CONTENT

1 ABSTRACT......................................................................................................................... 2
1.1 Geology, geochemistry and geochronology ............................................................... 2
1.2 Geochemical classification .......................................................................................... 8
1.3 Pre-Karoo Geochronology, Metamorphism and Tectonics ....................................... 10
1.4 Mineral resources and potential ................................................................................. 12
1 ABSTRACT

1.1 Geology, geochemistry and geochronology

This map explanation presents the results of a four-year reconnaissance-mapping project in
northern Mozambique and represents a significant revision of the pre-existing understanding of
the geology of the area. An overview of the main geological units is shown in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Overview of the main geological units in northeastern Mozambique.

The main units are:

Ponta Messuli Complex: This complex is found along the shore of Lago Niassa. Some of its
component units are unique in the region. The northern areas are occupied by migmatitic
gneiss of supracrustal origin containing cordierite and sillimanite. The southern part of the
Ponta Messuli Complex is dominated by augen gneiss. The Ponta Messuli Complex has been
shown to be the oldest unit in the region, giving a Palaeoproterozic metamorphic age (1,95

2
Ga), and containing detrital zircons with a minimum age of 2074±11 Ma. Sm/Nd model ages
also indicate that Archaean material has been involved in the formation of the complex.

Nampula Complex: The Nampula Complex is the structurally lowest of the Mesoproterozoic
tectonostratigraphic crustal blocks in northern Mozambique (Figure 1.1). It occupies the
southern part of all the sheets that define the southern limit of the area described. The
lithodemic and lithostratigraphic units comprise a sequence of supracrustal gneisses, the
Molócuè Group, which is migmatised to various degrees, and an even older suite of granitoid
gneisses known as the Mocuba Suite (dated at 1123-1148 Ma). These supracrustal and
granitoid rocks were intruded by various intermediate to acid intrusives, now orthogneisses, the
Culicui Suite (dated at 1028– 1087 Ma). Many of the units encountered are very highly
migmatised. The orthogneisses include I- and A-type granitoids. These basement rocks make
up about 90% of the surface area of the Complex, the remainder being comprised of two
overlying units of metasedimentary gneisses, the Mecuburi and Alto Benfica Groups, which
were deposited unconformably on the Nampula Complex later than 630 Ma. The Alto Benfica
Group contains detrital zircons covering a wide age span, back to 3,31 Ga.. Subsequently, the
Nampula Complex was intruded by syn- to post-tectonic, Pan-African granitoid plutons, dykes
and sheets of the Murrupula Suite and the Malema Suite during the Cambrian. The western
margin of the Nampula Complex, was intruded by a number of Jurassic syenite and nepheline-
syenite plutons, plugs, sheets and dykes, representing alkaline activity along the southern
termination of the East-African rift system.

Unango Complex: The Unango Complex dominates the geology of the western part of Niassa
Province (Figure 1.1): it extends from the border with Tanzania, where it is partly overlain by
the Karoo rocks of the Maniamba Graben, to 150 30' S, and from Lago Niassa and the Malawi
border in the west to 360 30' E, northeast of Mavago, where it is overthrust by the Marrupa
Complex and overlain by a klippen consisting of the Muaquia and M'Sawize Complexes. South
of this nappe it has a tectonic contact with the Marrupa Complex. It was emplaced structurally
above the Nampula Complex during the Pan-African Orogeny. The boundary between these
two complexes is a complex series of northeast-southwest-trending, anastomosing, steep shear
zones, evidence of which was only rarely observed in the field. The Unango Complex is
dominated by acid to intermediate orthogneisses, partly at granulite grade and partly
retrogressed. Migmatisation of variable character is extensive. Some components show little
indication of having been exposed to granulite-facies metamorphism. Most of the granodioritic
rocks plot in the field of I-type granites and about 50% of the granites have compositions
similar to fractionated I-type rocks, whereas other granites plot in the A-type field together
with syenitic rocks. Monzodioritic to monzonitic rocks plot both in the field of fractionated I-
type and A-type granites. High-grade paragneisses locally predominate in the west along the
border with Malawi. Many of the units within the complex are bounded by elements in a
network of anastomosing shear zones. Ten samples of various orthogneisses of the Unango
Complex range in intrusion age from 1065±16 to 975±33 Ma. In addition three samples of
paragneiss were dated by different methods giving peak amphibolite- to granulite-facies Pan-
Afrcan metamorphism between 553±13 and 525±9 Ma.

Marrupa Complex: The Marrupa Complex is one of the most extensive tectonostratigraphic
units in northern Mozambique (Figure 1.1): it is dominated by orthogneisses of acid to
intermediate compositions, while mafic orthogneisses and paragneisses are subordinate. The
gneisses vary from being homogeneous and rather fine-grained, to more coarse-grained, and
include banded and migmatitic varieties. From the mineral assemblages present, the rocks
seem to have undergone amphibolite-facies metamorphism. This differs from the adjoining

3
units, which have experienced granulite-facies conditions. Geochemical data show that the
complex is dominated by normal and fractionated I-type granitoids in addition to rocks with a
clear A-type affinity. Thirteen age determinations have been carried out on rocks from the
Marrupa Complex, most of them granite and granitic gneiss. The ages of the protoliths are 968-
1026 Ma with uncertainties of 8-19 Ma, while metamorphic overprints are Pan-African ages of
521-562 Ma (uncertainties of 5-15 Ma).

Nairoto Complex: The Nairoto Complex forms a 15-30 km wide north-northeast - south-
southwest trending belt that runs from the central part of sheet 1139 Mueda southwards along
the contact between sheets 1238 Xixano and 1239 Meluco. North of Montepuez there is a
major fold with axial plane trending north-northeast - south-southwest that turns the unit to a
west-northwest-east-southeast direction. Eastwards the complex comprises a 10-15 km wide
belt across sheets 1339 Montepuez and 1340 Mecufi. The complex thus comprises an arc-
shaped belt wrapped around the Lalamo Complex. The contacts to the latter are clearly
tectonic. The orthogneisses are commonly magnetite-bearing, and the belt shows pronounced
positive anomalies in the aeromagnetic data. The Nairoto Complex consists mainly of a suite of
felsic orthogneisses with varying degrees of migmatisation. Geochemically they are calc-
alkaline with granitic to tonalitic compositions, and can be classified as normal I-type
granitoids. Granitic to granodioritic varieties predominate. A few minor lenses of paragneiss
were found. There are no indications that the metamorphic grade has exceeded amphibolite
facies. A psammitic gneiss has yielded a zircon with an interpreted crystallisation age of 976
±5 Ma, with a metamorphic overprint at 579 ±10 Ma. Intrusion ages of 1044 ±44 and 1019
±36 Ma have been reported for biotite gneiss and amphibolite respectively.

Meluco Complex: The Meluco Complex occurs in two large oval dome-like structures in the
southwest part of sheet 1239 Meluco (Figure 1.1). The largest of these structures continues
onto sheet 1240 Quissanga-Pemba. Three much smaller, restricted structures occur on sheets
1339 Montepuez and 1340 Mecufi. The Meluco Complex consists of orthogneisses mainly of
granitic to granodioritic composition, with tonalitic rocks as a subordinate component. The
geophysical data on the two large dome structures show a rather irregular, folded pattern in
contrast to the supracrustal rocks in the surrounding Lalamo Complex, which have a very
banded pattern that seems to wrap around the Meluco Complex. The idea that the Meluco
Complex is a basement for the supracrustal rocks is therefore plausible. Where the contact
between the complexes has been observed it is a thrust, with the rocks of the Lalamo Complex
thrust over the Meluco Complex in a "top-to-the-south" movement.Geochemical data on
granodioritic/granitic gneiss from the Complex indicate a high-K calc-alkaline character: the
rocks can be classified as fractionated I-type granitoids. The western granite dome yields an
intrusion age of 947±21 Ma. The easternmost granite yields an almost identical intrusion age of
946±12 Ma. Metamorphic overprint of the latter sample is dated to 585±13 Ma

Mugeba Complex: The Mugeba Complex forms a klippe, the westernmost part of which is
poorly exposed in the southeast corner of sheet 1636 Mocuba. It consists of a range of
granulitic gneisses underlain by mylonitic to flaser orthogneiss, which forms the base of the
structure.

Xixano Complex: Its highly distinctive radiometric signature facilitated recognition of this
Complex as a new tectonostratigraphic unit. It extends from the Tanzanian border, east of Rio
Lugenda to the Lurio belt and includes two outliers within the Marrupa Complex on sheets
1437 Malema and 1337 Marrupa, a large, north-south-trending body near Nipepe and another
isolated mass to the west, in the Monte Macicoro area. A third small mass is found at Tele on

4
sheet 1338 Namuno. The major part of the complex consists of metasupracrustal rocks
enveloping predominantly mafic igneous and granulitic rocks that comprise the core of a
regional north-northeast - south-southwest-trending synform. The paragneisses include various
forms of mica gneiss and schist, quartz-feldspar gneiss, metasandstone, quartzite and marble.
Felsic orthogneisses occur with the paragneisses, mainly in the northern and eastern part of the
complex. The metamorphic grade within the Xixano Complex is dominantly amphibolite facies
although granulite-facies rocks are preserved within tectonic lenses.The contact to the
underlying Marrupa Complex in the west is a major shear zone that was subsequently folded
against the Lurio belt in the south. The shear zone contact with the Montepuez Complex in the
east is also strongly folded. A major shear zone also separates the Xixano Complex from the
Nairoto Complex in the east.

The oldest dated rock in the Xixano Complex is a weakly deformed metarhyolite from
sheet 1338 Namuno, which gives a reliable extrusion age of 818±10 Ma. A similar age 799±44
Ma, was obtained from a granitic gneiss further northeast. The intrusive age of an enderbitic
gneiss from a tectonic lens in the northeastern part of sheet 1238 Xixano is 742±16 Ma. The
age of granulite facies metamorphism, 735±4 Ma is recorded by a banded granulite from the
northern part of sheet 1338 Namuno.

Muaquia Complex: The complex occurs around the conjunction of sheets 1336 Majune, 1337
Marrupa, 1236 Mavago and 1237 Mecula. The Muaquia Complex is very heterogeneous. It
includes a wide range of acid to intermediate orthogneisses as well as lenses and bands of
paragneiss, including quartzite, quartz-rich two-mica schists, amphibolite and calcsilicate rock.
Its textures are mainly blastomylonitic and mylonitic and deformation increases towards the
border wth the Unango Complex to the west. The rocks show widely separated indications of
an early high-pressure metamorphic event.

M'Sawize Complex: The M'Sawize Complex lies mainly on sheets 1236 Mavago and 1237
Mecula. It overlies the Muaquia Complex and is partly surrounded by it (Figure 1.1). The
M'Sawize Complex includes granodioritic to gabbroic gneiss. Metatonalite, metagabbro with
amphibolite and banded migmatite with minor migmatitic granite. The Complex is underlain
by faults and shear zones, which are related to extensional movement. A tonalite within the
Complex has yielded an age of 640+4 Ma. Unlike the other complexes in the region the
M'Sawize Complex is dominated by mafic to intermediate rocks: they are of I-type.

Lalamo Complex: The Lalamo Complex is situated east and north of the Nairoto Complex and
overlain by the Cenozoic to Mesozoic sedimentary rocks of the Rovuma Basin (Figure 1.1). It
consists predominantly of various metasupracrustal rocks; biotite gneiss, meta-sandstone,
quartzite, marble, amphibolite and conglomerate and minor meta-igneous rocks of granitic to
ultrabasic composition. The rocks of the Lalamo Complex have generally experienced
amphibolite-grade metamorphism.The western contact with the Nairoto Complex is a shear
zone, along which a dextral movement cuts off the various units of the Lalamo Complex. The
lithologies are rather similar to those in the Montepuez Complex, but the Nairoto Complex
always separates these two complexes, except in the extreme east where the contact is a shear
zone. Since they also have a totally different tectonic style they are distinguished as two
complexes on the map. It has been observed that the Lalamo Complex has been thrust upon
the Meluco Complex, which might represent a basement for the supracrustal rocks. A granitic
gneiss from the north-central part of sheet 1239 Meluco has given an intrusion age of 696±13
Ma. This indicates that rocks of the Lalamo Complex are younger than those of the Meluco
Complex.

5
Alto Benfica and Mecuburi Groups: The Alto Benfica Group is a stratified quartzitic
metasedimentary package that lies upon, and is restricted to, the Mesoproterozoic Nampula
Complex basement. It occurs as a series of narrow, isolated lens-shaped outcrops in the region
around Alto Benfica in the central-southern part of sheet 1636 Lugela-Mocuba and in the
easternmost part of sheet 1635 Milange. The main lithology is matrix-supported
metaconglomerate, which contains biotite granite, and leucogranite gneiss pebbles with fresh
pink K-feldspar. The clasts are set in a medium- to coarse-grained matrix of feldspathic
quartzite.

The Mecuburi Group occurs in an area of ~500 km2 on sheet 1438 Ribáuè-Mecuburi. The
contacts of the Mecuburi Group with the surrounding gneisses of the Nampula Complex are
not exposed, but there is good circumstantial evidence to suggest that the contact is
unconformable, rather than tectonic: 1) The Group appears to regionally overlie and locally
overstep different units of the Nampula Complex, 2) No evidence of shearing was observed at
the contacts, even in localities that can only be a few tens of metres from observed contacts, 3)
Coarse conglomeratic units contain boulder-sized clasts that may be correlated with lithologies
in the adjacent, underlying Nampula Complex. The main lithologies are: Gneissic
metaconglomerate with meta-arkosic gritstone, and biotite gneiss, locally conglomeratic and
with sillimanite nodules.

Montepuez Complex: The Montepuez Complex forms a wedge-shaped unit of strongly

deformed para- and orthogneisses in the southeast part of the mapped area. It comprises
orthogneisses ranging from granitic to amphibolitic in composition, and paragneisses
comprising mainly quartzite, meta-arkose, marble, quartz-feldspar gneiss and biotite gneiss.
The rocks are strongly folded into tight and isoclinal folds on all scales, and have later been cut
by a number of mainly northeast-southwest trending shear zones. The strong deformation
makes the lithologic succession very complex with large variations on all scales both within
and between the lithologies. The rock assemblage have generally experienced amphibolite
grade metamorphism. A leucosome in a paragneiss in the western part of the complex was
dated to 942 ± 14 Ma with a metamorphic overprint at 599±10 Ma. Chemostratigraphic dating
of marbles in the Complex suggests their deposition between 1100 and 1050 Ma.

Ocua Complex: The Ocua Complex is a tectonic mélange, mainly comprised of granulitic
lithologies. In the east, on sheet 1339 Montepuez and 1340 Mecufi, it is situated between the
Nampula and Montepuez Complexes. It forms the core, in general, of a 25-30 km wide shear
belt called the Lurio belt, comprising strongly deformed, often mylonitic lithologies. The
lithologies are granulitic gneisses of both felsic and mafic character, orthogneisses of granitic
to amphibolitic compositions, and paragneisses including biotite gneiss, quartz-feldspar gneiss,
quartzite and meta-arenite. The structures most visible on the aeromagnetic and radiometric
data over the Lurio belt are a moderately northwest-dipping, southwest-northeast-trending
lithological banding, and megascopic isoclinal folds with moderately reclined axial surfaces
parallel to this direction. The high-strain Lurio belt fades progressively to the southwest, where
it becomes infolded within the Marrupa Complex and, to a lesser extent, the Nampula
Complex. Farther to the southwest, on sheets 1535-6 Insaca-Gurúè and 1636 Milange, the
complex contains a series of belt-like bodies, layers and lenses on all scales, which are
concentrated along the northeast-southwest-trending tectonic zone that separates the Nampula
and Unango Complexes. Thus they occur mainly in the contact shear zone belt itself, but also
infolded with the Nampula and Unango Complexes on either side.

6
 The Ocua Complex is probably a composite unit, containing slices of the adjoining rock
units, deformed, transposed and dismembered during Pan-African tectonic events, and not
originally a separate rock unit. Lithologically, the Lurio belt can thus be regarded as containing
a tectonic melange including granulites and sheared gneisses and metasediments. The
traditional separation into “supracrustal” and “intrusive” gneisses cannot be made confidently
for large parts of the complex. Amphibolite- to granulite-facies metamorphism and
deformation in the Ocua Complex is bracketed between 578 ±10 and 540 ±7 Ma.

Txitonga Group: The Txitonga Group is bounded by the Ponta Messuli Complex to the west,
and the Karoo Supergroup to the east. It is 10-25 km wide and occupies a rugged, high
mountainous area, extending from the Tanzanian border to south of Cobué on Lago Niassa, a
distance of nearly 100 km. The Group is dominated by metasedimentary rocks, mainly
metagreywacke, metasandstone, quartz-mica schist and chlorite-rich schist. In the northern part
of the unit there are numerous bodies of metagabbro, greenstone, greenschist and minor felsic
metavolcanic rocks. There are indications that metamorphic conditions have varied along the
length of the Group. In the northern areas the metamorphic grade may not have exceeded
greenschist facies. Garnet and staurolite are found in the Cobué area, which indicates
amphibolite facies. A late retrogressive event has affected both the Txitonga and most of the
Ponta Messuli lithologies, leading to regional sericitisation and local carbonatisation. The
Group hosts the important Niassa Gold Belt. A quartz-feldspar porphyry in the Group has been
dated to 715±20 Ma, while Re-Os dating of sulphides from the Gold Belt yielded an age of
~483 Ma.

Geci Group: The Geci Group occurs as several, tectonically dissected, intensively sheared,
folded and mylonitised lenses within Unango Complex granulite rocks northwest of Lichinga..
The dominant rocks are calcarenites, dolarenites, calcite matrix-supported and dolostone clast-
supported carbonate breccias. In places, primary depositional features are well preserved. The
least-altered 87Sr/86Sr and δ13C ratios suggest an apparent depositional age of either 590-585 or
630-625 Ma. This provides a lower age limit for juxtaposition of the low-grade Geci group
rocks and granulite-facies rocks of the Unango Complex.

Neoproterozoic to Palaeozoic intrusions: A great variety of igneous rocks that are not an
integral part of the Meso- to Neoproterozoic gneiss complexes have been distinguished. They
range in age from Neoproterozoic to Jurassic, although syn- to post-tectonic Pan-African
intrusions predominate. Some of these intrusives are clearly related, and comprise distinct
intrusive suites. They include:
• The Monte Naumale and Monte Chissindo (799±8 Ma) alkaline intrusions in the Unango
Complex: both bodies have a potential for special metals of various types.
• The Monte Miruei Suite of granite gneiss pods in the southeastern part of the Unango
Complex, dated at 749±20 Ma.
• The Murrupula Suite, found in the area south of sheets 1437 Malema and 1438 Ribáuè-
Mecuburi. It consists of. older sheet-like syntectonic bodies of foliated biotite granite
orthogneiss, and younger intrusions of undeformed to weakly deformed granite.
• The Malema Suite, comprising Pan-African monzonitic, syenitic and granitic bodies as well
as charnockitic rocks in the southern part of the area mapped. On sheets 1437 Malema and
1438 Ribáuè-Mecuburi the suite includes seven sub-circular to ellipsoidal plutons,
including three zoned, granitoid ring complexes along a north-northeast-oriented line
parallel to the Lurio belt.
• The Niassa Suite, comprising several granitic to syenitic Pan-African intrusions that form
prominent mountains from Meponda in the north, southeastwards along the border with

7
 Malawi, to south of Mandimba. Intrusion ages of 507±4 and 514±35 Ma have been
obtained. There are four major ring complexes on sheets 1334 Meponda and 1335
Lichinga, namely Monte Metonia, Monte Livigire, Monte Nicucule and Monte Chande.
Except for Monte Chande, they are all mainly syenitic in composition. Monte Chande
consists of alkali-syenite surrounding a core of alkali-granite. The highest and most
impressive mountains, Monte Lissiete and Serra Lipane on sheet 1435 Mandimba are
underlain by ‘late’ granites and associated syenites.

Karoo Supergroup: The Karoo strata of the Maniamba Graben in Niassa Province (Figure 1.1)
include a lower sequence with ‘coal measures’ of Permian age attributed to the Ecca Group.
The overlying upper Karoo siliciclastic sediments are of probable upper Permian/Triassic to
Jurassic age. The graben system developed by rifting throughout Karoo deposition and is up to
about 10 km deep in its centre. Smaller, tectonically bounded blocks of Karoo sediments are
found in the northwestern part of Cabo Delgado Province (two) and east and southeast of
Lichinga on sheets 1335 Lichinga (two) and 1336 Majune (two).

Kimberlites: Kimberlites occur as dykes up to 3 m thick and isometric bodies in the southern
part of the Maniamba Graben. The occur along four northwest-southeast-trending zones, and
one east-northeast – west-southwest-trending zone They are macrocrystic hypabyssal Group Ia
kimberlites based on their mineralogy and whole rock geochemistry. Mineral and Sr isotope
data confirm the Group I classification. A phlogopite Rb-Sr mineral isochron provides a Lower
Cretaceous estimate of 138±8,5 Ma for emplacement of one of the isometric bodies.
Geophysical data acquired in 2005 indicate that kimberlites may also be found further north in
the graben.

Rovuma Basin: The history of the basin is directly linked to the progressive break-up of
southern Gondwana: the sedimentary succession of the basin can be divided into five tectono-
stratigraphic mega-sequences reflecting the different break-up stages: Pre-rift during the
Permo-Triassic, syn-rift during Triassic to Early Jurassic, early drift during Mid-Jurassic –
Mid-Cretaceous, late-drift during Mid-Cretaceous to Oligocene, and deltaic progradation
during Oligocene to present time. The lithostratigraphy of the Basin has been reassessed based
on field results, petrography and micropalaeontological data, in the light of the above tectonic
development. Oil seeps are known from several parts of the basin and there is increased
interest in the hydrocarbon potential of the area.

1.2 Geochemical classification

Sampling for geochemical analyses mostly covers amphibolite- to granulite-facies meta-
igneous rocks and is representative of the spectrum of rock types of the various complexes and
rock units in the investigated area. Table 1.1 summarizes the main compositional parameters:
within each complex there is considerable variation from subordinate mafic to ultramafic
lithologies to a diversity of intermediate to acid rocks.

The granitic to charnockitic rocks of the Unango, Marrupa, Nampula, Nairoto, Meluco,
Lalamo and Montepuez Complexes appear to be broadly similar in composition and consist
mainly of metaluminous, medium- to high-K (shoshonitic), calc-alkaline rocks. All of these
complexes contain subordinate mafic to ultramafic rocks. In contrast, the Xixano, Muaquia,
M'Sawize and Ocua Complexes reveal abundant mafic to intermediate, low-K orthogneisses,
and some amphibolite. In the Xixano Complex, the evolved rocks appear to have a bimodal
distribution including low-K tonalite and high-K granite.

8
 In general, the magnesian mafic rocks may represent fairly juvenile additions to the
crust. However, most of the high-K granitic to charnockitic rocks probably represent a
significant degree of recycling of previously formed crust. Plutonic rocks of this type are
commonly emplaced in relatively mature continental arcs and as large, post-collisional
batholiths following terrane accretion. Syn- to post-tectonic intrusive rocks, including the ring
complexes of the Niassa Suite, are high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic to highly alkaline, and
exhibit very high values for several trace elements (e.g. Zr, Ba, Sr and LREE). The evolved
alkaline complexes (syenites) are generally regarded as products of post-collisional and/or
anorogenic magmatism. The geochemical data (Table 1.1) support the model for terrain
assembly presented below in showing the geological and geochemical contrast between the
mainly felsic lower tectonostratigraphic levels (Ponta Messuli to Meluco Complexes) and the
significantly more juvenile overlying complexes (Xixano to Lalamo Complexes) assembled
during the Pan-African orogeny.

Complex/Suite N General SiO2 K2O Other characteristics

classification (wt %) (wt %)
Niassa Suite 14 Mainly shoshonitic A- 60.9 – 77.5 4.5 – 7.7 High LREE and HFS-
type elements
Malema Suite 16 Mainly shoshonitic A- 52.4 – 75.0 1.9 – 6.2 High LREE and HFS-
type elements
Murrupula Suite 9 High-K calc-alkaline to 54,8 – 74.9 2.0 – 5.7
shoshonitic
Neoproterozoic 17 High-K calc-alkaline to 46.2 – 76.8 0.1 – 6.7 High/variable Zr, Ba, Sr
plutons, undiff. shoshonitic and LREE
Txitonga Group 4 Mafic, low-K to intermed. 47.0 – 75.9 0.4 – 5.9 Partly high Ba and
high-K rocks LREE
Ocua Complex 25 Ultramafic and low-K to 39.8 – 75.3 0.2 – 8.5 Predominantly mafic to
medium-K, calc-alkal, intermediate
metaluminous rocks
Montepuez 9 Medium-K to high-K 43.3 – 76.0 0.1 – 4.7 Predominantly
Complex calc-alkaline intermediate to acid
Lalamo Complex 19 Medium-K to high-K 36.1 – 76.4 0.01 – 5.4 Partly high Zr, Ba, Sr
calc-alkaline and LREE
M'Sawise Complex 6 Low-K calc-alkaline 45.0 – 63.5 0.3 – 1.2 Predominantly mafic to
intermediate
Muaquia Complex 9 Low-K to medium-K 44.9 – 78.2 0.1 – 3.5 Predominantly mafic to
calc-alkaline intermediate
Xixano Complex 47 Low-K calc-alkaline and 39.7 – 77.7 0.1 – 5.6 Abundant mafic rocks.
high-K calc-alkaline Tonalite and granite
Meluco Complex 4 High-K calc-alkaline 66.8 – 68.7 4.0 – 4.9
Nairoto Complex 6 Medium-K calc-alkaline 60.3 – 70.4 1.2 – 3.3
Marrupa Complex 81 Medium-K to high-K 42.3 – 78.9 0.3 – 6.1 Mainly intermediate to
calc-alkaline felsic; commonly high
Ba
Unango Complex 125 Medium-K to high-K 43.1 – 78.4 0.8 – 6.9 Very wide range in
calc-alkaline composition
Nampula Complex 44 Medium-K to high-K 49.7 – 77.2 0.6 – 7.3 Partly high Zr, Ba, Sr
calc-alkaline and LREE
Ponta Messuli 2 Mafic calc-alkaline
Complex granodiorite and
amphibolite
Table 1.1Summary of compositional features for the main groups of rocks (N=no. of samples).

9
1.3 Pre-Karoo Geochronology, Metamorphism and Tectonics
The gneissic complexes from west to east, are (Figure 1.1):
• The Ponta Messuli Complex, along Lago Niassa, consists of 1.95 Ga Palaeoproterozoic
high-grade basement: its contact with the Txitonga Group, which is dominated by low-
grade metasediments, is tectonic but it is unclear whether it is a thrust or a tectonized
nonconformity..
• The Unango, Marrupa and Nampula Complexes consist mainly of 1.1-1.0 Ga granitoid
gneisses, associated with slivers of metasediments. These complexes were affected by Pan-
African metamorphism from 560-520 Ma, commonly at granulite facies in the Unango
Complex. The Unango and Nampula Complexes show widespread Pan-African granitic
plutonism. The Marrupa and Unango Complexes are juxtaposed along northwest-verging
tectonic contacts: this is interpreted as a top-to-northwest imbricated nappe sequence.
• The Xixano Complex includes lenses of granulite juxtaposed with various metasedimentary
rocks along greenschist- to amphibolite-facies shear zones. Granulite-facies metamorphism
is dated at 735±4 Ma.
• The Lalamo and Montepuez Complexes include abundant metasediments and felsic
metavolcanic rocks. Available data for the Montepuez Complex suggest deposition of
marble units between 1100 and 1050 Ma (chemostratigraphic dating) and deposition of
clastic sediments sometime after 942±14 Ma (age of a detrital zircon).
• The Geci Group, in part preserves primary depositional features and primary isotopic
composition. Chemostratigraphic data suggest two apparent depositional age intervals of
either 590-585 or 630-625 Ma. The Geci Group, metamorphosed in greenschist facies, was
juxtaposed with the much higher grade Unango Complex, as a result of late Pan-African
shearing.
• The metasediments of the Alto Benfica and Meecuburi Groups were deposited in small,
possibly strike-slip, grabens at ~600 Ma. They were subsequently internally deformed and
metamorphosed to sillimanite grade during the Pan-African event.
• The Lurio belt separates the Nampula Complex to the south from the Marrupa and
Montepuez Complexes to the north in the eastern part of the region. It is cored by granulite
lenses decreasing in abundance to the west, and by highly sheared leucogneisses. These
lithologies have been assigned to the newly established Ocua Complex. Granulite-facies
metamorphism and deformation is bracketed to 580-530 Ma. The Lurio belt does not
always correspond to a major lithological break between the Nampula, Marrupa and
Montepuez Complexes, and is consequently not interpreted as representing a Pan-African
suture zone.

The sequence of tectonic events is envisaged as follows:

• A granulite-facies metamorphic event is recorded at 735±4 Ma in the Xixano Complex.
Preservation of these granulites suggests a phase of northwest-southeast-oriented crustal
extension after 735 Ma, responsible for their partial exhumation.
• Structures from the western sector of the Lurio belt (Ribáuè-Malema area) differ
remarkably from those observed in its eastern sector (Montepuez region). Tight to isoclinal
folds with north-northwest-dipping axial planes and roughly down-dip plunging axes and
stretching lineations are common. We refer to these features as "Proto-Lurio". No clear
kinematic indicators could be identified, which precludes assigning of these structures to a
specific tectonic phase. Nonetheless, the Proto-Lurio event can be envisaged as being
responsible for the exhumation of early Pan-African granulites. The youngest of these
granulites are reported in the Mugeba klippe, south of the Lurio belt, and have a published
age of ~614±8 Ma. Therefore, the Proto-Lurio tectonic event probably post-dates 615 Ma.

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• A post-615 Ma top-to-northwest directed nappe-stacking episode juxtaposed the distinct
tectonic slices, the Ponta Messuli, Txitonga, Unango, Marrupa, Muaquia, M'Sawize and
Xixano Complexes, listed from west to east with increasing structural level in the nappe
stack. Field evidence strongly supports the tectonic origin of the terrain contacts and
confirms their northwest-directed thrusting kinematics. While the Unango Complex shows
granulite-facies metamorphic grade with recorded P up to 15.3 kbar, the overlying Marrupa
and Xixano Complexes show amphibolite-facies conditions during this event.

Figure 1.2: Tectonostratigraphic overview of the Proterozoic units in northern Mozambique.

The Karoo sediments and the Jurassic-Neogene sediments of the Rovuma Basin overlie the
gneiss complexes unconformably. Tectonic boundaries are shown by the saw-tooth lines.

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• The high-resolution geophysical data allow the identification of a crustal-scale set of
east/east-northeast- west/west-northwest-trending upright, open to tight folds that can be
followed from the Tanzanian border to the Lurio belt and further south in the Nampula
Complex. Fold axes plunge moderately to the west/west-southwest. Field observations
confirm the geometry of the folds and their importance. The Lurio belt (especially its
eastern sector) is part of this geometrical framework, with its mylonitic foliation folded
isoclinally around east/east-northeast - west/west-northwest-trending axes. The belt
underwent strong flattening with granulite bodies being highly attenuated, segmented and
retrogressed in response to the extreme pure-shear strain that affected the whole region.
The isoclinal folds that characterize the belt reached a stage of strain hardening, which
resulted in strain accommodation being taken up by crustal-scale sets of conjugate ductile
shear zones. These are identifiable from the outcrop scale to the regional scale based on
geophysical data. The eastern sector of the Lurio belt, where the overall structural grain
swings to an east-west orientation, reflects the local, strong control of such an east-west-
trending ductile shear zone. Strain-accommodation within the Lurio belt (via isoclinal
folding and conjugate shear zones) is more intense than in the surrounding blocks (open to
tight folding and conjugate shear zones) because of the Proto-Lurio structure, which acted
as a zone of mechanical weakness, leading to preferential strain accommodation.
Nonetheless, evidence of the south/south-southeast- north/north-northwest-directed
regional compression is found throughout the region, leading not only to the above-
mentioned crustal-scale east/east-northeast- west/west-northwest-trending folds, but also to
intense structural reworking of pre-existing tectonic features. Geochronological results
constrain the age of the regional compression to between 580 and 530 Ma. High-pressure
granulite facies metamorphism is recorded in the Lurio belt. The peak conditions were
followed by a stage of near-isothermal decompression.
• 530 Ma monazite ages from mylonitic fabrics associated with top-to-northwest extensional
structures constrain a renewed phase of crustal extension co-axial with the prior
compressional event. Field evidence of extensional structures deflecting and cutting
through folds of the previous compressional event was found within the eastern sector of
the Lurio belt and to the north, at least as far as the Tanzanian border.
• Pan-African granites are widespread and follow specific structural trends. Ring complexes
and alkali granite intrusives within the Lurio belt have been assigned to the Malema Suite.
The emplacement of such magmatic complexes was most likely facilitated by the overall
crustal thinning starting at 530Ma.
• Northeast-southwest-trending sinistral shear zones northwest of the Lurio belt record late
Pan-African ages ranging from 480 to 445 Ma. We interpret these to be lateral ramps
defining the western margins to the displaced blocks that accommodated the overall crustal
thinning.

1.4 Mineral resources and potential

Gold: The Niassa Gold belt (NGB) is the most important gold district in the area. Artisanal
mining of alluvial and primary gold in quartz veins has been performed since 1990 along Lago
Niassa from the Tanzanian border towards Cobuè in the south, ~90 km north-south and up to
25 km east-west. The estimated total gold production is 5-12 t/a (Lächelt 2004). The most
important gold mining areas currently include Cagurué, Long Bay/Miazini, M'Papa, 0A and
M'Popo (0D) in the northern part of the belt.

Primary gold occurs in quartz veins in low-grade metasedimentary rocks and associated
mafic dykes of the assumed Neoproterozoic Txitonga Group. The veins are associated with
north-south-/northeast-southwest-trending shear zones of probable Ordovician age, related to

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the juxtaposition of the NGB as an exotic tectonic sliver against the western margin of the
Unango terrane. Re-Os dating of the sulphide mineralisations gives a preliminary age of about
483 Ma. The productive zones in the alluvial fields are 0,5-5 m thick, and the gold content of
the alluvium is 5-30 g/t. Minor gold panning has been reported along several rivers in other
areas: Rio Chimulicamuli, Rio Lugenda, Rio Lureco.

Copper and nickel-copper: Slabs of finely laminated metasiltstone containing abundant

disseminated malachite and with extensive malachite (and locally azurite) coatings are found
50 km northwest of Marrupa on the north bank of the Rio Lureco. The secondary copper
mineralisation (>1 % Cu and ~100 g/t Ag) is clearly derived from disseminated copper
sulphides in the host rock. This poorly exposed area is worthy of follow-up, especially as this
mineralisation is similar to that seen in the Central African Copper Belt. Minor nickel-copper
mineralisations occur in mafic intrusives in various complexes, but these are not considered to
rpresent a major potential.

Iron and iron-titanium: Massive magnetite-ilmenite ore occurs in high-grade rocks near Lago
Niassa. Ilmenite-magnetite lenses and veins are found in fine-grained biotite gneiss and
massive magnetite-quartz forms minor hills in the southeast part of the mapped area. Thin and
extensive layers of massive magnetite have been investigated north of the Rio Lurio in the
eastern part of Cabo Delgado Province.

Enrichments of the heavy minerals, ilmenite, rutile and zircon are found all along the
coast in both aeolian and beach sand, although more frequently in the vicinity of the major
rivers. In the Murrubue deposits, 20 km south of Pemba, most heavy minerals occur in red
aeolian sand. The sand dunes are up to 30 m high. A small body, a few m thick, with 5-10 %
heavy minerals and a potential of up to 10 Mt has been investigated by Iluka Resources..

Special metals: Several alkaline intrusions of Neoproterozoic age, with enrichment of the
special metals; REE, U, Ta and Nb are located within the Unango Complex in the western part
of Niassa Province; these are Monte Naumale, Monte Chissindo and Rio Lucuisse. The most
common ore-bearing minerals in these are pyrochlore, columbite, zircon and columbotantalite.
Probably the most interesting of these is the Monte Naumale Syenite, in which a Na-pyroxene-
amphibole rock contains, on average, about 400 ppm U and Th, 1000 ppm Nb, and 20-10,000
ppm Ta. Ore-bearing lenses with a thickness of 1-4 m, and lengths up to 100 m are recorded.
There is also a potential for special metals in pegmatites though this has yet to be documented
for the pegmatite fields in Niassa and Cabo Delgado Provinces.

Graphite: Graphite-bearing mica schist and gneiss are found in different tectonic complexes in
Cabo Delgado Province. Horizons up to several kilometres long and 10-100 m thick contain
fine- to coarse-grained graphite, commonly 5-20 % C. High-quality graphite is mainly
metamorphic, although minor local enrichments are related to tectonic activity. The Ancuabe
graphite mine, owned by Kenmare Resources PLC, was in operation from 1994 to 1999. A
reserve of 1 Mt of ore grading 10 % graphite was determined. Graphite-bearing mica gneiss is
medium-grained and banded comprising graphite, biotite, quartz and feldspar. Medium to
coarse graphite-flakes (3-8 mm) are enriched in 5-20 cm thick bands and lenses over a
thickness of 2-3 m. The graphite-bearing sequence has an undulating, nearly flat-lying foliation
and seems to comprise the top of an open antiform. Local enrichment of graphite and
thickening of the graphite-rich bands is observed in minor folds. Very coarse-grained graphite
occurs along quartz veins.

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Carbonate minerals: Marble and limestone are registered in different sequences of
Mesoproterozoic to Mesozoic age. Mesoproterozoic (~1100 Ma) medium- to coarse- grained
marbles form major proportions of several complexes in Cabo Delgado Province. Pure calcite
marble comprises only minor parts. The marbles are commonly variably dolomitised as in the
well-known Montepuez marble, or comprise pure dolomite marble. A thin horizon of
magnesite has also been found. Small-scale lime production has been carried out from the
limestone of the Geci Group (590 Ma) in Niassa Province.

Quartz, quartzite: A few quartz bodies in both provinces may represent a potential resource for
silica production. Detailed studies of the chemistry and quality of the resources should be
carried out. Kyanite quartzites may have great value as a source of high-purity quartz.
Preliminary analysis of a sample from the Rio Levele deposit, 40 km southeast of Mavago,
shows very low values of combined Al+Ti+Li, < 45 ppm. This kyanite quartzite is several
kilometres long and more than 30 m thick, and includes minor amounts of muscovite,
plagioclase, titanite, rutile, zircon and lazulite.

Coal: The most extensive coal resources occur in the Karoo Supergroup in the southwest part
of the Maniamba Graben, in Niassa Province. Resource estimates up to 224 Mt have been
presented. The seams, 0,8-1 m thick, occur in the Ecca Group (K2 and K4).

Dimension stone: The most important dimension stone deposit in the area at present is the
marble 4 km north of Montepuez owned by the Marmonte Lda. Production exceeded 1000 m3
in 1986, but is now (2004) only 50 m3/year. Blocks are transported to Pemba, where the
company produces slabs of three qualities; white (branco), grey (cinzento) and mixed
(magram). The marble is commonly bedded on a dm-m scale, and locally includes minor
lenses or bands of amphibolite. Large-scale open to tight folding is common. Test quarrying
has been carried out on a marble close to Mazeze. The colour banding in this deposit makes the
rock very decorative, but its coarse grain-size is a problem for polishing. There is a great
potential for exploitation of other metamorphic and igneous rocks as dimension stone. Both
massive and decorative rocks are found. However, extensive exploitation is heavily dependent
on development of infrastructure and market potential.

Precious/semi-precious stones: Various precious and semi-precious stones are found in

northeastern Mozambique, most commonly tourmaline, beryl (aquamarine), garnet, corundum,
amazonite and crystalline quartz. They occur mostly in granitic pegmatite veins, but alluvial
and eluvial occurrences also exist. Among the more interesting areas for the pegmatites are
Marrupa, southeast of Mueda and Mirrote. Pigeon-blood coloured, corundum crystals up to 12
mm long and 20 mm across also occur in schistose, coarse-grained plagioclase-pyroxene-
biotite rock east of Chiure.

Kimberlite: Kimberlites, 43 dykes and 4 pipes, that cut into Karoo sedimentary rocks were
found in the southwest part of the Maniamba Graben in the late 1970s. One of the pipes has
yielded a Rb/Sr age of around 138 Ma. Diamondiferous kimberlites have not been verified so
far. The samples studied by this project are macrocrystic hypabyssal Group Ia kimberlites,
based on their mineralogy, whole rock geochemistry and analyses of macrocrysts and
groundmass minerals. Several additional occurrences of kimberlite dykes and pipes are
indicated in the recently acquired airborne magnetic data. Further investigations of the whole
graben as well as its immediately adjacent basement are recommended. Rocks resembling
lamproites have been discovered in the Xixano Complex: such rocks can have a potential for
diamonds (as illustrated by the Argyle field in West Australia).

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Hydrocarbons: Potential source rocks are considered to be present in the syn-rift and early drift
sequence throughout the Rovuma Basin, but little has been documented. Analyses of the
several seeps encountered in the basin point to two distinct types of oils, proving that there are
active petroleum systems. These are interpreted as having been derived from source rocks of
Jurassic and/or older age. The basin contains several intervals of good quality reservoir rocks.
The pre-late drift continental deposits (pre-Lower Cretaceous) found onshore in the northwest
Rovuma Basin are generally expected to show mostly low net-to-gross ratios due to diagenesis,
but the contemporaneous paralic and shallow marine clastics to the east and southeast are
expected to have fair to good reservoir potential, with moderate to minor reduction of porosity.
The Aptian-Albian succession comprises reservoir sands of good quality.

Summary of resource potential: Gold in the Niassa Gold belt is economically the most
significant known mineral resource in northeastern Mozambique today. The kimberlites of the
Maniamba graben have great potential if they are found to be diamond-bearing. Heavy
minerals, graphite, copper, special metals and high-purity quartz could also be of great
economic interest, while construction material and precious stones are important on a local
scale. Economically viable hydrocarbon fields, if they were to be discovered in the Rovuma
Basin could overshadow all other resources.

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