1

6. THE MINERAL RESOURCES OF MOZAMBIQUE

Mozambique has a large and diverse mineral 3. New methods of mineral prospecting and explo-
potential. Over the past ten years, there has been a ration have led to the discovery of a range of
growth in the international and national evolution of mineral deposits including gas, oil, heavy mineral
geological knowledge, including mineral prospecting sands, graphite, vanadium and gemstones;
and of mineral resource treatment methods.
4. New treatment methods have made it possible
The progress in geological knowledge in Mozambique to explore lower mineral content, which were
and the international evolution in the mineral market previously considered to be uneconomic (such as
justifies the need to re-evaluate its mineral potential. gold deposits)
The main criteria that affect these new market 5. Technological advances in environmentally-
conditions are: friendly production methods have meant that
National Criteria raw materials are again of interest, which were
previously characterised as undesirable;
1. Mozambique has been geologically re-mapped at
1:250,000 and partly at 1:50,000 scales, which 6. The high technology industry is now using more
takes it possible to make a new interpretation of and more chemical elements and metals in their
mineral deposits; production, which previously only had a limited
market and field of application. This includes some
2. During the geological re-mapping new mineral
rare elements and metals;
deposits have been discovered and evaluated
including mineral occurrences or possible 7. It is expected that the production of hydrocarbons,
prospects; coal, titanium, gold, rare-earth minerals and
industrial minerals will increase in the future,
3. The Mozambican mining industry has developed
even though mineral resource extraction may
enormously in different mining sectors including
reduce temporarily due to the decline in global
hydrocarbons, coal, graphite, gemstones and others.
mineral prices.
New activities have also commenced in existing
mining areas such as graphite, titanium minerals Today global mining groups are investing in explo-
and gemstones; ration, participating in mineral prospecting or are
interested in developing energy minerals such as
4. The Mozambican infrastructure has been developed
hydrocarbons, coal and uranium. In addition, there is
including the reconstruction of roads, railways,
strong interest in titanium-zirconium, in heavy mineral
ports, energy supplies which makes the country of
sands, in gold and gemstones, in lime and phosphates
interest for the development of mining (economic)
for agricultural use and in tantalum, fluorite and other
activities;
industrial minerals.
5. The Mozambican legislation has been revised to
All these reasons justify the need to analyse and
promote international economic activities.
evaluate the existing or possible future potential of the
International Criteria Mozambican mineral resources.
1. For many mineral resources up to 2014, the
the international mineral market prices have
increased considerably which has resulted in
a return to mineral prospecting and mining
activities particularly of closed or old mineral
deposits (for example gold). There has also been
a focus of attention on those mineral deposits that
were previously classified as uneconomic;
2. Since the second half of 2014, there has been an
new evolution in the mineral market. Commodity
prices for almost all mineral raw materials
fell, some by up to 50 to 60 %.These prices were
artificially inflated and they have now been lowered
to below the level of profitability. In Mozambique,
the mineral market before 2014, showed an annual
growth of rate about 14 %. Subsequently, some
inter-national mining groups sold their shares and
others, reduced their production volumes.

369
In Table 6.1, the nomenclature used in Chapter 6 The Mineral Potential of Mozambique is described. Table 6.2 gives an overview of mineral production over the period 2010-2014 in Mozambique.

Nomenclature Definition Year Production

Products Units
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Location
Mineral resources are solid, liquid or gaseous minerals which exist ore may be exist in the
Mineral resources
region or country.
Metal Minerals
The potential of minerals includes in addition to the known existing mineral resources, also
Potential of minerals Gold Kg 106.2 111.0 177.8 90.9 197.2 Several places
those resources that can be expected to be found in particular geological-structural lithologies.
Tantalite Kg 53,054.0 139,144.8 407,734.4 77,945.7 111,767.0 Zambézia
A mineral deposit is an accumulation/concentration of minerals/mineral raw materials which
Mineral deposit
can be economically mined. Moma and
Ilmenite ton 678,358.0 636,794.0 574,398.0 832,213.0 940,261.0
Zambézia
A mineral occurrence is an accumulation/concentration of minerals/mineral resources that
Mineral occurrence Moma and
are geologically confirmed but not yet considered for economic exploration. Zircon ton 37,038.0 37,151.0 46,880.0 37,382.0 55,851.0
Zambézia
Mineralisation is occurrences of minerals in nature which may be of interest for further
Mineralisation Moma and
geological and analytical studies/investigations. Rutile ton 201.0 6,455.0 3,713.0 7,845.0 14,828.0
Zambézia
Indications Indications are hints in the rock or the geological unit/formation, where a particular
(of Mineralisation) mineralisation may be possible. Non-metal Minerals

Beryl ton 56.7 57.8 531.6 103.1 3.0 Zambézia

Reserves Reserves are quantities of mineral resources calculated, estimated or expected.
Graphite ton No data No data No data No data No data Ancuabe
Reserves calculated Reserves calculated or resources measured are quantities of ore and mineral resources
Resources measured confirmed by geological, mineralogical and laboratory assessments. Quartz diverse Kg 707,411.1 838,683.5 51,749.6 110,721.0 98.0 Several places

Reserves estimated are quantities of ore and mineral resources defined, partly theoretically Bentonite raw ton 6,994.0 0.0 24,000.0 73.1 26,660.0 Namaacha
Reserves estimated
by geological and mineralogical/laboratory investigations.
Bentonite treated ton 458.6 493.2 846.2 92.9 739.2 Namaacha
Confirmed reserves are quantities of ore and mineral resources which are verified by
Bentonite screened ton 4,423.0 423.0 613.0 0.0 4,067.3 Namaacha
Confirmed reserves geological, mineralogical, technical and other prospecting methods of mineral. This definition
is similar to that of the reserves calculated or resources measured. Diatomite ton 123.4 48.9 541.2 375.4 77.5 Manhiça
Probables or possible Probable or possible reserves are quantities of ore and mineral resources which are based on Limestone ton 263,907.7 947,122.1 1,322,423.7 522,609.9 900,787.9 Several places
reserves geological, structural and other factors that seem to be possible or likely.
Sand for Construction m3 1,150,051.6 1,678,763.3 2,137,612.5 960,239.9 762,644.0 Several places
Expected reserves are those which can be expected according to the geological, structural and
Expected reserves Clays ton 43,143.1 253,745.7 46,690.9 938,698.4 1,116,131.8 Several places
other conditions and the results of investigations.
Bauxite ton 8,556.2 10,351.5 8,632.7 6,190.0 3,324.5 Manica
Prospective reserves These are potential reserves.
Rhyolite m3 38,705.0 71,881.4 293,184.0 72,746.0 29,925.0 Namaacha
Inferred resources are the result of conclusions based on geological, structural and other
Inferred resources
conditions and or investigations. Granite m3 0.0 17,539.7 79.0 0.0 0.0 Several places

Ore is a concentrate of metallic or other minerals that are suitable for mining. Ore is from Gravel m3 785,611.6 861,648.1 1,007,801.7 1,290,446.5 1,700,311.9 Several places
Ore the earth’s crust that is usually mechanically mined and chemically processed into a new
mineral concentrate. Ornamental Stones

Dumortierite ton 27.0 58.0 58.0 17,000.0 1067.0 Tete

Mineral raw materials are non-metallic or other materials that are suitable for mining. These
Mineral raw materials
include solid, liquid and gaseous minerals and minerals concentrated by geological processes. Marble plates m2 No data No data No data No data No data Montepuez

Table 6.1: The Nomenclature and Definitions used in Chapter 6 Marble blocks m3 No data No data No data No data No data Montepuez

Precious and Semiprecious Stones

Tourmaline Kg 2,402.8 50.5 486,468.3 128,352.0 131,340.0 Several places

Tourmaline wastage Kg 12266.6 26,228.5 27,186.0 21,309.8 44,890.6 Several places

Garnet Kg 3,571.0 24,653.5 170,979.7 1,551.5 10,233.3 Cuamba

Garnet wastage Kg 12,783.8 150,274.1 0.0 0.0 352,529.0 Cuamba

Aquamarine Kg 140.5 0.4 2.0 0.0 0.0 Several places

Aquamarine wastage Kg 1,438.5 60.0 586.1 0.0 0.0 Several places

370 371
 Year Production
Products Units
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Location

Coal
Coking Coal ton 2,991,794.0 3,556,776,0 3,784,602,5 Moatize
Thermal
ton 38,260.0 648,220.0 1,962,200.0 2,312,972,6 2,546,585,8 Moatize
Coal
Sub-total 4,953,994.0 5,869,748.6 6,331,188.3
Hydrocarbons
Vilankulo/
Natural Gas Gj/Sm3 124,783,152.2 131,555,851.3 146,793,243.3 163,739,583.1 161,551,762.9 Pande/
Temane
Gas
bbl 328171.0 396,240.0 408,342.2 416,501.0 298,321.8 Vilankulo
Condensate

Table 6.2: Mineral Production in Mozambique for the Period 2010-2014

6.1. Energy Resources

Mozambique has a high potential of energy resources The actual and planned coal mining in the Middle-
including mineral energy resources for hydropower, Lower Zambeze Graben/Depression produces a lot of
solar and wind energy and biomass resources). low quality and waste coal which in the near future
may provide for CCS and the production of gas and
From the geological point of view, two groups of
diesel;
mineral energy sources are evident:
1. Productive energy resources. This would include; Figure 6.1 shows the regional distribution areas of
the Mozambican Geo-energy resources.
– Natural Gas and Oil;
– Coal 6.1.1. Hydrocarbon Energy Resources
2. Resources which may be exported or used to supply The prospective basins in Mozambique are part of the
the local energy market. This would include: Indian Ocean coastal basin zone, which extends from
– Low quality energy coal with high-ash content the Red Sea in the North to South Africa in the South.
which may be used for energy production after For the onshore area, the zones of the Rift Valley play a
simple treatment; important role in determining the prospecting potential
– Low quality energy coal with high-ash content where possible new discoveries of hydrocarbons may
and waste coal which may be used for carbon be found.
capture and storage (CCS); The Rovuma and Mozambique coastal basins which
– Coal in small basins (for example in the Zambeze cover onshore and offshore areas, are located between
Graben Region) or the complication of using of Mozambique, Southern Tanzania, Madagascar and the
small basin coal; Comoros Islands, including the Mozambique Channel.
– Radioactive minerals; This region includes extensive areas for research
activities and areas for future activities that have high
– Peat;
potential.
– Methane from coal;
The border area of the Mozambique Channel, incor-
– Methane found in deep sea locations;
porates nine sedimentary basins and sub-basins whose
– Geothermal resources. thickness varies between 6,000 and 11,000 m (see
From the economic point of view, only the first Figure 6.2).
group is of interest but for the evaluation of the whole
Geo-energy potential and the possibility of changing
the implementation strategy by using mineral pros-
pecting methods, a full description of the potential of
geo-energy resources is required. One example of this
includes prospecting for and the exploration of methane
in coal within nearby coal basins.
Figure 6.1: The Schematic Distribution of Known Energy Resources and Potential New Resources (Geothermal
resources are not included) in Mozambique (see Lächelt, 2016)
372 373
 Oil deposits and oil prospects have been discovered In the southern part of the basin, there is high
in Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, for prospective potential, extending to the East and South
example in two gas fields located in Southern Tanzania, East of the Maputo Region. However, in the North
as well as the Tar Sands of Bemolang in Madagascar. and North West, the basin is limited by the crystalline
basement. Along the Indian Ocean coastline, the basin
Gas deposits and prospects with the presence of oil
appears to be connected with the Rovuma Basin.
were discovered in the Rovuma Basin (prospects of gas
and oil at the Mocímboa-1 (Onshore drilling results The basement and the region between the
by the Esso/Shell Consortium), Gas prospects were Mozambique and Rovuma Basins (see Figure 6.2) are
discovered by Anadarko at the Tembo-1 hole (Onshore) characterised by pre-syn and post-break-up rifting
and oil prospects at the Ironclad-1 (Offshore). In the structures of the Gondwana Sul (see ECL, 2000 and
Mozambique Basin, the Pande and Temane Fields Figure 6.4).
(Gas fields) and the Inhassoro Field (Gas and Light
Oil) were discovered.
The prospecting activities indicated a high degree of
potential of hydrocarbons in these basins, especially in
the Central and Northern Regions of the Mozambique
Basin where the current research concessions are
located (see Figure 6.3).
In this context, onshore and offshore studies in the
Maputo and Gaza Provinces, namely seismic activities
and research holes (Palmeira NE-1, Xai-Xai 1 and
Sunray holes), have enabled hydrocarbon research to
take place in the Mozambique Basin and have since
be extended to the southern region of Mozambique,
although no oil or natural gas discoveries have been
made so far.
Surveys throughout the Mozambique Basin indicate
that the following hydrocarbon prospects and research
structures have been located, as shown below:
• Mega-anticline structures and the significant Zam-
beze Deltaic Complex in the Mozambique Basin;
• Shear thrust structures, as well as compression
and extension structures in the Rovuma Basin.
Sea research and new techniques for deep water
prospecting have allowed the discovery of gas fields
and some oil potential indications where more
hydrocarbon discoveries are expected;
• Grabens in the southern part of the Mozambique
Basin and the Lacerda/Angoche Area Graben,
where prospects for gas research and also potential
oil reserves are under investigation.
Taking into account the growth of the natural and
probable oil reserves discovered in the Rovuma Basin,
it is expected that in the near future Mozambique, will
become a major producer of natural gas in the Southern
African Region and potentially in the world.

1. The Mozambique Basin

The Mozambique Basin covers an area of about
290,000 km2, of which approximately one-third is
located offshore with depths over 500 m.
In the Mozambique Channel, prospective structures
Figure 6.2: The Main Marginal Basins of the Indian Ocean, the East Coast of Africa, the Red Sea and South Africa, can be continuous, and areas of interest can also be
with an emphasis on the Mozambique and Rovuma Basins (Sources: Salman and Abdula, 1995 and located in deep water areas, using the latest geophysical
Lächelt, 2004) methods.

374 375
Figure 6.3: A Map of the Current Concessions, showing Concession Areas and the Recent Discoveries and Production  he Sedimentary Basin of Mozambique and its periods during the Gondwana Sul Opening
Figure 6.4: T
Fields in the Mozambique and Rovuma Basins, (Source: INP, 2016) (Source: INP 2016)

376 377
 The Mozambique and Rovuma Basins are two hydrocarbons. On the other hand, the Domo Areias
syn-break-up basins. From the basins that developed and Sena Forma-tions, and their equivalents, have
under a volcanic passive margin regime in the period porosities between 20 to 21 %, but their potential of
between the Middle Jurassic and the Miocene-Pliocene, hydrocarbons appears to be low (see Lächelt, 2004).
the Rovuma Basin was particularly affected by the
Indications of hydrocarbons have been found in
evolution of a transforming structure (the evolution
several geological units in the sedimentary basins of
of the Davie Fracture Zone – DFZ). The Permian-
Mozambique, but the Mozambique Basin presents a
Triassic basins are related to the pre-break-up period
good opportunity for research (see Figure 6.2). In the
that include the Lower Karoo Intracratonic Basins
southern region of the basin, the Lower Domo Formation
and the Karoo Superior Rift-type basins. Locally
(Clays) play a role as an impermeable structure,
these structures were formed as Pull-Apart Basins of
that creates the necessary conditions for capturing
the Maniamba Basin type. Rift-type break-up basins
hydrocarbons. In this region, the stratigraphy offers a
of the Jurassic Upper/Lower Cretaceous form the
likely succession, because the Domo Sand Formation
Middle Zambeze, Lower Zambeze and Xai-Xai Grabens
of the Middle Cretaceous, is intercalated by the Lower
and Lower Jurassic basins that are, according to
Domo Formation clays at the base and the Upper Domo
Frankie, related to the EARS including Lake Niassa or
Formation at the top (according to Lächelt, 2004).
EARS-Offshore, However, it is believed that with the
However, no hydrocarbons reserves has been found in
new geophysical methods (including the acquisition of
this unit to date.
high-resolution seismic data) and research methods
such as fracturing, mean that possible hydrocarbon Figure 6.5 gives an overview of these locations.
reserves can be found. Indications of lithologies with reservoir capacities may
also occur in other Cretaceous deposits, as well as in
To the West, at the boundaries of the Mozambique
Tertiary formations, as demonstrated by the Nhangela
Basin, that were formed by Precambrian rocks,
Lake oil seeps in the Palmeira North East-1 Sunray
outcrops of the Zimbabwe Craton and Proterozoic units
holes and others.
of the Manica-Báruè geological belt can be found that
also outcrop along the Rift Border Zone Karoo deposits.
Towards the North, the basin is limited by a volcanic
rock zone on the onshore side.
The Mozambique Basin demonstrates its largest
evolution in the southern part of the basin, along the
Limpopo river, where the basin is enlarged. The rock
sequences in this part of the basin consist mainly of
terrigenous sediments and two important carbonate
horizons. These sequences consist of sediments from
the Upper Jurassic to the Late Jurassic that probably
overlap with the volcanic rocks of the Karoo.
The volcanics of the Lebombos (Libombos) Monocline
are Lower Cretaceous sediments as well as some
Karoo deposits that may be present in the basin as
sub-ordinate constituents (according to Salman and
Abdula, 1995).
Consequently, the prospective portion of the
Mozambique Basin is smaller than the physical limit
of the basin, because the prospecting potential for
hydrocarbons is defined by the extension of the deposits
that act as host rocks such as the Grudja Formation
(Upper Cretaceous).
Natural gas has recently been discovered in the
Central Region of the Mozambique Basin, resulting
from the difference of the horizons of the Lower Grudja
Formation, located at the Pande, Temane and Buzi
localities, where the reservoirs constitute shallow
water shoals and bars (cheniers) (refer to Salman and
Abdula, 1995; GTK, 2006; Lächelt, 2004 and Grantham
et al., 2011). This formation has porosities that vary
between 15 to 30 %, which favours accumulations of
Figure 6.5: Locations of Natural Gas Occurrences in the Mozambique Basin (Source: INP, 2016)

378 379
 Further to the north of the Mozambique Basin, namely The layouts of the Pande, Temane and Inhassoro The Pande Field contains 14 production holes and GJ = gigajoules or m3. To avoid translation errors all
in the Zambezi Delta Complex, some sedimentary Fields are illustrated in Figure 6.6. according to information available in 2012, production original data have been used. The same principle has
sequences are relatively thicker than certain other was in the order of 5 million m3/day, due to the high been applied for the geographical coordinates.
Studies carried out in the Pande Field indicate that
sites in the Zambeze Delta, reaching a thickness of permeability. The permeability of these reservoirs
the reservoir sandstones are located in the Lower This book applies the volumes according to the
10 to 12 kms. These sequences contain turbidite fans reaches 4 Darci in certain places (Source: INP 2016).
Grudja Fomation, which is situated between 1,100 m literary sources cited.
dating from the Paleogene and channel deposits lying On the other hand, in the Temane Field, natural gas
and 1,600 m deep, reaching 20 m in thickness, of which
on the Cherimgoma Formation. The prospects indicate is embedded in sandstone reservoirs of the G-9 Horizon Type of Kerogen for the Formation of Natural
10 m are saturated with natural gas.
the existence of lithologies similar to the Miocene within the Lower Grudja. Gas in the Mozambique Basin
turbidites, originating from the marine clays of the Afterwards, the reservoir horizons in the field under
analysis vary in denomination between G6 and G12, The Inhassoro gas field was first discovered around Temperature modelling of the Mozambique Basin
Lower Domo and Lupata Formations (see GTK, 2006).
characterised by multiple units that coarsen-upward, 2003 in the vicinity of the Temane Field. Recently, was undertaken at 20 holes. Most of the gas-generating
The Pande-Temane-Inhassoro Fields it has been interpreted by geoscientists as being a rock samples show gas generation consistency of
created by shore face deposits belonging to the Upper
The economic quantities of natural gas discovered Cretaceous. subfield of the Temane Field, so that the natural gas, the III Kerogen type. The Maputo and Lower Domo
in the southern region of Mozambique, especially at present in the Temane-Pande-Buzi Fields, is related to Formations contain better generating deposits.
Pande in 1961, at Temane in 1967 and Inhassoro, are It should be noted that the G6 in this field consti- a gravimetric anomaly that corresponds to a structural
tutes the most important reservoir horizon with a From the burial/subsidence diagram, it can be conclu-
associated with reservoirs of the Grudja Formation, unit (according to AOA Geophysics). ded that many holes were subjected to a survey on a
as well as at Buzi found in 1962 within the Sofala thickness ranging from 4 m to 30 m and with an
average thickness of about 8.39 m. scale of kms. Stratigraphically, this fact is confirmed
Province. Production of Natural Gas by the stratigraphic sequence dominated by multiple
Throughout the Mozambique Basin, natural gas non-conformities.
is produced in Pande (on Map Sheet 2134 (Save) at
Supposedly, hydrocarbon deposits were created and
UTM 37S 693508E,7632432N and at the Temane
subsequently destroyed by erosion during these surveys.
Fields (on Map Sheet 2135 (Bazaruto) at UTM
(According to GTK, 2006 and Grantham et al., 2011.)
37S 710846E,7597396N. Both fields are located in
Inhambane Province. Certainly, part of these resources
2. The Rovuma Basin
occur in the Buzi Basin, and research is being
conducted in order to identify economic quantities. The Rovuma Basin occupies an area of about
30,000 km2, of which 42 % is located at a depth of
In the productive fields, the prospects have an 500 m offshore. This represents the continuity of the
indicative production of about 2.12 Bcf/annum Lanzala (Lindi) Basin located in Tanzania (see Figure
(see Lächelt, 2000) at the time of the Pande Field 6.2), representing marginal basins in the Indian
operation, but in 2004, production was 44 Bcf/annum, Ocean, with a high potential for the prospectivity of
corresponding to 50 Million GJ/annum. This production hydrocarbons, particularly for natural gas (see Figure
grew in 2005, reaching 90 Million GJ/annum which 6.9). Those structures responsible for the accumulation
was when the Temane Field came into production and of hydrocarbons on the Eastern side of the Rovuma
this resulted in an increase of around 20 % over the Basin are unknown with accuracy. Their prospecting
period between 2004 and 2014. potential depends on the influence of the DFZ and the
It should be noted that production data indicated a EARS offshore, including the Querimbas Graben.
production volume of 120 Million GJ/annum according In Mozambique, the Rovuma Basin presents a
to Grantham et al,. (2011), but in order to satisfy the V-shaped form, because in the North, along the Rovuma
market gas demand, the CPF had to be optimised, river, it becomes more extensive towards the West,
so that the Pande and Temane Fields now produce where its evolution has been obstructed by the Prote-
approximately 183 Million GJ/annum of gas and 460 rozoic crystalline rocks and in the East, towards the
mbbls of condensate as illustrated in Figures 6.7 and 6.8. Indian Ocean, the basin extends over the DFZ zone
These gas fields have sufficient potential for into the Mozambique Channel (see Figure 6.10).
additional production if required (according to Yager, Figures 6.11 and 6.12 indicate the prospective blocks
2004 and see Figure 6.9). in the Rovuma Basin and the main arenitic bodies
In future, an increase in production is expected for including the discoveries of natural gas fields (see INP,
Pande RISING to 185 Million GJ/annum (MGJ/a). 2016).
The Temane and Inhassoro Fields have an estimated Note:The prospecting potential extends into Southern
reserve of about 5.5 TCF (according to Grantham, Tanzania (as modified by Franke et al, 2014
2011). based on Lächelt 2004).
Notes: 
To compare the oil reserves, the volumes The hydrocarbon occurrences are concentrated in
always refer to BOE = barrels of oil equivalent. different stratified units of the Rovuma Basin (see
This unit refers to the heat capacity: 1 bbl of oil Figure 6.13).
corresponds to 6,000 cf gas.
Production may also be indicated in Billion Cubic
Feet– BCF > 1 BCF = 0.03 m3 < sometimes also in
Figure 6.6: Locations of Natural Gas Occurrences in the Mozambique Basin (Source: INP, 2016)

380 381
  he Evolution of Natural Gas Production in Mozambique from the Pande and Temane Fields,
Figure 6.7: T
between 2004 and 2015 (Source: INP, 2016)

 ew Discoveries of Natural Gas in the Grudja Formation within the Pande and Temane Fields.
Figure 6.9: N
The acronyms PPA and PSA refer to the Petroleum Production and Production Sharing Agreements,
respectively, for the exploitation of these resources (Source: INP, 2016)

 he Evolution of Condensate Production in Mozambique, from the Pande and Temane Fields,
Figure 6.8: T
between 2004 and 2015 (Source: INP, 2016)

382 383
  he Rovuma Basin and the Riveting Structures of the DFZ and the Quirimbas Graben, (Source:
Figure 6.10: T  rospective Blocks in the Rovuma Basin and the Main Sandstone Bodies including the Natural
Figure 6.11: P
INP, 2016, as modified from Lächelt, 2004) Gas Field Discoveries (see INP, 2016)

384 385
Figure 6.12: I ndications of Hydrocarbons in the Rovuma Basin and in the South of the Basin extending into
the Angoche area (Source: INP, 2016, adapted from Mamad/ENH, 2012) Figure 6.13: The Occurrence of Hydrocarbons in different Stratified Units of the Rovuma Basin

386 387
 Towards the South, the narrow basin simply These propects are of great importance to
reduces the coastal zone, by drifting East under sea Mozambique because of the known seeps / emanations
bed structures. After the consolidation in the Central in the Rovuma Basin, located slightly further South
Region of the Basin, the sediments reach a thickness (refer to NGU, 2007).
of about 10 kms. The sedimentary profile of the Basin
New deep water research and exploration methods
starts with Jurassic deposits of the N’Gapa Formation
indicate possible oil and gas reserves that were once
(JrP).
difficult or economically impossible to recover.
The Prospects in the Rovuma Basin
The Rovuma Basin, as well as the Mozambique
Basin, are characterised by a syn-drift type evolution
during the Mesozoic to Tertiary period, in which the
stratigraphy starts with Jurassic deposits belonging
to the N’Gapa Formation (TrP). These terrigenous
and deltaic sediments are known for their high degree
of hydrocarbon properties, as described previously.
Well-known examples include the deposits of oil
discovered at M’Simbati and natural gas at Songo and
Mnazi Bay in Tanzania.
Studies show that the deposits of natural gas
discovered in Tanzania are concentrated in delta
sediments equivalent to those belonging to the Tertiary
Tembe Formation (TeT) located in the range of 2 to 4
kms deep according to Lächelt (2004).
During the research activities, several holes were
drilled along the Rovuma Basin, which identified a
strong potential of deposits in sand horizons at depths
of 3,291 to 3,409 m. The sands had porosity levels of 5
 he Gas Reserves (2012) of the Mozambican Temane and Pande Basins and the Rovuma Basin at
Figure 6.14: T
to 10 % at a saturation of 40 to 60 %.
Mamba (Areas 1 and 4) (2016) (after INP, 2016, based on Amad 2012)
In addition, the RPES tests indicated the presence of
oil traces in thin layers of carbonates at depths below
1,715 m.
The American Anadarko and the Italian Eni Groups, Research Activities in Area 4 of the Mamba
Modelling was carried out which indicated that operating in Areas 1 and 4, respectively, discovered Complex
the Cenomanian was of late maturity (Gas) and the world-class natural gas reserves estimated to be Area 4 is licensed to ENI SpA (ENI, Italy). In 2012,
Cretaceous had oil generation potential and also around 185 TCF (see Figures 6.11 and 6.12). the company reported a gigantic discovery of natural
that the first generation of oil had been reached in gas in Mozambique based on Mamba Norte-1 offshore
These resources are located in Cretaceous, Paleocene,
the Lower Tertiary (refer to NGU, 2007; et al., 2011). borehole, in 1,690 m deep water. The well found 186
Eocene, Oligocene and Miocene sandstones in seven
These prospects have been confirmed from the results m of turbidite sandstones containing natural gas
fields, namely the Prosperity-Mamba Complex,
of recent studies that indicate high potential in these (according to Kennedy/ENI, 2012). Subsequently, the
Dolphin and Tuna, Orca, Tubarão and Tiger Shark
parts of the Rovuma Basin. Mamba Sul-1 borehole was drilled, 23 kms south of the
Fields in Area 1 and the Coral and Needle Fields in
The potential for oil in the Basin is attributed to Area 4. It should be noted that the Prosperity-Mamba Mamba-Norte borehole. The new discovery added 30
the Cretaceous sandstones of the Necomian stage, Complex is located between Areas 1 and 4, which will TCF or 212.5 billion m3 of natural gas increasing the
where, superficial indications (light oil of seeps) were be operated as a single field in future. total discovery to 850 (billion m3) of natural gas in the
extracted in samples of gutter originating from a depth Mamba Complex.
These huge reserves and resources as well as
of 3,600 m.
the future prospects, based on current geological
Research investigations using 2D and 3D multi- knowledge, will mean that there will be a further
channel seismic methods, amongst others, have increase in hydrocarbon reserves in these basins.
confirmed a prospecting potential of natural gas and oil
Studies have also shown that the production of
in four different stratigraphic horizons starting with
natural gas in the Rovuma Basin has commenced
the Jurassic to the Tertiary (see Figure 6.13). Mamad
from mid-2018, following the installation of a LNG
(of ENH, 2012) indicated that the Rovuma Basin has
(Liquefied Natural Gas) production facility.
natural gas reserves in the order of more than 70 TCF
with a potential resource of more than 150 TCF (see According to Anadarko (2013), the natural gas
Figure 6.14). discoveries made in the Rovuma Basin make it the
third largest LNG producer after Australia and Qatar
with a future potential of around 200 TCF.

388 389
Coral Field The Tubarão Tigre 1 borehole was drilled in waters There are very different ideas considering rift Graben, as well as in the south western part of the
The Coral Field was discovered in 2012 when the 592 m deep, reaching a drill depth of 4,925 m with a structures, especially of the grabens and horsts, for Maniamba Basin may be of hydrocarbon interest
Coral 1 borehole drilling was carried out in ultra-deep reservoir of 28 m thickness in saturated Paleocene possible hydrocarbon occurrences and deposits. investigations.
water (2,237 m) that reached a final drill depth of 4,894 sandstones.
One idea is that down-lifted blocks may be preserved Generally, the geological profiles of these basins
m. In addition, three further holes were drilled (Coral 2, hydrocarbon-bearing structures within the source rock indicate unfavourable reservoir conditions for the
Coral 3 and Coral 4) to evaluate the Eocene sandstone 3. Hydrocarbons in Rifts (Grabens)
and/or the reservoir horizon and the cover. Conversely concentration and the discovery of hydrocarbons. The
reservoir, which allowed the determination of reserves There are divergent ideas about the role of rift the up-lifted blocks may simply have lost their most favourable geological conditions for the accumu-
in the order of 15.65 TCF. (refer to INP, 2016). structures, especially of the horsts and grabens, with hydrocarbon content. lation of hydrocarbons are in the Meso-Cenozoic basins
respect to the potential occurrence of hydrocarbons (for example the Mozambique and the Rovuma Basins).
Needle Field (Agulha Field) and deposits. Another idea is, that the rift bordering faults may
These basins were and continue to be the priority for
serve as hydrocarbon migration routes and therefore
The Agulha Field was discovered in 2013 based on It was postulated that blocks that have submerged, geological investigations for hydrocarbons.
support the collection of the deposits or conversely the
the results from the Agulha-1 research borehole, which may include structures of hydrocarbon traps/or hydrocarbons, especially the natural gas, may be in the However, in the Lake Niassa Graben/Maniamba Basin,
reached a total depth of 6,203 m, and intercepted the reservoir horizons, as well as cover rocks. faults and escape from the reservoir. the Karoo deposits may be of prospecting interest.
Paleocene and Cretaceous sandstones with 89 m and
1.5 m of natural gas saturation, respectively. These It is believed that rift-bordering faults may have In Mozambique, to date no hydrocarbons are known In the Rovuma Basin, the Jurassic N`Gapa Formation
units gave reservoir porosities ranging from 13.5 to 17 facilitated the migration of hydrocarbons and, therefore, to exist which are clearly related to the rift structures. (JrP) of the Karoo is the section of the geological profile
%, with a reserve estimate in the order of 6.5 TCF. have influenced the collection of hydrocarbons or, In the Mozambique Basin, the hydrocarbon occurrences that is being investigated for its hydrocarbon potential,
conversely, the hydrocarbons (especially natural gas) and deposits occur in the rift zone but no genetic but this formation is not a typical Karoo unit (Lächelt
Research Activities in Area 1 of the Mamba were derived from the reservoir through these faults relationships have been observed. The formation of the is of the opinion that the JrP Formation does not belong
Complex which extend up to the surface. tectonic blocks with the hydrocarbons are the result of to the Karoo basin formation process but corresponds
Prospective Complex In Mozambique, up to the present day, no discoveries the rifting processes. The decomposition into separate to the initial phase of the Meso-Cenozoic coastal basin
of hydrocarbons associated with rift-type structures productive or unproductive blocks are the result of the evolution).
The first discovery of natural gas was made in
are known, but in the Mozambique Basin within the rifting, but this is not a genetic relationship with the
2009 with the drilling of the Windjammer borehole.
rift zones, hydrocarbon occurrences and deposits occur, hydrocarbon accumulations. 5. Methane
Subsequently, a sequence of boreholes were drilled for
research purposes and the discovery of new natural but without having any geo-genetic relationships to The same situation exists in the Rovuma Basin, in the Methane as a potential energy source may in the
gas fields, which indicated potential reserves of just these zones. DFZ/Ridge. These rift structures may be of importance future become of interest in two types of unconventional
over 180 TCF. for the concreting of existing blocks but not for the deposits:
Similar conditions are known in the Rovuma
Basin, especially in the Dorsal Fracture Zone of the formation of the deposit formation. For the formation 1. Methane associated with coal deposits;
Shark Field DFZ, making these zones of relevant importance for of hydrocarbon accumulations, the lithology and the
primary rock structures is of prime importance. 2. Methane in deep sea marine sediments.
A fourth discovery made by the Anadarko Group in hydrocarbon research.
the Rovuma Basin was located in the Shark Field. This However, problems with hydrocarbon prospecting in However, no definitive answer has so far been found. Methane associated with coal deposits
was based on the Tubarão-1 borehole that was drilled rift zones do exist and a final explanation has yet to According to Steiner (1992), the Paleocene/Eocene The coal deposits of the Middle Zambeze/Depression/
to a depth of approximately 4,237 m in deep water (898 be found. According to Steiner (1992), the Paleocene/ rifts may also be of interest with a possible connection Graben are known to contain some methane potential.
m). The purpose of the borehole was to investigate the Eocene rifts may also be of interest for future research, between the reefs, the fore-reef limestone-sandstone Underground coal mining in this structural zone
interior areas of the Eocene (Pmean = 1.7 TCF GIIP). and it is anticipated that a relationship between reefs, fans and the “hinter reef platform carbonates” of the (Moatize) has experienced methane gas problems.
carbonate reefs-sandstone layers, and the “behind reef TeC along the paleoshelf that should be corroborated Methane is always present in coal deposits and
Dolphin and Tuna Field platform carbonates” of the Cheringoma Formation established (cited from Lächelt, 2004). therefore, this gas was and is still a focus for mining
The Tuna-1 research borehole was drilled in 2012, (TeC) along the continental paleo-shield will be found operations.
reaching a depth of 3,860 m in deep water of about (cited in Lächelt, 2004). Also, hydrocarbons may exist in the Karoo depressions
(Grabens), such as. the Zambeze Depression, the Lake However, up to the present day, the use of methane
1,000 m, which proved the discovery of significant
Similarly, hydrocarbons are unlikely to exist in Niassa Graben and in the Maniamba Basin and the has not been economically possible. The problem is
thick reserves of 92 m in two systems of Oligocene fans
Karoo depressions (Grabens), such as the Zambeze Mesozoic–Cenozoic rifts (EARS). In these structures, to locate methane concentrations and to define the
saturated in natural gas.
Depression, the Lake Niassa Graben and the considerable thicknesses of sedimentary deposits quantities so that economical and effective research
Maniamba Basin, and also in Mesozoic-Cenozoic rifts are found and the presumption is that they are void methods can be developed.
Orca, Shark and Tiger Shark Fields
(EARS), typified by the considerable thickness of the of hydrocarbons but this should be reconsidered (see
In the Orca Field, the Orca 1 borehole was drilled, To date, these issues have not yet been resolved.
sedimentary deposits where it is assumed that these Lächelt, 2004).
12 kms to the West of the Windjammer-2 borehole in The coals of the Middle Zambeze Graben include some
are possible reservoirs of hydrocarbons and this is
the Prosperity Complex and 7 kms South West of the The hydrocarbon occurrences, for example in the methane gas potential, but possible exploration of
where further investigations are needed. (according to
Atum-1 hole (refer to INP, 2013). Lake Niassa Graben and the South West of the methane gas concentrations remain a global problem.
Lächelt, 2004).
Maniamba Basin/Graben (see Figure 6.1) should be The current state of research leads to the conclusion
The Orca 1 borehole reached a total depth of 4,966 Indications of hydrocarbons occurrences, for example analysed. that an economic use of this gas is not possible. In the
m in deep water of 1,061 m, and indicated 58 m of in Lake Niassa Graben and in the south west of the
Paleocene sands saturated with natural gas. recent concession areas, an extensive amount of Middle
Maniamba Basin/Graben (see Figure 6.2) should be 4. Hydrocarbons in the Karoo Basins Zambeze Graben coal will be exploited by opencast
The discovery of Orca 1 was preceded by three other investigated in the future.
There is no known information about any hydro- mining methods, which further reduces the potential
evaluation boreholes, of which the Orca 4 borehole The Lake Niassa Graben should be of special interest, carbon occurrences in the Mozambique Karoo Basins. for methane gas.
intersected Cretaceous horizons identified in the Tiger by using modern methods of prospecting and research However, some lithologies in the Lower Zambeze
Shark Field, suggesting a lateral continuation of the (including modern geophysical methods).
deposit.

390 391
Methane in deepsea sediments and deep marine The Nyuruko Seep is possibly sourced from marine SUB-ECONOMIC COAL BASINS and THEIR of the coal to market. All the principal markets for
formations Cenozoic as rocks, and the gas encountered in the SUB-BASINS the Mozambican coals are overseas markets and the
Over the past 10 years, research on sea bed deposits Tanzanian part of the Rovuma Basin is considered 1. The Lower Zambeze Depression; coal must be transported to the Indian Ocean ports.
and formations has revealed huge quantities of to be derived from Mesozoic and/or Palaeozoic source This will be made possible by a railway from Moatize
• The Muaradzi-Mecondezi, Necungas-Meconé,
methane in the form of clathrates from the Gas rocks (see Mpanju and Philp, 1994). to the Beira (575 kms) and crossing into Malawi to
Rio Malica, Goma and Nhacali Sub-Basins;
Hydrates Stability Zone (GHSZ), with deposits of more the Nacala-a-Velha (912 kms) ports where a new coal
In the Mozambican Rovuma Basin, oil and gas seeps • The Baicho Chire Sub-Basin;
than 300 to 500 m of sediment thickness, from a depth terminal was constructed in 2019.
have been sampled during fieldwork carried out by
of 200 m. 2. Metangula Graben;
Lonropet and PGS in 1999 and 2000 respectively. The rail capacity may, however, be a constraint
• The Lunho Sub-Basin;
These deposits may in the future become an South of Pemba, hydrocarbon seeps were encountered for further increases in coal mining production and
at Ponta Uifundo (see UTM 37S 670168E,8517684N), 3. The Espungabera Sub-Basin; alternatively a solution needs to be found to resolve
important source of energy. The problem of how to use
these quantities continuously is the subject of research where slicks can be found on the exposed reef at low the problem of the navigability of the Zambeze river
tide and gas has been seen bubbling to the surface NON-ECONOMIC COAL-BEARING BASINS and The future navigability of the Zambeze is currently
throughout the world.
from fissures in the sea floor. No oil seep was found THEIR SUB-BASINS: being investigated. Another railway link to the port
Along the Indian Ocean Mozambican coastline the during a visit in 2005 by NGU, but the occurrence of The Luângua, Lugenda North and South, Luchinua of Macuze, North of Quelimane, is another possibility.
methane potential has not been studied and therefore oil seeps at this location has been confirmed by local Basins: Figure 6.16 shows the possible transport-schemes.
it has not been possible to identify the potential of fishermen, who use the crude oil to impregnate their 1. The Luângua Basin/Makaa-Itule Basin (Lugenda
methane gas. Marine seismic investigations show dugout canoes. North Basin), Chipuputa Occurrence;
structures that suggest a certain potential of methane
hydrates probably of thermogenic origin (according to According to a report by Lonropet (2000), oil seeps 2. The Luchinua (Luchimua) Occurrence;
INP, 2016). have also been reported from a small lake connected Lugenda Basins:
to the Megaruma river near to the village of Nicupa.
Generally, research methods have not been sufficiently 1. The Lugenda South West Basin;
Near the village of Marua on the northern flood plain
developed and are also associated with environ- of the Lúrio river, another seep has been observed 2. The Mancha de Montante Sub-basin;
mental problems, which in turn can be particularly by Lonropet. Oil seeps are also well-known at Wimbi 3. The Mancha de Juzante Sub-basin;
controversial. However, in Mozambique in the future, Beach close to Pemba, where oil appears to seep out of 4. The Rio Lutheze and Rio Luambala Sub-basins.
methane gas potential should be studied. fissures in the Tertiary sandstone. Spots of biodegraded
oil and small stains of fresher oil seepages have been The coals of the Middle/Lower Zambeze Graben/
China is the first country to undertake exploration
observed below the high water mark by NGU, 2007. Depression include mainly thermal (energy) coals, but
drilling for methane exploration.
also a significant proportion of coking (metallurgical)
According to data analyses of the oil seeps, Lonropet coal (up to 20 %) are present. The thermal coals are
6. 
Hydrocarbon Seeps in the Border Zone (2000) suggested that they had been generated from a partly characterised by a high content of ashes (see
Lithologies of the Rovuma Basin Jurassic and from an older, possibly Triassic, source Table 6.3). The cooking coal include a significant part
In some lithologies along the coastal zone of the rock. of waste coal.
Rovuma Basin, oil seeps exist and during geological
mapping by NGU, 2007, oil seeps were documented. 6.1.2 Coal New technologies, particularly in the field of thermal
The oil and gas seeps are indications of hydrocarbon coal, make it possible to economically use the waste
Mozambique has very extensive and reasonably
secretions but whether they can be considered to be coal and partly use the coal with high ash content. On
high quality coal deposits. The economically most
possible hydrocarbon occurrences or deposits is unclear. this basis, these ash-bearing coal may be classified as
important coal basins are situated at the Zambeze
economic interesting coal.
Nevertheless, these seeps need some attention. Graben Zone in Tete Province. However, there are also
small coal-bearing Karoo basins of sub-economic or Processes of washing and other technologies make it
NGU (2007) reported in detail about these seeps and possible to use low-middle ash-bearing coals for energy
uneconomic importance.
also described some concrete seeps based on geological production. However, there is a need and recently
mapping of the Rovuma Basin. It should be noted that Figure 6.15 shows the regional distribution of the
(2014), it became technological possible to produce
a number of oil and gas seeps have been identified in coal-bearing Karoo basins of Mozambique.
gas and fuels (diesel) from coking-coal waste and
both the Mozambican and Tanzanian sections of the From an economic point of view, two groups of partly from the high-ash coals. Technologies for these
Rovuma Basin. coal-bearing basins include the following: processes exist in the world and must be adopted for
In the Tanzanian part of the basin, oil seeps have the Zambeze Depression coal deposits.
been identified on Msimbati Island, Makukwa and on ECONOMIC COAL BASINS and THEIR SUB-BASINS
During the last 10 years, about 60 prospecting and
Nyuruk, which is immediately to the North of the mouth 1. The Zambeze Valley Basins; mining licences were acquired and more than 40
of the Rovuma river and near to the Mnazi Bay Field. mining companies, including some international big
2. The Moatize-Minjova Basin;
Here there are several occurrences of bitumen, trapped mining players, are currently (2012) active in coal
• The Moatize Sub-Basin;
in the coastal sands. It was originally considered that mining in the Zambeze Graben.
• The Minjova Sub-Basin;
these were genuine seeps. However, detailed analyses of
the Msimbati Seep have shown that it is characterised 3. The Chícôa-Mecúcoè; In reality, coal mining is developing or planned all
by an extremely light isotopic composition and a rather 4. The Mucanha-Vuzi Sub-Basin; over the Zambeze Graben between the Cahora Bassa
unusual terpane distribution, probably indicating a Dam Region in the West up to the area, East of Moatize/
5. The Muanzi-Luângua Sub-Basin;
biogenic origin of this seep rather than representing Tete (close to the Malawian border). In the future, a
6. The Sanângoè-Mefidezi Basin. high increase in coal production is planned and the
biodegraded residues of mature crude oil (reported by
Mpanju and Philp, 1994). main problem may be to organise the transportation

392 393
 Figure 6.16: The Possible Transport Schemes for Coal Transportation (2017) to the Indian Ocean

Note: Green lines are existing railways, brown lines 6.1.3 Economic Coal Basins and Sub-Basins
are possible future lines and blue the Zambeze river) According to Vasconcelos (2014), all the Lower
Not all mined coal is suitable for export particularly Karoo-aged coal-bearing sedimentary formations
bed quality coals or those mixed with sandy particles. of Mozambique are deposited in basins of Graben
On the other hand, are these coal quantities together and half-Graben types. Vasconcelos (2014) estimated
Figure 6.15: The Coal-bearing Karoo basins of Mozambique with the waste coals are an important energy reserve that (cited by the qualified Mining Directorate of
particularly if special methods are developed for Mozambique/DNM, 2015) the coal resources are as
coal-gas and fuel production. It is highly recommended follows:
that this potential should be evaluated. With the decline • Total: 25,439 M t;
of the price of the coals by about 50 %, it is presently • Inferred: 11,348 M t;
(2015) not possible to predict further development of
• Indicated: 10,496 M t;
coal mining opportunities.
• Measured: 3,585 M t.

394 395
1. The Zambeze Graben The Karoo Supergroup The Matinde Formation consists of white sandstones, Length-wise, the Moatize Sub-Basin strikes North
The Zambeze Graben with an extension of over 350 1. The Ecca Group (PeE); sometimes arkosic and conglomeratic, with cross West-South East for approximately 20 kms and is about
kms is the most important coal-bearing structure, • The Matinde Formation (PeT); bedding. In some areas, coal seams are also present 6 kms wide. To the North, the Sub-Basin is limited by
containing more than 90 % (93 to 95 %) of the coal • The Moatize Formation (PeM); (refer to Vasconcelos L., 2014). a large Border Fault. The Sub-Basin is divided into
reserves in Mozambique. several sections defined either by natural boundaries
2. The Dwyka Group (PeD);
The Moatize-Minjova Basin or tectonic structures. Sediments are somewhat folded,
Coal has been mined in the Zambeze Valley Basins • The Vúzi (Tillite) Formation (CbV).
Fernandes P (2015) gave a detailed description of into anticline and syncline axes but in a prevalent
since the beginning of the 20th Century. Underground North West-South East direction. Several faults cut
The Dwyka Group this basin.
mining started during the 1940’s. After a peak in across the basin, provoking vertical throws reaching
production during the 1980’s, when about 500,000 t/a The lithologies of the Dwyka Group only outcrop at “The Moatize-Minjova Basin” is a Karoo-aged rift basin 100 m. Doloritic dykes cut the North West part of
(tons/annum) were mined, the production of coal has a few localities on the surface and are mainly known located in the Tete Province of Central Mozambique the Sub-Basin (see Vasconcelos L, 2014). The total
plummeted. In 2005, coal production was only 3,417 t from underground mining workings and prospecting along the present-day Zambeze River valley. In this thickness of the Karoo sediments in the Sub-Basin is
compared to 16,524 t in 2004. Coal exports to Malawi operations. basin, the Permian Moatize and Matinde Formations about 800 m.
that was 30,288 t/a in 2004 continues from stock piles consist of interbedded carbonaceous mudstones and
The Vúzi (Tillite) Formation at the base of the Karoo The Karoo profile is composed of the Lower Karoo
created in previous years. sandstones with coal seams. The thermal history has
Supergroup has an Upper Carboniferous age Tillites (Upper Carboniferous-Lower Permian) Dwyka and
been determined using rock samples from two coal
Starting from 2004, coal mining was planned or is occur in the Middle Zambeze Graben as small and Ecca (PeE) Groups.
exploration boreholes (ca. 500 m depth) to describe the
(from 2010) going on throughout the Zambeze Valley scattered outcrops some 11 kms West of the village of
burial and exhumation history of the basin. Organic Tillites, the characteristic Dwyka deposits in South
Basins, between the Cahora Bassa Dam Region in the Chicoa. This includes the Vúzi type locality near to the maturation levels were determined using vitrinite
West up to Moatize/Tete sub-basins in the East, close coal-bearing Chicoa-Mecúcoè Basin. Vúzi exposures are Africa, were not encountered in the Moatize Basin
reflectance and spore fluorescence/colour. Ages and but are known to occur in neighbouring basins, such
to the Malawian border. also found in the Moatize Basin (see Map Sheet 1634 rates of tectonic uplift and denudation have been
(Tambara)). The formation comprises fluvio-glacial as in the Mucanha-Vúzi Basin (according to Afonso,
According to Vasconcelos (2014), the Zambeze assessed by apatite fission track analysis. 1976). In Moatize, the Dwyka succession is composed
and fluvial conglomerates, feldspathic sandstones,
Valley is divided into the Western and Eastern areas, The thermal history was assessed by inverse modelling of basal conglomerates or a sandy-conglomeratic basal
carbonaceous claystones, siltstones and coal-bearing
separated by Precambrian rocks in the Songo area. of the fission track and vitrinite reflectance data. The member grading into argillitic sandy as a fine, middle
seams.
The Western area of Chícôa-Mecúcoè (the Mucanha- Moatize Formation attained a coal rank of bituminous and coarse-grained sand sequence, with terrigenous
The Vúzi (Tillite) Formation is also exposed in a few coals with low to medium volatiles (of 1.3 to 1.7 % Rr). deposits (siltstones, pelites and sandstones).
Vuzi Sub-Basin) trend East-West.
locations along the Phanerozoic-Proterozoic boundary Organic maturation levels increase in a linear fashion
In the Eastern area there are two North West to on the northern shores of Lake Cahora Bassa. There Limestones are encountered in the area of the Moatize
down-the-hole in two boreholes, indicating that Sub-Basin but could not be aged as Dwyka due to their
South East trending basins, namely the Sanângoè- the unit comprises a > 100 m thick sequence of the burial was the main process controlling peak
Mefidezi Basin and the Moatize-Minjowa (North West fluvio-glacial and fluvial conglomerates, feldspathic stratigraphical position.
temperature maturation. Calculated palaeogeothermal
and South East extensions to Nkondezi and Mutarara). sandstones, carbonaceous clay stones, siltstones and gradients range from 59°C/km to 40°C/km. According The Lower Karoo Moatize (Sandstone) Formation is
Each of these two areas are sub-divided into smaller coal-bearing seams. to the models, peak burial temperatures were attained well-exposed in the Moatize river, where it reaches a
sub-basins. The Chícôa-Mecúcoè area and the Sanângoè- shortly (3 to 10 Ma) after deposition. Apatite fission thickness of 340 m. It consists mainly of carbonaceous
Mefidezi Basin are half-Grabens limited in the North The Ecca Group (PeE) track ages [146 to 84 Ma (Cretaceous)] are younger sandstones, with six different coal seams. Koch (1961),
by border faults. The Ecca Group comprises two formations, the Lower than the stratigraphic age. cited by Real (1966), reported that the bottom of
Permian Moatize Formation and the covering Middle the Formation has been attributed to the Cambéua
All the Zambeze Valley Basins have been influenced Thermal modelling indicated that there were two
to Upper Permian Matinde Formation. The coal is Sandstone unit with quartzitic sandstones and
by tectonic activities and sub-divided into separate episodes of cooling and exhumation: a first period of
located in the lower part of the Ecca Group, in the conglomerates, up to a maximum thickness of 16 m.
basins and sub-basins as well as partly disposed into rapid cooling between 240 and 230 Ma in the Middle
Moatize Formation and classified within the Matinde The coal deposit is composed of seven coal seams, of
blocks/sub-blocks by the Upper Karoo-aged dolerite to Upper Triassic boundary implying 2,500-3,000 m of
Formation (see Vasconcelos L., 2014). which five are mineable.
dykes and younger fractures. The Moatize Basin, for denudation; and a second period, also of rapid cooling,
example, is intersected by several North East-South Exposures of the Moatize (Sandstone) Formation from 6 Ma (late Miocene) onwards, implying 1,000- The main coal-bearing seams in the Moatize (Minjova
West trending fractures and a number of faults in occur between the north-eastern part of the Tete Suite 1,500 m of denudation. The first episode is related Basin) Sub-Basin with their respective thicknesses are
various directions. In the other basins/sub-basins, the and the Malawi border (see Map Sheets 1533 (Cazula) to the main compressional deformation event within shown in Table 6.2.
situation is similar and the coal seams are separated and 1534 (Zóbuè)) and in a number of narrow North the Cape Fold Belt in South Africa, which transferred
into different sized blocks, that define the prospecting West-South East-directed windows below the Matinde stress northwards on pre-existing transtensional fault Seam Thickness (m)
methods, the reserve calculations and the mining Formation (see Map Sheet 1532 (Songo)). systems within the Karoo rift basins, causing tectonic
André 1
process. inversion and uplift. During the Mesozoic and most
The Formation lies unconformably either on
of the Cenozoic, the basin was characterised by very Grande Falésia 12
Resulting from this tectonic influence, primary and Precambrian rocks or on the Vúzi Formation. In the
slow cooling. The second period of fast cooling and
secondary coals occur alongside each other and in Moatize area, the thickness is about 340 m and in
denudation during the Pliocene was probably related Bananeiras 27
proximity to the magmatic bodies; the coal has been other areas upto some hundreds of m thick (refer to
to the southward propagation of the EARS into
locally transformed into anthracite by the fractures, Vasconcelos L., 2014). The unit mainly consists of Intermèdia 22
Mozambique.”
faults and dolerite intrusions (according to Lächelt, white to grey arkosic, occasionally pebbly sandstones,
2004). fine-grained clayey or micaceous sandstones (with fossil Chipanga ~36
The Moatize Sub-Basin
flora of Glossopteris and Gangamopteris) and secondary
The stratigraphic profile of the Karoo deposits in The Moatize coal deposit lies about 20 kms to the Sousa Pinto 14
black argillites with coal seams. The latter frequently
the Zambeze Graben is as follows: (see Chapter 4 for East of Tete.
contain pyrite or limonite nodules or disseminations.
further details): Table 6.2: The Coal Seams of the Moatize Sub-Basin

396 397
 The raw material forms a mixed substance of coal The Minjova Sub-Basin
and minerals, which have been observed up to a The Minjova Sub-Basin (of the Moatize-Injova Basin)
granular size below 50µ. The ash content is high and lies 60 kms East-North East of Moatize.
varies between 18 and 40 % (see Table 6.4). The degree
of incoalation is in the order of 14 to 23 % (as cited from The sedimentary series strike West North West-East
Lächelt, 2004). South East and dip at 15°S.

Vasconcelos (2014) cited the following summary The deposit consists of basal conglomerates which
data describing the properties and petrography of the grades upwards into sandstones and coal-bearing
Mozambican coals. argillites of the Moatize Formation. The overlying
sediment of the Matinde Formation consists of feldspar
• Bituminous, with rank varying from high to low sands. The deposit is known to cover a surface area of
volatile; 3,000 km2 (refer to Afonso and Marques, 1993).
• Richer in vitrinite than in inertinite; In 2004, the reserves of the Moatize-Minjova
• Characterised by very low liptinite content; deposits were estimated to be 87.1 x 106 t of economic
(calculated), 7,365 x 106 t of sub-economic (calculated)
• Generally the ash content is high; and 1,144.6 x 106 t of predictive (estimated) grades
• Minerals are finely intergrown with the organic (modified from LIMEX, 1984). The calculated reserves
matrix, thereby posing difficulties in liberation increased steadily with the ongoing geological explo-
during benefication. ration (see the example for Moatize Sub-Basin above).
The petrography shows a dominance of vitrinite; The Mucanha-Vúzi Basin
in Moatize somewhat more inertinitic coal and in The Mucanha-Vúzi Basin in the western segment
Mucanha-Vúzi a low liptinite content. In Moatize- of the Zambeze Graben, along the northern shores of
Minjowa-Mutarara there is an absence of liptinite Cahora Bassa Dam, which is the dominant deposit
that references to the petrography of coals from other in this area. Mucanha-Vúzi Basin outcrops along the
regions that are only found in Metangula. northern shore of the Cahora Bassa Dam for a distance
These coals are characterised as follows: of 150 kms in an East-West direction which coincides
with the longitudinal axes of the basin. About 40 %
Figure 6.17: A Cross-section of the Moatize Coal Deposit (as modified from Limex, 1984 and Lächelt, 2004) Mineral-rich: 28 to 48 %;
of the deposit is situated below the water level in the
Vitrinite varys from 36 to 51 %;
Cahora Bassa Dam
The series of the seven coal seams totals about In January 2005, an international consortium started Liptinite ranges from 1.9 to 2.5 %.
320-400 m in thickness. The most important seam is new coal prospecting activities A comprehensive core The locations of Bohozi, Vúzi and Mucanha (see
Table 6.3 shows the coal qualities of the thermic coals
Chipanga. It is 21.3 to 67.6 m thick and the smallest drilling campaign was ongoing. Map Sheet 1531 (Fíngoè Mágoè)) are the best-studied
(characterised by a high ash content) for the two main
seam, André is only 0.4 to 8.2 m thick. A cross-section deposits in the basin. The Mucanha-Vúzi Basin
The forecasted production was estimated 14 Monte coal sub-basins.
of the Moatize Coal Deposit is given in Figure 6.17. corresponds to a half-Graben structure. It is faulted in
of coal annually, comprising of both metallurgical and
Coal Basins severely broken blocks. The basin deepens to the West
The seams are sub-divided by numerous sandy or thermic coals. New geological mapping was undertaken
Content (%) and to the South, due to the complicated faulting that
pelitic, sometimes black-coloured, intercalations and in a licence area of approximately 17,000 hectares. Moatize-Minjova Mucanha-Vuzi affects the basin with seams dipping southwards and
lentils. Like all over the Middle Zambeze Graben, the This geological mapping exercise identified at least
20-38 8-22 westwards (according to Vasconcelos L, 2014).
Moatize Sub-Basin is intersected by several North three coal horizons with shallow dips and an extensive Ash
(max.45) (max.49)
East-South West trending fractures and a large strike potential. Table 6.4 shows the coal qualities of the thermic coals
number of faults in various directions. This restricts 18-33 20-33 (characterised by a high ash content) for the two main
Geologists believe that percussion drilling would Volatile
the continuity of the coal seams. The Middle Zambeze (^60 Minjova) (max.35) coal sub-basins.
be the most effective tool to test the true thickness,
Graben is intersected by 500 to 800 m prolonged S 1-2 0,7-1
down-dip extensions and the strike extent of these
fractures with a North East-South West strike and
horizons, and at the same time identify unexposed coal 1-2
many smaller unconformities (up to 80 m) with Moisture
horizons in the immediate vicinity. Drilled boreholes (locally higher)
different striking directions, e.g. North West-South
identified three coal horizons up to 30 m in thickness.
East, North North East-South South West and East Carbon ~49 44-59
The horizons were left open-ended with a strike
North East-West South West (according to LIMEX, Calories ~6,800 ~6,600
potential of up to 10 km. All the horizons are suitable
1984 and Afonso and Marques, 1993). (Kcal/kg) (4,800-7 800) (4,800-7,220)
for to mining by open cast methods.
During the final stages of the Karoo evolution
Based on percussion drilling information, the Table 6.3: Coal Qualities of the Moatize-Minjova and
(Matinde Formation), the sedimentary series were
geologists estimated the potential resource of the three Mucanha-Vúzi Coal Basins (as modified
intruded by dolerite dyke zones where a fissuration
investigated horizons to be in the order of 200 Monte, from Lächelt, 2004)
was formed, which partly (for 20 to 25 m) caused the
with a significant coke fraction (generalised from GTK,
deformation of the coal to cooking coal. The total coal
2006). The quality of the coals indicate a vitrinic type
resources of the Moatize Basin have been estimated
of coal with 72 % vitrinite, 0 % exinite and 28 % inertite
as 2,400 Monte (see USGS Minerals Yearbook, 2004).
(refer to Afonso and Marques, 1993 and Lächelt, 2004).
L.Vasconcelos (2014) indicated that for the Zambeze
According to Lemos de Sousa and Meriaux (1971), the
Basin, a total resource of 25,439 Monte is available.
quality of the coal is as shown in Table 6.3.
398 399
 Volatile The Mucanha-Vúzi Basin is sub-divided into: According to a CPRM report (1983), the deposit is
H 2O Ash GCV Sulphur displaced into three fields:
Basin Location Sample Matter • The Chicôa-Mucanha Sub-Basin;
(% ad) (% ad) (MJ/kg, ad) (% ad)
(% ad) • The Mecúcoè-Vúzi Sub-Basin. • The Mucanha Field;
27 samples • The Bohozi Field;
Mucangádzi R. 5.9-11.5 16.4-45.1 19.7-28.4 14.61-23.91 0.49-3.90 The Karoo sequences are composed of conglomerate,
(trench) sandstones and siltstone, that strike East-West and • The Vúzi Field.
28 samples dip gently 5 to 15° (sometimes upto 30°) to the South. The deposit consists of six coal-bearing assemblages/
Vúzi R. 2.4-15.9 9.4-34.8 24.0-33.0 16.08-29.64 0.58-2.66
(trench) They are affected by deformations, resulting in drag seams (see Table 6.5). Unlike Moatize, the assemblages/
36 samples folds with North East-striking axes and fracture zones, seams are numbered below. The cross-sections of the
Bohozi R. 1.3-14.2 12.7-35.2 21.0-28.6 11.26-29.35 0.77-5.93 dividing the deposits into numerous blocks. The block
Chicôa – (trench) Mucanha-Vúzi Coal Deposit are shown in Figure 6.18.
Mecúcoè sizes, delineated by fractures, range from 200 to 600 m.
18 samples Ongoing, comprehensive exploration in the Mucanha-
Massinduè R. 2.7-16.0 11.0-30.8 21.3-28.0 11.36-25.50 0.47-1.29 The blocks in the North Eastern and North-North-
(trench) Vúzi Basin started in 2005 by private exploration and
Western area of the Mucanha-Vúzi deposit were mining companies. The potential coal reserves in the
5 samples
Mucanha R. 1.0-1.8 13.8-33.0 19.5-26.1 21.77-30.60 0.74-1.82 displaced upwards and those in the South Western Basin are estimated to be 3,633 Monte by CPRM,
(trench)
and South-South Western area subsided and are now (1983) and Afonso and Marques, (1993). No new
56 samples located below the Cahora Bassa Dam (refer to Afonso
Luângua R. 0.8-11.2 13.8-37.7 14.9-28.2 16.04-30.44 0.42-2.88 reserve/resource estimates are available.
(trench) and Marques, 1993).
Zone 8 (drilling) 4.2 52.9 14.9 13.25 1.06
Zone 7 (drilling) 4.0 42.5 21.9 17.30 1.24 Assemblages / Seams Thickness of Thickness of Seams
Remarks
Zone 6 (drilling) 3.7 35.1 25.1 20.28 1.06 Lächelt (2004) Vasconcelos (2014) Assemblages (m) (m)
Sanângoè Licence 871L Zone 6 (drilling) 3.2 41.6 23.5 18.25 1.23 The seam is
Zone 5 (drilling) 3.2 45.7 21.5 16.16 1.01 sub-divided by
B0 M1 10 7
conglomerates into
Zone 4 (drilling) 3.9 34.5 25.6 22.07 1.25 two sub-seams
Zone 4 (drilling) 2.6 48.6 21.7 17.30 1.28
B1 M2 10 5
Chipanga / Chi 3
Mine 0.9 13.7 17.2 29.98 0.74 M3 13
B2 7
Moatize (undg./chan) 3
Section 6 Chipanga / Chi 8 With interlayers of
Mine 0.6 17.6 17.1 29.66 0.50 13
B3 M4 9 (max) sandstone
(undg./chan)
1
Sousa Pinto
0.84 56.07 12.15 13.80 1.10
(avg.,drilling) 11 8
B4 M5
Chipanga 2 2
0.83 32.86 16.92 19.31 4.42
(avg.,drilling)
B5 M6 4 2,5
Chipanga
0.85 42.84 15.51 15.83 3.83
(avg.,drilling) Table 6.5: The Coal-bearing Assemblages/Seams of the Mucanha-Vúzi Coal Deposit
Moatize
Mutarara – Moatize Chipanga
0.87 38.11 16.38 17.73 4.11
N`condézi Central (avg.,drilling)
Section Bananeiras
0.92 38.09 16.74 17.57 4.03
(avg.,drilling)
Intermédia
1.04 41.76 16.30 16.45 3.77
(avg.,drilling)
Grande Falésia 1.04 43.74 16.75 15.62 3.80
André
1.20 36.18 18.68 21.37 3.81
(avg.,drilling)
Boreholes
Mutarara 0.2-1.4 33.5-89.8 4.1-35.5 2.78-22.8 0.03-2.53
(171 samples)
Potential exp.
Necondédzi +/-8 (ar) +/-22 n.a. +/-25,12 (ar) +/-1
Thermal products

Table 6.4: Raw Coal Qualities of the Moatize–Minjova and Mucanha–Vúzi Coal Basins (as modified from Vasconcelos L., 2014)

400 401
 The Muanzi-Luângua Sub-Basin, in Rio Muanzi, a 1. The Lower Zambeze Depression
small North West-South East directed second-order Muaradzi-Mecondezi, Necungas-Meconé, Rio
Graben has developed, filled with some black argillites Malica, Goma and Nhacali Sub-Basins
and coal seams that are frequently spotted by pyrite
Several coal-bearing sub-basins are known to exist
concentrations. The sandstones on the top of the unit
in the South East extension of the Zambeze Graben,
belong to the Mucangádzi (Sandstone) Formation.
in the Lower Zambeze Depression. All these basins are
These are fine-grained, sometimes arkosic sandstones,
located close to the Malawian border zone.
showing cross-stratification in places, with reddish
lamellar spots following the sedimentary layering This zone includes the following areas and sub-basins:
and colours from white to grey and even yellowish- • The Muaradzi-Mecondezi Area;
brown to reddish (refer to GTK, 2006). No information • The Necungas-Meconé Sub-Basin;
concerning the coal potential is available.
• The Rio Malica Sub-Basin;
The Sanângoè-Mefidéze Basin • The Goma and Nhacali Sub-Basins.
The Sanangoè-Mefidéze Basin, East of Lake Cahora For the Muaradzi-Mecondezi Area, Necungas-
Bassa (see Map Sheet 1532 (Songo)), is much smaller, Meconé Sub-Basin and the Rio Malica Sub-Basin,
only about 1.6 kms long. the potential for open pit coal mine has been reported
(refer to Swede Coal, 1982).
Six coal seams corresponding to the productive
Chipanga Seam of Moatize, have been intersected At Goma and Nhacali, still further to the South East,
in drill boreholes to a depth of less than 100 m (see along the border zone with Malawi, there are some
Notícia Explicativa, 1995). The Sanangoè and Mefideze coal prospects (see Map Sheet 1635 (Milange)) and
Sub-Basins are overlaid by extensive sandy sequences further investigations are required to define the coal
and alluvia and some coal layers that have been flooded potential (according to Lächelt, 2012). A Landsat image
by the Cahora Bassa Dam. Up to a depth of about 100 interpretation to search for extensions of coal-bearing
m, only one coal-bearing formation with a thickness of sub-basins was carried out by Swedish Geological AB
31 m has been identified. in 1983 (refer to SGAB, 1983). Prospecting data or
reserve estimations are unknown.
Six seams were confirmed within the formation. The
lower seam of the Mefideze Sub-block with a thickness
The Baicho Chire Sub-Basin
of 18 m correlates with the Chipanga Seam of Moatize
(see Notícia Explicativa, 1995). No reserve/resource The coal in the Baixo Chíre Sub-Basin have also
estimates are available. partly been made uneconomic because its main reserves
occur in Malawi. Only a small area is available for
The Chirodeze (Sanângoè-Mefidéze Basin) exploitation in Mozambique where the Basin straddles
Sub-Basin the boundary between the two countries (refer to
Lächelt, 2004).
The Chirodeze Deposit lies in the Central part of
the Middle Zambeze Graben (see Map Sheet 1533
2. The Metangula Basin (Maniamba Graben)
(Cazula). The Chirodeze Sub-Basin is densely block
faulted. Drilling in the Chirodeze river region indicated The Metangula Basin is limited by North East-South
the presence of six separated coal seams down to East-oriented border faults, forming the Maniamba
a depth of 200 m in the stratigraphic sequence. The Graben. The North West-South East-oriented Rio
total thickness of the formation is 18 m of which 10 m Moola and Txiune Faults sub-divide the Basin into
consists of coal layers (refer to Afonso and Marques, three sections. The outcrops of the coal-bearing Permian
1993). Near the Sanângoè river, however, a coal seam, Ecca Group and the Permian-Triassic Beaufort Group
32 m in thickness, was found at a depth of 100 m. are restricted to the southern tip of the Basin and the
 he Cross-sections of the Mucanha-Vúzi Coal Basin (as modified from Afonso et al., 1993 and
Figure 6.18: T south western section of the Metangula Basin contains
No reserve/resource estimates are available. the third area.
Lächelt, 2004)
6.1.4 Sub-Economic Coal Basins The Lunho (Coal -Bearing) Sub-Basin
The Chícoa-Mecucoé (Mécucuè) and Muanzi- In argillitic layers, well-developed ripple lamination
Sub-Economic coal basins may be partly changed to In the Lunho Sub-Basin in the South West part
Luângua Basins/Sub-Basins with lenticular bedding is locally preserved, suggesting
economic deposits if further investigations are carried of the Maniamba Graben, outcrops of coal seam-
The Chicôa-Mecúcoè Sub-Basin is located in the a tidal origin.
out. This depends on detailed prospecting of the coal, bearing lithologies of the Lower Karoo Ecca Group
central part of Map Sheet 1532 (Songo), North of Lake On top of the coal-bearing series, which in places is the available mining technologies and the possibilities (see Map Sheet 1234 (Metangula)), at UTM 36S
Cahora Bassa (see GTK, 2006). over 5 m in thickness. a sub-horizontal pile of pebbly to use the coal as a source of energy, gas or fuel 713349E,8610202N, are found at the Rio Lifutiche.
In the Rio Mucangádzi, at the base, some decimetres sandstone, representing the lower part of the overlying production.
Matinde Formation, is exposed. Extensive coal seams in the South West part of the
of medium to coarse-grained arkosic sandstones with
Maniamba Graben have been investigated on several
rounded to angular clasts of the Vúzi Formation are
occasions (see Map Sheets 1234 (Metangula) and 1235
followed by black argillites and thin coal seams.
(Macaloge-Chiconono).

402 403
 The carbonaceous silt horizons along the M’Pote Pote The Luângua Occurrence
River dip 5° to 10° S and attains a thickness of 4 to The productive sequence includes several coal seams
6 m with coal seams up to 1 m thick. The productive that are on average 3.75 m thick. The exact total
series occurs near the surface, but block faulting is thickness of the productive sequence is unknown. The
common which makes the resource evaluation without thickness of the seams varies between extreme limits,
geophysics and drilling unreliable. The coal seam has from cms to over 10 m. The basin strikes North North
a maximum thickness of 1.2 m. East–South South West and is controlled by fractures
The occurrence extends from about 20 kms in an and the beds and layers of sandstone and argillitic
East–West direction and reaches widths of up to 200 slates, dipping at 10° to 30° East-South East. The coal
m. Two coal-bearing assemblages with several seams reserves, estimated at 40 x 106 t, were based on an
between 0.25 and 0.9 m were found. assumption of an average thickness of 3 m at a depth
of 100 m (refer to Lächelt, 2004).
In 2014, there were only two coal data qualities
available (see Table 6.7). The Lugenda North Basin (Makaa-Itule Basin)
and Chipuputa Occurrences
Composition (%) Content
In the Lugenda North (see Map Sheet 1138
Figure 6.19: The Position of the Lunho Sub-Basin in the Maniamba Basin Ash up to 42 (Negomano) at UTM 37S 437000E,8691700N) and the
Chipuputa (see Map Sheet 1238 (Xixano) UTM 37S
The coal-bearing area lies to the North East of The coal quality of the K2-K4 Formation coal seams Volatile 14-19 429500, 8660600) Basins, coal beds are found within
Metangula and covers an area of 720 km2. are given in Table 6.6. the Lower Karoo Ecca Group.
Table 6.7: The Coal Qualities of the Espungabera
The Lunho Sub-Basin forms a North East-South The total resource estimates varies. Lugenda North comprises of thin North-South
Sub-Basin (as modified from Lächelt, 2004)
West-striking Graben in which the sediments dip at 5 to striking bands that extend for several tens of kms. The
Jourdan (1982) reported 118 Monte (with < 40 %
10° in a North-North Westerly direction. North-South- The estimated reserves according to Lächelt, 2012 coal-bearing sequence at Makaa-Itule is 19.1 m thick
ash), but another estimate was given as 233 Monte
striking fractures with lengths up to some hundreds were 233 Monte. and it comprises six coal layers that are up to 0.77 m
by Lächelt, 2004. According to Salaskine, 1980, it is
of metres, sub-divided the deposit into sub-blocks (see The location of the Espungabera coalfields is very in thickness.
exceptional that the ashes of this coal contain:
Figure 6.19). remote and a long way from any potential industrial
• 24 to 30 g/t of germanium; There were only two coal data qualities available (see
The Lower Karoo Ecca Group is sub-divided into the users in Mozambique, resulting in the Espungabera Table 6.8).
• 17 to 29 g/t of gallium;
K2, K3 and K4 Formations/Horizons. Three coal seams prospect currently representing a low priority
are located in the K2 and K4 Formations/Horizons. • 1.7 to 2.0 g/t of uranium. ranking. In the addition, there is no infrastructure for Composition (%) Content
The lower K2 Formation, is only thin, on average These contents of special elements may be of economic transportation of coal.
interest and in this case the coal could serve as an local Ash 22-38
just 20 cms and coal beds are found in a 17 to 26 m River bank outcrops could be quarried for local
thick sequence (refer to Jourdan, 1982 and Verniers thermic source. Recently, the content of germanium consumption as fuel. Data on the reserves are not Volatile 26-36
et al., 1989). was deemed to be uneconomic quantities, but further available, but because of the known geological
investigations and the possibility of a complex use may conditions, they are expected to be limited. On the Table 6.8: Coal Qualities at Macaa Itule (Lugenda North
The K3 Formation is composed of cross-bedded
change this situation. other hand, detailed prospecting activities in other
sandstones with intercalations of siltstones and Basin) (as modified from Lächelt, 2004)
mudstones. No coal seams are present. In the K4 regions of Mozambique have confirmed that in reality
3. Espungabera Sub-Basin The reserves of the Lugenda North Basin are
Formation, two coal-bearing series are found (see the coal reserves may be higher than expected.
The southern most prospects of coal seams in estimated to be 40 Monte.
Jourdan, 1982). The lower series is 1 to 4 m thick with
individual coal seams of 110 to 273 cms in thickness. Mozambique are located in the Espungabera Sub-Basin, 6.1.5 Non-Economic Coal-Bearing Basins At the Chipuputa Basin, the coal-bearing sequence is
near the Zimbabwean border, along the M’Pote Pote 1. The Lugenda North and South, Luângua and 16.5 m thick with up to 0.45 m thick coal layers. The
The upper seam of the K4 Formation comprises
river (see Map Sheet 2032 (Espungabera)) at UTM Luchinua Basins total thickness of the coal layers is 2.08 m (each layer
individual 67 to 100 cms thick seams of over 1 to 4 m
36S 451246E,7698588N and 452123E,7698899N). is > 5 cm).
in total. This seam consists of a pelite-sandstone layer The Lugenda Basins
which includes eight small coal seams of 0.8 to 10 m in It extends over an area of 80 km2.
The Lugenda Coal Occurrences consist of two parts The Luchinua (Luchimua) Occurrence
thickness. Tectonically, it is located in the Northern Marginal (Lugenda North and Lugenda South). The coal-bearing
Zone of the LMB. The Karoo sedimentary sequence The Luchinua Occurrence is divided into two small
Content Content series are 15-18 m thick of which the coal-layer
Composition in the Espungabera Sub-Basin is superposed on the blocks, each less than 1 km2 in an area with a seam
(Lächelt, (Vasconcelos, component amounts to 3 m.
(%) northern marginal zone of the LMB. The occurrence thickness of no more than 2 m (refer to Notícia
2004) 2014)
is also parallel to the axis of the Sub-Basin and Luângua Basin/Lugenda North Basin (Makaa-Itule Explicativa, 1995).
Ash 25-40 31.6-85.2 Basin)-Chipuputa and Luchinua Occurrences
fractionation, sub-dividing it into numerous sub-blocks • The Lugenda South West Basin
Volatile 37-41 n.d. (see Afonso and Marques, 1993). The Luângua Occurrence is known to cover an area • The Mancha de Montante Sub-Basin
S 1.8-3.2 0.30-3.50 of more than 4 km2. The Luângua (Coal) Occurrence is The whole Karoo succession in the Mancha de
14.78-26.48 the most important of the three assemblages: Montante Occurrence (see Map Sheet 1335 (Lichinga),
Calories Kcal/kg 7,680-7,710
(GCV: MJ/kg, ad) • The Luângua Occurrence; around UTM 36S 800000E,8462500N) is up to 200
Table 6.6: The Coal Qualities of the Lunho Sub-Basin • The Lugenda North and Chipuputa Occurrences; m thick and it may be entirely made up of the Ecca
(as modified from Lächelt, 2004 and Vasconcelos, 2014) • The Luchinua Occurrence. Group; although the upper argillaceous beds (“Xistos

404 405
Superiors” of Nunes, 1948) may correlate with the The following uranium mineral-bearing deposits are
Upper Karoo Beaufort Group. found in Mozambique (see Figure 6.20):
The lowest coal seam, up to 1 m thick and is about • Quartz-calcite veins and veinlets (Davidite);
30 m stratigraphically positioned above the base • Carbonatite pipes and alkaline complexes;
of the succession. Another seam occurs about 10 m • Heavy-mineral placers (monazite-bearing);
stratigraphically above, within a succession of shaly
• Pegmatites (RE pegmatites);
mudstones and thin sandstones.
• Dark-coloured Karoo sediments;
Towards the top of the succession the shaly
• Radiometric anomalies for uranium prospecting.
mudstones again contain thin coal and carbonaceous
beds interbedded with sub-ordinate sandstones (see
NGU, 2007).

The Mancha de Juzante Sub-Basin

At Mancha de Juzante, (see Map Sheet 1335
(Lichinga), around UTM 36S 810000E,8472500N)
the Karoo succession is about 100 to 200 m thick.
Coal seams up to 0.5 m thick and are interbedded
with carbonaceous mudstones, mudstones with some
thin coal beds and lenses of pebbly mudstones and
sandstones, some of which are ferruginous (see NGU,
2007).

The Rio Lutheze and Rio Luambala Sub-Basins

No detailed information has been found concerning
the coal beds at the Rio Lotcheze (see Map Sheet 1336
(Majune) around UTM 37S 222100E,8535200N) and
the Rio Luambala (see Map Sheet 1336 around UTM
37S 208300E,8515000N), but coal prospects may exist.

6.1.6 Peat
Peat deposits are known from the wetlands of
Northern KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, between
Richards Bay and the Mozambican border. Peat occurs
in depressions between the parallel chains of coastal
dunes. These peat occurrences may also be encountered
in the area South of Maputo up to the South African
border.
In this region, geological mapping (up to 2006) had
unconfirmed peat-bearing depressions. However, small Figure 6.20: Radioactive Mineral Deposits, Mineralisations and Radiometric Anomalies
peat-bearing depressions may be occur. If peat is used
as a locally energy source, large quantities are needed
and therefore at the present time, peat is not being 1. Quartz-calcite veins and veinlets (Davidite) The Tete Suite has been investigated several times
used as an energy source in Mozambique. The Mavudzi, Inhatóbuè and Castro Deposits for its potential for radioactive minerals, but until
and Occurrences now no economically exploitable quantities have been
6.1.7 Nuclear Resources found, which is also due to the low uranium content
In the central part of Tete Region, (see Map Sheets
in the Davidite, the main uranium-bearing mineral in
No economic uranium deposits are known in 1632 (Chioco), 1633 (Tete) and 1733 (Guro)), augen
this mineralisation.
Mozambique (2012). There are known uranium gneisses and mylonites and carbonate rocks, uranium
mineral-bearing deposits, occurrences and indications mineral-bearing quartz-calcite veins and veinlets are Altogether seven small deposits and occurrences of
but these are mainly uranium minerals of low intruded in the footwall of the gabbro-anorthosite Tete this type and one copper-uranium mineralisation have
significance for the production of uranium to be used Suite, near the contact with the 1,046 Ma Mussata been described (see Figure 6.21).
for nuclear power production or for export. porphyritic biotite granites.
Mozambique´s topography and rivers are suitable for Genetically all these mineralisations are connected
the construction of big and small hydroelectric power to the ultrabasic-basic Tete Suite (P2T).
stations (dams and pump storage plants) and therefore
there is no need to develop its own nuclear power
facilities.

406 407
 Davidite Stibiotantalite
Chemical
Composition (Luna, 1953)
(%) (Bannister, 1950) (Luna, 1953)
I II

TA2O5 55.20

NB2O5 2.80

H2O 0.05

TIO2 43.91 38.80 54.50

V2O5 1.76 Traces 1.40

SB2O3 39.56

U2O3 1.84

FEO 24.40 34.92

Others 3.62

Table 6.9: The Chemical Composition of some of the Radioactive Minerals of the Mavudzi Deposit (adapted from
Lächelt, 2004)

The Castro Deposit some radioactive minerals of the Nhaondue Occurrence

Figure 6.21: Uranium Deposits, Occurrences, Mineralisations and Radiometric Anomalies in the Tete Suite (P2T) The small Castro Deposit occurs in four veins and are tabulated in Table 6.10.
numerous veinlets within the gabbro and norite. They
Chemical Uraninite (Nasturan)
The Mavudzi Deposit Vein material has defined ages of 565 Ma (refer are 60 to 300 m long and extend to depths of 30 to 150
Composition
to Bannister and Horne, 1959) and 578 ±15 Ma (by m (see Lächelt, 2004). I II
The biggest occurrence of the vein area in the Tete (%)
Suite is the Mavudzi Deposit (see Map Sheet 1533 Darnley, 1961).
The Benga, Cacame and Other Deposits/ SiO2 2,763
(Cazula)). The mineralisation at Mavudzi occurs in an 800 by 30 Occurrences
The nature of the carbonate rocks is disputed. They to 100 m zone, enclosed by North-South striking faults Veins frequently outcrop especially in the western 3.26
are probably partly magmatic carbonatite, partly at UTM 37S 0545226E,8244228N. The best-developed part of the Tete Suite. The veins at Benga and Cacame
Davidite mineralisation occurs within pink K-feldspar- ThO2 Traces 1.63
metasomatic carbonate veins and the main portion is (including at Motundo) are good examples. These are
a metasedimentary marble, as indicated by the oxygen haematite and carbonate-veined rocks. The chemical late-postmagmatic veins within ultrabasic rocks and (Ce,La, Di)2O3 4.24 1.30
isotope analyses carried out by the GTK Consortium composition of some radioactive minerals from the are zones of tectonic weakness such as lineaments.
(2006). Mavudzi Deposit is given in Table 6.9. (ErY)2O3 0.23
Bannister and Horne (1950) defined an age of 565
Davidite Stibiotantalite Ma and Darnley (1961) an age of 578 ±15 Ma for these Fe2O3 1.10
Chemical veins, which correspond to the granites and syenites of
Composition (Luna, 1953) the post-tectonic Pan-African Period. Al2O3 0.68
(%) (Bannister, 1950) (Luna, 1953)
I II The quartz veins contain davidite, stibiotantalite, CaO 1.50 2.03
molybdenite, apatite, calcite, pyroxene (wollastonite)
SiO2 1.16 2.76 and talc (steatite) at Benga (East of Tete) and are MgO 0.26
20 to 100 m long and 1 to 10 m wide. In the Benga
PbO 0.72 U3O8 8.02 82.51
area, pegmatitic, quartz, calcite and pyroxene veins
are also found and impregnations (in gabbroic rocks) H2O 1.59
ThO2 Traces 0.07
that originated from granitic and syenitic magmas are
(Ce,La, Di)2O3 8.76 1.40 5.60 evident. TiO2 51.30 0.40
Near the Tete to Furancungo main road. at the V2O5 0.75
(ErY)2O3 8.80 10.20
27-km signpost, pegmatites and quartz veins have
Fe2O3 1.88 been studied. They are in the order of 300 by 0.40 to Table 6.10: The Chemical Composition of some Radio-
0.60 m in length/width and dip at 80-85° containing active Minerals of the Nhaondue Occurrence
Al2O3 0.30 samarskite and uranite (nasturan). (adapted from Lächelt, 2004)
CaO 9.50 9.60 9.80 They are known as the Nhaondue-Inhaondue-
Comboiboi occurrences. The chemical composition of
408 409
 In addition, the following occurrences are worth 2. Carbonatite Pipes and Alkaline Complexes Rock analyses indicated elevated content of some follow-up work on airborne radiometric anomalies by
mentioning: Alkaline intrusions in the Unango Complex elements: a French team (refer to Mroz, 1983). More detailed
• Jose Carlos Bingre (at the 27-km signpost); • Nb> 1 %; investigations were performed by Bulgargeomin (refer
Several Neo-proterozoic alkaline intrusions with to Obretenov et al., 1983).
• Comboiboi (also at the 27-km signpost); • Ta> 500 ppm;
an enrichment of Rare Earth Elements (REE), Rare
• Nhaondue-Enga (at the 25-km signpost); The French team carried out bedrock mapping,
Metals (Ta, Nb) and uranium have been found in the • U> 1,000 ppm;
• Inhatobue, Mavudzi River (50 kms North of Tete); trenching and spectrometric measurements as well
Unango Complex (Western Niassa Province). These • Se+Y> 4,000 ppm;
• Mavudzi-Chicangos (32 kms North of Matundo); as soil and rock sampling. A body interpreted as
mineralisations have beeninvestigated several times for
• Capangula (52 kms North of Moatize); • Zr> 1 %. carbonatite associated with alkaline and nepheline
their economic potential.
• Cacumba, Chiuta and Cacame (including Matundo). On the basis of radiometric anomalies, as measured syenitic gneiss and pyroxenite, 3.6 kms long and
The following intrusions including the main REE, Rare up to 300 m wide was mapped by Mroz, 1983. It is
The Cacumba and Cacame occurrences also contain on the ground, as well as in trenching, there are
Metals (Ta, Ni) and uranium occurrences/deposits have metamorphosed and two phases of deformation were
rutile, vermiculite, apatite and molybdenite. Some ore-bearing lenses with thickness of 1 to 4 m, and
been identified: identified. The highest radioactivity was reported
deposits, such as Mavudzi, Inhatóbuè and Castro, have lengths up to 100 m.These lenses are interbedded
been mined between 1947 and 1955. The production • Monte Naumale; with non-mineralised lenses; the total area of the most in the pyroxenites, comprising the core of the body
during this period is given in Table 6.11. • Monte Chissindo; strongly mineralised horizon is approximately 400 by (according to Mroz, 1983).
• Rio Lucuisse. 50 m (according to NGU, 2007). The mineralisation comprises uraniferous pyrochlore
Deposit Production of Davidite (t)
with REE minerals of columbite, zircon and apatite.
Mavudzi 130 Monte Naumale (The Meponda Occurrence) Monte Chissindo The grades of the mineralised samples were as follows:
Nb, Ta, U and REE Mineralisation Nb, Ta and U Mineralisation • 300 to 5200 ppm U;
Inhatóbuè 103
The Monte Naumale Alkaline Complex (see Map Sheet The Monte Chissindo Nepheline Syenite Complex • 0.5 to 4.35 % Nb;
Castro 42 1334 (Meponda), at UTM 36S 705300E,8515900N) with (799 ±8 Ma) covers about 15 km2 just South of the
• 70 to 470 ppm Ta.
an age of 755 ±155 Ma, covers about 15 km2 and has been Maniamba Graben (see Map Sheet 1235 (Macaloge-
Table 6.11: The Production of Davidite between 1947 studied in detail in the early 1980s (see Mroz, 1983; Lulin Chiconono) at UTM 36S 731700E,8625100N. REE mineral concentrations were not specified.
and 1955 at Mavudzi, Inhatóbuè and Castro et al., 1985; Brodoimpex, 1985a and Hunting, 1988b).
It was studied in detail in the early 1980s by Drozdov Apatite, with up to 25.7 % P2O5, was concentrated in
The production was terminated in 1967 due to low The intrusion is located at the eastern margin of the et al.,1983, Mroz, 1983 and Hunting, 1988b). the carbonatite (see Mroz, 1983).
uranium content from only 9.5 % U308 of Davidite (based Niassa Graben. It is an oval structure which is elongated
on the chemical formula: (La,Ce,Ca) (Y,U) (Ti,Fe+++)20 Arcuate, lensoidal dykes of a similar composition Bulgargeomin carried out follow-up work in
more or less parallel to the Graben margin faults. With
O38) surround the main mass of nepheline syenite. Parts of 1982-83 (see Obretenov et al., 1983). They mapped
an age of 1,100 to 930 Ma (see Luli, 1984), which indicates
the suite comprise syenite, quartz syenite and alkali a zone of frequently altered metapyroxenite with
A number of adits and shafts extend over 2 kms from that North-South-striking tectonic lineaments had
syenite. An evaluation of the alumina potential resulted calcitic carbonatite veins over a length of 3 kms.
the open pit southwards, indicating that substantial already been active before the formation of the Graben
in the discovery of Nb, Ta and U mineralisation, which “Syenitic” gneisses enclose the metapyroxenite. Zircon,
underground mining took place in the 1960’s. The structures (refer to Lächelt, 2004).
is disseminated in a leucocratic syenite, with nepheline, pyrochlore, monazite, titanomagnetite, ilmenite and
presence of an airstrip and the exceptionally good quality According to Lächelt (2004), the Monte Naumale (the sodalite and biotite that is coarse-grained and locally columbo-tantalite were the most important minerals
of the road leading to the mining site, with remnants of Meponda Occurrence) is a hyper-alkaline intrusion which pegmatitic. Fine-grained pyrochlore and minor zircon identified in the metapyroxenite. Bulgargeomin
a ‘cement town’, indicate that the area was once a target is composed of leucocratic albitic syenites and mesocratic are the most common ore minerals. confined the prospecting to the regolith and pits down
for considerable mining expansion (refer to GTK, 2006). amphibolitic pyroxenites analysed at elevated contents to bedrock were excavated in a grid. Both geochemical
The most radioactive area is 1,800 by 400 m in extent
New prospecting is going on but in 2012 there was no for Nb, Ta and U-minerals and REE minerals (refer to and heavy mineral samples were taken and zircon and
and comprises minor mineralised zones containing
information about the economical results. In May 2006, Luli et al., 1990). columbite were found to be the most common minerals.
(according to Drozdov et al., 1983):
Omega Corp. Ltd (Australia) issued press release and It appears that columbite and apatite occur together.
The complex comprises a suite of leucocratic alkaline • 100-350 g/t Ta2O5;
reported that, based on extensive fieldwork involving syenitic rocks including nepheline syenite, alkali- Bulgargeomin calculated that the ore reserves in the
ground geophysics and RC drilling, they succeeded in • 500-3,582 g/t Nb2O5.
feldspar syenite, and Na-pyroxene-amphibole rocks. regolith were about 550 tons of columbite within 2.2
identifying “a suite of significant uranium radiometric The most important mineral is pyrochlore, accompanied These mineralisations are too limited to be of any Mm3 of ore, with a grading of 250 g/m3 and suggested
anomalies” in their Mavudzi area. by columbite (Nb>>Ta). REE minerals are present as economic interest. The nepheline syenite itself could be that the examined zone is part of a large ring structure
In their Annual Report 2005, the company reported the allanite, chevkinite, monazite and rarely fergusonite, exploited as a raw material for the glass or the ceramic (see Obretenov et al., 1983).
results of a limited surface sampling campaign, which as well as britholite. Zircon is also always present in the industries. Corundum has also been reported in the
A simplified geological map (see Figure 6.22) in the
gave a maximum value of over 50 kg/t (5 %) U3O8 from hyper-alkaline part of the intrusion and is a bearer of syenite pegmatites (refer to NGU, 2007).
western part of the body was prepared by NGU (2007).
visible mineralisation and values up to 4.1 kg/t (0.41 %) rare-earth minerals and/or uranium.
In Figure 6.22, sampling localities as well as trenches
U3O8, outside areas that had historically been exploited. Rio Lucuisse (The Lucuisse Alkaline Complex)
The complex is characterised by enrichments in Nb, Ta, from previous investigations are shown.
Surface sampling of the area ~2 kms South of the mine, U and REE. The best mineralisation reported occurs in Apatite, U, Nb, REE Mineralisations
close to the old airstrip, reported values of up to 1.7 kg/t the northern part of the complex, but the whole complex The Complex is located some 27 kms South of
(0.17 %) U3O8 (as cited by GTK, 2006). The total reserves could have a resource potential for these mineralisations. Mavago (see Map Sheet 1236 (Mavago) at UTM 37S
were estimated to be 308 t in veins, 130 t in veinlet zones 207210E,8583830N).
and 30 t in alluvia (according to Notícia Explicativa, Analyses show:
1995). With the exception of the very small Castro deposit • Average values of about 400 ppm U and Th, and 1,000 The Rio Lucuisse mafic alkaline complex includes
having a reserve estimate of 468 t of Davidite (by Lächelt, ppm of Nb (see Brodoimpex, 1985a); apatite-U, Nb and REE mineralisation.
2004), no more recent reserve estimates are currently • Average values of 100 ppm U, 10,000 ppm Nb, upto The mineralisation occurs in a metamorphosed, mafic
available. 10,000 ppm Ta (see Mroz,1983); alkaline complex on both sides of the easterly-flowing
river in a forested area. It was discovered during

410 411
 The apatite mineralisation was too sparse to be of These minerals can be a problem concerning the
any economic interest. The apatite is fluor-apatite and tailings (ambience). Estimated or calculated reserves
includes some unwanted REE minerals which would be of the monazite are unknown.
expected in this geological setting. The predominance
of Nb over Ta in pyrochlore reduces the interest in this 3. Pegmatites (REEand RM-Pegmatites)
mineralisation at the present time (see NGU, 2007). The Alto Ligonha Pegmatites
Further investigations are recommended for a better The REE and rare metal (Ta, Nb) pegmatites of the
evaluation of the economic potential of this body, Alto Ligonha (Zambézia) contain some radioactive
especially to define the possibilities of a complex use minerals, e.g. betafite, euxenite, fergusonite,
of these mineralisations by new methods of treatment. samarskite and monazite. According to Lächelt,
1983, after Barros and Vicente, 1963, the rare-earth
Carbonatitic pipes in rift border zones pegmatites are mainly located on North West–South
Elevated contents of radioactive minerals are found East and West North West-East South East-striking
in the following carbonatite pipes: intersection zones related to the rare-metal pegmatitic
zones with a North North East–South South West
• Cone Negose (see Map Sheet 1531 (Fíngoè Mágoè));
strike.
• Monte Muambe (see Map Sheet 1634 (Tambara));
Radioactive minerals from rare-earth pegmatites
• Monte Xiluvo (see Map Sheet 1934 (Beira).
have only been exploited as by-products. Future extrac-
All these carbonatites are located along the marginal tion of radioactive minerals are likely to be viable just
fractures of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic grabens of the in this manner (according to Lächelt, 2004).
EARS. They correspond to a multi-mineral type. Some
pipes were examined intensively (such as Cone Negose The Lugela Pegmatites
and Monte Muambe) and some like Monte Xiluvo were A Nb-Ta-U occurrence studied by BRGM, called
exploited for other purposes, for example building the Lugela South East, is located South East of
materials. Malanga (see Map Sheet 1336 (Majune) at UTM 37S
In relation to radioactive minerals, they are only of 212000E,8484500N) (refer to Mroz, 1983). It occurs
secondary interest. However, it is recommended that in pegmatites and alkaline “leptites” within a zone of
further investigations are carried out. granulitic mylonite.
Figure 6.22: A Simplified Geological Map of the Rio Lucuisse Apatite, U, Nb and REE Mineralisation (a UTM grid Radioactive minerals of these intrusions are perov- The genesis of the mineralisation and their host rock
is shown) skite, pyrochlore and thorite. REE minerals are also has not been clarified. They have, at least experienced
present. the last phase of deformation seen in the surrounding
A metapyroxenitic body, a few hundred metres wide b) Mineralogical investigations show that both gneisses.
and a few kms long is the host of the mineralisation. Na-pyroxene (aegirine) and Na-amphibole (mag- Alkaline intrusions and nepheline syenites Economically interesting values of tantalum are
The outline of this body is based on earlier mapping nesio-arfvedsonite) occur. Albite is the dominant Jurassic-aged alkaline intrusions of the Tundo Suite reported in pegmatitic quartz veins, although the
and the interpretation of satellite images. feldspar, and the following minerals are found ((Jrsy), also known as the Chirua Alkaline Province, extent of these veins seems to be restricted. The
in small amounts, namely: biotite, K-feldspar include some radioactive mineralisations. From apatite in these mineralisations is also too sparse to
In a few locations in the outer zone of the body,
and epidote. Calcite is the major carbonate, and the point of view of radioactive minerals, they are be of any economic interest.The apatite is fluor-apatite
alkali syenitic rocks with minor mafic minerals are
ankerite and strontianite are also found. not of economic interest, but in connection with the and includes some unwanted REE as may be expected
found. Syenitic rocks, partly foliated and gneissic
seem to envelop the metapyroxenite. The country rock c) Chemical analyses of representative samples of exploitation of other minerals (such as fluorite and in this geological setting.
comprises well-foliated biotite gneiss and granitic the different rock-types show that there are large F-apatite), the radioactive minerals may be of interest.
The predominance of Nb over Ta in the pyrochlore
gneiss. The metapyroxenite is also locally foliated with variations in the content of the trace elements, but Thirteen intrusions of nepheline syenites, are located lowers the interest for this mineralisation at the
dips towards the South East and South, similar to the they are generally lower than previously reported along the eastern margin zone of the rift, outcropping moment. However, further sampling may be worthwhile
surrounding gneisses. (see Mroz, 1983). near the Malawian border in Zambézia Province. These to give a better understanding of the economic potential
The genesis of the mineralisation and their host rock d) Nb, Ta and REE minerals seem to be enriched are miascitic and agpaititic rocks which also include of this body (refer to NGU, 2007).
has not been clarified. They have, at least experienced in the calcite-rich varieties. This confirms radioactive and REE minerals. However, all previous
the last phase of deformation seen in the surrounding the findings from earlier studies indicating investigations suggested that these were non-economic 4. Dark-Coloured Karoo Sediments
gneisses (see NGU, 2007). NGU (2007), based on new the association of columbite and apatite (see mineral concentrations (see Lächelt, 2004). Up to the present time,no radioactive mineral deposits
investigations describes the following characteristics: Obretenov et al. 1983). Preliminary mineralogical have been discovered in the Karoo of Mozambique.
investigations showed that Nb is clearly the Heavy-mineral placers (monazite-bearing) Nevertheless, some Karoo formations are classified on
a) The metapyroxenitic rocks are fine and medium- Some heavy-mineral placers (at beach, coastal and
dominant element compared to Ta in the pyro- the basis of their potential likelihood to have undergone
grained and locally brecciated. Fragments of both inland dunes) along the coastline of the Zambézia and
chlore (and probably also in columbite). The radioactive mineralisation.
pyroxenitic and syenitic rocks occur in a matrix Nampula Provinces (known as Moma and Moebase
pyrochlore is U and Ce-bearing, and REE- There are descriptions of some radioactive anomalies
dominated by either carbonate or pyroxene-biotite. deposits), contain ilmenite, rutile and magnetite and
carbonates were also found. in Karoo sediments by Pinna (1983) which may be
Carbonate, mainly calcite, comprises up to 1 to 2 also the radioactive minerals of monazite and zircon.
m-wide veins together with apatite. of future interest (see “Radiometric anomalies for
Monazite may be of particular economic interest.
uranium prospecting”).

412 413
 In South Africa, the uranium mineralisation of 5. Radiometric Anomalies for Uranium Radioactive anomalies in the Karoo sediments • The border zone between the Precambrian basement
the Karoo is characterised by a well stratigraphical Prospecting Pinna (1983) described the radioactive anomalies in and the Mesozoic-Cenozoic sedimentary cover
controlling system, for example the coffee-stones The Mavudzi/Tete Suite area anomalies the siltstones of the Macaa-Itula Basin and came to the (fracture zone), between Angoche and Moçimboa
of the Beaufort sands. The coffee-stones represent conclusion that there were favourable conditions for the da Praia;
The Omega Corp. Ltd (Australia) reported through
a weathered product of calcite and iron as well as formation of diagenetic as well as epigenetic uranium
a press release in May 2006 that, based on extensive • The Karoo volcanism zone of the Lebombos
manganese oxides, which were formed by water- mineralisation, using the criteria for the formation of
fieldwork involving ground geophysics and RC drilling, Mountains and other locations;
exchange processes (refer to Eddington and Harrison, possible uranium minimisation, Pinna considered the
they had succeeded in identifying “a suite of significant
1979). existence of geochemical barriers of reduction, deposits • The area of reactivated fractures, which forms a
uranium radiometric anomalies” in the Mavudzi
of permeable sands and structural elements, that geographical triangle between Gorongosa-Vila de
The structural position of the Karoo basins, as central Project.
are all favourable conditions for processes of mineral Manica-Espungabera.
or marginal basins, may be interpreted as favourable
The North North East-trending radiometric re-concentration. According to Pinna (1983) analogous
metallogenic stratigraphical zones. NGU (2007) in All these areas are well marked by thermal springs.
U-anomalies connect the Mavudzi, Inhatóbuè and conditions also exist in other basins, especially in the
the Beaufort Group (PeB) of the Maniamba Graben, The Sedimentary Basin Group includes the two
Castro deposits. Maniamba Basin.
reported about concretions hosted by uranium-rich largest basins in Mozambique, the Mozambique Basin
“Black Schists”. Special investigations in the future The company planned to focus its exploration, All the black and argillitic slates could therefore and the Rovuma Basin, with the priority area based in
must result in similiar findings. involving geological mapping, sampling, ground and be considered as potential geochemical bearers and the Mozambique Basin. These basins are characterised
airborne geophysical surveys and drilling, to focus in warrant further investigation.
These criteria could lead to the conclusion that the by having favourable lithologically and tectonic
the Mavudzi area, a potentially, economic open-pit
Karoo represents a potential source for radioactive In almost all Karoo basins, important radioactive conditions for geothermal energy production.
uranium resource (cited from GTK, 2006).
mineralisation, but on the strength of present day anomalies were detected (according to Hunting in Figure 6.24 gives an overview of the possible geo-
knowledge, they are not being targeted as strong Junta de Energia Nuclear, Portugal, 1970, Chapter thermal sources for energy production.
Radiometric anomalies in Fíngoè Supergroup
prospects (refer to Lächelt, 2004). The Zambeze Basin).
Steiner (1992), based on Hunting (1973) activities,
indicated that radiometric anomalies exist in the
6.1.8 Geothermal Resources
Fíngoè zone/belt (refer to Fíngoè Supergroup). The
anomalies are positioned in different lithological units Mozambique has good topographical conditions for
and may only be evaluated by special investigations the construction of hydroelectric power stations and
(see Figure 6.23). therefore geothermal resources can only be of general
strategic interest.
Photo-voltaic solar energy is also generally more
viable as a potential source. Lächelt (2004) described
the two main types of geothermal resources with
regional prospects as:
1. Thermal-water resources (above 32°C) of hot
springs and/or mineralised hot water in areas
affected by tectonic-magmatic activities.
2. Sedimentary basins where waters of a high
geothermal energy can be converted by heat-
exchange using a system of special wells.
For both types of hydrothermal energy production
certain conditions are essential. Almost all the
thermal-water resources of the Karoo Regions and the
structures of EARS could meet the requirements. The
most important areas of this group are in:
• The Eastern shore of Lake Niassa;
• The zone, East of Lakes Chirúe and Chiuta (as part
of the EARS in Mozambique), in particular the
Chíre, Urema, Chissenga Grabens and possibly also
the Funchalouro and other grabens in Southern
Mozambique;
• The Zambeze river valley between Zambo and in
the Tete/Lupata area;
• The western margin of the Graben zone between
Figure 6.23: Radioactive Anomalies in the Fíngoè Supergroup (modified from Steiner 1992, after Lächelt, 2004)
Lupata and Nhamatanda (and probably also the
eastern rift margin zone between the Malawian
border and the Dondo-Beira area);

414 415
 There are many areas/zones of warm water and hot some small magnetite bodies of high-grade Fe-content
springs, but probably they are best used as therapeutic (in Zambézia Province) have begun production.
and tourist attractions.
The following iron ore types and deposit types
To assess the geothermal potential of these thermal and occurrences have already been identified in
and sedimentary basins, data is required about the Mozambique:
heat flow and geothermal gradients. •F  e-quartzite, BIF in Archaean and Proterozoic
Generally there is only limited data available and not units;
enough for a detailed evaluation. There are some data • Weathered Archaean-banded ironstones;
from hydrocarbon prospecting wells, but these data are •F  e and Fe-Ti ore deposits of magmatic, hydrothermal
only concentrated in limited areas and therefore are not and sedimentary origin in the Mesoproterozoic
representative of the whole thermal and sedimentary Nampula and Ocua Complex Complexes;
basins.
•M  agmatic magnetite, titano-magnetite deposits in
Martinelli et al. (1995) discuss some BHT measure- anorthosites and nearby anorthosite intrusions;
ments in petroleum wells. • I ron mineralisation in pyroxenites, gabbros,
In Cretaceous-Tertiary-aged sediments of the Mozam- anorthosites and syenites of the Neo-proterozoic
bique Basin (Coastal Mozambique), preliminary Monapo Complex (P3MN);
estimates were made of the geothermal gradient • I ron and iron-copper mineral-bearing metasedi-
and the heat flow. On the basis of the entire data set ments and skarn in the Tete-Angónia (Geological)
(from 25 wells, including two wells where the BHT Province and in Fíngoè Zone (Supergroup).
may be influenced by Karoo/Stormberg volcanics), the The main iron deposits are shown in Figure 6.25.
estimated geothermal gradient is of 21.1 m km-1 (using
a cleaned data set). In the rift zones, the gradient is 1. Fe-quartzite, Banded Iron Formation (BIF) in
slightly higher and estimated to be 21.8 to 2.9 m km-1. Archaean and Proterozoic Rock Units
Taking in consideration different correction possi- BIF Fe-quartzites are rocks of the Archaan and
bilities for the basin, a thermal gradient of 28.5 m km-1 Proterozoic origin. These are always found as
(the world medium gradient is defined with 25 m km-1). metamorphosed bodies of rock occurring as lenses and
banks. Fe-quartzites are known to come from different
Martinelli et al. (1995) discusses data recorded from
areas of Archaean and Proterozoic rocks but the best
one well in the Rovuma Basin as follows:
known deposits are:
The data define a linear trend and yield at least 39.1 • BIF-Greenschist zones of the gold-bearing Archaean
m km-1. banded ironstone (A3MMbaf) from the Macequece
A 35% correction gives a thermal gradient of 52.8 m. Formation (A3MM) in the Manica structure;
For the heat flow, Martinelli et al. (1995) have • BIF-Greenschist rocks of the Neo-Proterozoic
calculated an estimate of: Txitonga Group (P3TX), which form the Niassa
Gold Belt (NGB).
• 57 mW m-2 for the Mozambique Basin;
These BIF lithologies are not of particular mining
• for the Rovuma Basin, the heat flow is much higher
interest but they need to be mentioned for possible
at 106 mW m-2.
future prospects.
The best heat flow conditions for fluid reservoirs
are to expected to be in rifts (where hot springs are The Manica Structure
concentrated) and in case of any geothermal interest, The Fe-quartzites of the Archaean rocks of the Manica
the prospecting for geothermal resources must start in structure forms typical banded ores (jaspilites) and are
these structural zones. composed of magnetite, martite and haematite. (see
Map Sheet 1832 (Manica)).
6.2. Iron Group and Manganese The ores form lenses which are partly interlocked
Mineralisations within the greenstones or serpentinites of the
6.2.1 Iron Ore Deposits Macequece Formation. BIF show similar bedding
features as the metacherts. These are dark purple and
Recently, the iron ore market has developed
dark grey iron bearing-beds and laminae alternate
significantly. As a result of this international market
with grey, greenish, grey and buff-coloured silica beds.
expansion, Mozambique has developed relative small
deposits but with an economic return. The international
opportunities mean that the iron ore potential of the
country needs to be re-evaluated.
Figure 6.24: Possible Sources for Geothermal Energy Production in Mozambique (after Lächelt, 2004) Mozambique does not have large iron ore deposits but

416 417
 Thicker, light coloured horizons of the metacherts 1. UTM 36S 730030E,8708600N, where it contains
occur frequently as intercalations in banded ironstone magnetite bands at a cm-scale alternating with
(refer to GTK, 2006). green metasandstone layers.
The largest body is up to 4 kms long, but quite thin. • Analyses show some high chromium and vana-
Generally, the bodies are only about 1 km long. dium values, but no elevated values for either
gold or base metals are registered.
These iron ores of sedimentary origin of the Manica
structure have not yet been sufficiently explored 2. Another BIF deposit at UTM 36S 724560E,
probably due to the low economic Fe-concentration. 8679990N, consists of lenses and layers, mainly of
magnetite, alternating with quartz layers at a mm
The Mavita Area to cm-scale. The oxide grains vary from mm to cm
In the area of Mavita, 60 kms South of Manica, in size.
weathered banded ores of Archaean age (Manica) occur These iron deposits have no economic interest due to
(see Map Sheets 1932 (Rotanda) and 1933 (Chimoio)). their low Fe-concentrations.
Several occurrences are known to occur of which the
most important ones are located at: 2. The Weathered Archaean Banded Ironstones
• Tsetserra Iron deposits are found as weathered Archaean
• Chepecuto banded ironstones, of which Honde is the best docu-
• Mocuba mented location.
• Xigundo
• Mussapa Honde
These are typical banded ores, composed of magnetite, In the Honde area, about 70 kms North East of Manica
martite and occasionally haematite. The iron content at the 16-km signpost on the Catandica-Vandúzi high-
is low according to Couveia (1974) (only up to 30 %). way, weathered iron formations are exposed (see
Couveia (1974) is of the opinion that the Fe-content Map Sheet 1833 (Catandica) at UTM 36S 513406E,
may be increased up to 58 % by crushing (using a 80 7953542N).
mesh) and by magnetic separation.
The ores occur as lenses (bodies) in amphibolites and
Ore reserves have been determined (see Table 6.12) garnet-schists of the Paleoproterozoic Gairezi Group
for some deposits in the Mavita area by Afonso and (P1Z). The deposit consists of numerous separated ore
Marques in 1993. bodies, of which the most important are as follows:
(refer to Afonso and Marques, 1993)
Estimated Fe-ore
Deposit • The Mabote Ore Body;
reserves in Monte
• The Machacamira Ore Body;
Tsetserra 15.0 • The Chito South West Ore Body;
Chepecuto 8.0 • The Chito South East Ore Body;
• The Monte Pita Ore Body;
Mocuba 5.5
• The Bero Ore Body;
Xigundo 2.0 • The Nhaziri Ore Body;
Mussapa 0.36 • The Cimetério Lavra Ore Body;
• The Nhandiro Ore Body.
Table 6.12: Estimated Ore Reserves for some deposits in The size of each lens (body) varies. The largest body
the Mavita area (after Afonso and Marques, is 1,600 m long. The thickness of the lentils also vary
1993) between 15 and 80 m (according to Notícia Explicativa,
Figure 6.25: The Main Iron Deposits and Occurrences in Mozambique 1995). Expansion and continuation in depth of the ore
The Niassa Belt Banded Iron Formation/BIF bodies vary considerably.
Several small units of BIF are present in the north
The iron-rich bodies are banded quartz-magnetite/
eastern part of the Txitonga Group (P3TXfe) (see
hematite rock with some mica and clay minerals. Near
Map Sheets 1134 (Ponta Messuli), 1135 (Lupilichi),
the surface, the ironstone is oxidised into martite
1234 (Metangula) and 1235 (Macaloge-Chiconono)).
and haematite. The iron-rich bodies have a complex
They are generally associated with arenitic/arkosic
structural history and have been intersected and offset
metasandstones and greenstones.
by different fault systems (according to Lächelt, 2004
BIF lithologies occur in the NGB from the Tanzanian and GTK, 2006).
border over in a south westerly direction over an
LKAB from Sweden (1977) investigated the deposit,
extent of two thirds of the Txitonga Group extension.
using geophysical methods, core drilling (5 holes in
According to NGU (2007), these rocks outcrop/occur at:
418 419
1972 and 6 holes in 1977, totalling 945.85 m), trenching The Mabote Ore Body 3. The Fe and Fe-Ti ore Deposits of Magmatic, A thin section shows that the ore consists of ilmenite
(700 m) and geological mapping. The Mabote ore body is the largest known iron Hydrothermal and Sedimentary Origin in and magnetite as major constituents and haematite
concentration of the Honde Deposit. the Mesoproterozoic Nampula and (possibly and green spinel are sub-ordinate constituents.
About 20 different deposits, including nearly 90
Neo-proterozoic) Ocua Complexes
separate magnetite-rich lenses were identified in quartz- The Mabote ore body consists of magnetite and SEM analysis of the spinel shows that it contains
sericite schists (A3MMqs) and metacherts (A3MMch) haematite with quartz and mica+clay minerals as In the Nampula Complex (P2NMgm) and the Ocua about:
of the Macequece Formation (A3MM). associated minerals. Afonso and Marques (1993) Complex (P2OC), iron and iron-titanium ore deposits • 14 % of MgO
indicated that the ore composition varies with depth and occurrences were mapped during the period up
Based on the exploration results, reserves were • 56 % of AL2O3
(see Table 6.13). The Fe-content is between 38 to 40 %. to 2013. Some of them need further investigation and
estimated, down to 30 m depth, at 37 Monte with 40 % • 26 % of FeO
others can commence the mining process (such as the
Fe, 37-40 % SiO2 and low P contents (0.003-0.007 %) Lalaua Deposit). Generally these are relative small • 3 % of TiO2
(see LKAB, 1978).When modelling the geophysical Relative Depth ore bodies but with good quality ores (of magnetite
anomaly, Aero Services (1962) estimated a possible • 1 % of ZnO
Ore and magnetite/ilmenite). On the basis of systematic
iron resource, down to 100 m depth, of 191-230 Monte. Composition Near This is a ferroan spinel (pleonaste). Analysis shows
Deepest prospecting further ore deposits may be discovered.
(%) surface Middle of that vanadium is present in the magnetite (1 to 1.5 %
Real (1974, in Lächelt, 2004) also calculated the part of
part deposit of V2O5). The ilmenite contains about 4 % of MgO and
deposit to be 126 Monte with 30-66 % Fe at the same deposit The Mazogo Iron Deposit
of deposit
depth. Honde Minas indicated estimated reserves of The deposit is located along a footpath that runs about 1 % of MnO. Varying proportions of ilmenite and
100 Monte in the Minerals Yearbook, 1974 (with no Magnetite 12.0 35.6 44.8 between the villages of Mazogo and Meluluca on magnetite, and trails of spinel porphyroblasts define
further published details). the Lago Niassa shore and some 20 kms South of a foliation in the ore. The presence of spinel and the
Haematite Maniamba (see Map Sheet 1234 (Metangula), at UTM granoblastic texture, shows that the ore has been
Processing tests of the LKAB show that simple 42.8 14.0 7.2
36S 699170E,8573690N) through high-grade metamorphism, as has also been
magnetic separation produces high quality concentrates the case for the host lithology (after NGU, 2007).
assaying, including: Quartz 35.0 40.0 38.0 Within the strongly deformed part of the granitic
• 70.3 to 71.2 % Fe gneiss unit, there is a body of iron ore. The deposit The Mirrote/Maravone Haematite-magnetite
• 0.003 to 0.017 % P Table 6.13: Changes in Ore Composition depending on consists of a massive, fine-grained magnetite body (10 Occurrence
• 0.49 to 1.29 % SiO2 depth (after Afonso and Marques, 1993) m to possibly 50 m in thickness) with sub-ordinate
A massive haematite-magnetite-quartz rock forms
• < 0.025 Na2O + K2O ilmenite in the form of mm-cm thick and some cm long
According to Afonso and Marques (1993), structurally the minor hills, South West of Namapa as part of the
lenses. The length of the body is uncertain, but it is at
Pellets of satisfactory quality were produced. Further the deposit corresponds to an eroded antiform body, Nampula Complex (see Map Sheet 1339 (Montepuez),
least 200 m in total.
tests are required to see if the oxidised haematite- which at depth forms ore beds that can extend beyond at UTM 37S 561031E,8460622N).
rich sections of the ironstone bodies are suitable for 4 kms in length. Mylonite zones surround the mineralised zone on
The mineralisation has not been exploited although
pelletising. Steel could possibly be produced by direct both sides, affecting the gneissic granite and pegmatite.
In contrast to Afonso and Marques (1993), the The granite to the East also contains very large blasts the proportion of outcrop in the area is low. It seems
reduction of the pellets using local coal or gas when
Russian geologists (Notícia Explicativa, 1995) describe of euhedral to subhedral magnetite, up to 15 to 20 cms that the host body is no more than 3 by 1.5 kms as a
available.
the deposit as part of a large synclinorium composed of in size. outcrop. The mineralisation gives no distinct magnetic
Since the iron content of the bulk ironstone is migmatitic gneisses, where the core of the synclinorium anomaly and the migmatitic granodioritic orthogneiss
relatively low and the size of the bodies is modest, XRF analysis (by NGU, 2007) shows the following is exposed about 200 m further South East. Two
is formed by metagranite and metavolcanics.
economic exploitation of these ironstones is unlikely composition of the massive ore (see Table 6.14): analyses gave ore concentrations of 53.3 and 58.5 %
to be feasible. Future exploration should also pay The folding of the deposit is of a complex nature (refer to NGU, 2007).
with North-South-striking axes. Stratification and Chemical
attention to the possible presence of BIF-hosted gold Content (%) Content (ppm)
schistosity dip very steeply and are accompanied by Composition
deposits (according to GTK, 2006). The Mazua Ilmenite-magnetite Occurrence
small faults. The mineralised bodies are located at the Fe2O3 74.7 The ilmenite-magnetite mineralisation is located
crests of the quartzites.
TiO2 17.8 some 500 m South of the road between Alua and Mazua
in the Nampula Complex (see Map Sheet 1340 (Mecufi)
The Machacamira, Chito South West, Chito South Al2O3 5.0 at UTM 37S 623831E,8454538N).
East, Monte Pita, Bero, Nhaziri, Cimetério Lavra
MgO 2.0 The mineralisation consists of numerous boulders
and Nhandiro Ore Bodies
These ore bodies of the Honde Deposit have not MnO 0.3 found mainly at two places about 400 m apart along
been investigated in detail. The information available an East-West trend. The mineralisation comprises
0.2
suggest that they are small bodies but this will require lenses, veins and disseminations probably mainly of
CaO (recalculated to
further, special investigations. ilmenite with lesser magnetite within a fine-grained
100 %)
pyroxene gneiss with amphibole, clinopyroxene
SiO2 < 0.01 and orthopyroxene. The lenses and veins are up to
V 5,700 4 cms thick, forming a kind of network. No detailed
investigations have been undertaken.
Cr 1,100
Co 600 The Chiure Velho Magnetite Occurrences
Zn 720
Two magnetite occurrences have been reported
at the same structural level in the Ocua Complex,
Table 6.14: The XRF analysis of the Massive Ore from about 5.3 kms apart (see Map Sheet 1340 (Mecufi),
Mazogo Iron Deposit (after NGU, 2007) at UTM 37S 609581E,8518780N and UTM 37S

420 421
614846E,8519218N). They were probably part of the The characteristic of this ore type is that it occurs
same original mineralisation. within small synclines and basin structures of the
Proterozoic age.
The western occurrence, some 5 kms South East of
Chiure Velho (at UTM 37S 609581E,8518780N), is
4. Magmatic Magnetite, Titano-magnetite
a massive magnetite ore about 0.5 m thick within a
Deposits in Anorthosite Including Nearby
strongly sheared quartz-feldspar gneiss and pegmatite.
Anorthosite Intrusions
Some boulders of more dioritic/gabbroic gneiss were
found in the vicinity. Amongst the iron-titanium deposits of magmatic
origin, the gabbro-anorthosite intrusions of the Tete
The mineralisation was exposed in a 20 m long Suite (P2T) are the most important. The Tete Suite is
North East-trending trench up to 1 m deep. Under the approximately 120 km2 in extent. It is located between
microscope, it appears to be dominated by magnetite Tete, Furancungo and the Malawian border.
with only a few grains of ilmenite. Magnetite
is commonly replaced by haematite along grain The suite consists of gabbro, anorthosite, diorite and
boundaries and fractures. A few small grains of green is intersected by doleritic dykes. Titaniferous magnetite
spinel and clinopyroxene occur interstitially between is present throughout the intrusion, but is more
the iron oxides. frequently encountered in the Eastern and Central
parts because of the different degree of denudation.
The eastern mineralisation (at UTM 37S There are two combinations of ore types:
614846E,8519218N) was exposed in a 30 m long
1. Fe-Type (Magnetite);
North-South-striking trench. It consists of a very
rich magnetite impregnation in a layer about 0.5 m 2. Fe-Ti Type (Magnetite, Titano-Magnetite).
thick. Other minerals found included clinopyroxene, These mineralisations are located mainly in the
hornblende and lesser feldspar. A few grains of pyrite, Tete Suite but also may be observed close to the Suite,
pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite are also present. The forming a prospective area which may be of future
surrounding country rock is mylonitic quartz-feldspar economic importance. Investigations (up to 2012) have
gneiss, partly quartzitic (refer to NGU, 2007). confirmed that iron and iron-titanium mineralisations Figure 6.26: The Fe-ore (magnetite) Deposits and Occurrences in the Tete Suite
or magnetic anomalies are found in many locations:
The Lalaua Deposit
Figures 6.26 and 6.27 show the locations of the ore
The Lalaua Deposit is located in the central region
with the notes describing the types.
of the LTB (see Map Sheet 1438 (Ribáuè Mecuburi)).
Detailed data from the deposit are unavailable.
The mineralisation consists of magnetite bodies/
lenses that are of good quality. The Lalaua iron
deposit is being exploited (the mining area is known
as Namarrepo 2) by a China company. The ore was
transported by truck over a distance of approximately
56 to 75 kms along a dirt road from the mine to the
Iapala railway station and then transported by rail to
the port of Nacala, where the ore is exported by ship
overseas (see Notícias, 10/2008). Tests carried out at
Lalaua showed that the mine deposits would allow
intensive mining for a period of over four years and
there was some indication of further deposits in the
same district – refer to APA.
In the Nampula and Ocua Complexes, more ore bodies
of this type may for occur and there are favourable
conditions to explore other magnetite ore bodies in
adjacent deposits in the Lalaua mining area.

The Milange and Majau Occurances

These iron occurrences are located in the most South
Western part of the LTB (near the Malawian border)
(see Map Sheet 1635 (Malangi)). Figure 6.27: The Fe-Ti ore (magnetite, titano-magnetite) Deposits and Occurrences in the Tete Suite
The mineralisation consists of vein-type ore bodies. It
is likely that a remobilisation of the iron took place. No
detailed data are known about these iron occurrences.

422 423
 Within the Tete Suite, North and East of Moatize, The Machédua Deposit
a number of magnetite and titano-magnetite lenses The Machédua Deposit (see Map Sheet 1633 (Tete)
within gabbro, anorthosite and carbonate-rich rocks at UTM 37S 601674E/8218294N) consists of up to 30
have been encountered. separate North North East-South South West directed
There are some deposits and occurrences in the Suite lenses. In total, these bodies form a large and North
that have been partially investigated: West-South East-striking ore zone (on average 12 by 3
kms in extent) (according to Notícia Explicativa, 1995).
• Machédua;
• Antiga Caldas Xavier; The individual lenses are usually 100-400 m long
and 20-80 m wide. The economic minerals include
• Cambulatsitsi;
haematite, ilmenite, magnetite and titano-magnetite.
• Txizita; Eluvia overlies the bodies.
• Singere;
Two types of iron mineralisation are found in and
• Massamba; near the Tete Suite. These include the following:
• Inhatipissa. • Carbonatite-hosted Fe deposits below the footwall
New investigations confirmed that there are of the Tete Suite;
favourable conditions for iron ore prospecting. In • Anorthosite-hosted, magmatic magnetite and
2012, a Anglo-Australian company found iron ore titano-magnetite deposits.
in the Ngunda Region near Tete, with reserves that
Figures 6.28 and 6.29 show the geological locations of
are expected to allow exploration for up to 100 years
the ore bodies in the Machédua Deposit.
(Rádio Moçambique, 2012). In 2011, work completed
by the iron-ore and metals specialist Baobab Resources
resulted in a Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant
resource of 482 Monte for the Tete Iron/Vanadium/
Titanium Project. This project covers an area of 632
km2 and is located immediately North of Tete.
It contains two areas of magnetite/titanium/vana-
dium mineralisation, as follows:
1. The Singere (Singore) area;
2. The Massamba area;
• Chitonge Grande;
• Chimbala;
• Tenge/Ruoni.
The Tete Region’s magnetite-ilmenite deposits may
yield concentrate ores as follows (see Table 6.15):

Chemical Composition Content (%)

Fe (Metal) 60-62

TiO2 > 7.0

V 0.7

SiO2 1.2

Al2O3 2.0

Table 6.15: The Ore Concentrate of the Tete Region

Magnetite-Ilmenite Deposits (refer to
Figure 6.28: A Schematic Geological Map of the Northern Machédua Deposit (modified from Real, 1966; Steiner,
Baobab Resources, 2012)
1992 and Lächelt, 2004)
The exploration effort to date has been focused on
the Massamba Group area. The Singore area remains
largely untested, but with good prospects. The best
known deposit in the Tete Suite is the Machédua
deposit.

424 425
 The chemical composition of the ores based on only a few data that are available, is given in Table 6.17.
Chemical Deposit/Occurrence
Composition
(%) Cambulatsitsi Txizita Massamba Inhatipissa

Fe (Metal) 40.4 46.5 42.6 41.45

TiO2 17.18 16.45 17.07 16.96

Table 6.17: The Chemical Composition of the Cambulatsitsi, Txizita, Massamba and Inhatipissa Deposits/Occurrences

Real (1962, 1966) and Brodoimpex (1984) first calculated and estimated the ore reserves of these deposits and
occurrences (see Table 6.18).
Calculated Reserves Estimated in Monte
Deposit/Occurrence
Real 1962 Real 1966 Brodoimpeks 1984
Antiga Caldas Xavier 1.8
Cambulatsitsi 12.34 14.21
Txizita 1.4 0.71 1.86
Singere
Massamba 8.6 8.65 4.50
Inhatipissa 3.0 11.75 11.84

Table 6.18: The Ore Reserves of Fe/Fe-Ti Deposits in the Tete Suite

Figure 6.29: A Schematic Geological Map of the Southern Machédua Deposit (modified from Steiner, 1992 and In 2012, investigations confirmed that the real Total resources (according to Brodoimpeks 1984) of
Lächelt, 2004) reserves could be much higher and that in the Tete Suite the area have been estimated at 1.7 Monte with:
and nearby lithologies economic iron and iron-titanium • Fe (Metal) = 719,000 t
ore reserves can be expected. • TiO2 = 288,000 t
The chemical composition of the ores is shown on amount to 7.75 Monte with an inferred resource of
Table 6.16. 68.5 Monte (by Norad, 1979). The Chitonguè (Nhambia River) Occurance The Tenge/Ruoni (Rioni) Occurance
• Exploration by Brodoimpeks, comprising detailed In gabbros and anorthosites of the Tete Suite, there Similar to Chitonguè, titano-magnetite-rich lenses
Chemical Composition Content (%) are several magnetite-ilmenite rich lenses close to
trenching and mapping, reported a resource of are found ~12 kms South East of Chitonguè in Tenge/
SiO2 1.0 loose eluvial-colluvial material of the size of 1.45 Nhambia river (see Map Sheet 1533 (Cazula), at UTM Ruoni (see Map Sheet 1533 (Cazula), at UTM 36S
Monte, containing 613,000 t of iron and 257,000 t 37S 0571435E,8264136N). 0582131E,8258569N). The lenses are usually 100-300
Fe2O3 53.0 of TiO2 (by Brodoimpeks,1984). The lenses are typically 50-100 m long and up to 25 m long and 5 to 30 m wide, striking North East.
FeO 16.5 m wide. A large area is covered by a 1-4 m thick blanket of
The Antiga Caldas Xavier, Cambulatsitsi, Txizita, eluvial titatano-magnetite (after GTK, 2006).
Singere, Massamba and Inhatipissa Occurrences A large area is covered by about a 1 m thick layer of
TiO2 12.5 eluvial titano-magnetite, which has been estimated to The total resources of the area have been estimated
These are similar anorthosite-hosted iron-titanium form a resource of 1 Monte at 2.7 Monte (see Brodoimpeks, 1984) with:
Al2O3 0.5 deposits but much smaller and have been less
intensively investigated (see Map Sheet 1633 (Tete)). Table 6.19 shows the chemical composition (based on • Fe (Metal) = 1.2 Monte
S 0.01 • TiO2 = 470,000 t
Some of these deposits have had the quantity of ore an average of 60 hand specimens)
CaO 0.1 bodies mapped and the locations are given below: In 2011, investigations by Baobab Resources showed
Chemical Composition Content (%)
• In the Antiga Caldas Xavier Deposit, five ore bodies the following results:
V2O5 0.6 are known; Fe 42.6
Drilling at the Tenge/Ruoni prospect to the East
• In the Txizita Deposit, a total of ten small ore TiO2 17.1 progressed rapidly, with Baobab having intersected a
Table 6.16: The Chemical Composition of the Ores of
bodies occur; heavily mineralised package varying in thickness from
the Machédua Deposit P2O5 0.4
• In the Singere Deposit, a total of eight ore bodies 60 m to 150 m. Mineralisation has been syn-formally
occur; SiO2 7.4 folded with the fold hinge plunging gently to the
The possible ore reserves with different calculations
are given below: • In the Massamba Deposit, a total of six ore bodies West-North-West.
Table 6.19: The Chemical Composition of the Chitonguè
• Trenching and mapping in 1974 highlighted a are found. Fe-Ti-Occurrence (after GTK, 2006) Exploration campaigns in the prospect area have
prospective zone 270 m long, 20 m wide and 30 been divided into three resource blocks according to
m deep. This ‘visible’ resource was reported to the mining reports.
426 427
 1. T
 he first block, Ruoni North, represents 1 km of Three types of mineralisation are located, characte- The chemical composition of the ore is similar to within a block, measuring 5.5 km by 0.5-1.5 km,
strike along the northern limb of the fold. Thirty- rised by defined positions (according to Afonso and those of the Tete Suite and is given in Table 6.21. consisting of carbonatite and schists and quartzites (in
seven reverse-circulation and diamond holes have Marques, 1993): the Chacocoma Granite/P2Cgr or Mussata Granite/P2
been completed to date, across seven traverses, for Chemical Composition Content (%) Mgr).
1. Ore pockets: in a contact zone with gabbro and
an aggregate total of 5,750 m, but a resource of 93 t pyroxenites; SiO2 0.35 The block is surrounded by gabbro and anorthosite
has been calculated.
2. Ore bearing veins: in contact zones with gabbro, Fe2O3 64.0 of the Tete Suite (Sm-Nd age of 1,025 ±79 Ma (after
2. T
 he Ruoni South block represents a 1.2 km of crystalline limestones or gneisses; Evans, et al. 1999. The magnetite (± hematite) lenses,
strike along the southern limb of the fold and is 3. Ore impregnations: they form phenocrystals of FeO 14.5 are 100 to 200 m long and 5 to 20 m wide, that strike
located about 1 km south of Ruoni North. Twenty- titanium magnetite in gabbroic rocks. TiO2 16.0 in a North East-South West direction, dipping 20 to
seven holes for an aggregate of 5,200 m have been 60° to the South East. The occurrence of titaniferous
drilled, resulting in a resource of about 56 t. The ore mineral is a titanium-bearing magnetite. Al2O3 0.5 magnetite is related to high-relief positions.
Other minerals are apatite, pyrite, amphibole, spinel,
3. T
 he Tenge block represents the hinge zone of the epidote, limonite, garnet, quartz and feldspar. The ore P2O5 0.006 Within the bodies, the Ti-Fe content varies, as
fold in total and covers an area of about 0.5 km². composition is given in Table 6.20: S 0.1 well as that between magnetite and ilmenite. The
deposits consist of massive and finely-disseminated
Drilling was completed in 2011, and has defined a CaO 2.0
Chemical Composition Content (%) mineralisations, with ilmenite occupying about 77-78 %
substantial package of mineralisation, about 120 m
V2O5 0.2 of the ore.
thick, dipping shallowly to the West. Fe 42.6
MnO 2.3 Figure 6.30 shows the geology of the Monte Muande
In 2012, the resource estimate at Tenge was 159 t,
TiO2 17.1 Deposit and Figure 6.31 the cross-sections of the
with a head grade of 38.4% iron and an average
Table 6.21: The Chemical Composition of the Ores of the central zone of this deposit.
concentrate grade of 60.4 % iron, 0.8 % vanadium P2O5 0.4
pentoxide and 12.5 % titanium dioxide, at a mass Lupata-Doa Deposit (after Lächelt, 2004)
recovery of 47.6 %. SiO2 7.4 Table 6.22 shows the calculated and estimated
reserves of the Lupata-Doa Deposit
Platinum Group Element Potential in Ulungoé  he Chemical Composition of the Ores of
Table 6.20: T
Anorthosite the Mecuco Deposit Calculated Reserves Estimated
The Tete Suite is known to have Platinum Group Deposit/ in Monte
The origin and genesis of the Mecuco Deposit
Element (PGE) potential and a number of analogous is unclear. It has been interpreted in a variety of Occurrence D´Almeidas
anorthosites and mafic bodies, most notably the Real 1962
speculative hypothese, of which the magmatic origin 1970
Ulungoé Anorthosite, which are all considered to be gained the most support (see Lächelt, 2004).
fragments of the Tete Suite occurring in the area. Lupata 22.5 29.0
Whether these have any PGE potential is yet to be The ore reserves of the deposit were estimated by
Table 6.22: The Reserves of the Lupata-Doa Deposit
determined. Afonso and Marques (1993) to be 70 Monte (with 30 %
Fe-metal) with predicted reserves of 200 Monte at the According to D’Almeida (1970), the discovery of
A thick magnetite seam (see Map Sheet 1434 base of magnetic anomalies. further ore bodies seems possible.
(Ulongoè), at UTM 34S 5746E,14.9137N).
This was also observed during fieldwork and may 6. 
Iron Occurrences in Jurassic-Cretaceous 7. Iron and Apatite Bearing Deposits
represent the upper portion of a layered mafic body Lupata Group (JrL, CrL) Magmatics The Monte Muande Deposit (see Map Sheet 1533
probably related to the Tete Suite and should warrant The Lupata-Doa Deposit (Monte Pangula) is located (Cazula)) is situated about 30 kms North West of
further investigation (see CGS, 2007). South East of Tete (see Map Sheet 1634 (Tambara)). Tete, on the northern bank of the Zambeze river and
The iron mineralisation occurs within the lavas of the continues as the Monte Fema Deposit (see Map Sheet
5. Iron Mineralisation in Pyroxenites, Gabbros, Lupata Group (Upper Jurassic/JrL and the Lower 1633 (Tete)) in a South West direction across the river
Anorthosites and Syenites of the Neo- Cretaceous/CrL). The host rocks are rhyolite, dacite on its southern bank.
proterozoic Monapo Complex (P3MN) and syenite. The deposit forms part a ridge known as the Serra
Similar Fe and Fe-Ti mineralisation to the Tete Suite The mineralised body covers an area of 600 to 900 Munde, where uranium mineralisation with Davidite
as observed in the Monapo Complex (P3MN). The best by 250 m and dips vertically. The strike is North also occurs at Mavudzi.
known deposit in the Monapo Complex is the Mecuco East-South West. The magnetite deposits at Monte Muande have
Iron Deposit.
triggered most interest and were investigated by the
Japanese Nissho Company and by Companhia Uranio
The Mecuco Deposit
de Moçambique (CUM) in the 1960’s and later during
The iron mineralisation of the Mecuco Deposit occurs the 1980’s by a team from the Geological Institute
in pyroxenites, gabbro, anorthosites and syenites of of Belgrade, of the former Yugoslavia, known as
the Neo-proterozoic Monapo Complex (P3MN) (see Map Brodoimpeks-Geosavodz.
Sheet 1440 (Nacala)).
Petrographically, the iron-titanium mineralisation is
The ores outcrop in an area of about 20 km2. They are
associated with anorthosites and the transition zone
concentrated in the form of pockets, veins, as well as in
grades into gabbroic rocks (see Lächelt, 2004). More
impregnations.
than 20 magnetite and apatite-rich lenses are known

428 429
 Brodoimpeks (1984) describes the following ore This deposit is of primarily importance due to its high
parageneses: content of apatite (see deposits of phosphor later). The
• Ilmenite + titaniferous magnetite + spinal + mineralisation of magnetite and partly also haematite
sulphides (low); is restricted to the beds of marble and apatite.

The relationship of Fe/Ti (in minerals) amounts to The exploitation of iron from this deposit will only be
2.69. The ilmenite forms very small bodies, but also possible if it could be carried out in combination with
appears as microscopically fine needle clusters together the mining of the neighbouring Mecuco Deposit or as a
with magnetite and haematite. These minerals remain by-product with the production of apatite (according to
more or less constant throughout the intrusion. Lächelt, 2004).

The average grade of the chemical composition is The Meseca (Messeca) Deposit
given in Table 6.23 (according to CUM, 1962 and Real,
The iron-apatite Meseca (Messeca) Deposit is situated
1964).
within metamorphosed limestones and marbles of the
Chemical Composition Content (%) Chíduè Formation (P1CH) that were formerly part of
Fíngoè Group, which is in contact with the northern
Fe (Metal) 57.4-68.5 margin of the gabbro-anorthosite body of the Tete Suite
(P2T) (see Map Sheet 1531 (Fíngoè Mágoè)).
TiO2 0.7-1.9
The mineralisation forms concordant bodies within
P2O5 0.2-4.9 metamorphosed limestones which strike in a North
S 0.04-0.06 East-South West direction and dip at 20 to 40°, in a
south easterly direction.
Table 6.23: The Chemical Composition of the Monte The size of the bodies varies between 100 and 1,000
Muande/Monte Fema Deposit m in extent and the thicknesses vary between 5 and 20
Sub-economic apatite and magnetite concentrations m (according to Afonso and Marques, 1993). The ore
have been found near the top of Monte Muande, where bodies are embedded in limestones to a depth of 100 to
they form stratiform bodies, concordant with the 2,000 m, in which magnetite and apatite occur as finely-
foliation. The electro-magnetic relationship with the distributed mineral aggregates. Gneiss impregnates
possible reserves is described below. the marble.
Figure 6.30: The Schematic Geological Map of the Monte Muande Deposit (modified from the Geological Insitute According to the Notícia Explicativa (1995), the
The mineral resources were evaluated in the
Beograd, 1984 and Lächelt, 2004) mineralised body is about 5.5 to 1.5 kms in extent where
1960’s as 818 Monte of ore to a depth of 100 m, with
75 Monte of apatite and 220 Monte of magnetite. the magnetite and apatite outcrop at the contact zone
The Brodoimpeks-Geosavodz-team highlighted the with the marble and the gabbro-anorthositic rocks of
Monte Muande deposit, which consists of three North the Tete Suite. The rocks of the Tete Suite are intrusive
East-South West-trending magnetite-rich and apatite- into the marble, similar to the other mineral deposits
bearing ore horizons, covered by eluvial magnetite along the border zone of the Tete Suite. Numerous
concentrations. The main magnetite body is 3,500 m younger acidic and syenitic dykes cut into the deposit.
long and 800 m thick. In the north eastern part of the deposit, the grade
Based on the Brodoimpeks data, Cilek (1989) of mineralisation is more intensive. Here, 20 mineral
estimated that the total mineral resources reach a bodies of magnetite, haematite and apatite were found
depth of 140 m as 17.3 Monte of iron and 4.1 Monte which have been embedded into the rocks with finely
of P2O5. The average P2O5 grade is given as 4 to 5 % disseminated magnetite and apatite. The magnetite
although individual samples may contain up to 11.4 % and haematite are concentrated in eluvia of 2 to 4 m in
of P2O5 (after Brodoimpeks-Geosavodz 1984a,b). thickness and in alluvia. According to Hunting (1984)
the mineralisation consists of three zones. The ore beds
The carbonate-rich rocks at Monte Muande and can reach a width of several hundreds of metres and
Monte Fema, further to the South West on the southern are made up of biotitic marbles with apatite containing
bank of the Zambeze river, have been analysed by the only very limited quantities of magnetite (or in some
GTK (2006) and they are of the opinion that further cases none at all). Large quantities of magnetite (see
investigations may justify possible industrial mineral also apatite) may displace the marble, enriched by
resources of carbonates and phosphates in the entire flintstones.
Monte Muande-Monte Fema Deposit.
Figure 6.32 show the geological locations of the iron
The Evate (Monapo) Deposit mineralisation in the Meseca (Mesecca) Deposit.
The Evate (Monapo) Deposit outcrops in the neigh-
bourhood of the Mecuco Deposit (see Map Sheet 1440
Figure 6.31: The Cross-sections of the Central Zone of Monte Muande Deposit (modified from the Geological (Nacala)) and also see above.
Insitute Beograd, 1984 and Lächelt, 2004)

430 431
 The Maiu-a-Chipunga Deposit The Chíduè Formation (P1CH)
The Maiu-a-Chipunga Occurrence is located at the The Chíduè Formation (P1CH) outcrops at the contact
Rio Mesunga (see Map Sheet 1431). with the northern margin of the gabbro-anorthosite
body of the Tete Suite (P2T).
The occurrence occurs in granite-gneisses and granu-
lites, which are intersected by doleritic and pegmatitic The Paleoproterozoic Chíduè Formation consists of
dykes. metamorphosed limestones and marbles.
The extent of the ore body is 180 by 9.8 m and it Two copper-bearing locations are known:
dips vertically. Probably because of the neighbouring • The Messeca Deposit;
doleritic dykes, the ore shows a high titanium content
• The Monte Tumba Deposit (combined with the
(see Table 6.25).
Monte Tchiconcue Deposit).
Chemical Composition Content (%)
Messeca and Monte Tumba
Fe (Metal) 58,30 The Messeca (see the Messeca Deposit Section
SiO2 1,59 above) and Monte Tumba/Monte Tchiconcue Deposits/
Occurrences are known as iron-apatite deposits,
MnO 0,18 however, some Cu-mineralisations are present (see
P2O5 0,13 Map Sheet 1531 (Fíngoè Mágoè)).
Figure 6.32: The Schematic Geological Map of the Messeca (Messecca) Deposit The skarn-metasedimentary ore bodies of the
S 0,01
Messeca-Monte Tumba Deposit generally form
TiO2 5,69 irregular pockets and lentils, which are concordant
The ores consist of: Iron Mineral-bearing Metasediments and Skarn
• 26.9 % of Magnetite; in the Tete-Angónia Region with the bedding (see Figures 6.32 and 6.33). The
Table 6.25: The Chemical Composition of the Maiu-a-
The following deposits and occurrences in the length of the ore bodies varies between large extremes,
• 19.3 % of Fe (Metal in total); Chipunga Occurrence
Northern Tete-Angónia Geological Province have been for example between 40 and 140 m but they rarely
• 9.2 % of Apatite; reach a length of 200 m. The thickness is between
identified: The Nhancungue Deposit
• 3.92 % of P2O5. 2 and 8 m (according to Afonso and Marques, 1993 and
• The Cassera Deposit; The Nhancungue Deposit is situated within the Lächelt. 2004).
According to Brodoimpeks (1984), the magnetite may • The Maiu-a-Chipunga Deposit; Mesoproterozoic (P2AG) Angónia Group. It occurs close
form individual mineral bodies or occur disseminated to Tsangano at the Malawian border (see Map Sheet Real (1961/64) distinguished three types of
• The Nhancungue Deposit.
in the marbles in places, while the apatite is distributed 1434 (Ulongoè)). mineralisation:
throughout the deposit. Some parts of the marble are, 1. Magnetite+haematite;
The Cassera Deposit This formation extends into Malawi where it is
however, depleted of magnetite.
The Cassera Occurrence occurs in the Mesoprote- known as the Dzondze Deposit. 2. Magnetite with finely distributed garnet;
The reserves are indicated as follows: rozoic Zâmbuè Supergroup (P2ZB). The occurrence is 3. Magnetite impregnations.
The Nhancungue deposit consists of several North
• Afonso and Marques (1993) estimated a reserve of located between the Tschacadzi and Mombe Mountains West-South East-striking lentils of haematite that The magnetite+haematite type is composed of
150 Monte and a body of 150 by 100 m in extent (see Map Sheet 1431 (Maluwera)). extend over an area of 100 by 2.5 m. The host rock compact magnetite, that only rarely forms crystals and
and 100 m of alluvia;
The Fe-occurrence consists of mineralised quart-zitic, consists of biotite and amphibole gneisses, which are the haematite is laminar in structure. The sulphides
• Brodoimpeks (1984) estimated a reserve of 16.62 magmatic rocks and of haemetite lentils in gneisses intersected by quartz veins. Table 6.26 shows the are present as bornite and chalcopyrite, but were
Monte of Fe-metal and 3.85 Monte of P2O5 in (after Real, 1961/64, 1966). The composition is shown chemical composition of the deposit. observed only rarely.
primary ores and 2.68 Monte of Fe-metal and 0.295 on Table 6.24.
Chemical Composition Content (%) The chemical composition of the Monte Tumba
Monte of P2O5 in eluvia.
magnetite is shown in Table 6.27.
Chemical Composition Content (%) Fe (Metal) 63.91
8. Iron and Iron-Copper Mineral-bearing Meta- Chemical Composition Content (%)
Sediments and Skarn in the Tete-Angónia Region Fe (Metal) 56.30 SiO2 2.57
and in the Fíngoè Zone (Fíngoè Supergroup) SiO2 19.19 MnO Fe (Metal) 65.30
Proterozoic Fe-quartzites occur in the Zâmbuè (P2ZB)
MnO 0.14 P2O5 0.65 SiO2 4.90
and Mesoproterozoic Fíngoè Supergroups (P2F) (see
below, the Fe-Cu-bearing metasediments and skarn). S 0.01 Mn 0.50
P2O5 0.01
All these occurrences have so far not been investigated.
TiO2 0.33 P2O5 0.037
The existing data are insufficient to make an economic S 0.21
evaluation. Data (upto 2013) show non-economic Table 6.26: The Chemical Composition of the S 0.0
mineralisations, but depending on the introduction of TiO2 0.21 Nhancungue Deposit
new methods of ore treatment and the market demand, TiO2 Traces
especially for copper, these occurrences may be of Table 6.24: The Chemical Composition of the Cassera Iron-copper-bearing deposits and occurrences in the
interest in the future. Occurrence Chíduè Formation (P1CH) and the Fíngoè Supergroup Table 6.27: The Chemical Composition of the Monte
(Zone) (P2F) Tumba Magnetite (after Lächelt, 2004)

432 433
 The chemical composition of the Monte Tumba main The general composition of the ore is shown in Table 6.29. The general composition of the ore deposit is shown in All the magnetite deposits contain concentrations of
ore body is shown in Table 6.28. Table 6.31. magnetite and garnet in eluvia and alluvia.
Chemical Composition Content (%)
Chemical Composition Content (%) Chemical Composition Content (%) The total ore reserves were estimated to be 1.7 Monte
Fe (Metal) 47.70 (according to Lächelt, 2004).
Fe (Metal) 62.48 Fe (Metal) 55.0
SiO2 14.74 The Camitala Deposit
SiO2 5.99 SiO2 5.32-9.28
Mn 0.084 The Camitala Occurrence is located near to Atchiza
Mn 0.094 P2O5 0.049-0.089 (see Map Sheet 1530 (Zumbo)).
P2O5 0.015
The haematitised zones of the deposit (refer to
P2O5 0.034 TiO2 0.11-0.27
S 0.0 Real, 1961) are located within the epidotised green
S 0.0 Cu 4.16 quartzites or epidote and the garnet-bearing white
TiO2 Traces quartzites. The Fe-quartzites (with haematite) are
TiO2 Traces Table 6.31: The Chemical Composition of the Ores of metamorphosed and clearly banded. The thickness of
Table 6.29: The Chemical Composition of the Ores of the Monte Muenguè Deposit (after Afonso the ore zones is less than 1 m and they outcrop over a
Table 6.28: The Chemical Composition of the Monte the Monte Mancupiti Deposit length of 15 kms. The ore at Camitala contains some
and Marques, 1993).
Tumba Main Ore Body magnetite. The ore body consists of many narrow (up
The total estimated reserves of Monte Mancupiti The total ore reserves were determined by 6.35 Monte to a few cm) strings of haematite and quartz.
The Fíngoè Supergroup (P2F) are 3.5 Monte according to Real (1961, 1966). according to Lächelt, 2004.
The chemical composition of the magnetite is shown in
The Fíngoè Supergroup (P2F) extends from the
The Monte Muenguè and Mucanha River Deposits The Luzina Deposit Table 6.33.
Atchiza Suite (at the Cahora Bassa Dam) in a
South West to North East direction up to the Fíngoè The Monte Muenguè and Mucanha River Deposits The deposit is located in the granite/granodiorite of Chemical Composition Content (%)
settlement. consist of five bodies extending along a 3.5-km, North the Monte Sanja Suite/(P2SJ) (formerly the Post-Fíngoè
West-South West-oriented strike zone which coincides Granite) and the Fe-quartzites (see Map Sheet 1531). Fe (Metal) 58.41
The Mesoproterozoic Fíngoè Supergroup (P2F) with that of the Fíngoè Zone (see Map Sheet 1531
composes of granite-gneiss assemblages and a sequence (Fíngoè Mágoè)). In the limestones, the ore is porphyric. Some parts of the outcrop are syenitic which have Mn 0.04
of quartzitic-carbonatic metasediments (crystalline been altered to either hornfels with magnetite,
limestones/marbles). The mineralisation is iron and The largest ore body has a surface coverage of 125 haematite, epidote and garnet or skarn with magnetite P2O5 0.03
copper. The copper minerals are associated with skarn by 72.5 m and extends down to 20 m in depth. It is and with sub-ordinate garnet. The Fe-quartzites (with
rocks. unusual that the haematite dominates and exceeds the haematite) are metamorphosed and clearly banded. TiO2 0.15
magnetite content at the limestone, amphibolites and The Luzina deposits are also composed of magnetite
The following main deposits and occurrences in the granite contacts. Table 6.33: The Chemical Composition of the Magnetite
and haematite. The ore concentrations are controlled
Fíngoè Supergroup (Zone) are known as: in the Camitala Occurrence.
The magnetite occurs in pockets of 160 by 20 m. by the granite contact. Microcline, albite, quartz,
• The Monte Mancupiti Deposit; Copper appears as a secondary mineral. epidote, sphene and amphibole are present in the
granite/granodiorite outcrops. 6.2.2 Manganese Mineralisations
• The Monte Muenguè-Mucanha River Deposit;
The chemical composition of the magnetite is shown in Only Mn-mineralisations of non-economic importance
• The Luzina Deposit; Table 6.30. The size of the outcrop of the ore bodies is 120 by 60 m
are known in Mozambique. Manganese mineralisations
• The Camitala Deposit. and 70 by 40 m respectively. The chemical composition
outcrop in the Paleoproterozoic Rushinga Group (P1RN)
Chemical Composition Content (%) of the magnetite is shown in Table 6.32.
in a region within the coordinates 16°35’-16°50’S and
The Monte Mancupiti Deposit 32°50’-33°03’E (South West of Tete Province at the
Fe (Metal) 58.88 Chemical Composition Content (%)
The Monte Mancupiti is a skarn-type occurrence Zimbabwian border) (see Map Sheets 1632 (Chioco)
with epidote, hedenbergite and garnet (see Map Sheet SiO2 7.69 Fe (metal) 65.82-68.70 and 1633 (Tete)).
1531 (Fíngoè Mágoè)). The skarn occupies large areas
Mn 0.09 SiO2 1.35-4.35 The deposit area occupies a surface area of about 35
and in places the garnet forms mono-mineral zones.
by 7.5 kms.
The epidotisation is also distributed over large areas.
P2O5 0.069 Mn 0.07-0.19
The Mn-mineralisations are concentrated in three
Because of the hypabyssal-type of the intrusions
S 0.092 Cu 0.20 prospective areas (see Figure 6.33).
(after Real, 1961/62) magnetite/haematite dominates
and exceeds the amount of copper sulphides, but the
TiO2 0.19 S 0.032
sulphides are never entirely absent.
The skarn mineralisation forms stratiform bodies Table 6.30: The Chemical Composition of the Monte TiO2 0.007
that also appear in the host rock. Magnetite also occurs Muenguè Magnetite
in pockets, which are fairly commonly embedded in the Table 6.32: The Chemical Composition of the Magnetite
host rock. in the Luzina Deposit

434 435
 According to Alves, 1961/64, in the three prospective weathered amphibolitic schists, migmatite and meta-
areas, four zones of mineralisation have been identified, morphosed limestones containing diopside and in excep-
they are: tional cases, granite, pegmatite and dolerite dykes.
1. The Mazoe North Occurrence in the Foia Area: The manganese ores form lentils within these
comprising 5 ore bodies; metamorphosed rocks. The entire sequence has been
2. The Mazoe South Occurrence: subject to folding where the axes continuously changed
comprising 2 ore bodies; direction. The ore lentils and nodules follow the grain
texture of the gneiss.
3. The Catambula Occurrence:
comprising 3 ore bodies; The ore deposits of Mazoe consist of a mixture of
4. The Blaundi Bonga Occurrence: Mn-oxides, often with Mn-silicates and carbonates.
comprising 1 ore body. Manganese-bearing garnets are associated with
these ores. Locally, magnetite is present. The deposit
The host rocks of the Mn-mineralisations are quartz- is mostly composed of massive ores. Sometimes the
feldspar-biotite metasediments, and occasionally also nodules are of a concentric type (according to Lächelt,
amphibolitic and garnet gneisses with spessartite, 2004).

Table 6.34 shows the characteristics of the Mn-mineraliation and the estimated reserves (see Alves, 1961/64 and
Lächelt, 2004). Table 6.35 shows the chemical composition of the manganese mineralisation.

Perspective Zone of Mineralisation: Size of the Description of the

Reserves
Area Ore Bodies and Outcrops Ore Body Mineralisations

Mazoe North 1 = 2 to 5 m thick Lentil masses and

2 = 2 to 6 m thick; nodules, concordant with
Ore bodies: 1, 2, 3 3 = no thickness data the gneiss texture
Foia (Rio Cagosa):
The main ore mineral 60,000 t (probably)
Between Lagosa and is pyrolusite with (Real, 1966)
Foia Inhamatica Rivers Extends over 3 km; sub-ordinate rhodonite,
4 = 3 m thick spessartite, rhodochrosite, Dique (Mazoe):
Ore body: 4 haematite, Mn-magnetite 150,000 t
Mn-garnet, Fe-carbonate (Ribeiro, 1952)
Extends over 4 km,
Mazoe South Psilomelane
3.5 m thick
Zone between
Watershed between Chioco and 150 m x 0.5 to 1.0 m amphibolitic gneiss
Catambula thick containing pyrolusite and
garnet gneiss
In the river bed near the
Catambula Inhandendje Mountain No data
Nhacolombe river mouth
Gravels with pyrolusite
1.5 to 2.5 km in and rhodonite; minerals:
4 km South of Catambula
length pyrolusite, rhodonite,
garnet
Southern prolongation
of the Foia Zone.
Mineralised gneisses with
metamorphic limestones,
located on two parallel
2 km North North West of mountain chains;
Blaundi-Bonga No data
Monte Nhacomo
Type I mineralisation:
pyrolusite;
Figure 6.33: The Location of the Manganese Occurrences Type II mineralisation:
jacobsite, rhodonite,
haematite

Table 6.34: The Characteristics of the Mn-Mineraliation and Estimated Reserves

(after Alves,1961/64 and Lächelt, 2004).

436 437
 The ores of the Foia Occurrence outcrop as two North- The following Ti-mineral bearing deposit types occur
South striking ridges. To the North of the Mazoe river, in Mozambique:
the strike changes into a north westerly direction. • HHMS and siltitic sediments (HM);
The size of the Mn-lentils is in the order of 200 by 12 • Magmatic magnetite, titano-magnetite and asso-
by 14 m (refer to Real, 1966 and Lächelt, 2004). The ciated eluvial deposits;
nodules range in size from a few cms up to 1 m and • Titanium mineralisation associated with alkaline
frequently form dense accumulations. intrusions;
In the garnet-bearing gneiss, the ore is concentrated • Titanium-bearing pegmatites;
in small layers. Nodules also occur in the weathered • Rutile-bearing metasomatites.
crust. Pyrolusite is the main ore mineral. Rhodonite
associates with spassartite, rhodochrosite, haematite, Figure 6.34 shows the regional distribution of
Mn-magnetite and Mn-garnets. the Mozambican Ti mineral-bearing deposits and
occurrences.
The pyrolusite was formed as the result of the
weathering of rhodonite and the rhodochrosite by the
weathering of the spessartite. The rhodochrosite is
used as a decorative stone.
According to Real (1961/64), the ores are of
sedimentary origin and were altered during the
subsequent processes of regional metamorphism, but
it is also possible that the sediments were affected by
contact metamorphism resulting in the formation of
rhodonite.
The chemical composition of the two ore types is
shown in Table 6.35.

Type of Ore Mn SiO2 P

Pyrolusite
53.17 8.9 0.01
(Foia 1)

Rhodonite 44.69 24.3 0.006

Table 6.35: The Chemical Composition (as a %) of the

Manganese Mineralisation.
Estimates of reserves are very low and not well-
documented and maybe inaccurate in Table 6.34.
The Catambula Occurrence lies about 20 kms North
West of Foia. The mineralisation exclusively consists
of pyrolusite. Detailed investigations have not yet been
carried out.

6.3 Titanium
Mozambique has one of the world’s largest titanium
potential. There are different types of Ti-mineral
deposits. The main source for titanium ore deposits are
Heavy Mineral Sands (HMS) and other Heavy Mineral
(HM) deposits.
The HMS deposits are the primary source of titanium
production and Mozambique probably has some of the
largest deposits in the world (for example at Moma/
Moebase in Northern Mozambique) and some deposits
in Suthern Mozambique at Corridor Sands/Chibuto,
Mutamba/Jangamo, Chilubane, Marão/Marruca and
Lonhuane.

Figure 6.34: The Regional Distribution of the Mozambican Ti mineral-bearing Deposits and Occurrences

438 439
6.3.1 Ilmenite, Rutile and Zircon-bearing Heavy 1. 
The Chibuto/Corridor 1 Deposits in Central The deposit outcrops near to the surface and extends 2. The Mutamba/Jangamo Deposits
Mineral Sands and Southern Mozambique to a depth of 60 to 70 m (see Notícias, 17.08.1999 and The combination of the Mutamba and Jangamo
Based on the HMS deposits located along most of its The Chibuto Deposit is located at the Limpopo river, Lächelt, 2004) Deposits presents an opportunity to aggregate the
2,700 km coastline, Mozambique has the potential to about 190 kms North of Maputo and 50 kms inland In 2004, the estimated capacity of a processing plant key mineral sands projects in the Inhambane region
become one of the world’s largest producers of ilmenite from the current coastline, close to the town of Chibuto was designed for up to 400,000 t of sulphate and of Mozambique (see Map Sheets 2434 (Zavala) and
(for FeTiO2). HMS concentrations were detected along in Gaza Province (see Map Sheet 2433 (Chókwè)). This chloride titanium dioxide slag, with a by-product 2435 (Inharrime)). The combined Mutamba/ Jangamo
the entire Mozambican coast in the 1970-80s (see Cílek, deposit was discovered in 1997. output of nearly 200,000 t of iron, together with projects have the potential for a large ore body able
V.,1982 and Figure 6.34) Economical concentrations rutile and zircon (according to GTK, 2006). to sustain a significant mining operation for over a
The Chibuto Deposit is probably the largest heavy
of heavy minerals could only be verified in a few 20 year period (refer to Rio Tinto, Savannah, 2015).
mineral deposit in the world with an estimated lifespan In June 2005, BHP Billiton took over WMC and,
localities. The concentrations of heavy minerals were
of well over a hundred years. The resources, according consequently, the Chibuto HMS project. At the Dumouchel J. at.al.(2016) described the principal
firstly observed almost exclusively in beach deposits.
to different information sources, are characterised as time, BHP Billiton was also in a 50 % joint venture geological processes of the Mutamba/Jangamo HMS
In these deposits, the calculation of mineral resources
follows. partnership with the Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) deposits as “The coastal evolution of the Mutamba
is extremely difficult, since the concentration of heavy
project in South Africa, but some ore characteristics Deposit area is defined by the accumulation of a
minerals may change significantly during storm surges. The Chibuto heavy sands and silty sediments cover
indicated that there may be issues with the processing significant thickness (> 100 m) of aeolian sediments
an area of about 11,000 hectares. The deposit consists
When Kenmare Resources, LDA. defined economic in Richards Bay related to ore composition and ore describing a multi-generational palaeodune field
of four areas (two large and two smaller areas) with
heavy mineral concentrations in the dunes in the 1980s type. deposited on what was likely to be a nucleus of alluvial
two large blocks in the main area, named the Western
(see Congolone, 1987 and Moma, 2007) and mining marine sands exposed as a result of Pleistocene
and Eastern Blocks. The minerals are ilmenite A high production level of 1 Mt of titanium slag
began, a new stage in Mozambique’s exploitation of the marine regression”. The oldest unit interpreted in
(iron-titanium oxide), rutile and leucoxene (both nearly was expected. As long ago as 2013, the future of
heavy mineral, Ti-mineral, zircon started. this area is a package of marine, intertidal sedi-
pure titanium dioxide) and zircon (zirconium silicate). this deposit was still waiting for a final decision to ments which are likely to be analogous to the modern
The evidence of HMs along the whole Mozambique According to the press information (2012), this deposit proceed. There were still some issues that needed to sediments being deposited at the present time in the
coastline has shown that heavy minerals occur from the has the potential to produce: be resolved in the opinion of Lächelt, (2018). The very estuarine area of Inhambane Bay and the Mutamba
North, where the crystalline basement outcrops near • 72 Mt of ilmenite; large thickness of the productive ore body requires a river valley. This interpretation is in keeping with
the coast, up to the Southern border of Mozambique. technically special mining process.
• 2.6 Mt of zircon; the study by Armitage et al. (2006) describing the
On this basis, the geological prospecting activities
• 400,000 t of rutile. The enormous quantity of ore which will be mined formation and evolution of barrier islands at Inhaca
included recent dunes, old dunes, denuded dunes,
may influence the titanium world market prices so and Bazaruto, which concluded that the islands
paleo-terraces and paleo-river beds that were extended The thickness of heavy mineral-bearing (> 2 % HM)
that, in the end, the cost of the final product may formed as spits protruding northwards from coastal
far into the interior of the (Chibuto). layers may be up to 70 to 80 m (according to Lächelt,
be below the production cost. The consistency of the promontories on the seaward side of river estuaries
Recently in 2019, considerable areas of Gaza 2004). There are 14,000 Mt of ilmenite-rich sands and
ore with a high silty content, requires a different at a period of higher sea level, with significant
and Inhambane Provinces have been identified as silty sediments with an average heavy mineral grade
treatment process compared with that of the coastal aeolian accretion.
high-grade prospecting fields at Mutamba/Jangamo, of 4.9 % (see M Bendi statistics, 2006). As a measured
HMS. Three generations of stable older palaeodunes
Chilubane, Marão/Marruca and Linhuane which range resource (compared with the Press information
above), there is 1,765 Mt with 4.14 % of ilmenite and The ore composition and the granulometry (with (described as Units D1, D2 and D3) occur inland and
from the recent coastal zone to far inland. There is a
an indicated deposit containing 73 Mt of ilmenite a high proportion of silt fraction) also differs from host the bulk of associated titanium and zircon sand
real prospect of further heavy mineral occurrences in
(see WMC, Southern Mining Corporation, 2003). The the coastal HMS and therefore requires special mineralisation (Note: D refers to a Dune unit).
Central and Southern Mozambique.
heavy mineral concentrations are characterised by technological treatment solutions. Should these Unit D3 is the most important in terms of economic
HMS is the most important source of titanium in the absence or very low content of Cr, V and other issues be solved then Chibuto will become a unique geology with an average of 3.3 % THM and low
Mozambique. They also contain zirconium, andalusite, radioactive minerals. There is: and productive mine. slime content, making it potentially amenable to
magnetite and radioactive minerals such as leucoxene,
• 0.1 % of Cr2O3; Chibuto is now the fourth HMS project to start low-cost dredge mining methods. The better HMS
monazite and lesser amounts of other minerals,
• 0.5 % of V2O5; operating in Mozambique. In 2017, the concession to mineralisation at Mutamba has been defined within
including vanadium (according to Grantham et al.,
• Low levels of Fe-oxides. exploit the Chibuto HMS was held by the Chinese three main zones, known as Jangamo, Dongane
2011).
Group, Dingsheng Minerals and in its current first and Ravene, all of which have relatively similar
There are about of thirty deposits and occurrences, Radioactive minerals, like monazite and zircon, are phase, covered an area of 10,000 ha. mineralisation characteristics.
which may result in an increase in the economically only found in very low quantities in coastal deposits in
Northern Mozambique (after Lächelt, 2004). This could, however, be increased to 15,000 ha in The combined ilmenite, rutile and zircon economic
usable Ti-potential. In 2018, some of the most important
a second phase. Dingsheng’s Chibuto operation will THM content is between 60 and 80 %. This compares
deposits were: The Chibuto Deposit usually corresponds to a reportedly focus mainly on the titanium minerals. with a globally significant exploration target of
1. The Chibuto/Corridor 1 Deposits in Central and paleodeltaic/paleocoastal type, probably carrying the It has also been reported that the Chibuto Deposit 7 to 12 Bt of mineralised sand at 3 to 4.5 % THM,
Southern Mozambique; water of the present Limpopo, Zambeze, Sashi and has a reserve of 500 Mt and the planned life of the comprising > 140 (after Dumouchel J. et.al., 2016).
Kafui rivers. In the delta of this ancient Limpopo/ operation is 15 years.
2. The Mutamba/Jangamo, Chilubane, Marão/Marruca
Zambeze river system in the area of Chibuto, the paleo- The Mutamba Deposit
and Linhuane Deposits; Following more in-depth studies, it has been
rivers deposited heavy minerals. The deposits were
concluded that for the transportation of the ore, it will The Mutamba Deposit combines with the Jangamo
3. The Congolone Deposit; probably formed during the Pleistocene paleodelta/
be feasible to build a port at Chongoene. Chongoene project which includes three deposit areas – Jangamo,
paleo-coastlines period with the transportation of
4. The Moma and Moebase Deposits; lies some 15 kms from the Gaza Provincial capital of Dongane and Ravene – as well as the Chilubane
the materials occurring mainly from the Bushveld
Xai-Xai (refer to Macauhub, 2018). Deposit, which is located 180 kms to the South West
5. Other Deposits in Central and Southern Mozam- Complex but also perhaps from the Zimbabwe Craton.
(close to Praia de Xai Xai) of the Mutamba project
bique. The segregation grading action of the deltaic conditions
(see Map Sheet 2435 (Inharrime)).
caused the formation of a natural concentrate of heavy
minerals in 18 to 20 % silt deposits.

440 441
 The enlarged, collective Mutamba project has 3. The Marão/Marruca and Linhuane Deposits Aquater (1985) reported a resource of 480 Mt with a Decksand D1 and D2 and Naburi deposits are older
excellent infrastructure, including road, power and The so-called Corridor (Central e Sul) concession grading of 6 % THM. Measured mineral resources were paleo-dune formations, located well inland of the
access to the nearby ports of Inhambane and Maxixie with the other two Marão and Marruca and Linhuane reported to be 189 Mt with 4.3 % THM and an indicated modern beach front (refer to Pathfinder Minerals plc,
approximately 40 kms away. Mutamba’s total of Deposits are all in the Gaza Province, covering a 982 Mt with 2.6 % THM and inferred total of 879 Mt of 2011).
4.4 Bt of mineral resource, with grades of 3.9 % of total area of 387 km2. This concession is close to the 2.9 % THM. Rio Tinto acknowledged total reserves of
The beach sands at Moebase contain between 4.6 %
THM, comprises both indicated and inferred category Corridor 1 HS deposits, which was producing 500,000 186 Mt with 4.4 % THM, of which 59.6 Mt have been
and 5.3 % of HM, including ilmenite, rutile, zircon,
materials containing ilmenite, rutile and zircon. This t of ilmenite, 35,000 t of zircon and 10,000 t of rutile in proved, 112.7 Mt are considered to be probable and
magnetite and monazite. Out of a HM total content, 66
includes a high-grade portion of 92 Mt at 6.2 % THM. 2017. 13.8 Mt as possible (refer to RTZ, 2004).
to 68 % represents ilmenite which contains 53 to 56 %
Importantly, significant potential remains to be able
The deposit is said to contain 49 Mt of THM TiO2. Resources in the Moabase area (see Map Sheet
to expand the resource beyond its current boundaries, The Marão/Marruca Deposits concentrate with 66 % of ilmenite, 0.4 % of zircon and 1738, at UTM 37S 420235E,8101968N) have been
which will be the focus of future exploration activities
The Marão and Marruca concession is the largest of 0.5 to 0.7 % of rutile. According to Aquater (1985), the estimated at 72 Mt of ilmenite (refer to the Mining
(after Kumar H., 2017). The mineralisation is
the two Marão and Marruca and Linhuane deposits, formation of these placers may be connected with the Journal, February 2000, Special Issue).
amenable to dry mining and dredge mining in parts,
with an area of 491 km2 and is located about 50 kms climatic-paleo-geographical regime during the last
with ilmenite being the dominant heavy mineral According to BHP-Billiton, the Moebase resource is
from the Indian coast (see Map Sheet 2435 ) and refer interglacial period.
present. The Mutamba project has the potential for the one of the world’s major HMS deposits, comparable in
to Macauhub, 2017.
prospect of a large ore body able to sustain a significant size to Richards Bay (refer to BHP Billiton 2002 and
5. The Moebase (Lipobane, Naburi and Mecalonga/
future mining operation. The Marão/Marruca project covers an ancient HM BHP Billiton 2005). The Billiton plc. TiGen Project
Tigen) Deposit
strandline. The Marão licence was previously drilled (1998) defines a HM resource of 31 Mt of TiO2 at
The Dongane Deposit by Rio Tinto and the Marruca application along strike The Moebase HMS deposit near Pebane is located Moebase.
The mineralisation is amenable to dry mining and is untested. Open file reports show that Rio Tinto along the northern coast at 17°02’30” South, 38°55’00”
dredge mining in parts. Ilmenite is the dominant undertook shallow reconnaissance exploration on the East and at elevations between sea level and 100
heavy mineral. In 2015, the stage of evaluation for the small Marão deposit. There were published grades of m above mean sea level (amsl). The deposits are
processing of the heavy minerals into final products 1.5 % to 2.0 % THM from the surface to 10.5 m below approximately 390 kms North-East of Beira (see Map
appeared to be suitable for to the use of conventional ground and ending at 2.0 % THM. Significant results Sheet 1738 (Pebane)).
equipment. Importantly, the Mutamba/Jangamo were recorded at 9 m at 2.85 % THM with low slimes,
According to Pathfinder Minerals plc (2011), the
Project is close to the existing road (EN1) and power typically 10 % or less. Surface mineralisation extended
mineralised areas can be divided into nine deposits.
infrastructure (refer to Rio Tinto, Savannah, 2016) up to 7 kms along the strike with drill holes 1 km apart.
These are:
(see Map Sheet 2435 (Inharrime)). A combined prospective Palaeodune strike length of
75 km was noted, inland from an interpreted Palaeo- •T he Moebase M1 Deposit-emergent coastal dune
shoreline. The extent of the mineralisation has never formation;
The Ravene Deposit
been systematically tested at depth or along the strike. •T he Moebase M2 Deposit-inland coastal (mobile)
According to Savannah (2015), drilling investigations dune formation;
have defined high-grade zones of THM at the Ravene
The Linhuane Deposit •T he Molocue M0 Deposit-emergent coastal dune
deposit (see Map Sheet 2435), which it is believed
The Linhuane concession covers an area of 113 km2 formation;
could even increase the current global indicated and
inferred mineral resource inventory of 3.5 Bt at 3.8 % located along the coast (see Map Sheet 2435. The •T he Lipobane L1 Deposit-emergent coastal dune
of THM at the Mutamba Project North. The inferred concession is located in Gaza Province and includes formation;
mineral resource estimate at Ravene is 900 Mt at 4.1 % a 20 km strike of a prospective palaeodune feature, •T he Lipobane L2 Deposit-accreted dune formation;
of THM. The dominant HMS is ilmenite. However, the adjacent to the present coastline. Open file reports
•T he Lipobane L3 Deposit-accreted dune formation;
sand also contains rutile and zircon (see Savannah indicate that in 2017, Rio Tinto conducted a shallow
exploration drilling reconnaissance. Auger drill holes •T he Decksand D1 Deposit-paleo dune formation;
Resources Plc, 2015). This brings the total global
mineral resource estimate for the Mutamba project to were reportedly 500 m apart on a drilling traverse 3 •T he Decksand D2 Deposit-paleo dune formation
4.4 Bt of THM, representing a 26 % increase from the kms apart. The results show that there are continuous inland of D1 Deposit.
previous estimate. zones of high grade THM at a depth of 10 m with 5 to
Deposits M1, M0 and L1 form a geological group
25 % THM. No drilling information below 10.5 m depth
found in the younger dune formations, but are
The Chilubane Deposit were published.
separated from each other by river systems. Deposit
The Chilubane deposit is located near to Praia de M1 is associated with the current active coastal dune
4. The Xai-Xai Deposit
Xai-Xai (see Map Sheet 2533 (Xai-Xai)). complex and younger accreted beach/dune complexes.
The Italian Company of Aquater SPA began HMS It extends for about 15 kms from the Moebase river
This project covers an area of 113 km2 including a 20 exploration in the early 1980s along the coast from to the Molocue river and reaches a maximum width
km strike of a prospective Palaeodune feature, adjacent Xai-Xai, near to Chongoene (see Map Sheet 2533 of about 1.5 kms. The dune complex consists of mobile
to the present coast. Open file reports indicate Rio Tinto (Xai-Xai)) after Aquater, 1985. The company carried dunes and sand sheets with low elevation inter-dune
conducted shallow reconnaissance exploration drilling out further exploration activities in 1997. The latest flats and swamps. The dunes reach a maximum height
within the licence. These were auger drill holes 500 exploration by Rio Tinto has focused on Map Sheet of about 15 m. The inter-dunal area consists of accreted
m apart on drill traverses 3 kms apart. Results show 2533 (see Albanese, 2005). The Rio Tinto exploration beach material frequently overlaid by a coarse grained
continuous zones of high grade THM to depths of 10 m outlined a significant HMS resource (according to lag/deflation layer, thus reflecting dune migration.
at 5 % to 25 % THM. There is no drilling information GTK, 2006).
below 10.5 m depth (2017). Deposits M2, L2 and L3 are accreted dune formations
The HM grade at Xai-Xai was reported to be much located inland of the coastal dune formations.
lower than at Chibuto (see Lächelt, 2004).

442 443
Pathfinder Minerals plc (2011) shows the historic mineral resource estimates (based on the modelling by Gencor The younger complex comprises 4 to 6 beach ridges • The Moma-Namalope Deposit;
given in Table 6.36). and short, longitudinal, and parabolic dunes, with • The Congolone Deposit;
a North-North East-directional axis and a maximum
HM TiO2 • The Nataca Deposit;
height of about 10 m.
Tonnage Grade Resource • The Topuito Deposit;
Deposit Tonnage Tonnage The HM comprising ilmenite, rutile, zircon and
(Million) (% HM) Classification1 • The Pilivili Deposit;
(Million) (Million) monazite, occur in low concentrations in the dunes and
in smaller, higher-grade deposits on beaches (refer to • The Mualadi Deposit;
Moebase 205.4 4.6 9.45 4.03 Measured Cílek, 1982 and Grantham et al., 2011). • The Mpitini Deposit;
Lipobane 193.6 4.7 9.10 3.88 Inferred The Moma contains a number of sand deposits, which • The Marrua Deposit;
include: • The Quinga Deposit.
Molocue 67.4 5.3 3.57 1.52 Inferred
• Namalope; The expansion involved increasing the Moma mine
Moebase 3.3 9.1 0.3 0.1 Inferred • Congolone; production by about 50 % to 1.2 Mt of ilmenite and
• Nataka; associated products. The mine’s current capacity at full
Intertidal production is 800,000 t (see Kenmare, 2011).
• Pilivili;
Total 469.7 4.67 22.42 9.53 • Mualadi; 7. The Congolone Deposit
Coastal • Mpitini; The Congolone dune is located about 150 kms North
• Marrua; of Moma, at Angoche (see Map Sheet 1640 (Angoche)).
Decksand 1147.1 3.1 35.56 16.29 Measured/Inferred The dune is 8 kms long and 1 km wide, with an average
• Quinga North;
height of 25 m. It is a transverse dune with smaller
Naburi 404.0 3.4 13.74 5.0 Inferred • Quinga South.
transverse and barchanoid ridges (refer to Cílek, 1982).
Grand Totals 2020.8 3.55 71.72 30.82 Heavy surface mineralisation occurs in sand units
Lächelt (2004) characterised the deposit with the
near the Namalope flats and Tupuito high dune areas.
following details:
Table 6.36: The Historic Mineral Resource Estimates based on modelling by Gencor (cited from Pathfinder Minerals HM sand deposits are found in a sequence of fine to
plc, 2011). medium grained and silty sands consolidated with clay • t he Congolone deposit lies between 15°40’-16°50’S
units. The mineralisation constitutes about 85 % of and 39°10’-40°25’E and is estimated to contain
Source: Billiton, TiGen Detailed Feasibility Study, Feb., 1998; TiGen Detailed Geological Report, Sept.1997. ilmenite, 5 % of zircon and 2 % of rutile, with minute more than 72 Mt of ilmenite sands with an HMS
Note: The Billiton resource classification does not comply with the current Australasian Institute of Mining and variations among the units. It also contains small content exceeding 4 % that probably includes the
Metallurgy (AusIMM), Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) or South African Mineral Resources Codes quantities of monazite, staurolite and quartz. Moma and Quinga deposits.
(SAMREC) resource classification codes. The ilmenite, rutile titanium minerals and zircon • t he HM content varies between 3.1 and 4.1 %
URS/Scott Wilson has re-classified the resources according to the CIM standards as shown in Table 6.37. are used to produce titanium dioxide pigment. The consisting mainly of ilmenite of which the reserve
mineralisation also includes some quantities of is estimated at about 58 Mt that probably includes
Contained monazite (Ce, La, Nd, Th) PO4, a mineral that, on the the Moma and Quinga deposits.
Tonnes Grade
Category (HM one hand, may influence technology (radioactivity)
(Million) (% HM) • t he TiO2 content of ilmenite varies between 52 and
Million) but, on the other hand, may be of economic importance
55 %, which is in line with the calculated value of
(rare soils).
Indicated 1,353 3.33 45.01 the theoretical mineral composition of 52.73 %.
The production began in 2007 with heavy mineral
• there are large quantities of low-percentage of
Inferred 668 4.00 26.71 concentrate (HMC) containing ilmenite, rutile and
HMS (< 2 %).
zircon minerals. The total production of HMC for 2011
Total 2,021 3.55 71.72 was 842,900 t. Final product volumes totalled 636,800 Kenmare Resources has determined a proven reserve
t of ilmenite, 43,500 t of zircon and 6,500 t of rutile of 167 Mt of ore at 3.3 % of THM content (according to
Table 6.37: The Mineral Resource according to the CIM standards (cited from Pathfinder Minerals plc, 2011). In 2011, approximately 730,400 t of finished products Grantham et al., 2011).
were shipped.
8. Other HMS Coastal Zone Occurrences
From 2012, the Namalope portion of the deposit was
Lächelt (2004) reports on the sands of the nearby part, 15 kms between the Ligonha and Moma rivers being mined. The mine has a reserve of around 26 Mt of HMS perspective areas along the 2,700 km Mozam-
deposits to be assessed as follows: and a northern part, 60 kms between the Moma and ilmenite, 1.8 Mt of zircon and 0.55 Mt of rutile (refer to bican coastline (excluding the deposits described above)
• Moloque, 67.7 Mt, containing 5.3 % of HM; Meluli rivers (see Grantham at al.,2011). Kenmare, 2011). So far, data for the monazite reserves are as follows:
• Limpobane 190.7 Mt, grading at 4.7 % of HM and at In 2012, the mine was owned and operated by have not been published. • The Coastal zone between the Tanzanian border
801.5 Mt containing 3.3 % of HM in the decksand. Kenmare Resources. and the mouth of the Lúrio river;
Grantham et al., 2011, reported that Kenmare
The southern portion of the deposit consisted of an Resources had calculated a mining reserve of HM • The Coastal zone between Quinga and the Zambeze
6. The Moma Deposit resource of 469 Mt of sands at 4.3 % of THS content and river mouth;
almost horizontal beach, with an edge covered by a 5 m
Moma is one of the world’s largest titanium mineral high coastal ridge. more specifically, an ilmenite resource of 16.4 Monte. • The Inhasorro coastal area;
deposits, located on the Indian Ocean coastline about In 2012 the plan included an expansion of the Moma
160 km from Nampula (see Map Sheet 1639 (Angoche)). The northern portion of the deposit comprises a • The Coastal zone between Inhambane (Tofo-
relatively straight stretch of beach, along which the mine following research on the neighbouring HMS Miramar) and Ponta do Ouro (at the South African
This section of the coastline is divided into a southern deposits, including:
Tanga Terrace and the higher Mtoni Terrace is defined. border).
444 445
The Coastal Zone between the Tanzanian Border Based on the confirmed ilmenite, more detailed The HM-minerals in the Micaune-Deia zone (South • Guiguane (see Map Sheet 2435 (Inharrime) at UTM
and the Mouth of the Lúrio river investigations have been recommended. South West of Quelimane (see Map Sheet 1836 37S 745727E,7336275N);
The placer deposits occur in both aeolian and beach (Chinde) at UTM 37S 01984E,7979828N and at UTM
• Jangamo (see Map Sheet 2435 at UTM 37S
dune sands in the Rovuma Basin. Enrichments of heavy The Coastal Zone between Quinga and the 37S 92936E,7968926N)) are mainly concentrated in the
752043E,7310310N);
minerals, ilmenite, rutile and zircon are found all along Zambeze river mouth dunes and sub-ordinate quantities are found in beach
the Indian Ocean coast, although more frequently in The most important mineral concentrations with sands. An area of 19 km2 yielded a total reserve of 2.5 • Limpopo River estuary highlight
the vicinity of the mouths of major rivers, such as the significant economic potential are the HMS along the Mt of economic HMS with a 7.5 % cut-off grade (refer to • Several Prospects (see Map Sheet 2533 (Xai-Xai)
Rovuma and the Lúrio rivers (refer to NGU, 2007). coast from Zalala, North of Quelimane (see Map Sheet African Mining, 1,1995). About 90 % of the HM consists at UTM 37S 562967E,7212760N and 553743E,
1736 (Quelimane) at UTM 37S 301326E/8026534N) to of ilmenite with minor concentrations of rutile, zircon 7216487N).
The main occurrences are at: and monazite (according to Lächelt, 2004).
Pebane-Moebase (see Map Sheet 1738 (Pebane)).
•M
 urrubue (see Map Sheet 1340 (Mecufi) at UTM HMCs are also found South of Maputo, at some sites
The Moebase and Moma Deposits are the most The Inhassoro Coastal Area and Coastal Zone bet- within the Ponta de Ouro area, such as:
37S 667000E,8547000N);
important locations in the coastal area between Quinga ween Inhambane (Tofo-Miramar) and Ponta do Ouro
•N
 atuca (Ponte Uifundo) (see Map Sheet 1340 at (South-African Border) • Ponta de Ouro (see Map Sheet 2632 (Bela-Vista) at
and the Zambeze river mouth and these have been
UTM 37S 667078E,8515968N); UTM 486751E/7035709N);
studied in detail by international mining companies. In this coastal zone (excluding Xai-Xai), the following
•A
 n unnamed site 10 kms South of Mecufi (see In this area, Lächelt, 2004 has mentioned that many • Ponta Malongane: (see Map Sheet 2632 at UTM
HMS occurrences have been identified:
Map Sheet 1340 at UTM 37S 666333E,8520278N). heavy mineral occurrences have been identified (see 486757E/ 7030172N);
• Inhassoro
Figure 6.35):
Murrubue • Mexecane (see Map Sheet 2235 (Vilanculos)) • Madejanine: (see Map Sheet 2632 at UTM 490054E/
• Quinga (see Map Sheet 1539 (Nampula)); 7044938N);
The Murrubue Deposit is located some 18 km •T  ofo-Miramar (see Map Sheet 2335 (Inhambane))
• Congolone (see Map Sheet 1640 (Angoche));
South of Pemba (see Map Sheet 1340 at UTM 37S • Guiguane (see Map Sheet 2435 (Inharrime)) • Ponta Mamoli: (see Map Sheet 2632 at UTM
667000E,8547000N). It was investigated by Iluka • Angoche (see Map Sheets 1639/40 (Angoche)); 490057E/7041250N);
• Jangamo (see Map Sheet 2435)
Resources in 2000 and 2002 (see Warland, 2002). The • Milai (see Map Sheet 1738);
•L  impopo River Estuary • Lagoa Piti: (see Map Sheet 2632 at UTM 490036E/
company focused its investigations along a large hill, • Pebane (see Map Sheet 1738);
(see Map Sheet 2533 (Xai-Xai)) 7067089N and at 491712E/7048639N).
12 kms long, 4 kms wide and 140 m high, with visible
• Idugo (see Map Sheet 1738);
HMS. • Zavora (see Map Sheet 2435)
• Gorai SDS (see Map Sheet 1738);
The sand dune was up to 30 m thick, with red fine • Quissico (see Map Sheet 2434 (Zavela))
• Zalala, Macuse, Raraga (see Map Sheet 1738);
to-medium grained aeolian sand between 0 to 20 m on • Marracuene (see Map Sheet 2532 (Maputu))
top of orange, medium-to-coarse beach sand. • Deia;
• I nhaca (see Map Sheets 2532 and 2632 (Bela-Vista))
• Micaúne
Preliminary results showed an ore horizon between • The Ponta do Ouro Area (see Map Sheet 2632)
2 and 4 m thick, containing 5 to 10 % of HMS with a A general overview of the composition of the placers • Ponta de Ouro (UTM 37S 486751E,7035709N)
potential of up to 10 Mt of HM (see Warland, 2002). is given by Cilek (1981/1982, Afonso and Marques
•P  onta Malongane (UTM 37S 486757E,7030172N)
Concentrations of HM include ilmenite, rutile and (1993) and Lächelt (2004) in Table 6.38.
• Madejanine (UTM 37S 490054E,7044938N)
zircon that occur in red aeolian sand (according to
NGU, 2007). • Ponta Mamoli (UTM 37S 490057E/7041250N)
• Lagoa Piti (UTM 37S 490036E,7067089N)
Natuca (Ponte Uifundo) •U  nnamed Location (UTM 37S 491712E,7048639N)
A heavy mineral-bearing dune sand was noted
HMCs have been located along several coastal
some 15 kms South of Mecufi in Natuca (Ponte
sections, beginning in the North at Inhassoro (see Map
Uifundo), by NGU (2007). Both magnetic susceptibility
Sheet 2135 (Bazaruto)) at:
measurements and the content of heavy minerals/
colouring of the sand were used to determine sampling • UTM 37S 722834E,7628368N;
sites. Each sample represents a section of 20-30 • UTM 37S 722834E,7628368N;
cm below the surface. Polished sections have been • UTM 37S 731286E,7615324N;
prepared and fine-grained (0.1 to 0.5 mm) ilmenite,
magnetite and haematite in different proportions • UTM 37S 727888E,7619061N;
and intergrowths have been identified. Rutile, zircon • UTM 37S 734639E,7607888N.
and titanite and several other common silicates were Rio Tinto has carried out extensive exploration in
also present. Based on the confirmed ilmenite, more the Inhambane Province and reported considerable
detailed investigations have been recommended. ilmenite resources (refer to RTZ, 2004). The locations
of ilmenite occurrences in Inhambane are listed below:
An Unnamed Site South of Mecufi
•M  execane (see Map Sheet 2235 (Vilanculos) at
A sand dune with brown to pale brown, fine-grained UTM 37S 760779E,7518850N);
sand with some HM in thin layers was observed,
some 10 kms South of Mecufi (see Map Sheet 1340)). •T
 ofo-Miramar (see Map Sheet 2335 (Inhambane)
Ilmenite and haematite were the most common ferrous at UTM 37S 759688E,7358192N and 754757E,
minerals. 7367522N);

446 447
 Main Mineral Content (%) Mineralogical Composition Impurities Reserves
Sand Quantity
Map sheet Location (106 t)
(106 t) ilm ru Le Zr ma mo oth Cr2O3 V2O5
Inland Dunes Coastal Dunes Beach Sands (Prediction)

Chinde-Quelimane

1836 Ponta Deia ind 7.3 43.6 1.1 10.9 6.8 1.7 1.0 75.0

Micaúne 9.6 259 90.0 4.2 1.0 24.0

Zalala-Macuse-Baraga

1737 Zalala 42.7 2.5 0.7 4.5 1.5 0.2 1.0 0.8 0.12 2.8

1837 Macuse 30 ind 1.7 42.7 1.1 0.5 3.0 0.2 0.4 0.5
1737 Baraga ind 0.2 3.7 0.8 8.2 0.3 1.8 1.2 0.33 0.09

Corai 23.4 65.8 3.1 1.3 6.3 1.1 0.5 2.7 0.8 2.2

Pebane area ind 82.1 2.7 0.7 5.6 0.1 0.8 2.0 0.4 0.07

Ponte Matirre/Melai 7.5 209 72.5 4.4 1.5 7.4 0.8 0.6 3.2 1.15

1738 Rio Melai 3.9 27 81.9 3.0 1.0 1.4 0.3 0.1 4.2 0.51 1.8

Rio Mama-nua 9.5 ind 79.6 4.2 1.8 5.4 0.4 0.5 3.3 0.9 0.09 1.75

Idugo 7.0 1.1 139 82.0 2.7 8.2 0.8 1.59

1639 Angoche Sangage 4.1 4.0 1.4 46 82.0 2.6 0.8 6.0 0.1 1.7 1.9 0.23 0.08 1.8

1640 Congolone 4.4 4.4 207 81.2 2.8 1.3 5.2 0.1 1.2 3.1 0.29 0.06 See text

1540 Quinga Nama-dungo 6.1 12.6 290 79.3 3.2 1.0 5.5 0.2 0.9 2.3 0.34 0.08 11.8

1340 Necufi 2.8 5.9 0.5 0.8 1.4 0.5 trace 2.2

1040
1140
Pemba-Rovuma mouth 72.7 0.8 1.1 8.8 0.2 0.3 2.4 0.22 0.04
1240
1340

1836 Zambeze mouth 30 (?) 2.4 610 > 3.0 2.4 0.2 0.4 0.09 19.0
1837
1936 8.2 45.0 4.2 59.0
1937

1738 Moebase 10 15 23 75.4 3.3 2.0 2.7 0.2 0.7 3.9 0.2 0.08 See text

Moma-Lazdel
1639
Rio Ligonha Moma 7.0 6.24 72.5 2.9 0.9 5.2 0.9 1.7 2.4 0.34 0.08 See text

Moma-Rio Meluli ind 6.6 43.1 1.2 1.8 2.6 0.8 0.2 4.6 0.12 0.09 See text

Zambeze Delta ind

Table 6.38: The Characteristics of the HM Occurrences and Deposits of the Quelimane-Zambeze Delta Coastal Notes: Ilm-ilmenite, ru-rutile, le-leucocene, zr-zircon, ma-magnetite, mo-monazite, ot-other economic minerals
Zone (adapted from Cilek, 1981/1982, Afonso and Marques,1993 and Lächelt, 2004) and ind-indications.

448 449
 9. 
Offshore (Submarine Delta) in the Zambeze Titanium mineralisations associated with alkaline
Main Mineral

Sand Quantity
Mineralogical Composition Impurities River Delta magma or alkaline lavas were described at many

(Prediction)
Content (%)
Map sheet
sites and perhaps with the exception of the titanium-

Reserves
Location
In 1973, FS Valdivia conducted investigations of

(106 t)

(106 t)
HMS concentrations in the Submarine Zambeze Delta magnetite occurrence of the Lupata Deposit at Mount

Coastal
Inland
Pangula, these are Ti-sources with no particular

Beach
dunes

dunes

sands
ilm ru Le Zr ma mo oth Cr2O3 V2O5 Region. After that, no further investigations have been
carried out. Lächelt (2004) describes the results of mining interest.
these investigations as follows.
Zona Ponto do Ouro-Inhaca
1. T
 he Lupata Deposit
Exploration carried out on board the German
The Lupata Deposit is located about 9 kms North
Ponto do Valdivia Research Ship (FS Valdivia) in 1973 found
North West of Bandar on the left bank of the Duemba
Ouro- 3.0 that concentrations of HM do occur in measurable
river (see Map Sheets 1934 (Beira) and 2034 (Nova
Malongane quantities. Beiersdorf et al. (1980) estimated that 50.0
Mambone)). There are only Ti-mineral indications with
Mt of ilmenite, 0.9 Mt of rutile and 4.0 Mt of zircon
Madejanine- no likely Ti-prospecting possibilities. Ti- mineralisation
2632 could be present. The HM accumulations were observed
Ponto 3.0 108 10.4 2.9 1.2 2.4 0.8 0.1 2.0 0.32 0.15 3.2 at Lupata is concentrated in faults within trachytes
at several locations in the Submarine Zambeze River
Mamuli and rhyolites as well as in agglomerates of the
Delta at depths of 60 m below sea-level.
Upper Lupata Group (Lower Cretaceous/CrL). The
Ponto
Taking into consideration that these investigations titaniferous magnetite contains about 60 % TiO2.
Techaba-
3.0 were carried out within a relatively small area, it is
mine- In addition to the North East-South West-striking
less than likely that the real HMS quantities could be
Mobela main ore body covering about 900 by 225 m in size,
considerably higher.
Zona Maputo Bay-Rio Limpopo numerous small enrichments of titaniferous magnetite
2632 No further recent data has been published. occur over a surface area of about 202 km2. Titaniferous
Maracuene ind 3300 86.3 4.6 1.3 9.6 0.5 1.0 0.4 0.12 42.0 magnetite is also enriched in the eluvia of the
Zona Rio Limpopo-Quissico 6.3.2 Magmatic Magnetite, Titano-Magnetite and magnetite body. The origin of the ore may have been
Associated Eluvial Deposits partly derived from alkaline lavas (see Lächelt, 2004).
East of
2433 Limpopo 3.5 514 63.9 1.5 0.5 2.8 5.7 0.075 18.0 Titanium oxides are also known from the titano-
Mouth magnetite-bearing-magmatic and associated alluvial 2. The Evate Deposit
2434 deposits type, have already been described in the The titanium mineralisation of the Evate Iron-Apatite
Manela
8.5 450 66.0 0.5 0.5 0.4 18.3 0.4 0.6 0.41 39.6 earlier sections, as follows: Deposit relates to the Ti-mineralisation but with no
2535 Xai-Xai
• Fe and Fe-Ti ore deposits of magmatic, hydrothermal relevant economic interest. The use of the Ti-content
2534 Missana 9.0 18.8 67.9 1.0 0.7 1.7 11.9 0.4 1.6 1.6 and sedimentary origin in the Mesoproterozoic may be considered as a by-product, in the case for
Chiden- Nampula and Ocua Complex Complexes; example a phosphor mineral mining exploration.
ind 3.7 46.2 1.0 0.7 1.4 8.1 0.3 1.5 0.17
guele • Magmatic magnetite, titano-magnetite deposits in
6.3.4 Titanium-bearing Pegmatites
Zona Ponta Závora-Inhambane anorthosite and nearby anorthosite intrusions.
1. The Alto Ligonha Pegmatites
Cuinguane- All these Fe-Ti deposits and occurrences are mainly
8.0 33 58.0 1.2 0.7 2.1 3.4 0.3 1.5 trace 0.11 2.7 Some zoned Pan-African rare-metal pegmatites (such
Jangamo focused on iron mining activities but titanium may
2435 as RM-Alto Ligonha Pegmatites) contain ilmenite
Tofo be explored as a second activity or by-product. In this
as a major constituent and rutile as a sub-ordinate
9.1 35.0 1.1 1.1 0.9 1.8 0.2 1.5 trace 0.13 0.6 context, these mineralisations may be of economic
Miramar mineral (see Lächelt, 2004). Barros and Vicente (1963)
importance in for example, the production of titanium.
Závora 3.1 186 35.0 3.1 described ilmenite and/or rutile in the pegmatites of:
Taking into consideration the enormous potential • Mocuba;
Morrungulo-Ponta São Sebastão of Ti mineral-bearing HMS in Mozambique, there
• Muiane;
Morrungulo 4.8 28.7 1.0 0.8 1.5 0.9 1.0 3.3 is no need for special prospecting of this mineral as
mentioned in earlier sections. Ti-Fe mineralisations • Morrua;
Pomene ind ind 80.6 2.1 0.6 3.2 0.6 0.5 2.6 10.7 0.13 0.21
are separate from iron exploration. • Nahora;
Vilankulos-Inhassoro-Bartolomeu Dias • Small Unnamed sites.
North of 6.3.3 
Titanium Mineralisation associated with
8.3 ind 88.2 1.8 1.1 3.6 0.4 0.3 1.8 1.7 Both ilmenite and rutile are not of economic interest
Inhassoro Alkaline Magmas
and do not form enriched deposits. Rutile, however,
Inhassoro 7.0 6.0 429 Titanium oxides are known to be present in alkaline may be of interest as a by-product in the Muiane and
magmas and some of them are reported to be related to Nahora Pegmatites (see Lächelt, 2004). In Muiane,
Beira-Zambeze Mouth
iron and iron apatite deposits, such as: the mining activity has finished and production of the
Nhangeu ind 68.0 1.1 0.4 3.4 0.4 1.5 5.9 ru remainder will not be of economic value.
• I ron Occurrences in Jurassic-Cretaceous Lupata
Table 6.39: T
 he Characteristics of the HM Occurrences and Deposits (excluding Chibuto) at the Zambeze River Group (JRL, CRL) magmatics (Lupata-Doa/Monte
Mouth in the Ponto do Ouro Coastal Zone (adapted from Cilek, 1981/1982, Afonso and Marques,1993 Pangula;
and Lächelt, 2004) • I ron and Apatite-Bearing Deposits (such as Phosphor
Notes: Ilm-ilmenite, ru-rutile, le-leucocene, zr-zircon, ma-magnetite, mo-monazite, ot-other economic minerals and those at Evate/Monapo).
and ind-indications.

450 451
2. M’Tetadzi North/North West in Tete Province 6.4.1 Bauxite
Veins and Pegmatites All bauxite deposits in Mozambique occur above an
Some quartz veins and pegmatites in the Tete Province elevation of 1,200 m. The climatic conditions at that
occur North and North West of Tete and to the altitude are ideal for weathering of the source rocks to
North West of the Tete Province (see Map Sheets 1533 form and preserve bauxite. With the exception of the
(Cazula) and 1633 (Tete)). These veins and pegmatite Alumen Deposit, they occur on steeply inclined hilltops
bodies contain some beryl and rutile mineralisations. or inselbergs (see Lächelt, 2004) and are generally too
No further investigations have been carried out. small for mining or located in unfavourable topography.

Real (1959) and Cilek (1989) describe an occurrence 1. Alumen/Moriangane

of rutile near M’Tetadzi (West of Tete) in quartz veins
The Alumen/Moriangane bauxite deposit area is
and pegmatites, as well as in the alluvia where the
located near to the Zimbabwean border on the North
rutile appears in large crystals (up to 8 cms). This
West corner of the Manica structure, but outside this
rutile is located in a mineralised area of about 4 kms
structure (see Map Sheet 1832 (Manica)). Figure 6.35
in length. Further mineralisation is known to occur in
shows the position of the Alumen Deposit in relation to
the Mulato river (quartz veins, pegmatites and eluvia)
the Manica structure.
and near Boroma (close to Tete), where pegmatites
occur in the contact zone between gneiss and gabbro. Bauxite was mined at a small mine called Alumen or
The pegmatites and quartz veins in Tete Province have Moriangane in the Penhalonga zone (see Map Sheet
not been fully studied and further mineralisations may 1832 (Manica) at UTM 470206E,7917589N). In 2005,
still be discovered (according to Lächelt, 2004). a total of 9,518 t of bauxite was produced and exported
to Zimbabwe, as a raw material or as Al-sulphate
6.3.5 Rutile-bearing Metasomatites (according to GTK, 2006).
Mineralisation of rutile has been frequently observed The bauxite deposits near Manica have been studied
in crystalline limestones of the Paleoproterozoic Chíduè and evaluated by the United Nations Development
Formation (P1CH). Programme (UNDP) during the period 1989-1990 (see
UNDP, 1990b). The potential reserves in different
Cilek (1989) mentioned an occurrence near Cacaue categories were estimated as follows:
(North of Tete) where rutile occurs as an inclusion
together with pyroxene, mica and graphite. (see Map • White bauxitic clay with gibbsite concretions of
662,000 t
Sheet 1533 (Cazula)). The content of rutile is 60.42 %
(mean value) with the Fe content as 1.05 % Fe and • White kaolinitic clay of 2,792,000 t
that of ilmenite 2.85 %. Copper and iron sulphides are • Gibbsite concretions of 250,000 t
also present. The occurrence lies in a contact zone with The total bauxite reserve has 45-55 % of Al2O3 and
diorite. < 10 % of Fe2O3 that amounts in total to 1,374,000 t.
Hunting (1984b) mentioned an occurrence of rutile in Unfortunately, the quantity of active silica has not
the marbles of the Chíduè Formation. This is located been reported.
West of Makhomba about 18 to 20 kms North West Later the ACP Mining Data Bank reported a total
of Boroma, West of the Zambeze river. Rutile occurs bauxite reserve of 718,800 t and total mineral bauxite Figure 6.35: The Position of the Alumen Al-Deposit area in relation to the Manica Structure
in association with magnetite. Copper sulphides resources of 4 Monte (as cited by GTK, 2006). The
have also been found in the same sequence. Further Alumen Deposit (Monte Snuta) at Serra de Moriangane
investigations have not yet been carried out (according consists of several separate bodies and the ore is plateaus are rare at altitudes below 1,500 m. and K2O. Again, active silica has not been analysed.
to Lächelt, 2004). concentrated within a weathered cover zone of about According to Cilek (1989), the composition of the ore is
Four main ore types have been identified:
1 m, which includes both bauxite and gibbsite. as follows (see Table 6.40 overleaf):
These occurrences may only be of prospecting interest 1. White saprolitic bauxite. It is friable, texturally
in association with other mineralisations such as Cu. According to GTK (2006), the alumen deposit light and porous and often retains characteristics There is a distinct relationship between the bauxite
represents an alteration zone of about 1 m thick, with of the primary parent rock, notably joints; type and the parent rock, as described below:
6.4 Aluminium Ore Deposits bauxite containing nodules of gibbsite and underlaid 2. Light brown saprolitic bauxite of a similar physical • White bauxite-Types (1) and (4)-derived from
by the kaolinitic (saprolite) horizon. The extracted zone nature; anorthosites;
In Mozambique, there are different types of alumi- is very irregular, due to the fact that bauxite developed
nium-bearing raw materials, including: 3. Brown, ferruginous, saprolitic bauxite. It is mainly • Light brown bauxite-Type (2)-derived from diorite
in lenses or pockets. It occupies a predominantly fine-textured, friable and rich in iron; and other intermediate granitoids;
• Bauxite; East-West striking escarpment of a watershed where
4. White kaolinitic clay with concretionary white • Ferruginous bauxite-Type (3)-derived from gabbros
• Laterite; precipitation and percolation are much higher than
bauxite. The amount of gibbsite nodules is very and other basic volcanic rocks.
• Nepheline Syenite. average. Deep bauxitisation developed on a slightly
variable including their size and shape. The clay
inclined, plateau-shaped, paleo-surface. Subsequently, The variety of source rocks and their complex
These deposits are mostly quite small or only of is sticky when wet and extremely fine and friable
with uplift and deepening erosion, the paleo-surface interrelationship contributed greatly to the ore grade
temporary local economic importance. The best known when dry.
became dissected. Therefore, only remnants of various variation even within very short distances. This feature,
Al-deposit is Alumen/Moriangane, where periodically, sizes are present, representing the once coherent Analytical results of representative ore type samples together with erosion, is responsible for the lens-shaped
bauxite production took place together with kaolin. plateau which are available for mining. Relics of these found by Cilek (1989) show locally high contents of TiO2 nature and restricted size of the bauxite bodies. These

452 453
 Chemical South of Serra
Alumen/Monte Snuta Serra Moriangane
Composition Zuira
(%) Bauxite Ore Gibbsite Ore Bauxite Ore Bauxite Ore

Al2O3 62.36 58.08 54.02 41.70

SiO2 2.18 1.82 5.59 21.56

H 2O 3.14 12.62 10.08 10.60

Fe2O3 30.53 26.29

Table 6.40: The Chemical Composition of Bauxite and Gibbsite Ores of the Alumen and Serra Zuira localities
(by Cilek, 1989 and Lächelt, 2004).
vary in length from 100 m to a maximum of 500 m and weathered horizon of granite-gneiss, 0.4 to 1.4 m thick,
from 25 m to 150 m wide. Their thickness varies from includes kaolin as well as bauxite. The thickness of the
a few metres to over 20 m in places. gibbsite body is restricted to 0.3 m. The bauxite ore
consists of Al2O3 54 %, SiO2 10 % and Fe2O3 5.6 %.
The depth to the unaltered bedrock is irregular and
often unpredictable (refer to GTK, 2006). At the Monte Vumba, gabbro contact, kaolinite zones
are known to occur. It is possible that these zones may
For practical purposes, both white-ore Types (1) and
also contain bauxite material.
(4) are regarded as first quality, high-grade ore. Type
(2) is regarded as second quality bauxite and Type (3)
6.4.2 Laterite
as third quality (with Al2O3 < 45 %).
Although in large regions of Mozambique, there are
White kaolinitic clay of Type (4) after the gibbsite good climatic conditions for lateritic weathering, no
nodules are removed by wet screening and/or scrubbing, aluminium-bearing laterite of prospecting interest has
could provide raw material for the construction been carried out. In the Tete Province, aluminium-
industry, such as special bricks, tiles and even fillers bearing laterite from Monte Salambidua near Zubuè
(see Lächelt, 2004). and Ulonguè (formerly Vila Continho) has been
Generally, the deposit is associated with the observed but these were not found to be in economic
greenstones and the Granite-Gneiss Complex of the quantities according to the geological conditions.
Manica Group. Talc and chlorite schists and felsites
outcrop to the north and south west of the deposit (see 6.4.3 Nepheline Syenite
Lächelt, 2004). In Mozambique, intrusions of nepheline syenite
have sometimes been investigated for their mineral
2. Other Bauxite Occurrences in the Manica Region potential and as sources for aluminium production. So
far, no methods of effective treatment of these rocks
There are also indications of bauxite weathering at
hs been found and so they currently are considered to
some localities in the Manica Region. These locations
have no economical value. These intrusions do need
have not been investigated for quality and hence the
attention however and perhaps they can prompt future
prospects for mining. However, they must be mentioned
renewed geological interest. All these deposits can only
as a possible areas for future investigation.
be regarded as potential Al-sources.
The following possible locations are listed below, all
The Nepheline Syenites include the intrusions of
in the Manica Region:
the Jurassic Tundo Suite (Jrsy), the former Chirua
• The Serra de Moriangane; Alkaline Province located on the Malawian border area
• The Inhamucarara River; (see Map Sheets 1535 (Insaca) and 1635 (Milangi)), at
• The Serra de Vumba; Monte Salambidua and the Serra da Murrumbula Suite
(CrMR) on the eastern rift border (see Map Sheet 1735
• The Chimanimani-Rotanda Area;
(Mutarara)). Figure 6.36 shows the regional locations
• The Serra Zuira (Suira); of the Nepheline Syenite intrusions. Figure 6.36: Regional Locations of the Nepheline Syenite Iintrusions.
• Near to Catangica.
At Serra Chimanimani iron-bearing bauxitic ores
associated with dolerite dykes have been identified.
This type of ore seems to be exclusively restricted to
the Serra Chimanimani. At the Inhamucarara river, a
454 455
 The following four intrusion locations are listed below: quartz syenite (see Cilek, 1989). The host rocks of the
1. T
 he Tundo Suite (Jrsy) intrusion consist of gneiss.
• Monte Máuzo; The Monte Tumbine Deposit, in contrast to its
• Monte Tumbine; equivalent in Malawi, has an Al2O3-content of more
• Montes Chiperone and Derre. than 40 % with a SiO2-content of between 20 to 40 %.
2. T
 he Western Rift Border on the Mozambique- Gibbsite is almost absent but may locally amount to
Malawian Border 20 % up to a maximum of 26 %. The geological profile
• Monte Salambidua is predominantly kaolinised (see Samokhvalov, 1981).

3. T
 he Eastern Chire-Urema Rift Border Intrusion: Montes Chiperone, Derre, Muembili Intrusions
• Serra Morrumbala. and Pandíbuè
4. O
 ther Al-bearing Intrusions At the Montes Chiperone, Derre, Pandíbuè and
• The Chissindo Intrusion; Muembili Intrusions, the morphological conditions of
• The Tete Suite (P2T). bauxite-weathering deposits are very unfavourable, but
parts of these intrusions may have lateritic weathering
1. The Tundo Suite (Jrsy) at the Chirua Alkaline and require further investigation.
Province
Monte Máuzo 2. The Western Rift Border on the Mozambique-
Monte Máuzo is located about 46 kms from Milange Malawian Border
(see Map Sheet 1635 (Milangi)). This is the most Monte Salambidua
important and best-known bauxite occurrence of the The Monte Salambidua Deposit is situated on the
Nepheline Syenites. The Mesozoic Nepheline Syenite Malawian border near to the Cheneca Settlement,
is highly laterised. The bauxite deposits are distributed where three small bodies occur, namely:
over a surface area of about 260 km2 with a thickness
• Domue;
is about 3 m (see Afonso and Marques, 1993). The
occurrence is located on a mountain with steep flanks • Cheneca;
and at altitudes above 1,400 m. • Macangue.
This deposit consists of nepheline syenite with The host rock is a syenitic intrusion, intruded into
aegirine, augite (foilite) and is intersected by gneisses and migmatites. The central part of the
porphyritic-phonolitic and microfoilitic dykes. Some of syenite contains hornblende. Figure 6.37 shows the
these bodies may also include carbonatitic rocks, for geology of the Monte Salambidua Syenite Intrusion.
instance, at Colina Songere (Malawi) and some other Figure 6.37: The Geology of the Monte Salambidua
The laterite occurs at altitudes of about 1,300 m on Syenite Intrusion
locations. The mineralisations occur at small eluvial
relative steep-dipping mountain slopes. Cilek (1982)
areas containing kaolin, gibbsite and bauxite.
distinguished two weathering zones, namely:
3. The Eastern Chire-Urema Rift Border Intrusion
Real (1961/64) distinguished two zones of bauxitic
An argillaceous to sandy zone of about 2 m thick Serra Morrumbala
ore deposits: a higher zone up to 1.6 m thick and a Figure 6.38: The Geology of the Monte Murrumbula Suite
which occurs at Domue and at the marginal zone of
deeper zone, below of 1.6 m thickness. The qualitative The Serra Morrumbala Deposit occurs further South Syenite Intrusion
the intrusion. Secondly, a kaolinitic to argillaceous
composition of these two bauxite zones differs. from this Nepheline Syenite field, at the eastern rift
red-coloured zone with a thickness of 4.5 m and 4. Other Al-bearing Intrusions
Impregnations by fluorite were also observed, which border. It represents an intrusion of Nepheline Syenite.
containing 15 to 20 % of quartz. Afonso and Marques (1993) mentioned several, partly
indicates rifting. The intrusion composes of alkaline plugs, diabases
This zone is located at the southern and south-eastern (CrMRa) and syenites (CrMRs). The rock also includes larger intrusions, which may, in connection with other
The calculated reserves amount to 1,700,000 t of ores, serve as a source for the production of aluminium.
part of the intrusion (Chissindo) with weathered carbonatitic rocks, that are very pure limestone, which
which 130,000 t represent rich ores (see Afonso and
gossans (a possible signpost) consisting of bauxite outcrops to the South of Serra Morrumbala, near to
Marques, 1993). The Chissindo Intrusion
which overlays these intrusions. Chirombe. Investigations concerning the Al-potential
of this intrusion have so far not been carried out. The Chissindo Intrusion is located at the margin of
Monte Tumbine
Figure 6.38 shows the geology of the Monte the Lunho Graben (see Map Sheet 1235 (Macaloge-
The Monte Tumbine deposit at the Malawian border, Chiconono)). It is the most interesting ore-bearing
Murrumbula Suite Syenite Intrusion.
is part of the large Lichineya Deposit in Malawi magmatic body where the idea to produce aluminium
and may also hold prospects for its counterpart in as a “by-product” of another mineral production has
Mozambique. been discussed (see: The Alkaline Intrusions in Unango
The Al2O3-content can be as high as 40 % though Complex at Chissindo). As a source for aluminium
it generally ranges from 18 to 38.72 %) (refer to Real, production, this intrusion is not of primary importance.
1966)
In the central part, the intrusions consist of aegirine-
biotite-nepheline syenite, the north eastern part
consists of leucocratic syenite and the marginal zone of

456 457
The Tete Suite (P2T) Copper was mined at Mundonguara in the Archaean 6.5.1 Hydrothermal, Hydrothermal-Metamorphic, Type 3: Veinlet ores between sericitised grains of
According to Real (1966), it should be mentioned Manica structure as a sub-product of gold. According to Hydrothermal-Volcanic Mineralisation asso- feldspar in irregular veinlets between other ore types
that some anorthositic varieties of the Tete Suite could Lächelt (2004), copper mineralisation of the following ciated with Greenstones of the Archaean and in concordant veinlets of basic rocks.
also turn into viable prospects for the production of genetic types are known to occur: Manica Group
According to D’Orey (1978), the deposit is of the
soda-aluminate (see Map Sheets 1532 (Songo) and • Firstly, hydrothermal, hydrothermal-metamorphic, 1. Mundonguara (Edmundian) magmatic-genetic type, while Heacher (1983) described
1533 (Cazula) and 1632 (Chioco) and 1633 (Tete). Real hydrothermal-volcanic mineralisation, associated Base metal concentrations of copper (plus nickel, the mineralisation as hydrothermal or hydrothermal-
(1966) has noted the following deposits: with the greenstones of the Manica Group and of gold and silver) are encountered in altered ultrabasic metamorphic. In addition, the metal content has been
• Necungas liquid-magmatic origin as a sub-ordinate contri- volcanics in the Archaean Manica Greenstone Belt. analysed subsequently and contains:
• Machedua butary agent. Mundonguara is the most studied occurrence. The • Cu = 3.11 %
• Chimaruba copper-gold-silver occurrence is located on the southern
• Secondly, stratiform sedimentary (possibly in • Ni = 0.068 %
This possibility of producing an Al-product must contact with metasomatic ores). hillside of the Isitaca Mountains, ~12 kms West of the
town of Manica (see Map Sheet 1832 (Manica) at UTM • Co = 0.092 %
be considered, although the economic reality and the
• Thirdly, copper sulphide ores associated within the 37S 477977E,907124N). • Ag = 24.7 g/t
existence of other more favourable Al-sources make the
basic and ultrabasic intrusions and finally, iron- • Au = 0.58 g/t
use of these varieties less likely at the present time. The mineralisation is concentrated in a felsic breccia
copper ores of skarn origin (in contact with meta-
somatic type ores). that occurs as vein fillings in the komatiitic gabbro The relationship of Cu to Ni varies between 22.7 and
6.5 Copper, Nickel and Cobalt or peridotite of the Macequece Formation (A3MM) 484.1. Impurities of Zn, W, As, Bi, Pt, Te, Ti and Cr
In Mozambique, many different types of copper mine- Figure 6.39 shows the regional distribution of and nearby felsites, quartzites and quartz-feldspar are common. Gold (Au), according to recent accounts, is
ralisation occur but no highly-important Cu-deposits the copper deposits, occurrences and indications in breccias. Metallic minerals include pentlandite, associated with pyrrhotine and partly with chalcopyrite.
are known. Mozambique. pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, covellite, chalcocite, Whether pyrite and arsenopyrite are also auriferous,
bornite, cuprite, copper carbonates and native copper. has not yet been confirmed. Elevated Ni-contents are
Gangue assemblages include chlorite, talc-chlorite and associated with the neighbouring ultrabasic rocks.
talc-carbonate-chlorite. Scheelite (W) has also been encountered as concentrates
The mineralised bodies are ~10 m wide and 20 to in more recent aggregate agglomeration, which has
120 m in length. Within an East-West trending and been corroded by sulphides.
North dipping zone, 1,000 to 1,200 m in length, seven This mineral can be present in oval concretions with
mineralised lenses have been mapped. Shearing along a diameter of 5 cms. The host rock of the scheelite
the contact between a thick serpentinite layer and is exclusively composed of quartz-feldspar felsite.
thinner Mg-basalt layer that appear to control the Scheelite has also been described in association with
mineralisation (refer to Lächelt, 2004). Altogether Au and Ag at Odzi in Zimbabwe, about 100 kms West
ten East-West-trending mineralised bodies have been of Mundonguara (as cited by Lächelt, 2004) who
identified. confirmed that reserves using different calculation
A detailed description of the ores has been given by methods (mostly estimations) have taken place.
D’Orey (1978). Heacher (1983) after D’Orey (1978) For example:
distinguishes two different genetic types of ores; Synge- LIMEX (1983) indicated that a reserve of 325,000 t
netic Ores of no economic importance and Epigenetic with a grading of 3.1 % Cu and 0.58 g/t Au. Ni, Co and
Ores of economic importance. Ag content with a 0.06 %, 0.09 % of Co and 24.7 g/t,
The Syngenetic Ores are directly associated with a respectively (as reported by Heacher, 1983).
gabbro-peridotitic magma event. Typical minerals are Lächelt (2004) calculated reserves assuming an
pentlandite, pyrrhotine and chalcopyrite. This mine- average mining thickness of 2.9 m and an amount of
ralisation is the result of liquid-magmatic secretions at 123,000 t with 2.36 % of Cu
high temperatures.
UNDP (1990a) carried out geological investigations
The Epigenetic Ores are concentrated in felsitic at Mundonguara during 1989. The Mining Data Bank,
breccia and occurs as fillings of veins. The mineralogical compiled by the Secretariat of the African, Pacific
composition is similar to the syngenetic type, but and Caribbean Group of States (as the APC Group,
clearly younger. It consists of pyrrhotine, pyrite, cobalt 2002), reported that the total copper production from
pentlandite, covellite, chalcosine, bornite, cuprite, Mundonguara was about 1,000 t of Cu with 50,000 t
copper carbonates and native copper. of Cu remaining as a resource. Total silver production
D’Orey (1978) has described three types of ore was estimated to be 700 kg with 8 t of Ag reserves
mineralisation: remaining.
Type 1: Massive ores in quartz-feldspar breccias The Deposit is classified in the data bank as small
together with nickel in serpentinitic veins as cement of with a minor economic potential (according to GTK,
pyrrhotine in co-bearing pyrite and pentlandite; 2006).
Type 2: Dispersed, distributed mineralisation asso-
ciated with basic and ultrabasic rocks as fillings in
Figure 6.39: The Regional Distribution of the Copper Deposits, Occurrences and Indications fractures and interstitial mineralisation of silicates;

458 459
6.5.2 
Stratiform Sedimentary with a contact- So far, all identified occurrences are small without
metasomatic Ores and Copper Sulphide any potential economic significance. Relatively recent
Ores associated with Basic and Ultrabasic follow-up exploration by Anglo American Prospecting
Intrusions in the Atchiza and Fíngoè Zones Services (1991) and the Ashanti Goldfields Company
A large number of small copper and other base (2001) concentrated on detailed investigations of all
metal deposits are known in volcanic and sedimentary the known fault structures, possible faults, lineaments
rocks (see Map Sheet 1531 (Fíngoè Mágoè)) in the and contacts, as possible controls of the mineralisation.
Mesoproterozoic Fíngoè Supergroup (P2F), particularly This is because faulting seems to have played a major
in the Messeca zone. role in the post-emplacement history of the massif
and the remobilisation and concentration of metallic
1. Macupiti elements. Detailed prospectivity mapping to identify
This sulphide-bearing, carbonate-type iron formation websterite layers at the top of the dunite sequence,
is typical of the Messeca Zone (see Map Sheet 1531 at which may contain potentially economic, strata-bound
UTM 37S 0326332E,8295197N). PGE resources, were carried out to compare the
Whitish-grey carbonate rocks of the Monte Messuco prospects with platinoid mineralisation in the Munni-
Group, P2FSm, within the Fíngoè Supergroup (P2F) Munni Intrusion of Western Australia (Prendergast,
contain several magnetite-rich lenses as a Zone 2001).
measuring 2,000 by 10 to 60 m. To date (2006), the results of the exploration did not
The marble is locally changed into skarn. Chalcopyrite confirm any indications of strata-bound PGE (as cited
and bornite occur in hydrothermally, altered narrow by GTK, 2006).
zones within the skarn, especially in magnetite-
bearing layers (refer to GTK, 2006). Copper grades up 3.Mateu
to 1.3 % have been reported and a resource of 0.5 Mt A few kms East of Atchiza (see Map Sheet 1531
of Cu-bearing iron ore has been estimated (by Lächelt, (Fíngoè Mágoè) at UTM 37S 0277441E,8289617N),
2004). in a North West-South East-striking copper mineral-
bearing zone, some 0.1 to 0.2 m wide and dipping at 50°  location map of Copper Mineralisation in the Tete Suite (P2T) and Bordering Rocks of the
Figure 6.40: A
2. Atchiza South West, malachite-bearing quartz-carbonate veins Chíduè Formation/P1CH
Sulphide-bearing carbonate veins in the Atchiza in norite and quartz-feldspar rock occur, surrounded
Mountains occur ~48 kms to the West South West of the by ultrabasites of the Atchiza Suite (P3Ad, P3Ag). Copper mineralisation in the 1,046 Ma Mussata Recent follow-up work, including ground geophysical
above mineralised Stratiform Sedimentary Zone (see Granitoids is connected to hydrothermal activity along surveys, percussion and diamond drilling by Ambase
In a brown to greenish, serpentinised mass crystals
Map Sheet 1531, at UTM 37S 0274843E,8290263N). the shear zones both in the supracrustal and intrusive Exploration (previously Anglo-American Prospecting),
of tourmaline, small pockets and lentils of malachite,
Shear zones that intersect serpentinised dunites of partially with chalcosine were observed. The occurrence rocks. The well-documented examples of this type of failed to indicate any significant resources (as cited by
the Atchiza Suite, P3Ad, host the carbonate veins that yielded 33.2 % of copper. High Cu-grades were reported copper mineralisation in the following occurrences of: GTK, 2006 from the Technical Report, 2001).
are usually less than 0.5 m wide. Malachite stains to be present but no volumetric estimates have been • Cónua Occurance;
and bornite, together with asbestos minerals, are also reported. 2. Chíduè Occurance
• Chídué Occurance;
present. This deposit occurs at Mt Chíduè (see Map Sheet
• M’Panda-Uncua Occurance.
The Cu-grade of the veins are reported to vary 6.5.3 Copper Sulphide Ores associated with Basic 1533 at 15°40’00”S/33°35’00”E), about 60 kms to the
between 7.1 to 22.1 % Cu with 0.2 to 0.4 % Ni. There and Ultrabasic Rocks in the Tete Suite (P2T) North of Tete.
1. Cónua Occurance
is no estimation of possible mineralised volumes. Due and surrounding Mylonitic Rocks
The Cónua Occurrence lies about 70 kms West of Tete Chidue metasediments are dominated by marbles
to the isolated location on a mountain slope, no drilling The Tete Suite (P2T) and surrounding Mylonitic with sub-ordinate quartzite, Fe-quartzite, quartzitic
on the Zambeze river. In a geologically corresponding
has been carried out. Rocks of the Mussata Granite (Group) (P2MT) have gneiss, dolomitic limestones, amphibolite and horn-
environment, about 52 kms West South West from
significant copper potential. Figure 6.40 shows a blende gneisses. These rocks form a South West-North
Previous work in the Neo-proterozoic Atchiza Suite Chiduè, on the southern bank of the Zambeze river,
location map of the copper mineralisation in the Tete East-trending polygon, measuring 22 by 0.9 km, along
(P3Ad, P3Ag) has identified a number of nickel, copper, 55 kms upstream from Tete, the Cónua deposit has
Suite (P2T) and the bordering rocks of the Chíduè the northern contact with the Mylonites of the Tete
chromite, platinum group elements (PGE), gold and periodically been investigated (see Map Sheet 1533
Formation/P1CH. Suite (P2T) footwall, close to a North West-directed
silver mineralisations (see Real, 1962; Hunting, 1984 (Cazula) at UTM 37S 0508920E,8260746N).
and Afonso et al.,1998). major fault. The geological and structural setting is
The host rocks are a series of schistose limestones. complicated due to the occurrence of many small folds
Apart from the irregular chromite seams, parallel to The series strikes West North West-East South East and faults. The metasediments are intersected by
the magmatic layering and resulting from magmatic and dips at 30-70° South South West. The ore zone diorite, monzonite and gabbro of the Tete Suite (P2T).
differentiation, the remaining mineral showings spreads over a distance of about 3 kms and 1 km wide.
appear to be related to epigenetic processes (refer to Two ore horizons have been identified, each about 0.40 The marble, especially when in contact with schists,
GTK, 2006). m thick. The low degree of Cu-mineralisation consists includes sulphides and oxides of copper. The sulphide-
of chalcopyrite and malachite. Copper grades have been mineralised lenses of the Paleoproterozoic Chíduè
Copper and nickel showings with substantial grades
low and no resource estimate has been calculated, but Formation (P1CH) (see Map Sheet 1533 at UTM 37S
are reported to be associated with shear-related
being part of a large hydrothermal system, economic 0562591E/8267789N) are 10 to 900 m long and up to
asbestos and garnierite veins in serpentinite and
potential should not be rejected at this stage. 30 m wide.
gabbro. Platinoids and gold have been found in alluvial
sediments of the Nhangose and Mecucuè rivers.
460 461
 Hydrothermal alteration along fractures of the schist 5. Base Metal Potential in the Angónia Group
with carbonate layers has formed disseminations, with A number of base metal anomalies, containing Ni,
veins and stringers of chalcopyrite and malachite. Pb, Co, Cu, Mo, Zn and Cr are marked in the Angónia
The mineralisation is concentrated in limestones and Group and appear to be largely associated with the
schists, which form an asymmetric syncline dipping to supracrustals and amphibolites of this Group (see
the North. The Western flank of the syncline dips at Map Sheets 1433 (Furancungo) and 1434 (Ulongoé)).
60 to 70° and the Eastern flank at 20 to 30°. Three The relative abundance of anomalies suggests that
mineralised horizons are embedded in this folding the area has potential for orthomagmatic sulphide
structure. mineralisation (see CGS, 2007).
The first horizon at 1.28 m of real thickness shows a
mineralisation across a zone of 15 cms, predominantly 6.5.4 C
 opper Mineralisation in Southern
consisting of cuprite which is concentrated along the Mozambique
contact between the schists and limestones. 1. Espungabera Mineralisation
The second horizon of 0.90 m occurs within the schists Malachite was observed near Espungabera in the
which contain malachite, cuprite and chalcopyrite. Upper Quartzite Member (P2UDqz) of the Dacata
The third horizon is about 0.60 m thick and contains Formation (P2UD) of the Mesoproterozoic Umkondo
fine-distributed malachite as well as veinlets bearing Group/(P2U) (see Map Sheet 2033 (Chibabava)).
chalcopyrite and some cuprite (see Lächelt, 2004). The copper content amounts to only 0.13 to 0.23 %
Diamond drilling by Ambase Exploration (refer to (refer to Notícia Explicativa, 1995).
Smuts, 2002) indicates generally low copper grades,
although systematic channel sampling of outcrops has 6.5.5 C
 opper and Nickel Mineralisation/
recorded 3.2 % Cu on average. The best results from Indications in Northern Mozambique
percussion drilling intersections were 12 m with 0.6 % 1. Rio Lureco Copper Mineralisation
Cu and 14 m with 0.42 % Cu. The best from the in 50 km North West of Marrupa to the north of the Rio
diamond drilling gave 8.6 m with 1.4 % Cu including Lureco copper mineralisations (Malachite) are present
a section with 3.85 % Cu over 1.45 m. Zinc-rich inter- (see Map Sheet 1237 (Mecula) at UTM 37S 300645N,
sections were found in places (0.98 m with 11.1 % Zn). 8571601E).
No base metal resource estimate of this deposit is
available. Large slabs of pale grey, fine-grained quartz-rich
metasiltstone cover an area of several m2 amongst
The potential for economic mineralisation in the woodland. These rocks are finely laminated and
hydrothermally altered marble lenses in the Northern contain abundant disseminated malachite grains and
margin of the Tete Suite (P2T) is still open for extensive malachite (and locally azurite) coatings on
confirmation (as cited by GTK, 2006). joint and foliation surfaces.

4. Cacanga Occurance The secondary copper mineralisation is clearly

derived from disseminated copper sulphide grains
The Cacanga Occurrence (see Map Sheet 1633 (Tete)
 he Schematic Geological Map of the Chíduè Copper Occurrence (modified from Real, 1966;
Figure 6.41: T in the host rock. This is a very fine-grained rock
at 16°06’00”S/33°47’00”E) lies about 3 kms North East
Steiner, 1992 and Lächelt, 2004) with a particular thin banding defined by malachite
of Moatize in Tete Province.
stringers parallel to opaque seams and quartz-bearing
Along the Mavudzi river at the contact of lime schists copper grading at 1.72 % (mean value) and gold at 0.5 The occurrence is mainly known as a gold occurrence. seams. Interlocking, cloudy plagioclase grains (80 %)
of the Chíduè Formation (P1CH), five ore bodies occur g/t (mean value). Based on geophysical ground surveys Copper and tungsten were observed in quartz- dominate the thin section. Opaque and malachite
over a distance of 7.5 kms (see Afonso and Marques, and diamond drilling in the 1950’s, the Companhia carbonate veins (by Neiva, 1943; Freitas and Luna, grains are disseminated in the plagioclase matrix with
1993). Geral Mineira de Chíduè reported combined reserves 1956; Real, 1966 and BIC, 1981). A detailed description secondary epidote grains (combined opaque, malachite
and resources of 8.6 Mt with a copper grade of 1.65 % of the occurrence is given in the Section on Gold. and epidote mode of 15 %). Quartz grains (5 %) are
The mineralisation consists of bornite, chalcosine,
and 0.5 g/t of gold, resulting in a resource of 4.3 t of interstitial to plagioclase. Analyses yielded values of
chalcopyrite, malachite, azurite, pyrite and native In the Bingre Occurrence (see Map Sheet 1533
gold (see Lächelt, 2004). Using a higher cut-off grade, a > 1 % Cu, around 100 g/t Ag and 0.4 g/t Au.
copper. The zone of oxidation extends to 150 m. (Cazula) at 15°54’30”S/33°34’30”E) a mineralisation of
resource of 1 Mt, grading 3.3 % of Cu, has been reported chalcopyrite is present in veins as well as disseminated This relatively poorly exposed area is clearly
The metal content of the ore amounts to: (see Mining Journal, February 2000). in the gabbro rock of the Tete Suite (P2T). According to worthy of follow-up work, especially as the copper
Cu = 0.1-4.3 % (Medium 1.72 %, rarely reaching 20.13 %);
Real (1966), the veins were investigated for radioactive mineralisation is similar to that seen in the Central
Zn = 0.2-0.3 %; 3. M’Panda-Uncua Occurance minerals and the existing copper mineralisation did African Copperbelt (see NGU, 2007).
Au = 0.01-0;19 g/t (Medium 0,05 g/t). The occurrence lies about 65 kms to the West of Tete not receive attention (as cited by Lächelt, 2004).
The ores have a Co-content of 0.67 to 1.28% (see Real, on the Zambeze river. On the southern bank of the
1966). Figure 6.41 shows a schematic geological map of Zambeze river, ~7 kms South East of Cónua, several
the Chíduè Copper Occurrence. trenches and galleries were opened in the 1940’s.
Russinov (1980) estimated the possible ore reserves Access is by dirt road from the village of Catacha
from 2,77x10 Mt which should yield 1.5 % Cu and 0,5 g/t (see Map Sheet 1533 (Cazula) at UTM 37S 0509519E,
Au. The predicted reserves are 5,884 x 10 Mt of ore with 8237902N).
462 463
2. Mazeze Copper Indication contents up to 30.1 % Ni and 0.66 % Co were found With an up to 2 m wide, 10 m long and probably a few • Cu = 0.636 %;
In the area between the road to Mazeze and in the Tchofipa and Nhangose locations of the Atchiza dm thick lens of massive sulphide, mainly pyrrhotite • Ni = 0.026 %;
the Rio Megaruma, some malachite-staining and Suite (refer to Notícia Explicativa, 1995). with minor chalcopyrite occurs in the gently dipping
• Ag = 8 g/t;
minor chalcopyrite disseminations occur in strongly gneiss. The sulphide lens cross-cuts the foliation in the
Further enrichments of garnierite are known from • Co = 0.0194 %;
altered rocks, probably mainly amphibolite of the gneiss and is partly brecciated along the contact.
the serpentinite at Nhantreze. The contents amount
Neo-proterozoic Montepuez Complex (P3MP) (see Map • As = 0.05 %.
to 20.01 % Ni and 0.32 to 0.66 % Co (see Steiner, 1992 Alteration of the wall rock includes silicification
Sheet 1340 (Mecufi) at UTM 37S 621254E,8528310N). and Lächelt, 2004). and carbonatisation of clinopyroxene. Small lenses
9. Nickel-Cobalt Mineralisations
Analyses yielded 0.1-0.2 % Cu and around 250 ppm and patches of sulphides are found sub-concordant to
5. Chiure (Mucacata) Copper Nickel Occurrence the foliation in the gneiss. An analysis of the massive Nickel and cobalt reserves were calculated only in the
Ni, the latter indicating an altered mafic precursor (see
sulphide lens yielded 0.5 % Cu, and < 300 ppm Ni (refer Mundonguara copper deposits (see the Mundonguara
NGU 2007). The Chiure (formerly Mucacata; Jourde and Wollf,
to NGU, 2007). Section). The copper ores include 0.9 % Co and 0.068 %
1974) Cu-Co-Ni occurrence is located in an abandoned
Ni.
Copper Nickel Mineralisation rock quarry on the north-eastern side of a small
mountain, some 14 kms South of Chiure along the main 8. Other Copper Nickel Indications According to Steiner (1992), the reserves were in the
Nickel presence is reported by Lächelt (2004) from
the Mundonguara copper-gold deposit and by GTK road road to Namapa (see Map Sheet 1339 (Montepuez) At Chíduè, Cónua and M’Panda-Uncua, low nickel and order of 300 t Co and 200 t Ni (as calculated in 1983).
(2006) from the Monte Atchiza intrusion and similar at UTM 37S 585277E,8506126N). cobalt enrichments were are reported (see Map Sheet The copper occurrences Chíduè, Cónua, M’Panda-
small ultramafic bodies (see Map Sheet 1531 (Fíngoè The rock quarry is approximately 40 by 40 m in 1533 (Cazula)) and refer to Notícia Explicativa, 1995. Uncua also show low nickel and cobalt enrichments
Mágoè)). horizontal section, with up to 8 to 10 m high walls. The (see Notícia Explicativa, 1995 and Lächelt, 2004).
Numerous basic and ultrabasic intrusions, especially
quarry was operational in 1974-75. those of the Atchiza Suite, and the basic and ultrabasic All these nickel and cobalt mineralisations are of
NGU (2007) reported about some minor enrichment
of nickel-copper in mafic intrusive rocks in various No sulphide mineralisation has been exploited. intrusions in Angónia and the LTB near to Mecuburi and little economic importance but may be of interest as a
complexes in the Cabo Delgado Province. Both Nampula including the Mocuba and Mugeba Klippen byproduct like in the case of copper mining.
The host rocks are fine to medium-grained, garnet- are characterised by elevated nickel and cobalt contents
low-grade disseminations and small lenses of massive
bearing amphibolites. They are slightly banded with (see Notícia Explicativa, 1995 and Lächelt, 2004).
sulphide exist. Silicification is the most prominent
varying contents of amphibole. Both gabbroic and 6.6 Lead Occurrences
alteration associated with these. No occurrences with Special investigations are required to provide the
granitic pegmatite veins cut the foliation. Dextral
any economic potential have been identified. real conditions of these indications. In Mozambique, only some indications of lead-zinc
shear zones occur along these veins with folding of the
banded amphibolite. Irregular veins and pods mainly mineralisations are known. No prospecting areas
3. Mundonguara Near Mucacate, (see Map Sheet 1339 (Montepuez))
of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite occur in zones, 10 to 50 were defined, however, with the possibility of fluorite
along the road between Nampula and Pemba, sulphides
Nickel and cobalt reserves were calculated in the cms wide. prospecting from Pb-bearing quartz veins should be
were described that included millerite, pyrite,
Mundonguara copper deposits (see the previous considered.
The main sulphide mineralisation is associated with chalcopyrite and magnetite. The mineralisation was
Sections on Copper and Gold) (see Map Sheet 1832
gabbroic pegmatites and might represent secondary concentrated in veinlets and strings (up to 0,7 m) within Lead mineralisation of the hydrothermal vein type
(Manica)). They are, however, insignificant. The copper
remobilisation. Disseminated sulphides occur both garnet-pyroxene schists of the Mesoproterozoic Ocua was observed in Manica, in the Chimanimani Moun-
ores include 0.09 % Co and 0.068 % Ni. According to
in unaltered amphibolite and probable silicified Complex (P2OC), which were formerly interpreted as tains South of Manica and in the Fumo-Dique and
Steiner (1992), the reserves were in the order of 300 t
amphibolite. gabbroic veins (refer to Notícia Explicativa,1995). Mazoe areas.
Co and 200 t Ni (calculated in 1983).
The mineralisation seems to be too limited and The ore composition consists of the following (see Figure 6.42 shows the schematic regional locations of
4. Monte Atchiza erratic to be of any economic interest and the contents Steiner, 1992 and Lächelt, 2004): the Mazoe Pb-occurrences.
Sulphide-bearing carbonate veins in the Atchiza of both Cu and Ni are low, up to a maximum of 0.1 %
Mountains occur ~48 kms to the West South West of Cu and 100 ppm Ni (refer to NGU, 2007).
the Stratiform Sedimentary Zone (see Map Sheet 1531
(Fíngoè Mágoè) at UTM 36S 0274843E,8290263N). 6. Lusaka Copper Nickel Indication
The Monte Atchiza occurrence is mainly known for A large body of layered, undeformed metagabbro
gold mineralisation (see previous Section on Atchiza). occurs in the Neo-proterozoic Xixano Complex (P3X),
Copper and nickel showings with substantial grades North of the Nairoto-Lusaka road (see Map Sheet 1238
have been reported to be associated with shear- (Xixano) at UTM 37S 468044E,8605158N).
related asbestos and garnierite veins in serpentinite Locally, it is scapolite-rich and strongly carbonatised,
and gabbro. Shear zones that intersect serpentinised and carries abundant disseminated, fine-grained
dunites (Atchiza Suite, P3Ad) host the carbonate veins pyrrhotite, but the Cu and Ni contents are very low
that are usually less than 0.5 m wide. The reported (refer to NGU, 2007).
Cu-grade of the veins varies between 7.1 to 22.1 % Cu
with 0.2 to 0.4 % Ni. 7. Rio Nicuburi Copper-Nickel Indication
In the Atchiza Suite (P3Ad, P3Ag), small enrichments Copper-Nickel mineralisations outcrop in the Rio
of magnetite in serpentinites include 0.40 to 2.23 % Nicuburi (see Map Sheet 1340 (Mecufi) at UTM 37S
Ni (refer to Notícia Explicativa, 1995). Only the 615643E,8516004N). The mineralisation is present
serpentinites may contain up to 0.14 to 0.58 % Ni. in typically banded and foliated rocks of the Ocua
Analyses of garnierite nodules in the serpentinites Complex (P2OC), comprising banded, white to grey,
presented contents of 24 to 30 % Ni and 0.32 to 0.66 % fine to medium-grained, garnet-bearing amphibolitic
Co (refer to Real, 1966). Nodules of garnierite with to dioritic gneisses.
Figure 6.42: T
 he Schematic Regional Location of the Mazoe Pb-Occurrences
464 465
6.6.1 Fumo to Dique and Mazoe 6.7 Precious Metals The indicated international evolution is the reason Placer-type Deposits:
In the Fumo-Dique and Mazoe areas, galenite- that all the Au-deposits/occurrences indications were • Alluvial Au-placers;
bearing quartz-sulphide veins occur that contain pyrite, Gold, Silver and Platinum re-evaluated and ideally gold mineralisations must be • Eluvial-colluvial placers containing Au and Ag
sphalerite, chalcopyrite, barite and fluorite occupying Gold (Au) deposits, occurrences and mineralisations regularly investigated and controlled. (near the Au-bearing source rock);
an area of 7 by 5 kms (see Map Sheets 1632 (Chioco) are known in Mozambique from many zones, areas In accordance with the evolution shown in Figure • Alluvial placers (in river beds and terraces)
and 1633 (Tete)). and locations. In some regions, gold was mined by 6.43, Mozambique will occupy a certain place in the containing Au, Ag and sub-ordinate platinum.
companies with groups of diggers. However, excluding production of gold. Gold is known in Mozambique as Gold deposits, occurrences and especially minerali-
The host rocks are gneisses of the Paleoproterozoic
the Archaean Mutare-Manica Greenstone Belt and one of its primary deposits and secondary enrichments sations are known from the entire Precambrian
Rushinga Group (P1R). The veins are located close to
with certain restrictions, also the Niassa Gold Belt, (placers). basement, partly in primary rocks + eluvia + colluvium
the contact with the Cretaceous continental sediments,
only temporary gold mining was carried out. No + alluvia as well as in separate alluvia depositions.
presumably in the active rift-bordering zone. The veins The following genetic types of gold deposits are
economically important gold mining took place. Beyond these limits, gold occurrences have also been
strike 70° North West and their thicknesses vary common (see Lächelt, 2004):
between 0.2 and 1.5 m. The Pb-content may reach 15..3 In Mozambique, there are many occurrences and observed in terrigenous accumulations of Mesozoic-
Primary deposits: Cenozoic sedimentary basins, especially along the
% and the Ag-content may be as high as 39.3 g/t (refer indications but because of the low gold content in the
to Notícia Explicativa, 1995). rocks and depositions, no economic mining was possible • Magmatic Sulphide-Nickel-and Copper-Nickel-Gold marginal zone of the basement units (refer to Lächelt,
except with the Au . mineralisations; 2004).

In the last ten years (before 2012), the international • Hydrothermal mineralisation of auriferous quartz- Silver is only known to occur in some locations as
6.6.2 Cacanga Occurance gold, quartz-carbonate-gold veins, fissures and accompanying mineralisation, mainly of gold deposits
situation changed fundamentally. With the gold
Lächelt (1985) mentioned lead mineralisation at market, the gold price increased per ounce to over US$ stockwerks (mainly in shear zones); (in Manica and Tete Provinces).
Cacanga (near MoatizeMoatise), where galenite was 1,500 (sometimes up to US$ 1,750) and on the other • Hydrothermal-volcanic mineralisation in BIFs. The gold mineralisation bearing zones/areas/loca-
described from a quartz vein. hand, it is expected that it will remain at a high level tions in Mozambique are shown in Figure 6.44.
The Cacanga Occurrence (see Map Sheet 1633 at (> US$ 900).
16°06’00”S/33°47’00”E) lies about 3 kms North East Considerable progress was made during this period
of Moatise in Tete Province. The occurrence is mainly regarding the processing of the former uneconomic
known as a gold and sub ordinated copper occurrences. gold deposits, which can now be extracted effectively.
Tungsten (and copper) was observed in quartz-
carbonate veins (by Neiva, 1943; Freitas and Luna, In Figure 6.43, the evolution of the gold price is shown
1956; Real, 1966 and BIC, 1981). and that of the processing (extraction of Au) during the
period from 1995 to 2012.
There is no detailed description of the Pb-mine-
ralisation.

Figure 6.43: T
 he Evolution of the Gold Price and the extraction of Au according to the progress in Processing
Methods during the period from 1995 to 2012 (see Lächelt, 2012) Figure 6.44: T
 he Gold Mineralisation-bearing Zones/Areas/Locations in Mozambique (2012)

466 467
 The following gold-bearing a zones/areas/locations recorded at the Rotanda-Mavita-Sussundenga Area,
are known as follows: South of Chimoio, in the Inchope-Gorongosa Zone and
in the Mazoe/Changara-Luenha River Area.
The Manica-Báruè Region
In these zones/areas, several thousand artisanal
The Mutare-Manica Gold Belt (Au, Au-Cu): miners are estimated to produce 50 to 60 kg gold
• Rotanda-Mavita-Sussundenga Area (Au); annually by digging and panning the lateritic soil and
alluvium in river valleys (GTK, 2006). In Cabo Delgado
• Inchope-Gorongosa Rift Border Zone (Sn-Au,
and Nampula Provinces and in different locations, gold
Au-Ta);
is mined illegally or in licenced, small-scale mining.
• Caniaculo (F-Au);
• North West Gorongosa-an Au-Indication in Prote- 6.7.1 The Mutare-Manica Gold Belt (Au, Au-Cu)
rozoic Rocks; In Mozambique, The Mutare Manica Gold Belt
• Massanga-Guro-Mungari Area (Au indications in extends Eastwards from the Zimbabwean border up to
Proterozoic Rocks+Alluvium); 32°55’E and in a North-South direction from 18°45’S
• Mazoe/Changara-Luenha River Area (Au indica- to 19°15’S (see Map Sheet 1832 (Manica)). Gold has
tions in Proterozoic Rocks+Alluvium); been mined from the ~2.65 Ga greenstone belt in the
Mutare-Manica border area since pre-historic times.
The Tete-Angónia Region Historically, this belt has produced over 80 t of gold, of
• Tete Suite and Chidue Formation (Au,Cu-Au); which the major part was extracted from the Rezende
Mine in Zimbabwe.
• Cazula Area (Cu-Fe-Au);
• Fíngoè Zone (Fe, Cu, Au), Fíngoé Supergroup- Hard rock gold mining on the Mozambican side of
Mualádze Group; the border started in 1893-94 at Bragança and Guy
Fawkes and has continued ever since in an irregular
• Mazomboè (Au-alluvium);
and discontinuous way.
• Songo-Manje-Bene Chiputo (Au indications in
Proterozoic Rocks); Official production figures have been very low, less
than 100 kg annually, during the past decade.
• Missale-Chifumbazi-Mulolera Area (Au);
In different locations, including the river valleys
The Niassa-Cabo Delgado Provinces of the Mutare-Manica Gold Belt, gold is mined (at
Mutambarico) as placers. Figure 6.46 shows the Mutare-
The Niassa Gold Belt:
Manica Gold Belt and the position of the Au-deposits,
• Rio Chimulicamuli and Rio Lugenda Au-indications Figure 6.45: M
 utare-Manica Gold Belt and the location of the Au-deposits, Occurrences (modified from Pnaup,
occurrences and indications in the Mozambican part of
(Alluvium); 1987 and Lächelt, 2004) and Indications in the Mozambican part of the Manica Structure (see Carta
the Manica structure.
Geológica, 2008)
• Rio Lureco (Alluvium);
Xtract Resources PLC in 2018 described the new
• Mazeze; gold mining operations particularly open pit and Notes: A2gt – Tonalitic gneiss, Tonalite, Granodiorite.
• Namuno-Napiço; alluvial deposits in the Mozambican part of the A3MMqs – The Macequece Formation: Quartz-sericitic schists, Talc-chloritic schists, BIF, Conglomerate.
Odzi-Mutare-Manica Greenstone Belt (refer to Lächelt A3MM – The Macequece Formation: Greenstones (A3MMbs-Metabasalte, Serpentinite, Metakomatite,
The Zambézia-Nampula Provinces Mutare-Manica Gold Belt). Mafic schists, BIF and A3MMonteu-Mafic, inter-median metavolcanic rocks).
• North West Alto Ligonha Pegmatites (REE, Nb, Figure 6.45 shows the gold deposits and occurrences A3MV – The Vengo Formation: A3MVps-Phylite, Graphitic schists, Conglomerate with sub-ordinated
Ta, Au+Others); of the Mutare-Manica Gold Belt. Arenites.
• Nacaluè; A3V – The Mavonde Complex: Folded Porphyric granite, Granites, Orthogneisses.

The Cabo Delgado-Nampula Provinces

• Nairoto (see Map Sheet 1238 (Xixano)) Publically released information outlines a mine carbonate schist hosted and deformed BIF hosted-
plan based on Fair Bride only producing about 245 deposits, with or without aplite, in close proximity
• Montepuez (see Map Sheet 1338 (Namuno)) koz over a 7 year period. Additional, prospects nearby to major shear zones;
• Memba (see Map Sheet 1440 (Nacala)) further produced exploration success that, namely
• Boa Esperança (2 locations)-consisted of deformed
• Mogovolas (see Map Sheet 1539 (Nampula)) Guy Fawkes, Boa Esperanza and Dot’s Luck, all have
metapelites with aplite invasion in proximity to
• Moma (see Map Sheet 1639 (Angoche)) declared resources.
major shear zones. The Boa Esperança style of
In Mozambique, gold is produced at the Mutare In 2014 Auroch identified 36 new exploration targets mineralisation is generally somewhat wider than
(Umonteali)-Manica Gold Belt and in the Niassa through geophysical and surface mapping. those of the Guy Fawkes style;
Gold Belt (in North West Niassa Province). There The Top Ten were classified in the following three • Dot’s Luck/Fair Bride (1 location)-included sheared
are numerous gold indications in the Archaean types of mineralisation, as follows: metasediments within mafic schist in close
metavolcanics of the Manica Greenstone Belt that were proximity to major shear zones (as cited by Xtract
mined previously and gold exploitation has also been • Guy Fawkes (7 locations)-included quartz vein
Resources PLC, 2018).
hosted, quartz stock-works hosted, altered talc

468 469
 Drilling information at Guy Fawkes includes (1,350 deposits. The copper-gold deposit of Mundonguara The ore field includes the following deposits: g/t gold for 258,300 oz. Auroch said that the Stage 1
m strike, 120 m depth), Dot’s Luck (750 m strike, 100 is considered a very similar deposit type. • Monarch; development was the key to unlocking the larger Stage
m depth) and Boa Esperanza (100 m strike). Alluvial 2. Au associated with Fe-Cu sulphides are considered • Dot’s Luck; 2 expansion, as it exposed the deeper refractory ore
prospection and mining is also understood to be to be of hydrothermal-metasomatic origin, predo- • Try Again; consisting of a 120,000 t/m open pit and underground
on-going. minantly related to BIFs. Examples of this type mining operation, producing about 90,000 oz/a of
• Fair Bride (Bridge).
are the Dot’s Luck and Try Again deposits. gold. Stage 1 could be expanded further to 60,000 t/m
In the Mutare-Manica Gold Belt, the following
The Mangota Ore Field was estimated to contain during the Stage 3 operation, based on the outcome of
Au-deposits and occurrences were identified according The hydrothermal quartz veins typically occur 92,938 t of ore, a grade of 5,83 g/t Au and was assesed to further exploration drilling within the current mining
to their genetic type, as follows: (refer to Lächelt, 2004). in talc-chlorite schists (A3MM), serpentinites and extend over an area of 190 by 5.3 m with a mineralised concession and consolidated areas (as cited by Creamer
Gold mineralisation was found to be in quartz- meta-komatiites (A3MMse) as well as in foliated depth of 40 m. The ore field includes the following Media’s Mining Weekly, 2014).
carbonatic veins, veinlets, stringers and stockworks granitoids (A3Mpgn). Tension gaps in brittle ironstone deposits:
horizons are also a preferred location for auriferous The Fair Bride Deposit will be of primary interest
(reef type) and of hydrothermal origin, predominantly • Guy Fawkes;
quartz veins. Generally, the veins strike parallel to for gold prospecting. This is only one of the examples
associated with the following greenstone zones: • Vingança;
the metamorphic structure of the greenstones, mainly of new activities in “old” gold field regions. The Manica
• Monarch; • Boa Esperança.
East-West and East North East-South South West. Region will provide good prospecting interests for the
• Bragança; future.
• Cantão; The overall total reserves have been estimated as
Almost without exception, the auriferous quartz
651,368 t of ore with a yield 4,321.1 kg of gold (according
• Marianas; veins have sub-vertical dips and are known to extend 1. The Monarch Deposit
to Afonso and Marques, 1993).
• Richmond; down-dip to > 350 m in the case of the Bragança
Gold mineralisation at the Monarch Deposit (see Map
• Estrela; Deposit. The thickness of the quartz veins ranges from The most important ore-controlling factors of gold
Sheet 1832 (Manica) at UTM 36S 0471180E,7912264N)
• Excelsior; a few cms to 2 or 3 m. The sulphide content of the veins mineralisation are as follows, according to Lächelt
is the most typical example of a hydrothermal vein-type
• Old Richard; averages 3 %, comprising pyrite and galena with minor (2004):
deposit. The mine site is located directly on the border
• Wednesday; arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite. The gold • The type of host rocks such as greenstones, BIF, with Zimbabwe and the deposit extends and has been
• Two Fools; grade of the veins mined to date has been between 7 metaconglomerates and metaquartzites; mined on both sides of the border. During the early
• Guy Fawkes; and 15 g/t (after Hunting, 1988). Chakrabarti (1983),
• Shear zones; operation period (1929-1949), the mine produced 90,000
• Damp; Obretenov (1977) and Afonso and Marques (1993)
• Contact zones between the greenstones and the tonnes of ore with an average gold grade of 10 g/t (see
• Mundonguara (Cu+Au). distinguished four ore fields (as cited by Lächelt, 2004):
Granite-Gneiss Complex (of sub-ordinated impor- Sheeran, 1988). The gold mineralisation was hosted
1. The Chimezi Ore Field; by a brecciated, up to 20 m thick, BIF-horizon with
Gold, associated with iron and copper sulphides tance).
and of hydrothermal-metasomatic origin, were pre- 2. The Chua Ore Field; intercalations of talc schists and talc-chlorite schists.
Within the total extent of the Mutare-Manica Gold A dolerite dyke of Karoo age divided the deposit into an
dominantly related to the BIF, as follows: 3. The Penhalonga-Revuè Ore Field;
Belt, the following distribution of gold deposits, Eastern and a Western section.
• Dot’s Luck 4. The Mangota Ore Field. occurrences and mineralisation have been identified
• Try Again deposits The Chimezi Ore Field was estimated to contain in Zimbabwe and Mozambique (according to Lächelt, The Eastern Section
Gold was also found in alluvia and terraces of rivers 130,230 t of ore at a grade of 9,5 g/t Au along a length of 2004):
The southern part of the East-West-trending minera-
and creeks. 272 m with an average width of 1.6 m and mineralised • 43.6 % in greenstones;
lised zone consists of talc-chlorite schists with thin
to a depth of 38 m. The ore field includes the following • 17.0 % in serpentinites;
Gold deposits in the Mutare-Manica Greenstone Belt chlorite-quartzite layers, with a 0.4 g/t gold grade.
deposits: • 14.9 % in BIF and metasediments;
have been found to be typically low-sulphur structural- The talc-chlorite schists contain numerous, partly
hosted connected to shear zones in Archaean mafic • Bragança; • 25.5 % in granite and the Granite-Gneiss Complex. auriferous quartz-carbonate stringers. A strongly
and ultramafic volcanics, BIFs and chert layers or in • Richmond; tectonised and brecciated chlorite-quartz-carbonate
The results of the exploration utilising modern, multi-
fractured contacts between supracrustal rocks and • Damp; discipline techniques indicated that the Archaean schist marks the southern limit of the deposit. The
surrounding granitoids. From a structural point of • Dias Pereira; Manica Greenstone Belt has potential for profitable gold shear zone contains pyrite, pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite
view, the greenstone belt forms a synformal structure • Marianas. mining on an industrial scale (see GTK, 2006). The high and generally yields a higher gold content compared
and consists of a lower stratigraphic unit of mafic to price of gold and the recent processing methods makes to un-sheared rock. Gold is commonly associated with
The Chua Ore Field was estimated to contain 55,700 fine, disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite.
ultramafic submarine volcanics with minor banded profitable gold mining in the Mozambican Manica Gold
t of ore, a medium Au-grade of 6.6 g/t, extending over
iron-formation and tuff horizons, which generally Belt possible on the basis of a re-evaluation of the gold
an area 140.5 m in length, 0.7 m wide and mineralised The Western Section
occupy the flanks of the synform. Intrusions of tonalite, potential using modern, multi-discipline prospecting
to a depth of 43 m. The ore field includes the following
granite and granodiorite intersect or intrude the techniques. The western section of the ore body is 12 to 20 m thick.
deposits:
greenstones and the surrounding granitoid gneisses The geological conditions and the mineralisations are
(refer to GTK, 2006). • Cantão; Artisanal gold mining always took place in the
identical to the Eastern section.
• Morrondo; Manica region where gold was mined in river valley
According to Lächelt (2004), two genetic types of areas and in primary hard rocks. Auroch Minerals A continuation of the mineralisation in an eastern
• Chua;
mineralisation have been recognised: Eyes (2014), an ASX-listed company, reported that a extension of the shear zone is highly likely to be
• Old Wednesday; expected, especially since mineralisation, yielding
1. A
 u mineralisation in quartz-carbonate veins, scoping study evaluated the establishment of a Stage
• Two Fools; up to 8 g/t of gold, have been observed (according to
veinlets, stringers and stockworks (reef type) of 1 operation, consisting of a 30,000 t/m non-refractory
• Excelsior. Lächelt, 2004).
hydrothermal origin are found to be associated with gold plant, which would create a pathway to unlocking
mafic-ultramafic volcanics. Examples of this type The Penhalonga-Revuè Ore Field was estimated to a total of 2.82 M-ounce resource at Manica.
are the Monarch, Bragança, Cantão, Marianas, contain 372,500 t of ore at an average Au-grade of 5.77
The Stage 1 development could produce 172,752 oz of
Richmond, Estrela, Excelsior, Old Richard, g/t and covering an area 228 by 15.6 m, mineralised to
gold over an operating mine-life of eight years, based
Wednesday, Two Fools, Guy Fawkes and Damp a depth of 20 m.
on a resource of 3.86 Monte, with a grading of 2.08
470 471
 A bulk sample of 3 t (as cited by GTK, 2006) from the The following ore reserves have been calculated/
Open pit mineral resource at 0.5 g/t cut-off and final depth of 280 m below surface
ore zone gives the following chemical composition (see estimated as proven ore reserves of 450 kg of gold with
Table 6.41): probable ore reserves of 1,800 kg of gold (according to Au Au Au
GTK, 2006). Mineral Resource Category (Mt)
Chemical Composition Content (%) (g/t) (Kg) (Koz)
3. The Fair Bride (Bridge) Deposit
Au 11 g/t Measured 9.750 1.86 18.130 582.9
Xtract Resources PLC (2018) has indicated the
S 7.00 following details for Fair Bride (see Map Sheet 1832 Indicated 3.310 1.62 5.368 172.6
(Manica)):
As 1.00 Total Measured and Indicated 13.060 3.48 23.498 755.5
A total of 229 drill holes were completed with a total
TiO2 0.02 of 31,662 m drilled depth at the Fair Bride deposit. Inferred 0.894 1.17 1.049 33.7
A total of 137 holes were drilled to determine the
MnO 0.28 resources. Xtract Resources PLC (2018) published the Total Measured, Indicated and Inferred 13.954 4.65 24.547 789.2
data that is given in Tables 6.42 and 6.43.
SiO2 62.4
Underground mineral resource at 1.5 g/t cutt-off and depth from 280 m below surface
Al2O3 1.06 Mutambarico and Andrado Shear Zones (Guy
Fawkes-Fair Bride Deposits) Au Au Au
Fe2O3 10.27 Pan Africa Resources Company (2005) has reported a Mineral Resource Category (Mt)
(g/t) (Kg) (Koz)
FeO 5.06 combined resource of one million troy ounces of gold at
an in situ grade of 3.4 g/t Au in two shear zones within Measured 0.005 4.40 24 0.8
CaO 2.00 its Manica claims. An extended Guy Fawkes Deposit
together with an extended Fair Bride Deposit form the Indicated 0.307 2.61 801 25.8
MgO 4.85 basis of the combined resources. Historical production
has exceeded 60,000 troy ounces of gold distributed Total Measured and Indicated 0.312 7.01 825 26.6
Table 6.41: The Chemical Composition of an Ore Zone between several different prospects. Inferred 5.350 2.59 13.874 446.1
in the Monarch Au-mine (after GTK, 2006)
GTK (2006) obtained the following details from the
The ore reserves amount to proven ore reserves of Total Measured, Indicated and Inferred 5.662 9.60 14.699 472.7
Pan Africa Resources Company (2005) at the two major
275,000 t and probable reserves: 65,000 t at a gold mineralised zones:
grade of 8 g/t to a depth of 54 m according to Sheeran Tables 6.42 and 6.43: The Gold Recourses of the Fair Bride Gold Deposit (after Xtract Resources PLC, 2018)
(1988). • The West North West-East South East-trending
Mutambarico zone, averaged 8 to 12 g/t of gold
In contrast, DNG reports proven reserves of 1,391 grade over widths of 1 to 1.5 m along strike lengths Metallic minerals include pentlandite, pyrrhotite, investigatory methods. If this takes place, then it is
kg gold and probable reserves of 4,800 kg of gold (in of 1,000 to 2,500 m; chalcopyrite, pyrite, covellite, chalcocite, bornite, expected that gold prospects and resources will be
addition to previously mined 260 kg of gold) (after cuprite, copper carbonates and native copper. Gangue increased.
Notícia Explicativa, 1995). • The East-West-trending Andrade shear zone with assemblages also include chlorite, talc-chlorite and
a surface to near-surface mineralisation of 2 to 4.5 Further occurrences, for instance, at Two Fools and
talc-carbonate-chlorite.
g/t of gold over widths of 45 m and strike lengths of Chua are examples where gold mineralisation must be
2. The Bragança Deposit The mineralised bodies are ~10 m wide and 20 to investigated further.
250 to 350 m for individual ore zones.
The Bragança Deposit is located in the vicinity of 120 m in length and within an East-West-trending and
The Chua Occurrence is located in a shear zone
Serra Vengo (see Map Sheet 1832 (Manica) at UTM 36S 4. The Mundonguara Deposit North dipping zone, 1,000 to 1,200 m long (refer to GTK,
intruded by a two-mica granite. Sheeran (1988)
488182E,7920136N) and is considered to be the largest 2006). Shearing along the contact between a thick
The Mundonguara (Edmundian) Occurrence is located indicates the presence of only 1,8 g/t of gold, but the
vein-type gold deposit in Mozambique (according to serpentinite layer and thinner Mg-basalt layer appears
on the southern hillside of the Isitaca Mountains, ~12 location in the shear zone is likely to include additional
Lächelt, 2004). The historical production amounts to to control the mineralisation (see Lächelt, 2004).
kms West of the town of Manica (see Map Sheet 1832 gold mineralisation.
510 kg of gold (refer to Notícia Explicativa, 1995).
(Manica) at UTM 36S 477977E,907124N). According to Sumburane (2011), the Cu and Au
The Dot’s Luck-Andrare Deposit represents a hydro-
The auriferous sub-vertical quartz veins, exposed over were incorporated in the crust at 3.0 Ga and were
The Mundonguara Occurrence includes gold minera- thermal-metasomatic type of mineralisation. The
a distance of 150 to 320 m, are located within a North- remobilised later by events of magmatic intrusions and
lisation in quartz-carbonatic veins, veinlets, stringers deposit lies 10 kms to the East of Vila de Manica. The
South striking fracture zone. The average width of the reactivation of the shear zones around 2,6 Ga.
and stockworks (reef type) of hydrothermal origin, gold mineralisation occurs in a sequence of pebbly
main vein is 1.6 m and no noticeable change has been
but it differs from the other Manica deposits in its ore The reserves have been calculated by LIMEX (1983) metagreywacke, positioned close to the contact to
observed down-dip to a depth of 120 m. The greenstone
composition. The ores of Mundonguara are of a copper- as 325,000 t with a grading of 3.1 % Cu and 0.58 g/t Au. ultramafic schists (greenstones). The mineralised
host rock is composed of fine-grained quartz-chlorite
gold-silver composition. The deposit also contains some Total silver production is estimated as 700 kg with 8 t sediments become increasingly finer grained in an
schists with an East-West strike and dip to the South.
silver. of Ag reserves remaining. Easterly direction and change to fine-banded iron
The veins contain 9 to 12 g/t gold grade and the content
pelites. This mineralised zone of iron pelites is about
of sulphides as well as gold increases with depth. The Altogether ten East-West-trending mineralised
5. Other Au-Deposits, Mineralisations in Mutare 30 m thick and extends for about 700 m at a dip of 70°
gold is associated with pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and bodies have been identified. The mineralisation is
and Occurrences-Manica Gold Belt to the North.
sphalerite and sometimes bismuth minerals. Parallel concentrated in a felsic breccia that occurs as vein
to the main vein, there is another vein, up to 3.6 m fillings in komatiitic gabbro or peridotite of the In the Manica Region, there are a large number Until recently (2012), the gold content has been low
wide, which has yielded 4.5 to 16.0 g/t of gold (refer to Macequece Formation (A3MM) including nearby Au- Occurrences as described above but many of them with a grade of only 1.5 g/t. In parts where sulphide
Notícia Explicativa, 1995). felsites, quartzites and quartz-feldspar breccias. require further prospecting, on the basis of modern enrichments occurred (magnetite, arsenopyrite, pyrite,

472 473
sphalerite, chalcopyrite or galenite), the grade may In Mozambique, the zones may be traced over a 6.7.3 The Manica-Báruè Region • Taking into consideration that the Archaean gold
reach up to 6,8 g/t of gold (refer to Reinhold, 1980). distance of about 28 kms with a maximum width of In the large area of Proterozoic rocks between the mineralisation is predominantly associated with
Gold reserves of 365,000 t of ore have been evaluated 4 kms (refer to Hunting, 1988). Lächelt et al. (1997) Zimbabwean border in the West and the rift zones the Greenstones and the BIFs, geophysical, geolo-
with a grade of 1.7 g/t Au with an estimated, low 600 indicated that the zones may be much larger than in the North North East, East and South South East gically and geochemically methods should be used
kg gold reserve low (see Steiner, 1992; as cited from expected. The zones have been partly covered by several gold-bearing mineralisation of different genetic to define these rock types below the Proterozoic
Lächelt, 2004). Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Umkondo Group (P2U). type occur in the following locations: cover.
The zones are rifted by numerous fractures and are
The Guy Fawkes Deposit lies about 7 kms North West • The Inchope-Gorongosa Rift Border Zone (Sn-Au, • Two conditions must exist in areas/zones of tectonic
divided into several parts where gold mineralisation
of Vila de Manica, at the northern part of the Revuè river Au-Ta); reactivation and tectonic activity. They include a geo-
has been proven to have occurred (see Lächelt, 2004).
catchment. The gold mineralisation is concentrated in chemically reactivation of the gold and possibilities
iron quartzites, which are enclosed within a sequence Several artisanal gold workings can be found along • Caniaculo (F-Au); for the migration.
of actinolitic talc schists. The stratigraphic position the Nhamaguio river, ~80 kms South South East of • The North West Gorongosa Au-indication in Prote- There are some periods with similar favourable condi-
corresponds to the Dot’s Luck-Try Again mineralised Manica. The mineralisation here is hosted by sheared rozoic Rocks; tions, such as:
zone (see Sheeran, 1988). The observed gold content is and weathered mica gneisses of Archaean age. Alluvial
• The Massanga-Guro-Mungari Area (Au indications •F aulting in the Pan-African zones during the Early
up to 10 g/t of gold. gold also is present.
in Proterozoic Rocks and Alluvium); Palaeozoic Period of the formation of the Karoo rift
The hydrothermal Cantão Deposit is composed of At Bandire (see Map Sheet 1933 at UTM 36S structures, especially to the final Karoo evolution
• The Mazoe/Changara-Luenha River Area (Au indi-
quartz lenses and occurs in a flat-dipping fracturing zone. 523768E,7842170N) several deep trenches along the (tectonic-magmatic activities).
cations in Proterozoic RocksandAlluvium).
Nhamaguio river banks exist. Horizontal quartz veins,
The veins are 0.5 m wide and consist of conglomerates •B
 order zones of the EARS with faulting, zones of
a few cms thick, are excavated for their gold content. All these mineralisations have not until recently
as well as pyrite in veinlets.The gold content grades at joint and rift border magmatism.
Vein fragments, with very fine-grained gold, are (2013) demonstrated any economic interest. Lächelt
12.4 g/t according to Sheeran,1988.
crushed at the site and panned in the river (according (2012) is of the opinion that this large area must be • I ntersections of greenstone belts and reactivated
to GTK, 2006). analysed from a theoretical point of view and on this tectonic zones.
The Mavonde Region
basis, a new evaluation of the gold potential of this
In the north eastern part of the continuation of In 1998, the Ashanti Exploration Company carried These conditions exist in the Proterozoic of the Manica-
Region can be reported on that should include:
the Manica Greenstone Belt (see Map Sheet 1833 out geochemical soil sampling and RC drilling around Báruè Region and the Au-mineralisation is mainly
(Catandica)), close to the Honde river (Monte Mapanda- the Bandire Deposit. Trench samples yielded up to 3.7 • The gold deposits of the Zimbabwe Craton which located in areas that correspond to these conditions.
cuese, Monte Chitó and others), a small inlier of g/t/m of muscovite-quartz rock, with average grades are altogether associated with the Archaean rocks On the basis of the recommended investigations gold
greenstone outcrops (after Hunting, 1988). Ultrabasites ranging from 0.11 to 0.69 g/t Au, across the largest of Manica and Mavita in Mozambique and these prospecting should be highly beneficial in this region.
and BIFs outcrop which presumably belong to the excavation (250 m wide). A total of 792 m of RC drilling rocks may also be the source of Au-mineralisation
Figure 6.46 illustrates the areas with potential as
Manica Group. Until now, no gold mineralisation has through the quartz-veined zone yielded gold grades of in the geological younger deposits.
discussed.
been found in the inliers. less than 1 g/t, with the highest grade of 3.4 g/t found
• Geophysical investigations by Lächelt, (2004)
over a 2 m interval of quartz-veined muscovite schist.
Gold in alluvia in some of the tributaries of have confirmed that the Archaean rocks (of the
Ashanti estimated an indicative resource of 640,000 t
the Pungoè river, has been discovered however. Zimbabwe Craton) probably continue up to the
with 0.75 g/t of gold (according to Gonçalves, 1999 and
According to Svirine and Akimidze (1978), this EARS and therefore also the Archaean Au-source
cited from GTK, 2006).
alluvial gold originated from metasediments of the rocks should continue to the East.
Palaeoproterozoic Fronteira Formation (now known as Similar trenches are found in weathered mica gneisses,
the Gairezi Group/P1Z) but any genetic connection to ~15 kms further to the West, in Mavita (see Map Sheet
the Archaean inliers has not yet been confirmed so far 1933 (Chimoio) at UTM 36S 522958E,7842542N and
(as cited by Lächelt, 2004). 523048E,7842589N). These trenches are between 5 to
10 m deep and expose fractured and folded remnants,
6.7.2 The Rotanda-Mavita-Sussundenga Area 1 to 2 cms in thickness, of sub-horizontal auriferous
quartz veins. Gold is panned from the crushed quartz
This area is also known as Mavita Region or the
vein fragments in the nearby river. The foreman of
Munhinga-Bande Area. It is located 50 to 80 kms
the artisanal work team reports that the gold grade is
South South East of the town of Manica (see Map Sheet
approximately 5 g/t (see GTK, 2006). Mining operations
1933 (Chimoio)). In this area, several Au-occurrences
have taken place at Baboon Kop and Yankee Grave,
and mineralisations have been mapped.
but the exact locations are unknown.
In parallel with the Manica Au-deposits, the
In several rivers, including the Mussapa river and
Au-occurrences and mineralisation are associated with
others, alluvial gold has been panned. Primary gold
Archaean rocks of the Macequece Formation (A3MM)
is also known to occur in quartz veins, for example
and have been interpreted by Lächelt (2004) as the
at Pangula near Mavita (refer to Lächelt, 2004). Gold
continuation of the Zimbabwian Cronley Schist Belt
was also panned near Catandica (North of the Manica
(Geenstones and BIFs). In this area, the continuation
zone). On the basis of the actual situation on the gold
of the Greenstones of the Cronley Schist Belt of
market, with similar geological conditions in the
Zimbabwe appears in several small zones. The rocks
Manica area, very little regional exploration work has
consist of metasediments and felsitic metavolcanics of
been carried out, so the Mavita area can be classified
Bulawayan age (Macequece Formation/A3MM of the
as an interesting area for further gold prospecting.
Manica Group). The zones strike West South West-East Figure 6.46: T
 he possible extension of the Archaean Greenstone Belts/BIF-Zones of the Zimbabwe Craton under the
North East (refer to Hunting, 1988). Mozambican Proterozoic and possible associated localities for gold prospecting (after Lächelt, 2012)

474 475
1. The Inchope-Gorongosa Rift Border Zone point of view, it is only an indication, but geological •T
 he Missale-Muende (Chifumbázi)-Mulolera Area are pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, malachite, cuprite
In a fractured zone impregnated by numerous veins, investigations could be beneficial in the future. (Au). and azurite. The gold contents vary. The mineralised
which seem to be closely related to the rift border of zone is smaller than 1 m. The main veins strike North
the Precambrian basement, gold-bearing quartz veins, 4. The Massanga-Guro-Mungari Area (Au indica- 1. 
The Tete Suite (P2T) and Chidue Formation West to West and dip at 20 to 60°. Locally, higher gold
quartz-sulphide veins and columbite-tantalite-bearing tions in Proterozoic Rocks and Alluvium) (P1CH) (the Moatize-Chíduè area by Lächelt, content of 7.5 to 15.5 g/t Au (see Real, 1966) have been
pegmatites containing Nb and Sn-minerals outcrop Near Passarau, in the Muira river and the Massanga 2004) observed.
(according to Lächelt, 2004). The veins and pegmatitic area, Au-indications have been mapped (see Map Several occurrences of gold-bearing quartz and The Cacanga Occurrence (16°06’00”S/33°47’00”E) lies
bodies definitively follow the North-South-striking Sheets 1732/1733 (Guro), 1832 (Manica) and 1833 quartz-sulphide veins are known to occur within the about 3 kms North East of Moatise in Tete Province.
Mesozoic zone of fractionation, which constitute the (Catandica)). Generally, the mineralisation occurs in basic-ultrabasic Tete Suite (P2T). Figure 6.47 shows The occurrence is also known as a copper occurrence
rift border and are also co-equivalent to the reactivated quartz-sulphide veins (according to Hunting, 1988) the position of the gold and gold-copper mineralisations (see Section 6.5.3 Cacanga). The mineralisation is
Precambrian North-South lineament. Quartz veins and in the alluvia. The occurrences have not yet been in the Tete Suite. concentrated in the marbles, schists and gneisses,
occur frequently in the Mesoproterozoic Chimoio investigated. However, gold is panned near Catandica. which probably correspond to inclusions of Chíduè
It seems that all these mineralisations are lined up
Group migmatic paragneisses (P2BCga), South of the sediments in the ultrabasic rocks of the Tete Suite (see
with a North-South-striking fractionation zone, which
Jurassic syenite intrusion of the Gorongosa Intrusive 5. The Mazoe/Changara-Luenha River Area (Au Hunting, 1988).
sub-divided the Tete Suite into a Western and an
Suite (JrG). Felsic and mafic dyke swarms associated indications in Proterozoic Rocks and Alluvium)
Eastern section ( see Figure 6.48). Copper sulphide ores A North East-striking system of quartzitic carbon-
with the Gorongosa Syenite and trending North In the Changara area, near the Zimbabwean are associated with basic and ultrabasic rocks in the atitic veins, of which the outcrop extends up to 600 m
West-North East, are common, in particular close to border (see Map Sheets 1732/1733 (Guro)), numerous Tete Suite (P2T) and surrounding mylonitic rocks. At and dips at 55 to 60° West, have scheelite, wolframite,
the rift margin, 20 to 25 kms East of Gorongosa. gold-bearing alluvia have been described by Hunting the northern edge of the Suite, within the carbonates pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcosine and secondary Cu-
Artisanal miners excavate gold-bearing quartz veins (1988). Hunting associated these mineralisations of the Chíduè Formation (P1CH), metasomatic enrich-
with the Greenstones of the neighbouring Zimbabwe minerals as major constituents. It is assumed that
close to the Teçequire Mountain (see Map Sheet 1834 ments of gold were also encountered. Data on detailed the carbonatic veins are derived from limestones of
(Gorongosa) at UTM 36S 608901E,7932521N). Quartz Craton and concluded that inliers of Greenstones may investigations of these gold mineralisations are not
also exist in Mozambique. However, no Greenstones the Chíduè Formation (P1CH) due to the presence
vein fragments are crushed at the site and panned in available. The gold content is low and these minera- of inclusions of Chíduè sediments and granitic and
nearby small streams (according to GTK, 2006). were mapped in this area and the Au-mineralisations lisations may only be of interest in connection with
need to be compared with other occurrences in the syenitic intrusions, presumably of Pan-African age,
The Ashanti Mining Company has carried out other mineralisations such as Cu and Fe. that occur locally within the basic-ultrabasic Tete
Proterozoic of the Manica-Báruè Region. There may
limited geochemical exploration in this area (according be a continuation of Archaean Greenstones of the Suite (see Hunting, 1988). Associated mineralisation
to Gonçalves, 1997). The age of the mineralisation The Casunça and Cacanga Occurrences are copper, lead, tin, cobalt and uranium minerals.
Zimbabwe Craton below the Proterozoic cover which
could not be clearly defined. The relationship to the serves as a source for the Au-bearing veins. The gold occurrence of the Cansunça area (see Real, Tungsten (possibly related to uranium) has also been
pegmatites pointed to a Neo-proterozoic age (Pan- 1966) consists of quartz as well as quartz-carbonate- observed in these quartz-carbonate veins (see Neiva,
African Pegmatites). The gold content of the veins/ The upper course of the Luenha river and its tribu- sulphide veins, which extend for about 1.2 kms (see 1943; Freitas and Luna, 1956; Real, 1966 and BIC,
pegmatites varies between 0 to 10 g/t. taries, cut numerous protuberances of the Zimbab-wean Map Sheet 1633 (Tete)). The veins are between 0.5 1981).
Bandeira Belt (see Hunting, 1988) on which gold has to 2.0 m wide. The major components of these veins
The gold content of the alluvia is also low and yields been mined.
a maximum of 0.5 g/m3. In the Gorongosa zone, gold is
panned by local miners. In Mozambique, the host rocks belong to the Palaeo-
proterozoic Gairezi Group (P1Z).
In the Inchope-Gorongosa Zone and the Changara-
Luenha River Area, several thousand artisanal miners The gold mineralisation of the Luenha area, along
could produce 50 to 60 kg of gold annually by digging the Cauresi river, may have originated from the basal
and panning the lateritic soil and alluvium in the river conglomerates of the Mesoproterozoic Umkondo Group
valleys (see Lächelt, 2004). (P2U) (see Hunting, 1988).
At the Luenha river near Changara, the alluvia
2. Caniaculo (F-Au) yielded 3 g/t Au, where illegal mining has been carried
In the rift bordering fracture zone, quartz-fluorite out.
veins occur (see also fluorite). These veins correspond
As mentioned above, in the Inchope-Gorongosa Zone
to the northern continuation of the Inchope-Gorongosa
and the Changara-Luenha River Area, artisanal miners
Rift Border Zone. Near to Caniaculo and within the
could produce 50-60 kg of gold annually.
quartz-fluorite veins, gold is also present (see Map
Sheet 1834 (Gorongosa)). These details confirm
6.7.4 The Tete-Angónia Region
that gold is directly connected to the processes of
fracturation along the rift border zone and so gold may In the large area of Proterozoic rocks, North of the
be present independently of the type of mineralisation Zambeze river and in the Tete Suite (P2T), several
(Quartz sulphide and quartz-fluorite) gold deposits and gold-bearing mineralisation occur of
different genetic type, including:
3. The North West Gorongosa Au-indications in •T he Tete Suite and Chidue Formation (Fe, Cu-Au);
Proterozoic Rocks • The Cazula Area (Cu-Fe-Au);
About 20 kms North West of the Gorongosa Intrusion, • The Fíngoè Zone (Fe, Cu, Au);
a gold indication has been mapped (see Map Sheet • Mazomboè (Au Alluvial);
1833 (Catandica)). The mineralisation is considered to •S ongo-Manje-Bene Chiputo (Au Indications in
be within the Proterozoic rocks. From a geo-economical Proterozoic Rocks); Figure 6.47: T
 he Gold and Copper-Gold Mineralisation in the Tete Suite

476 477
 The gold content varies between 3 and 36 g/t (see BIC, 2. The Cazula (Casula) Area In general, gold in Cazula area is in quartz veins in Metosso
1981). More detailed data are unavailable. According North West-trending shear zones in porphyritic granite At Metosso, gold is concentrated in a mylonitic
The Cazula Area is situated about 80 to 100 kms North
to Hunting (1988), the gold mineralisation is the result and biotite granite of the Desaranhama Suite (P2MT). zone which is intersected by granites and diorites
of Tete, on the road between Tete and Furancungo (see
of processes of interaction between the metasediments The Cazula Area is recommended as a location suitable (see Map Sheet 1533). Associated ore minerals are
Map Sheet 1533 (Cazula)) In this area, there are a
of the Palaeoproterozoic Chíduè Formation and the for further Au-prospecting activities. magnetite, chalcopyrite and mispickel (arsenopyrite).
number of Au-deposits and occurrences. This area is
relatively numerous granitic and syenitic intrusions The mine-ralised zone extends for about 300 m with a
known as the Cazula Gold Field (see GTK, 2006): Figure 6.48 shows the regional locations of the gold
which intruded the basic-ultrabasic of the Tete Suite. width of 70 m and strikes in a North-South direction.
• Machinga; in the Cazula area.
These intrusions are, however, not always mapped
or do not exist. According to Hunting (1988), the gold • Catõa/Cazula; The gold content is very irregular and the grade
Machinga varies between 4 to 20 g/t (see Svirine and Akimidze,
was presumably remobilised by heated fluids and was • Metosso;
precipitated as quartz-carbonate veins. Gold might The deposit is part of the Cazula Zone, on both sides 1978).
• Monte Nhamissale; of the Rio Machinga (see Map Sheet 1533 (Cazula)).
also have been leached from the ultrabasic rocks of the
• Bumbe. The best access is from Cazula, along the Tete- Bumbe
Tete Suite (Hunting, 1988).
In Cazula area, the general trend of the gold- Furancungo road, 15 kms North and then 2.5 kms At Monte Bumbe (see Map Sheet 1533), slaty sand-
In either case, Hunting regarded the Pan-African
mineralised shear zones is North West-South East. along the Machinga road to the river. On the right bank stones form the contact zone with the Desaranhama
granites and syenites as the most important host rocks
Machinga is the most documented occurrence (see of the river, there are excavations, trenches, pits and Granite/P2FD (see Hunting, 1988). The mineralisation
in which these mineralisations could have occurred. A
Map Sheet 1533 (Cazula)). Exploration was ongoing in shafts. The Zone was mined mainly during the 1940s occurred in quartz veins, dipping between 60 to 70°.
remarkable feature is that all these mineralisations
the Cazula Field by Pan African Mining Corporation, Associated ore minerals are tungsten and ferberite.
are concentrated within a more or less North-South- Gold is hosted by quartz veins in a North West-trending
previously Pan African Resources, in Joint Venture At Monte Bumbe, the yield is 3.0 g/t Au.
striking zone, which divides the Tete Intrusion into shear zone (34°/55°) in porphyritic granite. The width of
with Manica Minerals Ltd. according to GTK, (2006). the individual shears is only 10 to 20 cms, occasionally
two different sections (see Lächelt, 1985b, 2004).
Alluvial Occurrences
increasing to 1.5 m, but they can be followed along the
strike for a length of 1,000 to 1,500 m. Alluvial gold was found along the Revubuè river. The
origin of this gold has not yet been clarified. No data
The depth of the mineralised shears has been about the gold content in the alluvia are available.
confirmed as 45 m by two shafts. The shear zone
contains veins of milky quartz, which bears in the 3. The Fíngoè Zone-the Atchiza Suite
oxidised section fine-grained free gold, not visible to
Sulphide-bearing carbonate veins occur in the Atchiza
the naked eye. Below the oxidised zone, gold appears
Mountains ~ 48 kms to the West South West of the this
in the pyrite.
mineralised zone (see Map Sheet 1531 (Fíngoè Mágoè)
Gold grades up to 32.3 g/t have been assayed, at UTM 36S 0274843E,8290263N). Shear zones that
averaging 7 to 10 g/t. In one pit, gold averages 9 g/t intersect serpentinised dunites of the Atchiza Suite
over a width of one metre (according to Svirine, 1978; (P3Ad) host the carbonate veins that are usually less
Loskutov, 1985; Lächelt, 2004 and GTK, 2006). than 0.5 m wide. Malachite stains and bornite, together
Total gold production is estimated at 120 kg and with asbestos minerals, are also present.
the reserves are estimated to be 840 kg gold with an The reported Cu-grade of the veins varies between
a average grade of 8 to 9 g/t for the whole zone (after 7.1 to 22.1 % Cu with 0.2 to 0.4 % Ni. No estimate is
Svirine, 1978). The potential for economic minerali- available of the possible mineralised volumes. Due to
sation is good, although the zone is too narrow at the the isolated location on a mountain slope, no drilling
excavation site. Parallel zones may occur on the surface has been carried out.
or at depth.
Previous work in the Neo-proterozoic Atchiza Suite
Modern exploration methods will enable a quick (P3Ad, P3Ag) had identified a number of nickel, copper,
assessment of the potential of the Cazula area. Access chromite, platinum group elements (PGE) of the gold
to the site is reasonable (refer to GTK, 2006). and silver mineralisation (see Real, 1962; Hunting,
1984 and Afonso et al., 1998). Apart from irregular
Monte Nhamissale chromite seams, parallel to the magmatic layering and
The mineralisation is associated with quartz veins. resulting from magmatic differentiation, the remaining
At Monte Nhamissale, the veins are up to 450 m mineral showings appear to be related to epigenetic
long and between 0.3 and 0.5 m wide (see Map Sheet processes. Copper and nickel showings with substantial
1533 (Cazula)). Gold occurs as a native element in grades are reported to be associated with shear-related
pyrrhotine, chalcopyrite and mispickel (arsenopyrite). asbestos and garnierite veins in serpentinite and
At Nhamissale, the Au-grade is between 2.5 to 3.,0 g/t gabbro. Platinoids and gold have been found in alluvial
Au (see Svirine and Akimidze, 1978). sediments of the Nhangose and Mecucuè rivers.

Figure 6.48: T
 he Regional Locations of the Au-Deposits/Occurrences in the Cazula area. Cazula and Catõa 4. Mazomboè (Au Alluvium)
At Cazula and Catõa, the grade of gold varies between In the North Western corner of Tete-Angónia Region
5 to 20 g/t Au (see Map Sheet 1533). At Catõa, tungsten (see Map Sheets 1430 (Inhamambo) and 1530 (Zumbo)),
Notes: Qt –Fluvial terrace; P2FM – Muende Gabronorite; P2FP – Rio Pônfi Granite; P2FD – Desaranhama Granite/ near to the Zambian border, several gold occurrences
minerals have also been observed.
Porphyroclastic orthogneiss; P2MT – Mussata Granite; P2CD – Chidzolomondo Group; P2C – Cazula Group
478 479
 have been found, for example at: 5. Songo-Manje-Bene Chiputo (Au Indications in 6. The Missale-Muende (Chifumbázi)-Mulolera Area recent exploration work. There are also small alluvial
• Murrunguja; Proterozoic Rocks) The Missale-Muende (Chifumbázi)-Mulolera Area gold concentrations in the adjacent Vuboe River (see
At some localities in the alluvia of the Mecumburi lies in the most northern part of the Tete-Angónia Lächelt, 2004 and Hunting, 1988a). Since very limited
• Mesa River;
river and in tributaries of the Mecumburi, Capoche Region (see Map Sheets 1432 (Chifunde) and 1433 exploration has been carried out, the zone is considered
• Other Small Unnamed Au Indications. possible for further investigations (according to GTK,
and Luia rivers gold was panned (see Map Sheet 1532 (Furancungo)), on both the eastern and western side of
The mineralisations occur in quartz veins of meta- (Songo)). coordinate 33°E, near the border with Zambia. 2006).
sediments of the Mesoproterozoic Zámbuè Supergroup The source is unclear but the surrounding rocks Gold occurrences and indications are known at: The Fundão (Chabuine, Fundão, St. Isabel)-
(P2ZB). Alluvial gold also is known. GTK (2006) are of Mesoproterozoic age. There is no other detailed • Chifumbázi Deposit; Missale Deposits
reported that platinum was also found in the alluvia. information. The alluvial gold, however, provides an
Beryllium-bearing pegmatites of Pan-African age are • Fundão Deposit; The Fundão Deposit is located in Chiuta District
incentive for further exploration.
present in the same area. The Au-bearing area is very • Muende Deposit; within Tete Province, close to the Zambian border (see
far from any infrastructure and so was not considered • Missale Deposit; Map Sheets 1432 (Chifunde) and 1433 (Furancungo)).
as a practical option for investigation. However, the • Alto Vúboè Deposit; Gold is hosted in quartz-veined quartzites, conglo-
gold indications may be of interest for other possible
• Milau-Chibalane Deposit; merates and amphibolitic schists. The grade is 1 to 3
geological and geo-economical activities.
• Alto Mepuli Deposit; g/t of gold. The two highest values, analysed in 1949
• Mulolera Deposit; in a batch of 50 samples, were 6.7 and 14.1 g/t. The
gold content varies within the different parts of the
• Tchindundo Deposit;
occurrence (Chabuine, Fundão and St Isabel) between
• Cacabanga Occurrence. 3 and 7 g/t of gold (see Real, 1966).
Figure 6.49 shows the gold occurrences and indica-
tions in the Missale-Muende (Chifumbázi)-Mulolera The mine was operated on a very modest scale from
Area. 1949 to 1950 producing about 3 kg of gold annually (see
Svirine, 1978). Since the extension of quartz veining
A number of gold occurrences are known to occur has not been delineated, this North East-South West
in the paragneisses of the Mualádze Group (P2D). (10/75° South East) striking zone has an untested
The gold mineralisation in the area is thought to be potential for gold (refer to GTK, 2006).
genetically-related to shear zones and/or to the younger
intermediate to basic and alkaline bodies that intrude The Missale mineralisation is located South East of
older gneisses in the area. Several shear zone-related the Fundão Deposit (see Map Sheet 1432 at UTM 36S
to gold showings occur near Chifunde (see Map Sheet 0500437E,8441695N). This mineralisation could be
1432) and Furancungo (see Map Sheet 1433). The rocks connected to the Fundão Deposit. In the Missale area,
in the area are mainly biotite granite and granodiorite the gold mineralisation occurs as disseminated gold in
belonging to the 1,050 Ma Desaranhama Suite (P2FD). ferruginous quartzites or quartz veins in talc-chlorite-
actinolite schists. The gold may occur as free gold or
Within the Desaranhama granitoids, there are associated with sulphides and gold the content may be
volcanic and sedimentary rocks (paragneisses) of the 3 to 7 g/t.
Mualádze Group (P2Dvl). These supracrustals contain
mainly North-South directed shears, which have The gold mineralisation is thought to be genetically
created the necessary plumbing system for circulation related to the Desaranhama Granite (see Lächelt, 2004
of sulphide and gold mineralised liquids. and Hunting, 1988a). Gold occurs in East-West striking
and 10° North dipping quartz veins, cutting banded
The entire gold-bearing region is of interest for amphibolites and iron formations. Average gold grades
systematic investigations of the gold (as well copper) of 2.3 g/t have been reported. The known extension of
potential. the mineralisation is 90 m and the width is 0.8 to 1.6 m
Figure 6.49: T
 he Gold Occurrences and Indications in the Missale-Muende (Chifumbázi)-Mulolera Area (according to Svirine, 1978 and Lächelt, 2004).
The Chifumbázi Deposit
Notes: Qt – Fluvial Terrace The Chifumbázi Deposit is located along the same The Muende and Alto Vúboè, Milau-Chibalane
North-South-trending major fracture zones (see BIC, and Alto Mepuli Deposits
d – Diabase
1980) (see Map Sheet 1432 (Chifunde)). The Muende Deposit is located, ~5 kms East of
P2FM – Muende Gabronorite
P2FC – Nacococo Granodiorite/Granite Gold occurs in quartz-carbonate and quartz-sulphide Chifumbázi at Muende Hill. The easiest access to the
(±calcite±chlorite) veins and breccias in sheared biotite- site is from Furancungo towards Mualadzi, over a
P2FD – Desaranhama Granite/Porphyroclastic Orthogneiss
hornblende gneiss and ferruginous quartzites of the distance of 118.5 kms and then 800 m along a mine
P2CZgr – Megacristic deformed Granite and Granodiorite
Fíngoé Supergroup (P2F), as native gold or together road.
P2RF – Rio Tchafuro Granite
P2CD – Chidzolomondo Group with pyrite and chalcopyrite. Extensive haloes of The gold is associated with quartz veins occurring
epidotisation, argillisation and silicification surround in shears, quartzites, slates and in porphyritic granite
P2AGto – Tonalite Quartz-feldspar Gneiss
these veins. gneisses intruded by acid intrusions. The gold occurs
P2Dvl – Mualádzi Group/Macanda Formation
The reported gold grades vary between 4 and 14 as native gold or associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite
g/t. Silver is also present, but only rarely found. or Fe-oxides (in the weathered portions) (see Lächelt,
Trillion Resources (1995) has reported on further 2004).

480 481
 A low-grade gold occurrence of limited strike length is associated with a large (1,500 m by 1.5 m) pyrite-
is located close to the North-South trending fractures. bearing white quartz vein striking North North West
According to Hunting (1988) the mineralisation could that occurs along the contact between the granites and
be associated with shear zones. East-West trending mica schists. The gold grade is 7.6 g/t (see Lächelt,
sericitic quartzite and sericite schists that are 2004 and Hunting, 1988a).
intersected by acid intrusions with pyrite are enriched
with gold along North North East-striking fractures. 6.7.5 The Niassa Gold Belt
In the oxidised zone, gold is either native or associated The Niassa Gold Belt (NGB) is the most important
with iron oxides. In the deeper parts of the deposit, gold district in Northern Mozambique. Since 1990, in
gold is associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite. The gold the area from the Tanzanian border towards Cobuè up
assayed at 4 g/t (refer to Chakrabarti, 1987) or 6 to to the eastern shore of Lake Niassa in the South, in a
12 g/t (by Real, 1966). The section with the best gold belt about 90 kms that runs from North to South and
mineralisation in analysed drill cores was 3.4 m long, up to 25 kms wide, gold mining has taken place in a
averaging 3.15 g/t Au. North East-South West-striking zone.

Trillion Resources (1997) carried out geological Production of 5 t/a is quoted, but Wipplinger (1996)
mapping, ground magnetics and diamond drilling estimated a total of 12 t/a. Gold has been predominantly
(7 holes with a total drill depth of 772 m). exploited from alluvia up to now (M’Papa and other
localities in the North East part of the NGB) and
Together with gold indications at Chifumbázi, Alto rarely from the quartz veins between quartzites (as
Vúboè and Alto Mepuli, it seems there is enough volume in Long Bay). The gold content of the alluvia in rivers
of mineralised rock to justify further exploration. and creeks is low and varies between 0.5 g/m3 or 5.1 g/t
The Alto Vúboè, Milau-Chibalane, Alto Mepuli gold (see Lächelt et al., 1997 and Lächelt, 2004). Wipplinger
mineralisation should also be interpreted as indications (1996) estimated the yield to be between 10 and 31 g/t.
for a further gold prospecting. Gold mineralisation is concentrated exclusively in
the Neo-proterozoic Txitonga Group (P3TX) that forms
The Mulolera and Tchindundo Deposits a North East-South West striking zone, parallel and
The Mulolera and Tchindundo deposits occur adjacent corresponding to the North West border of the North
to Cacabanga in the centre of the Desaranhama East-South West-oriented Maniamba Graben (Karoo).
granite batholith (see Map Sheet 1433 (Furancungo)).
The most important areas include the North Eastern
The mineralisation is associated with quartz stringers
part of the NGB (see Norconsult/NGU, 2006 and
and lenses within altered diorites considered to be
Grantham et al., 2011) as follows:
xenoliths of the basic Fíngoè Supergroup rocks within
the Desaranhama Granite (see Lächelt, 2004 and • Cagurué;
Hunting, 1988a). • Long Bay/Miazini;
According to Hunting (1988), the mineralisation is • M’Papa (0A-Zero A);
Figure 6.50: T
 he Gold Exploration and Prospective parts of the Txitonga Group Zone of NGB
concentrated in quartz lentils and stringers within • M’Papa (0D-Zero D).
a diorite fragment which is presumably a xenolith of
There are no detailed descriptions in any of these ranges are limited or are even absent. All over the In the M’Papa area, North East-South West-oriented
basic rock within a granitic intrusion (P2FC-Nacococo
areas. North West-West part of Txitonga rock zone, no gold quartz veins are observed in a dextral shear zone and
Granodiorite/Granite). According to Freitas and Luna
In the central and south western part of the Txitonga mineralisation has been found and so it is unlikely that North-South-oriented quartz veins are most common
(1956), these mineralisations were thought to be
Group rocks, gold mining is unknown, but it is still any gold will be found in the rivers and creeks flowing in the Cagurué area.
caused by the influence of shear zones and a succeeding
possible that artisanal mining has taken place. towards Lake Niassa.
magma intrusion of intermediate to basic composition The productive zones in the alluvial goldfields vary
and alkaline granites. The quartz lentils may be up to Geological mapping by the National Directorate of Figure 6.50 shows the gold exploration and prospec- from 0.5 to 5 m thick, being on average about 2 to 2.5
3 m wide. Geology (DNG) of Mozambique has confirmed gold tive parts of the Txitonga Group Zone of NGB. m thick in the M’Papa Region, which is one of the most
mineralisation in the central part of the belt. By important alluvial gold fields in Mozambique (see NGU,
Apart from selective anomalies, the gold content Primary gold occurs in native form, in quartz veins,
panning in creeks of the three mountains ranges and 2007 and Grantham et al., 2011). A tropical weathering
could be as low as 1.56 g/t (see Hunting, 1988). The in low-grade metasedimentary rocks associated with
near to these ranges in the rivers of the Maniamba zone, 40 to 50 m wide, contains eluvial gold.
mean gold content was calculated at 4.11 g/t dropping mafic dykes and sills, in the Neo-proterozoic Txitonga
Graben, gold has been was found.
to 3.9 g/t in places. In one pit, the gold mineralisation Group, with the veins being related to second-order According to Kenmare (1996), the gold-bearing
was observed at a depth of 22 m. In the third mountain range (as noted from the structures, associated with North-South to North rocks are underlayed by Proterozoic metamorphosed
Maniamba Graben in South East of the Txitonga East-South West-trending shear zones, probably amphibolitic greenstones associated with acid
The gold content of the alluvia at the neighbouring
deposits) gold flakes were panned in eluvia, 10 m related to the juxtaposition of the Txitonga Group with intrusions. Re-Os dating of sulphide in gold-bearing
Vúboè river amounts to 0.6 g/t.
from the highest point of the range. This fact confirms the Mesoproterozoic Unango Complex (P2UN). quartz veins in the Txitonga Group, points to two
that in the central part of the zone, primary gold events of sulphide mineralisation:
The Cacabanga Occurrence The main direction of the veins follows extensional
mineralisation must exist. •E arly mineralisation, including pyrite and
The Cacabanga Occurrence lies adjacent to but North shear fractures, that developed during strike-slip
Further to the South West, gold was not encountered shearing along the main structures. chalcopyrite, formed at 483 ±72 Ma.
West of the Mulolera and Tchindundo Occurrences (see
and maybe here, the quantity of gold-bearing mountain •S econdary sulphide deposition, dominated by
Map Sheet 1433 (Furancungo)). At Cacabanga the gold
chalcopyrite, occurred at 112 ±14 Ma.
482 483
 Structural observations suggest that the whole of the reabsorbed and replaced by epidote and sericite, but Several analyses, based on single euhedral crystals of 2. 
The Rio Chimulicamuli and Rio Lugenda
Txitonga Group is cut by a suite of greenschist-facies, locally the relict gabbroic texture is still recognisable pyrite and a separate fraction of massive chalcopyrite, Au-Indications (Alluvium)
strike-slip ductile shear zones along a North-North (see NGU, 2007). yielded Lower Ordovician ages of 483 ±72 Ma, to which Local, small-scale gold panning has been registered
East – South-South West-trend. a high level of geological confidence is attributed. or reported along several of the rivers in other areas of
Further away, at least 100 to 200 m from the main
The gold-bearing quartz veins appear to have formed zone of quartz veins, the metagabbro has been altered All of the mineralisation is Phanerozoic, and not Northern Mozambique.
in extensional shear fractures developed during strike- to quartz-sericite schist. This schist is dominated by Proterozoic. The Re-Os analytical data also suggest the
slip shearing along the North-North East-South-South felted aggregates of very fine-grained sericite (50-60 %) presence of a later pulse of mineralisation. A second The Chimulicamuli Bedrock and Alluvial Gold
West-trending shear zones. and quartz in larger irregular grains’ amounts to 20 mineralisation, dominated by chalcopyrite, formed at The area is located on both sides of the road between
to 40 % of the rock.Fe-rich chlorite in fine-grained 112 ±14 Ma. Hence, the mineralisations can be related Macaloge and the Rovuma river (see Map Sheet 1235
Dating of the sulphide mineralisation using the to the geological evolution in the area, as follows:
aggregates represents 5-10 %. Some aggregates of (Macaloge-Chiconono) at UTM 36S 769141E,8644626N
Re-Os method, gives an age of around 483 Ma. The 483
coarser sericite/muscovite, quartz and chlorite are • > 483 ±72 Ma: The earliest (and perhaps main) and 768960E,8644030N).
±72 Ma date of the early mineralisation thus probably
probably pseudomorphed after plagioclase. sulphide and gold mineralisation in the Txitonga
records this tectonic event. The main works have been carried out along up to a
The main field of quartz veins has an outcrop of Group; associated with the evolution of major shear
1 m wide, strongly schistose zone, crossing a dry, small
The North-North East-South-South West-trending zones and late-orogenic Pan-African evolution.
about 600 to 700 m North-South and 250 to 300 m river, in a granite that is partly highly sheared 20 to
shear zones are identical to those described on a regional • > 112 ±14 Ma: At a regional scale, the age is close to
to the East-West. Most of the veins strike North- 30 m on both sides of this zone (Northern and Southern
scale within the Unango Complex (P2UN), which overlapping with the intrusion of the Kimberlites
South, but other directions are also found. The veins area). The schistose zone is very fine-grained, black
have been dated at 444 ±5 Ma, using the zircon U-Pb in the Maniamba Graben at 138 ±9 Ma (see NGU,
vary in thickness from cm-scale to several metres to dark green and includes a few grains of pyrite. In
method. Therefore, it is likely that the initial period of 2007).
and from being sub-parallel with, to more oblique, the Northern area, the schistose zone consists of very
mineralisation of the Txitonga Group is a result of the
to the surrounding strongly deformed schists.The The recent (2007) mining methods are very primitive, fine-grained, chlorite-sericite schist with granular
same Ordovician-Silurian transcurrent tectonic event,
main direction of the veins is in accordance with their based on the use of hammers and chisels, occasionally lenses of fine-grained quartz. Euhedral pyrite
which juxtaposed the Geci Group within the Unango
formation as extensional shear fractures during strike- also fire setting. The mines are effectively vertical commonly occurs within and along these lenses. NGU
Complex Granulites (according to NGU, 2007).
slip shearing on the main structures. shafts, typically 10 to 20 m deep, occasionally 40 m, (2007) took a sample in the continuation of the 150 m
down into the quartz veins, with horizontal adits along schistose zone and it gave an assay of just 30 ppb Au.
1. The Cagurué Gold Field The gold occurs in native form, is generally fine-
grained (1-2 mm or less), and in the richer part of the the veins in the bottom of the shafts. The gold-bearing The Southern area is a minor alluvial gold field. Small
The Cagurué gold field is situated about 6 kms to the quartz rocks are hoisted by hand winches and crushed
South of the border with Tanzania and 1 km West of the veins, occurs as irregular grains without other ore excavations have been performed beside the schistose
minerals. In some parts of the veins, there are veinlets and milled again by hand. The gold is then collected zone and a few trenches exist in the river bank in the
Karoo plain (see Map Sheet 1135 (Lupilichi) at UTM using water and mercury. According to some people in
36S 739550E,8714130N). This gold field is probably of chalcopyrite, pyrite, marcasite and pyrrhotite, as same area. Although gold was not found in hard rock in
the village, approximately 75 to 100 kg of gold have
the most important within the Txitonga Group. well as aggregates of magnetite. the area, it may still be of interest to artisanal miners
been extracted annually (see NGU, 2007).
(see NGU, 2007).
The gold occurs in a native form, within a network Tiny inclusions of gold are also present in the
of quartz veins in low-grade metasedimentary rocks chalcopyrite. Marcasite is also present in pyrite-rich 2. The M’Papa (Zero D) Gold Field
The Rio Lugenda Alluvial Gold Area
associated with mafic dykes and sills in the Txitonga parts of the veinlets. Chlorite, carbonate and felted This area has been one of the most important alluvial
aggregates of very fine-grained brown amphibole are Gold has recently been found by panning on the
Group. The veins are related to second order structures, gold fields in the Txitonga Group Gold Belt (see Map Sheet
associated with the sulphides. banks of the Lugenda river by NGU, 2007 (see Map
associated with North-South to North East-South 1135 ((Lupilichi) at UTM 36S 729894E,8709752N) and
Sheet 1237 (Mecula) at UTM 37S 353700E,8623370N).
West-trending shear zones. The main direction of the Some samples have been analysed using a SEM at the production in 2003 was still about 500 g of Au/day.
A nugget 2 to 3 mm in size was found, together with
veins follows extensional shear fractures developed the Geological Survey of Norway (see NGU, 2007): The production area is several hundred metres long a few smaller ones in the pan. It has been reported
during strike-slip shearing within the main structures. Samples of a sulphide-rich quartz vein in addition to and up to 30 m wide.The most productive zone is found that a Soviet team undertook gold panning in the
The Au-bearing quartz veins are associated with a chalcopyrite, showed the presence of partly Ni-bearing in the bottom of a 0.6 to 1 m thick bed of stone and early 1980s, along the Lureco river, a tributary of the
major body of metagabbro. In the vicinity of the gold pyrite (up to 3.3 wt as a %), sphalerite (Fe:Zn of 0.14 to gravel overlying red brown clayish soil. The stone and Lugenda River. (see Map Sheet 1237 about UTM 37S
field, the metagabbro is locally sheared, mylonitic and 0.19), pyrrhotite (up to 2.1 wt as a % Ni), Fe-bearing gravel (1 to 40 cms) consisting mainly of milky and 297700E/8564250N) (refer to Tveriankin, 1982 and
altered to quartz-chlorite schist in the vicinity of the siegenite with (Ni,Co,Fe)3S4, the silver telluride hessite clear hydrothermal quartz. A few sugary quartz and Hunting, 1988a). No detailed data are available.
mineralisation, grading to quartz-sericite schist away (Ag2Te) and bismuth-telluride-selenide, probably fine-grained granite pebbles have also been observed.
from the mineralisation. kawasulite: Bi2 (Te,Se,S)3. Samples of a quartz vein Up to 6 to 8 m of sand and soil has been found above Rio Lureco Sulphide-Mineralised Rocks assayed
with magnetite as the main opaque phase, showed the the productive layer (according to NGU, 2007). in the Lureco-Reveco River Alluvial Gold Area
The least deformed and unaltered metagabbro is presence of talc and Ce-monazite. The talc is a Fe-rich
dominated by green clino-amphibole (around 50 % is According to NGU (2007), in this area, various
variety with up to 40 % Fe. 6.7.6 T
 he Niassa-Cabo Delgado Provinces
probably actinolite), whilst the other 50 % consists pyrite-bearing rocks were assayed for gold and other
Some samples of vein quartz from the gold field have (excluding the Niassa Gold Belt)
mainly of plagioclase, quartz and epidote. Iron oxides, acid-soluble metals (see Map Sheet 1337 (Marrupa)).
been analysed for metallic elements, including the base 1. The Rio Lulimbo Alluvial Gold They mainly comprised of quartzitic rocks and none
chlorite and titanite are present in sub-ordinate and
trace amounts. The plagioclase is present in laths with metals and gold. The samples contain up to 19 ppm of The alluvial gold is located in sand, gravel and of these were from areas with known occurrences.
a random orientation, that is obviously a relict texture. gold, up to 0.15 % Cu, and 12.3 % Fe O. The contents of stones in minor creeks between exposures of the However, only a very low content of gold and other
The metagabbro is altered to strongly sheared quartz- other trace elements are very low. Karoo sedimentary rocks in the Lulimbo river (see metals were detected. The only anomalous value worth
chlorite schist in the main area of the quartz veins. Map Sheet 1235 (Macaloge-Chiconono) at UTM 36S mentioning was that boulders of coarse-grained, milky
The age of the mineralisation is unknown. Suggested
789495E,8666328N). quartz with minor pyrite in cracks were noted as
This rock consists of 40-50 % Fe-rich chlorite and ages range from Archaean to Early Palaeozoic
(according to Pinna and Marteau, 1987 and Pinna The gravel and stones consist mainly of quartz, disseminations.
20-25 % quartz and plagioclase: Biotite, sericite,
epidote and iron oxides are present in sub-ordinate et al., 1993). Three sulphide-bearing samples from pegmatite and granite. Neither gold nor sulphides At Map Sheet 1337 (Marrupa), UTM 37S 290097E,
amounts. Unoriented plagioclase laths are partly quartz veins in the Cagurué Gold Field were dated have been observed and panning has not being carried 8553636N, a sample yielded 0,6 g/t Au.
using the Re-Os method. out (according to NGU, 2007).
484 485
 A lot of quartz boulders exist in this area, located At Murrupula, the highest gold content assayed According to the newspaper “O Pais” (2018) gold 3. Mecucoè
about 15 kms upstream from the Lureco River Alluvial was 3.2 g/t Au with an average content of 0.1 to 0.3 mining could start soon in Nairoto. The company is At Mecucoè I (15°28’15”S/30°59’00”E) and Mecucoè II
Gold Occurrence. The quartz vein occurs in amphibolite g/t Au (see Hunting,1988). This gold is associated with quantifying the gold reserves and plans to raise 100,000 (15°30’00”S/30°57’00”E) in Tete Province, North of the
of the Muaquia Complex (P3Q). bismuth (Bi) (refer to Steiner, 1992). Generally, the US dollars to purchase a processing unit. There is no Zambeze river, platinum indications were identified
gold content in these pegmatites is very low and may published information about the geological conditions in association with gold in alluvial deposits (see Map
The Mazeze Area be only of interest when mining pegmatites for other of this mineral deposit. Sheet 1530 (Zumbo)).
Some grains of gold have been reported to have been mineralisation such as REE, Ta and precious stones.
6.7.9 Platinum By washing 144.26 m3 of alluvia, 1 t of concentrate
found some 5 kms South of Mazeze (see Map Sheet In the alluvia of the Xilopane tributaries of the was separated which yielded 310 g (=0,03 g/m3) of gold
1340 (Mecufi) at UTM 37S 628090E,8517170N). Namirroe river, reserves of 127 kg Au have been In Mozambique only three Pt-indications are known
and 68 g of platinum (see Vasconcelos and Hall, 1948;
estimated. or have been identified.
A large variety of boulders and stones occur in an Real, 1962 and Lächelt, 2004). These indications need
area of a few hundred square metres. They have been further attention and should be investigated, especially
1. Mazomboè (Au Alluvium)
recognised as strongly sheared/mylonitic rocks of the The Nacaluè Occurrence to confirm these mineralisations and to define the
Ocua Complex (P2OC), including sheared Graphite- The Nacaluè Occurrence lies within the pegmatitic In Mazomboè (Au alluvial), gold mineralisation possible sources of the metals in the alluvial deposits.
bearing biotite gneiss, pegmatitic and hydrothermal field of Alto Ligonha, but differs from the gold-bearing occurs in quartz veins of metasediments of the Mesopro-
quartz. The sheared quartz-feldspar gneiss with terozoic Zámbuè Supergroup (P2ZB) and gold is known 6.8. Rare Metals (RM: Ta, Nb, Sn) and Rare Earth
pegmatites in that the gold is concentrated in
weak sulphide disseminations and quartz-feldspar in the nearby rivers/creeks alluvial (see Map Sheets Metals (RE/REE). Multimineral Pegmatites
quartz-sulphide veins. The host rock adjacent to the
pegmatites/veins including very fine-grained pyrite 1430 (Inhamambo) and 1530 (Zumbo)). GTK (2006) (RM, REE, Precious Stones, Industrial
quartz-sulphide veins consists of sericitic schists.
aggregates and single grains along joints were sampled, reported that in this alluvia, platinum was also found. Minerals and other Mineralisation), REE-
Occasionally the veins appear as stockworks.
but the highest gold content recorded was only 26 ppb The area is quite remote therefore, the prospects Minerals and Minerals for High-Tech
Au (by NGU, 2007). According to reports issued by Aquater (1983), the have not yet been developed especially since geological Production (Lithium, Germanium, Gallium,
gold-bearing veins are associated with iron-quartzites investigations are still required concerning the Rubidium, Cesium and Vanadium)
The Namuno-Napiço Area (possibly BIF) within the amphibolites of the formerly mineralisation. Nevertheless, the presence of gold and
Morrua Subgroup of the Molócuè Group (P2NMa). Rare metals (RM Nb, Ta) and Rare-Earth Metals/
In the Namuno-Napiço area, gold enrichments were platinum indications should still be investigated.
REE/RE elements are of very high economic importance
observed in alluvia along a distance of 20 kms (see The gold content of the veins reaches values up to 12 for the communication, information and high-tech
Map Sheet 1338 (Namuno)). The gold content is in to 15 g/t. 2. South West at Tsangano
production.
the order of 0.6 to 0,96 g/m3 (see Notícia Explicativa, Near Tsangano 2 to 3 kms, South West along the road
No information on the mineralisation is known, Rare earth metals are used for example in the
1995). In this area, talc-chlorite schists, occasionally in direction to Tete, at the road is crossing, where there
but it has been established that the iron-quartzites chemical industry, in the electrical industry, in the
containing actinolite, which outcrop in a zone of biotitic is a small intrusion of ultrabasic rocks (see Map Sheet
(possibly BIF) and quartzites are characterised by radiation protection technology or as alloy additions in
gneiss within the contact zone of a younger granite 1534 (Zóbuè)). The intrusion consists of pyroxenite and
could account for this enrichment. Because panned a high concentration of pyrite. In 1999, up to 250 kg the metal industry. Therefore, there is a high demand
serpentinite with asbestos.
concentrates also yielded cassiterite and scheelite, a of gold was produced from the alluvia in the Naculuè for these metals. Up to the end of 2014, these metals
river and 9,6 kg from the primary rock. In 1982, Lächelt visited this intrusion which was were characterised by high market prices, especially
relationship to pegmatites also seems possible (refer
opened for prospecting of asbestos. Directly after this because China, which imports about 80 % of the world
to Hunting, 1988). According to estimate by Hunting
6.7.8 
Non-Pegmatitic Gold Deposits in Cabo visit, the prospecting activities were closed and there is production, has limited rare earth exports. At the end
(1988), 300 kg gold could be recovered.
Delgado and Nampula Provinces no data available or a correct definition of the locality. of 2014, the prices for rare earth metals declined. China
6.7.7 The Zambézia-Nampula Provinces 1. 
The Nairoto (Map Sheet 1238), Montepuez A series of samples taken by Lächelt, 1982 and lifted its export restrictions. At the same time urging
(Map Sheet 1338), Memba (Map Sheet 1440), several analyses by Franken (1982) defined 9 g/t other countries into the rare earth market. There are
1. The North West Alto Ligonha Pegmatites (REE,
Mogovolas (Map Sheet 1539) and Moma (Map of platinum in one of the samples. Ferrara (1988) two groups of rare earth metals:
Nb, Ta, Au and Others)
Sheet 1639) Deposits repeated the analyses and one sample showed contents • Cer-Earths;
Gold occurs in some pegmatites of the Alto Ligonha
In several localities in Cabo Delgado and Nampula of 0.81 % Ni, 0.26 % Cr, 80 g/t Co and 15 g/t Pt. In 1998, • Yttrium-Earths.
Pegmatites, especially in the central and north eastern
Provinces, alluvial deposits of gold are known. Gold Lächelt visited this locality again but only residues of
areas of the pegmatite area (see Map Sheet 1538 Recently mainly the Ce-Earths are used in the world.
grades are generally low and are mostly below the weathered asbestos were found.
(Murrupula)). In total, 14 gold-bearing pegmatitic In Mozambique, rare earth metals are known to come
bodies and 7 spot-points are known in the alluvia industrial-economic recovery limit. Nevertheless, No sampling and no definition of the locality were from the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites (REE-Pegmatites).
in the neighbourhood of the pegmatites. Most of the the presence of higher gold concentrations cannot be possible (no quality, good topographic map existed and The rare earths from these pegmatites belong
gold-bearing pegmatites occur in the Morrua area excluded. In 2015, the gold production in these areas satellite navigation was not yet available). The site is exclusively to the Yttrium-Earths. This leads to some
between rocks of the Molócuè Group (P2NMa). The was only organised by licenced small-scale mining or on the first hill from Tsangano to the South West and considerations:
pegmatites are intruded into amphibolites, amphibole by illegal miners. the road crosses this small hill/ridge.
gneisses, garnet-bearing pyroxenites and mafic 1. Mozambique has a significant potential for rare
In the Moma area, the gold is concentrated in the The problem is that all the landscape is characterised earth metals, especially of the Yttrium Group.
granulite. alluvium of the Mikikisa river. The Memba Deposit is by the same hill types and the only orientation is that Since this Group is also increasingly used for
It seems that all the gold-bearing pegmatites are located near Namajuba, 50 kms towards Memba. The this intrusion is the first hill from Tsangano on the industrial purposes and this potential should be
associated with iron-quartzites, amphibolitic gneisses occurrence of additional gold deposits is expected. road in a South West direction. By 2013, the intrusion noted.
and/or schists (see Hunting, 1988). These rocks are had still not been mapped.
The Mozambican mining company Mwiriti, has 2. With the current international rare earth market
partially intruded by post cinematic Pan-African confirmed that it has found gold in the Nairoto area Platinum is a metal of high value and therefore,
granites. The pegmatites are considered to be Late Pan- of falling prices, oversupply, new suppliers and
in Cabo Delgado Province (see Club of Mozambique, it is recommended to investigate and register these substitution of the rare earths, the Mozambican
African, Post-Pan-African intrusions and correspond mineralisations.
2018). options for the international rare earth metal
to the latest (Post-Pan-African) intrusive phase.
market are limited.

486 487
 3. N
 evertheless, it is advisable to develop the The main multi-mineral pegmatite fields are: Pegmatites are the main source of RM and REE • Amazonite-bearing and Tourmaline-bearing
geological prospecting of the potential of rare •R M, REE and Precious Stone Pegmatites in the elements and mineral production. A very common Pegmatites;
earths and to interest prospective international Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Province (Pegmatite); mineral in the pegmatites is, for example, columbo- • Emerald-bearing Pegmatites.
mining groups. tantalite, that is well known on the international
• Marinrongoè (Marinronguè) Region Pegmatites; The Amazonite-bearing, Tourmaline-bearing and
In Mozambique many deposits and occurrences of mineral market as “coltan.” Also many rare earth
Emerald-bearing Pegmatites are also described in
these elements and minerals are known and there are Gemstone-Bearing Pegmatites minerals as well as minerals of the Lithium Group and
Section 6.11 Gemstones.
real opportunities to occupy a significant place in the industrial minerals are present in the Mozambican
• Nampula-Nacarõa Pegmatites.
international market place. pegmatites and are waiting for further intensive
The Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Province
investigation.
Tin, Tungsten, Molybdenum-Bearing Pegmatites Alto Ligonha Pegmatites, Alto Ligonha Pegmatite
6.8.1 
Multimineral Pegmatites, especially Rare In Mozambique different pegmatite fields are known Field, Northern Mozambique Pegmatite Province
• Inchope-Mucombeze-Doeroi Zone.
Metals, Rare-Earth Minerals and Precious and of these, an overview is also described in Section (see Map Sheets 1537, 1538, 1636, 1637, 1638 and 1736)
Stone Pegmatites Figure 6.51 shows the main RM and REE mineral- 6.11 Gemstones (including Jewellery Stones, Materials
Generally all pegmatites in Mozambique may be bearing and germanium-bearing deposits of and Rocks for Handicraft and Mineral and Rock The Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Field is named after
classified as multi-mineral composition. Mozambique. Specimens). Nb/Ta and REE-bearing pegmatites occur the town of Alto Ligonha. It forms part of a 170 km
in Mozambique in three zones/areas: long belt, orientated North East-South West and
extends from Mocubela, in the South, to Alto Ligonha,
• The Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Province (Pegmatite);
in the North. Numerous other smaller, less significant
• The Marinrongoè (Marinronguè) Pegmatite Region/ pegmatite districts are found around this belt, within
Area (see Map Sheet 1531); an area of approximately 200 kms radius of the town
• The Inchope-Mucombeze-Doeroi Zone (Pegmatites of Alto Ligonha. The entire region is referred to as
and Skarn). the Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Province or the Northern
Mozambique Pegmatite Province and encompasses
1. Tantal, Niobium, Rare Earth Minerals, Lithium, almost every pegmatite in Mozambique (see Dias and
Rubidium and Cesium Wilson, 2000 and CGS, 2007).
Mozambique is rich in Rare Metals (RM, especially The first reports of pegmatite mining around Alto
Ta) and Rare Earth Elements (RE/REE) deposits and Ligonha date back to around 1926. In the 1960s,
occurrences. Up to 2013, these elements and minerals Mozambique was the second largest producer of beryl
have been in great demand on the international market in the world (see Pedro, 1986) and also contributed
and the prices have gone up significantly. In addition, significantly to lithium, niobium and tantalum
lithium and other minerals have become of significant production. Based on the poor records of the period from
economic importance, although the market has been 1973 onwards, it is clear that the production figures
well-supplied, but as by-products of the RM and REE since independence and the civil war are nowhere
production, Li-minerals, rubidium, ceasium, industrial near as accurate as what they used to be. There has
minerals and gemstones can also be produced. also been, and still is, a limited amount of gold mining
The main source of tantal, niobium, REE minerals, focused mainly on the Namama Thrust Belt (NTB) (see
lithium, rubidium and caesium minerals are the Grantham et al., 2011).
pegmatites, in particular the so-called Alto Ligonha An inventory of pegmatites carried out in this area
Pegmatites (Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Province/Field). by Barros and Vicente (1963) revealed approximately
The pegmatites in Mozambique are of Post-Pan-African 9 pegmatites / 100 km2 (i.e. ~400 pegmatites in an area
age and correspond to the last tectonic-magmatic of 4,400 km2), of which only 3.4 % were economically
events of the Late Proterozoic-Pan-African Evolution exploitable (see Dias and Wilson, 2000). Most of the
(see Lächelt, 2012). Between the pegmatites and the pegmatites tend to be sub-economic and rather need to
Pan-African granites, an age difference of about 465 to be assessed on the basis of all their exploitable mineral
408 Ma has been determined by Marques, 1989. assemblages for them to be considered as economic.
A variety of these pegmatites are found throughout Figure 6.52 shows the geological locations of the Alto
the Nampula Complex. The most recent characteristics, Ligonha Pegmatites.
especially of the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites, are described
in Macey et al., (2007). Macey (2007) distinguishes the
following pegmatite types in the Alto Ligonha and
Nampula-Nacorõa Pegmatite Provinces:
• Sodalithic Pegmatites (including Lithium and
Sodium (or Albite) Sub-types);
• Potassic Pegmatites (including Potassic Pegmatites
with Beryl and Columbo-Tantalite and Potassic
Figure 6.51: T
 he RM and REE mineral-bearing and Germanium-bearing Deposits and Occurrences in Mozambique
Pegmatites rich in Metamict Uranium, Thorium
and RE-bearing minerals);

488 489
 has been a renewed interest in the mineral potential for the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites concerning their local
of the pegmatites in this region, whose full economic position and mineralogical composition.
potential has still not been realised.
The Council for Geoscience (CGS, (2007) describes
Previous mining of pegmatites in the region, the NTB/Namana Shear Zone as the main controlling
concentrated on the extraction and treatment of the element for these pegmatites.
soft kaolinised part of the pegmatite. Thus much of the
However, this pegmatite field is much larger than the
fresher “hardrock” part of these pegmatites has still
NTB influence might have and within these pegmatites
been largely unexploited and represents a significant
there are indications that there are other controlling
resource and challenge to any present and future
factors that must exist. For example:
columbo-tantalite mining activity in the region (refer
to CGS, 2007). • Two groups of pegmatites form different zones/areas
and the position especially of the REE-pegmatites
The pegmatites contain a complex mineralogy of does not coincide with those of NTB;
which the following have been recovered in the past
• The gold mineralisation is only concentrated in
and are of significant, potential economic importance:
the central and north eastern part of the Alto
• Rare Metals, especially Columbo-Tantalite (Coltan); Ligonha Pegmatite Field and this shows that
• Lithium Minerals; other important factors may have influenced the
• Rare Earth and Radioactive Elements; composition of these pegmatites compared with
those of NTB.
• Gemstones (Aquamarine, Morganite, Rubellite,
Verdelite, Emerald and so on) (see Section 6.11 Figure 6.53 shows the regional relationships of the
Gemstones); RM and REE pegmatites in the Alto Ligonha Area
• Rare Mineral Specimens and Attractive Mineral and the gold distribution (gold in pegmatites and
crystals (see Sub-Section 6.11.3 Mineral independently from the potential RM/REE pegmatites).
Specimens);
• Raw Materials for the glass and ceramic industries,
such as Quartz, Feldspar and Kaolin (see Sub-
Section 6.9.2 Industrial Rocks and Deposits).
Recently (2011) the Muiane, Naipa, Morrua,
Marropino, Naquisuppa, Nampossa and Mita (Mecossa)
mines have been recommissioned, with artisanal
workers mining many of the other old abandoned
deposits, resulting in an increase in the production of
tantalum minerals. It is estimated that Mozambique
has 50,000 artisanal workers involved in tantalite,
gold and gemstone mining (according to Grantham
et al., 2011).
In reality, the Morrua and Marropino deposits
are actively mined. Both deposits will need to find
additional ore bodies if they are present. In this process,
it is recommended that further possible prospects are
explored (for example, in the Melele River Region).
Figure 6.52: T
 he Geological Locations of the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites
The Regional Position and Constraints of the
Alto Ligonha Pegmatites
Note: White = RM Pegmatites
Yellow = REE Pegmatites The first observation is that the Alto Ligonha
Pegmatites are limited to one large field of occurrence
and that the combination of RM and REE are only
The Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Province of Northern semi-precious stones such as gem beryl (morganite),
present in these pegmatites.
Mozambique is famous for its gemstones, rare and spodumene (kunzite and hiddenite) and tourmaline
unique mineral specimens and as a source for a variety (see Pedro, 1986). The pegmatites of this region were The continuation in a North Eastern direction of the
of RE minerals. important producers of various RE minerals such as same aged pegmatites (Nampula-Nacarõa Pegmatites)
beryllium, tantalum and niobium as well as a variety show many analogous mineral groups (for example
The multi-mineral pegmatites of the Alto Ligonha
of gemstones and mineral specimens prior to the minerals of the Beryl Group) but RM and REE
Pegmatite Province contain metallic minerals
independence of Mozambique in 1974. minerals are absent or only present in traces. This is
such as columbo-tantalite (coltan) and microlite,
a clear indication that special controlling factors exist
non-metallic minerals such as beryl, spodumene, There was a limited amount of mining during the civil
lepidolite, amblygonite, petalite and pollucite and also war. However, at the end of the civil war in 1994, there

490 491
 Figure 6.54: T
 he Murrupula Suite (shown in red), the Namama Thrust Belt (Namama Shear Zone) and the Alto
Ligonha Pegmatite Province

Figure 6.53: T
 he Regional Distribution of Gold Mineralisation in the Alto Ligonha Pegmatite Area

Lächelt (2012) distinguishes generally two groups of these pegmatites. Only the Cambrian Murrupula
of controlling factors that affect pegmatites. They Suite (CaR) includes very low traces of RM and REE,
are lithological and litho-geochemical and structural which are present in the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites and
factors; the Murrupula Suite does not correlate spatially with
these pegmatites (see Figure 6.54).
Lithological factors are important in the correlation
between lithological units and the location of the If we compare all the pegmatites of Alte Ligonha
pegmatite mineralisation, especially for the definition and Nampula-Nacarõa that outcrop South of the LTB,
of possible source rocks (litho-geochemically factors) there is a good regional correlation (see Figure 6.55).
for the mineralisation. This shows a temporary nearby formation time period
of the Murrupula Suite and the Post-Pan-African
From a geochemical point of view, the pegmatites
Pegmatites.
in Eastern Mozambique may be sub-divided into two
groups as follows:
• Li-Pegmatites+Nb/Ta=Sodalitic (Na) Pegmatites;
• Non Li-Pegmatites-Nb/Ta=Potashic (K) Pegmatites.
Structural factors correspond to structural zones,
fault zones and zones of joints. Lächelt (2012) has
compared all existing and new data upto 2007,
including the results of the geological mapping revision
and concluded that by comparing the chemistry of the
pegmatites in the rock formations occurring in Alto
Ligonha, there are no rock units that correlate with
the specific composition of the mineral assemblages Figure 6.55: T
 he location of the Alto Ligonha and Nampula–Nacarõa Pegmatites South of the Lúrio Thrust Belt

492 493
 The structural control of the pegmatites can be Plantacão Santos/P2MB), thrust belts and thrusted
analysed from two aspects, the super-regional and the units (Ocua Complex/P2OC, Lalamo Complex/P3LM,
regional. Xixano Complex/P3X, Muaquia Complex/P3Q, M´Sawize
From the super-regional point of view, it is quite clear Complex/P3SW) correspond to barrier units and inside
that most of the productive pegmatites are located these units, pegmatites do not occur. In this case, it is
South of the LTB for two particular reasons: clear that North of the LTB, these type of pegmatites
are more rare because the barrier units occupy large
The LTB corresponds to a tectonic boundary between
areas. Figure 6.56 shows the possible barrier units
two tectonic and metallogenetic provinces.
in Zambézia-Nampula and Niassa-Cabo Delgado
The Klippen (Monapo Complex/P2MN, Mugeba and Provinces.

Figure 6.57: T
 he location of the Mólocuè Group and the Mamala Gneiss in relation to the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites
and the NTB (more to North East, in the area of the Nampula-Nacorõa Pegmatites where these rocks
do not outcrop)
Some Problems of the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites
Between the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites, there are RM
(Nb,Ta) and REE/RE pegmatites. Chemical analyses
show that these groups may have some contents from
each other, for example:
• The RM pegmatites content of RM from X to 0 REE;
• REE pegmatites content REE from X to 0 RM.
This indicates that the pegmatites of this different
type probably correspond to two phases of the same
geochemical family. So they are geochemical parents.
Lächelt (2004) shows that the RM (Nb, Ta) pegmatites
are more or less controlled by the NTB (activation
and influence of the NTB) and REE pegmatites follow
no defined (activated) transversal (possibly tectonic)
elements (see Figure 6.58).

Figure 6.56: T
 he Possible Barrier Units in relation to the RM and REE Pegmatites in Zambézia-Nampula and
Niassa-Cabo Delgado Provinces
The Alto Ligonha Pegmatites shows a correlation • There is a long time-period difference between these
with the NTB (see CGS, 2007) but the regional location Mesoproterozoic units and the Paleozoic pegmatite
of the pegmatites suggests that other factors are also intrusions, but it may be that the older units are
of influence: the primary source for the mineralisation of the
• There is a good territorial correlation with the litho- pegmatites.
stratigraphic units of the Mesoproterozoic Mólocuè Figure 6.57 shows the location of the Mólocuè Group
Group (P2NMa) and the Mamala Gneiss (P2NMlcl). and the Mamala Gneiss as well the Alto Ligonha
Pegmatites with the NTB.
494 495
 The Regional Distribution of the Alto Ligonha The Nampossa-Miricue and the Namarripo-
and Nampula-Nacorõa Pegmatites Namivo Zones
At the base of the pegmatite distribution zones (see These two zones (D1 and D2) are along the south
Figure 6.58), four main belts/zones of the regional eastern margin of the NTB. The zones include the
distribution of the Pegmatites coincide with the major following pegmatitel fields:
structural features of the area, with the exception of • The Murrupula Field (X);
the Errego-Ribáuè belt (see CGS, 2007). • The Naburi Field (XI);
These belts are further sub-divided into a number • The Gilé Field (XII);
of pegmatite fields based mainly on their geographical
• The Eastern Edge of the Melela Field (VII);
location and to some extent the type of mineralisation,
and thus on some occasions, they transgress into other • The Eastern Half of the Alto Ligonha Field (IX).
belts. Each field comprises a number of pegmatite groups Potassic pegmatites and to a lesser extent the
classified according to the dominant pegmatite types (refer sodalithic pegmatite types are mainly in this area. The
to CGS, 2007 for the Roman numerals shown below): sodalithic pegmatites are usually found towards the
West, close to the edge of the NTB. The predominant
The Mucubela-Alto Ligonha Belt minerals are beryl and columbo-tantalite as well as a
This Belt coincides with the NTB and includes the variety of RE minerals.
following pegmatite fields:
• The Mucubela Field (VI); The Regional Zonation of the Pegmatites in
Mozambique
• The Melela Field (VII);
It was recognised early on that the sodalithic pegma-
• The Alto Molócuè Field (VIII);
tites formed a crude grouping within the NTB (on the
• The Western Half of Alto Ligonha Field (IX). Western and North Western part of the Alto Ligonha
These pegmatites are dominated by the sodalithic Field) and the potassic pegmatites to the South
and potassic pegmatite types. The pegmatites are East and the North East of the Mugeba Klippe (see
rich in beryl, columbo-tantalite (including microlite), Hutchinson and Claus, 1956 and CGS, 2007).
Figure 6.58: T
 he RM (Nb,Ta) Pegmatites controlled by the NTB (activation and influence of the NTB and REE spodumene, lepidolite, amblygonite, petalite and The initial attempts of describing the pegmatites of
Pegmatites following (activated) transversal (possibly tectonic) elements pollucite. Gem beryl (morganite), spodumene (kunzite Mozambique in terms of zonation patterns by Aquater
and hiddenite) and tourmaline are also present in (1983), Pedro (1986) and Marques (1989) defy the
Notes: Blue colour: Red colour: these pegmatites (see Pedro, 1986). currently accepted zonation model for pegmatites
RM-Rare Metals Pegmatites (Nb,Ta) RE/REE – Pegmatites of the Yttrium Group proposed by Cerný (1982, 1991b).
2-Camua 1-Boa Esperança The Mocuba-Mugeba and Munhiba Zones
5-Mutala 3-Guilherma The model proposed by these authors consists
These pegmatites are located mainly around the
7-Naquissupa 4-Muetia of a central zone of highly fractionated, sodalithic
edges of the Mugeba Klippe and Plantação Santos
8-Tarupe 6-Namacotche pegmatites surrounded by less fractionated potassic
Klippe and include the following pegmatite fields:
9-Marige 14-Macatoio pegmatites with beryl and columbo-tantalite or with
• The Mugeba Field (V); metamict uranium, thorium and RE-bearing minerals
10-Muhano 21-Nampoça
11-Nuaparra 22-Namivo • The Mocuba Field (IV). on a scale of 15 to 30 kms, within individual pegmatite
12-Murropoce 29-Ile fields or groups.
Within these areas, mainly the potassic pegmatites
13-Muiane 30-Mugema and rarely the sodalithic pegmatite types are Many of the pegmatite fields or groups in the region
15-Piteia 31-Bére present. The main economic minerals are gem beryl are poorly described and mapped, which together with
16-Nahia 32-Minhote (aquamarine), columbo-tantalite, tourmaline and RE the limitations of the current pegmatite classification,
17-Mirrucuè 33-Mária minerals (see Pedro, 1986). makes it difficult to typo-morph the pegmatites
18-Ingela 34-Nigule mineralogically (or classify them) and chemically (see
19-Merrapane 36-Ilodo The Errego-Ribáuè Belt Hunting, 1985) in order to establish regional zonation
20-Nahora 38-Lucingo This Belt is not a belt in the true sense but exists patterns within the pegmatite groups.
23-Mecossa 41-Muhamade merely as a convenient way to group the widely The pegmatite groups do in fact form small, zoned
24-Namarella 42-Monteomat distributed pegmatite fields of: groups from poorly fractionated potassic pegmatites to
25-Morrua
• The Errego Field (III); highly fractionated sodalithic pegmatites. The Ginamo
26-Namarripo
• The Nauela Field (II); Group of pegmatites display a crude fractionation
27-Melela
trend away from the potential parent granite to the
28-Marropino • The Ribáuè Field (I).
West. The zonation is on a more local scale of less than
35-Ginamo
The Belt does not appear to follow any structural 5 kms with Zones III (sometimes IV), VI and V that are
37-Namogoa
feature. It contains exclusively potassic pegmatites. present, as outlined by Cerný (1991a).
39-Munhamade
The mineral characteristics of this zone are xenotime,
40-Munhida The pegmatites closest to the Granite (Ginamo X,
euxenite, allanite and other RE minerals as well as
43-Famalição IX, VIII, VII, VI, III and II) are devoid of any lithium
columbo-tantalite.
44-Naiúme minerals. The exception of Ginamo V, which contains
496 497
lepidolite with the majority of the pegmatites further The border-zone of pegmatites at the Mugeba The pit at the Niame Emerald Mine tapers towards economically the most important and at its
to the East (Ginamo XII, XI, IV, I) contain lepidolite Klippe contain tantalite, beryllium and lithium minerals the end and suggests a lenticular shape for this southern extremity, it changes into the bordering
(and spodumene in the case of Ginamo IV) (refer to and the border-zone of pegmatites at the Plantação pegmatite. The shapes of the pegmatites are controlled zones of the Mugeba and Plantação Santos Klippen.
Aquater, 1983). Santos Klippe contain beryllium and tantalum mine- by the rheological properties and most notably the It is interesting that the klippen are barriers and
ralisation. The pegmatite zones near the granites texture and composition of the host lithology. practically no pegmatite mineralisation is found
Other groups of pegmatites have compositions
contain beryllium and tantalum minerals (refer to inside of them.
ranging from relatively poorly fractionated to highly The lenticular pegmatites are mostly in the schists,
Lächelt, 2004).
fractionated pegmatites. whereas the tabular-shaped pegmatites are hosted 2. The pegmatites containing the REE, follow
Unfortunately, the spatial relationships between The CGS (2007) study described a summary of the preferentially in the more brittle amphibolites (see transversal tectonic elements, indicated by the
the pegmatite types have not been documented and morphology conditions as follows: Hunting, 1985). northern border of the Mugeba Klippe (a transform
make any further comment about possible zoning, • “The pegmatites vary in size from a few cms to metres fault at 16°S/38°E), and a transversal zone at the
The major structural features of the area exert a
almost impossible. Examples include the pegmatites for the simple vein and lens-shaped pegmatites to northern end of the RM pegmatite zones.
primary control on the orientation of the pegmatites.
in the Marropino-Melela and Morrua zones where hundreds of metres in length and tens of metres However, on a local scale adjacent pegmatites may Lächelt is the opinion that the RM and the REE
mineralogical compositions vary from barren microcline wide for the more complex pegmatites. The largest have no similarity in orientation. pegmatites are of the same geochemically family (but
pegmatites to well mineralised lithium-bearing pegma- pegmatite in the area is at Muiane, which outcrops of different phases of formation) and every pegmatite
over an area that is 1,000 m long and 400 m wide The pegmatites within the NTB are orientated
tites (see Hunting, 1985 and CGS, 2007). type may include some elements of the other type.
(see Hutchinson and Claus, 1956). The pegmatite North-North East-South South West becoming North
Especially at intersections of the zones, RMs as well as
swarm at Nuaparra also covers a considerable East-South West at its North Eastern extremity,
The Classification of the Alto Ligonha Pegmatites REE mineralisation may coexist (according to Lächelt,
area and comprises an anastomising network of which is parallel to the strike of the NTB and the
The pegmatites were classified according to their: 2004).
pegmatites covering an area of approximately fabric developed in the host rocks. Locally, other
• Morphology and size; orientations exist where older North West-South
• Mineralogical and chemical composition; 2,600 by 1,800 m with the largest vein measuring Mineralogical and Chemical Composition of the
approximately 1,300 by 150 m (according to Lächelt, East and East-West-orientated structures apparently
• Mineral zoning and inner structure; Alto Ligonha Pegmatites
2004). The average size of the mined pegmatites is, intersect the previously mentioned, younger Namama
• Main mineral and economic mineral components. orientations (see Pedro, 1986 and Aquater, 1983). The pegmatites in the region are classified according
however, considerably smaller measuring 250 by
The pegmatites located around the edges of the to their composition and internal structure. This also
Morphology, Size and Regional Zones of Location 30 m (see Marques, 1989).”
granite-gneiss domes to the South East of the NTB provides an indication of the degree of fractionation
of the Pegmatites The pegmatites can be divided into two morphological and economic potential of the pegmatite.
are orientated tangentially to their edges, parallel to
According to the morphology, two principal types categories (according to Barros and Vicente, 1963 and fabric of the host rocks. Likewise the pegmatites in The initial classification of the complex pegmatites of
dominate (see Lächelt, 2004): Hutchinson and Claus, 1956): and around the Mugeba Klippe are orientated roughly Alto Ligonha was provided by Hutchinson and Claus
• Steep-dipping veins and bodies; • Vein and lens-shaped bodies; parallel to its margins and the fabric developed in the (1956) and they sub-divided it into two categories based
•S ub-horizontal, dipping up to 20 to 25°, lenticular host rocks.
• Tabular to lenticular-shaped bodies. on the presence of lithium minerals and recognised the
or plate-like bodies, partly of the undulating type
Most of the tabular and lenticular pegmatite bodies beryllium, Nb-Ta-bearing, lithium-absent pegmatites
(for example see the Morrua Zone). The vein and lens-shaped pegmatites are small,
have rather shallow sill-like dips (20 to 30°), e.g. Naipa, and beryllium, Nb Ta, lithium-bearing pegmatites.
steeply dipping, homogeneous bodies of no economic
The size of the bodies vary in length from some cms Naquisuppa, Marropino and Muiane (see Pedro, 1986).
significance and will not be dealt with in any detail but Correia Neves et al. (1971a, 1971b) provided a
up to one or more kms. The width may vary between a This results in the resistant Quartz Cores of these
are mentioned for the sake of completeness. similar sub-division for the complex pegmatites, those
few cms up to 400 m (at the Muiane Zone).The average pegmatites that outcrop as low hills or ridges exposing with rare-earth metamict minerals, those without
size is in the order of 250 by 30 m (see Marques, 1989). The shape of the complex pegmatites are, however, the upper edge of the pegmatite along the dip slope of replacement bodies and those with well-developed
difficult to define due to a lack of good exposure, but the hill or ridge which simplifies the mining of these
At Alto Ligonha, the pegmatites of two morphological replacement bodies.
are considered to form tabular and lenticular-shaped bodies.
groups are more or less irregular in their regional
bodies. On the small scale, however, the pegmatite A more rigorous classification was subsequently
distribution but are predominantly localised in the The pegmatites of Marige, Nanro, Niame and Macula
contacts appear rather irregular in shape with proposed by Barros and Vicente (1963) who recognised
central zone of the pegmatite field. are more dyke-like bodies with steeper dips and usually
small offshoots and bulges intruding the country four sub-types of sodalithic pegmatites and sub-divided
According to Stajila et al. (1988) and Lächelt (1995), rocks, crenulations on the floor are also common (see form low insignificant ridges, and can be usually the group without a sodalithic phase into two different
the pegmatites are divided into zones, however, this Hutchinson and Claus, 1956). Hutchinson and Claus recognised by scattered quartz boulders in the field. classes of potassic pegmatites, as outlined in Table
sub-division is problematic and has never been exactly (1956) highlight two features that point to an overall The Nahora pegmatite is a composite of the two types 6.45.
confirmed and therefore it only has a general orientation lenticular shape for some pegmatites. and dips at 20° at the surface, where it outcrops along This classification was later simplified and modified
(see the discussion in Sub-Section 6.8.1). Stajila et al. a ridge and steepens to 70º in the pit floor towards the
Firstly at the steeply dipping Nanro Pegmatite, by Lopes Nunes (1973, (Refer to Marques, 1989) who
(1988) and Lächelt (1995, and 2004) suggested that base of the ridge (see Hutchinson and Claus, 1956).
the inward-dipping contacts suggest a down dip recognised four major types of pegmatites in the region,
the pegmatites can be divided into two South South These attitudes vary from transgressive to sub-parallel
West-North North East main zones and into a South termination of the body. A trench cut beyond the main the sodalithic pegmatites, the two different types of
pit along the strike of the pegmatite exposed only with the dip of the host rock fabric. potassic pegmatites and also divided the pegmatites
West-North East-trending direction in small zones at
the southern extremity of this field. wallrock and lent support to a lenticular shape (the The pegmatites are composed principally of two in the East near to Nacala into the amazonite-bearing
shapes of the internal units are considered to reflect different groups, the RM and the REE pegmatites and and tourmaline-bearing pegmatite groups.
This includes two small zones bordering the Mugeba the shape of the pegmatite to some extent). every group has been subject to specific elements of
and Plantação Santos Klippen and three very small The two emerald-bearing pegmatites in the area,
Secondly the internal units of the Naipa and Marige tectonic control (according to Lächelt, 1985 and 2004): Maria III and Niame had not been accommodated in
zones bordering the Katanguan and Pan-African
granites. In the first two zones, the most north western pegmatites narrow and disappear both along strike 1. The pegmatites containing the RM (Ta, Nb) are any of the previous classifications.
pegmatites include REE impregnations and the zone of and down dip. The Morrua and Muiane pegmatites are located within two North North East/North East-
The correlation between the various classifications
pegmatites following the NTB is characterised by RM rather flat lying bodies and the zones are sub-parallel South South West/South West-trending zones.
used as well as with Cerný (1991a) is outlined in Table
mineralisation. suggesting a tabular shape for these pegmatites. The zone that follows the trend of the NTB is
6.44.

498 499
 1. Two types of pegmatites are recognised based on The sodalithic pegmatites are characterised by a
their internal structure. They are: Homogeneous variably developed Sodalithic Zone and are usually
pegmatites with a simple mineralogy belonging to well-zoned whereas the potassic pegmatites have no or
the group of vein and lens-shaped bodies and those a very poorly developed Sodalithic Zone that is sodium-
with a complex but variably developed internal rich but lithium is absent and a variably developed
structure. internal zonation (see Table 6.44).
2. Complex pegmatites are further sub-divided into The sodalithic pegmatites usually contain significant
two broad categories: REE mineralisation and the less fractionated potassic
a. Sodalithic pegmatites (by Barros and Vicente, pegmatites are poorly mineralised with respect to these
1963), which can be correlated with the complex, elements, but are potential sources of RE minerals
lithium-bearin) type of Cerný (1991a); such as feldspar, mica, beryl and kaolin.
b. Potassic pegmatites (by Barros and Vicente,
1963), which can be correlated with beryl and
possibly the REE type of Cerný (1991a).

500