The Olavi Mountain Land is a 10 000 km2 mineral province located at the eastern extremity of the exposed Northern Platform of the Damara Pan African orogenic belt. The Olavi Mountain Land is tbe most important mineral province on the Northern Platform. Exploitation of tbe Cu-Pb-Zn-V province has been on-going since the possession of the territory by the German colonial authority in 1890. Production has been mostly from four mines which in order of importance are Tsumeb, Kombat, Berg Aukas and Abeoab. A second mineral province on the Northern Platform located in the west is centred on Sesfontein where as yet only insignificant mineralization has been noted. Besides these localities, the Northern Platform is conspicuously devoid of notable mineralization. The aim of this thesis has been to document tbe Berg Aukas deposit, an important end-member type of mineralization in the Otavi Mountain Land. The basic premise bas been to show tbat the derivation and localization of the mineralization is a consequence of two broad controls which can be simply summarised as features of the basement and of the carbonate sequences. The geodynamic evolution of the Damara Belt commenced with intra-continental rifting approximately 900 Ma ago. Rift grabens trending north-east were filled by the Nosib Group which comprises mostly clastic lithologies but also some volcanics. The earliest and largest rift is referred to as the Northern Rift. Separation of the Congo, Kalahari, and proto-South American cratons resulted in rifting and rapid downwarping so that an encroaching sea and an Olavi Group carbonate shelf developed along the northern margin of the Northern Rift. Significantly, the carbonates only covered the Northern Rift in the area of the Otavi Mountain Land where a basinal dome, referred to as the Grootfontein Basement High, marked the basin edge. In the west, the carbonates covered the less important Sesfonfein Rift, and it is only in these two areas where Nosib sequences underlie the carbonate platform. Carbonate sedimentation was interrupted by a major period of crustal readjustment and the deposition of an extensive mixtite throughout the geosynclinal Swakop Trough and Northern Platform. This is referred to as the Chuos Formation and subdivides the Olavi Group into a lower Abenab and an upper Tsumeb Subgroup. Reversal of spreading led to plate collision and subduction of tbe Kalahari craton beneath the Congo craton. It was accompanied by orogenesis which resulted in F1 folding of the Northern Platform into a series of north-easterly trending intermontane basins into which a molasse sequence known as the Mulden Group was unconformably deposited. Following this major north-south deformation mild east-west compression initiated F2 folding and the formation of doubly plunging synclines. The Berg Aukas Syncline represents a primary depositional basin which was subsequently folded. The original basin was formed by late Nosib rifting wben spreading caused the Swakop geosynclinal Trough to form. Carbonates of the basal Berg Aukas Formation were deposited in a lagoonal setting typified by reef and fore-reef facies witb peri-platform conditions. Rapid subsidence caused these sediments to be overlain by deep water carbonates of the Gauss Formation. Two styles of mineralization known as the Tsumeb-type and Berg Aukas-type are stratigraphically, isotopically, and mineralogically distinct. The Tsumeb-type is a cupriferous variety of discordant bodies confined to the upper sequences beneath the Mulden unconformity. The Berg Aukas-type is a Zn-Pb variety confined to tbe basal unconformity. The Berg Aukas deposit comprises three ore bodies known as the Northern Ore Horizon, the Central Ore Body, and the Hanging Wall Ore Body. Sphalerite and galena constitute the bypogene ore. Willemite, smithsonite, cerussite, and descloizite are important supergene ores. A review of genetic models concludes that a magmatic origin initially proposed for tbe Tsumeb deposit is entirely rejected and a basin dewatering model in line with Mississippi Valley-type deposits is proposed. The syntectonic nature of mineralization at Berg Aukas and elsewhere in the Otavi Mountain Land indicates that orogenesis encouraged dewatering and leaching of metals from a broad mineralizing front along the margin of the Swakop Trough. These were transported by acidic saline brines which migrated along the clastic aquifers and structural conduits provided by the Northern Rift. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that the hydrothermal fluids at Berg Aukas were very saline (23% TDS) and were transported at temperatures ranging between 92° to 210°C. Hydrothermal fluids which mineralized Berg AukaS-type deposits migrated along the basal unconformity towards the basement high and were responsible for hydrothermally altering the basement granites and gabbros and the Nosib clastic rocks. Tsumeb-type deposits resulted by migration of fluids through the carbonate pile and along north-easterly trending basement geofractures. As a consequence of variation in transport, the Berg Aukas-type and Tsumeb-type fluids leached different sources and therefore derived mineralogically and isotopically seperable characteristics. The localization of the Berg Aukas ores was controlled by the carbonate stratigraphy and structure. Hydrothermal karsting and ore deposition took place on the contact between Massive Grey and Light Grey Dolostones which represents a permeability contrast. The movement of the hydrothermal fluids was controlled by north-south trending vertical fractures caused by F2 folding which resulted in a peric1inal structure. Hydrothermal karsting was accompanied by ca1citic, dolomitic and silicic alteration. The heated acidic fluids initiated solution collapse and a variety of breccia types. Supergene processes resulted in oxidation and upgrading of the ore. Vanadium derived indirectly from gabbros in the basement complex were transported as calcium metavanadate complexes and deposited on contact with the oxidizing base metal sulphides.

Gold mineralization is hosted within gossanous quartz-haematite veins in volcano-sedimentary lithologies of the Klein Aub - Rehoboth basin of the Irumide Belt, Namibia. Mineralization and hydrothermal alteration are restricted to deformed lithologies particularly the metasediments. Lithological relationships, geochemistry and metallogenic characteristics of the Irumide Belt suggest an intra-continental rift setting. Copper mineralization is well known along the length of the belt, from Klein Aub in the southwest to Ghanzi in the northeast, whereas gold mineralization appears restricted to the Klein Aub Rehoboth basin. The gold is envisaged as having being leached initially from graben fill sequences during rift closure and basin dewatering. Location of the mineralization is strongly controlled by structure and lithological contact zones. Such zones are percieved as having acted as conduit zones for escaping mineralized fluids during basin closure and deformation. Apart from the lack of an effective mineralizing trap, all features consistent with the development of an ore deposit are present. The largest mineralization traps within the area studied are shear zones followed by lithological contact zones. The Mebi and Blanks gold mines are developed over large shear zones while the Swartmodder and Neuras gold mines are situated over mineralized lithological contacts. The Swartmodder copper mine yielded ore from a mineralized schist enclave within granite. Copper and gold occurrences are attributed to two contrasting styles of mineralization. Copper mineralization is suggested to have developed during initial rifting of the belt (ie. stratabound sedimentary exhalative type), while the gold and minor copper resulted from rift closure and basin dewatering. Although no economical orebody was realized during the course of this study a model is proposed for the development of mineralization within the Irumide basement lithologies as a working hypothesis for future exploration.

Thesis (MSc (Earth Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The NE-trending South Central Zone of the Pan-African (ca. 550-500) Damara orogen in central Namibia exposes deeply eroded mid-crustal rocks, thought to represent the magmatic arc of the Damara orogen. Above average exposure of outcrop left unmodified by subsequent post-orogenic processes made it possible to study the internal architecture of a ca. 50km traverse, stretching from the continental suture-zone (between the Congo craton in the NW and the underplating Kalahari craton in the SE) at the Okahandja Lineament Zone, well into the leading edge of the Congo craton and into the magmatic-arc, the South Central Zone. This study considers and characterises the change in structural styles and strain intensities in rocks of the Damara Supergroup and intrusions, across the traverse between the towns of Otjimbingwe in the SE and Karibib in the NW. In the SE of the traverse in the Okahandja Lineament Zone, steep, upright, tightly folded D2 fabrics in meta-turbidites of the Tinkas and Kuiseb Formations record bulk NW-SE shortening and steep SW extrusion of rocks. Penetrative non-coaxial fabrics imply a high-angle collsion between the Congo and Kalahari cratons. This is in contrast to oblique collision described by a number of previous authors (e.g. Blaine (1977), Stanistreet et al. (1991), Tack & Bowden, 1999). A marked decrease in D2 strain, and the presence of the silisiclastic basal Nosib group suggests the presence of the underlying basement rocks and thus the leading edge of the Congo craton only a few km NW of the Okahandja lineament. 8km NW of the Okahandja lineament is a km-scale NW verging F1 nappe, cored by basement gneisses and refolded into a series of bi-vergent, doubly-plunging F2 folds, the Audawib fold complex. The nappe is interpreted to have formed along a retroshear during early continental collision (syn-D1, early-D2). Tectonically overprinted basement rocks are indicative of thermal weakening, that resulted in the development of thick-skinned tectonics. Intruded mainly to the NW of and around the aforementioned nappe are the areally extensive syn-D2 Salem-type granites. Salem-type granites are shallowly intruded below the nappe and have likely detached the F1 nappe from its root. NW of the Salem-type granites lies a basement window of ca. 15km2 surrounded by the lower formations of the Damara Supergroup. Sheared marbles and D1 (early D2) diorites along the basement contact indicate a shallow sheared detachment occurring just above the basement. Basement rocks (1) unaffected by Damaran (D1-D2) tectonism and (2) unconformably overlain by the Damara Supergroup are indicative of thin skin tectonics in this part of the South Central Zone, some 30km NW of the Okahandja Lineament zone. Intrusive rocks across the South Central Zone suggest that deformation in the NW ceased by 540 Ma, while deformation along the Okahandja Lineament continued until at least 520 Ma. iii Along the Okahandja lineament, high angle continental collision resulted in tight, co-axial folding and lateral extrusion of rocks along the continental backstop. The introduction of numerous late-D2 granites around the Okahandja Lineament Zone (such as the massive Donkerhuk granite) resulted in thermal weakening of the crust, helping to accommodate lateral extrusion. Thermal weakening of the basement allowed the development of thick-skinned tectonics and the formation of the Audwib nappe. In the NW, cooler, more rigid crust deformed very differently to those in the SE, through shallow shearing, thin skinned tectonics. Diachronous timing of the deformation in rocks in the NW and SE of the traverse is due in part to the rheologic difference between cooler rocks in the NW that had locked up to deformation, much earlier than thermally weakened ones in the SE at the plate collision margin, where tectonic stresses where greater. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die NE-strekkende Suid Sentral Sone van die Pan-Afikaanse (ca. 550-500) Damara gordel in sentraal Namibië stel diep gëerodeerde gesteentes van die middelkors blood wat die magmaties boog van die Damara orogeen verteenwoordig. Goeie dagsome, ongemodifiseer deur subsekwente naorogenises prosesse het dit moontlik gemaak om ‘n studie aan te pak van die interne argitektuur van ‘n omenby 50km opname wat strek van die kontinentale skeidings sone (tussen die Congo kraton in die NW en die onderplatende Kalahari kraton in die SE) by die Okahandja Lineament Sone, tot ver oor die die voorste punt van die Congo kraton in die magmatiese-boog, die Suid Sentral Sone. Hierdie studie neem in ag en karakteriseer die verandering in struktuur styl en drukvervormings (strain) intensiteit in klippe van die Damara Supergroep, tussen die dorpies Otjimbingwe in die SE en Karibib in die NW. In die SE van die traverse in die Okahandja lineament zone vind ’n mens styl, regop, styf gevoude D2 maaksels in die Tinkas en Kuiseb Formasies, wat bulk NW-SE verkortende en styl SW ekstrusie van rotse aandui. Deurdringende nie-coaksiale maaksels impliseer n hoë-hoek botsing tussen die Congo en Kalahari kratons. Dit is in teenstryding met skeefhoekige botsing wat voorgestel is deur verskeie vorige outeurs (e.g. Blaine (1977), Stanistreet et al. (1991), Tack & Bowden, 1999). ‘n Vermindering in D2 drukvervorming (strain) en die teenwoordigheid van van die silisiklastiese basale Nosib groep, stel die verteenwoordigehid van die onderliggende vloergesteentes voor en sodoende, dat die voorste punt van die onderliggende Congo kraton net ‘n paar kilomeer NW van die Okahandja Lineament onwikkel is. 8km NW van die Okahandja Lineamnet is daar ‘n km-skaalse NW neigende F1 dekbladvou gekern deur gneis van die vloer gesteentes en hervou is tot ‘n klomp, bi-neigende, iv dubbel duikende F2 plooie in wat vernoem word die Audawib vou kompleks. Die dekbladvou word geinterpriteer om te gevorm het vooraan a retro-verkuiwing, gedurende vreeë kontinentale botsing (syn-D1, vroeë-D2). Oorverskuifde en herververvormde vloer gesteentes is ‘n aanduideing van termale verswakking in die aarkors, wat gelei het tot “thick-skinned” tektoniek. Intrusiewe gesteenste om, en na die NW van die Audawib dekblad vou is die’ weidverspreide Salem-tipe graniet. Syn-D2 Salem-tipe graniete is vlak intrusief to onder die dekblad vou en het waarskynlik die F1 vou van sy wortel sone ontkoppel. NW van die Salem tipe graniete lê ‘n 15km2 groote venster in die vloer gesteentes in omring deur die onderste formasies van die Damara Supergroep. Verskuifde marmer sowel en D1 (vroee-D2) dioriet lae op die vloer gesteente se boonste kontak dui daarop dat hierdie boonste kontak verskeurings losmaakpunt is, ‘n tektoniese kontak. Vloergesteentes (1) ongeaffekteerde deur Damara (D1-D2) tektoniek en (2) onkonformeerbare kontak met oorliggende klippe van die Damara Supergroep is ‘n aanduding van “thin-skinned” tektoniek in die gedeelte van die Suid Sentral Sone 30km NW van die Okahandja Lineament Sone. Intrusiewe gesteentes gee aanduidings dat deformasie in die NW reeds ge-eeindig teen 540 Ma, terwyl vervorming in die Okahandja Lineament Sone nog aktief was tot minstens 520 Ma. Oor die Okahandja Lineament het die hoe-hoekige kontinentale botsing gelei tot stywe ko-aksiale plooing en laterale ekstrusie van gesteentes langs die kontinentale “backstop”. Die intrusie van verskeie laat-D2 grantiete (soos die masiewe Donkerhuk graniet) in die Okahandja lineament sone het gelei tot termale verswaking van die kors wat gehelp het om laterale ekstrusie van klippe te akkomodeer. Termale verswakking van vloer gesteentes het gelei tot die onwikkeling van “thickskinned” tektoniek en die vorming van die Audawib dekblad vou. In die NW, het koeler, stewiger gesteentes anders vervorm as daardies verder suid, deur vlak skeur-verkuiwings, “thin-skinned” tectonics. Nie-samelopende vervorming in gesteentes in die NW en SE van die opname is die gevolg van die rheologiese verskil tuseen die koeler gesteentes in die NW wat vroeer bestand geraak het teen vervorm as warmer gesteentes in die SE teenaan die botsings sone, waar tektoniese druk boonop groter was.

Thesis (MSc (Earth Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Central Zone (CZ) of the Damara belt in central Namibia is underlain by voluminous Pan-African granites and is host to numerous pegmatite occurrences, some of which have economic importance and have been mined extensively. This study discusses the occurrence, geometry, relative timing and emplacement mechanisms for the Usakos pegmatite field, located between the towns of Karibib and Usakos and within the core of the regional-scale Kranzberg syncline. Lithological mapping of the Kuiseb Formation in the core of the Kranzberg syncline identified four litho-units that form an up to 800 m thick succession of metaturbidites describing an overall coarsening upward trend. This coarsening upwards trend suggests sedimentation of the formation’s upper parts may have occurred during crustal convergence and basin closure between the Kalahari and Congo Cratons, rather than during continued spreading as previously thought. The Kranzberg syncline is a regional-scale NW verging, NE-SW trending, strongly non-cylindrical structure that consists of a moderately SE dipping, normal NW limb and a steep- to overturned SE limb. First- and lower-order folds show relatively consistent E - SE plunges at moderate angles and stretching lineations and boudinage of competent layers point to a fold-parallel stretch during folding. Folding is associated with a moderate- to steep SE dipping transecting foliation that shows a consistent anticlockwise rotation with respect to the axial plane of the fold. The transecting cleavage and a component of non-coaxial shear along the overturned limb suggest that folding was accomopanied by a dextral component of shear thought to be related to the SW-directed extrusion of the adjacent Usakos dome during regional NW-SE directed shortening. It is further suggested that the Kranzberg syncline evolved within the overall regional pattern of regional dome and syncline structures in the sCZ, and not as a forced fold in response to the formation of neighbouring dome structures. Based on cross-cutting relationships and deformation, four main generations of bedding-concordant sills and bedding-discordant pegmatite dykes were identified. Along the normal limb, shallowly-dipping sills dominate, highlighting the significance of bedding anisotropies for sheet propagation. Along the overturned limb, interconnected dyke and sill geometries co-exist. Here, pegmatite emplacement appears to have been influenced by (1) the regional strain, (2) differing wall rock rheologies; (3) the orientation of pre-existing anisotropies; and (4) driving melt pressures. Dykes within the Usakos pegmatite field formed within dilational sites, at high angles to the regional stretch, whereas sills formed at high angles to the regional shortening strain and in contractional sites. Where driving pressures for melt ascent were high enough, an interconnectivity of dykes and sills and subsequent melt transfer from contractional into dilational sites is developed. Where melt pressures dropped below a critical value pegmatites were arrested, thus preserving the ascent pathways of the melts. These complex intersecting melt pathways are developed throughout the Kranzberg syncline. This suggests the existence of fairly stable melt networks in the continental crust. This geometrical complexity also accounts for the stockwork-like structures observed in pegmatite fields. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Sentrale Sone (CZ) van die Damara gordel in sentrale Namibië is onder lê deur volumineuse Pan-Afrikaanse graniete en speel gasheer vir talle pegmatiet voorkomste, waarvan party van ekonomiese belang is en is ekstensief ontgin. Hierdie studie bespreek die voorkoms, geometrie, relatiewe tydsberekening en inplasing meganismes vir die Usakos pegmatiet gebied, wat tussen die stede van Karibib en Usakos en wat binne die kern van die regionale-skaal Kranzberg sinklien geleë is. Litologiese kartering van die Kuiseb Formasie in die kern van die Kranzberg sinklien het vier lito-eenhede geidentifiseer. Hierdie eenhede, wat saam tot 'n 800 m dik opeenvolging van metaturbidiete vorm, beskryf ‘n algemene opwaartse vergrowwing neiging. Hierdie tendens dui aan dat sedimentasie van die Formasie se boonste dele tydens die aardkorst konvergensie en kom sluiting tussen die Kalahari en die Kongo kratons voorgekom het, eerder as in 'n oseaanvloerverbreiding omgewing soos voorheen gedink was. Die Kranzberg sinklien is 'n regionale-skaal struktuur met ‘n NW vergensie, ‘n NOSW koersing, wat sterk nie-silindries is en wat uit 'n matige SO helling, normale NW flank en 'n steil-tot omgeslaande SO flank bestaan. Eerste-en laer-orde plooie vertoon relatief konsekwent matige O - SO duikings en strek lineasies en boudinage van kompetent lae dui 'n plooi parallel strek tydens plooiing aan. Plooiing is geassosieer met 'n ongeveer aksiale planêre, matig- tot steil SO helling foliasie wat omstandig waargeneem word om 'n konsekwente antikloksgewyse rotasie met betrekking tot die aksiale vlak van die plooi te hê. Hierdie antikloksgewyse rotasie is ‘n bewyse vir 'n komponent van nie-koaksiale regse skuifskeur deur die omgekeerde flank en dui dit ook aan dat 'n regse komponent van skeer gedurend of na plooiing plaasgevind het. Daar is gedink dat die regse komponent van skeur in verband met die laterale, SW-gerig extrusie van die aangrensende Usakos koepel gedurende plaaslike NW-SO verkorting ontwikkel het. Dit is verder voorgestel dat die Kranzberg sinklien binne die totale patroon van plaaslike koepel en sinklien strukture in die sCZ geontwikkel het, en nie as 'n gedwonge plooi in reaksie op die formasie van die naburige koepel strukture (bv. Usakos koepel). Gebaseer op kruis-sny verhoudings en deformasie, was vier generasies van gelaagdheid-konkordant plate en gelaagdheid-diskordant pegmatiet dyke geïdentifiseer. In die normale flank, vlak-helling plate oorheers, wat die belangerikheid van die laagvlak-anisotropiese op plaat voortplanting beklemtoon. In die steil, omgekeerde flank, bestaan onderlinge verbinde dyk en plaat geometrië gelyktydig. Hier is pegmatiet inplasing blykbaar beïnvloed deur (1) die regionale span; (2) verskillende wandgesteentes reologië; (3) die oriëntasies van anisotropie (ie. gelaagdheid ); en (4) smeltsel druk. Dyke in die Usakos pegmatiet gebied het binne dilatasionele liggings, teen hoë hoeke aan die regionale strek gevorm, terwyl plate teen hoë hoeke aan die plaaslike verkorting span en in kontraksionele liggings gevorm het. Waar smeltsel druk hoog genoeg was, is 'n onderlinge verbinding van dyke en plate, en die daaropvolgende smeltsel oordrag van kontraksionele liggings na dilatasionele liggings behou. In teenstelling, waar smeltsel druk onder 'n kritieke waarde geval het, word die pegmatiete geblokeer, en dus kan die behoude smeltsel styging paaie waargeneem word. Hierdie snyende smeltsel geometrië, in beide kontraksionele en dilatasionele liggings dui aan dat redelik stabiele smeltsel netwerke in die kontinentale kors kan bestaan en verder kan en verklaar die algemene stokwerk-agtige strukture wat in pegmatiet velde van ander mid-korstige omgewings waargeneem word.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, Johannesburg 2014 / Namibia is renowned for its abundant mineral resources, a large proportion of which are hosted in the metasedimentary lithologies of the Damara Belt, the northeast-trending inland branch of the Neoproterozoic Pan-African Damara Orogen. Deposit types include late- to post-tectonic (~ 523 – 506 Ma) LCT (Li-Be, Sn-, and miarolitic gem-tourmalinebearing) pegmatites, and uraniferous pegmatitic sheeted leucogranites (SLGs), which have an NYF affinity. Fluid inclusion studies reveal that although mineralization differs between the different types of pegmatites located at different geographic locations, and by extension, different stratigraphic levels, the fluid inclusion assemblages present in these pegmatites are similar; thus different types of pegmatites are indistinguishable from each other based on their fluid inclusion assemblages. Thorough fluid inclusion petrography indicated that although fluid inclusions are abundant in the pegmatites, no primary fluid inclusions could be identified, and rather those studied are pseudosecondary and secondary. Fluid inclusions are aqueo-carbonic (± NaCl), carbonic, and aqueous. It is proposed that all of the pegmatites studied share a similar late-stage evolution, with fluids becoming less carbonic and less saline with the progression of crystallisation. Oxygen isotope ratios allow the discrimination of different pegmatites into two groups, Group A (Sn-, Li-Sn-, and gem-tourmaline-bearing LCT pegmatites), and Group B (Li-Bebearing LCT, and U-bearing NYF pegmatites). Group A pegmatites have O-isotope ratios ranging from 11 to 13 ‰ suggesting that they have an I-type affinity. These values are, however, elevated above those of typical I-type granites (7 - 9 ‰), indicating either a postemplacement low-temperature exchange with meteoric fluid, high-temperature hydrothermal exchange with δ18O country rocks during emplacement, or the derivation of these pegmatites from a non-pelitic/S-type metaigneous source. Group B pegmatites have higher δ18O ratios (δ18O = 15 - 16 ‰), indicative of their S-type affinity, and their derivation from metapelitic source rocks. δD values of all the pegmatites range from -40 ‰ to -90 ‰ indicating that the pegmatitic fluids are primary magmatic with a metamorphic fluid component. Trends in the trace element concentrations of both Group A and Group B pegmatites are very similar to each other, making the two groups indistinguishable from each other on this basis. The Damaran pegmatites also share similar geochemical trends with their country rocks. There is, however, no direct field evidence to suggest that the pegmatites were derived from the in situ anatexis of the country rocks. It is more likely that anatexis occurred some distance away from where the pegmatites were ultimately emplaced, and that the melts migrated and were finally emplaced in pre-existing structures, possibly formed during Damaran deformation. O-isotope and Ti-in-quartz geothermometry indicate that Damaran pegmatites can be subdivided into two groups based on their crystallisation temperatures. LCT pegmatites crystallised at temperatures ranging from ~ 450 - 550 ºC, while the NYF pegmatites crystallised at higher temperatures, ranging from 630 - 670 ºC. It is important to note that the subdivision of pegmatites in Groups A and B based on their O-isotope systematics does not correspond with their subdivision into the LCT and NYF pegmatite families according to their crystallisation temperatures. In addition to clarifying aspects of the emplacement and evolution of the Damaran pegmatites, this study points out that there are several discrepancies in the current classification schemes of pegmatites. It shows that in addition to the problems encountered when trying to distinguish between LCT and NYF pegmatites based on their mineralogy, they also cannot truly be distinguished from each other using their geochemical and isotopic characteristics, or their tectonic settings. It is tentatively proposed that crystallisation temperature be considered as an alternative or additional characteristic in the classification of pegmatites, and that it be considered on a regional scale rather than only in the evaluation of the highly evolved end-members of a pegmatite swarm.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Science, 1987

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of Witwatersrand in the fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. Johannesburg, 2015. / Northwest Botswana holds a key position for the correlation of the Pan-African mobile belts of southern Africa (i.e. the Damara-Zambezi-Lufilian Orogeny). Phanerozoic cover (Kalahari Group) precludes direct correlation between Proterozoic lithologies of the Damara Belt and thick metasedimentary sequences of northwest Botswana. A combination of new geological and geophysical field observations, interpretation of 50 m resolution aeromagnetic data, and 2.2 km resolution gravity data of Namibia and Botswana, have led to the development of a new sub- Kalahari geological map of the Damara Belt and northwest Botswana. The interpretation of potential field and magnetotelluric (MT) data complemented with both new and published geological data, has improved the identification of the northern and southern margins of the Damara Belt and northwest Botswana, and tectonostratigraphic zones within them. In addition, these correlations have established that the northern margin of the Kalahari Craton on geological maps extends further north than previously noted. The northeast trending Damara Belt is confidently traced into northwest Botswana (Ngamiland) to ~19.5°S, 22.0°E. At this location, in map view, aeromagnetically interpreted structures follow a radial distribution from northwest-striking in the west to northeast-striking in the east. The lithostratigraphic units to the north of this location cannot be confidently correlated with lithostratigraphic units of the Damara Belt. Instead, these units are better correlated with lithostratigraphic units in southern Angola and/or Zambia. The southeastern margin of the Damara Belt is in tectonic contact with the northern margin of the Ghanzi-Chobe Belt as identified in the aeromagnetic images. The Ghanzi-Chobe Belt is correlated with the Sinclair Supergroup in the Rehoboth Subprovince in Namibia. The basal Kgwebe volcanics are correlated with the Oorlogsende Porphyry Member and Langberg Formation and the unconformably overlying metasediments of the Ghanzi Group are correlated with the metasediments of the Tsumis Group. The correlations are based on similar aeromagnetic signatures, lithologies, mineralisation and age dates constrained by carbon isotope chemostratigraphy. Physical property measurements were collected on Meso- to Neoproterozoic lithologies of the Damara Belt, northwest Botswana and Zambia. The measurements included hand held magnetic susceptibility measurements on 303 samples and density measurements on 174 samples. The measurements provide one of the largest physical property databases for Namibia, Botswana and Zambia. In general, the sedimentary units have the lowest magnetic susceptibility values of ~0.207 x 10-3 SI units, respectively. The exceptions are the iron formation and diamictite of the Chuos Formation and conglomerate of the Naauwpoort Formation of 15.2 x 10-3 SI units. The iron iii formation ranges in magnetic susceptibility from 3.34 x 10-3 SI units to 92.0 x 10-3 SI units and the diamictite has a magnetic susceptibility of 7.68 x 10-3 SI units. The igneous lithologies have a density and magnetic susceptibility range from 2.58 g.cm-3 to 3.26 g.cm-3 and 0.001 x 10-3 SI units to 11.6 x 10-3 SI units, respectively. The lower values are associated with pegmatites and rhyolites and the higher values are associated with mafic lithologies and magnetite bearing granites (Omangambo, Salem, Sorris-Sorris and Red Granites). The metamorphic lithologies have the widest range of density and magnetic susceptibility values, between 2.61 g.cm-3 and 3.37 g.cm-3, and -0.299 x 10-3 SI units and 49.5 x 10-3 SI units, respectively. The lower values are associated with low grade metamorphic facies of sedimentary origin, and the higher values are associated with high-grade metamorphic facies of an igneous origin. The first upper crustal-scale interpretation of the Southern African MagnetoTelluric EXperiment (SAMTEX) was developed. The results were derived from 1D Occam inversion models, at depth intervals of 1 – 5 km, 1 – 15 km and 1 – 35 km. The MT data were acquired across the semiparallel, north-south striking DMB, NEN and OKA-CAM profiles in the vicinity of the Namibia – Botswana border between 2006 and 2009. Beneath the MT profiles are two zones of enhanced conductivity, a northern and southern zone. The enhanced conductivity of the northern zone (> 100 Ωm) is associated with individual geological bodies. The southern zone forms an elongated belt of enhanced conductivity (> 300 Ωm) at a depth of less than 5 km. This zone of enhanced conductivity is associated with Proterozoic plate boundaries and subduction zones. Three ~350 km long, north-south trending magnetic profiles were 2D forward modelled to investigate the proposed northward subduction of oceanic crust and subsequently a portion of the Kalahari Plate beneath the Congo Craton. Additionally, the folding pattern of the Ghanzi- Chobe Belt was developed. The interpretation of the magnetic models suggests a northward subduction is a possible cause for the evolution of the Damara Orogen with the regionally eastwest striking negative aeromagnetic anomaly, in northern Namibia, being caused by a thick package (~12 km to 20 km) of metasediments with a modelled magnetic susceptibility of 0. 829 x 10-3 SI units. The Damara Orogen has passed through the subduction-collisional transition but did not evolve into a large-hot orogen. Evidence suggests that the Damara Orogen has gone through the transition of subduction of oceanic crust to terrane accretion (speculated to be represented by the Deep-Level Southern Zone and Chihabadum Complex) and continental collision. However, the doubly vergent wedges did not evolve into an orogenic plateau completing the transition from a small-cold orogen to a large-hot orogen. This is similarly observed in the Alps Orogeny.

A large portion of South west Africa/Namibia is underlain by 2 great orogens. They are the Irumide (Sinclair/Rehoboth) and Damara Orogenies. The L-shaped Irumide Province forms part of a belt which extends over the subcontinent from Namaqualand to as far as Zambia. The volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Irumide are believed to have formed in intracratonic rifts and pull-apart basins during the period 1400 to 900 Ma. The evolution of the NW trending Sinclair Group proceeded by means of 3 major cycles each beginning with the emplacement of basic to intermediate magmas followed by felsic ones. The cycle ended off with subsidence, deposition of immature clastic debris and final tilting of the volcano-clastic sequence. It was suggested that the extensive calc-alkaline lavas present, developed within a magmatic arc above a subduction zone, but this proposal has not been generally accepted. The NE trending Klein Aub-Witvlei Basins consist essentially of red bed alluvial fans and lacustrine sediments with minor volcanics near the base. The red beds and aeolian sediments were deposited in an arid climatic condition. The regional greenschist facies metamorphism and deformation is attributed to a major tectono-thermal event at 1100 Ma. The Damara Orogen (900 - 550 Ma) forms part of the Pan-African mobile belt system of global proportions. The NE trending intracontinental branch (aulacogen) and 2 coastal branches constitute a triple junction with its focal point near Swakopmund. The NE extension of the intracontinental belt has been linked with the Lufilian Arc hosting the renown Zambian Copper Belt deposits. In South West Africa/Namibia this belt hosts many different mineral occurrences which can be grouped into rift and collision related deposits. The tectonic history of the Damara Orogen supports a geodynamic-evolution-with-time hypothesis and represents a transitional phase in which limited Wilson Cycle Tectonics was active. The Theory of Mantle Advection is invoked to explain rifting, thinning and subsidence. Extensive ensialic rifting resulted in a relatively stable Northern Carbonate Platform and several deep troughs hosting turbiditic sequences. Crustal rupture in the Khomas Trough allowed for the emplacement of ocean floor tholeiites known as the Matchless Amphibolite Belt. Subsequent ocean closure and collision resulted in deformation, metamorphism and generation of predominantly S-type granites. The southern continental plate was partially overridden by the northern plate during final collision at 550 Ma. These low angle thrust faults allowed for the emplacement of the Naukluft Nappe Complex on top of younger Nama sediments. The break up of Gondwanaland during the Mesozoic with the splitting of the Atlantic Ocean was responsible for the intrusion of anorogenic alkaline ring complexes along the extension of the NE trending transform faults within the intracontinental branch of the Damara Orogen. A close relationship between the tectonic setting and mineral deposits has been recognized in both the Irumide and Damara Orogenies. In the Irumide, stratiform syngenetic copper deposits are hosted by alluvial fan, playa and lacustrine sediments. The uninterrupted sedimentation from the Irumide to Damara Orogen resulted in similar stratiform copper deposits during the early stages of rifting. In the Damara Orogen the rifting (extensional) phase is characterized by 4 main mineralizing systems: diagenetic/syngenetic (Kupferschiefer-type), epigenetic/hydrothermal Cu-Pb-Zn (Mississippi Valley-type), volcanogenic cupriferous pyrite (Besshi-type) and volcano-exhalative Pb-Zn (Red Sea-type). The collision (compressional) phase was accompanied by 4 main mineralizing processes: epigenetic/hydrothermal Cu-Pb-Zn, hydrotheral/metasomatic Sn-W-rare earth, metamorphogenic Au and U-bearing anatectic melts. The key to the selection of viable exploration targets lies in the understanding of the field evidence and the geodynamics modelling to explain the evolution of the orogen and its associated mineral deposits.

The Elisenheim area is situated just north of Windhoek within the Windhoek Formation of the Swakop Subgroup and is underlain by monotonous succession of semi-pelitic schists with intercalations of amphibolite, talc schist, graphitic schist and marble. Petrographic studies on units of the Matchless amphibolite which outcrop in the south of the property, have resulted in the recognition of three different types of amphibolite, namely, epidote amphibolite, porphyroblastic amphibolite and chlorite-amphibole schist. Amphibole porphyroblasts generally display patchy and zonal intergrowths of hornblende and actinolite which are indicative of non-equilibration during prograde metamorphism. Talc schists have been mapped in the north of the property. All lithotypes have undergone three phases of deformation (Fl, FZ, F3) which terminated with the faulting which underlies the Klein Windhoek, Dobra, Tigenschlücht and Kuruma rivers. Medium grade regional metamorphism accompanied F 1, F Z and F 3 and outlasted the latter. Mineral assemblages throughout the area are those of the amphibolite facies and P, T conditions prevailing during metamorphism are estimated to have been at least 5 kb at ~ 550° C. Petrochemical evidence indicates that the Matchless amphibolites are igneous in origin and genetically related to the ultrabasic talc schists. They are similar in composition to oceanic tholeiites and are thought to have been extruded subaqueously.

D.Phil. / The amalgamation of SW Gondwana after the break-up of Rodinia supercontinent during the Neoproterozoic-early Palaeozic was one of the most active tectonic periods of the earth history and its geological evolution remains controversial. Recently, diverse hypotheses such as mantle plume activity, orthogonal continent-continent and strike-slip collisions according to different models try to explain the complex evolution of the Pan-African Brasiliano orogens and the associated sedimentary basins. In order to get insight of the SW Gondwana reconstruction, provenance analyses were performed on two Neoproterozoic-early Palaeozic sedimentary units: (1) the Arroyo del Soldado Group representing a —5000 meter thick platform succession unconformably overlying the mainly Archaean to Neoproterozoic rocks of the Rio de la Plata Craton in Uruguay and, (2) the Nama Group, a —2000 meter thick shallow marine to fluvial deposit interpreted as a foreland basin in response to tectonism in the adjacent northern Damara and western Gariep Orogenic Belts and unconformably overlying the mainly Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Kalahari Craton in Namibia. Several techniques including petrography, heavy mineral analysis, geochemistry, Sm-Nd isotope analysis and zircon dating were applied to both sedimentary basins. The petrographic, heavy mineral analyses and geochemical results from the Nama Group indicate a recycled upper crust composition characterized by metamorphic and granitic sources and minor mafic rocks. Palaeocurrent analyses of the chromian spinet bearing sandstones of the Nama Basin point to a volcanic island arc source located in the Damara Belt. Detrital zircon dating of the Nama Group display major peaks of Neoproterozoic and Mesoproterozoic ages suggesting a provenance from the Damara/Gariep Belts and their basements. Palaeocurrents from the west and the dominance of Neoproterozoic-Cambrian detrital zircon ages (76%) in the "Molasse" stage of the foreland evolution probably indicate exhumation of the felsic volcanic arc root which probably occurred after the time indicated by the younger zircon dated at 531 ±9 Ma. The petrographic and geochemical results from the Arroyo del Soldado Group indicate a recycled upper crust composition characterized by source diversity composed of granite-gneissic and mafic-metamorphic rocks. On average, Nd isotopes account for negative ENd values and TDM ages in a range of variation found elsewhere within SW Gondwana. Detrital zircon dating indicate sources dominated by Palaeoproterozoic (1.7-2.0-2.2 Ga) and subordinate Archaean ages (2.5-2.9-3.5 Ga). The scarcity of Mesoproterozoic and Neoproterozoic zircons and palaeocurrent directions towards the east indicate that the Arroyo del Soldado Group was fed by detritus from the Rio de la Plata Craton favouring a passive margin tectonic setting for their deposition. Deformation of the Arroyo del Soldado Group took place ca. 530 Ma, after strike-slip collision with an African affinity terrane. Finally, based on the palaeogeographic evaluation, the provenance of Nama foreland basin and the passive margin deposit of the Arroyo del Soldado basin suggest that continent-continent collision of the Kalahari/Congo Cratons with the Rio de la Plata Craton and the Cuchilla Dionisio Pelotas Terrane most likely occurred due to strike slip accretion related to a component of N—S shortening in the period between 530 and 495 Ma.