Mine detail: Palabora Copper Mine

Previously called 'LoolekopPhalaborwaFosko
* Old Copper Quarry'

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Location

Lat / long:

-23.99667, 31.14722

Resource(B)

Primary:	Copper, Vermiculite, Phosphorus-Phosphates
Secondary:	Platinum, Palladium, Ruthenium, Rhodium, Gold, Iron, Silver
Tertiary:	Titanium, Metal, Thorium, Uranium
Ore:	Bornite, Bravoite, Chalcocite, Chalcopyrite, Chrysocolla, Copper, Covellite, Cubanite, Cuprite, Galena, Ilmenite, Linnaeite, Magnetite, Malachite, Marcasite, Millerite, Pentlandite, Pyrite, Pyrrhotite, Sphalerite, Tetrahedrite
Gangue:	Biotite, Chondrodite, Dolomite, Olivine, Phlogopite
Orebody form:	PIPELIKE WITH ELLIPTICAL CROSS SECTION
Other material:	Apatite

Production

Operation type:	Unknown
Production size:	Yes
Development status:	Producer
Production years:	ORE ACC

Geology

Host type:	Intrusive Carbonatite
Structure:	Rocks (Phoscorite, Older Banded Carbonatite, Micaceous Pyroxenite In Concentric Pattern, Rocks (Younger Banded Carbonatite, Transgressive Carbonatite) That Fall In Fracture Pattern Superimposed On Concentric Structure; Karoo Dolerite Dikes That Cut All Other Rocks; Phoscorite Consists Of Serpentinized Olivine, Magnetite, Apatite, Mica, Carbonate And Baddelevite Weathered To 200 Feet

References

MRDS	M046564
DEP	10039040
Reference	{Deposit:: LOMBAARD, WARD - ABLE, BRUCE, 1964, GEOL. SOL. SOUTH AFRICA, ORE DEPOSITS, V. II, P. 315 - 337}{Deposit:: COUSINS AND VERMAAK, 1976, ECON GEOL, V. 71 P. 287 - 305}{Deposit:: LIST OF WORKING MINES IN REPUBLIC OF S. AFRICA, 1968: DEPT. MINES, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, NO. 18, SUPPL., P. 1}{Deposit:: ENG. MIN. JOURNAL 1977 PALABORA: ENG. MIN. JOUR. MAY 1977}{Deposit:: 1957 DIREXPL 135,937 FT DRILL COR}{Reserve-Resource:: VERWOERD, 1967, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK SOUTH AFRICA NO. 6}
Reporter	Page, Norman J.