Characteristics of S, C, O and Sr isotopes and genesis of the Luiswishi Cu-Co deposit in Katanga, Democratic Republic of Gongo

doi:10.13745/j.esf.sf.2021.7.21

Abstract

Abstract: The Luiswishi deposit is one of the stratiform-hosted Cu-Co deposits in Katanga (DRC), the northern part of the Central African Copperbelt and in the peripheral of the Lufilian Orogenic Belt. The ore types in the Luswishi mine are classified as oxidized ore in oxidization zone and sulfide ore in depth based on the field survey and literature review. The mineralization stage consists of early diagentic, syn-orogenic and oxidation periods. Chalcopyrite, bornite, carrollite and chalcocite are the main Cu-Co sulfides; while malachite, chrysocolla and heterogenite are the most valuable oxidized ore. The isotope features of sulfides indicate that bacterial and thermochemical sulfate reductions mainly occurred during the diagenetic and syn-orogenic periods, respectively. From the analysis of isotopic characteristics it can be concluded that the main source of diagenetic mineralization might be leached from basement and the resulting minerals remobilized to provide source in the syn-orogenic period. Carbonate and organic matter in the Roan Group provided favorable conditions for the Cu²⁺ reduction in oxidized solution and precipitation in the carbonate strata. The supergene mineralization enriched the Luiswishi copper-cobalt deposit.

Key words: Cu-Co deposit, isotope, deposit genesis, Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo

CLC Number:

WANG Wuming, SHENG Tao, WANG Lijuan, DONG Shaobo. Characteristics of S, C, O and Sr isotopes and genesis of the Luiswishi Cu-Co deposit in Katanga, Democratic Republic of Gongo[J]. Earth Science Frontiers, 2021, 28(6): 318-330.

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