A stratigraphic, petrographic and geochemical study of the gamagara formation at the maremane dome, Northern Cape province, South Africa
- Authors: Cousins, David Patrick
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Iron ores -- Geology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4679 , vital:20711
- Description: Between 80 and 90 percent of the potential iron ore reserves in the Griqualand West basin in the Northern Cape province of South Africa is situated in the Asbesheuwels Iron-formation immediately below an unconformity that separates it from the Gamagara Formation of the Olifantshoek Supergroup. This extensive regional unconformity marks a lengthy period of non-deposition and erosion which preceded the deposition of the Gamagara Formation. Due to the nature of the intimate relationship between the shales and iron ore body, specifically on the Maremane dome, new insights into the Gamagara Formation were required. The thesis provides a renewed stratigraphic, petrographic and geochemical study on the Gamagara Formation and relates it to previous studies done on the lateral correlative Mapedi Formation, some 70 km north of the Maremane dome. The use of 10 newly available drill-cores selected from across the Maremane Dome allows for regional correlations to be made in a study which employs petrographic/mineralogical investigations using transmitted/reflected light microscopy, XRD and EPMA, complimented by traditional whole-rock geochemical analysis of majors, traces, rare earth elements and Nd isotopes. At the base of the Gamagara lie conglomerates representing an alluvial fan deposit, overlying this, shale and quartzite successions represent progradational delta lobes. The deltas are interpreted to be tide- dominated as indicated by a combination of features including: microbial mat growth, intertidal deposition in the delta top, sand bars and flaser laminations in the upward coarsening quartzite units of the delta front. Transgression is indicated by periodic transgressive lag deposits. A variety of sedimentary structures and textural features are described that can be interpreted as the results of microbial mat colonization on the sediment surface. Although in none of the described features can it irrefutably be proven that they are microbial mat deposits, the observed features are consistent with such an interpretation and should be considered indicators of possible microbial mat presence in the Gamagara Formation. Hydrothermal modifications are identified in various units of the Gamagara Formation and seem to occur as separate events. Basal white shales show mobility of Al and slight HFSE enrichments, while overlying red shales record HFSE, K and Fe enrichments. K-metasomatism has been known to occur in the underlying paleoweathering profile of the Transvaal Supergroup (Ongeluk lavas) a unit which is interpreted as the most likely provenance for the mid-to-upper shale lithofacies of the Gamagara Formation. Highly alkaline F-bearing brines had the ability to mobilize titania and fluorapatite, reset Nd isotope systematics and ultimately enriched HFSE concentrations in the red shales of the Gamagara Formation. As the same enrichment is evident in the Mapedi Formation, the event possibly represents unconformity related fluid flow on a regional scale (~140 km). Nd-isotopes record an isotopic disturbance concurrent with the HFSE enrichment and Tdm model ages suggest disruption (and enrichment) occurred between 1.73 and 1.86 Ga. Following this, Fe-addition occurred by epigenetic mechanisms similar to those of MVT-type deposits. Although gaps in the current understanding of the modifications of the Gamagara Formation exist, such events may have far reaching implications for the underlying iron ore bodies and the possibility arises that the genesis and/or epigenetic modification of the ore bodies of the Transvaal Supergroup may be casually linked to the same fluid-migration event/s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Cousins, David Patrick
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Iron ores -- Geology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/4679 , vital:20711
- Description: Between 80 and 90 percent of the potential iron ore reserves in the Griqualand West basin in the Northern Cape province of South Africa is situated in the Asbesheuwels Iron-formation immediately below an unconformity that separates it from the Gamagara Formation of the Olifantshoek Supergroup. This extensive regional unconformity marks a lengthy period of non-deposition and erosion which preceded the deposition of the Gamagara Formation. Due to the nature of the intimate relationship between the shales and iron ore body, specifically on the Maremane dome, new insights into the Gamagara Formation were required. The thesis provides a renewed stratigraphic, petrographic and geochemical study on the Gamagara Formation and relates it to previous studies done on the lateral correlative Mapedi Formation, some 70 km north of the Maremane dome. The use of 10 newly available drill-cores selected from across the Maremane Dome allows for regional correlations to be made in a study which employs petrographic/mineralogical investigations using transmitted/reflected light microscopy, XRD and EPMA, complimented by traditional whole-rock geochemical analysis of majors, traces, rare earth elements and Nd isotopes. At the base of the Gamagara lie conglomerates representing an alluvial fan deposit, overlying this, shale and quartzite successions represent progradational delta lobes. The deltas are interpreted to be tide- dominated as indicated by a combination of features including: microbial mat growth, intertidal deposition in the delta top, sand bars and flaser laminations in the upward coarsening quartzite units of the delta front. Transgression is indicated by periodic transgressive lag deposits. A variety of sedimentary structures and textural features are described that can be interpreted as the results of microbial mat colonization on the sediment surface. Although in none of the described features can it irrefutably be proven that they are microbial mat deposits, the observed features are consistent with such an interpretation and should be considered indicators of possible microbial mat presence in the Gamagara Formation. Hydrothermal modifications are identified in various units of the Gamagara Formation and seem to occur as separate events. Basal white shales show mobility of Al and slight HFSE enrichments, while overlying red shales record HFSE, K and Fe enrichments. K-metasomatism has been known to occur in the underlying paleoweathering profile of the Transvaal Supergroup (Ongeluk lavas) a unit which is interpreted as the most likely provenance for the mid-to-upper shale lithofacies of the Gamagara Formation. Highly alkaline F-bearing brines had the ability to mobilize titania and fluorapatite, reset Nd isotope systematics and ultimately enriched HFSE concentrations in the red shales of the Gamagara Formation. As the same enrichment is evident in the Mapedi Formation, the event possibly represents unconformity related fluid flow on a regional scale (~140 km). Nd-isotopes record an isotopic disturbance concurrent with the HFSE enrichment and Tdm model ages suggest disruption (and enrichment) occurred between 1.73 and 1.86 Ga. Following this, Fe-addition occurred by epigenetic mechanisms similar to those of MVT-type deposits. Although gaps in the current understanding of the modifications of the Gamagara Formation exist, such events may have far reaching implications for the underlying iron ore bodies and the possibility arises that the genesis and/or epigenetic modification of the ore bodies of the Transvaal Supergroup may be casually linked to the same fluid-migration event/s.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The mineralogy and geochemistry of the Voëlwater banded iron-formation, Northern Cape Province
- Authors: Tsikos, Harilaos
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005589 , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Description: Banded iron-formations (BIFs) are chemically precipitated sedimentary rocks in which Fe-rich bands or laminae alternate with Fe-poor ones. They formed within a specific time-span of the geological record. Their occurrence is restricted between 2.3 and 1.9 Ga, and characterises virtually all the major Precambrian-aged sedimentary basins of the world. The Precambrian Transvaal Basin in Griqualand West, South Africa, is noted for its well-developed BIF units. The Kuruman and Griquatown BIFs comprising the Asbesheuwels Subgroup (up to 1000m thick) are the best known and thickest of these. As far as metallogenesis is concerned, the Kuruman BIF is of major importance, for it carries the world's largest crocidolite (blue asbestos) deposits. The uppermost, youngest member of iron-formation deposition in the Griqualand West Sequence is represented by the Voëlwater BIF. The direct association between the latter and the giant Mn-deposits of the Kalahari Field, renders the Voëlwater association unusual, if not unique, in the geological record. The Voëlwater BIF represents a typical example of the so-called "Superior-type", and in the area of study it has undergone late-diagennetic to low-grade metamorphic processes. This is evident from the mineralogical composition and textural signature of the various BIF lithologies. Specifically, the minerals that make up the Voëlwater BIF are mainly chert(quartz), Fe-oxides (magnetite and hematite), Fe-silicates (greenalite, stilpnomelane, minnesotaite, riebeckite, Fe-mica), Fe-carbonates (members of the dolomite-ankerite series and siderite), calcite and pyrite. Soft-sediment deformation structures and shear-stress indicators are abundant in carbonate-rich and granular, silicate-rich BIF lithologies respectively. The bulk chemical composition of the study rocks is relatively simple and is characterised by the abundance of essentially three elements, namely Si, Fe, and Ca, which make up more than 90% of the total chemical composition of the Voëlwater BIFs. The detrital component of the study rocks is negligible. Mn-enrichments characterise all the transitional lithologies towards the interbedded Mn-orebodies, as well as the well-developed, hematitic BIF-unit between the Ongeluk lavas and the lower Mn-horizon. In terms of trace element composition, no significant enrichments or depletions, were encountered, except for some unusually high values of Sr and Ba and Co in carbonate-rich and Mn-rich lithologies respectively. Geochemical comparisons on the basis of major, trace and light rare-earth element composition verified the similarity between the Voëlwater BIF and other major Superior-type BIFs of the world (e.g. Kuruman, Griquatown, Sokoman, Biwabik, Gunflint, Mara-Mamba, Brockman, etc.). The processes that led to the formation of the Voëlwater BIFs may have been very similar to the ones described in various genetic models proposed in recent years. They would have involved a combination of: i. hydrothermal processes related to mid-ocean ridge (MOR) or hot-spot activity that acted as major iron suppliers; ii. storm-mixing in stratified oceans (bottom, anoxic, Fe⁺² reservoir-thermo- pycnocline zone-upper, mixed, SiO₂-saturated layer), largely dictated by seasonal changes and contemporaneous volcanism; iii. periodic, convection-driven upwelling mechanisms acting as major Fe-precipitators; and, iv. organic carbon productivity that was responsible for the anoxic diagenesis of the initial sediment. However, the origin of Fe and Mn for the genesis of the Voëlwater sediments was difficult to explain with typical convection-cell models in active mid-ocean ridges, in contrast to previous hypotheses. Instead, large-scale endogenous processes in the form of magma convection, underplating, differentiation and associated degassing, may have played a critical role in the supply of metals for the formation of large amounts of BIFs in the Precambrian. The present study of the Voëlwater BIF also bears strong implications regarding the metallogenesis of Mn in the Precambrian. The common association of Mn with carbonate-bearing sediments, the transitional character of the Voëlwater BIF towards carbonate lithologies (Mooidraai dolomites) and the critical timing of the deposition of the former in terms of the Precambrian atmospheric-lithospheric- hydrospheric evolution, may be important indicators for the exploration of large Mn-deposits in Precambrian sedimentary basins of the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
- Authors: Tsikos, Harilaos
- Date: 1995
- Subjects: Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4977 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005589 , Mineralogy -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geochemistry -- South Africa -- Northern Cape , Geology -- South Africa -- Northern Cape
- Description: Banded iron-formations (BIFs) are chemically precipitated sedimentary rocks in which Fe-rich bands or laminae alternate with Fe-poor ones. They formed within a specific time-span of the geological record. Their occurrence is restricted between 2.3 and 1.9 Ga, and characterises virtually all the major Precambrian-aged sedimentary basins of the world. The Precambrian Transvaal Basin in Griqualand West, South Africa, is noted for its well-developed BIF units. The Kuruman and Griquatown BIFs comprising the Asbesheuwels Subgroup (up to 1000m thick) are the best known and thickest of these. As far as metallogenesis is concerned, the Kuruman BIF is of major importance, for it carries the world's largest crocidolite (blue asbestos) deposits. The uppermost, youngest member of iron-formation deposition in the Griqualand West Sequence is represented by the Voëlwater BIF. The direct association between the latter and the giant Mn-deposits of the Kalahari Field, renders the Voëlwater association unusual, if not unique, in the geological record. The Voëlwater BIF represents a typical example of the so-called "Superior-type", and in the area of study it has undergone late-diagennetic to low-grade metamorphic processes. This is evident from the mineralogical composition and textural signature of the various BIF lithologies. Specifically, the minerals that make up the Voëlwater BIF are mainly chert(quartz), Fe-oxides (magnetite and hematite), Fe-silicates (greenalite, stilpnomelane, minnesotaite, riebeckite, Fe-mica), Fe-carbonates (members of the dolomite-ankerite series and siderite), calcite and pyrite. Soft-sediment deformation structures and shear-stress indicators are abundant in carbonate-rich and granular, silicate-rich BIF lithologies respectively. The bulk chemical composition of the study rocks is relatively simple and is characterised by the abundance of essentially three elements, namely Si, Fe, and Ca, which make up more than 90% of the total chemical composition of the Voëlwater BIFs. The detrital component of the study rocks is negligible. Mn-enrichments characterise all the transitional lithologies towards the interbedded Mn-orebodies, as well as the well-developed, hematitic BIF-unit between the Ongeluk lavas and the lower Mn-horizon. In terms of trace element composition, no significant enrichments or depletions, were encountered, except for some unusually high values of Sr and Ba and Co in carbonate-rich and Mn-rich lithologies respectively. Geochemical comparisons on the basis of major, trace and light rare-earth element composition verified the similarity between the Voëlwater BIF and other major Superior-type BIFs of the world (e.g. Kuruman, Griquatown, Sokoman, Biwabik, Gunflint, Mara-Mamba, Brockman, etc.). The processes that led to the formation of the Voëlwater BIFs may have been very similar to the ones described in various genetic models proposed in recent years. They would have involved a combination of: i. hydrothermal processes related to mid-ocean ridge (MOR) or hot-spot activity that acted as major iron suppliers; ii. storm-mixing in stratified oceans (bottom, anoxic, Fe⁺² reservoir-thermo- pycnocline zone-upper, mixed, SiO₂-saturated layer), largely dictated by seasonal changes and contemporaneous volcanism; iii. periodic, convection-driven upwelling mechanisms acting as major Fe-precipitators; and, iv. organic carbon productivity that was responsible for the anoxic diagenesis of the initial sediment. However, the origin of Fe and Mn for the genesis of the Voëlwater sediments was difficult to explain with typical convection-cell models in active mid-ocean ridges, in contrast to previous hypotheses. Instead, large-scale endogenous processes in the form of magma convection, underplating, differentiation and associated degassing, may have played a critical role in the supply of metals for the formation of large amounts of BIFs in the Precambrian. The present study of the Voëlwater BIF also bears strong implications regarding the metallogenesis of Mn in the Precambrian. The common association of Mn with carbonate-bearing sediments, the transitional character of the Voëlwater BIF towards carbonate lithologies (Mooidraai dolomites) and the critical timing of the deposition of the former in terms of the Precambrian atmospheric-lithospheric- hydrospheric evolution, may be important indicators for the exploration of large Mn-deposits in Precambrian sedimentary basins of the world.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 1995
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