Near-surface geophysical investigation of the Far Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa
Date
2023-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Abstract
Platinum Group Elements (PGE’s) and chromium are the main economic minerals that are found within the Bushveld Complex. In particular, the Far Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex has not been completely explored, as it is overlain by a thick Quaternary sedimentary deposit which masks the contacts between the different underlying lithological units. Chromium outcrops within the Far Western Limb have already been identified and mined. The study aims to assess the feasibility of extended geophysical surveys which will further identify the shallow subsurface lithologies and evaluate the future mining potential in the area. Results of this study show that the quaternary cover is approximately eighty meters thick, implying a shallow bedrock within the Far Western Limb. This was used to delineate a contact between the Transvaal Supergroup and the Rustenburg Layered Suite that was lost beneath the sedimentary cover. This shows that shallow geophysical investigations and drilling can prove useful in delineating the lithologies hosting the chromium ores.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, to the Faculty of Science, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023.
Keywords
Bushveld Large Igneous Province, Far Western Limb, Petrophysics, Ground Geophysics, Subsurface Mapping, UCTD
Citation
Nadan, Thiashen. (2023). Near-surface geophysical investigation of the Far Western Limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. [Master's dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/41761