Description
Hans Merensky, D. Mckerrell & M. Weber
Commodities
PrimaryPGE
SecondaryGold, Copper, Nickel
Commodity typeM
Deposit
Model4: Merensky Reef PGE
Deposit sizeL
Orebody formTABULAR/BLANKET
Ore controlThe Various Components Of The Bushveld Igneous Complex Have Been Emplaced In Successive Eruptions As Sheet-Like Masses Into The Pretoria Series Volcanics (Transvaal System), And In Some Cases Into One Another, Dipping Inward Toward The Center Giving A Cone-Like Structure To The Complex As A Whole.
Materials
Ore mineralsChromite
GangueAnorthosite, Pyrrhotite
Other materialsChalcopyrite, Pentlandite
Geology
Host rockMafic Intrusive Rock,Gabbro
Associated rockMafic Intrusive Rock · Merensky Reef, Bushveld Igneous Complex
StructureInward-Dipping Cone-Like Structure; Folding And Faulting (Including Low-Angle Thrusting) Exists, But Are Of Minor Importance; Erosion, Peneplanation And Build-Up Of Younger Sediments Are Basic Criteria Regionally., The Merensky Reef Is Extraordinarily Uniform As To Composition And Thickness. Faults And Folds, Locally, Are Almost Non-Existent. An Oxidized Zone Extends Down-Dip For An Average Of 200 Meters, Followed By Unaltered Sulfide Zones. The Hanging Wall Is Spotted Porite Underlain By Pseudo-Porphyritic Pyroxenitic Diallage-Norite, Feldspathic Pyroxenite, A Chrome-Rich Layer, And A Footwall Of Anorthositic Norite.
Tectonic settingPlatform
AlterationSurface And Near-Surface Alteration Of Feldspathic Material Only
Economic & production
Development statusProducer
First production1969
Discovery year1924
Identification
Deposit ID10089690
MRDS IDW028271
Alternate namesIncludes Bafokeng North, Bafokeng South, Wildebeestfontein Mines
RegionAF
Data scoreB
Coordinates-25.54664, 27.21812
References
MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, FIFTH EDITION, HANDBOOK 7 ; 1976IMPALA PLATINUM LIMITED; BROCHURE; CIRCA 1977COAL, GOLD & BASE MINERALS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA; JANUARY 1973WORLD MINING; FEBRUARY 1969IMPALA PLATINUM LIMITED, 1977, ANNUAL REPORT.IMPALA PLATINUM LIMITED, 1976, ANNUAL REPORT.IMPALA PLATINUM LIMITED, 1975, ANNUAL REPORT.IMPALA PLATINUM LIMITED, 1974, ANNUAL REPORT.SOUTH AFRICAN MINING AND ENGINEERING JOURNAL, 1975, PLATINUM: SOUTH AFRICAN MINING AND ENGINEERING JOURNAL.WAGNER, P.A., 1926, PRELIMINARY REPORT ON THE PLATINUM DEPOSITS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN PART OF THE RUSTENBURG DISTRICT, TRANSVAAL: DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND INDUSTRIES, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.CONSULATE ESTIMATES. DATA FROM OFFICIAL SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT (I.E. DEPARTMENT OF MINES, MINERALS BUREAU) AND COMPANY ANNUAL REPORTS ARE UNAVAILABLE.