Sedimentology, petrography and geochemistry of the Kuruman Banded Iron Formation in the Prieska area, Northern Cape Province of South Africa
- Mbongonya, Mainly Abongile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2241-8558
- Authors: Mbongonya, Mainly Abongile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2241-8558
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Sedimentology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21345 , vital:48492
- Description: The sedimentary sequences hosted by the Griqualand West Basin within the Transvaal Supergroup, Northern Cape Province of South Africa, contain several iron and manganese ore deposits. Many studies have been conducted in the Griqualand West basin, particularly within the northern Ghaap plateau compartment where most iron and manganese mines are located, with less attention to the southern Prieska Compartment. Thus, the current study is targeted at the Kuruman Formation in the Prieska area to investigate the geological occurrence, including sedimentology, geochemistry, origin, and post-depositional alteration of the banded iron formation (BIF). Four stratigraphic sections were measured, and the fifth section was only mapped for lithology and sedimentary facies. These sections constitute portions of the stratigraphic sequence of the Transvaal Supergroup that occurs within the study area. The stratigraphic sequence of the area comprises nine successional cycles with five upward fining cycles and four upward-coarsening cycles. These cycles reflect fluctuation of the sea level and shallowing- and filling-up processes of the final basin. Four mineral paragenetic groups constituting primary minerals, diagenetic minerals, low-grade minerals, and weathering mineral assemblages were encountered in the area. The primary mineral assemblage includes magnetite, hematite, siderite, chert, quartz, and smectite. The diagenetic assemblage minerals in the area are martite, quartz (cement), illite, calcite, ankerite, and stilpnomelane. Low-grade assemblage minerals are riebeckite, crocidolite, and minnesotaite, whereas goethite, limonite, calcite (calcrete), quartz (silcrete), and clay minerals are the supergene (weathering) assemblage minerals. These mineral assemblages were confirmed by microscope petrography, XRD, SEM-EDX, and diagenesis studies. Eight sedimentary facies including Horizontal-laminated BIF facies (Hlb), Horizontal thin to medium bedded BIF facies (Hbb), Ripple laminated BIF facies (Rlb), Thin to medium bedded mudstone facies (Mbm), Medium to thick-bedded mudstone facies (Tbm), Medium to thick-bedded fine-sandstone facies (Mts), Laminated dolomite stromatolite facies (Ld), and Dome-shaped stromatolitic BIF facies (Dbif) were identified in the field. Five facies associations including Facies association 1 (Hlb + Hbb), Facies association 2 (Hlb + Hbb + Mbm + Tbm), Facies association 3 (Hlb + Hbb + Mbm + Tbm + Rlb), Facies association 4 (Mbm + Tbm + Mts), and Facies association 5 (Ld + Dbif + Mts) have been recognised. Mineralogy, petrography, and geochemical studies indicate that the studied samples have all been subjected to recent weathering that altered the primary mineralogy and the geochemical composition. Mineral assemblages of the Kuruman BIF within the Prieska area are dominated by quartz, which constitutes about 53 wt.percent, followed by the iron oxides averaging about 44 wt.percent. Other minerals such as carbonates and silicates are only occurring in concentrations of less than 3 wt. percent combined. The Prieska BIF is enriched in cobalt, tungsten, molybdenum, barium (Ba), and nickel compared to the BIF in the northern parts of the Griqualand West basin and other localities. Post-depositional mineral alteration studies show that most of the primary minerals had suffered various degrees of alteration. The bulk of quartz, silicate, and iron oxide minerals in the area have been recrystallized, partially replaced, dissolved, or leached out. Multiple formation processes were involved in the origin of the banded iron formation: (1). Deposition of iron-rich mud material in the deep ocean floor and formation of a mixture of iron-rich mud (felutite) on the seafloor; (2). Differentiation of felutite and formation of disseminated iron-oxide from mud; (3). Cohesion and diagenesis of disseminated iron-oxide and formation of iron-rich (magnetite/hematite) and silica-rich (chert/quartz) patches, lenses (pod), microbands, and laminations; (4). Consolidation and compaction, leading to the formation of the final banded iron formation (BIF). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mbongonya, Mainly Abongile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2241-8558
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Sedimentology
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21345 , vital:48492
- Description: The sedimentary sequences hosted by the Griqualand West Basin within the Transvaal Supergroup, Northern Cape Province of South Africa, contain several iron and manganese ore deposits. Many studies have been conducted in the Griqualand West basin, particularly within the northern Ghaap plateau compartment where most iron and manganese mines are located, with less attention to the southern Prieska Compartment. Thus, the current study is targeted at the Kuruman Formation in the Prieska area to investigate the geological occurrence, including sedimentology, geochemistry, origin, and post-depositional alteration of the banded iron formation (BIF). Four stratigraphic sections were measured, and the fifth section was only mapped for lithology and sedimentary facies. These sections constitute portions of the stratigraphic sequence of the Transvaal Supergroup that occurs within the study area. The stratigraphic sequence of the area comprises nine successional cycles with five upward fining cycles and four upward-coarsening cycles. These cycles reflect fluctuation of the sea level and shallowing- and filling-up processes of the final basin. Four mineral paragenetic groups constituting primary minerals, diagenetic minerals, low-grade minerals, and weathering mineral assemblages were encountered in the area. The primary mineral assemblage includes magnetite, hematite, siderite, chert, quartz, and smectite. The diagenetic assemblage minerals in the area are martite, quartz (cement), illite, calcite, ankerite, and stilpnomelane. Low-grade assemblage minerals are riebeckite, crocidolite, and minnesotaite, whereas goethite, limonite, calcite (calcrete), quartz (silcrete), and clay minerals are the supergene (weathering) assemblage minerals. These mineral assemblages were confirmed by microscope petrography, XRD, SEM-EDX, and diagenesis studies. Eight sedimentary facies including Horizontal-laminated BIF facies (Hlb), Horizontal thin to medium bedded BIF facies (Hbb), Ripple laminated BIF facies (Rlb), Thin to medium bedded mudstone facies (Mbm), Medium to thick-bedded mudstone facies (Tbm), Medium to thick-bedded fine-sandstone facies (Mts), Laminated dolomite stromatolite facies (Ld), and Dome-shaped stromatolitic BIF facies (Dbif) were identified in the field. Five facies associations including Facies association 1 (Hlb + Hbb), Facies association 2 (Hlb + Hbb + Mbm + Tbm), Facies association 3 (Hlb + Hbb + Mbm + Tbm + Rlb), Facies association 4 (Mbm + Tbm + Mts), and Facies association 5 (Ld + Dbif + Mts) have been recognised. Mineralogy, petrography, and geochemical studies indicate that the studied samples have all been subjected to recent weathering that altered the primary mineralogy and the geochemical composition. Mineral assemblages of the Kuruman BIF within the Prieska area are dominated by quartz, which constitutes about 53 wt.percent, followed by the iron oxides averaging about 44 wt.percent. Other minerals such as carbonates and silicates are only occurring in concentrations of less than 3 wt. percent combined. The Prieska BIF is enriched in cobalt, tungsten, molybdenum, barium (Ba), and nickel compared to the BIF in the northern parts of the Griqualand West basin and other localities. Post-depositional mineral alteration studies show that most of the primary minerals had suffered various degrees of alteration. The bulk of quartz, silicate, and iron oxide minerals in the area have been recrystallized, partially replaced, dissolved, or leached out. Multiple formation processes were involved in the origin of the banded iron formation: (1). Deposition of iron-rich mud material in the deep ocean floor and formation of a mixture of iron-rich mud (felutite) on the seafloor; (2). Differentiation of felutite and formation of disseminated iron-oxide from mud; (3). Cohesion and diagenesis of disseminated iron-oxide and formation of iron-rich (magnetite/hematite) and silica-rich (chert/quartz) patches, lenses (pod), microbands, and laminations; (4). Consolidation and compaction, leading to the formation of the final banded iron formation (BIF). , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science and Agriculture, 2021
- Full Text:
Exploring the use of mineral corridors and stranded ore deposits in order to alleviate rural poverty and effect environmental and social change through a proposed rural development corridor in South Africa
- Authors: Baartjes, Joan Charlaine
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/389 , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa
- Description: South Africa has less than 1 percent of the global land surface, yet it is ranked highly in terms of remaining mineral resources. Mineral wealth has not translated into a better life for all. Poverty, however, abounds; particularly in the rural areas and this study seeks to identify a solution or partial solution to this situation. The study combines two critical areas, Mineral Based Rural Development, and Mineral Based Enterprise Development and draws from it a model for Mineraldriven Rural Economic Development viable for all parts of South Africa. This study comprised research on a national scale and thus covered a section of each of South Africa‟s nine provinces. It investigated the conditions in rural and urban centres, and geologically, it traversed examples of Archaean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic formations. The field visits deliberately set out to look at some of the lowest value commodities; typically the only minerals available to the surrounding rural communities. This was done to see if a case could be made for even the lowest value commodities which are often found furthest from the large markets. This study indicates that for a rural area to be able to compete nationally or internationally, it is important to be competitive so that the area can participate in the economy. The creation of regional competitive areas allow for the focusing of strategies and funding for targeted rural projects. Enterprises, typically the product of entrepreneurial activity, are required to increase economic intensity and activity. xxvii The goal of poverty reduction, has been identified by government so that enterprises, as products of economic development, can be focused on the situation. Interviews conducted by the researcher indicated that part of the problem to overcome is the bureaucracy created by government which hinders enterprise development. Recommendations are made that government should exempt rural enterprises from some of the compliance hurdles. This will serve to accelerate rural development. An important aspect of urban enterprises is that they have access to labour without too many problems. Thirteen developed or developing corridors were visited of the five types of development corridors identified. It was found that those in areas of high poverty (for example the corridors of the Eastern Cape) are difficult to develop and make self-sustaining. The corridors linked to any point of Gauteng (Johannesburg or Pretoria) are more robust, although the relatively short length of the corridor is not an indicator of effectiveness. The key recommendations made include the completion of a national rural mineral-asset audit; the use of the information to demarcate rural-regions that can be developed as nationally and internationally competitive regions; the establishment of a rural Resource and Training Academy(ies) so that skills are developed close to areas where they will be deployed; provision of an easier way to launch mineral-based rural enterprises and incentivise these for accelerated development; and the development of an indigenous body of knowledge to mine small scale deposits
- Full Text:
- Authors: Baartjes, Joan Charlaine
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11517 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/389 , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa , Rural poor -- South Africa , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa , Rural development projects -- South Africa
- Description: South Africa has less than 1 percent of the global land surface, yet it is ranked highly in terms of remaining mineral resources. Mineral wealth has not translated into a better life for all. Poverty, however, abounds; particularly in the rural areas and this study seeks to identify a solution or partial solution to this situation. The study combines two critical areas, Mineral Based Rural Development, and Mineral Based Enterprise Development and draws from it a model for Mineraldriven Rural Economic Development viable for all parts of South Africa. This study comprised research on a national scale and thus covered a section of each of South Africa‟s nine provinces. It investigated the conditions in rural and urban centres, and geologically, it traversed examples of Archaean, Proterozoic and Phanerozoic formations. The field visits deliberately set out to look at some of the lowest value commodities; typically the only minerals available to the surrounding rural communities. This was done to see if a case could be made for even the lowest value commodities which are often found furthest from the large markets. This study indicates that for a rural area to be able to compete nationally or internationally, it is important to be competitive so that the area can participate in the economy. The creation of regional competitive areas allow for the focusing of strategies and funding for targeted rural projects. Enterprises, typically the product of entrepreneurial activity, are required to increase economic intensity and activity. xxvii The goal of poverty reduction, has been identified by government so that enterprises, as products of economic development, can be focused on the situation. Interviews conducted by the researcher indicated that part of the problem to overcome is the bureaucracy created by government which hinders enterprise development. Recommendations are made that government should exempt rural enterprises from some of the compliance hurdles. This will serve to accelerate rural development. An important aspect of urban enterprises is that they have access to labour without too many problems. Thirteen developed or developing corridors were visited of the five types of development corridors identified. It was found that those in areas of high poverty (for example the corridors of the Eastern Cape) are difficult to develop and make self-sustaining. The corridors linked to any point of Gauteng (Johannesburg or Pretoria) are more robust, although the relatively short length of the corridor is not an indicator of effectiveness. The key recommendations made include the completion of a national rural mineral-asset audit; the use of the information to demarcate rural-regions that can be developed as nationally and internationally competitive regions; the establishment of a rural Resource and Training Academy(ies) so that skills are developed close to areas where they will be deployed; provision of an easier way to launch mineral-based rural enterprises and incentivise these for accelerated development; and the development of an indigenous body of knowledge to mine small scale deposits
- Full Text:
Interpretation of regional geochemical data as an aid to exploration target generation in the North West Province South Africa
- Authors: Mapukule, Livhuwani Ernest
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Ore deposits -- South Africa , Prospecting -- South Africa , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/268 , Ore deposits -- South Africa , Prospecting -- South Africa , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa
- Description: This study involves the application, interpretation and utilization of regional geochemical data for target generation in the North West Province, South Africa. A regional soil geochemical survey programme has been carried out by the Council of Geoscience South Africa since 1973. A number of 1:250 000 sheet areas have been completed, but there are no interpretative maps which could aid in mineral exploration and other purposes. In order to utilize the valuable and expensive data, the project was motivated through data acquisition and interpretation to generate exploration targets. The study area is confined to Mafikeng, Vryburg, Kuruman and Christiana in the Northwest Province, where potential exploration and mining opportunities exist in areas of great geological interest. These include geological events such as the Bushveld Complex, the Kalahari manganese field and the Kraaipan greenstone belts. The aim of this project was to utilize geochemical data together with geophysical and geological information to verify and identification of possible obscured ore bodies or zones of mineralization, and to generate targets. Another objective was the author to be trained in the techniques of geochemical data processing, interpretation and integration of techniques such as geophysics, in the understanding of the geology and economic geology of the areas. Approximately 5 kg of surface soil was collected per 1 km2 by CGS from foot traversing. Pellets of the samples were prepared and analyzed for TiO2, MnO and Fe2O3, Sc, V, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Y, Ba, Nb, Rb, Th, W, Zr, Pb, Sr and U using the simultaneous wavelengthdispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer technique at the Council for Geoscience, South Africa. For each element the mean +2 standard deviations were used as a threshold value to separate the negative from the positive anomalies. The integration of geological, geophysical and geochemical information was used to analyze and understand the areas of interest. A number of computer programmes were extensively used for data processing, manipulation, and presentation. These include Golden Software Surfer 8®, Arc-View 3.2a®, TNT-Mips®, JMP 8 ®, and Microsoft Excel®. Through geochemical data processing and interpretation, together with the low resolution aeromagnetic data, gravity data and geological data, seven (7) exploration target areas have been generated: These have been numbered A to G. It is concluded that there is good potential for Cr, PGMs, vanadium, nickel, iron, copper, manganese, uranium and niobium in the targets generated. The results provide some indication and guide for exploration in the target areas. In Target A, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni and V anomalies from the lower chromitite zone of far western zone of the Bushveld Complex, which has be overlain buy the thick surface sand of the Gordonia Formation. Target B occurs over the diabase, norite, andesitic lava and andalusite muscovite hornfels of the Magaliesberg Formation. This target has the potential for Cu, Fe and Ni mineralization. The felsic rocks of the Kanye Formation and the Gaborone Granite in target C have shown some positive anomalies of niobium, uranium, yttrium and rubidium which give the area potential for Nb, REE and U exploration. Target D is located on the Allanridge Formation, and has significant potential for Ni-Cu mineralization, and is associated with the komatiitic lava at the base of the Allanridge Formation in the Christiana Area. The light green tholeiitic, calc-alkali basalt and andesitic rocks of the Rietgat Formation are characterized by a north-south trending yttrium anomaly with supporting Ba and Y anomalies (Target E). This makes the area a potential target for rare earth elements. Calcrete on the west of the Kuruman has a low b potential target for vanadium. It is believed that the area might be potential for potassium-uranium vanadate minerals, carnotite which is mostly found in calcrete deposits. This study has proved to be a useful and approach in utilizing the valuable geochemical data for exploration and future mining, generated by Council for Geoscience Science. It is recommended that further detailed soil, rock and geochemical surveys and ultimately diamond drilling be carried out in the exploration target areas generated by this study.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mapukule, Livhuwani Ernest
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Ore deposits -- South Africa , Prospecting -- South Africa , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc (Geology)
- Identifier: vital:11519 , http://hdl.handle.net/10353/268 , Ore deposits -- South Africa , Prospecting -- South Africa , Mines and mineral resources -- South Africa
- Description: This study involves the application, interpretation and utilization of regional geochemical data for target generation in the North West Province, South Africa. A regional soil geochemical survey programme has been carried out by the Council of Geoscience South Africa since 1973. A number of 1:250 000 sheet areas have been completed, but there are no interpretative maps which could aid in mineral exploration and other purposes. In order to utilize the valuable and expensive data, the project was motivated through data acquisition and interpretation to generate exploration targets. The study area is confined to Mafikeng, Vryburg, Kuruman and Christiana in the Northwest Province, where potential exploration and mining opportunities exist in areas of great geological interest. These include geological events such as the Bushveld Complex, the Kalahari manganese field and the Kraaipan greenstone belts. The aim of this project was to utilize geochemical data together with geophysical and geological information to verify and identification of possible obscured ore bodies or zones of mineralization, and to generate targets. Another objective was the author to be trained in the techniques of geochemical data processing, interpretation and integration of techniques such as geophysics, in the understanding of the geology and economic geology of the areas. Approximately 5 kg of surface soil was collected per 1 km2 by CGS from foot traversing. Pellets of the samples were prepared and analyzed for TiO2, MnO and Fe2O3, Sc, V, Cr, Ni, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Y, Ba, Nb, Rb, Th, W, Zr, Pb, Sr and U using the simultaneous wavelengthdispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer technique at the Council for Geoscience, South Africa. For each element the mean +2 standard deviations were used as a threshold value to separate the negative from the positive anomalies. The integration of geological, geophysical and geochemical information was used to analyze and understand the areas of interest. A number of computer programmes were extensively used for data processing, manipulation, and presentation. These include Golden Software Surfer 8®, Arc-View 3.2a®, TNT-Mips®, JMP 8 ®, and Microsoft Excel®. Through geochemical data processing and interpretation, together with the low resolution aeromagnetic data, gravity data and geological data, seven (7) exploration target areas have been generated: These have been numbered A to G. It is concluded that there is good potential for Cr, PGMs, vanadium, nickel, iron, copper, manganese, uranium and niobium in the targets generated. The results provide some indication and guide for exploration in the target areas. In Target A, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni and V anomalies from the lower chromitite zone of far western zone of the Bushveld Complex, which has be overlain buy the thick surface sand of the Gordonia Formation. Target B occurs over the diabase, norite, andesitic lava and andalusite muscovite hornfels of the Magaliesberg Formation. This target has the potential for Cu, Fe and Ni mineralization. The felsic rocks of the Kanye Formation and the Gaborone Granite in target C have shown some positive anomalies of niobium, uranium, yttrium and rubidium which give the area potential for Nb, REE and U exploration. Target D is located on the Allanridge Formation, and has significant potential for Ni-Cu mineralization, and is associated with the komatiitic lava at the base of the Allanridge Formation in the Christiana Area. The light green tholeiitic, calc-alkali basalt and andesitic rocks of the Rietgat Formation are characterized by a north-south trending yttrium anomaly with supporting Ba and Y anomalies (Target E). This makes the area a potential target for rare earth elements. Calcrete on the west of the Kuruman has a low b potential target for vanadium. It is believed that the area might be potential for potassium-uranium vanadate minerals, carnotite which is mostly found in calcrete deposits. This study has proved to be a useful and approach in utilizing the valuable geochemical data for exploration and future mining, generated by Council for Geoscience Science. It is recommended that further detailed soil, rock and geochemical surveys and ultimately diamond drilling be carried out in the exploration target areas generated by this study.
- Full Text:
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »