Dating, isotope fingerprinting and metallogenic role of alkali metasomatism in Fe and Mn-rich rocks of the Northern Cape, South Africa

Papadopoulos, Vlassis (2023) Dating, isotope fingerprinting and metallogenic role of alkali metasomatism in Fe and Mn-rich rocks of the Northern Cape, South Africa. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The Northern Cape Province of South Africa is host to some of the largest deposits of iron and manganese metal in the world, contained in two separate districts, namely the Kalahari (KMF) and Postmasburg Manganese fields (PMF). The current thesis attempts to shed light on the chronicle of the complex epigenetic history of the two ore fields by focusing on the previously underexamined recurring theme of gangue alkali-rich assemblages, contained in and flanking a series of Fe and Mn orebodies. The principal outcomes of this study not only (a) set constrains on the characteristics, origin, sources, timing and relationship of alkali mineralization between the KMF and PMF, but also (b) challenge current ore genetic models by exploring the role of regional “alkali flooding” as a shared mechanism in the formation or at least hydrothermal upgrade of the deposits, (c) are beneficial for future exploration for new orebodies in the study and other prospective areas and (d) improve our knowledge of fluid circulation in sedimentary basins.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Subjects: Q Science > Q Science (General); Q Science > QD Chemistry; Q Science > QE Geology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering
• Supervisor's Name: Mark, Professor Darren, Boyce, Professor Adrian and Tsikos, Professor Harilaos
• Date of Award: 2023
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2023-83636
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 07 Jun 2023 15:25
• Last Modified: 18 Aug 2023 08:09
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.83636
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/83636