Nampundwe Pyrite (KCM Vedanta) - Zambian Copperbelt (sitios de interés)
Descripción del sitio
Other names: King Edward Mine
Nampundwe mine produces pyrite and is located 48 kilometers west of Lusaka . Pyrite is used in copper smelting and roast leach electro wining. The mine began operating in 1913 when it was known as King Edward mine.
http://www.kcm.co.zm/nampundwe.php
Nampundwe mine produces pyrite and is located 48 kilometers west of Lusaka . Pyrite is used in copper smelting and roast leach electro wining. The mine began operating in 1913 when it was known as King Edward mine.
http://www.kcm.co.zm/nampundwe.php
GEOLOGY
Iron oxide-Cu-Au systems also occur within the African Copperbelt. Current exploration suggests they are most common in the area around the Hook granite. These prospects are characterized by vertically oriented, structurally-controlled hematite-rich breccia zones up to several kilometers in length with late pyrite and chalcopyrite. Intrusive and volcanic rocks within these systems have undergone pre- mineralization
potassic alteration characterized by the formation of potassium feldspar. Potassically altered rocks are then cut by magnetite, which is in turn replaced by hematite during a hydrolytic (sericite-chlorite) alteration event. Sulfidation is the final event resulting in the precipitation of pyrite and then chalcopyrite. A number of minor magnetite deposits are present in central and northern Zambia associated with sodic and sodic-calcic
alteration. These massive magnetite bodies are associated with mafic intrusive (“diorites”) stocks or sills that have undergone extreme sodic alteration, resulting in the formation of albite-actinolite-scapolite assemblages
http://www.minsoc.org.za/pubs/BaseMetals2003.pdf - page 28
potassic alteration characterized by the formation of potassium feldspar. Potassically altered rocks are then cut by magnetite, which is in turn replaced by hematite during a hydrolytic (sericite-chlorite) alteration event. Sulfidation is the final event resulting in the precipitation of pyrite and then chalcopyrite. A number of minor magnetite deposits are present in central and northern Zambia associated with sodic and sodic-calcic
alteration. These massive magnetite bodies are associated with mafic intrusive (“diorites”) stocks or sills that have undergone extreme sodic alteration, resulting in the formation of albite-actinolite-scapolite assemblages
http://www.minsoc.org.za/pubs/BaseMetals2003.pdf - page 28
Burning Pyrites compared to Sulphur (2009)
http://www.saimm.co.za/Conferences/Sulphur2009/16-B.Crilly.pdf
http://www.saimm.co.za/Conferences/Sulphur2009/16-B.Crilly.pdf