Midden Mining discovers bentonite in South Africa's Western Cape

• Autores: Andrew Scogings
• Localización: Industrial Minerals, ISSN 0019-8544, Nº. 572, 2015 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Mayo)
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Midden is the holder of the prospecting right (number WC30/5/1/ 1/2/10032PR) in the Mossel Bay area. The prospecting right covers an area approximately 3,098.2 ha (31km[superscript]2 ) in extent and is situated over the farms Melkboom 209, Matjesfontein 210, a portion of the farm Matjiesdrift 329, a portion of the farm 323 and a portion of the farm 372.

    The Matjesfontein bentonite occurrence lies within the Cretaceous Kirkwood formation, which also hosts bentonite and zeolite deposits in the associated Heidelberg-Riversdale and Plettenberg Bay basins. These basins are fault-controlled and run parallel to the Cape coast.

    The discovery coincides with interest in shale gas exploration in the Karoo - a semi-desert region of southern South Africa. If the country's government grants approval for gas prospecting rights in the area, borehole drilling will probably require significant quantities of bentonite. The recent discoveries of oil in central African countries such as Uganda, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo have led to a surge in drilling and the need for good quality bentonite.