REE-rich Cu-Mine, Swartmodder Mine

The Swartmodder mine is situated in the Paleo-Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Rehoboth Group and it occurs as a schist xenolith within the Swartmodder granite. This deposit in known to demonstrate  characteristics  similar to Iron-Oxide-Copper-Gold deposits, with a typical early stage massive magnetite mineralisation also containing apatite (+ monazite) and increased contents of Uranium and Light Rare Earth elements (LREEs). The study seeks to identify pathfinder elements for selected technology metals (La, Ce, Pr and Nd) in stream sediments, while simultaneously exploring for the potential use of a pXRF.