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Durban Deep

Producer in South Africa with commodities Gold, Osmium, Iridium, Platinum, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Silver, Uranium, Sulfur-Pyrite
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Alteration
  8. Mineral occurrence model information
  9. Host and associated rocks
  10. Nearby scientific data
  11. Geologic structures
  12. Ore body information
  13. Controls for ore emplacement
  14. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  15. Mining district
  16. Land status
  17. Ownership information
  18. Production statistics
  19. Reserves and resources
  20. Workings at the site
  21. Links to other databases
  22. Bibliographic references
  23. General comments
  24. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10079047
MRDS ID W027862
Record type Site
Current site name Durban Deep
Alternate or previous names Durban Roodepoort Deep
Related records 10304457

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: 27.86812, -26.19661 (WGS84)
Elevation 1676
Relative position ADJACENT TO (AND SOUTHWEST OF) JOHANNESBURG

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

South Africa(country)

Africa(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country
South Africa

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Gold Primary
Osmium Secondary
Iridium Critical Secondary
Platinum Critical Secondary
Rhodium Critical Secondary
Ruthenium Critical Secondary
Silver Secondary
Uranium Tertiary
Sulfur-Pyrite Tertiary

Comments on the commodity information

  • URANIUM VALUES INSIGNIFICANT. PYRITE NOT CURRENTLY RECOVERED. SMALL QUANTITIES PT AND AG RECOVERED BUT UNIMPORTANT IN SOUTH AFRICA TERMS. PT IS AN IMPURITY IN GOLD AND IS RECOVERED AT THE RAND REFINERY AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE PURIFICATION PROCESS.

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcopyrite Ore
Galena Ore
Gold Ore
Pyrite Ore
Pyrrhotite Ore
Sphalerite Ore

Alteration

  • (Local) None

Analytical data

Result COMPOSITION OF PLATINOIDS: IR = 34.2%, OS = 38.6%, RU = 15.5%, PT = 10.9%, RH = 0.8%

Mineral occurrence model information

Model code 193
USGS model code 29a
Deposit model name Quartz pebble conglomerate Au-U (BC name is Paleoplacer U-Au-PGE-Sn-Ti

Host and associated rocks

  • Host or associated Associated
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic)
    Rock unit name Ventersdorp System-Lava
    Rock description Ventersdorp System-Lavas
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
    Stratigraphic age (youngest) Neoproterozoic
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Metamorphic Rock > Metasedimentary Rock > Quartzite
    Rock unit name Witwatersrand System (Upper Division)-Quartzites, Shales, Grits, Conglomerates And Carbon Granules
    Rock description Witwatersrand System (Upper Division)-Quartzites, Shales, Grits, Conglomerates And Carbon Granules
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Shale
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Sedimentary Rock > Clastic Sedimentary Rock > Conglomerate
  • Host or associated Host
    Rock type Volcanic Rock (Aphanitic)

Nearby scientific data

(1) 27.86812, -26.19661
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Regional
Structure description Unique Continuity Of Gold-Bearing Horizons Over Extended Area, Though Well Marked By Faulting And Folding, And (Locally) Erosion And Redeposition Of Overlying Sediment
Type of structure Local
Structure description Gentle Dips Near Surface, Increasing To 80 Degrees (South) At Current Maximum Mining Depths. Folds And Faults Locally. Intrusive Dikes Penetrate And Dilute Minable Ore Horizons.

Ore body information

  • General form TABULAR/BLANKET
    Strike E - W
    Dip 60 - 80 DEG. S.
    Thickness 1.4M
    Depth to bottom 2400M

Controls for ore emplacement

  • Gentle Uplift Of Continental Mass; Erosion; Peneplanation; Folding; Faulting; Volcanicity; Dike Injection And Build-Up Of Younger Sediments.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Development status Producer
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Medium
Significant No
Discovery year 1887
Year of first production 1898

Mining district

District name Central Rand Of The Witwatersrand Goldfields

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Durban Roodepoort Deep Ltd.
  • Type Owner
    Owner Rand Mines Ltd. (Barlow Rand Ltd.)

Production statistics

  • Year 1977
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.113 Toz Au/Met Tons Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1977
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.118 Toz Au /Met Ton Of Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1978
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.196 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1978
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.117 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1979
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.109 Toz Au/Mt Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1979
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.129 Toz Au/Met Tons Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1980
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.116 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1980
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.102 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1981
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.100 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1981
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.099 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1985
    Period 1985
    Material ORE
    Description Cp_Grade: ^0.148 T02 Au/Met Ton Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1986
    Period 1986
    Material ORE
    Description Cp_Grade: ^0.148 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt

Comments on the production information

  • IN 1975 AU/PT RECOVERY = 5940:1

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1985
    Total resources 2929000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 4.603 g/mt Gold Major 1985

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. JANUARY - DECEMBER 1979
  • CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA - 1986 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - DECEMBER 30, 1983 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1985 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS-1986

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Overall depth 2400M

Comments on the workings information

  • DEPTH BELOW SURFACE ESTIMATED. MINING METHOD IS LABOR-INTENSIVE "SCATTER MINING" WITH TIMBER AND CONCRETE GROUTED CRIB STOPE SUPPORTS. SLUSHING AND ORE HAULAGE MECHANIZED. ON THE SURFACE, ORE IS TRANSPORTED TO CENTRAL MILL BY UNIQUE CABLE - TOWED RAIL SYSTEM USING UNDERGROUND - TYPE ORE CARS.

Comments on development

  • MILL.CAP: 2.5 MIL. MET. T/YR. ; ECON.COM: SECOND OLDEST GOLD PRODUCING MINE IN SOUTH AFRICA, NOW WITH LIMITED LIFE OUTLOOK (6 - 8 YEARS). LABOR INTENSIVE WITH HIGH OPERATING COSTS ($182.71/TROY OUNCE OF GOLD RECOVERED; 1977). THE MINE OPERATES FROM FOUR ORE HORIZONS: MAIN, MAIN REEF LEADER, SOUTH AND KIMBERLEY REEFS.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, FIFTH EDITION, HANDBOOK 7 ; 1976

  • Deposit

    MINERAL RESOURCES OF SOUTH-CENTRAL AFRICA; PELLETIER, R.A.; 1964

  • Deposit

    BARLOW RAND LIMITED ANNUAL REPORTS; 1975 - 1977

  • Deposit

    MERTIE, 1969, ECONOMIC GEOLOGY OF PLATINUM METALS: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 630, P. 45-48.

  • Deposit

    COUSINS, 1973, PLATINOIDS IN THE WITWATERSRAND SYSTEM: JOURNAL OF SOUTH AFRICA INST. MIN. AND METALL., V. 73, NO. 6, P. 3-5.

  • Deposit

    WAGNER, 1929, PLATINUM DEPOSITS AND MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA: STRUIK (PTY) LTD., CAPETOWN 1973, P. 32-40.

  • Deposit

    PARK AND MACDIARMID, 1970, ORE DEPOSITS

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 1977, V. 288.

  • Deposit

    IVOR JONES, ROY & COMPANY, INC., SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD SHARES: JOHANNESBURG, IVOR JONES, ROY & COMPANY, INC.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 1975, QUARTERLY REVIEW OF SOUTH AFRICAN SHARES: MINING JOURNAL, V. 19, NO. 1, MAY 1975.

  • Production

    CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1984 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1985 ; CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA - ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1981 ; CHAMBER OF MINES-ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS-1982 ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1983 ; ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. JANUARY - DECEMBER 1979 ; ANALYSES OF WORKING RESULTS, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA - 1980 ; ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS, CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. JANUARY - DECEMBER 1978

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit THIS RECORD CONTAINS DATA FROM DUPLICATE RECORD M046319 WHICH HAS BEEN DELETED FROM THE DATABASE.
Deposit INFORMATION MERGED FROM RECORD NUMBER W028691 ; W028720 ; W030958 ; W032323 ; W032943 ; W033079 ; W033767 ; W044635 ; W055268
Deposit MAX THICKNESS REFERS TO AVERAGE STOPING WIDTH OF EACH OF THE FOUR REEFS MINED. DEPTH TO BOTTOM ESTIMATED. DIP VARIABLE FROM 15 - 25 DEGREES SOUTH IN NEAR-SURFACE SECTIONS OF THE MINE TO MAXIMUM OF 80 DEGREES SOUTH AT CURRENT MAXIMUM MINING DEPTHS.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 01-MAR-1978 Sweetwood, Charles W. Department of State
Updater 01-JUL-1987 Mccarter, Lorna D Department of State
Updater 01-APR-1980 Sweetwood, Charles W. Department of State
Updater 01-JUL-1981 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State
Updater 01-AUG-1982 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State
Updater 01-JUN-1984 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State
Updater 01-JUL-1983 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State
Updater 01-JUN-1985 Mccarter, Lorna D Department of State
Updater 01-MAR-1986 Mccarter, Lorna D Department of State
Updater 01-JUN-1987 Mccarter, Lorna D. Department of State

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

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