Contributions to the Minerology of the Olifants River Tin-field with Special Reference to the Tin-bearing Pipes on Stavoren, Transvaal

Abstract

Tin-deposits in the Bushveld granophyre are typically developed on the farm Stavoren 470 in the Potgietersrus District of Transvaal. A study on zircons suggests a similar origin for the Bushveld granite and the Bushveld granophyre, and the evidence is in favour of a magmatic origin for both these rock-types. The deposits on Stavoren occur characteristically in groups. 1rhis study is mainly concerned with the Western group of pipes of the "B" Line workings on Stavoren. This group comprises thirteen pipe-like bodies of albitised granophyre. Recent exploratory work exposed four of these pipes to a vertical depth of approximately 250 feet and the others, except for two, to a vertical depth of about 170 feet. The pipe-exposures made by the exploratory work are described in detail.