PorterGeo Database - Ore Deposit Description

Central African Copperbelt - Zambian Copper Belt

Zambia

Main commodities: Cu Co

The most recent source geological information used to prepare this description was dated: 2015. Record last updated: 27/04/2015
This description is a summary from published sources, the chief of which are listed below.
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Annels A E 1974 - Some Aspects of the Stratiform Ore Deposits of the Zambian Copperbelt and their Genetic Significance: in Bartholome P (Ed), Gisements Stratiformes et Provinces Cupriferes: Societe Geologique de Belgique, Liege pp 235-254

Annels A E 1989 - Ore Genesis in the Zambian Copperbelt, with Particular Reference to the Northern Sector of the Chambishi Basin: in Boyle R W, Brown A C, Jefferson C W, Jowett E C, Kirkham R V, (eds), Sediment-hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits: Geological Association of Canada Special paper 36 pp 427-452

Annels A E 1984 - The Geotectonic Environment of Zambian Copper-cobalt Mineralization: in Journal of the Geological Society of London v141 pp 279-289

Annels A E, 1979 - Mufulira Greywackes and Their Associated Sulphides: in Trans. IMM, Section B v.88 pp B15-B23

Annels A E, Vaughan D J, Craig J R 1983 - Conditions of Ore Mineral Formation in Certain Zambian Copperbelt deposits with Special Reference to the Role of Cobalt: in Mineralium Deposita v18 pp 71-88

Armstrong R A, Robb L J, Master S, Kruger F J, Mumba P A C C 1999 - New U-Pb age constraints on the Katangan Sequence, Central African Copperbelt: in Journal of African Earth Sciences, Elsevier, Amsterdam v28, no.4A pp 6-7

Armstrong, R.A., Master, S. and Robb, L.J., 2005 - Geochronology of the Nchanga Granite, and constraints on the maximum age of the Katanga Supergroup, Zambian Copperbelt: in J. of African Earth Sciences v.42, pp, 32-40,

Brandt R T, Burton C C J, Maree S C, Woakes M E 1961 - Mufulira: in Mendelsohn F (ed), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 411-461

Bull S, Selley D, Broughton D, Hitzman M, Cailteux J, Large R and McGoldrick, 2011 - Sequence and carbon isotopic stratigraphy of the Neoproterozoic Roan Group strata of the Zambian copperbelt: in Precambrian Research v.190 pp. 70-89

Cailteux J L H, Kampunzu A B and Lerouge C, 2007 - The Neoproterozoic Mwashya-Kansuki sedimentary rock succession in the central African Copperbelt, its Cu-Co mineralisation, and regional correlations: in Gondwana Research v.11 pp. 414-431

Cailteux J L H, Kampunzu A B, Lerouge C, Kaputo A K and Milesi J P, 2005 - Genesis of sediment-hosted stratiform copper-cobalt deposits, Central African Copperbelt: in J. of African Earth Sciences v42 pp 134-158

Daly M C, Chakraborty S K, Kasolo P, Musiwa M, Mumba P. Naidu B, Namateba C, Ngambi O, Coward M P 1984 - The Lufilian Arc and Irumide Belt of Zambia, Results of a Geotraverse across their Intersection: in Journal of African Earth Sciences, Elsevier, Amsterdam v2, no.4 pp 311-318

Darnley A G 1960 - Petrology of Some Rhodesian Copperbelt Orebodies and Associated Rocks: in Transactions of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy v69 pp 137-173

Davey, J., Roberts, S. and Wilkinson, J.J., 2020 - Copper- and cobalt-rich, ultrapotassic bittern brines responsible for the formation of the Nkana-Mindola deposits, Zambian Copperbelt: in Geology v.49, 5p. doi.org/10.1130/G48176.1

Ellis M W, Austen A L, Garlick W G, Gane P G, Cornwall F W 1961 - Exploration: in Mendelsohn F (ed), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 166-212

Fleischer V D 1984 - Discovery, Geology and Genesis of Copper-cobalt Mineralisation at Chambishi Southeast Prospect, Zambia: in Precambrian Research v25, no.1-3 pp 119-133

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G, Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt (Excerpt covering Konkola and Musoshi): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 244-249

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G, Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt - (Excerpt on Genesis): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 323-352

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G, Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt (Exerpt covering Chambishi): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 249-256

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G, Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt (Exerpt covering Roan Antelope and Baluba): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 285-297

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G, Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt (Exerpt covering Nkana): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 275-285

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G, Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt (Excerpt covering the geology only): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 223-243

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G, Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt - Mufulira Mine, Zambia (Exerpt on Mufulira only): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 304-323

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G, Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt (Exerpt covering Chibuluma and Chibuluma West): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 298-304

Fleischer V D, Garlick W G,and Haldane R 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt (Exerpt by Garlick and Haldane covering Nchanga): in Wolf K H, (ed), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits Elsevier, Amsterdam v6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits pp 256-274

Fleischer, V.D., Garlick. W.G. and Haldane, R., 1976 - Geology of the Zambian Copperbelt: in Wolf, K,H,, (ed,.), Handbook of Strata-bound and Stratiform Deposits; II. Regional Studies and Specific Deposits, Elsevier, Amsterdam, v.6, Cu, Zn, Pb and Ag Deposits, Chapter 6, pp. 223-352.

Garlick W G 1961 - Chambishi: in Mendelsohn F (ed), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 281-297

Greyling L N, Robb L J, Master S, Boiron M C and Yao Y, 2005 - The nature of early basinal fluids in the Zambian Copperbelt: A case study from the Chambishi deposit: in J. of African Earth Sciences v.42, pp. 159-172,

Gunning H C 1961 - The Early Years: in Mendelsohn F (ed), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 3-10

Halley, S.W., Wood, D., Stoltze, A., Godfroid, J., Goswell, H. and Jack, D., 2016 - Using Multielement Geochemistry to Map Multiple Components of a Mineral System: Case Study from a Sediment-Hosted Cu-Ni Camp, NW Province, Zambia: in SEG Newsletter, No. 104, January, 2016, pp. 1, 15-21.

Haynes D W 1986 - Stratiform Copper deposits hosted by low-energy sediments: I. Timing of Sulfide precipitation - an hypothesis: in Econ. Geol. v81 pp 250-265

Haynes D W 1986 - Stratiform Copper deposits hosted by low-energy sediments: II. Nature of source rocks and composition of metal-transporting water: in Econ. Geol. v81 pp 266-280

Hitzman M W 1998 - Petrographic Studies of Ore Shale from the Zambian Copperbelt, Implications for Models of Ore Formation: in Geological Society of America, 1998 Annual Meeting Geological Society of America - Abstracts with Programs v30, No.7 pp 19-20

Hitzman M W, Kirkham R, Broughton D, Thorson J and Selley D, 2005 - The sediment-hosted stratiform copper ore system: in Hedenquist J W, Thompson J F H, Goldfarb R J and Richards J P (Eds.), 2005 Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, Denver, pp. 609-642

Hitzman, M.W., Selley, D. and Bull, S., 2010 - Formation of Sedimentary Rock-Hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits through Earth History : in Econ. Geol. v.105, pp. 627-639.

Hitzman, M.W., Broughton, D., Selley, D., Woodhead, J., Wood, D. and Bull, S., 2012 - The Central African Copperbelt: Diverse Stratigraphic, Structural, and Temporal Settings in the Worlds Largest Sedimentary Copper District: in Hedenquist, J.W., Harris, M. and Camus, F., 2012 Geology and Genesis of Major Copper Deposits and Districts of the World - A tribute to Richard H Sillitoe Society of Economic Geologists Special Publication 16, pp. 487-514.

Jordaan J 1961 - Nkana: in Mendelsohn F (ed), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 297-328

Kampunzu A B and Cailteux J L H, 1999 - Tectonic Evolution of the Lufilian Arc (Central Africa Copper Belt) During Neoproterozoic Pan African Orogenesis: in Gondwana Research v.2 pp. 401-421

Key R M, Liyungu A K, Njamu F M, Somwe V, Banda J, Mosley P N and Armstrong R A, 2001 - The western arm of the Lufilian Arc in NW Zambia and its potential for copper mineralization: in J. of African Earth Sciences v.33 pp. 503-528.

Liu, Q., Mambwe, P., Glorie, S. and Muchez, P., 2025 - Lu-Hf dating of apatite from the Katanga Copperbelt: age resetting due to post-orogenic fluid migration: in Mineralium Deposita v.60, pp. 1087-1097.

Master S, Rainaud C, Armstrong R A, Phillips D and Robb L J, 2005 - Provenance ages of the Neoproterozoic Katanga Supergroup (Central African Copperbelt), with implications for basin evolution: in J. of African Earth Sciences v42 pp 41-60

Master S, Rainaud C, Armstrong R A, Philips D and Robb L J, 2005 - Provenance ages of the Neoproterozoic Katanga Supergroup (Central African Copperbelt), with implications for basin evolution: in J. of African Earth Sciences v.42 pp. 41-60

McGowan R 2001 - Towards a New Genetic Model for Precambrian Sediment-hosted Copper Deposits: in A brief overview of the Zambian Copperbelt - Web page extract, from: www.soc.soton.ac.uk/SOES/STAFF/ sr1/Ross/RMcGowan_HP.htm 5p

McKinnon D, Smit N J 1961 - Nchanga: in Mendelsohn F (ed), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 234-275

Mendelsohn F 1989 - Central/Southern African Ore Shale Deposits: in Boyle R W, Brown A C, Jefferson C W, Jowett E C, Kirkham R V, (eds), Sediment-hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits Geological Association of Canada Special paper 36 pp 453-469

Mendelsohn F 1961 - Roan Antelope: in Mendelsohn F (ed), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 351-405

Mendelsohn F, Garlick W G, Pienaar P J, Demesmaeker G 1961 - General Geology (Extract): in Mendelsohn F (Ed.), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 17-56

Porada H and Berhorst V, 2000 - Towards a new understanding of the Neoproterozoic-Early Palaeozoic Lufilian and northern Zambezi Belts in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo: in J. of African Earth Sciences v.30 pp. 727-771

Porada H and Druschel G, 2010 - Evidence for participation of microbial mats in the deposition of the siliciclastic ore formation in the Copperbelt of Zambia: in J. of African Earth Sciences v.58 pp. 427-444

Rainaud C, Master S, Armstrong R A and Robb L J, 2005 - Geochronology and nature of the Palaeoproterozoic basement in the Central African Copperbelt (Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo), with regional implications: in J. of African Earth Sciences v.42 pp. 1-31

Rainaud C, Master S, Armstrong R A and Robb L J, 2003 - A cryptic Mesoarchaean terrane in the basement to the Central African Copperbelt: in Journal of the Geological Society, London v.160 pp 11-14

Rainaud C, Master S, Armstrong R A, Phillips D and Robb L J, 2005 - Monazite U-Pb dating and 40Ar-39Ar thermochronology of metamorphic events in the Central African Copperbelt during the Pan-African Lufilian Orogeny: in J. of African Earth Sciences v.42 pp. 183-199

Richards J P, Cumming G L, Krstic D, Wagner P A, Spooner E T C 1988 - Pb isotope constraints on the age of Sulfide ore deposition and U-Pb age of late Uraninite veining at the Musoshi stratiform Copper deposit, central African Copper belt, Zaire: in Econ. Geol. v83 pp 724-741

Richards J P, Krogh T E, Spooner E T C 1988 - Fluid inclusion characteristics and U-Pb Rutile age of late hydrothermal alteration and veining at the Musoshi stratiform copper deposit, central African Copper belt, Zaire: in Econ. Geol. v83 pp 118-139

Selley D, Broughton D, Scott R, Hitzman M, Bull S, Large R, McGoldrick P, Croaker M and Pollington N, 2005 - A new look at the geology of the Zambian Copperbelt: in Economic Geology, 100 Anniversary Volume, Society of Economic Geologists, pp. 965-1000

Sillitoe R H, Perello J and Garcia A, 2010 - Sulfide-Bearing Veinlets Throughout the Stratiform Mineralization of the Central African Copperbelt: Temporal and Genetic Implications : in Econ. Geol. v105 pp 1361-1368

Sillitoe, R.H., Perello, J., Creaser, R.A., Wilton, J., Wilson, A.J. and Dawborn, T., 2017 - Age of the Zambian Copperbelt: in Mineralium Deposita v.52, pp. 1245-1268

Squire, R.J. and Keays, R.R., 2024 - The role of supermountain belts and climatic controls on the genesis of copper deposits in the Kupferschiefer and the Central African Copperbelt: in Mineralium Deposita v.59, pp. 717-732.

Sutton S J and Maynard J B, 2005 - A fluid mixing model for copper mineralization at Konkola North, Zambian Copperbelt: in J. of African Earth Sciences v42 pp 95-118

Sweeney M A, Binda P L 1989 - The Role of Diagenesis in the Formation of the Konkola Cu-Co Orebody of the Zambian Copperbelt: in Boyle R W, Brown A C, Jefferson C W, Jowett E C, Kirkham R V, (eds), Sediment-hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits Geological Association of Canada Special paper 36 pp 499-518

Sweeney M A, Binda P L 1994 - Some Constraints on the Formation of the Zambian Copperbelt Deposits: in J. of African Earth Sciences v19 pp 303-313

Sweeney M A, Binda P L, Vaughan D J 1991 - Genesis of the Ores of the Zambian Copperbelt: in Ore Geology Reviews v6 pp 51-76

Sweeney M, Turner P, Vaughan D J 1986 - Stable isotope and geochemical studies of the role of early diagenesis in ore formation, Konkola Basin, Zambian Copper belt: in Econ. Geol. v81 pp 1838-1852

Unrug R 1988 - Mineralization Controls and Source of Metals in the Lufilian Fold Belt, Shaba (Zaire), Zambia and Angola: in Econ. Geol. v83 pp 1247-1258

Unrug R 1989 - LANDSAT-based Structural Map of the Lufilian Fold Belt and the Kundelungu Aulacogen, Shaba (Zaire), Zambia and Angola, and the Regional Position of Cu, Co, U, Au, Zn and Pb Mineralisation: in Boyle R W, Brown A C, Jefferson C W, Jowett E C, Kirkham R V, (eds), Sediment-hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits Geological Association of Canada Special paper 36 pp 519-524

Unrug R 1988 - Mineralization controls and source of metals in the Lufilian Fold Belt, Shaba (Zaire), Zambia, and Angola: in Econ. Geol. v83 pp 1247-1258

van Eden J G 1974 - Deposition and Diagenetic Environment Related to Sulfide Mineralization, Mufulira, Zambia: in Econ. Geol. v69 pp 59-79

Wendorff M, 2005 - Sedimentary genesis and lithostratigraphy of Neoproterozoic megabreccia from Mufulira, Copperbelt of Zambia: in J. of African Earth Sciences v42 pp 61-81

Winfield O 1961 - Chibuluma: in Mendelsohn F (ed), Geology of the Northern Rhodesian Copperbelt McDonald, London pp 328-342

Zientek M L, Hayes T S and Hammarstrom J M 2013 - Overview of a New Descriptive Model for Sediment- Hosted Stratabound Copper Deposits: in Zientek M L, Hammarstrom J M and Johnson K M, 2013 Descriptive Models, Grade-Tonnage Relations, and Databases for the Assessment of Sediment-Hosted Copper Deposits - With Emphasis on Deposits in the Central African Copperbelt, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia USGS Scientific Investigations, Report 2010-5090-J pp. 2-16

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