Coastal evolution and associated titanium sand mineralisation of Jangamo district, Inhambane Province, Mozambique

Abstract

Extensive grassroots exploration along the southern coast of Mozambique has resulted in the discovery of significant titanium heavy mineral (HM) sand mineralisation and subsequent definition of the large Mutamba deposit, within the Jangamo and Inharrime districts of Inhambane Province. As part of the economic assessment a geological model of the deposit was developed and this has contributed to a better understanding of Quaternary coastal evolution within the area of the Inhambane Peninsula. The correlation of geomorphological and geological characteristics of the deposit area, which included analysis and interpretation of satellite and air photo imagery, field observations, drill sample observations (reverse-circulation, hand-auger, sonic and vibracore) of sand texture and laboratory analyses for total HM and slime content, has resulted in identification of a stratigraphic sequence of mixed marine–continental origin deposited in a marginal-marine environment. Understanding the stratigraphy and geographic distribution of sediments that host the Mutamba deposit has been a critical element for the economic assessment of the deposit and will be fundamental for any future mineral sand exploration in the region.

Keywords:

• Ilmenite
• Rutile
• Zircon
• Heavy mineral sand
• Coastal evolution
• Mutamba
• Jangamo
• Mozambique

Acknowledgements

Rio Tinto is acknowledged for permission to publish this work, and many current and former staff members have contributed to the exploration and understanding of the Mutamba deposit. Special mention is made of the contributions of Alan Chan, Rick Fader, Jeremy Gibbs, Damian Hristov, Razvan Hurezan, Andy Lloyd, Alexis Metral, Gareth Northam, Tim Poole, Drew Sargent and Fahamo Ussene.