Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Geoheritage of the Eastern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa: a Uniquely Exposed Layered Igneous Intrusion

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Geoheritage Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The eastern limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex outcrops in the Middleveld, a localized physiographic region of northeastern South Africa associated with an erosional embayment into the interior plateau. Superimposed drainage of the Olifants and Steelpoort Rivers has produced a mountainous terrain where the layered ultramafic-mafic rocks (“Rustenburg Layered Suite”) and metamorphic aureole outcrop in regional escarpments and arcuate ridges. Meter-thick igneous layers can be delineated for tens of kilometers. Five principal zones are recognized; each comprised of different groups of cumulates with distinctive marker layers. Orebodies such as chromitites and PGE reefs (Critical Zone) and Ti-magnetite layers (Upper Zone) are constrained to specific zones. Despite the origin of igneous layering being incompletely understood, field evidence suggests that the Rustenburg Layered Suite developed incrementally from injection of thin magma sheets. Each zone is associated with discrete lineages of parental magmas. The Merensky Reef, the most well known of the layered orebodies, has an unusual origin in that it may have crystallized from ultramafic sills that were injected into a pre-existing noritic-anorthositic substrate. The primary layering is transgressed by discordant ultramafic bodies, of which two types, dunite pipes and the unusual iron-rich ultramafic pegmatite bodies, are significant. The eastern limb has a long history of human habitation and the valleys and interior plateau are relatively densely populated. Details of the African Iron Age and history of the Sekhukhune people are preserved at the Tsate cultural center. Three pioneering geologists, Arthur Hall, Hans Merensky, and Percy Wagner, greatly advanced Bushveld geology and were involved in the 1924-9 “platinum rush.” This culminated in discovery of four platiniferous discordant pipes and the Merensky Reef. The mining heritage includes the discovery site of platinum (Mooihoek pipe), the world’s oldest underground platinum mine (Onverwacht pipe), and historical workings on the Merensky Reef (Winnaarshoek). The combination of classic outcrops of layered ultramafic-mafic rocks, together with the unique community and mining heritage, justifies establishing an eastern limb geopark.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. A geopark is a unified area that advances the protection and use of geological heritage in a sustainable way, and promotes the economic well-being of the people who live there. There are Global Geoparks and National Geoparks (Wikipedia).

References

  • Bateman AM (1930) Obituary to PA Wagner. Econ Geol 25:88–90

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateman AM (1951) The formation of late magmatic oxide ores. Econ Geol 46:404–426

    Google Scholar 

  • Begg GC, Griffin WL, Natapov LM, O’Reilly SY, Grand SP, O’Neill CJ, Hronsky JMA, Poudjom-Djomani Y, Swain CJ, Deen T, Bowden P (2009) The lithospheric architecture of Africa: seismic tomography, mantle petrology, and tectonic evolution. Geoscience 5:23–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Bottinga Y, Weill DF (1970) Densities of liquid silicate systems calculated from partial molar volumes of oxide components. Am J Sci 372:438–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Boudreau AE, McCallum IS (1992) Concentration of platinum-group elements by magmatic fluids in layered intrusions. Econ Geol 87:1830–1848

    Google Scholar 

  • Burke K (1996) The African plate. S Afr J Geol 99:339–410

    Google Scholar 

  • Button A (1976) Stratigraphy and relations of the Bushveld floor in the eastern Transvaal. Trans Geol Soc S Afr 79:3–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, E.N. (1964). Chromite deposits of the eastern part of the Bushveld Complex:In Haughton, S. H. (Ed.) The geology of some ore deposits in southern Africa. Geological Society of South Africa, 131–168

  • Cameron EN (1978) The Lower Zone of the eastern Bushveld Complex in the Olifants River trough. J Petrol 19:437–462

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron EN, Desborough GA (1964) Origin of certain magnetite-bearing pegmatites in the eastern part of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Econ Geol 59:197–225

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell IH, Naldrett AJ, Barnes SJ (1983) A model for the origin of the platinum-rich sulphide horizons in the Bushveld and Stillwater Complexes. J Petrol 24:133–165

    Google Scholar 

  • Cawthorn RG (1998) Geometrical relations between the Transvaal Supergroup, the Rooiberg Group and the mafic rocks of the Bushveld Complex. S Afr J Geol 101:275–280

    Google Scholar 

  • Cawthorn RG (2013) The residual or roof zone of the Bushveld Complex. J Petrol 54:1875–1900

    Google Scholar 

  • Cawthorn RG, Ashwal LD (2009) Origin of anorthosite and magnetitite layers in the Bushveld Complex, constrained by major element compositions of plagioclase. J Petrol 50:1607–1637

    Google Scholar 

  • Cawthorn RG, Walraven F (1998) Emplacement and crystallization time for the Bushveld Complex. J Petrol 39:1669–1687

    Google Scholar 

  • Cawthorn RG, Meyer PS, Kruger FJ (1991) Major addition of magma at the Pyroxenite Marker in the western Bushveld Complex. J Petrol 32:739–763

    Google Scholar 

  • Clarke BM, Uken R, Reinhardt J (2009) Structural and compositional constraints on the emplacement of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Lithos 111:21–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Coertze FJ (1958) Intrusive relationships and ore deposits in the western part of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. Trans Geol Soc S Afr 61:387–392

    Google Scholar 

  • Cousins CA, Feringa G (1964) The chromite deposits of the western belt of the Bushveld Complex. In: Haughton SH (ed) The geology of some ore deposits in southern Africa, vol 2, pp 183–202

    Google Scholar 

  • Daly RA (1926) Our mobile Earth, New York, p 324

  • Dirks PHGM, Blenkinsop TG, Jelsma HA (2015) The geological evolution of Africa. In: Geology volume IV. Encyclopaedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS)

  • Du Toit AL (1930) Obituary to PA Wagner. Geol Mag 67:191–192

  • Du Toit AL (1933) Crustal movements as a factor in the geographical evolution of South Africa. S Afr Geogr J 16:3–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV (1987) Upper Critical Zone chromitite layers at R.P.M. Union Section Mine, western Bushveld Complex. In: Stowe CW (ed) Evolution of chromite ore fields. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, pp 144–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV (2000) Implications of the chromium budget of the Western limb of the Bushveld Complex. S Afr J Geol 103:141–150

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV (2002) Caveats in defining the magmas parental to the mafic rocks of the Bushveld Complex, and the manner of their emplacement: review and commentary. Mineral Mag 66:815–832

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV (2014) An introduction to the geology and setting of the Bushveld Complex, 2nd edn. Council for Geoscience, Pretoria 201 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV, Costin G (2012) Crustally contaminated komatiite: primary source of the chromitites and marginal, lower, and critical zone magmas in a staging chamber beneath the Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 107:645–665

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV, Reynolds IM (1986) Cryptic variations within chromitites of the Upper Critical Zone, north-western Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 81:1056–1066

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV, Marsh JS, Mitchell AA, De Klerk WJ, Kruger FJ, Field M (1986) Some geochemical constraints upon models for the crystallization of the upper Critical Zone-Main Zone interval, north-western Bushveld Complex. Mineral Mag 50:567–582

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV, Field M, De Klerk WJ, Scoon RN (1988) Regional trends of chemical variation and thermal erosion in the Upper Critical zone of the Bushveld Complex. Mineral Mag 52:63–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Eales HV, De Klerk WJ, Butcher AR, Kruger FJ (1990) The cyclic unit beneath the UG1 chromitite layer (UG1FW) at RPM Union Section platinum mine—Rosetta Stone of the Bushveld upper Critical zone. Mineral Mag 54:23–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehlers DL, Vorster CJ (1998) Asbestos. In: Wilson MGC, Anhaeusser CR (eds) The mineral resources of South Africa: handbook, vol 16. Council for Geoscience, pp 68–75

  • Eriksson PG, Clendenin CW (1990) A review of the Transvaal sequence. J Afr Earth Sci 10:101–116

    Google Scholar 

  • Gain SB (1985) The geologic setting of the platiniferous UG-2 chromitite layer on the farm Maandagshoek, eastern Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 80:925–943

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall AL (1932) The Bushveld Igneous Complex of the central Transvaal. Geol Surv S Afr Memoir 28:560

  • Hall AL, Humphrey AW (1908) On the occurrence of chromite deposits along the southern and eastern margins of the Bushveld Plutonic Complex. Trans Geol Soc S Afr 11:75–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton PJ (1977) Sr isotope and trace element studies of the Great Dyke and Bushveld Mafic Phase and their relation to Early Proterozoic magma genesis in southern Africa. J Petrol 18:24–52

    Google Scholar 

  • Harmer RE, Sharpe MR (1985) Field relations and strontium isotope systematics of the marginal rocks of the eastern Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 80:813–857

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatton CJ, Schweitzer JK (1995) Evidence for synchronous extrusive and intrusive Bushveld magmatism. J Afr Earth Sci 21:579–594

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatton CJ, Von Gruenewaldt G (1987) The geological setting and petrogenesis of the Bushveld chromitite layers. In: Stowe CW (ed) Evolution of chromium ore fields. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York, pp 109–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Haughton, S.H. (1956). Obituary to A.L. Hall. Biographical Memoirs of Fellows of the Royal Society 2, 139–148

  • Huppert HE, Sparks RSJ (1980) The fluid dynamics of a basaltic magma chamber replenished by influx of hot, dense ultrabasic magma. Contrib Mineral Petrol 75:279–289

    Google Scholar 

  • Ireland KL (1986) The Winterveld (TCL) Chrome mines Limited, Eastern Bushveld Complex. In: Anhaeusser CR, Maske S (eds) Mineral deposits of southern Africa, vol 2. Geological Society of South Africa, pp 1183–1188

  • Irvine TN, Keith DW, Todd SG (1983) The J-M platinum-palladium reef of the Stillwater Complex, Montana: II. Origin by double-diffusive convective magma mixing and implications for the Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 78:1287–1334

    Google Scholar 

  • Klemm DD, Henckel J, Dehm R, Von Gruenewaldt G (1985a) The geochemistry of titanomagnetite in magnetite layers and their host rocks of the eastern Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 80:1075–1088

    Google Scholar 

  • Klemm DD, Ketterer S, Reichhardt F, Steindl J, Weber-Diefenbach K (1985b) Implication of vertical and lateral compositional variations across the Pyroxenite Marker and its associated rocks in the upper part of the Main Zone in the eastern Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 80:1007–1015

    Google Scholar 

  • Kovaloff P (1925) The platinum industry in Russia. Min and Ind Mag S Afr 1:267–271

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruger FJ (2005) Filling the Bushveld Complex magma chamber: lateral expansion, roof and floor interaction, magmatic unconformities, and the formation of giant chromitite, PGE and Ti-V-magnetite deposits. Mineral Deposita 40:451–472

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruger FJ, Marsh JS (1982) Significance of 87Sr/86Sr ratios in the Merensky cyclic unit of the Bushveld Complex. Nature 298:53–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Latypov R, Chistyakova S, Page A, Hornsey R (2015) Field evidence for the in situ crystallization of the Merensky Reef. J Petrol 56:2341–2372

    Google Scholar 

  • Latypov R, Chistyakova S, Kramers J (2017) Arguments against syn-magmatic sills in the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. S Afr J Geol 120:565–574

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee CA (1996) A review of mineralization in the Bushveld Complex and some other layered intrusions. In: Cawthorn RG (ed) Layered Intrusions, Amsterdam, Elsevier, pp 103–145

  • Lee CA, Butcher AR (1990) Cyclicity in the Sr isotope stratigraphy through the Merensky and Bastard Reef Units, Atok Section, eastern Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 85:877–883

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee CA, Parry SJ (1988) Platinum-group element geochemistry of the lower and middle group chromitites of the eastern Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 83:1127–1139

    Google Scholar 

  • Lehmann O (1955) Look beyond the wind: the life of Dr Hans Merensky. Howard Timmins, Cape Town 183 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Maier WD, Barnes SJ, Karykowski BT (2016) A chilled margin of komatiite and Mg-rich basaltic andesite in the western Bushveld Complex, South Africa. In: Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology 171 57p

    Google Scholar 

  • Marlow AG, Van der Merwe MJ (1977) The geology and potential economic significance of the Malope area, northeastern Bushveld Complex. Geological Society of South Africa Transactions 80:117–123

    Google Scholar 

  • McBirney AR, Noyes RM (1979) Crystallization and layering of the Skaergaard Intrusion. J Petrol 20:487–554

    Google Scholar 

  • McCarthy TS, Rubidge B (2005) The story of earth and life—a southern African perspective on a 4.6 billion-year journey. Struik, Cape Town 333 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Merensky H (1925a) How we discovered platinum. Min and Ind Mag S Afr 1(Dec 2):265–266

    Google Scholar 

  • Merensky H (1925b) Lydenburg Platinum Limited. S Afr Mining Eng J 35:645

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller CF, Furbish DJ, Walker BA, Claiborne LL, Koteas GC, Bleick HA, Miller JS (2011) Growth of plutons by incremental emplacement of sheets in crystal-rich host. Evidence from Miocene intrusions of the Colorado River region, Nevada, USA. Tectonophysics 500:65–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell AA, Manthree R (2002) The giant mottled anorthosite: a transitional sequence at the top of the Upper Critical Zone of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. S Afr J Geol 105:15–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell AA, Scoon RN (2007) The Merensky reef at Winnaarshoek, Eastern Bushveld Complex: a primary magmatic hypothesis based on a wide reef facies. Econ Geol 102:971–1009

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell AA, Eales HV, Kruger FJ (1998) Magma replenishment processes, and the significance of poikilitic textures, near the base of the Lower Main Zone of the western Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Mineral Mag 62:435–450

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell AA, Sharpe MR, Scoon RN (2019) The Upper Critical Zone in the Swartklip Sector, north-western Bushveld Complex, on the farm Wilgerspruit 2JQ: II. Origin by intrusion of ultramafic sills with concomitant partial melting of host norite-anorthosite cumulates. S Afr J Geol 122. https://doi.org/10.25131/sajg.122.0011

    Google Scholar 

  • Molyneux TG (1974) A geological investigation of the Bushveld Complex in Sekhukhuneland and part of the Steelpoort valley. Trans Geol Soc S Afr 77:321–328

    Google Scholar 

  • Mossom R (1986) The Atok platinum mine. In: Anhaeusser CR, Maske S (eds) Mineral deposits of southern Africa, vol 2. Geological Society of South Africa, Johannesburg, pp 1127–1139

    Google Scholar 

  • Mungall JE, Kamo SL, McQuade S (2016) U–Pb geochronology documents out-of-sequence emplacement of ultramafic layers in the Bushveld Igneous Complex of South Africa. Nat Commun 7(13385):1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Naldrett A, Kinnaird J, Wilson A, Yudovskaya M, Chunnett G (2012) The origin of chromitites and related PGE mineralization in the Bushveld Complex: new mineralogical and petrological constraints. Mineral Deposita 47:209–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Naslund HR, McBirney AR (1996) Mechanisms of formation of igneous layering. In: Layered intrusions. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 1–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Nex PAM (2004) Formation of bifurcating chromitite layers of the UG1 in the Bushveld Igneous Complex, an analogy with sand volcanoes. Geol Soc Lond 161:903–909

    Google Scholar 

  • Oosterhuis WR (1998) Andalusite, sillimanite, and kyanite. In: Wilson MGC, Anhaeusser CR (eds) The mineral resources of South Africa: handbook, vol 16. Council for Geoscience, pp 53–58

  • Partridge TC, Maud RR (1987) Geomorphic evolution of southern Africa since the Mesozoic. S Afr J Geol 90:179–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Prevec SA, Scoon RN, Raines MD (2016) Sm-Nd isotopic evidence for sampling of multiple sources during the emplacement of the Upper Critical Zone, Bushveld Complex, South Africa (abstract). In: 35th IGC, Cape Town

  • Quadling K, Cawthorn RG (1994) The layered gabbronorite sequence, Main Zone, eastern Bushveld Complex. S Afr J Geol 97:442–454

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, A.W. (1930) Obituary to P.A. Wagner. Trans Geol Soc S Afr 33

  • Schürmann LW, Marsh S (1998) Vanadium. In: Wilson MGC, Anhaeusser CR (eds) The mineral resources of South Africa: Handbook, vol 16. Council for Geoscience, pp 659–665

  • Schürmann LW, Grabe P-J, Steenkamp CJ (1998) Chromium. In: Wilson MGC, Anhaeusser CR (eds) The mineral resources of South Africa: handbook, vol 16. Council for Geoscience, pp 90–105

  • Schwellnus JSI, Engelbrecht LNJ, Coertze FJ, Russell MD, Maherbe SJ, Van Rooyen DP and Cooke R (1962) The geology of the Olifants River area Transvaal: Geol Surv S Afr Explanation Sheets 2429B and 2430A 87 p

  • Scoates JS, Friedman RM (2008) Precise age of the platiniferous Merensky Reef, Bushveld Complex, South Africa, by the U-Pb zircon chemical abrasion ID-TIMS technique. Econ Geol 103:465–471

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN (2002) A new occurrence of Merensky Reef on the flanks of the Zaaikloof dome, northeastern Bushveld Complex: relationship between diapirism and magma replenishment. Econ Geol 97:1037–1049

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN (2016) Eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex: 35th International Geological Congress. Field Trip Guide Pre-7, Cape Town 89 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Costin G (2018) Chemistry, morphology and origin of magmatic-reaction chromite stringers associated with anorthosite in the Upper Critical Zone at Winnaarshoek, eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex. J Petrol 59:1551–1578

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, De Klerk WJ (1987) The relationship of olivine cumulates and mineralisation to cyclic units in part of the Upper Critical zone of the western Bushveld Complex. Can Mineral 25:51–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Eales HV (1989) Platinum-group element mineralization in Critical zone of Bushveld Complex, South Africa: distribution and mineralization types (abstract), vol 3. 28th International Geological Congress, Washington, pp 61–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Mitchell AA (1994) Discordant iron-rich ultramafic pegmatites in the Bushveld Complex and their relationship to iron-rich intercumulus and residual liquids. J Petrol 35:881–917

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Mitchell AA (2004a) Petrogenesis of discordant magnesian dunites from the central sector of the Eastern Bushveld Complex with emphasis on the Winnaarshoek pipe and disruption of the Merensky Reef. Econ Geol 99:517–541

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Mitchell AA (2004b) The platiniferous dunite pipes in the eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex: review and comparison with unmineralized discordant ultramafic bodies. S Afr J Geol 107:505–520

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Mitchell AA (2009) A multi-stage orthomagmatic and partial melting hypothesis for the Driekop platiniferous dunite pipe, eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. S Afr J Geol 112:187–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Mitchell AA (2010) The principal geological features of the Onverwacht platiniferous dunite pipe, eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. S Afr J Geol 113:155–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Mitchell AA (2011) The principal geological features of the Mooihoek platiniferous dunite pipe, eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa, and similarities with replaced Merensky Reef at the Amandelbult mine. S Afr J Geol 114:15–40

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Mitchell AA (2012) The Upper Zone of the Bushveld Complex at Roossenekal: geochemical stratigraphy and evidence of multiple episodes of magma replenishment. S Afr J Geol 115:515–534

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Mitchell AA (2018) Discussion of “Arguments against Syn-magmatic sills in the Bushveld Complex, South Africa” by R. Latypov, S. Chistyakova and J Kramers. S Afr J Geol 121:201–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Teigler EB (1994) Platinum-group element mineralization in the Critical Zone of the western Bushveld Complex: I. Sulfide-poor chromitites below the UG-2. Econ Geol 89:1094–1121

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Teigler EB (1995) A new LG-6 chromitite reserve at Eerste Geluk in the boundary zone between the central and southern sectors of the eastern Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 90:969–982

    Google Scholar 

  • Scoon RN, Costin G, Grabe P-J (2017) Geology and origin of the vanadiferous Fe-Ti oxide-rich Kennedy’s Vale discordant body, eastern limb of the Bushveld Complex, South Africa. S Afr J Geol 120:251–270

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe MR (1981) The chronology of magma influxes to the eastern compartment of the Bushveld Complex as exemplified by its marginal border groups. Geol Soc Lond J 138:307–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe MR (1985) Strontium isotope evidence for preserved density stratification in the eastern Bushveld Complex. Nature 316:119–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe MR (1986) Bushveld Complex: excursion guidebook. Geocongress ’86 South Africa 143 p

  • Sharpe MR, Chadwick B (1982) Structures in Transvaal Sequence rocks within and adjacent to the eastern Bushveld Complex. Trans Geol Soc S Afr 85:29–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe MR, Irvine TN (1983) Melting relations of two Bushveld chilled margin rocks and implications for the origin of chromitite. Carnegie Institute Washington Yearbook 82:295–300

    Google Scholar 

  • South African Committee for Stratigraphy (1980) Stratigraphy of South Africa part I (Compiler L.E. Kent). Geol Surv S Afr Handbook 8:690

  • Spencer LJ (1930) Obituary to PA Wagner.  Mineral Mag 22:410–411

    Google Scholar 

  • Strydom JH (1998) Magnesite. In: Wilson MGC, Anhaeusser CR (eds) The mineral resources of South Africa: handbook, vol 16. Council for Geoscience, pp 444–449

  • Tankard AJ, Jackson MPA, Eriksson KA, Hobday DK, Hunter DA, Minter WEL (1982) Crustal evolution of southern Africa, 3.8 billion years of earth history. Springer Verlag, New York, Heidelberg, Berlin 523 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Tegner C, Wilson JR, Cawthorn RG (1994) The dunite-clinopyroxenite pegmatoidal pipe, Tweefontein, eastern Bushveld Complex, South Africa. S Afr J Geol 97:415–430

    Google Scholar 

  • Truter FC (1955) Modern concepts of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. First Meeting Southern Regional Committee for Geology (CCTA) Harare, Zimbabwe, pp 77–91

    Google Scholar 

  • Twist DA (1985) Geochemical evolution of the Rooiberg silicic lavas in the Loskop dam area. Econ Geol 80:1153–1165

    Google Scholar 

  • Uken R, Watkeys MK (1997) Diapirism initiated by the Bushveld Complex. Geology 25:723–726

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Rensburg WCJ (1965) The mineralogy of the titaniferous magnetite and associated sulphides on Kennedy’s Vale 361KT, Lydenburg district, Transvaal. Geol Surv 4:113–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Vermaak CF (1976) The Merensky Reef—thoughts on its environment and genesis. Econ Geol 71:1270–1298

    Google Scholar 

  • Viljoen MJ (1999) The nature and origin of the Merensky Reef of the western Bushveld Complex based on geological facies and geophysical data. S Afr J Geol 102:221–239

    Google Scholar 

  • Viljoen, M.J. (2016a). The Bushveld Complex: host to the worlds’ largest platinum, chromium and vanadium resources. In: Wilson, M.G.C. and Viljoen, R.P. “The great mineral fields of Africa”. Episodes, 39(2), 239–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Viljoen MJ (2016b) The Eastern Limb, Eastern Escarpment, and the Kruger National Park: 35th International Geological Congress. Field Trip Guide, Cape Town

    Google Scholar 

  • Viljoen MJ, Reimold WU (1999) An introduction to South Africa’s geological and mining heritage. The Geological Society of South Africa, Randburg 193 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Viljoen MJ, Schürmann LW (1998) Platinum-group metals. In: Wilson MGC, Anhaeusser CR (eds) The mineral resources of South Africa handbook, vol 16. Council for Geoscience, pp 532–568

  • Viljoen MJ, Scoon RN (1985) The distribution and main geologic features of discordant bodies of iron-rich ultramafic pegmatite in the Bushveld Complex. Econ Geol 80:1109–1128

    Google Scholar 

  • Viljoen MJ, Theron J, Underwood B, Walters BM, Weaver J, Peyerl W (1986) The amandelbult section of Rustenburg Platinum Mines Limited, with reference to the Merensky Reef. In: Anhaeusser CR and Maske S (Eds.), Mineral Deposits of Southern Africa, Vol 2. Geol Soc S Afr, Johannesburg, pp 1041–1060

  • Von Gruenewaldt G (1973) The Main and Upper zones of the Bushveld Complex in the Roossenekal area, eastern Transvaal. Trans Geol Soc S Afr 76:53–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Von Gruenewaldt G, Sharpe MR, Hatton CJ (1985) The Bushveld Complex: introduction and review. Econ Geol 80:803–812

    Google Scholar 

  • Voordouw R, Gutzmer J, Beukes NJ (2009) Intrusive origin for Upper Group (UGI, UG2) stratiform chromitite seams in the Dwars River area, Bushveld Complex, South Africa. Mineral Petrol 97:75–94

    Google Scholar 

  • Wager LR, Brown GM (1968) Layered igneous rocks. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh 588 p

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner PA (1929) The platinum deposits and mines of South Africa. Oliver and Boyd, Edinburgh 326p

    Google Scholar 

  • Walraven FJ, Hattingh E (1993) Geochronology of the Nebo Granite, Bushveld Complex. S Afr J Geol 96:31–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Walraven FJ, Armstrong RA, Kruger FJ (1990) A chronostratigraphic framework for the north-central Kaapvaal craton, the Bushveld Complex and Vredefort structure. Tectonophysics 171:23–48

    Google Scholar 

  • Willemse J (1969a) The geology of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, the largest repository of magmatic ore deposits in the world. Econ Geol Monogr 4:1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Willemse J (1969b) The vanadiferous magmatic iron ore of the Bushveld Igneous Complex. Econ Geol Monogr 4:187–208

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson AH (2012) A chill sequence to the Bushveld Complex: insight into the first stage of emplacement and implications for the parental magmas. J Petrol 53:1123–1168

    Google Scholar 

  • Worst B (1986) The chromite deposits of the Montrose and Groothoek mines, eastern Bushveld Complex. In: Anhaeusser CR, Maske S (eds) Mineral deposits of Southern Africa, vol 2. Geological Society of South Africa, Johannesburg, pp 1189–1195

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeh A, Ovtcharova M, Wilson AH, Schaltegger U (2015) The Bushveld Complex was emplaced and cooled in less than one million years—results of zirconology, and geotectonic implications. Earth Planet Sci Lett 418:103–114

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the many geologists we have interacted with over the years while field mapping and running exploration programs in the Eastern Limb. The support of mine geologists during field excursions has been particularly helpful. We appreciate the friendliness of many of the villagers while wandering through their communities to examine old mining sites and rock layers. The review by Jim Mungall was most helpful as was the editorial assistance of Kevin Page.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa

    Roger N. Scoon

  2. Bushveld Minerals, Illovo, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Morris J. Viljoen

Authors
  1. Roger N. Scoon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Morris J. Viljoen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roger N. Scoon.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Scoon, R.N., Viljoen, M.J. Geoheritage of the Eastern Limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, South Africa: a Uniquely Exposed Layered Igneous Intrusion. Geoheritage 11, 1723–1748 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00360-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-019-00360-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation