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Libanon Mine

Producer in South Africa with commodities Gold, PGE, Platinum, Osmium, Iridium, Rhodium, Ruthenium, Silver, Sulfur-Pyrite, Sulfur, Sulfuric Acid, Uranium
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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 10107355
MRDS ID W027859
Record type Site
Current site name Libanon Mine

Geographic coordinates

Geographic coordinates: 27.61813, -26.3466 (WGS84)
Elevation 1661
Relative position 5 KILOMETERS SOUTHWEST OF WESTONARIA; 21 KILOMETERS EAST OF CARLETONVILLE

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

South Africa(country)

Africa(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country
South Africa

Commodities

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

Comments on the commodity information

  • NO URANIUM POTENTIAL. PYRITE (AND SULFURIC ACID) 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
Pyrite Ore
Pyrrhotite Ore
Sphalerite Ore
Uraninite Ore

Alteration

  • (Local) None

Analytical data

Result COMPOSITION OF PLATINOIDS: IR = 33.9%, OS = 34.6%, RU = 15.9%, PT = 14.5%, RH = 1.1%

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-Lava
    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 Transvaal System Shales (Pretoria Series), Dolomite (Dolomite Series) And Conglomerates (Black Reef Series);Witwatersrand System (Upper Division)-Quartzites, Shales, Grits, Conglomerates And Carbon Granules
    Rock description Transvaal System Shales (Pretoria Series), Dolomite (Dolomite Series) And Conglomerates (Black Reef Series);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

Nearby scientific data

(1) 27.61813, -26.3466
ListMap

Economic information

Geologic structures

Type of structure Regional
Structure description Unique Continuity Of Gold-Bearing Horizons Over Extended Area, Though Well Marked By Dikes, Faulting, Early Erosion And Redeposition Of Overlying Sediments.
Type of structure Local
Structure description Steeply Dipping Compared To Most Other Measured Occurrences In This General Area. Faulting Limited, But Minor Folding And Notable Undulation Of The Beds Are Characteristic Locally. Intrusive Dikes Penetrate And Dilute Minable Ore Horizons. A Well-Marked, And Incompetent, Tuff Overlies The Ventersdorp Contact Reef

Ore body information

  • General form TABULAR/BLANKET
    Strike NE - SW
    Dip 35 DEG. SE
    Thickness 3M
    Depth to top 600M
    Depth to bottom 2100M

Controls for ore emplacement

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

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Development status Producer
Commodity type Both
Deposit size Large
Significant No
Discovery year 1932
Discoverer Dr. R. Krahmann, West Witwatersrand Areas Ltd.
Year of first production 1949

Mining district

District name Far West Rand (West Wits Line) Of Witwatersrand Goldfields

Land status

Ownership category Private

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Libanon Gold Mining Co. Ltd.
  • Type Owner
    Owner Gold Fields Of South Africa Ltd.

Production statistics

  • Year 1977
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.240 Toz Au/Met Ton 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: ^0.295 Toz Au /Met Ton Of Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1978
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.194 Toz Au/Met Ton 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: ^0.195 Toz Au/Met Ton 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: ^0.266 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: ^0.207 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1980
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.204 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: ^0.170 Toz Au/Met Tons Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1981
    Material AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Ap_Grade: ^0.165 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: ^0.089 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore Milled
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1986
    Period 1986
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Cp_Grade: ^Ventersdorp Reef 0.264 Toz Au/Met Ton Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt
  • Year 1986
    Period 1986
    Material ORE AU
    Accuracy Accurate
    Description Cp_Grade: ^ And Libanon Reef - 0.196 To2 Au/Met Ton Or-E.
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Ore Gold Gold 0g/mt

Comments on the production information

  • WORKS THE MAIN REEF GROUP. AU/PT = 9610:1. ; MINE CURRENTLY OPERATES ON FOUR REEFS

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Name VENTERSDORP C.R
    Estimate year 1986
    Total resources 12533000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Gold Au 8.211 g/mt Gold Major 1986

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • CHAMBER OF MINES OF SOUTH AFRICA. - 1986 ; LIFE OF LIBANON IS ESTMATED AT 30 YEARS. ; CHAMBER OF MINES ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS - 1984 ; 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 2100M

Comments on the workings information

  • APPROX. MAXIMUM MINING DEPTH DOWN-DIP ON MAIN REEF. STEEP DIP AND WEAK HANGING WALL REQUIRES MODIFIED "FACE-AND-STRIKE" SCRAPING. "SCATTER" MINING METHOD USED ON MAIN REEF. UNDULATIONS AND ERRATIC ORE QUALITIES IN VENTERSDORP CONTACT REEF MAKE SHORT (20 - METER LENGTH) PANELS DESIREABLE. ORE IS CLEANED FROM THE FACE VIA STRIKE GULLY AND CENTER GULLY SLUSHING. TIMBER/CONCRETE CRIB SUPPORTS EXTENSIVE.

Comments on development

  • TOTAL$: 67.2 ; MILL.CAP: 1.7 MIL. MET T/YR. ; ECON.COM: A MODERN AND SOPHISTICATED MINING OPERATION WITH REASONABLY LOW OPERATING COSTS ($85.41/TROY OUNCE OF GOLD RECOVERED; 1977). THE MINE OPERATES FROM TWO HORIZONS; THE VENTERSDORP CONTACT REEF AND THE MAIN REEF. A LOW GRADE PRODUCER WITH AN ANTICIPATED LIFE OF 15 YEARS.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

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

  • Deposit

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

  • Deposit

    GOLD FIELDS OF SOUTH AFRICA LIMITED, ANNUAL REPORTS 1974 - 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 SOUTH AFRICA INSTITUTE MINING AND METALLURGY, 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

    MINING JOURNAL, 1977, DEVELOPMENT AND MILLING, V. 288.

  • Deposit

    LIBANON GOLD MINING COMPANY, 1977, ANNUAL REPORTS.

  • Deposit

    LIBANON GOLD MINING COMPANY, 1976, ANNUAL REPORTS.

  • Deposit

    LIBANON GOLD MINING COMPANY, 1975, ANNUAL REPORTS.

  • Deposit

    LIBANON GOLD MINING COMPANY, 1974, ANNUAL REPORTS.

  • Deposit

    IVOR JONES, ROY & COMPANY, INC., 1975, SOUTH AFRICAN GOLD SHARES: JOHANNESBURG, IVOR JONES, ROY AND COMPANY, INC.

  • 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 ANALYSIS OF WORKING RESULTS-1986 ; 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 M046312 WHICH HAS BEEN DELETED FROM MRDS.
Deposit INFORMATION MERGED FROM RECORD NUMBER W028688 ; W028738 ; W030759 ; W032335 ; W032929 ; W033073 ; W033781 ; W044646 ; W055284
Deposit MAX. THICKNESS REFERS TO MAX. STOPING WIDTH OF VENTERSDORP CONTACT REEF (AVE. REEF THICKNESS NOT AVAILABLE). DEPTH TO TOP IS UP-DIP SUB-CONTACT OF MAIN REEF NW OF NO. 1 SHAFT (OVERLYING UP-DIP SUB-CONTACT OF VENTERSDORP CONTACT REEF OCCURS AT 1100- METER LEVEL, 420 METERS NW OF NO. 1 SUB-VERTICAL SHAFT). DEPTH TO BOTTOM IS APPROX. MAXIMUM MINING DEPTH (DOWN-DIP) OF MAIN REEF, 410 METERS SE OF NO. 1 SUB-VERTICAL SHAFT (VENTERSDORP CONTACT REEF DEVELOPED TO 2000 - METER LEVEL, 1200 METERS SE OF NO. 1 SUB-VERTICAL SHAFT).

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-MAY-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-JUL-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-MAY-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.

Maps centered on this site