GEOKONGRES 84

20TH GEOLOGICAL CONGRESS OF THE

GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
POTCHEFSTROOM
PILANESBERG EXCURSION
14th to 16th of July, 1984

AN EXCURSION THROUGH THE

PILANESBERG COMPLEX
Lead by
JOS LURIE AND GRANT CAWTHORN
(Technikon Witwatersrand and University of the Witwatersrand)

1. Introduction
The Pilanesberg Complex is the largest of a number of bodies of alkaline rocks found in
southern Africa and one of the largest in the world. It is situated in Bophuthatswana about 50km
to the NNW of Rustenburg in the western Transvaal at the contact of the granite and mafic
phases of the Bushveld Complex. The almost perfectly circular complex has an east-west
diameter of 28 km and a north-south diameter of 24 km, the areal extent of the complex being
approximately 530 km². The remarkable concentric disposition of the chains of hills is
particularly apparent from an aircraft, especially as the complex rises from a rather featureless
part of the Bushveld.

The highest ground occurs in the northern sector (Pilanesberg proper) where the summit lies at
1,685m above sea level; however, a number of hill summits throughout the area exceed 1,400m
in height. The periphery ranges between 1,000 and 1,200m above sea level. The central part of
the complex, relatively flat with isolated hills, is surrounded by concentric, continuous chains of
hills separated by ring valleys. The outward slopes of the hills are generally steeper than the
inward ones. The chains of hills are transected by steep-sided valleys or poorts through which
the various spruits, draining the Pilanesberg in a radial fashion, pass. The sixteen poorts or
water gaps in the outer ring of the complex were numbered anti-clockwise by Shand (1928)
starting from the south. These broad physiographic features are shown on the accompanying
map (Fig. 1).
Several travellers in the last century such as Adolf Hübner and Carl Mauch who passed through
the Pilanesberg noted the unusual rock-types in the locality (Bernhard, 1971).

After Molengraaff's recognition of nepheline-bearing rocks in the area (1905), H.A. Brouwer
made a petrographic study of some of the rocks and was the first to recognise the ring structure
of the complex. W.H. Humphrey was the first worker to make a comprehensive investigation of
the general geology and to map the entire area (1912, 1913). S.J. Shand spent three winter
seasons, 1923-1925, in the Pilanesberg mapping and collecting samples and his
comprehensive description of the geology was accepted for many years as the standard
reference (Shand, 1928). During 1960 E.A. Retief remapped some 310km² of the southern and
north-eastern parts of the complex. Besides the rock-types mapped by Shand, Retief
recognised an additional major unit in the southern sector which he named Ledig foyaite (1962,
1963). This unit has subsequently been shown to contain zones of considerable economic
potential.

An aerial radiometric reconnaissance traverse was flown by the S.A. Geological Survey along an
approximately north-south route across the Pilanesberg during which a marked increase above
granite intensity was recorded (Hugo et al., 1967). Follow-up mapping and geochemical assay
resulted in the location of rich deposits of rare earth elements in one locality and several areas
of economic potential (Lurie, 1979). During the period 1968-1973 the complex was re-mapped,
geochemical, and ground radiometric surveys were carried out and the structure of the complex
was investigated (Lurie, 1973).

Investigation of various localities was done by Rare Earth Investments (Pty.) Ltd. and on behalf
of this company during the period 1970-1976 by Rio Tinto Exploration, Newmont S.A. Ltd., and
J.C.I. Exploration. Investigations included surface radio metrics, magneto metrics, sampling,
and preliminary drilling. Field investigations have thus far indicated large tonnages of low-grade
Nb/U mineralization in two localities and smaller tonnages of medium to high-grade rare
earth/Th mineralization in a third locality. However, considerable metallurgical problems have
been encountered, and exploitation awaits the solution of these.

2. Regional Geological Setting

The Pilanesberg alkaline province is an area in which major magmatic activity has taken place
commencing in the Precambrian (Ferguson, 1973) and comprises swarms of narrow dykes and
passively emplaced central bodies. The location of central intrusions appears to be determined
by the intersections of north-west and east-west trending fault zones. In his reconstruction of
the tectonic history of the rocks to the immediate west of the Pilanesberg, Vermaak (1969)
postulates two distinct periods during which compressive forces acted from the north-west.
The later of these caused intersecting directions of fault weaknesses which provided an easy
pathway for the penetration of the Pilanesberg rocks. The present author (1973) has shown that
considerable disturbance and subsidence of the massif has taken place since emplacement.

Horst and graben tectonics with a north-north-westerly orientation influence the geology of the
western Transvaal as exemplified by the Brits Graben, the Crocodile River Fragment, the
northward swing in strike of the Transvaal sediments and the Waterberg escarpment near
Thabazimbi and the Bushveld upper zone transgressions near Northam.

The fact that both Bushveld granite and Waterberg sandstone fragments are encountered in
breccias indicates at least a post-Waterberg age and that both Transvaal Sequence and
Bushveld Complex rocks are transected. Dating of Pilanesberg dykes has given values of 1,290 -
180my (Schreiner et al., 1958) and 1,330 - 80my (van Niekerk, 1962) while a hybrid rock at the
contact of lava and red foyaite in the central part of the complex has given an age of 1,250 -
50my (Snelling, 1963). Current work by J. Harmer at the C.S.I.R. indicates large age differences
between the different intrusive phases.

3. Local Geological Setting

Shand (1928) described the geology of the entire complex while Retief (1963) presented a
detailed petrographic account of two-thirds of the area. The mapping was revised by J. Lurie and
is presented in Fig. 2.

The structure of the complex is, essentially, a volcanic series, now partially denuded, intruded
mainly by a sequence of units generally disposed in concentric rings around a central core.

Red foyaite forms the core of the structure and crops out over wide areas in the central parts of
the complex. It is younger than red syenite and lava and intrudes the latter. The invariably pink
leucocratic rock is generally coarse-grained, highly weathered, and consists mainly of
microcline and liebnerite (after nepheline) with a low content of secondary dark minerals.

White foyaite is widely distributed having the largest outcrop area of the intrusive. It occurs
essentially as two ring-structures, the first enveloping the red foyaite core, but in the south-west
sector an additional quarter-ring forms the perimeter of the complex. The foyaite exhibits a wide
diversity of texture and, to a lesser extent, of mineral content and on the basis of these features
Retief (1963) has classified it into seven types. Major minerals include K-feldspar, nepheline,
and aegirine-augite. The foyaite is generally white to light grey due to the predominance of light
minerals and textures are non-parallel and commonly radiating.

Green foyaite lies between the white foyaite rings and is usually medium- to coarse-grained but
becomes fine-grained in some localities. A marginal facies of the ring in the west is
pronouncedly trachytoid and contains a significant amount of eudialyte and is referred to as a
lujavrite. An almost feldspar-free ijolitic facies is recognised near the centre of the complex. The
main minerals are K-feldspar, nepheline, and pyroxene. A variable number of accessory and
minor minerals are present.
Ledig foyaite (a geographic name) was recognised by Retief (1963) as a separate unit on the
basis of the characteristic radial clusters of aegirine prisms. That it is a separate unit is strongly
supported by trace element data (Lurie, 1973). The rock-type is confined to the southern margin
of the complex. The foyaite is characterised by the highest overall content of rare elements and
this is reflected in the considerable number of accessory minerals.

Red syenite forms the outer ring of about half the complex and is particularly well-developed
along the outer perimeter of the north-western and south-eastern quadrants. A number of
isolated bodies of red syenite outcrop within the complex. There is also a small body of alkali
granite in the centre of the complex. Tinguaite occurs in the complex in three forms - an
incomplete ring-dyke, a large sheet capping the Pilanesberg proper, and a number of thin dykes
mainly cutting across the grain of the complex. The rock is generally slightly porphyritic and
green to grey in colour. Small K-feldspar, nepheline, and, occasionally, aegirine-augite
phenocrysts are set in a fine-grained groundmass consisting mainly of pyroxene. Large masses
of dolerite are encountered in the north and minor intrusive of dyke-like habit include nepheline-
feldspar porphyry, syenite, microfoyaite, and tinguaite. Kimberlites are also recorded.

Volcanic rocks include dark-red and light-coloured lavas, breccias, tuffs, agglomerates, and
conglomerates. The volcanics dip mainly inward. In the southern, eastern, and western sectors
the ring structures have an inward dip but in the northern sector they dip outwards at a very
steep angle.

The following is a broad outline of the sequence of emplacement of the

complex:
1. Volcanic explosions and shattering of overlying granite and Waterberg rocks.
2. Development of cones of lava and pyroclastic.
3. Ring-fracturing along the outline and intrusion of syenite.
4. Emplacement of red foyaite in core.
5. Volcanic activity with pyroclastic and lava flows.
6. Caldera subsidence and emplacement of white foyaite along ring-fractures.
7. Subsidence and emplacement of tinguaite and green foyaite.
8. Subsidence and emplacement of Ledig foyaite.
9. Intrusion of radially disposed tinguaite and microfoyaite dykes.
10. Intrusion of syenite dykes.
11. Tilting of complex: faulting and thrusting resulting in rotation of the
SE semi-circle with respect to the NW semi-circle.
12. Slow subsidence of the complex.

4. Geochemistry
 The overall major element content of the rocks is typical of that of alkaline complexes in
general, but potassium and calcium are somewhat higher and sodium somewhat lower than in
the case of complexes of comparable size such as Lovozero and Ilimaussaq. Na/K ratios
increase from 0.32 (red foyaite) through 1.48 (white foyaite) and 1.94 (green foyaite) to 2.04
(Ledig foyaite), but all are miaskitic.

Ferguson (1973) made a study of the geochemistry of samples, not only from the Pilanesberg
Complex sensu stricto, but from dykes orientated NNW cutting Bushveld, Transvaal,
Ventersdorp, and Witwatersrand stratigraphy and the Franspoort and Leeufontein bodies. The
lavas have been analyzed (R.G.C.) and appear to be chemically distinct from all the intrusive
rocks, including the fine-grained dykes. This is shown in Fig. 3, where the lavas can be seen to
be more silica-rich and poorer in alkalis than all other samples from the confines of the
Pilanesberg Complex.

The content of trace elements in the major rock types has been assessed and reveals that the
Pilanesberg is enriched in elements such as fluorine, strontium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium,
hafnium, rare earths, thorium, and uranium. Of the major rock types, the so-called Ledig foyaite
has the highest content of trace elements and this is followed by green foyaite. These are in
outer rings. The red foyaite, constituting the core of the complex, has the lowest content of trace
elements.

The Th/U ratio is approximately 5 for the complex. A comparison, based on available data,
between the Pilanesberg and other alkali complexes of comparable size (Fig. 4) gives an
indication of the diversity of these relatively rare phenomena. The Lovozero complex, on the
Kola peninsula of the USSR, is slightly larger (650km²), pear-shaped and much younger (266my),
while the Ilimaussaq Complex in Greenland is considerably smaller (110km²), elliptical and of
similar age (1,020my). The Pilanesberg has the most clearly defined ring structure. The three
complexes are all enriched with respect to the trace elements characteristic of alkali rocks but
the degree of enrichment varies considerably between them. The Pilanesberg apparently has
the highest overall content of light rare earths, strontium, and thorium. The uranium content is
higher than that of Lovozero (data for Ilimaussaq were not available to the authors). The fluorine
content of the Pilanesberg is about twice that of Lovozero and almost three times that of
Ilimaussaq. The high concentrations of uranium and thorium result in a pronounced radiometric
anomaly over the whole complex, the details of which are shown in Fig. 5.

TABLE 1: Correlation Coefficients

Rb Ba Sr Y Ta Hf Zr Nb Ce La
Uranium -.34 -.32 -.08 +.41 +.54 +.69 +.76 +.76 +.69 +.70
Thorium -.35 -.26 -.22 +.55 +.52 +.59 +.70 +.72 +.93 +.71
Pairs of 27 33 37 37 22 22 37 37 37 37
Samples
Only two of the five mineralised areas will be visited (Thabayadiotsa and Ledig foyaite), and so
only these will be described. Lurie (in press) has described the occurrence and extractability of
the other three localities on Saulspoort, Rhenosterspruit and Doornhoek.

(i) THABAYADIOTSA

The hill known as Thabayadiotsa is in the eastern sector of the complex, with its peak rising
about 200 meters above the valley on its western side. The geological formations exposed on
the hill include, in chronological order, lava, white foyaite, tinguaite, green foyaite, and syenite.
The summit is capped with a thin layer of lava and is intersected by a well-developed tinguaite
ring dyke, particularly sheared where it contacts the intruding green foyaite.

Prominent outcrops of green foyaite are visible along the hill's flanks. This rock type is generally
coarse-grained, often displaying a porphyritic texture. It predominantly consists of minerals like
green microcline, nepheline, and aegirine, with occasional eudialyte. Near the tinguaite
contact, britholite becomes a significant component, and the rock exhibits a trachytoid texture.

Scattered throughout the area are small outcrops of white foyaite, which seem to be xenoliths
within the younger rocks. Two parallel syenite dykes, trending north-northwest, cut across the
hill, affecting the older geological formations as depicted in Figure 6.

Rare earth mineralization on Thabayadiotsa includes:

Disseminations, irregular veinlets, and blebs of britholite within a highly radioactive zone along
the green foyaite's contact with tinguaite. The mineral replaces other silicates in the sequence:
aegirine, feldspar, nepheline. The britholite often transforms into secondary minerals such as
cheralite and vujavrite. This zone, intersected by three boreholes, comprises up to five
subzones ranging from 0.5 to 2 meters in thickness and several thinner subzones. A radiometric
map illustrating this is shown in Figure 7.

Sheets found on or near the foyaite-tinguaite contact, which are slightly undulating with
variable dips. Their thickness varies from a few centimetres to 20 centimetres, and the exposed
material, highly weathered, consists mainly of secondary hydrated rare earth materials like
cheralite, accompanied by a smaller proportion of magnetite.

Fracture fillings in tinguaite near its contact with green foyaite, well-defined and sharply
delineated against the tinguaite. These veins generally dip steeply away from the contact,
maintaining a constant thickness over tens of meters, but occasionally they thicken, pinch,
bifurcate, or anastomose.

It is noteworthy that all known veins were initially identified radiometrically and later exposed
through trenching. Only radiometrically detectable bodies, those relatively close to the surface
or partially outcropping, can be identified by this method. The mineral composition of the veins
varies, but their upper parts are significantly weathered, with most of the accessible material
proving too decomposed for optical analysis.

A geochemical analysis derived from a borehole drilled through the green foyaite is provided in
Table 2.

Table 2: Mineralised Subzones

Borehole Subzone Width(cm) REO+ThO2 % UoO8(ppm)

1 1 30 6,98 30
2 4 24,45 40
3 12 9,45 20
4 80 10,75 50
5 27 3,10 50
6 10 10,36 50
7 165 9,50 30
8 147 1,28 30
9 60 3,32 20
10 30 9,95 -

TABLE 3: Details of Some Contact Sheets and Fracture Fillings

BODY LENTH AVERADGE REO + ThO U3O8 Remarks

EXPOSED WIDTH CONTENT
R2 3 6 13.6 120 Grab Sample
M1 8 12 17.9 n.d Grab Sample
S1 5 12 n.d n.d
C2 32 12 n.d n.d
G3 21 16 n.d n.d
G2 2 6 n.d n.d
P1 25 12 7.45 n.d Grab Sample
A1 6 5 n.d n.d
A2 26 12 n.d n.d
A3 66 60 40.5 125 Mean of 5 sample
B1 50 30 13 100 Grab Sample
C1 100 16 13.1 78 Composite sample
J1 56 25 33.4 58 Grab Sample
J2 18 15 n.d n.d
K3 300 35 16.6 61 Mean: 2
composite sample
M2 43 16 n.d n.d
R1 6 8 n.d n.d
W1 35 8 n.d 80 Grab sample
The dominant primary rare earth mineral of the deposits appears to be britholite. A pure
specimen of the mineral was found to contain 56,36% REO and 1,56% ThO. The formula of
thorian britholite is (Ca.Th.Ce) (Si,P) O.p (0H,F).

Although the vein material constitutes a rich ore source, with concentrations ranging from 13.3% to
48.6% REO + ThO, it is the disseminated ore that holds the significant reserves. Accurate quantification of
these reserves necessitates further drilling. Nonetheless, the drilling conducted thus far has largely
confirmed the geological structure as initially indicated by surface mapping alone. By interpolating data
from surface outcrops and boreholes (see Figure 6), the following estimates of ore tonnages and grades
have been made:

For the disseminated zone as a whole:

13,500,000 tonnes at 0.70% REO + ThO2.

Considering only the widest subzones, with thicknesses ranging from 0.8 to 2 meters:

1,200,000 tonnes at 6.54% REO + ThO2.

The reserves of exposed vein material, per 10 meters depth over a stopping width of 0.8 meters, are:

24,000 tonnes at 10% REO + ThO2.

LEDIG FOYAITE ZONE

The Ledig Foyaite forms a quarter-ring near the southern margin of the complex and contains the highest
concentration of trace elements within the unit. The ends of this zone, both eastern and western, have
undergone considerable mineralization, while the central portion appears less enriched. At the western
end, a radiometrically anomalous area crosses the boundary between the farms Koedoesfontein and
Zandrivierspoort. To the southwest of this area, outcrops of white foyaite of the Matooster type (Retief,
1963) are found, forming several disconnected hills. Additionally, red syenite, which in this sector forms
the penultimate ring of the complex, creates a range of hills that dip northwards as determined photo
geologically. The contact between this red syenite and the Ledig foyaite to the north is obscured by a flat
area covered with alluvium. The outcrop of Ledig foyaite constitutes the southern flank of the subsequent
range of hills, which is predominantly composed of white foyaite.

Typically, the Ledig foyaite is the most radioactive among the major rock types of the complex. However,
in the current locality, radioactivity is noticeably higher in areas underlain by red syenite. The strongest
responses come from sheet-like bodies or scree derived from these formations. These features are not
well exposed, and their structures are often challenging to determine; some resemble dyke-like
formations while others appear as flat-lying sheets within the red syenite.

The trace element content of one such body is detailed and compared with those of the two predominant
rock types of this area and Ledig foyaite from the central and eastern parts of its outcrop in Table 5.

TABLE 5: Ledig Foyaite Zone - Trace Element Concentrations (ppm)

 Ledig foyaite Red Syenite Vein grab Ledig foyaite Ledig foyaite
composite composite sample composite composite
sample sample sample sample
Rb 317 31 28 300 400
Sr 401 480 2600 530 230
Ba n.d. n.d. 210 80 550
Y 230 148 240 190 170
Zr 4800 6100 11500 9600 7700
Hf 173 116 n.d. 155 114
Ce 2400 2050 16000 1600 2400
La 1500 1350 12000 1000 1500
Nb 2100 2100 3900 1000 1040
Ta 96 92 n.d. 63 76
U 63 83 100 23 45
Th 320 430 10000 110 372
Cs 10.7 n.d. n.d. 12.1 5
Sc 1.1 n.d. n.d. 1.5 0.7

At the eastern end, the boundary between Ledig foyaite and white foyaite on its northern side is difficult to
precisely determine in the field, as these rock types seem to gradually merge into one another. Likewise,
the southern boundary with red syenite is challenging to identify due to a thick alteration zone between
these rock types. The Ledig foyaite zone is characterized by anomalous uranium and niobium
concentrations, particularly in the southern contact zone where the foyaite has been significantly altered
by interaction with syenite, showing high levels of analcite and sodalite. Most of the mineralization within
this zone is associated with fluor-oxide pyrochlore.

FLUORITE

Fluorite content in the rocks of the Pilanesberg averages 0.45%, which is considerably higher compared
to 0.16% in the Ilimaussaq massif and 0.23% in the Lovozero massif, and about six times the average
crustal abundance (Clark value) for fluorine. Fluorite is present in accessory quantities in most of the rock
types within the complex, with several rock units containing more than 1%. Numerous small fluorite
deposits have been discovered, typically at the contact points between volcanic materials and intruding
red foyaite. For example, on Wydhoek, fluorite is found alongside apatite and aegerine in a ring-shaped
deposit surrounding a central plug of foyaite (Crocker and Martini, 1976). The fluorite here is deep purple
and occasionally forms in three-dimensional skeletal crystals, with spaces between fluorite sheets and
rods filled with aegirine, apatite, and calcite. A similar orebody exists on the neighbouring farm, Ledig.

On the farms Buffelskloof, Nooitgedacht, Leeuwfontein, Ruighoek, and Schaapkraal, purple fluorite is
found within tension zones or fractures that cement angular breccia composed of trachyte, lava, or tuff.
Intrusive foyaite rocks nearby likely served as the source rocks for these deposits.

LOCALITY DESCRIPTIONS
The upcoming pages briefly describe the localities to be visited. The general geology is detailed in the
main text and will not be repeated here. Localities are indicated on the Frontispiece.

Many of these localities are situated within the boundaries of the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. We have
received permission from the reserve authorities to visit these areas and to disembark from vehicles.
However, the authorities take no responsibility for any consequences. Visitors must not leave vehicles
without explicit permission, which should be obtained from the authorities prior to any visit.

We are grateful for the cooperation and assistance provided by the staff of the Game Reserve, which has
made this excursion possible. We urge all geologists to honour these privileges and to preserve the
natural beauty of the reserve.

1.1: Trachyte Lava

This site showcases typical volcanic material from the Pilanesberg Complex. The material is highly
vesicular and extensively altered. The only recognizable features are pseudomorphs of sanidine
phenocrysts. No distinct lavas can be identified, and stratigraphy cannot be established.

Location: Along Dithabaneng Loop, 4.6 km.

1.2: Pyroclastic Suite

Observed here are water-lain lithic tuffs. Fragment size varies up to 2 cm, showing some rounding and
distinct graded bedding, indicating transport and deposition by water. The fragments primarily consist of
granite (Bushveld granite) and granophyre, with occasional trachyte, set in a black matrix. This setup
suggests early volcanic activity marked by explosive eruptions that fragmented the original granite and
granophyre cap of the volcano. Under the microscope, the black matrix primarily comprises fine
riebeckite needles, which occasionally penetrate the quartz of the granite fragments but rarely the
microperthite. Fractures in the granite also contain riebeckite, indicating some post-depositional
hydrothermal-metasomatic activity.

Location: Along Dithabaneng Loop, 6-7 km.

1.3: Porphyritic Phonolite

This locality features a prominent ring-dyke of porphyritic phonolite cutting through the lavas, although
contact relations are obscured. Large phenocrysts of sanidine and aegirine are common; sanidine plates
are often vertically aligned (oriented by flow), whereas aegirine grains are not, suggesting their formation
post-flow. Autoliths of very fine phonolite are sometimes present. Despite appearances in hand
specimens, these rocks show considerable alteration in thin sections, with sanidine turning brownish due
to clay formation, although aegirine remains fresh. Nepheline is completely altered to zeolites and white
mica, with other minor phases like wollastonite, euhialyte, and melilite present erratically.

Location: Along Dithabaneng Loop, 9 km.

1.4: Trachyte

This site displays a suite of lavas, primarily trachytic with sanidine phenocrysts, accompanied by tuffs
and a conglomeratic horizon.

Location: Junction of Dithabaneng Loop with Korwe Link Road.

Locality 1.5: White Foyaite

Typical white foyaite of the central portion of the complex is observed here. In hand specimens, small
purple eudialyte crystals are visible. The rock primarily consists of large subhedral orthoclase and
nepheline grains, with a few green aegirine crystals.

Location: Mankwe campsite.

1.6: Ijolitic Foyaite

This unusual facies of green foyaite exhibits a trachytic texture with parallel-oriented aegirine needles and
large euhedral nepheline and eudialyte phenocrysts. While not entirely absent as in true ijolite, alkali
feldspar is a relatively minor interstitial component.

Location: Along Bailie Loop, 4.4 km.

1.7: White Foyaite

Here, a very coarse-grained foyaite with elongated blades of nepheline embedded in alkali feldspar is
present.

Location: Along Bailie Loop, 4.8 km.

1.8: Lujavrite

This locality showcases another example of green foyaite with igneous lamination. It features large, well-
developed crystals of eudialyte embedded in a matrix of aegirine needles.

Location: Along the west road, +14 km.

2.1: Matooster Nepheline Syenite

Located in the outer ring of White Foyalte, this site contains a smaller proportion of nepheline compared
to the norm. It also features alkali amphibole as a common mafic mineral alongside aegirine, which is
slightly unusual. Age determinations by J. Warmer of the C.S.I.R. suggest an anomalously young age of
approximately 960 million years, contrasting with other samples of typical White Foyalte that give an age
of around 1100 million years. (Locality in quarry west of stream).

2.2: Red Syenite

Part of the outer red syenite ring, this site is a soda syenite dominated by albite with much less orthoclase
and a small amount of biotite.

2.3: Ledig Foyaite

The most radioactive of all intrusive rocks, Ledig Foyaite is a fine-grained, green rock intruding along the
contacts between different phases of the complex, particularly between red syenite and white foyaite. Its
characteristic feature, apart from its high radiometric response, is the radiating clusters of aegirine
crystals, although this feature is not always present.

2.4: Green Foyaite

Like the lujaurite at Locality 1.8, this site features a less well-developed trachytic texture, occasional
porphyritic areas, and more feldspar. Material from this ring has been dated by J. Harmer and gives an age
of around 1190 million years.

2.5: Green Foyaite

This typical green foyaite is more leucratic compared to other green foyaite studied. It is coarser grained,
and the green colour is generated not only by aegirine but also by pale green alkali feldspar. Occasionally,
coarser grained areas cut through the foyaite.

2.6: Micro foyaite Dyke

A fine-grained grey-green rock, possibly related to the main green foyaite.

2.7: Foyaite with Fluorspar Mineralization

This site was once an old fluorspar mine. While plenty of fresh ore is visible on dumps, the old workings
are highly altered. Fluorspar appears to be enriched along fractures at the top of the foyaite body where it
intrudes the lavas. The fluorspar grows as large "Christmas tree" dendrites, penetrating the rock and
replacing the nepheline and feldspar. The rock does not display the usual red color due to the fluorspar
alteration. Limited geological information is available about these deposits, which occur at the contact of
red foyaite with volcanics.

2.8: Red Syenite

This central plug of red syenite was attempted to be used as facing stone, but the mafic minerals are
altered to yellow chlorite, which does not retain a good polish for long. Unlike the outer red syenite ring,
this plug contains mainly mesoperthite and has a higher K2O/Na2O ratio of about unity.

2.9: Kimberlite

At least two kimberlites have been located within the Pilanesberg Complex, highlighting the association
of kimberlites and alkaline rocks. Little can be seen of the highly altered kimberlite, but occasional red
garnet and ilmenite grains can be recognized.

Thabayadiotsa Walk
MONDAY 16TH JULY

All the localities visited on this day are on the hill Thabayadiotsa, the locality for which is 3.1 on the
Frontispiece and the detailed route to be followed is shown in Fig. 6.
Stop 1: Shaly bedded tuffs dipping steeply to the west. Apparently pyroclastic material laid down
underwater. Similar shaly rocks occur also on Vaalboschlaagte to the north and on Buffelspan.

Stop 2: Tuff band displaced by faulting. Radioactivity rises to greater than A times background. Tuffs will
be inspected later.

Stop 3: Rare earth vein (20% + REO) in tinguaite. The most persistent fracture-filling located. The vein has
been intersected at about 70 m depth in a vertical borehole on its southern side. Component minerals
include alanite, magnetite, apatite, calcite, and fluorite.

Stop 4: Syenite dyke traceable for several km with downthrow on its north side. Cuts all other rock types.

Stop 5: Disseminated britholite in green foyaite. Note secondary rare earth minerals on weathered
surfaces.

Stop 6: Contact sheet between green foyaite and tinguaite. Intersected at depth. Primary rare earth
mineral is britholite.

Stop 7: Britholite/magnetite vein - the largest of the fracture-fillings located. Contains minor fluorite and
silicates. Note radioactive response (32 + ThO2).

Stop 8: Tuff band6 dipping at 40° + to the west. Displaced by numerous small dip faults. Intersected at
depth in several boreholes - one of which produced artesian water. Persist for several km. Carry
persistent U/Nb values.

Stop 9 :Mlcrofoyalte dyke.