Origin of the copper-cobalt deposits of the Zambian Copperbelt: An epigenetic view from Nchanga

Research Article| June 01, 2003 Origin of the copper-cobalt deposits of the Zambian Copperbelt: An epigenetic view from Nchanga Ross R. McGowan; Ross R. McGowan 1 School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Southampton Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Stephen Roberts; Stephen Roberts 1 School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, Southampton Oceanography Centre, Southampton SO14 3ZH, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert P. Foster; Robert P. Foster 2Exploration Consultants Ltd., Highlands Farm, Greys Road, Henley-on-Thames RG9 4PR, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Adrian J. Boyce; Adrian J. Boyce 3Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre, East Kilbride, Glasgow G75 0QF, UK Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Dave Coller Dave Coller 4ERA Maptec, 36 Dame Street, Dublin 2, Irel Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2003) 31 (6): 497–500. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0497:OOTCDO>2.0.CO;2 Article history received: 28 Jan 2003 rev-recd: 20 Feb 2003 accepted: 21 Feb 2003 first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ross R. McGowan, Stephen Roberts, Robert P. Foster, Adrian J. Boyce, Dave Coller; Origin of the copper-cobalt deposits of the Zambian Copperbelt: An epigenetic view from Nchanga. Geology 2003;; 31 (6): 497–500. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(2003)031<0497:OOTCDO>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Zambian Copperbelt is arguably the most significantly mineralized Neoproterozoic basin on Earth, preserving a truly spectacular scale of mineralization: in excess of 1 × 109 t of ore at ∼2.7% copper has been extracted to date, and there are also major cobalt accumulations. The origin of these deposits has been hotly debated for more than six decades, yet the driving forces that generated this system are poorly understood, in particular the relationships between tectonics, paleo–fluid circulation, and ore deposition. We present new field and isotopic data for the Nchanga deposits in which the bulk of the mineralization is hosted by shale-capped feldspathic arenites and arkoses that have undergone recrystallization and hydrothermal alteration within a host-rock package controlled by low-angle thrust faults. By using in situ laser combustion, we show for the first time that the range of δ34S for copper-cobalt ore sulfides (−1‰ to +18‰) cannot have the same source as diagenetic pyrite (−1‰ to −17‰). We suggest a new epigenetic model for the formation of these spectacular Nchanga orebodies that involves the introduction of metal- and sulfate-bearing hydrothermal fluids into quartzofeldspathic units during basin inversion, with sulfide derived from thermochemical reduction of the sulfate near the site of deposition. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.