Lithology, petrography and Cu occurrence of the Neoproterozoic glacial Mwale Formation at the Shanika syncline (Tenke Fungurume, Congo Copperbelt; Democratic Republic of Congo)

The Mwale Formation that constitutes the base of the Nguba Group in the Neoproterozoic Katanga Supergroup has recently attracted renewed interest for copper mineral exploration. We present new field observations combined with detailed logging and petrography of MWAS0001 drill hole at Shanika syncline in the Tenke Fungurume Mining District. Our study has enabled us to subdivide the Mwale Formation into 7 distinct sequences. This succession is host to glaciogenic, glaciomarine, glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine deposits. Glaciomarine beds are typically a deposit by debris flow in deep water marine environment, induced by basin wide tectonics and glaciation influence. Glaciofluvial beds were deposited in shallow water, fluvial deltaic environment. The glaciolacustrine environment is indicated by dropstones occurring in the laminated mudstone and rhythmites with dispersed clasts observed in the siltstone and conglomerate. These beds are interlayered within the glaciogenic beds, and are characterised by variable clast composition (felsic, mafic and metamorphic). The clasts are very poorly sorted, angular, rounded to moderately rounded, faceted or striated, and supported in a sandy argillaceous or mud matrix.