The allanite deposits on Vrede, Gordonia District, Cape Province
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Date
1961-11
Authors
Hugo, Petrus Jacobus
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Allanite deposits of an unusual nature occur in two types of granulite on the farm. Vrede, portion of Cnydas West, Gordonia District, Cape Province. The granulites belong to the Archaean complex which is also represented by schists and gneisses. These rocks, which are described in detail, have been correlated with the Kaaien Series of the Kheis System. The ore bodies are characterised by their distinct banding and the close -connection between their distribution and the regional structure of the metamorphic rocks. Allanite occurs with tourmaline, apatite, zircon and monazite in bands ranging from one-sixteenth to two inches in thickness, parallel to the foliation of the granulites. The mineralisation, probably hydatopneumatolytic in nature, started with the introduction of zircon, monazite and tourmaline, after which apatite, allanite, magnetite and quartz followed in that order. The optic axial angle of the allanite is 2V=60° or more. A high magnesian variety, however, has a positive sign with 2V=40°. The range in refractive indices is:
no~=1.732 - 1.757
n f3 = 1. 7 4 7 1. 7 68
n~ = 1.759 1.779
This variation is probably due to differences in chemical composition. The three analyses of allanite given have been recalculated on the basis of 13 (O, OH, F) atoms to the unit cell and the formulae obtained conform closely to the formula X₂ Y₃ Z₃ (O, OH, F) 13 developed by Machatschki. Chip sampling was done on all the deposits and the samples were radiometrically assayed against a standard uranium-thorium sample. The average values obtained are Allanite is, therefore, a prescribed material in terms of the Atomic Energy Act. The other ore minerals are all normal in their properties. A crystallising pegmatite is believed to have been the source of the mineralising, solutions giving rise to these deposits. This pegmatite and those of the surrounding area are related to a younger granitic intrusion, probably the acid granite intruded into parts of Bushmanland. The deposits opened up by 1960 occur intermittently over a total area of approximately 600 feet by 200 feet, but their extent in depth has still to be proved. Only the main deposit may perhaps be workable; if the allanite bands there extend to a depth of 200 feet, the ore reserve will be of the order of 1500 tons, assuming that the ore contains roughly 10 percent allanite.
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Keywords
Dissertation (M.Sc. (Geology))--University of the Free State, 1961, Geology -- South Africa -- Cape Province, Allanite