Prospectus – Mozambique Mining Development (Pty) limited

PO Box 229

Sonpark

South Africa

1206

Tel +2779 191 9195

copper.trading@gmail.com

   

Index

 

Links to Images

Introduction.

History

Synthesis of existing knowledge

Geology

Objectives

Work performed to date, and Methods Employed

Results

Microprobe Results

Determination of Microprobe Results

Recommendations

Tenure (Tenements)

Obligations of Investors/Partners

Structure

Images and Maps

Plates (Picture Album)

References

 

Links to view images and Pictures

 

Link to view all images

www.flickr.com/photos/33436998@N00/?savedsettings=3919418...

   

Introduction:

  

Because of alluvial and marine diamonds occurring on the West Coast of Africa and in the Vaal River basin, and the close proximity of the Dokolwayo and associated primary diamond source rock pipes, fissures and dykes, inland in Swaziland and near Dullstroom South Africa, to Mozambique, the idea was born that diamonds must have been transported from primary deposits inland in Swaziland and from adjoining South Africa, via paleo and recent drainage systems, to Mozambique, and placed in tertiary to recent placer deposits and to marine environments since cretaceous times. The receded coastline east of the Lebombo Mountains, will allow easy access and mining control for the exploitation of these deposits.

 

Mozambique Mining Development (Pty) Limited, a company registered under the companies act of South Africa to perform Geological Research and Development as well as Exploration and Mining, was registered with the express view of being the vehicle to investigate the diamond potential in Southern Mozambique, South of the 26Deg line of latitude and east of the Lebombo mountain range.

 

Applications for reconnaissance permits covering about 23,000 ha were applied for in 2005 and granted by the Minister in 2006.

(See Tenements/Tenure and Geological Map – Fig 1 or click on Link below)

 

farm1.static.flickr.com/128/387913559_ae68700276_b.jpg

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Exploration commenced during 2006 and results obtained for the first year of reconnaissance work are described in this prospectus, together with past work performed, the geology, objectives, requirements and theories pertaining to the possibility of there being diamonds in the area under reconnaissance license.

   

History

 

During the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, David Maguire, spent some years prospecting for diamonds in Namaqualand, in both the littoral and sub-littoral zones of the Atlantic Ocean as well as ancient shingle deposits of raised beaches on the South African West Coast between Doringbaai near Strandfontein and Port Nolloth. In recent years he prospected and investigated up river of the Orange River mouth, diamondiferous placer deposits on the farm Grootderm and Kortdoorn where he successfully recovered the first diamonds ever found on Grootderm.

 

Synthesis of Existing Knowledge

 

Diamonds occur intermittently along the West Coast of South Africa and Namibia, in the Atlantic Ocean littoral and sub-littoral zones, as well as inland at elevations up to about 40m ASL in places, as far North as Conception Bay in Namibia, down as far South as the Lamberts Bay/Elandsbaai area, a distance of about 1000Km.

 

It is believed that some, but not all of these diamonds originated inland in South Africa from mantle derived, diamond bearing primary source rocks, (Harzburgites, Iherzolites from peridotitic origin in the upper mantle, and Eclogite from sub-ducted carbonaceous material of more recent age) and were transported from their upper mantle origin, to the earths surface during the emplacement of Kimberlite and possibly Lamproite, fissures, dykes, pipes and blows emplaced within the Kaapvaal craton area during mid cretaceous times and earlier. Subsequent destruction and erosion of these Kimberlite or Lamproite diamond primary source rocks containing peridotitic and eclogitic xenoliths, together with the surrounding country rock, eventually brought much of this material, including diamonds and other resistates, to the ocean, where the marine environment concentrated these diamonds in littoral and Sub-Littoral zones, and the receding ocean left these diamondiferous shingle deposits on wave cut platforms, shelves, and storm beaches. Before the marine sorting and concentration took place, diamonds were present, in lower concentrations, inland, in Gravel Terraces and Placer Deposits in close proximity, inland of the ocean and river mouth areas for 20-40km upstream from the river mouths, where many of these diamonds still exist and in some instances, are being exploited today. (See Fig 2 and Fig 3)

farm1.static.flickr.com/169/391941813_1ca195bf1b_o.jpg (Fig2)

farm1.static.flickr.com/138/390115622_244cbd8028_o.jpg (Fig 3)

    

The following has been observed and recorded after many years of research, observations and investigations, regarding the mineralization of marine and alluvial diamonds in gravel and shingle occurrences on the west coast and inland, which may well apply to the East coast in Mozambique, the area now central to the exploration endeavors to which this prospectus pertains.

 

In most, if not all instances, where large diamonds were recovered, it was directly north or south and within a kilometer or two, of the river mouths of drainages entering the Atlantic Ocean, such as the Olifants, Buffels and Orange River mouths.

 

Alluvial gravels are usually found in fairly large quantities, in close proximity to the present rivers, upstream and inland, of river mouths, for some kilometers, and marine deposits (shingle) containing diamonds are often found inland, in close proximity to these river mouths, on wave cut platforms and shelves where very payable diamond concentration occurs.(Fig 2, 3 and 4)

farm1.static.flickr.com/169/391941813_1ca195bf1b_o.jpg (Fig2, Mozambique)

farm1.static.flickr.com/138/390115622_244cbd8028_o.jpg (Fig 3, West Coast)

 

The richest diamond gravels consist of shingle with, large, well rounded ellipsoidal or spheroidal boulders, and shells of the Ostrea prismatica oyster being present and used as an indicator for the presence of diamonds. (See Fig 1)

 

Example of Boulder Shingle, Rich in diamonds, Alexander Bay (Riverline Marine)

farm1.static.flickr.com/145/397557678_144a9f1322_o.jpg

  

Example of Similar Boulder Riverline Shingle being potentially diamondiferous in S Mozambique.

farm1.static.flickr.com/148/397392592_0eed49c8a9_o.jpg

  

The marine environment, and the conditions that caused Oyster shells to accumulate in certain areas on the west coast, were the same conditions that were ideal and conducive to the accumulation of diamonds in these areas. Since these marine conditions were apparently ideal for the accumulation of both of these products (Diamonds and oyster shells) it can be reasonable expected, that when diamonds and oysters are present along any coast line, in a marine environment, that they will be found together where one or the other is found to be present in large quantities.

 

Diamondiferous shingle (Mixed with and containing Oyster shells) is most often found in the high velocity wave action areas where the wave cut platform ascends rapidly toward the landward side, where mineralization occurs mostly at the base of this steep incline, often being at the base of cliffs and off points and on storm beaches amongst the largest boulders.(See Fig 4)

 

All marine diamonds are of exceedingly fine quality and no boart, cleavage or cracked diamonds are ever found. This is probably due to the destruction of the cracked and poorer quality diamonds, diamond cleavage and boart in the harsh marine environment and the destructive forces associated with such, over long periods of time.

 

In most instances, marine diamondiferous gravels are extremely concentrated, and yield excellent grades, often in excess of 400ct per hundred tons and some of them gave 16 ct per ton. The oyster line gravels at Alexander Bay, a mile south of the Orange River mouth, had grades of as much as 100 carats per ton, or 10,000 carats per hundred tons.(Fig 3)

farm1.static.flickr.com/138/390115622_244cbd8028_o.jpg (Fig 3)

  

In many instances, inland deposits on the west coast of Namibia, commonly contain material from 1-10mm diameter being resistates of hard quartz, agate, feldspar, chalcedony, jasper, garnet, epidote etc that were sorted and concentrated by the action of the heavy winds in the area that have caused finer material to be blown away and the heavier diamonds and resistates to remain. This was the reason that diamonds were discovered here, since the windy desert environment left diamonds exposed and visible on the surface of this windswept, ancient marine, desert environment.

 

In other instances, gravel and shingle was totally overlain by windblown sand or other secondary material, covering completely any evidence of such deposits of diamondiferous marine gravel, and massive trenching operations had to be performed to expose such deposits.

 

Some typical strata of inland marine deposits are recorded as follows:

 

Surface detritus and yellow sand 75cm

Calcareous tufa -30cm

Lime cemented sand - 75cm

Coarse diamond bearing shingle consisting

mainly of flattened quartzite boulders 30- 50cm

Bedrock

or

 

Sand and angular surface detritus30cm

Alternating layers of dark brown and yellow sand240cm

Gravel15cm

Yellowish brown sand75cm

Coarse diamondiferous shingle cemented by gypsum45cm

Bedrock

 

Surface detritus 45cm

Layers of dark yellow and brown sand6.5Meters

More recent marine shingle barren of diamonds 0,5 meters

Light colored sand2.0meters

Diamondiferous shingle60cm

Bedrock

 

Diamondiferous Toffee colored conglomerate10-20cm

Sand50cm

Schist bedrock

 

Light colored sand10-12Meters

Thin layer of shingle containing very small diamonds 5-15cm

Sand3-4meters

Bedrock

 

South of the Orange River along the Namaqualand coast, the marine gravels are found inland on wave cut terraces at elevations from 20ft to 210 ft (6m to 65m) above present sea level and up to 5km inland. Sand, surface limestone and more recent barren gravels mostly bury the deposits.

 

About a kilometer south of the Orange River mouth, at what is now called Alexander Bay, an extremely rich strip of gravel from 8 -100ft wide and 110 – 135 ft ASL and 400meters long called the “Oyster line” was discovered and worked. Other similar rich deposits were found at Kleinsee at the mouth of the Buffels River and diamondiferous gravels were found to continue 40km up river from the present river mouth.

 

Four main types of diamond deposits occur on the west coast.

1,)Raised marine beaches (Extremely rich in diamonds) consisting of steeply sloping wave cut platforms with shingle and oyster shells deposited on the bedrock, normally 10cm – 60cm deep. (Plate 1)

 

Picture of Oyster bearing shingle in a 15cm layer, resting on calcarious matter on top of hard marine conglomerate layer, resting on sandstone. It is anticipated that older marine shingle will be found resting on a basalt bedrock, beneath this sandstone.

farm1.static.flickr.com/158/387913554_5d7a1dbdd9.jpg

 

2.)River Line deposits, (In very close proximity to river mouth, at the spring tide line of the littoral zone, on wave cut platforms of springtide storm beaches) extremely rich in diamonds, as above in (1.), but containing no fossils or oyster shells.

3.)Old river terraces (Containing no marine fossils)

4.)Deflation and residua derived from the destruction of older shingle from higher terraces and ancient cretaceous alluvial and marine deposits. (May or May not contain fossils)

 

At Alexander bay the diamondiferous shingle was deposited at three different levels as the sea receded from the land, and at the Buffels river mouth at four different horizons. Different fossil fauna characterized each horizon. The diamonds also differed between the different levels concluding that they were from different sources.

 

The old river line, South East of the Orange River mouth and North, North West of the oyster line lying at a somewhat lower level, was also rich in diamonds but carried no oyster shells or other fossils. This was about 66ft (20 m) ASL.

 

In the oyster line the bulk of the diamonds were found in a layer of coarse shingle 2,5 - 12,5 meters wide resting on a wave cut platform of phyllite, the end of which was sloping very steeply upward on the landward side. (Ten feet in thirty feet.) The richest shingle was at the base of the steep slope. (Fig 1)

The shingle layer ranged from 15cm to 90cm deep. (See Plate 1, indicating a shingle layer with oyster shells, found inland at a paleo river mouth, within our R1294 reconnaissance area in Southern Mozambique)

 

Eleven miles north of Port Nolloth, extending more than a mile along the coast, bordered by cliffs with sea caves at their base, diamonds were found in shingle resting on wave cut shelves/Platforms 40 -50 ft asl. The older shingle containing oyster shells is overlain by more recent shingle that does not carry oyster shells and is not as rich in diamonds. Upper layers of grit overlying the shingle contained non-kimberlitic metamorphic garnet, not in any way associated with the diamonds below.

 

South of Buchuberg, typical Orange River pebbles are no longer found in diamond bearing shingle that is composed of rocks and pebbles derived from local rocks and pebbles of chalcedony and agate cast up by the sea.

   

Geology

 

Area 1293R

 

This area, on the Maputo 1:250,000 Geological Map, is recorded as having conglomerates/alluvial placer deposits along the present Mbuluzi River that are probably diamondiferous, because De Beers discovered diamonds and Garnets in the Mbuluzi River in Swaziland, many years ago (Probably in the early 1970’s) during regional stream sampling. The trail of diamonds and associated kimberlitic indicator minerals led prospectors back up stream, to where the Hlane diamondiferous Molteno Sandstone/Conglomerates (190-200MY) were discovered. Realizing that these diamonds must have come from a primary kimberlitic source, the search continued inland into Swaziland where the Dokolwayo Diamond mine, as well as another pipe and associated kimberlitic dykes were discovered. Kimberlite pipes normally occur in clusters within a kimberlite province, and so it is highly likely that other undiscovered kimberlite pipes exist nearby which have also contributed to diamond mineralization in the area.

These pipes are extremely eroded, almost down to the abyssal phase, or root zone. The age of the Dokolwayo pipe is estimated at 203-207MY

The Mbuluzi River and its tributaries flow eastwards through Swaziland and have contributed to erosion in proximity to the Dokolwayo kimberlite pipe and associated kimberlitic occurrences north west of the pipe as well as the destruction of a part of the eastward dipping richly diamondiferous Molteno bed sandstones.

 

The Mbuluzi River, exploiting a deep-seated East/West fracture, enters a Gorge in the Rhyolite and Basalts of the Lebombo mountains before entering Mozambique from Swaziland. After entering Mozambique through the only gorge/ break in the Lebombo Mountains, it enters the Indian Ocean at Maputo. The fracture, exploited by the Mbuluzi River, is probably a deep-seated fracture caused by the emplacement of volcanic rocks, and possibly includes the Dokolwayo Diamond mine in Swaziland. It was previously prevented from entering Mozambique along its present course and may have entered the lowlands near Changalane with the river mouth being at Porto Henrique when the sea level was around 40m APSL (Above present sea level) until it eventually migrated North East, eroding its path through the harder Rhyolite rock along the fractured basalts and rhyolite, entering the younger more recent basalt, and then exploiting the many fractures in the area that helped determine its present course.

 

The area of interest in the 1293R reconnaissance area lies between 2 different ages of rhyolite and lies on a bedrock of basalt, being less resistant to erosion than the harder rhyolite making ideal diamond trap situations likely along previously exploited fractures, and also probable mineralization in mature, older, higher level river gravels resting on higher terraces.

 

Intensive fracturing has taken place during the eastward tilting and isostatic uplift of the continent. The Mbuluzi River has exploited these fractures and this is potentially good for mineralization of diamonds in trap situations where the river has exploited these fractures and then migrated away and off of them, probably leaving behind diamondiferous gravels in these channels.

 

Gravels are unfortunately in most instances covered by quaternary to recent tufa and alluvium or lie beneath waters of the recently built xxx Dam in the area.

 

Area 1294R

 

The Changalane River is terraced on both sides by Conglomerate/Alluvial boulder gravel of a very rounded nature for a distance of about 23 kilometers and attains a width of 1 to 2 or more kilometers in places. It is believed that this was the paleo Mbuluzi River that once flowed into the Indian Ocean at Porto Henrique. These gravels are typical of the diamondiferous alluvial gravels occurring for many kilometers inland of present river mouths on the South West African Coastline of South Africa and Namibia. This Changalane River conglomerate is recorder as quaternary and are possible underlain further downstream by more mature older gravels from cretaceous or tertiary times, and there is evidence of this by older gravels spilling out from under lower terrace gravels at Porto Henrique. This paleo river entered the Indian ocean at some time in the past, near Porto Henrique when the sea level was forty meters higher than it presently is. Oyster shells and other fossils are present in the older tertiary gravels and seashells are seen in the underlying conglomerate North East of Porto Henrique. This is in turn underlain by Tertiary Boane Sandstone of the Eocene epoch.

 

Area 1295R

 

Area 1296L

     

Objectives:

 

Original Purposes and Objectives

   

Phase 1

1To determine whether or not there were economically viable opportunities in Southern Mozambique that offer easy and practical mining control with regard to primary diamond source rocks such as Kimberlite and Lamproite

2To determine whether or not there are similarly viable opportunities with regard to alluvial diamond mining in sedimentary placer deposits, paleo channels containing alluvial diamondiferous reserves as well as the mineralization of alluvial gold in any of the above.

3Establish the presence of marine shingle or gravel, paleo beaches and wave cut platforms/Shelves.

4Establish the presence of alluvial placer deposits and other alluvial sedimentary rock types or conglomerates

5Establish the presence of diamonds or diamond associated indicator minerals within any of the above sedimentary deposits

6Establish the presence of alluvial gold within any of the above alluvial deposits.

 

Phase 2

 

7Perform Mini-bulk tests to establish the presence of diamonds in the area

8Perform major bulk tests if diamonds are found to be present, and establish grades and viability of deposits after exploration permits are applied for and approved.

 

Present and Future Objectives

 

1293R

It is anticipated that paleo channels covered with alluvium will show a subtle magnetic anomaly because the gravels contain large amounts of iron bearing rhyolite in them.

 

Objective:

Perform aero magnetic survey or obtain available imagery to determine where channels are situated under alluvium, and then, after obtaining exploration license, perform drilling followed by a bulk test for diamond content if viable reserves of gravel or are established.

 

1294R

It is anticipated, by the presence of kimberlitic indicator minerals contained found in samples of gravel taken from these known reserves, that some of these gravels are diamondiferous, since if kimberlitic indicator minerals are present, it is highly probable that diamonds will also be present, especially in view of the fact that diamonds are known to be present in the Mbuluzi River in adjoining Swaziland.

It has been established that marine gravels/shingle containing Oyster shells and other fossil shells are present at the paleo river mouth near Porto Henrique.

 

Objectives:

Perform further sampling and establish area where highest quantities of kimberlitic indicator minerals are present in alluvial paleo river gravels, and then perform a bulk test to establish the presence of diamonds.

 

Perform trenching operations at presently known marine shingle locations, where trenching will be performed from known shingle occurrences, inland, to establish where the wave cut platform ends and begins ascending rapidly to the highest point on which the shingle lies, and then perform a bulk test in the area where the largest boulders are found, or after the most probable area for diamond concentration has been established by other means.

 

Drill through the conglomerate and sandstone to establish whether or not marine gravels or shingle is presently situated directly on the basalt bedrock.

 

If reserves of gravel or shingle are found to be present, bulk testing should be performed to establish whether or not it is diamondiferous.

 

1295R

 

This area has the oldest sedimentary rock formations recorded at surface. Cretaceous marine fossilized calcareous matter is known to be present on the surface (Or just below) and in other places, overlying this is thicker tertiary and recent material.

 

Objective.

 

Obtain exploration license and perform a proper grassroots exploration program, to establish whether or not diamonds are present in these cretaceous marine fossilized gravels.

farm1.static.flickr.com/149/391447555_dec760c46d_o.jpg

1296 L

 

It is anticipated that this area was the area where the very hard rhyolite was closest to the coastline when sea level was 40mAPSL. If this is correct, there may be wave cut cliffs below the surface, as well as deeply buried marine gravels and shingle resting on very hard preserved bedrock of rhyolite or basalt, and the likelihood of potholes and gullies having been preserved beneath the alluvium and sand, is very good.

 

Objectives:

Investigate the possibility of gravels or shingle being present by drilling and trenching.

 

If gravel reserves are established, perform bulk tests to establish if diamonds are present.

    

Work performed and Methods Employed.

  

1Geological maps were used to determine areas of interest containing sedimentary deposits and then these areas were selected for the determination of the reconnaissance permit co-ordinates before applications were submitted

2A base camp was set up at Porto Henrique and a 4X4 land rover as well as “Hikes on foot with GPS” in the bush was performed for orientation reconnaissance purposes where occurrences of marine and alluvial deposits found were recorded.

3Sites where alluvial gravel was anticipated to occur were determined for sampling.

4Pits measuring approximately 1m x 1m x 1m were dug using picks and shovels and all of the material in these pits was removed and screened to four fractions, namely:

Minus 2mm

Plus 2mm; minus 3mm

Plus 3mm; minus 6mm

Plus 6mm.

5A 10-liter volume of the minus 2mm fraction was collected from each pit for concentration and selection of indicator minerals that were potentially diamond associated.

6Each 10-liter volume of minus 2mm material was concentrated with a gold pan, and the heavy concentrates taken back to our laboratory for selection of indicator minerals using a microscope, which were to be sent for microprobe analyses.

7All of the Plus 2mm, minus 3mm fraction was loaded into bags and taken to our camp where it was washed in sieves and sorted manually for diamonds. No diamonds were found.

8All of the plus 3mm minus 6mm fraction was stored in bags for further sorting in the event of finding any diamonds in the finer fraction that was anticipated to be more likely to contain diamonds.

9Samples of the course fraction clasts were selected and kept for later analysis, if found necessary, and the rest were discarded.

10Selected indicator minerals were prepared for microprobe analyses and then sent to CSIR (Council for Scientific Industrial Research) Dept Geosciences. Results can be found on Annexure1 below. (See Fig 5)