Rare elements — setting markers of the formation of the manganese and iron ore deposits of Kalahari and Postmasburg areas (South Africa). Communication 1. Kalahari manganese field

Abstract

In manganese ores of the Hotazel Formation (Transvaal supergroup) of the Lower Proterozoic, associated with banded ferrous silicites, high concentrations of a number of rare elements (B, Ge, W, Mo, Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ag, Bi, As, Sb, Te, Se) were determined. High boron contents in oxide-carbonate ores (manganese lutites) are considered as a consequence of the concentration by chemsorbtion of this element on Mn-carbonates. It is proposed that as a result of hydrothermal transformations, a wide range of ore-forming (mainly Fe, Mn) and rare elements (including REE) was removed from the underlying andesite-basaltic hyaloclastite Ongeluk Formation In manganese ores and ferruginous silicites, typical values of cerium (Ce/Ce* 0.28–1.72) and europium (Eu/Eu* 0.57–16.31) anomalies were established, which may indicate that the initial sediments accumulated in the marginal shallow sea basin with a pronounced oxide surface water layer and close to anoxide conditions near the bottom. Metalliferous (Mn, Fe) sediments of a shallow water basin at different stages of lithogenesis were enriched with europium (positive Eu/Eu*), subjected to metasomatosis (with redistribution of manganese and the formation of manganese carbonates) and, subsequently, regional metamorphism (up to the stage of sericitic green schists).