Située dans la partie occidentale de la République Centrafricaine, la zone d’étude (Fig.1 et 18), correspond à trois domaines géotectoniques : le domaine NW et SE, le domaine central et le domaine méridional. Le domaine NW et SE ou la nappe panafricaine des Gbayas (640 Ma), est caractérisé par une succession d’activités magmatiques et de granulites. Le mouvement tectonique affectant ce domaine est principalement latéral ( vers le S et SW). Le domaine central, constitué d’un socle éburnéen (2400-2200 Ma) et de sa couverture paléoprotérozoïque métasédimentaire à métavolcanite (1800 Ma environs), est dominé par des mouvements verticaux.Le dernier domaine comporte, une triade de roches (métatillite, cipolin, métasilexite) néoprotérozoïques, associées au dépôts du bassin de Bangui, est coiffée par une formation sédimentaire. S’agirait-il de deux domaines paléogéographiques (central et méridional) juxtaposés ? La lithologie et la lithostratigraphie de ces deux précédentes zones posent toujours des problèmes d’âges.). Les métatillites situés à la partie basale des dépôts du bassin de Bangui (domaine méridional), nous ont poussé à vérifier les traces de l’événement mondial qui est la glaciation néoprotérozoïque, en réalisant des analyses géochimiques au ∂18O et ∂13C. Ces trois domaines portent les empreintes de quatre à trois phases de déformation panafricaine. Des fortes valeurs d’aimentation (≤ 5 A/m ) mesurées sur certaines roches issues de cette zone pourraient être associées à la grande anomalie magnétique observée mondialement (satellitaire et au sol ) en République Centrafrique. / Located in the western part of the Central African Republic, the study area (Fig. 1 and 18), corresponding to three geotectonic areas: NW and SE area, central area and the southern area. The NW and SE domain or Pan Gbayas of water (640 Ma) is characterized by a succession of magmatic activity and granulites. The tectonic movement affecting this area is mainly lateral (to the S and SW). The central domain consists of a Eburnean basement (2400-2200 Ma) and its Paleoproterozoic metasedimentary to metavolcanic coverage (around 1800 Ma) is dominated by vertical movements.The latter area includes a triad of rocks (métatillite, cipolin, métasilexite) Neoproterozoic, associated with basin deposits Bangui, is capped by a Stack. Would it two paleogeographic domains (central and southern) side by side? Lithology and lithostratigraphy of the two previous areas still pose problems for ages.). The métatillites located at the basal part of Bangui Basin (southern area) deposits, we drove to check the traces of the global event that is Neoproterozoic glaciation, conducting geochemical analyzes ∂ 18O and ∂ 13C. These three areas are the fingerprints of four three-phase deformation of Pan. Strong values of magnetization (≤ 5 A / m) measured on some rocks from this area may be associated with high magnetic anomaly observed worldwide (satellite and ground) in the Central African Republic.

[Truncated abstract] The realization in 1999 that the authigenic phosphate, xenotime, could be used in geochronological studies to place age constraints on burial events that affected sedimentary basins has opened numerous opportunities for establishing timeframes for sedimentary basin analysis. Since then, the mineral has been used to place new and novel age constraints on diagenesis, metamorphism, and hydrothermal alteration and mineralization events. Whilst these studies were successful, they identified many complexities in xenotime growth and were restricted to specific areas or single basins: they do not convey, demonstrate or explore the immense variety of geological applications in which xenotime may provide unique geochronological constraints. This thesis explores the nature of authigenic xenotime, utilizing studies in three different Proterozoic sedimentary basins: two in Australia, southwestern Australia and the Northern Territory, and the third in the United States of America. The thesis includes a number of discrete studies demonstrating different aspects of xenotime growth, elucidated from detailed petrography, geochronology and geochemistry of authigenic xenotime. An integrated textural, geochemical and geochronological study of authigenic xenotime from the Mt Barren Group, SW Australia, establishes an absolute timescale on some of the many processes involved during the diagenesis of siliciclastic units. ... positions and trends and broadly confirm the chemical discrimination criteria established for an Archaean basin. However, the Proterozoic data are shifted to lower Gd-Dy values and extend beyond the original field outlines, causing more overlap between fields intended to discriminate xenotimes of different origin. The plots were revised to encompass the new data. This study has significantly extended our knowledge of the nature of authigenic xenotime. It was found that xenotime may form in (meta)sediments in response to a large number of post-depositional processes, including early- and latediagenesis, (multiple) basinal hydrothermal events and low-grade metamorphism. A combination of detailed petrography and in situ geochronology provides the best avenue to decipher complex growth histories in xenotime. With further development, it is likely that xenotime geochemistry will also prove diagnostic of origin and can be incorporated into the interpretation of age data. The number of potential applications for xenotime geochronology has been expanded by this study.

La formation des gisements métallogéniques en général et uranifères en particulier, dans les bassins paléoprotérozoïques, dépend de la migration des fluides riches en divers éléments (U, Cu, Fe, etc.). L’objet de cette thèse a été de définir le contexte tectonique, sédimentologique et diagénétique associées aux gisements bitume--‐uranium du bassin de Franceville. L’étude tectonique réalisée met en évidence des failles de transfert N180--‐170, héritées de la tectonique archéenne et des failles normales longitudinales N110--‐120. Ces deux familles de failles compartimentent le bassin de Franceville en plusieurs sous--‐bassins de subsidence variable. Les failles longitudinales N110--‐120° contrôlent la mise en place d’anticlinaux de mur et des synclinaux de toit synsédimentaires (i.e. discordances progressives). Les gisements d’uranium du bassin de Franceville, se localisent au niveau des anticlinaux de mur des failles normales. L’étude sédimentologique du bassin caractérise la distribution spatiale des paléoenvironnements de dépôt. Quatre grands environnements de dépôts sont respectivement mis en évidence : fluviatile (formation FA inferieur), deltaïque (formation FA moyen), tidal (formation FA Supérieur) et marin profond (formation FB). La distribution des facies sédimentaires à la transition FA--‐FB est responsable de la mise en place de barrières de perméabilité. Les barrières de perméabilité sont responsables de l’augmentation de la pression fluide, qui favorise la mise en place des structures de surpression fluide (dykes, stylolites, veines de quartz), au voisinage des anticlinaux de mur contrôlés par les failles normales. Les différences de pression dans le bassin favorisent la migration des fluides uranifères et des hydrocarbures, des zones profondes du bassin vers les anticlinaux de mur. Les structures de fracturation hydraulique vont contrôler la mise en place des bitumes et des minéralisations d’uranium associées. / Metallogenic deposits within paleproterozoic basins depend on generation and migration of fluids. The aim of this study is to provide a better understanding of tectonic, sedimentological and diagenetic setting of the uranium deposits in the Franceville basin and to characterize hydraulic fracturing impact on fluid migration processes in sandstone reservoirs.Tectonic study define the N180-170° transfer faults, associated with Archean tectonic and the N110-120° longitudinal normal faults. These two fault directions split the Franceville basin into small sub-basins. The longitudinal normal faults are associated with footwall anticlines and hanging wall synclines. The uranium deposits of Franceville basin are located in footwall anticlines of longitudinal normal faults.Sedimentological analysis allows to describe four depositional environments: Fluvial (lower FA), deltaic (middle FA), tidal (upper FA), and open marine environments (FB). Facies distribution in the FA-FB transition promotes the establishment of permeability barriers. These latter are responsible of the increase in fluid pressure and of the formation of fluid pressure structures (dykes, stylolites, quartz veins), in footwall anticlines of longitudinal normal faults. Increase in fluid pressure allows the migration of uranium-fluids, and hydrocarbon from the deep basin to the footwall anticline. Hydraulic fracturing processes lead the precipitation of uranium mineralization, associated with bitumen, in microfractures.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-22T21:58:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristovao da Silva Valerio.pdf: 2741646 bytes, checksum: 5327b16a1cfaa6bbb8b1b48cad050ee1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-04-18 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work presents the geological arrangement of an area of ~560km2, located at the southwestern this district, where aerial disposition, contact relationships, petrographic and geochemistry variations and the Pb-Pb zircon geochronology are characterized, allowing to comment about the possible sources and ages of those rocks, beyond to propose a geodynamic model for northern Ventuari-Tapajós Province. This study was developed in three stages: (1) bibliographical revision and interpretation of the remote sensing products LANDSAT 5/TM, JERS, DTM, and SAR/SIPAM; (2) geological mapping and sampling; and (3) preparation of the samples for petrographic analyses, whole-rock geochemistry, and Pb- Pb zircon geochronology. The studied area is represented from monzogranites to diorites of the Água Branca Intrusive Suite, vulcanites of the Iricoumé Group, alkali-granites of the Mapuera Intrusive Suite, biotite granite (rapakivi) of the São Gabriel batholite and Neoproterozoic sediments of the Prosperança Formation. Assemble that geological setting, the Canoas Anorthosite, mafic and felsic dikes, beyond cenozoic laterithic coverings. The geochemistry and Pb-Pb zircon geochronology evaluation individualized two rock groups formed in different magmatic events delimited by ca. 1.89 B.y. ago, in which were generated high-K calc-alkaline biotite (hornblende) granites of the Água Branca Intrusive Suite (1898±3, 1895±3 e 1890±2Ma) and post-collisional to within-plate rhyolites, andesites, ignimbrites, K-feldspar granites and rapakivi biotite granites grouped, respectively, in the Iricoumé Group (1883±4Ma), Mapuera Intrusive Suite and São Gabriel batholite (1889±2Ma). I-type Água Branca granitoids revealed weakly peraluminous to metaluminous characteristics, high content in Ba, Sr and Rb/Zr, from LREE to HREE moderately fractionated, sin-collisional tectonic setting. The value of 1936±6Ma was considered as the contamination age from host-rock zircon crystals and 2002±14Ma age, in single-zircon crystal, was interpreted as inherited Pb-component originating from the late-transamazonian source. Post-collisional to within-plate studied rocks demonstrated weakly peraluminous, sub-alkaline, high- to ultra-K characteristics, high levels of Nb, Rb, Ta, Zr, Y e K/Rb and LREE weakly to moderately fractionated in relation to HREE. Different magmatic series and intracratonic reactivation suggest a tectonic model for the northern Ventuari-Tapajós Province is subduction-related paleoplate oceanic in the Amazonian proto-craton. This model brings about the collage and construction final processes of the Ventuari-Tapajós Province. After, processes of continental crust relaxation, post-collisional uplift and associated-caldroncollapse regional tension has occurred (i.e. vulcanites and granitoids of the Iricoumé-São Gabriel magmatism, and Mapuera ultra-K granitegenesis). The granitoids and vulcanites of the study area are compared in this work to the Tapajós Gold Province rocks, in the southern of the Ventuari-Tapajós Province, based on geochemistry and Pb-Pb zircon geochronology data. Therefore, Água Branca, Iricoumé and Mapuera units are correlated respectively to Parauari Intrusive Suite, Moraes Almeida Formation (Iriri Group) and Maloquinha Intrusive Suite. / Este trabalho apresenta o arranjo geológico de uma área de cerca de 560km2, localizada na porção sudoeste deste município, onde são caracterizadas a disposição areal, relações de contato, variações petrográficas e geoquímicas e a geocronologia Pb-Pb dos principais litotipos identificados nessa região, permitindo assim arquitetar comentários sobre as possíveis fontes e idades dessas rochas e propor um modelo geodinâmico para a porção norte da Província Ventuari-Tapajós. Os métodos de trabalho foram divididos em três etapas: (1) revisão bibliográfica e interpretação dos produtos de sensores remotos LANDSAT 5/TM, JERS, MDT e SAR/SIPAM; (2) mapeamento geológico e coleta de amostras; e (3) preparação das amostras para análises petrográficas, geoquímicas em rocha total e a geocronologia Pb-Pb em zircão. A área estudada é representada por monzogranitos a dioritos da Suíte intrusiva Água Branca, vulcanitos do Grupo Iricoumé, álcali-granitos da Suíte Intrusiva Mapuera, biotita granito do batólito São Gabriel e sedimentos proterozóicos da Formação Prosperança. Completam esse quadro, o Anortosito Canoas , diques máficos e félsicos, além de coberturas lateríticas do Cenozóico. As avaliações petrográficas, geoquímicas e a geocronologia Pb-Pb em zircão permitiram individualizar dois grupos de rochas formados em diferentes eventos magmáticos delimitados há ~1,89Ga. O primeiro grupo, constituído por rochas da Suíte intrusiva Água Branca, exibe características metaluminosa à fracamente peraluminosa, subalcalina (calcialcalina), tipo-I de médio a alto-K, conteúdos comparativamente altos em Ba, Sr e Rb/Zr e moderado a forte fracionamento dos ETR leves em relação aos ETR pesados. As idades Pb-Pb de 1898±3, 1895±3 e 1890±2Ma foram interpretadas como idades de cristalização, enquanto, que o valor médio de 1936±6Ma foi considerado como a idade de cristais de zircão da rocha encaixante e a idade 2002±14Ma, interpretada como idade de cristalização de um único cristal de zircão oriundo de uma rocha fonte tardi-transamazônica. As rochas pós-colisionais a intraplaca do Grupo Iricoumé, Suíte Intrusiva Mapuera e do batólito São Gabriel revelam características fracamente peraluminosa, subalcalina à alcalina, tipo-A de alto-K à ultra-K, mostram um enriquecimento em K, Nb, Rb, Ta, Zr, Y e K/Rb e moderado a fraco fracionamento dos ETR leves em relação aos ETR pesados. A idade de 1883±4Ma do Grupo Iricoumé foi caracterizada como a idade de cristalização, enquanto, a idade de 1889±2Ma do batólito São Gabriel foi interpretada como a idade de mínima de cristalização. As distintas séries magmáticas, acompanhadas de processos de reativação intracratônicos, sugerem que o modelo tectônico da borda norte da bacia do Amazonas, Província Ventuari-Tapajós, está relacionado à subducção da paleoplaca oceânica sob à Província Amazônia Central (Tassinari & Macambira 2004), envolvendo os processos finais de colagem e construção da Província Ventuari-Tapajós, associados ao magmatismo Água Branca, seguido do relaxamento da crosta continental, soerguimento pós-colisional e tensão regional com componente transtensional que resultou no vulcanismo Iricoumé, alojamento do batólito São Gabriel e na granitogênese ultra-K Mapuera. As unidades Água Branca, Iricoumé e Mapuera podem ser correlacionadas, respectivamente, à Suíte Intrusiva Parauari, Formação Moraes Almeida (Grupo Iriri) e à Suíte Intrusiva Maloquinha. Apesar da pequena extensão areal, a área estudada mostra interessante diversidade petrográfica e geoquímica, por se tratar de uma zona de amalgamento crustal convergente e pela relativa similaridade com a Província Aurífera Tapajós.

L'étude du fonctionnement et de la structure des grandes zones de cisaillement, ainsi que de leur évolution dans l'espace et dans le temps est primordiale car elles accommodent la majeure partie de la déformation dans la croûte intermédiaire, la croûte inférieure et également dans le manteau supérieur. La zone de cisaillement du Mertz (MSZ ; longitude 145°Est, Antarctique) s’est révélée être un objet clé pour étudier la localisation de la déformation. La MSZ se situe sur la bordure Est du craton néoarchéen-paléoprotérozoïque de Terre Adélie (TAC) et le sépare d'un domaine granitique Paléozoïque à l'Est. Les études précédentes suggèrent que cette structure décrochante représente la continuité de la zone de cisaillement de Kalinjala (KSZ, Sud de l'Australie) avant l'ouverture de l'océan Austral. Les roches à l'affleurement indiquent que cette structure a été formée dans la croûte intermédiaire en contexte transpressif dextre à 1.7 Ga. La structure de la MSZ a été étudiée depuis l'échelle du terrain jusqu'à l'échelle du micromètre. L'analyse des structures de terrain indique que la déformation paléoprotérozoïque est principalement accommodée par des zones de cisaillement localisées qui sont extrêmement anastomosées au niveau de la MSZ et qui deviennent plus éparses au sein du TAC. Les microstructures et les orientations préférentielles de réseau (OPR) des minéraux (quartz, feldspaths, biotite, amphibole et orthopyroxène) de la MSZ montrent des caractéristiques communes interprétables en terme de conditions, de cinématique et de régime de la déformation qui se distinguent de celles observées dans les boudins tectonique du TAC. Ces derniers montrent, quant à eux, des microstructures et OPR qui révèlent une variété de mécanismes de déformation développés lors de leur formation à 2.5 Ga.L'étude sismologique (fonctions récepteurs et anisotropie des ondes SKS) permet d'apporter de nouvelles données pour la cartographie des structures profondes de la MSZ, du TAC et du domine paléozoïque. Les résultats des fonctions récepteurs indiquent que la croûte est épaisse d'environ 40 à 44 km sous le TAC, 36 km à l'aplomb de la MSZ et 28 km dans le domaine paléozoïque à l'Est. L'analyse de l'anisotropie des ondes SKS suggère que la structuration du manteau sous le craton (ϕ≈N90°E, δt=0,8-1,6s) est différente de celle sous le domaine paléozoïque (ϕ≈N60°E, δt=0,6s). Ainsi, la MSZ constitue la frontière entre ces deux lithosphères ayant des épaisseurs crustales et une structuration du manteau différentes. Enfin, l'étude géochronologique (U-Pb sur zircons et monazites) révèle que le socle du domaine à l'Est de la MSZ présente des âges et une histoire géodynamique différents du TAC. Les âges hérités archéens et paléoprotérozoïques sont similaires à ceux des terrains situés à l'Est de la KSZ au Sud de l'Australie, confirmant ainsi la connexion entre les zones de cisaillement du Mertz et de Kalinjala. De plus, les âges paléozoïques des zircons hérités et métamorphiques et la position géographique des affleurements à l'ouest de la chaîne Transantarctique suggèrent que les échantillons étudiés sont issus d'une marge passive anté-Gondwana formée au sein d'un bassin arrière arc ouvert dans la croûte continentale juste avant la collision de Ross à ≈514-505 Ma.Ainsi, cette étude permet de préciser l'évolution géodynamique à l'Est de la MSZ, et d'apporter de nouveaux éléments pour la connexion avec les terrains du Sud de l'Australie. Par ailleurs, cette thèse souligne l'importance de l'héritage tectonique dans le développement des zones de cisaillement avec, dans le cas de la MSZ, la présence de structures héritées archéennes, ainsi que des processus de localisation de la déformation au sein des lithosphères cratoniques au moins depuis le Paléoprotérozoïque / The study of the behavior and the structure of large shear zones, as well as their evolution in space and times is essential because shear zones accommodate the main deformation in intermediate and deep crust as well as in the mantle.The Mertz shear zone (MSZ; longitude 145°East, Antarctica) is a key target for the study of the deformation localization. The MSZ is located on the eastern boundary of the Neoarchean to Paleoproterozoic Terre Adélie craton (TAC) and it separates the TAC from a Paleozoic granitic domain to the east. Previous studies suggest that this strike slip structure was probably continuous with the Kalinjala shear zone (KSZ, South Australia) before the opening of the Southern Ocean. Outcrops indicate that the MSZ was formed in the intermediate crust during a transpressive event at 1.7 Ga. The structure of the MSZ was studied from terrain to micrometric scales. The field structural study shows that the Paleoproterozoic deformation is mainly accommodated by localized shear zones that are extremely anastomosed at the MSZ and become more scattered elsewhere in the TAC. Microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of minerals (quartz, feldspaths, biotite, amphibole and orthopyroxene) of the MSZ indicate similar characteristics that can be interpreted in terms of conditions, cinematic and rate of deformation, which are distinct from those of the the tectonic boudins from the TAC. These tectonic boudins reveal microstructures and CPO including a large variety of mechanisms of deformation developed during their formation at 2.5 Ga. The seismological study (receiver functions and SKS-waves anisotropy) permits the characterization of the deep structure on the MSZ area. Receiver functions results show that crustal thickness is about 40 to 44km in the TAC, 36km above the MSZ and 28km in the Paleozoic domain to the east. Analysis of SKS-waves anisotropy suggests that the mantle structures below the craton (ϕ≈N90°E, δt=0,8-1,6s) are different from the ones below the Paleozoic domain (ϕ≈N60°E, δt=0,6s). Thus, the MSZ constitutes the boundary between two lithospheres with distinct crustal thicknesses and mantle structures. The geochronological study (U-Pb dating on zircon and monazite) reveals that the basement of the domain located to the east of the MSZ has a different age and geodynamical story than the TAC. Inherited Archean and Paleoproterozoic ages are similar to those of the terrains located to the east of the KSZ in South Australia that confirms the connection between the Mertz and Kalinjala shear zones. Moreover, the inherited and metamorphic Paleozoic zircon ages as well as the geographic location of the outcrops west of the Transantarctic mountains suggest that studied samples are derived from a pre-Gondwana passive margin formed in a back-arc basin opened in the continental crust just before the Ross orogeny at ≈514-505Ma.This multi-scale approach thus permits precise the geodynamic evolution of the region located east of the MSZ and provide new elements for Australia-Antarctica connection. Moreover, this thesis highlights the importance of tectonic inheritance in the development of shear zones (with the presence of archean inherited structures in the case of the MSZ), as well as localization processes in cratonic lithospheres from at least the Paleoproterozoic times

Within the framework of this research, the complex geological history of the Pan African-Volta basin has been systematically reconstructed. Based on a broad review of literature and new data, 5 stages of geological-tectonic development have been identified. For the first time a systematic review of the mineral potential of the Pan-African Volta Basin was executed. Known and potentially existing mineralization have been related to the geotectonic history and metallogenetic conclusions have been drawn. Based on the findings of this research, the folded thrust belt located at the eastern rim of the Volta basin has been identified as the most prospective area for the ultramafic rocks with chromite, nickel mineralization and PGEs, hydrothermal gold and banded iron formation (BIF) but this will require further work.

The oldest parts of continents, so-called cratons, are the focus of worldwide research not only because they represent primary constraints for our understanding of the early evolution of the Earth, but also because of their significant mineral potential. This work contributes to the understanding of the geological and geomorphological evolution of the West African Craton, by an integrated analysis of airborne geophysical and satellite remote sensing data constrained by field structural, lithological, geophysical, and geomorphological observations acquired around Houndé, Boromo and Banfora greenstone belts and associated granitoid domains in western Burkina Faso. The results of this integration suggest that the granitoid domains of western Burkina Faso are formed by numerous small- to medium-sized plutons, and the magnetic data provided a better definition of the actual pluton shapes. Airborne gamma ray spectrometry data aided in the mapping process in areas with less regolith cover. Three deformation events (D1-D3) can be distinguished in western Burkina Faso. A megacrystic tholeiitic basalt unit allowed us to establish stratigraphic correlations between the two belts and propose a crustal scale anticline (D1). The D1 penetrative structures, resulting from an E-W to WNW-oriented compression are...

Within the framework of this research, the complex geological history of the Pan African-Volta basin has been systematically reconstructed. Based on a broad review of literature and new data, 5 stages of geological-tectonic development have been identified. For the first time a systematic review of the mineral potential of the Pan-African Volta Basin was executed. Known and potentially existing mineralization have been related to the geotectonic history and metallogenetic conclusions have been drawn. Based on the findings of this research, the folded thrust belt located at the eastern rim of the Volta basin has been identified as the most prospective area for the ultramafic rocks with chromite, nickel mineralization and PGEs, hydrothermal gold and banded iron formation (BIF) but this will require further work.:Table of contents Table of contents iii List of tables v List of figures 1 Introduction 5 Summary of work done 6 Acknowledgements 6 1 In the Geology and regional geotectonic development of the West African Shield 7 1.1 Introduction 7 1.2 The basement of the Proterozoic sedimentary platform cover 9 1.3 Connection of West African Shield to Brazil 10 1.4 The Neoproterozoic sedimentary sequence and the extent of the Volta Basin 13 1.4.1 Introduction 13 1.4.2 The Neoproterozoic Sedimentary Sequence 15 1.5 The Pan-African Mobile Belt 23 1.5.1 The Buem Fold and thrust belt 23 1.5.2 New defined units 30 1.6 Interpretation of the deep structure of the Volta Basin 35 1.7 Metallic Minerals 37 1.7.1 Introduction 37 1.7.2 Iron (Fe) 39 1.7.3 Aluminium (Al) 46 1.7.4 Manganese (Mn) 50 1.7.5 Lead (Pb) 52 1.7.6 Copper (Cu) 55 1.7.7 Mineralisation related to ultramafic rocks 57 1.7.8 Gold (Au) 69 1.7.9 Tantalum (Ta) 72 1.7.10 Zirconium (Zr) 73 1.7.11 Heavy minerals in sands of Paleochannels 76 1.8 Non-metallic minerals 83 1.8.1 Introduction 83 1.8.2 Limestone (CaCO3) 84 1.8.3 Magnesite (MgCO3) 91 1.8.4 Barite (BaSO4) 93 1.8.5 Diamonds 97 1.8.6 Bitumen 100 1.9 Mineral Prediction with advangeo® Prediction Software 102 2 Minerogeny 109 2.1 Mineralisation controls and indicators 109 2.1.1 Geochemical Properties of selected stratigraphic units 109 2.1.2 Intrusive rocks 114 2.1.3 Volcanic rocks 118 2.1.4 Fault structural controls 119 2.1.5 Reactive Rocks 121 2.1.6 Other sedimentary controls: placers and paleoplacers 122 2.1.7 Laterites 122 2.1.8 Control of diamond occurrences 132 2.2 Key stages of metallogenic development 132 3 Discussion and recommendations 136 3.1 Recommendations 138 4 List of References 139 5 Appendices 144 5.1.1 Sample G113RK1 144 5.1.2 Sample G109RK1 145 5.1.3 Sample G116RK1 147 5.1.4 Sample G121RK1 149 5.1.5 Sample G121RK2 151 5.1.6 Sample G121RK3 152 5.1.7 Sample G131RK1 154 5.1.8 Sample G144RK2 155 5.1.9 Sample G145RK1 156 5.1.10 Sample G147RK1 157 5.2 Thin Sections 159 5.3 Deep drilling Data 174 5.4 Geophysical Datasets 176 5.5 Geochemical properties of volcanic rocks 181 5.6 Regional Geochemical Datasets (MSSP) 186 5.6.1 Methodology of data processing 188 5.7 Geochemical analysis – Electronic Dump 190 5.8 Geochemical properties of selected geo-tectonic units 190 5.8.1 Epicratonic basin 190 5.8.2 Foreland Basin 195 5.8.3 Thrusted continental margin 202