Lateral and vertical mineral-chemical variation in high-grade ores of the Kalahari Manganese Field, and implications for ore genesis and geometallurgy
- Authors: Motilaodi, Donald
- Date: 2022-10-14
- Subjects: Manganese ores , Geometallurgy , Hydrothermal alteration , Petrology , Mineralogy , Geochemistry
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/362972 , vital:65379
- Description: The Kalahari Manganese Field (KMF) is a world-class resource of manganese ore hosted by the Paleoproterozoic Hotazel banded iron formation. KMF ores are categorised into two main types, i.e., low-grade, carbonate rich, braunitic ore (Mn≤40wt%) and carbonate-free, high-grade, Ca-braunite+hausmannite ore (Mn≥44wt%). High-grade ores, also known as Wessels type from the homonymous mine in the northernmost KMF, are thought to have formed from variable degrees of hydrothermal carbonate and silica leaching from a low-grade ore precursor, termed Mamatwan-type after the homonymous mine in the southernmost KMF. This project aims to conduct a mineralogical and mineral-chemical study of representative manganese ore samples from a suite of drillcores intersecting both the upper and the lower layers in the northern KMF, covering the areas of Wessels, N’chwaning and Gloria mines. Petrographically, the high-grade Mn ore displays great variability in three-dimensional space. Texturally, the ores exhibit a great variety of textures which may or may not show preservation of the laminated and ovoidal textures that typify the postulated low-grade protore. There is also significant variation in the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the high-grade Mn ores both vertically and laterally. Vertical variation includes, probably for the first time, variability between the upper and lower ore layers within individual drillcores of the Hotazel sequence. Mineralogically, the ores contain variable modal abundances of the ore-forming minerals braunite (I, II, “new”) and hausmannite, and much less so of bixbyite, marokite and manganite. Common accessories include andradite, barite and low-Mn carbonate minerals. Chemically, the dominant ore minerals braunite and hausmannite, contain Fe up to 22 and 15wt% respectively, which accounts for the bulk of the iron contained in the ores. Braunite compositions also exhibit a large range with respect to their ratio of Ca/Si. Mineral-specific trace element concentrations for the same minerals measured by LA-ICP-MS, reveal generally large variations from one element to the other. When normalized against the trace element composition of bulk low-grade precursor ore, strong enrichments are recorded for both hausmannite and braunite in selected alkali/alkali earth elements, transition metals and lanthanides, such as Sc, Co, Zn, Cu, Pb, La, and Ce. These are akin to enrichments recorded in average high-grade ore. Although there is also no obvious relationship between Fe content in both hausmannite and braunite and their trace element abundances, the drillcore that captures high-grade ore with the highest trace element concentrations appears to be located most proximal to a major fault. Results collectively suggest that high-grade Mn ores of the KMF have undergone a complex hydrothermal history with a clear and significant metasomatic addition of trace elements into ore-forming minerals. First order trends in the mineralogical and mineral-chemical distribution of the ores in space, suggest hausmannite-dominated ores near the Hotazel suboutcrop, and an apparent decline in ore quality with braunite II-andradite-barite-calcite ores as the major graben fault is approached in a southwesterly direction. The latter trend appears to be at odds with prevailing fault-controlled alteration models. Elucidating that hydrothermal history of the Wessels-type high grade Mn ores of the KMF, will be crucial to understanding the compositional controls of these ores in space, and the potential impact thereof in terms of geometallurgy. , Thesis (MSc) -- Faculty of Science, Geology, 2022
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- Date Issued: 2022-10-14
The concept of grade in mineral deposits
- Authors: Esterhuizen, Anton G
- Date: 1983 , 2013-04-04
- Subjects: Mines and mineral resources , Ore deposits , Mineralogy , Geology, Economic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5020 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006331 , Mines and mineral resources , Ore deposits , Mineralogy , Geology, Economic
- Description: The grade of a mineral deposit is determined by the effectiveness of a geological ore forming process, which is the result of the interaction between an ore forming mechanism and the environment in which it operates. Properties of a mineral deposit controlled by ore forming processes include the distribution, density and nature of ore minerals and gangue, and the metal content and impurities of the ore minerals. More efficient ore forming processes tend to develop in the larger mineralizing systems giving rise to richer deposits. As the geological environment within which a mineral deposit evolves becomes more complex a greater number of variables interact to determine the grade of the deposit. This is reflected in the greater variability of the grade distribution, resulting in greater difficulties in obtaining reliable estimates of the recoverable grade, and increased difficulties in the processing of ores. In response to economic fluctuations the working grade of heterogeneous orebodies, that form in geologically complex environments, can often be altered to ensure the continued viability of a mining venture. In contrast the evenly mineralized orebodies that tend to develop in geologically simple environments do not have this flexibility. All the important decisions in the mining industry, such as feasibility studies, choice of ~ining and processing methods, selection and planning, are made on the basis of, or are related to, grade estimates. If the geological controls of grade are fully understood, then it is possible to optimize the selection of the various mining alternatives, leading to the efficient exploitation of ore deposits.
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- Date Issued: 1983
A review of unconformity-type uranium deposits
- Authors: Dabrowski, F A
- Date: 1980 , 2013-04-02
- Subjects: Uranium ores , Mineralogy , Geochemistry , Unconformities (Geology)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003289 , Uranium ores , Mineralogy , Geochemistry , Unconformities (Geology)
- Description: Intense interest in uranium in the past decade has led to the discovery of new kinds of deposits of which the so-called unconformity-type are economically the most important. Presently known occurrences are restricted to Australia and Canada where they are characterized chiefly by their spatial relationship to Lower-Middle Proterozoic unconformities. Other common features include similar host-rock assemblages, structural controls, alteration, mineralogy, age relationships and fluid-inclusion data. Similar characteristics in other vein-type deposits, including those of the Beaverlodge district in Canada, deposits in France and Portugal, and the Schwartzwalder mine in the United States, suggest that they may also be of the unconformity-type. Various interpretations of the geological relationships of unconformity-type deposits have resulted in a number of genetic hypotheses, which require different exploration philosophies. Nearsurface supergene processes are considered to be most important although other mechanisms may have played contributing roles in the concentration of uranium. There is considerable potential for further discoveries of unconformity-type uranium deposits throughout the world. No such deposits are yet known in southern Africa although several favourable Precambrian unconformities are present.
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- Date Issued: 1980
Geological factors in the evaluation of vein deposits
- Authors: Neuhoff, Larry E.
- Date: 1980 , 2013-04-02
- Subjects: Veins (Geology) , Hydrothermal deposits , Mineralogy , Geology, Economic
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5029 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006911 , Veins (Geology) , Hydrothermal deposits , Mineralogy , Geology, Economic
- Description: From introduction: Vein-type mineralization, particularly gold, copper, tin and tungsten has provided a source of metal to man for over 2000 years. These deposits are usually small but in some cases are of very high grade. Prior to 1940 veins were extremely important sources of metals because of their relatively high-grades. However, with improved mining, smelting and concentrating methods, much lower grade material became economic, hence these smaller deposits could no longer hold their dominance. Recently the energy crisis and escalating costs of capital for large projects has made smaller deposits attractive once more (Temblay and Descarreaux, 1978) . At the present time gold, tin and tungsten command high prices on world markets. It is for these reasons that a study of the evaluation techniques pertaining to these deposits has been undertaken. In this review the geological factors which influence the evaluation are stressed. In particular, emphasis is placed on the emplacement of vein deposits, and the subsequent chemical and structural modifications of these deposits. The latter part of the review concentrates on the limitations of the sampling and ore reserve techniques that can be applied to the evaluation of mineralized veins. In the conclusion those techniques that are most applicable are stressed, and an evaluation model is outlined.
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- Date Issued: 1980
Interpretation of mineralogical, chemical and morphological features of duricrusts and its application to mineral exploration
- Authors: Friggens, Peter John
- Date: 1980 , 2013-04-02
- Subjects: Duricrusts , Mineralogy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006345 , Duricrusts , Mineralogy
- Description: Introduction: The object of mineral exploration is to locate economic deposits with minimum expenditure in time and money . In order to achieve this goal it is essential to select the most favourable environment and to design the search procedures for the environment in question. Duricrusts are a striking feature of tropical and subtropical landscapes where they occur as extensive, resistant horizons which form a surface or near-surface caprock and are best seen in incised landscapes. Since they cover many potentially rich mineral , provinces of the world, it is important to question what effect they have on mineral exploration. Duricrusts are defined as specific soil types formed by near-surface processes associated with weathering . In spite of the sheer aerial extent of soils over the landsurfaces of the earth, Levinson (1974) expressed surprise at how little exploration geologists know about this surficial environment . Weathering and pedogenetic processes therefore, require discussion in this text. However, in order to adhere to the scope of this dissertation only a brief description of the factors and characteristics of soil formation are given in the first chapter. In the second part, duricrusts are differentiated on the basis of composition into laterite, silcrete and calcrete. Beginning with a concise description of both natural and experimental investigations concerned with mineral decomposition and neomineralisation during weathering, the morphological, physical and chemical characters of each type are described. Environmental factors are then discussed in an attempt to identify specific duricrust types in terms of climate, geographic location, age and formation process . Once duricrust structure and texture are related to topography, specific types may be used to assess the significance of suspected markers in the landscape and permit identification of individual weathering surfaces on which mineralisation may give rise to gossans of widely different physical and chemical characteristics. The interpretation of photogeological, geochemical and geophysical data acquired during mineral exploration in duricrust terrains is problematical and some of the limitations to these search procedures are discussed in the final .chapter
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- Date Issued: 1980