Ore-structure relationships at Sishen Mine, Northern Cape, Republic of South Africa, based on fully-constrained implicit 3D modelling

Abstract A fully-constrained, implicit, 3D geological model of Sishen Mine reveals the original, pre-mining geometry of ore bodies, host rocks to mineralization and major structures. There are several overlapping controls, at a variety of scales, on the position, depth and geometry of laminated and conglomeratic ore. Most of these controls are structural or may be reconciled with the kinematic history of this part of the Maremane Dome. A series of near-horizontal sections, through the entire 3D model, demonstrates the manner in which these controls overlap and interact. First-order or large-scale controls comprise broad domes, which show preservation of laminated ore around their rims, outside of which conglomeratic ore occurs. Second-order controls comprise grabens and half-grabens, which are often bounded by strike-persistent normal faults, which show fault drag on their western flanks due to inversion, along with preservation of BIF-related supergene ore and conglomeratic ore. A type example is the thick, deep, linear ore to the west of the Sloep Fault. Third-order controls on the preservation of mineralization comprise downthrown blocks to the north of reactivated E-W, SE/ESE- or NE/ENE-trending conjugate faults. Upthrow to the south could be attributed to the 1.15–1.0 Ga NNW-directed Lomanian (Namaqua-Natal) Orogeny. Palaeosinkholes comprise fourth-order controls, which are superimposed on higher-order controls. Palaeosinkholes, which form the bulk of current mining, comprise deep, conical depressions with anomalous thicknesses of chert, chert breccia and haematite. Due to their limited size, the steepness of all units and the often chaotic nature of detached and slumped blocks in their centres, these volumes reflect longstanding models on palaeosinkhole development and very local ore control.