GEOCHEMICAL-EXPLORATION FOR PLATINUM-GROUP ELEMENTS IN THE BUSHVELD COMPLEX, SOUTH-AFRICA

Analyses of stream sediment and soil samples from the Bushveld Complex , South Africa have revealed enhanced precious metal concentrations, w hich can be related both to mining activities and the presence of hidd en concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGEs) and gold. The econ omically important PGE deposits hosted by the Upper Critical Zone of t he Rustenburg Layered Suite are revealed by a high PGE and Au content in the overlying soils. A second zone of elevated precious metal conce ntrations straddles the boundary between the Main and Upper Zones and has to date been traced for more than 100 km. This zone follows the ig neous layering of the Rustenburg Layered Suite and is offset by the Br its Graben. It is therefore thought to be the reflection of a magmatic PGE-Au mineralisation.