Anhydrite pseudomorphs and the origin of stratiform Cu–Co ores in the Katangan Copperbelt (Democratic Republic of Congo)

The stratiform Cu–Co ore mineralisation in the Katangan Copperbelt consists of dispersed sulphides and sulphides in nodules and lenses, which are often pseudomorphs after evaporites. Two types of pseudomorphs can be distinguished in the nodules and lenses. In type 1 examples, dolomite precipitated first and was subsequently replaced by Cu–Co sulphides and authigenic quartz, whereas in type 2 examples, authigenic quartz and Cu–Co sulphides precipitated prior to dolomite and are coarse-grained. The sulphur isotopic composition of the copper–cobalt sulphides in the type 1 pseudomorphs is between −10.3 and 3.1‰ relative to the Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite, indicating that the sulphide component was derived from bacterial sulphate reduction (BSR). The generation of during this process caused the precipitation and replacement of anhydrite by dolomite. A second product of BSR is the generation of H₂S, resulting in the precipitation of Cu–Co sulphides from the mineralising fluids. Initial sulphide precipitation occurred along the rim of the pseudomorphs and continued towards the core. Precipitation of authigenic quartz was most likely induced by a pH decrease during sulphide precipitation. Fluid inclusion data from quartz indicate the presence of a high-salinity (8–18 eq. wt.% NaCl) fluid, possibly derived from evaporated seawater which migrated through the deep subsurface. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of dolomite in type 1 nodules range between 0.71012 and 0.73576, significantly more radiogenic than the strontium isotopic composition of Neoproterozoic marine carbonates (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.7056–0.7087). This suggests intense interaction with siliciclastic sedimentary rocks and/or the granitic basement. The low carbon isotopic composition of the dolomite in the pseudomorphs (−7.02 and −9.93‰ relative to the Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite, V-PDB) compared to the host rock dolomite (−4.90 and +1.31‰ V-PDB) resulted from the oxidation of organic matter during BSR.     

The sandstone-hosted stratiform copper mineralization at Mwitapile and its relation to the mineralization at Lufukwe, Lufilian foreland, Democratic Republic of Congo

The Lufilian foreland is a triangular-shaped area located in the SE of the Democratic Republic of Congo and to the NE of the Lufilian arc, which hosts the well-known Central African Copperbelt. The Lufilian foreland recently became an interesting area with several vein-type (e.g., Dikulushi) and stratiform (e.g., Lufukwe and Mwitapile) copper occurrences. The Lufilian foreland stratiform Cu mineralization is, to date, observed in sandstone rock units belonging to the Nguba and Kundelungu Groups (Katanga Supergroup).The Mwitapile sandstone-hosted stratiform Cu prospect is located in the north eastern part of the Lufilian foreland. The host rock for the Cu mineralization is the Sonta Sandstone of the Ngule Subgroup (Kundelungu Group). A combined remote sensing, petrographic and fluid inclusion microthermometric analysis was performed at Mwitapile and compared with similar analysis previously carried out at Lufukwe to present a metallogenic model for the Mwitapile- and Lufukwe-type stratiform copper deposits. Interpretation of ETM+ satellite images for the Mwitapile prospect and the surrounding areas indicate the absence of NE–SW or ENE–WSW faults, similar to those observed controlling the mineralization at Lufukwe. Faults with these orientations are, however, present to the NW, W, SW and E of the Mwitapile prospect. At Mwitapile, the Sonta Sandstone host rock is intensely compacted, arkosic to calcareous with high silica cementation (first generation of authigenic quartz overgrowths). In the Sonta Sandstone, feldspar and calcite are present in disseminated, banded and nodular forms. Intense dissolution of these minerals caused the presence of disseminated rectangular, pipe-like and nodular dissolution cavities. Sulfide mineralization is mainly concentrated in these cavities. The hypogene sulfide minerals consist of two generations of pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite and chalcocite, separated by a second generation of authigenic quartz overgrowth. The hypogene sulfide minerals are replaced by supergene digenite and covellite. Fluid inclusion microthermometry on the first authigenic quartz phase indicates silica precipitation from an H₂O–NaCl–CaCl₂ fluid with a minimum temperature between 111 and 182 °C and a salinity between 22.0 and 25.5 wt.% CaCl₂ equiv. Microthermometry on the second authigenic quartz overgrowths and in secondary trails related to the mineralization indicate that the mineralizing fluid is characterized by variable temperatures (Th = 120 to 280 °C) and salinities (2.4 to 19.8 wt.% NaCl equiv.) and by a general trend of increasing temperatures with increasing salinities.Comparison between Mwitapile and Lufukwe indicates that the stratiform Cu mineralization in the two deposits is controlled by similar sedimentary, diagenetic and structural factors and likely formed from a similar mineralizing fluid. A post-orogenic timing is proposed for the mineralization in both deposits. The main mineralization controlling factors are grain size, clay and pyrobitumen content, the amount and degree of feldspar and/or calcite dissolution and the presence of NE–SW to ENE–WSW faults. The data support a post-orogenic fluid-mixing model for the Mwitapile- and Lufukwe-type sandstone-hosted stratiform Cu deposits, in which the mineralization is related to the mixing between a Cu-rich hydrothermal fluid, with a temperature up to 280 °C and a maximum salinity of 19.8 wt.% NaCl equiv., with a colder low salinity reducing fluid present in the sandstone host rock. The mineralizing fluid likely migrated upwards to the sandstone source rocks along NE–SW to ENE–WSW orientated faults. At Lufukwe, the highest copper grades at surface outcrops and boreholes were found along and near to these faults. At Mwitapile, where such faults are 2 to 3 km away, the Cu grades are much lower than at Lufukwe. Copper precipitation was possibly promoted by reduction from pre-existing hydrocarbons and non-copper sulfides and by the decrease in fluid salinity and temperature during mixing. Based on this research, new Cu prospects were proposed at Lufukwe and Mwitapile and a set of recommendations for further Cu exploration in the Lufilian foreland is presented.     

Origin of the Nchanga copper–cobalt deposits of the Zambian Copperbelt

The Zambian Copperbelt forms the southeastern part of the 900-km-long Neoproterozoic Lufilian Arc and contains one of the world’s largest accumulations of sediment-hosted stratiform copper mineralization. The Nchanga deposit is one of the most significant ore systems in the Zambian Copperbelt and contains two major economic concentrations of copper and cobalt, hosted within the Lower Roan Group of the Katangan Supergroup. A Lower Orebody (copper only) and Upper Orebody (copper and cobalt) occur towards the top of arkosic units and within the base of overlying shales. The sulfide mineralogy includes pyrite, bornite, chalcopyrite, and chalcocite, although in the Lower Orebody, sulfide phases are partially or completely replaced by malachite and copper oxides. Carrollite is the major cobalt-bearing phase and is restricted to fault-propagation fold zones within a feldspathic arenite. Hydrothermal alteration minerals include dolomite, phlogophite, sericite, rutile, quartz, tourmaline, and chlorite. Quartz veins from the mine sequence show halite-saturated fluid inclusions, ranging from ~31 to 38 wt% equivalent NaCl, with homogenisation temperatures (Th_TOT) ranging between 140 and 180°C. Diagenetic pyrites in the lower orebody show distinct, relatively low δ ³⁴S, ranging from −1 to −17‰ whereas arenite- and shale-hosted copper and cobalt sulfides reveal distinctly different δ ³⁴S from −1 to +12‰ for the Lower Orebody and +5 to +18‰ for the Upper Orebody. There is also a clear distinction between the δ ³⁴S mean of +12.1±3.3‰ (n=65) for the Upper Orebody compared with +5.2±3.6‰ (n=23) for the Lower Orebody. The δ ¹³C of dolomites from units above the Upper Orebody give δ ¹³C values of +1.4 to +2.5‰ consistent with marine carbon. However, dolomite from the shear-zones and the alteration assemblages within the Upper Orebody show more negative δ ¹³C values: −2.9 to −4.0‰ and −5.6 to −8.3‰, respectively. Similarly, shear zone and Upper Orebody dolomites give a δ ¹⁸O of +11.7 to +16.9‰ compared to Lower Roan Dolomites, which show δ ¹⁸O of +22.4 to +23.0‰_. Two distinct structural regimes are recognized in the Nchanga area: a weakly deformed zone consisting of basement and overlying footwall siliciclastics, and a moderate to tightly folded zone of meta-sediments of the Katangan succession. The fold geometry of the Lower Roan package is controlled by internal thrust fault-propagation folds, which detach at the top of the lowermost arkose or within the base of the overlying stratigraphy and show vergence towards the NE. Faulting and folding are considered to be synchronous, as folding predominantly occurred at the tips of propagating thrust faults, with local thrust breakthrough. The data from Nchanga suggests a strong link between ore formation and the development of structures during basin inversion as part of the Lufilian Orogeny. Sulfides tend to be concentrated within arenites or coarser-grained layers within shale units, suggesting that host-rock porosity and possibly permeability played a role in ore formation. However, sulfides are also commonly orientated along, but not deformed by, a tectonic fabric or hosted within small fractures that suggest a significant role for deformation in the development of the mineralization. The ore mineralogy, hydrothermal alteration, and stable isotope data lend support to models consistent with the thermochemical reduction of a sulfate- (and metal) enriched hydrothermal fluid, at the site of mineralization. There is no evidence at Nchanga for a contribution of bacteriogenic sulfide, produced during sedimentation or early diagenesis, to the ores.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at and is accessible for authorized users.Editorial handling: H. Frimmel     

Sedimentary genesis and lithostratigraphy of Neoproterozoic megabreccia from Mufulira, Copperbelt of Zambia

The Lufilian arc is an orogenic belt in central Africa that extends between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and deforms the Neoproterozoic-Lower Palaeozoic metasedimentary succession of the Katanga Supergroup. The arc contains thick bodies of fragmental rocks that include blocks reaching several kilometres in size. Some megablocks contain Cu and Cu–Co-mineralised Katangan strata. These coarse clastic rocks, called the Katangan megabreccias, have traditionally been interpreted in the DRC as tectonic breccias formed during Lufilian orogenesis due to friction underneath Katangan nappes. In mid-90th, several occurrences in Zambia have been interpreted in the same manner. Prominent among them is an occurrence at Mufulira, considered by previous workers as a ≈1000 m thick tectonic friction breccia containing a Cu–Co-mineralised megablock.This paper presents new results pertaining to the lower stratigraphic interval of the Katanga Supergroup at Mufulira and represented by the Roan Group and the succeeding Mwashya Subgroup of the Guba Group. The interval interpreted in the past as tectonic Roan megabreccia appears to be an almost intact sedimentary succession, the lower part of which consists of Roan Group carbonate rocks with siliciclastic intercalations containing several interbeds of matrix-supported conglomerate. A Cu–Co-mineralised interval is not an allochthonous block but a part of the stratigraphic succession underlain and overlain by conglomerate beds, which were considered in the past as tectonic friction breccias. The overlying megabreccia is a syn-rift sedimentary olistostrome succession that rests upon the Roan strata with a subtle local unconformity. The olistostrome succession consists of three complexes typified by matrix-supported debris-flow conglomerates with Roan clasts. Some of the conglomerate beds pass upwards to normally graded turbidite layers and are accompanied by solitary slump beds. The three conglomeratic assemblages are separated by two intervals of sedimentary breccia composed of allochthonous Roan blocks interpreted as mass-wasting debris redeposited into the basin by high-volume sediment-gravity flows. Sedimentary features are the primary characteristics of the conglomerate interbeds in the Roan succession and of the overlying megabreccia (olistostrome) sequence. Both lithological associations are slightly sheared and brecciated in places, but stratigraphic continuity is retained throughout their succession. The olistostrome is deformed by an open fold, the upper limb of which is truncated by and involved in a shear zone that extends upwards into Mwashya Subgroup strata thrust above.Based on the sedimentary genesis of the megabreccia, local tectonostratigraphic relations and correlation with the succession present in the Kafue anticline to the west, the Mwashya Subgroup, formerly considered as a twofold unit, is redefined here as a three-part succession. The lower Mwashya consists of an olistostrome complex defined as the Mufulira Formation, the middle Mwashya (formerly lower Mwashya) is a mixed succession of siliciclastic and carbonate strata locally containing silicified ooids and tuff interbeds, and the term upper Mwashya is retained for a succession of black shales with varying proportions of siltstone and sandstone interlayers. The sedimentary genesis and stratigraphic relations of the megabreccia at Mufulira imply that the position and tectonostratigraphic context of the Katangan Cu and Cu–Co orebodies hosted in megablocks associated with fragmental rocks, which were in the past interpreted as tectonic friction breccias, need to be critically re-assessed in the whole Lufilian arc.     

Lithostratigraphic position and petrographic characteristics of R.A.T. (“Roches Argilo-Talqueuses”) Subgroup, Neoproterozoic Katangan Belt (Congo)

The Neoproterozoic Katangan R.A.T. (“Roches Argilo-Talqueuses”) Subgroup is a sedimentary sequence composed of red massive to irregularly bedded terrigenous-dolomitic rocks occurring at the base of the Katangan succession in Congo. Red R.A.T. is rarely exposed in a continuous section because it was affected by a major layer-parallel décollement during the Lufilian thrusting. However, in a number of thrust sheets, Red R.A.T. is in conformable sedimentary contact with Grey R.A.T which forms the base of the Mines Subgroup. Apart from the colour difference reflecting distinct depositional redox conditions, lithological, petrographical and geochemical features of Red and Grey R.A.T. are similar. A continuous sedimentary transition between these two lithological units is shown by the occurrence of variegated to yellowish R.A.T. The D. Strat. “Dolomies Stratifiées” formation of the Mines Subgroup conformably overlies the Grey R.A.T. In addition, a transitional gradation between Grey R.A.T. and D. Strat. occurs in most Cu–Co mines in Katanga and is marked by interbedding of Grey R.A.T.-type and D. Strat.-type layers or by a progressive petrographic and lithologic transition from R.A.T. to D. Strat. Thus, there is an unquestionable sedimentary transition between Grey R.A.T. and D. Strat. and between Grey R.A.T. and Red R.A.T.The R.A.T. Subgroup stratigraphically underlies the Mines Subgroup and therefore R.A.T. cannot be comprised of syn-orogenic sediments deposited upon the Kundelungu (formerly “Upper Kundelungu”) Group as suggested by Wendorff (2000). As a consequence, the Grey R.A.T. Cu–Co mineralisation definitely is part of the Mines Subgroup Lower Orebody, and does not represent a distinct generation of stratiform Cu–Co sulphide mineralisation younger than the Roan orebodies.     

赞比亚铜带省谦比希盆地含矿地层地球化学特征、物源属性及其成矿地质背景研究

中非铜钴成矿带是全球重要的铜资源产地和最大的钴资源产地,其中赞比亚成矿带内90％铜(钴)资源蕴含于赞比亚铜带省的沉积型矿床中.本文选取铜带省中部谦比希盆地内穆旺巴希铜矿、谦比希西铜矿和谦比希东南铜钴矿为研究对象,对矿床(体)赋矿层位开展岩相学、主微量元素、稀土元素研究,分析其物源区组成和构造环境,探讨铜钴成矿地质背景.岩相学特征表明,赋铜(钴)地层岩性主要为敏多拉组砂岩、细砂岩和基特韦组页岩、粉砂岩、板岩、石英岩等.稀土元素标准化配分曲线呈现轻稀土富集、重稀土平坦和铕负异常特征.成分变异指数(ICV)与化学蚀变指数(CIA)的研究表明源区未遭受强的沉积物再循环及化学风化作用,从穆旺巴希矿床、谦比希西矿体到谦比希东南矿体,含矿地层风化作用逐渐减弱,沉积环境由温暖、湿润气候向寒冷、干燥气候转变.岩石地球化学判别图解显示含矿地层物源主要为长英质沉积岩和火成岩,构造性质长期处在以被动大陆边缘为主,主动大陆边缘和大陆岛弧次之的环境中.其中含钴的基特韦组地层的物源中可能伴有少量镁铁质成分的加入,构造背景主要为大陆岛弧环境.综合区域成矿年代学研究,中非成矿带铜钴成矿具有多期性,地层物源属性、沉积成岩期的氧化-还原环境以及区域构造事件最终导致了赞比亚成矿带铜钴成矿的差异性.     

中非赞比亚成矿带谦比希铜钴矿床钴的赋存状态与成矿规律

谦比希铜钴矿床是中非赞比亚成矿带重要的超大型铜钴矿床之一,由主矿体、西矿体和东南矿体3部分组成,赋矿层位主要为下罗安亚群敏多拉组和基特韦组,岩性包括泥质板岩、泥质石英岩、板岩、石英砂岩等。现有资料对于矿床中钴的赋存状态和含钴矿物成因的研究较为薄弱,这也直接制约了对钴矿的成因认识及今后找矿方向。本次研究聚焦谦比希矿床中的富钴矿物,对该类矿物进行电子探针、微区X射线荧光光谱分析和S同位素研究,通过查明谦比希矿床中钴的赋存状态及成因机制,为今后区域上钴资源的找矿勘查提供理论依据。分析结果表明谦比希矿床中钴以独立矿物和类质同象形式存在,其中独立矿物主要为硫铜钴矿和硫钴矿。在热液黄铁矿(Py2)和磁黄铁矿中,钴含量最高分别可达4.9%和1.5%,Co与Fe含量成反比关系且Co富集区域较为均匀地分布在硫化物中,说明Co取代Fe以类质同象方式赋存于黄铁矿和磁黄铁矿中。此外,谦比希矿床热液期黄铁矿-磁黄铁矿的Co-Ni范围不同于夕卡岩型及其他几种成矿类型的黄铁矿和磁黄铁矿,结合前人对热液矿化期流体包裹体的H-O同位素研究,暗示富钴的成矿流体可能并非岩浆热液流体,而是中-高温的变质热液流体。西矿体斑铜矿和东南矿体磁黄铁矿δ³⁴S值分别为6‰~6.9‰和7.2‰~12.6‰,表明热化学硫酸盐还原作用是谦比希矿床还原性硫形成的主要机制,硫化物在经历了变质作用后δ³⁴S值具有均一化。综合本文和前人已有研究,我们认为钴的主成矿期与卢菲利安造山作用密切相关,造山期中-高温变质热液使得钴、铜等金属元素再富集。NE-SW向挤压形成的褶皱枢纽及特定走向断层的交汇处等构造发育部位可以作为钴矿体的有利找矿地段,而热液脉中的黄铁矿-磁黄铁矿组合可作为区域上寻找钴矿体的矿物标志。     

Lithostratigraphy, basin development, base metal deposits, and regional correlations of the Neoproterozoic Nguba and Kundelungu rock successions, central African Copperbelt

The Neoproterozoic Katangan Supergroup comprises a thick sedimentary rock succession subdivided into the Roan, Nguba, and Kundelungu Groups, from bottom to top. Deposition of both Nguba and Kundelungu Groups began with diamictites, the Mwale/Grand Conglomérat and Kyandamu/Petit Conglomérat Formations, respectively, correlated with the 750 Ma Sturtian and (supposedly) 620 Ma Marinoan/Varanger glacial events. The Kaponda, Kakontwe, Kipushi and Lusele Formations are interpreted as cap-carbonates overlying the diamictites. Petrographical features of the Nguba and Kundelungu siliciclastic rocks indicate a proximal facies in the northern areas and a basin open to the south. The carbonate deposits increase southward in the Nguba basin. In the southern region, the Kyandamu Formation contains clasts from the underlying rocks, indicating an exhumation and erosion of these rocks to the south of the basin. It is inferred that this formation deposited in a foreland basin, dating the inversion from extensional to compressional tectonics, and the northward thrusting. Sampwe and Biano sedimentary rocks were deposited in the northernmost foreland basin at the end of the thrusting. The Zn–Pb–Cu and Cu–Ag–Au epigenetic, hypogene deposits occurring in Nguba carbonates and Kundelungu clastic rocks probably originate from hydrothermal resetting and remobilization of pre-existing stratiform base metal mineralisations in the Roan Group.     

非洲"铜带"铜钴工业地域综合体初步研究

非洲“铜带”是世界上最大的铜钴工业综合体之一。通过实地调查和资料分析,揭示了“铜带”铜钴工业的地域组合特征及空间布局的内在联系规律;剖析了“铜带”铜钴工业地域综合体形成的主要地理条件,尤其是制约冶金工业生产布局的矿物资源、电力和交通运输条件;探讨了主导工业部门在工业地域综合形体形成和区域经济社会发展过程中“联动”和“极化”作用。这对我国在矿山开发过程澡,充分发挥矿业的主导作用带动区域经济社会发展,     

赞比亚铜带省桑巴(Samba)铜矿床地质特征及其找矿意义

桑巴铜矿床位于赞比亚铜带省,卡富埃背斜的西翼,接近加丹加地层和不整合接触带的基底中。矿床中主要有价矿物为黄铜矿和斑铜矿,TCu平均品位1.67%,呈脉状,赋矿于基底莫瓦亚群的石英-绢云母/黑云母片岩中,矿化受片理控制明显,具有Cu-Mo矿化组合,其矿化控矿地质因素、矿化蚀变特征、与该区砂页岩型铜钴矿有明显的差异,为该区找矿开拓了新的找矿方向,也为在赞比亚铜矿带寻找新类型矿床提供了有力的依据。