Indicator Minerals in Northwest Botswana – Vacation Student Project

Mineral exploration in weathered and covered terrains has traditionally relied on geochemical and geophysical methods, with less emphasis on mineralogical analysis, even though it can provide direct indications of mineralization. While geochemical surveys based on soil analysis have been proven to be reliable techniques for locating various types of mineralization under shallow cover, their applicability is limited in areas with deep cover, particularly when the cover overlies fresh basement and hydromorphic metal dispersion is limited. Mineral explorers are looking for fast and efficient ways to understand the fertility of a mineral system and identify vectors towards mineralisation. Indicator minerals are mineral species that, when found as transported grains in clastic sediments or weathered profiles, can indicate the presence of specific types of mineralization or alteration and their lithological relationships, giving insight into the prospectivity of the region.

During his 3 month vacation studentship at CSIRO, Simon Crocetta investigated the indicator minerals within the an exploration region of north west Botswana.

Supervisors: Walid Salama and Louise Schoneveld