SEAMIC Newsletter Vol. 10

About 90% of the Gold produced in Angola before 1975 originated from the Maiombe region
of Cabinda Province mainly from small-scale alluvial sources with grades about 1g/m 3 , and
related to greenstone belts. Alluvial gold deposits are scattered throughout the territory of the
country and the major ones noted to date are: Maiombe (Cabinda), Lombidge (Cuanza Norte),
Chipindo (Huila), and Cassinga (Huila).
Small deposits of auriferous quartz vein found in many parts of the Precambrian shield. The
largest primary gold deposit recorded is M'popo (Huila) where drilling has indicated some
145,000t at a grade of 18g/t gold.
Platinum occurrences along with nickel and chrome have been reported and are associated with
mafic-ultramafic (Norite) complexes particularly in SW Angola.
Iron (40Mt at 50-60% Fe) was produced until 1975 at Cassinga – Huila Province. This was
supergene enriched high-grade ore related to a banded iron formation (BIF) of Achaean or
Lower Proterozoic age. Lower grade (30-40% Fe) iron ore, primarily taconite, itabirite and
hematite remains.
Small to medium size supergene deposits of manganese (total resource 5Mt at 55% Mn
reported) occur mostly in the Lucala faults.
Copper production stopped in 1963 (about 200,000t at 5-35% Cu from the Tetelo-Mavoivo-
Bembe polymetallic zone). Angola’s copper occurrences are related to Upper Proterozoic (West
Congo, Lufili and Damara) and Cretaceous (Upper Cuvo Formation at Cachoeiras de Binga)
– Kwanza Sul Province sedimentary basins.
About 940t of vanadium was produced until 1959 at the Lueca and Kinzo mines. Lueca
mineralisation is related to a carbonate breccias similar to Tsumeb.
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