Copper

by GIC Schneider and KG Seeger

2.3-7 1. Introduction 364 and Diergaards Aub 454

2.3-7 2. Copper occurences in Pre-Damaran 2.3-17 2.6.1.6 Groendraai 367
rocks 2.3-17 2.6.1.7 Du Plessis Rus 537
2.3-7 2.1 Epupa Metamorphic Complex 2.3-17 2.6.1.8 Neuras 330
2.3-7 2.2 Huab Metamorphic Complex 2.3-18 2.6.1.9 Swartskaap 332
2.3-8 2.2.1 Outjo District 2.3-18 2.6.2 Maltahöhe District
2.3-8 2.2.1.1 Block A 2.3-18 2.6.2.1 Neuhof Reserve 100
2.3-8 2.2.1.2 Block E 2.3-18 2.6.2.2 Kumbis 55 and Vergenoeg 56
2.3-9 2.2.1.3 Minor occurrences 2.3-18 2.7 Kunene Complex
2.3-9 2.2.2 Damaraland 2.3-18 2.8 Orange River Group and Vioolsdrif
2.3-9 2.2.2.1 Copper Valley Area Intrusive Suite
2.3-10 2.2.2.2 Noute 674 2.3-19 2.8.1 Karasburg District
2.3-10 2.2.2.3 Goeiehoop 503 2.3-21 2.8.1.2 Kromrivier Prospect
2.3-10 2.2.2.4 Lofdal 491 2.3-21 2.8.1.3 Sperlingsputs Prospect
2.3-11 2.2.2.5 Korechas 381 and Navarre 383 2.3-22 2.8.1.4 Stonehouse Prospect
2.3-11 2.2.2.6 Olifantshoek 388 2.3-22 2.8.1.5 The Lorelei Deposit
2.3-11 2.3 Abbabis Metamorphic Complex 2.3-22 2.8.1.6 Aussenkjer 147 and adjoining
2.3-11 2.3.1 Karibib District State Land
2.3-11 2.3.1.1 Henderson and Ehlers Mines 2.3-23 2.8.1.7 Witputs 258, Devillierspunt
2.3-11 2.3.1.2 Ubib Mine 353 and Tsams 360
2.3-12 2.3.1.3 Engineer Gren Prospect 2.3-23 2.8.1.8 Kromrivier 359 and adjoining
2.3-12 2.3.1.4 Van Zyl Prospect State Land
2.3-12 2.3.1.5 Naob River Prospect 2.3-23 2.8.1.9 Sperlingsputs 259
2.3-12 2.3.1.6 Narubis Prospect 2.3-23 2.8.1.10 Haakiesdorn 137
2.3-12 2.3.1.7 Naob 69 2.3-23 2.8.1.11 Ramansdrift 135 and Houms
2.3-12 2.3.1.8 Tsawisis Suid 95 Rivier 133
2.3-12 2.3.1.9 Tsawisis 16 2.3-24 2.9 Khoabendus Group and Associated
2.3-12 2.3.2 Swakopmund District Formations
2.3-12 2.3.2.1 Ida Mine 2.3-24 2.9.1 Kaokoland
2.3-13 2.4 Hohewarte Metamorphic Complex 2.3-24 2.9.2 Damaraland
2.3-13 2.4.1 Windhoek District 2.3-24 2.9.2.1 Tevrede 643
2.3-13 2.4.1.1 Aris 29 and Krumhuk 30 2.3-25 2.9.2.2 Eersbegin 675
2.3-13 2.4.1.2 Voigtland 77 2.3-25 2.9.3 Outjo District
2.3-13 2.4.1.3 Langbeen 86 2.3-25 2.9.3.1 Ermo 646
2.3-13 2.4.1.4 Omitiomire Nord 163 2.3-25 2.9.3.2 Bergvallei 604
2.3-13 2.5 Oamites Formation 2.3-25 2.9.3.3 The Kopermyn Deposit
2.3-14 2.5.1 Windhoek District 2.3-26 2.9.4 Elim Formation
2.3-14 2.5.1.1 Oamites Mine 2.3-27 2.9.4.1 Rehoboth District
2.3-16 2.6 Mooirivier Metamorphic Complex 2.3-27 2.9.4.1.1 Eensam 859
and Neuhof Formation 2.3-27 2.9.4.1.2 Damas 344
2.3-16 2.6.1 Rehoboth District 2.3-27 2.9.4.1.3 Farm No. 739
2.3-16 2.6.1.1 Oudam 354 2.3-27 2.9.4.1.4 Kabiras 343
2.3-16 2.6.1.2 Opetjie 357 2.3-27 2.9.4.1.5 Witkrans 342
2.3-17 2.6.1.3 Nomeib 358 2.3-28 2.9.4.1.6 Kanaus Noord 335 and
2.3-17 2.6.1.4 Eindpaal 518 Kanaus Suid 336
2.3-17 2.6.1.5 Kamkam 369, Karikomasis 2.3-28 2.9.4.1.7 Samkubis 516

2.3-1
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.3-28 2.9.4.1.8 Kobos Copper Mine 2.3-37 2.11.2.1 Rehoboth District

2.3-30 2.9.4.1.9 Kobos 321 2.3-37 2.11.2.1.1 Farm No. 739
2.3-30 2.9.4.1.10 Ou Naus 609 2.3-38 2.11.2.1.2 Auchas 347
2.3-30 2.9.4.1.11 Moutonsvlei 323 2.3-38 2.11.2.1.3 Witkrans 342
2.3-30 2.9.4.1.12 Wortel 579 2.3-38 2.11.2.1.4 Samkubis 516
2.3-30 2.9.4.1.13 Kaniganas 260 2.3-38 2.11.2.1.5 Slaaiport 359
2.3-30 2.9.4.2 Windhoek District 2.3-38 2.11.2.1.6 Campbells Aub 360
2.3-30 2.9.4.2.1 Morgenroth 17 and Neu 2.3-38 2.11.2.1.7 Nomeib 358
Franken 216 2.3-38 2.11.2.1.8 Kamasis 329
2.3-31 2.10 Rehoboth Sequence 2.3-38 2.11.3 Mafic Dykes
2.3-31 2.10.1 Marienhof Formation 2.3-38 2.11.3.1 Windhoek District
2.3-31 2.10.1.1 Rehoboth District 2.3-38 2.11.3.1.1 Nauzerus 11
2.3-31 2.10.1.1.1 Soverby 311 2.3-38 2.11.3.1.2 Lepel 339
2.3-31 2.10.1.1.2 Goabibgous 328 2.3-39 2.11.3.2 Rehoboth District
2.3-31 2.10.1.1.3 Auchab 313 2.3-39 2.11.3.2.1 Samkubis 516
2.3-31 2.10.1.1.4 Swartmodder Deposit 2.3-39 2.11.3.2.2 Nomeib 358
2.3-32 2.10.1.1.5 Eselmaanhaar 288 2.3-39 2.11.3.2.3 Droë Willem 327 and
2.3-33 2.10.1.1.6 Opdam 284 and Hamis 280 Goabibgous 328
2.3-33 2.10.1.2 Windhoek District 2.3-39 2.12 Namaqualand Metamorphic
2.3-33 2.10.1.2.1 Wiese 62 and Mertens 63 Complex
2.3-33 2.10.1.2.2 Onverwacht 270 2.3-39 2.12.1 Lüderitz District
2.3-33 2.10.1.2.3 Dordabis 98 2.3-39 2.12.1.1 Tiras prospect
2.3-33 2.10.1.2.4 Protea 108 2.3-40 2.12.1.2 Kubub 15 and Heinrichsfelde
2.3-34 2.10.1.3 Gobabis Area 10
2.3-34 2.10.1.3.1 Okatjepuiko 154 2.3-40 2.12.2 Bethanien District
2.3-34 2.10.1.3.2 Sachsenwald 940 2.3-40 2.12.2.1 Macduff’s Castle 122
2.3-34 2.10.2 Billstein Formation 2.3-40 2.12.2.2 Helmeringhausen 12
2.3-34 2.10.2.1 Rehoboth District 2.3-40 2.12.3 Keetmanshoop District
2.3-34 2.10.2.1.1 Vooruitsig 308 2.3-40 2.12.3.1 Khorobees 65
2.3-34 2.10.2.1.2 Tsebris 48 2.3-41 2.12.4 Karasburg District
2.3-34 2.10.2.1.3 Tweerivier 307 2.3-41 2.12.4.1 Ai-Ais
2.3-34 2.10.2.1.4 Kwakwas 251 2.3-41 2.12.4.2 Kwaggasnek 349
2.3-35 2.10.2.1.5 Fyndraai 250 2.3-41 2.12.4.3 Grabwasser 261, Signalberg
2.3-35 2.10.2.1.6 Dubis 273 299 and Kuduberg 9
2.3-35 2.10.2.1.7 Hamis 280 2.3-41 2.12.4.4 Ramansdrift 135 - Houms
2.3-35 2.10.2.1.8 Opdam 284 Rivier 133 Area
2.3-35 2.10.2.2 Windhoek District 2.3-41 2.12.4.5 Kinderzitt 132 and Umeis 110
2.3-35 2.10.2.2.1 Hakscheen 189 2.3-41 2.12.4.6 Stolzenfels 74
2.3-35 2.10.3 Gaub Valley Formation 2.3-42 2.13 Sinclair Sequence and related
2.3-36 2.10.3.1 Windhoek District rocks
2.3-36 2.10.3.1.1 Rostock Area 2.3-43 2.13.1 Nagatis Formation
2.3-36 2.10.3.1.2 Natas area 2.3-43 2.13.1.1 Bethanien District
2.3-36 2.10.3.1.2.1 Natas Mine 2.3-43 2.13.1.1.1 Mooifontein 50
2.3-36 2.10.3.1.2.2 Pot Mine 2.3-43 2.13.2 Kotzerus Granite
2.3-37 2.10.3.1.2.3 Jan Jonker Mine 2.3-43 2.13.3 Barby Formation
2.3-37 2.10.3.1.2.4 Djab 26 2.3-43 2.13.3.1 Lüderitz District
2.3-37 2.10.3.1.2.5 Chausib 27 2.3-43 2.13.3.1.1 Sinclair Mine
2.3-37 2.11 Post-Rehoboth to pre-Sinclair 2.3-44 2.13.3.1.2 Kottbus 4
intrusive rocks in the Rehoboth area 2.3-45 2.13.3.2 Maltahöhe District
2.3-37 2.11.1 Alberta Complex 2.3-45 2.13.3.2.1 Ginas 20
2.3-37 2.11.2 Piksteel Granodiorite 2.3-45 2.13.3.3 Bethanien District

2.3-2
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.3-45 2.13.3.3.1 Aubures 22 2.3-58 3.1 Nosib Group

2.3-45 2.13.3.3.2 Aruab 23 2.3-59 3.1.1 Kaokoland
2.3-45 2.13.3.3.3 Naus 27 2.3-59 3.1.2 Kavango
2.3-46 2.13.3.3.4 Barby 26 2.3-59 3.1.3 Damaraland
2.3-46 2.13.3.3.5 Kunjas 14 2.3-59 3.1.3.1 Austerlitz 515
2.3-46 2.13.3.4 Minor occurrences 2.3-59 3.1.3.2 Naauwpoort 511 & Ruimte 510
2.3-46 2.13.4 Aubures Formation 2.3-60 3.1.3.3 Summas Mountains-Mitten
2.3-46 2.13.5 Nückopf Formation Fold-Ais Dome Area
2.3-47 2.13.6 Grauwater Formation 2.3-60 3.1.4 Outjo District
2.3-47 2.13.7 Gamsberg Granitic Suite 2.3-60 3.1.4.1 Vaalwater 283
2.3-47 2.13.7.1 Rehoboth District 2.3-61 3.1.4.2 Klein Omaruru Ost 22
2.3-47 2.13.7.1.1 Damas Prospect 2.3-61 3.1.4.3 Tzamin Copper Prospect
2.3-48 2.13.8 Doornpoort Formation 2.3-61 3.1.4.4 Khairob 54 and Volhard 370
2.3-48 2.13.8.1 Rehoboth District 2.3-62 3.1.4.5 Kameelfeld Annexe 162
2.3-48 2.13.8.1.1 Du Plessis Rus 537 2.3-62 3.1.4.6 Friedenstal 170
2.3-48 2.13.8.1.2 Kojeka 376 2.3-62 3.1.5 Grootfontein District
2.3-48 2.13.8.2 Windhoek District 2.3-62 3.1.5.1 Deutsche Erde Area
2.3-49 2.13.9 Klein Aub Formation 2.3-62 3.1.5.2 Neuwerk 507
2.3-50 2.13.9.1 Rehoboth District 2.3-63 3.1.5.3 Border Prospect
2.3-50 2.13.9.1.1 Klein Aub Mine 2.3-63 3.1.5.4 Kombat Suid 791
2.3-52 2.13.9.1.2 Nuwedam 348 2.3-63 3.1.5.5 Eenberge-Driekoppies Prospect
2.3-53 2.13.9.1.3 Noams 519 2.3-64 3.1.5.6 Rietfontein Area
2.3-53 2.13.9.1.4 Slaaipoort 359 2.3-64 3.1.5.6.1 Rietfontein 44 & Guchab 596
2.3-53 2.13.9.1.5 Campbells Aub 360 2.3-64 3.1.5.6.2 Kududamm 161
2.3-53 2.13.9.1.6 Groendorn 362 2.3-64 3.1.5.6.3 Urupupa 44, Okambongora
2.3-53 2.13.9.1.7 Karanas Wes 456 592 and Oker 176
2.3-53 2.13.9.1.8 Karanas 457 2.3-64 3.1.5.7 Gobasib area
2.3-53 2.13.9.1.9 Kleinoes Noord 464 2.3-64 3.1.5.8 Hartbeespoort 508 and
2.3-54 2.13.9.1.10 Kagas Noord 462 Askevold South 525
2.3-54 2.13.9.1.11 Kalfrivier Suid 460 2.3-65 3.1.6 Tsumeb District
2.3-54 2.13.9.1.12 Kalfrivier 459 and 2.3-65 3.1.6.1 The Nosib Mine
Kareeboomkolk 424 2.3-65 3.1.7 Otjiwarongo District
2.3-54 2.13.9.2 Windhoek District 2.3-65 3.1.7.1 Okanjande 145 and Highlands
2.3-54 2.13.9.2.1 Lepel 339 311
2.3-54 2.13.10 Eskadron Formation 2.3-65 3.1.8 Swakopmund District
2.3-54 2.13.10.1 Gobabis District 2.3-65 3.1.8.1 Khan Mine
2.3-54 2.13.10.1.1 Gemsbockvley 214 2.3-66 3.1.9 Karibib District
2.3-55 2.13.10.1.2 Christiadore 104 2.3-66 3.1.9.1 Vlakteplaas 110 and Marmor
2.3-55 2.13.10.1.3 Otjiwarumendu 119 Pforte 37
2.3-55 2.13.10.1.4 Okasewa North West 120 2.3-67 3.1.9.2 Ebony Mine
2.3-55 2.13.10.1.5 Witvlei Area 2.3-67 3.1.9.3 Bergrus 94
2.3-57 2.13.10.1.5.1 Malachite Pan Prospect 2.3-67 3.1.9.4 Sphinx Mine
2.3-57 2.13.10.1.5.2 The Copper Causeway 2.3-67 3.1.9.5 Nordenburg 76
Prospect 2.3-67 3.1.9.6 Dorstrivier 15
2.3-57 2.13.10.1.5.3 Witvlei Pos Prospect 2.3-67 3.1.9.7 Rooikuiseb 109
2.3-58 2.13.10.1.5.4 Grünental 151 2.3-68 3.1.10 Rehoboth District
2.3-58 2.13.10.1.5.5 Daheim 157 2.3-68 3.1.10.1 Tsebris 48, Kwakwas 251,
2.3-58 2.13.10.1.6 Ongava-Onuea 147 Fyndraai 250 and Narais Suid 244
2.3-58 2.13.10.1.7 Okasandu 158 2.3-68 3.1.10.2 Rehoboth Townlands 302
2.3-58 3. Copper occurences in the Damara 2.3-68 3.1.10.3 Duruchaus 249, Geelkop 248,
Sequence and related rocks Uitval 247, Nineis 246 & Platsand 451

2.3-3
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.3-69 3.1.10.3.1 Duruchaus 249 2.3-101 3.2.3.2.3.4 Kombat Mine

2.3-69 3.1.10.3.2 Geelkop 248 2.3-103 3.2.3.2.3.5 Asis Ost Mine
2.3-70 3.1.10.3.3 Nineis 246 2.3-104 3.2.3.2.3.6 Nehlen Prospect
2.3-70 3.1.10.3.4 Platsand 451 2.3-104 3.2.3.2.4 Guchab Mining area
2.3-70 3.1.10.4 Kamzwas 253 2.3-105 3.2.3.2.4.1 Schlangental Prospect
2.3-70 3.1.10.5 Naruchas 254 2.3-105 3.2.3.2.4.2 The Guchab Mine
2.3-70 3.1.10.6 Groot Aub 267 2.3-105 3.2.3.2.4.3 Rodgerberg Mine
2.3-71 3.1.10.7 Onnaams 270 2.3-105 3.2.3.2.5 Deutsche Erde Area
2.3-71 3.1.10.8 Kudis - Langbeen Prospect 2.3-105 3.2.3.2.6 Neuwerk Area
2.3-71 3.1.10.9 Nauaspoort 261 2.3-106 3.2.3.2.6.1 Neuwerk Prospect
2.3-71 3.1.10.10 Blaubeker 488 2.3-107 3.2.3.2.7 Hohentwiel 506
2.3-72 3.1.10.11 Attes 470 2.3-107 3.2.3.2.8 Ondjondjo Prospect
2.3-72 3.1.10.12 Schlip 472 2.3-108 3.2.3.2.9 Hartbeesport 508
2.3-72 3.1.11 Windhoek District 2.3-108 3.2.3.2.10 Hartbeesport South Copper
2.3-72 3.1.11.1 Arovley 52 Deposit
2.3-72 3.1.11.2 Leopard Copper Prospect 2.3-108 3.2.3.2.11 Askevold South Prospect
2.3-73 3.1.11.3 Ibenstein 55 2.3-108 3.2.3.2.12 Devon 566
2.3-73 3.1.12 Mariental District 2.3-108 3.2.3.2.13 Hamburg 504
2.3-73 3.1.12.1 Sib 69 2.3-109 3.2.3.2.14 Kombat Suid 791
2.3-73 3.1.13 Gobabis District 2.3-109 3.2.3.2.15 Rietfontein 344
2.3-73 3.1.13.1 Eintracht 118 2.3-109 3.2.3.2.16 Rietfontein 44
2.3-73 3.1.13.2 Losberg 105 2.3-109 3.2.3.2.17 Urupupa 44 and
2.3-74 3.1.13.3 Goldene Aue 106 Okambongora 592
2.3-74 3.2 Otavi Group 2.3-109 3.2.3.2.18 Odin 380
2.3-74 3.2.1 Kaokoland 2.3-109 3.2.3.2.19 Gobasib Area
2.3-76 3.2.2 Outjo District 2.3-110 3.2.3.2.20 Driehoek 768 and
2.3-76 3.2.2.1 Kaross 237 and Rustig 632 Olifantsfontein 9
2.3-76 3.2.2.2 Die Vlakte 634 2.3-110 3.3 Swakop Group
2.3-77 3.2.2.3 Urumbe 287 2.3-110 3.3.1 Kaokoland
2.3-77 3.2.2.4 Straussenheim 134 2.3-110 3.3.1.1 Marienfluss - Purros Fault Area
2.3-77 3.2.2.5 Dwight 368 2.3-110 3.3.1.2 Tsongoari- Otjipaka Area
2.3-77 3.2.2.6 Monty 329 2.3-110 3.3.2 Damaraland
2.3-77 3.2.2.7.1 Schoenau 60 2.3-110 3.3.2.1 Sesfontein
2.3-77 3.2.2.7.2 Bothashof 476 and 2.3-111 3.3.2.2 Austerlitz 515
Gemsbokoord 477 2.3-111 3.3.2.3 Rendezvous 533
2.3-78 3.2.3 Otavi Mountainland 2.3-111 3.3.2.4 Twyfelfontein 534
2.3-85 3.2.3.1 Tsumeb District 2.3-111 3.3.2.5 Ondundu Copper Occurrence
2.3-85 3.2.3.1.1 Tsumeb Mine 2.3-111 3.3.2.6 Brandberg West Mine
2.3-98 3.2.3.1.2 Tsumeb West 2.3-111 3.3.2.7 Ugab Area
2.3-98 3.2.3.1.3 Tschudi 2.3-111 3.3.2.8 Okombahe
2.3-99 3.2.3.1.4 Otjikoto II Prospect 2.3-112 3.3.3 Outjo District
2.3-99 3.2.3.1.5 Alt Bobos 2.3-112 3.3.3.1 Landeck 77
2.3-100 3.2.3.1.6 Tönnesen Prospect 2.3-112 3.3.3.2 Schweickhardtsbronn 75
2.3-100 3.2.3.1.7 Bombay Grant 2.3-113 3.3.3.3 Gaseneirob 104
2.3-100 3.2.3.2 Grootfontein District 2.3-113 3.3.3.4 Saalburg 157
2.3-100 3.2.3.2.1 Heuris 410 2.3-113 3.3.3.5 Palafontein 158
2.3-100 3.2.3.2.2 Finsterbergen Prospect 2.3-113 3.3.3.6 Kameelfeld Annexe 162
2.3-100 3.2.3.2.3 Otavi Valley 2.3-113 3.3.3.7 Paresis 163
2.3-100 3.2.3.2.3.1 Kupferberg Prospect 2.3-113 3.3.3.8 Hagenhof Area
2.3-100 3.2.3.2.3.2 Gross Otavi 2.3-114 3.3.3.9 Tobermory 142
2.3-101 3.2.3.2.3.3 Schneiderhöhn Prospect 2.3-114 3.3.4 Grootfontein District

2.3-4
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.3-114 3.3.4.1 Odussa 146 2.3-126 3.3.10.3 Dagbreek 365, Gorogoneib

2.3-115 3.3.4.2 Okorusu 499 and Gaidaus 498 314 and Kaan 309
2.3-115 3.3.5 Otjiwarongo District 2.3-126 3.3.10.4 Kaliber 335 and Okariro 282
2.3-115 3.3.5.1 Otjisauna 58 2.3-126 3.3.10.5 Khomaskop 414
2.3-115 3.3.5.2 Omapaniehoek 7, Omukandi 2.3-126 3.3.10.6 Silverstroom 413
64 and Omukandi Ost 65 2.3-126 3.3.10.7 Hureb Suid 349
2.3-115 3.3.5.3 Homestead 205 2.3-126 3.3.10.8 Friedrichsruh 13
2.3-115 3.3.5.4 Omuverume Nord 147 and 2.3-127 3.3.10.9 Elisenheim 68
Imhoff 306 2.3-127 3.3.10.10 Onganja - Otjozonjati area
2.3-116 3.3.5.5 Ozondjache 152 and 2.3-127 3.3.10.10.1 Onganja Mine
Ozondjache Nord 316 2.3-128 3.3.10.10.2 Otjozonjati Mine
2.3-116 3.3.5.6 Joumbira 131 2.3-129 3.3.10.10.3 Thorn Tree Mine
2.3-116 3.3.6 Okahandja District 2.3-129 3.3.10.10.4 Minor occurrences
2.3-116 3.3.6.1 Elbe copper-zinc Deposit 2.3-129 3.3.10.11 Oruhungu 55
2.3-118 3.3.6.2 Waldau West 11 2.3-129 3.3.10.12 Otjituezu 139
2.3-118 3.3.6.3 Okahandja Townlands 277 2.3-129 3.3.10.13 Otjihokero 137
2.3-118 3.3.6.4 Asgard 192 2.3-130 3.3.10.14 Springbockvley 131 and Alt-
2.3-119 3.3.6.5 Ovitoto 55 Seeis 133
2.3-119 3.3.6.6 Oorlogsdeel-Waaihoek area 2.3-130 3.3.10.15 Okatumba West 193 and
2.3-119 3.3.6.6.1 Oorlogsdeel 102 and Bodenhausen 191
Ombakatjowinde 103 2.3-130 3.3.10.16 Naos 46
2.3-120 3.3.6.6.2 Vrolikheid 101 2.3-130 3.3.10.17 Kamzwas 253
2.3-120 3.3.6.6.3 Waaihoek 100 2.3-131 3.3.10.18 Gocheganas 26
2.3-120 3.3.6.7 Otjiruse 8 and Rüdenau Nord 6 2.3-131 3.3.10.19 Langbeen 86
2.3-121 3.3.6.8 Gross Barmen 7 2.3-131 3.3.10.20 Hatsamas 92
2.3-121 3.3.6.9 Sneyrivier 20 2.3-132 3.3.10.21 Portion Coas of Hatsamas 92
2.3-121 3.3.6.10 Okamutambo 22 2.3-132 3.3.10.22 Stolzenfeld 89
2.3-122 3.3.7. Omaruru District 2.3-132 3.3.10.23 Elisenhöhe 88
2.3-122 3.3.7.1 Okakango 93 2.3-132 3.3.10.24 Hohewarte - Hohenau Area
2.3-122 3.3.7.2 Okandjou 122 and Kohero 113 2.3-132 3.3.10.24.1 Hohewarte South Prospect
2.3-122 3.3.7.3 Etendero 95 2.3-132 3.3.10.24.2 Hohenau North Prospect
2.3-122 3.3.8 Karibib District 2.3-133 3.3.10.25 Voigtland 77
2.3-122 3.3.8.1 Onguati Mine 2.3-133 3.3.10.26 Ondekaremba 78
2.3-122 3.3.8.2 Kranzberg 59 2.3-133 3.3.10.27 Oupembamava 79
2.3-122 3.3.8.3 Daheim 106 2.3-134 3.3.10.28 Grasland 80
2.3-123 3.3.8.4 Kaliombo 119 2.3-134 3.3.10.29 Otjivero Nord 200
2.3-123 3.3.8.5 Kainkagchas Mine 2.3-134 3.3.10.30 Karamba 203
2.3-123 3.3.8.6 Nordenburg 76 2.3-134 3.3.10.31 Vendetta 202
2.3-124 3.3.8.7 Gamikaub 78 and Ukuib 84 2.3-134 3.3.11 The Matchless Amphibolite Belt
2.3-124 3.3.8.8 Gamikaub Prospect 2.3-135 3.3.11.1 Swakopmund District
2.3-124 3.3.8.9 Pot Mine 2.3-135 3.3.11.1.1 Gorob - Hope Area
2.3-124 3.3.8.10 Onjossa 14 2.3-136 3.3.11.1.1.1 Gorob Lens
2.3-124 3.3.8.11 Vergenoeg 92 2.3-136 3.3.11.1.1.2 Vendome Lens
2.3-125 3.3.9 Swakopmund District 2.3-137 3.3.11.1.1.3 Luigi Lens
2.3-125 3.3.9.1 Arandis 2.3-137 3.3.11.1.1.4 Hope Lens
2.3-125 3.3.9.2 Rössing Area 2.3-137 3.3.11.1.1.5 Du Preez Zone
2.3-125 3.3.9.3 Omaruru Delta 2.3-138 3.3.11.1.1.6 Anomaly Zone
2.3-125 3.3.9.4 Ketelbank 2.3-138 3.3.11.1.1.6.1 Anomaly West Lens
2.3-125 3.3.10 Windhoek District 2.3-138 3.3.11.1.1.6.2 Anomaly Central Lens
2.3-125 3.3.10.1 Ganams 316 2.3-138 3.3.11.1.1.6.3 Anomaly East Lens
2.3-125 3.3.10.2 Rostock South 414 2.3-138 3.3.11.2 Windhoek District

2.3-5
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.3-138 3.3.11.2.1 Matchless Mine 2.3-150 4.1.2 Gobabis District

2.3-141 3.3.11.2.2 Augeigas 34 2.3-150 4.1.2.1 Kaukurus 79
2.3-141 3.3.11.2.3 Apies 287 2.3-150 4.1.2.2 Keitzaub 68
2.3-141 3.3.11.2.4 Otjihase Mine 2.3-150 4.1.3 Naukluft Nappe Complex
2.3-143 3.3.11.2.5 Ongeama Prospect 2.3-151 4.1.3.1 Rehoboth District
2.3-144 3.3.11.2.6 Ongeama West Prospect 2.3-151 4.1.3.1.1 Ebenhout 487
2.3-144 3.3.11.2.7 Ongombo Prospect 2.3-151 4.1.3.1.2 Bloedrivier 491
2.3-144 3.3.11.2.8 Okahua 185 2.3-151 4.1.3.1.3 Spitskop Suidwes 500 and
2.3-144 3.3.11.2.9 Esperance 178, Gumtree Kambes 498
326 and Nancefield 325 2.3-151 4.1.3.2 Maltahöhe District
2.3-145 3.3.11.3 Gobabis District 2.3-151 4.1.3.2.1 Tsabisis 340
2.3-145 3.3.11.3.1 Talana 199 2.3-152 4.1.3.2.2 Blässkranz 7
2.3-145 3.3.12 Rehoboth District 2.3-152 4.1.3.2.3 Zais 6 and Arbeid Adelt 5
2.3-145 3.3.12.1 Groot Aub 267 2.3-152 4.1.4 Other occurrences within the
2.3-145 3.3.12.2 Nabitsaus 263 Nama Group
2.3-145 3.3.12.3 Nauaspoort 261 2.3-152 4.1.4.1 Rehoboth District
2.3-146 3.3.12.4 Naruchas 254 2.3-152 4.1.4.1.1 Garies Wes 492
2.3-146 3.3.12.5 Kudis 271 2.3-152 4.1.4.1.2 Attes 470 - Vingerbreek Oos
2.3-146 3.3.12.6 Blaukrans 281 473 Belt
2.3-146 3.3.12.7 Stinkwater 282 2.3-153 4.1.4.1.3 Kuburuchab 520
2.3-147 3.4 Syn-Damara Intrusions 2.3-153 4.1.4.1.4 Draaihoek 478 and Fahlhuk
2.3-147 3.4.1 Okahandja District 159
2.3-147 3.4.1.1 Otjisazu Igneous Complex 2.3-153 4.1.4.1.5 Schlip Mündung 156 and
2.3-147 3.4.2 Windhoek District Niep 157
2.3-147 3.4.2.1 Serpentinites 2.3-153 4.1.4.2 Maltahöhe District
2.3-147 3.5 Mulden Group 2.3-153 4.1.4.2.1 Mooirivier 160
2.3-148 3.5.1 Outjo District 2.3-153 4.1.4.2.2 Bergplaas 125
2.3-148 3.5.1.1 Gagarus 289 2.3-153 4.1.4.2.3 Keerom 128
2.3-148 3.5.1.2 Seringetti 659 2.3-153 4.1.4.2.4 Portjies 88
2.3-148 3.5.1.3 Grenswag 655 2.3-153 4.1.4.2.5 Kleinfontein II 81
2.3-148 3.5.1.4 Brakpan 654 2.3-153 4.1.4.2.6 Dreylingen 48 and adjoining
2.3-148 3.5.1.5 Vaalkop 657 areas
2.3-148 3.5.1.6 Dellis 65 2.3-154 4.1.4.2.7 Tsams West 133
2.3-149 3.5.2 Damaraland 2.3-154 4.1.4.3 Bethanien District
2.3-149 3.5.2.1 Narachaams 2.3-154 4.1.4.3.1 Feldschuhhorn
2.3-149 3.5.2.2 Aub 683 2.3-154 4.2 Kuboos-Bremen line of intrusions
2.3-149 3.5.2.3 Naauwpoort 511 2.3-154 4.2.1 Karasburg District
2.3-149 3.5.2.4 Uris 481 2.3-154 4.2.1.1 Marinkas Quelle
2.3-149 3.6 Gariep Complex 2.3-154 4.2.1.2 Kanabeam 331 and
2.3-149 3.6.1 Lüderitz District Kwaggasnek 249
2.3-149 3.6.1.1 Rosh Pinah Mine 2.3-155 4.3 Lithologies of Karoo and Post-
2.3-149 3.6.1.2 Spitskop 111 and Scorpion Karoo age
2.3-149 3.6.1.3 Trekpoort 96 and adjoining 2.3-155 4.3.1 Damaraland
State Land 2.3-155 4.3.1.1 Doros Crater and associated
2.3-150 4. Copper occurences in Post- occurrences in the Etendeka
Damaran rocks Formation
2.3-150 4.1 Nama Group 2.3-155 4.3.2 Windhoek District
2.3-150 4.1.1 Windhoek District 2.3-155 4.3.2.1 Regenstein 32
2.3-150 4.1.1.1 Peperkorrel 294 and Scheidhof 2.3-156 5. Production
293 2.3-156 6. References
2.3-150 4.1.1.2 Bildah 220

2.3-6
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

1. Introduction west of Omuramba, discontinuous showings of

malachite, cuprite azurite and chalcocite occur in
Copper is by far the most abundant mineral brecciated chlorite-epidote rock in a faulted zone
commodity in Namibia. This is reflected not cutting foliated gneiss and pegmatitic granite.
only by the fact that several copper mines are The zone strikes in a northerly direction for
productive in the country at present: some 500 m, reaching a maximum width of 20
archaeological evidence in the form of ancient to 25 m.
smelting sites proves the Namibian copper
deposits have been exploited for many A similar occurrence located 12 km due north
centuries. Radiocarbon dates suggest that of Ondova is associated with a small north-south
copper was smelted in the Khomas Hochland as fault of some 120 m strike length and a
early as 1420, while pre-modern mining and maximum width of 4-5 m. The ore-bearing
metallurgical activities peaked during the breccia consists of angular fragments of granite
seventeenth century (Kinahan and Vogel, 1982). and gneiss set in a matrix of fine- to medium-
grained basic rock. Limited trenching indicates
Larger scale mining started in 1840, when that the mineralised zone is 3 to 5 m wide and
the Walwich Bay Copper Mining Company the fault dips 80o to 85o E. The source of the
opened up the Matchless deposit in central copper, which shows best along cracks, is
Namibia and the first Namibian copper ore was probably the basic rock itself, in which it occurs
exported via Walvis Bay. Towards the end of as patches throughout.
the 19th century, the Tsumeb deposit, which
was exploited on a small scale by local people About 3 km east of Omuramba, malachite
for a long time, was assessed by mining and chrysocolla coatings appear along the
entrepreneurs. Once the potential of this contact between a satellite body of anorthosite of
extraordinary copper deposit was understood, the Kunene Complex and foliated basic rocks of
intensive exploration in the entire Otavi the Epupa Complex. Prospecting pits and
Mountainland was begun, leading to the trenches over a small outcrop area of 4 to 5 m,
discovery of many other deposits. however, have revealed no significant
mineralisation below the surface.
Today, three copper mines are productive in
Namibia, while some others are dormant. Since It is reported by Ransom (1982) that
1908 a recorded amount of 1.6 million tons of “impressive copper (malachite/chrysocolla)
copper metal has been produced in Namibia. staining is associated with leuco-gneisses
northeast of the settlement of Oruwanje.
Sporadic outcrops can be traced for up to 5 km.
2. Copper occurences in Pre-Damaran rocks Assay results as high as 28% copper and 2996 g/
t silver with 2.38 g/t gold give this area high
2.1 Epupa Metamorphic Complex priority”. He also reports that in the Otwane area
a spectacular conformable quartz vein associated
The Epupa Complex, the oldest rock with a quartzite/marble hanging wall and a talc-
assemblage in Kaokoland, comprises a amphibolite footwall contains massive
succession of metamorphosed volcanic and chalcocite and malachite-dioptase
sedimentary rocks together with various mineralisation. Maximum assay values are 44%
intrusive gneisses underlying large areas copper, 85 g/t silver and 0.3 g/t gold. Sporadic
between the Kunene river and Sesfontein. outcrops along 2 km were noted (Ransom,
1982).
During 1976 minor copper deposits were
examined in an area south of Epupa Falls in
northern Kaokoland. 2.2 Huab Metamorphic Complex
Some 7 km northeast of Ondova and 2 km
Copper is frequently associated with quartz

2.3-7
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

veins in gneiss, as well as metasedimentary and hanging wall unit containing the main
metavolcanic rocks of the Huab Complex in the mineralisation, a barren zone 2 to 8 m wide and
Kamanjab Inlier of the western Outjo District a low-grade footwall zone 7 to 8 m wide. The
and the Huab-Khorixas area of northeastern intersections of the two more successful holes,
Damaraland. The mineralisation appears to be which penetrated the copper-bearing zone at 82
structurally controlled by shears or faults. Some and 126 m vertical depth respectively, are as
surface-enriched high-grade ore has been follows:
recovered on a small scale.

Table 1: Copper-bearing intersections in 2

2.2.1 Outjo District boreholes, Block A, Rehderstal Fault Area (after
Lee, 1970).
Several copper showings southeast of
Kamanjab are spatially controlled by the 1.Width of hanging wall mineralisation: 3.9 m
Rehderstal Fault, a prominent structural feature Grade: 1.29% Cu, 9.0 g/t Ag
striking east-west over a distance of some Width of barren zone: 7.6 m
120 km. This reverse fault generally dips 60o to Width of footwall mineralisation: 8.0 m
65o south and is characterised by intensely Grade: 0.46% Cu
sheared greyish talcose schist grading into 2. Width of hanging wall mineralisation: 5.2 m
quartz-feldspar schist with banded to massive Grade: 1.04% Cu, 1.7 g/t Ag
chert and vein quartz. The area is underlain by Width of barren zone: 2.0 m
sheared granite-gneiss, as well as Width of footwall mineralisation: 1.8 m
metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks that Grade: 0.52% Cu
have been intruded by coarse-grained pink
granite of the Fransfontein suite.
Another hole, situated 55 m east of the
The two most promising showings, the so- eastern limit of surficial copper staining,
called Block A and Block E prospects, are intersected 6.1 m grading 0.3% copper at a
situated on Rehderstal 23 and have been vertical depth of 80 m. This suggests the
explored in considerable detail (Lee, 1970; mineralised body may plunge eastward. In the
Dendle, 1970). hanging wall zone, shreds and blebs of
chalcocite along schistosity and fracture planes
replace bornite and chalcopyrite. In the footwall
2.2.1.1 Block A zone, bornite and chalcopyrite predominate,
chalcocite is accessory and pyrite fairly abundant
Of the numerous copper showings in near the base. Native copper, cuprite and
sheared, slightly silicified granite-gneiss on the limonite occur in minor amounts in both zones
easternmost portion of the farm Rehderstal 23, (Lee, 1970; Dendle, 1971a).
the mineralised zone in the immediate footwall
of the Rehderstal fault is the largest. It has a
strike length of 360 m and a width of 1 to 13 m. 2.2.1.2 Block E
The ore consists of malachite, azurite, specks of
cuprite, hematite and occasional chalcocite This prospect is situated on the western
usually associated with quartz stringers. portion of the farm Rehderstal 23 about 5.5 km
Channel samples taken across the mineralised west of the Block A deposit. Mineralisation over
zone in trenches 30 m apart assayed 0.33 to a distance of more than 200 m is localised in
1.17% copper over a mean width of 5 m. The sheared, slightly silicified, pink porphyroblastic
silver content averages 3.7 g/ton. granite-gneiss along the northern margin of the
Rehderstal fault. The best values occur in a zone
Four diamond drill holes totalling 892 m stretching for 100 m along strike in the western
have indicated that the zone comprises a part of the prospect, averaging 1.04% copper

2.3-8
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

and 9.7 g/t silver over a width of about 10 m. and cuprite have been exposed in a pit 5 m deep
The only hole drilled at this prospect intersected at the contact between meta-lava and arkosic
5 m of sheared gneiss containing minor quartzite; the deposit is confined to a siliceous
malachite and few specks of bornite and shear zone 11 m long and dips 65o south. The
chalcopyrite at a vertical depth of 94 m; and a grade runs several per cent copper, however, the
second low-grade zone at 115 m vertical depth. reef is very small.
The eastern half of the mineralised zone is
narrower, averaging only 0.43% copper and On the farm Leicester 43, near the common
7.5 g/t silver over a width of 0.6 m (Lee, 1970; boundary between the farms Leicester 43 and
Dendle, 1971a). Paxton 44, occasional malachite stains are
present in silicified specularite-rich granite-
gneiss 600 m south of the Rehderstal Fault.
2.2.1.3 Minor occurrences Though traced over a distance of 450 m, the
mineralisation is very spotty (Frere, 1985).
Many small outcrops with minor copper
content occur along the Rehderstal Fault. The Minor copper mineralisation also occurs on
two most prominent malachite showings are the farms Otjitambi 25, Teschendorf 24 and
located between Blocks A and E. Chip samples Khairos 27 (Lee, 1970).
taken across the eastern prospect in sheared
metaquartzite assayed 0.26 to 0.55% copper and
0.7 to 3.5 g/t silver over a strike length of 50 m 2.2.2 Damaraland
and a width of 3 m.
2.2.2.1 Copper Valley Area
On the farm Blydskap 268, 30 km west of
the farm Rehderstal 23, a 3-m-wide zone of Several quartz-copper veins cutting gneiss
copper-bearing porphyroblastic Fransfontein and schist of the Huab Complex in the Copper
granite-gneiss occurs in the immediate footwall Valley area have been explored and
of the Rehderstal Fault, exposed in a road intermittently worked on a small scale. The
cutting. A chip sample taken across the zone discontinuous quartz lenses with sporadic
assayed 0.81% copper and 10.2 g/t silver. concentrations of galena, chalcocite and native
gold appear to be confined to subsidiary faults
About 200 m south of the Rehderstal Fault, and shear zones in which the original rock is
on the eastern portion of the same farm, locally altered to chlorite-sericite schist, talc,
malachite, chalcocite and cuprite in association brown carbonate and epidote (Söhnge, 1958).
with barite and fluorspar are present in one of a The fractures are probably related to the Huab
series of quartz veins striking east in the coarse- Fault Zone striking east-northeast over 100 km
grained gneiss. A high-grade sample from this towards Otjikondo.
vein assayed 11.22% copper and 13.7 g/t silver.
It has a strike length of 30 m and a width The Copper Valley prospect is situated on the
exceeding one metre. northwestern portion of the farm Mesopotamie
504, some 65 km northwest of Khorixas. Prior to
On the northeastern part of the farm 1924, six trenches were opened up in a group of
Rhinelands 18, quartz veins associated with a copper-bearing quartz veins. During the period
prominent northeast-striking shear zone contain 1950 to 1952 more than 1000 tons of
copper, fluorspar and accessory barite.The handcobbed ore grading 20 to 30% copper were
mineralisation, though weak and patchy, is produced by open-cast mining.
exposed over a distance of 300 m where the
shear zone forms a cymoidal bend. The quartz veins, up to 60 m in length and
Near the western boundary of the farm 0.1 to 1.5 m in width, carry sporadic
Rehderstal 23 and about 1.2 km south of the concentrations of chalcocite, chalcopyrite and
Rehderstal Fault, malachite, azurite, chrysocolla sparse pyrite. They strike mainly parallel to the

2.3-9
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

north-northwest trending foliation of the gneiss Knorring & Sahama, 1981). The deposit has
and schist or transsect the structural grain at been opened up by trenches over a strike length
right angles. of 25 m.

Although the ore near surface has been

worked out, open-cast mining may be resumed 2.2.2.2 Noute 674
with a very low stripping ratio as the dip of the
major quartz body is slightly steeper than that of Some copper ore was produced from two
the slope on which it crops out (Clynch, 1968a). prospects about 1.5 km apart on that portion of
the farm Noute 674 just south of the Huab
In the granitic gneiss on the northeastern part River.
of the farm, sporadic copper-lead-bismuth-gold-
silver mineralisation in lenticular quartz pods The southern deposit consists of a quartz
occurs in fault zones striking east and dipping vein 1 to 1.5 m wide, carrying galena,
steeply north. Handcobbed chalcocite chalcocite, cerussite, malachite, chrysocolla
concentrates have been reported to carry 68.5 and iron oxides over a strike length of 45 m.
g/t gold, whereas galena concentrates contained The vein dips 60o north and has been traced
685 g/t gold. Numerous trenches and pits, one over 1.5 km. It forms a local branch of a
open cast and one 12-m-deep shaft were regional fault striking north-northwest. The
excavated during previous exploration. Some mineralisation is patchy and is restricted to a
metallurgical testwork has been carried out width of 0.3 to 0.6 m.
(Clynch, 1968a; Berning, 1988).
The northern occurrence is located on a
Kruger’s deposit lies in augen-gneiss of the major fault several kilometres long. The
Huab Complex on a steep mountain slope close sheared rock on the fault zone is locally altered
to the Copper Valley prospect near the to chlorite-sericite schist. The schist contains
northwestern boundary of the farm patches of sparsely disseminated copper- and
Mesopotamie 504. The copper occurs in a iron minerals over a metre in width. Samples
quartz vein that strikes north-northeast and dips of the material assayed 2 to 6% copper (Seeger,
50o to 55o east. The length of the vein is 45 m 1978).
and its maximum thickness 2 m near the center
of the deposit. A narrow sheet of phyllitic schist
adjoins the vein, while the hanging wall is 2.2.2.3 Goeiehoop 503
silicified. Mineralisation is locally rich where
the vein thickens. The copper minerals are Chalcocite pebbles up to fist size have been
mainly malachite, shattuckite, chrysocolla and reported from a valley next to the Huab Fault
occasional dioptase, accompanied by hematite, on this farm.
specularite and limonite. Bornite has been noted
at only one place (Gain, 1971).
2.2.2.4 Lofdal 491
An ore sample from one of the copper
occurrences on the farm Mesopotamie 504 Malachite showings on a small hill in the
contains a surprising variety of minerals. These northeastern corner of the farm were opened up
include native copper, cuprite, chalcocite, in the 1950s by means of 4 small adits, the
malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, plancheite, a lowermost of which is reputed to have yielded
very rare black mineral with a spinel-type ore grading 10% copper. Several pits and
structure, a yellowish-green mineral close to trenches were also dug in a mineralised
calciovolborthite, native bismuth, bismite, quartzite unit striking northeast and dipping
bismutite, beyerite, clinobisvanite, the newly 40o to 60o southeast.
named mineral namibite, galena, scheelite,
cuprotungstite, iodagyrite and embolite (Von Three vertical diamond drill holes sunk in

2.3-10
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

1974 indicated that the prominent surface 2.3.1 Karibib District

showing was associated in depth with a
ferruginous, quartz-invaded zone in the hanging 2.3.1.1 Henderson and Ehlers Mines
wall quartzite, the latter being a barren unit
interbedded in ferruginous chlorite-carbonate Situated on the farm Naob 69 some 13 km
and chlorite-sericite schist at a vertical depth of south-southwest of Usakos, these adjoining
25 to 36 m. The best intersections assayed deposits were developed in 1914 by means of
1.02% copper and 1.51% copper over widths of two vertical and two inclined shafts. One of the
1.95 m and 1.20 m, respectively. Another vertical shafts, about 70 m deep, was sunk to the
borehole penetrated the copper-bearing zone fourth level.
between 60 and 85 m vertical depth and the best
intersections returned assays of 0.15% copper Copper occurs in the contact zone between
and 0.14% copper over widths of 4.9 m and granitic gneiss footwall and biotite-amphibole
3.9 m respectively. The prospect is thought to schist and calc-silicate rock. The mineralised
represent either superficial enrichment or the zone, about 4 m wide, strikes east for some
root zone of a largely eroded deposit (Davidson, 350 m and dips 45o to 60o S. It is exposed as a
1977). malachite-stained quartz gossan cut at right
angles by several pegmatite dykes. The ore
minerals are malachite, azurite, bornite,
2.2.2.5 Korechas 381 and Navarre 383 chalcopyrite, chalcocite, cobaltite and native
gold (Brinkmann, 1924).
On these two farms quartz veins up to 40 cm
wide intersect quartzite and schist of the Huab Diamond drilling indicated the mineralisation
Complex. Some of them carry copper minerals to be discontinuous. In depth it occurs in a
and isolated nuggets of gold. quartzite intercalated with pink footwall gneiss
and biotite-amphibole schist in the hanging wall.
The indicated reserves for the Henderson Mine
2.2.2.6 Olifantshoek 388 amount to 150000 t at 2.0% copper (Scott,
1976).
During a regional soil sampling programme
carried out north of the Summas Mountains, an
anomaly (280 ppm copper) was delineated. 2.3.1.2 Ubib Mine
Sporadic malachite staining was found in shear
zones in gneiss of the Huab Complex At the Ubib Mine, straddling the common
(Galloway, 1983a). boundary of the farms Ubib 76 and Naob 69,
patchy copper mineralisation occurs in
amphibolite and quartzite over a strike length of
2.3 Abbabis Metamorphic Complex 1000 m and up to 1.5 m in width. Chalcopyrite,
bornite, chalcocite, malachite, chrysocolla and
In an area between Karibib and azurite have formed in a minor shear zone.
Swakopmund, copper deposits of metamorphic
affiliation are located in the core of two domes In a vertical shaft, 36 m deep, on the farm
comprising gneiss, biotite schist, amphibolite, Naob 69 the main lode is one metre wide and
quartzite and marble of the Abbabis surface exposures continue 50 m along strike.
Metamorphic Complex. The rocks were Channel samples along this body average 2.5%
deformed by the Damara Orogeny and invaded copper. Diamond drilling revealed sporadic
by post-Damaran granite and pegmatite. mineralisation and the ore reserves for this
Although most of the prospects were opened up prospect are of the order of 100000 t at 1.5%
before 1914, two of them, the Henderson and copper (Scott, 1976).
Ubib Mines, have recently been explored in
more detail and tested by diamond drilling.

2.3-11
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.3.1.3 Engineer Gren Prospect intense near the contact between quartzite and
pegmatite. Trace values were intersected by one
Some 300 m northeast of the shaft of the of two core holes (Clynch, 1969a).
Ubib Mine, copper ore in silicified zones in
contact with pegmatite was opened up by means
of trenches and an open cast. Pyrite and 2.3.1.7 Naob 69
chalcopyrite are contained in swarms of very
thin quartz stringers parallel to the foliation of In the southern corner of this farm, malachite,
the amphibole schist host rock; further away chrysocolla and small amounts of chalcocite
from the contact pyrite and chalcopyrite are have been observed in pegmatites emplaced in
finely disseminated in the schist (Clynch, en echelon fashion parallel to the strike of the
1969a). host rocks (Clynch, 1969a).

2.3.1.4 Van Zyl Prospect 2.3.1.8 Tsawisis Suid 95

At this prospect, 700 m northeast of the Ubib In 1987 a copper occurrence on the farm
shaft, sulphides are present in a small tight fold Tsawisis Suid 95 was investigated. A 6-m-wide
in calcareous quartzite and amphibolite, pit exposed malachite-stained and sulphide-
truncated by a large pegmatite. Pyrite and bearing biotite gneiss of the Abbabis
abundant epidote have formed along fractures Metamorphic Complex. Rock samples from the
and foliation planes, while the intrusive dump material assayed copper values in excess
amphibolite and a locally present breccia of 3.5% (Landmark, 1987a).
contain pyrite and chalcopyrite. Although the
overall sulphide content of these rocks is fairly
high, copper values exceed 2% in only a few 2.3.1.9 Tsawisis 16
places. This prospect was explored in 1969 by
means of five trenches and two diamond drill Near the southeastern boundary of this farm,
holes. The results show that brecciation and malachite and chalcopyrite occur in quartz veins
mineralisation are erratically developed and following the noses of small tight folds.
apparently not related to the pegmatite (Clynch, Approximately 31 t of hand-picked ore grading
1969a). 20% copper were recovered here during the
period December 1960 to January 1961.
Elsewhere on the farm, malachite stains in
2.3.1.5 Naob River Prospect amphibole-biotite schist have been traced for
30 m over a width of 5 m (Clynch, 1969a).
A copper showing, about 2.5 km east of the
Van Zyl Prospect, is located at the contact
between ampibole schist and a crosscutting 2.3.2 Swakopmund District
pegmatite dyke. The occurrence resembles that
of the Ubib Mine (Clynch, 1969a). 2.3.2.1 Ida Mine

The Ida Mine is situated 55 km east of

2.3.1.6 Narubis Prospect Swakopmund on the northern bank of the
Swakop River. It was worked prior to 1914 and
On the farms Narubis 67 and Abbabis 70, a small tonnage of copper ore was transported to
malachite coats the siltstone partings and joints the plant of the then operating Khan Mine. The
of a quartzite unit some 38 m thick. The excavations included 17 trenches and a 75-m-
quartzite dips steeply to the north and strikes deep shaft. The presence of uranium at this
across the foliation of the adjoining granulites locality was discovered only after World War II.
and biotite schist. Copper staining is most

2.3-12
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

The country rock consists of reddish to pink 2.4.1.2 Voigtland 77

alaskitic granite containing numerous
pegmatites and xenoliths of quartz-oligoclase- Malachite stains appear over a distance of
hornblende-biotite gneiss. On the eastern side 300 m in sheared Hohewarte granite-gneiss
the granite is flanked by marble of the Karibib about 2 km north of the homestead on the farm
Formation. A fault dipping 67o southeast strikes Voightland 77. Compare also 3.3.10.25.
parallel to the zone of gneiss xenoliths.
Malachite, pyrite, chrysocolla, chalcopyrite,
bornite and magnetite are confined to the gneiss 2.4.1.3 Langbeen 86
xenoliths over a maximum width of over 3 m.
The radioactive minerals, schroekingerite and Malachite coatings have been noticed in
gumite, occur with smoky quartz not only in the sheared granite near the road to Kudis on the
gneiss but also in the granite, pegmatites and in western part of this farm. Compare also 3.1.10.8
the fault-zone. and 3.3.10.19.

2.4 Hohewarte Metamorphic Complex 2.4.1.4 Omitiomire Nord 163

2.4.1 Windhoek District An extensive geochemical copper anomaly

discovered at a pan on the southern portion of
2.4.1.1 Aris 29 and Krumhuk 30 the farm Omitiomire Nord 163 is underlain by
highly foliated rocks tentatively correlated with
Widespread copper mineralisation in gneiss, the Hohewarte Metamorphic Complex. A
schist and granulite of the Hohewarte sequence of gneiss, schist and amphibolite forms
Metamorphic Complex occurs discontinuously a dome structure, which, except for a few
in a belt, 1500 m wide, stretching 15 km from isolated outcrops, is concealed by a layer of
the northwestern corner of the farm Krumhuk aeolian sand. Drilling has indicated the presence
30 to the northeastern corner of the farm Aris of finely disseminated copper sulphide in folded
29. Malachite, chrysocolla and brochantite show quartz-biotite-chlorite-epidote schist and also
up in outcrop, along foliation planes, and as massive veins and blows in fractured pegmatitic
intergranular impregnations. In depth, granite which appears to intrude the schists. The
disseminated chalcopyrite is present. The mineralised zone grades + 0.4% copper over a
several stratiform copper-bearing units, 35 to width of 6 to 20 m and has a strike length of
150 m thick, probably involve repetition by 700 m. The schists are considered to be the
isoclinal folding possibly coupled with source of the copper which apparently was
imbricate structures. redistributed by metamophism and contact-
metamorphic processes during the intrusion of
The area was investigated from 1967 to the granite-pegmatite (Fletcher, 1977).
1975. The best showing is located some 700 m
east-northeast of the homestead of the farm
Krumhuk 30 where malachite impregnation 2.5 Oamites Formation
over a distance of 100 m is up to 5 m wide.
Three grab-samples assayed 0.3, 0.7 and 0.9% In the Southern Margin Zone of the Damara
copper. Orogen a sequence of metasedimentary rocks,
including the amphibolite on the farm Oamites
Extensive trenching was carried out over 53, was named the Oamites Formation by Lee
9 km of strike together with soil and stream and Glenister (1976). The copper-bearing
sediment surveys. Three diamond holes lithozones were interpreted as a marine facies of
totalling 384 m were completed. However, the the terrestrial arenites of the Kamtsas Formation
grade averages well under 0.5% copper (Heath, correlated with the Nosib Group (Fig. 1).
1969a; Walter, 1975a; Borton, 1977).

2.3-13
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

four Oamites claims in 1966 and purchased the

property two years later after 11 diamond drill
holes had been completed. A vertical
exploration shaft and a decline were sunk and
the mine was officially opened in November
1971.

In the vicinity of the Oamites mine, the

Oamites Formation comprises a predominantly
amphibolitic lower lithozone (LO), a middle unit
of conglomerate and arkosic quartzite (MO) and
an upper lithozone consisting of alternating
micaceous quartzite and schist (UO) (Lee
Glenister, 1976) (Fig. 2). The MO sequence
Figure 1: Geological map of the Oamites area which hosts the mineralisation has been
subdivided as tabulated below:

Subsequently the unit was included in the

Billstein Formation of the Rehoboth Sequence Table 2: Vertical cross-section through the
by Miller & Schalk (1980). Oamites ore body (after Lee & Glenister, 1976)

Recent detailed mapping and structural Lithozone Lithology approximate thickness(m)

studies have indicated that the Oamites UO9 schist and pink quartzite
Formation represents an allochthonous thrust MO1 conglomerate, quartzite, 8-10
sheet of basement material, which tentatively and dolomitic marble
may be correlated with the Hohewarte MO2 conglomerate, quartzite 8-10
Metamorphic Complex of the Rietfontein Inlier. (MO2 quartzite marker)
MO3 conglomerate 1
The Oamites Formation generally strikes MO4 quartzite 1
east-west, has a steep northward to vertical dip MO5 conglomerate 1
and attains a maximum thickness of about MO6 biotitic quartzite 1
1000 m. The rocks have undergone upper MO7 conglomerate 1
greenschist facies metamorphism. MO8 pebbly schist 10-15
LO1 schist

2.5.1 Windhoek District Figure 2: Vertical cross section through the

Oamites ore body (after Lee & Glenister,
2.5.1.1 Oamites Mine 1976)

The Oamites Mine is situated 50 km south of

Windhoek. At the turn of the century the
Hanseatische Minen-Gesellschaft operated a
small mine on the farm Kamzwas 253,
adjoining the farm Oamites 53. The copper-
stained quartzite outcrops on the farm Oamites
53 drew only casual attention until extensive
drilling was conducted during the period 1960
to 1962. An ore reserve of 2 million t at 1.58%
copper was outlined, but at the time considered
too small for profitable mining. Falconbridge
Exploration (Pty) Ltd obtained an option on

2.3-14
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

The stratiform mineralisation persists over east, but increase in abundance to the west. A
approximately 2.5 km along strike and marked upward zonation from pyrite to
comprises a payable eastern section, the Oamites chalcocite to bornite plus chalcocite in the
ore body, and a low-grade western section. sequence from the MO3 to the MO2 lithozone is
also evident, whereas lead and zinc sulphides are
The ore body is lenticular in plan and virtually confined to the low grade MO3
occupies the central portion of the mineralised lithozone (Lee & Glenister, 1976).
zone forming the eastern section. The length of
the shoot on surface is 450 m and economic In the western section, the MO sequence
grade copper-silver ore was intersected in carries pyrite, chalcopyrite, and rare bornite up
boreholes to depths of 400 m below surface. to where the mineralised zone is truncated by the
The width of the shoot averages 15 m, ranging overthrust Kudis marble on the eastern portion
from 1 to 20 m. A transgressive shear zone of the farm Kamzwas 253. Along this section
divides the ore body into a southward-dipping only three small shoots with more than 1%
eastern half and a northward-dipping western copper were located. Diamond drilling into the
half. The dip is invariably steeper than 80o. ore bearer on the farm Kamzwas 253 has
indicated that the conglomerate-quartzite grades
The main copper-bearing horizon is confined locally into quartzite-biotite schist accompanied
to the MO2 zone of mixed conglomerate and by diminishing disseminated chalcopyrite at a
quartzite. The base of the MO2 zone is marked vertical depth of + 130 m (Walter, 1975).
by a well-mineralised quartzite, carrying
bornite, while the top is in contact with the first The Oamites Mine came into production in
MO1 dolomitic marble. Footwall ore is July 1971. A copper concentrate with
restricted to the MO3 zone and its lower limit is approximately 35.6% copper, 14.8 g/t silver and
the barren MO4 quartzite, the footwall minor gold was produced. The concentrate was
quartzite. The MO3 and MO2 zones are mined treated at the Tsumeb smelter. While the gold
as one ore body. was contained in the resulting blister copper,
some 41 t of silver were recovered over the
The copper minerals are mainly bornite and years. The production of the Oamites Mine is
chalcopyrite with small but widespread amounts shown in Table 3.
of intergrown chalcocite, digenite and covellite.
Native silver constitutes a valuable accessory
mineral, a sparse scattering of sphalerite and Table 3: Production of the Oamites Mine
galena is generally present. The sulphides are (Source: Directorate of Mines).
disseminated, though concentrated along
foliation planes. Grain sizes average 10 to 30 Year Ore Concentrate Copper Silver
microns in quartzite, and 1 mm by 0.3 mm for (t) (t) (t) (t)
shreds in the conglomerate. Chalcopyrite 1971 48 981 1 185 415
prevails in the lower grade (+ 1.1% copper) 1972 408 304 11 831 4 621
MO3 zone, while bornite predominates in the 1973 588 302 21 012 7 254
richer MO2 zone (+1.5% copper). The 1974 606 017 17 718 6 259
chalcopyrite : bornite ratio increases with depth. 1975 558 386 19 163 6618
Of the total sulphide content, chalcopyrite 1976 560 500 19804 6 442 2.81
constitutes approximately 39%, and chalcocite 1977 645 500 19 092 6 542 6.88
11%. 1978 614 901 17 078 6 491
1979 591 000 15 816 6 623
Sulphide mineral zonation extends laterally 1980 583 300 15 096 5 848 7.13
and vertically. A trend from chalcocite to 1981 467 100 13 191 4 671 6.70
bornite to chalcopyrite to pyrite in a westerly 1982 325 500 11 884 4 370 6.90
direction is clearly established in the ore body. 1983 338 900 13 623 4 190 5.60
Galena and sphalerite are virtually absent in the 1984 248 807 7 159 4 118 4.90

2.3-15
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

The mine closed in December, 1984, due to 2.6.1 Rehoboth District

the exhaustion of the ore reserves.
2.6.1.1 Oudam 354
Trackless mining was applied
advantageously at the Oamites Mine. The main Near the eastern boundary of the farm
hoisting decline was driven at an inclination of Oudam 354, two showings of malachite and
14o on the hanging wall side of the ore body for chrysocolla, about 500m apart, are located in a
a projected horizontal distance of 850 m, with 200-m-wide belt of altered Piksteel
cross dimensions of 5.5 m by 2.7 m in order to Granodiorite with rafts of amphibolite,
accommodate a 91 cm conveyor belt system and quartzite, and biotite schist of the Neuhof
afford traffic facilities for scooptrams, Formation. The zone of alteration can be traced
landrovers and other vehicles. The tabular about 1000 m eastwards into the neighbouring
steeply dipping ore body lends itself to farm Konub Suid 356. Outcrops are rather rare
longitudinal blast hole stoping from sublevels on the prevailing broad sandy plain. A
using a fan pattern of drilling. Along strike, the mineralised sample assayed 4.04% copper,
ore body is divided into stoping panels 50 m in 635 ppm lead, 26 g/t silver and 1.8 g/t gold
length with 15 m rib pillars between every two (Woodsend, 1974).
panels. Stopes were blasted in a stepped pattern
in order to prevent wall dilution, each stope
being some 50 m long, 120 m high and 15 to 2.6.1.2 Opetjie 357
20 m wide (Coal, Gold and Base Minerals,
1973). Copper is present in an inlier of highly
epidotised, slightly chloritic quartzo-
feldspathic amphibolite, exposed in a number
2.6 Mooirivier Metamorphic Complex and of prospecting pits and trenches. The
Neuhof Formation occurrence was investigated in 1974-1975 by
means of geochemical soil sampling, an IP
Rocks of the Mooirivier Metamorphic survey and percussion drilling.
Complex and Neuhof Formation are widely
distributed in the southwestern Rehoboth area Detailed soil sampling over an area of
and the western Maltahöhe District, either as 960 m by 600 m including the main prospect
isolated remnants or contiguous outcrops delineated a copper anomaly measuring 460 m
engulfed by various granitic intrusions. The north to south. The anomaly is bounded by the
Mooirivier Metamorphic Complex consists of 100 ppm contour line and peaks at 5500 ppm
migmatitic and porphyroblastic gneiss, copper. Four trenches checking this anomaly
amphibolite, basic schist and various and three on scattered copper peaks were
metasedimentary rocks, whereas the Neuhof channel-sampled at 1.0 m intervals. The best
Formation is composed of metamorphosed assays, 0.47% copper over 7 m and 0.7%
volcanic rocks and various subordinate copper over 11.0 m, were obtained from the
metasedimentary types (Schalk and Germs, two central trenches. A further value of 1.2%
1980). An unconformable relationship exist copper over 2.0 m width was recorded in one
between the older Mooirivier Metamorphic of the old prospecting trenches sited on the
Complex and the Neuhof Formation. main copper anomaly.

Numerous copper showings, in places Five percussion boreholes tested the IP and
accompanied by minor lead and gold, occur geochemical copper anomalies within the soil
with vein quartz along shear and fracture zones sampling grid. The best intersection, 0.13%
in the metavolcanic formations of both units or copper over 2 m was encountered in a borehole
along the contact with the granitic intrusives. between 41.5 and 43.5 m downhole. This hole
was drilled towards the peak of 5500 ppm of
the previously mentioned copper anomaly and

2.3-16
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

collared at the trench containing 0.7% copper values not exceeding 0.35% copper over a width
over 11.0 m (Shelford, 1975a; 1975f). of 5 m. The overall grade of the mineralised area
is probably less than 0.1% copper (Miller, 1966;
De Swardt, 1975).
2.6.1.3 Nomeib 358

A major north-south trending inlier of 2.6.1.6 Groendraai 367

intermediate lavas of the Neuhof Formation
shows local copper stains along joints. The Sporadic malachite coatings are found in
colouration rarely extends for more than 20 m xenoliths of Neuhof Formation schist and in the
along strike at any one place (Shelford, 1975a). adjoining Piksteel Granodiorite on the
Compare also 2.11.2.1.7 and 2.11.3.2.2. southestern part of the farm Groendraai 367. The
elongate xenoliths do not exceed one metre in
width and 30 m in length. The various showings
2.6.1.4 Eindpaal 518 have been prospected by several small pits and
trenches (Miller, 1966; De Swardt, 1975).
On the northern part of the farm Eindpaal
518 a few isolated remnants of highly
metamorphosed metalavas and metasediments 2.6.1.7 Du Plessis Rus 537
show copper coatings, confined mainly to
joints. These remnants rarely exceed 50 m in An outlier of black phyllite in the eastern
length and 2 m in width. Near the northeastern portion of the farm shows copper traces in
boundary of the farm narrow cupriferous zones several prospecting trenches. A geochemical
have been exposed in several prospecting pits anomaly with a 300 ppm copper peak over an
(Shelford, 1975b). area of roughly 1 000 m by 100m was found
(Mouillac, 1976). Compare also 2.13.8.1.1.

2.6.1.5 Kamkam 369, Karikomasis 364 and

Diergaards Aub 454 2.6.1.8 Neuras 330

At the common corner of these three farms, The supergene-enriched gold ore on this
copper is present over an area of some 900 m by farm, mined during the 1930s, is associated with
1 3 00 m in remnants of sheared, silicified and copper mineralisation. The old workings are
epidotised amphibolite, striking east-northeast situated on a northwest-trending shear in
within Piksteel Granodiorite. The amphibolite chloritic amphibolite and chlorite schist of the
outcrops can generally be followed for only a Neuhof Formation along the contact with
few tens of metres along strike. Piksteel Granodiorite. The lode consists of pyrite
and subordinate chalcopyrite, chalcocite and
The rock contains abundant malachite and galena; the chloritic schist and amphibolite host
chrysocolla with minor iron oxide, as revealed also contains variable amounts of pyrite, but
in 9 shallow trenches and one pit, 6 m deep, very sparse chalcopyrite.
sunk by the Hanseatische Minen- Gesellschaft
prior to World War I. The copper minerals are Previous mining was confined to the oxidised
seated in fractures and partially disseminated zone which extends to a depth of about 60 m and
throughout the amphibolite. Copper-rich is characterised by the presence of flakes and
epidositic lenses assay as high as 6% copper nuggets of free gold as well as various secondary
over strike lengths of 20 to 50 m. copper minerals.

A geochemical soil survey located a number Some 17 t of hand-picked material from this
of northeast-trending anomalous zones. zone reportedly contained up to 12.1% copper. A
Trenching to a depth of about 0.5 m disclosed diamond drill hole sunk to test the ore-bearer at

2.3-17
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

a vertical depth of 70 m, intersected amphibolite 2.6.2.2 Kumbis 55 and Vergenoeg 56

and chlorite schist containing pyrite cubes,
minor amounts of chalcopyrite and traces of Metamorphosed rocks of the Kumbis
gold and silver. Formation which forms part of the Neuhof
Formation, have been reported to show slight
Mineralised shear zones and quartz veins in copper staining on the farms Kumbis 55 and
similar rocks of the Neuhof Formation, about Vergenoeg 56 (Watters, 1974).
one kilometre northeast of the old gold mine,
were opened up by several trenches. Rock
samples taken from two of the trenches assayed 2.7 Kunene Complex
3.35% copper and 9.1 g/t gold (Borton, 1975;
1978). The Kunene Complex is a large anorthosite
massif that extends from northernmost
Kaokoland across the Kunene River into Angola
2.6.1.9 Swartskaap 332 for some 350 km. Only the southern extremity
lies inside Namibia, of which the western part
A prospecting pit in the southwestern corner has been investigated by a geochemical soil
of the farm Swartskaap 332 has exposed visible survey. Anomalous geochemical values led to
galena in sheared acid metalavas of the Neuhof the discovery of several copper showings as well
Formation. A detailed soil survey detected a as gossans associated with hypersthene
250-m-long geochemical anomaly with pyroxenite.
maximum values of 346 ppm copper, 2
560 ppm lead and 1 180 ppm zinc. Channel Some 20 km south of Epupa Falls, chalcocite
samples taken in the pit and two trenches to test and malachite appear along the contact between
the geochemical anomaly confirmed that the black and white anorthosite, where gossanous
best mineralisation is located in the pit on the hypersthene pyroxenite crops out as a linear
northeastern extremity of the anomaly, the grade zone striking northeast. This grades into
being 1.8% copper, 0.78% lead and 9.2% zinc serpentine-epidote-chlorite rocks striking in the
over 2.1 m (Borton, 1975). same direction which become notably richer in
copper. The discordant relationship between the
pyroxenite and the enclosing anorthosite
2.6.2 Maltahöhe District suggests intrusion along a shear. The mineralised
zone, partly covered by talus scree, ranges in
2.6.2.1 Neuhof Reserve 100 width from 1 to 5 m and attains an outcrop
length of about 400 m.
In the southern-central part of the farm
Neuhof Reserve 100, numerous pegmatitic Several other patchy gossans have been
quartz veins occur in granitic gneiss, observed within white anorthosite in the same
amphibolite and biotite schist of the Neuhof area; in places they are associated with
Formation. The main vein of pure quartz, 0.5 m hypersthene pyroxenite. At two localities,
wide, has a footwall zone carrying bornite and copper values reach maxima of 450 and
chalcocite, while the remainder is sparsely 370 ppm, accompanied by nickel concentrations
impregnated with galena. The prominent of 700 and 708 ppm, respectively (Albat, 1977).
Hammerstein fault striking northwest across the
western portion of the farm is locally marked by
ferruginous chert breccia with isolated 2.8 Orange River Group and Vioolsdrif Intrusive
malachite stains (Beetz, 1924). Suite

In the southwestern Karasburg District and

the adjoining southeastern Lüderitz District,
low-grade copper mineralisation occurs in

2.3-18
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks little structural deformation. The prevailing
of the Orange River Group intruded by formations are genetically related volcanic and
granodiorite, granite and quartz-feldspar plutonic calc-alkaline rocks, ranging in age from
porphyry of the Vioolsdrif Suite. The Haib 1800 to 2020 million years.
deposit is the most widely known, while other
important occurrences include the Kromriver, The volcanic units of the Haib Subgroup
Sperlingsputs and Stonehouse prospects and the include basaltic andesite, andesite, dacite and
Lorelei Mine. rhyolite, together with a variety of acid and
mafic pyroclastics and tuffs. The most
prominent rock type in the vicinity of the Haib
2.8.1 Karasburg District copper deposit is feldspar porphyry, a name
referring to the textural character of the
2.8.1.1 Haib Deposit undifferentiated dacitic and andesitic volcanic
rocks. Feldspar porphyry is the term used for a
The Haib deposit is located on the farm greenish-grey massive lava, comprising
Tsams 685, approximately 5 km from the Haib- saussuritised and sericitised plagioclase euhedra
Orange River confluence, on the rugged in a matrix of fine-grained quartz, feldspar and
southern slopes of the Orange River valley. biotite. Lenses and sheets of acid lavas
Noordoewer lies about 40 km by road to the interlayered with the feldspar porphyries are
west of the deposit. generally well sericitised.

The copper showings of the Haib valley were Granodiorite and adamellite are the dominant
discovered by early German explorers at the phases of the intrusive Vioolsdrif Suite. Other
turn of the century. Rich surface ore was mined rock types include basic to ultrabasic complexes,
on a small scale and transported by oxwagon to diorite, tonalite, quartz-feldspar porphyry and
Lüderitz for shipping to Europe. After World leucogranite. Copper-molybdenum
War II four claims were pegged on the main mineralisation at the Haib prospect is associated
deposit and mining commenced on a limited with an intrusive stock of quartz-feldspar
scale. Cobbed ore was sold to the O’okiep porphyry trending east-west and measuring
Copper Company (1945 to 1953). In 1955 about 11 km by 3 km. The rock is composed of
seventeen additional claims were pegged. From rounded, bluish, opalescent quartz phenocrysts
1955 until 1963 oxide ore concentrates were and subhedral to euhedral plagioclase
again sold to the O’okiep Copper Company, and phenocrysts in an equigranular, aphanitic
a few shipments were made to Germany and groundmass. Phenocrysts of biotite and chlorite
Japan. The entire area was eventually are commonly present. Accessory minerals
consolidated into one concession in 1963. The include apatite, anhydrite, rutile, pyrite,
deposit has since been examined by a number of chalcopyrite and molybdenite (Fuchter, 1964a;
mining companies, and a comprehensive Lee, 1964; Cooke, 1973; 1975; 1977; Minnitt,
investigation was carried out during the period 1986).
1971 to 1976. The program included detailed
geological studies, geochemical surveys, 45 900 The rocks are sheared and fractured, the most
metres (120 boreholes) of systematic core prominent fracture set striking 140o to 150o, with
drilling and metallurgical test work. This another between 40o and 60o. A well-developed
drilling programme indicated the presence of a foliation dips 30o to 80o south (Minnitt, 1979).
large, low-grade porphyry copper deposit. Lineations are developed on the foliation planes.
A breccia body in the northwestern portion of
The Haib copper deposit prospect is situated the copper-bearing feldspar porphyry consists of
in the Richtersveld Tectonic Province, a angular fragments cemented by milky white
lithologically stable domain distinct from the quartz carrying pyrite and chalcopyrite.
surrounding Namaqua Province. It is
characterised by low grade metamorphism and The full range of minerals characteristic of

2.3-19
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

intense hydrothermal alteration of porphyry (iii) Propylitic zone - a mass of chlorite,

copper deposits is present at the Haib deposit, epidote and calcite, including abundant pyrite
but the pattern differs somewhat from the veinlets.
alteration models of porphyry deposits as
established by Lowell and Guilbert (1970). Fig. 4 shows schematically the spatial
distribution of alteration zones relative to the
The three dominant alteration assemblages Haib porphyry stock shortly after the intrusion of
related to the ore-forming processes are the stock (A), and at later stage (B) when
potassium silicate, chlorite-sericite and quartz- fractures, alteration and mineralisation were
sericite with or without pyrite. Late-stage superimposed on the stock.
hydrothermal activity gave rise to an epidote-
chlorite-calcite assemblage and a weakly
developed clay-mineral assemblage. The
following alteration parageneses have been
recognised at the Haib deposit (Fig. 3):

Fig. 3: Simplified geological map of the

Haib deposit (after Minnitt, 1979)

(i) Potassic zone - characterised by the

hydrothermal formation of k-feldspar and
biotite. Accessory minerals include carbonate,
sphene, rutile, magnetite, pyrite and Fig. 4: Distribution of alteration zones in
chalcopyrite. The moderately intense alteration the Haib porphyry stock (after Minnitt, 1979)
appears to increase in depth, guided by fractures
in the quartz-feldspar porphyry which have
acquired a pinkish colour. The sulphide minerals chalcopyrite, bornite,
chalcocite, covellite, tennantite, molybdenite,
(ii) Phyllitic zone - plagioclase is galena, sphalerite, pyrite, arsenopyrite and
completely replaced by a felted mat of fine- pyrrhotite have been recognised. Pyrite and
grained sericite and quartz. In places pyrite is a chalcopyrite are the predominant sulphides. The
major rock-forming mineral. Minor hematite sulphides occur mainly as disseminations and
staining, as well as biotite, chlorite, epidote, fracture infill, but also form stringers, blebs and
orthoclase, tourmaline and clay minerals occur veinlets. Chalcopyrite, the dominant primary
within the zone, this mineral paragenesis being copper mineral, ranges in size from small
found in shear, fracture and fault zones. pinpoints to coarse-grained irregular patches.
Trace amounts of silver and gold are also

2.3-20
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

present. Disseminated ore predominates in the northeasterly trending shear faults as well as
quartz-feldspar porphyry, which also forms the minor tension fractures striking north.
bulk of the host rock, while the sulphide blebs,
veins and fracture fillings are typical of a Copper minerals are prominent in a 1-m-wide
mineralised feldspar porphyry. Molybdenite zone of irregular stringers on the northwest side
commonly occurs in the sulphide veins along of a shear zone 15 m wide, striking 50o to 70o
shears and associated with quartz. Weak and dipping 75o NW; it roughly parallels the
geochemical anomalies of lead and zinc contact between andesitic and rhyolitic
surround the Haib quartz-felspar porphyry stock metalavas. Although most of the stringers are
(Elliott, 1964; Cooke, 1973; 1975; 1977). oriented parallel to the shear, some cut obliquely
across it.
On surface the mineralised body is
characterised by abundant malachite and Malachite, chrysocolla, cuprite, azurite,
chrysocolla staining over an area of brochantite, chalcocite and a little bornite occur
approximately 2 000 m by 1 200 m. Weathering mainly in quartz-poor syenitic host rock. Copper
is shallow and no supergene enrichment of coatings are especially prominent along joints
disseminated sulphides has taken place. In and tension fractures filled with quartz crystals;
several shear zones, oxidation has produced ore blebs are also common in the host rock up to
azurite, brochantite, delafossite, native copper 100 m away from the shear fault. Though
and cuprite intimately associated with malachite generally quite fresh, the granite-syenite is
and chrysocolla (Cooke, 1977). locally somewhat chloritised and kaolinised
while the metalava is altered to hematite-rich
The existance of 1500 million t of ore, rock on the north side of the main silicified fault
consisting of 600 million t at a grade of 0.32% zone. The structure can be traced for some 2 km
copper and 900 million t grading 0.10% copper northeastwards, but associated mineralisation
has been proven. It has been suggested that the quickly diminishes in that direction (Lee, 1975).
deposit be mined profitably as an open-cast
operation using in-pit crusher and conveyor A small tonnage of ore recovered during
systems and the latest heap-leaching solvent- prospecting in 1948-1949 was delivered to the
extraction/electro-winning metallurgical Nababeep smelter. Compare also 2.8.1.8.
techniques. A first development phase could
comprise the establishment of a low-cost oxide
mining and leaching operation to produce 150 2.8.1.3 Sperlingsputs Prospect
t/month copper, rising to 450 tons/month. The
oxide mining profits could then be used for Of the several copper showings on the farm
testing the viability of mining the underlying Sperlingsputs 259 one was worked by opencast
sulphide ore. On a long term base a mining rate mining in the early 1960s. The deposit is located
of 100000 t of ore per day, producing in excess 8 km southwest of the homestead and comprises
of 75000 t of copper per year could be a locally epidotised and silicified quartzite
envisaged (Revere Resources, 1992). interspersed with biotitic gneiss and schist of the
2.8.1.2 Kromrivier Prospect Orange River Group. Quartz veins in a north-
striking shear zone carry chalcocite, bornite,
This prospect is situated 35 km east of malachite, azurite, cuprite, brochantite and
Noordoewer on State Land immediately south chrysocolla. Sparsely disseminated pyrite and
of the farm Kromrivier 359. The workings are traces of chalcopyrite are found for up to 5 m on
situated on the west bank of the Kromrivier either side of the shear. The mineralisation
approximately 400 m upstream from its continues along strike for about 1200 m, but is
confluence with the Orange River. The terrain is very weak away from the 60 m section mined.
overlain by metalavas of the Haib Subgroup The width of the shear, generally less than one
intruded by granite and quartz syenitic variants metre, expands to 5 m in the opencast. In one of
of the Vioolsdrif Suite. The rocks are cut by the prospecting pits cavities in a drusy vein,

2.3-21
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

0.6 m wide, are filled with chalcocite and quartz Suite of calc-alkaline plutonic, granitoid rocks.
crystals. The vein cuts at right angles across the
foliation of the gneiss and dips 75o east. Other The main development of the prospect took
excavations show brecciated veins with lumps place between 1953 and 1955 when several
of cuprite and malachite. small pits and inclines were sunk and a limited
amount of diamond drilling was carried out. In
Though relatively close to granitic intrusives late 1970 the potential of the occurrence was
(600 m to the west) and a diorite plug (300 m to reassessed by detailed mapping of the area at a
the west), no connection between mineralisation scale of 1:5 000. This work suggests that the
and the igneous rocks can be established. The occurrence, especially in regard to the potassic
secondary copper ore is believed to derive from and sericitic alteration, belongs to the porphyry
the metasedimentary host rocks and to have copper-molybdenum type of mineralisation and
been concentrated by downward percolation that it is similar to the Haib copper deposit
along the shear (Mortensen, 1976). (Viljoen et al., 1986).

About 3000 t of low-grade ore assaying 1.5% Chalcopyrite and molybdenite occur as
copper were treated by a leach process. disseminated blebs and aggregates, together with
Compare also 2.8.1.9. pyrite, in the leucocratic hood granite. The
copper content of this rock varies between 0.3
and 0.4%, whereas molybdenum varies from 30
2.8.1.4 Stonehouse Prospect to 40 ppm. Numerous shears, varying in width
from 2 to 20 m, carry patchy bornite,
This prospect on the northern central portion chalcopyrite and pyrite mineralisation.
of the farm Hakiesdoorn 137 was discovered
during a regional stream sediment survey in Malachite stains are confined to the
1974-1975. Sporadic patches of malachite are granodiorite, and show most prominently near
present on fracture surfaces in a lenticular the contact with the upper quartz-sericite schist.
quartz-feldspar-sericite schist body measuring Disseminations of chalcopyrite, pyrite and
1400 m by 300 m and dipping 35o to 60o north. sparse molybdenite flakes occur from 6 m below
In the north the schist is bounded by granite and this contact downwards. The outcrop width of
in the south by para-gneiss and granodiorite the ore zone is about 60 by 30 m. The contacts
stocks of the Vioolsdrif Suite, containing dip 40o to 80o northeast (Viljoen et al., 1986).
sparsely disseminated pyrite and traces of
malachite (Klinkert, 1975).
2.8.1.6 Aussenkjer 147 and adjoining State Land

2.8.1.5 The Lorelei Deposit A small, but apparently rich old copper mine
was rediscovered near the mouth of the Gamkab
The Lorelei copper-molybdenum deposit is River on the northwest portion of the farm
situated in the Richtersveld Province just north Aussenkjer 147. Ore was most probably
of the Orange River, approximately 20 km extracted here long before the Germans arrived
north-northeast of Sendelingsdrift. in Namibia.

The country rocks in the vicinity of the Minor copper indications are found along the
Lorelei copper prospect comprise the calc- Orange River on state land west of Aussenkjer
alkaline volcanic assemblages of the Orange 147.
River Group which include intermediate lavas
(dacite), acid lavas, pyroclastics, and minor
sedimentary rocks. These volcanic rocks are
intruded by granodiorite, leucocratic granite,
and aplite which all belong to the Vioolsdrif

2.3-22
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.8.1.7 Witputs 258, Devillierspunt 353 and Several copper showings in the meta-lava of
Tsams 360 the Haib Subgroup have been noted by Beukes
(1973) on State Land bordering the Orange
During an investigation of this area 94 River. They are associated with quartz veins in a
copper showings were located and classified shear zone. Compare also 2.8.1.2.
into 4 different categories. These are:

a. Mineralisation associated with granites 2.8.1.9 Sperlingsputs 259

and volcanic rocks. Malachite, chalcocite and to
a lesser extent chalcopyrite occur along joints as On the southeastern portion of the farm
minor disseminations, principally at intrusive Sperlingsputs 259, copper-bearing quartz veins
contacts. Occurrences are small and erratic. appear in north-northwest trending shear zones
along which the gneiss has been epidotised and
b. Impregnations associated with shear silicified. In one of the prospecting pits a drusy
zones. Only shears within the volcanic rocks vein, 0.6 m wide, is exposed. Some of its
were found to contain noteworthy copper, cavities are filled with chalcocite and quartz.
recurring in certain cases for several hundred The vein dips 75o east and cuts across the
metres on either side of the shear. foliation planes of the gneiss (Haughton &
Frommurze, 1936; Mortensen, 1975). Compare
c. Mineralisation within the basic bodies. also 2.8.1.3.
Minor amounts of copper occur within joints,
shears and as disseminations in several basic 2.8.1.10 Haakiesdorn 137
bodies.
A copper-bearing pegmatite located in the
d. Mineralised quartz veins: Sporadic copper southeastern part of the farm Haakiesdoorn 137,
minerals occur in some of the quartz veins about 5 km north of Goodhouse Drift, was
formed along faults (Gregory, 1974). opened up by means of a 4-m-deep pit. A 20-
cm-wide vein of malachite, chalcocite, cuprite
and specularite is exposed within the pegmatite
2.8.1.8 Kromrivier 359 and adjoining State over a distance of 9 m (Beukes, 1973;
Land Mortensen, 1975).

Some malachite is present in a layer of

amphibolitic gneiss south of the homestead on 2.8.1.11 Ramansdrift 135 and Houms Rivier 133
the farm Kromrivier 359 and near the road.
Results of stream sediment sampling showed no Copper is associated with a small quartz-
clear relationship to the copper-bearing filled shear zone in the northwestern corner of
outcrops. the farm Ramansdrift 135. A shallow
prospecting pit has exposed clots of limonitic
Geochemical soil sampling in 1974 material containing copper sulphides assaying
delineated three low-order anomalies, one on up to 4.84% copper. Two grab samples from the
the farm Kromriver 359, about 3 km northwest pit assayed 1.5 and 9.4% copper respectively.
of the homestead, and two on the adjoining
State Land (one approximately 6 km southwest Several pegmatites on the farm Houms Rivier
of the southernmost anomaly on the farm 133 show malachite staining and occasional
Kromriver 359, and approximately 3 km west of blebs of chalcocite. A meta-gabbro some 100 m
the latter point). The values of copper, nickel, across, in the western portion of the same farm,
lead and zinc are generally twice the is sparsely mineralised by disseminated blebs of
background; they are associated with intrusive chalcopyrite (Cahill, 1973). Compare also
bodies and a belt of actinolite schist and meta- 2.12.4.4.
rhyolite (Söhnge, 1960; Lee, 1975c).

2.3-23
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.9 Khoabendus Group and Associated A number of quartz veins in meta-andesite of

Formations the Khoabendus Group in the Kamanjab inlier of
southeastern Kaokoland contain minor
The Khoabendus Group represents an chalcocite and malachite. Copper, zinc and lead
important epoch of volcanism and occurrences associated with Khoabendus Group
sedimentation younger than the Huab quartzites were detected on the farm
Metamorphic Complex but older than the Nosib Kamdescha. Trace amounts of malachite are
Group. In the type area around Otjovazandu it common within quartz veins and felsic dykes.
comprises a lower volcanic succession and an Some highly anomalous copper and silver values
upper predominantly sedimentary assemblage. were detected, however, the outcrops are of
Widespread copper indications within the limited extend. The highest metal contents in
Khoabendus Group in the northwestern Outjo rock grab samples were 9.14% copper with
District attracted the attention of exploration 620 ppm silver and 2.93% copper with 63 ppm
companies during the 1970s. silver (Louwrens, 1987).

Extensive outcrops of quartzite with A copper deposit near Onganga has been
amphibole schist and acid lava of the Okapupa described by Collins (1985). Copper
Formation east of the Otjinjange River as well mineralisation in the form of malachite and
as in the area between the Otjihipa Mountains chalcocite in a north-northeast striking and
and the Gomatum River in the northern and steeply dipping fractured quartzite unit, which is
central Kaokoland, have been correlated with approximately 20 m thick. The unit is exposed
the Khoabendus Group (Miller & Schalk, along a strike length of some 100 to 150 m. The
1980). These volcano-sedimentary rocks average copper content is estimated at about 1%
represent potential environments for volcano- (Collins, 1985).
exhalative copper-lead-zinc mineralisation.

2.9.2 Damaraland
2.9.1 Kaokoland
2.9.2.1 Tevrede 643
Geochemical soil sampling in an area east of
the Otjinjange River (Marienfluss) detected a Prominent copper showings in the volcanic
copper anomaly over a metagabbro body 30 km succession of the West End Formation as well as
south of the Kunene River. Copper values the overlying sedimentary Otjovazandu
exceeding 80 ppm with maxima above 300 ppm Formation have been reported from the
were found to occur over an area about 300 m northwestern portion of the farm Tevrede 643.
by 100 m in extent. The anomaly was regarded
to be significant as the drainage channels In the volcanic rocks copper is confined to a
underlain by the same rock revealed tightly infolded remnant of andesite and
considerably lower values. Grab samples andesitic tuff. Some 15 showings have been
analysed for copper and nickel returned assays observed along this zone over a strike distance
of 0.05% for both elements. Owing to the of 3 km. In places a narrow zone of copper-
ruggedness of the area as well as the absence of stained gossan is also present in blocky
visible sulphide mineralisation no follow-up contorted zones within fine-grained andesite.
work was done. Eight trenches, each about 50 m in length, were
cut across the zone at the larger copper
At the Alex Koper occurrence, a few showings.
kilometres southwest of the farm Kowares 276,
a poorly exposed quartz vein about 100 m in Several copper prospects are located in the
length locally carries 10 to 20% copper. lower clastic sedimentary units of the
Selected samples reportedly assayed up to 40% Otjovazandu Formation. On the northwestern
copper (Linning, 1971). portion of the farm Tevrede 643, the beds have

2.3-24
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

been folded into a tight syncline overturned to 2.9.3 Outjo District

the north and plunging steeply northeast.
Numerous narrow veins of malachite and 2.9.3.1 Ermo 646
chalcocite with quartz gangue occur within
quartzite, phyllite and tuff, and are also closely Widely scattered copper indications occur in
associated with a basic dyke. Primarily, epidotised andesitic lava of the West End
however, the deposit is confined to a zone Formation in the northwestern corner of the farm
100 m wide and 500 m long in the sedimentary Ermo 646. The mineralisation is associated with
rocks forming the immediate footwall of the quartz veins of which the largest is related to an
dyke. The ore stringers, mostly less than 5 cm east-west striking fault. To the north of the main
wide, are parallel as well as perpendicular to the vein, chalcocite, bornite and chalcopyrite are
strike and are seldom traceable for more than found in several smaller quartz veins, whereas to
2 m. There are many trenches and prospecting the south a shear zone in the andesite is stained
pits. A small shaft sunk on the most prominent with malachite over a distance of some 20 m
vein to a depth of 10 m has revealed the (De Villiers, 1970).
presence of chalcopyrite, chalcocite and
malachite; the vein appears to peter out at the
bottom of the excavation. 2.9.3.2 Bergvallei 604
Other copper showings have been observed
in the lower part of the succession over a strike Chrysocolla with minor quantities of
distance of some 3 km; they are associated with malachite and bayldonite, as well as traces of
small transverse faults. gold in limonite, occur in quartzite interbedded
with quartz porphyry on the farm Bergvallei 604,
Slightly higher up in the Otjovazandu west of Kamanjab. Although copper values
Formation a ferruginous zone occurs at the base range as high as 11%, the mineralised bed is less
of carbonate rocks. It ranges in thickness from 5 than 1 m thick (Labuschagne, 1976a).
to 45 m and varies in appearance from a typical
iron-formation composed of alternating bands
of hematite and chert to more gossanous 2.9.3.3 The Kopermyn Deposit
material with very rare and extremely small
specks of copper minerals. Geochemical This copper deposit is situated on the farm
analyses have indicated that the copper, lead Kopermyn 291, 130 km northwest of Outjo. The
and zinc content of the ferruginous material ore outcrop was apparently discovered by
varies considerably, and is generally German prospectors prior to World War I, but no
anomalously high in the more limonitic- record is available of the early exploration and
siliceous rocks. Typical values for the latter mining activities. From the early 1940s up to the
would be 120 ppm copper, 150 ppm lead and end of 1961 the deposit yielded approximately
250 ppm zinc over background values of 3000 t of copper ore averaging 7% copper.
20 ppm, 60 ppm and 50 ppm, respectively During the period 1953 to 1954, 620 t of hand-
(Poole, 1974). sorted concentrate assaying 25% copper was
exported to Germany. In 1967 a diamond drilling
programme was initiated and some twenty holes
2.9.2.2 Eersbegin 675 were drilled in the vicinity of the opencast. A
tentative ore reserve of 150000 t at 2% copper
In the southern portion of the farm Eersbegin and 10 g/t silver was established, together with
675, copper anomalies occur over sporadic an estimated 4000 t at 6.3% copper in the
malachite-chalcopyrite showings in tightly dumps. Mining activities were resumed in 1969,
folded amphibolite of the Khoabendus Group but ceased early in 1975 due to the sharp drop of
(Berning, 1983). the copper price and escalating production costs.
During that period about 100000 t of ore were
removed. Between 1975 and 1976 the deposit

2.3-25
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

At the Kopermyn deposit the agglomerate is

overlain by arkosic Nosib Group conglomerate
and thin alternating dolomite and shale bands of
the lower Abenab Subgroup. Four diamond drill
holes totalling 450 m have revealed that the
breccia occurs in two troughs separated by a
northwest-trending palaeoridge of quartz-
feldspar porphyry of the Khoabendus Group.
Averaging less than 0.2% copper, the
mineralisation in the southern trough consists of
pyrite and chalcopyrite with very minor bornite,
finely disseminated throughout the agglomerate.
Surface-enriched ore consisting of malachite,
Figure 5: The Kopermyn deposit (after Venter, chalcocite and covellite is generally too patchy
1986) to be economically exploitable. The deposit was
mined for some 60 m down-dip by opencast
methods over a front 30 m wide and 3 to 6 m
was again intensely investigated (Venter, 1986). high.

The Kopermyn deposit is located on the The northern trough covered by Abenab
northern limb of a dome-shaped inlier of a dolomite was probed by one borehole which
volcano-sedimentary sequence of the intersected moderate to sparsely disseminated
Khoabendus Group, provisionally correlated pyrite and chalcopyrite in the agglomerate; in the
with the Otjivazandu Formation (Fig. 5) underlying quartz-feldspar porphyry sparsely
(Venter, 1986). Mineralisation is mainly disseminated pyrite, minor chalcopyrite and
confined to a coarse, ill-sorted breccia limonite pseudomorphs after pyrite were
consisting of fragments, boulders and pebbles encountered. The best intersection at the lower
of quartz-feldspar porphyry and quartzite contact of the agglomerate between 61.0 and
ranging from one to 30 cm in diameter; the fine- 67.0 m downhole assayed 0.23% copper.
grained groundmass of feldspar and quartz
contains numerous subhedral quartz and Since the late 1960s the area surrounding the
feldspar phenoclasts. The breccia, 0.50 m thick, Kopermyn deposit has been reinvestigated
is considered by Venter (1976a) to be a rhyolitic several times. Four boreholes totalling 439.5 m
agglomerate, tentatively correlated with the were drilled immediately north of the Kopermyn
Khoabendus volcanic assemblage. Undulations claim boundary. They intersected only minor
in the contact between the agglomerate and malachite and chalcocite as interstitial fillings in
underlying quartz-feldspar porphyry are the agglomerate, whilst trace amounts of
ascribed to pre-Damaran folding or may be chalcocite, chalcopyrite and malachite were
paleo-erosional depressions in which the found to be present in the porphyry from 10 m
agglomerate accumulated. Diamond drilling has below the contact with agglomerate. A hole
indicated that tuff interbeds within the lower drilled on the north side of the large hill 2.1 km
part of the agglomerate dip gently east of the mine penetrated 70 m of barren
northeastward like the overlying Nosib and agglomerate before entering the underlying
Otavi beds, whereas the Khoabendus rocks quartz-feldspar porphyry.
elsewhere are generally tightly folded. Viewed
in this context, the agglomerate could
alternatively represent a sedimentary breccia 2.9.4 Elim Formation
(fanglomerate) derived from Khoabendus
quartzite and metavolcanic units. Previously, the The Elim Formation is confined to the
mineralised rocks were correlated with the Rehoboth area and represents a volcano-
Nosib Group (Söhnge, 1958; Martin, 1965). sedimentary succession of amphibolite, acid

2.3-26
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

lava, schist, quartzite, phyllite and limestone. has a length of 15 m and a maximum width of
Two phases of metamorphism and four phases 2 m (Shelford, 1975a).
of deformation have been recognised. The
mineral assemblages are typical of greenstone
belts and the oldest age, determined from Pb- 2.9.4.1.2 Damas 344
isotopes of pyrite from the Kobos Mine, is 1900
+30 Ma. Many economic mineral occurrences A broad zone of anomalous copper values
of both syngenetic and epigenetic origin occur with a 445 ppm peak strikes east along the
(Misiewicz, 1983). The rocks contain contact between Elim Formation volcano-
widespread but sparse occurrences of copper, sedimentary rocks and intrusive Gamsberg
lead, zinc and gold. Though intruded by various Granite. Rock sampling showed that both the
granitic rocks, the Elim Formation generally amphibolite remnants and the granite contain
shows a considerably lower metamorphic grade traces of copper up to 620 ppm (Shelford,
than the older Neuhof Formation. The two 1975c; 1975e; Bertram, 1981). Compare also
formations are probably separated by an 2.13.7.11.
unconformity (KEL Schalk, pers com). Veldsman
(1982) outlined a metallogenic province
(copper, gold, lead) at the intersection of the 2.9.4.1.3 Farm No. 739
Elim Formation with northwest-striking linear
trends in the vicinity of the farm Witkrans 342. A prospecting pit, some 5 m deep, was sunk
on a narrow shear in dark quartzite near the
Watters (1974) has pointed out that, in terms eastern boundary of Farm No 739. Chips of
of plate tectonics, curvilinear volcano-plutonic malachite and chrysocolla can be traced at the
arcs, such as the Rehoboth Magmatic Arc, bottom of the pit. Compare also 2.11.2.1.1.
develop along the margins of stable continental
plates when an oceanic plate is being actively
subducted beneath its leading edge. It is 2.9.4.1.4 Kabiras 343
conceivable, therefore, that the Rehoboth
Magmatic Arc developed along the western and To the northeast of the homestead on the farm
northwestern margin of the Kalahari Craton as a Kabiras 343, some shallow prospecting pits
result of the subduction of ancient oceanic crust, were sunk on malachite-impregnated shear
lying to the northwest and west of the craton, zones in migmatite (Kappa Mining &
along a southeastern-dipping plane. Prospecting Co., 1974).

2.9.4.1 Rehoboth District 2.9.4.1.5 Witkrans 342

2.9.4.1.1 Eensam 859 About 1.5 km northwest of the dormant

Witkrans Gold Mine, a geochemical copper-lead
In the central part of the farm Eensam 859, anomaly extending over ferruginous chlorite
sheared remnants of Elim Formation schist for a distance of 980 m was found.
amphibolite along a north-northeast trending Although gossan exposed in trenches within this
fault show patches of malachite staining. The zone assayed up to 0.41% copper, no copper
mineralisation can be followed along strike for minerals could be detected (Labuschagne, 1977).
about 300 m. Five grab samples returned an Four diamond drill holes were drilled; the best
average assay of 0.92% and a maximum of intersection returned 0.37% copper over 14.67 m
2.0% copper. Samples of the same zone without (Misiewicz, 1983).
visible malachite contained only 0.07% copper.
A second copper showing on the northern part A copper showing on the northwestern part of
of the farm strikes east-west in acid the farm, 2 km from the western boundary fence,
metavolcanic rocks. The trenched occurrence was prospected by means of shallow

2.3-27
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

excavations. The immediate surroundings lenses with vein quartz, malachite and
consist largely of Gamsberg Granite in which chrysocolla are exposed in old prospecting pits
isolated bodies of quartz-chlorite schist of the on the central part of the farm. Samples from the
Elim Formation are present. Mineralisation is pits assayed 33%, 1.4%, 620 ppm and 200 ppm
confined to one of these bodies measuring 20 m copper. Individual lenses do not exceed 20 m in
by 8 m in outcrop. The schist is locally length and occur in subordinate units of basic
impregnated with malachite. Two rows of metalava intercalated within acid metalava. In
channel samples taken across the mineralised one pit the gossan pinches from 1.5 m at surface
outcrop averaged 1.1 and 3.6% copper to 0.2 m at 3 m depth. Soil sampling of the
respectively. Anomalous copper values of up to prospecting area revealed discontinuous copper
260 ppm and 385 ppm were recorded over this anomalies, not exceeding 120 m in length, that
area during a regional soil sampling survey. could be correlated with gossans and quartz
Isolated malachite coatings in magnetite veins exposed in the pits. Isolated peaks of 410
quartzite occur near the southern boundary of and 330 ppm copper were recorded on the
the farm Witkrans 342 (Petzel & Roesener, western edge of the block and values of 125, 185
1987). and 280 ppm copper within the eastern part of
the block (Shelford, 1975a; 1975g).

2.9.4.1.6 Kanaus Noord 335 and Kanaus Suid Along the eastern contact of the Elim inlier,
336 malachite, chalcopyrite and pyrite are present in
a northeastward-trending shear zone bisecting
In the western part of the two farms, copper amphibolite-epidote metalava. Selected grab
indications in basic metalavas of the Elim samples from the ore dump of a prospecting
Formation are revealed in old prospecting pits. shaft averaged 3.5% copper. Other copper-
The mineralisation however nowhere exceeds bearing sites in mainly basic metalava have been
50 m in strike length. prospected in the southeastern corner of the farm
(Forster, 1972). Compare also 2.11.3.2.1 and
On the southern border of the farm Kanaus 2.11.2.1.4.
Suid 336, an inlier of ferruginous quartzite,
schist and metalava with sporadic gossanous
outcrops extends across the boundary onto the 2.9.4.1.8 Kobos Copper Mine
farm Samkubis 516. It forms a slight hill rising
about 30 m above the surrounding plain with a The dormant Kobos Copper Mine is situated
diameter of about 450 m. Bands of massive in the northwestern part of the farm Kobos 321,
opaline rock within ferruginous schist are 55 km southwest of Rehoboth.
exposed in prospecting pits and samples of this
material assayed up to 0.82% copper and The oldest record of copper mining at this
80 ppm molybdenum. However, rock sampling locality dates back to 1957 when a prospector is
over the whole inlier indicated that the copper said to have produced 200 t of hand-sorted ore
content rarely exceeds 100 ppm. Six percussion grading about 20% copper. This consisted
boreholes were drilled and a peak value of mainly of oxides and carbonates of copper
850 ppm copper was obtained from amphibole- recovered from a zone of supergene enrichment.
bearing quartzite (Shelford, 1975a; 1975g). From 1957 to 1960 about 1500 t of ore were
sold by the Kobos Copper Company. During this
period five exploratory holes were drilled. Only
2.9.4.1.7 Samkubis 516 one of the holes intersected good ore: 9.2%
copper and 12% zinc over 3 m. Between March
There are several copper showings in a large and October 1960, the Kobos Copper Company
remnant of Elim Formation surrounded by reportedly produced 640 t of sorted ore grading
Gamsberg Granite on the farm Samkubis 516. 21.4 copper and 11.5% zinc. This was followed
Along the southern contact concordant gossan in 1961 by a further 560 t of unknown grade.

2.3-28
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Mining was done mainly by opencast methods, number of places over a strike length of 600 m,
however, two vertical shafts were also sunk, one between a prominent fault in the west and the
to a depth of 40 m. From here crosscuts open pit in the east. It comprises several lenses
intersected the ore body at two different levels of stratiform massive sulphides which form
(Miller, 1966). massive jasperoidal limonitic gossans in
outcrop. In the open pit a mining width of 2.7 m
In 1963, 13 diamond drill holes and one has been exposed, made up of 4 limonitic
deflection were completed at the mine; the horizons, each 10 cm thick. Diamond drilling
intersections were generally narrow and of a has indicated that the ore zone extends to a
poor grade (Erongo Exploration, 1963). In vertical depth of 270 m, attaining a maximum
1969, four additional diamond drill holes east width of 4 m at 75 m depth, but attenuating
and south of the mine totalling 573 m proved markedly lower down. The grade is 1.35%
the presence of disseminated sulphides in copper and 6.38% zinc. During the lifetime of
various units of amphibolite and quartz-sericite the mine 8200 t of massive sulphide ore was
schist at localities as far as 1000 to 3000 m extracted at a grade of 8% copper, 12% zinc, as
away from the mine. well as some gold (see also the gold chapter).

In 1971 the Otavi Mining Co. acquired the The main ore minerals are pyrite, chalcopyrite
Kobos Mining area. Geological, geochemical and sphalerite. Brewitz (1974) distinguished 3
and geophysical surveys were carried out over types of massive sulphide ore. Type I, with a
the property, as well as extensive diamond high copper content, consists of pyrite,
drilling. From 1977 the surrounding terrain was chalcopyrite and sphalerite. The open-pit ore is
investigated and between January 1982 and of this type. Type II is pyrite-sphalerite ore with
December 1984 a stream sediment survey and a only minor chalcopyrite. Such ore was
diamond drilling campaign was conducted to intersected at depths varying between 133 and
test the Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP) anomaly 209 m in four boreholes. The best intersection
which had been delineated before 1982 east of assayed 18% zinc and 1% copper. Type III
the Kobos Mine. Two vertical holes were drilled consists of 90 to 95% pyrite with accessory
to investigate the modelled blind conductor. The sphalerite and chalcopyrite, and a higher copper
best economic mineralisation intersected content than type II. Type III ore was intersected
occurred within the interval between 164.0 to in one borehole at a depth of 328 m.
168.5 m downhole, where up to 20% pyrrhotite
was present with up to 8% chalcopyrite locally In addition, disseminated pyrite occurs in the
developed over a few centimetres. The only hanging wall and footwall of the ore body as
interval of importance was between 166.6 to well as in between the various ore lenses. This
166.8 m downhole which returned 3.3% copper, material usually grades less than 0.01% copper
15.6 g/t silver and 346 ppm cobalt (Smalley, and 0.08% zinc, except where it replaces
1984). massive sulphide within a particular ore horizon.
The values may then increase to 0.50% copper
The Kobos deposit occurs mainly in a zone and 3.75% zinc.
of sericite-quartz phyllite intercalated with basic
metalava of the lower Elim Formation. To the Brewitz (1974) regarded the schistose
south these rocks are intruded by Piksteel formations as metamorphosed volcanogenic
Granodiorite and to the north the Elim rocks. The massive sulphide shoots may have
Formation is overlain unconformably by the formed in local depressions on the slopes of a
Grauwater Formation. The host rocks are volcanic arc and are probably of exhalative
isoclinally folded amphibole-, chlorite- and origin.
quartz-sericite-schist striking east-northeast; the
bedding and foliation dip 60o to 85o to the north. Sulphur isotope determination of the Kobos
copper ore by Shannon and Hugo (1974) have
The main ore zone has been exposed in a shown a high positive 34S value, similar to the

2.3-29
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

values of ores from the Hope and Gorob 2.9.4.1.11 Moutonsvlei 323
deposits and the Matchless Mine. The authors
concluded that the mineralised amphibole- A gossan extending over a strike length of at
chlorite schist at the Kobos Mine, comparable least 300 m in sheared acidic and intermediate
to the Matchless amphibolite, most probably metavolcanic units of the Elim Formation has
represented the metamorphosed cupriferous been opened up by means of several trenches.
basalt flows. Malachite, chrysocolla and occasional pyrite and
chalcopyrite have been exposed. Geochemically
the mineralisation is defined by a coinciding
2.9.4.1.9 Kobos 321 copper and zinc anomaly. Eight boreholes drilled
in 1963 showed that the copper bearer reaches a
Copper also occurs associated with the gold depth of 100 m (Evans, 1979).
deposits located 4 km southeast of the Kobos
Copper Mine. The old workings are situated on
an east-west trending zone over a strike length 2.9.4.1.12 Wortel 579
of 6 km. Gold has been produced from
supergene enriched gossanous oxide zones A gossan is exposed over a strike length of
capping primary sulphide mineralisation, about 150 m in folded amphibolite of the Elim
mainly disseminated pyrite and minor Formation on the southern part of the farm
chalcopyrite. A gossan sample assayed 0.61% Wortel 579. Group magnetic and induced
copper, 1.6% arsenic, 17 g/t gold and 5.5 g/t polarisation surveys produced encouraging
(Evans, 1979). results, but a diamond drill hole intersected only
pyrrhotite and pyrite-bearing mylonite with very
South of the Kobos Copper Mine, malachite minor chalcopyrite over a width of 20 m
and chrysocolla coatings on joint and cleavage (Pascoe, 1976b).
surfaces appear along the southern contact of a
gabbroic plug within the lower Elim Formation.
The mineralisation was tested by a diamond 2.9.4.1.13 Kaniganas 260
drill hole in 1969. An intersection at a vertical
depth of about 50 m assayed 0.1% copper, An old winze and several prospecting
0.01% lead, 0.03% zinc and less than 0.5 g/t trenches expose malachite staining in an
silver (Cominco, 1969). amphibolite schist in the eastern central part of
the farm Kaniganas 260. The gossanous material
About 2 km northeast of the Kobos Copper assays 900 ppm copper. A borehole in the area
Mine, malachite staining is evident in a intersected a sulphide-rich zone between 98.66
prospecting pit in a porous ferruginous capping and 102.66 m (Walter, 1974a)
on coarse garnet-bearing amphibolite of the
lower Elim Formation. No primary sulphides
are visible in the rock (Evans, 1979). 2.9.4.2 Windhoek District

2.9.4.2.1 Morgenroth 17 and Neu Franken 216

2.9.4.1.10 Ou Naus 609
A copper-lead-zinc occurrence is located in
Two small pits and two shafts approximately metavolcanic rocks of the Elim Formation near
6 m deep were sunk on a ferruginous outcrop in the southern boundary of the farm Morgenroth
quartz-chlorite schist of the Elim Formation. 17. Several easterly-trending copper-lead-zinc
Malachite and chalcocite-bearing rock was anomalies were detected over phyllite and
recovered at the bottom of the deeper shaft. A volcanic units of the Elim Formation, but
gossan sample assayed 143 ppm copper and follow-up investigations by trenching failed to
840 ppm zinc (Seeger, 1978) reveal significant mineralisation (Labuschagne,
1977a). One occurrence in the south of the farm

2.3-30
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Morgenroth 17 has been diamond-drilled. The 2.10.1.1.3 Auchab 313

best intersection obtained was 55 cm grading
3.1% lead, 031% copper and 18 g/t silver The copper occurrence on the farm Auchab
(Misiewicz, 1983). 313 consists of disseminated malachite,
chrysocolla and chalcocite, visible for almost
300 m, in a 2-m-wide, recrystallised quartzite
2.10 Rehoboth Sequence unit dipping 75o to the north (Miller, 1966).

The Rehoboth Sequence comprises the basal

Marienhof Formation, the unconformable 2.10.1.1.4 Swartmodder Deposit
overlying Billstein Formation between
Windhoek and Rehoboth, and the Gaub Valley This copper deposit, situated 6 km south of
Formation west of Rehoboth. It is widely Rehoboth on Rehoboth Townlands 302, was
distributed in the Rehoboth-Dordabis area and probably first opened up by English prospectors
contains numerous copper occurrences that during the previous century. In 1900 and 1911
have been investigated repeatedly during the exploration activities at Swartmodder were
past 25 years. resumed by the Hanseatische Minen-
Gesellschaft which excavated 12 shallow shafts
and 7 trenches (Rimann, 1915). Later, two shafts
2.10.1 Marienhof Formation about 45-m-deep were sunk. In 1961 to 1962,
165 t of high grade handsorted concentrates
The Marienhof Formation, resting were produced.
unconformably on the Elim Formation to the
east of Rehoboth, consists of sericitic quartzite, Since 1972 the deposit has been intensively
phyllite, basic and acid volcanic rocks and investigated and systematic drilling of 34
subordinate conglomerate, altogether about diamond holes (5454 m) established 314 000 t of
2000 m thick. It occurs, like the other units of ore reserves containing 2.70% copper at a 1%
the Rehoboth Sequence, in an intensely thrust- cut-off grade for the main ore body. A surface
faulted area. decline was cut to intersect the ore body and
production commenced in October 1980.
Operations stopped in March 1981 because of
2.10.1.1 Rehoboth District the depressed copper price (Ransom, 1975). A
subsequent ore reserve calculation gives a total
2.10.1.1.1 Soverby 311 reserve of 162 944 t grading 2.25% copper
(Walden, 1983).
Disseminated malachite and chalcopyrite are
present in feldspathic micaceous quartzite The country around the Swartmodder ore
exposed by a few shallow pits on the farm body is underlain by schist, micaceous quartzite
Soverby 311. The mineralised zone continues and metalava of the Marienhof Formation,
for about 120 m along strike. Adjacent to the which were intruded by the Piksteel
quartzite a barite vein, 0.3 to 1.5 m thick, also Granodiorites and by usually fine-grained
carries malachite and chalcopyrite (Miller, reddish granite considered as part of the
1966). Gamsberg Granite Suite. Copper showings occur
mainly in sheared lavas and schist forming large
xenoliths in granite. These rocks consist of
2.10.1.1.2 Goabibgous 328 quartz, biotite, magnetite, varying amounts of
chlorite and feldspar, thus ranging from biotite-
Slight copper staining occurs in a phyllite magnetite schist to quartz-feldspar-biotite-
which was opened up by a pit 10 m deep; magnetite gneiss. The copper-bearing zone
however only barren rock was exposed in depth extends over a strike length of about 800 m and
(Miller, 1966). Compare also 2.11.3.2.3. a width of 3 to 20 m.

2.3-31
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

A porphyry dyke trending north-northeast hanging-wall side of the mineralised zone. The
and dipping 30o to 50o west cuts across the grade cut-off is generally better defined in the
mineralised zone. The dyke has been altered, hanging wall than in the footwall. The sulphides
mainly by intense shearing, from an original occur as blebs, stringers, disseminations and
quartz-feldspar porphyry to a quartz-feldspar- narrow, 2- to 3-cm-wide, semi-massive veins in
sericite schist. The dyke post-dates the the host rock. The secondary minerals, generally
mineralisation and the granitic rocks, but pre- in veinlets and as fracture fillings, comprise
dates a swarm of amphibolite dykes and sills. malachite, chrysocolla and chalcocite
The latter are highly chloritised and commonly accompanied by quartz. The wall rock in the
well sheared. One of the three major dykes immediate vicinity of the copper-bearing schist
cutting the copper-bearing zone is associated is also malachite-stained.
with a lateral displacement of the ore body of up
to 20 m. Although relatively high silver values of up to
28 g/t have been reported from the western part
The Swartmodder deposit has been of the ore block, assays on individual boreholes
subdivided into three sections, the main ore in the central and eastern portion returned values
body, the western section and the eastern too low to be of economic importance. The gold
section. content is mostly low and according to Rimann
(1915) ranges from traces to 8 g/t in some
The main ore body forms well-mineralised, exceptional cases. The magnetite content varies
discontinuous outcrops striking west-northwest considerably and may comprise up to 60% of the
over 180 m, dipping near vertical in the west schistose host rock; the mineral forms
and 65o to the south in the east. It is truncated in disseminations, blebs, aggregates, often 5 cm in
the west by a quartz-porphyry dyke. Three kinks diameter, and veins. The average size of the
within the main ore body plunge approximately blebs is 0.5 to 1.0 mm in the upper and eastern
subparallel to the 35o westerly rake of the ore portion of the ore-reserve block, and 2 mm in
body. The intrusion of the three amphibolite the lower and western portions (Ransom, 1975).
dykes may in part account for the presence of
these kinks (Ransom, 1975).
2.10.1.1.5 Eselmaanhaar 288
The western section is intermittently exposed
for about 230 m, striking west just across the Copper occurs in several different
porphyry dyke and then swinging to the lithostratigraphic horizons of the Marienhof
southwest. The dips vary between 35o and 60o Formation on the farm Eselmaanhaar 288. The
north to northeast. Although fairly significant most prominent malachite staining is located
values of up to 2.26% copper over 2.0 m were near the western boundary of the farm in what
intersected in diamond drill holes, this section has previously been described as a
has not been included in the present ore conglomerate. Two diamond drill holes sunk in
reserves. 1977 indicated that the mineralisation is hosted
by sheared agglomerate and chlorite tuff.
The eastern section represents the easterly Apparently no conglomerate was intersected.
extension of the main ore body where it The volcaniclastic beds strike east and dip about
becomes far more irregular and lensoid in 65o to the north.
character. Diamond drilling has confirmed the
sporadic mineralisation of the eastern section in The mineralised zone, up to 90 m wide, can
depth (Ransom, 1975). be followed for 1 200 m along strike. Trenching
revealed that the weak mineralisation in the
The primary sulphides are pyrite and agglomerate is mainly confined to chloritic
chalcopyrite, the former predominating in the schistose bands, not exceeding a few centimetres
upper and eastern part of the ore block, whereas wide. Some of the accompanying quartz veins
chalcopyrite tends to be concentrated on the also carry minor copper. The two

2.3-32
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

aforementioned diamond drill holes proved the valley filled with tillite, grit and sandy siltstone
mineralisation to consist of specks and of the Dwyka and Prince Albert Formations.
disseminations of chalcocite, chalcopyrite, One of the five boreholes located at the western
bornite and pyrite over a total width of 32 - boundary fence of the farm Wiese 62 intersected
40 m. The best intersections in the two a diabase dyke with disseminated sulphides
boreholes assayed 0.82% copper over 0.45 m assaying 144 ppm over 62 m, after penetrating
and 0.03% over 2.01 m, with a silver content of the Karoo beds of the palaeovalley (Gamma
12 and 3 g/t respectively. Mining & Prospecting Co., 1975).

In the central part of the farm, isolated

malachite coatings occur in sheared mafic 2.10.1.2.2 Onverwacht 270
metalava. A few prospecting pits were dug to
the south of Eselmaanhaar homestead next to Widespread native copper in mafic lava
the road leading to the farm Ganeib 61. In these occurs on the northwestern portion of the farm
pits malachite staining in sheared basic Onverwacht 270, where rich lenses exceeding
metalava is widespread. A sample of the 1000 kg in weight have been exposed in
mineralised rock, exposed in an excavation for trenches.
road material, assayed 1.9% copper. There are
some other outcrops between this road and the
Slaap River. A number of quartz veins cutting 2.10.1.2.3 Dordabis 98
the lava in the southeastern part of the farm
contain malachite, chrysocolla and occasional The Kupferberg, a malachite-stained hillock
chalcocite. About 100 m south of a cattle post, located in the southeastern part of the farm
on the southern part of the farm, copper Dordabis 98, was investigated in considerable
minerals are present along the fault in mafic detail during the period 1968 to 1969. The
lava over a distance of 110 m (Worst, 1970d; mineralisation is confined to six slate bands
Doepel, 1975). averaging 2 m in thickness, though locally
swelling to 9 m. A total of 3394 m of diamond
drilling in 19 boreholes over a striking distance
2.10.1.1.6 Opdam 284 and Hamis 280 of 1.5 km indicated approximately 290 000 t of
ore at an average grade of 1.7% copper to a
In the eastern part of the farm Opdam 284 vertical depth of 50 m. Owing to intense
and the central part of the farm Hamis 280, deformation the structure of the zone is rather
malachite-bearing basic lava and quartzitic complex.
argillite were test-pitted and drilled. The highest
value obtained from analyses is 1.4% copper The presence of copper in mafic lava has
and 100 ppm silver (Frick, 1976). Compare also been reported from the Swartberg along the
2.10.2.1.8 and 2.10.2.1.7. southern boundary of the farm Dordabis 98. The
lava outcrops intermittently over a strike length
of 1.5 to 2.0 km. Composite surface samples of
2.10.1.2 Windhoek District the mineralised lava assayed between 0.18 and
1.35% copper, with an average of 0.51% for 44
2.10.1.2.1 Wiese 62 and Mertens 63 samples. Reserves of the deposit are estimated at
200 000 t of ore per 30 m of vertical depth and a
Sporadic copper showings were found on the cut-off grade of 0.5% copper (Seeger, 1978).
farms Wiese 62 and Mertens 63 in lavas and
metasedimentary rocks of the Marienhof
Formation. Diamond drilling of a prominent 2.10.1.2.4 Protea 108
electromagnetic anomaly (Loxton et al., 1974a)
in 1974 - 1975 indicated the presence of a 200- Copper-bearing slate and mafic lava of the
m-deep and 500- to 1000-m-wide pre-Karoo Marienhof Formation in the western central part

2.3-33
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

of the farm Protea were percussion drilled over are also several layers of amygdaloidal lava,
a strike distance of some 900 m. Four amphibole schist and amphibolite. The Billstein
mineralised zones were distinguished (Table 4) Formation underlies the Damara Orogen along
(Seeger, 1978). its southern margin between the farms Aroamos
315 in the southwest and Opdam 284 in the
northeast.
Table 4: Copper occurrences on the farm
Protea 108
2.10.2.1 Rehoboth District
Thickness (m) 4 2 2 2
Strike length (m) 180 500 400 400 2.10.2.1.1 Vooruitsig 308
Copper (%) 0.3 0.6 0.8 0.6
Minor copper indications occur on the
southwestern portion of the farm Vooruitsig 308.
2.10.1.3 Gobabis Area Malachite staining has been noted in fine-
grained arkosic quartzite 140 m southeast of the
2.10.1.3.1 Okatjepuiko 154 main road to Windhoek. The zone, about 50 cm
wide, strikes north for some 20 m and dips 35o
Copper staining appears in epidotised basic to the west. About one kilometre to the south,
lava and younger intrusive granodiorite along minor copper mineralisation has been observed
the southern edge of a large pan in the in amphibolite. On the southeastern part of the
southwestern portion of the farm Okatjepuiko farm, about one kilometre east of the homestead,
154. The volcanic sequence including rhyolite chalcopyrite is associated with a quartz lens in
forms the core of a brachydome trending gritty quartzite (Walter, 1975b).
northeast. The showings are confined to shear
zones parallel to the axial planar cleavage
(Main, 1978). 2.10.2.1.2 Tsebris 48

Slight malachite stains have been reported

2.10.1.3.2 Sachsenwald 940 from shear zones and quartz blows in sericite
schist and gneiss on the farm Tsebris 48. A
On the southeastern part of the farm number of partly filled pits are present. A 30-
Sachsenwald 940 a zone with anomalous cm-wide band of bornite, assaying 53% copper,
copper values in soil was investigated by occurs in one of the pits (Miller, 1966). Compare
trenching and percussion drilling. Two parallel also 3.1.10.1.
mineralised zones, each about 4 m in width,
were found to extend 250 m along strike in
sheared quartz porphyry associated with 2.10.2.1.3 Tweerivier 307
Marienhof Formation lava. Percussion drill
intersections of 1.16% copper over 11 m and Scattered copper showings in quartzite and
1.1% copper over 8 m were recorded (Seeger, schist of the Billstein Formation on the
1978). southeastern part of the farm Tweerivier 307
were prospected during 1967 to 1968. The
exposures occur in 7 trenches (Walter, 1975b).
2.10.2 Billstein Formation

Named after the lofty Billstein Mountain 2.10.2.1.4 Kwakwas 251

west of the Oamites Mine, this formation
comprises mainly quartzite and sericitic On the northwestern portion of the farm
phyllite, with local basal conglomerate, coarse Kwakwas 251, malachite showings
boulder conglomerate and gritty quartzite. There accompanied by vein quartz occur in schist,

2.3-34
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

quartzite and amphibolite in various localities. content averages 15 g/t (DeBeer, 1971).
Trenches and pits reveal, however, that the Compare also 2.10.1.1.6.
strike length of individual lenses does not
exceed 12 m (Stern, 1961). Compare also
3.1.10.1. 2.10.2.1.8 Opdam 284

On the northwestern part of the farm Opdam

2.10.2.1.5 Fyndraai 250 284, the most westerly of four copper showings
consists of sparse malachite and chalcocite in a
Sparse malachite stains are found in an northerly striking layer of chlorite schist, 1.5 m
amphibolite dyke east of the farmhouse on the wide. Approximately 150 m further east,
farm Fyndraai 250 (Miller, 1966). Compare also moderate malachite staining is found in fine-
3.1.10.1. grained, compact, grey quartzite over a width of
3 m; a few pits and trenches however indicate
that it fades out over a short distance. At the
2.10.2.1.6 Dubis 273 third occurrence to the northeast chlorite schist
shows malachite coatings and a little chalcocite
Copper-bearing quartz veins of limited over a width of about 2 m. Some 800 m east of
extent intersect chlorite schist of the Billstein this site a quartz vein, 0.6 m wide, cuts pink
Formation on the farm Dubis 273. The lode is limestone with a scattering of fine-grained
exposed in a trench and was tested by three chalcopyrite. Compare also 2.10.2.1.6.
inclined percussion holes (Frick, 1976).

2.10.2.2 Windhoek District

2.10.2.1.7 Hamis 280
2.10.2.2.1 Hakscheen 189
Outcrops of mineralised greenish argillite
containing stratabound malachite were explored On the eastern part of the farm Hakscheen
on the northern part of the farm Hamis 280 189, copper-bearing shear zones arranged en
from 1969 to 1970 and 1973 to 1975. echelon over a total strike distance of 600 m
have been examined. They are located in the
The Hamis West and the Hamis East copper bend of an anticline plunging northeast. The
prospects, about 1800 m apart, are located on quartzite host, previously correlated with the
the northern limb of an east-northeast trending upper Kamtsas Formation, is now regarded to be
syncline that has been overfolded towards the part of the Billstein Formation (Miller & Schalk,
south. The western occurrence has an outcrop 1980).
length of 400 m with subsurface continuation
on both sides, whereas the eastern prospect can Malachite staining occurs over short
be traced intermittently for some 170 m. The distances within the shear zones which generally
average width of the copper-bearing layer is do not exceed 60 cm in width. The northernmost
1.5 m and the dip 45o to 55o north-northwest. shear displays the best surficial mineralisation
Small-scale local thrusting has caused over a strike distance of 150 m (Niehaus & Lee,
duplication of the beds. 1969).

Results of percussion and core drilling

indicate discontinuous mineralisation probably 2.10.3 Gaub Valley Formation
confined to relatively small lenticular bodies
within one stratigraphic horizon. The best ore This succession comprises sedimentary and
intersection was obtained on the western subordinate volcanic rocks. It includes quartzite,
occurrence, assaying 1.03% copper over a true conglomerate, phyllite, limestone, dolomite,
width of 1.63 m at a depth of 117 m. The silver chlorite and biotite schists, amphibolite and acid

2.3-35
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

igneous rocks. The rocks host several major The Hakos anticline consists of several
copper prospects located 80 to 130 km west of superimposed thrust sheets comprising deformed
Rehoboth. pre-Damaran and Damaran rocks which were
refolded during a late Damaran tectonic phase
which brought about the formation of the large
2.10.3.1 Windhoek District Hakos Anticline. The occurrences mentioned
below are located in quartz veins intersecting the
2.10.3.1.1 Rostock Area lowermost of the various exposed thrust sheets,
consisting of granite-intruded quartz-mica schist,
Geochemically anomalous copper values quartzite and chlorite-amphibole-garnet schist of
over units of tightly folded, banded iron supposed Gaub Valley age, which are overlain
formation, calc-silicate rock, amphibolite and concordantly by conglomerate, schist and
dolomite have been detected on the southern limestone (marble) of the Kudis Subgroup. Most
portion of the farm Rostock 393. Copper values of the veins strike north-northwest to northwest,
in a seam of magnetite-hematite rock, 0.3 cm vary in length from several metres to a few
thick, ranged up to 500 - 600 ppm copper and hundred metres, and are 0.5 to 2.0 m wide.
350 ppm zinc but no visible mineralisation was Although they show considerable cataclasis,
observed (Seeger, 1978). they are not folded and thus post-date the first
period of Damaran deformation.
A single copper showing in a boudin of
magnetite quartzite, 20 m by 5m in size and Geochemical surveys during the period 1968
enclosed in sandy schist, was found in a river to 1973 revealed that all the larger copper
bed at Tinkeringheib on the farm Rostock South anomalies recorded on the farms Kos 28,
414. A sample of the mineralised rock assayed Chaibis 29, Tantus 30 and Natas 220 are
5.7% copper and 1.05 g/t gold (Innes & associated with crosscutting quartz veins
Buerger, 1975). On the same farm a unit of containing sporadic chalcocite and malachite
coarse-grained ortho-amphibolite intercalated (Elders, 1973). On the farm Djab 26, however,
with magnetite quartzite, hornblende schist and copper has also been reported in Gaub Valley
biotite schist contains sparse malachite. metasedimentary units. The chloritic Gaub
Valley schist as well as the Gamsberg granite-
On the farm Dagbreek 394, limestone and gneiss exposed in the core of the Hakos
calcareous quartzite provisionally correlated Anticline carry relatively high copper
with the Gaub Valley Formation contain copper background values.
staining in three localities. On the farm Koireb
Wes 549, 30 km to the south, green secondary
copper mineral coatings appear on a bedding 2.10.3.1.2.1 Natas Mine
plane of a 2-m-wide phyllite layer over a strike
length of 5 m; the phyllite also belongs to the The main ore body of the Natas Mine is a
Gaub Valley Formation. Compare also 3.3.10.2. quartz-rich pegmatite vein about 80 m long. The
mineral paragenesis comprises bornite and
chalcocite, as well as minor chalcopyrite,
2.10.3.1.2 Natas area scheelite, molybdenite, native gold, ilmenite,
malachite, chrysocolla and azurite (Reuning,
Copper-bearing ores of the Natas area were 1925). The Natas Mine is described in detail in
exploited as early as the eighteen-fifties by Jan the tungsten chapter.
Jonker Afrikaner (Reuning, 1925). Since 1913
the Natas Mine has beeb worked intermittently
for scheelite, and gold, copper and molybdenum 2.10.3.1.2.2 Pot Mine
have been recovered as by-products. For
additional information see the gold and tungsten At the Pot Mine, situated 1500 m south of the
chapters. Natas Mine, a quartz vein carrying gold and

2.3-36
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

copper has been worked by means of a small 1969 confirmed the visual observations made
opencast. The vein occurs in chlorite schist during geological mapping (Lee, 1970a; 1972a;
along a fault striking north-northwest Elders, 1973a).
(Lamming, 1970).

2.10.3.1.2.5 Chausib 27
2.10.3.1.2.3 Jan Jonker Mine
Minor copper mineralisation is present in the
The Jan Jonker Mine is situated eastern corner of the farm Chausib 27, where
approximately 6 km southwest of the Natas fractures near the contact between amphibole
Mine on a steep hill in the northeastern corner schist and mica schist are coated with malachite
of the farm Kos 28, where quartz veins in (Lee, 1970a).
chloritic schist have been worked for copper
and gold. The schist carries little malachite
alongside the quartz veins. The prospect was 2.11 Post-Rehoboth to pre-Sinclair intrusive
opened up by shallow trenches up to 150 m in rocks in the Rehoboth area
length and about a metre wide, and by
numerous pits in the mineralised schist. 2.11.1 Alberta Complex

The metamorphosed mafic and ultramafic

2.10.3.1.2.4 Djab 26 layered rocks of the Alberta Complex outcrop
80 km southwest of Rehoboth. Stream sediment
Copper showings in quartz-biotite schist of sampling has revealed a number of copper
the Gaub Valley Formation occur repeatedly anomalies with peaks up to 380 ppm, a few
along 1500 m of strike on the northern slope of coinciding with nickel anomalies. Rock samples
the Nukurus Mountain, near the northwestern collected from anomalous areas returned very
boundary of the farm Djab 26. The cupriferous low assays. The only visible copper staining was
zone is located on the southeastern limb of the found on a northeast-trending fault in
Hakos Anticline. The main section, 700 m long amphibolite and chloritic schist of the central
and 90 m wide, consists of irregular lenses zone of the complex on the farm Areb 176
impregnated with sparse malachite, azurite, (Borton, 1976).
cuprite and hematite along schistosity planes. 2.11.2 Piksteel Granodiorite
The largest mineralised lens has a length of
64 m and a width of 12 m. Copper is generally The Piksteel Granodiorite, which underlies
concentrated at the contact of tightly infolded large stretches in the Klein Aub - Rehoboth area,
hornblende schist. is host to several copper-bearing veins
associated with shear zones.
Other prospects associated with pegmatite
veins are found in the quartzite which underlies
the cupriferous schist at the Nukurus Mountain. 2.11.2.1 Rehoboth District
Locally the quartzite has been deformed into a
tight anticlinal structure overfolded to the 2.11.2.1.1 Farm No. 739
southeast. The best mineralisation, formed by
malachite and azurite, occurs in a pegmatite Malachite is present in a broad shear zone in
striking north for about 70 m. In the northern Piksteel Granodiorite near the eastern boundary
corner of the farm Djab 26, a little malachite is of Farm No. 739. A prospecting pit, 3 m deep, is
present in schistose amphibolite in the limb of present. Compare also 2.9.4.1.3.
the Hakos Anticline. Scanty disseminated
bornite in massive coarse-grained amphibolite
is exposed in a prospecting pit. Systematic soil
sampling of the mineralised area in 1968 to

2.3-37
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.11.2.1.2 Auchas 347 Compare also 2.13.9.1.4.

The copper-gold occurrence on the

northwestern part of the farm Auchas 347 was 2.11.2.1.6 Campbells Aub 360
explored by means of 10 shafts and 27 trenches
by a German company in 1905. By 1927, 10 t of Malachite occurs in a quartz vein transecting
ore had been shipped; production stopped soon Piksteel Granodiorite in the northern corner of
thereafter. Malachite, chrysocolla, minor the farm Campbells Aub 360. Compare also
chalcopyrite, pyrite and very little gold are 2.13.9.1.5.
associated with narrow chlorite schist lenses,
each only a few metres in length, and with
branching quartz veins varying from 1 cm to 2.11.2.1.7 Nomeib 358
nearly 2 m in width. The schist, as well as the
mylonised granite close to the contact, is Supergene copper minerals appear in quartz
slightly impregnated with copper. At one of the veins over a distance of 50 m along an east-west
larger workings the quartzose rock contains trending shear in Piksteel Granodiorite. The
about 2.5% copper (Söhnge, 1961a). zone dips steeply southward Klugmann, 1968).
Compare also 2.6.1.3 and 2.11.3.2.2.

2.11.2.1.3 Witkrans 342

2.11.2.1.8 Kamasis 329
Malachite is found at the contact between
amphibolite of the Elim Formation and Piksteel Copper ore has been mined from a set of
Granodiorite about one kilometre southwest of covering shears in Piksteel Granodiorite on the
the old Witkrans Gold Mine on the farm farm Kamasis 329. The fractures, up to 200 m
Witkrans 342. Vein quartz in the vicinity long and 1.5 m wide, swell and attenuate
frequently also shows copper staining (Petzel & abruptly along strike. One of the mineralised
Roesener, 1987). zones dipping 75o to the north has been exposed
in a shaft, 10 m deep. The recorded past
production was 17.5 t hand-sorted concentrates
2.11.2.1.4 Samkubis 516 with an average grade of 20% copper.

On the southern part of the farm Samkubis

516, isolated gossan lenses assaying 0.16% 2.11.3 Mafic Dykes
copper occur in a north-northeast striking shear
zone in Piksteel Granodiorite. The shear can be 2.11.3.1 Windhoek District
traced for about 1.2 km, however, its copper
content is very low. Sparse malachite and 2.11.3.1.1 Nauzerus 11
chrysocolla are also present in quartz veins
exposed in trenches at numerous locations on Small amounts of hematite, specularite,
this farm. The veins strike northeast and are up malachite, chalcopyrite and rutile are associated
to 20 m in length and 0.5 m in width (Shelford, with a metamorphosed ultrabasic dyke
1975g). Compare also 2.9.4.1.7 and 2.11.3.2.1. separating Grauwater Formation beds from
Piksteel Granodiorite in the northwestern corner
of the farm Nauzerus 11 (Antony, 1969; Traurig
2.11.2.1.5 Slaaiport 359 Mining, 1974).

A copper-bearing quartz vein is exposed over

a strike length of 30 m on the northeastern part 2.11.3.1.2 Lepel 339
of the farm Slaaiport 359. However, it wedges
out at depth in a prospecting shaft, 5.5 m deep. A black aphanitic dyke with quartz-calcite

2.3-38
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

veinlets and copper-carbonate coatings has been in the rocks of the Namaqualand Metamorphic
reported from the northwestern part of the farm Complex in Namibia. There are, however,
Lepel 339. Mineralised samples assay up to 4% numerous small showings in metagabbros and
copper. Mapping indicates that the dyke has a associated ultrabasic bodies, pegmatites and
strike length of less than 200 m (Antony, 1969). quartz veins as well as alteration-breccia bodies
Compare also 2.13.9.2.1. in gneiss and amphibolite.

2.11.3.2 Rehoboth District 2.12.1 Lüderitz District

2.11.3.2.1 Samkubis 516 2.12.1.1 Tiras prospect

Minor copper indications on the central and A number of copper showings are located at
southern portions of the farm Samkubis 516 are the northwestern end of the Tiras Mountains on
related to northwest-trending diabase dykes the farms Marico 58 and Excelsior 59 in the
intersecting Elim Formation metavolcanic rocks Lüderitz District, some 40 km southwest of
and Piksteel Granodiorite (Shelford, 1975g). Helmeringhausen.
Compare also 2.9.4.1.7 and 2.11.2.1.4.
The Tiras Mountains consist of rocks of the
Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex folded
2.11.3.2.2 Nomeib 358 into a northwest-trending synform. The core of
the structure is composed of gneiss displaying a
A number of geochemical copper anomalies northwesterly foliation, with metavolcanic
were found during a stream sediment sampling formations fringing it on the northeastern and
survey on the farm Nomeib 358. The anomalies southwestern sides. Copper occurs in bodies of
are associated with a swarm of northeast- hydrothermally altered rock of which some 65
trending diabase dykes which cut Piksteel different types have been identified in the Tiras
Granodiorite and metalavas of the Neuhof Mountains. The majority of these vary in size
Formation. On the eastern part of the farm, from a few tens of square metres to over
malachite staining has been observed in one of 60 000 m2 and are clustered in gneiss and
the dykes (Shelford, 1975a). Compare also amphibolite at the northwestern end of the
2.6.1.3 and 2.11.2.1.7. range. The alteration haloes are associated with
crackle breccias of non-tectonic origin, possibly
2.11.3.2.3 Droë Willem 327 and Goabibgous representing diatremes through which sulphur-
328 poor fumarolic steam and water escaped to
surface (Söhnge, 1973).
Several widespread anomalies with peaks
between 200 and 595 ppm copper, in places The haloes are characterised by depletion of
coincident with nickel anomalies, have been silica in the focal region, where the rock
delineated in Gamsberg Granite and Piksteel becomes relatively enriched in pinkish feldspar;
Granodiorite. Field evidence indicates that they while silicification develops in the border zone.
are caused by amphibolite dykes and copper- The feldspar-rich rock, usually criss-crossed by
stained quartz veins (Miller, 1966; Borton, numerous fractures, alters progressively to
1978). Compare also 2.10.1.1.2 greenish illite or white kaolinitic material.
Amphibolite has been altered to purplish
hematite-chlorite rock with minor epidote.
2.12 Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex
Seven alteration bodies carry sparse
In contrast to the wealth of copper ore bodies chrysocolla or malachite mineralisation along
in the O’kiep District of the northwestern Cape cracks, foliation planes, in druses or as
Province, there have as yet been no major finds impregnations. Boxwork limonite derived from

2.3-39
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

oxidation of sulphides is found only 2.12.2 Bethanien District

sporadically in altered rock or in drusy veinlets;
the residual sulphides are pyrite and chalcocite, 2.12.2.1 Macduff’s Castle 122
very rarely chalcopyrite, bornite or covellite.
The mineralised breccia patches in the alteration Sheared chlorite-biotite schist of the
haloes range up to 30 by 15 m in size. Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex contains
weak disseminations of chalcocite and malachite
Some 30 trenches have been excavated in the vicinity of pegmatite dykes exposed
across the various cupriferous outcrops without 30 km southwest of Bethanien on the farm
exposing any worthwhile concentrations of Macduff’s Castle 122. The dykes as well as the
copper. In addition six boreholes totalling foliation are vertical. Sampling of four trenches
1012 m have been drilled at three of the returned values of 0.67% copper over a width of
showings. The best intersection was made in a 6 m and a strike length of 60 m (Seeger, 1978).
hole where the first 20 m of core averaged
350 ppm copper, whereas the remainder of the
hole penetrated barren altered gneiss and 2.12.2.2 Helmeringhausen 12
amphibolite. In a prominent northwest-trending
shear zone which bounds the Tiras Gneiss to the In a deep ravine to the east of the village of
southwest on the farm Excelsior 59, a hole Helmeringhausen on the farm Helmeringhausen
intersected a mineralised zone with a copper 12, copper occurs erratically in quartz veins
content of 600 ppm over 19 m near the surface. parallel to a basic dyke in pre-tectonic gneiss of
The remainder of the hole to a depth of 180 m the Namaqualand Metamorphic Complex.
intersected only barren rock. The drilling results
indicated that the best copper values occur near
the surface, probably because of supergene 2.12.3 Keetmanshoop District
enrichment (Söhnge, 1973).
2.12.3.1 Khorobees 65
In view of the very spotty and extremely
low-grade concentration of copper and lead in Two small copper showings are associated
the breccia-alteration bodies, Söhnge (1973) with basic metalava of the Namaqualand
suggested that the mineralisation represents Metamorphic Complex 5 km northwest of the
hypogene leaching from the adjoining country homestead on the farm Khorobees 65, situated
rocks. some 80 km east-southeast of Keetmanshoop.
The copper occurs in a steep-sided canyon cut
into the Nama Plateau, just west of a major
2.12.1.2 Kubub 15 and Heinrichsfelde 10 north-south fault.
At the northern site sporadic coatings of
Approximately 16 km southeast of Aus, malachite, chalcocite and chrysocolla are present
extensive malachite staining is associated with a in basic metalava and chloritic schist over a
highly ferruginous zone in amphibolite. Rock width of up to 17 m. Local patches are rich in
chip sampling over the mineralised area yielded chalcocite. Assays of drill core samples returned
best values of 0.4% copper, though these were highest values of 400 ppm copper. At the
extremely sporadic. southern site basic metalava with scattered
malachite and chalcocite has been opened up by
Gossans in copper-stained graphitic schist means of two shallow pits, 15 m apart (Dendle,
are traceable for several kilometres near the 1972a).
boundary between the farms Kubub 15 and
Heinrichsfelde 10, about 12 km southwest of
Aus (Seeger, 1978).

2.3-40
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.12.4 Karasburg District material and the iron carbonate contain up to

4.84 and 0.38% copper, respectively. Foliation
2.12.4.1 Ai-Ais planes of the gneiss are locally stained by
malachite (Bürg, 1942; Cahill, 1973).
In the vicinity of the Ai-Ais Hot Springs,
granite and diorite are cut by numerous On the farm Gaidip 146, quartz diorite is
pegmatites. One of them, 25 cm wide, contains intersected by a steeply dipping east-west
malachite, cuprite, limonite and chalcopyrite. striking pegmatite dyke, 0.7 m wide. Pyrite,
About 3 km to the south of this pegmatite chalcopyrite, bornite, malachite and limonite
copper indications are found in several small form nests in the core of the pegmatite. Two
fissures. similar, but smaller occurrences have been
observed on the farm Ramansdrift 135, whereas
several pegmatites on the farm Houms Rivier
2.12.4.2 Kwaggasnek 349 133 contain malachite staining and sparse blebs
of chalcocite.
A small copper occurrence on the western
portion of the farm Kwaggasnek 349, situated On the western part of the farm Houms Rivier
about 1 km north of the Ai-Ais road, is known 133, metagabbro, forming a slightly rising black
as Presgrove’s Prospect. Malachite, chrysocolla hill about 10 m in length, contains widely
and rare chalcocite are present in pink augen scattered blebs of chalcopyrite (Cahill, 1973).
gneiss over 7 m of strike and 60 cm width Compare also 2.8.1.11.
(Barbour, 1973; Odell, 1977a). Compare also
4.2.1.2.
2.12.4.5 Kinderzitt 132 and Umeis 110

2.12.4.3 Grabwasser 261, Signalberg 299 and A metagabbro mass, 9 by 3 km in size, occurs
Kuduberg 9 on the southern portion of the farm Kinderzitt
132 and the western portion of the farm Umeis
Copper-bearing quartz veins have formed in 110, about 30 km south of Warmbad. The early
northeast-trending shear zones dipping 25o to syn-tectonic body has been partly altered to
40o to the northwest parallel to the foliation of a amphibolite, subsequently invaded by irregular
gneissic rock on the farm Grabwasser 261. At ultrabasic bodies and finally intruded by small
the turn of the century one of the veins near the veins of pegmatite. Copper-nickel impregnations
farmhouse was opened up by several shafts and are found along the gabbro contact with
pits, yielding malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite metasedimentary rocks and within the ultrabasic
and scheelite. Similar, but smaller occurrences portions of the complex.
are situated on the farms Kuduberg 9 and
Signalberg 299 (Barbour, 1973; Odell, 1977b). Diamond drilling, concentrated in an area
near the central common boundary of the two
farms, indicated a vertical mineralised zone
2.12.4.4 Ramansdrift 135 - Houms Rivier 133 17 m wide, containing an average of 0.18%
Area copper and 0.18% nickel in altered metagabbro
and amphibolite near the contact. Visible
The area is largely underlain by pink pre- sulphides include pyrrhotite, with which the
tectonic paragneiss of the Namaqualand nickel is associated, chalcopyrite and pyrite
Metamorphic Complex with minor early syn- (Cooke, 1972).
tectonic amphibolites, metagabbroids and some
granites. Narrow fracture fillings of spongy
limonite and brown iron carbonate, of the order 2.12.4.6 Stolzenfels 74
of 20 m in length and 10 cm in width, are
relatively common in the gneiss. The limonitic A small copper-lead deposit is located in

2.3-41
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

gneiss near the contact of an early syntectonic well-defined belt along the northwestern edge of
metagabbroic body on the farm Stolzenfels 74. the Kalahari Craton (Fig. 6) that has been named
The malachite and cerrusite mineralisation has a the Rehoboth Magmatic Arc (Watters, 1974).
strike length of a few metres. A geochemical
copper-nickel anomaly has been located in the The numerous copper-bearing outcrops in
western part of the farm (Dendle, 1971c; this belt attracted the attention of the earliest
1972b). prospectors. As early as the 1850s hand-sorted
ore was already being transported by oxwagon
from the Sinclair Mine to Prinzen Bucht, south
2.13 Sinclair Sequence and related rocks of Lüderitz, for shipment to Europe.

The Sinclair Sequence consists essentially of Many other copper showings were opened up
volcanic, volcanoclastic and clastic units over the following hundred years, most of them
invaded extensively by granite, gabbro, diorite, proving too small in size or grade for economic
syenite and swarms of felsic and basic dykes. exploitation. However, the deposit on the farm
The assemblage extends from Helmeringhausen Klein Aub 350, for example, was worked
via Rehoboth into western Botswana, forming a continuously and successfully for 21 years.

Figure 6: Sinclair Sequence rocks and correlatives (after Borg, 1987)

2.3-42
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

The search for copper ore in the Rehoboth intersected 2.5 m at 0.15% copper, 0.61% zinc,
Magmatic Arc has been motivated by the 0.18% lead, 1.36 g/t gold and 5.5 g/t silver. In
favourable geological environment of a places the mineralisation is concentrated along
volcano-sedimentary succession with associated the upper part of the lava which includes a
intrusives, interpreted as a subduction zone gossanous upper layer. The cupriferous rock is
along the margin of the Kalahari Craton. Minor sheared and the mineralisation may be post-
synvolcanic deposits have been found in the volcanic (Gallo, 1974).
Sinclair area, although here and in the western
central sector of the arc, copper-bearing
hydrothermal quartz veins in basic lavas as well 2.13.2 Kotzerus Granite
as granitic rocks are more typical. A low-grade
porphyry deposit has been discovered on the A few small quartz veins within the Kotzerus
farm Damas 344 in the southwestern Rehoboth Granite, about one kilometre west of the
area. In the east central sector of the arc, the homestead on the farm Mooifontein 50, carry
sandstones and shales of the Klein Aub and scanty chalcopyrite and chalcocite. The Kotzerus
Eskadron Formations contain stratiform copper Granite is intrusive into the Nagatis Formation,
ore bodies, the reserves of which have variously but pre-dates the deposition of the Kunjas
been estimated to range between 1 and 6 Formation.
million t at a grade of 1.5 to 2.5% copper.

2.13.3 Barby Formation

2.13.1 Nagatis Formation
Copper in the Barby Formation is almost
The Nagatis Formation is the oldest unit of entirely confined to quartz veins along shears
the Sinclair Sequence in the Helmeringhausen- and fractures in slightly metamorphosed basic to
Sinclair area and consists mainly of rhyolite and andesitic lavas. The veins carry mainly
quartz porphyry flows, ignimbrite, agglomerate argentiferous chalcocite. The best known deposit
with subordinate basic volcanic rocks, is that of the Sinclair (Itah) Mine.
conglomerate, grit, sandstone and shale. This
succession attains a thickness of several As suggested by Beetz (1924), the copper
thousand metres. may have been remobilised from primary
disseminations observed in the mafic lavas.
Martin (1965) has postulated a derivation from
2.13.1.1 Bethanien District intrusive Nubib Granite. The two views may
well be combined to account for source,
2.13.1.1.1 Mooifontein 50 mobilisation and deposition of the vein copper.

In the southwestern part of the farm

Mooifontein 50, mineralised quartz stringers 2.13.3.1 Lüderitz District
and malachite staining were found in a shear
zone within Nagatis Formation lava dipping 2.13.3.1.1 Sinclair Mine
steeply to the southwest. The foliation planes
are coated with malachite and chrysocolla over The Sinclair Mine is situated on the western
a total width of up to 200 m. Four diamond drill slope of a hill in the northern central portion of
holes with a total length of 730.9 m sunk in the farm Sinclair Mine 2, roughly 110 km north
1972 to 1973 intersected only narrow of the railhead at Aus.
conformable bands of massive pyrite with
minor chalcopyrite giving low values of copper, The first geological references to this copper
zinc and gold. The best assays returned 0.16% deposit were made by Kuntz (1904) and
copper over 4.8 m and 0.27% copper over Stollreither (1905). From 1913 to 1914 the
10.2 m (true thickness); another borehole Koloniale Bergbaugesellschaft explored and

2.3-43
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

developed the property but had to stop The vein material consists of coarsely
operations due to the outbreak of Word War I. crystalline quartz, locally including fragments of
In 1927 the mine was taken over by South West chloritised wall rock. The main ore mineral is
Copper Company which resumed exploitation chalcocite which fills vugs and also occurs in
and installed a crushing and flotation plant with thin bands and irregular patches with accessory
a capacity of 150 tons per day. The venture was bornite and chalcopyrite. Near the surface the
abandoned during the depression in 1932. The sulphides are accompanied by malachite, azurite,
mine has since been investigated by a number atacamite, cuprite and tenorite. The
of mining companies, which have carried out mineralisation tends to be concentrated along
limited diamond drilling (Martin, 1965). cracks and joints in the footwall or hanging wall
of the larger quartz veins. Many slivers of
The copper is restricted to quartz-filled sheared and crenulated lava close to the margin
fractures crosscutting altered basic, intermediate of these veins contain chalcocite. Detailed
and felsic lavas of the Barby Formation. The mapping and sampling have revealed patches of
quartz veins occur in a fan-shaped fashion; they very rich ore, with lean sections and erratic
strike between northeast and east-southeast and values in between. The grade is best in the upper
tend to converge towards the west (Fig. 7). The levels of the mine, where the top assays have
veins dip northwards at 30o to 70o and pinching returned 6.7% copper over 1.50 m, 4.8% copper
and swelling of individual veins as well as over 0.35 m, 5.9% copper over 1.27 m and 1.8%
varying ore contents are common. At the copper over 1.14 m. The silver content is
surface, some of them can be traced over 300 m relatively high, averaging 15 g/t, whereas the
along strike. The host rock lava dips 20o to 30o gold values are negligible (Fuchter, 1964b).
to the east. The structural behavior of the veins
frequently changes from one lava flow to The cupriferous quartz veins are exposed in a
another. Rhyolite as well as andesite in contact number of shallow pits and trenches on surface
with quartz are altered to a chlorite-epidote and in some 730 m of underground development
bearing rock. About two kilometres to the west comprising adits, drives and winzes on three
the lavas are intruded by Nubib Granite. different levels. Several hundred tons of ore
were extracted and records show that shipments
of hand-picked ore contained 16 to 40% copper.
In 1950 ore reserves were estimated at 15 800 t
grading 3% copper. After his study, Fuchter
(1964) concluded that “the erratic nature of the
mineralisation and the limited extent of the
mineralised quartz veins make the Sinclair Mine
not a proposition for a large mining concern.
Under some expert technical supervision it
might be successfully worked by a small
concern”. Preliminary consideration has been
given to the feasibility of mining the quartz
veins together with the submarginal cupriferous
lava in between.

2.13.3.1.2 Kottbus 4

The copper showings commonly referred to

Figure 7: The Sinclair Mine (after Beetz, 1924 as Haremub (Beetz, 1924) are situated in the
and Söhnge, 1958) southeastern corner of the farm Kottbus 4, some
18 km south of the Sinclair Mine. The country
rock consists of Barby Formation lavas dipping

2.3-44
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

northwards away from a small intrusion of 2.13.3.3 Bethanien District

Nubib Granite (Miller, 1969). Quartz-copper
veins located in fractures and shears are best 2.13.3.3.1 Aubures 22
mineralised on the steep southern slope of a
range over a distance of 450 m. The main quartz Two copper prospects are associated with
reef dips 50o to 70o to the south. Two short adits quartz veins in the northwestern part of the farm.
at the western extremity reveal that the copper The country rock consists of basic lava of the
is concentrated in fractures along the hanging Barby Formation dipping 20o to the east. The
wall of the ore zone. The coarse-grained strike length of the two cupriferous zones
sulphides comprise chalcocite, tetrahedrite, exceeds 500 m, and they are well mineralised
pyrite and chalcopyrite, accompanied by with malachite, chalcopyrite, bornite and galena
malachite, azurite and cuprite. The average over widths of up to 4 m. In places cellular
grade of five selected samples was 5.5% copper gossan is also present (Miller, 1969; Zietsman,
and 30 g/t silver over a width of 1.7 m. A 1977).
second quartz reef outcrops to the north
(Hardie, 1970).
2.13.3.3.2 Aruab 23

2.13.3.2 Maltahöhe District In the southern portion of the farm Aruab 23,
a zone of cherty gossanous outcrop carries local
2.13.3.2.1 Ginas 20 copper, lead and barite mineralisation in sheared
chloritic and epidotised lava of the Barby
On the southern part of the farm Ginas 20, Formation. The volcanic assemblage dips
about 16 km north of the Sinclair Mine, basic moderately to steeply southward and is cut by
lava of the Barby Formation is intersected by a quartz porphyry dykes and faults striking
set of quartz-copper veins striking northward. northeast. Exploratory drilling has revealed the
The main vein, averaging one metre in width, presence of five stratabound units containing
can be traced northward for more than 600 m sulphides in 60 m of volcanic rock. The
across a saddle in the adjoining mountain range. sulphides are disseminated either in the more
Over a strike length of 25 m the central part of acid lavas or in layers of highly siliceous
the vein grades 0.1 to 1.1% copper. In 1938 the breccia. Individual ore-bearing units are up to
occurrence was prospected by the Koloniale 2 m thick and make an arcuate outcrop around a
Bergbaugesellschaft which found that the width hill for about 600 m.
and ore content of the vein diminished
considerably in depth. A 10-m-long adit at the The sulphides in the drill core include pyrite,
southern end exposes quartz with scattered pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite
specks of chalcocite, chalcopyrite and accompanied locally by magnetite; in the gossan,
malachite; it stops where the vein pinches out. bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, malachite,
An adit at the northern end is about 20 m long smithsonite and cerrusite have been noted.
and likewise shows a sparse scattering of Pronounced wall rock alteration is exposed in
sulphides with malachite staining. two adits (Liedke, 1972a; Swanson, 1974;
Kooiman, 1977).
Several of the other parallel quartz veins
contain minor chalcocite and malachite (Miller,
1969). 2.13.3.3.3 Naus 27

Immediately east of the homestead on the

farm Naus 27, two sets of composite quartz-
carbonate veins strike to the north and northeast
in epidotised Barby Formation lavas. At the
contacts they are locally silicified. The outcrops

2.3-45
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

show sporadic malachite, chrysocolla, 1977).

chalcocite, bornite and chalcopyrite as well as
scattered patches of gossanous material (Miller,
1969). The veins pinch and swell noticeably, but 2.13.3.4 Minor occurrences
do not exceed 2 m in width. They are exposed
at intervals over a strike distance of Weakly cupriferous quartz veins in rocks of
approximately 200 m. the Sinclair Sequence have been reported to
occur on the farms Kroonhof Wes 154 in the
A set of subparallel branching quartz veins is Maltahöhe District and Ganaams 21,
exposed about 3 km southeast of the homestead Wittmanshaar 25 and Garub Urus 6 in the
on the same farm, near the southern boundary of Bethanien District.
the farm. In places a little malachite occurs in
the quartz, or along the contact between vein
and wall rock, or in the wall rock itself. A few 2.13.4 Aubures Formation
isolated specks of galena have also been
observed (Miller, 1969). The red beds of the Aubures Formation form
the uppermost unit of the Sinclair Sequence in
the southern section of the Nauchas-Sinclair
2.13.3.3.4 Barby 26 section of the Rehoboth Magmatic Arc. The
immature sedimentary assemblage consists of
A copper showing in lava was opened up by feldspathic sandstone, poorly sorted
six trenches one kilometre northeast of the conglomerate and shale.
homestead on the farm Barby 26. Two of the
trenches reveal traces of malachite and Copper is associated with the basal
chrysocolla along a weakly developed shear as conglomerate on the farms Bergplaas 125,
well as along joints and fractures. About 2.5 km Keerom 128 and Portjes 88. On Bergplaas 125,
southeast of the homestead a lenticular copper- pebbles derived from basic lava of older units in
bearing quartz-carbonate vein occurs in an east- the Sinclair Sequence have a peculiar coating of
northeasterly shear zone. A series of trenches malachite. Other showings of malachite,
reveals that the shear zone envelops the contact chrysocolla and azurite have been reported from
between lava and greenstone dyke and locally the southwestern corner of this farm.
also cuts the dyke. The vein material contains
chalcocite, bornite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite,
malachite and chrysocolla and also patches of 2.13.5 Nückopf Formation
gossanous material (Miller, 1969).
Although sporadic pyrite occurs in numerous
exposures of the acid volcanic rocks of the
2.13.3.3.5 Kunjas 14 Nückopf Formation between Sossusvlei and the
Epukiro Omuramba, no large copper prospect
A few shafts and an adit mark the prospect, has yet been found in this formation.
also known as the Old Campbell Mine, near the
northern boundary of the farm Kunjas 14. The Chip samples of a quartz-porphyry in
dump material shows signs of copper minerals Nückopf Formation volcanic rocks taken in the
mainly on joint planes in mafic lava. A few northwestern part of the Maltahöhe District
samples contain native copper. The prospect is yielded copper values of up to 158 ppm. Several
nearly devoid of outcrop, but apparently the minor showings on the farm Oudam 354 in the
copper is related to shearing in lava. Some southwestern Rehoboth District are associated
distance away from the old workings there is a with east-west trending quartz-porphyry dykes in
small, but well-mineralised outcrop about 7 m Gamsberg Granite.
long. Staining of joint planes is widespread in
the surrounding area (Liedke, 1972a; Zietsman,

2.3-46
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.13.6 Grauwater Formation number of sheared mafic dykes, some exceeding

1000 m along strike. There are also dykes of
The sedimentary and volcanic units of the quartz-feldspar porphyry and aplite as well as
Grauwater Formation in the southwestern part quartz veins and thin epidote and barite veinlets.
of the Rehoboth area unconformably overlie the To the south of the copper-bearing area, the
Elim, Marienhof and Nückopf Formations. The granitic rocks pinch out against an east-west
presence of malachite in quartzite and trending inlier of Elim Formation.
disseminations of copper sulphides in epidote-
rich metalavas are reportedly by Brewitz (1974) The deposit displays metal zoning and
from the farms Kobos 321, Kalkdraai 320 and alteration features characteristic of porphyry-
Marienhof 49. On the northern part of the farm type copper mineralisation. Investigations
Nauzerus 11, fragments of dark gossan from the carried out by Martin & Edmonds (1978)
dumps of the two prospecting pits in the indicated that the alteration paragenesis is
Grauwater Formation contain hematite, dominated by epidote and sericite with minor
specularite, chalcocite, cuprite and tenorite. chlorite, clinozoisite and zoisite. In addition, the
Samples of the oxidic ore assay between 49 and quartz-monzonite contains biotite that has been
54% copper. Further copper indications in the affected by shearing, remobilisation and
Grauwater Formation have been observed on recrystallisation. In one sample hydrothermal
the western part of the farm Nauzerus West 229. biotite is associated with epidote and sericite at
the rims of altered plagioclase. Both the primary
Numerous copper occurrences within and the remobilised biotite are chloritised and
Grauwater rocks occur on the mountains have exceptionally high copper contents
bordering the farms Die Valle 226, Narib 4 and exceeding 2000 ppm copper. Veldsman (1979)
Weltevrede 404. Most of this area is part of the suggested that the remobilised biotite of the
Namib Naukluft park. Scattered copper Damas porphyry copper deposit is of
sulphides and copper staining occur on quartz hydrothermal origin and belongs paragenetically
veins aligned along strike-parallel shear planes to the copper mineralisation.
in shaley quartzite, but also within the country
rock next to the veins. Small specks of chalcopyrite, less than one
millimetre in diameter, as well as molybdenite
flakes up to 3 mm in size are present in borehole
2.13.7 Gamsberg Granitic Suite chips obtained by percussion drilling over the
mineralised area. The chalcopyrite is
2.13.7.1 Rehoboth District occasionally accompanied by pyrite and occurs
within quartz and feldspar grains as well as
2.13.7.1.1 Damas Prospect interstitially. The paragenetic relation between
the copper-iron sulphides and the molybdenum
On the northern portion of the farm Damas has not yet been fully established.
344 a prominent copper-molybdenum soil
geochemical anomaly spread over an area of The secondary copper minerals, mainly
approximately 3 by 1.5 km underlain by rocks malachite and chrysocolla, occur as fine
of the Gamsberg Granitic Suite was detected. disseminations in a thin siliceous crust on the
This led to the discovery of a low-grade weathered surfaces of the granitic rocks, or as
porphyry type copper deposit during the late thin green coatings on joint planes and in cracks.
1970s. The property lies 80 km west-southwest Malachite accompanied by limonite was also
of Rehoboth (Veldsman, 1979). observed in quartz veins. The distribution of the
visible secondary copper minerals coincides well
The prevailing mineralised rock is quartz- with the spread of the soil geochemical copper-
monzonite with a wide variety of textures molybdenum anomaly. Values up to 1000 ppm
ranging from aplitic to coarse grained and from for copper and 30 ppm for molybdenum have
equigranular to porphyritic. It is intruded by a been recorded in the soil and the anomalous

2.3-47
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

zones show two trends west-northwest and chrysocolla, chalcocite, chalcopyrite and bornite,
northeast, which correspond to the two tectonic disseminated in light green and brown shale
directions in the area. interbedded with reddish quartzite. The
succession has been correlated with the
A total of 64 percussion boreholes (3223 m) Doornpoort Formation and the Kojeka Syncline
spaced over an area measuring approximately 3 may be a continuation along strike of the
by 1 km were drilled. Altogether 32 inter- Groendoorn Syncline which contains identical
sections with copper values exceeding 1 000 beds of the Klein Aub Formation.
ppm over widths of 2 to 18 m were made in 15
boreholes. The best intersection was 2 194 ppm The Kojeka syncline is a tight fold trending
over 7 m. The drilling results suggest that the east-northeast; the northern limb dips 60o to 90o
Damas deposit is a deep-level exposure of a southeast and the southern limb 50o to 75o
porphyry copper occurrence (Veldsman, 1979; northeast. Copper is present in one or more
Bertram, 1981). Compare also 2.9.4.1.2. discontinuous bands at different stratigraphic
positions on the northern limb. The bedding of
the shale is almost completely obliterated by
2.13.8 Doornpoort Formation steep cleavage. The width of the individual
mineralised bands varies between 0.5 and 3 m,
The Doornpoort Formation consists of a and jointly they stretch over 4 km. A
basal conglomerate with intercalations of mafic characteristic feature of the copper-bearing units
and felsic lava, red quartzite, subordinate shale is the presence of intercalated lenses of grey
with lenses of impure limestone, and a clay- limestone that serve as useful markers.
pellet conglomerate at the top. Synsedimentary
and volcanogenic copper occurs in various The main copper deposit comprises the so-
positions within the succession between the called zones A, B and C with a total strike
Klein Aub Mine and Witvlei. length of about 3 km. The best intersections
were obtained in zones A and C. The results are
summarized as follows:
2.13.8.1 Rehoboth District

2.13.8.1.1 Du Plessis Rus 537 Table 5: Mineralisation at the farm Kojeka 376
(after Nouvel, 1978)
The presence of minor copper mineralisation
has been reported in amygdaloidal basalt near Zone Strike Vertical Average Grade
the base of the Doornpoort Formation, 35 km (panel) length depth width (%Cu)
east of Klein Aub (KEL Schalk, pers. comm.). (m) (m) (m)
The mineralised lava, about 2 m thick, is A-West 200 50 2.40 0.68
exposed in the southern limb of the Witkop A-East 450 200 2.10 0.91
Anticline and can be followed about 2 km along C 1050 120 1.15 1.02
strike. Compare also 2.6.1.7.

Zone C contains approximately 370 000 t of

ore at a grade of 1.02% copper (Nouvel, 1978).
2.13.8.1.2 Kojeka 376

The farm Kojeka 376, south of Rehoboth 2.13.8.2 Windhoek District

next to the main road, has been investigated in
considerable detail since the late ‘sixties. Isolated malachite stains occur on joints and
Exploration has included 40 diamond drill holes shear planes in andesitic lava near the base of
as well as 121 wagon boreholes. The stratiform the Doornpoort Formation on the farms
mineralisation consists of malachite, Doornpoort 248, Renown 235 and Peperkorrel

2.3-48
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

294. folded, show little or no metamorphism. A very

pronounced, steep cleavage, which to some
On the farm Doornpoort 248, mineralisation degree has influenced the distribution of the
is strongest where the amygdaloidal lava has copper, partly masks the bedding which dips 30o
been intruded by a coarse-grained basic sill. to 65o to the south. Numerous stringers and
Malachite staining and -encrustation as well as veins of milky quartz, some containing copper,
some sulphide ore occur. One old inclined shaft have formed along the cleavage planes. On
and a few pits exist. On all these farms surface the Klein Aub Formation is
amygdales in intermediate to basic lava filled characterised by a scree of quartz rubble.
with malachite or chrysocolla occur.
Copper ore is essentially confined to green
argillite and to a lesser extent to lenses of green
2.13.9 Klein Aub Formation quartzite and shaley limestone within the Kagas
Member, previously called the “Calcareous
The Klein Aub Formation forms a belt of Shale Stage” by Handley (1965). The Kagas
continuous outcrop extending over a strike beds consist of shaley and calcareous rocks
length of about 90 km from the farm Lepel 339 alternating with quartzitic layers, and attain a
in the west to the farm Kareeboomkolk 424 in total thickness of some 900 m in the Klein Aub
the east (Fig. 8). This cupriferous formation has area. Surface sampling of the mineralised units
attracted considerable interest over the past 25 in the Kagas Member along their entire strike
years, during which period the Klein Aub assayed from 0.1 to 1.5% copper.
Copper Mine was also developed. The stratiform copper, carrying minor silver
and gold, is generally thought to be syngenetic
The succession of conglomerate and and, according to Martin (1965), probably
quartzite with minor calcareous shale and derives from the numerous small copper-gold
limestone attains a thickness of almost 3 000 m. deposits of pre-Sinclair age that occur in the
The sedimentary rocks, which have been gently north of the Klein Aub basin.

Figure 8: Geological map showing the distribution of the Klein Aub Formation and associated
copper occurrences (after Schalk, 1982)

2.3-49
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.13.9.1 Rehoboth District striking east-northeast, with consistently

northward downthrows of the same magnitude
2.13.9.1.1 Klein Aub Mine as the thickness of the reefs.

The occurrence of copper on the farm Klein Essentially three separate, sigmoidal ore
Aub 350 was first recorded by Rimann (1915). bodies can be distinguished, the West-shaft ore
In 1927 the mineralised zone was explored by body, the Van Zyl-shaft ore body and the Maria-
test pits, trenches and a 10 m inclined shaft shaft ore body (Fig. 9). The latter links up with
under the direction of Dr. Hans Merensky, the “Vliegveld ore body” which is only known
however with disappointing results. In the late from exploration drilling and is situated between
1950s most of the known strike of the copper- the Van Zyl- and Maria-shaft ore bodies. The
bearing horizon has been pegged. After an only orebodies mined were the Van Zyl lode in
intensive diamond drilling campaign in 1959 to the west and the Maria ore body in the east. The
1960, which established a potential 1 million t grade of the ore varies considerably throughout,
of ore, the deposit was investigated by various the higher copper concentration being found in
exploration companies (Erongo Exploration, the Van Zyl lode (Borg, 1987).
1964a; 1964b). In 1966 the property was
brought into production by the Klein Aub The mineralogy of the copper ore at the Klein
Copper Company, having proved ore reserves to Aub Mine is quite complex. Chalcocite is the
maintain an initial 450 tons per day mill. most abundant copper sulphide and accounts for
probably more than 85% of the total copper
The occurrence of copper over a strike length sulphides. It is accompanied by djurleite,
of about 7.5 km is confined to 7 argillite beds in digenite, bornite, chalcopyrite, covellite, cuprite,
the Kagas Member of the Klein Aub Formation. native copper, malachite, wittichenite
These units are intercalated in a stratigraphic (klaprotholite), native silver, pyrite, galena,
succession of approximately 100 m, and range hematite and magnetite. In the oxidised zone of
in thickness from a few centimetres to a few the ore body, which stretches from surface to a
metres. They maintain a fairly constant distance depth of about 20 m, malachite and chrysocolla
from one another, and dip southwards at are predominant. Up to 50 g/t silver are mainly
approximately 45o, subparallel to a prominent associated with chalcocite.
breccia zone. In depth the units flatten out and
are eventually cut off by the breccia (Borg and The minerals are disseminated within coarser
Schneider, in print). laminae of fine sand and silt within shale, or
occur as nodular and lenticular aggregates in
The argillites vary in composition from grey quartzite, as cement to detrital grains, as
coarser-grained sandy rock to a greenish grey replacement of early pyrite, as cleavage parallel
finer-grained more calcareous clay-rich type. lenticles, as fillings in brittle fractures and as
The quartzite-rich portions appear to contain concentrations along slickensided shale layers.
less copper. The mineralised argillite consists
mainly of chlorite and quartz grains, with small Essentially two different styles of
veinlets and specks of sulphides. mineralisation can be distinguished.
Disseminated mineralisation accounts for
The breccia which at deeper levels approximately 55% of the total mineralisation.
constitutes the hanging wall of the ore body, Some 45% of the mineralisation is hosted by
ranges in thickness from several centimetres to fractures or other tectonic features such as
about 3 m. It consists of small fragments of breccia zones and cleavage planes. Minor ore
shale and shaley quartzite embedded in a mineral zonation is developed within the Klein
greenish grey calcareous slaty matrix, and Aub ore bodies, mainly up-dip, and with
appears to be of tectonic origin. Mining is increasing distance from the Klein Aub Fault,
locally complicated by a densely spaced series chalcocite mineralisation gradually develops
of small faults dipping steeply north and into a narrow bornite and chalcopyrite zone

2.3-50
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 9: The Klein Aub ore bodies (after Borg, 1987)

before grading into unmineralised pyrite- mineralisation remained unaffected in its

bearing sediments (Borg & Schneider, in print). original disseminated form.

Locally within the ore beds there may be a Borg (1987) developed an ore genesis model
maze of quartz-ankerite stringers in highly for the Klein Aub deposit. It is suggested that
sheared and tightly folded argillite. The the ore formed mainly during an epigenetic
distribution of the mineralisation is clearly multi-phase event. During Doornpoort
structurally controlled within the stratabound Formation times the deposition of coarse red
framework. Regional folding coupled with alluvial fan sediments by braided river systems
weak metamorphism caused partial forming a thick sequence of oxidised red beds
recrystallisation and internal adjustments of the was accompanied by the extrusion of basaltic
copper-bearing sediments. The remobilised lava flows. The Klein Aub Formation represents
elements concentrated within the newly formed a major environmental change. Due to a marine
structures, although part of the original transgression, fine-grained sediments were

2.3-51
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

deposited in a shallow marine or lacustrine recovery which accounted for a further + 8%

environment. Minor precipitation of copper extraction. The production from the Maria area
sulphides in a reducing environment probably approximated 900 t of ore per day (Malone,
took place. Sediment compaction occurred due 1985).
to continuing burial under accumulating clastic
sediments, followed by basin dewatering. The The Klein Aub Copper deposit contained 7.5
fluids migrated upwards, therefore leaching million t of ore averaging 2% copper and
copper from all available source rocks, 50 ppm silver. Of these, 5.5 million t were
especially from permeable zones of basaltic mined in the period 1966 to 1987. Due to low
flows. During the peak of the Damaran age copper prizes and the comparatively low grade
metamorphism fluids altered portions of the the mine became subeconomic in 1987. At the
Doornpoort Formation basalts and leached time of mine closure the ore reserves amounted
major amounts of copper and some silver from to 2 million t (Borg and Schneider, in print).
them. The by now strongly metal-enriched
fluids then migrated upwards from the volcanic
units and percolated through the overlying Table 6: Production of copper concentrates (45-
sediments. A major fault system at Klein Aub 56% copper, 700-1100 g/t silver) of the Klein
focussed the fluid flow upwards along faults. Aub Mine (Source: Directorate of Mines)
The mineralising fluids then precipitated
sulphides in the reducing environment of the Year Ore mined Cu-concentrate
Klein Aub Formation, upgrading the earlier, (t) (t)
diagenetic mineralisation considerably. 1966 41 138 460
1967 186 519 7 428
Ruxton (1986) suggested a period of copper 1968 250 787 9 983
release and concentration of a basement copper 1969 258 315 10 965
source during semi-arid to arid weathering. 1970 225 037 8 926
Subsequent uplift and erosion led to the 1971 222 353 9 590
transport of copper initially as copper sulphate 1972 179 193 7 617
and later as fine malachite particles in the 1973 163 769 6 460
suspended sediment load of alluvial fan 1974 234 282 9 575
distributaries. The deposition of detrital 1975 253 839 8 674
malachite at lake margins adjacent to zones of 1976 289 334 12 441
major sediment and water discharge is 1977 279 650 12 025
envisaged, with further concentration by 1978 310 329 13 389
lacustrine currents. Bacterial action and the 1979 318 400 13 576
breakdown of organic matter during diagenesis 1980 321 549 16 405
led to the formation of sulphides and 1981 306 200 14 155
subsequent copper fixation. 1982 294 600 11 464
1983 259 400 10 043
The Van Zyl and Maria ore lodes are each 1984 249 357 9 917
served by a vertical production shaft and a 1985 214 120 10 064
subinclined auxiliary shaft. Horizontal 1986 230 000 7 501
development per level extends over 2500 m in 1987 38 347 1 265
the Maria area and for some 1900 m in the Van
Zyl area. By the end of 1980 down-dip mining
had advanced to approximately 350 m below 2.13.9.1.2 Nuwedam 348
the surface. The Van Zyl lode was mined by a
panel method (80% extraction) followed by Along the Kam River near the settlement on
pillar extraction at a daily production rate of the eastern portion of the farm Nuwedam 348, a
160 t. The Maria ore body was mined by a wide geochemical survey delineated two zones of
raise method (+ 85% extraction) and pillar sporadic malachite in conglomerate of the

2.3-52
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Eindpaal Member which underlies the Kagas Compare also 2.11.2.1.6.

Member of the Klein Aub Formation. The
geochemical anomalies were checked by
trenching and wagon drilling (Erongo Exploration, 2.13.9.1.6 Groendorn 362
1964b). Channel samples from the trenches
assayed traces to 0.9% copper, and in a number In the southern part of the farm Groendorn
of trenches with visible mineralisation values of 362 folded Kagas beds exposed in a westerly
up to 2.0% copper were recorded. Ten inclined plunging syncline are host to numerous copper
wagon holes totalling 216 m were drilled in order showings spread out over a distance of about
to test the copper-bearing zone exposed in five 6 km. Nodules, clusters and coatings of
trenches north of the settlement. Except for one malachite and chrysocolla in green chloritic
borehole, where 0.8 to 1.0% copper was intersected argillite and argillaceous limestone are
between 4.5 and 9.1 m, none of the other 9 accompanied by quartz stringers controlled by
wagon drill holes encountered mineralisation shear zones 1 to 2 m wide. A grab sample of the
exceeding 0.1% copper (Worst, 1970b). material assayed 1.4% copper. In places the
mineralised zone comprises several parallel
The copper content within the cupriferous layers, individually up to one metre wide and
argillite beds of the Kagas beds hosting the 100 m in strike length (Söhnge, 1961b; Erongo
Klein Aub deposit decreases markedly towards Exploration, 1964b; 1964c; Brunner, 1966;
the farm Nuwedam 348. Worst, 1970c; Elders, 1972; Fourie, 1980).

2.13.9.1.3 Noams 519 2.13.9.1.7 Karanas Wes 456

Discontinuous malachite stainings extend In the central part of the farm Karanas Wes
over 800 m along strike in brown calcareous 456, a weak scattering of malachite in quartzite
quartzite of the Dikdoorn Member (overlying has been exposed in two trenches. The thickness
the cupriferous Kagas Member) of the Klein of the mineralised zone does not exceed 0.6 m
Aub Formation in the western central part of the (Brunner, 1966).
farm Noams 519. The mineralisation, which
attains its maximum width of 13 m in the
eastern part of the outcrop, was tested in 1975 2.13.9.1.8 Karanas 457
by means of six shallow percussion boreholes.
The operations were hampered by an Malachite-impregnated argillite with an
exceptionally high water table. The best values average width of 1.5 m outcrops along a strike
reported are 200 ppm and 260 ppm copper in length of 180 m on the farm Karanas 457
two holes (Shelford, 1975b). (Brunner, 1966; Worst, 1970c).

2.13.9.1.4 Slaaipoort 359 2.13.9.1.9 Kleinoes Noord 464

A layer of marl containing malachite was West of the road on the farm Kleinoes Noord
prospected by means of a few trenches on the 464, a continuous outcrop of argillite, 0.6 to
western boundary of the farm Slaaipoort 359 1.5 m wide, with a strike length of about 150 m,
(Brunner, 1966). Compare also 2.11.2.1.5. carries malachite in two separate horizons. To
2.13.9.1.5 Campbells Aub 360 the east sporadic malachite in a sandy marl layer
has been prospected by means of numerous
Malachite is present in a 1.2-m-wide marl trenches over a strike length of 200 m. A second
bed over a strike length of some 25 m. A trench copper-stained marl horizon in a
reveals that the mineralised zone does not stratigraphically higher position is exposed
extend any further east (Brunner, 1966). about 50 m further east. It can be followed along

2.3-53
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

strike for approximately 170 m. Another trending fault (Antony, 1969). Compare also
showing in a small limestone outcrop occurs 2.11.3.1.2
close to the eastern boundary of the farm
(Brunner, 1966; Walden, 1986).
2.13.10 Eskadron Formation

2.13.9.1.10 Kagas Noord 462 The Eskadron Formation extends over some
90 km from the farm Owinieikiro 213 towards
About 1.5 km from the western boundary of Witvlei, where it disappears beneath the
the farm Kagas Noord 462, malachite is present Kalahari Group sand cover east of the Black
in two marl units over a strike distance of Nossob River. The succession is correlated with
400 m. The average thickness of the zone as the Doornpoort and Aubures Formations, and
exposed in numerous trenches does not exceed comprises conglomerate, quartzite, siltstone,
one metre (Witkop Copper Co., 1962; Brunner, limestone, calcareous argillite and in places
1966; Walden, 1986). minor basic and acid lavas. In the Witvlei area,
the exposed portion of the formation attains the
remarkable thickness of about 10 000 m;
2.13.9.1.11 Kalfrivier Suid 460 however, thrusting may have played a role in
this respect (Hegenberger and Seeger, 1980)
Geochemically anomalous zones over copper
showings in the Kagas beds have been tested by When malachite staining was noted in
means of two diamond drill holes, each 350 m argillite, which formed part of the excavation for
deep, on the farm Kalfrivier Suid 460. The core a building on the farm Okatjirute West 324, in
showed only very slight malachite and 1967, a vigorous prospecting campaign in the
chalcocite near the surface, whereas finely Witvlei area including the farms Grünental 151,
disseminated chalcopyrite, bornite and pyrite Eskadron 152, Okatjepuiko 154, Okatjirute 155,
were encountered at deeper levels. The best Daheim 157, Okatjirute Ost 323 and Okatjirute
intersections per metre did not exceed 0.6% West 324 was started. In 1968 the area underlain
copper. The sulphides appear mainly in green, by the Eskadron Formation was extensively
partly argillaceous quartzite (Walden, 1986). prospected. The exploration efforts were
successful in that a number of potentially
economic stratiform copper deposits were
2.13.9.1.12 Kalfrivier 459 and Kareeboomkolk 424 discovered within this formation.

Several minor malachite showings in the

Kagas Member have been mapped on the two 2.13.10.1 Gobabis District
farms Kalfrivier 459 and Kareeboomkolk 424
(KEL Schalk, pers. comm.). 2.13.10.1.1 Gemsbockvley 214

Copper ore was found in green shale,

2.13.9.2 Windhoek District calcareous quartzite and marl in the eastern
portion of the farm Gemsbokvley 214. The
2.13.9.2.1 Lepel 339 mineralised zone comprises three cupriferous
beds spaced over a width of 10 to 20 m and a
Disseminated malachite, azurite and strike distance of some 200 m. Fourteen
chrysocolla with grains of chalcocite in greyish- exploration boreholes have indicated that the
brown quartzite of the Kagas Member are deposit contains 0.45 million t of ore at a grade
present near the contact of the Klein Aub of 1.76% copper and terminates in depth against
Formation with the Nama Group in the a strike fault dipping 80o southeast (Linning,
northwestern portion of the farm Lepel 339. The 1972c; Hilke, 1986).
mineralisation is confined to a north-northeast

2.3-54
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

2.13.10.1.2 Christiadore 104 area is cut by numerous steep strike faults,

transverse faults, as well as north - south
The location of a geochemical copper trending thrusts of shallow dip.
anomaly 500 m in length in the central part of
the farm Christiadore 104 led to the discovery A vertical exploration shaft was sunk to a
of a deposit containing 1.2 million t of ore depth of 50 m. Two crosscuts were developed at
grading 2.27% copper. The copper occurs in 5 that level to the north and south to intersect two
shale beds of 300 to 4 000 m strike length and ore reefs. Both reefs were then explored by
an average thickness of 2 m. The ore beds are drives over a total length of 207 m east and west
spaced over a total width of 120 to 140 m and of the crosscuts. It was found that the reefs were
dip 70o southeast (Linning, 1972c; Hilke, 1986). dislocated by a swarm of faults (Linning, 1972c;
1973; Hilke, 1986).

2.13.10.1.3 Otjiwarumendu 119

2.13.10.1.5 Witvlei Area
A zone of geochemical copper anomalies
peaking at 700 ppm was explored by means of 8 Extensive exploration in the Witvlei area
diamond drill holes over a strike distance of from 1967 to 1976 led to the discovery of three
800 m on the farm Otjiwarumendu 119. The stratiform ore deposits. Two of these, the
anomalies are caused by three mineralised shale Malachite Pan and Witvlei Pos occurrences
units. The best intersections of the individual situated on the farms Eskadron 152 and
units encountered in the boreholes assayed as Okatjirute 155, respectively, have been
follows: 1.97, 1.70 and 1.76% copper over considered to contain economically interesting
widths of 1.39, 1.95 and 1.27 m respectively amounts of copper. During the period 1976 to
(Linning, 1972c; Hilke, 1986). 1978 two further copper-bearing areas within the
Eskadron Formation were located by means of
geochemical soil sampling. These were called
2.13.10.1.4 Okasewa North West 120 Anomaly 2 and 5 and are situated on the farms
Daheim 157 and Grünental 151, respectively
A geochemically anomalous zone trending (Main, 1979).
northeast for about 2 km and showing peak
values exceeding 500 ppm copper has been The copper is primarily syngenetic and
delineated in the southeastern portion of the concentrated in layers up to 7 m wide, with an
farm Okasewa North West 120. Diamond average thickness of about 2 m. The cupriferous
drilling has outlined a group of 12 steeply horizons are found in swarms within a specific
dipping ore beds with an overall strike length stratigraphic zone which may continue for
exceeding 2 000 m, spread out over a total several kilometres along strike, whereas the
width of 400 to 500 m. The reserves have been individual ore bands rarely extend for more than
established at some 6 million t of ore containing a few hundred metres. The copper is hosted by
1.8% copper and 7 g/t silver. argillite, sandstone or quartzite and limestone in
order of decreasing importance. The
The mineralisation is hosted by a number of mineralisation occurs in three broad zones, one
calcareous argillite and limestone units with at the base (Malachite Pan), one in the middle
nearly vertical dip. The individual ore reefs are (Copper Causeway) and one near the top of the
arranged en echelon, attaining a maximum Eskadron Formation (Witvlei Pos) (Fig. 10).
length of 600 m, and averaging 3 m in
thickness. The whole succession within the In the Witvlei area the Eskadron Formation
mineralised zone shows lateral facies changes: wraps around a domal structure consisting of
individual bands tend to attenuate westward, Marienhof Formation volcanic rocks and
whereas the copper content generally decreases intrusive Gamsberg Granite. The copper is
eastward where limestone predominates. The believed to have been derived from sources in

2.3-55
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 10: Detailed facies map of the Witvlei area (after Ruxton & Clemmey, 1986)

the Marienhof Formation and transported into across the delta. Sulphur isotope evidence
the adjacent sedimentary basin either as detrital suggests that copper and iron sulphides were
grains or in solution. Main (1978) stated that produced by bacteriogenic reduction of
“during deposition of rocks of the Eskadron groundwater sulphate in a closed fractionation
Formation, sediment was provided via a large system during diagenesis (Ruxton and Clemmey,
broad delta to two shallow basins from a 1986).
hinterland composed of Marienhof Formation
rocks. Copper mineralisation was fixed in two A modal analysis of 16 polished ore sections
habitats; at the top of the upward-fining cycles has revealed the following order of abundance of
near the delta margins and at the base of the minerals present:
upward-coarsening cycles several kilometres
away from the delta”. Current bedding indicates
two predominant directions of transportation,
from north-northwest to south-southeast,
parallel to the delta axis, and from east to west

2.3-56
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Table 7: Mineralogical composition of Witvlei surface.

ores (after Anhaeusser & Button, 1973).
Small-scale mining of the deposit
Constituent Volume % commenced in 1974. A vertical shaft was sunk
Gangue 97.30 to a depth of 47 m and a crosscut developed to
Chalcocite 1.40 intersect the two stratigraphically lowest copper-
Chalcopyrite 0.51 bearing beds. These were opened up by drives
Bornite 0.50 and stopes in the sulphide zone. Underground
Covellite 0.13 workings revealed that complex faulting and
Others 0.15 small-scale folding divided the ore units into
relatively small slices. Mining was confined to
one such segment affecting both ore units; 1.99
Chalcocite is by far the most abundant ore and 2.40 m in width respectively, and assaying
mineral and seems to have replaced practically 1.97 and 2.72% copper. Owing to poor copper
all the other minerals in the suite. It generally recovery, which never exceeded 70%, high
occurs as disseminated grains throughout the arsenic content in the concentrates, and costly
host and less frequently as massive aggregates mining due to the intricate structure of the ore
or veinlets filling fractures. Chalcopyrite and bodies, the venture proved uneconomic under
bornite usually occur together in all the ores at the prevailing operating and marketing
various depths below surface. Covellite has circumstances. Operations were discontinued in
developed as an alteration product of bornite September 1975 after 22 000 t of ore had been
and digenite in the near-surface sections of the milled.
various deposits. Cuprite, native copper,
malachite, azurite and chrysocolla are confined The probable ore reserves are set at 2.98
to a zone usually not deeper than 20 m below million t grading 2.1% copper over an average
surface. Silver reportedly occurs in solid width of 2.36 m (Main, 1979).
solution within the copper minerals and is
ubiquitously present in the Witvlei ores
(Viljoen, 1969; Main, 1979). 2.13.10.1.5.2 The Copper Causeway Prospect

Two-dimensional measurements of ore The Copper Causeway Prospect is located in

grains in polished sections show that the grain the southern part of the farm Okatjirute West
size of the copper sulphides in the Witvlei area 324. Trenching has exposed seven copper-
varies from a maximum of 125 microns to a bearing argillite beds intercalated with
minimum of one micron. The average grain size sandstone, siltstone and conglomerate over a
appears to be of the order of 4 to 8 microns total width of 180 m. The best surficial ore
(Anhaeusser and Button, 1973). assayed 3.0% copper over 9.41 m. Two diamond
drill holes totalling 475.9 m revealed a best
intersection assaying 1.49% copper over 2.91 m
2.13.10.1.5.1 Malachite Pan Prospect (Main, 1979).

The Malachite Pan Prospect is located in the

northwestern part of the farm Eskadron 152. A 2.13.10.1.5.3 Witvlei Pos Prospect
total of some 8 500 m of diamond drilling
carried out during the period 1968 to 1974 The Witvlei Pos Prospect straddles the
established the presence of 25 mineralised common boundary between the farms Okatjirute
horizons of which 15 showed sufficient grade 155 and Okatjirute West 324. A total of 14
consistency and strike continuity to warrant diamond drill holes have indicated the presence
underground development. Only the three of 2.85 million t of potential copper ore grading
stratigraphically lowest beds were “bottomed” 1.52% copper over an average width of 2.12 m.
by the drilling which extended to 300m below A cut-off of 1% copper and one metre width was

2.3-57
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

used in the estimate. By extrapolating ore 2.13.10.1.7 Okasandu 158

blocks to 300 m below surface the tonnage
could be increased to 9.51 million t (Main, In the southern part of the farm Okasandu
1978). 158, near the common boundary between the
farms Okasandu 158 and Daheim 157, a
geochemical copper anomaly was checked by
2.13.10.1.5.4 Grünental 151 diamond drilling. Several copper-bearing
argillite beds were intersected in three zones
In the northwestern part of the farm over a strike distance of 250 m and a
Grünental 151, a copper anomaly forms a well stratigraphic thickness of about 150 m. Owing to
defined, narrow arcuate zone for 2 500 m along the limited length of the deposit as well as the
strike. Three 50-m-long trenches exposed one relatively low grade of 1.4% copper, no further
narrow band of yellowish-brown malachite- diamond drilling was undertaken to test for
stained siltstone. Channel samples returned a possible extensions beyond a depth of 200 m
peak value of 660 ppm copper over 2 m width (Linning, 1972c; 1973).
(Main, 1979).

2.13.10.1.5.5 Daheim 157 3. Copper occurences in the Damara Sequence

and related rocks
A soil copper anomaly, 2 000 m by 400 m in
extent, was outlined in the northwestern portion 3.1 Nosib Group
of the farm Daheim 157. Many beds of
malachite-stained grey siltstone and argillite The Nosib Group represents the basal and
exposed in several trenches were channel- largely arenaceous portion of the Damara
sampled and returned assays of 0.10 to 2.13% Sequence. Along the Southern Margin of the
copper over widths ranging between 0.25 and Damara Orogen, it is represented by pebbly
7.0 m. Significant mineralisation over a strike quartzites of the Kamtsas Formation; calcareous
distance of 750 m was tested by means of five phyllites including conglomerate, quartzite,
diamond drill holes. The best values were limestone and evaporitic rocks of the Duruchaus
encountered at a vertical depth of 75 m where Formation; and pebbly quartzite, mixtite and
3 m true width of sulphide-bearing argillite and argillite of the Blaubeker Formation (Schalk,
siltstone contained 1.8% copper. 1972). In the Karibib area, the group consists of
the lower Etusis Formation (pinkish feldspathic
The copper-enriched oxidised zone extends quartzite) and upper Khan Formation (greenish
from surface to a depth of about 35 m and pyroxene- and amphibole-bearing feldspathic
contains abundant malachite and azurite, quartzite). East and west of Khorixas, the top of
whereas copper silicates, cuprite and native the Nosib comprises volcano-sedimentary rocks
copper are less common. Grades of approximat- of the Naauwpoort Formation. In the type area
ely 2% reflect the average copper content of this east of Otavi the Nosib Group is made up of
oxidised zone which primarily constitutes the quartzite of the Nabis Formation, the volcanic
copper potential of this anomaly (Main, 1979). Askevold Formation and locally the
conglomerate of the Varianto Formation. In
Kaokoland the Nosib succession is
2.13.10.1.6 Ongava-Onuea 147 undifferentiated.

A geochemical copper anomaly following Although the occurrence of stratabound

the nose of an anticlinal structure was tested by copper is known in many places in the
means of seven widely spaced diamond drill sedimentary and volcanic units of the upper
holes. Slight copper mineralisation was Nosib Group, actual mining has taken place only
encountered in a calcareous quartzite (Linning, at a small deposit on the farm Nosib Block III
1972). 655. The copper minerals are present as

2.3-58
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

disseminations, in small quartz veins, or in Naauwpoort Formation, consisting of

fractures generally not connected with major interlayered sedimentary and intermediate
faults or post-Nosib intrusions. volcanic rocks, is exposed in the east-trending
Austerlitz Anticline and in the northeast-striking
Copper showings are widespread in the Naauwpoort Syncline. The varied sequence
sedimentary formations of the upper Nosib hosts sporadic copper that was prospected
Group and overlying lower Abenab/Ugab during the late 1950s and early 1960s, as well as
Subgroup. Occurrences in the intervening during the 1970s.
transition beds will be described in the section
dealing with the Otavi Group (Söhnge, 1976b). The surveys included percussion and
diamond drilling which located various small
copper-lead-zinc occurrences (Davidson, 1977).
3.1.1 Kaokoland For further information compare also the Lead-
Zinc chapter.
West of Kaoko Otavi and 2 to 3 km north of
Oruwanje, dioptase, bornite, chalcopyrite and
chalcocite are associated with quartz and barite 3.1.3.1 Austerlitz 515
in veins cutting Nosib sediments. Other copper
localities have been reported from the Tönnesen A swarm of quartz veins in andesite,
and Giraffen Mountains. paralleling the axis of the Austerlitz Anticline,
contains scattered malachite and chalcopyrite.
Several prospects are located in the upper Southeast of the anticlinorium copper deposits
100 m of the Nosib Group forming inliers occur in the southern central part of the farm
southwest and south of Ombombo. These were Austerlitz 515 in phyllite interlayered with
investigated in 1961 to 1962 and in 1970 to limestone of the overlying Ugab Subgroup.
1971. Twenty-six km north of Ombombo an Compare also 3.3.2.2.
occurrence of copper in Nosib quartzite was
checked in depth by two diamond drill holes.
Only sparse malachite was intersected in the 3.1.3.2 Naauwpoort 511 and Ruimte 510
quartzite which has been faulted against slightly
mineralised Abenab beds. About 10 km In the northwestern part of the farm
southwest of Ombombo, a copper-bearing Naauwpoort 511 a malachite-stained contact
quartzite 2 to 4-m-thick was opened up over a zone between conglomerate and limestone has
strike length of 80 m. Three cross trenches been opened up by several pits and trenches over
revealed an average content of 4.9, 1.5 and a strike length of 200 m. The mineralised zone
1.4% copper respectively (Ransom, 1982). occurs in the southern limb of a local
asymmetrical syncline. The conglomerate
belongs to the upper Naauwpoort Formation,
3.1.2 Kavango whereas the limestone appears to be an infolded
remnant of the Ugab Subgroup. Chalcopyrite,
In the east, where the Okavango River has chalcocite, bornite and galena occur within the
cut through the Kalahari Group cover, outcrops basal limestone as well as the upper
of the Nosib Group contain sporadic copper conglomerate. Chalcocite is the only sulphide
staining. A geochemical anomaly exceeding mineral notable on surface, accompanied by a
50 ppm copper was delineated 2 to 3 km little malachite. The prospect was tested by nine
southeast of Andara in quartzitic rocks. These diamond drill holes, totalling 977.5 m
rocks are exposed upstream and downstream of (Galloway, 1983b). Table 8 summarises the best
Andara over a stretch of 35 km (Söhnge, 1977). intersections.
3.1.3 Damaraland

From 30 to 60 km west of Khorixas the

2.3-59
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Table 8: Best diamond drill hole intersections Transitional Sequence containing:

on the farm Naauwpoort 511 (after Galloway, The Lower Mixed Unit
1983b). The Central Carbonate Unit
The Upper Mixed Unit
Drill True Cu Pb Zn Ag Swakop Group
Hole width(m) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) Carbonate Sequence
N2 1.05 4.34 0.56 0.04 50 Pelitic Sequence
N3 5.50 1.10 0.005 0.01 21
N7 5.00 1.44 0.006 0.025 -- Mineralisation of possible economic interest
occurs in various stratigraphic settings: copper
+zinc mineralisation and arsenic-molybdenum-
A hydrothermal origin has been suggested zinc mineralisation is recorded in the upper part
for this copper deposit by Davidson (1977). of the Volcanic Sequence while the Lower
Transitional Sequence contains lead-zinc and
A regional survey involving 2506 soil copper mineralisation. The Central Carbonate
samples was carried out in 1972 in the northern Unit carries lead-zinc, copper-lead and copper
part of the farm Naauwpoort 511 and the mineralisation (see also the Lead-Zinc chapter).
southwestern portion of the farm Ruimte 510. Malachite and minor chalcocite occur over a
Copper anomalies proved to be related either to strike length of several hundred metres in the
mineralised quartz or to malachite coatings on upper part of the Volcanic Sequence, on the
cleavage planes in sericitic quartzite. Individual farms Braunfels 387 and Olifantshoek 388.
quartz veins containing limonite/hematite and Additional copper mineralisation is found in the
malachite pseudomorphic after chalcopyrite are Lower Mixed Unit of the Transitional Sequence
up to 20 m long and 2 m wide; they strike north- on the farm Olifantshoek 388, where a quartz
south perpendicular to the regional trend of the vein in gossanous, hydrothermally-altered felsic
Naauwpoort Formation metasedimentary units. pyroclastic rocks contains malachite-chalcocite.
Compare also 3.5.2.3. Malachite, chalcocite and galena is also
associated with quartz veins in altered dolomites
in the Central Carbonate (Venter & Buerger,
3.1.3.3 Summas Mountains-Mitten Fold-Ais 1981; Kotze, 1986).
Dome Area

Extensive exploration work has been done 3.1.4 Outjo District

over the Summas Mountains, Mitten Fold and
Ais Dome areas. Base metal mineralisation is 3.1.4.1 Vaalwater 283
associated with volcanogenic processes which
affected a differentiated volcano-sedimentary Thirty kilometres northeast of Kamanjab five
succession. It was considered more practical to boreholes totalling 262.5 m were drilled in 1973
regard the sequence of interbedded volcanics on a copper prospect at the contact of Nosib
and sediments which spans the Nosib Group/ Group quartzite and Abenab Subgroup dolomite.
Swakop Group contact as a transition between Malachite and chalcocite were first observed in
regions of pelite and volcanic deposition. This float boulders and in occasional outcrops of the
“Transitional Sequence” is a favourable locus quartzite. The copper bearer generally does not
for the formation of volcanogenic sulphide exceed a few metres in width and can be
deposits (Venter & Buerger, 1981). The Nosib/ followed over a strike distance of approximately
Swakop Groups in this area were therefore 800 m. Chip samples from the best exposures
subdivided into: assayed 0.27 to 3.51% copper. Drilling results
indicated that the disseminated chalcocite did
Nosib Group not continue down dip in the quartzite, but was
Basal Sedimentary Sequence restricted to thin clastic layers on or close to the
Volcanic Sequence plane of unconformity. The best value obtained

2.3-60
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

was 0.32% copper over 3 m. In one of the holes In the eastern portion of the farm, malachite
oxidised copper minerals were also present in coatings together with a little gossan occur in
the overlying Abenab Subgroup dolomite isolated quartzitic outcrops over a strike length
(Rosenblatt, 1974). of 600 m. The beds are located on the northern
limb of a local syncline plunging 35o southeast
and situated on the eastern geanticlinal nose of
3.1.4.2 Klein Omaruru Ost 22 the Kamanjab Inlier. Twenty-six diamond drill
holes totalling over 4500 m and spread over an
Scattered outliers of metasedimentary area of approximately 1400 by 350 m revealed
formations probably belonging to the Nosib and copper sulphides in two lithological units of the
Otavi Groups occur on the northern side of the Nosib Group; one of which is a purplish grey,
south-dipping Rehderstal Fault on the farms fine to medium-grained quartzite succeeded by
Klein Omaruru Ost 22 and Rehderstal 23. The mixtite, which could possibly represent either
rocks comprise a basal conglomerate followed the Varianto Formation of the Nosib Group, or
by partly granitised gritty to pebbly arkose the Chuos Formation of the Otavi Group. The
which grades upwards into dolomite and thickness of the mixtite increases from 2 to 4 m
calcareous schist (Blaine, 1969). They are host in the west to 180 m in the east of the deposit. It
to a discontinuous spread of copper in a zone is covered by dolomite with intercalated narrow
some 20 m wide and striking over a distance of shale seams and irregular lenses and layers of
90 m in the immediate footwall of the fault. The chert. The sediments generally dip at low to
degree of deformation appears to have moderate angles to the south.
controlled the intensity of the mineralisation;
disseminated malachite, azurite and iron oxides The most important copper-silver
are concentrated along shear planes, while the mineralisation occurs in the purplish-grey, fine
larger blebs, containing unoxidised cores of to medium-grained quartzite, apparently at
chalcopyrite and pyrite, are associated with different stratigraphic horizons. The main
quartz-carbonate veins in a highly sheared zone, sulphide is chalcocite, visible on bedding planes
3 m wide, just below the fault. Chip samples and as fine particles disseminated throughout the
taken across the zone assayed 0.70 to 0.95% rock. Bornite and traces of chalcopyrite are
copper and one also contained 25.3 g/t silver. generally associated with chalcocite, which is
the silver bearer. Drill core assays indicate very
Diamond drilling has indicated that the patchy copper distribution over short distances.
Damara Sequence rocks in the footwall of the In the overlying light-grey, medium-gained
fault attain no great thickness; the fault dips 40o quartzite two pyritic layers carry accessory
to 50o to the south; and the mineralised body copper. The sulphides form lenticular bodies
which apparently plunges westward at a shallow parallel to the original bedding planes, and are
angle, thins out in depth. The best values in a thought to be of syngenetic origin. The potential
borehole were intersected at a vertical depth of tonnage and grade at a cut-off grade of 0.8%
25 to 43 m, of which 15.3 m assayed 1.53% copper has been estimated at roughly 200 000 t
copper and 15.2 g/t silver. This included a zone of ore containing 1.9% copper and 54.6 g/t silver
of 9.2 m (true width) assaying 2.0% copper and over an average width of 1.7 m (Cooke, 1969).
20.9 g/t silver (Lee, 1969).

3.1.4.4 Khairob 54 and Volhard 370

3.1.4.3 Tzamin Copper Prospect
On the common boundary of the farms
The stratiform deposit on the farm Tzamin Khairob 54 and Volhard 370, 60 km west of
228, situated 30 km north of Outjo, was Outjo, copper indications are present in a shear
reportedly discovered and prospected during the zone in quartz-sericite schist underlying the
period 1930 to 1937. Exploration diamond Otavi Group dolomite. The immediately
drilling was carried out between 1967 and 1969. adjoining sedimentary and volcanic rocks

2.3-61
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

probably correlate with the Naauwpoort 3.1.5 Grootfontein District

Formation of the Nosib Group (Vermaak, 1969).
3.1.5.1 Deutsche Erde Area

3.1.4.5 Kameelfeld Annexe 162 Southwest of Otavi, copper is present in the

Askevold Formation in the core of an overturned
On the central portion of the farm anticline striking west across the farms
Kameelfeld Annexe 162, located 20 km Hagestolz 93, Deutsche Erde 553 and Hohental
southeast of Outjo, malachite and chalcopyrite Nord 554. During 1967 and 1968 several
are associated with magnetite in gossan geochemical anomalies were extensively
stringers in arenaceous marble and schist of the trenched. The best assay obtained in the
Nosib Group. The beds outcrop on the mineralised zone is 0.96% copper over a 5 m
southwestern nose of the Outjo Inlier, close to width (Clynch, 1969b).
the granite-gneiss of the Huab Metamorphic
Complex. The copper mineralisation in The Askevold Formation comprises a mixed
arenaceous marble appears to be of syngenetic succession of intermediate epidotised lavas
origin, and part of it may have migrated (epidosites), pyroclastic rocks and marine
together with the quartz to be redeposited in the sedimentary beds. The stratigraphic sequence is
old Huab Metamorphic Complex granite-gneiss. best exposed on the southern flank of the
The mineralised zone can be traced for some anticline. Several discontinuous lenticular
200 m along strike. Geochemical copper copper-in-soil anomalies were delineated over a
anomalies follow this trend, but are also present strike distance of about 9 km; they are related to
over malachite showings in the pink granitic sparse, extremely patchy copper showings. The
gneiss. Peak values of more than 250 ppm stratabound, synvolcanic type of mineralisation,
copper have been recorded (Veldsman, 1977). probably originally stratiform, is preferentially
associated with dark tuffaceous phyllite, and
Three percussion holes (150 m) spaced 80 m consists mainly of malachite and chrysocolla
apart were drilled along strike to intersect the with subordinate chalcocite, chalcopyrite and
marble unit at different depths. The highest bornite. In most cases the copper occurs as
assay returned 3 100 ppm copper, 125 ppm lead limited disseminations, lenses and patches of
and 420 ppm zinc over one metre width, and the malachite-chrysocolla along the planes of
best intersection encountered 0.17% copper schistosity of the finer dark phyllite, but
over 4 m at a vertical depth of 10 m below sometimes quite rich malachite impregnations
surface (Veldsmann, 1977a). Compare also are present in the quartz-phyllite. A bulk sample
3.3.3.6. from the best showing in phyllite within
epidosite on the farm Hagestolz 93 assayed
0.84% copper over a length of 5 m and a width
3.1.4.6 Friedenstal 170 of 20 cm. The majority of samples assayed less
than 40 ppm copper against a background of 20
In 1975 two geochemical copper anomalies to 30 ppm copper (Mueller,1975). Compare also
were found over limestone of the Nosib Group 3.2.3.2.5.
along the northern boundary of the farm
Friedenstal 170. Grab samples of limonite taken
at the eastern anomaly assayed 345 ppm copper, 3.1.5.2 Neuwerk 507
20 ppm lead, 32 ppm zinc, and 170 ppm copper,
17 ppm lead and 30 ppm zinc respectively A few hundred metres west of the Neuwerk
(Veldsman, 1976c). Prospect (compare 3.2.3.2.6.1) two trenches
reveal malachite and chalcopyrite specks in
Askevold agglomerate and tuff near the contact
with the Abenab Subgroup. A diamond drill hole
intersected the contact at a vertical depth of

2.3-62
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

about 115 m, but failed to intersect mineralised Driekoppies 801, cupriferous volcanic rock of
rock. In a trench on the western boundary of the the upper Askevold Formation crops out for
farm, slight malachite and chalcopyrite are about 100 m at the base of a hill. The succession
present on the same contact. Some 30 to 60 m consists of epidosite, tuff with thin limestone
east-southeast of this trench, disseminated layers and chloritic schist. The rocks dip 60o to
chalcopyrite occurs in Abenab Subgroup 70o north and are well foliated parallel to the
limestone. bedding. Abenab Subgroup dolomite unconformably
overlies the Askevold assemblage.
The Nosib Group-Abenab Subgroup contact
on the northern limb of the Neuwerk Anticline A long, sinuous copper-in-soil anomaly has
was geochemically investigated during 1968. been detected at the southern foot of the hill and
Minor copper mineralisation is exposed in surface limestone and talc-calcite rock have
epidotised volcanic rocks of the Askevold been exposed in a series of trenches.
Formation in four old pits close to the common Subsequently three peak anomalies trending
boundary of the farms Neuwerk 507 and southeast over a distance of some 400 m were
Nordland 510. Compare also 3.2.3.2.6. outlined. The highest copper values, up to 2
650 ppm, correspond to the observed outcrop of
mineralised epidosite. The ore-bearing rocks,
3.1.5.3 Border Prospect which assayed 2% copper over 7 m, have been
divided into the following three zones in
The Border Prospect is situated on the farm ascending order (Clynch, 1968c; Blaine, 1974).
Toggenburg 591 and stretches into the
neighbouring farm Nosib Block III 655. The Zone 1 is essentially a tuff, partly siliceous, with
area is underlain by dolomites and limestones of scattered semi-massive and coarse-grained
the Tsumeb Subgroup. Lead-zinc mineralisation bornite, chalcocite and copper oxides.
within highly brecciated zones is accompanied Zone 2 consists of epidotised rhyolitic to
by minor chalcopyrite and very minor andesitic lava containing the bulk of the
tetrahedrite and pyrite (Klugmann, 1970). copper as fine to medium-grained
Compare also the lead-zinc chapter. disseminated bornite with lesser chalcopyrite.
Zone 3 constitutes epidotised rhyolitic lava with
fine-grained disseminated bornite.
3.1.5.4 Kombat Suid 791
The mineralised formation was diamond-
Traces of malachite are widespread in drilled and the following intersections were
epidosite of the Askevold Formation occupying made:
the core of the Neuwerk Anticline in the central
portion of the farm Kombat Suid 791. The
southern contact with the overlying Abenab Table 9: Diamond drill hole intersections at the
Subgroup dolomite is also mineralised in Eenberge-Driekoppies Prospect (after Blaine,
places. On the northern limb a very weakly 1974) * = not analysed
cupriferous and moderately ferruginous horizon
in phyllite was detected geochemically in 1972. Hole Cu Ag Au True Zone
The anomalies returned values of 165, 178, 190 No (%) (ppm) (ppm) width No(m)
and 361 ppm copper. Rock samples from points RM-2 2.71 2.94 0.56 1.20 1
25 m apart contained 432, 512 and 684 ppm 1.19 1.23 0.22 5.00 2
copper (Rawle, 1973a). Compare also 3.2.3.2.14. 0.64 * * 4.50 3
RM-3 6.65 * * 2.50 1
3.65 * * 4.25 1
3.1.5.5 Eenberge-Driekoppies Prospect RM-4 2.94 * * 3.50 1
1.53 * * 9.90 2
In the northwestern corner of the farm RM-5 4.00 * * 0.27 1

2.3-63
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.1.5.6 Rietfontein Area flat, calcrete-covered terrain is underlain by

Nosib Group rocks. The anomalies are confined
Stretching east from the farm Devon 566, the to the poorly developed shallow gullies draining
Rietfontein Anticline is made up of Nosib southward and could be ascribed to local
Group quartzite, schist, pyroclastic rocks and metalliferous Nosib Group bedrock.
epidosite, bounded in the north by the Alternatively the metals may derive from the
Buschbrunnen Fault and the adjoining Abenab Buschbrunnen Fault or from rocks to the north,
Subgroup dolomite. To the west and south, particularly those of the Abenab Subgroup,
dolomite rests conformably on the Nosib where several copper-lead-zinc anomalies have
Group, while the underlying Grootfontein been delineated. Considering the scarcity of
Metamorphic Complex is exposed in the east. mineralisation along the Buschbrunnen Fault,
The area is extensively covered by calcrete. the latter explanation is more likely (Lee,
1971a). Compare also 3.2.3.2.17.

3.1.5.6.1 Rietfontein 44 and Guchab 596

3.1.5.7 Gobasib area
Moderate copper-lead-zinc anomalies were
located in 1968 along the trace of the Sedimentary units of the Nosib Group and
Buschbrunnen Fault, while high zinc and Abenab Subgroup are exposed 30 to 40 km
moderate to low copper-lead anomalies were northeast of Grootfontein in a synclinal structure
revealed to the south of the farm Rietfontein 44 plunging northeast.
and the adjoining farm Guchab 596 (Clynch,
1968c). As numerous springs occur along the A discontinuous ferruginous
fault, Lee (1971b) postulated that some of the microconglomerate of the uppermost Nosib
anomalies were of hydromorphic origin, having Group contains pyrite and disseminated
resulted from the concentration of clastic chalcopyrite, best developed along the northern
material derived from the vicinity of the fault. limb of the synclinorium on the farms Kokasib
Biogeochemical sampling south of the 543, Malmo 724 and Madras 723. The
Rietfontein settlement confirmed such an origin. microconglomerate is intermittently exposed
Compare also 3.2.3.2.4 and 3.2.3.2.16. over a strike distance of about 9 km. Extensive
wagon drilling as well as limited diamond
drilling along the Nosib Group-Abenab
3.1.5.6.2 Kududamm 161 Subgroup contact encountered the best
intersection, where pyrite-chalcopyrite bearing
A copper-in-soil anomaly with a maximum microconglomerate with up to 0.5% copper was
of 132 ppm against a background of 10 to present between 100 and 120 m (Liedke, 1971).
20 ppm occurs in the extreme northern part of Copper-in-soil anomalies with values of up to
the farm Kududamm 161. The anomaly is 640 ppm, were associated with thin mineralised
located in calcrete, possibly covering Nosib quartz sheets along bedding planes of the
quartzite. microconglomerate, usually near its base
(Wadley, 1975). Compare also 3.2.3.2.19.

3.1.5.6.3 Urupupa 44, Okambongora 592 and

Oker 176 3.1.5.8 Hartbeespoort 508 and Askevold South
525
South of the Buschbrunnen Fault, in an area
commonly known as the Hoffnung Grant, On the common boundary of the farms
stream sediment sampling has revealed a series Hartbeespoort 508 and Askevold South 525,
of non-coincident copper, lead and zinc small amounts of malachite and chalcocite occur
anomalies with peak values of 120, 70 and over a strike length of about 300 m in Askevold
350 ppm for the three metals respectively. The Formation volcanic rocks associated with lead-

2.3-64
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

zinc mineralisation. Minor copper-in-soil syngenetic processes such as elsewherein the

anomalies are also present on the adjoining area (Jacobson, 1976).
Abenab Subgroup dolomite (Seeger, 1978).

3.1.8 Swakopmund District

3.1.6 Tsumeb District
3.1.8.1 Khan Mine
3.1.6.1 The Nosib Mine
Situated about 60 km east-northeast of
The Nosib Mine, which was worked on a Swakopmund and 6 km south of Arandis Siding,
very small scale during German colonial times, this mine at one stage ranked second only to
is situated on farm No 655 of the Nosib Block Tsumeb as a producer of copper in Namibia. The
in the Tsumeb District. Patchy chalcocite- deposit was discovered in 1905 and in 1908 the
malachite concentrations occur in sheared Khan-Kupfergrube-Gesellschaft started
pyritic mixtite of the Varianto Formation, underground development, having obtained title
immediately below dolomite of the Abenab over the area from the Deutsche Kolonial-
Subgroup (Söhnge, 1958). Gesellschaft (Fig. 11). It took six years to erect a
crushing and concentrating plant with a capacity
of 50 t per day (Fig. 12). Production began in
3.1.7 Otjiwarongo District May 1914, but was suspended at the outbreak of
World War I in August that same year. By
3.1.7.1 Okanjande 145 and Highlands 311 November 1915 the mine recommenced
production and operated until January 1918
During a geochemical investigation in 1974, when work finally stopped as the venture was
a large copper-in-soil anomaly with rare high running at a consistent loss. The mine was
lead values was found on the farms Okanjande dewatered in 1925 and sold by public auction.
145 and Highlands 311, due south of Small-scale production took place again from
Otjiwarongo. The high metal values were 1964 until 1975.
concentrated entirely within pyritic Nosib
Group quartzite containing layers of ferruginous
gossan in the core of a domal structure.
Numerous peak assays of over 200 ppm copper
and a maximum of 386 ppm copper were
reported.

Two diamond drill holes on the farm

Okanjande 145, 184.6 m and 50.3 m deep
respectively, found disseminated pyrite
throughout, with occasional minor
concentrations of chalcopyrite. The copper tenor
in one borehole ranged between 200 and
500 ppm, with several thin zones reaching
1 000 to 2 000 ppm and rare layers of 10 to
20 cm thickness assaying just over 0.5% copper.
Much disseminated pyrrhotite was also
intersected in the same borehole from 130 m
onwards. Because of the abundance of
pyrrhotite, it seams that the existence of an
intrusive heat centre, such as the granite on the Figure 11: Headgear at the Khan Mine prior to
neighbouring farm Pinnacles 310, is more likely World War I
to have been the cause of mineralization than

2.3-65
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

The copper occurs in a pegmatite with an

average width of one metre, a strike length of
300 m, and down-dip extension exceeding
200 m. The pegmatite has been concordantly
emplaced within thick-bedded calc-granulites in
the upper portion of the Khan Formation which
dips 45o to 70o northwest. There are many short
cross veins of barren quartz-feldspar pegmatite
located within necks between boudinaged skarn
layers. The sulphides, of which bornite is the
most abundant, are concentrated in the northern
Figure 12: Plant at the Khan Mine with mine and southern parts of the pegmatite to form two
buildings in the background prior to World ore shoots. The paragenetic sequence of the
War I primary ore minerals is sphalerite, chalcopyrite,
bornite and chalcocite. The ore minerals fill the
interstices and replace locally brecciated skarn.
During the first period of production the The pegmatitic gangue consists of orthoclase,
grade of the ore was 3.87% copper, however, albite and quartz, with sahlite (diopside),
recovery was only about 78%. In total 875 t of hornblende, fluorspar, calcite, apatite and sphene
copper were recovered. The concentrates also representing the skarn-pegmatite transition zone
contained 159.3 g of silver and 0.99 g of gold which was exceptionally rich in ore (Ramdohr,
per ton, plus 0.146% selenium and tellurium. 1938; Söhnge, 1939).
During the period 1964 to 1974, 4087 t of
copper concentrate were produced. With Approximately 600 m from the main shaft, a
increasing depth the grade of the ore copper and zinc-bearing pegmatite is exposed in
progressively diminished to less than 2% copper the Khan Mine Gorge. Here sphalerite is the
on 7 level at a vertical depth of 120 m. The dominant ore mineral, accompanied by
mine closed in January 1975 due to the almost chalcopyrite, bornite, scanty pyrite and galena as
complete depletion of reserves. The available well as traces of a bismuth mineral (Ramdohr,
production record is presented in Table 10. 1938).

In earlier descriptions of the Khan Mine,

Table 10: Production of copper concentrate Wagner (1916), Reuning (1923), Ramdohr
(45-55% copper) at the Khan Mine (Source: (1938) and Söhnge (1939) considered the copper
Directorate of Mines. ore to have crystallised directly from an
anatectic pegmatite magma. On the evidence of
Year Ore (t) Concentrate (t) the absence of copper in the truly magmatic
1914 * * cross-cutting pegmatites, Söhnge (1958) later
1915-1918 29 450 * suggested that copper had migrated from the
1964 * * adjoining beds into the skarn pegmatite by ionic
1965 * 500 diffusion during granitisation, combined with
1966 * * later hydrothermal action.
1967 10 800 920
1968 * *
1969 10 800 700 3.1.9 Karibib District
1970 11 500 602
1971 * 515 3.1.9.1 Vlakteplaas 110 and Marmor Pforte 37
1972 12 000 325
1973 9 000 356 Geochemical soil sampling has shown an
1974 8 700 169 almost continuous zone of anomalous copper
values exceeding 40 ppm over a distance of

2.3-66
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

4 km on the farm Vlakteplaas 110. The trend is the farm Twasis Suid 95. Slight copper
northeast and overlies metasedimentary rocks of mineralisation accompanies the gold in quartz
the upper Etusis Formation on the eastern part veins intersecting quartzite of the Etusis
of the farm; it terminates at the boundary Formation.
between the farms Vlakteplaas 110 and
Nordenburg 76. An anomaly at the eastern end
was checked by 4 trenches spaced at 1800 m, 3.1.9.5 Nordenburg 76
and 200 m intervals across the cupriferous zone.
Trench samples returned maximum values of Two parallel copper-in-soil anomalies have
440 ppm copper (Pienaar, 1975). been located on the eastern part of the farm
Nordenburg 76. Both anomalies overlie beds of
On the farm Marmor Pforte 37, the the upper Etusis Formation striking northeast.
Pforteberg Range exposes a ridge of white Assays returned peak values of 2.9 and 3.7%
crystalline marble with schists and granites at copper (Landmark, 1987c). Compare also
the base. Copper mineralisation is evident over 3.3.8.6.
a strike length of 1.5 km, and is associated with
the marble/schist and marble/granite contacts
(Landmark, 1987d). 3.1.9.6 Dorstrivier 15

On the northwestern part of the farm

3.1.9.2 Ebony Mine Dorstrivier 15 a geochemical copper anomaly
with a peak value of 435 ppm copper has been
At the Ebony Mine, 8 km east-southeast of delineated. The anomaly coincides with
Ebony Siding on the farm Namibfontein 91, a malachite staining exposed in a “window” of
vertical shaft was sunk prior to 1914 on a Nosib Group quartzite surrounded by Chuos
pegmatite 10 to 25 cm wide carrying weak Formation tillite (Landmark, 1988).
disseminations of malachite, chalcopyrite and
bornite. Patchy copper staining can be detected
some 2 km west along strike. The shaft, now 3.1.9.7 Rooikuiseb 109
sand-filled, is located in calc-granulites of the
Khan Formation. A geochemical sampling A copper-zinc anomaly has been detected on
programme detected weak copper anomalies the northern part of the farm Rooikuiseb 109 at
with peak values between 146 and 310 ppm the common boundary between this farm and
(Holman, 1986). Tsaobismund 85. The underlying formations are
Nosib Group quartzites with minor intercalated
biotite schist bands, gneiss and pegmatite. The
3.1.9.3 Bergrus 94 highest copper value of 1 275 ppm coincided
with a narrow schist unit showing malachite
A seam of chalcocite and malachite, 2 cm stains. However, two trenches across the
wide, is exposed in quartzite in an old shaft anomaly, 300 m apart, exposed no visible
about 400 m from the homestead on the farm mineralisation. Channel sampling of the two
Bergrus 94. The copper mineralisation is trenches gave best assays of 80 ppm copper and
associated with local shearing parallel to the 760 ppm zinc (Pienaar, 1975).
bedding and is truncated on one side by a
granite intrusion (Landmark, 1987a). Other copper anomalies have been outlined
over Nosib Group metasedimentary rocks on the
farm Rooikuiseb 109 as well as on the farm
3.1.9.4 Sphinx Mine Horebis South 108 and the northwestern portion
of the farm Wilsonfontein 110 (DeGreef, 1988).
Once worked for its gold, the Sphinx Mine is
situated on the crest of the Chuos Mountains on

2.3-67
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.1.9.8 Etusis 75 over a few square metres in the biotite-rich

matrix of the basal conglomerate and also in the
A copper showing on the farm Etusis 75 was overlying quartzite. A prominent widespread
investigated in 1985. A reddish, malachite- copper anomaly, largely underlain by Duruchaus
stained quartzite of the Nosib Group is exposed Formation beds, was delineated along the
as a cliff on the eastern bank of the Hubib River. common boundary between the farms Tsebris 48
Malachite and chrysocolla staining is prominent and Fyndraai 250 during a soil sampling
over some 120 m of strike and is concentrated programme (Linning, 1961). Compare also
in the lower 6 metres of the 15-m-thick 2.10.2.1.2, 2.10.2.1.4 and 2.10.2.1.5.
quartzite unit. The copper concentration is
estimated at 0.2% and is mainly restricted to
joint and bedding planes. At the western limit of 3.1.10.2 Rehoboth Townlands 302
the mineralisation a gossanous quartz vein
1.5 m thick cuts the strike of the quartzite. It has In the northwestern corner of Rehoboth
been opened up by a short adit and an 8-m-deep Townlands 302, copper mineralisation is evident
shaft and bears high-grade pockets of in two prospecting pits, each about 5 m deep and
chalcocite, azurite, malachite and chrysocolla. spaced 100 m apart across strike. Prominent
There are also numerous small copper showings blebs and veins of chalcocite together with
associated with pegmatites (Landmark, 1987b). malachite and hydrous copper silicates appear in
steeply folded and contorted phyllite. Quartz
blasts, stringers and veins are commonly
3.1.10 Rehoboth District associated with the ore-bearing zone which is
mainly sericitic and includes scattered biotite
Since the turn of the century, the widespread patches. During 1960 to 1961, approximately
evidence of copper in the Duruchaus Formation 40 t of ore grading 20% copper were recovered
of the Duruchaus-Kamzwas-Naruchas area has and shipped to Japan (Stern, 1961).
attracted the attention of many prospectors and
exploration companies. The showings are
confined mainly to marble beds in quartzite and 3.1.10.3 Duruchaus 249, Geelkop 248, Uitval
to a lesser extent to carbonate-rich phyllites or 247, Nineis 246 and Platsand 451
mica-chlorite schist. In many places the copper
is accompanied by quartz-pegmatite veins A line of mineralisation, covering the farms
containing ilmenite and rutile. As no post- Duruchaus 249, Geelkop 248, Uitval 247, Nineis
Duruchaus granites occur in the surrounding 246 and Platsand 451, apparently comprises four
area, the ore-bearing veins are thought to be different copper-bearing marble units in sericitic
secretion products from the host rock related to quartzite exposed in a gently westward-plunging
regional metamorphism. The mineralisation anticlinal structure, named the Geelkop Dome
thus may be of synsedimentary origin, but has by Hälbich (1970). The patchy showings extend
been reconstituted, concentrated and intermittently over a strike distance of some
redeposited during metamorphism, frequently in 20 km and rarely exceed a width of one metre.
association with quartz- and pegmatitic veins. The dip of the cupriferous beds varies from
horizontal to about 20o, and steepens southwards
toward the farm Duruchaus 249, where folding
3.1.10.1 Tsebris 48, Kwakwas 251, Fyndraai becomes more intense. The best exposures are
250 and Narais Suid 244 reported from the farms Geelkop 248 and
Duruchaus 249 where malachite, cuprite,
Sparse malachite in rocks of the Duruchaus chrysocolla, limonite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite
Formation has been observed on the farms and goethite occur.
Tsebris 48, Kwakwas 251, Fyndraai 250 and
Narais Suid 244. In the northwestern part of the During 1960 four shallow holes were drilled
farm Kwakwas 251, copper coatings are found on this copper-bearing zone. Extensive trenching

2.3-68
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

of some of the showings during the period 1967 calcareous sericite schist appears in a local
to 1968 failed to reveal values of economic syncline that bounds the southwestern flank of
significance. More recent regional soil sampling the Geelkopf Dome. On the western limb of the
traced extensive low-order anomalies related to syncline malachite coatings and irregular pods of
the copper-bearing formation. The best assays chalcopyrite are present in two zones some
of up to 0.33% copper were obtained on the 3.5 m apart stratigraphically . The sericitic upper
western portion of the farm Duruchaus 249. horizon attains a maximum width of 0.6 m and
can be followed for about 600 m along strike.
The copper content is rather low, but improves
3.1.10.3.1 Duruchaus 249 notably where the host rock has been drag-
folded and silicified. The lower biotite-rich
A series of copper showings generally layer, up to 1.2 m wide, extends some 200 m
known as the Duruchaus Spitskop occurrence is along strike. Both the upper and lower layers are
located in the southeastern corner of the farm. exposed in a number of prospecting pits. The
The Klein and Groot Spitskop are phonolite same stratigraphic horizon is exposed on the
plugs. At the foot of the Klein Spitskop small eastern limb of the syncline to the east of the
disconnected pegmatitic quartz lenses with Oanob River.
bornite and chalcocite were explored in 1900 by
two shafts, 18 and 20 m deep, and 180 m of In the western portion of the farm Duruchaus
cross-cut and drives. Prospecting was resumed 249, sparse bornite and chalcopyrite occur
in 1910 with the excavation of 12 trenches, and together with ilmenite and some secondary
again from 1927 to 1929 when some shallow copper minerals, such as chrysocolla and
pits were dug. The pegmatitic quartz veins are malachite, in a small pegmatitic quartz vein (De
set in muscovite-biotite-chlorite schist of the Kock, 1934).
lower Duruchaus Formation. The workings
expose very intricate folding, and it is mainly in
the thickened portions of the schist units that 3.1.10.3.2 Geelkop 248
copper-bearing quartz lenses have been formed.
The coarse quartz is white to reddish and locally Two copper prospects have been opened up
contains pink feldspar, siderite, calcite, biotite on the farm Geelkop 248. The northern site was
and tourmaline. The ore minerals include explored in 1911 by the Hanseatische Minen-
bornite, chalcocite, tenorite, malachite, azurite Gesellschaft who excavated 20 shallow
and chrysocolla accompanied by rutile, ilmenite prospecting shafts, 2 drives and 7 trenches. The
and muscovite. mineralisation is closely associated with a
discontinuous pegmatitic quartz reef, 5 to 15 cm
The prospects at the Groot Spitskop are wide and 230 m long, that cuts across a marble
mineralogically similar, though much poorer in layer and biotite-chlorite schist. Bornite and
metal content. One was opened up in 1910 by a chalcopyrite with accompanying malachite are
shaft 30 m deep and some 34 m of cross-cuts on present in the pegmatitic quartz lenses as well as
two levels. Malachite occurs in a vein of rose in the adjoining marble and schist. The grade is
quartz with a strike length of 40 m and 0.5 to variable, averaging 2.5% copper, l g/t gold and
0.8 m wide. The host marble and quartz-mica 16 g/t silver.
schist in the immediate vicinity of the vein are
also slightly mineralised. The numerous other In a smaller occurrence to the south, copper
quartz veins in the area are invariably narrow was found in several marble layers each about
and contain only sporadic copper (Rimann, 0.5 m thick. An average grade of 2.5% copper
1915; De Kock, 1934; Bürg, 1942; Stern, 1961; with traces of gold and 15 g/t silver has been
Walter, 1975). reported. Further to the south, a lattice-work of
steeply dipping quartz veins cutting quartzite of
In the central and northwestern part of the the Duruchaus Formation carries occasional
farm Duruchaus 249, a copper-bearing zone in spots of malachite. The veins are up to 30 cm

2.3-69
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

wide and generally strike east-northeast 3.1.10.5 Naruchas 254

(Rimann, 1915; DeKock, 1934; Walter, 1975).
Calcite-malachite-chalcocite blebs are present
in a quartz vein, 15 cm wide, exposed in a gravel
3.1.10.3.3 Nineis 246 quarry just west of the Rehoboth-Windhoek
main road on the farm Naruchas 254. The vein
Detailed mapping during 1972 and 1973 runs parallel to the foliation of the sericite-
established the presence of discontinuous phyllite host rock. Other smaller veins carry only
copper mineralisation in marble, sericitic a little specularite. Near the eastern boundary of
quartzite and mica schist striking northeast in the farm, malachite shows along the foliation of
the southwestern portion of the farm Nineis the phyllitic schist, as well as along the bedding
246, and east-northeast in the central and of carbonate rocks. The width of exposed
eastern parts. Four copper-bearing beds, 0.3 to mineralisation does not exceed 0.5 m, except at
1.5 m thick, dip 15o to 20o to the northwest. The one locality where it is 3 m; however, its
main copper mineral is malachite with minor continuity along strike is unknown. The
azurite and chrysocolla. The property was southernmost copper showings, although
investigated by trenching and three diamond apparently disconnected, are aligned for at least
drill holes were sunk east of the Oanob River. 200 m parallel to the strike of the
One of the showings has been described as a metasedimentary country rock (Worst, 970d;
slightly mineralised quartz vein in a narrow Pascoe, 1976a). Compare also 3.3.12.4.
impure marble bed. The ore consists of bornite,
some chalcopyrite and malachite (De Kock,
1934; Walter, 1975). 3.1.10.6 Groot Aub 267

Malachite staining accompanied by minor

3.1.10.3.4 Platsand 451 pyrite has been reported from a black quartzite
bed associated with pyroxenite west of the Usib
Six copper-bearing beds exposed at the River in the northwestern corner of the farm
southern foot of the Nobis Sam Mountain in the Groot Aub 267. The cupriferous zone is exposed
northern corner of the farm Platsand 451 were for about 60 m along strike over a width of 1 to
investigated in 1973 to 1974. The 2 m. A sample from one of the pits assayed
mineralisation occurs in phyllite beds averaging 0.27% copper.
1 to 2 m in thickness at surface (Walter, 1975).
Just east of the Usib River, copper indications
in quartz-mica schist of the upper Kamtsas
3.1.10.4 Kamzwas 253 Formation as well as in the overlying basal
dolomite of the Kudis Subgroup were diamond
Malachite and cuprite are present in a 3- to drilled. One of the three holes returned the
5-m-wide zone of sheared and crenulated assays listed in Table 11. Compare also 3.3.12.1.
phyllite over a distance of 30 m in a gully in the
southern part of the farm Kamzwas 253.
Trenching has indicated that the copper Table 11: Assays from a diamond drill hole,
occurrence is of limited strike length; a farm Groot Aub 267 (after Lawless, 1975)
diamond drill hole sunk intersected
mineralisation at a depth of 230 m with 2.01% Depth Width Cu Au Ag
copper over 14.6 m and 1.57% copper over (m) (m) (%) (ppm) (ppm)
30 m (Borchert, 1961). Compare also 3.3.10.17. 82.08-85.54 3.46 0.49 0.20 9.60
141.46-144.60 3.14 0.042 0.25 0.62
51.75-54.95 3.20 0.54 —— 2.56

2.3-70
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.1.10.7 Onnaams 270 In 1973, a geochemical soil sampling

programme, a magnetometer survey and an I. P.
Copper-bearing sericitic quartzite and survey, which outlined various zones of interest,
siltstone on the northern flank of a southwest- were conducted. The resulting anomalies were
plunging anticlinorium on the farm Onnaams tested by percussion drilling. All of the holes
270 were investigated in considerable detail in intersected copper values of between 0.21 and
1967 to 1968. 0.6%, but none of them passed through the
surface-leached zone (Nu Explorations, 1975).
The mineralised zone, 3 to 20 m thick Compare also 2.4.1.3 and 3.3.10.19.
(average 5 m), can be followed along strike for
approximately 1 500 m. The dip is 30o north-
west to vertical. The footwall rock consists of 3.1.10.9 Nauaspoort 261
typical Kamtsas Formation quartzite, whereas
the hanging wall is phyllite and schist of the Geochemical anomalies have been delineated
Duruchas Formation. over a conglomerate in the Kamtsas Formation
carrying occasional specks of malachite
Disseminated specks and thin veinlets of (Schröder, 1975). Compare also 3.3.12.3.
brochantite, malachite and neotocite are
distributed parallel to the foliation in outcrop.
Rare specks of chalcopyrite and pyrite have also 3.1.10.10 Blaubeker 488
been observed. The grade apparently improves
southwestward, interpreted as the direction of Sporadic copper occurs in beds of the
deeper water depositional environment. Blaubeker Formation of the Nosib Group in the
Secondary enrichment is associated with folding eastern part of the farm Blaubeker 488. The
(Heath, 1969b; Pascoe, 1976b). Blaubeker Formation overlies the Kamtsas
Formation unconformably. The succession
consists predominantly of coarse, pebbly-
3.1.10.8 Kudis - Langbeen Prospect quartzite with intercalations of coarse
conglomerate, several layers of diamictite,
Two copper-bearing beds in calcareous mica including striated quartzite pebbles, finer
schist of the uppermost Nosib Group straddle grained quartzite and several bands of greenish
the boundary between the farms Kudis 271 and argillite, in total a few metres thick. The
Langbeen 86. These units, separated by 30 m of sequence forms an open, southwestward-
barren rock, are 2 to 5 m thick and extend over plunging syncline, concealed in the western part
a strike distance of 1 000 to 1 500 m. They of the farm Blaubeker 488 by overlying Nama
thicken considerably in the nose of a westward- beds (Handley, 1965).
plunging antiform where the prevailing
malachite is accompanied by minor chrysocolla, In the eastern portion of the farm, there are
brochantite and abundant goethite and siderite. several outcrops of cupriferous argillite at
various levels of the succession. One of these is
Channel sampling of the beds in outcrop situated at a hill north of the homestead, where
returned assays between 0.77 and 2.68% copper. an interbedded zone of argillite, siltstone and
Limited percussion drilling did not produce any very fine-grained quartzite occurs near the base
significant results. A single diamond drill hole of the conglomerate. This shaley unit is about 5
intersected weak mineralisation between 63.1 to 10 m thick, has a strike length of several
and 68.9 m. Assays over 1.83 m intervals hundred metres, and shows considerable
yielded a maximum of 0.53% copper. malachite staining in outcrop. Copper is
Unfortunately, the hole was abandoned before confined to shaley quartzite bands up to 35 cm
the target mineralised zone was intersected thick and exposed in a number of trenches in the
(Heath, 1969b). eastern and northeastern parts of the farm.
Malachite and azurite, mainly present along

2.3-71
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

bedding planes, also occur sporadically in cross- 2.5 cm in diameter, stringers, streaks, fracture
cutting narrow quartz veins. The northeastern fillings and disseminations. The secondary
showings were opened up over a strike distance copper minerals malachite, chrysocolla and
of 170 m, and channel samples from four of the azurite are comparatively rare.
trenches assayed as follows: 0.31% copper over
1.0 m (2.0 g/t silver), 0.17% copper over 4.25 m Diamond drilling in 1973 established a
(5.8 g/t silver), 1.1% copper over 2.5 m (3.6 g/t mineralised zone 15 m wide, striking east and
silver). The eastern occurrence was tested by dipping 75o to the north. The zone cross-cuts the
four diamond drill holes. The cupriferous zone bedded quartzite and was intersected in a hole
was penetrated at depths ranging between between 16.99 and 51.5 m, assaying 0.58%
13.1 m and 59.3 m. The results vary between copper and 20.1 g/t silver. The zone was traced
37 ppm and 440 ppm copper, while a maximum geochemically for 780 m along strike. A parallel
silver content of 1 g/t is recorded (Van Wyk, copper-bearing zone further north is associated
1970). with a shear dipping steeply south. Between
these two zones a third strikes northeast (Liedke,
1972b; Nu Explorations, 1974; Smit, 1976).
3.1.10.11 Attes 470

In the northwestern part of the farm Attes 3.1.11 Windhoek District

470, malachite and chrysocolla are found as
fracture- and joint-fillings and as disseminations 3.1.11.1 Arovley 52
in arkosic quartzite of the Kamtsas Formation
over an area of about 20 m by 4 m. Two grab A prominent copper anomaly extending over
samples assayed 2.1% copper with 25 ppm an area of 200 by 400 m was discovered
silver, and 5.1% copper with 130 ppm silver. alongside the Rehoboth-Windhoek main road in
Two more samples were taken from a the centre of the farm Arovley 52. The average
prospecting hole at a depth between 1.5 and copper-in-soil value is 95 ppm against a
3 m. The results are 4.8% copper with 50 ppm background of 15 ppm, and the maximum value
silver and 14.3% copper with 110 ppm silver is 800 ppm. The anomaly is located near the
respectively. The width of this mineralisation is crest of an open anticline with gentle dips and
about 3 m and the average grade is estimated to northeast plunge, and is underlain by flat-lying
be between 1 and 2% copper (Liedtke, 1972b; phyllite covered by a thin layer of sandy loam. A
Nu Explorations, 1974; Smit, 1976). Compare pit and a 12 m trench in the anomalous area
also 4.1.4.1.2. revealed scattered malachite, chrysocolla and
some chalcocite. The trench was channel
sampled at 2 m intervals, giving a maximum
3.1.10.12 Schlip 472 assay of 2.42% copper over 0.7 m. Two samples
taken in the pit gave a mean value of 0.88%
About 6 km northeast of the Schlip copper over 0.75 m (Andersen, 1971).
settlement, several copper-bearing beds occur in
arkosic Kamtsas Formation quartzite striking
east and dipping 10o to 20o to the south. Some 3.1.11.2 Leopard Copper Prospect
7 t of ore grading 27% copper were recovered in
1961 from a pit on the main mineralised zone In the easternmost part of the farm Leopard
(Badings, 1969). 218, malachite and chrysocolla are prominent in
a flat-lying conglomerate of the Kamtsas
The mineralisation is generally indicated by Formation, 5 to 25-m-wide, exposed in a cliff
slight bleaching of the quartzite and the over 300 m of strike. The conglomerate consists
presence of vuggy quartz veins and sparse of quartzite pebbles set in a schistose biotite-
malachite. Silver-bearing chalcocite, the only quartz matrix of which the foliation dips 40o to
sulphide reported, is found as blebs up to 50o southeast.

2.3-72
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.1.11.3 Ibenstein 55 3.1.13.1 Eintracht 118

Slight malachite staining in argillite of the Two of several copper showings in the
Duruchaus Formation occurs on the Witkoei southern and southwestern part of the farm
Hill on this farm. The copper is probably of Eintracht 118, named the Eintracht 1 and 3
syngenetic origin. prospects, were examined in considerable detail,
including diamond drilling, during the period
1974 to 1976.
3.1.12 Mariental District
The Eintracht 1 prospect, located south of the
3.1.12.1 Sib 69 bridge crossing the White Nosob River, is the
cause of a geochemical anomaly stretching some
Copper showings in close association with 1500 m east-northeast. Extensive trenching has
mixtite of the Blaubeker Formation are exposed indicated that the main zone of mineralisation is
in trenches on the farm Sib 69 over a strike probably confined to one specific horizon, while
length exceeding 500 m. The best intersection minor showings appear to be associated with
made in one of six diamond drill holes assayed other parallel layers. Owing to intense isoclinal
0.82% copper over 2.42 m and 8.7 g/t silver (Le folding, the poorly exposed main zone seems to
Roex, 1969). trace a sinuous course. Six diamond drill holes
were sunk. The best intersections in one of the
holes are: 0.71% copper from 18.0 to 21.5 m;
3.1.13 Gobabis District 0.91% copper from 25.5 to 28.0 m; and 0.72%
copper from 32.0 to 33.0 m. In the other holes
Several copper prospects are located in copper values were of the order of a few
sericitic phyllite and intercalated calcareous hundred ppm (Nouvel, 1977b).
layers of the Duruchaus Formation in the
Eintracht-Losberg area, about 30 km west of Situated 800 m north of this site, the
Witvlei. Prospecting since 1969 has indicated Eintracht 3 occurrence can be followed on
that the stratabound mineralisation is generally surface for about 250 m along strike. Two
of submarginal grade, comprising mainly diamond drill holes with a total meterage of
scattered malachite with minor amounts of 217.32 were drilled (Worst, 1973; Nouvel,
chrysocolla, chalcocite and chalcopyrite. 1977b).
Channel sampling of a number of trenches has
revealed that silver is positively correlated with
the copper grade, ranging from 2 to 11 g/t for 3.1.13.2 Losberg 105
2% copper.
The so-called Southern Prospect, also known
The area lies within a major overriding thrust as Losberg 1, about 300 m from the eastern
plate of the Southern Margin Zone and is boundary of the farm Losberg 105, and about
structurally characterised by the presence of one kilometre southwest of the White Nossob
numerous isoclinal folds with very steep to River, appears to be the most important
vertical axial planes.The mineralised beds tend occurrence on the farm Losberg 105. The
to thicken in the hinges of the folds. The degree copper-bearing zone, continuous for more than
of metamorphism increases from greenschist 1000 m along strike and 50 to 100 m wide,
facies on the farm Losberg 105 to greenschist/ comprises a series of thin, parallel lenses,
amphibolite facies on the farm Goldene Aue exposed in outcrop as well as in several
106 (Miller & Hoffmann, 1981). trenches. The dip is generally steep
northwestward (75o to 90o). Diamond drilling
indicated that the mineralisation reaches a
vertical depth of at least 120 m, but is erratic as
far as continuity, width and grade are concerned.

2.3-73
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Intersections of 0.3 and 2.2% copper were made spread out in a broad arc around the western and
over widths of up to 2 m. The intense folding southern rim of the Etosha Basin. From Angola
has precluded correlation of individual they strike south-southeast across the Kunene
cupriferous layers with one another, or even River for some 300 km and than swing
between adjoining layers. Detailed channel eastwards to the type area of the Otavi
sampling of 13 trenches revealed an average Mountainland. Here the dolomite and limestone
grade of the mineralised lenses on surface of succession comprising the Abenab and Tsumeb
about 1.25% copper over a thickness of 2.0 m Subgroups attains a thickness of 3 500 m. The
(Nouvel, 1977b). contact with the underlying Nosib Group is
semi-conformable to unconformable. In terms of
A geochemical anomaly observed 200 m classic concepts the Otavi Group represents a
south of the Losberg 1 prospect was checked by miogeosynclinal stable shelf facies grading
36 percussion drill holes averaging 50 m each. abruptly to the west and south into the
The result indicated that the Losberg 2 zone eugeosynclinal facies of the Swakop Group.
persists over a strike length of 400 m. Copper Many copper, lead, zinc, vanadium and iron ore
values remain below 1%, except for one deposits have been explored and exploited in
intersection assaying 1.75% copper and that was this belt since the beginning of the century.
further tested by a diamond drill hole taken to
an inclined depth of 110.15 m. The best assays
were: 3 m at 0.87% copper and 2 m at 1.51% 3.2.1 Kaokoland
copper between 108 and 109.5 m (Nouvel,
1977b). Widespread occurrences of copper in
sedimentary units of the upper Nosib Group and
Another occurrence located 1000 m west of lower Otavi/Swakop Group in Kaokoland have
the bridge is known as the Eintracht 4 Prospect. been prospected quite intensely since the 1950s.
Here a geochemical anomaly extends over a
strike length of about 1 300 m east-northeast. Copper is found in quartz-calcite veins as
Copper is thought to occur in stratigraphically well as in quartzite, shale and cherty dolomite
the same horizon as that of the Eintracht 1 forming a group of hills in a synclinorium 10 to
Prospect. Seven diamond drill holes totalling 15 km west-northwest of Opuwo. The
920.2 m indicated low grade mineralisation, the succession, formerly thought to represent either
top assay being 1% copper over one metre the upper Nosib Group or transitional beds of
(Nouvel, 1977b). the Nosib Group-Abenab Subgroup contact, has
since been included in the Abenab Subgroup
(Miller, & Schalk, 1980). The copper
3.1.13.3 Goldene Aue 106 occurrences at Okaliqua were investigated
during 1970/71. Numerous old trenches in the
Channel sampling of copper-bearing beds area were probably excavated before World War
exposed in six trenches between the White I. In the late 1970s exploration over a vast area
Nossob River and the Windhoek-Gobabis main was carried out.
road in the northeastern portion of the farm
Goldene Aue 106 revealed a grade nowhere At Okaliqua, copper showings are exposed on
exceeding 2% copper over a width of 1 to two hills 600 m apart, separated by a sandy
4.5 m. The best value obtained was 1.85% plain. On the northern hill, malachite with
copper over 2.5 m (Coutellier, 1975). sporadic chalcopyrite and chalcocite is present in
a limestone-shale breccia and in fractured shale
with small quartz-calcite veinlets. On the
3.2 Otavi Group southern hill the visible mineralisation is
confined to a swarm of quartz-calcite veins
The weakly metamorphosed, dominantly striking north-northwest.
carbonate formations of the Otavi Group are

2.3-74
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

The northern showings extend over a strike vein, which contains malachite and associated
length of 150 m, and have been opened up by copper sulphides, crops out for some 50 m.
three trenches spaced 20 to 25 m apart. The
following best values were obtained from the Numerous copper occurrences in basal
trenches: 2.41% copper over 6 m, 1.64% copper Abenab Subgroup dolomite, fringing the inliers
over 12 m and 2.05% copper over 22 m. A of Nosib Group quartzite in the Ombombo area
geochemical copper anomaly, some 250 m by south of Opuwa, were investigated during the
250 m in extent, apparently corresponds to the period 1970 to 1972. Linning (1971) reported
outcrop area. The occurrence was tested by that some 50 copper showings were located in
means of 53 percussion holes drilled on a 25 m the upper 100 m of the Nosib Group and the
by 10 m grid to an average depth of 40 m. lowermost 200 m of the Abenab Subgroup beds.
Most of them are merely localities where quartz
The mineralisation on the southern hill veins criss-cross quartzite, phyllite and dolomite,
stretches over an area of about 150 m by 300 m. therefore the mineralisation is not strata-bound.
Four trenches, 29 m to 100 m in length, have A few larger deposits, however, consist of
yielded the following assay results: 2.4% copper disseminated malachite and chalcocite in
over 15 m, 1.78% copper over 11 m, 1.45% discrete lithologic units.
copper over 9 m and 1.28% copper over 15 m.
Two inclined diamond drill holes sunk to depths One of the most promising occurrences lies at
of 194 m and 95 m, respectively, intersected Okagwa, about 10 km southwest of the
0.4% copper between 58 and 59 m. The latter Schwarze Kuppen on the eastern limb of an
intersection consisted of a quartz-calcite vein inlier of Nosib Group rocks. Copper
containing chalcopyrite and chalcocite. mineralisation is present as chalcocite, cuprite,
malachite, azurite and dioptase in lower Abenab
The drilling results clearly indicate that Subgroup beds exposed in nine trenches over a
copper is concentrated in the quartz-calcite strike distance of 300 m; the grade is 2.3%
veins and has probably been derived from the copper over a stratigraphic width of 2 m.
limestone. The Okaliqua occurrence represents Another interesting occurrence is located 12 km
a surficial enrichment. southwest of Ombombo, where malachite and
chalcocite are found in phyllite intercalated with
About 2 km east of Okaliqua, a copper- dolomite. In places the latter rock is also
bearing formation has been exposed in a impregnated with copper associated with lead.
number of trenches on the so-called H hill. The The cupriferous phyllite bed averages 2.8%
showings consist of malachite with minor copper over a width of 1 to 2 m along a strike
chalcopyrite and chalcocite in quartz-calcite length of 300 m.
veins parallel to the axis of a local syncline.
Here and there malachite stains are found on Copper indications over a distance of 750 m
cleavage planes within the shale, close to the in calcrete, 17 km southeast of Ombombo, have
veins. The host rock is dolomitic limestone with been investigated. Trenches have revealed that
interbedded shale. the copper derived from phyllite interbedded
with dolomite overlying the Nosib Group
Copper indications have also been observed quartzite. The tendency of the copper
at the so-called B and I hills situated 1.5 km mineralisation to diminish considerably below
north of Okaliqua. Here a 20-m-thick unit of the oxidation zone is characteristic of this area.
conglomeratic quartzite occurs in shaley Whereas chalcocite and malachite are
limestone dipping steeply northwestward. Two widespread on the surface, pyrite with sporadic
geochemical copper anomalies extending 500 to specks of malachite is mainly encountered in
600 m along strike on the northern slopes of the depth. Söhnge (1976) related the supergene
hills have been attributed to the presence of a enrichment to physiographic conditions
narrow cupriferous quartz-calcite vein within prevailing during the curving of the mid-Tertiary
the limestone flanking the quartzite ridge. The African landsurface. The copper content at most

2.3-75
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

of the shallow prospects appears to be length of about 150 m, as well as a thickness of

abnormally high. Part of the metal may have about 10 to 15 m. This indicates a down-dip
derived from more distant sources and may tonnage projection of about 500 000 t per 100 m.
have been transported by groundwater before A well-mineralised grab sample returned 10.4%
replacing pyritic disseminations in the copper and 210 ppm silver (Collins, 1985).
sedimentary rocks.
Malachite, azurite, chrysocolla and dioptase
Copper-barite mineralisation occurs about are the main copper minerals in the Omaue
3 km north of Oruwanje in a tension-gash deposit which was opened up for museum-
quartz vein, which can be followed over at least quality dioptase specimens. The copper
30 m and which is approximately 1 m thick mineralisation occurs in a bedded quartz vein
where it is exposed in a 2-m-deep pit. 600 m within a dolomite-limestone succession close to
further north, copper mineralisation occurs the Nosib Group-Abenab Subgroup contact, and
disseminated within a paragneiss unit over an which is exposed over a strike length of about
area at least 100 by 50 m. In places, the tenor of 60 m in the shallow hillside workings. It
mineralisation has been adjudged to exceed averages about 60 cm in width and grades
20% copper, due to the secondary chalcocite between 5 and 10% copper. The main copper
enrichment near the surface. The average minerals apart from dioptase are chalcocite,
copper grade is estimated at 1 to 3% (Collins, crysocolla and plancheite (Collins, 1985).
1985).

At Epungwe, Otavi Group limestone is 3.2.2 Outjo District

intruded by a late-stage granite, which has
introduced copper-silver mineralisation into During the examination of the Nosib Group-
cracks and fissures of the host rock. The Abenab Subgroup contact in the Kamanjab area
mineralisation is broadly confined to the granite in 1969 and 1970, sporadic copper-bearing
hood. The dimensions of the exposed lenses in the transitional beds of the basal
mineralisation are approximately 120 metres Abenab Subgroup as well as in the overlying
along strike and 60 m in width. Three separate Chuos Formation were found.
styles of mineralisation were observed by
Collins (1985), namely
3.2.2.1 Kaross 237 and Rustig 632
i. Disseminations and sulphide veinlets in
the felsic intrusive which is exposed over an Copper mineralisation occurs in Abenab
area 20 by 30 m. A grab sample of this material Subgroup dolomite 25 to 30 m above the Nosib
assayed 4.2% copper and 58 ppm silver. Group-Abenab Subgroup contact on the farms
Kaross 237 and Rustig 632. On the farm Rustig
ii. A massive quartz-sulphide contact zone 632 the beige-coloured dolomite contains
of which a sample assayed 13.8% copper and sparsely disseminated specks of malachite,
693 ppm silver. copper silicates and galena over a width of 1 to
1.5 m and a strike distance of 15 m. The
iii.Veins of quartz-carbonate-chalcopyrite, mineralisation is associated with small siliceous
with a marked north-south orientation. veinlets in the dolomite (De Villiers, 1970).

Chalcocite, cuprite and malachite

mineralisation occurs in crenulated calcareous 3.2.2.2 Die Vlakte 634
graphitic schist at Okohongo, several kilometres
southwest of Epungwe village. Several long Specks, flakes and blebs of sparsely
trenches cross the strike of the mineralisation disseminated malachite, copper silicates,
which is 22 m thick. The ore outcrops occur in limonite and chalcopyrite occur in various
two distinct areas and have a combined strike clastic sediments overlying the Nosib Group and

2.3-76
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

at the base of the Chuos Formation on the farm calcrete on the northern boundary of the farm
Die Vlakte 634. The mineralisation extends Monty 329. The calcrete overlies pinkish-white
over 405 m along strike and across widths of limestone possibly belonging to the Tsumeb
1.5 to 10 m; it tends to be slightly concentrated Subgroup (van der Merwe, 1969).
along joints, cracks and around pebbles and
fragments. Copper silicate specks have also
been observed in pitted vein quartz and in light 3.2.2.7 Area between Fransfontein and Outjo
grey fine-grained quartzite erratics. The copper
content has been estimated at 0.2% (De Villiers, The contact zone between Damaran and
1970). basement rocks along the southern flank of the
Kamanjab Inlier was geochemically investigated
in 1968 to 1969. The lowest copper values of 4
3.2.2.3 Urumbe 287 to 8 ppm were obtained from soil samples taken
over granitic rocks of the Fransfontein Suite.
A discontinuous copper-bearing quartz reef Samples collected on dolomites of the Otavi
has been traced over a distance of 26 km on the Group were only slightly higher; distinctly
farm Urumbe 287 in rocks of the lower Tsumeb higher assays were reported from chip samples
Subgroup; samples taken in trenches assay from taken on red shales, ferruginous quartzite,
1.37 to 12.02% copper (Stockwell, 1973). breccias and gossans of the Abenab Subgroup.
For the latter the values vary between 48 and
260 ppm copper (Vermaak, 1969).
3.2.2.4 Straussenheim 134

After the discovery of two old trenches and a 3.2.2.7.1 Schoenau 60

shallow prospecting shaft, all of which contain
copper mineralisation, two claims on the farm A copper-rich quartz vein has been
Straussenheim 134 were reinvestigated. In order discovered in Otavi Group dolomite on the farm
to probe for down-dip extensions of the Schoenau 60. The following assays are reported:
mineralisation exposed in the trenches, two 10.1, 22.5, 43.3% copper from fresh material
diamond holes were drilled, the best and 2.27% copper from a weathered sample
intersection being 6.21 m at 0.71% copper in a (Vermaak, 1969).
coarse grained arkose of the Chuos Formation.
Both holes encountered widespread pyrite
mineralisation, which gives way locally to 3.2.2.7.2 Bothashof 476 and Gemsbokoord 477
moderate chalcopyrite (Kihn, 1987).
On the boundary between the farms
Bothashof 476 and Gemsbokoord 477, a copper-
3.2.2.5 Dwight 368 lead occurrence in brecciated massive dolomite
of the Elandshoek Formation has been
Sparse malachite staining is associated with investigated.
a lumpy quartz vein on the farm Dwight 368
along the southern contact between the Mulden The oval-shaped breccia body is characterised
and Otavi Groups north of the farmhouse by intense silicification and extends over an area
(Worst, 1972). approximately 200 m by 140 m. It consists of
light and dark grey dolomite fragments varying
from microscopic size to blocks, several metres
3.2.2.6 Monty 329 in diameter, set in a reddish, calcareous
groundmass.
Specks of malachite, copper silicates and
chalcopyrite have been reported from a quartz The ore minerals, accompanied by
vein, 0.5 m wide, cropping out for some 2 m in calcitisation, are restricted to a 30-m-wide zone

2.3-77
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

within the breccia along its northern and rail route to the coast. Rogers reached the
southeastern margin. Lead is found mainly in workings at Gross Otavi and Klein Otavi
the southeastern portion, while copper is present (Kombat) in December, 1892, and first saw
throughout. Malachite, azurite, chalcocite, Tsumeb on 12 January 1893. He described the
plancheite and galena are some of the ore ore outcrop as follows:- “....the minerals, as far
minerals that have been observed. A supergene, as can be seen, are different ores of copper and
copper-filled vertical vein striking northwest lead. In the process of time, either by
has been exposed in a prospecting shaft. The subsidence, or erosion and denudation, the
vein peters out at a depth of 7.5 m from the surrounding strata composing the containing
surface (Thirion, 1969). Compare also the lead- rock have been removed, leaving the fissure vein
zinc chapter. standing in an inclined position corresponding to
the lay of the strata - in some places being 40
feet in height - with the green and blue colours
3.2.3 Otavi Mountainland of chrysocolla conspicously covering it. By
various causes the hard quartz matrix has
The large-scale exploitation of major base become shattered and rent, and the smaller
metal deposits in the Otavi Mountainland over fissures again refilled with the same
almost a century has played a vital role in the minerals........on first seeing such a grand and
economic development of Namibia. By far the prominent outcrop I could scarcely conceal my
most important deposit is the Tsumeb Mine, a astonishment and delight....few mineral outcrops
copper-lead-zinc ore body, also containing present such exceptional indications as this
recoverable silver, cadmium, germanium, one.”
arsenic and antimony. From 1905 to 1990 this
operation produced 24.6 million t ore, yielding Rogers initially investigated the various Otavi
4.2 million t of metal comprising 1.7 million t workings, but in October 1893 he transferred the
of copper, 2.8 million t of lead and 0.9 million t larger part of his labour force to Tsumeb, leaving
of zinc. only a small team to continue prospecting
around Guchab. After he had completed two
The copper deposits of the Otavi initial shafts and several cross-cuts into the
Mountainland were worked by the local people Tsumeb ore body, Rogers was recalled to
for generations prior to the arrival of European England in 1894. Although his work had
explorers. Evidence of their smelting sites has disclosed that the ore was exceptionally rich in
been found at Tsumeb, Gross Otavi and lead and copper, low metal prices prohibited
Otjikoto. their exploitation at that stage.

The German Government in 1892 granted To expedite mining activity, the South West
the South West Africa Company of London the Africa Company invited German banking
so-called Damaraland Concession, the exclusive interests to form the Otavi Minen und
mineral rights over an area of 57 000 km2, Eisenbahngesellschaft (OMEG), registered in
including the copper mines of the Otavi London in 1900. Mineral rights over an area of
Mountainland; together with absolute 2 600 km2, the so-called “1000 square mile
ownership rights over ground chosen by the concession”, were transferred to the new
Company and covering 13 000 km2, plus an company, and also certain rights necessary for
additional area 10 km wide on each side of the building a railway. By August, 1901,
railway that was to be built to the mines; and Christopher James, with a compliment of 33
also the exclusive right to build the railway and miners, had sunk and connected two new shafts
a harbour. on the second level of the Tsumeb ore body,
blocking out 240 000 t of high grade and
The South West Africa Company promptly 190 000 t of low grade ore (Figs 13 and 14).
organised an expedition under Mathew Rogers
to investigate the ore deposits and to survey a Development was resumed in November,

2.3-78
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 13: Plan showing four shafts alongside the Tsumeb ore outcrop sunk by M Rogers in 1893
(Drawing by C James in 1900)

Figure 14: Longitudinal section showing development workings of the Tsumeb ore body and
geological notes (by C James in 1901)

1905 and regular shipments of ore to Europe August, 1906.

commenced with the completion of a 60 cm
gauge railway from Tsumeb to Swakopmund in In 1907 OMEG built a smelter comprising

2.3-79
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

two lead-copper blast furnaces to smelt the almost 200 000 t of ore per annum when the low
lower grade ores, before transporting copper metal prices of the 1929/1933 depression
matte and lead bullion, in addition to paralysed the industry. The mine reopened in
concentrates, to Swakopmund for export. 1937 only to close at the onset of World War II.

Following completion of the Otavi - After World War II the Custodian of Enemy
Grootfontein branch railroad in 1908, OMEG Property put the OMEG properties up for sale. A
reopened the Guchab copper mine and started syndicate, named the Tsumeb Corporation,
exploration at Asis (Klein Otavi) and Gross which included Newmont Mining Corporation,
Otavi. In 1909 the Otavi Exploring Syndicate American Metal Company, Selection Trust,
was formed by OMEG to develop the known British South Africa Company, Union
ore showings in the “1000 square mile Corporation, South West Africa Company and
concession” which excluded the Tsumeb, the O’kiep Copper Company purchased the
Guchab, Asis and Gross Otavi mines. From assets in 1947. An agreement was also made
1913 to 1916 the Syndicate extracted about with the South West Africa Company to form
2 000 t of high grade copper ore at Asis Ost, the Tsumeb Exploration Company for
Kupferberg and Alt Bobos. During the prospecting the Grant area. Exclusive rights on
immediately following World War I, vanadium vanadium deposits and certain reserved areas
ore deposits were discovered at Nageib, Nosib, were retained by the South West Africa
Karavatu and Uris. With the outbreak of World Company. In 1948 ore concentrates produced
War I in 1914 operations at Tsumeb came to a from the surface dumps at Tsumeb were railed to
halt, production having reached 68 000 t per the coast for export. Dewatering of the mine was
annum. After the war, the Government of the completed in 1949 and the underground
Union of South Africa recognised the South workings once again became fully operative.
West Africa Company’s title to the concession Construction of a new copper-lead smelter
and active exploration as well as mining at complex was completed in 1962.
Tsumeb were resumed in 1921. Vanadium
showings at Abenab, discovered the year before, In 1956 and the following years intensive
were opened up by the South West Africa diamond drilling led to the discovery of
Company. The search for other vanadium substantial bodies of copper-lead ore in the Asis
deposits outside the “1000 square mile Mining area. The Kombat Mine came into
concession” was intensified, and at the end of production in 1962. Another ore body was found
1924 mine development commenced at Berg in the mid-1970s on the western side of the
Aukas. Less important discoveries within the Kombat West Fault. It extends beyond the
concession area included those at Nageib- western boundary of the Asis Mining area and is
Auros, and on the farms Harasib 317, Uitsab encompassed by the Asis West Mining area
654 and Baltika 575. Operations in the Asis (Söhnge, 1967).
area ceased in 1925. Further prospecting was
encouraged by renewal of the concession, until The Otavi Mountainland is part of the
1936. Thereafter, an additional extension of five northeast-trending branch of the Damara
years was granted, subject to a contribution of Geosyncline stretching from Walvis Bay to the
£10 000 to be used for the aerial photographic Copper Belt of Zambia. The floor of the Damara
survey of a 2 600 km2 block from Abenab to the Sequence here consists of granite and rocks of
Otavi Valley, which was completed in 1937. the Grootfontein Metamorphic Complex which
When the concession finally expired in 1941, a forms a basement high in the area of Otavi,
new grant to the South West Africa company for Grootfontein and Abenab. The Nosib Group is
a period of five years was approved, the area thin or absent over this “ridge”, but up to 700 m
having been reduced to 8 040 km2 to cover the thick in the adjoining terrain on both sides. It
most promising part of the Otavi Mountainland. consists of feldspathic quartzites of the Nabis
Formation which in the area south of the Otavi
By 1930, production at Tsumeb had reached Valley is overlain by epidotised mafic lava,

2.3-80
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

pyroclasts and other rocks of the Askevold uneven floor and elevated Nosib Group-
Formation. These are absent to the north of the basement ridge between Otavi and Abenab, the
Otavi Valley where the Nabis Formation thickness of the lower part of the Otavi Group is
quartzite is overlain by mixtite of the Varianto highly variable, whereas that of the upper part is
Formation in the vicinity of the old Nosib Mine, more consistent. The detailed stratigraphic
halfway between Grootfontein and Tsumeb. subdivision is listed in Table 12.
(Fig. 15).
In the transition belt across the Otavi Valley
The underlying rocks were locally tilted and towards the eugeosynclinal facies in the south,
eroded before deposition of up to 4 800 m of the correlation of lithological units with those of
dolomite and limestone forming the Otavi the type area is complicated by rapid changes of
Group (Lombaard et al., 1986). North of the lithofacies (Smit, 1962). Sedimentary slump
Otavi Valley the sequence is relatively breccias in the upper Hüttenberg Formation
unmetamorphosed, representing the shallow- attest to an unstable floor subject to episodes of
water miogeosynclinal facies. Owing to the still erosion and deposition.

Table 12: Stratigraphic succession in the Otavi Mountainland (after Lombaard et al., 1986)

Sequence Group Subgroup Formation Informal Lithology Average

Lithozone thickness
(m)
Damara Mulden Kombat Komat Formation: slate; sub-arkose > 700
and and pebbly sandstone near base
Tschudi Tschudi Formation: feldspathic sand
stone, sub-greywacke; argillie and
conglomerate interbeds in basal
portion
Disconformity
Otavi Tsumeb Huttenberg T8 Dolomite, bedded light to medium grey; 240
oolitic chert anf stromatolite layers near
top
T7 Dolomite, bedded dark grey; limestone, 300
shale and chert interbeds
T6 Dolomite, bedded light grey; abundant 300
chert; stromatolite interbeds in lower part
Elandshoek T5 Dolomite, bedded and massive light grey 1 200
T4 Dolomite, massive light grey
Maieberg T3 Dolomite, ehinly bedded light &dark grey 180
T2 Limestone, bedded light and dark grey 700
Chuos T1 Tillite, quartzite, shale, minor dolomite 200
and limestone
Disconformity
Abenab Auros Dolomite, bedded and massive light to 350
medium grey; limestone, marl, shale,
oolite and stomatolite interbeds
Gauss Dolomite, massive light to dark grey; 750
local oolite and stomatolite interbeds
Berg Aukas Dolomite, lamited and massive light and 550
dark grey; black limestone, shale
Disconformity
Varianto Quartzite, conglomerate, arkosic mixtite,
dolomite, ferrugineous shale
Askevold Phyllitic agglomerate, tuff; epidosite 750
Nabis Feldspathic quartzite, arkose, conglomerate
Unconformity
Grootfontein Basement Complex Granite, gneiss, mafic schist

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Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 15: Generalised geological map of the Otavi Mountainland showing stratigraphy and
location of important base metal deposits

In the environs of Tsumeb, the Mulden dolomite were eroded before sands accumulated
Group, represented by feldspathic quartzite of in the Mulden basin (Veldsman, 1977). Locally,
the Tschudi Formation, rests with apparent conglomerate lenses were deposited at the base.
conformity upon uppermost Hüttenberg Martin (1965) and Frets (1969) have reported a
dolomite. In the Uris area, the top layers of the striking angular unconformity between the Otavi

2.3-82
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Group and the Tschudi Formation west of (peudo-aplite) in the Tsumeb pipe was emplaced
Outjo. Along its northern contact in the Otavi before (Hughes, 1979) or after the early
Valley, phyllite of the Kombat Formation, localised folding is still controversial. The
Mulden Group, transgresses strata of the present view (Lombaard et al., 1986) is that the
Hüttenberg Formation. The joint evidence pipe structure formed by upwards directed
implies that the base of Mulden Group marks a solution within the zone of early folding and
regional break in sedimentation. subsequent collapse of the penetrated material.
The karsting process progressed upwards from a
Apparently related to this are numerous palaeoaquifer in the lower Hüttenberg
transgressive dykes, sills and plugs of Formation, and advanced up to the seafloor
feldspathic quartzite, of which those at Tsumeb present at Mulden times. Unconsolidated
and Kombat carry copper, lead and zinc feldspathic sand from the seafloor then poured
sulphides. downwards and filled the karst fissures, to form
after compaction, the hard “pseudo-aplite”.
The presence of the feldspatic sandstone and Emplacement of ore occurred at a later stage,
its close association with base metal only after Otavi and Mulden Group rocks of this
mineralisation has been a matter of controversy area had undergone another folding phase, this
between scientists for over half a century. time of regional occurrence.
Christopher James (1901) referred to the rock as
quartzite; Kuntz (1904) named it sandy The stratigraphic status of the transgressive
mudstone. From thin section studies Krusch sandstone is thus that it marks the beginning of
(1911) concluded that the rock was altered molasse-type sedimentation as the depositional
aplite and Schneiderhöhn (1921) preferred to basin narrowed, owing to lateral uplift of
call it microgranite. In the following years Stahl essentially flat-lying Otavi dolomite. The
(1926) produced enough evidence to convince intrusive contacts developed later as a result of
Schneiderhöhn (1929) of the sedimentary origin post-Mulden regional folding, when the water-
of the rock. From then on detailed studies in saturated sand was injected into peripheral
various mines and prospects elucidated all fissures. The apparent restriction of injected
aspects of the disputed rock. The term “pseudo- sandstone bodies to the Uris-Tsumeb belt and
aplite was introduced in 1950 as noncommittal the Gross Otavi-Kombat belt may be related to a
name for the transgressive quartz-feldspar regional lineament.
bodies. An origin by subaqueous filling of
sinkholes as visualised by Schneiderhöhn was The formations of the Damara Sequence
developed further by Le Roex (1955) to account between Tsumeb and Kombat have been
for evidence that the sand was later forcefully moderately folded into three synclinoria and two
injected into the dolomite wall rocks. Söhnge anticlinoria trending east-west. The axes of the
(1953; 1957; 1958; 1964) described the individual folds may diverge by as much as 30o
“pseudo-aplite” as mobilised sedimentary from the regional trend. In places they branch
material possibly derived from deeper out into two or more subordinate folds. In the
arenaceous units in the stratigraphic column but northern and central parts of the Otavi
later preferred the Tschudi Formation as “source Mountainland the folds are open and
bed”. Simpson (1956) considered downward symmetrical, but from the Otavi Valley
injection of mobilised Mulden beds more likely, southward the strata are frequently overturned to
on the grounds of a comprehensive heavy the north. The variable fold pattern may be
mineral study combined with structural ascribed to deflection of the main orogenic force
evidence. The opening up of ore bodies in the by structures in the basement and areas of
Kombat Mine and the deeper levels of Tsumeb competent massive dolomite.
Mine since 1960 has revealed critical evidence
leading step by step to a clear understanding of Fracturing in the mountainland is dominated
the stratigraphic position of this transgressive by two transverse lineaments striking 50o
feldspathic sandstone. Whether the sandstone northeast. The northwestern feature has been

2.3-83
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

named the Okorusu-Heidelberg geofracture by successful copper producers are located in the
Thirion (1973) and includes the Tsumeb dyke Hüttenberg and Elandshoek Formations,
zone with its dolerite intrusions traced by whereas the essential copper-free bodies of lead-
aeromagnetic survey for some 200 km along zinc-vanadium ore are found mainly in the
strike. Offsets along the fractures of this Gauss and Auros Formations (Söhnge, 1957,
lineament are relatively insignificant. The 1958). Even the vanadate ores of the Hüttenberg
southeastern feature is called the Asis Ost Formation are typically copper-bearing
lineament, expressed by a group of faults in the (mottramite) as opposed to the descloizite
Kombat area, but rather vague in the calcrete deposits at Abenab and Berg Aukas. In the
covered basement terrain between Grootfontein Elandshoek Formation there are about as many
and Abenab. Locally the stratigraphic lead-zinc-vanadium prospects as there are
dislocation along the fault is of the order of copper prospects. There is thus a clear trend of
1 000 m. The formations between the two enrichment in copper upward through the
lineaments and also on the outer flanks are cut stratigraphic column. In many cases the ore
by several prominent strike faults of easterly minerals are present as chalcocite, sphalerite and
trend, as evident on the farms Chaub 47, Uitsab galena specks in the more massive type of
654, and Rietfontein 44; by shorter dolomite, commonly associated with breccia and
northwesterly striking faults, on the farm jasperoidal to crystalline silica of diagenetic
Tschudi 461; and by numerous northeast origin. This implies that trace amounts of the
fractures and master joints as on the farms metal were deposited chemically with dolomite
Elandshoek 771 and Block 648. and concentrated to some extent during the
expulsion of connate water.
The ore province of the Otavi Mountainland
is broadly controlled by regional structure. West During and immediately following the post-
of the Okorusu-Heidelberg lineament, the Otavi, pre-Mulden erosional interval, large areas
formations of the Damara Sequence strike of basement (Grootfontein and Huab
roughly east-northeast. Along and across the Metamorphic Complexes) were exposed and
Asis Ost lineament the formations tend to strike denuded to supply the clastic sediments of the
east-northeast again. Inasmuch as the Tschudi and Kombat Formations. The copper-
lineaments may be indicative of mega-fractures lead-zinc ore bodies in Hüttenberg Formation
in the basement, they could have served as loci dolomite formed while the host beds were still
conducting heat from deeper crustal levels by practically horizontal at the beginning of Mulden
which the thermal convection systems in the Group sedimentation, the metal being supplied
overlying sediments would be activated, more by submarine volcanic exhalatives, with a
particularly where crosscutting folds provided possible contribution from the basement
open channelways. Conceivably the heat was provenance. Most investigators have concluded
supplied from the southwest, where granite and that the payable ore bodies received their metals
pegmatite of the Salem Granitic Suite are after the peak of the regional folding of the
associated with medium- to high-grade Damara Sequence and consequently that the
metamorphic rocks of the Swakop Group. The source could have been the now-metamorphosed
nearest intrusives occur in the vicinity of eugeosyclinal Swakop Group or any of the older
Platveld Station on the farms Fisher 465 and formations underlying the Otavi Mountainland.
Hermain 96. While opinions differ as to how such
hydrothermal solutions reached their favoured
The source and mode of concentration of site of sulphide deposition, it is noteworthy that
copper, lead and zinc still await full local thrusting and brecciation are prominently
understanding. A survey of some 600 minor developed at the Tsumeb, Abenab and Kombat
mineral showings in the Otavi Mountainland Mines. Fluid inclusion studies led Ypma (1975)
reveals that about 75% are located in the to conclude that primary mineralisation was
Tsumeb and 22% in the Abenab Subgroup, with effected by solutions at temperatures ranging
the remaining few in the Nosib Group. All from 230oC to 260oC at pressures of 500 to 700

2.3-84
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

bars, corresponding to a cover of sediments of Syncline, is a steep complex pipe-like structure

about 3 000 m. that has been traced by underground diamond
drilling to a vertical depth of 1800 m. The
Mineralisation in the Otavi Mountainland feldspathic sandstone, that fills the pipe-like
may have occurred episodically over a period of paleokarst feature, occurs intermittently from
200 million years. Lead age determinations of surface, at 1300 m above sealevel, to at least
550 million years for galena, 580 million years 400 m below sea level.
for cerussite and 770 for anglesite (Holmes and
Cahen, 1957) have been obtained. Ages for the Below the now mined-out outcrop, the pipe
Salem Granitic Suite range from 589+ 40 plunges steeply southward through chert and
million years (Miller and Burger, 1983) to 470 dolomite beds before flattening and becoming
million years (Haack et al., 1980). Folding of semi-conformable with a distinctive limestone-
the Otavi rocks occurred prior to intrusion of bearing zone. Between 20 and 24 level
the oldest of these granites. A number of elevations, the plunge steepens and reverses.
cooling ages between 517 million years and 460 Except where interrupted by a zone of bedding
million years have been reported. Galena from shears at 35 to 37 Level, this attitude is
the central mountainland returns an age of 390 maintained to the deepest intersections yet made.
to 400 million years (Ypma, 1975). Thus it may The cross-section of the pipe is generally
be inferred that scattered synsedimentary ellipsoidal, the long axis ranging from 140 m to
sulphides formed prior to 600 million years and 200 m, the short axis from 10 m to 100 m (Fig.
the hydrothermal ore could have been deposited 17). It attains its maximum size on 24 Level.
between 600 and 400 million years ago.
Over much of its length the pipe is located
within the axial zone of a complex foldstructure.
3.2.3.1 Tsumeb District The boundary of the pipe is generally delineated
by arcuate shears and fractures, the intensity of
3.2.3.1.1 Tsumeb Mine which diminish with depth. Internal brecciation
varies in intensity with the nature of the adjacent
The Tsumeb orebody is a polymetallic (lead, rock types. Above 7 Level, moderate brecciation
copper, zinc, silver, arsenic, antimony, occurs; for the remainder of Zone 7, which
cadmium, cobalt, germanium, gallium, iron, consists of limestone and dolomite, brecciation
mercury, molybdenum, nickel, tin, tungsten, appears to have been limited. In Zone 6 and the
vanadium), pipe-like deposit (Fig. 16). It is upper part of Zone 5, brecciation is well
located in the northern part of the Otavi developed throughout. It diminishes around 44
Mountainland within moderately folded, Level before tending to intensify again at depth.
predominantly dolomitic successions of the Internal foliation, generally parallel to the trend
Otavi Group. of the pipe, is well displayed, particularly from
16 Level downwards.
The first geological studies of the Tsumeb
ore body were made by Schneiderhöhn in the Massive irregular plug-like bodies and
period 1914 to 1920, backed by regional sheared lenses of trangressive arenite (pseudo-
surveys by Stahl from 1922 to 1936. aplite) are distributed at random within the pipe
Mineralogical investigations were carried out by from outcrop to 44 Level. A few veins reach into
Schneiderhöhn (1921), Moritz (1933), Strunz the dolomitic country rock in the North Break
(1959), Geier (1962; 1974) and Wilson (1977). Zone up to 300 m beyond the ore body. Pseudo-
The most recent geological study was published aplite is most prominent from surface to 6 Level
by Lombaard et al. (1986). and from 17 Level to 30 Level. Where free of
inclusions, it closely resembles arkose and
The Tsumeb ore body, located in the feldspathic quartzite of the overlying Tschudi
Hüttenberg and the upper Elandshoek Formation, but a certain portion of the pseudo-
Formations on the northern limb of the Tsumeb aplite also forms fragments which together with

2.3-85
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 16: The Tsumeb ore body (after Lombaard et al., 1986)

2.3-86
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 17: Plan of the Tsumeb orebody between 27 and 28 Levels (after Lombaard et al., 1986)

those from the dark-grey dolomitic country rock breccia. Below 37 Level, the entire pipe consists
form a breccia. of silica-dolomite and the pipe structure is
defined by the limits of intense silicification.
An elongate body of partly foliated, From 44 Level down the alteration is less
fractured, coarsely crystalline white calcite extreme and patches of unaffected dolomite
occurs in the eastern part of the pipe along the have been preserved. Within the North Break
northern contact between 32 Level and 37 Zone silicification is variably developed over a
Level, with its major development on 35 Level. wide area beyond the pipe.

Several distinctive types of rock alteration The Tsumeb pipe comprises large lenses,
occur confined to the pipe structure. smaller veins and pods of high-grade massive
Calcitisation of the dolomitic wall rocks is ore, mostly emplaced along the marginal and
restricted to the section between 18 Level and arcuate fractures in brecciated and foliated
30 Level where occasional extensions outward zones, and also disseminations in altered rock
into adjoining beds can be traced. Below 30 types forming large tonnages of low-grade ore.
Level, calcitisation is limited to the central part Furthermore, high-grade manto bodies protrude
of the pipe, where a coarsely crystalline, into less-altered dolomite country rock as far as
marble-textured calcitic rock, the “marble 90 m to the north and south from the pipe in the
breccia”, has formed through complete upper part of Zone 7 and in much of Zone 6.
replacement of dolomite. This breccia occupies Generally the ore body is relatively narrow
the core of the pipe between 30 Level and 36 where it plunges more or less parallel to the
Level, where it directly adjoins the white calcite bedding, but swells once it cuts across more
body in places. Below 44 Level calcitisation massive dolomite.
reappears on the southern margin. Carbon
alteration is most intense in the core of the pipe The complex hypogene ore consists of the
between 22 and 30 Levels. The dolomite is following minerals: galena, tennantite,
variably foliated, brecciated and darkened by sphalerite, chalcocite, enargite, bornite together
graphite until the fragmental texture is largely with lesser chalcopyrite, germanite, renierite and
obscured. Silicification was observed in the pyrite. Supergene chalcocite, djurleite, digenite
peripheral zone above 10 Level. It reappears at and covellite are important in an upper and a
29 Level and from 34 Level to 37 Level is lower oxidation zone. Although the ratios of
expressed as a zone of silica-dolomite lead, copper and zinc vary throughout the
surrounding the central calcite body and marble deposit, lead is the dominant metal. Vertical

2.3-87
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

metal zoning is evident in the deeper levels and Table 13: List of minerals recorded from the
below 30 Level the overall metal content Tsumeb Deposit (after Lombaard et al., 1986;
decreases with depth. From surface to 6 Level H.-J. Lauenstein, pers. comm.).
high copper values, probably due to supergene
enrichment, were encountered, whereas the In the following tabulation an asterisk
corresponding low zinc content may have been denotes a mineral for which Tsumeb is the type
caused by leaching. Copper is about as locality. A prefixed query denotes a mineral of
abundant as lead to 10 Level, and down to 20 uncertain species status or of doubtful place of
Level the ratio of copper:lead:zinc averages origin.
roughly 2:5:3. From there to 27 Level, reaching
peak concentrations on 29 Level, where copper The relative abundance of the minerals in the
equals lead in metal t per vertical metre by Tsumeb deposit is indicated according to the
virtue of exceptionally high grade ore on the following code:
southern side of the pipe. To 35 Level the pipe
structure regains its form though narrowing VC very common
considerably and the ratio of copper:lead:zinc C common
changes to roughly 3:5:2 (Söhnge, 1977). The MC moderately common
copper grade is appreciably lower at 44 Level S sparse - widely distributed in small
but improve slightly at 49 Level (1690 m). The amounts
silver content on 44 Level however increases to R rare
500 g/t (P. Kinver, pers. comm.). With such VR very rare - generally from only 3 to
highly variable metal content the estimation of 4 occurrences with fewer than 50
Tsumeb ores requires systematic application of specimens known to exist
a sliding scale specific gravity factor (Söhnge, ER extremely rare - generally from a
1966). single occurrence with fewer than
10 specimens know to exist
Throughout the pipe, tennantite is the most
persistent primary copper mineral. Chalcocite Acanthite Ag2S ER
and bornite ore is locally important in the Adamite Zn2(AsO4)(OH) S
section between 24 Level and 30 Level, mainly Alamosite PbSiO3 VR
in association with massive ore bodies. Enargite Albite NaAlSi8O8 VR
Almandine Fe3+2Al2(SiO4)3 S
and digenite are also important copper minerals.
Anatase TiO2 VR
Anglesite PbSO4 MC
The Tsumeb Mine is renowned for its great Anhydrite CaSO4 VR
variety of secondary minerals, many of which Ankerite +2
Ca(Fe ,Mg,Mn)(CO3)2 S/R
are famous for their unsurpassed crystal size Aragonite CaCO3 MC
and quality. Supergene minerals predominate *Arsenbrackebuschite Pb2(Fe+2,Zn)(AsO4)2H2) ER
from the surface to 12 Level (360 m). Down to *Arsendescloizite PbZn(OH)(AsO4) ER
+3
25 level (760 m) the ore body consists of almost Arseniosiderite Ca3Fe4 (AsO4)4(OH)6.3H2O ER
unaltered sulphides. Below 25 Level a second Arsenogoyazite (Sr,Ba,Pb)Al3(AsO4)2
oxidation zone is encountered containing a (OH)5.H2O ER
profusion of perfectly developed secondary ?*Arsentsumebite Pb2Cu(AsO4)(SO4)(OH) S
Atacamite Cu2Cl(OH)3 VR
minerals. The most intense effects are evident
Aurichalcite (Zn,CU)5(CO3)2(OH)6 S/R
on 28 and 29 Levels where the permeable North
Austinite CaZn(AsO4)(OH) VR
Break Zone intersects the pipe. The oxidation Azurite Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 MC
persists to 44 Level. To date the occurrence of Barite BaSO4 R
226 different minerals has been reported, of *Bartelkeite PbFe+2Ge3O8
which 40 are only known from Tsumeb ER
(Lombaard et al., 1986; H. J. Lauenstein, pers. Bayldonite PbCu3(AsO4)2(OH)2.(H2O)? S
comm.). The minerals occurring at Tsumeb are Beaverite Pb(Cu,Fe+3,Al)3(SO4)2(OH)6 VR
listed in Table 13. Betekhtinite Cu10(Fe,Pb)S6 S/R

2.3-88
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Betpakdalite CaFe2+3H8(AsO4)2(MoO4)5.10H2O VR *Fleischerite Pb3Ge(SO4)2(OH)6.3H2O ER

Beudantite PbF3+3(AsO4)(SO4)(OH)6 S/R Fluorite CaF2 R
Biotite K(Mg,Fe+2)3(Al,Fe+3) Fraipontite (Zn,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 VR
Si3O10(OH,F)2 R *Gaitite Ca2Zn(AsO4)2.2H2O ER
Bornite Cu5FeS4 C Galena PbS VC
*Briartite Cu2(Fe,Zn)GeS4 R *Gallite CuGaS2 R
Brochantite Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 S/R *Gebhardite Pb8Cl6As4O11
*Brunogeierite (Ge+2,Fe+2)Fe4+3O4 ER ER
Calcite CaCO3 VC *Germanite Cu3(Ge,Fe)(S,As)4 MC
?Calciovolborthite CaCu(VO4)(OH) ? Gerttremelite (Zn,Fe)(Al,Fe)2(OH)5(AsO4) ER
Caledonite Pb5Cu2(CO3)(SO4)3(OH)6 VR Glaucodot (Co,Fe)AsS ER
Carminite PbF2+3(AsO4)2(OH)2 R/VR Goethite alpha-FeOOH MC
Carrollite Cu(Co,Ni)2S4 ER Gold Au ER
Cerussite PbCO3 C Graphite C S
Chalcanthite CuSO4.5H2O S/R Gratonite Pb9As4S15 ER
Chalcocite Cu2S VC Greenockite CdS R
Chalcophanite (Zn,Fe+2,Mn+2)Mn3 +4O7.3H2O ER Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O S
Chalcophyllite Cu18Al2(AsO4)3(SO4)3 Hedyphane (Ca,Pb)5(AsO4)3Cl ER
(OH)27.33H2O ER *Helmutwinklerite PbZn2(AsO4)2.2H2O VR
Chalcopyrite CuFeS2 S Hematite alpha-Fe2O3 S
Chalmersite CuFe2S3 ER Hemimorphite Zn4Si2O7(OH)2.H2O R/VR
Chenevixite Cu2Fe2+3(AsO4)2(OH)4.H2O ER Heterogenite CoOOH VR
Chlorotile (Ce,La,Ca)Cu6(AsO4)3 Hidalgoite PbAl3(SO4)(AsO4)(OH)6 VR
(OH)6.3H2O ER Hoernesite Mg3(AsO4)2.8H2O ER
Chrysocolla (Cu,Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4.nH2O S/ Hydrocerussite Pb3(CO3)2(OH)2 S
R Hydrozincite Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6 S/R
*Chudobaite (Mg,Zn)5H2(AsO4)4.10H2O ER ?Idaite Cu3FeS4(?) ?
Cinnabar HgS ER Ilmenite FeTiO3 S
Claudetite As2O3 VR ?*Itoite Pb3Ge(SO4)2O2(OH)2 ?
+2 +3
Clinochlore (Mg,Fe )5Al(Si3,Al)O10(OH)8 S *Jamesite Pb2Zn2Fe 5(AsO4)5O4 ER
Clinoclase Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 VR Jarosite KFe3+3(SO4)2(OH)6 VR
Coeruleite Cu2Al7(OH)13(AsO4)4.10,5H2O *Johillerite Na(Mg,Zn)3Cu(AsO4)3 ER
ER Kaolinite Al2Si2O5(OH)4 VC
Conichalcite CaCu(AsO4)(OH) MC Kasolite Pb(UO2)(SiO4).H2O ER
Connellite Cu19Cl4(SO4)(OH)32.3H2O ER *Kegelite Pb12(Zn,Fe+2)2Al4Si11S4O54 VR
Copper Cu S *Keyite (Cu,Zn,Cd)3(AsO4)2 VR/ER
Corkite PbFe3+3(PO4)(SO4)(OH)6 ER Koettigite Zn3(AsO4)2.8H2O ER
Coronadite Pb(Mn+4,Mn+2)8O16 R *Koritnigite Zn(As+5O3)(OH).H2O VR
Covellite CuS S Lammerite Cu3(AsO4)2 ER
?Cubanite CuFe2S3 ? Langite Cu4(SO4)(OH)6.2H2O ER
Cuprite Cu2O S Larsenite PbZnSiO4 VR
Descloizite PbZn(VO4)(OH) R Lavendulan NaCaCu5(AsO4)4Cl.5H2O VR
Devilline CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6.3H2O VR Leadhillite Pb4(SO4)(CO3)2(OH)2 R
Digenite Cu9S5 MC Legrandite Zn2(AsO4)(OH).H2O ER
Dioptase CuSiO3(OH)3 MC/S Leightonite K2Ca2Cu(SO4)4.2H2O ER
*Djurleite Cu31S16 MC/S *Leiteite ZnAs2O4 R
Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2 VC Lepidocrocite gamma-FeOOH R
*Duftite PbCu(AsO4)(OH)- R and Linarite PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 S
*alpha- and beta- forms MC Linnaeite Co3S4 ER
+2 +3
Dundasite PbAl2(CO3)2(OH)4.H2O R *Ludlockite (Fe ,Pb)As2 O6 R
Elyite Pb4Cu(SO4)(OH)8 ER Luzonite Cu3AsS4 VR
Enargite Cu3AsS4 C Maghemite gamma-Fe2O3 ER
Epidote Ca2(Al,Fe+3)3(SiO4)3(OH) VR Magnesite MgCO3 ?
Erythrite Co3(AsO4)2.8H2O ER Magnetite Fe3O4 S
Famatinite Cu3SbS4 ER Malachite Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 C

2.3-89
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Massicot PbO ? ER
Mathewrogersite Pb7(Fe,Cu)GeAl3Si12O36 Realgar AsS VR
+3
(OH,H2O)6 ER *Reinerite Zn3(As O3)2 ER
Mawsonite-germanian (Cu,Ge)7(Fe,Zn)2 Renierite Cu3(Fe,Ge,Zn)(S,As)4 MC
(Sn,As)S10 R/VR Rhodochrosite MnCO3 ER
Melanotekite Pb2Fe2+3Si2O9 VR ?Romanechite BaMn+2Mn84+O16(OH)4 ?
Metacinnabar HgS ER Rosasite (Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2 S/R
Metazeunerite Cu(UO2)2 Roselite-beta Ca2Co(AsO4)2.2H2O ER
Microcline KAISi3O8 C Rutile TiO2 S
?Millerite NiS ? *Schaurteite Ca3Ge+4(SO4)2(OH)6.3H2O R
Mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl MC *Schneiderhöhnite Fe8+2As10+3O23 VR
Minium Pb3O4 ? *Schultenite PbHAsO4 VR
+3
*Minrecordite CaZn(CO3)2 ER Scorodite Fe AsO4.2H2O R
Mixite BiCu6(AsO4)3(OH)6.3H2O ER Seligmannite PbCuAsS3 VR
Molybdenite MoS2 VR Serpierite Ca(Cu,Zn)4(SO4)2(OH)6.3H2O R
Molybdophornacite Pb2Cu(OH)[(AsO4) Shattuckite Cu5(SiO3)4(OH)2 VR
+2
(PO4)][(CrO4)(MoO4)] ER Siderite Fe CO3 S
Montmorillonite (Na,Ca)0.33(Al,Mg)2Si4O10 Silver Ag S
(OH)2.nH2O R Smithsonite ZnCO3 MC
Mottramite PbCu(VO4)OH S/MC *Söhngeite Ga(OH)3 VR
Muscovite KAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH)2 Spertiniite Cu(OH)2 ER
(2M1 polymorph) MC Sphalerite ZnS VC
Nadorite PbSbO2Cl ER Stannite-germanian Cu2(Sn,Fe,Ge,Zn)S4 VR
*O’Danielite Na(Zn,Mg)3H2(AsO4)3 ER Stibiconite Sb+3Sb2+5O6(OH) ER
Ojuelaite ZnFe2+3(AsO4)2(OH)2.4H2O ER Stibnite Sb2S3 ER
Oligoclase (Na,Ca)Al(Al,Si,)Si2O8 VC Stolzite PbWO4 VR
Olivenite Cu2(AsO4)(OH) S *Stottite FeGe(OH)6 VR
“Olivine” (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 R *Stranskiite Zn2Cu(AsO4)2 VR
Orthoclase KAISi3O8 R Stromeyerite AgCuS R/VR
*Otavite CdCO3 VR Sulphur S ER
*Otjisumeite PbGe4O9 ER Sulvanite Cu3VS4 ER
Palygorskite (Mg,Al)2Si4O10(OH).4H2O ER Talc Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 C
Paradamite Zn2(AsO4)(OH) ER Tarnowitzite (Pb,Ca)CO3 ER
Parnauite Cu9(AsO4)2(SO4)(OH)10.7H2O Tennantite Cu10(Zn,Fe)2As4S13 VC
ER Tenorite CuO S/R
Patronite VS4(?) ER Thaumasite Ca3Si(OH)6(CO3)(SO4).12H2O VR
+3
Pharmacosiderite KFe4 (AsO4)3(OH)4.6-7H2O Titanite CaTiSiO5 VR
VR Thometzekite Pb(Cu,Zn)2(AsO4)2.2H2O ER
Philipsbornite PbAl3H(AsO4)2(OH)6 ER “Tourmaline” unspecified species S
+2
Phlogopite KMg3Si3AlO10(F,OH)2 VR Tremolite Ca2(Mg,Fe )5Si8O22(OH)2 ?
Phosgenite Pb2(CO3)Cl2 R *Tsumcorite PbZnFe+2(AsO4)2.H2O S
Plancheite Cu8Si8O22(OH)4.H2O S *Tsumebite Pb2Cu(PO4)(SO4)(OH) VR
Plattnerite PbO2 ER Tungstenite WS2 ER
Plumbojarosite PbF6+3(SO4)4(OH)12 Umangite Cu3Se2 ER
VR Vanadinite Pb5(VO4)3Cl VR
*Plumbotsumite Pb5Si4O8(OH)10 ER *Warikahnite Zn3(AsO4)2.2H2O ER
Posnjakite Cu4(SO4)(OH)6.H2O VR Willemite Zn2SiO4 MC/S
Powellite CaMoO4 ER Witherite BaCO3 VR
Prosopite CaAl2(F,OH)8 ER Wulfenite PbMoO4 MC
*Prosperite CaZn2(AsO4)2.H2O ER Wurtzite (Zn,Fe)S VR
Pyrite FeS2 C “Zeolite” - unspecified species VR
Pyrolusite MnO2 MC Zincite ZnO ER(?)
Pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Cl VR Zincroselite Ca2Zn(AsO4)2.2H2O ER
Quartz SiO2 VC Zircon ZrSiO4 S
*Queitite Pb4Zn2(SiO4)(Si2O7)(SO4)

2.3-90
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

The various ore types at Tsumeb can be minerals comprise cerussite, mimetite, wulfenite,
classified into massive peripheral ores, manto malachite, native copper, cuprite, duftite,
ores, disseminated and stringer ores and conichalcite, olivenite, smithsonite and willemite
secondary ores. The massive peripheral ores are (Lombaard et al., 1986).
complex lead, copper and zinc ores of up to
40% total metal content. They occur peripheral Fluid inclusion studies indicate that the major
to the feldspathic sandstone and are prominent mineralisation of the Tsumeb pipe proceeded at a
down to 20 Level, below which they become temperature of 230 to 250oC, tapering off to
thin and eventually pinch out at 34 Level. The 150oC towards the later stages (Ypma, 1975).
medium- to coarse-grained sulphide assemblage The confined pressure was about 700 bars
of the massive peripheral ore consists of galena (Lombaard et al., 1986) and the vertical gradient
and sphalerite together with tennantite, enargite, seems to have affected salinity (2 to 7% NaCl
bornite abd chalcocite. Characteristic for this equivalent) as well as gas (CO2) content. The
ore type is the presence of angular fragments of dolomite, calcite and quartz of the gangue
chert and dolomite, which are interpreted as possibly originated from hydrothermal
relics of the wall rock. In places, the massive dissolution and redeposition of the country
peripheral ore progressively grades into less rocks. Allsopp and Ferguson (1970) found that
mineralised feldspathic sandstone and remnants carbonate gangue lacked the geochemical
of sandstone can also be found within the characteristics of carbonatite affiliation.
massive ore, thus indicating the replacement
character of the ore. The earliest event in the development of the
Tsumeb deposit was the generation of the ore
The manto ores form concordant to semi- body fold zone within a nearly horizontal
concordant extensions of the massive peripheral carbonate succession. Meteoric waters
ore into the wall rock dolomite. They occur circulating the North Break aquifer caused
between 26 and 30 Levels. They typically solution far upward into the succession in an
consist of bornite, chalcocite, djurleite, area where the aquifer intersects the fractured
tennantite, galena and sphalerite. They were axial zone of the ore body fold zone. Downward
formed by replacement, like the massive continuation of the carbonate solution also took
peripheral ores. place. In this way, a narrow solution channel
formed in a pinch-and-swell fashion. Eventually,
The disseminated and stringer ores are the dissolution of carbonate progressed upward
hosted by feldspathic sandstone, dolomite and and breached the floor of the Tschudi basin,
dolomite breccia and occur throughout the allowing the influx of mainly arenaceous
entire mine. Bornite, chalcocite and tennantite sediments into the channel. Arenaceous
are the predominant ore minerals, accompanied materials were also intermixed with solution
by lesser amounts of galena and sphalerite. In breccias formed during the actual dissolution
the feldspathic sandstone the equigranular ore process. Subsequent regional folding intensified
minerals are evenly scattered and have mainly cleavage and fracturing of the dolomite within
replaced feldspar. In the dolomite adjoining the the ore body fold zone and thereby enhanced the
massive peripheral ores, ore minerals form permeability of these rocks. These events were
irregular blebs and discontinuous veins. The followed by two stages of hydrothermal activity.
dolomite breccia contains finely scattered The first hydrothermal fluids ascending along the
sulphides in the matrix, as well as sulphides on ore body fold zone caused major rock alteration,
minute fractures. including further solution and fracturing. The
following hydrothermal fluids were metal-
Two zones of oxidation contain secondary bearing and used the pipe locus for the
ores derived by supergene alteration of primary deposition of their metal load (Lombaard et al.,
sulphides. These secondary ores have economic 1986).
significance from surface to 11 Level and
between 25 and 35 Level. The main oxide The ore body is mined by cut-and-fill method.

2.3-91
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

In the past, the stopes were laid out to a width

of 16 m, except at the east and west ends, and
extended from north to south for the full width
of the pipe. The stopes were separated by 10-m-
wide rib pillars. Owing to residual rock
pressures, stopes at the west end of 34 Level
could not be mined this way. Their layout had to
be modified, and at present the ore is mined in
10-m-wide stope panels which are stepped from
east to west with an elevation difference of 6 m.
There are no rib pillars separating the stope
panels, and the east wall of each stope panel is
the cemented hydraulic sandfill of the adjacent Figure 18: The Tsumeb plant
stope panel, while the west wall is unmined
rock.
do not react to flotation, a gravity plant was
During each mining cycle in a stope, a 2.0 m installed in 1987 to improve overall mineral
breast is broken and cleaned out, after which the recoveries. Fig. 21 shows the flow sheet of the
stope is filled to within 0.5 m from the back Tsumeb flotation plant. The Tsumeb mill
with cemented hydraulic sandfill consisting, on annually recovers some 10 000 t of copper and
average, of 19 parts unclassified mill tailings 20 000 t of lead in concentrates. A zinc
and one part cement. After the fill has set, the concentrate has also been produced in the past.
cycle is repeated. During the period from 1954 to 1963, a
germanium-enriched concentrate was produced,
Except for three pillars mined by under-and- assaying 0.2 to 0.5% germanium. Tailings from
fill stoping, introduced since 1975, all the the flotation plant are used to produce cemented
pillars between 30 and 26 Levels are mined by backfill for the mine. Compare also the lead-zinc
the square-set and fill method. On the other and the germanium-gallium chapters.
hand, all the pillars between 34 and 30 Levels
are mined by mechanised cut-and-fill pillar The production figures from 1906 to 1990 are
stopping method used since 1976. Crown given in Table 14. Ore reserves at the end of
pillars, being the last 15 m of stopes, are mined the years 1990 and 1991 are given in Table 15.
by square-set and fill.

Since a variety of ore types have to be treated Table 15: Ore reserves of the Tsumeb Mine at
at the Tsumeb, the plant is one of the most the end of the years 1990 and 1991 (Gold Fields
complex operations including differential Namibia, 1990; 1991)
flotation, cyclones, spirals and Middlings tables
(Fig. 18). The ore has to be very finely ground Year Tons % Cu % Pb g/t Ag
to liberate the different ore minerals from one 1990 1 538 000 4.88 3.34 153
another. The Tsumeb operation employs an 1991 1 065 000 5.78 3.50 179
upper level crushing, milling and pumping
installation. Some of the ore mined from the
upper levels is crushed and milled underground The first smelter plant was erected at Tsumeb
and then pumped vertically to the surface as early as 1906-07. It consisted of two lead-
flotation plant. Figs 19 and 20 show the flow copper blast furnaces which were fired with
sheet of the crusher plant and the mill first-class German coke. Only after World War I
respectively. was coke obtained from South Africa. A third
furnace was added in 1923 and a Cotrall
After fine grinding the pulp is subjected to precipitator for the recovery of cadmium metal
differential flotation. Because some oxide ores was installed in 1925. In 1930 a rotary furnace

2.3-92
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 19: Flowsheet of the Tsumeb crusher Plant

was acquired to roast the cadmium-bearing flue larger smelter plant at Tsumeb in 1960-62 (Figs
dust. Due to World War II the plant came to a 22 and 23). The copper smelter consists of a
standstill in 1940. reverberatory furnace with waste heat boiler,
two convertors, a holding furnace, a casting
During the 1950s the Tsumeb concentrates machine and a baghouse. The lead smelter is
were smelted and refined at overseas smelters. connected to a refinery with an annual capacity
However, the ever-increasing transportation of 90 000 t. Today, the plant comprises, apart
costs made it necessary to erect a new and from the lead and the copper smelter, a plant for

2.3-93
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 20: Flowsheet of the Tsumeb mill

Figure 21: Flowsheet of the Tsumeb flotation

2.3-94
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Figure 22 (above): The Tsumeb smelter with the

tailings dam in the foreground

Figure 23 (right): Casting copper at the Tsumeb

smelter

Figure 24 (below): Flowsheet of the Tsumeb

smelter

2.3-95
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Table14: Production of the Tsumeb mine from 1906 to 1990 (* = no data available)(Source:
Directorate of Mines; Burg, 1942; Tsumeb Corporation Limited, 1984; 1985; 1986; 1987; Gold
Fields Namibia, 1988; 1989; 1990; 1991)

Year Ore Cu Pb Zn Ag Year Ore Cu Pb Zn Ag

(t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t) (t) (%) (%) (%) (g/t)

1907 15 000 19 23 * 350 1957 223 544 5.03 14.18 5.82 *

1908 25 700 17 30 * 330 1958 208 843 5.66 14.52 5.51 *
1909 44 250 17 30 * 330 1959 211 579 6.13 12.43 5.13 *
1910 49 500 16 26 * 280 1960 720 000 5.02 13.67 5.30 *
1911 42 000 16 24 * 290 1961 894 003 4.46 12.91 4.35 *
1912 35 200 16 25 * 220 1962 1 009 892 4.68 12.84 3.72 *
1913 54 100 13 25 * 230 1963 792 157 4.00 14.25 4.24 *
1914 70 000 13 23 * 240 1964 826 813 4,02 12,66 3,75 *
1914-20 219 000 * * * * 1965 812 096 3.98 13.08 3.89 *
1921 26 000 13.5 29.3 * 325 1966 849 697 * * * *
1922 85 000 13.5 29.3 * 325 1967 759 110 * * * *
1923 106 809 13.3 31.1 * 312 1968 633 833 * * * *
1924 123 462 13.2 33.9 * 314 1969 622 386 * * * *
1925 114 043 12.2 34.0 * 280 1970 518 184 * * * *
1926 111 690 12.2 28.5 * 260 1971 522 572 * * * *
1927 124 743 12.1 27.9 * 275 1972 438 638 * * * *
1928 156 824 12.5 27.5 * 281 1973 448 271 * * * *
1929 160 459 12.4 28.2 * 257 1974 421 204 * * * *
1930 184 330 12.7 27.8 * 279 1975 423 618 * * * *
1931 213 423 12.8 28.6 * 276 1976 443 428 * * * *
1932 102 556 13.3 27.1 * 314 1977 444 712 * * * *
1933 23 400 13.3 26.9 * 319 1978 457 735 * * * *
1979 474 568 * * * *
1938 46 500 13.1 27.2 * 295 1980 498 149 3.61 7.13 2.26 *
1939 181 569 12.2 27.4 * 256 1981 493 708 3.60 7.32 2.08 *
1982 385 118 3.24 6.67 1.84 *
1948 57 141 4.0 13.5 8.6 171 1983 501 513 3.19 4.38 1.43 *
1949 251 330 4.22 14.59 9.78 * 1984 522 125 3.18 3.69 1.18 *
1950 41 003 3.75 12.58 7.4 * 1985 615 063 3.07 3.82 1.20 105
1951 259 037 3.65 11.12 6.72 * 1986 638 701 2.92 4.35 * 102
1952 337 494 4.12 13.27 7.27 * 1987 514 756 3.05 3.69 * 118
1953 392 073 3.34 13.52 6.07 * 1988 620 906 2.77 3.09 * 109
1954 432 420 2.85 13.76 6.39 * 1989 670 158 2.72 2.76 * 101
1955 532 706 3.49 12.12 6.57 * 1990 622 915 2.66 1.96 * 102
1956 217 008 5.43 16.06 6.44 * 1991 525 771 2.98 2.10 * 118

the production of arsenic trioxide and a plant for Tsumeb smelter is listed in Table 16.
the production of sodium antimonate (Fig. 24).
Silver from the Tsumeb ores and gold from For information on by-products of the
customer ores are included in the blister copper, Tsumeb smelter the reader is referred to the
which is electrolytically refined overseas. The chapters on silver, germanium, antimony,
Tsumeb smelter products are exported via arsenic, cadmium and gold.
Walvis Bay (Fig. 25). The production of the

2.3-96
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Table16: Production of the Tsumeb smelter (* = no data available)(Source: Directorate of Mines;

Burg, 1942; Tsumeb Corporation Limited, 1984; 1985; 1986; 1987; Gold Fields Namibia, 1988;
1989; 1990; 1991)
Year Blister copper Lead bullion
(t) Cu (%) Pb (%) Ag (g/t) (t) Pb (%) Ag (g/t)
1908 1 000 36 17 400 700 96 900
1909 3 150 42 23 440 3 000 96 670
1910 2 940 48 24 410 2 732 97 650
1911 2 829 47 26 440 1 414 98 620
1912 1 241 48 26 420 1 121 98 700
1913 408 48 25 440 562 98 910
1914 1 298 49 22 1180 44 * *
1922 2 094 49.3 20.3 850 320 97.3 1628
1923 4 235 48.8 19.5 850 693 98 1776
1924 4 709 47.7 22.9 850 643 98 1500
1925 6 039 46.8 21.7 844 608 98.1 1530
1926 6 636 46.5 20.5 754 1 417 98.1 1353
1927 6 750 46.5 20 986 1 873 97.7 1484
1928 9 652 44 21.2 655 3 113 97.6 1193
1929 11 501 35 23.2 450 4 851 96.7 788
1930 10 539 43.3 20.7 724 3 479 96.9 1178
1931 10 191 44.8 22.8 763 3 054 96.3 1147
1932 6 923 48.5 23 866 3 550 97.6 913
1933 —- —- —- —- 677 96.8 232
1936 3 036 45.5 23 * —- —- —-
1937 2 011 45.1 24 * 256 * *
1938 4 920 44.6 23.2 680 2 700 97.9 715
1939 7 400 42.6 24.3 695 3 380 98.5 1117
1940 300 * * * 690 * *
1962 1 214 * * * —- —- —-
1963 20 810 * * * 1 811 * *
1964 28 505 * * * 47 785 * *
1965 29 700 * * * 66 012 * *
1966 33 026 * * * 75 261 * *
1967 31 303 * * * 69 325 * *
1968 30 603 * * * 55 686 * *
1969 28 454 * * * 62 777 * *
1970 27 723 * * * 55 094 * *
1971 26 618 * * * 63 756 * *
1972 26 120 * * * 63 964 * *
1973 35 908 * * * 59 065 * *
1974 24 853 * * * 64 341 * *
1975 21 571 * * * 37 862 * *
1976 16 294 * * * 29 730 * *
1977 18 238 * * * 34 057 * *
1978 31 129 * * * 32 525 * *
1979 30 129 * * * 41 694 * *
1980 40 004 * * 2 500 42 654 99.9 *
1981 39 719 * * 2 500 41 729 99.9 *
1982 49 768 * * 2 500 40 590 99.9 *
1983 54 238 * * 2 500 53 416 99.9 *
1984 46 436 * * 2 500 28 930 99.9 *
1985 43 295 * * 2 500 38 511 99.9 *
1986 45 688 * * 2 500 40 047 99.9 *
1987 35 488 * * 2 500 40 634 99.9 *
1988 39 970 * * 2 500 44 447 99.9 *
1989 36 631 * * 2 500 44 183 99.9 *
1990 32 689 * * 2 500 35 134 99.9 *
1991 32 929 * * 2 500 33 367 99.9 *

2.3-97
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

structure has been explored to a depth of 750 m;

it consists of dolomite and chert breccia with
lenses of quartzite and chalcocite-bearing
matrix.

Pyrite is richly disseminated throughout the

quartzitic body and the copper ore minerals
chalcocite and malachite are notably
concentrated in the distorted, brecciated and
calcitised dolomite along the northern contact of
the quartzitic sandstone (Ferreira & Zwanziger,
1971; Rawle, 1972; Blaine, 1973; Tsumeb
Corporation Ltd, 1978).

In 1989, 8 083 t of ore were mined from this

orebody and production amounted to 52 964 t in
1990. The ore reserves at the end of 1990
amounted to 1.162 million t with a grade of

1.88% copper, which is uneconomic to mine

at present cut - off grades (Gold Fields Namibia
Ltd, 1990; 1991).

3.2.3.1.3 Tschudi
Fig. 25: Blister copper ingots for shipping at
The Tschudi deposit is situated some 20 km
Walvis Bay harbour
west of Tsumeb on the farms Tschudi 461 and
Uris 481. It was located in 1968, when a
3.2.3.1.2 Tsumeb West regional geochemical survey defined a 3 km
long copper soil anomaly on the contact of the
This occurrence, situated 2.5 km southwest Otavi Group dolomite and the Mulden Group
of the Tsumeb Mine, was first explored by the sandstone.
Otavi Minen- und Eisenbahngesellschaft who
produced 742 t of copper ore averaging 9.7% The deposit is located on the southern limb of
copper from various opencast operations during the Tschudi/Uris Syncline. It dips between 25
the period 1910 to 1912. The property was and 38o north-northwest. With the northern limb
further investigated from 1947 to 1978 by dipping more steeply, the entire syncline plunges
detailed geological mapping and diamond at a shallow angle to the west. A set of
drilling totalling 31 974 m. prominent open fractures trending in a
northwesterly direction intersects the deposit.
A plug of quartzitic sandstone (“pseudo- Prominent bedding plane shear zones occur on
aplite”) is located in a major cross-warp marked or near the contact of the Otavi and Mulden
by a zone of breccia bodies and faults transverse Groups, which undulates gently, as does the
to the regional Tsumeb Syncline. The main footwall of the orebody.
sandstone body, which is oval in plan, measures
900 m2 at surface and fingers out at a depth of The disseminated copper-pyrite
140 m. Irregular breccia dykes with a quartzitic mineralisation is hosted by the basal arenite of
matrix branch out from the main pipe along its the Mulden Group which rests unconformably
northeastern periphery. The associated pipe on carbonate sediments of the Otavi Group. The

2.3-98
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

best mineralisation is usually hosted by the follows:

medium- to fine-grained feldspathic arenites
and sub-greywackes. Fine-grained argillite Pyrite
within the mineralised zones frequently Pyrite-chalcopyrite
contains pyrite but only weak copper Pyrite-bornite-chalcopyrite
mineralisation. Bornite-pyrite-chalcopyrite-chalcocite
Chalcocite-bornite-pyrite
Where unoxidised and not affected by Chalcocite-covellite
supergene processes, copper sulphides occur in
sandstone some 4 to 5 m above the Otavi Group The strike length of the deposit is at least
dolomites. The highest grades are associated 2 500 m and it extends at least 850 m from the
with a zone of supergene enrichment, where outcrop at an average dip of 35o to a vertical
copper values locally run as high as 3.5%. depth of some 420 m. Reserves have been
Mineralisation in the deeper zones of the calculated at 57 million t with an average grade
deposit rarely exceeds average values of 1.5%. of 0.72% copper and 11 g/t silver (Tsumeb
The ratio of oxides to sulphides increases with Corporation Ltd, 1992).
depth. Oxides predominate above a vertical
depth of 60 m below surface, whereas sulphides
predominate below 80 m. A transitional zone is 3.2.3.1.4 Otjikoto II Prospect
present between 60 and 80 m below surface.
Some erratic mineralisation in the form of The Otjikoto II prospect is located 13 km
chalcocite, covellite, malachite and azurite west of Tsumeb on the northern limb of the West
extends into the upper 10 m of the underlying Tsumeb Syncline, where copper occurs in axial
Otavi Group carbonates. plane shears and bedding plane slips of drag-
folded dolomite of the Hüttenberg formation.
Within the oxidised zone, malachite is the The mineralised zone dips 60o to 75o north and
dominant copper mineral. It is accompanied by extends over a strike distance of 70 m; an
cuprite, azurite and small amounts of chalcocite average width of 10 m grading 1.8% copper has
and covellite. been indicated by trench sampling. An ore
potential of 1960 t per vertical metre has been
The dominant copper minerals in the calculated (Venter, 1976b).
sulphide zone are chalcocite, covellite, digenite, The following megascopic ore minerals are
bornite and chalcopyrite. Some native silver has reported from the prospect: malachite,
been observed, however, it is assumed that the chalcocite, azurite, chrysocolla, copper-lead
bulk of the silver content is constrained within arsenates and cuprite. Furthermore, tennantite,
the lattices of bornite, chalcocite and digenite. covellite, digenite, mottramite, bayldonite and
olivenite were identified microscopically by
The copper sulphides occur as discrete Geier (1962). Although lead or zinc sulphides
interclastic grains. In areas of supergene have not been observed, coincident lead and
enrichment, copper sulpides occur only copper geochemical anomalies with peak values
sporadically as inclusions, usually in pyrite. of 607 ppm lead and 1014 ppm copper have
Interclastic grains of pyrite are common in the been delineated.
rocks overlying the mineralised zone, but are
less abundant within the copper-rich zone.
3.2.3.1.5 Alt Bobos
An across-layer zonation of the copper
sulphides from iron-rich sulphides at the top The Alt Bobos Mine, situated on the farm
through iron-copper-rich sulphides and copper- Uris 481 in the Tsumeb District, was worked
iron-rich sulphides to dominantly copper from 1914 until 1918 by the Otavi Exploring
sulphides at the base is apparent within the Syndicate. The old workings comprise three
sandstone. The zonation from top to base is as opencasts and numerous smaller prospecting

2.3-99
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

trenches and pits. been detected (Duckworth, 1983).

Concentrations of nodular copper ore are

located on the southern limb of the Tschudi/Uris 3.2.3.2.2 Finsterbergen Prospect
Syncline along steeply dipping shears, roughly
parallel to the strike of the Hüttenberg A geochemical anomaly with maximum
Formation. The shears, associated with drag values of 480 pmm copper, 190 ppm lead and
folds, show flow-breccia and associated 235 ppm zinc has been located in light grey
calcitisation. The showings extend for a strike upper Tsumeb Subgroup dolomite in the
distance of about 3 km with copper sulphides northeastern part of the farm Finsterbergen 469.
appearing as nests in calcitic rock; small Sporadic veins, blebs and grains of malachite,
veinlets and lenses of “pseudo-aplite” occur in plancheite, chrysocolla, cuprite, hematite,
the cupriferous zones (Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, vanadinite and smithsonite as well as sulphides
1978). of copper, lead and zinc have been traced over
70 m along strike. A grab sample from a pit
located on the best showing assayed 0.33%
3.2.3.1.6 Tönnesen Prospect copper, 10 ppm silver and 0.07% lead. The
mineralisation is related to shears parallel to the
The Tönnesen Prospect, a mottramite- bedding, as well as cross fractures striking
vanadate bearing calcite-dolomite breccia plug, northeast (Ferreira & Zwanziger, 1971).
is located near the closure of the northwesterly
plunging Uris Anticline, 27 km west of Tsumeb.
Extensive diamond drilling has indicated the 3.2.3.2.3 Otavi Valley
presence of finely disseminated galena,
chalcocite and sphalerite in the host rock The mineralised belt from Baltika through
dolomite (Zone 7) of the Hüttenberg Formation. Gross Otavi and Asis to Guchab, a distance of
The sulphide mineralisation has been proved to some 40 km, is confined to the contact zone
a depth of 120 m. between upper Tsumeb Subgroup dolomite and
phyllites of the Kombat Formation on the
northern limb of the Otavi Valley Syncline.
3.2.3.1.7 Bombay Grant

Drilling on the farm Algier 663, in to the 3.2.3.2.3.1 Kupferberg Prospect

Bombay Grant, has revealed a peak value of
650 ppm copper in Otavi Group dolostones. At the Kupferberg Prospect, situated in
Malachite mineralisation was observed in the Hüttenberg Formation dolomite on the common
drill chips (Kihn, 1987b). boundary of the farms Bachmuehle 516 and
Kupferberg 517 in the Grootfontein District, a
copper-bearing, calcitised, pipe-like breccia
3.2.3.2 Grootfontein District body was exploited by the Otavi Exploring
Syndicate prior to World War I. During the
3.2.3.2.1 Heuris 410 period from 1913 to 1914 about 320 t of high-
grade copper ore were recovered from this
On the farm Heuris 410, 50 km west of deposit.
Otavi, chalcocite, plancheite, azurite, malachite
and limonite occur in disseminated specks,
blebs and small pods in a quartz body, 70 m 3.2.3.2.3.2 Gross Otavi
long and 2 m wide that cuts obliquely across
Tsumeb Subgroup cherty dolomite (van der The once impressive copper showings in the
Merwe, 1969). Various weak copper anomalies Hüttenberg Formation dolomite at Gross Otavi
in soils and calcrete overlying the dolomite have on the farm Antvord 518 were worked

2.3-100
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

intermittently from 1909 until 1941. At the 15 m.

western prospect, oxidised copper ores occur in
sand-filled karst holes over a strike distance of
150 m and a width of 20 to 70 m. 3.2.3.2.3.4 Kombat Mine
Schneiderhöhn (1929) recorded the discovery of
a block of chalcocite measuring 2 by 3 by 4 m, The Kombat Mine, an active producer of
completely embedded in fill material 4 m below copper, lead and silver, is located 37 km east of
the surface. Most of the ore lumps ranged from Otavi next to the road to Grootfontein, on the
one to 10 cm in diameter, some also containing northern side of the Otavi Valley. The distance
galena. Malachite surrounding the sulphide from Tsumeb is 51 km. Mining operations
lumps was the more common ore noted by the started under OMEG management in 1911 and
early miners. Sporadic stringers of chalcocite stopped in 1925, when a surfeit of underground
extend from the karst ore into the massive water was intersected.
dolomite walls for a metre or two. Vanadates
accompany the copper sulphides along the In 1954 Tsumeb Corporation Ltd carried out
contact between dolomite and a phyllite and this exploratory drilling below the old mine. No
lode was opened up in later years by a shaft and direct extension to the known ore was found, but
underground workings. A second opencast lateral drilling led to the discovery of three
complex located 4 km to the east exposed additional ore bodies. The indicated reserves
cupriferous karst fill to a depth of 25 to 30 m. justified a new mining operation. In 1960 the old
The oxidation of chalcocite to malachite is more shaft was re-equipped and while development
advanced than in the western prospect, and the proceeded, a new shaft was sunk northwest of
walls of the solution hollows were encrusted the western ore body to a depth of 335 m. The
with copper ore. concentration plant was commissioned in 1962
and a third shaft completed in 1964 to permit
The supergene ore pockets developed best mining of the ore bodies located to the east of
where the dolomite was thoroughly calcitised the original discovery. Subsequently, the Asis
and/or brecciated. The presence of relict galena, West orebody was developed. This project
bornite and chalcopyrite implies an original involved deepening of the West Shaft from 335
scattered hydrothermal mineralisation. The to 440 m.
property has been extensively explored,
including 13 000 m of diamond drilling. To date six mineable ore bodies, which
According to OMEG records, production to extend over a strike distance of 3.6 km, are
1941, when operations ceased, was as follows known. These are, from west to east, Asis Far
(Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, 1978): West, Asis West, Kombat West, Kombat
Central, Kombat East and E 900 Ore Body. They
571 t export ore @ 36.8% copper are collectively termed Kombat Mine. Other
1 428 t smelter ore @ 12.8% copper occurrences of sub-economic grade are known to
96 t vanadium concentrates @ 17% copper extend further to the west.

The Kombat ore bodies are located on the

3.2.3.2.3.3 Schneiderhöhn Prospect northern limb of the canoe-shaped, doubly
plunging Otavi Valley Synclinorium, in the
The Schneiderhöhn Prospect is situated on contact zone between phyllite of the Kombat
the farm Gross Otavi 508, some 500 m from the Formation and underlying dolomites of the
western boundary of the farm, close to the upper Tsumeb Subgroup. The synclinal structure
contact between the Hüttenberg and Kombat is asymmetric, the northern limb dipping
Formations. Chalcocite and malachite are southward at angles of between 20o and 75o and
intimately associated with “pseudo-aplite” in a the southern limb being steep in attitude,
zone of silicified, calcitised dolomite of the overturned to the north or locally recumbent. A
Hüttenberg Formation over a strike of some narrow, impersistant lens of arkose of the

2.3-101
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Tschudi Formation is locally present at the Drag folds on the contact are the locus for ore
dolomite/phyllite interface. The contact is sharp, emplacement. The dolomite, conditioned by
dips southward and evidently represents a plane shearing, fracturing and brecciation, acted as an
of repeated movement, possibly bedding slip. aquifer in the hydrothermal recharge-discharge
Locally, however, the discordance between the system and the phyllite as the impervious rock.
bedding of the phyllite and that of the dolomite Ore stringer occur only in the dolomite, hanging
is so large that thrusting is suggested. Several like elongated icicles from drag rolls on the
transverse faults striking northeast offset the phyllite contact and cross-cutting the dolomite
contact for up to 400 m. stratigraphy.

The Asis West ore body is situated 0.6 km The various ore types include massive and
west of Kombat Central and has a similar semi-massive sulphides, mineralised net-vein
structure. It represents the western continuation fracture systems, galena-rich alteration breccias,
of the main ore zone, separated by a prominent mineralised fracture fillings and an epithermal
fault, the Kombat West Fault, which strikes association, as well as iron-manganese oxide/
north-northeast and dips 80o to the northwest. silicate associations.
To the west of this fault, strata are dislocated
northwards for about 500 m, and the ore body Bornite, with minor tennantite, and
plunges westward at an angle of 30o (Fig. 26). chalcopyrite are by far the most common copper
The Kombat West Fault, a giant aquifer, was minerals; secondary chalcocite and native
also responsible for the flooding of Asis West in copper ore is locally abundant. Galena is the
1988. sole primary lead mineral and erratic sphalerite

Figure 26: (a) Generalised surface geology of the Kombat Mine area with horizontal projections of
the ore bodies; (b)(c)(d) Profiles of the contact between the Kombat Formation and the Tsumeb
Subgroup showing the distribution of ore after Innes & Chaplin, 1986)

2.3-102
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

contains all the zinc. All the ore bodies are Table 17: Production of the Kombat Mine from
associated with manganese-calcite alteration 1911 to 1991 (* = no data available) (Source:
and contain injected pods, lenses, stringers and Directorate of Mines; Bürg, (1942); Tsumeb
wisps of feldspathic sandstone. Corporation Ltd, 1984; 1985; 1986; 1987; Gold
Fields Namibia, 1988; 1989; 1990, 1991).
The sulphide ores of the Kombat deposit are
believed to be of the epigenetic, hydrothermal Year Ore milled Cu Pb Ag
and metasomatic replacement and fracture-fill (Mt) (%) (%) (g/t)
type. According to their chemistry and
mineralogy, the iron-manganese bodies can be 1911-1925 4 957 17.8 * 173
compared to volcanic exhalative deposits. The
sulphides are interpreted as being syntectonic in 1962 112 655 * * *
origin and therefore, the iron-manganese 1963 307 181 * * *
associations might have had a precursor in the 1964 312 873 * * *
form of banded iron-manganese formation 1965 * * * *
(Innes & Chaplin, 1986). 1966 361 630 * * *
1967 360 925 * * *
The production between 1911 and 1991 is 1968 356 636 * * *
given in Table 17. The reserves of the Kombat 1969 386 809 * * *
Mine are given in Table 18. 1970 381 823 * * *
1971 384 117 * * *
1972 376 987 * * *
Table 18: Reserves at the end of 1990 and 1991 1973 363 740 * * *
for the Kombat Mine (Gold Fields Namibia 1974 358 800 * * *
1990; 1991) 1975 305 455 * * *
1976 59 209 * * *
Year Tons %Cu %Pb g/tAg 1977 * * * *
1990 3 165 000 3.09 1.18 27 1978 * * * *
1991 3 277 000 3.10 1.13 26 1979 318 594 * * *
1980 346 880 * * *
1981 310 455 * * *
3.2.3.2.3.5 Asis Ost Mine 1982 291 429 * * *
1983 310 394 * * *
Prospecting of the Asis Ost ore body was 1984 318 481 * * *
first undertaken between 1910 and 1915 by the 1985 332 088 4.00 1.42 32
Otavi Exploring Syndicate, who extracted some 1986 358 427 3.65 1.34 31
600 t of copper and copper-lead ore from 1987 325 153 3.88 1.29 30
surface karst fillings and underground 1988 350 689 3.09 1.04 24
workings. Tsumeb Corporation Ltd then 1989 233 970 1.82 0.36 32
investigated the property at intervals from 1956 1990 363 262 2.52 1.14 16
onwards. Production commenced in 1974, but 1991 409 279 3.13 0.93 22
mining operations stopped again in 1976 owing
to depressed metal prices. During this period,
34 913 t of copper-lead ore grading 1.26% dolomite beds are interrupted by a zone of
copper and 0.25% lead were produced. Mining calcitisation and brecciation reaching out north
activities were limited to 2 Level. from the phyllite contact for a distance of
300 m. The ore body lies within this area of
The Asis Ost ore body, located 2 km east of alteration, some 130 m north of the contact.
Kombat Central, is set in a similar geological
environment of dolomite overlain by phyllite of Scattered blebs, stringers and disseminations
the Otavi Group. In the vicinity of the mine, the of chalcocite, galena and malachite are present

2.3-103
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

in steeply dipping calcitised shear zones

trending east-west; sporadic remnants of
primary bornite have been noted in massive
chalcocite. Mineralised feldspathic sandstone
occurs locally. Shears extend into the unaltered
dolomite host rock, but are here devoid of
copper. Post-ore faults marked by layered
calcite with vanadate stains (psittacinite) strike
northeast parallel to the Asis Ost Lineament and
displace the ore lenses (Fig. 26).

The combined ore reserves of the Kombat

Mine and the Asis Ost ore bodies at the end of
1990 were: 3.165 million t at a grade of 3.09%
copper, 1.18% lead and 27 g/t silver (Gold
Fields Namibia, 1990).

3.2.3.2.3.6 Nehlen Prospect

Chalcocite and malachite accompanied by

stringers of feldspathic sandstone appear in
brecciated and intensely calcitised dolomite of
the Hüttenberg Formation on the farm Nehlen
321. The occurrence appears to be structurally
controlled by poorly defined shears striking
east-northeast.
Fig. 27: Geology of the Guchab Mining Area
(after TCL)
3.2.3.2.4 Guchab Mining area

The copper deposits of the Guchab Mining The deposits were re-examined from time to
Area were investigated for the first time by time between 1955 and 1975. Diamond drilling
Mathew Rogers in 1893 on behalf of the South totalling 778 m and 1381 m was carried out at
West Africa Company. Several adits were made Guchab and Rodgerberg, respectively.
by Christopher James in 1900 on instructions by
OMEG. In 1908, after the railroad to The Guchab-Rodgerberg mineralised zone,
Grootfontein had been completed, the property 150 to 300 m wide, extends 1.5 km along strike
was brought into production and that same year in massive dolomite of the Elandshoek
yielded 1 800 t of sorted ore grading 33% Formation. The ore bodies, mostly pinching out
copper. In the following years the old adits were within 50 m of the surface, are localised by two
driven deeper and new shafts sunk, but sets of steeply dipping fissures striking east and
production waned and only 646 t of concentrate northeast respectively. The copper minerals are
were recovered in 1911. Prospecting eventually closely associated with either calcitisation,
led to the opening up of another body to the east silicification or both, and include malachite,
on the lofty Rodgerberg named after Mathew dioptase, plancheite and chalcocite. Individual
Rogers. It was only in 1924, however, that ore stringer zones generally range between 2 and
development and production started on a large 4 m in width (Schneiderhöhn, 1929). The
scale. A greatly simplified map of the Guchab dolomite located stratigraphically above the
Mining area in the framework of modern mineralised zone, has in part been intensely
stratigraphic nomenclature is presented in Fig. 27. silicified to a cherty jasperoid forming a massive

2.3-104
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

rock that resembles a white quartzite (Söhnge, staining in brown to grey quartizitic to sideritic
1958). Compare also 3.1.5.6.1. dolomite. An anomaly located on a low hill of
highly deformed carbonate beds on the farm
Hagestolz 93, appears to relate to disseminated
3.2.3.2.4.1 Schlangental Prospect pyrite. A third anomaly on the same farm is
caused by stratiform chalcocite and malachite
Located in the western portion of the Guchab with minor chalcopyrite, bornite and azurite in
Mining Area, the Schlangental Prospect has intensely deformed quartzitic to sideritic
produced 5.5 t of export ore at 8% copper, dolomite. The mineralised zone shows on
26.1% lead, 10.8% vanadium oxide; plus 30.5 t surface over 30 m and is 10 to 50 cm wide.
of concentrate at 3.3% copper, 11.7% lead, Stratiform copper has also been found at the
4.7% vanadium oxide from an excavation along basal contact of Abenab Subgroup dolomite and
a vein of mineralised jasperoid striking east- in the immediately underlying schist of probable
northeast (Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, 1978). Nosib age. A series of soil sampling traverses
3.2.3.2.4.2 The Guchab Mine revealed slight copper anomalies (Mueller,
1975).
According to OMEG records, this mine
produced some 2 540 t of export ore between Near the common beacon of the farms
1908 and 1911. After World War I, only Elefantenberg 584, Ondjondjo 505 and
minimal amounts of smelting ore and export ore Elefantenberg Nord 793, a copper anomaly,
were recovered (Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, slightly displaced from a lead-zinc anomaly, has
1978). been reported over lower Tsumeb Subgroup
dolomite for a strike length of 850 m. The
copper values range between 100 and 259 ppm
3.2.3.2.4.3 Rodgerberg Mine (Morey, 1973). Compare also 3.1.5.1.

The Rodgerberg Mine, just east of the

Guchab Mine, was productive mainly in the 3.2.3.2.6 Neuwerk Area
period 1924 to 1927. There is some uncertainty
about the data recorded in old files that do not To the south of the Kombat Mine and
always distinguish clearly between ore southeast of Otavi, the contact between
concentrates obtained from this deposit and Askevold Formation volcanic rocks and Abenab
those from the Guchab Mine. It is likely that Subgroup dolomite along the southern limb of
Rodgerberg delivered some 6 800 t of smelting the Neuwerk Anticline forms an important
ore grading 10% copper and 1980 t of export mineralised zone that has been explored in
ore containing 36% copper. It is this deposit that considerable detail. A number of copper
made the name of Guchab famous for the anomalies and showings are associated with this
beautiful clusters of green dioptase crystals contact over a strike distance of 35 km between
often referred to in text books of mineralogy, as the farms Ondjondjo 505 and Kombat Suid 791.
can be seen from the remaining dumps (Tsumeb Two small copper sulphide deposits were proved
Corporation Ltd, 1978). by diamond drilling, the Neuwerk Prospect in
the west and the Askevold South Prospect.
Copper enrichment is evident within the
3.2.3.2.5 Deutsche Erde Area oxidised zone which extends to the a depth of 30
to 40 m (Lee, 1971b).
Soil sampling in 1975 indicated very slight
copper mineralisation in the basal beds of the In contrast to the above, the northern limb of
Abenab Subgroup on the northern limb of the the Neuwerk anticline has only very
Elefantenberg Anticline (compare 3.1). Pitting insignificant copper showings. Whereas the
of the western anomaly on the farm Deutsche resistant hard carbonate rock of the Otavi
Erde 553 revealed very scanty malachite succession at the limbs of the Neuhof Anticline

2.3-105
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

form two parallel ranges of hills, a valley has minerals of both occurrences are bornite,
formed on the easily weathering Askevold chalcopyrite, chalcocite and malachite. The best
Formation epidosite in the core of the structure. intersection in a diamond drill hole was 0.41%
Compare also 3.1.5.2. copper over 0.5 m in silicified Abenab Subgroup
limestone at a vertical depth of 135 m, and
0.18% copper over 5.0 m in calcareous schistose
3.2.3.2.6.1 Neuwerk Prospect agglomerate and tuff at a vertical depth of
approximately 60 m. From the drilling results it
In the northwestern portion of the farm is evident that copper tends to be surficially
Neuwerk 507, 1.5 km from the western fence, concentrated to form fairly extensive bodies rich
the Neuwerk Prospect lies astride the Nosib in malachite and chalcocite.
Group/Abenab Subgroup contact zone. Here the
southern limb of the Neuwerk Anticline dips Some 200 m to the southeast another
35o to 80o south. The Askevold Formation anomaly has been outlined over a distance of
comprises vesicular epidotised lava, 1 500 m with copper-in-soil values exceeding
agglomerate and tuff. The pyroclastic units 1 000 ppm along the Nosib Group-Abenab
consist of pebbly to gritty volcanic detritus, set Subgroup contact zone. The anomalous area is
in a highly chloritic matrix. Near the contact, largely soil-covered, but a few short trenches
dolomitic or calcareous layers are intercalated have exposed malachite, bornite and
with schist or sheared agglomerate. The basal chalcopyrite in numerous specularite-rich seems
beds of the Abenab Subgroup consist of partly cutting otherwise barren dolomite over a width
silicified limestone up to 20 m thick. Massive of about 2.5 m. Diamond drilling has indicated
grey dolomite, about 300 m thick, includes the presence of two small tabular copper
shaley to marly beds towards the base and forms sulphide deposits. The western deposit consists
the bulk of the Abenab Subgroup succession at of disseminations and blebs of chalcopyrite in
the Neuwerk Prospect. It is not certain whether siliceous limestone and schist within the Nosib
the silicified calcareous layers in the uppermost Group-Abenab Subgroup contact zone, and is
Askevold Formation pyroclastic units as well as 150 m in length (Rawle & Lee, 1972). The
the partly silicified limestone, mainly associated deposit was diamond drilled and the following
with the mineralisation, of the basal Abenab composite intersections were made in five holes.
Subgroup are in fact silicified limestones or
represent calcitised and silicified tuff. At the
prospect and further east the Nosib Group- Table 19: Intersections in boreholes of the
Abenab Subgroup contact is represented by a Neuwerk Prospect (after Rawle & Lee, 1972)
transitional zone (Rawle and Lee, 1972).
Bore Cu from to True approx.
A limited geochemical soil survey has hole (%) (m) (m) width depth
revealed a nearly continuous zone of anomalous No (m) (m)
copper values exceeding 200 ppm along the
Nosib Group-Abenab Subgroup contact over a N9 2.60 131.75 136.00 3.50 110
strike distance of 4 km. The anomaly is 200 m N12 3.06 149.35 154.70 4.60 140
long and covers an area of well-mineralised N13 1.07 217.45 218.70 1.00 205
epidositic lava and agglomerate, some 80 m by N14 1.36 160.98 162.30 1.15 150
8 m in extent. The cupriferous rock exposed in N17 1.46 208.03 209.28 0.90 195
a 100-m-long trench carries 3.7% copper over
12 m. About 80 m south of this occurrence,
another anomaly with a maximum value of Considering the intersections made in
6 275 ppm copper was detected. It coincides boreholes N9 and N12, and assuming a strike
with sporadic copper indications over a strike length of 150 m and a down-dip extent of
distance of several hundred metres on a hill of 100 m, an ore block of about 170 000 t at 2.8%
schistose dolomitic limestone. The copper copper is indicated; the average width being

2.3-106
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

4.0 m and the vertical depth 90 to 170 m. If the of the Chuos Formation over approximately
peripheral low-grade ore is included, the 200 m along strike.
tonnage could be increased to just over
200 000 t at a grade of approximately 2.6% Abundant pyrite has been intersected in a
copper. The oxide zone extends to about 30 m diamond drill hole in black carbonaceous shale,
below surface. however, less than 0.01% copper was recorded.
The presence of copper has also been noted in
During the first half of 1973 underground the same horizon further east on the boundary of
development at the western ore deposit of the the farms Neuwerk 507 and Hartbeesport 508
Neuwerk Prospect was carried out. A shaft was (Rawle & Lee, 1972).
sunk in Abenab Subgroup dolomite to a depth
of 52 m, and a cross-cut driven north for some At the western boundary of the farm
45 m towards the Nosib Group-Abenab Neuwerk 507, minor malachite and chalcopyrite
Subgroup contact. Operations ceased when the showings have been exposed in a trench across
shaft was flooded during the heavy rains in the sand-covered Nosib Group-Abenab
1974 (C M Eia, pers. comm.). Subgroup contact. About 360 m east-southeast
of the trench disseminated chalcopyrite has been
The eastern deposit occurs 550 m to the east, observed in Abenab Subgroup dolomite.
where sand-covered terrain was tested by three
diamond drill holes for its high copper-in-soil
values exceeding 500 ppm. The following 3.2.3.2.7 Hohentwiel 506
intersections were made over a strike length of
150 m, all true widths: Two areas with high copper concentrations
have been located in the southern limb of the
Borehole N6: 0.65% copper over 1.30 m Neuwerk Anticline across the Nosib group-
Borehole N7: 1.07% copper over 1.60 m Abenab Subgroup contact. The geochemical
Borehole N8: 1.34% copper over 1.00 m anomaly close to the western boundary of the
farm Hohentwiel 506 is well defined, exceeding
Disseminations and blebs of chalcopyrite and 4 000 ppm copper, and 100 m long. It is related
pyrite with minor bornite were encountered in to minor copper mineralisation associated with
the Nosib Group-Abenab Subgroup transition quartz-calcite veins in epidosite, agglomeratic
zone, just above the top of the main Askevold schist and Abenab Subgroup dolomite. In the
Formation agglomerate. The host rocks eastern part of the farm, isolated enrichments of
comprise recrystallised limestones with copper in the Nosib Group-Abenab Subgroup
intercalated seams, stringers and layers of contact zone are responsible for an erratic
chlorite schist. geochemical anomaly with peak values of
2000 ppm copper and more (Nel, 1969).
Some 250 m further east, a malachite
occurrence in basal Abenab Subgroup dolomite
is associated with a prominent geochemical 3.2.3.2.8 Ondjondjo Prospect
copper anomaly, of which the 800 ppm contour
extends over 150 m along the transitional Nosib A well-defined copper-in-soil anomaly
Group-Abenab Subgroup contact. The copper exceeding 200 ppm for 400 m along strike
bearer has been probed by a diamond drill hole corresponds to sporadic malachite, chalcopyrite
to a vertical depth of about 90 m; sparse and pyrite shows in schistose limestone and
chalcopyrite and traces of bornite were dolomite of the Tsumeb Subgroup. The
intersected. mineralisation is related to northeast shears
developed in a southwest-plunging syncline.
About one kilometre east-southeast of the Chip samples assayed 0.30% copper over a
eastern deposit, malachite with minor chalcocite width of 15 m. Sparse lead-zinc sulphides have
and chalcopyrite is present in ferruginous shale been noted in massive carbonate rocks

2.3-107
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

underlying the cupriferous zone (Rawle & Lee, found in both dolomite-limestone and schist,
1972). along the Nosib Group-Abenab Subgroup
contact over a strike length of some 300 m. Soil
sampling has delineated a significant 2 000 ppm
3.2.3.2.9 Hartbeesport 508 copper contour over a distance of 280 m. It is
within this zone, which has a peak assay of
Near the western boundary of the farm 7 500 ppm copper, that most of the pyrite,
Hartbeesport 508, bornite and malachite-bearing chalcopyrite, bornite and malachite appears on
float is embedded in alluvium over a distance surface and at depth.
200 m in the wide opening intersecting a
prominent ridge of Abenab Subgroup dolomite. Eight diamond holes were completed and
The beds strike east and form the southern limb four intersected chalcopyrite mineralisation. The
of an anticline. Some of the bornite fragments best result is 1.98% copper in laminated
in the float are quite large. dolomite and dolomitic limestone over a true
width of 6.7 m at a vertical depth of 50 m, just
below the oxidation zone. The limited vertical
3.2.3.2.10 Hartbeesport South Copper Deposit extent of payable copper values compared with
the strike length suggests supergene enrichment.
In the southeastern portion of the farm Assuming a tabular body, it is estimated that
Hartbeesport 508 two geochemical anomalies there could be 300 000 t of marginal ore
exceeding 400 ppm copper have been located. between a vertical depth of 30 m and 130 m and
They correspond to two copper deposits grading about 1.2% copper (Rawle & Lee,
associated with gossan in Abenab Subgroup 1972).
dolomite in a structurally complex area. The
northeastern occurrence has a strike length of
210 m and averages 2.81% copper over a width 3.2.3.2.12 Devon 566
of 7 m. The other deposit lies about 150 m to
the southwest and spreads over an area 80 m by In the central portion of the farm Devon 566,
30 m. One diamond drill hole intersected an area with anomalous copper values has been
veinlets and disseminations of malachite and found on the western flank of a dome structure.
cuprite grading 2.00% copper over a width of A grab sample of float from here assayed 9.0%
28 cm at a vertical depth of 60 m. copper, and a hole drilled to test the anomaly
intersected very sparse malachite and
The copper-bearing dolomite is overlain by a chalcopyrite in dolomite of the Tsumeb
pyritic shale bed of the Basal Tsumeb Subgroup, Subgroup (Rawle & Lee, 1972).
carrying less than 0.1% copper. The dolomite
shows supergene enrichment of the
mineralisation, however, diamond drilling has 3.2.3.2.13 Hamburg 504
established that the grade decreases with depth.
Ore reserve estimations give about 300 000 t at Geochemical copper anomalies were detected
an average grade of 1% copper, with most of the in 1968 over the nose of an anticline where it
richer ore close to surface (Rawle & Lee, 1972). crosses the common boundary between the
farms Hamburg 504 and Devon 566. The
underlying beds are carbonates of the lower
3.2.3.2.11 Askevold South Prospect Tsumeb Subgroup, locally altered to rusty
yellow surface limestone with very rare
Occupying a structural position similar to malachite stains (Clynch, 1968a).
that of the Neuwerk Prospect, the Askevold
South Prospect lies on the southern limb of the
Neuwerk Anticline on the farm Askevold South
525. Sporadic malachite and chalcocite are

2.3-108
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.2.3.2.14 Kombat Suid 791 against a background of 20 ppm copper are

closely associated with an oval, pan-like
In the southern part of the farm Kombat Suid depression measuring 650 m by 250 m in the
791, a series of geochemical anomalies over southwestern portion of the farm Rietfontein 44.
Abenab Subgroup dolomite along its contact Although a small outcrop of Abenab Subgroup
with Nosib Group rocks on the southern limb of dolomite in the western part of the depression
the Neuwerk Anticline have been delineated. lies within the anomalous area, no visible copper
The peaks of these anomalies, traced over a minerals have been detected (Clynch, 1968c).
distance of 5 km, are related to minor chalcocite Compare also 3.1.5.6.1.
and malachite showings in Abenab Subgroup
dolomite, and range between 189 and
1 289 ppm copper (Rawle & Lee, 1972). 3.2.3.2.17 Urupupa 44 and Okambongora 592
Compare also 3.1.5.4.
A number of scattered copper-lead-zinc
anomalies have been detected north of the
3.2.3.2.15 Rietfontein 344 Buschbrunnen Fault in the northeastern and
western portions of the farms Urupupa 44 and
A copper-in-soil anomaly, 500 m long, with Okambongora 592, respectively. The top assays
values ranging between 117 ppm and 458 ppm, over partly covered Abenab Subgroup and Nosib
was found on a hill of Abenab Subgroup Group rocks range between 112 ppm and
dolomite in the southwestern portion of the 382 ppm against a background of 50 ppm copper
farm Rietfontein 344, known as Salzbrunnen. (Lee, 1971a). Compare also 3.1.5.6.3.
Sporadic malachite blebs and veinlets were
present in several beds, the best locality also
showing chalcopyrite and minor bornite. At the 3.2.3.2.18 Odin 380
western boundary of Salzbrunnen there are
occasional specks of dioptase and chalcocite Drainage sediment sampling revealed a
associated with quartzite intercalations in geochemical anomaly along the common
schistose dolomite near the Nosib Group- boundary between the farms Odin 380 and
Abenab Subgroup contact (Rawle, 1973). Rietfontein 344 over Abenab Subgroup
dolomite. Coincident copper, lead and zinc
Eight diamond holes, of which two were values of up to 203 ppm, 3260 ppm and
stopped before they reached the planned final 1150 ppm, respectively, were detected (Seeger,
depth, were drilled. The best intersection grades 1978).
1.65% copper, 1.96 ppm silver and 0.40 ppm
gold over 7 m true width (Blaine, 1974).
3.2.3.2.19 Gobasib Area
A small occurrence of chalcocite has been
observed in brecciated Tsumeb Subgroup From 1971 to 1975 the basal Abenab
dolomite in the northwestern portion of the farm Subgroup dolomite along its contact with Nosib
Rietfontein 344. The site belongs to the Group micro-conglomerate in the regional
periphery of a subsidiary fold in the southern syncline of the Gobasib Area northeast of
range of the Otavi Valley Syncline, and a Grootfontein was investigated.
geochemical anomaly is associated with it
(Rawle, 1973). Conspicuous copper-lead-zinc anomalies
against a relatively high background are
associated with dolomite, particularly along the
3.2.3.2.16 Rietfontein 44 northern limb of the syncline on the farm Malmö
724. The trace metal content generally increases
Anomalous copper values averaging with the degree of the brecciation of the
150 ppm and reaching a maximum of 310 ppm dolomite. There is a large anomaly with

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Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

maximum values of 350 ppm copper, 960 ppm An amphibolite body, malachite-stained in
zinc and 0.16% lead in the northeastern corner places, is located about 4 km south of the
of the farm Kokasib 543. Although cross Kunene River. Visible sulphides are present in
trenches revealed several thin gossanous bands siliceous schlieren which assay up to 1.36%
in the dolomite, channel samples gave very low copper and 0.12% nickel. (Linning, 1971).
assays. Detailed sampling on a 5 m by 5 m grid
disclosed a transverse anomalous zone (Wadley,
1975). Compare also 3.1.5.7. 3.3.1.2 Tsongoari- Otjipaka Area

Intensive, sustained exploration led to the

3.2.3.2.20 Driehoek 768 and Olifantsfontein 9 discovery of stratiform lead-zinc-copper-barite
deposits in an itabirite zone of the upper Ugab
Stratiform lead-zinc mineralisation Subgroup. They are situated approximately
accompanied by minor copper occurs on the 45 km north-northwest of Sesfontein in the
farm Driehoek 768 and at the Pickaxe Prospect Tsongoari Syncline which strikes north-
on the farm Olifantsfontein 9. The disseminated northwest and is overfolded to the east (Fletcher,
sulphides are concentrated in certain 1975; Söhnge, 1976). Since lead and zinc are the
stratigraphic levels and form extensive, but low- dominant metals present the individual deposits
grade (1 to 3% sulphides) ore bodies (Ypma, are described in detail in the lead-zinc chapter.
1981). Compare also the lead-zinc chapter.

3.3.2 Damaraland
3.3 Swakop Group
3.3.2.1 Sesfontein
The rocks of the Swakop Group occupy a
vast area of northern and central Namibia. In the area west and southwest of the
Along the West Coast, they stretch from the Sesfontein Thrust in northern Damaraland, as
Kunene Rivier to Spencer Bay and along the well as southern Kaokoland, several copper-lead
Central Zone of the Damara Orogen from showings are present in the Ugab Subgroup
Walvis Bay to Grootfontein. The terrain has close to the contact with the underlying Nosib
been subdivided into tectonic units of Group. Most of these are poorly mineralised
contrasting character, namely the Kaokoland quartz veins developed in specific stratigraphic
Domain, the Central Zone, the Okahandja zones. Linning (1972b) considered the copper to
Lineament Zone, the Southern Zone and the have been originally stratiform and mobilised
Southern Margin Zone (Guj, 1970; Hartnady, together with silica during metamorphism. In
1979; Miller and Hoffmann, 1981), and to some some cases, quartz veins rooted in a copper-
extent the numerous copper occurrences bear bearing zone are mineralised along those
features diagnostic of these zones. portions that have intruded overlying barren
rock.

3.3.1 Kaokoland Disseminated chalcocite of apparently

syngenetic origin extends over a few hundred
3.3.1.1 Marienfluss - Purros Fault Area metres in mixtite of the Chuos Formation in the
northwestern closure of the Hoanib Syncline
Malachite is associated with marble and south of Sesfontein. Scanty malachite has also
sericitic quartzite of the basal Swakop Group at been reported from this syncline along the
a number of localities west of the Purros Fault. contact between the Nosib and Swakop Groups.
Discontinuous showings have been traced Interbedded basic volcanics and iron formation
several hundred metres along strike. The best lenses are abundant within this area.
assay obtained is 0.5% copper over 3 m width.

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Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.3.2.2 Austerlitz 515 mineralisation extends to a depth of at least

24 m. The quartz veins contain malachite,
On the southern limb of the Austerlitz chrysocolla, bornite, chalcopyrite, pyrite,
Anticline, a copper anomaly, 400 m in length hematite, limonite and ankerite, while the
and open at its western end, above calc-phyllite country rock is also impregnated with malachite.
intercalated with Karibib Formation limestone,
has been delineated. The malachite-stained During 1960 the Ondundu Copper Co.
outcrop is small, and probably represents recovered 197 t of hand-picked ore with a
surface enrichment of low-grade sulphide copper content of 15 to 20% from the southern
confined to the phyllite. Copper indications workings. In October 1962 6.3 t of concentrates
recur for several kilometres over approximately (70% copper) were reportedly produced by
one metre width (Davidson, 1977). Compare means of a leaching process (Cooke,1965).
also 3.1.3.1.

3.3.2.3 Rendezvous 533 3.3.2.6 Brandberg West Mine

Malachite coatings have been reported from Some of the tin-tungsten bearing quartz veins
quartz veins cutting Kuiseb Formation schist on of the Brandberg West Mine carry appreciable
the farm Rendezvous 533. By stream sediment copper in the form of malachite, chrysocolla and
sampling two anomalies with peak values of chalcocite. For a detailed description of the
51 ppm copper were detected in the deposit see the tin chapter.
southwestern part of the property (Berning,
1983b).
3.3.2.7 Ugab Area

3.3.2.4 Twyfelfontein 534 Weak copper indications in the form of scanty

sulphides within scheelite-bearing skarn layers
Copper staining is associated with a quartz have been reported from south of the Ugab
vein located in dolomite of the Swakop Group River about 30 km west-southwest of the
on the farm Twyfelfontein 534. Brandberg West Mine. This area is underlain by
schist intruded by quartz and pegmatite veins.
Stream sediment sampling returned copper
3.3.2.5 Ondundu Copper Occurrence values ranging on average between 50 and
500 ppm, the highest reaching 1 200 to
This prospect is situated 40 km north of 4 200 ppm .The copper in the stream sediments
Omatjette in Damaraland. It was probably was probably derived from the quartz veins
discovered and opened up during exploration of (Seeger, 1978).
the Ondundu Gold Field which is located a few
kilometres to the south.
3.3.2.8 Okombahe
The area is underlain by mica schist within
intercalated quartzite beds of the Kuiseb Two groups of trenches and pits, roughly
Formation. The strata are folded into a 70 m apart, mark this prospect along the
southward-plunging anticline in which several Leeurivier, approximately 17 km northwest of
steep copper-bearing quartz veins have been Okombahe village in Damaraland. Slight
emplaced along joints striking east. The veins impregnations of malachite and cuprite with
are spaced about one metre apart and range accessory limonite occur in a zone of varied
between 10 and 60 cm in width. At the southern Kuiseb Formation schist, intruded by lenses and
workings, a strike length of 500 m has been stringers of pegmatite.
proved; a similar reach holds for the northern
workings. Old shafts indicate that

2.3-111
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.3.3 Outjo District Three diamond drill holes with a total depth
of 530 m have been sunk, the best intersection is
3.3.3.1 Landeck 77 1.6% copper over 0.75 m between 67.35 and
67.92 m depth.
At the so-called Cillier’s Prospect, situated in
the southern part of the farm Landeck 77 near In other target areas in the northern portion of
the road to Vingerklip, copper showings are the farm Landeck 77, recurrent copper
found in the core of a southwest-plunging indications have been mapped over a strike
anticline in rocks immediately underlying a distance of some 700 m. Flat quartz veins,
mixtite marker and banded ironstone. The usually associated in outcrop with thin quartzite
stratigraphic position of the mixtite is still lenses, carry chalcocite, malachite, chrysocolla,
controversial. It was included in the upper chalcopyrite, pyrite and siderite. The ore
Nosib Group by Thirion (1969). The host rock minerals may also occur in the quartzite,
of the copper is regarded by Thirion (1969) to occasionally in fine crosscutting siderite veinlets
be quartzite accompanied by a gossan layer. On and locally in small pockets of gossan.
the other hand, Baumbach (1973) reported that Systematic sampling of the mineralised locus
disseminated pyrite with minor chalcopyrite and however yielded only a single sample with more
associated cupriferous gossans and quartz veins than 1% copper. The tenor of copper in the
are distributed in highly siliceous pelitic and siderite veins and the gossans is considerably
carbonate rock types. More recently the higher, ranging from 1 to 5%, occasionally to
mineralised rock was identified microscopically nearly 9% copper (Baumbach, 1973).
as recrystallised acid volcanic material probably
representing the Naauwpoort Formation of the Two airborne electromagnetic anomalies
Nosib Group (Carr, 1977). Other exposures of detected in 1975 on the eastern portion of
pyritic volcanic rocks were observed 2.5 km Landeck 77 were checked by detailed
northeast of the copper occurrence along the geochemical surveys and mapping. Although
extension of the local anticline which forms part peak values of more than 400 ppm and 200 ppm
of the regional anticlinorium stretching copper were recorded for the two anomalies, the
northeastwards from the Summas Mountain mineralisation proved in both instances to be
past Outjo. confined to malachite staining in scattered
quartz veins in dolomite and limestone of the
In an area 100 by 300 m there are Swakop Group. The showings were considered
disseminations and massive lenses of pyritic ore too weak to warrant any further prospecting.
with strike lengths of up to 25 m and a width up
to 0.5 m. The copper content of the Malachite and gossanous quartz veins also
disseminated sulphide is 0.3%, whereas the occur in schists of the Ugab Subgroup in the
massive sulphides carry more than 1% northern part of the farm (Marsh, 1989).
(Baumbach, 1973). Lenses of the latter
generally follow gently dipping (20 - 25o) joint
planes trending north-northeast. Microscopic 3.3.3.2 Schweickhardtsbronn 75
evidence indicates that the sulphides post-date
the recrystallisation of the host rock, and are The copper occurrence located in the
probably epigenetic. Hydrothermal rock southeastern corner of the the farm
alteration includes silicification, sericification Schweickhardtsbronn 75 consists of
and carbonatisation. According to Carr (1977), disconnected malachite- and limonite-bearing
the deposit may represent a fissure eruptive quartz stringers, each only a few centimetres
related to the Summas Mountains volcanism wide, in fine-grained dolomite of the Swakop
centered some 25 km to the southwest. Several Group. Chalcocite and rare galena have also
of the gossans have steep dips, indicating been noted. The mineralised zone has been
possible channelways for the emplacement of traced 150 m along strike. Larger quartz veins to
the manto-like deposits. the north are barren. The average assay of grab

2.3-112
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

samples taken in five pits is 0.41% copper 3.3.3.6 Kameelfeld Annexe 162
(Baumbach, 1973).
Thin gossanous stringers with sparse
malachite are found in sheared dolomitic
3.3.3.3 Gaseneirob 104 limestone of the Khomas Subgroup in the
southern portion of the farm Kameelfeld Annexe
A copper anomaly, 500 m long, with 162, close to the boundary with the farm Paresis
maximum values of more than 200 ppm copper, 163. About 70 m northwest of this showing,
was detected between 1974 and 1976 in the more massive and partly highly magnetic
southeastern portion of the farm Gaseneirob gossan, however with no visible copper
104. The underlying grey dolomite of the minerals, has also been noted (Veldsman,
Karibib Formation shows malachite and azurite 1977a). Compare also 3.1.4.5.
staining, as well as disseminated chalcocite,
covellite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite and
neodigenite. The assay range of seven samples 3.3.3.7 Paresis 163
is 1 318 ppm to 14% copper, 7 ppm to 300 ppm
silver and up to more than 1% combined In the same pale, massive dolomitic
antimony and arsenic (Nouvel, 1977a). limestone carrying copper on the farm
Kameelfeld Annexe 162, very slight malachite
staining is exposed near the eastern boundary of
3.3.3.4 Saalburg 157 the farm Paresis 163.

A stratiform cupriferous gossan near the base

of marble layers of the Khomas Subgroup was 3.3.3.8 Hagenhof Area
investigated in 1974/1975 in the southern
portion of the farm Saalburg 157. A clearly Copper showings associated with gossans on
defined airborne EM-anomaly delineated over the farm Hagenhof 91 and the adjoining farms
the area was interpreted as a conductor with the were investigated by the Deutsche
characteristics of a sulphide deposit. Diamond Kolonialgesellschaft prior to 1914. A 7 m
drilling, totalling 550 m in three holes, indicated vertical shaft and a horizontal cross-cut on the
that the mineralisation consists primarily of Hagenhof main gossan was probably excavated
pyrite, pyrrhotite and very little chalcopyrite. during this period.
The highest assay obtained is 0.49% copper
over 50 m. The sulphides are disseminated in The area is underlain by Ugab Subgroup
stringers and fractures more or less parallel to metasedimentary rocks which have locally been
the bedding (Veldsman, 1975). subdivided into three units, namely the lower
arenites, the middle calcarenites and the upper
arenites. The dominant structural feature is a
3.3.3.5 Palafontein 158 north-northeast trending anticlinorium, a portion
of which is overturned to the north-northwest.
Approximately one km from the northeastern This structure has been distorted by several
corner of the farm Palafontein 158, a 12-m- north-northeast trending cross-folds.
thick quartz vein in a schist unit of the Ugab
Subgroup carries chalcopyrite, chalcocite and The mineralisation is associated with
malachite. Enriched copper showings are also distinctive gossanous bodies which throughout
present in the schist immediately adjoining the the area are located on or close to the axial
vein. traces of the above-mentioned cross-folds, most
commonly within the middle calcarenite unit,
thus indicating possible stratigraphic control.
Geochemical investigations of eleven larger
gossans with dimensions greater than 2 m by

2.3-113
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

25 m have indicated metal values of the order of surface for approximately 600 m.
20 - 120 ppm copper, 40 - 250 ppm zinc and 10
- 50 ppm lead. The main gossan on the farm Diamond drill holes cut the main ore lens at
Hagenhof 91, however, contains up to depths between 74.1 m and 82.1 m, 93.2 m and
8 000 ppm copper, with relatively small 11.3 m returning average values of 0.52% and
amounts of zinc and lead. Because of these 0.91% copper respectively. Another hole
results as well as the lack of any magnetic advanced through several lenses of sulphides,
expression, the other prominent gossans have the best and thickest of which assayed 0.49%
been considered to represent the leached copper over 8 m at a depth of 171 m (Poole,
outcrops of barren pyrite deposits emplaced in 1975).
favorable structural sites (Poole, 1975).
The Hagenhof deposit is characterised by the
Numerous small patches of gossanous absence of any major metal other than copper;
material with occasional flecks of malachite are lead and zinc assays are in the range 20 ppm and
reported from the calcarenites, particularly on 100 ppm, whereas silver is present to the extent
the farm Hagenhof 91, both in the vicinity of of 0.2 ppm. Cobalt displays a correlation with
the main gossan and also further eastward near copper and values of up to 1 130 ppm are
the homestead. The mineralisation is associated reported.
with quartz-calcite veins transverse as well as
conformable to the stratigraphy. Although these The mineralised body has a maximum width
bodies are up to 80 m long, they are consistently of 18 m and a vertical extension of some 200 m,
only about 50 cm wide. which suggests a total tonnage of about one
million t at an average grade of 0.5 to 0.6%
The lenticular main body is exposed for copper. The drill core indicates a marked
120 m in the southwestern portion of the farm decrease in both grade and thickness of the ore-
Hagenhof 91; isolated outcrops of the same bearer down the plunge of the shoot. The
material indicate a further extension of 50 m available data suggest that copper is closely
towards the southwest. Although the body related to the massive pyrrhotite core measuring
appears to be conformable to the bedding of the 5 m by 40 m. Values of up to 2.5% copper over
calcarenite, it transgresses the stratification 1 or 2 m can be expected within the core zone
towards the southwest. The gossan, 8 to 10 m (Loxton et al., 1971; Poole, 1975).
wide and locally up to 18 m on surface, forms a
low, prominent ridge of dense siliceous limonite
with malachite staining on rugged cavernous 3.3.3.9 Tobermory 142
masses, joint planes and within small cavities.
A geochemical copper-zinc anomaly on the
Diamond drilling has proved that the farm Tobermory 142 was found to be caused by
oxidation of the primary sulphides reaches a a gossanous marble bed about 2 m wide,
depth of 35 m below surface. The primary showing occasional copper staining. Prospecting
minerals are pyrite and pyrrhotite with small pits show that the mineralised zone is confined
amounts of chalcopyrite, forming lenticular to a strike length of 50 m (Loxton et al., 1971).
bodies of massive sulphide up to 2 m wide. The
total thickness of the zone carrying these lenses
ranges between 8 and 18 m. Calcite and quartz 3.3.4 Grootfontein District
are associated with sulphides.
3.3.4.1 Odussa 146
Magnetometer surveys over the Hagenhof
body have indicated that pyrrhotite is A ferruginous gossan varying in composition
concentrated medially in the copper-bearing from iron oxide through ferruginous marble to
zone as a pipe-like core plunging approximately siderite crops out over a strike length of 570 m
30o south-southwest, and may extend below in a drag-folded marble unit in the southeastern

2.3-114
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

part of the farm Odussa 146. Ranging in width District (Loxton et al., 1971; Veldsman,
between 5 m and 10 m the gossan displays a 1976a).
banding caused apparently by lamination of
oxidised ore and marble. A number of channel
samples taken across the gossan zone returned 3.3.5.3 Homestead 205
values of 300 to 1 460 ppm copper. Percussion
drilling along several profiles has indicated very To the southwest of the farmhouse on the
slight sporadic mineralisation with values farm Homestead 205 a composite basic dyke,
between 0.1 and 0.2% copper. The sulphide comprising mainly gabbro and syenite, cuts
zone comprises black marble with disseminated metasedimentary units of the Ugab Subgroup.
pyrite and traces of chalcopyrite. Oxidation Copper traces are found on the contacts of
reaches to a depth of 15 m Linning, 1974). lamprophyre dykes emplaced in the highly
altered rocks adjoining the basic intrusion.
3.3.4.2 Okorusu 499 and Gaidaus 498 Weathered surfaces show malachite staining,
whereas minute blebs of chalcopyrite and
A small lens of copper ore in calcitic marble bornite are recognisable macroscopically on
is situated on the common boundary of the surfaces. The assays of grab samples range
farms Okorusu 499 and Gaidaus 498 in the between 190 and 2 600 ppm copper for the
Grootfontein District. The ore occurs as blebs of lamprophyre and between 260 and 13 000 ppm
bornite and chalcopyrite accompanied by fine- copper for the various altered sedimentary
grained pyrite, malachite and azurite. rocks.

Percussion drilling totalling 1 126 m to test

3.3.5 Otjiwarongo District the magnetic and geochemical anomalies
obtained during detailed surveys was
3.3.5.1 Otjisauna 58 completed. Because of the complexity of the
geology the samples were assayed for copper,
In the northern portion of the farm Otjisauna lead, gold, cobalt, nickel and silver and the
58, a ferruginous silcrete gossan with a strike highest values obtained are as follows: Copper
length of 150 m and a maximum width of 5 m is - 4 050 ppm, lead - 165 ppm, zinc - 500 ppm,
located along an eastward-trending fault with cobalt - 141 ppm, nickel - 320 ppm, silver -
almost vertical dip. Sporadic and patchy green 18 ppm (Veldsman, 1976b).
copper minerals are present in the silcrete and
less common along fractures in the wall rock.
Fine-grained sulphide is almost ubiquitous in 3.3.5.4 Omuverume Nord 147 and Imhoff 306
fragments of vein quartz cemented by silica.
A soil geochemical reconnaissance survey
Sulphides have also been deposited along a in 1974 - 1975 revealed a number of low-value
branch fault near the main gossan and again copper, lead and zinc anomalies, of which a
approximately one km to the east in a minor few were examined in more detail. Isolated
parallel fracture (Loxton et al., 1971). peaks in one copper anomaly extending 5 km
east-west on the farms Omuverume Nord 147
and Imhoff 306 showed values of up to
3.3.5.2 Omapaniehoek 7, Omukandi 64 and 120 ppm. A sample of ferruginous float
Omukandi Ost 65 assayed 560 ppm copper and 220 ppm zinc.
The slight metal increase in the soil has been
Small malachite specks in vein quartz have attributed to either slight concentrations of thin
been reported from the boundary between the jarositic or limonitic layers within schists and
farms Omukandi 64 and Omukandi Ost 65, and along faults, or lithological differences
from the southeastern corner of the farm enhanced by alluvial enrichment along
Omapaniehoek 7 in the neighboring Omaruru drainage channels (Jacobsen, 1976b; 1976d)

2.3-115
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.3.5.5 Ozondjache 152 and Ozondjache Nord copper showing was opened up 1.8 km to the
316 west.

Associated with the Waterberg thrust and, The ore body lies less than one kilometre
more particularly, with a limestone unit, a north of the Waterberg thrust along which
persistent geochemical anomaly with peak younger post-Karoo granites have intruded
values of up to 115 ppm copper and 176 ppm Damaran metamorphites on the farms Joumbira
zinc has been detected along the southern 131 and Ombujongwe 132; the mineralisation
margin of the farm Ozondjache 152, extending may be related to the granites. On surface the
east-northeast across the farm (Jacobsen, 1976c; deposit consists entirely of copper ore in altered
King, 1976). limestone and calc-silicate rock over a width of
5 m and a strike length of 60 m. However,
3.3.5.6 Joumbira 131 extensive drilling has indicated only
insignificant copper, but substantial lead-zinc in
The copper deposit in the southeastern three different shoots (Jacobsen, 1974). For
portion of the farm Joumbira 131 was further information the reader is referred to the
prospected prior to World War I by the Otavi lead-zinc chapter.
Minen- und Eisenbahngesellschaft.
Threehundred t of handsorted ore assaying 20%
copper were produced from underground 3.3.6 Okahandja District
developments. The workings comprised a 40 m
vertical shaft with levels at 12.8 m, 25 m and 3.3.6.1 Elbe copper-zinc Deposit
35 m. During 1950 the property was
reinvestigated, and in the late 1960s a short The Elbe deposit is located some 40 km to
inclined shaft was sunk next to the slit-like the west of Okahandja and includes the farms
opencast in order to under-drive the fairly rich Elbe 10 and Ombujongupa Süd 9. The
copper oxide ores exposed in the cut. Another cupriferous gossans stretch north-south over the

Figure 28: The Elbe deposit (after Blaine, 1977)

2.3-116
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

two farms in a sequence comprising grit, green saussurite, is confined to the mineralised
quartzite, quartz-biotite schist and calc-silicate zone. The granite lenses are generally
rock of the Kuiseb Formation and marble concordant with respect to the other rocks, but
assigned to the Karibib Formation (Blaine, crosscutting has been observed.
1977). Granite dykes branch through the
country rock near the Nosib Group/Swakop Pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite are the
Group contact west of the Waldau Ridge. The main sulphides. The grains are generally
local structural grain is dominated by this anhedral and on average about 0.2 mm, 0.04 mm
anticline (Gevers, 1963) which has been and 0.05 mm in size respectively. Occasionally,
overfolded to the southwest and according to veins and blebs are more than 1 cm wide. The
Blaine (1977) consists of rocks of the Abbabis sulphides are virtually confined to the vicinity of
Metamorphic Complex and Nosib Group (Fig. the ore zone, although sparsely present in few
28) To date four gossans have been found in the places in the hanging wall and footwall. Pyrite is
Elbe area. These are known as Deposits A, B,C comparatively rare and more or less restricted to
and D of which A, B and C are of economic the southwestern extremity of the ore body.
importance and have been diamond drilled.
The gossan capping the oxide zone, which
Deposit A: Straddling the common boundary reaches depths of 15 to 20 m, generally contains
between the farms Elbe 10 and Ombujongupa less than 0.4% copper. A 3 m wide chalcocite-
Süd 9, this ore body, indicated on surface by a bearing zone intersected in a borehole contains
1500-m-long gossan, comprises a complex fold over 3% copper (Ransom, 1981). The ore
structure, the axis of which plunges 45o to the reserves are given in Table 20.
southwest. The ore-bearing part is confined to a
650 m section which consists of the northeast-
trending “platform body” and the “north limb” Table 20: Ore reserves of the Elbe deposit (after
which is tabular and dips approximately 85o to Petzel, 1989; 1990)
the northwest. The platform comprises an
assemblage of minor folds plunging 45o Ore: 3 291 766 t at:
southwest, with wavelengths ranging between 1.57% copper 1.48% zinc
28 and 30 m. The lateral limits of the 650 m 10.06 g/t silver 0.55 g/t gold
long ore body are reflected by the 600 ppm
copper-in-soil contour. Diluted ore: 5 907 037 t at:
1.20% copper 0.97% zinc
The ore body is located in “grit”, quartzite, 8.32 g/t silver 0.45 g/t gold
quartz-biotite schist and granite. The term “grit”
is used for a rock that may be pyroclastic or a
sedimentary breccia. The proportions of the Deposit B: This deposit, situated 950 m south
various rock types vary greatly from one of Deposit A, occurs in calc-silicate and marble
borehole to the next. The reserves at a 1% of the Karibib Formation. Sporadic gossan
copper cut-off include all grit and virtually all outcrops can be followed for about 250 m. A
quartzite layers intersected in drill holes. The ground magnetic survey indicated a strike length
wall rocks consist of schist and granite. The of about 600 m, and modelling of the magnetic
most common constituents of the four main data indicated a dip to the north of about 9o. An
rock types are quartz, biotite and potash approximate thickness of more than 1 m has
feldspar. Barite and magnetite are present in been estimated. A grab sample of the
minor amounts in the ore body. The grit ferruginuous marble from an old prospecting pit
contains clasts averaging about 23 mm in assayed 0.48% copper, 0.01% zinc, and 4 g/t
diameter and the matrix invariably has a high silver. Samples taken from the gossan assayed
proportion of sulphide. The “grit” and the between 0.8 and 5.7 g/t gold (Ferneyhough,
quartzite are highly recrystallised. Altered 1988; Corbett, 1988; Petzel, 1990).
granite, characterised by the presence of brown-

2.3-117
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Deposit C: Situated about 5 km north of ferruginuous or pyrrhotitic. The beds are tightly
Deposit A, this gossan was located during a deformed into isoclinal folds plunging gently
reconnaissance investigation of the area. The northward parallel to a well-developed lineation.
best developed showing is associated with a Transgressive pegmatites trending east-west
fine-grained feldspathic quartzite; malachite and have generally caused local enrichment of the
azurite stains and crusts are reported from the copper (Ransom, 1981).
coarser gritty quartzite as well as quartz-biotite
schist. Diamond drill holes intersected the A detailed geochemical survey outlined a
highest copper grades in quartzite with 600 ppm copper contour with a strike length of
interstitial chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite forming 300 m and two zones with values of over
semi-massive ore. In the quartzitic schist and 100 ppm copper coinciding with the main areas
quartz-biotite schist the sulphides are more of malachite staining. The background is
disseminated or appear as stringers aligned in reported to be approximately 60 ppm copper.
the foliation planes. Both sulphides are also The 300 ppm zinc contour, 250 m long, does not
found in thin fractures. The best result obtained accurately correspond with the main zone of
from eight boreholes with a total length of interest, and no lead anomaly was indicated.
1231 m is 2.15% copper and 10.39 g/t silver
over 2.1 m true width; alternatively the ore zone Two diamond drill holes totalling 148 m
assayed 1.43% copper over 4.9 m true width. returned a best intersection of 0.51% copper
The ore is about 33 m below surface (Ransom, over 1.2 m (Ransom, 1981).
1981).

The cupriferous unit is gently folded through 3.3.6.2 Waldau West 11

approximately 90o and lineations of minor
structures indicate a plunge of 45o to the A half-dozen copper-in-soil anomalies
northwest. The south-trending outcrop of the ranging between 77 and 119 ppm were
ore bearer is discontinuous on surface and delineated on the farm Waldau West 11. One
seems to be cut up by faults and minor granite anomaly is located over Salem granite-gneiss,
intrusions. The west-trending limb of the and the others over ferruginuous Nosib Group
deposit, although not well exposed, is quartzite and gneiss (Maund, 1975).
apparently discontinuous over at least 200 m on
surface as evidenced by soil geochemistry. The
copper and zinc anomalies, which clearly 3.3.6.3 Okahandja Townlands 277
indicate the continuous nature of the southern
limb, are remarkably coincident with the A few kilometres to the north of Okahandja
geochemical anomaly. on the farm Okahandja Townlands 277,
geochemical soil sampling revealed an anomaly
From the diamond drilling results a rough with a peak value of 610 ppm copper near an old
estimate has delineated a reserve of 95 900 t at prospecting pit, where malachite-stained quartz-
1.74% copper over 2.16 m or 237300 t at 1.35% biotite schist was exposed over a width of one
copper over 5.35 m (Ransom, 1977). metre (Blaine, 1975b).

Deposit D: The outcrop of this deposit is

situated on the southern portion of the farm 3.3.6.4 Asgard 192
Ombujongupa Süd 9, some 3 km southeast of
Deposit A. It is not a true gossan, but rather a Malachite, azurite, chalcocite and
zone of sporadic malachite staining, 2 km long chalcopyrite are present in a vertical quartz vein
and up to 3.5 m wide. The mineralised zone one metre wide and 90 m long cutting biotite
appears in a sequence of calc-silicate rock and schist of the Khomas Subgroup in a
marble at the base of the Karibib Formation northwesterly direction. The prospect was
where the host rock is in many places worked in 1960 and has yielded about 50 t of

2.3-118
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

hand-sorted ore grading 25% copper (Worst, and calc-silicate rock is of syngenetic origin
1966). (Linning, 1975; Fletcher, 1975).

3.3.6.5 Ovitoto 55 3.3.6.6.1 Oorlogsdeel 102 and Ombakatjowinde

103
In the northeastern part of the farm Ovitoto
55, several quartz veins containing malachite, The two peaks of an extensive copper-in-soil
azurite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, limonite and anomaly straddling the common boundary
specularite have been prospected intermittently between the farms Oorlogsdeel 102 and
since their discovery in 1937. Two tons of hand- Ombakatjowinde 103 have been thoroughly test-
sorted ore were produced in 1937. During 1961, drilled. Pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite were
30 t of hand-sorted concentrates were found on the farm Oorlogsdeel 102 as
recovered. More recently, exploration work has disseminations, veins and lenses in an upper and
revealed high ore grade values of up to 4.75% lower amphibolite band averaging 2.48 and
copper from the mineralised quartz veins, 4.55 m in thickness; their respective grades are
however, prospective ore bodies seldom exceed 0.10 and 0.24% copper. The best intersections of
0.5 m in thickness and have limited lateral 0.3 to 0.6% copper were obtained from the
extent (Marsh, 1980). oxidised zone, with falling grades in depth. The
reserves on the farm Oorlogsdeel 102 have been
estimated at + 0.6 million t at 0.10% copper for
3.3.6.6 Oorlogsdeel-Waaihoek area an upper zone and + 2.5 million t at 0.24%
copper for the lower zone (Fletcher, 1975).
A sand-covered area with very scarce
outcrops south of Hochfeld in the eastern Wagon drilling of the other peak of the
Okahandja District was investigated in anomaly on the farm Ombakatjowinde 103
considerable detail during 1973 to 1976. revealed a mineralised zone in amphibolite and
Widespread and frequently consistent copper amphibole schist, probably calc-silicate rock,
values of submarginal grade were found in together with minor quartzite, marble and
amphibolite and calc-silicate rock interbedded biotite-quartz schist; this is probably a
with biotite schist, quartzite, marble and gneiss continuation of a zone 1.2 km to the east.
tentatively correlated with the Swakop Group. Intersections obtained in four drill holes are
Three diamond holes returned the intersections listed in Table 22.
listed in Table 21.
Table. 22: Borehole intersections on the farm
Ombakatjowinde 103 (after Fletcher, 1975)
Table 21: Diamond drill holes in the
Oorlogsdeel-Waaihoek Area (after Linning, Hole No. Intersection
1975) D1 15 m with 1200 ppm copper,
max: 1 m with 23500 ppm copper
Hole No. Intersection D2 9 m with 700 ppm copper,
OD1: 7.14 m at 0.28% copper max: 1 m with 1290 ppm copper
or 2.92 m at 0.46% copper D3 10 m with 1700 ppm copper,
OD2: 3.24 m at 0.34% copper max: 2 m with 2400 ppm copper
OD3: 6.68 m at 0.13% copper D4 4 m with 1300 ppm copper,
or 1.75 m at 0.19% copper max: 1 m with 1260 ppm copper

There are also inliers of Hohewarte Complex Both Linning (1975) and Fletcher (1975)
rocks in the folded terrain. It has been generally have postulated an originally sedimentary origin
assumed that the copper in the para-amphibolite for the copper which was partly redistributed in

2.3-119
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

the para-amphibolite during metamorphism. pyrrhotite is present in calc-silicate rock and

plagioclase-amphibole schist in a sequence of
biotite schist, subordinate marble and amphibole
3.3.6.6.2 Vrolikheid 101 schist. The showing is sited near the hinge of an
overturned antiform of which the northwestern
Four copper-in-soil anomalies detected on limb dips 20o to the northwest and the
the farm Vrolikheid 101 have been investigated. southeastern limb 45o to the northwest. The
The northwestern zone, over 250 m long, is on main copper-bearing rock consists of
amphibole and pyroxene-bearing plagioclase, subordinate dark green amphibole,
quartzofeldspathic gneiss. Intersections by calcite, minor sphene, epidote, apatite and
wagon drill holes have indicated a narrow low- brown garnet, and is on average 9.5 m thick.
grade mineralisation not exceeding 0.3% Three diamond drill holes intersected low values
copper. over a strike length of 300 m, the highest grade
being 0.52% copper. In all three holes the
Some 2.5 km southeast from here, another sulphides form blebs up to 3 cm in diameter and
copper occurrence extends over a strike length fine disseminations, commonly parallel to the
of 250 m and a width of 2 to 4 m; the host is foliation and compositional banding. Only
amphibole-clinopyroxene-plagioclase-calcite rarely, they fill thin fractures together with
rock in biotite-quartz schist forming the calcite and quartz.
northwestern, flatly dipping limb of an
anticline. Intersections are in the order of one Another geochemical copper anomaly in the
metre at 0.5% copper, the best being 2 m at northwestern portion of the farm Waaihoek 100
1.5% copper. is reported to reflect weakly mineralised calc-
silicate rock composed of very coarse-grained
A third mineralised zone occurs one pale green clinopyroxene, dark-green amphibole
kilometre further to the southwest in kyanite- and plagioclase. A few low-order geochemical
bearing quartz-biotite schist, roughly 10 m anomalies have been checked by drilling south
above a marble bed which dips 15o southwest. of the Waaihoek homestead where sparse copper
Calcite, epidote, pyroxene and amphibole are and zinc showings were found in amphibole
reported from the wagon drill cuttings, rocks and quartzite on the northwestern flank of
suggesting the presence of a calc-silicate layer the Ekuja Gneiss Dome. The highest assay
containing pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite. recorded is 0.36% copper and 0.20% zinc per
The sulphide-bearing layer, which is up to 2 m metre (Anderson et al., 1977).
thick, averages 0.3% copper. About one
kilometre to the north another copper showing
is reported from apparently the same calc- 3.3.6.7 Otjiruse 8 and Rüdenau Nord 6
silicate unit as suggested by the presence of
amphibole, phlogopite and calcite in the wagon Stratabound copper in schist, calc-silicate
drill cuttings of mainly biotite schist. The rock and magnetite quartzite of the Swakop
intersections range from 0.08% copper over a Group occurs on the southern flank of the
thickness of 1 to 3 m (Anderson et al., 1977). Waldau Ridge on the farms Otjiruse 8 and
Rüdenau Nord 6. The showings cannot be
interpreted as a lateral extension of the main
3.3.6.6.3 Waaihoek 100 Elbe copper-zinc deposit, as they are located in a
lower stratigraphic position. The whole
A geochemical halo of which the 1 000 ppm sequence has been overfolded, placing the Nosib
copper contour maintains an average width of Group quartzite of the core of the dome over the
6 m for 225 m along strike has been outlined in younger Swakop succession. The rocks
sand-covered terrain in the northwestern part of generally strike east-west and dip at low angles
the farm Waaihoek 100. Drilling has indicated towards the north.
that a weak scattering of chalcopyrite-pyrite-

2.3-120
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Discontinuous gossan and malachite flecks and about 200 ppm zinc. Channel samples from
can be traced intermittently along strike for at trenches assayed up to 0.4% copper.
least 8 km. In the northern part of the farm
Rüdenau Nord 6, three mineralised beds are Further towards the east patchy gossan is
exposed. The lowermost stratigraphic unit is a exposed in impure limestone. Channel samples
gossanous calc-silicate rock averaging one from trenches assay up to 0.30% copper. One
metre thick, with occasional displays of drill hole in gossan intersected 0.19% copper
malachite and azurite. The middle unit, about over 10 m (Elders, 1973; Killick, 1980).
10 to 20 m above the former, contains lenticular
bodies of massive sulphide. The third,
uppermost unit lies 70 to 100 m 3.3.6.9 Sneyrivier 20
stratigraphically above the middle one and
comprises a highly siliceous and ferruginous Near the boundary of the farm Sneyrivier 20,
rock, with notably less copper and/or iron three gossans, named A, B and C, crop out in an
sulphides than the lowermost bed. area underlain by granite including large
xenoliths of mica schist. Soil sampling
Diamond drilling of the cupriferous units has delineated an anomaly 150 m long with values
indicated a best intersection in a borehole where higher than 400 ppm copper over gossan A, the
small grains of chalcopyrite were noted between furthest to the east. Gossan C, probably located
67 and 77 m. Assays returned 0.26% copper and in the same formation as gossan B on the
0.31% zinc over 0.48 m true width for the lower opposite limbs of a northeast plunging syncline,
bed and 0.36% copper and 0.04% zinc over gave an anomaly 190 m long exceeding 200 ppm
1.44 m true width for the middle bed. The copper. Gossan A and C were opened up by four
sulphides are predominantly pyrrhotite and and five trenches, respectively, and percussion
pyrite with only minor chalcopyrite and drilled. The best intersections were as follows:
sphalerite. Another geochemical copper-zinc gossan A - 0.11% copper over 7.9 m and gossan
anomaly over gossanous schist of the Kuiseb C - 0.43% copper over 3.2 m. Assays of chip
Formation occurs in the southeastern corner of samples taken from the trenches showed a low
the farm Otjiruse 8 (Frick, 1975). copper tenor, one sample from gossan C
returned 0.24% copper while the silver content
In the southern part of the farm Rüdenau of all samples varies between 0.3 and 2.4 g/t
Nord 6, mineralised quartz-garnet schist crops (Chapman, 1974).
out in a fold over a strike distance of 600 m.
The bed contains pyrrhotite and pyrite, with
some sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Diamond 3.3.6.10 Okamutambo 22
drilling of the prospect showed highly variable
metal ratios and values; a typical intersection is Two geochemical anomalies, both associated
0.2% copper and 4% zinc over 1.5 m (Killick, with malachite staining in metamorphites of the
1980). Swakop Group, and in one case with very
limited discontinuous gossan development, have
been detected in the northwestern and
3.3.6.8 Gross Barmen 7 southeastern portions of the farm Okamutambo
22. Soil assays of up to 190 ppm copper against
A discontinuous zone carrying pyrrhotite, a background of 30 ppm were obtained (Elders,
chalcopyrite and pyrite has been wagon drilled 1974c).
over a strike length of 800 m in the
northwestern part of the farm Gross Barmen 7.
Six diamond holes have indicated that the
eastern section of the mineralised zone is
associated with a very shallow structure. Most
of the intersections contain less than 1% copper

2.3-121
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.3.7. Omaruru District The grade averaged 20% copper and 71.8 g/t
silver. During 1961 the deposit was
3.3.7.1 Okakango 93 reinvestigated by geophysical surveys and six
diamond drill holes totalling 307.5 m. In April
On the farm Okakango 93 a zone of scattered 1972 operations were resumed and the mine was
gossan outcrop and float has been traced over a active until the end of April 1977. The total
strike length of 1 000 m and a width of 25 m to production amounts to 3 404 t of concentrate
50 m. The gossan is associated with averaging 19 to 22% copper, which was sent to
garnetiferous metaquartzite, the true width of Nababeep for smelting.
which is less than one metre. One diamond drill
hole intersected very finely disseminated The ore, capped by gossan, occurs as gash-
sulphides in quartz-biotite schist cut by many veins of quartz, 2 to 60 cm wide, in a local fold
granite and pegmatite veins from 43.02 m in marble of the Karibib Formation. The veins
through to the end of the hole at 106.65 m. are confined to the axial plane of an anticline
Pyrite and lesser pyrrhotite are the main plunging west-southwest. They are distributed
sulphides, with minor chalcopyrite and rare en echelon in swarms, pinch and swell, dip
specks of molybdenite. The total sulphide steeply and vary in length from 6 to 60 m. The
content in the core averaged less than 2%. ore consists of malachite, chrysocolla,
Another area of sporadic gossan float and chalcopyrite, pyrite and chalcocite. The bulk of
malachite staining has been reported from the the gossan is hematite which replaces
same farm (Blaine, 1975a). chalcopyrite and is locally altered to finely
laminated jasper. An increase in the copper
content with depth was proved by diamond
3.3.7.2 Okandjou 122 and Kohero 113 drilling.

Traces of copper are present in pegmatites The main adit follows the mineralised zone
intrusive into Kuiseb Formation schist, and in for some 60 m along strike, while underground
Karibib Formation marble and tourmalinites on workings reached a depth of 130 m below collar
the farms Okandjou 122 and Kohero 113. A (Rossouw, 1942).
geochemical anomaly in the tourmalinite peaks
at 168 ppm copper (Louwrens, 1986).
3.3.8.2 Kranzberg 59

3.3.7.3 Etendero 95 Discontinuous outcrops of copper-stained

limonite gossan are reported from biotite schist
Quartz lenses in mica schist of the Kuiseb near its contact with Kuiseb Formation marble.
Formation contain scanty copper indications on The width of the gossan ranges between 2 and
the farm Etendero 95. 4 m, while the observable strike length is about
10 m. A preliminary geophysical survey has
indicated the presence of a good conductor
3.3.8 Karibib District which may extend for at least 400 m along strike
beneath the gossan (Köstlin, 1976).
3.3.8.1 Onguati Mine

In the southeastern portion of the farm 3.3.8.3 Daheim 106

Onguati 52, 15 km north-northwest of Karibib,
copper mining started in July 1950, and stopped Sparse malachite, chrysocolla and
again in May 1953. About 150 t of hand-sorted chalcopyrite are associated with quartz veins
ore was produced during this period. In 1960 located in folded Karibib Formation marble. The
the mine produced 319 t of hand-sorted ore lenticular veins seem to follow the noses of drag
before closing down again at the end of 1963. folds. A number of weak copper anomalies were

2.3-122
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

delineated during a regional sampling survey During the early 1970s, 3 955 m of diamond
(Petzel, 1988) drilling in 24 boreholes were completed to test
the copper-bearing formation in depth. The ore
body is hosted mainly by marble dipping 60o to
3.3.8.4 Kaliombo 119 70o southeast and appears to plunge
southwesterly. Two boreholes sited at the
A narrow zone of chalcocite veinlets is southwestern extremity of the mineralised zone
present in white Karibib Formation marble on intersected primary sulphides assaying 1.54%
Levinson’s claims, 3.5 km northeast of the and 3.2
Geisterberg farmhouse. Disseminated grains of 2% copper over widths of 2.8 and 1.2 m at
chalcocite are also found in wollastonite lenses vertical depths of 135 and 205 m, respectively.
up to 10 m away from the stringer zone. The indicated ore reserves have been estimated
at 400 000 t containing 1.47% copper (Horn,
Approximately 2.5 km north-northeast of the 1972).
farmhouse, chalcopyrite and gold accompanied 3.3.8.6 Nordenburg 76
by malachite, azurite and limonite occur in
brecciated quartz lenses in a shear zone cutting A series of geochemical copper anomalies
through marble. Whilst the gold is found as have been detected over a strike distance of
nuggets up to several millimetres in diameter, 9 km in the Chuos Mountains close to the
chalcopyrite and malachite form the cementing northern boundary of the farm Nordenburg 76.
material of the fractured quartz: apparently the The zone stretches northeastwards near the
copper post-dates the gold and is associated contact between Chuos Formation mixtite and
with shearing. The shear containing the overlying Karibib Formation marble. At the
mineralised quartz lenses parallels the strike of western end, where an anomaly is located,
the fold over a distance of 70 m and is one to malachite and chrysocolla with minor sulphides
2 m wide. The deposit has been explored by have been found in a quartzite bed within Chuos
means of numerous trenches and adits Formation mixtite. Samples taken from trenches
(Labuschagne, 1976b). cut across the quartzite bed over 220 m of strike
assayed as follows:
Several other smaller copper showings of
scattered chalcopyrite and malachite are Table 23: Assays from trenches on the farm
reported from various localities in the Karibib Nordenburg 76 (after Wagner, 1976)
Formation marble on the farm Kaliombo 119.
Trench Copper Sample width
(No) (%) (m)
3.3.8.5 Kainkagchas Mine 2 0.97 3
3 1.07 16
This mine is located on the southern side of 4 0.81 4
the Khan River on the farm Valencia 122, 5 1.19 18
55 km southwest of Usakos. Malachite, 6 2.75 6* (*Incomplete as
chrysocolla, azurite, bornite, chalcocite and 7 1.17 5 rubble of old shaft
subordinate chalcopyrite are found in biotite 8 2.90 1 covered line of
schist, amphibolite quartzite, calc-silicate rock Average 1.32 trench)
and marble forming the basal beds of the Ugab
Subgroup, on the southern limb of an anticline.
The cupriferous zone, 4 to 12 m wide and Channel sampling of trenches sited east and
500 m long, has been prospected by means of west of the mineralised quartzite unit have
several trenches, pits and two shafts now filled indicated less than 100 ppm copper throughout.
with sand. Grab samples assayed + 1.5% copper Two holes collared between two old shafts
(Seeger, 1978). yielded values of 0.33% copper with 4.29 g/t
silver over 6 m and 1.05% copper with 14.8 g/t

2.3-123
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

silver over 7.8 m, at respective depths of 30 m 3.3.8.8 Gamikaub Prospect

and 50 m below surface (Wagener, 1976).
Compare also 3.1.9.5. Located immediately northeast of the
confluence of the Gamikaub and Swakop Rivers
on the farm Ukuib 84, this copper deposit is
3.3.8.7 Gamikaub 78 and Ukuib 84 associated with feldspathic quartzite beds
intercalated in highly folded biotite schist of the
The copper occurrence at the common Kuiseb Formation. Malachite, chalcopyrite,
boundary between the farms Gamikaub 78 and bornite, chalcocite and molybdenite are partly
Ukuib 84 is situated in the nose of a major contained in pegmatitic zones as well as
southwest plunging anticline. Two trenches and disseminated in the feldspathic quartzite
a few small pits have been dug on several (Misiewicz, 1984).
lenticular bodies of banded hornblende
granulite of the Karibib Formation, carrying
local concentrations of malachite, azurite, 3.3.8.9 Pot Mine
bornite and chalcopyrite. The lenses range from
less than one to some 6 m wide and are more The Pot Mine is located on an island in the
than 100 m long. Two assays of fairly Swakop River about 50 km from the Karibib-
representative grab samples returned 1.9 and Otjimbingwe road. An outcrop of garnetiferous
3.1% copper. The first sample also contains calc-silicate rock containing weakly
0.4% zinc, 8.4 g/t silver and 1.2 g/t gold. disseminated malachite, chrysocolla,
chalcopyrite and bornite has been trenched and
On the southeastern limb of the anticline, pitted at several places over a strike length of
hematite and malachite are abundant in a 25- about 100 m. The host rock, correlated with the
cm-wide quartz vein associated with red Karibib Formation, is 10 m wide and dips
pegmatitic granite close to the eastern boundary locally 60o north-northwest. Grab samples from
of the farm Ukuib 84. A sample of this vein the ore body returned maximum assay values of
assayed 2.3% copper and 9 g/t gold (Mocnik, 1.6% copper (Misiewicz, 1984).
1973).

Chrysocolla showings have been reported 3.3.8.10 Onjossa 14

from the crest of a minor anticline in marble
further to the northeast, as well as malachite Copper-bearing quartz veins cross-cutting a
staining along the contact between granite and narrow calc-silicate bed have been exposed in
Karibib Formation marble in the southeastern prospecting pits on the western portion of the
portion of the farm Gamikaub 78, some 900 m farm Onjossa 14, 20 km south of Wilhelmstal. In
from the southern boundary. places the calc-silicate rock interbedded with
biotite schist is stained by malachite and azurite.
Further geological and geochemical work on
Gamikaub was conducted in 1983 to 1984
(Dekker, 1983; Misiewicz, 1984) and during 3.3.8.11 Vergenoeg 92
1988 (Catterall,1989). It was found that the
mineralisation is structurally controlled with the Limited gossans are developed within
most significant mineralisation along a 70 m discontinuous ferruginous quartzite, quartz-
overfolded fold hinge, referred to as the “moon feldspathic schists and calc-silicates on the farm
shaped body”. Best grades obtained are 3.15% Vergenoeg 92. Grab samples assay up to 2.1%
copper, 36.4 g/t silver, 1.75 g/t gold and copper (Stone, 1987).
10507 ppm WO4.

2.3-124
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.3.9 Swakopmund District Two geophysical anomalies outlined about

4 km south-southwest of Rössing Station on a
3.3.9.1 Arandis narrow zone of biotite schist in marble of the
Ugab Subgroup were checked by two core holes.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s They found disseminated pyrite, pyrrhotite and
extensive soil sampling and geological rare grains of chalcopyrite in biotite schist with
mapping, followed by percussion and diamond numerous pegmatite veins. The assay range in
drilling was carried out over the so-called the two mineralised zones is 20 to 295 ppm
Arandis Grant. Broad soil copper anomalies copper, 40 to 200 ppm nickel, 10 to 60 ppm lead
associated with the pyritic quartzite member of and 20 to 160 ppm zinc (Handley, 1975).
the Rössing Formation, Ugab Subgroup, were
delineated. Percussion drilling in 1989
confirmed these results yielding copper values 3.3.9.3 Omaruru Delta
in excess of 1 000 ppm (Gunthorpe, 1985;
Smalley, 1989). Minor disseminated sulphides occur in
quartzite and marbles of the Karibib Formation
Approximately 5 km east of Arandis Siding, in an area south of the Omaruru delta. Samples
copper is present in the skarn zone of a from test drill holes assayed maximum values of
pegmatite emplaced in biotite schist of the Khan 205 ppm copper, 100 ppm lead, 520 ppm zinc
Formation. The ore minerals consist of and 7.3 ppm silver (Dodd, 1981).
chalcocite, covellite, cuprite, native copper,
tenorite, chrysocolla and abundant malachite.
The copper might be partly derived through 3.3.9.4 Ketelbank
anatexis of cupriferous sediments. The
occurrence has been investigated by means of Mineralisation occurs as thin, cupriferous
six shallow prospecting pits (Ramdohr, 1938). gossan veins, stringers and pods in calcitic
marble, with scheelite-bearing calc-silicate
Another prospect, situated 6.5 km northeast hornfels and skarn pods developed on footwall
of Arandis Siding, was investigated prior to and hanging wall contacts. Copper values vary
1914 by means of two shafts and several pits. between 0.08 and 1.54% (Holman, 1987).
Malachite, chrysocolla and chalcocite are
erratically disseminated in pegmatite veins and
biotite schist of the Kuiseb Formation. 3.3.10 Windhoek District

3.3.10.1 Ganams 316

3.3.9.2 Rössing Area
On the northern part of the farm Ganams 316,
North and east of the Rössing Mountain, 80 km west of Windhoek, gold and copper are
widespread limonite outcrops and gossans of associated with a quartz vein traced over a strike
ferruginous siliceous and manganiferous length of 700 m. The vein was discovered by a
material were investigated in considerable detail geochemical soil survey during the period 1974 -
in 1976 to 1977. Extensive terrain sampling 1975. Six composite samples from the vein
indicated that the copper in the gossans is taken at regular intervals about 100 m apart
concentrated in an area 7 to 9 km north of assayed up to 1.5% copper with gold contents
Rössing Mountain, associated with marble units between 0.2 and 4.3 g/t (Scott, 1975).
of the Rössing and Karibib Formations.

About 7 km north of Namib Lead Mine a 3.3.10.2 Rostock South 414

small lens of copper-stained amphibolite in
quartzite of the Nosib Group crops out parallel On the steep western flank of the Rostock
to the contact of Rössing marble. synform in the northeastern part of the farm

2.3-125
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Rostock South 414, malachite coatings have 3.3.10.6 Silverstroom 413

formed on grains, foliation and joint planes in a
pebbly quartzite of the Onnaams Formation. A linear, 6-m-long, copper anomaly peaking
The copper seems to be related to nearby quartz at 170 ppm has been delineated over a zone of
veins in pegmatites, some of which are also vein quartz with sporadic chalcopyrite and
mineralised (Innes and Buerger, 1975). malachite on the farm Silverstroom 413. The
Compare also 2.10.3.1.1. vein could be traced westwards as far as the
farm Goab 323 (Wadley, 1976a).

3.3.10.3 Dagbreek 365, Gorogoneib 314 and

Kaan 309 3.3.10.7 Hureb Suid 349

A copper-stained gossan exposed for about A number of gossan streaks in the extreme
100 m in calcareous Khomas Subgroup schist south of the farm Hureb Suid 349 were
occurs on the farm Dagbreek 365. A discovered in the course of regional stream
geochemical soil survey of the surrounding area sediment and soil sampling in 1974. A 2 496 m
has revealed several copper and zinc anomalies, percussion drilling programme based on the
related mostly to scapolite-bearing beds of geochemical results was carried out in three
calcareous schist cropping out on the farm target areas.
Gorogobreek 314. There are also quartz-
tourmaline seams on the farm Dagbreek 365 In Target Area I, where a well-developed
(Elders, 1974d). gossan is exposed along the banks and in the bed
of the Goneib River, drilling was limited owing
to access difficulties; the mineralisation proved
3.3.10.4 Kaliber 335 and Okariro 282 to be confined to a zone dipping south.

Straddling the eastern boundary of the farm The gossan of Target Area II is located 200 m
Kaliber 335, a fairly straight regional copper north of the Goneib River, almost parallel to the
anomaly, 3.5 km long, 0.5 km wide and peaking first and is 250 m long. Soil geochemical assays
at 100 ppm copper has been detected over have values up to 1 400 ppm copper. The best
graphite schist and associated amphibolite of intersection encountered in 33 holes drilled 50 m
the Khomas Subgroup. Detailed sampling and apart across this gossan was 0.33% copper over
assaying gave a maximum of 180 ppm copper 7.0 m. Mapping as well as drilling have
(Wadley. 1976a). indicated a shallow southerly dip, whereas
further to the east the structure becomes more
complex.
3.3.10.5 Khomaskop 414
In Target Area III to the west, a zone, above
On the farm Khomaskop 414, in an area which soil anomalies containing up to 730 ppm
about 7 by 3 km, centered on the Khomas Kop copper had been recorded, was tested by 18
peak itself, copper values of more than 150 ppm holes drilled on 4 lines spaced 100 m apart. The
were recorded over limonitic silicified fractures best intersection, 0.49% copper over 27 m,
and stockworks in Khomas Subgroup schist. which includes 1.41% copper over 2.5 m, was
Samples taken over the anomalous zone yielded obtained on the easternmost line (Wadley, 1976b).
peak values of up to 330 ppm copper.
Percussion drilling, totalling 5 072 m in 123
holes, returned a best intersection of 0.24% 3.3.10.8 Friedrichsruh 13
copper over 6 m (Wadley, 1976a).
A narrow layer of amphibolite within schist
of the Auas Formation has been reported to
contain traces of malachite, chalcopyrite and

2.3-126
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

pyrite near the northern boundary of the farm The copper-bearing area is underlain by
Friedrichsruh 13 (Paverd, 1973). Kuiseb Formation quartz-biotite schist in a
gently dipping antiform plunging 10o to 15o
westerly. The terrain is cut by a profusion of
3.3.10.9 Elisenheim 68 fractures, faults and joints belonging to two
major sets, one parallel the eastwest lineation,
Copper is associated with dolomitic talc and a second, more prominent, set striking
schist in the northwestern portion of the farm north-northwest to north-northeast and dipping
Elisenheim 68. Geochemical analyses have steeply to the east. Quartz veins have been
indicated that this talc-dolomite body, situated emplaced into most of these tension fissures.
7 km north of the Matchless Amphibolite Belt, Nearly all brecciated quartz veins in the area are
may be a metamorphic product of ultramafic cupriferous and many show muscovite selvages.
rocks rather than of impure siliceous limestone. The introduction of ore is thought to be related
The Elisenheim talc schist is therefore included to secondary movement causing the brecciation.
with the amphibolite suite of the Matchless Quartz fragments are cemented by copper
Member (Walter, 1974b; Finnemore, 1975). sulphides and oxides. Mineralisation rarely
3.3.10.10 Onganja - Otjozonjati area extends into the schist and is confined to a short
distance, usually less than one metre, away from
The copper deposits of the Onganja - the veins (Hälbich, 1968).
Otjizonjati Area, 60 km northeast of Windhoek,
were worked by the local inhabitants long The presence of igneous rock types in the
before European settlement, and smelting of the vicinity of the Onganja Mine could indicate that
ore also occurred, as shown by pieces of slag the area represents an extension of the northern
found in the vicinity. In 1900 a Mr. Stanley arm of the Matchless Amphibolite Belt, as was
commenced prospecting the main copper veins. concluded from Landsat images. However, no
The area was eventually subdivided into four direct evidence of an exhalative Matchless-type
mining blocks, each measuring 1 km2. Two of deposit could be found in or adjacent to the
these were worked by himself and the other two Onganja mining areas (Charles, 1985).
by the company Wecke and Voigts, which in
1907 founded the Otjozonjati Minensyndikat.
Until 1903 prospecting was limited to surface 3.3.10.10.1 Onganja Mine
investigations. That same year the first 100 t of
copper concentrate containing 28.5% copper The Onganja Mine, formerly also known as
was shipped to Germany for smelting the Otjozonjati 69 or Emka Mine, is situated
(Westphal, 1914). mainly in the southwestern corner of the farm
Helen 235, reaching westwards onto the farms
At the outbreak of World War I operations Otjozonjati 69 and southwards to Klein Onganja
ceased. Some time after the armistice the South 149. The quartz-copper veins are confined to the
West Africa Company acquired the property and crest of an anticlinal structure plunging gently to
continued mining until 1934. Later Emka the west. They have been worked from various
Mining and Trading Co. (1959-1960 and 1962- shafts down to 3 level, some 75 m below surface
1967), Rio Tinto (1960-1962), Nippon Mining (Sharpe, 1960; Miller, 1980).
Co. (1960-1966), Navarro Exploration (1967-
1972) and Zapata Mining Company (1972- Some 20 to 30 steep, brecciated quartz veins
1974) were owners of the mine (Hegenberger, strike more or less north-south at right angles
1983). Operations then stopped because of across the foliation of the Kuiseb Formation
metallurgical problems presented by the schist. They range in length from 50 to 400 m,
dominantly oxidic copper ore coupled with the pinching and swelling over short distances. The
world-wide drop in copper price (Hegenberger, maximum recorded width is 20 m, the average is
1983). between 0.8 and 1.5 m. The ore, consisting of
coarse pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and

2.3-127
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

molybdenite, has been proved by diamond undertaken on non-sulphide waste material

drilling to a depth of more than 150 m. The dumped by previous operators. Leaching is
sorted ore produced in the initial years was conducted on uncrushed material (minus
exceptionally pure and characterised by the 250 mm) using 3% sulphuric acid. The mineral
absence of lead, zinc, silver as well as arsenic, leached is predominantly brochantite
antimony and bismuth (Westphal, 1914). [Cu4(SO4)(OH)6] with minor amounts of
malachite and cuprite. The grade, which started
Development and mining since 1960 have in excess of 5% is currently about 2% copper.
revealed that the vein gangue, predominantly The material is loaded onto plastic sheets laid on
coarse-grained quartz, commonly also contains a moulded profile on an old tailings dam. The
calcite; in fact, one productive vein consisted acid solution is flood fed to the heap and
mainly of coarse calcite. A flat breccia body percolates through it until making contact with
between two veins includes a shatter zone in the plastic, and discharges into a sump. This
schist, criss-crossed by stringers of quartz, pregnant solution of CuSO4, typically containing
calcite, rutile, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and about 0.6% copper and 0.1% H2SO4, is passed
molybdenite. None of the north-south veins over scrap iron in concrete launders, where the
show shearing. Where rendered vuggy by copper is reduced resulting in an FeSO4 solution
leaching, the ore yields beautiful specimens of and a precipitate of copper. The resulting
cuprite crystals and other oxidic minerals. concentrate containing about 73% copper is sold
to the Tsumeb Smelter. Since the beginning of
Charles (1985) has regarded the Onganja production about 15 000 t of material have been
vein deposit as the upper part of a hydrothermal treated in this way producing some 600 t of
system. Emplacement of mineralisation was concentrate at 73% copper (S. Moir, pers.
structurally controlled, where the hydrothermal comm.).
system was generated at the intersection of two
major crustal fractures, the northwesterly
trending Okapura Fault and the recently 3.3.10.10.2 Otjozonjati Mine
reactivated north-south trending Otjituezu
Graben Fault. The Otjozonjati Mine is located 8 km west of
the Onganja Mine on the farm Okamuvia 144.
In 1987, the estimated reserves to the known Here a brecciated quartz vein striking north and
depth of 100 m, did not exceed 300 000 t at 2% dipping 45o east was worked successfully on a
copper in a number of veins (Esterhuizen, small scale since 1969. By flotation a
1987). Due to supergene enrichment the grade concentrate of native copper, chalcocite and
drops sharply below 100 m depth (Charles, chalcopyrite was produced (Charles, 1985). An
1985). inclined shaft following the dip of the ore body
was sunk to 7 level, some 60 m below surface,
The production record is shown in Table 24. and a series of drives at 10 m spacing was
developed along the strike of the quartz vein
Table 24: Copper concentrate production of the (Smedley-Williams, 1961).
Onganja Mine (Source: Directorate of Mines)
The quartz vein, from 0.2 to 1.5 m wide,
Period Concentrate (t) Grade (% Cu) contains the ore minerals massive chalcocite,
1900-34 3 138 23-30 commonly mixed with ferruginous material,
1957-58 984 + 20 pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, malachite,
1959-67 9 641 24-35 chrysocolla and minor molybdenite; quartz,
1968-74 8 133 35-44 muscovite, calcite and some microcline-perthite
constitute the gangue.

A heap-leaching operation of the Onganja Concentrates containing between 55 and 65%

Mine dumps was started in July 1987. This is copper were produced. Table 25 gives the

2.3-128
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

production up to 1987, when mining activities The deposit was productive once more from
ceased. 1981 to 1985. Developments during this period
included a 35 inclined shaft and 110 m of
drifting within the ore body. The grade averaged
3.3.10.10.3 Thorn Tree Mine 2.5% copper, and 290 t of concentrate containing
29% copper were produced (R. Carr, pers. comm.).
The Thorn Tree Mine, located within the old
Snyman’s claims on the farm Okamuvia 144,
lies about 6 km west of the Onganja Mine. Like 3.3.10.10.4 Minor occurrences
Onganja, the Thorntree deposit was known and
worked for its copper content prior to World Minor copper occurrences of the Onganja
War I. The ore body was exploited by drifts and type occur on the neighboring farms Onganja 71,
stopes. Work ceased around 1914 and was Okatjemisse 68 and Onganja East 190 (Sharpe,
sporadically resumed by various parties in the 1960). On Okamuvia 144, a quartz vein carrying
1950s and 1960s. copper was mined in as early as 1904 (Worst,
1966).
Table 25: Production of the Otjozonjati Mine 3.3.10.11 Oruhungu 55
(Source: Directorate of Mines)
A geochemical soil survey demarcated
Year Cu-concentrates (t) Year Cu-concentrates (t) several anomalies containing up to 750 ppm
1969 65 1979 740 copper on the farm Oruhungu 55. The copper is
1970 69 1980 —- associated with quartz veins and is apparently of
1971 110 1981 592 hydrothermal origin (Davis, 1975).
1972 —- 1982 601
1973 —- 1983 451
1974 590 1984 510 3.3.10.12 Otjituezu 139
1975 835 1985 288
1976 710 1986 308 A geochemical anomaly 150 m in length and
1977 929 1987 352 with a peak of 660 ppm copper, together with a
1978 885 magnetic anomaly, has been delineated over a
450 m stretch of gossan in the northeastern
portion of the farm Otjituezu 139. Percussion
The deposit consists of a cross-cutting, drilling returned best intersections of 0.57%
brecciated quartz vein within gently dipping copper over 0.76 m (Gold Fields Prospecting
Kuiseb Formation quartz-biotite schist. It strikes Co., 1984).
northwards over a distance of 200 m and dips
45o east. Though tapering towards the ends, it
has a width of 1 to 1.5 m over much of its 3.3.10.13 Otjihokero 137
length. The mineralisation appears to be
hydrothermal and consists chiefly of quartz, Malachite showings in quartz-biotite schist
chlorite, copper and iron minerals; accessory and sericite-feldspar quartzite of the Kudis
feldspar, apatite and calcite are also present. Subgroup have been discovered in the
The ore carries minor silver, molybdenum and southwestern portion of the farm Otjihokero 137
gold. Secondary enrichment has almost entirely by soil sampling. A geochemical anomaly, about
converted primary chalcopyrite to chalcocite 1.6 km long, was delineated with peak values of
which is held interstitially within the brecciated up to 580 ppm copper. Extensive percussion
quartz as blebs, stringers, coarse aggregates or drilling has indicated a copper-bearing zone over
massive lenses. The latter occur where the dip 600 m in length. Three vertical diamond drill
of the ore changes abruptly and may persist holes intersected 0.28, 0.93 and 0.41% copper
laterally for several metres. over 1.83, 1.28 and 1.27 m true widths at depths
of 84.68, 95.47 and 218.67 m respectively. In all

2.3-129
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

three holes accessory zinc correlated positively of 2.5 m (Geological Survey of Namibia, 1961).
with the copper (Killick, 1975a).

3.3.10.17 Kamzwas 253

3.3.10.14 Springbockvley 131 and Alt-Seeis
133 The copper occurrence in the eastern portion
of the farm Kamzwas 253 near the boundary
In 1971 and 1972, two geochemical copper with the farm Oamites 264 was first explored by
anomalies on the farm Springbockvley 131 and the Hanseatische Minen Gesellschaft in 1911
one on the farm Alt-Seeis 133 were (Rimann, 1915). The workings comprise 3 shafts
investigated. Drilling indicated that and 6 adits. During 1970 to 1971 the deposit was
disseminated chalcopyrite and pyrite within thoroughly reinvestigated.
Kuiseb Formation mica schist was
discontinuous and rather sporadic. The best The ore-bearing zone occurs mainly in
diamond drill hole intersection of 1.39% copper brecciated silicified marble and intercalated
over 4.37 m was recorded from a borehole sited quartzite layers of the basal Kudis Subgroup in a
on the so-called Springbockvley Anomaly in the syncline plunging 50o to the west. The
northeastern portion of this farm. On or near mineralised beds overly a lens of pebbly
surface widespread malachite staining is quartzite, about 100 m in length, that has been
accompanied by scattered sulphide grains in a correlated with the Oamites conglomerate, a unit
northeast-trending zone over a distance of some of pre-Damaran age on which, further east, the
12 km (Linning, 1972a). Oamites Mine is situated (compare 2.5.1). The
mineralised Kudis Subgroup rocks strike
approximately east-west and dip 60o to 70o
3.3.10.15 Okatumba West 193 and north. The ore is found on the limb of a 50o
Bodenhausen 191 westward-plunging syncline. This structure
bounds an anticline situated 80 m to the north
The basal marble of the Kudis Subgroup, along a prominent strike parallel reverse fault,
resting disconformably on pre-Damaran granite about 12 m wide.
gneiss of the Hohewarte Metamorphic
Complex, locally contains small amounts of On surface fairly impressive copper showings
copper ore. This was investigated many years are found along strike for 100 m and over a
ago by the Otavi-Minen-und width of 40 m. Malachite and cuprite are the
Eisenbahngesellschaft and attracted attention main minerals, while dioptase, chalcocite,
again during the early 1970s when six diamond bornite and chalcopyrite are also present.
drill holes were completed at the main prospect Galena, sphalerite and smithsonite occur
on the farm Okatumba West 193. Few of the sporadically in the immediate vicinity of the
intersections assayed higher than 0.5% copper, fault, however, average lead and zinc contents in
though revealing the presence of slight copper the copper reefs do not exceed 0.25% and 0.05%
impregnation in mica schist below and above respectively.
the basal marble band (Liedtke, 1973; Dodd,
1978). Diamond drilling totalling 1 502 m in 11
holes, has indicated that the mineralisation is
concentrated in two horizons, the so-called
3.3.10.16 Naos 46 Footwall and Hanging Wall Reefs, 5 to 15 m in
wide, separated by barren rock. The best
A gossanous lens, containing chrysocolla, intersections reported from the Hanging Wall
limonite, malachite, bornite and chalcopyrite, and Footwall Reefs are 1.29 and 1.17% copper
occurs at the contact of marble and quartzite of over 11.45 and 7.2 m respectively. The grade in
the Kudis Subgroup on the farm Naos 46. The the Hanging Wall Reef tends to weaken in depth,
mineralised zone has been opened up to a depth whereas that of the Footwall Reef remains fairly

2.3-130
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

constant. Extension of the ore-bearing zone is, mapping by Main (1976) established that these
however, limited because of the fault which anomalous values overly stratabound copper,
transects the Hanging Wall Reef at 80 m and the lead and zinc mineralisation in a discontinuous
Footwall Reef at 120 m depth respectively. Two breccia-conglomerate unit within Kudis
diamond drill holes also showed that no Subgroup marble.
significant copper values occurred in the
northern limb of the syncline to the north of the Limited percussion and diamond drilling on
fault. The average grade in three horizontal the three anomalies has shown that where the
holes that intersected the eastern half of the breccia-conglomerate wedges out in depth, the
mineralised zone was 0.63% copper and 13 ppm copper mineralisation occurs in marble
silver over an average width of 38 m. occupying the equivalent stratigraphical
position. The ore minerals noted in five diamond
Most of the copper-bearing core is intensely drill holes are chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite
oxidised. Chalcopyrite, bornite and pyrite are and rarely malachite or chrysocolla. The best
invariably altered to malachite, azurite, value of the intersection is 0.8% copper over
dioptase, cuprite, hematite, limonite and 5.5 m (Heath, 1969a; Main, 1976).
chalcocite. The great depth of oxidation has
probably resulted from oxygenated surface 3.3.10.19 Langbeen 86
water percolating freely along the fault zone in
the brecciated marble and quartzite (Seeger, Malachite showings in Kudis Subgroup
1978). Compare also 3.1.10.4. marble have been observed some 100 m north of
the homestead on the farm Langbeen 86.
Compare also 2.4.1.3 and 3.1.10.8.
3.3.10.18 Gocheganas 26

In the southeastern portion of the farm 3.3.10.20 Hatsamas 92

Gocheganas 26, stratabound copper is present in
a lensoid breccia-conglomerate and its Stratabound copper-lead mineralisation
stratigraphic equivalent. Main (1976) has within marble of the Corona Formation has been
correlated the marble and associated schist with traced over a distance of more than 600 m on the
the Nosib Group, believing the structure to be a farm Hatsamas 92. The lowest layer exposed is a
steeply plunging overturned anticline. Hälbich hard bluish-grey limestone, a few metres thick,
(1970) has interpreted the structure as a syncline which includes cherty seams and lenses of
overfolded to the southeast, considering the phyllite. The overlying limestone, about 30 m
marble to be coeval with the former Hakos thick, is medium-grained, bluish-grey, well-
Series now included in the Kudis Subgroup. bedded and foliated, and includes cherty
encrustations. Bedding and shear planes are
Soil sampling over the aforementioned coated with malachite, which is the only visible
syncline in 1975 revealed three well-defined copper mineral, whereas at the northern
coincident copper, lead and zinc anomalies. boundary of the mineralised zone specks of
Over the southwestern closure of the syncline galena have been found. The cupriferous marble
and extending over an area of 200 by 200 m, is overlain by brown marble above which
Anomaly 1 returned maximum values of calcareous quartzite follows.
4 400 ppm copper and 2 500 ppm lead.
Anomaly 2 on the northwestern limb over an In 1975, 26 holes were drilled along 13
area of 200 m by 100 m showed peak values of profile lines across strike and spaced 50 m apart.
4 300 ppm copper and 1 200 ppm lead. A total of 887.5 m was completed. Samples
Anomaly 3, picked up on the southeastern flank were taken of successive 0.5 m sections,
of the syncline, was approximately 200 m by however, only six assays exceeded 1% copper.
70 m in extent, returning assay values of
950 ppm copper and 3 009 ppm lead. Detailed The results indicate that the metal

2.3-131
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

concentrations form elongate ore pods terminating horizons within the marble. It has been
to the southeast, but continuing beyond the last suggested that favorable loci for ore deposition
drilling line on the northwestern side. were provided by a synclinal closure or drag fold
in association with intensely tremolitised marble
The low-grade deposit has been calculated to (Heath, 1967c; Bührmann, 1971).
contain 125 000 t of ore at an average grade of
0.37% copper and 7.26 g/t silver to a depth of The lead-zinc-copper occurrence of the
40 m (Gunn, 1976). Hohewarte Mining Area is dealt with in detail in
the lead-zinc chapter. As for the Hohewarte
South Prospect and Hohenau North Prospect,
3.3.10.21 Portion Coas of Hatsamas 92 drilling has shown that metal grades decrease
abruptly in depth, because supergene enrichment
Conspicuous malachite staining has been does not reach more than 15 to 30 m below
reported from Kudis Subgroup marble in the surface.
southwestern part of Coas, portion of the farm
Hatsamas 92 (Rössing Uranium, 1982).
3.3.10.22 Stolzenfeld 89 3.3.10.24.1 Hohewarte South Prospect

Copper showings in marble and graphite A zone of disseminated chalcocite and

schist of the Kudis Subgroup occur on the farm malachite, 120 m long and 2 to 5 m wide, is
Stolzenfeld 89. found on the southern limb of an overturned
syncline near the common boundary of the farms
Hohewarte 76 and Hohenau 81. The host rock is
3.3.10.23 Elisenhöhe 88 intensely tremolitised marble. On the northern
limb, where talc has replaced tremolite, the
Pyrite, accompanied by chalcopyrite in mineralisation is poor. Twenty-four holes
amphibolite schist, has been exposed on the totalling 739 m have been wagon-drilled. The
farm Elisenhöhe 88 in a cutting along the main surficially enriched copper showings extended
Windhoek-Dordabis road. Pyrite also occurs in for only a few metres in depth.
coarse-grained iron formation, intercalated with
the amphibolite schist.
3.3.10.24.2 Hohenau North Prospect

3.3.10.24 Hohewarte - Hohenau Area This occurrence is situated on either side of

the common boundary between the farms
Widespread copper-lead-zinc showings in Hohewarte 76 and Hohenau 81, immediately
Kudis Subgroup marble are located on the east of the Dordabis-Windhoek main road. Five
northeastern side of the Hohewarte Complex, prospecting pits have been sunk on the main
where rocks of the Nosib and Swakop Groups outcrop giving the following bulk sample
have been deformed into a group of synclines assays:
and anticlines, all plunging away from the
mantled gneiss dome towards the northeast at Table 26: Analyses of bulk samples from the
angles varying between 5o and 15o. Besides Hohenau North Prospect (after Worst, 1971c)
three well-mineralised localities, the Hohewarte
Mining Area, the Hohewarte South Prospect Pit No. Copper Silver
and the Hohenau North Prospect, there is a (%) (g/t)
more or less continuous geochemically 1 4.34 4.78
anomalous zone which follows the structural 2 2.64 ——
trend of the partly sand-covered Kudis 3 1.39 6.28
Subgroup marble. The mineralisation is 4 7.70 ——
stratabound, appearing in different stratigraphic 5 3.26 9.39

2.3-132
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

In 1961 three exploratory holes were drilled drilled. The best intersection assayed 0.38%
and the following significant intersections were copper over 3.5 m.
obtained :
Stratigraphically higher than the meta-arkose,
a well-developed gossan, seemingly associated
Table 27: Analyses of borehole intersections with a marble layer, contains very slight
from the Hohenau North Prospect (after Worst, malachite along its entire strike length of 500 m.
1971c) The best intersection obtained in 36 boreholes of
882 m length is 0.14% copper over 5.5 m. Six
Hole Intersection Copper holes spaced at 75 m intervals parallel to the
No (m) (%) strike of the gossan were subsequently drilled. A
1 4.9-6.1 3.0 total of 558 m was completed, the deepest hole
2 21.0-27.1 1.5 reaching 107 m. Only two of the holes
3 1.5-3.6 0.8 intersected copper mineralisation, the highest
assay returned 0.63% copper over 2.74 m at a
depth of 77.7 m (Killick, 1975b). Compare also
Subsequently the basal marble zone of the 2.4.1.2.
Kudis Subgroup fringing the Hohewarte
Complex was investigated by geochemical rock
sampling, limited regional soil sampling, some 3.3.10.26 Ondekaremba 78
detailed geological mapping and by 5 diamond
drill holes totalling 1 103 m. The best Straddling the common boundary between the
intersection returned 0.18% copper and 0.02% farms Ondekaremba 78 and Voigtland 77, two
zinc (Worst, 1971c). prominent geochemical anomalies with
maximum values of 2 000 and 1 800 ppm
The outcrops show malachite, hydrous copper, respectively, are associated with
copper silicates, dioptase and minor chalcocite malachite showings in a pebbly feldspathic
over some 1 700 m on the northwestern limb of schist of the Chuos Formation. The two
a northeast-plunging synclinorium. This horizon anomalies, about 1 000 m apart, were tested by
is located at a lower stratigraphic position percussion drilling. The best intersection
within the Kudis Subgroup marble than the assayed 0.38% copper over 5.0 m (Killick,
copper-bearing zone on the farm Hohewarte 76. 1975b).
Because of local drag folding as well as shallow
dips, the width of the Hohenau zone is rather
misleading and may be 100 m in places. The 3.3.10.27 Oupembamava 79
copper is associated with tremolitised, silicified
marble showing enrichment in iron and Soil sampling in the southern portion of the
manganese oxides; the host rock is cut by many farm Oupembamava 79 revealed anomalous
branching fractures. Drilling has indicated that values for copper, lead and zinc, all positively
the copper zone parallels the banding of the correlated. The maximum values for copper,
marble and the grade diminishes rapidly in lead and zinc are 1 600, 1 800 and 340 ppm
depth. The best value recorded is 2.4% copper respectively, with corresponding background
between 3.05 and 4.57 m depth (Worst, 1971c). values of 10, 20 and 20 ppm. The anomalies are
underlain by current-bedded quartzite with
occasional pebble clasts, probably of the Chuos
3.3.10.25 Voigtland 77 Formation. Abundant pyrite with some galena
has been observed in this quartzite. Percussion
A prominent geochemical copper anomaly hole samples assayed 0.20% copper over 0.5 m
over malachite-stained meta-arkose of the Auas (Killick, 1975b).
Formation in the western portion of the farm
Voigtland 77 has been extensively percussion

2.3-133
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.3.10.28 Grasland 80 3.3.10.31 Vendetta 202

Geochemical copper anomalies with Moderately anomalous copper-in-soil values

maximum values up to 1 800 ppm have been of up to 140 ppm form a fairly distinct linear
detected over highly deformed quartz-biotite pattern over deep sand cover on the southern
schist of the Khomas Subgroup containing flank of a dome structure on the farm Vendetta
sparse malachite and chalcopyrite on the farm 202. Regional geology indicates that the
Grasland 80. The anomalous area was tested by anomaly occupies a similar position with respect
19 percussion drill holes totalling 992 m. The to the underlying stratigraphy to that on the farm
best intersection is 0.68% copper over 7.0 m Karamba 203 (Wadley, 1977b; LeRoux, 1984).
(Killick, 1975b).

3.3.11 The Matchless Amphibolite Belt

3.3.10.29 Otjivero Nord 200
The copper ore deposits at Hope, Gorob,
Exploration in this area during 1974 and Matchless and Otjihase are located within or
1975 led to the delineation of a prominent very close to the Matchless Member of the
geochemical copper anomaly on the farm Kuiseb Formation - a conspicuous assemblage
Otjivero Nord 200. It extends northeastwards of lenses of foliated amphibolite, chlorite-
from just north of the railway line towards the amphibole schist, talc schist and metagabbro.
eastern boundary of the farm. Taking 50 ppm This belt, up to 5 km wide in the Otjihase area,
copper as the lower limit, the anomaly has an stretches 350 km east-northeastwards in the
average width of some 200 m, and reaches peak Southern Zone of the Damara Orogen from the
values of 0.1 to 0.4% copper. Sporadic grains of Gorob-Hope area towards Steinhausen, north of
pyrite, chalcopyrite and malachite are present in Omitara (Martin,1965).
biotite schist of the basal Khomas Subgroup
(Nouvel, 1976). The genetic relationship between the pyritic
deposits and the amphibolite suite was already
recognised at the beginning of this century by
3.3.10.30 Karamba 203 Voit & Stollreither (1905) who suspected the
rocks to be metamorphic diabases but could not
On the southern part of the farm Karamba find conclusive evidence during microscopic
203 a discontinuous soil anomaly with a strike studies. Kröner (1977) interpreted the
length of 1.5 km and a peak value of 910 ppm amphibolites and lenses of serpentinite as units
copper has been delineated. The underlying of geosynclinal mafic and ultramafic volcanism.
formation is poorly exposed, copper-bearing Finnemore (1978) indicated a geochemical
quartzite of the Aus Member of the Kudis relationship of the Matchless suite to oceanic
Subgroup. A 120 m trench across the tholeites. Pillow lavas were recognised. The
anomalous zone revealed the presence of six amphibolite layers/lenses are generally
quartzitic beds, all less than 3 m thick, grading conformable, though locally cross-cutting with
about 0.2% copper. These beds dip consistently respect to the compositional layering in the
15o to 20o northwest. An extensive percussion enclosing Kuiseb Formation schist. So far no
drilling programme of 77 holes totalling 3 melangè has been found along the belt and there
324 m returned a best intersection assaying is no change in tectonic style across it, so that
0.5% copper over 2.5 m. The copper is the feature does not appear to be a slice of
contained in malachite and silicates (Wadley, upthrust oceanic crust. the enclosing quartz-mica
1977b; LeRoux, 1984). schists are interpreted as deep-water quartzose
greywacke (Miller, 1981).

In many places the cupriferous pyrite deposits

are closely associated with the layers of

2.3-134
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

magnetite quartzite (Goldberg, 1976). Their six diamond drill holes, was carried out by Rand
frequent position below the massive sulphide Mines between November 1957 and April 1958.
ore bodies between Otjihase and Gorob,
together with other evidence of stratigraphic From 1970 to 1973 the area was thoroughly
inversion, has been interpreted by Hartnady scrutinized by a joint venture of S.A. Vendôme
(1979) to indicate that the stratabound ores are and Nord Mining; they estimated reserves of 0.9
of the Besshi type, formed initially on the sea million t of ore at a grade of 2.6% copper. In
floor and afterwards emplaced in overturned August 1973 a vigorous exploration programme
attitude in continental margin sediments. The encompassing geochemical, airborne and ground
problem has been addressed in more detail by magnetometer surveys, electromagnetic and
Killick (1983) who has agreed that the sequence induced polarisation surveys, percussion and
is inverted over a distance of at least 250 km, diamond drilling was launched. Up to July 1976
but considers ore deposition to have occurred in wagon drilling totalled 54 955 m in 1 309 holes
situ relative to four volcanic centres spread out over 60 km of strike. Six of eight copper-bearing
along the length of the Matchless Belt. lenses were checked by 69 diamond drill holes
totalling 19 286 m. The indicated ore reserves in
The ore generally consists of pyrite, the Gorob-Hope area were provisionally
chalcopyrite, sphalerite and subordinate galena, calculated as 4.7 million t at an average grade of
less commonly pyrrhotite and rarely bornite. 2% copper. From 1981 to 1982 an underground
Minor silver and traces of gold are usually exploration operation on the Hope Lens was
present. The sulphides range in abundance from carried out.
sparse disseminations through blebs and
stringers to massive lenses several metres thick, In the Gorob area, the Matchless Member has
in which coarse-grained pyrite predominates. been deformed into a major assymetrical
There may be residual magnetite from the syncline overfolded towards the southeast with
originally sedimentary host. The sulphide-rich its axis plunging gently east-northeast. The two
deposits weather to striking gossans which distinct amphibolite layers of the southern limb
serve as a valuable guide in prospecting. appear to coalesce on the northern limb, where
they jointly attain a thickness of as much as
500 m in places. The northerly dip of the south
3.3.11.1 Swakopmund District limb increases from 45o in the east to 55o in the
west, near the closure of the syncline. The north
3.3.11.1.1 Gorob - Hope Area limb has a near vertical attitude over most parts
and is overturned to the south in places. It
The first record of copper occurrence in the continues east-northeast beneath a thick cover of
Gorob area dates back to 1886 when calcrete and alluvium and is intruded by granite
reconnaissance prospecting was carried out by and pegmatite. In this area it links up with an
J.M. Stapff. During the period 1901 to 1903 a anticlinal nose and swings back to the
mining engineer, J.L. Gathmann, and J.G. southwest. Complex structures have been
Steiger dug trenches and sunk inclined shafts, produced by isoclinal folds interrupted by faults
the remains of which are still evident. A parallel to the regional strike and also trending
thorough investigation of the property in 1907 north-south across it (Fig. 29).
under direction of the Gorob-Syndikat of Berlin
yielded indifferent results. In 1925 the area was The formations of the two limbs of the
once again studied by H. Heiberg under option syncline differ considerably in mineral facies
of the Otavi-Minen-und Eisenbahngesellschaft. and texture owing to the higher grade of
A mining operation was started in 1956 by the metamorphism and more intense deformation in
Mineral Trading Company of South West Africa the north. Here, the country rocks are coarse-
which until June 1957 produced 717 t of sorted grained quartz-biotite gneiss and schist with the
ore, grading 15.4% copper, 32 g/t silver and assemblage sillimanite-muscovite-kyanite-
12 g/t gold. Further exploration, supported by garnet-cordierite-chlorite, whereas in the south,

2.3-135
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

sericitic quartzite unit 0 to 12 m thick. The

underlying massive magnetite quartzite, 0 to 8 m
thick, is only poorly mineralised. The sericite
schist of the hanging wall contains weak
disseminations as well as thin seams of pyrite
and pyrrhotite with occasional chalcopyrite. It
reaches a thickness of some 200 m up to the
base of the amphibolite.

The lens crops out over a strike length of

700 m and dips about 40o north. Diamond
drilling has indicated a down-dip extension of
Figure 29: The Gorob - Hope mining area 700 m, corresponding to a vertical reach of
(after Preussinger, 1987) approximately 450 m. Tight folding of the
quartzite with associated en echelon drag folds
has resulted in notable thickening and thinning
quartz-biotite schist prevails with the lower of the sulphide-bearing zone. The mineralised
grade assemblage staurolite-garnet-kyanite- shoot is reported to plunge northwards and the
sericite-chlorite. Enclosed within the schist and western part is offset 50 m horizontally by a
gneiss are minor amphibolite layers, wrench fault dipping 70o west. The fault is
metagabbro sills, magnetite quartzite and marked by a 20-m-wide breccia and mylonite
carbonaceous phyllite (Hoffmann, 1977). zone. Grades, over thicknesses in excess of a
metre, vary between 1.7 and 4.4% copper.
The mineralisation at Gorob is regarded as
typical of proximal volcanogenic sulphide The sulphides, usually pyrite, chalcopyrite,
deposits formed at a site of sea-floor spreading. pyrrhotite, sphalerite and galena in diminishing
Initially, the ore was a gel-like precipitate order of abundance, occur as fine disseminations
formed from hot metal-bearing brines. The or as stringers, elongate blebs and veinlets. In
aluminous schists of the hanging wall represent the oxidised zone, which extends to a depth of
an alteration zone in inverted attitude. 30 m, chrysocolla, plancheite, malachite, cuprite
and volborthite are found together with limonite.
Copper sulphide mineralisation forms lenses The lens is significantly leached near the
in magnetite quartzite or magnetite-bearing surface.
quartzitic schist in two principal stratigraphic
horizons, one at the upper contact of the main The prospect has been thoroughly explored
amphibolite and the other 200 m higher by trenches, shafts, drifts, crosscuts, extensive
stratigraphically. The mineralisation is pre- diamond and wagon drilling, geophysical and
tectonic and the sulphide bodies contain all the geochemical surveys. Ore reserves of 3.3
deformation fabrics of the enclosing schist. million t at a grade of 1.93% copper have been
Eight major pyritic lenses, including the calculated (Hoffmann, 1977; 1986).
deposits at the old Gorob and Hope Mines, have
been delineated (Comline, 1986). They will be
described here starting with the Gorob prospect 3.3.11.1.1.2 Vendome Lens
and following the syncline westwards along the
south limb, around the closure of the fold and The structure, lithology and mineralogy of
then east of Hope along the north limb. this smaller lens resemble that of the Gorob
Lens situated about one kilometre to the east.
The magnetite quartzite units each attain a
3.3.11.1.1.1 Gorob Lens maximum thickness of about 6 m. Sulphide
mineralisation transgresses east to west from
The bulk of the Gorob Lens is hosted by a magnetite quartzite at the base, through the

2.3-136
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

sericite quartzite into hanging wall staurolite- quartzite is more magnetite-rich, causing a
garnet-kyanite schist. The shoot plunges north- conspicuous magnetic anomaly, and carries
northwest, has a strike length of 300 m and an variably disseminated, blebby to massive copper
average width of 3 m. sulphides. The southern unit is characterised by
a lower magnetite content with the ore limited to
Diamond drilling has indicated that the its northern contact zone. Drilling indicates that
copper content is rather erratic; intersection the lens continues over 1 000 m down plunge,
widths up to 4 m and grades from traces to and possibly a further 400 m, according to a
2.7% copper have been encountered. A row of ground magnetometer anomaly. Several ore
four deep boreholes has shown mineralisation to intersections up to 6 m wide with grades
be present to a vertical depth of more than reaching 3.7% copper were made in the
450 m with, however, a drop in tenor with otherwise mainly barren magnetite quartzite
increasing depth. Ore reserves of 1.1 million t at (Hoffmann, 1977).
an average grade of 1.53% copper have been
calculated (Hoffmann, 1977; 1986). An underground exploration operation on the
Hope Lens from 1981 to 1982 resulted in the
following ore reserve estimation:
3.3.11.1.1.3 Luigi Lens

This mineralised body situated in a tight drag Table 28: Reserves for the Hope Lens (after
fold within a larger flattened and very Cowey, 1982)
attenuated, overturned anticlinal structure, first
crops out one kilometre west of the Vendome Reserve Reserves Grade
Lens and persists for a further 1.8 km. The only Class (t) Copper Silver
part that is known to be well mineralised is the (%) (g/t)
tight drag-fold closure at the western end, where Probable 311 753 3.61 13.53
significant amounts of disseminated to blebby Possible 364 913 3.68 13.68
pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite with very Potential 630 580 2.59
minor sphalerite and galena occur in sericitic
quartzite. Drilling has indicated a strike length
of 150 m, an average true width of about 4 m, The mineralised zone comprises weakly to
resulting in the estimation of ore reserves of 0.3 well-mineralised quartz-biotite-amphibole
million t at a grade of 1.5% copper (Hoffmann, schists, garnetiferous quartzites, massive
1977; 1986). actinolite-tremolite-hornblende layers and a thin
discontinuous carbonate unit. To the west, the
closure of the fold forms a small hill.
3.3.11.1.1.4 Hope Lens Chalcopyrite predominates over pyrite, whereas
molybdenite is reported from the amphibole-
This copper deposit is located on the chlorite-rich sections. Other copper minerals are
northern limb of a regional syncline, a few bornite, chalcocite, atacamite and volborthite,
kilometres from its western closure. The accompanied by calcite-barite gangue. Oxidation
mineralisation occurs between two parallel has reached a vertical depth of approximately
magnetite quartzite bands that crop out over 40 m (Cowey, 1986).
450 m trending east-northeast. Owing to intense
folding and shearing, the structure of the Hope
Lens, which attains a maximum width of 60 m 3.3.11.1.1.5 Du Preez Zone
in plan, is rather complex. Though the
magnetite quartzite units have been deformed in This area lies 3 km east of the old Hope Mine
such a fashion as to simulate an eastward- and is underlain by quartzite-biotite-sillimanite
plunging syncline, the evidence indicates that schist intruded by pegmatite. Trenches and pits
the “limbs” cannot be correlated. The northern have exposed discontinuous iron staining,

2.3-137
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

gossan and copper oxides over a strike distance Grades tend to be lower than in other deposits in
of 4 km. Several target areas within this zone the area (Hoffmann, 1977).
have been delineated and subsequently wagon
drilled. Assays were generally less than 1%
copper with only occasional holes intersecting 3.3.11.1.1.6.2 Anomaly Central Lens
up to 1.2% over one metre. The poor
mineralisation has been attributed to the In structure and lithology this 200-m-long
absence of magnetite and sericite quartzite lens is identical to the Anomaly West body; the
(Hoffmann, 1977). two lenses are separated by a 200 m stretch of
weakly mineralised quartzite. The ore-bearing
section is about 1.5 m wide at approximately 1%
3.3.11.1.1.6 Anomaly Zone copper grade, and persists down-dip to a
minimum depth of 100 m as established by
This feature, stretching east from the Du diamond drilling (Hoffmann, 1977).
Preez Zone for about 8 km, was discovered as
an airborne magnetometer anomaly. The terrain
is largely covered by calcrete and outcrops are 3.3.11.1.1.6.3 Anomaly East Lens
scarce. It is underlain by quartz-biotite schist
with intercalated amphibolite and garnetiferous This mineralised body, 250 m in strike length,
quartz-chlorite schist. The presence of granite is situated 2 km further to the east in the same
and pegmatite probably explains the higher stratigraphic horizon as the two mentioned
grade of metamorphism and deformation. above. The width of the unexposed steeply-
dipping lens is one to 3 m, and its average grade
Disseminated and blebby to massive 1% copper. Wagon drilling has indicated the
pyrrhotite with minor pyrite and chalcopyrite presence of magnetite quartzite and massive
are present mainly in a distinct, discontinuous pyrite/pyrrhotite with only minor chalcopyrite in
magnetite quartzite horizon at the footwall places (Hoffmann, 1977).
contact of the main amphibolite. The quartzite
stretches 5.5 km east-northeast and dips
vertically to steeply south-southeast. Generally, 3.3.11.2 Windhoek District
a substantial increase in the magnetite content is
accompanied by a commensurate increase in 3.3.11.2.1 Matchless Mine
sulphides. Besides quartzite, the rocks on the
footwall contact of the main amphibolite The Matchless Mine was the first copper
comprise schist and gneisses containing deposit operative on a large scale in Namibia.
phenocrysts of cordierite, sillimanite, garnet, The deposit was opened up in 1840 by the
staurolite, quartz and biotite with disseminated Walwich Bay Copper Mining Company, which
sulphides and magnetite. Several sulphide started working what is known today as the
lenses have been traced in this zone, the three River Shoot Gossan. In the 1850s, hand-sorted
more important ones being Anomaly West, ore was sent by ox-wagon to Walvis Bay from
Anomaly Central and Anomaly East where it was shipped to O’kiep in South Africa
(Hoffmann, 1977). for blending purposes. Mining operations ceased
in 1862, when an outbreak of cattle disease
killed off the trek oxen. At the turn of the
3.3.11.1.1.6.1 Anomaly West Lens century, extensive exploration for high-grade ore
was carried out by the Damara Syndicate
This low-grade shoot in quartzite has a strike without success. Thereafter, the mine passed
length of approximately 450 m, and a thickness through the hands of various owners who
of one to 7 m. Drilling has indicated a steep produced minimal quantities of ore. The old
southeasterly plunge and that the body is open workings comprised two adits and four shafts
to extension below a vertical depth of 260 m. with levels.

2.3-138
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

The Matchless deposit, located on the farm quartz-amphibole rock. The Footwall
Friedenau 16, was re-evaluated in 1961 by Amphibolite, which is locally taken as the base
means of detailed geological mapping and five of the Matchless Member, is present only in the
diamond drill holes totalling 480 m. Extensive western portion of the ore body. The Transition
diamond drilling located several ore shoots on Schist is a transitional unit between the Footwall
the basis of which the present vertical shaft was Schist and the overlying Sericitic Quartzite, and
sunk to a depth of 350 m. Production started in consists essentially of a biotite-sericite rock
1970 and until 1983, when the mine closed containing frequent quartz lenses. The vague
down, amounted to a total of 1.35 million t contacts of this unit, which has a true thickness
grading 2.12% copper and 14.8% sulphur. The of up to 5 m, are normally marked by a
remaining reserves total 563 000 t at an average concentration of quartz boudins. Towards the
grade of 2.21% copper (Tsumeb Corporation upper contact, there is an increase in slight pyrite
Ltd, 1984). The annual production in listed in mineralisation and a gradual decrease in biotite
Table 29. content, whereas in places the unit contains
slight concentrations of chalcopyrite. Sericitic
quartzite with a true thickness of up to 15 m is
Table 29: Production of the Matchless Mine the principal host rock. It is mainly a regularly
(Source: Directorate of Mines) foliated, silvery-white, pyritic quartz-sericite
schist with sections of light-grey sericite
Year Ore (t) (t) Copper (t) Pyrite quartzite. A distinct sugary texture imparted by
Concentrate Concentrate the heavy pyrite mineralisation and
1970 12 260 —- 6 112 concentration of chalcopyrite mineralisation
1971 90 607 9 160 10 331 towards the hanging wall contact, are
1972 22 832 3 323 2 200 characteristic features of this unit. An easily
1973 102 036 9 324 12 183 identifiable chlorite-biotite-amphibole schist
1974 108 344 8 248 9 566 band, varying in thickness from a few
1975 102 133 12 085 9 015 centimetres to about one metre, occurs in the
1976 101 564 11 048 6 399 upper half of the sericitic quartzite. This band
1977 111 214 11 864 1 243 serves as a marker horizon in mining because it
1978 111 144 12 753 3 631 coincides roughly with the lower limits of the
1979 114 818 10 497 7 195 ore-grade copper mineralisation.
1980 126 953 11 171 3 315
1981 111 200 373 12 312 Overlying the sericitic quartzite, a quartzose
1982 122 740 12 400 —- biotite-sericite schist with stringers of chlorite
1983 107 940 8 784 1 342 schist and sericitic quartzite as well as bands of
magnetite quartzite comprises the Intermediate
Schist. A distinct angular discordance causes the
The ore outcrop, which has a strike length of unit to wedge out westward between the sericitic
800 m, consists of prominent gossan lenses in quartzite and the overlying amphibole schist.
which malachite veins as well as malachite and High-grade copper mineralisation occurs at the
chrysocolla stains are widespread (Worst, junction of the three units. The amphibole schist
1971a). is a dark olive-green, chlorite-biotite-amphibole
schist, in places talcose and crumbly, and is
According to Teichmann (1977) the characterised by the presence of large quartz
following distinct lithological units can be boudins and well developed amphibole needles.
recognised in the mine area: Ubiquitous quartz- Mineralisation within this unit is hosted by
biotite-sericite schist of the Kuiseb Formation interbedded quartzite bands. The amphibole
comprises the so-called Footwall schist. The schist passes upwards into a more massive
Footwall amphibolite consists mainly of amphibolite of the hanging wall amphibolite
intercalated large isolated lenticular bodies of with interbeds of mineralised magnetite
dark green, medium to coarse-grained, compact, quartzite. The hanging wall schist is a thick

2.3-139
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

monotonous succession of quartz-mica schist The sulphide minerals at Matchless Mine are,
and is identical with the footwall schist (Figs 30 in decreasing order of abundance: pyrite,
and 31). chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite plus marcasite,
sphalerite, bornite and galena. The gold and
silver content is rather low. From the upper
zones cuprite, chrysocolla, native copper,
bornite, covellite, chalcocite, some hematite,
barite and limonitic aggregates containing
cuprite, covellite and tenorite have been reported
(Bürg, 1942).

There is a discernible trend in the spatial

distribution of the ore minerals. Although pyrite
occurs ubiquitously within the ore zone, it is
markedly concentrated within the sericite
quartzite, whereas chalcopyrite is concentrated
towards the top of the latter as well as in the
overlying schist. Magnetite quartzite lenses in
the amphibole schist contain seams and pockets
of massive chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite together
with disseminated marmatitic sphalerite. The
latter is more abundant towards the hanging wall
Figure 30: Surface geology plan of the of the ore zones. Bornite has only been noted as
Matchless Mine area (after Adamson & sparse disseminations in magnetite quartzite.
Teichmann, 1986)
In contrast with pyrite, the distribution of
copper sulphides at the Matchless Mine is not
stratabound, but reaches across lithological
boundaries and is undoubtedly structurally
controlled. The ore body at the mine comprises
three shoots, the East, West and River Shoots
which are arranged en echelon and appear to be
localised in the axial zones of westerly plunging
isoclinal folds. The average plunge is 23o
(Hälbich, 1970). Ore has been proved to a
vertical depth of 440 m with reference to the
shaft collar (Adamson & Teichmann, 1986).

Cut-and-fill stoping mining methods were

applied at Matchless Mine and three stopes were
in operation. Daily ore production was
maintained at 350 t. After milling and flotation
the concentrate was trucked to Windhoek, from
where it was railed to Tsumeb for smelting. A
typical analysis of the copper concentrate would
be 22% copper, 70 g/t silver and 1.7 g/t gold,
while the pyrite concentrate contained 47%
Figure 31: Vertical cross section of the sulphur.
Matchless Mine (after Adamson &
Teichmann, 1986)

2.3-140
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.3.11.2.2 Augeigas 34 the end of 1980 when underground development

resumed and the workings were re-equipped for
Three copper prospects have been located by production in 1982. The Otjihase copper deposit
a geochemical survey in the southernmost is closely associated with magnetite quartzite
portion of the farm Augeigas 34. A cupriferous units of the Matchless Member, which here
schist was tested by one diamond drill hole to spans a width of about 5 km. The member
an inclined depth of 53.5 m; only very slight consists of amphibolitic rocks and talc-chlorite
chalcopyrite and malachite in fine amphibolite schist forming discontinuous layers and lenses in
were present at 25.6 m. the garnetiferous biotite-quartz and biotite-
chlorite schists of the Kuiseb Formation. A one
Another anomaly was determined in an area with talc-carbonate schist at its base grading
where copper-stained gossan in amphibolite had upwards into well preserved amphibolite occurs
previously been trenched. Detailed geochemical stratigraphically some 180 m above the ore body
sampling showed copper-in-soil values (Fig. 32).
exceeding 2 000 ppm. Further to the southwest
an intersection assaying 1% copper over one The gossanous zone striking east-northeast
metre was reported from a wagon drill hole. The and dipping 15o north-northwest has a 2-km-
mineralised zone has a possible strike extent of long surface outcrop and has been drilled down-
about 60 m (Elders, 1973b; 1974). dip for about 3.5 km. Persistent beds and

3.3.11.2.3 Apies 287

A copper-in-soil anomaly has been detected

on Colvania, the eastern portion of the farm
Apies 287. Malachite and chrysocolla
accompany a gossan in sericite quartzite over a
strike distance of 300 m. Although three out of
nine wagon drill holes testing the down-dip
extension of the gossan intersected 1.5 to 2.5 m
assaying 0.16 to 0.95% copper, the
mineralisation seemed to fade out in depth. A
vertical longitudinal projection suggests that the
copper-bearing shoot plunges 24o to the west
(Worst, 1971b; Elders, 1974; Venter, 1978).

3.3.11.2.4 Otjihase Mine

Although the hill nearest the Otjihase gossan

on the farm Von Francois-Ost 60 had been
already named the Erzberg (Ore Mountain) 65
years ago, the copper potential of the gossan
was recognised only in 1970. Following a
vigorous exploration programme the Otjihase
ore body was developed during 1973 - 1975 by
the Otjihase Mining Company. By the end of
1975 the property came into production. Owing
to the depressed price of copper, operations had Figure 32: Generalised geological map of the
to be suspended in December 1977. The mine Otjihase area showing surface projection of
was kept on a care and maintenance basis until the main ore shoot (after TCL)

2.3-141
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

discontinuous rounded lenses of magnetite On surface, the ore bearer is exposed as

quartzite occur within the mineralised zone. In reddish-brown gossan, ferrugious schist and
the low-grade section, forming the southwestern magnetite quartzite. Limonitic boxworks with
part of the deposit, magnetite quartzite is rare malachite and chrysocolla are preserved in
continuous over a strike length of more than places. The copper content of the gossan
400 m, whereas in the eastern section it is averages 0.1% (Goldberg, 1976). The primary
fragmented into lenticular pods or boudin-like ore consists of pyrite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite
structures. The magnetite quartzite is considered in order of abundance, with minor pyrrhotite.
to be an integral part of the ore deposition (D.C. The host rock gangue includes magnetite
Kennedy, pers. comm.). quartzite, variable schist and occasional
amphibolite. The bulk of the silver at Otjihase is
Small-scale isoclinal/recumbent folding in present in solid solution in chalcopyrite, with the
the ore zone suggests the possible presence of a remainder contained in sphalerite. Analyses of
large recumbent fold; however, lack of marker mill products, copper, zinc and pyrite
horizons and intense shearing make concentrates, indicate that most of the gold is
identification of these assumed folds extremely associated with chalcopyrite. As in the
difficult. Minor variations in the dip of the ore Matchless ore body, sphalerite at Otjihase is also
zone and the undulating trace of the northern distinctly marmatitic.
cut-off boundary suggest a later episode of
gentle cross-folding. Finally, the area is The copper is unevenly distributed in the
segmented by north-south trending faults with mineralised zone, but forms a well-defined ore
downthrow to the west. The ore body is cut shoot near the northern margin of the deposit.
fromm east to west by the Otjihase, the Oblique This varies in width from 200 to 300 m, and in
and Hoffnung Faults with respective thickness from 1 to 7 m with an average slightly
displacements of 30 to 70 m, 20 m and 120 m under 3 m. Southwards from the shoot, the
(Fig. 33). copper tenor decreases as the mineralised zone

Figure 33: Geology of the Otjihase Mine (after TCL)

2.3-142
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

thickens up to 20 m, consisting of thin milled and copper concentrate produced since

discontinuous sulphide and magnetite quartzite the mine came into production in 1975.
lenses within various schists. The ore shoot
plunges about 14o northwestwards, swinging
west short of the Otjihase fault; it follows a Table 30: Production of the Otjihase Mine
well-developed lineation observed in surface (Source: Directorate of Mines)
outcrops of magnetite quartzite. Exploration
drilling has indicated that the ore shoot extends Year Ore (t) (t) Copper (t) Pyrite
down-dip for more than 3.5 km. Although no Concentrate Concentrate
clear mineral zoning has been recognised, there 1975 132 451 —- —-
is generally an upper and a lower zone of 1976 698 644 52 050 59 777
massive pyrite. Chalcopyrite is concentrated at 1977 934 753 —- —-
the margins of these pyritic lenses as well as in 1978 —- —- —-
tectonically formed structural traps. Its 1979 —- —- —-
distribution is extremely variable in detail, in 1980 5 037 —- —-
response to its mobility and sensitivity to 1981 205 634 14 242 26 772
disturbance. 1982 774 060 61 192 108 818
1983 756 996 53 322 118 239
In the past the pillar and bay method of 1984 844 049 49 890 172 315
stoping was applied by the Otjihase Mining 1985 832 741 55 006 174 363
Company. Ore and waste were brought up a 1986 867 723 61 331 189 451
service decline equipped with a one-metre 1987 546 863 38 328 120 260
conveyor belt and were then gravitated to two 1988 831 570 55 789 226 682
adits, the North and the South Adit, driven 1989 763 542 49 448 196 532
below the ore body into a steep rock face close 1990 630 497 34 138 138 924
to the surface plant complex. 1991 651 797 34 498 127 119

Since 1982, the ore body has been

redeveloped for large-scale mechanised 3.3.11.2.5 Ongeama Prospect
equipment. A new service decline has been cut
from surface to the position of an underground On the farm Ongeama 61, a gossan
crusher station. Entry to the various stoping accompanies a magnetite quartzite bed for
blocks is by means of stope access ramps which 1 000 m south of the amphibolite belt. The
are driven on a relative dip of 7.5o. Within a Ongeama prospect, which is situated
stoping block, mining progresses down-dip in approximately 10 km northeast of the Otjihase
an en echelon manner, with 11-m-wide stopes, Mine, was discovered in 1971 during the follow-
separated by 4-m-wide rib pillars. Individual up of an aeromagnetic anomaly. The prospect
stopes follow the ore body contours, albeit with was systematically investigated between 1971
a slight dowmward dip. Ore is loaded in the and 1977.
stopes and transported by mining dump trucks
to the main tip above the underground crusher The mineralisation is confined to the
station. lenticular magnetite quartzite which hosts
disseminated to massive pyrrhotite, pyrite,
At the end of 1991 the ore reserves amounted chalcopyrite and sphalerite. On surface the ore
to 10.177 million t containing 2.62% copper, zone is exposed as two gossan bodies in line,
20% sulphur and 10 g/t silver. A typical analysis 600 m and 400 m in strike length, separated by a
of the copper concentrate produced is 26% gap of 200 m. They are conformable with the
copper, 65 g/t silver and 4 g/t gold. The pyrite enclosing quartz-biotite-sericite-garnet schist,
concentrate contains 50% sulphur. and reach a maximum width of 1.5 to 2 m. In
depth, the ore bearer becomes a narrow elongate
The following table gives the tonnage of ore shoot which dips 14o to 16o northwest and

2.3-143
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

plunges 7o to 8o almost due west (Wadley, parallel stringers. Apparently lenses and sharply
1977a). The sulphide content diminishes down defined cross-veins of gossan representing more
plunge, but the shoot is open-ended at depth. compact sulphide aggregates are far less
Laterally the sulphides gradually peter out. Ore abundant (Killick, 1977b; 1977c).
reserves amount to 468 700 t at 1.26% copper, Extensive wagon drilling (275 holes) close to
0.46% zinc, 5.36 g/ton silver and the average and along almost the entire length of the gossan
thickness is 1.37 m (Hoffmann, 1976). has indicated significant copper grades within
two sections of the ore zone. Subsequent
diamond drilling (39 holes) delineated two small
3.3.11.2.6 Ongeama West Prospect ore bodies of medium to low tenor. The Eastern
Main Shoot has a strike length of approximately
A copper anomaly, 600 m long, and peaking 1 300 m and stretches from about 200 m west of
at 940 ppm copper has been detected between the White Nossob River eastward. A much
the Otjihase and Ongeama gossans (Wardley, smaller body is exposed over about 720 m and a
1972). vertical depth of 220 m. The combined reserves
have been calculated at 3.29 million t grading
1.9% copper at an average thickness of 1.62 m
3.3.11.2.7 Ongombo Prospect (Hoffmann, 1976).

Like the Ongeama Prospect the Ongombo In 1980 an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP)
Prospect was also discovered during the follow- Survey was conducted over the area which
up of an aeromagnetic anomaly in 1971. During located amongst others a blind conductor which
the period 1971 to 1977 the area was was called the Ongombo East Conductor at a
extensively explored. depth of about 80 m. Prior to March 1983, six
percussion and five diamond hole intersections
A gossanous magnetite quartzite bed on the were made on this blind conductor, the best
farms Ongombo West 56 and Ongombo-Ost intersections being 3.91% copper over 1.44 m
140, traceable for some 5 km in a northeasterly width, 5.86% copper over 0.72 m width and
direction, dips consistently 15o to 20o northwest, 1.31% copper over 2.34 m width (Krüger, 1983).
conformable with the enclosing Kuiseb
Formation schists. The best outcrops are on the
banks of the White Nossob River which forms 3.3.11.2.8 Okahua 185
the common boundary between the two farms.
West of the river a zone of slumped rusty A geochemically as well as geophysically
magnetite and massive limonitic gossan anomalous zone has been located in the southern
continues along strike for some 1 800 m. The portion of the farm Okahua 185, 4 km south of
thickness of the bed varies between 1 and 2 m, the Matchless Amphibolite. Percussion drilling
thinning gradually westward. Except for two found several pyrite bodies. The best
small isolated outcrops, only loose float intersection is 0.38% copper over 2.0 m with
indicates the sub-outcrop trend of the gossan accessory zinc. The sulphides are hosted by
east of the White Nossob River. Two lenticular ferruginous quartzite (Elders, 1974b; Killick,
units of more basic schist and amphibolite are 1977b).
present in the sequence above and below the
gossan; in this area the amphibolite of the
Matchless Member is developed over a limited 3.3.11.2.9 Esperance 178, Gumtree 326 and
width of only 1.5 km. Nancefield 325

Because of severe leaching, copper showings A semi-continuous copper-in-soil anomaly

are confined to polished exposures in the river and several airborne EM anomalies have been
bed. Limonite boxwork in most of the quartzite observed on the farms Esperance 178, Gumtree
takes the form of variable disseminations and 326 and Nancefield 325, northeast of the

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Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Omieve serpentinite body. They stretch over anticlines on the northern limb of a major east-
15 km of strike in a zone tentatively correlated trending synclinorium. The largest outcrop is
with the Matchless Member, here concealed by 100 m long and 1 to 10 m wide. The gossan
a cover of sand. consists of black to brown goethite and limonite.
The primary minerals, very sparse pyrite,
Extensive percussion drilling has revealed pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite, appear on shear
the highest values in two parallel north-dipping planes and also as disseminations in chert and
zones of variable width and strike on the farm quartzite.
Esperance 178. The southern zone, 400 m in
strike length, is the better mineralised, returning Sporadic gossanous outcrops are associated
an average of 0.27% copper over a width of with quartzite and conglomerate over a strike
19 m. Although occasional assays exceeding length of one kilometre in the southwestern part
1% copper were encountered, grades generally of the farm Groot Aub 267. North and south of
ranged between 0.25 and 0.5% copper. the conglomeratic quartzite, widely scattered
Chalcopyrite, pyrite and malachite were gossans have been located in schist and
observed in the drill cuttings (Wadley, 1977b). dolomite. They contain 60 to 720 ppm copper.
Detailed soil sampling over the area returned
copper values ranging between 10 and 100 ppm
3.3.11.3 Gobabis District copper (Lawless, 1975).

3.3.11.3.1 Talana 199 In a calcareous quartzite bed near the

boundary with the farm Onnaams 270, malachite
Some 3 km east of the serpentinite stains occur with chalcopyrite and pyrite over
occurrence on the western boundary of the farm less than one square metre. Compare also
Talana 199, a copper-anomaly trends northeast 3.1.10.6.
for about 3 km, peaking at 120 ppm. The
feature has been investigated by trenching and
177 percussion drill holes totalling 8 132 m. 3.3.12.2 Nabitsaus 263
Numerous intersections exceeded 0.3% copper
were obtained. The copper occurs in a Geochemical soil sampling during 1971 and
succession of quartz-sericite schist with 1972 detected a discontinuous zone of
intercalated amphibolite bands, the stratigraphic anomalous copper for some 4 km on the western
position of which is uncertain because of part of the farm Nabitsaus 263. Sporadic high
extensive sand cover. Regional structural trends values of up to 300 ppm copper were obtained
nevertheless suggest association with the over graphitic schist and pyritic quartzite devoid
Matchless Member rather than with amphibolite of visible copper mineralisation (Pascoe,
layers of the Chuos Formation (Wadley, 1977b). 1976b).

3.3.12 Rehoboth District 3.3.12.3 Nauaspoort 261

3.3.12.1 Groot Aub 267 Several gossans in marble and graphitic schist
of the Kudis Subgroup on the farm Nauaspoort
East of the Usib River, in the northeastern 261 were investigated in 1974. The results of a
part of the farm Groot Aub 267, copper-bearing geochemical survey and percussion drilling
gossans assay 55 to 2 400 ppm copper. They proved that the gossans did not cap any major
generally conform with the contact zone ore bodies, although revealing the presence of
between quartzite and graphite schist of the sporadic copper and nickel mineralisation.
Kudis Subgroup, particularly in association with
chert and conglomerate. The gossan can be The main gossanous zone can be traced for
traced for 14 km around two subordinate 1.2 km along a prominent ridge at the contact

2.3-145
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

between the lower Kudis Subgroup marble and scanty disseminated chalcopyrite and malachite
overlying graphite schist, some 1.5 km north of occur in a 1.5-m-wide marble unit. The copper
the Nauaspoort gap on the southern boundary of minerals are accompanied by thin quartz veinlets
the farm. The gossan, which attains a maximum and can be traced for about 60 m in a
width of 5 m, shows sporadic boxwork and is northeasterly direction (Schröder, 1975).
associated with pyrite-bearing chert. Grab Compare also 3.1.10.9.
samples assayed up to 1 000 ppm copper,
950 ppm nickel and 370 ppm zinc. Malachite,
azurite and quartz are present in marble exposed 3.3.12.4 Naruchas 254
in prospecting pits, but have not been observed
in the gossan. Other pits in the same marble unit The dolomitic marbles of the Kudis Subgroup
further east also contain sporadic malachite, on the farm Naruchas 254 show occasional
chrysocolla, azurite, bornite and possibly malachite staining associated with irregular
chalcocite. A geochemical survey indicated that ferruginous calcite veins. Compare also 3.1.10.5.
anomalous copper and nickel values peaking at
514 ppm copper and 80 ppm nickel were
confined to the marble and overlying dolomitic 3.3.12.5 Kudis 271
schist, whereas prospecting pits showed that
malachite and azurite mineralisation is On the farm Kudis 271 widespread copper
associated with secondary quartz within the staining appears in graphite schist of the Kudis
marble and not with the gossan. A total of 9 Subgroup as well as in overlying pebbly schists
percussion holes were drilled on the gossan correlated with the Chuos Formation. Pyritic
zone; the best intersection recorded is 310 ppm chert is associated with the graphite schist
copper and 580 ppm nickel over 0.5 m within (Pascoe, 1976b).
micaceous and hematitic quartz schist.

In the northwestern portion of the farm, 3.3.12.6 Blaukrans 281

sporadic gossan outcrops in calcareous and
graphitic schist were test-pitted over a strike Gossan pods containing scanty pyrite and
distance of some 800 m. Grab samples assayed chalcopyrite occur in the basal marble of the
up to 1 400 ppm copper and 880 ppm nickel, Kudis Subgroup in the southeastern part of the
whereas geochemical grid sampling yielded best farm Blaukrans 281. Samples of the gossan
copper values of only 50 ppm over graphitic assay up to 0.14% copper (Versfeld, 1975).
schist. Seven percussion holes were drilled in
this area. Only scattered pyrite and galena were
intersected in some of these holes. Malachite 3.3.12.7 Stinkwater 282
and minor limonite along joints and bedding
planes were exposed in prospecting pits in In the southwestern portion of the farm
Kudis Subgroup marble along the northwestern Stinkwater 282, zones, up to 100 m long and
boundary of the farm Nauaspoort 261. 20 m wide, of sheared and fragmented rock
Geochemical grid sampling returned highest encrusted by limonite, calcite and chert occur
values of 500 ppm copper. within graphitic schist of the Bloukrans
Formation. Percussion drilling has yielded
North of a quartzite ridge in the southwestern assays of 210 ppm copper and 500 ppm zinc.
portion of the farm, sparse gossan appears in Gossan float and minor outcrop with extensive
several horizons of calcareous schist quartz veining have been located in the
mineralised along shear planes. Grab samples northwestern corner of the farm. Limonitic
have returned assays peaking at 330 and samples assayed up to 0.13% copper (Versfeld,
410 ppm copper. 1975).

Along the western slope of a high range,

2.3-146
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.4 Syn-Damara Intrusions Although haloes of malachite staining

surround spots of limonite, no primary copper
Minor copper showings are associated with sulphide minerals could be identified. It has
two types of intrusions emplaced during the been suggested that trace amounts of copper
Damara Orogeny, the carbonatitic Otjisazu might occur in pyrrhotite, an important minor
Igneous Complex and the serpentinite bodies constituent of the alkali-pyroxenite and sövite.
along the Southern Margin of the Damara However, it is also possible that a phosphate-
Orogen. enrichment fluid fraction with minor copper-iron
sulphide content was concentrated in
geochemically or structurally favourable areas
3.4.1 Okahandja District during the later stages of crystallisation of the
pyroxenite and sövite (Gunthorpe, 1980).
3.4.1.1 Otjisazu Igneous Complex

Anomalous copper values accompanied by 3.4.2 Windhoek District

concentrations of apatite in alkali pyroxenite,
sövite and mafic pegmatoid have been reported 3.4.2.1 Serpentinites
from the igneous complex on the farm Otjisazu
53. The complex is situated 20 km east- Approximately 50 ultramafic bodies are
northeast of Okahandja, and was first known to occur in a narrow belt spread out for
recognised as an intrusive igneous body some 450 km along the Southern Margin of the
transgressing Kuiseb Formation schist (Blaine, Damara Orogen. A study by Barnes (1979;
1975). 1980) revealed that they represent alpine-type
intrusions, which commonly lack sulphide
As the tongue of syenite projecting northwest mineralisation (Stanton, 1972).
from the centre of the complex was intruded by
granitic pegmatite dykes apparently related to Exploration of some of the larger bodies has
the Donkerhuk Granite, the Otjisazu Igneous confirmed that the serpentinites are virtually
Complex might predate the emplacement of devoid of primary copper-nickel sulphides. On
Donkerhuk Granite. On the other hand, a the common boundary between the farms
tentative age of + 130 million years has been Okatumba Ost 195 and Otjihaenena 196, north
attributed to the complex by the South African of Seeis, however, malachite staining appears on
Committee for Stratigraphy (SACS) (1980). For outcrops of brecciated serpentinite belonging to
additional information the reader is referred to an oval-shaped serpentinite intrusion. In 1978
the phosphate chapter. four boreholes totalling 333.57 m were drilled to
test for copper-nickel sulphide mineralisation.
Two areas of above-threshold values of The nickel values of the serpentinite ranged
100 ppm copper were outlined during a between 2 100 and 2 800 ppm, whereas the
geochemical soil survey. Both areas show a copper content was as low as 3 to 8 ppm.
clear relationship between anomalous copper
and phosphate values exceeding 200 ppm Geochemical analyses have indicated that the
copper and 3% P2O5. The northern anomaly is average copper content of Damaran serpentinites
underlain by sövite-megabreccia with visible is 25 ppm and that values do not exceed
disseminated apatite and traces of secondary 100 ppm (Barnes, 1980).
copper carbonates in places, whereas the
southern anomaly has been outlined over alkali
pyroxenite carrying disseminated and clustered 3.5 Mulden Group
apatite with only rare indications of copper.
Rock chip sampling as well as wagon drilling In the arc of Damaran rocks fringing the
have confirmed the sympathetic association Ovambo Basin from Kaokoland in the northwest
between copper and phosphate. to beyond Tsumeb in the east, sedimentary beds

2.3-147
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

of the Mulden Group unconformably or 130 to 4 170 ppm copper and up to 3.4 g/t silver
paraconformably overlie units of the Otavi (Harrison, 1986).
Group. A considerable break in sedimentation
occurred between the deposition of the two In the nose of an antiform on the same farm a
groups and extensive areas underlain by the thin band of greeny siltstone containing specks
Hüttenberg Formation were presumably of bornite and malachite was found near the base
exposed to denudation prior to the accumulation of an arenite-capped ridge (Harrison, 1986).
of Mulden Group sediments. In places where
the carbonates of the Hüttenberg Formation
were mineralised, this may have resulted in 3.5.1.4 Brakpan 654
surficial enrichment of copper deposits. During
the subsequent deposition of Mulden Group Rock chip assays of green siltstones from the
sediments in basins underlain by cupriferous farm Brakpan 654 returned copper values
Hüttenberg Formation beds, favourable between 592 and 3 970 ppm and silver values of
environments developed locally for the up to 10.8 g/t. Malachite-stained boulders were
deposition of syngenetic copper ores, found alongside the road (Harrison, 1986).
particularly in the basal layers of the Mulden
Group.
3.5.1.5 Vaalkop 657
Minor copper occurrences in Mulden Group
quartzite, partly accompanied by quartz veining, Rock samples from the farm Vaalkop 657
have been reported from Damaraland and the assayed between 980 ppm and 1.25% copper and
Outjo and Tsumeb Districts. between 1 and 25.9 g/t silver. One isolated
sample returned 13.07% copper and 151 g/t
silver (Harrison, 1986)
3.5.1 Outjo District

3.5.1.1 Gagarus 289 3.5.1.6 Dellis 65

In the eastern portion of the farm Gagarus On Maruga’s claims in the northwestern part
289, a greeny-grey pebbly arenite horizon near of the farm Dellis 65, scattered grains of
the base of the Mulden Group assays up to malachite and chalcocite are present over a
0.12% copper and 0.56% lead (Harrison, 1986). distance of 120 m in two zones of platy to
schistose Mulden Group quartzite. The prospect
was investigated by drilling 6 boreholes with a
3.5.1.2 Seringetti 659 total metreage of 682. Only sparse malachite
showed in the core of the oxidised zone, beneath
On the farm Seringetti 659 a green-grey which finely disseminated specks of bornite
malachite-stained siltstone of the Mulden Group were noted. The most significant mineralisation
yields values of up to 4 610 ppm copper and was found to be hosted by feldspathic
7.5 g/t silver (Harrison, 1986). sandstones adjacent to and up to 800 m south of
the Mulden Group/Otavi Group contact in close
proximity to fault zones. Prominent geochemical
3.5.1.3 Grenswag 655 soil anomalies were delineated in the contact
area adjacent to the fault zones. A maximum of
On the farm Grenswag 655, a thin 350 ppm copper in lower Mulden Group
pyritiferous green siltstone band outcrops just to sandstones has been recorded (Thirion, 1969;
the north of the dolomite contact over a strike Coxon, 1985).
length of nearly 500 m. Some 150 m along
strike, abundant malachite staining is visible
within this layer. Samples taken assayed from

2.3-148
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

3.5.2 Damaraland dolomite. The copper is thought to have been

introduced into the arenaceous formations
3.5.2.1 Narachaams during epi-diagenesis.

At Narachaams, some 18 km west of

Fransfontein, small nodules of malachite, 3.6 Gariep Complex
bornite and chalcocite are found in quartz veins
intersecting Mulden Group quartzite. The To date the stratabound zinc-lead deposit of
stringers do not exceed a few metres in length. the Rosh Pinah Mine is the only known major
Four samples assayed between 4.3 and 23.8% base metal occurrence in the Gariep Complex of
copper, 0.7 and 48.0 g/t gold and 10.3 and the Lüderitz District. However, numerous
117.6 g/t silver (Seeger, 1978). prominent gossans in rocks correlated with the
Rosh Pinah Formation northwest of the mine are
known to occur.
3.5.2.2 Aub 683

Narrow, vertically disposed quartz stringers 3.6.1 Lüderitz District

crosscutting Mulden Group quartzite in an
easterly direction carry small nodules and 3.6.1.1 Rosh Pinah Mine
veinlets of malachite, bornite and chalcocite.
The quartz stringers are vertical, strike east- The Rosh Pinah deposit occurs stratabound in
west and are usually only a few centimetres the lower part of the Rosh Pinah Formation,
wide. Assays of three samples showed a copper hosted by carbonates, carbonaceous chert,
content of 0.1 to 0.5% (Seeger, 1978). quartzite and argillite. Sphalerite, galena, pyrite
and chalcopyrite are the main sulphide minerals
of this sedimentary exhalative deposit. Ore
3.5.2.3 Naauwpoort 511 grades are 7.5% zinc, 2% lead and 0.1% copper;
the Rosh Pinah Mine is therefore predominantly
Slight malachite staining in basal a lead-zinc deposit and is described in detail in
conglomerate of the Mulden Group occurs at the lead-zinc chapter. The copper is recovered
the contact with underlying Naauwpoort together with the zinc concentrate (Watson,
Formation in the northwestern part of the farm 1980).
Naauwpoort 511. The showing occurs close to
the prospect described under 3.1.3.2.
3.6.1.2 Spitskop 111 and Scorpion

3.5.2.4 Uris 481 East and west of the Rosh Pinah - Aus road,
on the farm Spitskop 111 and in the Scorpion
The north Bobos-Hoepker copper prospect in Area within the Diamond Area I, limonitic zones
the southwestern corner of the farm Uris 481 in the Rosh Pinah Formation carry sporadic
straddles the contact between Hüttenberg copper. Several geochemical copper, zinc and
Formation dolomite and Tschudi Formation lead anomalies are related to manganiferous
quartzite. The showings were first opened up in gossans. For a more detailed description of these
OMEG times, but abandoned owing to the occurrences compare the lead-zinc chapter.
sparse mineralisation. The terrain was
reinvestigated in the seventies and the local
geology has been described in detail by 3.6.1.3 Trekpoort 96 and adjoining State Land
Veldsman (1977). Chalcocite, malachite and
copper silicates are irregularly scattered in basal Sporadic chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena
Tschudi Formation quartzites as well as in are present in mafic sills in the lower Gariep
sandstone dykelets cutting the underlying Complex in the western portion of the farm

2.3-149
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Trekpoort 96. In the southwestern corner of the Copper showings are restricted to the fault zone.
State Land north of this farm, gossanous
material is exposed in carbonaceous phyllite of
the Numees Formation dipping 50o to 60o 4.1.1.2 Bildah 220
northeast. Over a width of some 100 m,
sulphides and malachite are present in a number A shale bed overlying the basal dolomite of
of small gossans and ferruginous schistose the Buschmannsklippe Formation shows minor
rocks. malachite staining south of the farmstead on the
farm Bildah 220. The shale can be followed for
almost 1.5 km, however its thickness nowhere
4. Copper occurences in Post-Damaran rocks exceeds 1 metre.

4.1 Nama Group

4.1.2 Gobabis District
A number of low-grade copper occurrences,
several of them associated with quartz veins, are 4.1.2.1 Kaukurus 79
found in different stratigraphic units of the
Nama Group. Some of these deposits, occurring On Kirchberg, portion of the farm Kaukurus
in the basal beds of the Kuibis and Fish River 79, malachite shows in an outcrop of greyish
Subgroups, are stratabound and probably green shale of the Zaris Formation about
syngenetic. 1 000 m south of the homestead.

In order to test for indications of syngenetic

copper in the Schwarzrand Subgroup, a vertical 4.1.2.2 Keitzaub 68
borehole was drilled in 1968 on the farm
Nutupsdift 112, west of Maltahöhe. The hole A breccia, containing chalcocite blebs,
penetrated the Schwarzrand Subgroup strata and malachite flecks and vein quartz, is exposed in
stopped at a depth of 461 m in the upper black sandstone of the Zaris Formation 400 m east of
limestone of the Kuibis Subroup. Occasional the old farmhouse in the northwestern part of the
pyrite crystals were present in black laminated farm Keitzaub 68. The mineralised zone trends
shale. east-northeast parallel to the general strike of
the country rocks; it is 50 m long and 1 to 2 m
wide. A geochemical copper-zinc anomaly
4.1.1 Windhoek District delineated east of this occurrence suggests that
the copper values may persist below the soil
In the Dordabis-Witvlei Area, isolated cover. Analyses have yielded grades of 0.56%
copper showings are found in an intensely copper and 10 g/t silver (Rimann, 1915).
folded succession of dolomite, limestone,
quartzite and shale formerly known as the
Buschmannsklippe Formation. More recently 4.1.3 Naukluft Nappe Complex
the succession has been correlated with the
Kuibis Subgroup of the Nama, retaining the Copper has been reported from several
original name for a sub-unit of the Kuibis localities within the upper allochthon of the
Subgroup (Hegenberger and Seeger, 1980). Naukluft Nappe Complex, situated 120 km
southwest of Rehoboth. This unit comprises in
ascending order the Dassie, Zebra, Pavian and
4.1.1.1 Peperkorrel 294 and Scheidhof 293 Kudu Nappes and is underlain by the lower
Rietoog Nappe. The individual thrust plates are
Malachite and azurite stains appear in made up of folded shales, quartzites,
brecciated white quartzite along a prominent conglomerates, limestones and dolomites of the
northeast fault dipping 80o to 90o northwest. Nama Group. A revised outline of the

2.3-150
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

stratigraphy and structure has been provided by 4.1.3.1.3 Spitskop Suidwes 500 and Kambes
Hartnady (1978). 498

Since 1969 various copper occurrences have On the farms Spitskop Suidwes 500 and
been investigated. The mineralisation in the Kambes 498, copper indications have been
limestone and shale of the Dassie Nappe is traced in a northeasterly direction over a
thought to be syngenetic, whereas that distance of 5 km in lenses of fine-grained
associated with crosscutting quartz veins limestone in shale of the Dassie Nappe. The
probably occurred during tectonism when lenses are randomly distributed and range in
copper was redistributed along fractures and length between 30 and 200 m; in one case
breccia zones. intermittent outcrops of what appears to be a
single lens were mapped for about 600 m along
strike. The width of the lenses seldom exceeds
4.1.3.1 Rehoboth District 5 m, and the copper is usually confined to a
narrow seam within them. Nine mineralised
4.1.3.1.1 Ebenhout 487 limestone lenses were investigated in 1969.
Channel samples from eight trenches revealed
A copper showing is located at the contact an average grade of 0.14% copper; the best
between the Kudu and Pavian Nappes on a values are 0.36% copper over 2.4 m and 0.38%
hillside near the southern boundary of the farm copper over 0.78 m (Damaraland Ventures,
Ebenhout 487. Intense malachite staining in two 1975).
shale beds of the Kudu Nappe as well as
veinlets and encrustations of malachite and Bornite blebs and specks are disseminated
chrysocolla in an interbedded quartzite unit are sporadically in the limestone. The bornite
exposed in a trench. One of the shale beds frequently shows rims of chalcocite, whereas
assays 3.72% copper over 0.7 m width. As no minor amounts of chalcocite, chalcopyrite and
further showings have been found in the same pyrite also occur as randomly scattered specks.
layer along strike, the copper may relate to an Where exposed on weathered surfaces, the
adjacent gossanous vein, 0.3 to 1.5 m wide, sulphide blebs alter to limonitic material with
exposed over a distance of 45 m (Damaraland rare malachite. At a few localities intercalations
Ventures Ltd, 1970; 1975). of shale in the limestone are intensely copper-
stained.
Another copper occurrence is situated in
ruggedly dissected Kudu Nappe dolomite near
the western boundary of the farm, about 4.5 km 4.1.3.2 Maltahöhe District
southwest of farmhouse. Splashes of
chalcopyrite and sparse malachite appear in a 4.1.3.2.1 Tsabisis 340
quartz vein in a shallow prospecting pit. The
vein can be followed for about 120 m, but is About one kilometre west of the farmhouse
virtually barren, while rare isolated specks of on the farm Tsabisis 340, bornite, chalcopyrite
sulphide are present in the adjacent dolomite. and pyrite are present in a narrow, steeply
dipping quartz vein in grey shale of the Pavian
Nappe. Test pits have revealed that the vein is 5
4.1.3.1.2 Bloedrivier 491 to 12 cm wide and less than 40 m long. Some
500 m to the south another quartz vein with faint
A few pieces of vein quartz containing malachite stains cuts brecciated Pavian Nappe
sulphides have been found near the southern dolomite close to the thrust contact between the
boundary of the farm Bloedrivier 491. The Pavian and Dassie Nappes (Damaraland
quartz float derives from a vein, 30 to 60 cm Ventures; 1970).
wide (Damaraland Ventures, 1970; 1975).

2.3-151
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

4.1.3.2.2 Blässkranz 7 Formation/Nama Group contact for about 8 km.

To the east and west of the shear, the Dabis
Traces of copper have been reported from Formation quartzite is 10 to 20 m thick, whereas
two localities, about 5 km apart, on the farm along the zone, this facies changes to grey and
Blässkranz 7. One is located in brecciated green shale with intercalated quartzite beds not
limestone, while the other occurs in shale at the exceeding one metre in width. Traces of copper
base of a limestone which probably belongs to occur within the shale over a width of 5 to 15 m.
the Kudu Nappe. The thickness of the During 1971 - 1972 about 6 km of the
mineralised strata may exceed 30 m. The copper cupriferous zone were prospected by means of
is thought to be of sedimentary origin (Walter, 28 pits and 17 shallow trenches. Sampling
1974c). showed that copper values were consistent,
although quite low, averaging about 100 ppm.

4.1.3.2.3 Zais 6 and Arbeid Adelt 5 In a prospecting cast, 25 m by 12 m by 4 m,

in the southeastern corner of the farm Attes 470,
Veinlets of cupriferous limonite in fissured a chrysocolla-malachite zone, some 3 m wide,
limestone are found on the farms Zais 6 and dips 65o south parallel to the bedding. The upper
Arbeid Adelt 5 (Walter, 1974c). 1.5 m of the zone have been thoroughly leached.
Two samples from this level assayed 0.03 and
0.04% copper, respectively. Below this, down to
4.1.4 Other occurrences within the Nama Group a depth of 3 m, a layer of secondary enrichment
occurs, from which two samples have returned
4.1.4.1 Rehoboth District 4.8% copper with 50 g/t silver and 14.3% copper
with 110 g/t silver, respectively. A diamond drill
4.1.4.1.1 Garies Wes 492 hole was collared about 130 m southwest of the
pit to test the western extension of the
Near the eastern boundary of the farm Garies cupriferous zone and an IP anomaly in depth.
Wes 492, a small copper deposit of very low Scanty malachite, resulting in less than 0.1%
grade is exposed in old trenches on a mountain copper, in fractured rock was intersected
slope. Copper is confined to cherty layers at the between 115.1 and 130.6 m (Nu Exploration,
base of the black limestone of the Kuiseb 1974).
Subgroup (Damaraland Ventures, 1970; 1975).
In 1975, 20 trenches were excavated across
the mineralised contact zone at about 500 m
4.1.4.1.2 Attes 470 - Vingerbreek Oos 473 Belt intervals west and east of the main pit on the
farm Attes 470. Eight additional trenches were
Persistent copper-bearing strata are found cut in between and all were channel-sampled
along the basal contact of the Nama Group west and mapped. Only one trench, located next to
of Kalkrand over a strike distance of about the old pit, showed copper values in the order of
22 km. Most of the showings occur in the basal 0.05%, the remainder assaying less than 0.01%
layers of the Dabis Formation, Kuibis copper.
Subgroup, but a few are also located in the
underlying Kamtsas quartzite. On the farm Vingerbreek Oos 473, very
minor malachite appears in almost flat-lying
According to Liedke (1972b), slight quartzite over 3 km of strike along the Kamtsas
syngenetic copper mineralisation occurs at the Formation/Nama Group contact zone. The
base of the near-horizontal Dabis Formation average width of this bed is about 2 m and the
quartzite in the western part of the farm Attes tenor 0.1% copper (Seeger, 1978). Compare also
470 and in the eastern part of the farm Schlip 3.1.10.11.
472. Between these two localities, a shear zone
dipping 65o south marks the Kamtsas

2.3-152
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

4.1.4.1.3 Kuburuchab 520 present in a quartz vein, 3 cm wide, cutting basal

layers of the Dabis Formation as well as
Conspicuous malachite staining occurs in underlying quartzite of the Aubures Formation
Kamtsas Formation quartzite underlying the on the farm Keerom 128 (Benoit, 1972).
Dabis Formation at Kuburuchab poort, a ravine
in the northern portion of the farm Kuburuchab
520. 4.1.4.2.4 Portjies 88

A transverse quartz vein in black limestone of

4.1.4.1.4 Draaihoek 478. and Fahlhuk 159 the Zaris Formation on the farm Portjies 88
contains little galena and chrysocolla. The vein
Slight indications of copper in shale and is 9 km long and up to 50 m wide. It was opened
siltstone of the Schwarzrand Subgroup occur on up in a few shallow prospecting trenches.
the farms Draaihoek 478 and Fahlhuk 159 Copper showings located mainly along joints
(Harrigan, 1975). and fractures in limestone have been observed
close to the Kuibis Subgroup/Aubures
Formation contact in the southern portion of this
4.1.4.1.5 Schlip Mündung 156 and Niep 157 farm (Benoit, 1972).

Touches of malachite are found in flat-lying

quartzite and mud-pellet conglomerate at the 4.1.4.2.5 Kleinfontein II 81
base of the Fish River Subgroup on the farms
Schlip Mündung 156 and Niep 157. The copper Copper and lead ore occur at the
is notably discontinuous along strike. There are Minenkuppe, a hill situated west of the
local enrichments of malachite, chrysocolla and farmstead on the farm Kleinfontein II 81. The
azurite in fault zones (Van der Westhuizen, hill consists of a core of rocks of the Sinclair
1969). Sequence, surrounded by black limestone of the
Dabis Formation. Several vertical quartz veins
of variable strike can be traced from the older
4.1.4.2 Maltahöhe District rocks into the black limestone. Pyrite,
chalcopyrite, chalcocite, malachite, azurite,
4.1.4.2.1 Mooirivier 160 chrysocolla and galena occur sporadically
scattered in these veins. It is said that a few tons
Sporadic chalcocite, malachite and of ore were exported via Lüderitzbucht prior to
chrysocolla have been traced over a strike World War I.
distance of 2 km in a quartz vein cutting the
lowest layers of the Dabis Formation in the A similar deposit is located on a smaller hill
eastern portion of the farm Mooirivier 160 approximately 2 km east of the Minenkuppe
(Benoit, 1972). Compare also 2.13.4. (Heath, 1961).

4.1.4.2.2 Bergplaas 125 4.1.4.2.6 Dreylingen 48 and adjoining areas

A malachite-bearing conglomerate of the Between the farms Auas 8 and Tokio 44 in

Dabis Formation occurs on the farm Bergplaas the northeastern Bethanien District, a zone of
125 (Benoit, 1972). copper staining along the Schwartzrand
Subgroup/Fish River Subgroup contact was
investigated in 1976/77. Copper-in-soil values
4.1.4.2.3 Keerom 128 exceeding 100 ppm were obtained on the farms
Stockdale 51, Soetdoringvlei 55 and Dreylingen
Sparse galena, bornite and malachite are 48, with a peak assay of 1 070 ppm copper. In

2.3-153
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

the eastern portion of the farm Dreylingen 48, a

cupriferous zone is exposed in a number of
trenches. Rock sampling indicates that the best
concentration occurs in the uppermost fine to
medium-grained sandstone of the Schwartzrand
Subgroup, and in two conglomerate beds with
interbedded shale forming the base of Fish
River Subgroup. Assays for copper and lead
varied between 9 and 18 500 ppm copper, and 7
and 15 300 ppm lead, respectively, whilst the
silver content was generally less than 2 g/t
(Seeger, 1978). Fig. 34: The Kuboos-Bremen line of
intrusions (after Killick & Odell, 1980)

4.1.4.2.7 Tsams West 133

feldspar granite, some 25 km southeast of the
Weak copper mineralisation has been Fish River - Orange River confluence. An oval-
reported from basal quartzites of the Nama shaped depression, with a vertical relief of
Group on the farm Tsams West 133 (Worst, 100 m, has developed in the softer, altered rocks.
1969). It comprises an inner phyllitic zone of quartz-
sericite-pyrite-chlorite rock, and a sparse but
discernible outer rim of a propylitic quartz-
4.1.4.3 Bethanien District epidote-chlorite-carbonate assemblage.
Anomalously high zinc, copper, lead and
4.1.4.3.1 Feldschuhhorn molybdenum have more or less annular
distribution patterns in the alteration body.
Weak impregnations of copper have been
observed in beds of the Fish River Subgroup The mineralisation within the phyllitic zone
near the railway siding Feldschuhhorn. consists of pyrite, partly changed to limonite,
associated with hydrothermal carbonate,
chalcopyrite and magnetite. Killick and Odell
4.2 Kuboos-Bremen line of intrusions (1980) have pointed out that the very restricted
occurrence of malachite, the presence of
A study of the Marinkas Quelle alteration indigenous limonite and concomitant lack of
body by Killick and Odell (1980) showed that hematite, indicate that supergene enrichment of
some of the post-Nama intrusions of the the base metals was minimal or absent.
Kuboos-Bremen line (Fig. 34) are characterised
by low-grade porphyry-type mineralisation.
4.2.1.2 Kanabeam 331 and Kwaggasnek 249
In the Ai-Ais area, lead-zinc-silver veins,
related to the Kuboos-Bremen intrusions, also In 1976 a copper-bearing quartz porphyry
carry minor copper. plug at the common boundary of the farms
Kanabeam 331 and Kwaggasnek 249 was
wagon-drilled. The body proved to be dyke-like
4.2.1 Karasburg District and the copper content low. In the northern part
of the farm Kanabeam 331, gossans up to 60 cm
4.2.1.1 Marinkas Quelle wide generally indicate the presence of lead-
zinc-silver veins associated with bostonite and
An alteration body, approximately 1.5 by camptonite dykes of the Bremen Complex. For
1 km in extent, lies in the northeasternmost part more detail the reader is referred to the lead-zinc
of the Tatasberg Complex in a stock of alkali- chapter. Malachite, chrysocolla and cuprite are

2.3-154
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

present in small amounts, usually at the margins breccia, though mainly concentrated along
of the gossan. A selected gossan sample assayed fracture zones (Ferreira, 1976; Ferreira et al.,
2.25% copper, 53.2% lead, 10.6% zinc and 1979).
6.2 g/t silver (Dendle, 1971b; Killick, 1977a;
Odell, 1977a; Johnston, 1983; Hartleb, 1985; A detailed description of the deposit is given
van Berkel, 1986). Compare also 2.12.4.2. in the lead-zinc chapter.

4.3 Lithologies of Karoo and Post-Karoo age Table 31: The Namibian copper production
(Source: Bürg (1942); Directorate of Mines)
4.3.1 Damaraland
Year Copper Year Copper
4.3.1.1 Doros Crater and associated occurrences (metal t) (metal t)
in the Etendeka Formation 1908 3 210 1958 14 566
1909 6 032 1959 15 766
The Doros Crater, an outlier of sandstone, 1910 6 771 1960 36 144
shale and limestone of the Gai-As Formation, 1911 6 090 1961 39 873
Ecca Group, is pierced by an intrusive plug of 1912 5 212 1962 47 263
gabbro and diabase of Etendeka Formation age. 1913 6 106 1963 34 482
The plug has a concentric structure comprising 1914 7 087 1964 31 114
an outer ring of compact diabase, a coarse 1915-1918 875 1965 32 418
diabase inner ring and a gabbro core. A very 1966 36 446
sparse dissemination of native copper occurs in 1922 6 398 1967 36 750
the inner ring as well as the core. The main 1923 6 280 1968 36 910
copper showings are along north-northeast 1924 8 812 1969 35 003
dykes of aegirine bostonite in the gabbro. 1925 7 746 1970 34 784
Chalcocite, native copper and copper oxides are 1926 8 024 1971 46 006
associated with prehnite and chlorite along the 1927 8 584 1972 38 146
contacts. 1928 10 395 1973 38 981
1929 10 982 1974 33 631
Between Awahab and Khuab, 20 km 1930 12 514 1975 45 016
northwest of the Doros Crater, copper minerals 1931 12 240 1976 36 034
are disseminated in melaphyres as well as 1932 8 385 1977 52 864
sandstone dykelets, 2 to 15 cm wide, in lava 1933 7 867 1978 55 542
flows of the Etendeka Formation. Malachite, 1979 54 141
chalcocite, native copper and cuprite are 1936 1 381 1980 36 921
accompanied by prehnite, zeolites, calcite and 1937 907 1981 37 027
delessite (Reuning & Martin, 1957). 1938 7 146 1982 43 168
1939 8 886 1983 43 846
1984 41 043
4.3.2 Windhoek District 1949 11 796 1985 43 128
1950 11 212 1986 47 111
4.3.2.1 Regenstein 32 1951 12 867 1987 37 993
1952 15 646 1988 42 897
The lead-zinc-silver deposit associated with 1953 13 493 1989 32 792
the Regenstein Vent on the farm Regenstein 32 1954 15 804 1990 32 499
in the Auas Mountains, 16 km south of 1955 23 697 1991 31 332
Windhoek, contains small amounts of copper. 1956 35 101
Finely disseminated pyrite, sphalerite and 1957 32 033 Total 1 641 216
galena accompanied by accessory chalcopyrite
and tetrahedrite occur throughout the volcanic

2.3-155
Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

5. Production South West Africa/Namibia - a

reconnaissance study. Unpubl. M.Sc. thesis,
The overall Namibian copper production Univ. Cape Town, 182 pp..
recorded by the larger mining operations is Barnes, S.-J. 1980. Classification of ultramafic
presented in Table 31. rocks and economic potential of the Damaran
serpentinites. Ann. geol. Surv. S. Afr., 14 (2),
57-68.
6. References Bateman, A.M. 1958. Economic mineral
deposits. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York,
Adamson, R.G. and Teichmann, R.F.H. 1986. 2 916 pp.
The Matchless Cupreous Pyrite Deposit, Baumbach, G.W.S. 1973. Geological report on
South West Africa/Namibia. In: Anhaeusser, the concession area M46/3/391A, B, C and
C.R. and Maske, S (Eds), Mineral Deposits withdrawal area comprising the farms
of Southern Africa, 2. Geol. Soc. S. Afr., p Uranus, Bosryk, Omburo Ost, Moselle and
1755-1760. Schweickardtsbron in the Outjo District,
Albat, H.M. 1977. Final report on the S.W.A.. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields of S.A.
prospecting in Kaokoland, S.W.A.. Unpubl. Ltd, 6 pp.
rep., Grant No M/46/3, De Beers Prospecting Beetz, W. 1924. Beitrag zur Kenntnis der
S.W.A. (Pty) Ltd. Stratigraphie der Konkipformation
Allsopp, H.L. and Ferguson, J. 1970. Südwestafrikas und der Erzvorkommen am
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Tsumeb pipe, South West Africa. Earth Geol. Paläont., Beilbd. 50 (3), 414-447.
Planet. Sci. Lett., 9, 448-453. Benoit, M. 1972. Report on the work carried out
Andersen, N.J. 1971. Report on the Arovley by SA Vendome Co. (Pty) Ltd on the
Prospecting Grant No. M46/3/285 - for the prospecting grants M46/3/346 and M46/3/
period 14.1.70 - 30.9.71, Windhoek District, 347. Unpubl. rep. SA Vendome Co. (Pty) Ltd,
S.W.A.. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge 11 pp.
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp. Berning, J. 1983a. Report on investigation of
Andersen, H.T., Buerger, A.D. and Hughes, Prospecting Grant M46/3/1122. Unpubl. rep.
M.J. 1977. Final report - Waaihoek Grant, Bonaurum (Pty) Ltd, 4 pp.
District of Okahandja. Unpubl. rep., Grant Berning, J. 1983b. Report on investigation of
No M46/3/624, Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, 18 Prospecting Grant M46/3/1095. Unpubl. rep.
pp. Silverlead (Pty) Ltd, 9 pp.
Anhaeusser, C.R. and Button, A. 1973. A Berning, J. 1988. Final report: Prospecting Grant
petrographic and minerographic study of the M46/3/1122: Damaraland. Unpubl. rep.,
copper-bearing formations in the Witvlei Bonaurum (Pty) Ltd, 4 pp.
area, South West Africa. Trans. geol. Soc. S. Bertram, N.G.E. 1981. Progress report in
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Antony, J.J. 1969. Final geologic report Lepel- No M46/3/783. Unpubl. rep. Gold Fields
Nauzerus Area M46/3/171, Rehoboth Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 35 pp.
District, SWA. Unpubl. rep., Navarro Beukes, G.J. 1973. ‘n geologiese ondersoek van
Exploration Co., 14 pp. die gebied suid van Warmbad, Suidwes-
Badings, M.F. 1969. Schlip (472)-Vingerbreek Afrika, met spesiale verwysing na die
Oos (473) Prospecting Grant M46/3/152. metamorf-magmatiese assosiasies van die
Unpubl. rep., Navarro Exploration Co., 10 Voorkambriese gesteentes. Unpubl. D.Sc.
pp. thesis (unpubl.), Univ. of the Orange
Barbour, E.A. 1973. Status of the Exploration of Freestate, Bloemfontein, 333 pp.
the Warmbad Project M46/3/342. Unpubl. Blaine, J.L. 1969. Progress report No. 2 on
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Barnes, S.-J. 1979. Serpentinites in central 30.7.69 Grant No M46/3/242. Unpubl. rep.,

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Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp. Borton, D.J. 1976. Report on work done in the
Blaine, J.L. 1973. Annual report for year ended Alberta Exclusive Prospecting Grant No
March 1973 for Seringboom Grant M46/3/ M46/3/337 during the Period 21/10/74 to 21/
400. Unpubl. rep. Falconbridge Exploration 10/76. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge
(Pty) Ltd, 4 pp. Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 4 pp.
Blaine, J.L. 1974. Rietfontein Project. Annual Borton, D.J. 1977. Report on the Evaluation of
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Grant No. M46/3/310 for 1973, Grootfontein Krumhoek 30 (Windhoek District, SWA)
District, South West Africa. Unpubl. rep., Grant No. M46/3/56. Unpubl. rep.,
Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp. Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 5 pp.
Blaine, J.L. 1975a. Report on the Okakango Borton, D.J. 1978. Report on work completed on
prospecting grant No. M46/3/580, for the the Neuras Grant M46/3/419 for the period 5/
period 15.5.1974 to 14.5.1975, Okahandja 4/76 to 5/4/78 (Rehoboth Gebied, SWA).
District - S.W.A.. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Unpubl. rep. Falconbridge Exploration (Pty)
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 5 pp. Ltd, 5 pp.
Blaine, J.L. 1975b. Report on Townlands Grant Brewitz, H.W. 1974. Montangeologische
M46/3/533, Okahandja District, SWA. Erkundung und Genese der metamorphen,
Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration (pty) exhalativsedimentären Zn-Cu-Lagerstätte
Ltd, 2 pp. Kobos im Altkristallin des Nauchas
Blaine, J.L. 1977. Tectonic evolution of the Hochlandes, Südwest-Afrika. Clausth. geol.
Waldau Ridge structure and the Okahandja Abh., 18, 128 pp.
Lineament in part of the Central Damara Brinkmann, M. 1924. Die
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Unit, Univ. Cape Town, 21, 99 pp. Südwestafrika. Z. prakt. Geol.,32 (5), 53-61.
Borchert, S. 1961. Bergland Venture: Summary Brunner, J.H. 1966. Geologiese karteering van
of Prospecting Operations during the period ‘n area in die distrik Rehoboth M46/3/117.
01/01 to 30/06/1961, Grant No M46/3/61. Unpubl. rep., Klein Aub Koper Maatshappy
Unpubl. rep. Rand Mines Ltd, 1 p. Bpk, 12 pp.
Borg, G. 1987. Controls on Stratabound Copper Bürg, G. 1942. Die nutzbaren
Mineralisation at Klein Aub Mine and Minerallagerstätten von Deutsch-
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Copperbelt of South West Africa/Namibia Akad. Freiberg, 2, 305 pp.
and Botswana. Unpubl Ph.D.thesis, Univ. of Cahill, L. 1973. Report on prospecting grant
the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 107 pp. M46/3/376 covering the farms Gaidip 146,
Borg, G. Graf, N. & Maiden, K J. 1987. The Ramansdrift 135 and Houms-Revier 133 in
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System in Middle Proterozoic Unpubl. rep., African Selection Trust Expl.
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3, 91-98. of the Cillier’s Copper Prospect on the farm
Borg, G. and Schneider G.I.C. (in print). Landeck 77, Outjo District. Unpubl. rep., 7
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M46/3/556 during the period 16 March 1974 Services Namibia, 3 pp.
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No M46/3/1476. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields (Pty) Ltd, 17 pp.

Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 49 pp. Cooke, R. 1975. Haib Copper Prospect,
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out in Snyrivier Grant No M46/3/503. 101. Unpubl. rep., Rio Tinto Exploration
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Concession M46/3/184. Unpubl. rep., Mining Commissioner in support of the
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(Pty) Ltd, 3 pp. 3/493. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields Namibia
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M46/3/196 Final Report. Unpubl. rep., Coutellier, G.R. 1975. Report on geological,
Kennecott Exploration (South West Africa) geochemical and geophysical investigations
(Pty) Ltd, 6 pp. on Prospecting Grant known as “Eintracht”
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Grant Report No. M46/3/125. Unpubl. rep., 8 pp.
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(Pty) Ltd, 5 pp. exploration at the Hope Prospect Shaft, Grant
Clynch, R.E. 1969b. Deutsche Erde Concession M46/3/226, Namib-Naukluft Park, South
M46/3/154. Unpubl. rep., Kennecott West Africa/Namibia. Unpubl. rep., B & O
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No. 4. Corporation Ltd, 17 pp.
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Africa-Namibia, Grant No. M46/3/1466. Exploration Results in Propsecting Grant
Unpubl. rep., 9 pp. M46/3/543. Unpubl. rep., 7 pp.
Cominco. 1969. Geochemical map Grant No Davidson, J.M. 1977. Final report on
M46/3/53. Unpubl. map, 1 sheet. prospecting permit areas R1/2/SD/32, R1/2/
Comline, S.R. 1986. Final Report for SD/34 and 35, in the Damaraland Homeland,
Prospecting Grant M46/3/226 situated in the Khorixas, S.W.A. Grant No M46/3/1113.
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Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral Exploration Co. Ltd, 29 pp.
(Pty) Ltd, 6 pp. Davis, J.M. 1975. Second and final report for
Cooke, R. 1965. Preliminary report on the grant M46/3/489 covering the farms Okatjesu
Ondundu gold and copper occurrences, 53, Ongeama Tumbuka 57 Ptn. Oruhungu 55
Otjihorongo Reserve. Unpubl. rep., Geol. - District of Windhoek. Unpubl. rep., B & O
Surv. Namibia. Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp.
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adjoining areas, Outjo District, South West and Opdam 284: M46/3/153. Unpubl. rep.,
Africa, Grant No. M46/3/180. Unpubl. rep., FEDSWA Prospekteerders (Edms) Bpk, 3 pp.
Skeleton Coast Diamonds (Pty) Ltd, 20 pp. De Greef, R. 1988. Prospecting Grant M46/3/
Cooke, R. 1973. Haib Copper Prospect 566 - Palmental - Final Report. Unpubl. rep.
Karasburg District, SWA, Grant No. M46/3/ Anglo American Prospecting Services
101. Unpubl. rep., Rio Tinto Exploration Namibia, 8 pp.

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De Kock, W.P. 1934. The geology of the Grant M46/3/913. Unpubl. rep., Rand Mines
western Rehoboth. Mem. Dep. Min. Windhoek Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 5 pp.
S.W.Afr., 1, 148 pp. Doepel, M.G. 1975. Report on Eselmaanhaar
Dekker, C.A. 1983. Progress report - Gamikaub Grant M46/3/539, SWA. Unpubl. rep.,
Project Grant No M46/3/1358. Unpubl. rep., Mission Exploration Co., 6pp.
Gold Fields Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp. Duckworth, D. 1983. Report on the
Dendle, P.K. 1970. Progress report No. 4 on Reconnaissance Exploration Programme
Rehderstal Copper Project (Outjo District - Heuris Prospecting Grant M46/3/1024.
South West Africa) for the period 1.1.1970 to Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, 13 pp.
31.3.1970 Grant No M46/3/242. Unpubl. Elders, J. 1972. Report on Grant No. M46/3/
rep., Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 7 301. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral
pp. Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 2 pp.
Dendle, P.K. 1971a. Final report on Rehderstal Elders, J. 1973a. Final report for Grant M46/3/
Copper Project M46/3/242. Unpubl. rep. 407 covering farms Djab 26, Kos 28, portion
Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp. of Chaibis 29, District of Windhoek. Unpubl.
Dendle, P.K. 1971b. Report on Reconnaissance rep., B & O Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd,
Investigation of the Kwaggasnek Prospecting pp.
Grant M46/3/369. Unpubl. rep., Elders, J. 1973b. Interim report for Grants M46/
Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp. 3/239A, M46/3/239B (for Augeigas Mining
Dendle. P.K. 1971c. Kheis project - Pella sub- Co.), M46/3/293 and M46/3/294 (for B & O
project. Report on the reconnaissance Minerals) for the period 1 July 1972 to 30
investigation of the Pella prospecting grant June 1973. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral
no. M46/3/359. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 7 pp.
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 1190, 5 pp. Elders, J. 1973c. First interim report for Grant
Dendle, P.K. 1972a. Report on detailed geology, No M46/3/412 for the period held until 30/6/
diamond drilling and geophysical 73 covering the farms Rüdenau Nord 6, Gross
investigations of the Khorrobees Copper Barmen 7, District of Okahandja. Unpubl.
Occurrence - Prospecting Grant M46/3/378. rep., B & O Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 9
Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) pp.
Ltd, 6 pp. Elders, J. 1974a. Final report for Grants M46/3/
Dendle, P.K. 1972b. Report on the 239A and B. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral
Reconnaissance Investigation of the Pella Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 10 pp.
Prospecting Grant M46/3/359. Unpubl. rep., Elders, J. 1974b. Report for Grant M46/3/385.
Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 3 pp. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral Exploration
De Swardt, J. 1975. Report on the exploration (Pty) Ltd, 4 pp.
activities on prospecting grant M46/3/547 Elders, J. 1974c. First and final report for Grant
(covering farms Karikommassis 364, M46/3/515. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral
Kamkoes 368, Kam Kam 369, Groendraai Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp.
367, Diergaards Aub 454) in the Rehoboth Elders, J. 1974d. First and final report for Grant
District, South West Africa. Unpubl. rep., M46/3/525. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral
United States Steel International Inc., 9 pp. Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp.
De Villiers, J.S. 1970. Final report on the Elliott, I.L. 1964. Geochemical orientation work
Kamanjab Concession area Grant M46/3/ at the Haib Copper Prospect, M46/3/101,
284. The geology and mineralisation of the South West Africa. Unpubl. rep.,
area adjoining Kamanjab, Outjo District, Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp.
Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral Exploration Erongo Exploration. 1963. Prospecting grant
(Pty) Ltd, 15 pp. M46/3/94. Unpubl. rep., 2 pp.
Dodd, M.J. 1978. Final Report for Grant No Erongo Exploration. 1964a. Prospecting grant
M46/3/843. Unpubl. rep., Rand Mines M46/3/70. Unpubl. rep., 10 pp.
Windhoek Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 5 pp. Erongo Exploration. 1964b. Prospecting grant
Dodd, M.J. 1981. Final Report Jakkalsputz M46/3/82. Unpubl rep., 1 p.

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Erongo Exploration. 1964c. Groendoorn Grant Explorasiewerk gedoen op

M46/3/87. Unpubl. rep., 2 pp. Prospekteertoekenning M46/3/754, Rehoboth
Esterhuizen, A.G. 1987. Onganja Mine Option- Gebied. Unpubl. rep., Klein Aub Koper
report recommending termination of option Maatskappy (Bpk), 6pp.
Grant No M46/3/1476. Unpubl. rep., Gold Frere, M.A. 1985. Interpretation of magnetic
Fields Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp. data from the Rehderstal Prospecting Area
Evans, E.W. 1979. Kobos grant: M/46/3/815. M46/3/1465. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields
Interim report. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 10 pp.
Corporation Ltd, 28 pp. Frets, D.C. 1969. Geology and structure of the
Ferneyhough, B. 1988. Elbe grid - a geophysical Huab-Welwitschia area, South West Africa.
report for period June 1986 to April 1988 Bull. Chamber Min. Precambr. Res. Unit,
Grant No M46/3/493. Unpubl. rep., Gold Univ. Cape Town, 5, 235 pp.
Fields Namibia Ltd, 4 pp. Frick, A. 1975. Report on exploration work
Ferreira, C.A.M. 1976. Reconnaissance carried out on Otjiruse 8, Kleinbarmen and
Exploration over the Regenstein Grant M46/ Rüdenau Nord 6, Okahandja District, South
3/609. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge West Africa Grant No M46/3/659. Unpubl.
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 17 pp. rep., Cedarberg Investments (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp.
Ferreira, C.A.M. and Zwanziger, S.M. 1971. Frick, A. 1976. Interim Exploration report
Annual report on the Tsumeb West Grant Hamis 280, Opdam 284 and Dubis 273,
M46/3/243. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Rehoboth District, M46/3/536. Unpubl. rep.,
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 22 pp. Cedarberg Investments (Pty) Ltd, 4 pp.
Ferreira, C.A.M. , Jacob, R.E. and Marsh, J.S. Fuchter, J.H.G. 1964a. Interim report on the
1979. Basemetal mineralisation in alkaline Haib Copper Prospect M46/3/101, South
pyroclastics - the Regenstein vent, South West Africa. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge
West Africa. Trans. geol. Soc. S. Afr., 82(2), Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 10 pp.
243-249. Fuchter, J.H.G. 1964b. Report on Sinclair (or
Finnemore, S.H. 1975. Geology of the Itah) Mine, South West Africa Grant No
Elisenheim area, Windhoek District, South M46/3/110. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge
West Africa, with special reference to the Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp.
Matchless amphibolite belt. Unpubl. M.Sc. Gain, S.B. 1971. Kruger deposit. Mesopotamie.
thesis, Rhodes Univ., Grahamstown, 72 pp. Unpubl. rep., Bantu Mining Corp.
Finnemore, S.H. 1978. The geochemistry and Gallo, J.B. 1974. Final report on the
origin of the Matchless Amphibolite Belt, Mooifontein grant, South West Africa Grant
Windhoek District, South West Africa. In: No M46/3/483B. Unpubl. rep., Placer
Verwoerd, W.J. (Ed.), Mineralization in Development (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 14 pp.
metamorphic terranes. Spec. Publn. geol. Galloway, S.S. 1983a. The geology and
Soc. S. Afr., 4, 433-447. exploration of the Summas, Mitten and
Fletcher, B.A. 1975. Report on the drilling Omborombonga Grants M46/3/872, 973, 839,
project Oorlogsdeel 102, October-November Damaraland, SWA. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb
1975 Grant M46/3/563. Unpubl. rep., Corporation Ltd, 16 pp.
General Mining and Finance Corporation Galloway, S.S. 1983b. Progress report on
Ltd, 3pp. Prospecting Grant M46/3/1113 (Naauwpoort
Fletcher, B.A. 1977. Geological report on Grant), portion of Damaraland, SWA/
Omitiomire Nord 163 (prospecting grant Namibia. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb Corporation
M46/3/741). Unpubl. rep., General Mining Ltd, 10 pp.
and Finance Corporation Ltd, 3 pp. Gamma Mining & Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd.
Forster, C.N. 1972. Final report on Samkubis - 1975. Report on work done on the
Sally Davis Property, Rehoboth Gebiet, prospecting Grant M46/3/139 - farms
S.W.A. Grant No M46/3/352. Unpubl. rep., Mertens and Wiese. Unpubl. rep., 4 pp.
Texas Gulf Exploration Ltd, 7pp. Geier, B.H. 1962. Mineralogie in Tsumeb. Wiss.
Fourie, P.J. 1980. Geologiese Verslag van Forsch. S.W.Afrika, Ref. Vort. 1. Kongr.

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S.W.Afrika Wiss. Ges., 1, 99-106. (Namibia). Contr. Mineral. Petrol., 74, 349-
Geier, B.H. 1974. Mineralogische Studie der 360.
Blei-, Zink- und Kupferlagerstätte Tsumeb. J. Hälbich, I.W. 1968. Onganja concession,
S. W. Africa scient. Soc., 28, 35-52. Okahandja-Windhoek Districts. Final report
Geological Survey of Namibia. 1961. Koper for the period 1966-68. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb
Afsettings in District Rehoboth. Unpubl. Corporation Ltd.
rep., 32 pp. Hälbich, I.W. 1970. The geology of the western
Gevers, T.W. 1963. Geology along the Windhoek and Rehoboth Districts: a
northwestern margin of the Khomas stratigraphic - structural analysis of the
Highlands between Otjimbingwe-Karibib Damara system. Unpubl. D.Sc. thesis, Univ.
and Okahandja, South West Africa. Trans. Stellenbosch, 199 pp.
geol. Soc. S. Afr., 66, 199-251. Handley, J.R.F. 1965. General geological
Goldberg, I. 1976. A preliminary account of the succession on the farm Klein Aub 350, and
Otjihase copper deposit, South West Africa. environs, Rehoboth District, South West
Econ. Geol., 71(1), 384-390. Africa. Trans. geol. Soc. S. Afr., 68, 211-224.
Gold Fields Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd. 1984. Handley, J.R.F. 1975. Report on exploration
Map showing diamond borehole positions work undertaken on Prospecting Grant M46/
with copper intersections higher than 0.1%, 3/517, District Swakopmund. Unpubl. rep.,
Grant No M46/3/1365. Unpubl. map, 1 Westwind Ventures (Pty) Ltd, 14 pp.
sheet. Harrigan, D. 1975. Geological report Fahlhuk
Gold Fields Namibia Ltd. 1988. Annual Report. 159, M46/3/749. Unpubl. rep., Transterra
20 pp. Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 1 p.
Gold Fields Namibia Ltd. 1989. Annual Report. Harrison, P.A. 1986. Final report on the Gagarus
21 pp. Prospecting Grant - M46/3/1027 (Outjo
Gold Fields Namibia Ltd. 1990. Annual Report. District). Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb Corporation
20 pp. Ltd, 27 pp.
Gold Fields Namibia Ltd. 1991. Annual Report. Hartleb, J.W.D. 1985. Final geological report on
23 pp. farm Kanabeam 331, District Karasburg
Gregory, P.G. 1974. Work carried out on the (SWA) Grant No M46/3/467. Unpubl. rep.,
farms Witpütz, Devillierspunt and part of General Manganese Products (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp.
Tsams for the period 8/12/72 to 7/12/73. Hartnady, C.J. 1978. The stratigraphy and
Unpubl. rep., African Selection Trust, 9 pp. structure of the Naukluft Nappe Complex.
Guj, P. 1970. The Damara mobile belt in the 14th and 15th Ann. Rep. Precambr. Res. Unit,
south-western Kaokoveld, South West Univ. Cape Town, 163-170.
Africa. Bull. Precambr. Res. Unit, Univ. Hartnady, C.J. 1979. Overthrust tectonics,
Cape Town, 18, 168 pp. stratigraphic problems and metallogenesis in
Gunn, N.R. 1976. Grant M46/3/542 (Farm the Khomas Ridge Province, Damara
Hatsamas 92). Copper-lead prospect - final Orogenic Belt. 16th Ann. rep., Precambr. Res.
report. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields Mining and Unit, Univ. Cape Town, 73-89.
Development Ltd, 5 pp. Haughton, S.H. and Frommurze, H.F. 1936. The
Gunthorpe, R.J. 1980. Final report, Otjisazu geology of the Warmbad District, South West
Grant M46/3/829. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb Africa. Mem. Dep. Min. S.W. Afr., 2, 64 pp.
Corporation Ltd, 20 pp. Hawkesworth, C.J. , Miller, R.McG., and
Gunthorpe, R.J. 1985. Addenum to Progress Roddick, J.C. 1977. Geochronology in the
Report No 2 Grant No M46/3/898 (Arandis Damarides, South West Africa. Abstrs. 9th
Grant). Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb Corporation Colloquium Afr. Geol., Göttingen, 44.
Ltd, 2 pp. Heath, D.C. 1961. The occurrence of copper and
Haak, U., Gohn, E. and Klein, J.A. 1980. Rb-Sr lead on Kleinfontein Suid 81, District
ages of granite rocks along the middle Maltahöhe. Unpubl. rep., Geol. Surv.
reaches of the Omaruru River and the timing Namibia. 2 pp.
of orogenic events in the Damara Belt Heath, D.C. 1969a. Final report Prospecting

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Grant M46/3/141 (Aris). Unpubl. rep., rep., Rössing Uranium Ltd, 9 pp.
Kennecott Exploration (South West Africa) Holmes, A. and Cahen, L. 1957. Geochronologie
(Pty) Ltd, 7 pp. Africaine 1956. Mem. Acad. R. Belg. Cl.
Heath, D.C. 1969b. Annual report: Prospecting Sci., 5(1), 169 pp.
Grants M46/3/143 (Kudis) and M46/3/217 Horn, J.F. 1972. Verslag oor diamantboorwerk
(Langbeen). Unpubl. rep., Kennecott gedoen op Valencia No. 122 - District
Exploration (South West Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 3 Karibib. Unpubl. rep., Namibplaas Koper
pp. (Edms) Bpk.
Heath, D.C. 1969c. Final report Prospecting Hughes, M.J. 1979. Some aspects of the genesis
Grant M46/3/164 (Hohenau). Unpubl. rep., of the Tsumeb ore body, South West Africa,
Kennecott Exploration (South West Africa) and of its subsequent deformation. Abstr.
(Pty) Ltd, 5 pp. Geokongress 79, Port Elizabeth, 200-206.
Hegenberger, W. 1983. The Onganja copper belt Innes, J. and Buerger, A.D. 1975. Interim report
of central South West Africa/Namibia. on Rostock withdrawal no. M46/3/714,
Unpubl. rep., Geol. Surv. Namibia, 16 pp. District of Windhoek. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb
Hegenberger, W. and Seeger, K.G. 1980. The Corporation Ltd, 10 pp.
geology of the Gobabis area, Expl. Sht. Innes, J. and Chaplin, R.C. 1986. Ore bodies of
2218. Dep. Econ. Affairs. S.W. Afr./ the Kombat Mine, South West Africa/
Namibia, 11 pp. Namibia. In: Anhaeusser, C.R. and Maske, S.
Hilke, C. 1986. Petrographie, Genese, (Eds.). Mineral deposits of Southern
Erzmineralogie und Strukturgeologie der Africa.,II, Geol. Soc. S. Afr, 1789-1805.
Eskadron Formation of den Framen Jacob & Marsh, 1979.
Christiadore 104, Gemsbokvlei 214, Jacobsen, W.G.B. 1974. Results of prospecting
Okasewa Nordwest 120 und Otjiwarumendu in prospecting grant M46/3/473. Unpubl.
119 südwestlich Witvlei, SWA/Namibia. rep., Messina (Tvl.) Development Co. Ltd, 2
Diplomarbeit, Univ. Münster, 151 pp. pp.
Hoffmann, J. 1977. Third interim report for Jacobsen, W.B.G. 1976a. Report on prospecting
prospecting grant M46/3/226 situated in the grant no. M46/3/596. Unpubl. rep., Egnaro
Namib Desert Park, Swakopmund District, Investment Co. Ltd, 8 pp.
for the period from 1st July, 1975 to 31st Jacobsen, W.B.G. 1976b. Report on Prospecting
January, 1977. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral Grant M46/3/597. Unpubl. rep., Joumbira
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 28 pp. Kopermyne (Edms) Bpk, 8 pp.
Hoffmann, J. 1986. Ore reserves Prospecting Jacobsen, W.B.G. 1976c. Report on Prospecting
Grant M46/3/226. Unpubl. rep., JCI Co. Ltd, Grant M46/3/594. Unpubl. rep., Messina
7 pp. (Tvl) Development Co. Ltd, 7 pp.
Hoffmann, K.H. 1976. Re-examination of the Jacobsen, W.B.G. 1976d. Report on Prospecting
Ongombo and Ongeama prospects. Unpubl. Grant M46/3/711. Unpubl. rep., Joumbira
rep., JCI Exploration Research Unit. Kopermyne (Edms) Bpk, 2 pp.
Hoffmann, K.H. 1989. New aspects of Johnston, C.H. 1983. The geology of the farm
lithostratigraphic subdivision and correlation Kanabeam 371 - M46/3/1270. Unpubl. rep.,
of late Proterozoic to early Cambrian rocks General Mining Union Corporation Ltd, 13
of the southern Damara Belt and their pp.
correlation with the central and northern Kappa Mining & Prospecting Co. 1974. Report
Damara Belt and the Gariep Belt. Communs on Grant M46/3/511. Unpubl. rep., 3 pp.
geol. Surv. SWA/Namibia, 5, 59-67. Keller, P. 1984. Tsumeb. In: Weise, C. (Ed.),
Holman, R.M. 1987. Prospecting Grant M46/3/ Lapis Mineralien Magazin, 9, 13-63.
524 - Ketelbank - Final Geological Report. Kihn, C.M. 1987a. Report on investigation of
Unpubl. rep., Rössing Uranium Ltd, 6 pp. two claims, farm Straussenheim 134, Outjo
Holman, R.M. 1989. Final report - Exclusive District Grant No M46/3/1531. Unpubl. rep.,
Prospecting Grant M46/3/1510, Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, 9 pp.
Namibfontein 91 and Stinkbank 62. Unpubl. Kihn, C.M. 1987b. Bombay Prospecting Grant

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M46/3/1212 - Final report. Unpubl. rep., Klinkert, P.S. 1975. Sperlingsputs/Hakiesdoorn,

Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, 12 pp. South West Africa. Unpubl. rep., Anglo
Killick, A.M. 1975a. Third and final report for American Prospecting Services Namibia.
Grant M46/3/408 covering the farm Klugmann, M.A. 1970. Report on Border
Otjihokero 137 - District of Windhoek. Property M46/3/162. Unpubl. rep., Etosha
Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral Exploration Petroleum Ltd, 6 pp.
(Pty) Ltd, 8 pp. Köstlin, E.C. 1976. Geological report on farm
Killick, A.M. 1975b. Third and final report for Kranzberg 59, Karibib District, SWA, M46/3/
Grant No M46/3/406. Unpubl. rep., B & O 772. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fileds Prospecting
Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 12 pp. Co. (Pty) Ltd, 1 p.
Killick, A.M. 1977a.Interim report on Grant Kooiman, G.J. A. 1977. Geological report on the
M46/3/546, Karasburg District, covering the farm Aruab No. 23 in the District of
period 10 January 1976 to 7 October 1977. Bethanie, South West Africa. Unpubl. rep.,
Unpubl. Rep., B & O Mineral Exploration G.E. Swanson Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, pp.
(Pty) Ltd, 5pp. Kotze, t.J. 1986. Final report covering the
Killick, A.M. 1977b. Final report for Grant Mitten Grant M46/3/873 and certain portions
M46/3/385 covering the farms Okahua 185, of the Summas Grant M46/3/872 and
Randjes 187, Mecklenburg 188, Orumbungo Omborombonga Grant M46/3/839. Unpubl.
189 and Okaramakuje 147 0 District of rep., Tsumeb Corporation Lts, 8 pp.
Windhoek. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral Krüger, t.L. 1983. Progress report for the period
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp. June 29, 1981 to March 28, 1983, Hoffnung
Killick, A.M. 1977c. Final report for Grant M46/3/1041. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb
Prospecting Grant M46/3/373 covering the Corporation Ltd, 5 pp.
farms Ongombo West 56, Ongombo Ost 140, Krusch, P. 1911. Die genetischen Verhältnisse
Otjituezo 139, Otjituezo Ost 138 and der Kupfererzvorkommen von Otavi. Z. dt.
portions of Oruhunga 55 and Frauenstein 62 geol. Ges., 63, 240-263.
-Windhoek District. Unpubl. rep., B & O Kuntz, J. 1904. Copper ore in South West
Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 9 pp. Africa. Trans. geol. Soc. S. Afr., 7, 70-76.
Killick, A.M. 1980. Summary of drilling results Labuschagne, A.N. 1976a. Final report on
on Rüdenau 6 and Gross Barmen 7, Prospecting Activities M46/3/663. Unpubl.
Okahandja District. Unpubl. rep., B & O rep., Gold Fields Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 2
Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd. pp.
Killick, A.M. 1983. Sulphide mineralisation at Labuschagne, A.N. 1976b. Final geological
Gorob and its genetic relationship to the report on Grant M46/3/662. Unpubl. rep.,
Matchless Member, Damara Sequence, Gold Fields Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 11 pp.
SWA/Namibia. In: Miller, R. McG (Ed.), Labuschagne, A.N. 1977a. Report on
Evolution of the Damara Orogen of South Prospecting Activities Grant M46/3/695.
West Africa/Namibia. Spec. Publn. geol. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields Prospecting Co.
Soc. S. Afr., 11, 385-396. (Pty) Ltd, 2 pp.
Killick, A.M. and Odell, J. 1980. The Marinkas Labuschagne, A.N. 1977b. Grant M46/3/590.
Kwela alteration body - a porphyry-type Report on investigations carried out during
system associated with the Kuboos-Bremen 1975/76. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields
Line, SWA/Namibia. Trans. geol. Soc. S. Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp.
Afr., 83(2), 207-212. Lamming, P.J. 1970. Natas Grant M46/3/199 -
Kinahan, J.C. & Vogel, J.C. 1982. Recent Windhoek. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb Corporation
copper working sites in the Khuiseb Ltd, 15 pp.
drainage, Namibia. S.Afr. Archaeological Landmark, G.J. 1987a. Final report on
Bull., 37, 44-45. Prospecting Grant M46/3/1564-Bergrus.
King, A.J. 1976. Report on Prospecting Grant Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting
M46/3/712. Unpubl. rep., Joumbira Services Namibia, 5 pp.
Kopermyne (Edms) Bpk, 4 pp. Landmark, G.J. 1987b.Final report on

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Mineral Resources of Namibia Base Metals - Copper

Prospecting Grant M46/3/1540-Etusis. rep., Falconbridge Explorations (Pty) Ltd, 18

Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting pp.
Services Namibia, 6 pp. Lee, J.E. and Glenister, D.A. 1976. Stratiform
Landmark, G.J. 1987c. Final grant report M46/ sulphide mineralisation at Oamites Copper
3/1544 - Nordenburg. Unpubl. rep., Anglo Mine, South West Africa. Econ. Geol., 71(1),
American Prospecting Services Namibia, 5 369-383.
pp. Le Roex, H.D. 1955. A study of the pseudo-
Landmark, G.J. 1987d. Prospecting Grant M46/ aplite of the Otavi Mountains and the rock
3/563 - Bloemhof - Final Grant Report. alteration in the adjoining dolomite. Unpubl.
Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting D.Sc. thesis, Univ. Pretoria, 71 pp.
Services Namibia, 5 pp. Le Roex, H.D. 1969. Report on prospecting
Lawless, M. 1975. Final report Grant No M46/ operations for year ending 30th June, 1969
3/499, Groot Aub 267, Rehoboth District, Grant No M46/3/231. Unpubl. rep., Gamma
SWA. Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Mining and Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 2 pp.
Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 20 pp. Le Roux, R.P. 1984. Grant M46/3/1313
Lee, J.E. 1964. Geological Report on Area 2, (Steinhausen West). Unpubl. rep., Gold
Haib Copper Prospect, M46/3/101, South Fields Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 4 pp.
West Africa. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Liedtke, G. 1971. Report on the work carried out
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 10 pp. by S.A. Vendome Co. (Pty) Ltd, on
Lee, J.E. 1969. Progress report on the Prospecting Grant No. M46/3/283 of
Rehderstal Copper Project M46/3/242 - “Extension Gobasib” east of Grootfontein
Period ending 31/3/1969. Unpubl. rep., until the end of November, 1971. Unpubl.
Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 15 pp. rep., South Africa Vendome Co. (Pty) Ltd, 13
Lee, J.E. 1970a. Final geological report on the pp.
Djab-Picadilly Prospecting Grant M46/3/ Liedke, G. 1972a. Final report on “Sinclair
214. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration Project” M46/3/316. Unpubl. rep., SA
(Pty) Ltd., 14 pp. Vendome Co. (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp.
Lee, J.E. 1970b. Progress report No. 3 on Liedtke, G. 1972b. Report on the work carried
Rehderstal Copper Project (Outjo District - out by S.A. Vendome Co., on Prospecting
South West Africa) for the period 1.8.1969 to Grant M46/3/332 farm Schlip 472 and
31.12.1969. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Prospecting Grant M46/3/336 farm Attes 470,
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 10 pp. Rehoboth District till the end of April 1972.
Lee, J.E. 1971a. Rietfontein Project. Annual Unpubl. rep., South Africa Vendome
report on the Hoffnung Prospecting Grant Company (Pty) Ltd, 7 pp.
No. M46/3/267 - for 1970. (Grootfontein Liedtke, G. 1973. Prospecting Grants of
District, S.W.A.). Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Okatumba, M46/3/325 and M46/3/357, final
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 773, 10 pp. report, May 1973. Unpubl. rep., South Africa
Lee, J.E. 1971b. Annual report on the Neuwerk Vendome Company (Pty) Ltd, 9 pp.
Prospecting Grant M46/3/167. Unpubl. rep., Linning, K. 1961. Copper Prospect on Naurus
Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 13 pp. Suid 244, Rehoboth District. Unpubl. rep.,
Lee. J.E. 1972a. Djab-Picadilly Project M46/3/ Geol. Surv. Namibia, 1 pp.
345. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration Linning, K. 1971. Vorderingsverslag oor die
(Pty) Ltd, 4 pp. prospekteerwerksaamhede in gebiede 3-5 van
Lee, J.E. 1972b. Rietfontein Project. 1971 Damaraland - Kaokoland
annual report on the Hoffnung Prospecting prospekteertoekenning. Unpubl. rep., General
Grant No. M46/3/267 (Grootfontein District, Mining and Finance Corporation Ltd.
S.W.A.). Unpubl. Rep., Falconbridge Linning, K. 1972a. Verslag oor die
Explorations (Pty) Ltd., 1159. prospekteerondersoek van die Seeis-
Lee, J.E. 1975. Report on Kromrivier Kopervoorkoms Grant No M46/3/413.
Prospecting Grant M46/3/377, for period Unpub. rep., General Mining and Finance
November 1971 to August 1975. Unpubl. Corporation Ltd, 8 pp.

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Linning, K. 1972b. Vorderingsverslag oor die District Rehoboth, SWA, Grant No M46/3/
prospekteerwerksamhede in die gebied 1, 3, 139. Unpubl. rep., 17 pp.
4 en 5 van die Kaokoland - Damaraland Loxton, R.F., Hunting, and Associates 1974b.
prospekteertoekenning. Unpubl. rep., Report on a reconnaissance survey of the
General Mining and Finance Corporation natural resources of Kaokoland. Dep. Bantu
Ltd. Admin. & Development.
Linning, K. 1972c. Jaarverslag 1971 M46/3/ Main, J.V. 1976. Final report Grant No. M46/3/
237. Unpubl rep., FEDSWA Prospekteerders 680, Gocheganas 26, Windhoek District,
(Edms) Bpk, 7 pp. South West Africa. Unpubl. rep., Anglo
Linning, K. 1973. Jaarverslag 1971. American Prospecting Services (Pty) Ltd, 12
Prospekteertoekenning M46/3/237. Unpubl. pp.
rep., FEDSWA Prospekteerders (Edms) Bpk, Main, J.V. 1979. Report summarising
2 pp. exploration results for the period October
Linning, K. 1974. Geologiese Verslag oor die 1976 to December 1978. (Witvlei Prospect,
Explorasiewerk gedoen in Prospecting Grant M46/3/149). Unpubl. rep.,
Prospekteertoekenning M46/3/454. Unpubl. Anglo American Prospecting Services (Pty)
rep., General Mining & Finance Corporation Ltd, 44 pp.
Ltd, 3 pp. Marsh, A.M. 1980. Ovitoto Reserve Project
Linning, K. 1975. Geologiese verslag oor die M46/3/916 Closing report. Unpubl. rep., B &
prospekteerwerksaamhede op die plase O Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 7 pp.
Oorlogsdeel 102, Okatjuru 146 en Marsh, S.C.K. 1989. Final report for Grant M46/
Dannenberg 149. Unpubl. rep., General 3/1708. Unpubl. rep., Anglo American
Mining & Finance Corporation Ltd. Prospecting Services Namibia, 7 pp.
Lombaard, A.F., Günzel, A., Innes, J. and Malone, A.S. 1985. A proposal to the South
Krüger, t.L. 1986. The Tsumeb Lead-Copper- West African Administration regarding
Zinc-Silver Deposit, South West Africa/ ongoing development on Klein Aub Mine.
Namibia. In: Anhaeusser, C. R. and Maske, Unpubl. rep. Meteorex (Pty) Ltd, 25 pp.
S. (Eds.). Mineral Deposits of Southern Martin, H. 1965. The Precambrian geology of
Africa II, Geol. Soc. S. Afr. Spec. Publn, South West Africa and Namaqualand.
1761-1787. Chamber Min. Precambr. Res. Unit, Univ.
Lowell, J.D. and Guilbert, J.M. 1970. Lateral Cape Town, 159 pp.
and vertical alteration-mineralisation zoning Martin, G.J. and Edmonds, W. 1978. The
in porphyry ore deposits. Econ. Geol., 65(4), mineralogical examination of fortyone rock
373-408. samples from Rehoboth District S.W.A..In:
Louwrens, D.J. 1987. Geological report to Veldsman, H. G., Geological report on the
accompany an application for renewal of Cu-Mo anomaly on the farm Damas 344 in
exclusive prospecting rights - Grant No the Rehoboth District (Grant M46/3/783).
M46/3/1283 - Kaokoland South. Unpubl. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields Laboratories (Pty)
rep., Rössing Uranium Ltd, 6 pp. Ltd, GE 2926 35 pp.
Louwrens, D.J. 1986. Ohere Prospecting Grant Maund, N.H. 1975. Report on the Okahandja
M46/3/1515 - Final report. Unpubl. rep., West Grant M46/3/524. Unpubl. rep.,
Rössing Uranium Ltd, 10 pp. Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 3 pp.
Loxton, R.F., Hunting & Associates. 1971. The Miller, E.W.B. 1966. Rehoboth Gebied Copper.
results of a geochemical survey utilising Unpubl. rep., Navarro Exploration Co., 18 pp.
drainage sediment sampling procedures on Miller, E.W.B. 1969. Bi-annual report,
Hagendorf and neighboring farms, Kalkfeld, concession M46/3/110. Unpubl. rep.,
SWA Grant No M46/3/361. Unpubl. rep., International Resources Ltd, 24 pp.
Phelps Dodge Exploration Co., 10 pp. Miller, E.W.B. 1980. Onganja Mine - M46/3/
Loxton, R.F., Hunting & Associates. 1974a. A 131. Unpubl. rep., E.W.B. Miller &
ground geophysical and geochemical survey Associates (Pty) Ltd, 11 pp.
on the farms Mertens 63 and Wiese 62, Miller, R.McG. 1983. Economic implications of

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plate tectonic models of the Damara Orogen. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration (Pty)
In: Miller, R.McG. (Ed.). Evolution of the Ltd, 3 pp.
Damara Orogen of South West Afr./Namibia. Mortensen, E. 1975. Final report on project
Spec. Publn. geol.Soc. S. Africa, 11, 385- SWA-7 (prospecting grant M46/3/483C).
395. Unpubl. rep., Placer Development (South
Miller, R.McG. and Schalk, K.E.L. 1980. Africa) (Pty) Ltd, 20 pp.
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1:1 000000. Geol. Surv. Namibia, 4 sheets. Grant M46/3/568) - District of Rehoboth.
Miller, R.McG. and Hoffmann, K.H. 1981. Unpubl. rep., Aquitaine SWA, 7 pp.
Guide to the excursion through the Damara Mueller, D.H.A. 1975. Report of investigations
Orogen. Geocongr. ’81, geol. Soc. S. Afr., over Deutsche Erde, Hagestolz, Skoll -
115 pp. exclusive prospecting grant no. M46/3/720.
Miller, R.McG. and Burger, A.J. 1983. U-Pb Elephantenberg Project, Otavi, South West
zircon ages of members of the Salem Africa. Unpubl. rep., Mission Exploration
Granitic Suite along the northern edge of the Co., 14 pp.
Central Damara Granite Belt. In: Miller, Nel, H.J. 1969. Otavi Copper Project,
R.McG. (Ed.) Evolution of the Damara Prospecting Grant M46/3/167 - Final report.
Orogen of South West Afr./Namibia. Spec. Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting
Publn geol. Soc. S. Africa, 11, 273-280. Co. Ltd, 4 pp.
Minnitt, R.C.A. 1979. The Geological Setting Niehaus, J.P. and Lee, J.E. 1969. Progress report
Of Porphyry-Type Copper Mineralisation In No 2 on the Oamites extension project -
The Haib River Area, South West Africa. Hakscheen-Krumnek concession area M46/3/
Unpubl. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. Witwatersrand, 241. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration
365 pp. (Pty) Ltd, 4 pp.
Minnitt, R.C.A. 1986. Porphyry copper- Nouvel, J. 1976. Geiersberg Grant M46/3/605.
molybdenum mineralisation at Haib River, Unpubl. rep., Aquitaine SWA, 10 pp.
South West Africa/Namibia. In: Anhaeusser, Nouvel, J 1977a. Gaseneirob Grant (MCW 46/3/
C. R. and Maske, S. (Eds.). Mineral Deposits 691) District of Outjo - South West Africa.
of Southern Africa II. Geol. Soc. S. Afr., Unpubl. rep., Omitara Mines, 7 pp.
1567-1585. Nouvel, J. 1977b. Final prospecting report on
Misiewicz, J.E. 1983. Report on the regional Eintracht Grant MCW46/3/606, District of
geology and economic potential of the Elim Gobabis, SWA. Unpubl. rep., Omitara Mines,
Formation and associated stratigraphy, South 3 pp.
West Africa Grants M46/3/874 and 1138. Nouvel, J. 1978. Kojeka Grant MCW 46/3/469,
Unpubl. rep. Gold Fields Prospecting Co. District of Rehoboth, Final Prospecting
(Pty) Ltd, 40 pp. Report. Unpubl. rep., Omitara Mines, 3 pp.
Misiewicz, J.E. 1984. Report on follow Nu Explorations (Pty) Ltd. 1974. Progress report
investigation, Gamikaub Project Grant No on the Schlip-Attes-Vingerbreek Project
M46/3/358. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields Grant M46/3/468. Unpubl. rep., 10 pp.
Prospecting Co. (Pty) Ltd, 5 pp. Nu Exlorations (Pty) Ltd. 1975. Progress report
Mocnik, D. 1973. Report on Grant M46/3/403 Langbeen Project M46/3/581. Unpubl. rep.,
farm Ukuib 84, Gamikaub 78, 13 pp.
Kamandibmund 83 and Ukuib West 116 in Odell, J. 1977a. Final report on grant M46/3/
the District of Karibib. Unpubl. rep., 752, Kwaggasnek 349, Karasburg District.
Westwind Ventures Ltd, 4 pp. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral Exploration
Moritz, H. 1933. Die sulfidischen Erze der (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp.
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XVI. Sohle (-460 m). Neues Jb. Miner. Geol. No M46/3/771. Unpubl. rep. B & O Mineral
Paläont., Beil., 67A, 118-154. Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 12 pp.
Morey, M. 1973. Elephantenberg Project 1972 Pascoe, D.J. 1976a. Final report on the Naruchas
Annual report Prospecting Grant M46/3/423. Grant M46/3/455, Rehoboth District. Unpubl.

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rep., Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 5 Explorations (Pty) Ltd, 1734, 15 pp.
pp. Ransom, A.H. 1981. Elbe Project - updated
Pascoe, D.J. 1976b. Report on the Onnaams report containing latest geological aspects
Grant M46/3/474 for the period 2/1973 to and ore reserve calculations Grant No M46/3/
11/1976. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge 493. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp. (Pty) Ltd, 8 pp.
Paverd, A.L. 1973. Geology Grant No M46/3/ Ransom, A.H. 1982. Brief geological report on
555. Unpubl. rep., Newmont South Africa Grants M46/3/946 and M46/4/947 (and
Ltd, 2 pp. surrounding areas) - in support of renewal
Petzel, V.F.W. 1988. Progress report on applications. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge
geological exploration conducted on the Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 3 pp.
farms Spes Bona 105 and Daheim 106 Grant Rawle, C. 1973a. Rietfontein Project. Annual
M46/3/1631. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields report on the Rietfontein 344 Prospecting
Namibia Ltd, 48 pp. Grant M46/3/310 for the year 1972,
Petzel, V.F.W. 1989. Report on preliminary Grootfontein District, South West Africa.
reserve calculations A-Gossan, Elbe Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Exploration (Pty)
Prospect, Okahandja District, Grant M46/3/ Ltd, 6 pp.
493. Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields Namibia Ltd, Rawle, C. 1973b. Annual report on the Tsumeb
14 pp. West Prospecting Grant M46/3/243. Unpubl.
Petzel, V.F.W. 1990. The mineral potential of rep., Falconbridge Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 2
the Elbe Metallogenic Province with special pp.
reference to gold mineralisation, Grant M46/ Rawle, C. and Lee J.E. 1972. Neuwerk copper
3/493 and surroundings, Okahandja District. Prospect. Report on investigations carried out
Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields Namibia Ltd, 41 during the option period 1970 to 1972 Grant
pp. No M46/3/167. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge
Petzel, V.F.W. and Roesener, H. 1987. Final Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 1263, 29 pp.
report on geological investigation carried out Reuning, E. 1923. Pegmatite und
on Grants M46/3/874 amd M46/3/1138. Pegmatitmineralien in Südwestafrika. Z. f.
Unpubl. rep., Gold Fields Namibia Ltd, 34 Krist., 58, 448-459.
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Pienaar, P.J. 1975. Prospecting Grant M46/3/ Afrika, eine pegmatitische-pneumatolytisch-
398 over area known as Horebis Area, SWA. hydrothermale Übergangslagerstätte mit
Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting Scheelit, Molybdänglanz, Kupfererzen und
Co., 11 pp. Gold. Neues Jb. Miner. Geol. Paläont., 52A,
Poole, E.J. 1974. Report on exclusive 192-264.
prospecting Grant M46/3/324. Unpubl. rep., Reuning, E. and Martin, H. 1957. Die Prä-
TG Explorations Ltd, 18 pp. Karroo-Landschaft, die Karroo-Sedimente
Poole, E.J. 1975. Report on exclusive und Karroo-Eruptivgesteine des südlichen
prospecting grant M46/3/505 (Hagenhof). Kaokofeldes in Südwestafrika. Neues Jb.
Unpubl. rep., TG Exploration Ltd, 16 pp. Miner. Geol. Paläont. Abh., 91, 193-212.
Preussinger, H. 1987. Die geologische Situation Revere Resources, 1992. The Haib Copper
der Erzlinse Vendome, Gorob-Bezirk, SWA/ Mining Project. Information brochure, 6 pp.
Namibia. Diplomarbeit, Univ. Würzburg, Rimann, E. 1915. Geologische Untersuchungen
131 pp. des Bastardlandes in Deutsch-Südwestafrika.
Ramdohr, P. 1938. Die Khan-Grube bei D. Reimer, Berlin, 100 pp.
Arandis, Südwestafrika. Z. prakt. Geol., Rossouw, 1942.
46(3), 41-50. Rössing Uranium Ltd. 1982. Interim report on
Ransom, A.H. 1975. Final report on the exclusive Prospecting Grant M46/3/1229 -
Swartmodder Main Copper Deposit, farms Hatsamas and Coas, Windhoek
Rehoboth District, South West Africa Grant District. Unpubl. rep., 14 pp.
No M46/3/556. Unpubl. rep., Falconbridge Ruxton, P.A. 1986. Sedimentology, Isotopic

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Signature and Ore Genesis of the Klein Aub Shannon, S.S. and Hugo, P.J. 1974. Sulphur-
Copper Mine, South West Africa/Namibia. isotope studies of some sulphide deposits in
In: Anhaeusser, C.R. and Maske, S. (Eds), central South West Africa. Trans. geol. Soc.
Mineral Deposits of Southern Africa, II, S. Afr., 77(3), 347-351.
Geol. Soc. S. Afr. Spec. Publn, 1725-1738. Sharpe, J.W.N. 1960. Report on exploration
Ruxton, P.A. and Clemmey, H. 1986. Late work by Rio Tinto on grant area No M46/3/6.
Proterozoic Stratabound Red-Bed-Copper Unpubl. rep. Rio Tinto Zinc, 3 pp.
Deposits of the Witvlei area, South West Shelford, R. 1975a. Final report Grant No M46/
Africa/Namibia. In: Anhaeusser, C. R. and 3/653, Nomeib 358, Rehoboth District.
Maske, S. (Eds), Mineral Deposits of Unpubl. rep., Anglo America Prospecting
Southern Africa, II. Geol. Soc. S. Afr. Spec. Services Ltd, 7 pp.
Publn, 1739-1754. Shelford, R. 1975b. Final report Grant No. M46/
Rosenblatt, E. 1974. Annual report on Grant 3/626, Eindpaal 518 and Noams 519,
M46/3/161 for the period 1/1/73 to 31/12/73. Rehoboth District. Unpubl. rep., Anglo
Unpubl. rep., Etosha Petroleum Co. (Pty) American Prospecting Services Ltd, 10 pp.
Ltd, 4 pp. Shelford, R. 1975c. Final report, Grant No M46/
Schalk, K.E.L. 1972. Some late Precambrian 3/552, Damas 344, Rehoboth District.
formations in central South West Africa. Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting
Ann. Dep. Min. S. Afr., 8, 29-47. Services Ltd, 9 pp.
Schalk, K.E.L. and Germs, G.J.B. 1980. The Shelford, R. 1975d. Final report Grant No M46/
geology of the Mariental area. Expl. Sht. 3/551. Kanaus North 335 and Kanaus South
2416, geol. Surv. S.W. Africa/Namibia, 7 pp. 336, Rehoboth District. Unpubl. rep., Anglo
Schneiderhöhn, 1916. American Prospecting Services Ltd, 10 pp.
Schneiderhöhn, H. 1921. Beiträge zur Kenntnis Shelford, R. 1975e. Final report Grant No M46/
der Erzlagerstätten und der geologischen 3/552, Damas 344, Rehoboth District.
Verhältnisse des Otaviberglandes, Deutsch- Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting
Südwestafrika. Abh. Senckenb. naturforsch. Services Ltd, 9 pp.
Ges., 37(3), 219-318. Shelford, R. 1975f. Final report Grant No M46/
Schneiderhöhn, H. 1929. Das Otavibergland 3/575, Opetjie 357, Rehoboth District.
und seine Erzlagerstätten. Z. prakt. Geol., Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting
37(6), 85-116. Services Ltd, 10 pp.
Schneiderhöhn, H. 1958. Zur Shelford, R. 1975g. Final report Grant No M46/
Erforschungsgeschichte der Erze der 3/475, Samkubis 516, Rehoboth District.
Tsumeb-Mine und der geologischen Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Prospecting
Verhältnisse des Otaviberglandes, Services Ltd, 12 pp.
Südwestafrika. Neues Jb. Miner., Mh., 6, Simpson, W. 1956. Aspects of the geology of
125-136 the western Teco Mining Area and Tsumeb
Schröder, B. 1975. Final report-Prospecting West with special reference to structure.
Grant M46/3/512 Nauaspoort 261 and Nauas Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, pp.
262, Rehoboth District. Unpubl. rep., Anglo Smalley, T.J. 1984. Progress report on
American Prospecting Co. Ltd, 8 pp. Exploration of Grant No M46/3/815. Unpubl.
Scott, M.J. 1975. First and final report for grant rep., Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, 3 pp.
M46/3/572. Unpubl. rep., B & O Mineral Smalley, t.J. 1989. Final report on Prospecting
Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp. Grant No M46/3/1610, Southern
Scott, M.J. 1976. Fourth and final report for Damaraland, South West Africa/Namibia.
Grant M46/3/269 for the period 1 July 1975 Unpubl. rep., NAMEX (Pty) Ltd, 9 pp.
to 31 March 1976, covering the farm Naob Smedley-Williams, O. 1961. Report on
69, Karibib District. Unpubl. rep., B & O exploration work by Rio Tinto on grant area
Mineral Exploration (Pty) Ltd, 6 pp. No M46/3/6. Unpubl. rep., Rio Tinto Zinc, 2
Seeger, K.G. 1978. Copper. Unpubl rep., Geol. pp.
Surv. Namibia, 268 pp. Smit, J.M. 1962. Stratigraphy and

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Soc. S. Afr., 65(2), 63-78. Tsumeb District. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb
Smit, J.M. 1976. Final report. Schlip 472 and Corporation Ltd.
Attes 470, Rehoboth District Grant No M46/ Söhnge, P.G. 1973. Report on Tiras Project
3/726. Unpubl. rep., Anglo American Grant No M46/3/472. Unpubl. rep., Tsumeb
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Smith, D.A.M. 1965. The geology of the area Söhnge, P.G. 1974a. Sedimentary ore deposits: a
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Soc. S. Afr., 42, 23-34. Söhnge, P.G. 1977. Mineralehulpbronne en
Söhnge, P.G. 1952. The geology of Tsumeb. S. Mynbou-Ontwikkeling in Kavango. Unpubl.
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Tsumeb Corporation Ltd, pp. mynbou-ontwikkeling in Kaokoland. Ad hoc
Söhnge, P.G. 1957. Review of the geology of verslag, Beplanningsnavorsing van
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