A Preliminary Study On Geology Characteristics And Exploration Direction Of Odzi Metallogenic Belt In Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is one of important mining countries, the mineral resource of which has reached intothe front ranks of the world. Since Zimbabwe’s independence in1980, Western countriesgradually withdrew from the governance. The exploration and mining in Zimbabwe weresuspended due to the crack-down by Western countries and the lack of money in recent severalyears.The development of relations with African countries, especially South Africa is the key ofZimbabwe’s diplomacy. At the same time, Zimbabwe is implementing the policy to the East ofkeeping the close relationship with China, especially the top level of China. The mineral resourceof Zimbabwe is very rich, which strongly complements the mineral resource of China, howevermost of preponderant resources and deposits are in possession of foreign large countries, but nowdays under the special socioeconomic situation, Zimbabwe has commenced searching for theopportunity to cooperate with China. Hence, it’s very significant to strengthen the study on themetallogenic regularity of Zimbabwe.Odzi Gold mineralization located in Mutare of Eastern Zimbabwe includes Umtalimineralization located in Eastern Mozambique which also is named Manica gold mineralizationby articles. A mass of deposits and ore occurrences distributes along Umtali gold mineralization,where presently some Chinese corporations are working on venture mineral exploration due toinadequate geological work.It’s very meaningful to drive geological work and guide Chinese corporations to explore on thismineralization by strengthening the study on metallogenic regularity of this gold mineralization.The greenstone belt of this mineralization is60km in length,2-5km in width. According to thepreliminary statistic data, the know is15deposits or occurrences distributed.The above statistic data of deposits and ore occurrences mainly come from a research result byW.H.Swift between1946and1949. Because there was no geological work done in mining rightarea, most of occurrences distribute very closely and ore-controlling factors are same, it’s possible that there is a large scale deposit. Hence, With a60km greenstone belt is very potential.Gold deposits mainly distribute in the greenstone belt and part of which hosts in nearly gneissoidgranites, mafic-ultramafic intrusive rocks and diorites. According the historical geological dataand this research result, there are at least42gold occurrences in prospecting right area. Historicalgold recovery is between4g/t and10g/t, with the partial of40g/t. The gold deposit in thegreenstone belt is divided into the shearing-zone quartz-vein type, shearing zone alteration typeand ferruginous formation type. The historical data and the research result show the potential ofthis area. Furthermore, a hundred-tone deposit which names Manica was found in Mozambique.Combined with the foreign prospecting situation, the gold shall be the preferred prospectingmine type in this mineralization belt.For speeding up localization of ore concentrating area and submitting prospecting targets ofreconnaissance and general prospecting, the following technical route and prospecting methodare confirmed:Greenstone-type gold deposit is the main type, including cuproaurite, Tantalum,niobium,tungsten, tin, lithium, beryllium and lead-zinc deposits.In this area1:50000remote sensing geological interpretation shall be done to understand thealteration and prospecting information related with Gold and Copper mineralization, includingtantalum, niobium giant crystal rock mass.In greenstone belt,1:50000mineral geological survey shall be carried out and the key point is toindentify stratum, rock, structure and alteration.By stream sediment survey, the distribution of every types of anomaly shall be indentified andthe prospecting targets shall be locked out.In the important alteration belt and dispersed flow anomaly area,1:10000geological survey shallbe carried out to understand the geological characteristics of prospecting targets, at the same time,a few trenches and shallow shafts shall be done to know the distribution of surfacemineralization and to provide the geological basis of reconnaissance and general prospecting.