Evolution of a Paleoproterozoic “weak type” orogeny in the West African Craton (Ivory Coast)

The Paleoproterozoic domain of the Ivory Coast lies in the central part of the West African Craton (WAC) and is mainly constituted by TTG, greenstones, supracrustal rocks and leucogranites. A compilation of metamorphic and radiometric data highlights that: i) metamorphic conditions are rather homogeneous through the domain, without important metamorphic jumps, ii) HP-LT assemblages are absent and iii) important volumes of magmas emplaced during the overall Paleoproterozoic orogeny suggesting the occurrence of long-lived rather hot geotherms. Results of the structural analysis, focused on three areas within the Ivory Coast, suggest that the deformation is homogeneous and distributed through the Paleoproterozoic domain. In details, results of this study point out the long-lived character of vertical movements during the Eburnean orogeny with a two folds evolution. The first stage is characterized by the development of “domes and basins” geometries without any boundary tectonic forces and the second stage is marked by coeval diapiric movements and horizontal regional-scale shortening. These features suggest that the crust is affected by vertical movements during the overall orogeny. The Eburnean orogen can then be considered as an example of long-lived Paleoproterozoic “weak type” orogen.     

Origins of Birimian (ca 2.2 Ga) mafic magmatism and the Paleoproterozoic ‘greenstone belt’ metallogeny: a review

The Birimian of the West African Craton is an important repository of Paleoproterozoic mafic magmatism, described by many workers as petrologically dominated by basaltic to andesitic rocks. In spite of extensive work done, opinions still differ on the origin and other salient features in these globally significant igneous rocks. Even less well understood is the relationship that may exist between the mafic rocks and prolific metalliferous deposits such as manganese and gold that are hosted in these rocks. This review suggests that the frequently observed association between mafic rocks and important mineral deposits may have far more genetic implications than previously envisaged.     

Graphitization of organic matter and fluid‐deposited graphite in Palaeoproterozoic (Birimian) black shales of the Kaya‐Goren greenstone belt (Burkina Faso,West Africa)

Palaeoproterozoic black shales form an essential part of the Birimian volcanosedimentary belt in Burkina Faso, West Africa. The mean R_max values and the atomic H/C values of the bulk carbonaceous matter (BCM), together with rock structures and mineral assemblages, indicate that these carbon‐rich rocks were metamorphosed to sub‐greenschist and low‐grade greenschist facies. X‐ray diffraction reveals that the (002) ‘graphite’ peak width in half maximum (FWHM) ranges from 0.43 to 0.71 °2θ in sub‐greenschist facies and from 0.27 to 0.41 °2θ in greenschist facies rocks, but the d(002) values in both groups of rocks are approximately the same (～3.35 Å). The BCM of individual samples is composed of particles with very variable shape, reflectance and Raman spectra. Type I particles that predominate in sub‐greenschist facies are fine‐grained, irregular or elongate bodies 1 to 3 μm in size. Their maximum reflectance (R_max) ranges between 2.5% and 8.2%, and Raman parameters R1 and R2 range from 0.5 to 1.4 and 0.5 to 0.8, respectively. Type II particles are lath‐shaped, up to 40 μm large bodies, commonly arranged parallel to white mica flakes. The number of these particles increases from sub‐greenschist to greenschist facies. Maximum reflectance varies between 6% and 11.2% and R1 and R2 Raman parameters range from 0.05 to 0.7 and from 0.1 to 0.5, respectively. Type III particles occur in hydrothermally altered and sheared rocks; these are nodular aggregates composed of grains up to 10 μm in size. This type of particles has very high reflectance (R_max = 11–15%) and its Raman spectra indicate a very high degree of structural ordering corresponding to well‐ordered graphite. Type I particles represent original organic matter in the metasediments. Type II particles are believed to have been formed either in situ by solid‐state transformation of Type I particles or by crystallization from metamorphic fluids. Gradual graphitization of the Type I organic particles and the growth of lath‐shaped Type II particles from a fluid phase is assumed to have taken place under the peak metamorphic conditions associated with the burial of Birimian sediments during thrust tectonism, progressive tectonic accretion and crustal thickening during the D1 event of the Eburnean orogeny. The growth of equant, high‐reflectance postkinematic nodular aggregates of Type III particles is ascribed to the reduction of CO₂‐rich fluids during a hydrothermal event associated with Late Eburnean D2 exhumation and strike–slip movements. Type I carbonaceous particles were only slightly affected by high‐temperature, low‐pressure contact metamorphism during intrusion of Late Eburnean magmatic bodies, whereas formation of Type II or III particles was not recorded in contact‐metamorphosed rocks at all.     

The Burkinian orogenic cycle,precursor of the Eburnian orogeny in West Africa

In the best known areas of the West African craton structural, petrographic, and geochronological data provide a distinction between two separate units of the Lower Proterozoic in West Africa. A lower unit was metamorphosed from low to medium grade around 2170 Ma by horizontal shearing. This unit is mainly composed of dominantly basic bimodal magmatic rocks, and some trondhjemitic to tonalitic anatectic gneisses, and locally mesozonal mica schists known in Ivory Coast as the ‘Kounoukou formation’ which has been dated as 2183 Ma old. An upper unit, which frequently begins with polygenic conglomerates, also shows important bimodal vulcanism, but in contrast to the lower unit is dominantly silicic. This unit is affected by lower grade conditions of metamorphism and is weakly deformed. These two units correspond to the classic Eburnian I/Eburnian II succession. However, a clearer distinction is possible, with the recognition of two successive orogenic cycles. In the basal part of each of the two units a major episode of tholeiitic magmatism is evidence for separate periods of lithospheric thinning and fracturing. This was followed by the deposition of various lithological sequences, then by one or more tectonometamorphic events. Later uplift led to the emplacement of anorogenic subvolcanic granitic massifs which are displayed occasionally as ring complexes. This suggests that ‘Eburnian I’ is actually an independent orogenic cycle appearing in the West African formations between 2400 and 2150 Ma, for which we propose the name ‘Burkinian cycle’. This cycle has affected the lower magmatic and sedimentary formations, which we designate Dabakalian. This implies a restricted time span for the Eburnian cycle from 2100–2150 to 1800 Ma. The stratigraphic term ‘Birimian’ is applied to the sedimentary and magmatic formations of the upper unit. This scheme proposed for the Lower Proterozoic in West Africa is probably applicable to other Lower Proterozoic terranes in Africa.