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  كانسار آهن رسوبي :
کانسارهاي آهن رسوبي وابسته به سازندهاي رسوبي لايه لايه به سن پرکامبرين بوده و 90% ذخيره آهن دنيا را شامل مي شوند. به دليل اهميت اين کانسارها در فرآوري آهن در جهان، بررسيهاي فراواني روي آن انجام شده است اما در ذخاير ايران يا وجود ندارد و يا کم اهميت است.
در کانسارهاي رسوبي شيميايي، مواد به صورت يونهاي ساده يا کمپلکس توسط آب حمل مي شوند و در حوضه هاي رسوبي بر اثر تغيير PH , Eh و غلظت آب موجب ته نشيني اين مواد مي شوند.
رفتار ژئوشيميايي آهن در محيط هاي رسوبي توسط قوانين گلدشميت توجيه مي شود :
•شرايط اکسيدي باعث ته نشيني آهن و شرايط احيايي باعث انحلال آهن مي شود.
•شرايط اسيدي باعث انحلال آهن و شرايط قليايي باعث ته نشيني آهن مي شود.
آهن موجود در کانسارهاي رسوبي شيميايي از دو منبع تأمين مي شوند :
•از هوازدگي کاني هاي مافيک موجود در قاره ها
•فعاليت هاي آتش فشاني
کانسارهاي آهن رسوبي عبارتند از :
- کانسارهاي آهن نواري
- کانسارهاي االيتي آهن
- کانسارهاي آهن مردابي

- کانسارهاي آهن نواري (لايه اي) Banded Iron Formation ( BIF ) :
نهشته هاي سازند آهن نواري يكي از بزرگترين ذخاير معدني را مي سازد كه در سرزمين هاي مختلف علاوه بر BIF به نامهاي ديگري از جمله ايتابيريت (Itabirite)، جاسپيليت (Jaspillite)، كوارتزيت هماتيت دار و اسپيكولاريت (Specularite) نيز شناخته مي شوند.
تاكونيت Taconite:
كانسار آهن نواري كه عمدتاً حاوي مگنتيت + سيليكات هاي آهن+ چرت ± هماتيت ± سيدريت مي باشد ( گيلبرت و پارک 1997 ).
ايتابيريت Itabirite:
كانسار آهن نواري حاوي نوارهاي چرت يا ژاسپر در اثر دگرگوني به دانه هاي كوارتز قابل رؤيت تبلور يافته و آهن به صورت لايه هاي نازك هماتيت و مگنتيت حضور دارند (ادوارز و اتكينسون 1986).
ژاسپيليت Jaspilite:
سنگ آهني كه حاوي نوارهايي از ژاسپر با رنگ قرمز روشن يا نوارهايي از هماتيت سياه تشكيل شده است. اين نهشته ها به فرم واحدهاي چينه شناسي با ضخامت صدها متر و با گسترش جانبي صد تا هزاران كيلومتر به وقوع مي پيوندد. از ويژگي آنها:
•لايه بندي ظريف از 3-5/0 سانتي متر ضخامت و حتي در مقياس ميلي متر ي و يا كسري از ميليمتر.
•لايه بندي حاصل تناوب لايه هاي سيليسي (به فرم چرت) و لايه هايي از كاني هاي آهن (مانند هماتيت) مي باشد.
•درصد آلومينيوم اين نهشته هاي وابسته به زمان پركامبرين، كم بوده و تا حد يك درصد مي رسد.
كانسارهاي آهن نواري معمولاً به زمان پركامبرين تعلق دارد و در آن زمان با توجه به وجود اتمسفر غني از دي اكسيد كربن و فقير از اكسيژن، آهن مي تواند به صورت بي كربنات در يك محلول يوني حمل شده و در مقياس بزرگ تشكيل سازندهاي آهن نواري را نمايند. درصورتي كه آلومينيوم نمي تواند تركيب بي كربنات بسازد و از محلول يوني تفكيك مي گردد. با افزايش مقدار اكسيژن اتمسفر، تشكيل سازندهاي آهن نواري در مقياس بزرگ متوقف مي شود.
90% ذخاير شناخته شده آهن، نهشته هاي سازند آهن نواري مي باشد که 65% آن از نوع سوپريور و 25% از نوع آلگوما مي باشد. اين نوع تشکيلات در محدوده زماني پرکامبرين تشکيل شده اند.
تشکيلات آهن نواري تناوبي از کاني هاي اکسيدي – کربناته- سيليکاته آهن نازک لايه تا متوسط لايه با نوارهاي چرت و ژاسب مي باشند.
آهن در مجموع 15% ترکيب شيميايي اين لايه ها را مي سازد و چنانچه اين مقدار به 25 تا 35% برسد، اقتصادي خواهد بود. بر روي اين کانسارها پژوهش هاي بسياري انجام گرفته است و سن حدود 2 ميليارد سال را براي آنها تعيين نموده اند.
گسترش سازند آهن نواري (BIF) در زمان آرکئن و پروتروزوئيک مي باشد که به علت نبود صفحات پايدار قاره اي ايجاد مي گردند.
تمامي محققين معتقدند كه BIF رسوبات شيميايي و بيوشيميايي هستند زيرا در آن اسفنج ها و جلبك هاي سبز و آبي شناسايي شده اند و مانند باكتريها رسوب دهنده آهن مي باشند. اين باكتريها پس از رشد تحت شرايط احيا، آهن را رسوب مي دهند.
جيمز (1954) چهار رخساره مهم در سازندهاي آهن نواري را قابل تشخيص دانست:
الف- رخساره اكسيدي:
اين رخساره ازمهمترين رخساره هاي BIF بوده و به نسبت فراواني اكسيدهاي آهن به 2 زير رخساره هماتيت و مگنتيت تقسيم مي شود كه حد تدريجي نيز بين آن دو وجود دارد.
•زير رخساره هماتيت :
اين رخساره داراي حداقل دگرساني و به شكل اسپكولاريت ريز دانه (سوزي شكل)، خاكستري تا آبي رنگ ظاهر مي شود و در بعضي نمونه ها بافت االيتي از خود نشان مي دهد كه نشانگر منشأ گرفتن آنها از محيط آبي كم عمق است. دراين زير رخساره، چرت به صورت نهان بلور تا بلورهاي رشد كرده مي تواند به همراه كربنات شركت داشته باشد.
•زير رخساره مگنيتت :
لايه هاي مگنيتت به طور متناوب با لايه هاي چرت و كربنات همراه هستند. دراين رخساره كربنات از انواع كلسيت، دولوميت، آنكريت و سيدريت نيز يافت مي شوند و چرت به صورت بلورهاي ريزدانه تا موزائيكي كوارتز قابل مشاهده است. ميانگين آهن در اين رخساره بين 35-30% متغير است كه با پر عيارسازي آن به روش مغناطيسي قابل بهره برداري است.
ب‌-رخساره كربناته:
اين رخساره شامل ميان لايه هايي از چرت و سيدريت است كه بر حسب افزايش مگنتيت و پيريت به تدريج مي تواند به رخساره هاي اكسيدي و سولفيدي تبديل شود. سيدريت در اين رخساره بافت دانه اي (گرانولار) يا االيتي ندارد و به صورت گلهاي ريز در سطح زير عملكرد امواج (Below the level of wave action) انباشته مي شود.
ج‌-رخساره سيليكاته:
در اين رخساره كانيهاي سيليكاته آهن عموماً به همراه مگنتيتت، سيدريت و چرت به صورت ميان لايه هاي متناوب همراه مي باشند. كاني شناسي رخساره ها نشانگر مشابهت محيط تشكيل آنها با رخساره هاي اكسيدي و كربناته مي باشد.
كاني هاي سيليكاته اوليه آهن شامل:
-گريناليت (Fe2+ , Fe3+ )5 6Si4O10(OH)8(greenalite)
-شاموزيت(Mg, Fe)3Fe3 3+ (AlSi3)O10(OH)8(Chamosite)
-گلوكونيت(K, Na)(Al, Fe 3+ , Mg)2(Al, Si)4O10(OH)2(Glauconite)
-مينه سوتائيت(Mg, Fe)3Si4O10(OH)2 (Minesotaite)
-استپوملانK(Fe2+, Fe3+,Al )10Si12 O30(OH)12 (Stilpnomelane)
وجود سيدريت در اين رخساره دلالت بر محيط احيايي دارد. فشار CO2 در اين رابطه بسيار مهم است زيرا با بالارفتن فشار CO2، رسوبگذاري سيدريت تسهيل مي شود. بهرحال در تمام رخساره هاي آهن نواري، رسوبگذاري سيليكاتهاي آهن كمتر شناخته شده است.
آهن در رخساره هاي كربناته و سيليكاته در حدود 35-25% مي باشدكه از ديدگاه اقتصادي بسيار پائين است و مشكلات بهره برداري ايجاد مي كند.
د- رخساره سولفيدي:
اين رخساره، سنگ هاي رسي كربن دار و پيريتي را شامل مي شود. لايه بندي نوار مانند ظريف داشته و حاوي مواد آلي و كربن در حد 8-7% مي باشد. سولفيد اصلي پيريت Fes2 مي باشدو آن قدر ريز دانه است كه فقط در سطوح صيقل يافته قابل تشخيص مي باشد و درصد آن به 37% مي رسد. اگر درصد گوگرد اين رخساره زياد باشد، بهره برداري كانسنگ آهن را دچار اختلال مي نمايد.
سازندهاي آهن نواري پركامبرين به 2 گروه نوع آلگوما (Algoma type ) و نوع سوپريور (Superior type) تقسيم مي شود:
•نوع الگوما:
سازند آهن نواري نوع الگوما غالباً در آرکئن و ندرتاًٌ در فانروزوئيک کشف شده اند و از نوع سوپريور کوچکتر هستند.
منشأ آهن در اين تيپ مي تواند فعاليت آتشفشان زيردريايي باشد و مجموعه سنگهاي همراه آتشفشاني اسيدي تا حدواسط زيردريايي ماسه سنگ و گريواک مي باشد و در يک حوضه ژئوسنکلينالي (زمين ناوديسي) شکل مي گيرند. به علت ارتباط تنگاتنگ با سنگ هاي ولکانيکي احتمالاً منشأ ولکانيکي آنها دور از ذهن نيست. اين نوع سازند گاهي در حاشيه و با فاصله از ذخاير ماسيوسولفيد گزارش شده است.
در اين نوع سازند اکسيدها، کربنات ها و سولفيدهاي آهن با چرت و به صورت لايه اي يافت مي شوند. ميزان ذخيره آنها 11 تا 3000 ميليون تن با عيار 30 تا 65% مي باشد که اين ذخاير در مجموعه سنگ هاي گرينستون آرکئن در بخش سنگ هاي آتشفشاني متمرکز گرديده اند.
از نظر محيط تکتونيکي اين سازند در جزاير قوسي و سنگ هاي کلاستيک عميق دريا تشکيل مي شوند.
ضخامت آهن اين سازند 1/0 تا 10 متر و غالباً به شکل عدسي مي باشد.
بافت اين نوع سازند لاميناسيوني بوده و بافت االيتي و يا گرانولار در آنها يافت نمي شود. در اين سازند آنومالي Cu, Zn, Ni و کاني سازي Au ديده مي شود.
نوع الگوما از ديدگاه محيط تشكيل با توجه به ساختمان هاي رسوبي همراه با نظريات مختلفي روبروست كه عبارتند از :
•آبهاي كم عمق فلات قاره
•حوضه هاي تبخيري كم عمق و جدا شده
•حوضه رسوبي در روي خطوط ساحلي
•حوضه هاي درون كراتون
•نوع سوپريور:
نوع سوپريور از جمله بزرگترين ذخاير آهن رسوبي به شمار مي رود. اين ذخاير با سنگ هاي عمق کم و متوسط نظير: کوارتزيت، شيل و دولوميت همراه مي باشد.
معمولاً فاقد مواد آواري مي باشند. نوار بندي منظمي (Rhythmical banding) لايه هاي چرتي سرشار از آهن و فقير از آهن با ضخامت معمول يك سانتي متر تا يك متر سيماي غالب اين نوع BIF است. در اين نوع سازند BIF كوارتزيت و شيل هاي سياه كربن دار از نظر همبستگي چينه شناسي با كنگلومرا، دولوميت، چرت توده اي، برش چرتي و آرژيليت همراه هستند و به صورت دگرشيب بر روي پي سنگ هاي به شدت دگرگون شده، قرار گرفته اند و گسترش اين تيپ تا هزاران كيلومتر است. گاهي به وسيله محدوده تماس يك متر كوارتزيت، شيل و يا ماسه سنگ از پي سنگ جدا مي شود. يكي از ويژگي هاي اين تيپ اين است كه به راحتي مي توان قسمتهاي گوناگون آن را با هم مقايسه يا دنبال نمود. به طور مثال در يك بخش 5/2 سانتي متر از Dales Gorge از گروه Hamersley Brockman در غرب استراليا در گستره 50000 كيلومتر مربع و يا واروهاي Varve‌ميكروسكوپي درون آن را مي توان تا 300 كيلومتر دنبال نمود.
سنگ هاي آتشفشاني در اين مجموعه گزارش نشده است.
در اين سازند رخساره هاي اکسيدي - کربناتي و سيليکاته و گاهي به طور محدود سولفيدهاي آهن همراه با چرت و به صورت لايه اي ( نازک لايه ) با بافت نواري ديده مي شود.
از نظر سني اين سازند در محدوده زماني 8/1 تا 5/2 ميليارد سال تشکيل شده اند. غالباً در اوايل پروتروزوئيک و به ميزان محدود در اواسط و اواخر پروتروزوئيک مي باشند. محيط تشکيل آنها در بخش پايدار سواحل قاره اي و حوضه هاي درون قاره اي است.
ميزان ذخيره آن غالباً از 11 تا 3000 ميليون تن و گاهي تا 25000 ميليون تن و بيشتر وجود دارد. ضخامت آهن در اين سازند از چند متر تا 1000 متر بوده و به صورت لايه اي ديده مي شود. در اين سازند آنومالي Mn منگنز نيز ديده مي شود. عيار آهن 30 تا 40% و در حالت هاي هوازده تا 60% نيز مي رسد.
درياچه سوپريور-لابرادور در امريکاي جنوبي و حوضه هامونسکي در استراليا و ترانسوال افريقاي جنوبي مناطقي هستند که ذخاير آهن نوع سوپريور در آنها کشف شده است.
کاني شناسي نوع سوپريور و آلگوما :
چايمز (1954) براساس نوع کاني هاي آهن دار، کانسارهاي سوپريور و آلگوما را به چهار زون تقسيم کرده است :
•زون اکسيد ها و هيدروکسيد هاي آهن
هماتيت، گوتيت و مگنتيت.
•زون کربنات هاي آهن
سيدريت و انکريت.
•زون سيليكاتهاي آهن
گريناليت ( نظير سرپانتين ) ( Mg,Fe)6Si4O10(OH)8، مي نسوتيت Fe3Si4O10(OH)2 ،
استيپنوملان K0/6 (Mg, Fe3+ , Fe2+)6(Si,Al)6( O,OH)22.
•زون سولفيدهاي آهن
پيريت و پيروتيت.
ژئوشيمي نوع سوپريور و آلگوما:
ژئوشيمي عناصر اصلي نوع سوپريور و آلگوما تفاوت زيادي با هم ندارند. ميزان Al و P در نوع آلگوما بيشتر است. در نوع سوپريور ميزان Mn بيشتر است و گاهي موجب کاني سازي Mn مي شود. در نوع آلگوما ميزان V, Ni, Zn, Cu بيشتر از سوپريور است. ميزان متوسط Au در نوع سوپريور p.p.b 21= Au و در نوع آلگوما p.p.b 170= Au گزارش شده است. کانسارهاي طلاي آرکئن در مواردي با کاني سازي آهن نوع آلگوما همراه است. بالا بودن Zn, Cu در نوع آلگوما و ارتباط آن با سنگهاي آتشفشاني اسيد حدواسط زيردريايي موجب شده که بعضاً نوع آلگوما در مجاورت ماسيوسولفيدهاي Cu- Zn تشکيل شود.
منشأ و نحوه تشکيل:
منشأ آهن در کانسارهاي نوع آلگوما آتشفشانهاي زيردريايي ( سنگ هاي آتشفشاني و پيروکلاستيک اسيدي ) است، نظير آنچه امروزه در محيطهاي دريايي در محل آبهاي گرمابي تشکيل مي شود.
اين نوع کانسار در تعيين جغرافياي ديرين و تعيين مرز حوضه هاي آرکئن بکار مي روند. در خصوص نوع سوپريور به دليل محدوديت زماني و گسترش منطقه اي منشأ آهن مورد بحث بوده است.
منشأ آهن مي تواند :
1)منشأ آهن مربوط به خارج از محيط رسوبگذاري بوده و از طريق حمل توسط رودخانه از لاتريت هاي واقع در مناطق خشکي مي باشد ( منشأ بيروني ).
2)منشأ آهن به فعاليت آتشفشانهاي زيردريايي مربوط مي شود(منشأ دروني).
3)آهن به صورت کلوئيدي و يا آواري حمل شده است. در مراحل اوليه هيدروکسيدهاي آهن تشکيل گرديده که در مراحل بعدي به هماتيت و يا ساير کانيهاي آهن تبديل شده اند
هماتيت به صورت مستقيم نمي تواند در شرايط سطح زمين ته نشين شود. با افزايش عمق و افزايش مواد آلي و کاهش Eh نسبت Fe+3/ Fe+2 در محلول بين رسوبات کاهش مي يابد و در نتيجه مگنتيت مي تواند تشکيل شود. ضمن کاهش Eh با افزايش عمق سيدريت و شاموزيت مي توانند تشکيل شوند.

کانسارهاي آهن رسوبي نوع االيتي (سنگ آهني ):
کانسارهاي آهن نوع سنگ آهني به نوع اووليتي و يا براساس موقعيت مکاني به نام کلينتون (امريکاي شمالي) شناخته مي شوند. اين کانسارها در محدوده زماني فانروزوئيک تشکيل شده اند.
جريان آب رودخانه توانايي حمل مقاديري فراوان از آهن را دارد. در روند از جاي کنده شدن و يا حمل، فرآورده هاي آلي مي توانند نقشي بزرگ داشته باشند. اين گونه از ترکيبات و يا کمپلکس ها به صورت يک سُل عمل مي کنند و آنگاه که به آب يونيزه برخورد کنند، سُل هاي درشت آهن را بر جاي مي نهند. االيت ها در ترکيب گوناگونند و ماده آهن دار آنها مي تواند هماتيت، ليمونيت، سيدريت و شاموزيت باشد. مشهورترين کانسار االيتي جهان کانسار کلينتون است، که از شمال ايالت نيويورک بسوي جنوب رخنمون دارد. اين کانسار ها در مجموع انباشتگي هاي بزرگ و يا غني نمي سازند.
ويژگيهاي مهم کانسارهاي آهن نوع االيتي:
1-وجود بافت االيتي به جاي لايه اي
2-نبودن چرت به دليل محدود بودن سيليس و فعاليت موجودات دريايي
3-مقادير جزئي مگنتيت
4-وجود سيليکاتهاي آهن از نوع Al دار (شاموزيت و گلاکونيت)
5-سولفيد (پيريت و مار کازيت) در صورت بالا بودن ارزش اقتصادي ندارد.
6-مقدار کم Al در اکسيدها و هيدروکسيدهاي آهن يافت مي شود.
7-نبود سنگهاي آتشفشاني
گريناليت در محيط آب دريايي پايدار است. در کانسارهاي نوع االيتي به دليل بالا بودن ميزان آلومينيوم رسوبات به جاي گريناليت، شاموزيت تشکيل شده است. ميزان سيليس محلول نيز کم بوده و به همين جهت نيز چرت تشکيل نشده است. در االيتها لايه هاي هماتيت، شاموزيت روي قطعات کوارتز و فسيل ها تشکيل شده اند.
شرايط مناسب براي تشکيل:
1-عمق کم
2-دماي بالا
3-شرايط پيشروي آب دريا و با ميزان کم پسروي
شواهد عمق کم و منطقه ساحلي عبارتند از:
1-فسيل هاي مناطق ساحلي و کم عمق که به اکسيدهاي آهن تبديل شده اند.
2-قطعات چوب و دانه هاي گياهي که در محيط خشکي بوده اند به عنوان هسته االيتي قرار گرفته اند.
3-غالب بودن اکسيدهاي آهن
4-عمق تشکيل زير منطقه Subtidal و حداکثر تا عمق 100 متر
الف- کانسارهاي کلينتون (امريکاي شمالي)
از طبقات توده اي سنگ سيدريتي شاموزيت و هماتيت دار اووليتي تشكيل شده است. ميزان عيار آهن در اين نوع سازند %50-40 بوده و نسبت به BIF از مقدار AL و P‌ بيشتري برخوردار است. از نظر مورفولوژي به صورت عدسي شكل و توده اي و با ضخامت 3-2 متر است و هيچ گاه بزرگتر از 13 متر نيست. اين نوع سنگ آهن متعلق به محيط كم عمق آبي در امتداد حاشيه قاره ها و فلات قاره و در بخش كم عمق ژئوسنكلينال ها تشكيل مي گردد. سن اين سنگها از كامبرين تا دونين (سيلورين )مي باشد مانند كانسنگ Wabana در New Found Land در كانادا.
ب- ژوراسيک: کانسارهاي مينت (فرانسه و بريتانيا)
تيپ نوع مينيت فراوانترين سنگ آهن مي باشد و شامل شاموزيت اووليتي بوده و گاهي به همراه سيدريت و كلريت هاي آهن است. نوع مينت كاملاً اووليتي است و در درياهاي درون قاره اي، فلات قاره و درياچه ها يافت مي شود و مقدار CaO آن بالاست.
ميزان Fe‌ در اين نوع سازند در حدود 30% است، در حالي كه آهك به ميزان %20-5 و سيليس در حدود 20% مي باشد. اين نوع سازند گستره اي فراوان در مزوزوئيك اروپا دارد مانند:
Midlands‌ در انگلستان، Lorraine لوكزامبورگ و Salzgitter در ساكسوني واقع در شمال اروپا.

کانسار هاي آهن رسوبي مردابي ( حاوي لايه هاي زغالي ) :
اين کانسار ها در مناطق معتدله تا يخچالي مربوط به نيمکره شمالي به صورت توده هاي عدسي شکل تا نواري ليمونيت حاوي رس - ماسه و مواد آلي مي باشد. در درياچه ها و رودخانه هاي داراي جريان کند و در ابتلاق ها و مرداب ها تشکيل مي شوند. برخي از اين کانسارها به سنگ آهن نوار سياه معروفند و اساساً از سيدريت با مقادير متفاوتي مواد آواري و آلي تشکيل شده اند. اين کانسارها در محدوده زماني فانروزوئيک تشکيل شده اند و سيدريت و پيريت دو کاني مهم اين کانسارها هستند.
پيريت در شيلهاي دريايي در صورت مناسب بودن غلظت سولفات تشکيل مي شود. شيلهاي غير دريايي معمولاً حاوي سيدريت هستند. در شيلهاي دريايي تمامي آهن در زون احيايي به پيريت تبديل مي شود و مقدار کمي در اعماق بيشتر به سيدريت تبديل مي شود. در محيط غير دريايي آهن در محدوده زماني گسترده تري مي تواند در دسترس باشد و لذا سيدريت مي تواند در مراحل مختلف دياژنز تشکيل شود.


کانسارهاي ماگمايي ( مافيک و اولترامافيک لايه اي ) :
باور اين است که انباشته هاي ذخاير توده اي منيتيت (كه گاه همراه با هماتيت است) داراي خاستگاه آذرين اند. اين کانسارها خود ناشي از تفکيک ماگمايي اند و گاهي لايه بندي نشان مي دهند (مانند کروميتهاي نوع بوشولد) ولي عمدتاً به شکل خاصي نيستند و بصورت تزريق از سيالهاي غني از منيتيت، در سنگهاي ديواره اند.
اين منابع معمولا ً در آنورتوزيت ها داراي درصد بالايي از آهن و عمدتاً غني از تيتان مي باشند. اين گونه کانسارها که زايش آنها مستقيماً وابسته به ماگماست، به نام كانسارهاي اورتوماگمايي نيز ناميده مي شوند
کانسارهاي ماگمايي در مقايسه با کانسارهاي رسوبي، تا اندازه اي کمياب ترند و بيشتر در پيوند با سنگهاي سينيتي اند و همراه با آنها يافت مي شوند. نمونه اي برجسته از اين کانسارها، ميدان معدني کيرانا در شمال سوئد است. کانسارهايي با اين خاستگاه در ايران، احتمالاً کانسار چادر ملو در بافق، مرواريه و سرخه ديزج در زنجان هستند.
ذخيره اين گونه کانسارها معمولا ًقابل ملاحظه است. عيار آهن آنها معمولا ًکمتر از 60 درصد و عيار فسفر آنها در حدود 2 درصد است. عيار گوگرد در آنها پايين و کمتر از 5 درصد است.
شکل کانسار رگه اي و عدسي مانند و معمولاً در مجاورت سنگهاي نيمه قليايي خاكي است و يا ميان انواع فرآورده هاي نفوذي کمپلکس جاي دارد. نفوذيهاي زاينده سنگ آهن، سنها و ترکيب هايي گوناگون دارند. ترکيب آنها ممکن است گرانيت، کراتوفير، آپليت، سينيت و غيره باشد. کانه شامل منيتيت همراه با آميزه هايي جامد از فلوئور آپاتيت (که مي تواند تا 15 درصد نيز برسد) مقدار کمي هماتيت، ديوپسيد، آمفيبول، تورمالين، زيرکن، بيوتيت، کوارتز، کربناتها و همراه با عيارهايي کم از سولفورهاست.
اين کانسارها اکثر در سنگهاي نوريت ولابرادوريت و بندرت در داخل گابرو تشکيل شده است. مواد معدني آهن در قاعده توده آذرين دروني بصورت توده هاي نامنظم و يا رشته اي و يا مجموعه اي از ستونهاي کاني سازي تشکيل مي گردد. تمام اين کانسارها داراي تيتانيون زياد است و تيتانيوم يا بصورت تيتانومانيتيت، همراه يا بدون تيغکهاي مربوط به تفکيک کاني و يا بصورت ايلمنيت همراه مانيتيت خالص ظاهر مي شود. در اين کانسارها غالباً مقداري واناديوم نيز وجود دارد که بطور محلي ممکن است قابل استخراج باشد.

کانسارهاي اسکارني :
آهن در اين گونه کانسارها ريشه ماگمايي دارد که سيليس آن در فرآيند تفريق ماگمايي سيليکاتها را مي سازد و آهن باقيمانده در حاشيه توده ماگمايي انباشته مي شود. دماي بالاي سيالات آهن دار زماني که به توده اي رسوبي ( بويژه لايه هاي آهک )برمي خورد، در سنگ آهک محيطي نيمه سيال پديد مي آورد. در چنين شرايطي است که ميان جبه آهن دار ماگمايي و بخش سنگ آهک داغ چرخه اي پديدار مي شود که در روند آن آهن درون بخش آهکي، بصورت اکسيد، برجاي گذاشته مي شود. گرچه شمار اين گونه کانسارها مي تواند فراوان باشد، ليکن شماري که اندازه هاي بزرگ داشته باشند، کمتر است. از نمونه هاي شناخته شده اين گونه کانسارها مي توان ايران اسپرنيگ (امريکا)، کريسيتانيا و آرندال (نروژ)، نور برگ ( سوئد)، کواري (لهستان)، بانات روماني، سنگان (بر پايه کارهاي بومري) در ايران را نام برد. بخشي از کاني سازي آهن شهرک گفتني است اسکارن مي تواند بصورت آهکي و منيزيمي باشد که نوع منيزيمي آن بسيار کمياب تر است.
اين اسکارن ها علاوه بر آهن، حاوي کبالت و نيکل نيز مي باشند و ذخيره آنها بين چند صدمتر تا چند کيلومتر گسترش دارد. در فاصله بين توده نفوذي و سنگ هاي کربناته اطراف آن واقع شده اند.
ترکيب توده نفوذي بين گابرو-ديوريت تا گرانوديوريت-کوارتزمونزونيت متغير است. سنگ هاي کربناته نيز ترکيبي آهکي تا دولوميتي دارند.
کانيهاي مهم کالك سيليکات اين اسکارن ها عبارتند از:
گارنت (با ترکيب آندراديت- گروسولار)، پيروکسن (با ترکيب هدنبرژيت- ديوپسيد)، اپيدوت، کوارتز، کلسيت، کلريت و کاني هاي ذخيره منيتيت و بندرت هماتيت مي باشند. ذخيره اين کانسارها معمولا ًبين 1000 – 5 ميليون تن و عيار آهن 55-33% است. معادن مهم آهن اسکارن در کشورهاي شوروي سابق، کوبا، فيليپين و ژاپن واقع شده اند. اسکارن هاي آهن تاکنون، در زون فرورانش حاشيه قاره ها و جزاير قوسي و ريفت هاي حاشيه قاره ها کشف شده اند.
الف- اسکارن هاي آهن زون فرورانش جزاير قوسي نوع کلسيک :
ويژگيهاي زمين شناسي:
اسکارن هاي آهن زون فرورانش جزاير قوسي از نوع کلسيک اند و علاوه بر آهن حاوي کبالت و نيکل نيز هستند. محلولهاي ماگمايي غني از آهن که از ماگماي گابرويي – ديوريتي منشاء گرفته اند، ضمن نفوذ در سنگهاي آهکي منجر به تشکيل اسکارن آهن نوع کلسيک مي شوند. در اين گروه، زون اندواسکارن گسترده و وسيع است. پديده سديم متاسوماتيزم به ميزان قابل توجهي صورت پذيرفته است.
کاني شناسي ذخيره اسکارن آهن دار نوع کلسيک:
مگنتيت ± کالکوپيريت ±پيريت ± کبالتيت ± پيروتيت ± آرسنوپيريت ± اسفالريت ± گالن ± موليبدنيت ± بورنيت ± هماتيت ± مارتيت ± طلا و به ميزان بسيار محدود فلوريت و شئليت. زون اندواسکارن حاوي – اپيدوت، آلبيت، اسکاپوليت و پيروکسن است. کانيهاي مهم اگزواسکارن عبارتند از: گارنت نوع اندراديت – گروسلاريت غني از آهن، پيروکسن از سري هدنبرگيت است و بالاخره اپيدوت و ترکيب شيميايي و کاني شناختي اين کانسارها، حدواسط اسکارن هاي مس و سرب و رو ي است. آلتراسيون کالک سيليکات هاي اوليه موجب تشکيل اکتينوليت، کلريت، کلسيت و کوارتز گرديده است. ذخيره آهن در زون گارنت – پيروکسن و بخشي از آن در اندواسکارن متمرکز شده و عرض ذخيره بين چند صد متر تا چند کيلومتر متغير است. کانيهاي اصلي ذخيره از نوع مگنتيت و به ندرت هماتيت هستند.
خصوصيات ژئوشيميايي:
اسکارن آهن کلسيک Fe, Cu, Co, Au, Ni, As
عيار و ميزان ذخيره:
-عيار Fe در محدوده 40 تا 50 درصد
- ذخيره نوع کلسيک 3 تا 150 ميليون تن.
ب - اسکارن هاي آهن زون فرورانش حاشيه قاره ها از نوع منيزيم دار :
ويژگيهاي زمين شناسي:
اسکارن هاي آهن زون فرورانش حاشيه قاره ها از نوع منيزيم دار مي باشند. محلولهاي ماگمايي غني از آهن که از ماگماي گرانوديوريتي-کوارتز مونزونيتي منشاء گرفته، ضمن نفوذ در سنگهاي دولوميتي به تشکيل اسکارن هاي آهن منيزيم دار منجر مي شوند. برخلاف نوع کلسيک، زون اندواسکارن در اين گروه تشکيل نشده است. شرط اساسي و مهم در تشکيل اين کانسارها وجود سنگ دولوميتي و محلول غني از آهن است. به دليل پايين بودن ميزان منيزيم محلول ماگمايي (گرانوديوريت-کوارتز مونزونيت)، ميزان منيزيم سنگ ميزبان بايد بالا باشد تا از ورود آهن به داخل شبکه سيليکات ها جلوگيري کند. در صورتي که محلول وارد سنگ آهک شود، آهن وارد شبکه گارنت و پيروکسن شده و ذخيره مگنتيت تشکيل نمي شود به عنوان مثال آهن شوروي، نيومکزيکو و کاليفرنيا.
کاني شناسي ذخيره اسکارن آهن نوع منيزيم دار:
مگنتيت ± کالکوپيريت ± بورنيت ± پيريت ± پيروتيت ± اسفالريت ± موليبدنيت.
کانيهايي که در مرحله نخست در اين اسکارن ها به وجود مي آيند از توده نفوذي به طرف خارج شامل: ديوپسيد، اسپينل، فورستريت و کلسيت هستند. اين کانيها در مرحله بعد به تالک، سرپانتين و فلوگوپيت آلتره مي شوند.
کاني شناسي اسکارن: پيروکسن هاي غني از Fe و به ميزان کم Mn (هدنبرگيت 20 تا 80)، گروسولاريت – اندراريت (اندراديت 20 تا 90) ± اپيدوت ± آپاتيت. در دماي پايين تر کانيهاي آمفيبول ± کلريت ± الويت ± اپيدوت ± اسکاپوليت ± آلبيت ± پتاسيم فلدسپات. اسکارن هاي منيزيم دار حاوي اوليوين، اسپينل، فلوگوپيت، بروسيت، سرپانتين و تالک. کانيهاي زون اندواسکارن: سيليکاتهاي سديم دار ± گارنت ± پيروکسن ± اپيدوت ± اسکاپوليت. در اسکارن منيزيم دار پيروکسن ± گارنت.
خصوصيات ژئوشيميايي:
-اسکارن آهن منيزيم دار Fe, Cu, Zn, B
عيار و ميزان ذخيره:
-ذخيره نوع منيزيم دار تا بيش از 250 ميليون تن.
بافت و شکل:
به شکلهاي مختلف از جمله استراتي فرم، تنوره اي، عدسي و... با حالت توده اي، افشان، گرانوبلاست و گاهي لايه اي ديده مي شوند.
خصوصيات ژئوفيزيکي:
-آنومالي بزرگ مغناطيسي

کانسارهاي تراوشي :
تراوش آهن از کانسارهاي کم مايه از آهن، با ميانجي گري آبهاي زيرزميني و بر جاي نهادن دوباره آنها در فاصله اي دورتر مي تواند به پيدايش کانسارهايي غني از آهن بيانجامد. کروتوف (1959) و پرونين بر اين باورند که اين گونه کانسارها در سطوح ناهموار و فرسايش يافته و کارستي آهکي دوره کربونيفر جاي دارند. اينگونه کانسارها داراي اهميتي كمي هستند.

کانسارهاي دگرگون زاد :
اين کانسارها که به دو بخش تغييرشكل و دگرگوني تقسيم مي شوند و به انباشته هايي از آهن گفته مي شوند که در فرآيندهاي متامورفيزم، ناحيه اي يا همبري، متمرکز شده باشند. از آنجا که در بيشتر اين کانسارها، دگرگوني تنها به تغيير ساختمان بلورين ماده مي انجامد، بنابراين بيشتر اين پديده ها از نوع تغيير شكل مي باشند تا دگرگوني. کانسارهاي تغيير شكل ناحيه اي در قاره هاي زمين، در سنـگهاي پرکامبـرين و بخشي نيز در پالئوزوئيک پيشين پراکنده اند. اين گونه کانسارها انباشته هايي بزرگ را پديد آورده اند که در اقتصاد جهاني آهن نقش بزرگي داشته اند. در اين کانسارها دو گونه کانسنگ بچشم مي خورد، کوارتزيتهاي آهن دار و ايتابيريت ها.
عيار و مقدار آهن در کوارتزيتهاي آهن دار وابسته به تناوب آشکوب هاي نازک کوارتز و هماتيت يا منيتيت همراه با ميکاشيست هاي آمفيبول – کلريت دار است. چنين ترکيب و کاني شناسي آنها به رخساره هاي دگرگوني شيستهاي سبز رنگ، وابسته به دماهاي نسبتا کم، پيوند داده مي شود. اين گونه کانسارها در روسيه، لابرادور کانادا، کره شمالي، هند، استراليا و آفريقاي جنوبي وجود دارند.
کاني شناسي کانسارهاي ايتابيريت شامل : هماتيت، منيتيت، کوارتز، آمفيبول، گرونا، پيروکسن و فلدسپات است که نشان دهنده رخساره متامورفيک – آمفيبوليت در دماي بالا است. نمونه هايي از اين کانسار در برزيل، سوئد و نروژ ديده شده است.

کانسار آتش فشاني – رسوبي :
برخي آتشفشانها ي غني از آهن، در برهه اي از تاريخ تکاپوي خويش، توانايي آن را دارند که اکسيدهاي آهن را به شكل کانيهايي چون منيتيت، اليژيست و گاه پيريت در آورد. چنانچه چنين روان آب هايي در آب دريا بريزند لايه هايي پديد مي آورند که در آنها آهن بصورت عدسي يا لايه هايي که در راستاي لايه بندي سنگهاي رسوبي، در سنگ پديد مي آيد. از آنجا که در فرآيند متامورفيزم ساختمان و ساختار نخستين انباشته دچار دگرگوني سخت مي شود که بازشناسي آن را دشوار مي نمايد، احتمالا ً آهنهاي کوارتزيتي يا ديگر کانسارهاي دگرگون زاد مي تواند وابسته به يک تکاپوي آتش فشاني – رسوبي گذشته باشد.
از گروه کانسارهاي آتش فشاني – رسوبي مي توان از انباشته آهن لان ديل Lahn Dill در آلمان، آتاسو در قزاقستان مرکزي، کانسار آهن و منگنز شمس آباد اراک و کانسارهاي رسوبي ناحيه بندرعباس نام برد.

کانسار آتش فشاني :
اين کانسارها از جدايش يک ماگماي غني از آهن که معمولاً حاوي 5-4% فسفر است، حاصل مي شود. از کانسارهاي دروني مي توان کانسار پي ريج و ايرون مونتين (ميسوري) را نام برد و از کانسارهاي آتشفشاني آهن، کانسارهاي ال لکو (شيلي)، سرودومرکادو (مکزيک) و ميشدوان (منطقه بافق) را مي توان نام برد.
در شمال شيلي جريانات گدازه اي مگنتيتي مربوط به پليستوسن در کراتري مربوط به منطقه آتشفشاني ال لکو، همراه با سنگ هاي آندزيت – ريوداسيت تشخيص داده شده است.
گدازه هاي حاوي آهن ال لکو عمدتاً حاوي مگنتيت مي باشند و هماتيت و آپاتيت نيز بطور فرعي وجود دارند. باطله ها شامل اکتينوليت و اسکاپوليت مي باشند.
اگر چه مالينين و همکاران (1977) براي کانسار آهن ميشدوان واقع در شمال شرقي به افق منشأ متاسوماتيسم قائلند وليکن فورستر و نيتل (1979) براي اين کانسار منشاء آتشفشاني پيشنهاد نموده اند.
در ذيل مشاهدات ايشان به اختصار ذکر شده است:
1-کانسنگ مگنتيت در کانسار ميشدوان هميشه در بالاي يک توالي ريوليتي واقع شده است.
2-عدم حضور بافت جانشيني
3-شکل توده معدني به صورت عدسي هاي تخت مي باشد.
4-توده معدني توسط يک لايه رسوبي حاوي قطعات ريوليتي از سنگ هاي دولوميتي جدا مي شود.
5-وجود بلورهاي شکل دار مگنتيت در حاشيه حباب هايي در درون سنگ معدن.
6-عدم هم رشدي بلورهاي مگنتيت و چسبيده بودن بلورهاي کوچک مگنتيت به صورت خاکستر آتشفشاني، به يکديگر.
7-حضور قطعات زاويه دار ريوليت در درون کانسنگ توده اي مگنتيت.
8-هم رشدي مگنتيت و آپاتيت.
9-وجود آگلومرا که حاوي قطعات ريوليتي (1 تا 3 ميلي متر) و لاپيلي هاي مگنتيت و خاکستر آتشفشاني، در زمينه اي از ريوليت است.
10-مطالعات مغناطيسي ديرينه نشان داده است که بردارهاي کانسنگ مگنتيتي، ريوليت و سنگ هاي رسوبي بر هم منطبق مي باشند.
طبق مطالعات فورستر و جعفرزاده (1984) کانسار ميشدوان در ارتباط با ساخت هاي کالدرائي موجود در منطقه بافق است.
فعاليت آتشفشاني در ميشدوان بعد از جريانات گدازه اي مگنتيتي پايان يافت. آن گاه منطقه به زير آب فرو رفت و لايه هاي کربناته ته نشين شدند. در پايان سيالات گرمابي عدسي هاي چرت را ته نشين نمودند.
بر اساس مطالعات فورستر و جعفرزاده (1983) کانسار آهن چادرملو واقع در 80 کيلومتري شمال بافق، از پرشدن دودکش هايي توسط ماگماي مگنتيتي حاصل شده اند. در کانسار چادرملو توده معدني به صورت چهارتپه داراي رخنمون است. 3 تپه شمالي تشکيل يک استوانه ايستاده را مي دهند که تا عمق 300 متري ادامه دارند. اين 3 تپه تشکيل يک دودکش استوانه اي را مي دهند که از پرشدن حفره اي استوانه اي شکل از مذابي مگنتيتي حاصل شده اند. تپه جنوبي يک جريان گدازه اي يا يک سيل مي باشد.
بيشترين انباشتگي آهن مربوط به فرآيندهاي ماگمايي- اسکارني وابسته به ماگماهاي بازالتي و فرآيندهاي رسوبي در کنار حوضه هاي رسوبي مي باشند.
در دوره متالوژني آرکئن-پروتروزوئيک زيرين حوضه هاي کانسارهاي آهن داراي خاستگاه هاي شيميايي- رسوبي و آتشفشاني با رخساره هاي گسترده مي باشند و بعد ها تحت عنوان نهشته هاي کوارتزيت آهن دار و کانسنگ هاي غني از آهن (مارتيت – هماتيت) گسترش مي يابند.
در لابرادور (کانادا) درياچه سوپريور (ايالات متحده، کانادا) ميناس گرائيس (برزيل)، کريبي راگ و آنومالي مينت کورسک (روسيه)، ايالات بيهار و اريسا (هند)، غرب آفريقا، غرب استراليا و شرق قطب جنوب شناخته شده اند.
منابع کل آهن در کوارتزيت هاي Fe دار به صدها ميليارد تن مي رسد که بيشتر از منابع معدني ديگر مي باشد. پروتروزوئيک پيشين با انباشت سنگ هاي اووليتيک هماتيت دار در رسوبات دريايي و ژئوسنکلينال حاوي رسوبات آواري و کربناته ساحلي کلينتون (ايالات متحده)، آنگاراپيت (روسيه)، بافينگ باکوي (مالي) مشخص شده اند.
دوران پالئوزوئيک کاني سازي آهن همراه با کوهزايي هرسينين و کالدونين مي باشد. در اين زمان نهشته هاي بزرگ آهن ماگمايي و تينانومگنتيت در روسيه و آفريقاي جنوبي، نهشته هاي اسکارن منيتيتت در اورال قزاقستان شمالي و سيبري غربي (روسيه)، کاليفرنيا، يوتا و نيومکزيکو و... ديده مي شود.
آهن از جمله فلزاتي است که کانسارهاي آن منحصر به دوره خاصي از پيدايش و شکل گيري پوسته زمين نبوده و تقريبا در تمام دوران زمين شناسي يافت مي شود.
اگر چه بيشترين ذخاير شناخته شده آهن مربوط به زمان پرکامبرين است، ليکن ذخاير پالئوزوئيک، مزوزوئيک و ترشياري در بيشتر نقاط جهان شناخته شده است.
در ايران نيز مانند ساير نقاط دنيا گر چه شاهد زايش آهن از پروتروزوئيک پسين تا کواترنر هستيم ولي بيشترين تجمع آهن در پروتروزوئيک پسين، اردويسين پيشين و اليگوميوسن رخ داده است.

زندگی چه تلخ چه شیرین داره طی میشه

 سلام دوستان

خیلی دلم میخواد بنویسم

اما شوشو جونم دوست نداره من بنویسم

منم واسه اینکه بهش نشون بدم دوستش دارم و حرفش واسم مهمه نمینویسم

ولی ای کاش یه روز خودش بهم بگه بنویس

اصلا بیا با هم بنویسیم

 همسر خوشکلم پسر کوچولوی گلم دوستت دارم

و پیشاپیش تولد ۳۰ سالگیتو تبریک میگم نازنینم

خیلی دوستت دارم

و خدارو واسه این آرامش زندگی ام ممنونم.

دوستان عزیزم

من این روزها پروپوزال مینویسم و شاید طرح من سازمانی باشه .و این روزها درحال امتحان دادنم به طور فجیع

مدرسه هم خوبه...

بچه ها هم خوبن.

زندگی چه تلخ چه شیرین داره طی میشه و این ما هستیم که زندگی را واسه خودمون رقم میزنیم با خواسته هامون با دیدمون با احساسمون و....پس بیایید همه چیز را زیبا و دوست داشتنی ببینیم

حتی تلخی ها و زشتی ها و کاستی ها و غم ها رو.

واسه ساره جونم دعا میکنم.

10

fluids reworking the syngenetic to diagenetic mineralization (Cailteux and Kampunzu, 1995, Cailteux, 1997 and Kampunzu and Cailteux, 1999).

Brine oversaturation in metals resulting in the deposition of the syngenetic to early diagenetic sulphides was controlled by evaporation, probably within sabkha basins (Cailteux, 1986 and Garlick, 1989). Changes in Eh–pH conditions may explain the consistent sulphide zonation in the Copperbelt orebodies (Cailteux, 1986).

The model of primary concentration of copper in the Copperbelt stratiform orebodies involves the mixing of oxidized mineralising brines from the hypersaline lagoon with interstitial reducing water rich in organic compounds. This model is supported by: (1) the occurrence of relict evaporitic beds at the top of the R.A.T. Subgroup and by the collapse dissolution breccias in the Kambove Formation in Congo. This implies at least two periods of prograding sabkha-type lagoons, the first generating the lower and upper orebodies and the second forming the third, minor orebody; (2) the strong lithostratigraphic control on the position of the orebodies in Zambia and in Congo (more than 700 km along strike) and the close link between the mineralisation and anoxic shallow-water intertidal to supratidal host-sedimentary rocks. These data and the stable isotopic compositions discussed above indicate that sedimentary processes played a key-role in the metallogenetic processes.

Orebodies or sub-economic Cu sulphide ores are hosted in footwall sedimentary rocks deposited under oxidized conditions in the Zambia-type siliciclastic Mutonda Formation (e.g. Muliashi-South in the Luanshya district, Chingola; Binda, 1997). They are lenticular bodies located at different stratigraphic levels within the Mutonda unit (Fig. 6). Van Eden and Binda, 1972 and Binda, 1987 suggest a downward migration of mineralising diagenetic brines remobilising copper from the Ore Shale to the porous footwall formation. However, the occurrence in these peculiar orebodies of pyrite-I included in copper sulphides-II at Kinsenda (Ngoyi and Dejonghe, 1997) suggests an early diagenetic biogenic reduction of seawater sulphates in the precursor sediments. This could indicate that local redox fronts existed in these sediments, and that the same mineralising process as in the Ore Shale acted in the Mutonda Formation.

The model proposed in this paper links the influx of metals to the Katangan sedimentary basin to the erosion of pre-Neoproterozoic basement terrains (transportation in solution). Geochemical and geological data indicate that the Archaean Zimbabwe craton and the Palaeoproterozoic basement complex in the Bangweulu Block and within the Copperbelt represent the main sources of sediments and metals accumulated in the Katangan basin. The basement terrains particularly host lithological units with potential for the supply of large amounts of copper and cobalt and containing the required additional metal association Ni, Au, Ag, PGE (e.g. several Cu occurrences in the basement complex, cobalt in Ni-laterites formed on Archaean low–grade Ni–Co–Au–PGM deposits in the Zimbabwe craton). Some metals (e.g. U, Sn, Ta, W) most probably originated from the erosion of post-orogenic Kibaran tin-granites (Caron et al., 1986) and this is supported by the presence of detrital cassiterite, wolframite, tantalite in the orebodies in the Kolwezi mining district (Jedwab, 1997) and late Mesoproterozoic zircons in the Mwashya tuffs (Rainaud et al., 1999 and Rainaud et al., 2003).

In the case of the Lower Mwashya orebodies at Shituru, the Cu–(Co) mineralization is hosted in dolomite displaying lithological similarities with those hosting the Lower orebody in the Mines Subgroup. Minor ore in the pyroclastic rocks at Shituru probably originated from remobilisation of local sediment-hosted mineralization.

11. Conclusions

The central African Copperbelt represents a Neoproterozoic stratiform sediment-hosted province >700 km long and <100–150 km wide. It contains >140 Mt copper and >6 Mt cobalt (mined out production, ore reserves and resources). Although the Congo-type and Zambia-type orebodies show some differences (e.g. clastic vs. carbonate host rocks), they display a large number of analogies, including: (1) their location in laterally correlative lithostratigraphic units deposited in supratidal to sabkha-type highly saline environments; (2) similarities of ore textural features with predominantly disseminated sulphides closely linked to structures such as sedimentary lamination, cross-bedding, etc.; (3) identical sulphide parageneses; (4) identical zoning of sulphides related to primary variation of Eh–pH parameters during ore deposition; (5) relatively low (<100 °C) crystallisation temperature of primary syngenetic/early diagenetic sulphides versus higher ( 200 °C) crystallisation temperature for late diagenetic/metamorphosed sulphides. The low crystallisation temperatures for the primary sulphides are similar to temperatures recorded during bacterial mediated sulphate reduction, producing sulphur required for growth of sulphides under reducing conditions, e.g. by bacterial reduction of seawater sulphate ions.

The following are therefore critical parameters for the development of world class sediment-hosted stratiform deposits in the central African Copperbelt: (1) availability of large tonnage of metals in the hinterland (Palaeoproterozoic and Archaean basement), subjected to erosion during the early Neoproterozoic; (2) arid climate in the depositional area where the evaporation induced a natural pre-concentration of metals; (3) development of reducing conditions during the deposition of the Mines Subgroup (Congo-type) and its correlative the Musoshi Subgroup (Zambia-type) rock association. This reducing environment triggered the crystallisation of syngenetic and early diagenetic sulphides, and therefore the copper–cobalt deposits in the central African Copperbelt are typical syngenetic-early diagenetic deposits; (4) late diagenetic, metamorphic and relatively recent oxidation processes reworked the orebodies enhancing metal grades in some deposits.

Acknowledgements

This research is a contribution to the UNESCO-IUGS/IGCP-450 project and it has been supported by Forrest Group and Gécamines Mining Companies (Congo). A.B.K. acknowledges the support of the University of Botswana for his research activities. We acknowledge the constructive comments of P. Binda and an anonymous reviewer that allowed us to improve or clarify some points in the text.

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Bartholomé, 1969 Bartholomé, P., 1969. Kamoto (Katanga) et White Pine (Michigan): deux gisements stratiformes de cuivre. Académie Royale des Sciences d’Outre-Mer, Bulletin des Séances, pp. 397–410.

Bartholomé, 1974 Bartholomé, P., 1974. On the diagenetic formation of ores in sedimentary beds, with special reference to Kamoto, Shaba, Zaïre. In: Bartholomé, P. (Ed.), Gisements stratiformes et provinces cuprifères. Centenaire de la Société Géologique de Belgique, Liège, pp. 203–213.

Bartholomé et al., 1972 P. Bartholomé, P. Evrard, F. Katekesha, J. Lopez-Ruiz and M. Ngongo, Diagenetic ore-forming processes at Kamoto, Katanga, Republic of the Congo. In: G.C. Amstutz and A.J. Bernard, Editors, Ores in Sediments, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg (1972), pp. 21–41.

Bartholomé et al., 1971 P. Bartholomé, F. Katekesha and J. Lopez-Ruiz, Cobalt zoning in microscopic pyrite from Kamoto, Republic of the Congo, Mineralium Deposita 6 (1971), pp. 167–176. View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (4)

Berner, 1964 R.A. Berner, Iron sulfides formed from aqueous solution at low temperatures and atmospheric pressure, Journal Geology 72 (1964), pp. 293–306.

Berner, 1970 R.A. Berner, Sedimentary pyrite formation, American Journal of Science 268 (1970), pp. 1–23.

Binda, 1972 Binda, P.L., 1972. Zircons of the Nchanga Granite and overlying metasediments, Zambia. In: 24th International Geological Congress, Section 1, pp. 179–186.

Binda, 1987 P.L. Binda, Depositional environment and copper mineralization of the footwall rocks at Muliashi South, Zambian Copperbelt. In: G. Matheis and H. Schandelmeier, Editors, Current Research in African Earth Science, Balkema, Rotterdam (1987), pp. 397–400.

Binda, 1994 P.L. Binda, Stratigraphy of Zambian orebodies. In: A.B. Kampunzu and R.T. Lubala, Editors, Neoproterozoic Belts of Zambia, Zaire and Namibia, Journal of African Earth Sciences 19 (1994), pp. 251–264. Abstract | PDF (1494 K) | View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (24)

Binda, 1997 Binda, P.L., 1997. Cenozoic analogies for the Katangan copper deposits of Zambia. In: Charlet, J.-M. (Ed.), Colloque International Cornet, Gisements stratiformes de cuivre et minéralisations associées, Mons (1994). Académie Royale des Sciences d’Outre-Mer, pp. 199–215.

Binda and Mulgrew, 1974 Binda, P.L., Mulgrew, J.R., 1974. Stratigraphy of copper occurences in the Zambian Copperbelt. In: Bartholomé, P. (Ed.), Gisements stratiformes et provinces cuprifères. Centenaire de la Société Géologique de Belgique, Liège, pp. 215–233.

Binda and Van Eden, 1972 P.L. Binda and J.G. Van Eden, Sedimentological evidence on the origin of the Precambrian Great Conglomerate, (Kundelungu tillite) Zambia, Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 11 (1972), pp. 151–168. Abstract | Article | PDF (2729 K) | View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (9)

Brandt et al., 1961 R.T. Brandt, C.C.J. Burton, S.C. Maree and M.E. Woakes, Mufulira. In: F. Mendelsohn, Editor, The Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt, Macdonald, London (1961), pp. 411–464.

Brock, 1961 B.B. Brock, The structural setting of the Copperbelt. In: F. Mendelsohn, Editor, The Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt, Macdonald, London (1961), pp. 81–89.

Brown and Chartrand, 1986 A.C. Brown and F.M. Chartrand, Diagenetic features at White Pine (Michigan), Redstone (N.W. Territories, Canada) and Kamoto (Zaire). In: G.H. Friedrich, A.D. Genkin, A.J. Naldrett, J.D. Ridge, R.H. Sillitoe and F.M. Vokes, Editors, Geology and Metallogeny of Copper Deposits, Part IV, Sediment-Hosted Deposits. 27th International Geological Congress, Moscow (1984), Special Publication 4, Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits, Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg (1986), pp. 390–397.

Buffard, 1988 Buffard, R., 1988. Un rift intracontinental du Précambrien Supérieur: le Shaba méridional (Zaïre). Evolution sédimentaire et tectonique du Supergroupe de Roan au Groupe du Kundelungu inférieur (Supergroupe du Kundelungu). Thèse de Doctorat en Sciences, University of Maine, France, 316 p.

Byamungu et al., 1979 B.R. Byamungu, R. Giordano, A.B. Kampunzu and C.N. Male, A propos du Kibarien (Précambrien Moyen) de la région du barrage de N’Zilo (Shaba, Zaïre), Annales de la Faculté des Sciences, Lubumbashi 2 (1979), pp. 39–48.

Cahen, 1954 Cahen, L., 1954. Géologie du Congo Belge. Vaillant Carmanne, Liège, 577 p.

Cailteux, 1973 J. Cailteux, Minerais cuprifères et roches encaissantes à Musoshi, Prov. Shaba (Rép Zaïre), Annales de la Société Géologique de Belgique 96 (1973), pp. 495–521.

Cailteux, 1974 Cailteux, J., 1974. Les sulfures du gisement cuprifère stratiforme de Musoshi, Shaba, Zaïre. In: Bartholomé, P. (Ed.), Gisements stratiformes et provinces cuprifères. Centenaire de la Société Géologique de Belgique, Liège, pp. 267–276.

Cailteux, 1978a J. Cailteux, Particularités stratigraphiques et pétrographiques du faisceau inférieur du Groupe des Mines au centre de l’Arc cuprifère shabien, Annales de la Société Géologique de Belgique 100 (1978) (1977), pp. 55–71.

Cailteux, 1978b J. Cailteux, La succession stratigraphique du C.M.N. (ou R-2.3) au centre de la sous-province cuprifère shabienne, Annales de la Société Géologique de Belgique 100 (1978) (1977), pp. 73–85.

Cailteux, 1979 J. Cailteux, L’origine du talc dans le C.M.N. (ou R.2.3) de Kambove (Shaba-Zaïre), Annales de la Société Géologique de Belgique 102 (1979), pp. 213–221. View Record in Scopus | Cited By in Scopus (1)

Cailteux, 1983 Cailteux, J., 1983. Le Roan shabien dans la région de Kambove (Shaba-Zaïre). Etude sédimentologique et m

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contain NaCl-saturated fluids with varying liquid–vapour–solid ratios suggesting heterogeneous trapping. (3) Primary and secondary inclusions from mineralised K-feldspar–quartz–biotite-anhydrite assemblage veins cross-cutting the orebodies in the Nkana synclinorium, and representative of post-tectonic fluids, contain H2O–NaCl solutions which reflect two end-members fluids: (A) low salinity (8–14 wt.% NaCl equiv.) and high Th (300–400 °C); (B) high salinity (14–23 wt.% NaCl equiv.) and low Th (100–150 °C). The authors concluded that (1) low temperature—high salinity fluids may be characteristic of basinal—early diagenetic brines, whereas high-temperature—low salinity fluids are possibly derived from later regional metamorphic events.

10. Discussion

There are no data to support the genetic ore model involving a widespread circulation of hydrothermal fluids ascending along rift fractures and deriving metals from deep-seated mafic rocks, as proposed by Annels, 1974, Annels, 1979, Annels, 1989, Annels and Simmonds, 1984 and Lefebvre, 1989. Indeed, fracture-filling ores expected to mark mineralising fluid flow paths are unknown and there is no link between Cu–Co distribution and Upper Roan/Dipeta igneous mafic rocks (Sweeney et al., 1991a, Sweeney et al., 1991b, Kampunzu et al., 2000 and Kampunzu et al., this volume) in Congo and Zambia. No large plutonic body able to supply the amount of metals known in the Copperbelt has ever been detected by gravity and aeromagnetic surveys beneath the mineralised section of the Katangan belt (Sweeney et al., 1991a, Sweeney et al., 1991b, Sebagenzi, 1993, Sebagenzi, 1997a and Sebagenzi, 1997b; Gecamines, unpublished aeromagnetic data).

Similarly, there are no data to support the hypothesis of Unrug, 1988 and Unrug, 1989, assuming the existence of two pulses of hydrothermal ore-forming fluids that supplied metal to the Roan Subgroup “aquifers”. This author suggests a two-stage model including: (1) Co–Ni-PGM hydrothermal fluids linked to the emplacement of mafic magmas in the Copperbelt during the deposition of Nguba Group sediments; (2) convective circulation of basinal ore solutions driven by a thermal gradient and with leaching of metals from Nguba pelites, incorrectly inferred by the author to contain 50% of igneous mafic material. Several authors (e.g. Sweeney and Binda, 1989a and Sweeney and Binda, 1989b) stressed already that this model is untenable. The bulk of the ore sulphides were deposited at the same time as the deposition of the Mines Subgroup and thus predate the deposition of the Nguba Group. The lack of spatial relations between Cu–Co mineralisation and igneous mafic rocks has already been stressed above. The sulphide zoning reported above cannot be explained by this model.

Several authors (e.g. Brown and Chartrand, 1986, Haynes, 1986, Rose, 1989 and Walker, 1989) suggested that dewatering of “red beds” located stratigraphically beneath the sediment-hosted ore deposits could be the main source of copper-(cobalt) mineralizing fluids in the Copperbelt stratiform orebodies. However, available data do not support this attractive model. For example, geochemical data (Kampunzu et al., this volume) show that: (1) the transition metals content in the footwall sedimentary rocks is higher than average content in normal clastic rocks and there is no geochemical evidence to support loss of these metals in the footwall; (2) there is no evidence of widespread diagenetic copper-bearing dewatering-veins in the footwall rocks; (3) accumulation of at least 1850 million tons of copper contained in the Copperbelt requires the erosion and the deposition in the Katangan basin of 1014 m3 of source rocks, which is about 100 times the volume of footwall sedimentary rocks in the Lufilian Arc. On the other hand, occurrences of copper are known in the basement: (1) the Samba deposit granitoids (50 million tons at 0.7 wt.% Cu); (2) the Muva phyllites south of the Nkana basin (3.6-m wide zone at 3.6 wt.% Cu); (3) the Nchanga Red Granite (1.5 million tons at 1.5 wt.% Cu); >5000 ppm Cu over a large area below the Chingola-Nchanga orebodies; several pockets reported from a number of mines and prospects in the Copperbelt (Binda, 1997 and references therein; Hitzman, 2000).

The Copperbelt primary mineralisation displays very fine sulphide layering and the ore and host rock grain sizes are strongly positively correlated. The ore sulphides occur along foresets of cross-bedding and bedding planes and they are affected by pre-consolidation sedimentary structures such as sedimentary truncation and slumping (Garlick, 1961b and Garlick, 1989). The orebodies are affected by the oldest Lufilian compressional structures such as thrusts related to the Kolwezian tectonic event (Kampunzu and Cailteux, 1999). Therefore, these orebodies cannot be linked to fluids from syn-orogenic metamorphic dewatering even if they display features indicating partial reworking of primary ores during Lufilian tectonic-metamorphic events. The most important among these features are the following: (1) one set of low-salinity fluid inclusions yield equilibration temperatures 200 °C, contrasting with lower temperatures (<100 °C) obtained on high-salinity inclusions preserving primary features (Pirmolin, 1970, Audeoud, 1982, Audeoud et al., 1984, Sweeney, 1987, Richards et al., 1988, Annels, 1989 and Greyling et al., 2002); (2) local syn-kinematic hydrothermal leaching (Ngongo, 1975a, Lefebvre, 1976b, Cailteux and Kampunzu, 1995 and Cailteux, 1997) indicates small scale metamorphic remobilisation of hypersaline fluids (cf. fluid inclusion composition) inducing recrystallisation of both gangue and ore minerals and local development of barren and mineralised veins; (3) kyanite–serpentine–florencite and paragonite–phengite assemblages in veins indicate temperatures up to 400 °C in the presence of hypersaline fluids (Lefebvre and Patterson, 1982 and Cluzel, 1986). The genetic model developed below puts emphasis on the mineralising processes that were the most important in the formation of the primary orebodies.

The Mines/Musoshi orebodies are lithologically/stratigraphically bound to more or less evaporitic tidal flat/subtidal shales-carbonates in Congo and to their lateral correlatives in Zambia. All rocks hosting Cu–Co sulphide in Congo-type orebodies (Grey R.A.T.–D.Strat.–R.S.F.–S.D.B.–Kambove Formation) were deposited under reducing conditions, in a tidal flat/subtidal environment, during a major transgressive–regressive event. They overlie continental siliciclastic sedimentary rocks (Red R.A.T. in Congo-type and Mutonda in Zambia-type orebodies) deposited under an oxidized, hot, arid to semi-arid environment. Variegated R.A.T. represents the transition zone between the oxidized footwall sedimentary rocks and the main orebodies. This transitional lithology indicates the existence of a reducing/oxidizing front (Cailteux, 1978a and Cailteux, 1994). A thinner but similar transition zone occurs over tens of centimetres between the Zambian Ore Shale and its Footwall (e.g. Musoshi; Cailteux, 1973).

The earliest sulphides (pyrite-I, Co–Ni-pyrite-II, chalcopyrite-I, bornite-I) were deposited before the lithification of the host rocks, i.e. they are syngenetic to early diagenetic. This interpretation is based on the supposition that early diagenetic processes start when sedimentation is ongoing. Framboidal pyrite-I is a syngenetic mineral since such texture marks direct precipitation of FeS2 from solutions (Berner, 1964 and Berner, 1970) or bacterial reduction of seawater sulphates (Annels, 1974 and Sweeney et al., 1987). Inclusions of copper sulphides-I in framboidal pyrite indicate that the earliest Cu-sulphides precipitated early, before some framboidal pyrite and thus represent also syngenetic minerals. The increase of Cu–Co–Ni content from the centre (pyrite-I) to the margin (pyrite-II) of grains reflects an increase of transition metal concentration in the interstitial water, possibly indicating the first steps of evaporation in the sedimentary basin, yielding metal-rich brines. High transition metal content in host rock primary minerals such as dolomite (Sweeney and Binda, 1989a, Sweeney and Binda, 1989b and Loris, 1996) indicates that the transition elements were readily available and even concentrated in the depocentre water during sediment deposition.

Pyrite group sulphides (pyrite, cattierite, vaesite) were deposited before Cu–Co sulphides-II. According to Craig and Vaughan (1979), the pyrite group forms a crystallisation sequence pyrite → Co-pyrite → cattierite + thiospinel or vaesite (e.g. at Luiswishi), marking Fe–Co–Ni compositional changes of the ore-forming fluids.

The second generation of sulphides (Cu–Co sulphides-II) replaces or includes sulphides of the first generation (i.e. bornite replacing pyrite, chalcopyrite including framboidal pyrite). Intergrowth of Cu–Co sulphides-II with diagenetic minerals (e.g. chlorite, leucoxene-rutile) indicates that they grew during diagenesis. Diagenetic conversion of detrital ilmenite into leucoxene and rutile released at least part of the iron required for sulphides-II growth in reducing conditions that prevailed in rocks hosting most orebodies.

Replacement textures within the external rim of copper sulphides-II are also related to diagenetic reactions. An increase of cobalt concentration in the brine and its reaction with copper sulphide grains led to the growth of carrollite at their rims. The reactions involved are as follows (Cailteux, 1983 and Cailteux, 1986):

The copper released during these reactions enhanced, at the contact with carrollite, the conversion of chalcopyrite and bornite into digenite. Small pyrite crystals within the carrollite fringe could be linked to the iron released during the above reactions. Excess iron was probably released to the interstitial fluid. Positive cobalt anomalies in the hangingwall of the Congo-type orebodies indicate that the brines were still enriched in cobalt after the deposition of Co-sulphides in the orebodies.

Sulphur isotopic data on nodular and lenticular anhydrite from the orebodies and barren rocks from the same unit indicate that anhydrites formed by evaporation of seawater under supratidal or sabkha conditions, requiring a major sulphate super-saturation of the mineralising brines. The sulphide isotopic data show that the source of sulphur was seawater sulphate ions. They also support growth of sulphides at low temperature (less than 100 °C) by bacterial reduction of sulphate ions in the brines and possibly by reaction with earlier anhydrite (Annels, 1974, Sweeney and Binda, 1989a and Sweeney and Binda, 1989b). This process liberated the sulphur necessary for sulphide growth. Isotopic data also identify the occurrence of two generations of sulphides (Hoy and Ohmoto, 1989): the first (50–75 vol.% sulphides) is syngenetic to early diagenetic whereas the second (25–50 vol.% sulphides) is attributed to super-saturated copper-bearing fluids generated at the depositional site during synkinematic metamorphic processes (Cailteux and Kampunzu, 1995 and Kampunzu and Cailteux, 1999). Fluid inclusion data reviewed above (e.g. Greyling et al., 2002) coupled with field and petrologic observations show that: (1) the first group of sulphides grew probably at less than 100 °C, and this is compatible with sulphide crystallisation at low temperature by bacterial reduction of sulphate ions in brines (Annels, 1974, Sweeney and Binda, 1989a and Sweeney and Binda, 1989b); (2) the second group of sulphides grew during the Lufilian orogenesis from metamorphic fluids reworking the syngenetic to diagenetic mineralization (Cailteux and Kampunzu, 1995

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sulphur.


 

 

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Fig. 15. Sulphur isotope values for sulphides and sulphates from Congo-type deposits (Kamoto, Kambove-Ouest, Luiswishi, Etoile, Ruashi; data from Okitaudji, 1989 and Lerouge et al., 2004), sulphides from the Zambian Ore Shale, Footwall and veins at Konkola, and sulphates from Mufulira ore horizons (data from Sweeney et al., 1986). CP = chalcopyrite; CR = carrollite.


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A detailed investigation of the relations between δ34S of individual sulphides and the lithostratigraphic position at Konkola in Zambia (Fig. 16a; Sweeney et al., 1986) and Luiswishi in Congo (Fig. 16b; Lerouge et al., 2004) indicates a strong stratigraphic control of δ34S in sulphides. These relations suggest an introduction of sulphur to the sediments during sedimentation and early diagenesis. According to Ohmoto and Rye (1979), variations of δ34S values may be interpreted in terms of transgression–regression events, i.e. δ34S values become lighter (high negative values down to −70‰) during transgressive events, whereas they become heavier (high positive values up to +70‰) during regressive events. Consequently, both in Congo and Zambia, the high δ34S sulphide values from the base of the orebodies were probably produced by δ34S-depletion in a main reservoir during a regressive period, marking a basin closed from the seawater. The decrease of δ34S values, down to −15‰ in the Ore Shale in Zambia, suggests that the system was progressively open to a SO4-rich source, marking a transgressive event during the deposition of the lower part of the Ore Shale (Units A and B), followed by a regressive regime during the deposition of its upper part (Units C–E). In Congo the transgressive regime was persistent during the deposition of the sediments hosting the Lower and Upper orebodies (Kamoto and Dolomitic Shales Formations). These results are in agreement with the inferred lithological transgressive–regressive evolution of the ore-hosting sediments from the Mines Subgroup in Congo (Bartholomé et al., 1972, Cailteux, 1983 and Cailteux, 1994) and the Ore Shale Formation in Zambia (Sweeney et al., 1986).


 

 

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Fig. 16. Sulphur isotope composition of sulphides along vertical sections through (a) the Zambian Ore Shale (Sweeney and Binda, 1989a and Sweeney and Binda, 1989b), (b) the Congo-type orebodies in the Luiswishi deposit (Lerouge et al., 2004); the δ34S sulphide values show the same transgressive–regressive events as those indicated by the host-rock lithologies (Sweeney and Binda, 1989a, Sweeney and Binda, 1989b and Cailteux, 1994).


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The sulphur isotopic data of coexisting sulphide pairs at Konkola (Sweeney et al., 1986) and Luiswishi (Lerouge et al., 2004) show heterogeneous isotopic fractionations between the sulphides, indicating crystallization at disequilibrium. In the Luiswishi deposit, chalcopyrite–carrollite isotopic fractionations are systematically reversed when organic matter is abundant. This, along with the large range of δ34S values, confirms that sulphide δ34S values are controlled by the sedimentary environment, but also by the presence of organic matter, and probably by complex kinetic processes.

The range of δ34S values of sulphides in veins is very close to δ34S values of early associated stratiform sulphides (chalcopyrite, carollite, bornite) indicating a good preservation of the primary sulphur isotopic composition. This strongly suggests a local scale reworking of the early stratiform sulphides, i.e. local recrystallization and neocrystallization of sulphides in veins during the Lufilian tectono-metamorphic events. The preservation of disequilibrium between coexisting sulphides in veins suggests that the reworking was not strong enough to re-equilibrate the 34S/34S ratios.

8. Thermometry

François, 1973 and François, 1974 indicated that the total thickness of Katangan sedimentary rocks above the stratiform orebodies was 6 km. Assuming a geothermal gradient of 10 °C/km which is a minimum value deduced from P, T estimates in high-pressure metamorphic rocks in the Katangan/Zambezi belt (Massone et al., 1994 and John et al., 2003) and 50 °C/km which is a maximum value calculated by Cluzel (1986) in rocks from Luishia, the temperature at the 6-km burial depth should be between 60 and 300 °C. The regional metamorphism related to the Lufilian orogeny increases from the north to the south, evolving from zeolite and greenschist facies in Congo to the north up to amphibolite facies in Zambia to the south (e.g. Mendelsohn, 1961b, Oosterbosch, 1962, Drysdall et al., 1972, François and Cailteux, 1981 and Tembo, 1994). Most of the Zambian-type deposits in Zambia (e.g. Nchanga, Chambishi, Muliashi, Mufulira, Nkana, Luanshya) and some deposits in Congo (e.g. Musoshi, Kinsenda) evolved under the greenschist facies, possibly around 350–400 °C (Richards et al., 1988). Particularly at Musoshi, late quartz + biotite + microcline + carbonates + sulphides ± anhydrite ± barite related to the Lufilian orogeny recorded temperatures around 400 °C (fluid inclusion data in quartz, Richards et al., 1988). In northwestern Zambia (Domes area), peak metamorphic conditions at F1 (D1 Kolwezian phase of Kampunzu and Cailteux, 1999) are around 650 °C and 13 kbars, followed by a decompression at 6 kbars (Cosi et al., 1992 and Steven and Armstrong, 2003).

9. Fluid inclusions

Fluid inclusions found in gangue minerals (dolomite, magnesite and quartz) from Congo-type Kamoto-Principal, Shinkolobwe, Kambove-Ouest and Luiswishi orebodies (Pirmolin, 1970 and Ngongo, 1975b) are of two types: (1) two phase- (liquid–gas) inclusions of small size in dolomite or quartz, CO2-free, with yield temperatures around 70 °C and salinities in the range 7–10 wt.%; (2) three phase-(solid–liquid–gas) inclusions in dolomite grains from R.S.C., hosting one to three different types of solid phases (NaCl, KCl and CaSO4) and containing CO2, with yield temperatures of 200 °C and salinities estimated around 40 wt.%.

Audeoud, 1982 and Audeoud et al., 1984, working on fluid inclusions contained in dolomitic veinlets of the R.A.T. formations and on identical inclusions associated with the anchimetamorphic recrystallization, showed that the aqueous phase is the most important one, and confirmed the very high salinity of this phase, i.e. containing more than 60 wt.% of dissolved salts (MgCl2, CaCl2). The NaCl and KCl concentrations in these inclusions are relatively low, which is consistent with the R.A.T. composition (Kampunzu et al., this volume).

In Zambia, Sweeney (1987) found that: (1) fluid inclusions in quartz veins cross-cutting the Ore Shale at Konkola show post-trapping alteration features; (2) inclusions of the same vein system are characterized by varying fluid chemistry; (3) hydrocarbon liquid inclusions are present in several samples; (4) fluid chemistry variation corresponds to diagenetic changes in the different lithologies during the basin evolution. The author concluded that the veins represent a post-formational tectono-thermal event, and formed by lateral secretion of fluids during late diagenetic dewatering at temperatures of 120 °C.

Fluid inclusions in quartz from quartz-hematite veins cutting the Footwall at Musoshi (Richards et al., 1988) contain halite-saturated fluid, with a minimum salinity of 28–39 wt.% NaCl and 15–17 wt.% KCl, minor amounts of CO2, and also contain Fe, Ca, Mn. They yielded temperatures of 275–397 °C. These authors concluded that the hydrothermal event post-dates the stratiform copper deposition and may have been linked to compressional deformation and metamorphism during the Lufilian orogeny.

Fluid inclusions from early quartz associated with pyrite and carrollite (pseudomorph after anhydrite) in the Chambishi orebody, yielded salinities in the range of 9–16 wt.%, whereas fluid inclusions from syn-kinematic veins yielded higher salinities between 16 and 22 wt.% (Annels, 1989).

Recent studies by Greyling et al. (2002) on various tectonic settings (pre-deformational, syn-tectonic, post-deformational) showed the following scenario. (1) There are primary and secondary inclusions of H2O–NaCl–CO2 ± CH4 compositions with a salinity of 23 wt.% NaCl equivalent in mineralised and non-mineralised quartz veins, formed prior to deformation and folding from deposits in Zambia (e.g. Chambishi). (2) Representative of syn-tectonic fluids, primary inclusions in quartz veins in the Nchanga open pit contain NaCl-saturated fluids with varying liquid–vapour–solid ratios suggesting heterogeneous trapping. (3) Primar

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dolomite, quartz, pyrite in barren rocks.

The relationship between sulphides and leucoxene-rutile were documented in both Congo-type and Zambia-type deposits. In the Musoshi (Zambia-type) deposit (Cailteux, 1973 and Cailteux and Dimanche, 1973), the barren rocks below and above the orebodies are marked by detrital ilmenite (Ilm) showing partial to complete conversion into leucoxene (Lx), with intermediate products (Ilm+Lx or Rt-Lx). These minerals are associated with diagenetic hematite. In the Musoshi orebodies, the conversion of ilmenite into Lx-Rt is complete, and 65% of the leucoxene-rutile grains show associations and intergrowths with pyrite-I, -II and/or copper sulphides-II, whereas 25% of the leucoxene-rutile and 10% of the sulphides occur in isolated grains (Cailteux and Dimanche, 1973). A similar diagenetic mineral association occurs in clastic rocks from the Congo-type orebodies (S.D.S. and S.D.B./upper orebody; Fig. 13), e.g. at Kipapila-Kimpe (Cailteux and Lefebvre, 1975), Etoile (Lefebvre and Cailteux, 1975) and Kambove-Ouest (Cailteux, 1978a and Cailteux, 1983). In the S.D.S., this association coexists with framboidal pyrite-I.


 

 

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Fig. 13. Relict Leucoxene (Ti–Fe oxide, LX) associated with pyrite (Py), chalcopyrite (CP), bornite (BN) assemblage; note the diagenetic destabilisation of detrital ilmenite releasing iron presumably fixed into copper sulphides. Upper orebody (S.D.B.), sample No. 822, D.H. Kwf-1148, Kambove-Ouest deposit (Cailteux, 1983).


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In the Kambove Formation, carrollite is the major sulphide in talc-dolomite bearing beds and layers (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5), whereas dolomite–quartz bearing beds host mainly copper sulphides (Cailteux, 1983). Talc in these rocks is diagenetic and presumably results from an early sepiolite that coexisted with calcite (converted into diagenetic dolomite) instead of growing from the reaction between dolomite and quartz (Bartholomé, 1966 and Cailteux, 1979). However, a metamorphic origin for this talc remains possible.

6.3. Relations between orebodies and deformation events

In Congo, the orebodies were tectonically dismembered, forming part of thrust sheets (e.g. Derriks and Vaes, 1956, Derriks and Oosterbosch, 1958, Mendelsohn, 1961b and Demesmaeker et al., 1963), related to the first Lufilian compressional deformation event known as the Kolwezian tectonic event (Kampunzu and Cailteux, 1999 and references therein). The heterogenous distribution of strain during this event with the maximum strain focused along thrust sense shear zones, possibly controlled by evaporitic layers (Cailteux, 1994 and Cailteux and Kampunzu, 1995), explains the absence of strong fabric within the rocks and thus the good preservation of sedimentary/diagenetic textures. In Zambia, a stronger fabric occurs in some deposits and is registered in both sulphides and gangue minerals (e.g. Nkana, Luanshya, Mufulira; Mendelsohn, 1961b and Brandt et al., 1961).

Metamorphism and/or hydrothermal alteration (fluids escape during compressional tectonics) generated variable re-equilibration, remobilization and secretion of sulphides into late- to post-kinematic veins both in Zambia and Congo (e.g. Garlick, 1961b, Garlick, 1964, Mendelsohn, 1961c, Cailteux, 1983, Cailteux, 1997, Sweeney, 1987, Cailteux and Kampunzu, 1995 and Loris, 1996). In the orebodies, minor remobilisation of stratiform ores is shown by a few cross-cutting mineralised veins surrounded by centimetre-wide zones within which stratiform sulphides have been depleted. A few centimetres away from these veins, the fine primary compositional zoning of the disseminated stratiform sulphides is well preserved. In the Musoshi deposit, the copper content in the “depleted” orebody rocks affected by fractures related to the Lufilian orogeny is 0.03 wt.% Cu, whereas the adjacent undepleted orebody contains more than 3.0 wt.% Cu (Lefebvre and Tshiauka, 1986 and Richards et al., 1988).

7. Isotopic geochemistry

The δ18O and δ13C values for Footwall and Ore Shale dolomites in Zambia define two fields in Fig. 14 (Sweeney et al., 1986). δ18O values for Footwall dolomites are between +20.82 and +26.38‰ SMOW. The Konkola Ore Shale carbonate pseudomorph after anhydrite nodules or lenticles yielded δ18O values between +14.56 and +16.16‰ SMOW. For comparison, δ18O present-day mine waters from the Copperbelt yielded values of −6.2‰ SMOW (Sweeney et al., 1986).


 

 

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Fig. 14. Values of δ18O plotted against δ13C for carbonates from Zambian Footwall and Ore Shale rocks (Sweeney et al., 1986).


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Sulphur isotopic data on sulphides from Cu–Co mineralization in Congo and Zambia are dispersed (Fig. 15). However they show a consistent large range of δ34S values (Jensen and Dechow, 1962, Dechow and Jensen, 1965, Sweeney et al., 1986, Okitaudji, 1989, Hoy and Ohmoto, 1989, McGowan et al., 2003 and Lerouge et al., 2004), from high negative to high positive values, which characterize the sediment-hosted deposits (e.g. Ohmoto and Rye, 1979, Krouse, 1980, Misi et al., 2000 and McGowan et al., 2003 and others). The range of δ34S values (Fig. 15) are in agreement with values of sulphides resulting from a bacterial reduction of marine sulphates at superficial temperatures (<50 °C). However, for deposition in Congo, Hoy and Ohmoto (1989) suggested that the high positive δ34S values originated from an input of hydrothermal sulphur characterized by a δ34S   +9‰. The same hypothesis is also proposed for the Meso- and Neoproterozoic lead–zinc deposits of the São Francisco Craton (Misi et al., 2000). Rare δ34S sulphate analyses from host rocks are +17‰ at Mufulira in Zambia (Sweeney et al., 1986) and +22.6‰ in the Mines Subgroup (average) at Kolwezi (Okitaudji, 1989). These values are quite close to the reference value of Neoproterozoic seawater (Claypool et al., 1980), and tend to confirm a largely marine origin for the sulphur.


 

 

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6

 

Pyrite, chalcopyrite and bornite grains (sulphides-III) include diagenetic gangue minerals (chlorite, dolomite, quartz) and disseminated copper sulphides-II, indicating late-stage formation of the sulphide grains. Pyrite-III rims copper sulphides-II.

Bornite (-II) grains include digenite in bornite-dominant beds (Cailteux, 1986). In these beds, carrollite grains include bornite-II in the centre and digenite-II towards the rim. This indicates that carrollite grew before and after the conversion of bornite into digenite.

Replacement carrollite forms the external rim of chalcopyrite and/or bornite (-II or -III) grains (Fig. 12). The transition between carrollite rims and chalcopyrite or bornite cores is marked by a digenite fringe (Fig. 12a, b), and small pyrite grains occur within the carrollite rims (Fig. 12c). Pyrite (III, IV), chalcopyrite and bornite (-IV) overgrow these parageneses (Fig. 12d). Some carrollite grains include copper sulphides showing replacement textures by carrollite; others show microfractures filled by chalcopyrite or bornite (-IV). In Zambia-type deposits (e.g. Musoshi), bornite frequently includes chalcopyrite both as lattice or irregular exsolutions (Cailteux, 1973 and Cailteux, 1974). Similar parageneses occur in the Shituru lower orebody, forming also several generations of sulphides (Lefebvre, 1974).


 

 

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Fig. 12. (a) Incomplete transformation of a chalcopyrite grain into carrollite and digenite; relict chalcopyrite (CP) occurs in the centre of the grain; digenite (DG) occurs between chalcopyrite and carrollite (CR); early pyrite (Py-1) grains are included in copper sulphides; (b) Detail of the same paragenesis; (c) Occurrence of pyrite grains (Py-2) within carrollite. Grey R.A.T., sample No. 1291, D.H. Kwf-1150, Kambove-Ouest deposit (Cailteux, 1983); (d) Late pyrite (Py-3) partly surrounded by late bornite (BN). S.D.B., sample No. 1511, D.H. Kwf-1138, Kambove-Ouest deposit (Cailteux, 1983).


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6.2. Relations between sulphides and gangue minerals

Abundant nodules or beds of anhydrite occur in the Zambia-type Ore Shale (e.g. Nkana, Mufulira) and there is evidence for replacement of evaporitic minerals by calcite–dolomite, quartz, bornite and chalcopyrite (Annels, 1974). This author showed that, in the Mufulira deposit, mineralised zones correspond to areas in the orebodies with little or no anhydrite content, whereas high anhydrite contents mark barren or sparsely mineralised zones. Pseudomorphs after anhydrite nodules occur in S.D.B. and at the base of the Kambove Formation within the Congo-type deposits (Bartholomé et al., 1972, Annels, 1974, Katekesha, 1975, Cailteux, 1978a and Cailteux, 1978b). These nodules were completely replaced by dolomite, quartz, pyrite and copper–cobalt sulphides in the orebodies and, within the same stratigraphic units, by dolomite, quartz, pyrite in barren rocks.

The relationship between sulphides and leucoxene-rutile were documented in both Congo-type and Zambia-type deposits. In the Musoshi (Zambia-type) deposit (Cailteux, 1973 and Cailteux and Dimanche, 1973), the barren rocks below and above the orebodies are marked by detrital ilmenite (Ilm) showing partial to complete conversion into leucoxene (Lx), with intermediate products (Ilm+Lx or Rt-Lx). These minerals are associated with diagenetic hematite. In the Musoshi orebodies, the conversion of ilmenite into Lx-Rt is complete, and 65% of the leucoxene-rutile grains show associations and intergrowths with pyrite-I, -II and/or copper sulphides-II, whereas 25% of the leucoxene-rutile and 10% of the sulphides occur in isolated grains (Cailteux and Dimanche, 1973). A similar diagenetic mineral association occurs in clastic rocks from the Congo-type orebodies (S.D.S. and S.D.B./upper orebody; Fig. 13), e.g. at Kipapila-Kimpe (Cailteux and Lefebvre, 1975), Etoile (Lefebvre and Cailteux, 1975) and Kambove-Ouest (Cailteux, 1978a and Cailteux, 1983). In the S.D.S., this association coexists with framboidal pyrite-I.


 

 

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Fig. 13. Relict Leucoxene (Ti–Fe oxide, LX) associated with pyrite (Py), chalcopyrite (CP), bornite (BN) assemblage; note the diagenetic destabilisation of detrital ilmenite releasing iron presumably fixed into copper sulphides. Upper orebody (S.D.B.), sample No. 822, D.H. Kwf-1148, Kambove-Ouest deposit (Cailteux, 1983).


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In the Kambove Formation, carrollite is the major sulphide in talc-dolomite bearing beds and layers (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5), whereas dolomite–quartz bearing beds host mainly copper sulphides (Cailteux, 1983). Talc in these rocks is diagenetic and presumably results from an early sepiolite that coexisted with calcite (converted into diagenetic dolomite) instead of growing from the reaction between dolomite and quartz (Bartholomé, 1966 and Cailteux, 1979). However, a metamorphic origin for this talc remains possible.

6.3. Relations between orebodies and deformation events

In Congo, the orebodies were tectonically dismembered, forming part of thrust sheets (e.g. Derriks and Vaes, 1956, Derriks and Oosterbosch, 1958, Mendelsohn, 1961b and Demesmaeker et al., 1963), related to the first Lufilian compressional deformation event known as the Kolwezian tectonic event (Kampunzu and Cailteux, 1999 and references therein). The heterogenous distribution of strain during this event with the maximum strain focused along thrust sense shear zones, possibly controlled by evaporitic layers (Cailteux, 1994 and Cailteux and Kampunzu, 1995), explains the absence of strong fabric within the rocks and thus the good preservation of sedimentary/diagenetic textures. In Zambia, a stronger fabric occurs in some deposits and is registered in both sulphides and gangue minerals (e.g. Nkana, Luanshya, Mufulira; Mendelsohn, 1961b and Brandt et al., 1961).

Metamorphism and/or hydrothermal alteration (fluids escape during compressional tectonics) generated variable re-equilibration, remobilization and secretion of sulphides into late- to post-kinematic veins both in Zambia and Congo (e.g. Garlick, 1961b, Garlick, 1964, Mendelsohn, 1961c, Cailteux, 1983, Cailteux, 1997, Sweeney, 1987, Cailteux and Kampunzu, 1995 and Loris, 1996). In the orebodies, minor remobilisation of stratiform ores is shown by a few cross-cutting mineralised veins surrounded by centimetre-wide zones within which stratiform sulphides have been depleted. A few centimetres away from these veins, the fine primary compositional zoning of the disseminated stratiform sulphides is well preserved. In the Musoshi deposit, the copper content in the “depleted” orebody rocks affected by fractures related to the Lufilian orogeny is 0.03 wt.% Cu, whereas the adjacent undepleted orebody contains more than 3.0 wt.% Cu (Lefebvre and Tshiauka, 1986 and Richards et al., 1988).

7. Isotopic geochemistry

The δ18O and δ13C values for Footwall and Ore Shale dolomites in Zambia define two fields in Fig. 14 (Sweeney et al., 1986). δ18O values for Footwall dolomites are between +20.82 and +26.38‰ SMOW. The Konkola Ore Shale carbonate pseudomorph after anhydrite nodules or lenticles yielded δ18O values between +14.56 and +16.16‰ SMOW. For comparison, δ18O present-day mine waters from the Copperbelt yielded values of −6.2‰ SMOW (Sweeney et al., 1986).


 

 

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Fig. 14. Values of δ18O plotted against δ13C for carbonates from Zambian Footwall and Ore Shale rocks (Sweeney et al., 1986).


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Sulphur isotopic data on sulphides from Cu–Co mineralization in Congo and Zambia are dispersed (Fig. 15). However they show a consistent large range of δ34S values (Jensen and Dechow, 1962, Dechow and Jensen, 1965, Sweeney et al., 1986, Okitaudji, 1989, Hoy and Ohmoto, 1989, McGowan et al., 2003 and Lerouge et al., 2004), from high negative to high positive values, which characterize the sediment-hosted deposits (e.g. Ohmoto and Rye, 1979, Krouse, 1980, Misi et al., 2000 and McGowan et al., 2003 and others). The range of δ34S values (Fig. 15) are in agreement with values of sulphides resulting from a bacterial reduction of marine sulphates at superficial temperatures (<50 °C). However, for deposition in Congo, Hoy and Ohmoto (1989) suggested that the high positive δ34S values originated from an input of hydrothermal sulphur characterized by a δ34S   +9‰. The same hypothesis is also proposed for the Meso- and Neoproterozoic lead–zinc deposits of the São Francisco Craton (Misi et al., 2000). Rare δ34S sulphate analyses from host rocks are +17‰ at Mufulira in Zambia (Sweeney et al., 1986) and +22.6‰ in the Mines Subgroup (average) at Kolwezi (Okitaudji, 1989). These values are quite close to the reference value of Neoproterozoic seawater (Claypool et al., 1980), and tend to confirm a largely marine origin for the sulphur.


 

 

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5

Etoile and Kambove-Ouest deposits (Congo) display a different sulphide zonation in the same lithostratigraphic units. At Etoile, two sequences from chalcocite to bornite and chalcopyrite were observed, one from Grey R.A.T. to D.Strat., the other from R.S.F. to S.D.B. (Lefebvre and Cailteux, 1975). At Kambove-Ouest (Cailteux, 1983 and Cailteux, 1986), chalcopyrite is dominant at the base (Grey R.A.T.) and at the top of S.D.B, whereas a chalcocite–digenite–bornite zone occurs in the middle (D.Strat., R.S.F., base of S.D.B.). This illustrates the variability of the sulphide zonation within the same sedimentary units, implying that this zonation is not controlled by the lithological characteristics of the host rock.

The third “orebody” (Kambove Formation) is hosted in dolomitic shales and dolomitic laminites at Kambove-Ouest, with a remarkable decimetric to metric vertical zoning marked by the recurrence of pyrite–chalcopyrite–bornite–chalcopyrite–pyrite ores (Fig. 8). Carrollite (cobalt-copper sulphide) is irregularly distributed in the orebodies. It is associated with chalcopyrite and pyrite in copper-poor zones (e.g. Kambove-Ouest, Chibuluma, Nkana). In the Kambove-Ouest deposit, a 0.5–1.5-m thick carrollite–chalcopyrite orebody frequently occurs in the pyritic Grey R.A.T. below the base of the lower orebody. Centimetric grains of carrollite occur in the poorly mineralised R.S.C. and define orebodies in talcose dolomites of the Kambove Formation (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).


 

 

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Fig. 8. Decimetric sulphide zoning in the Kambove Formation (third orebody) at Kambove-Ouest (Cailteux, 1986). Minor carrollite is associated with the copper sulphides. Py = pyrite; CP = chalcopyrite; BN = bornite; DG = digenite.


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The lower orebody sulphide mineralisation in the Lower Mwashya Shituru deposit includes disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, minor carrollite/linnaeite and supergene copper sulphide (digenite, chalcocite) associations, similar to those of the Mines Subgroup orebodies (Lefebvre, 1974). However, there is no zoning in these sulphides. The upper orebody contains finely disseminated pyrite in the unweathered zone.

In the Congo-type Mines Subgroup deposits, the highest Co:Cu ratio occurs in the upper part of the orebodies, and shows local positive anomalies in the hangingwall (Fig. 9a and b). In the Zambia-type sequence, linnaeite and carrollite occur in the Ore Shale, mainly within its lower part (e.g. Nchanga, Chambishi, Mindola, Nkana, Chibuluma, Muliashi, Baluba; Mendelsohn, 1961c, Annels et al., 1983 and Annels and Simmonds, 1984; Fig. 9d).


 

 

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Fig. 9. Cu and Co distribution diagrams in the orebodies and hangingwall of representative Copperbelt ore deposits (data from Oosterbosch, 1962 for Kamoto and Shinkolobwe and from Annels and Simmonds, 1984 for Chambishi Southeast).


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Cobalt or cobalt–nickel disseminated sulphides in copper-rich stratiform ores from both Congo- and Zambia-type deposits include mostly cattierite and cobaltite at Kinsenda and Luiswishi (Dejonghe, 1995, Ngoyi and Dejonghe, 1997 and Loris et al., 1997), siegenite at Kambove-Ouest and Luiswishi (Cailteux, 1997 and Loris et al., 1997), Co-pentlandite at Chambishi (Annels et al., 1983 and Annels and Simmonds, 1984). Other deposits contain nickel/cobalt-rich and copper-poor stratiform orebodies, i.e. Ni-cattierite, Co-vaesite and siegenite in Shinkolobwe and Swambo (Derriks and Vaes, 1956, Derriks and Oosterbosch, 1958 and Oosterbosch, 1962), siegenite and violarite in Kalumbila (Kabompo Dome; Steven and Armstrong, 2003).

Co, Ni, Cu diagrams show variable inter-element ratios in the orebodies and the hangingwall (Fig. 9a–d). Microprobe analyses showed that nickel content is <1 wt.% in sulphides, i.e. in carrollite and cattierite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and Co-pyrite from Kamoto, Kambove-Ouest, Shinkolobwe, Musoshi-Konkola, Baluba, Chibuluma, Chambishi (Bartholomé et al., 1971, Cailteux, 1974, Cailteux, 1997, Craig and Vaughan, 1979, Annels et al., 1983 and Sweeney et al., 1986). Sulphides from some deposits (e.g. Kamoya Sud-II in the Kambove area) contain several hundred, up to 1000 ppm Ni in the oxide ores, but Ni:Co ratio remain very low ( 0.01). Microprobe analyses identified a complete solid solution between pyrite (FeS2), cattierite (CoS2) and vaesite (NiS2) (Loris, 1996 and Loris et al., 2002). Sulphides of the linnaeite group were also documented, with chemical compositions indicating siegenite, linnaeite, carrollite or polydymite. In the richest cobalt deposits (e.g. Shinkolobwe, Swambo), Ni:Co ratios is higher (e.g. 1:4) since nickel concentration reaches 0.5 wt.% in a disseminated ore containing Ni-cattierite, thiospinel, siegenite, vaesite in addition to pyrite and chalcopyrite (Derriks and Vaes, 1956 and Derriks and Oosterbosch, 1958). Linnaeite (Co3S4)-carrollite (Co2CuS4) thiospinel solid solutions contain significant amounts of Ni and Fe. Zambian thiospinels yielded 0.45–2.53 wt.% Ni (Annels et al., 1983), whereas higher values (11.4–12.2 wt.% Ni) were reported at Shinkolobwe (Craig and Vaughan, 1979). These data indicate that nickel is closely linked to primary Cu–Co ore in the central African Copperbelt.

Since 1903, gold, platinum–palladium and silver were mined from Congo-type Cu–Co stratiform deposits, i.e. Mutoshi (formerly Ruwe), Musonoi (Kolwezi area) and Shinkolobwe; their concentration in ores from the oxidized zone reached 26 g/t Au, 36 g/t Pd, 10 g/t Pt (du Trieu de Terdonck, 1956 and Jedwab, 1997). These precious metals occur in the lower orebody (mainly in R.S.F.) and form pure nuggets and alloys (involving Cu and/or Se) or are included in oxides (e.g. palladinite, Fe-Co–Ni–Cu–Mn hydroxides), As/Se/Te metallic compounds (e.g. oosterboschite, moncheite, trogtalite) or sulphides (e.g. linnaeites, Se–As sulphides). Sub-economic occurrences were recorded in oxide ores from a few Cu–Co deposits, e.g. gold at Kalongwe, Fungurume, Kamoya (Kambove area), Likasi (du Trieu de Terdonck, 1956), Pd–Au at Mindigi (Jedwab, 1997). The grades in these occurrences may reach 0.3 g/t Au, 2.9 g/t Ag and 0.3–0.6 g/t Pt-Pd. Platinum and palladium are generally hosted in heterogenites. In Zambia, Au also occurs in Cu–Co ores since it is recovered from electrolytic Cu refining.

6. Ore petrology

6.1. Sulphide parageneses

Parageneses of the stratiform disseminated sulphides are well documented both in Congo- and Zambia-types deposits, e.g. at Kamoto-Principal (Bartholomé, 1962, Bartholomáaaebbb, 1963, Bartholomé et al., 1971, Bartholomé et al., 1972 and Dimanche, 1974), Musoshi (Cailteux, 1973 and Cailteux, 1974), Kambove-Ouest (Cailteux, 1983 and Cailteux, 1986), Luiswishi (Loris, 1996; Loris et al., 2002) and Kinsenda (Ngoyi and Dejonghe, 1997).

Framboidal-pyrite (pyrite-I) grains (Fig. 10a) occur mainly within zones adjacent to the orebodies (below, above, and laterally). Sometimes, chalcopyrite (-I) or bornite (-I) form the core of this early pyrite (Cailteux, 1974). Microprobe analyses indicated the presence of copper in framboidal pyrite-I and revealed cobalt–nickel rich pyrite (-II) forming the outer rims of pyrite-I grains, e.g. at Kamoto (Bartholomé et al., 1971), Musoshi (Cailteux, 1974) and Kinsenda (Ngoyi and Dejonghe, 1997). Parageneses with pyrite-I—(Co,Ni) pyrite-II (bravoite)—pyrite-III concentric zones were reported in the Luiswishi deposit (Loris, 1996 and Loris et al., 2002). Framboidal and small isolated grains of pyrite (I, II, III) are included in diagenetic quartz and dolomite (Fig. 10b), e.g. at Kamoto (Bartholomé et al., 1971) and Kambove-Ouest (Cailteux, 1983).


 

 

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Fig. 10. (a) Framboidal pyrite (Py) associated with later bornite (BN). Bornite includes framboidal pyrite. Upper Orebody (S.D.B.), sample No. 822, D.H. Kwf-1148, Kambove-Ouest deposit (Cailteux, 1983). (b) Framboidal pyrite (Py) included in dolomite (D). Grey R.A.T., sample No. 1874, D.H. Kw-236B, Kambove-Ouest deposit (Cailteux, 1983).


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Primary chalcopyrite (-II) and bornite (-II) are the main copper sulphides in the orebodies (e.g. Kambove-Ouest); they grew at the same time as separate or coalescent grains. Carrollite and pyrite-III coexist with copper sulphides-II (mainly chalcopyrite). Chalcopyrite-II includes framboidal pyrite-I, e.g. at Kinsenda (Ngoyi and Dejonghe, 1997). Bornite-II replaces pyrite-I (and -II), e.g. at Kamoto (Bartholomé et al., 1972), as shown by carrollite grains including well-preserved aligned pyrite-I (-II), whereas pyrite grains outside carrollite have been completely replaced by bornite-II (Fig. 11). The textural relations indicate that bornite-II grew after the development of carrollite grains. In the Luiswishi deposit (Loris, 1996 and Loris et al., 2002) copper sulphides-II and sulphides of the linnaeite group (linnaeite–siegenite–carrollite/polydymite) formed after those of the pyrite group (pyrite–cattierite–vaesite).


 

 

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Fig. 11. Grain of carrollite in dolomitic shale of the Upper Orebody (Kamoto-Principal), including a lamina with well-preserved pyrite-I (-II), and showing that this pyrite is replaced by bornite outside carrollite; the sketch also indicates that bornite grew after carrollite (Bartholomé et al., 1972).

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Fig. 5. Schematic reconstruction of the Fe-Cu–Co sulphide distribution in the Kambove area (Cailteux, 1994). (A) Kw-236 low-grade deposit; (B) and (C) northern and southern folds, respectively, Kambove-Ouest deposit. The distances between A–B and B–C profiles are both 500 m.


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Other economic to sub-economic Cu–Co mineralisations in the Menda and Luishia facies (e.g. Kambove-Ouest, Luishia, Luiswishi) are hosted stratigraphically higher up, in the Kambove Formation (upper part of the Mines Subgroup), i.e. 60–100 m above the classical upper orebody described above (Table 1 and Table 2; Fig. 4 and Fig. 5). For clarity, the small orebodies in the Kambove Formation will be called globally the third Congo-type orebody in this paper. The stratiform disseminated sulphides of this third orebody (4–20 m thick, 10–100 m long bodies) are hosted in tidal and reef lithologies similar to the host rocks in the lower and upper orebodies (Cailteux, 1978b, Cailteux, 1986 and Cailteux, 1994). However, the host rocks are this time part of a regressive sequence. A major point from these data is that Cu–Co ore deposits in the central Africa Copperbelt are closely linked to tidal and reef sedimentation.

3.2. Musoshi Subgroup Zambia-type deposits

The Zambia-type deposits are characterized by one or several orebodies, called “Ore Shale”, and hosted in the Ore Shale Formation (Darnley, 1960, Mendelsohn, 1961c, Garlick, 1961b, Garlick and Fleischer, 1972, Van Eden and Binda, 1972, Cailteux, 1973, Annels, 1974, Binda and Mulgrew, 1974, Clemmey, 1974, Van Eden, 1974 and Cailteux and Lefebvre, 1975). The Ore Shale Formation is a sedimentary unit ranging in lithology from quartzo-feldspathic wacke (Mufulira) to siltstone (e.g. Konkola, Chambishi), to finely laminated argillite (e.g. Nkana) and to shaley or siliceous dolomite (e.g. Baluba, Muliashi South) (Binda and Mulgrew, 1974 and Binda, 1994). The Musoshi Subgroup includes also lithologies (e.g. Nchanga, Nkana, Mufulira, Baluba, Mindola) transitional to those of the Congo-type lower and upper orebodies (Cailteux et al., 1994 and Binda, 1997). The lack of a reef sedimentary package in the Zambian orebody marks the predominantly clastic sedimentation in the Zambia-type Roan sequence. However, several reef occurrences were described or mentioned (e.g. Mufulira, Pitanda/NW and Kitwe/SE sides of the Chambishi-Nkana basin, Luanshya; Malan, 1964 and Clemmey, 1974). The Ore Shale Formation is marked by evaporitic conditions, as shown by preserved blebs and beds of anhydrite (Brandt et al., 1961, Annels, 1974 and Clemmey, 1974), and by tidal flat/subtidal regressive and transgressive sequences grading into stromatolitic carbonates (e.g. Kitwe; Clemmey, 1974).

The Ore Shale includes one (e.g. Musoshi-Konkola, Nkana; Jordaan, 1961, Schwellnus, 1961 and Cailteux, 1973) or several orebodies separated by barren (<1 wt.% Cu) or low grade (1–1.5 wt.% Cu) mineralised beds (e.g. Nchanga and Nchanga-West orebodies; Lower and Upper Orebodies at Luanshya; A, B, C Orebodies at Mufulira and Mimbula; Brandt et al., 1961, McKinon and Smit, 1961, Mendelsohn, 1961d, Smit, 1961 and Freeman, 1988b). The Ore Shale cumulative thickness is 5–50 m (average: 20–25 m), i.e. of the same order as the cumulative thickness of orebodies in the Congo-type deposits. Sulphides occur along foresets of cross-bedding, within troughs of ripples and along shale laminae; erosional channels interrupt mineralised beds; ore and its host-rocks display sedimentary deformation structures such as slumping or compaction cracks (Garlick, 1961b). Evaporitic conditions are supported by preserved blebs and beds of anhydrite (Brandt et al., 1961 and Annels, 1974). Clemmey (1974) documented a strong relation between mineralisation trends and the sedimentary context at Kitwe: (1) copper grades are highest toward the inferred palaeo-land and decrease away from it; (2) the alignment of copper grades is in shoots parallel to deducted ebb and flood tidal directions; (3) copper grades are controlled by facies distribution.

Lenticular quartzites, feldspathic quartzites, and dolomitic argillite in the hangingwall host a few small copper mineralisations forming the topmost orebodies, including The Feldspathic Quartzite (T.F.Q.) at N’changa and the weakly mineralised Glassy Quartzite at Mufulira (Binda and Mulgrew, 1974). These may be potential Zambian correlatives of the third orebody hosted in the Kambove Formation in the Congo-type deposits.

Several ore occurrences or deposits lie below the Ore Shale (Fig. 6), including four major orebodies at Kinsenda (Ngoyi and Dejonghe, 1997), three at Lubembe (Lefebvre, 1989 and Tshiauka, 2001), several orebodies in Nchanga (Voet and Freeman, 1972 and Freeman, 1988b), minor occurrences at Chambishi (Garlick, 1961c), one orebody at Nkana (Jordaan, 1961), three mineralised lenses at Chibuluma (Winfield, 1961) and Muliashi-South in the Luanshya district (Van Eden and Binda, 1972). These are not in the classical lithostratigraphic position of orebodies in the Copperbelt since these stratiform orebodies occur in arkoses of the commonly barren siliciclastic Mutonda Formation.


 

 

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Fig. 6. Chingola B, C, D, E, F footwall orebodies (Binda, 1997).


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3.3. Mwashya Subgroup deposits

The Mwashya Subgroup is exposed for several hundred kilometres along major Lufilian thrust faults between Kolwezi to the west and Kimpe to the southeast (Fig. 1). Several copper deposits and sub-economic occurrences (<1.0 wt.% Cu) were recorded in the Lower Mwashya: e.g. Shituru and Mulungwishi-Kampina (Likasi district), Kipoï (Luishia district), Kifumashi and Kasonta (Lubumbashi area) (François, 1974; Gécamines, unpublished data).

The Shituru deposit, located 1 km away of the Likasi Shituru plant (Fig. 1), is the only mined deposit hosted in the Lower Mwashya. It occurs on the southern flank of an anticline faulted along the fold axial plane. Mineralisation forms two stratiform orebodies (upper and lower) with high grades in the supergene zone (≈10.5 wt.% Cu and up to 2.0 wt.% Co; François, 1974 and Lefebvre, 1974), and with lower grades ( 2 wt.% Cu and 0.1 wt.% Co) at the deeper level (>80 m depth) (Lefebvre, 1974). Most ores are hosted in dolomitic laminites and dolomitic shales, lithologically similar to R.S.F./D.Strat-type and S.D.-type rocks of the Mines Subgroup, and interbedded with sub-economic (<1.0 wt.% Cu) stromatolitic massive dolomite (Lefebvre, 1974). No direct link has been found between the pyroclastic rocks interbedded in the Lower Mwashya and this copper mineralization (Lefebvre, 1974).

4. Copper–cobalt distribution in the central Africa Copperbelt

Based on present day mined out production, ore reserves and resource evaluation using cut off grades of 1 wt.% Cu, the economic orebodies host 82.2 Mt copper and 1.4 Mt cobalt in Zambia-type deposits, against 58.0 Mt copper and 4.6 Mt cobalt in Congo-type deposits. This adds up to 140 Mt copper and 6 Mt cobalt for the whole central African Copperbelt (Freeman, 1988a and Freeman, 1988b; Gécamines, unpublished data). Therefore, the Zambia-type orebodies contain 59% of the copper whereas the Congo-type orebodies host 77% of the cobalt in the Copperbelt. The known ore deposits in Western Zambia represent less than 1% of the total evaluated copper. The overall Co:Cu ratio is 1:57 in Zambia-type against 1:13 in Congo-type deposits, although cobalt-rich deposits reach Co:Cu ratios of 1:15 in Zambia-type and 3:1 in Congo-type orebodies. Geochemical studies (Kampunzu et al., unpublished work) indicate that the total amount of copper and cobalt contained in the Katangan economic orebodies represents ±8% and 0.8%, respectively, of the total (i.e. 1850 Mt copper and 750 Mt cobalt, respectively) metal contained in Roan sedimentary rocks.

The distribution of copper and cobalt deposits is related to the regional tectonic control of the distribution of the Mines Subgroup and lateral correlative units along the Lufilian Arc (François and Oosterbosch, 1968, François, 1973 and François, 1974). The Long and Kilamusembu facies exposed between Kolwezi and Tenke contain 26% and 19% of Katangan belt copper and cobalt resources, respectively; they are marked by low copper grades (1.0–2.0 wt.% Cu) and relatively low cobalt contents (0.1–0.4 wt.% Co). The Musonoi and Kalumbwe facies exposed between Kolwezi and Kakanda-Fungurume host copper-rich (>2.0 wt.% Cu) and cobalt-poor to cobalt-rich (<0.1–0.5 wt.% Co) ores, representing 56% and 61% of Katangan belt copper and cobalt resources, respectively. The southern Menda and Luishia facies (18% copper and 20% cobalt resources) is exposed from Kalongwe to Etoile and host copper- and cobalt-rich (>2.0 wt.% Cu and 0.4–0.6 wt.% Co) ores. Substantial nickel (from several hundred ppm up to 0.5 wt.% Ni) is associated with cobalt in the Menda and Luishia facies, forming Ni–Co sulphide deposits (e.g. Shinkolobwe). Between Lupoto and Lubembe, the Luishia facies host cobalt-poor (<0.1–0.4 wt.% Co) orebodies.

In Zambia, cobaltiferous deposits occur southwest of the Kafue Anticline (Fig. 2), e.g. Konkola-Chililabombwe, Nchanga, Chambishi Southeast, Chibuluma (West of Nkana), Luanshya and Baluba deposits (Annels et al., 1983, Annels and Simmonds, 1984 and Freeman, 1988b). Cobalt contents are generally between 0.1–0.2 wt.% Co (e.g. Chambishi, Nkana), with local higher values (e.g. up to 0.44 wt.% Co at Nchanga), matching the concentration range reported in Congo. There is almost no cobalt in the copper deposits northeast of the Kafue Anticline, e.g. Kinsenda (Congo), Mufulira, Bwana Mkubwa (Zambia). This pattern compares to that documented in Congo where the richest cobalt deposits occur along the southern fringe of the Copperbelt.

The Co:Cu ratio defines two geochemical groups of stratiform copper deposits in the central African Copperbelt (Fig. 7): (1) the first group represents cobalt-poor copper deposits marked by low Co:Cu ratio (0–0.02). This group includes most Zambia-type copper deposits and a few Congo-type deposits (e.g. Mutoshi in the Kolwezi area, Kakanda-Nord, Kalengwa in western Zambia); (2) the second group represents cobalt-rich copper deposits marked by high Co:Cu ratio (0.02–2.80), including most Congo-type deposits and some deposits in Zambia (e.g. Nkana-Mindola, Nchanga, Baluba). The highest Co grades within the total resources in Zambia (Co:Cu = 0.05–0.07) occur in the Baluba, Nkana-Mindola, Chibuluma deposits (Freeman, 1988b), which show transitional lithofacies between Zambia-type and Congo-type sedimentary sequences. Local high grades are documented in the Nchanga deposit. The Mwashya Subgroup Shituru deposit is part of the low Co:Cu ratio (0.01) deposits.


 

 

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Fig. 7. Distribution of the Congo–Zambia Copperbelt Mines/Musoshi Subgroups deposits according to their Cu and Co tonnages.


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5. Metal and sulphide distribution within the orebodies

Most Copperbelt deposits display vertical and lateral zoning of disseminated copper sulphides. In Zambia-type deposits, the vertical zoning starts with chalcocite–digenite–bornite at the bottom, followed by bornite–chalcopyrite and chalcopyrite-dominant zones, and pyrite at the top (e.g. Chambishi, Chibuluma, Baluba, Nchanga, Musoshi; Garlick, 1961c, Lee-Potter, 1961, McKinon and Smit, 1961, Cailteux, 1973 and Cailteux, 1974). A similar trend marks some Congo-type deposits. For example, the Kamoto deposit is characterized by chalcocite–digenite–bornite in the lower orebody (Grey R.A.T., D.Strat., R.S.F.) and in S.D.B., chalcopyrite and minor bornite in B.O.M.Z., chalcopyrite–pyrite in S.D.2a and pyrite in S.D.2b (Oosterbosch, 1962, Bartholomé, 1962, Bartholomáaaebbb, 1963 and Bartholomé, 1969). Outside the orebodies, pyrite is common and coexists sometimes with a few chalcopyrite grains.

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grading into copper-poor zones and to pyritic-barren zones; e.g. Kambove-Ouest (Cailteux, 1983, Cailteux, 1986 and Cailteux, 1994) and Nchanga (McKinon and Smit, 1961).


 

 

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Fig. 3. Kakanda-Nord: distribution of Cu and Co average concentrations on cross-sections from X: 0 to X: 1600 (LOB = lower orebody; UOB = upper orebody).


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Some Cu–(few Co) primary sulphide mineralisations occur in the Mwashya Subgroup in Congo, and also are stratigraphically controlled in dolomites of the Lower Mwashya.

3.1. Mines Subgroup Congo-type deposits

The Congo-type stratiform deposits stretch from Kolwezi up to Kimpe (Fig. 2) and are generally characterized by two major Cu–Co orebodies, the “lower” and “upper” orebodies, totalling 15–55 m cumulative thickness (average: 20–25 m). The mineralisation is hosted in a transgressive supratidal to subtidal sedimentary sequence deposited under quiet, shallow-water conditions (Bartholomé et al., 1972, Cailteux, 1978a, Cailteux, 1983 and Cailteux, 1994). The host rocks contain blebs, nodules and lenticular beds of dolomite–quartz pseudomorphs after anhydrite and gypsum, and high contents of Mg, Ba, Sr, Li, B, Br can be linked to the deposition of sediments under saline evaporitic conditions (Bartholomé et al., 1972, Katekesha, 1975, Cailteux, 1978a, Cailteux, 1983, Cailteux, 1994 and Moine et al., 1986).

The lower orebody host-rocks include (Table 2): (1) a massive chloritic–dolomitic siltite known as Grey R.A.T. (“Roches Argilo-Talqueuses”); (2) a fine-grained stratified dolostone (D.Strat. “Dolomie Stratifiée”); (3) silicified-stromatolitic-dolomites forming laminites alternating with thin chloritic–dolomitic silty beds (R.S.F. “Roches Siliceuses Feuilletées”). The Upper Orebody host-rocks include (Table 2): (1) the basal Dolomitic Shales (S.D.B., “Shales Dolomitiques de Base” also called S.D.1a); (2) an overlying coarse grained impure dolostone (B.O.M.Z., “Black Ore Mineralised Zone” also called S.D.1b) which is sometimes missing in the succession (e.g. in the Kambove area). A generally “barren” reef-type stromatolitic dolomite (R.S.C., “Roches Siliceuses Cellulaires”) occurs between the two orebodies. Ores are known on 0.4–1.0 m thickness along the contact between this reef dolomite and both lower and upper orebodies. The chloritic-silty-dolomitic lenses or layers locally interbedded within the R.S.C. are also mineralised (e.g. Kamoto). In some deposits (e.g. Kambove-Ouest), the primary stratiform mineralisation extends to the overlying carbonaceous dolomitic shales S.D.2a, up to the base of the S.D.2b. The organic matter content is variable, generally low, although local high contents have led to the development of black shales and dolomites in R.S.F.-R.S.C.-S.D.B units (Cailteux, 1983).

The Congo-type mineralised succession is very regular along strike (Fig. 2), showing the same lithological succession for >350 km, from Kolwezi (Demesmaeker et al., 1963, François, 1973 and Katekesha, 1975), to Tenke-Fungurume (Oosterbosch, 1950 and Oosterbosch, 1951), Kambove-Kakanda (Cailteux, 1978a and Cailteux, 1983), Kabolela (Lefebvre, 1976a and Lefebvre, 1976b), Etoile (Lefebvre and Cailteux, 1975) and Lubembe (Lefebvre and Tshiauka, 1986 and Tshiauka et al., 1995). However, there is a clear across-strike lithofacies variation marking a progressive evolution from more near-shore (north) to more reefal (south) environments (François, 1973, François, 1974, Lefebvre, 1979, Cailteux, 1978a, Cailteux, 1978b, Cailteux, 1983 and Cailteux, 1994). This palaeo-environmental variation seems to correlate with different copper–cobalt grades in the rocks (François, 1973 and François, 1974, and details below). The northern (present coordinates) near-shore sequences (“Long” and “Kilamusembu” facies) are characterized by the absence of stromatolites, the occurrence of dolomites and arenites in the Dolomitic Shales Formation and of arenites in the Kambove Formation. In these two sequences, the lithostratigraphic units usually hosting the orebodies are barren or poorly mineralised (e.g. Dipeta Syncline between Tenke and Fungurume), except in the Tenke deposit. The Kilamusembu facies occurs only in the Kolwezi area and represents a transitional facies between Long and Musonoï facies. The southern sequences (“Musonoï” and “Kalumbwe” facies) are marked by: (a) clasts of stromatolites; (b) stromatolites in R.S.C.; (c) lack of arenites in Dolomitic Shales and Kambove Formations. There are no dolomites in the Kalumbwe facies Dolomitic Shales Formation (e.g. Kakanda-Nord). This sequence hosts the most important copper–cobalt deposits (e.g. Kamoto, Fungurume), with only a few barren or poorly mineralised zones. The southernmost reef sequence (“Menda” and “Luishia” facies) is marked by algal bioherms in R.S.C. and in the Kambove Formation. The lithostratigraphic units usually hosting the orebodies are barren or poorly to well mineralised (e.g. Kambove-Ouest, Luishia, Luiswishi).

Sub-economic orebodies (generally <1 wt.% Cu) and small economic deposits (locally >2 wt.% Cu) occur in dark-grey to black carbonaceous metapelites forming the S.D.2d and 3b (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5; Table 2). However, the metals in these units are strictly bound to thin organic matter-rich horizons indicating deposition under strong reducing conditions.


 

 

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Fig. 4. Cross-section X: 90 E through the Kambove-Ouest deposit and Roan breccia below the oxidized zone (modified from Cailteux, 1983); KTO = Kamoto Formation, SD = Dolomitic Shale Formation, KVE = Kambove Formation; R.A.T. = Roches Argilo-Talqueuses.


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