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.

Mineral sands

“…The paper by Dumouchel et al (2016) describes mineral sands deposits in Jangamo district of Mozambique with an emphasis on a giant Mutamba deposit. This paper describes the geology and geomorphology of the coastal dunes and the importance of these for understanding the dune stratigraphy.…”