Age and geochemistry of the granitoid from the Lunte area,Northeastern Zambia:Implications for magmatism of the Columbia supercontinent

The Paleoproterozoic tectonic evolution of the Bangweulu Block has long been controversial.Paleoproterozoic granites consisting of the basement complex of the Bangweulu Block are widely exposed in northeastern Zambia,and they are the critical media for studying the tectonic evolution of the Bangweulu Block.This study systematically investigated the petrography,zircon U-Pb chronology,and petrogeochemistry of the granitoid extensively exposed in the Lunte area,northeastern Zambia.The results show that the granitoid in the area formed during 2051±13-2009±20 Ma as a result of Paleoproterozoic magmatic events.Geochemical data show that the granites in the area mainly include syenogranites and monzogranites of high-K calc-alkaline series and are characterized by high SiO2 content(72.68%‒73.78%)and K_(2)O/Na_(2)O ratio(1.82‒2.29).The presence of garnets,the high aluminum saturation index(A/CNK is 1.13‒1.21),and the 1.27%‒1.95%of corundum molecules jointly indicate that granites in the Lunte area are S-type granites.Rare earth elements in all samples show a rightward inclination and noticeably negative Eu-anomalies(δEu=0.16‒0.40)and are relatively rich in light rare earth elements.Furthermore,the granites are rich in large ion lithophile elements such as Rb,Th,U,and K and are depleted in Ba,Sr,and high field strength elements such as Ta and Nb.In addition,they bear low contents of Cr(6.31×10^(−6)‒10.8×10^(−6)),Ni(2.87×10^(−6)‒4.76×10^(−6)),and Co(2.62×10^(−6)‒3.96×10^(−6)).These data lead to the conclusion that the source rocks are meta-sedimentary rocks.Combining the above results and the study of regional tectonic evolution,the authors suggest that granitoid in the Lunte area were formed in a tectonic environment corresponding to the collision between the Tanzania Craton and the Bangweulu Block.The magmatic activities in this period may be related to the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent.

Gold enrichment characteristics and exploration prospects in Zambia: Based on 1∶1000000 geochemical mapping

The 1∶1000000 geochemical mapping of Zambia provides catchment sediment geochemical data for 58elements including Au from 746 sediment samples at 736 sampling sites,corresponding to a sampling density of about one site per 1000 km2.Under strict quality control using field duplicates,certified reference materials,and analytical replicate samples,the Au was determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry(ICP-MS).The detection limit of Au was 0.20×10^(-9).The 95%range(2.5%–97.5%)of Au concentrations was from 0.24×10^(-9) to 1.36×10^(-9),and the median value was 0.40×10^(-9).The most noticeable Au distribution patterns shown on the map are mainly located between Lusaka and Ndola(Lufilian Arc Belt).In addition,several high Au value areas occurred in Mansa,Muyombe,Chipata,and Livingstone.The spatial distribution patterns of Au in tectonic units,drainage basins,and geomorphological landscapes could be related to the Lufilian Arc Belt and Bangweulu Block.The Au concentrations show metallogenic belts between Muyombe and Mbala areas,between Mansa and Ndola areas,and between Lusaka and Kasempa areas.