 0.20‰. The atypically high sulfur isotope data reported in this study are interpreted to reflect sedimentary deposition of primary sulfide ore at Gamsberg from an isotopically highly evolved seawater sulfate source through large-scale Rayleigh fractionation processes. Thermogenic sulfate reduction is proposed to have been the main reductive mechanism from seawater sulfate to sulfide, given the absence of very low δ³⁴S data for sulfides anywhere in the A-G District. By contrast, the δ⁶⁶Zn values for sphalerite are for all intents and purposes invariant and very close to 0‰, and therefore suggest little Zn isotope fractionation from an original exhalative fluid source. On this evidence alone, Zn isotopes therefore appear to hold little promise as a proxy of the chemical and isotopic evolution of SEDEX deposits in space and time, although this can only be verified through further application in the broader A-G District and similar deposits elsewhere. The apparent decoupling of Zn and S isotopes in the Gamsberg sulfide deposit, however, points towards diverse sources of these two components, i.e. ascending metalliferous brines versus seawater respectively. Finally, pyrite δ⁵⁶Fe data do show a stratigraphic trend of generally declining values up-section, which are interpreted to reflect the influence of broadly coeval precipitation of isotopically heavy Fe-oxides on a broader-scale – now preserved as abundant magnetite through metamorphism. Further work on the iron isotope composition of silicate-and oxide-hosted Fe on a local-to-district scale will assist in testing this interpretation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Foulkes, Susan Elizabeth
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Zinc ores -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Molecular evolution , Geology -- South Africa -- Namaqualand
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5054 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012084 , Zinc ores -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Gamsberg , Molecular evolution , Geology -- South Africa -- Namaqualand
- Description: The base metal massive sulfide deposits of the Aggeneys-Gamsberg (A-G) District are hosted within the Mesoproterozoic Bushmanland Group of the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Complex in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The district displays an apparent eastward trend in the economic concentration of base metals (+ barite) from relatively Cu-Pb-rich, Ba-poor mineralisation at Black Mountain to Zn- and Ba-rich ores at Gamsberg. Base metal sulfides at Gamsberg are restricted to the so called Gams (Iron) Formation which comprises a sulfidic mineralized unit (“B”) enveloped within a sequence of meta-sedimentary units (“A” and “C”). The aim of the study was to shed further light on the genesis and chemical evolution of the sulfide mineralisation at Gamsberg in the context of the entire A-G District, by interrogating further the apparent district-wide trend in base metal distribution. The Gams Iron Formation was sampled and studied from one key drill core intersection (“G1”) which intersects the largest part of it as described elsewhere; a small number of additional samples from a second drill core (“G2”) complemented the main sample suite. Minerals that make up the silicate assemblages across the studied section include quartz, garnet, pyroxene, pyroxenoid, phyllosilicates, carbonates, amphiboles, oxides (chiefly magnetite) and graphite. In a stratigraphic context, the mineralogical variations conform directly to those documented in the relevant literature from the Gamsberg locality. These are coupled, where possible, with mineral-chemical profiles of selected silicate species which replicate those of bulk-rock compositions, particularly with respect to Mn, Fe and Ca in the upper C Unit of the studied section. These signals collectively track the characteristic transition from a terrigenous, siliciclastic sediment-dominated footwall to an exhalative sediment-dominated hanging wall to the sulfide mineralisation as also seen in similar deposits elsewhere, particularly with respect to the characteristic Mn-rich signature increasingly observed in the hanging wall C Unit. The foregoing suggests that the examined section faithfully records the interpreted primary stratigraphy of the deposits, despite the complex structural and metamorphic overprint that characterises the region. This facilitates a stratigraphic analytical approach on the sulfidic Unit B, through a combination of mineral-chemical and stable isotope analyses. Dominant sulfides in Unit B are sphalerite and pyrite, with lesser pyrrhotite and minor galena. Sphalerite shows high and generally invariant contents of Fe (mean 12.18wt%, as FeS) whereas Zn anti-correlates with Mn (mean 5.58wt%, as MnS). Isotopic analyses for S, Fe and Zn in hand-picked sphalerite and pyrite separates were used with a view to providing new evidence for chemical and isotopic variation within the sulfide ore-body in a vertical (i.e. stratigraphic) sense, discuss the implications thereof, and ultimately interpret the new data in light of similar existing data from the A-G District and elsewhere. The δ³⁴S data for pyrite (plus a single pyrrhotite grain) and sphalerite from both cores G1 and G2 show comparable compositional ranges between 22.9 and 30.4‰ and between 27 and 30.1‰ respectively. The δ⁵⁶Fe data for pyrite show a range between -1.85 and 0.19‰, whereas seven sphalerite separates have a very narrow range of δ⁶⁶Zn from 0.06 to 0.20‰. The atypically high sulfur isotope data reported in this study are interpreted to reflect sedimentary deposition of primary sulfide ore at Gamsberg from an isotopically highly evolved seawater sulfate source through large-scale Rayleigh fractionation processes. Thermogenic sulfate reduction is proposed to have been the main reductive mechanism from seawater sulfate to sulfide, given the absence of very low δ³⁴S data for sulfides anywhere in the A-G District. By contrast, the δ⁶⁶Zn values for sphalerite are for all intents and purposes invariant and very close to 0‰, and therefore suggest little Zn isotope fractionation from an original exhalative fluid source. On this evidence alone, Zn isotopes therefore appear to hold little promise as a proxy of the chemical and isotopic evolution of SEDEX deposits in space and time, although this can only be verified through further application in the broader A-G District and similar deposits elsewhere. The apparent decoupling of Zn and S isotopes in the Gamsberg sulfide deposit, however, points towards diverse sources of these two components, i.e. ascending metalliferous brines versus seawater respectively. Finally, pyrite δ⁵⁶Fe data do show a stratigraphic trend of generally declining values up-section, which are interpreted to reflect the influence of broadly coeval precipitation of isotopically heavy Fe-oxides on a broader-scale – now preserved as abundant magnetite through metamorphism. Further work on the iron isotope composition of silicate-and oxide-hosted Fe on a local-to-district scale will assist in testing this interpretation.
- Full Text:
Ore distribution controls of the Navachab Gold Mine, Damara Belt, Karibib District, Namibia
- Authors: Slabbert, W L
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Gold ores -- Namibia , Ore deposits -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5082 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016364
- Description: The Navachab Gold mine, an orogenic lode gold deposit, is located in the Karibib region of the Pan-African (ca. 550-500) Damara belt of central Namibia. Gold mineralisation is developed within the steeply NW dipping limb of the Karibib dome. Here, ore envelopes trend along three main orientations: a) trends shallowly towards the NE (the down plunge extent), b) trends sub-vertically in and along the down plunge extent and c) trends sub-horizontally across the down plunge extent. The down plunge extent represents the bulk of the gold mineralisation, hosting the only high grade ores mined at Navachab. As such, past work primarily focused on establishing the controls to the mineralisation observed here. The sub-vertical and sub–horizontal ore trends are seen as secondary, lower grade, being hosted in the footwall. By cutting pushbacks into the footwall, in an effort to regain access to high grade pit bottom, future gold production almost exclusively relies upon optimally mining these ores. This underlines the importance to investigate and outline the mineralising controls to the secondary ore trends. This study identified the following prevailing quartz vein sets developed within the footwall, set (1) dips shallowly towards the NE (conjugate vein set), (2) steeply towards the NW (bedding parallel veins) and (3) steeply towards the SE (S2 foliation parallel). The NW and SE dipping sets contain high average gold grades, occurring at an infrequent vein density. The NE dipping veins, as a result of occurrence density alone, was highlighted as the dominant gold hosting set. Veining occurred during the late stages of the NW-SE directed, sub-horizontal shortening (D2) event and is associated with top-to-the-NW thrusting and NW-verging folds. Re-Os molybdenite dating from auriferous quartz veins indicates mineralisation occurred at 525-520 Ma. As crustal shortening amplified the Karibib dome, flexural flow developed fractures along bedding planes, providing the control to bedding parallel veins (NW dipping). With continued crustal compression the dome later experienced fold lock up associated with reduced mean rock stress and sub-horizontal extension occurred along the steeply NW dipping limb. Horizontal extensional gashes sucked in fluids to form the shallowly NE dipping conjugate vein set. These features suggest the regional D2 strain as the first-order control to quartz vein development, down plunge and within the footwall ores. To further define the secondary ores, lithological and structural controls were evaluated on a more detailed local scale. With equal amounts of biotite schist and calc-silicate host rock (bulk of the footwall lithology) material analysed, the biotite schist units were found to contain a larger volume amount of quartz veins. The mineralisation incurred is also developed at higher average gold grades compared to that of the calc-silicates, demonstrating biotite schist having the optimal rheology for quartz vein emplacement. Normal faulting and thrusting occurs widespread, at all scale levels, across the footwall. These were primarily observed along bedding foliations and secondly at higher angles cutting across foliation. The study did not constrain the extent of these, but can conclude faulting plays a very prominent role in re-distributing the secondary ores parallel to bedding along sub-vertical trend planes. Great care should be placed in properly modelling these with 3D software such as Leapfrog. The Navachab gold mineralisation came about as a result of convergent and collisional tectonics activating metamorphic dehydration of the crustal metapelites. As these fluids ascended they absorbed gold from the crust, emplaced by either a magmatic or paleo-placer source. The gold enriched hydrothermal fluids amalgamated in large scale 1ste order structures (shearing of the steep NW limb of the Karibib Dome, the Mon Repos Thrust Zone) that acted as primary active fluid path ways. In the case of Navachab the gold enriched fluid fluxed along these pathways while interacting with fluid sinks related to a physical throttle (brittle schist, folding, bedding parallel shears) and/or a chemical trap (marbles). By summarising and detailing the fluid sinks and active fluid pathways identified by this and previous works, it is strongly recommended that a mineral approach system be designed and implemented as targeting model to lead future exploration endeavours.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Slabbert, W L
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Gold ores -- Namibia , Ore deposits -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5082 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1016364
- Description: The Navachab Gold mine, an orogenic lode gold deposit, is located in the Karibib region of the Pan-African (ca. 550-500) Damara belt of central Namibia. Gold mineralisation is developed within the steeply NW dipping limb of the Karibib dome. Here, ore envelopes trend along three main orientations: a) trends shallowly towards the NE (the down plunge extent), b) trends sub-vertically in and along the down plunge extent and c) trends sub-horizontally across the down plunge extent. The down plunge extent represents the bulk of the gold mineralisation, hosting the only high grade ores mined at Navachab. As such, past work primarily focused on establishing the controls to the mineralisation observed here. The sub-vertical and sub–horizontal ore trends are seen as secondary, lower grade, being hosted in the footwall. By cutting pushbacks into the footwall, in an effort to regain access to high grade pit bottom, future gold production almost exclusively relies upon optimally mining these ores. This underlines the importance to investigate and outline the mineralising controls to the secondary ore trends. This study identified the following prevailing quartz vein sets developed within the footwall, set (1) dips shallowly towards the NE (conjugate vein set), (2) steeply towards the NW (bedding parallel veins) and (3) steeply towards the SE (S2 foliation parallel). The NW and SE dipping sets contain high average gold grades, occurring at an infrequent vein density. The NE dipping veins, as a result of occurrence density alone, was highlighted as the dominant gold hosting set. Veining occurred during the late stages of the NW-SE directed, sub-horizontal shortening (D2) event and is associated with top-to-the-NW thrusting and NW-verging folds. Re-Os molybdenite dating from auriferous quartz veins indicates mineralisation occurred at 525-520 Ma. As crustal shortening amplified the Karibib dome, flexural flow developed fractures along bedding planes, providing the control to bedding parallel veins (NW dipping). With continued crustal compression the dome later experienced fold lock up associated with reduced mean rock stress and sub-horizontal extension occurred along the steeply NW dipping limb. Horizontal extensional gashes sucked in fluids to form the shallowly NE dipping conjugate vein set. These features suggest the regional D2 strain as the first-order control to quartz vein development, down plunge and within the footwall ores. To further define the secondary ores, lithological and structural controls were evaluated on a more detailed local scale. With equal amounts of biotite schist and calc-silicate host rock (bulk of the footwall lithology) material analysed, the biotite schist units were found to contain a larger volume amount of quartz veins. The mineralisation incurred is also developed at higher average gold grades compared to that of the calc-silicates, demonstrating biotite schist having the optimal rheology for quartz vein emplacement. Normal faulting and thrusting occurs widespread, at all scale levels, across the footwall. These were primarily observed along bedding foliations and secondly at higher angles cutting across foliation. The study did not constrain the extent of these, but can conclude faulting plays a very prominent role in re-distributing the secondary ores parallel to bedding along sub-vertical trend planes. Great care should be placed in properly modelling these with 3D software such as Leapfrog. The Navachab gold mineralisation came about as a result of convergent and collisional tectonics activating metamorphic dehydration of the crustal metapelites. As these fluids ascended they absorbed gold from the crust, emplaced by either a magmatic or paleo-placer source. The gold enriched hydrothermal fluids amalgamated in large scale 1ste order structures (shearing of the steep NW limb of the Karibib Dome, the Mon Repos Thrust Zone) that acted as primary active fluid path ways. In the case of Navachab the gold enriched fluid fluxed along these pathways while interacting with fluid sinks related to a physical throttle (brittle schist, folding, bedding parallel shears) and/or a chemical trap (marbles). By summarising and detailing the fluid sinks and active fluid pathways identified by this and previous works, it is strongly recommended that a mineral approach system be designed and implemented as targeting model to lead future exploration endeavours.
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Petrography, geochemistry and origin of atypical sedimentary-igneous contact relationships at the base of the Hotazel Formation around Middelplaats, Northern Cape Province, RSA
- Authors: Terracin, Matthew Theodore
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Petrology -- South Africa , Geochemistry -- South Africa , Igneous rocks -- South Africa , Manganese ores -- South Africa , Manganese ores -- Geology -- South Africa , Metasomatism (Mineralogy) , Potassium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5059 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012985
- Description: In the Middelplaats mine area of the Kalahari manganese field, two drill holes (MP53 and MP54) intersected anomalously high-grade manganese ore sitting stratigraphically just above an igneous body (likely a dike or sill). Manganese ore located within approximate 5 meters of the contact with the underlying igneous rocks has been substantially metasomatically upgraded from 25 percent manganese, to over 40 percent whilst the dominant manganese species within the ore has been altered to hausmannite. This report demonstrates the metasomatic alteration is related to devolatilization (removal and/or remobilization of H₂O, CO₂ and CaO) due to contact metamorphism caused by the underlying igneous rocks. The Middelplaats mine is situated in the southwest corner of the Kalahari manganese field where the paleo basin shallows out and ends. Within the mine area, several stratigraphic units pinch out or are truncated by the side of the basin. This pinching out of lithological formations has led to the underlying Ongeluk Formation being in contact with the much younger units of the Hotazel Formation. Therefore, geochemical investigation into the nature and source of the igneous rocks was also undertaken to see if the rocks from the two drill holes were related to one another and/or the underlying Ongeluk Formation. Results of these geochemical studies have demonstrated that the Middelplaats igneous rocks (dolerites) from the two drill holes (MP53 and MP54) share a co-genetic source region. There is also reasonable geochemical evidence that the source region of the Middelplaats igneous rocks was substantially similar to the source region of the Ongeluk Formation. This may indicate that the source region of the Ongeluk Formation was reactivated at some later stage resulting in the emplacement of doleritic dikes or sills in the Middelplaats mine area. The Middelplaats igneous rocks were also found to have undergone a slight but pervasive potassic alteration; with most of the original plagioclase feldspar showing some level of replacement by a potassium enriched feldspar. Although no source for this potassic fluid was found, the devolatilization reaction within the manganese ore appears to have released some potassium into the surrounding rocks. This additional potassium may be responsible for some localized potassic alteration.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Terracin, Matthew Theodore
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Petrology -- South Africa , Geochemistry -- South Africa , Igneous rocks -- South Africa , Manganese ores -- South Africa , Manganese ores -- Geology -- South Africa , Metasomatism (Mineralogy) , Potassium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5059 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012985
- Description: In the Middelplaats mine area of the Kalahari manganese field, two drill holes (MP53 and MP54) intersected anomalously high-grade manganese ore sitting stratigraphically just above an igneous body (likely a dike or sill). Manganese ore located within approximate 5 meters of the contact with the underlying igneous rocks has been substantially metasomatically upgraded from 25 percent manganese, to over 40 percent whilst the dominant manganese species within the ore has been altered to hausmannite. This report demonstrates the metasomatic alteration is related to devolatilization (removal and/or remobilization of H₂O, CO₂ and CaO) due to contact metamorphism caused by the underlying igneous rocks. The Middelplaats mine is situated in the southwest corner of the Kalahari manganese field where the paleo basin shallows out and ends. Within the mine area, several stratigraphic units pinch out or are truncated by the side of the basin. This pinching out of lithological formations has led to the underlying Ongeluk Formation being in contact with the much younger units of the Hotazel Formation. Therefore, geochemical investigation into the nature and source of the igneous rocks was also undertaken to see if the rocks from the two drill holes were related to one another and/or the underlying Ongeluk Formation. Results of these geochemical studies have demonstrated that the Middelplaats igneous rocks (dolerites) from the two drill holes (MP53 and MP54) share a co-genetic source region. There is also reasonable geochemical evidence that the source region of the Middelplaats igneous rocks was substantially similar to the source region of the Ongeluk Formation. This may indicate that the source region of the Ongeluk Formation was reactivated at some later stage resulting in the emplacement of doleritic dikes or sills in the Middelplaats mine area. The Middelplaats igneous rocks were also found to have undergone a slight but pervasive potassic alteration; with most of the original plagioclase feldspar showing some level of replacement by a potassium enriched feldspar. Although no source for this potassic fluid was found, the devolatilization reaction within the manganese ore appears to have released some potassium into the surrounding rocks. This additional potassium may be responsible for some localized potassic alteration.
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Petrological, mineralogical and geochemical studies of Zhongchang and Yantiangou ultramafic intrusions from the Panxi region, Sichuan Province, S-W China. Metallogenic and Exploration implications
- Authors: Malatji, Tsholofelo S
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- China , Geochemistry -- China
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5057 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012951
- Description: The Emeishan Large Igneous Province is one of the largest igneous provinces in the world. It is marked by basaltic extrusives that vary in Ti amount, classified as high Ti and low Ti. Several mafic to ultramafic intrusions occur in the province as well as granitic intrusions. The mafic-ultramafic intrusions are associated with mineralization; large layered utlramafic intrusions bearing Fe-Ti-V mineralization, while small dyke like or sill like intrusions contain Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization. The Zhongchang and Yantiangou mafic- ultramafic intrusions are small such intrusions bearing Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization. The deposits show a lot of similarities in source magma, evolution and mineralization. Parental magma for both deposits show alkaline tendencies, and a high Mg # indicative of primitive magma that underwent little crustal contamination. Mantle range Cu/Pd ratios show parental magma fertile in chalcophile elements and both deposits proceed to show depleted mantle normalized values as a result of sulphide saturation and subsequent mineralization. Mineralization in Zhongchang is hosted at the contact between peridotite and pyroxenite, interstitial to olivine and clinopyroxene. Alteration minerals include epidote and chlorite. High Cu/Pd ratios suggest earlier sulphide saturation and removal of a PGE sulphide, and a second sulphide saturation phase resulted in Ni-Cu mineralization. Mineralization in Yantiangou is hosted in biotite effectively following fractionation of olivine and clinopyroxene after which sulphide saturation occurred, precipitating sulphide minerals in biotite. Pyrite and millerite occur as a result of late stage hydrothermal alteration. Cu/Pd ratios are high indicating prior sulphide saturation occurred where PGE partitioned into sulphides. Ni/MgO ratios observed for both deposits indicate a state of sulphide under saturation where PGE partitioned into tellurides and bismurthinides and Ni into olivine. Average tenors for mineralized units are; Zhongchang at 5%Ni, 9% Cu, 4300ppb Pt and 2000ppb Pd, and Yantiangou having relatively lower tenors at 3.2%Ni, 6.5% Cu, 3000ppb Pt and 1300 ppb Pd.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Malatji, Tsholofelo S
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- China , Geochemistry -- China
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5057 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012951
- Description: The Emeishan Large Igneous Province is one of the largest igneous provinces in the world. It is marked by basaltic extrusives that vary in Ti amount, classified as high Ti and low Ti. Several mafic to ultramafic intrusions occur in the province as well as granitic intrusions. The mafic-ultramafic intrusions are associated with mineralization; large layered utlramafic intrusions bearing Fe-Ti-V mineralization, while small dyke like or sill like intrusions contain Cu-Ni-PGE mineralization. The Zhongchang and Yantiangou mafic- ultramafic intrusions are small such intrusions bearing Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization. The deposits show a lot of similarities in source magma, evolution and mineralization. Parental magma for both deposits show alkaline tendencies, and a high Mg # indicative of primitive magma that underwent little crustal contamination. Mantle range Cu/Pd ratios show parental magma fertile in chalcophile elements and both deposits proceed to show depleted mantle normalized values as a result of sulphide saturation and subsequent mineralization. Mineralization in Zhongchang is hosted at the contact between peridotite and pyroxenite, interstitial to olivine and clinopyroxene. Alteration minerals include epidote and chlorite. High Cu/Pd ratios suggest earlier sulphide saturation and removal of a PGE sulphide, and a second sulphide saturation phase resulted in Ni-Cu mineralization. Mineralization in Yantiangou is hosted in biotite effectively following fractionation of olivine and clinopyroxene after which sulphide saturation occurred, precipitating sulphide minerals in biotite. Pyrite and millerite occur as a result of late stage hydrothermal alteration. Cu/Pd ratios are high indicating prior sulphide saturation occurred where PGE partitioned into sulphides. Ni/MgO ratios observed for both deposits indicate a state of sulphide under saturation where PGE partitioned into tellurides and bismurthinides and Ni into olivine. Average tenors for mineralized units are; Zhongchang at 5%Ni, 9% Cu, 4300ppb Pt and 2000ppb Pd, and Yantiangou having relatively lower tenors at 3.2%Ni, 6.5% Cu, 3000ppb Pt and 1300 ppb Pd.
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The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit, Domes region, Zambia : geology, mineralisation and alteration characteristics in the main pit
- Authors: Chinyuku, Donald Tichaona
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011758 , Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Description: The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit located in the Domes region of the North West province of Zambia is characterised by structurally controlled high angle veins and associated alteration halos. The northwest trending Kansanshi antiform flanks the Solwezi syncline to the north and hosts the Kansanshi deposit and consists of tillites and metasedimentary rocks. Mineralisation is associated with Neoproterozoic Pan African deformation events experienced during the formation of the Lufilian fold belt; however recent findings confirm that structures in the form of reverse and normal faults and drag folds are critical controls on mineralisation within the deposit, Main pit in particular. Low angle faults occurring below the current pit are believed to have served as major fluid pathways during mineralisation. Age dating data from the Kansanshi deposit suggest that mineralisation took place between 512 and 503 Ma indicating that the event was associated with metamorphism. Two types of alteration are dominant within the Main pit (Kansanshi deposit) with the type and intensity of alteration being largely controlled by lithological units. Albite alteration occurs dominantly in phyllites and schists whereas dolomitisation is prevalent in calcareous units. Alteration is associated with mineralisation, and therefore is used as a condition for predicting vein or disseminated mineralisation. The high Au tenor at Kansanshi can be attributed to gold grains occurring in association with melonite (NiTe₂) and microfractured pyrite intergrown with chalcopyrite in sulphide and quartz dominated veins and veinlets. Analysis of gold grade distribution within the Main pit shows a clear concentration of the element along the major north-south trending structures like the 4800 and 5400 zones, possibly through supergene enrichment in the oxide-transition-sulphide zones. It is imperative that exploration for Kansanshi-type deposits will require geochemical and geophysical studies, understanding of the geology of an area to identify the three lithostratigraphic units (red beds, evaporites and reducing strata).
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chinyuku, Donald Tichaona
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5051 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011758 , Kansanshi Mine -- Zambia , Copper mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold mines and mining -- Zambia , Gold -- Assaying -- Zambia , Geology -- Zambia , Mineralogy -- Zambia , Tillite
- Description: The Kansanshi Cu-Au deposit located in the Domes region of the North West province of Zambia is characterised by structurally controlled high angle veins and associated alteration halos. The northwest trending Kansanshi antiform flanks the Solwezi syncline to the north and hosts the Kansanshi deposit and consists of tillites and metasedimentary rocks. Mineralisation is associated with Neoproterozoic Pan African deformation events experienced during the formation of the Lufilian fold belt; however recent findings confirm that structures in the form of reverse and normal faults and drag folds are critical controls on mineralisation within the deposit, Main pit in particular. Low angle faults occurring below the current pit are believed to have served as major fluid pathways during mineralisation. Age dating data from the Kansanshi deposit suggest that mineralisation took place between 512 and 503 Ma indicating that the event was associated with metamorphism. Two types of alteration are dominant within the Main pit (Kansanshi deposit) with the type and intensity of alteration being largely controlled by lithological units. Albite alteration occurs dominantly in phyllites and schists whereas dolomitisation is prevalent in calcareous units. Alteration is associated with mineralisation, and therefore is used as a condition for predicting vein or disseminated mineralisation. The high Au tenor at Kansanshi can be attributed to gold grains occurring in association with melonite (NiTe₂) and microfractured pyrite intergrown with chalcopyrite in sulphide and quartz dominated veins and veinlets. Analysis of gold grade distribution within the Main pit shows a clear concentration of the element along the major north-south trending structures like the 4800 and 5400 zones, possibly through supergene enrichment in the oxide-transition-sulphide zones. It is imperative that exploration for Kansanshi-type deposits will require geochemical and geophysical studies, understanding of the geology of an area to identify the three lithostratigraphic units (red beds, evaporites and reducing strata).
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Geotectonic controls on primary diamond deposits : a review of exploration criteria
- Authors: Hannon, Camille
- Date: 2013-05-23
- Subjects: Diamonds , Geology, Structural , Diamond deposits , Kimberlite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5047 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007810 , Diamonds , Geology, Structural , Diamond deposits , Kimberlite
- Description: The origin of diamonds, their preservation and transport to the surface have been important issues over the last decades after the acknowledgement that diamonds are xenocrysts in the host kimberlites and after the discovery of new transport media such as lamproites. Different types of diamonds -E-type diamonds, P-type diamonds- and different types of hosts - Eclogites, Peridotites- have been distinguished. Each type corresponds to particular formation criteria. Ecogitic Diamonds are mostly related to subduction processes, whereas more uncertainties remain regarding the formation of Peridotitic Diamonds. Komatiite extraction and subduction of graphite-bearing serpentinites have been proposed as the more likely processes involved in their formation. A typical mantle signature for diamonds implies a thick, cool, reduced lithosphere. The keel-shape model is the most popular. Archaean cratons are therefore the most promising exploration target and area selection will expect to follow the Clifford's Rule. However, the evidence of cratonic areas hidden under younger formations · through seismic profiles and the discovery of diamond structurally trapped outside their stability field, have increased the potential of diamondiferous areas. Preservation of diamonds inside the lithosphere requires that the mantleroot remains insulated against excessive reheating and tectonic reworking. Mantle-root friendly and mantle-root destructive structures are distinguished. Small-size cratons are usually the most promising exploration targets. Transport of diamonds to the surface is dependant on' the same criteria of preservation. Only kimberlites and lamproites have been recognized as efficient transport media. Their ascent to the surface is conditioned by a multitude of parameters, amongst them the nature of the magma, the speed of ascent, the presence of pre-existing structures in the crust and the availability of ground water in the near-surface environment. The origin of kimberlite magma probably lies near the transition zone. Mixtures of depleted asthenospheric · sources and metasomatically enriched and possibly subducted materials are likely to be at the origin of the different kimberlite magmas. Kimberlite magmatism correlates generally in time with global tectonic events, triggered by either plume activity or by subduction processes, depending of the tectonic school of thought. Kimberlite alignments have been interpreted as hotspot tracks, and kimberlite magmas as volatile-rich melts issued from the remaining plume tail. The plume head produces flood-basalts in an adjacent "thinspot" of the lithosphere, generally on the edges of the cratons. Kimberlite and lamproite ascent to the surface are unconditionally influenced by regional structures. Rift structures, ring structures, transform faults, suture zones and deep-seated faults have been mentioned as controlling or accompanying features of kimberlite magmatism. Nearsurface emplacement constraints are better understood and the ultimate shape of the intrusion(s) depends on the nature of the country rocks, the availability of ground water and the near-surface faulting pattern. The recent discovery of "fissure" kimberlites is one of the more important breakthroughs of the last decade. With a better understanding of the processes involved in diamond formation, preservation and of kimberlite emplacement, major diamond discoveries have recently increased on all the continents. Successful diamond exploration requires today an integration of all geophysical, petrologic, geochemical and structural information available. The particular study of the northwestern Australian lamproite and kimberlite fields, the Brazilian kimberlites, the easternNorth American kimberlite fields, the Lac de Gras kimberlite field, the South African rich kimberlite provinces, and the Yakutian kimberlite fields provide concrete examples of the geotectonic controls on primary diamond deposits. Area selection criteria based on the previous models and examples, are expected to yield to many more discoveries in the coming years. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Hannon, Camille
- Date: 2013-05-23
- Subjects: Diamonds , Geology, Structural , Diamond deposits , Kimberlite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5047 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007810 , Diamonds , Geology, Structural , Diamond deposits , Kimberlite
- Description: The origin of diamonds, their preservation and transport to the surface have been important issues over the last decades after the acknowledgement that diamonds are xenocrysts in the host kimberlites and after the discovery of new transport media such as lamproites. Different types of diamonds -E-type diamonds, P-type diamonds- and different types of hosts - Eclogites, Peridotites- have been distinguished. Each type corresponds to particular formation criteria. Ecogitic Diamonds are mostly related to subduction processes, whereas more uncertainties remain regarding the formation of Peridotitic Diamonds. Komatiite extraction and subduction of graphite-bearing serpentinites have been proposed as the more likely processes involved in their formation. A typical mantle signature for diamonds implies a thick, cool, reduced lithosphere. The keel-shape model is the most popular. Archaean cratons are therefore the most promising exploration target and area selection will expect to follow the Clifford's Rule. However, the evidence of cratonic areas hidden under younger formations · through seismic profiles and the discovery of diamond structurally trapped outside their stability field, have increased the potential of diamondiferous areas. Preservation of diamonds inside the lithosphere requires that the mantleroot remains insulated against excessive reheating and tectonic reworking. Mantle-root friendly and mantle-root destructive structures are distinguished. Small-size cratons are usually the most promising exploration targets. Transport of diamonds to the surface is dependant on' the same criteria of preservation. Only kimberlites and lamproites have been recognized as efficient transport media. Their ascent to the surface is conditioned by a multitude of parameters, amongst them the nature of the magma, the speed of ascent, the presence of pre-existing structures in the crust and the availability of ground water in the near-surface environment. The origin of kimberlite magma probably lies near the transition zone. Mixtures of depleted asthenospheric · sources and metasomatically enriched and possibly subducted materials are likely to be at the origin of the different kimberlite magmas. Kimberlite magmatism correlates generally in time with global tectonic events, triggered by either plume activity or by subduction processes, depending of the tectonic school of thought. Kimberlite alignments have been interpreted as hotspot tracks, and kimberlite magmas as volatile-rich melts issued from the remaining plume tail. The plume head produces flood-basalts in an adjacent "thinspot" of the lithosphere, generally on the edges of the cratons. Kimberlite and lamproite ascent to the surface are unconditionally influenced by regional structures. Rift structures, ring structures, transform faults, suture zones and deep-seated faults have been mentioned as controlling or accompanying features of kimberlite magmatism. Nearsurface emplacement constraints are better understood and the ultimate shape of the intrusion(s) depends on the nature of the country rocks, the availability of ground water and the near-surface faulting pattern. The recent discovery of "fissure" kimberlites is one of the more important breakthroughs of the last decade. With a better understanding of the processes involved in diamond formation, preservation and of kimberlite emplacement, major diamond discoveries have recently increased on all the continents. Successful diamond exploration requires today an integration of all geophysical, petrologic, geochemical and structural information available. The particular study of the northwestern Australian lamproite and kimberlite fields, the Brazilian kimberlites, the easternNorth American kimberlite fields, the Lac de Gras kimberlite field, the South African rich kimberlite provinces, and the Yakutian kimberlite fields provide concrete examples of the geotectonic controls on primary diamond deposits. Area selection criteria based on the previous models and examples, are expected to yield to many more discoveries in the coming years. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
Evolution of the UG2 unit, Bushveld Complex, South Africa : mineral composition and petrological evidence
- Authors: Everitt, Simon James
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Textures -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex Petrology -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex Chromite -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001573
- Description: Several disequilibrium textures are found to occur within the hanging wall and footwall of the UG2 chromitite layer of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. These textures include plagioclase chadacrysts found included within orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene as well as the orthopyroxenes exhibiting round crystal boundaries that appear to be resorbed. Textures found within the UG2 stratigraphy such as linear boundaries and 120° triple junctions at interfaces of adjacent plagioclase or pyroxene grains also suggest that recrystallization has taken place. The presence of both disequilibrium textures and recrystallization textures would suggest that a complex emplacement history has occurred. Ideally, this would be expected to be manifested by minerals of the same type but which are texturally distinct showing different composition. However this has been found not to be the case; minerals that suggest disequilibrium textures show similar compositions to the minerals which appear to have formed in equilibrium. This is also the same for recrystallized crystals which show the same compositions as crystals that have not been recrystallized. For example tabular clinopyroxene, which has a compositional range of En 44.6 to En 50.5, is indistinguishable from clinopyroxene occuring as discontinuous rims, En 44.3-48.2, and as intergranular necking connecting primocrysts of orthopyroxene ( En 44.3-50.4). Similarly, plagioclase occurring as inclusions with An 66.3-76.0 is indistinguishable from plagioclase occurring as zoned or recrystallized interstitial grains ( An 69.0- An 77.4). Compositional variation has however, been found to be controlled to an extent by stratigraphy in that minerals show different compositions within one layer to the same minerals within another layer, consistent with an evolving magma composition. It is concluded therefore that while composition is not texturally controlled it is to an extent stratigraphy controlled and that the evidence collected within the study supports two models for the formation of chromite within the Bushveld complex. The evidence is consistent with a combination of the magma mixing model and magma injection model to account for the textures and compositional variations found within the study. The evidence may also show support for models involving late modification of minerals by magmatic fluids but not as prominently as for the models mentioned above , Microsoft� Word 2010 , Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Everitt, Simon James
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Textures -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex Petrology -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex Chromite -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Bushveld Complex
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4913 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001573
- Description: Several disequilibrium textures are found to occur within the hanging wall and footwall of the UG2 chromitite layer of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. These textures include plagioclase chadacrysts found included within orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene as well as the orthopyroxenes exhibiting round crystal boundaries that appear to be resorbed. Textures found within the UG2 stratigraphy such as linear boundaries and 120° triple junctions at interfaces of adjacent plagioclase or pyroxene grains also suggest that recrystallization has taken place. The presence of both disequilibrium textures and recrystallization textures would suggest that a complex emplacement history has occurred. Ideally, this would be expected to be manifested by minerals of the same type but which are texturally distinct showing different composition. However this has been found not to be the case; minerals that suggest disequilibrium textures show similar compositions to the minerals which appear to have formed in equilibrium. This is also the same for recrystallized crystals which show the same compositions as crystals that have not been recrystallized. For example tabular clinopyroxene, which has a compositional range of En 44.6 to En 50.5, is indistinguishable from clinopyroxene occuring as discontinuous rims, En 44.3-48.2, and as intergranular necking connecting primocrysts of orthopyroxene ( En 44.3-50.4). Similarly, plagioclase occurring as inclusions with An 66.3-76.0 is indistinguishable from plagioclase occurring as zoned or recrystallized interstitial grains ( An 69.0- An 77.4). Compositional variation has however, been found to be controlled to an extent by stratigraphy in that minerals show different compositions within one layer to the same minerals within another layer, consistent with an evolving magma composition. It is concluded therefore that while composition is not texturally controlled it is to an extent stratigraphy controlled and that the evidence collected within the study supports two models for the formation of chromite within the Bushveld complex. The evidence is consistent with a combination of the magma mixing model and magma injection model to account for the textures and compositional variations found within the study. The evidence may also show support for models involving late modification of minerals by magmatic fluids but not as prominently as for the models mentioned above , Microsoft� Word 2010 , Adobe Acrobat 9.53 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
Petrogenesis and metallogenesis of the Panzhihua Fe-Ti oxide ore-bearing mafic layered intrusion, SW China
- Authors: Howarth, Geoffrey Hamilton
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Petrogenesis Metallogeny Intrusions (Geology) -- China -- Panzhihua Metallogenic provinces -- China -- Panzhihua Igneous rocks -- China -- Panzhihua Geochemistry Iron Titanium Oxides Ores Magmas
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001810
- Description: The Panzhihua intrusion is one of several large Fe-Ti oxide ore bearing intrusions related to the major flood volcanism of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP), SW China. The Panzhihua intrusion in particular has recently become the focus of numerous studies owing to the excellent exposure in large open pit mining operations. The formation of Fe-Ti oxide ore layers has been the focus of these studies and has become a somewhat controversial topic with three separate models currently proposed for ore formation. The gabbroic Panzhihua intrusion extends for ± 19 km along strike, has a maximum thickness of 3000 m and hosts extensive (up to 60 m thick) Fe-Ti oxide ore layers in the lower portions of the intrusion. The intrusion has been divided into five zones: marginal zone (MGZ), lower zone (LZ), middle zone A (MZa), middle zone b (MZb) and the upper zone (UZ). The gabbroic rocks are comprised of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and interstitial Fe-Ti oxides with minor olivine. Apatite is present within the MZb only and shows no correlation with Fe-Ti oxide ore layers. Fe-Ti oxides are present throughout the stratigraphy of the intrusion. This is unlike typical layered intrusions where significant Fe-enrichment through fractionation of Fe-poor silicate phases (i.e. plagioclase) is required before Fe-Ti oxide saturation. There are no oxide-free cumulate rocks at the Panzhihua intrusion, implying either an evolved parent magma or very high Fe content of the source rocks. I present here new mineral composition data, whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry along with whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopes and PGEs in order to constrain the evolution of the Panzhihua parent magma en route from source to chamber and the formation of Fe-Ti oxide ore layers. Furthermore an initial pilot study using O-isotope data is conducted on Ti-magnetite and plagioclase separates from gabbroic vs. ore rocks. Results are coupled with detailed thermodynamic modeling using the software PELE in order to further constrain Fe-Ti oxide ore layer formation. The intrusion is characterised by extreme depletion of PGEs relative to the coeval flood basalts and picrites. High Cu/Pd and Pd/Pt imply two separate stages of S-saturated and S-undersaturated depletion of PGEs. Pd is highly compatible in sulphide and is quickly scavenged by sulphide liquids resulting in an increase in Cu/Pd of the residual liquid. Furthermore decoupling of Pd and Pt can be achieved by either late stage hydrothermal alteration or through S-undersaturated stage of PGE depletion where Pt is scavenged by Pt-rich alloys or oxide minerals. I show that the latter is more likely. Fractionation modeling suggests that the Panzhihua parent magma formed at depth from original picritic magma. This is consistent with several other recent studies on other layered intrusions of the ELIP. Sr-Nd isotopic ratios indicate very little crustal contamination has occurred en route to the current chamber. Sr and Nd concentrations of footwall rocks are too low to produce any significant change in initial Sr and Nd isotopic ratios of the intruding basaltic magmas, indicating that crustal contamination will not be indicated by Sr-Nd isotopic ratios. Gradational change in the Sr-Nd isotope ratios across the MGZ provides strong evidence for formation in an open system by multiple replenishments of progressively less contaminated magmas from depth. Contamination is difficult to constrain but must be occurring prior to emplacement at the current level (low Sr and Nd contents of footwall). A gradational upward decrease in highly incompatible element across the MGZ can then be explained by continuous magma flow, which effectively removes the evolved intercumulus liquids from the growing cumulate pile at the base of the chamber. The initial stages of formation of the Panzhihua intrusion are interpreted to result from prolonged low volume pulses of magma into a slowly opening chamber. The timing of Fe-Ti oxide crystallisation is fundamental in the understanding of the petrogenesis of ore layers. Distinct geochemical variation in whole-rock Fe2O3/TiO2 and Zr/Nb indicates that Timagnetite is the dominant oxide within the lower ± 270 m of the intrusion whereas above this level both Ti-magnetite and ilmenite are present as cumulus phases. This is interpreted to indicate a variation in the fO2 where the lower intrusion crystallises at higher fO2 relative to that above this level. Silicates within the ore layers, in particular plagioclase, are highly embayed and resorped where in contact with Fe-Ti oxides. This characteristic of the silicate grains implies early crystallisation prior to Fe-Ti oxides with subsequent disequilibrium conditions resulting in resorption. Furthermore distinct reaction rims of kaersutite amphibole, Fo-enriched olivine, An-enriched plagioclase and pleonaste are observed. The abundance of amphibole suggests H2O involvement in this reaction and consumption of silicates. A model for parent magma crystallisation at various H2O contents indicates that plagioclase crystallisation temperature is very sensitive to H2O content of the parent magma. Plagioclase crystallises early for “dry” compositions but significantly later for “wet” compositions. Fe-Ti oxide ore layers are generally well layered, contain gabbroic xenoliths and are observed raversing/cross-cutting the cumulate stratigraphy. I present here a new model for ore layer formation in order to account for these distinct features of the ore layers. A model invoking multiple replenishments of magma with variable oxide microphenocryst content, H2O content and volume is proposed. Magma evolving in the plumbing system and fed to the Panzhihua chamber is variably enriched in H2O, which results in significantly different crystallisation paths. High H2O magmas (> 2 wt %) crystallise Fe-Ti oxides early whereas low H2O magmas (< 1 wt %) crystallise oxides late. Early pulses of H2O-poor magma crystallise a sequence of plag+cpx+Fe-Ti oxide (±ol). Later pulses of H2Orich magma subsequently intrude the partially crystallised cumulate sequence incorporating and consuming previously crystallised silicates with subsequent early crystallisation of Ti-magnetite and formation of ore layers. H2O-rich magmas likely have suspended Ti-magnetite microphenocrysts as well, which crystallise at depth in the plumbing system. This model can account for the various characteristic features of the Fe-Ti oxide ore layers at the Panzhihua intrusion as well as other Fe-Ti oxide ore bearing intrusions in the region.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Howarth, Geoffrey Hamilton
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Petrogenesis Metallogeny Intrusions (Geology) -- China -- Panzhihua Metallogenic provinces -- China -- Panzhihua Igneous rocks -- China -- Panzhihua Geochemistry Iron Titanium Oxides Ores Magmas
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4915 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001810
- Description: The Panzhihua intrusion is one of several large Fe-Ti oxide ore bearing intrusions related to the major flood volcanism of the Emeishan Large Igneous Province (ELIP), SW China. The Panzhihua intrusion in particular has recently become the focus of numerous studies owing to the excellent exposure in large open pit mining operations. The formation of Fe-Ti oxide ore layers has been the focus of these studies and has become a somewhat controversial topic with three separate models currently proposed for ore formation. The gabbroic Panzhihua intrusion extends for ± 19 km along strike, has a maximum thickness of 3000 m and hosts extensive (up to 60 m thick) Fe-Ti oxide ore layers in the lower portions of the intrusion. The intrusion has been divided into five zones: marginal zone (MGZ), lower zone (LZ), middle zone A (MZa), middle zone b (MZb) and the upper zone (UZ). The gabbroic rocks are comprised of plagioclase, clinopyroxene and interstitial Fe-Ti oxides with minor olivine. Apatite is present within the MZb only and shows no correlation with Fe-Ti oxide ore layers. Fe-Ti oxides are present throughout the stratigraphy of the intrusion. This is unlike typical layered intrusions where significant Fe-enrichment through fractionation of Fe-poor silicate phases (i.e. plagioclase) is required before Fe-Ti oxide saturation. There are no oxide-free cumulate rocks at the Panzhihua intrusion, implying either an evolved parent magma or very high Fe content of the source rocks. I present here new mineral composition data, whole-rock major and trace element geochemistry along with whole-rock Sr-Nd isotopes and PGEs in order to constrain the evolution of the Panzhihua parent magma en route from source to chamber and the formation of Fe-Ti oxide ore layers. Furthermore an initial pilot study using O-isotope data is conducted on Ti-magnetite and plagioclase separates from gabbroic vs. ore rocks. Results are coupled with detailed thermodynamic modeling using the software PELE in order to further constrain Fe-Ti oxide ore layer formation. The intrusion is characterised by extreme depletion of PGEs relative to the coeval flood basalts and picrites. High Cu/Pd and Pd/Pt imply two separate stages of S-saturated and S-undersaturated depletion of PGEs. Pd is highly compatible in sulphide and is quickly scavenged by sulphide liquids resulting in an increase in Cu/Pd of the residual liquid. Furthermore decoupling of Pd and Pt can be achieved by either late stage hydrothermal alteration or through S-undersaturated stage of PGE depletion where Pt is scavenged by Pt-rich alloys or oxide minerals. I show that the latter is more likely. Fractionation modeling suggests that the Panzhihua parent magma formed at depth from original picritic magma. This is consistent with several other recent studies on other layered intrusions of the ELIP. Sr-Nd isotopic ratios indicate very little crustal contamination has occurred en route to the current chamber. Sr and Nd concentrations of footwall rocks are too low to produce any significant change in initial Sr and Nd isotopic ratios of the intruding basaltic magmas, indicating that crustal contamination will not be indicated by Sr-Nd isotopic ratios. Gradational change in the Sr-Nd isotope ratios across the MGZ provides strong evidence for formation in an open system by multiple replenishments of progressively less contaminated magmas from depth. Contamination is difficult to constrain but must be occurring prior to emplacement at the current level (low Sr and Nd contents of footwall). A gradational upward decrease in highly incompatible element across the MGZ can then be explained by continuous magma flow, which effectively removes the evolved intercumulus liquids from the growing cumulate pile at the base of the chamber. The initial stages of formation of the Panzhihua intrusion are interpreted to result from prolonged low volume pulses of magma into a slowly opening chamber. The timing of Fe-Ti oxide crystallisation is fundamental in the understanding of the petrogenesis of ore layers. Distinct geochemical variation in whole-rock Fe2O3/TiO2 and Zr/Nb indicates that Timagnetite is the dominant oxide within the lower ± 270 m of the intrusion whereas above this level both Ti-magnetite and ilmenite are present as cumulus phases. This is interpreted to indicate a variation in the fO2 where the lower intrusion crystallises at higher fO2 relative to that above this level. Silicates within the ore layers, in particular plagioclase, are highly embayed and resorped where in contact with Fe-Ti oxides. This characteristic of the silicate grains implies early crystallisation prior to Fe-Ti oxides with subsequent disequilibrium conditions resulting in resorption. Furthermore distinct reaction rims of kaersutite amphibole, Fo-enriched olivine, An-enriched plagioclase and pleonaste are observed. The abundance of amphibole suggests H2O involvement in this reaction and consumption of silicates. A model for parent magma crystallisation at various H2O contents indicates that plagioclase crystallisation temperature is very sensitive to H2O content of the parent magma. Plagioclase crystallises early for “dry” compositions but significantly later for “wet” compositions. Fe-Ti oxide ore layers are generally well layered, contain gabbroic xenoliths and are observed raversing/cross-cutting the cumulate stratigraphy. I present here a new model for ore layer formation in order to account for these distinct features of the ore layers. A model invoking multiple replenishments of magma with variable oxide microphenocryst content, H2O content and volume is proposed. Magma evolving in the plumbing system and fed to the Panzhihua chamber is variably enriched in H2O, which results in significantly different crystallisation paths. High H2O magmas (> 2 wt %) crystallise Fe-Ti oxides early whereas low H2O magmas (< 1 wt %) crystallise oxides late. Early pulses of H2O-poor magma crystallise a sequence of plag+cpx+Fe-Ti oxide (±ol). Later pulses of H2Orich magma subsequently intrude the partially crystallised cumulate sequence incorporating and consuming previously crystallised silicates with subsequent early crystallisation of Ti-magnetite and formation of ore layers. H2O-rich magmas likely have suspended Ti-magnetite microphenocrysts as well, which crystallise at depth in the plumbing system. This model can account for the various characteristic features of the Fe-Ti oxide ore layers at the Panzhihua intrusion as well as other Fe-Ti oxide ore bearing intrusions in the region.
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Petrogenesis of the Bysteek and Koenap Formation Migmatites, Central Namaqualand
- Authors: Moodley, Jason Anthony
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Petrogenesis -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Migmatite -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Granulite -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Thermodynamics Geology, Stratigraphic -- Proterozoic Geology, Stratigraphic -- Proterozoic -- South Africa -- Namaqualand
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001574
- Description: The Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Bysteek and Koenap Formations of the Arribees Group are exposed within a NW-SE striking antiformal structure comprised of mafic granulites and metapelitic diatexites, and a number of marble and calc-silicate rock layers. The mafic granulites of the Bysteek Formation show a typological variety of anatectic features, including nebulitic, stromatitic mesosomes, melanosomes, quartz syenitic leucocratic vein networks and syenitic pools. Melanosomes consist of hedenbergitic to diopside-rich clinopyroxene (XMg: 0.40), anorthitic plagioclase (An90), with some quartz, minor apatite and titanite. Anatexis was caused by biotite dehydration melting and formed a melt of probably granitic composition. The leucosome composition ranges from either alkali-feldspar-granitic to plagioclase rich or granitic. This variation is interpreted as a result of variable extraction of melt from the source to granitic pools. The diatexites of the Koenap Formation are most likely of metapelitic or meta-greywacke origin. They are texturally variable but always contain high modal contents of alkali feldspar and quartz which generally form magmatic textures. Almandine-rich garnet (XMg: 0.18-0.25), cordierite (XMg: 0.71) form secondary biotite, sillimanite and magnetite during retrograde breakdown. Thermodynamic modelling of mafic granulite compositions suggests peak P-T conditions of ~865 °C and 8.6 kbar. Occasionally, garnet rich in ferric iron (XAdr: 0.55) forms by plagioclase-clinopyroxene breakdown under oxidising conditions at ~6 kilobar and ~ 800 °C. At the same stage amphibole forms in some melanosomes. P-T estimations for the diatexites based on thermodynamic modelling suggest the equilibration of the assemblage garnet, cordierite, alkali feldspar and melt at ~860 °C and 5.5 kbar. Conditions comparable to the peak pressure in the mafic granulites could not be established. However, since the diatexites and the mafic granulites are closely related in the field and no evidence of juxtaposition after the thermal peak exists, the P-T record of the diatexites might be incomplete
- Full Text:
- Authors: Moodley, Jason Anthony
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Petrogenesis -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Migmatite -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Granulite -- South Africa -- Namaqualand Thermodynamics Geology, Stratigraphic -- Proterozoic Geology, Stratigraphic -- Proterozoic -- South Africa -- Namaqualand
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4914 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001574
- Description: The Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Bysteek and Koenap Formations of the Arribees Group are exposed within a NW-SE striking antiformal structure comprised of mafic granulites and metapelitic diatexites, and a number of marble and calc-silicate rock layers. The mafic granulites of the Bysteek Formation show a typological variety of anatectic features, including nebulitic, stromatitic mesosomes, melanosomes, quartz syenitic leucocratic vein networks and syenitic pools. Melanosomes consist of hedenbergitic to diopside-rich clinopyroxene (XMg: 0.40), anorthitic plagioclase (An90), with some quartz, minor apatite and titanite. Anatexis was caused by biotite dehydration melting and formed a melt of probably granitic composition. The leucosome composition ranges from either alkali-feldspar-granitic to plagioclase rich or granitic. This variation is interpreted as a result of variable extraction of melt from the source to granitic pools. The diatexites of the Koenap Formation are most likely of metapelitic or meta-greywacke origin. They are texturally variable but always contain high modal contents of alkali feldspar and quartz which generally form magmatic textures. Almandine-rich garnet (XMg: 0.18-0.25), cordierite (XMg: 0.71) form secondary biotite, sillimanite and magnetite during retrograde breakdown. Thermodynamic modelling of mafic granulite compositions suggests peak P-T conditions of ~865 °C and 8.6 kbar. Occasionally, garnet rich in ferric iron (XAdr: 0.55) forms by plagioclase-clinopyroxene breakdown under oxidising conditions at ~6 kilobar and ~ 800 °C. At the same stage amphibole forms in some melanosomes. P-T estimations for the diatexites based on thermodynamic modelling suggest the equilibration of the assemblage garnet, cordierite, alkali feldspar and melt at ~860 °C and 5.5 kbar. Conditions comparable to the peak pressure in the mafic granulites could not be established. However, since the diatexites and the mafic granulites are closely related in the field and no evidence of juxtaposition after the thermal peak exists, the P-T record of the diatexites might be incomplete
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Target selection from airborne magnetic and radiometric data in Steinhausen area, Namibia
- Authors: Naudé, Corus
- Date: 2013 , 2012-11-09
- Subjects: Geomagnetism -- Maps -- Namibia , Geological surveys -- Namibia , Magnetometers , Aeromagnetic prospecting -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4895 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001520 , Geomagnetism -- Maps -- Namibia , Geological surveys -- Namibia , Magnetometers , Aeromagnetic prospecting -- Namibia
- Description: The eastern branch of the late Proterozoic Damara Orogenic Belt of central Namibia hosts various copper, gold, manganese and uranium deposits, but in the vicinity of Steinhausen, approximately 145 km northeast of Windhoek, the Damara Belt becomes increasingly covered by recent Kalahari cover sediments resulting in little known geology and subsequent lack of discovered economic mineral deposits. Airborne magnetic and radiometric data over the Steinhausen Study Area was enhanced through image processing and filtering to accentuate characteristics of subsurface geology that, by comparing these characteristics to known geology, aided in the interpretive mapping of lithology, structure and targets for follow-up exploration. As a result, some important observations regarding the regional lithology can be drawn. An arenaceous stratigraphic unit that includes a coarse grained, glassy quartzite below the Kuiseb Formation equates to either the eastern Damaran equivalent of the Nosib Group subjected to high grade metamorphism or, alternatively, the upper part of the pre-Damaran sequence, immediately underlying the Damara. The Kuiseb Formation within the study area is uncharacteristically varied as compared to the same formation further west along the Damaran Orogen and can be subdivided into 5 separate units based on geophysical signature. Structural features evident within the study area include the prominent Kudu and Okahandja Lineaments and straddle an area of inferred uplifted stratigraphy of possibly pre-Damara age. The Ekuja Dome (Kibaran age and host to the Omitiomire copper deposit) is also clearly discernible on the airborne magnetic data and is cross-cut by an east-northeast structural zone. Direct targets for follow-up exploration include the Rodenbeck intrusion, anomalous magnetic bodies and numerous radiometric anomalies present within the study area. Identified dome-like features are considered prospective for Omitiomire-style deposits and the Okatjuru Layered Complex is considered a possible source of copper, chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, nickel and the platinum group elements.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Naudé, Corus
- Date: 2013 , 2012-11-09
- Subjects: Geomagnetism -- Maps -- Namibia , Geological surveys -- Namibia , Magnetometers , Aeromagnetic prospecting -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4895 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001520 , Geomagnetism -- Maps -- Namibia , Geological surveys -- Namibia , Magnetometers , Aeromagnetic prospecting -- Namibia
- Description: The eastern branch of the late Proterozoic Damara Orogenic Belt of central Namibia hosts various copper, gold, manganese and uranium deposits, but in the vicinity of Steinhausen, approximately 145 km northeast of Windhoek, the Damara Belt becomes increasingly covered by recent Kalahari cover sediments resulting in little known geology and subsequent lack of discovered economic mineral deposits. Airborne magnetic and radiometric data over the Steinhausen Study Area was enhanced through image processing and filtering to accentuate characteristics of subsurface geology that, by comparing these characteristics to known geology, aided in the interpretive mapping of lithology, structure and targets for follow-up exploration. As a result, some important observations regarding the regional lithology can be drawn. An arenaceous stratigraphic unit that includes a coarse grained, glassy quartzite below the Kuiseb Formation equates to either the eastern Damaran equivalent of the Nosib Group subjected to high grade metamorphism or, alternatively, the upper part of the pre-Damaran sequence, immediately underlying the Damara. The Kuiseb Formation within the study area is uncharacteristically varied as compared to the same formation further west along the Damaran Orogen and can be subdivided into 5 separate units based on geophysical signature. Structural features evident within the study area include the prominent Kudu and Okahandja Lineaments and straddle an area of inferred uplifted stratigraphy of possibly pre-Damara age. The Ekuja Dome (Kibaran age and host to the Omitiomire copper deposit) is also clearly discernible on the airborne magnetic data and is cross-cut by an east-northeast structural zone. Direct targets for follow-up exploration include the Rodenbeck intrusion, anomalous magnetic bodies and numerous radiometric anomalies present within the study area. Identified dome-like features are considered prospective for Omitiomire-style deposits and the Okatjuru Layered Complex is considered a possible source of copper, chromite, magnetite, ilmenite, nickel and the platinum group elements.
- Full Text:
Emplacement of the 2.44 Ga ultramafic layered Kemi intrusion, Finland PGE, geochemical and Sm-Nd isotopic implications
- Authors: Linkermann, Sean Aaron
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Chromite -- Finland -- Kemi , Mining geology -- Finland -- Kemi , Geochemistry -- Finland -- Kemi , Petrology -- Finland -- Kemi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4940 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005552 , Chromite -- Finland -- Kemi , Mining geology -- Finland -- Kemi , Geochemistry -- Finland -- Kemi , Petrology -- Finland -- Kemi
- Description: Europe’s largest chrome deposit is hosted by the 2.44 Ga Kemi ultramafic layered intrusion. The lower half of the intrusion consists of peridotites, pyroxenites and chromitite layers while the upper half consists of websterites, gabbronorites and leucogabbros. The mafic minerals of the lower and upper parts of the intrusion are altered to serpentine, chlorite, talc, amphiboles and carbonates. However, the original mineralogy is still preserved in the middle part of the intrusion. Earlier work on the Kemi intrusion concentrated mainly on the economically important chromitite layers and suggested that these layers were formed through contamination of a single pulse of primitive magma by underlying Archaean basement crustal material. The broad variations of the major element concentrations reflect variations in the mode of the Kemi rocks. The petrology, which shows olivine- and orthopyroxene-dominated rocks in the lower portion of the intrusion to plagioclase- and clinopyroxene-dominated rocks in the upper portion, shows a gross consistency with a fractional crystallization process.The incompatible elements are relatively enriched in the lower portion of the intrusion which is not consistent with a broad fractional crystallization process. These variations suggest that the ultramafic portion of the KemiIntrusion is relatively enriched in trapped liquid compared to the mafic portion.ε2.44 Nd values ranges from +4 (consistent with depleted mantle source) to -10 (indicating a contribution from Archaean crust). The lower peridotites, pyroxenites and websterites have ε2.44 Nd values ranging between depleted mantle signatures and -2, whereas the gabbroic cumulates have ε2.44 Nd values which cover a range from around -5 to -10. Nd isotopic variation in the lower part of the profile is punctuated by distinct spikes to lower ε2.44 Nd corresponding to the chromitite horizons. Both the lower and upper portions of the Kemi Intrusion show enrichment of LREEC1 relative to HREEC1. The LREEC1 enriched values start to increase markedly from about the 1000 meter mark and continue to increase in value towards the roof of the intrusion.The main enrichment of PGE (ΣPPGE = 55 to 148 ppb) occurs approximately 90 to 160 m above the basal contact, beginning within andcontinuing above the main chromitite ore horizon. The mantle-normalized PGE abundances of the main chromitite horizon and the peridotites and pyroxenites below it show enrichment of IPGEPM (Os + Ir + Ru) relative to PPGEPM (Rh + Pd + Pt). In contrast, the overlying rocks are characterised by enrichment of PPGEPM relative to IPGEPM. These PGE-patterns suggest the influence of two distinct controlling processes above and below the main chromitite reef.The isotopic data are consistent with the initial introduction of multiple pulses of depleted mantle-derived magma crystallising olivine and pyroxene. Before the parent magma was fed into the Kemi magma chamber, it underwent crustal contamination and assimilation in a staging chamber within the lower crust. Some of these pulses were “critically crustally contaminated”, inducing chromite saturation and precipitation. The modelling also predicts minor in-situ contamination of the parent magma in the Kemi chamber with its wall and roof rocks. Above the main chromitite layer (about 160 m above the basal contact), the chromite content decreases and the PPGEPM/IPGEPM values increase which is consistent with scavenging of the IPGE into the lowermost layers and/or evolving magma compositions. Above 1000 m, the isotopic and REE data indicate a new magma pulse which has also been extensively contaminated in the staging magma chamber before emplacement into the Kemi magma chamber. The contamination in the staging magma chamber increased which is reflected in a progressively larger crustal component towards the top of the Kemi Intrusion
- Full Text:
- Authors: Linkermann, Sean Aaron
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Chromite -- Finland -- Kemi , Mining geology -- Finland -- Kemi , Geochemistry -- Finland -- Kemi , Petrology -- Finland -- Kemi
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4940 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005552 , Chromite -- Finland -- Kemi , Mining geology -- Finland -- Kemi , Geochemistry -- Finland -- Kemi , Petrology -- Finland -- Kemi
- Description: Europe’s largest chrome deposit is hosted by the 2.44 Ga Kemi ultramafic layered intrusion. The lower half of the intrusion consists of peridotites, pyroxenites and chromitite layers while the upper half consists of websterites, gabbronorites and leucogabbros. The mafic minerals of the lower and upper parts of the intrusion are altered to serpentine, chlorite, talc, amphiboles and carbonates. However, the original mineralogy is still preserved in the middle part of the intrusion. Earlier work on the Kemi intrusion concentrated mainly on the economically important chromitite layers and suggested that these layers were formed through contamination of a single pulse of primitive magma by underlying Archaean basement crustal material. The broad variations of the major element concentrations reflect variations in the mode of the Kemi rocks. The petrology, which shows olivine- and orthopyroxene-dominated rocks in the lower portion of the intrusion to plagioclase- and clinopyroxene-dominated rocks in the upper portion, shows a gross consistency with a fractional crystallization process.The incompatible elements are relatively enriched in the lower portion of the intrusion which is not consistent with a broad fractional crystallization process. These variations suggest that the ultramafic portion of the KemiIntrusion is relatively enriched in trapped liquid compared to the mafic portion.ε2.44 Nd values ranges from +4 (consistent with depleted mantle source) to -10 (indicating a contribution from Archaean crust). The lower peridotites, pyroxenites and websterites have ε2.44 Nd values ranging between depleted mantle signatures and -2, whereas the gabbroic cumulates have ε2.44 Nd values which cover a range from around -5 to -10. Nd isotopic variation in the lower part of the profile is punctuated by distinct spikes to lower ε2.44 Nd corresponding to the chromitite horizons. Both the lower and upper portions of the Kemi Intrusion show enrichment of LREEC1 relative to HREEC1. The LREEC1 enriched values start to increase markedly from about the 1000 meter mark and continue to increase in value towards the roof of the intrusion.The main enrichment of PGE (ΣPPGE = 55 to 148 ppb) occurs approximately 90 to 160 m above the basal contact, beginning within andcontinuing above the main chromitite ore horizon. The mantle-normalized PGE abundances of the main chromitite horizon and the peridotites and pyroxenites below it show enrichment of IPGEPM (Os + Ir + Ru) relative to PPGEPM (Rh + Pd + Pt). In contrast, the overlying rocks are characterised by enrichment of PPGEPM relative to IPGEPM. These PGE-patterns suggest the influence of two distinct controlling processes above and below the main chromitite reef.The isotopic data are consistent with the initial introduction of multiple pulses of depleted mantle-derived magma crystallising olivine and pyroxene. Before the parent magma was fed into the Kemi magma chamber, it underwent crustal contamination and assimilation in a staging chamber within the lower crust. Some of these pulses were “critically crustally contaminated”, inducing chromite saturation and precipitation. The modelling also predicts minor in-situ contamination of the parent magma in the Kemi chamber with its wall and roof rocks. Above the main chromitite layer (about 160 m above the basal contact), the chromite content decreases and the PPGEPM/IPGEPM values increase which is consistent with scavenging of the IPGE into the lowermost layers and/or evolving magma compositions. Above 1000 m, the isotopic and REE data indicate a new magma pulse which has also been extensively contaminated in the staging magma chamber before emplacement into the Kemi magma chamber. The contamination in the staging magma chamber increased which is reflected in a progressively larger crustal component towards the top of the Kemi Intrusion
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Neogene fluvial deposits along the south-west coast of South Africa understanding the palaeoclimate through proxies
- Authors: Sciscio, Lara
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Alluvium , Paleoclimatology -- South Africa , Paleoecology -- Miocene -- South Africa , Paleobotany -- Miocene -- South Africa , Paleogeography -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005593 , Alluvium , Paleoclimatology -- South Africa , Paleoecology -- Miocene -- South Africa , Paleobotany -- Miocene -- South Africa , Paleogeography -- South Africa
- Description: Branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGTs) membrane lipids have been used as a new proxy for the reconstruction of terrestrial palaeoclimates. These biomarkers (or molecular ‗fossils‘) in conjunction with palynology, have been effective in the novel analysis of Miocene organic-rich sediments from three South African west coast sites at Rondeberg, Noordhoek and Langebaanweg. Lastly, a Quaternary south coast site at Rietvlei, South Africa, was also studied to further elucidate the extent of use of this new proxy. The fluvial peat and organic-rich deposits of the Elandsfontyn Formation (Sandveld Group) were investigated at Noordhoek, Langebaanweg and Rondeberg to provide new evidence for the climate and vegetation patterns during Miocene in this region. Drill-core and quarry samples from all four sites were freeze-dried, powered, and prepared for biogeochemical and palynological analyses. The methylation index of branched tetraethers (MBT) and cyclisation ratio of branched tetraethers (CBT) proxies were used to calculate the mean annual air temperature (MAAT) and pH values of the organic-rich horizons at time of deposition. The Branched versus isoprenoid index of tetraethers (BIT) was used to assess the relative contributions of marine archaeal and terrestrial bacterial tetraethers, and thereby assess the validity of the MBT, CBT and calculated palaeoenvironmental factors. The results presented in this thesis suggest that the use of the MBT/CBT proxy has significant potential in southern Africa, and may complement previously attempted palaeoclimatic and palaeoecological studies of Neogene-aged South African sediments. This type of research has the capacity to provide palaeoenvironmental information where other proxies may be absent. Results indicate that all sites yielded branched tetraether membrane lipids with the exception of Rondeberg, where GDGTs were below detection as a result of poor preservation conditions. Palynological investigation confirmed proxy derived temperatures. Furthermore palynomorph analyses supplemented earlier studies of the Noordhoek site and were piloted for the Rondeberg site, reaffirming alternating sequences of tropical and subtropical palynofloras. The MAATs, likewise, show variability and pronounced trends through time at the Langebaanweg and Noordhoek sites, generally corresponding with the variation and diversity of the pollen population. The terrestrial MAAT results appear to compliment Southern Hemisphere sea level changes associated with Antarctic glaciations. Additionally, this data shows a pattern similar to the Southern and Northern Hemisphere marine isotope records of relative fluctuations in the global climate and sea level change from the early to middle Miocene. The application of these past climate change indicators have been proved to be useful in the reconstruction of South Africa Miocene palaeoclimates, and may aid in understanding the consequences of climate change in the Cape region.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sciscio, Lara
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Alluvium , Paleoclimatology -- South Africa , Paleoecology -- Miocene -- South Africa , Paleobotany -- Miocene -- South Africa , Paleogeography -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4981 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005593 , Alluvium , Paleoclimatology -- South Africa , Paleoecology -- Miocene -- South Africa , Paleobotany -- Miocene -- South Africa , Paleogeography -- South Africa
- Description: Branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraether (GDGTs) membrane lipids have been used as a new proxy for the reconstruction of terrestrial palaeoclimates. These biomarkers (or molecular ‗fossils‘) in conjunction with palynology, have been effective in the novel analysis of Miocene organic-rich sediments from three South African west coast sites at Rondeberg, Noordhoek and Langebaanweg. Lastly, a Quaternary south coast site at Rietvlei, South Africa, was also studied to further elucidate the extent of use of this new proxy. The fluvial peat and organic-rich deposits of the Elandsfontyn Formation (Sandveld Group) were investigated at Noordhoek, Langebaanweg and Rondeberg to provide new evidence for the climate and vegetation patterns during Miocene in this region. Drill-core and quarry samples from all four sites were freeze-dried, powered, and prepared for biogeochemical and palynological analyses. The methylation index of branched tetraethers (MBT) and cyclisation ratio of branched tetraethers (CBT) proxies were used to calculate the mean annual air temperature (MAAT) and pH values of the organic-rich horizons at time of deposition. The Branched versus isoprenoid index of tetraethers (BIT) was used to assess the relative contributions of marine archaeal and terrestrial bacterial tetraethers, and thereby assess the validity of the MBT, CBT and calculated palaeoenvironmental factors. The results presented in this thesis suggest that the use of the MBT/CBT proxy has significant potential in southern Africa, and may complement previously attempted palaeoclimatic and palaeoecological studies of Neogene-aged South African sediments. This type of research has the capacity to provide palaeoenvironmental information where other proxies may be absent. Results indicate that all sites yielded branched tetraether membrane lipids with the exception of Rondeberg, where GDGTs were below detection as a result of poor preservation conditions. Palynological investigation confirmed proxy derived temperatures. Furthermore palynomorph analyses supplemented earlier studies of the Noordhoek site and were piloted for the Rondeberg site, reaffirming alternating sequences of tropical and subtropical palynofloras. The MAATs, likewise, show variability and pronounced trends through time at the Langebaanweg and Noordhoek sites, generally corresponding with the variation and diversity of the pollen population. The terrestrial MAAT results appear to compliment Southern Hemisphere sea level changes associated with Antarctic glaciations. Additionally, this data shows a pattern similar to the Southern and Northern Hemisphere marine isotope records of relative fluctuations in the global climate and sea level change from the early to middle Miocene. The application of these past climate change indicators have been proved to be useful in the reconstruction of South Africa Miocene palaeoclimates, and may aid in understanding the consequences of climate change in the Cape region.
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Sedimentology of plio-pleistocene gravel barrier deposits in the palaeo-Orange River mouth, Namibia : depositional history and diamond mineralisation
- Authors: Spaggiari, Renato Igino
- Date: 2011 , 2013-08-19
- Subjects: Diamond mines and mining -- Namibia Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa and Namibia -- Orange River Estuary Diamond deposits -- Namibia Orange River Estuary (Namibia and South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004636
- Description: The largest known marine diamond placer, the Namibian mega-placer, lies along the Atlantic coast of south-western Africa from the Orange River mouth 1,000 km northwards to the Namibian-Angolan border. The most economically viable portion of the Namibian mega-placer (>75 million carats recovered at >95% gem quality) comprises onshore and offshore marine deposits that are developed within ∼100km of the Orange River outfall. For much of the Cainozoic, this long-lived fluvial system has been the main conduit transporting diamonds from kimberlitic and secondary sources in the cratonic hinterland of southern Africa to the Atlantic shelf that has been neutrally buoyant over this period. Highly energetic marine processes, driven in part, by southerly winds with an attendant northward-directed longshore drift, have generated terminal placers that are preserved both onshore and offshore. This study, through detailed field sedimentological and diamond analyses, investigates the development and mineralisation of gravel barrier deposits within the ancestral Orange River mouth area during a major ∼30 m regional transgression ('30 m Package') in the Late Pliocene. At that time, diamond supply from this fluvial conduit was minimal, yet the corresponding onshore marine deposits to the north of the Orange River mouth were significantly diamond enriched, enabling large-scale alluvial diamond mining to take place for over 75 years. Of the entire coastline of south-western Africa, the most complete accumulation of the '30 m Package' is preserved within the palaeo-Orange River mouth as barrier spit and barrier beach deposits. Arranged vertically and laterally in a 16m thick succession, these are deposits of: (1) intertidal beach, (2) lagoon and washover, (3) tidal inlet and spit recurve and (4) storm-dominated subtidal settings. These were parts of larger barrier features, the bulk of which are preserved as highstand deposits that are diamond-bearing with varying, but generally low grades (<13 stones (diamonds) per hundred tons, spht). Intertidal beach and spit recurve deposits have higher economic grades (12-13 spht) due to the energetic sieving and mobile trapping mechanisms associated with their emplacement. In contrast, the less reworked and more sandy subtidal, tidal inlet and washover deposits have un-economic grades (<2 spht). Despite these low grades, the barrier deposits have the largest average stone (diamond) size (1-2 carats/stone, cts/stn) of the entire Namibian mega-placer, given their proximity to the ancestral Orange River outfall. This study demonstrates that barrier shoreline evolution at the fluvial/marine interface was controlled by: (1) a strong and coarse fluvial sediment supply that sustained shoreline growth on a highly energetic coast, (2) accommodation space facilitating sediment preservation and (3) short-duration, high-frequency sea-level cycles superimposed on the∼30 m regional transgression, promoting hierarchal stacking of progradational deposits. During these sea-level fluctuations, diamonds were 'farmed' from older, shelf sequences in the offshore and driven landward to accumulate in '30 m Package' highstand barrier deposits. In spite of the large supply of diamonds, their retention in these deposits was poor due to an incompetent footwall of ancestral Orange River mouth sediment and the inherent cobble-boulder size of the barrier gravels. Thus the principal process controlling diamond entrapment in these barrier deposits was kinetic sieving in a coarse-grained framework. Consequently, at the marine/fluvial interface and down-drift for ∼5 km, larger diamonds (1-2 cts/stn) were retained in low-grade (<2 spht), coarse-gravel barrier shorelines. Smaller diamonds (mostly < I cts/stn) were rejected into the northward-driven littoral sediments and further size-sorted along ∼95 km of Namibian coast to accumulate in finer, high-grade beach placers (> 100 spht) where bedrock footwall promoted such high concentrations. The gravel-dominated palaeo-Orange River mouth is considered to be the ' heart' of the Namibian mega-placer, controlling sediment and diamond supply to the littoral zone further north. Although coarse gravel is retained at the river mouth, the incompetence of this highly energetic setting to trap diamonds renders it sub-economic. This ineffectiveness at the fluvial/marine interface is thus fundamental in enriching the coastal tract farther down-drift and developing highly economic coastal placers along the Atlantic coast of south-western Africa. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
- Authors: Spaggiari, Renato Igino
- Date: 2011 , 2013-08-19
- Subjects: Diamond mines and mining -- Namibia Sediments (Geology) -- South Africa and Namibia -- Orange River Estuary Diamond deposits -- Namibia Orange River Estuary (Namibia and South Africa)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: vital:4927 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004636
- Description: The largest known marine diamond placer, the Namibian mega-placer, lies along the Atlantic coast of south-western Africa from the Orange River mouth 1,000 km northwards to the Namibian-Angolan border. The most economically viable portion of the Namibian mega-placer (>75 million carats recovered at >95% gem quality) comprises onshore and offshore marine deposits that are developed within ∼100km of the Orange River outfall. For much of the Cainozoic, this long-lived fluvial system has been the main conduit transporting diamonds from kimberlitic and secondary sources in the cratonic hinterland of southern Africa to the Atlantic shelf that has been neutrally buoyant over this period. Highly energetic marine processes, driven in part, by southerly winds with an attendant northward-directed longshore drift, have generated terminal placers that are preserved both onshore and offshore. This study, through detailed field sedimentological and diamond analyses, investigates the development and mineralisation of gravel barrier deposits within the ancestral Orange River mouth area during a major ∼30 m regional transgression ('30 m Package') in the Late Pliocene. At that time, diamond supply from this fluvial conduit was minimal, yet the corresponding onshore marine deposits to the north of the Orange River mouth were significantly diamond enriched, enabling large-scale alluvial diamond mining to take place for over 75 years. Of the entire coastline of south-western Africa, the most complete accumulation of the '30 m Package' is preserved within the palaeo-Orange River mouth as barrier spit and barrier beach deposits. Arranged vertically and laterally in a 16m thick succession, these are deposits of: (1) intertidal beach, (2) lagoon and washover, (3) tidal inlet and spit recurve and (4) storm-dominated subtidal settings. These were parts of larger barrier features, the bulk of which are preserved as highstand deposits that are diamond-bearing with varying, but generally low grades (<13 stones (diamonds) per hundred tons, spht). Intertidal beach and spit recurve deposits have higher economic grades (12-13 spht) due to the energetic sieving and mobile trapping mechanisms associated with their emplacement. In contrast, the less reworked and more sandy subtidal, tidal inlet and washover deposits have un-economic grades (<2 spht). Despite these low grades, the barrier deposits have the largest average stone (diamond) size (1-2 carats/stone, cts/stn) of the entire Namibian mega-placer, given their proximity to the ancestral Orange River outfall. This study demonstrates that barrier shoreline evolution at the fluvial/marine interface was controlled by: (1) a strong and coarse fluvial sediment supply that sustained shoreline growth on a highly energetic coast, (2) accommodation space facilitating sediment preservation and (3) short-duration, high-frequency sea-level cycles superimposed on the∼30 m regional transgression, promoting hierarchal stacking of progradational deposits. During these sea-level fluctuations, diamonds were 'farmed' from older, shelf sequences in the offshore and driven landward to accumulate in '30 m Package' highstand barrier deposits. In spite of the large supply of diamonds, their retention in these deposits was poor due to an incompetent footwall of ancestral Orange River mouth sediment and the inherent cobble-boulder size of the barrier gravels. Thus the principal process controlling diamond entrapment in these barrier deposits was kinetic sieving in a coarse-grained framework. Consequently, at the marine/fluvial interface and down-drift for ∼5 km, larger diamonds (1-2 cts/stn) were retained in low-grade (<2 spht), coarse-gravel barrier shorelines. Smaller diamonds (mostly < I cts/stn) were rejected into the northward-driven littoral sediments and further size-sorted along ∼95 km of Namibian coast to accumulate in finer, high-grade beach placers (> 100 spht) where bedrock footwall promoted such high concentrations. The gravel-dominated palaeo-Orange River mouth is considered to be the ' heart' of the Namibian mega-placer, controlling sediment and diamond supply to the littoral zone further north. Although coarse gravel is retained at the river mouth, the incompetence of this highly energetic setting to trap diamonds renders it sub-economic. This ineffectiveness at the fluvial/marine interface is thus fundamental in enriching the coastal tract farther down-drift and developing highly economic coastal placers along the Atlantic coast of south-western Africa. , KMBT_363 , Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in
- Full Text:
Geology of the Kroonstad kimberlite cluster, South Africa
- Authors: Howarth, Geoffrey H
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Geology -- South Africa -- Kroonstad , Kimberlite -- South Africa -- Kroonstad
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4961 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005573 , Geology -- South Africa -- Kroonstad , Kimberlite -- South Africa -- Kroonstad
- Description: The Cretaceous (133Ma) Kroonstad Group II Kimberlite Cluster is located approximately 200km south west of Johannesburg on the Kaapvaal Craton. The cluster is made up of six kimberlite pipes and numerous other intrusive dike/sill bodies. Three of the pipes are analysed in this study, which includes the: Voorspoed, Lace (Crown) and Besterskraal North pipes. These pipes were emplaced at surface into the Karoo Supergroup, which is comprised of older sedimentary rocks (300-185Ma) overlain by flood basalts (185Ma). At depth the pipes have intruded the Transvaal (2100-2600Ma) and Ventersdorp (2700Ma) Supergroups, which are comprised dominantly of carbonates and various volcanic units respectively. The pipes have typical morphology of South African pipes with circular to sub-circular plan views and steep 82o pipe margins. The Voorspoed pipe is 12ha in size and is characterised by the presence of a large block of Karoo basalt approximately 6ha in size at the current land surface. This large basalt block extends to a maximum of 300m below the current land surface. The main Lace pipe is 2ha is size with a smaller (<0.5ha) satellite pipe approximately 50m to the west. No information is available on the morphology of the Besterskraal North pipe as it is sub-economic and no mining has occurred. Samples from the Besterskraal North pipe were collected from the De Beers archives. The Kroonstad Cluster has been subjected to approximately 1750m of erosion post-emplacement, which has been calculated by the analysis of the crustal xenoliths with the pipe infill. The hypabyssal kimberlite from the three pipes shows a gradational evolution in magma compositions, indicated by the mineralogy and geochemistry. The Lace pipe is the least evolved and has characteristics more similar to Group I kimberlites. The Voorspoed and Besterskraal North kimberlite are intermediately and highly evolved respectively. The gradational evolution is marked by an increase in SiO2 and Na2O contents. Furthermore the occurrence of abundant primary diopside, aegirine, sanidine, K-richterite and leucite indicates evolution of the magma. The root zones of the pipes are characterised by globular segregationary transitional kimberlite, which is interpreted to be hypabyssal and not the result of pyroclastic welding/agglutination. The hypabyssal transitional kimberlite (HKt) is characterised by incipient globular segregationary textures only and the typical tuffisitic transitional kimberlite (TKt) end member (Hetman et al. 2004) is not observed. The HKt contact with the overlying volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK) infill is sharp and not gradational. The presence of HKt in the satellite blind pipe at Lace further indicates that the distinct kimberlite rock type must be forming sub-volcanically. The HKt is distinctly different at the Voorspoed and Lace pipes, which is likely a result of differing compositions of the late stage magmatic liquid. Microlitic clinopyroxene is only observed at the Lace HKt and is interpreted to form as a result of both crustal xenolith contamination and CO2 degassing. Furthermore the HKt is intimately associated with contact breccias in the sidewall. The root zones of the Kroonstad pipes are interpreted to form through the development of a sub-volcanic embryonic pipe. The volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK) infill of the Kroonstad pipes is not typical of South African tuffisitic Class 1 kimberlite pipes. The VK at Voorspoed is characterised by numerous horizontally layered massive volcaniclastic kimberlite (MVK) units, which are interpreted to have formed in a deep open vent through primary pyroclastic deposition. MVK is the dominant rock type infilling the Voorspoed pipe, however numerous other minor units occur. Normally graded units are interpreted to form through gravitational collapse of the tuff ring. MVK units rich in Karoo basalt and/or Karoo sandstone are interpreted to form through gravitational sidewall failure deep within an open vent. Magmaclasts are interpreted to form in the HKt during the development of an embryonic pipe and therefore the term autolith or nucleated autolith may be applied. Debate on the validity of the term nucleated autolith is beyond this study and therefore the term nucleated magmaclast is used to refer to spherical magmaclasts in the VK. The emplacement of the Kroonstad pipes is particularly complex and is not similar to typical Class 1 tuffisitic kimberlites. However the initial stage of pipe emplacement is similar to typical South African kimberlites and is interpreted to be through the development of an embryonic pipe as described by Clement (1982). The vent clearing eruption is interpreted to be from the bottom up through the exsolution of juvenile volatiles and the pipe shape is controlled by the depth of the eruption (+/-2km) (Skinner, 2008). The initial embryonic pipe development and explosive eruption is similar to other South African kimberlites, however the vent is cleared and left open, which is typical of Class 2 Prairies type and Class 3 Lac de Gras type pipes. The latter vent infilling processes are similar to Class 3 kimberlites from Lac de Gras and are dominated at the current level by primary pyroclastic deposition.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Howarth, Geoffrey H
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Geology -- South Africa -- Kroonstad , Kimberlite -- South Africa -- Kroonstad
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4961 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005573 , Geology -- South Africa -- Kroonstad , Kimberlite -- South Africa -- Kroonstad
- Description: The Cretaceous (133Ma) Kroonstad Group II Kimberlite Cluster is located approximately 200km south west of Johannesburg on the Kaapvaal Craton. The cluster is made up of six kimberlite pipes and numerous other intrusive dike/sill bodies. Three of the pipes are analysed in this study, which includes the: Voorspoed, Lace (Crown) and Besterskraal North pipes. These pipes were emplaced at surface into the Karoo Supergroup, which is comprised of older sedimentary rocks (300-185Ma) overlain by flood basalts (185Ma). At depth the pipes have intruded the Transvaal (2100-2600Ma) and Ventersdorp (2700Ma) Supergroups, which are comprised dominantly of carbonates and various volcanic units respectively. The pipes have typical morphology of South African pipes with circular to sub-circular plan views and steep 82o pipe margins. The Voorspoed pipe is 12ha in size and is characterised by the presence of a large block of Karoo basalt approximately 6ha in size at the current land surface. This large basalt block extends to a maximum of 300m below the current land surface. The main Lace pipe is 2ha is size with a smaller (<0.5ha) satellite pipe approximately 50m to the west. No information is available on the morphology of the Besterskraal North pipe as it is sub-economic and no mining has occurred. Samples from the Besterskraal North pipe were collected from the De Beers archives. The Kroonstad Cluster has been subjected to approximately 1750m of erosion post-emplacement, which has been calculated by the analysis of the crustal xenoliths with the pipe infill. The hypabyssal kimberlite from the three pipes shows a gradational evolution in magma compositions, indicated by the mineralogy and geochemistry. The Lace pipe is the least evolved and has characteristics more similar to Group I kimberlites. The Voorspoed and Besterskraal North kimberlite are intermediately and highly evolved respectively. The gradational evolution is marked by an increase in SiO2 and Na2O contents. Furthermore the occurrence of abundant primary diopside, aegirine, sanidine, K-richterite and leucite indicates evolution of the magma. The root zones of the pipes are characterised by globular segregationary transitional kimberlite, which is interpreted to be hypabyssal and not the result of pyroclastic welding/agglutination. The hypabyssal transitional kimberlite (HKt) is characterised by incipient globular segregationary textures only and the typical tuffisitic transitional kimberlite (TKt) end member (Hetman et al. 2004) is not observed. The HKt contact with the overlying volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK) infill is sharp and not gradational. The presence of HKt in the satellite blind pipe at Lace further indicates that the distinct kimberlite rock type must be forming sub-volcanically. The HKt is distinctly different at the Voorspoed and Lace pipes, which is likely a result of differing compositions of the late stage magmatic liquid. Microlitic clinopyroxene is only observed at the Lace HKt and is interpreted to form as a result of both crustal xenolith contamination and CO2 degassing. Furthermore the HKt is intimately associated with contact breccias in the sidewall. The root zones of the Kroonstad pipes are interpreted to form through the development of a sub-volcanic embryonic pipe. The volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK) infill of the Kroonstad pipes is not typical of South African tuffisitic Class 1 kimberlite pipes. The VK at Voorspoed is characterised by numerous horizontally layered massive volcaniclastic kimberlite (MVK) units, which are interpreted to have formed in a deep open vent through primary pyroclastic deposition. MVK is the dominant rock type infilling the Voorspoed pipe, however numerous other minor units occur. Normally graded units are interpreted to form through gravitational collapse of the tuff ring. MVK units rich in Karoo basalt and/or Karoo sandstone are interpreted to form through gravitational sidewall failure deep within an open vent. Magmaclasts are interpreted to form in the HKt during the development of an embryonic pipe and therefore the term autolith or nucleated autolith may be applied. Debate on the validity of the term nucleated autolith is beyond this study and therefore the term nucleated magmaclast is used to refer to spherical magmaclasts in the VK. The emplacement of the Kroonstad pipes is particularly complex and is not similar to typical Class 1 tuffisitic kimberlites. However the initial stage of pipe emplacement is similar to typical South African kimberlites and is interpreted to be through the development of an embryonic pipe as described by Clement (1982). The vent clearing eruption is interpreted to be from the bottom up through the exsolution of juvenile volatiles and the pipe shape is controlled by the depth of the eruption (+/-2km) (Skinner, 2008). The initial embryonic pipe development and explosive eruption is similar to other South African kimberlites, however the vent is cleared and left open, which is typical of Class 2 Prairies type and Class 3 Lac de Gras type pipes. The latter vent infilling processes are similar to Class 3 kimberlites from Lac de Gras and are dominated at the current level by primary pyroclastic deposition.
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The geological framework and depositional environments of the coal-bearing Karoo strata in the Central Kalahari Karoo Basin, Botswana
- Authors: Segwabe, Tebogo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Coal -- Geology -- Botswana , Sedimentation and deposition -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005567 , Coal -- Geology -- Botswana , Sedimentation and deposition -- Botswana
- Description: The investigation of the geological history (i.e., stratigraphy and sedimentology) and the dynamics of coal depositional environments, in particular, the forces responsible for changes in the accommodation space (e.g., subsidence vs. sedimentation rates) in the Permian coal-bearing Karoo strata in the Central Kalahari Karoo Basin (Botswana) revealed new details about the depositional processes and environments. Detailed review of the temporal and spatial stratigraphic variation of the coal-bearing Ecca Group successions via the analysis of facies changes based on core descriptions, gamma logs, field observations and palaeo-current measurements, lead to the identification of two main informal stratigraphic units, namely the Basal and Upper Units. The Basal Unit is characterised by an upward-coarsening succession, and it is interpreted as a product of a progradational deltaic setting (i.e., regressive deltaic cycle). This is followed by five sequences of fining-upward successions of sandstones and siltstones in the Upper Unit, interpreted as deposits of distributary channels (the basal arenaceous member) capped by finer argillaceous sequences of the deltaic floodplains (the upper coal-bearing member). The Upper Unit thus is interpreted as a delta plain facies association which was formed during transgressive phases when conditions for coal-quality peat accumulation (e.g., high water table) were present and the available accommodation space was partly controlled by tectonic uplift (repeated?) at basin margins. Limited palaeo-current analysis indicates deposition by channels flowing from the east, south-east and north-east. The lack of good quality exposures hampers the reconstruction of the plan form of the channel patterns. However, the little available evidence indicates a high-energy fluvio-deltaic system with irregular discharge and a high proportion of bedload sediments. Coal-seam thickness in the upper coal-bearing member reflect the complex control of the geological processes associated with and following peat formation, such as differential compaction of the underlying lithology, and the erosive or protective nature of the immediately overlying lithology.
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- Authors: Segwabe, Tebogo
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Coal -- Geology -- Botswana , Sedimentation and deposition -- Botswana
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005567 , Coal -- Geology -- Botswana , Sedimentation and deposition -- Botswana
- Description: The investigation of the geological history (i.e., stratigraphy and sedimentology) and the dynamics of coal depositional environments, in particular, the forces responsible for changes in the accommodation space (e.g., subsidence vs. sedimentation rates) in the Permian coal-bearing Karoo strata in the Central Kalahari Karoo Basin (Botswana) revealed new details about the depositional processes and environments. Detailed review of the temporal and spatial stratigraphic variation of the coal-bearing Ecca Group successions via the analysis of facies changes based on core descriptions, gamma logs, field observations and palaeo-current measurements, lead to the identification of two main informal stratigraphic units, namely the Basal and Upper Units. The Basal Unit is characterised by an upward-coarsening succession, and it is interpreted as a product of a progradational deltaic setting (i.e., regressive deltaic cycle). This is followed by five sequences of fining-upward successions of sandstones and siltstones in the Upper Unit, interpreted as deposits of distributary channels (the basal arenaceous member) capped by finer argillaceous sequences of the deltaic floodplains (the upper coal-bearing member). The Upper Unit thus is interpreted as a delta plain facies association which was formed during transgressive phases when conditions for coal-quality peat accumulation (e.g., high water table) were present and the available accommodation space was partly controlled by tectonic uplift (repeated?) at basin margins. Limited palaeo-current analysis indicates deposition by channels flowing from the east, south-east and north-east. The lack of good quality exposures hampers the reconstruction of the plan form of the channel patterns. However, the little available evidence indicates a high-energy fluvio-deltaic system with irregular discharge and a high proportion of bedload sediments. Coal-seam thickness in the upper coal-bearing member reflect the complex control of the geological processes associated with and following peat formation, such as differential compaction of the underlying lithology, and the erosive or protective nature of the immediately overlying lithology.
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Eluvial chromite resources of the Great Dyke of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Musa, Caston Tamburayi
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Dikes (Geology) -- Zimbabwe Chromite -- Zimbabwe Geology -- Zimbabwe Olivine Serpentinite Eluvium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007731
- Description: Apart from the concentrations of chromite in layers within the Great Dyke and other ultramafic complexes, chromite also occurs as interstitial grains throughout the olivine-bearing rock-types. These olivine-bearing rocks include no rites, gabbros, dunites and pyroxenites. Chromite concentration in these rocks varies from 0.48 to 3.09 per cent of the rock, usually in the form of chromite (Ahrens, 1965; Worst, 1960). A small fraction of this chromite settled to form chromitite layers whilst the remainder is retained within the rock mass as finely disseminated chromite and chromite interstitial to olivine. This retained chromite is much finer grained than layer chromite and is the primary source of eluvial chromite (Cotterill, 1981). During weathering of the serpentine rock and transportation by rainwater, the heavier chromite and magnetite grains are re-deposited along watercourses and vleis or valleys as the speed of the water is retarded sufficiently for the heavier particles to settle. The lighter serpentine material is removed and the chromite concentration in the soil is increased, thus resulting in eluvial chromite (Keech et ai, 1961; Worst, 1960; Prendergast, 1978). The concentration of chromite particles in soil can be up to 15 (or more) Cr₂O₃ %, resulting in economic and exploitable deposits, located primarily along the Great Dyke fiacks. A preliminary evaluation of the eluvials indicate that the Great Dyke could be host to up to 10 million tonnes of potential chromite concentrates which could be processed from such eluvial concentrates. These chromite-rich soils can be mined more cheaply than the traditional seams mining and processed into chromite concentrates through simple mechanical processing techniques of spirals, jigs and heavy media separators. The resultant chromite concentrates are of high quality and can be used to manufacture chromite ore briquettes, which are an alternative to lumpy chromite smelter feed. The main challenges to eluvial mining are the inevitable environmental degradation and coming up with methods that could possibly mitigate against such environmental damage. The distribution of these eluvials over vast plains as thin soil horizons, necessitate use of mobile concentrator plants and hence establishment of extensive infrastructure. These challenges, however, are not insurmountable and test mining and previous production runs have proved profitable. The eluvials are also associated with some lateritic nickel concentrations. The nickel occurs in close association with some oxide such as goethite and garnierite and is associated with iron-manganiferous soil pisolites. The analyses of these pisolites indicate high nickel grades of generally above 1.00 %Ni. Such high nickel-content of Great Dyke laterites warrant, further investigations.
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- Authors: Musa, Caston Tamburayi
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Dikes (Geology) -- Zimbabwe Chromite -- Zimbabwe Geology -- Zimbabwe Olivine Serpentinite Eluvium
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5046 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007731
- Description: Apart from the concentrations of chromite in layers within the Great Dyke and other ultramafic complexes, chromite also occurs as interstitial grains throughout the olivine-bearing rock-types. These olivine-bearing rocks include no rites, gabbros, dunites and pyroxenites. Chromite concentration in these rocks varies from 0.48 to 3.09 per cent of the rock, usually in the form of chromite (Ahrens, 1965; Worst, 1960). A small fraction of this chromite settled to form chromitite layers whilst the remainder is retained within the rock mass as finely disseminated chromite and chromite interstitial to olivine. This retained chromite is much finer grained than layer chromite and is the primary source of eluvial chromite (Cotterill, 1981). During weathering of the serpentine rock and transportation by rainwater, the heavier chromite and magnetite grains are re-deposited along watercourses and vleis or valleys as the speed of the water is retarded sufficiently for the heavier particles to settle. The lighter serpentine material is removed and the chromite concentration in the soil is increased, thus resulting in eluvial chromite (Keech et ai, 1961; Worst, 1960; Prendergast, 1978). The concentration of chromite particles in soil can be up to 15 (or more) Cr₂O₃ %, resulting in economic and exploitable deposits, located primarily along the Great Dyke fiacks. A preliminary evaluation of the eluvials indicate that the Great Dyke could be host to up to 10 million tonnes of potential chromite concentrates which could be processed from such eluvial concentrates. These chromite-rich soils can be mined more cheaply than the traditional seams mining and processed into chromite concentrates through simple mechanical processing techniques of spirals, jigs and heavy media separators. The resultant chromite concentrates are of high quality and can be used to manufacture chromite ore briquettes, which are an alternative to lumpy chromite smelter feed. The main challenges to eluvial mining are the inevitable environmental degradation and coming up with methods that could possibly mitigate against such environmental damage. The distribution of these eluvials over vast plains as thin soil horizons, necessitate use of mobile concentrator plants and hence establishment of extensive infrastructure. These challenges, however, are not insurmountable and test mining and previous production runs have proved profitable. The eluvials are also associated with some lateritic nickel concentrations. The nickel occurs in close association with some oxide such as goethite and garnierite and is associated with iron-manganiferous soil pisolites. The analyses of these pisolites indicate high nickel grades of generally above 1.00 %Ni. Such high nickel-content of Great Dyke laterites warrant, further investigations.
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