Reza Ghavami-Riabi; H.F.J Theart
Abstract
The trace element contents on the surface originated from mineralization would depend to the thickness of the calcrete layer above the ore deposit on the surface. A very thick layer of calcrete may not allow for much dispersion of the elements of interest in the surface. These elements may be concentrated ...
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The trace element contents on the surface originated from mineralization would depend to the thickness of the calcrete layer above the ore deposit on the surface. A very thick layer of calcrete may not allow for much dispersion of the elements of interest in the surface. These elements may be concentrated in non-magnetic and magnetic part of calcrete. Based on the current research, mineralogical composition of the non-magnetic part of the calcrete consists of calcite, quartz and microcline and the magnetic part comprises of magnetite, hematite, calcite and albite (at Kantienpan). It could be demonstrated that calcrete samples close to the ore zone have higher contents of Cu, Zn and CaCO3 when compared to the calcrete samples further away from the ore zone. Lithogeochemical exploration program based on the visually cleaned calcrete samples may lead to the successful identification of underlying mineralization, but the dispersion of the interest elements may be severely restricted. It is however evident that these elements are available at the calcrete-sand interface and could then be dispersed by ground and rain water as in the case of mobile metal ions.
R. Ghavami-Riabi; H.F.J. Theart
Abstract
The massive sulphide deposit at Kantienpan Cu-Zn mine is hosted by volcano sedimentary succession known as the
Areachap Group, in the eastern part of Namaqua Metamorphic Province, South Africa. The deposits were affected by a
complex deformation and metamorphic history and represent ...
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The massive sulphide deposit at Kantienpan Cu-Zn mine is hosted by volcano sedimentary succession known as the
Areachap Group, in the eastern part of Namaqua Metamorphic Province, South Africa. The deposits were affected by a
complex deformation and metamorphic history and represent examples of upper amphibolite to granulite grade
metamorphosed volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposits. The principal purpose of this research is to
characterise the primary geochemical halo’s related to VHMS deposits in this mine. Lithogeochemical characterization
of the primary haloes is based on borehole samples of the footwall, ore zone and hanging wall successions.
Geochemically, the ore zone and alteration zones at Kantienpan VHMS ore deposit display a high peraluminous ratio
confirming the peraluminous nature of these zones as indicated mineralogically and lithologically. The intervals
identified in sampled borehole core with low CaO and Na2O and with high MgO and K2O contents represent the
alteration zone in the original footwall rocks of the deposit.
