MINERAL DEPOSITS IN

SOUTHERN AFRICA

COAL DEPOSITS

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 Types of mineral deposits
 GOLD
 DIAMONDS
 PLATINUM
 COAL
 BASE METALS
 INDUSTRIAL MINERALS

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
 Coalfields

KAROO BASIN

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
COAL – ‘fossil’ organic matter

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
 Environment of deposition of coal
- glacial valleys and fluvial flood plains

MWG2 - coal
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MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
 COALIFICATION
(process of metamorphism)

 Decrease in volatiles (H and O2)

 Decrease in water content (moisture)
 Increase in Carbon content
 Increase in calorific value
 Increase in absolute density
 Development of coking properties

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
 Factors in the coalification process
 TIME:- the “older” the coal, the higher
the rank. (more metamorphism)

 PRESSURE: - causes compaction and

increase in density. (increased carbon)

 HEAT: drives off volatiles. (leads to an

increased carbon content)
MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
 ‘ranks’ of coal

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
 Gondwanaland vs. Laurasia coals
 Temperate climate  Sub-tropical climate
after an ice-age
 Formed in inland  Formed in low-lying
swamps and lakes coastal areas
 Irregular topography  Flat and featureless
 Seasonal growth  Yearlong growth
 Relatively high ash  Lower ash content
due to periodic floods

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
Gondwanaland coal – thick seams
with high ash content

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
 Dolerite intrusives

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007
 South African coal is seldom
deeper than 200 m below surface.

MWG2 - coal
Jac Genis-2007