Geologists explores mineral potential

A multidisciplinary research project that aims to establish deeper understanding on the formation of the Matchless Belt, a natural feature said to be rich in minerals such as copper and gold is currently under way.
The project, spearheaded by the University of Namibia’s (Unam) geology department, will explore the copper rich zone at the Damara Belt located some few kilometres outside Windhoek. The project will be conducted as part of efforts to obtain preliminary age data from the Matchless Belt and identify suitable locations for detailed research studies as per project objectives.
According to Dr Fred Kamona, head of Unam’s geology department, the link between the location of ore deposit sites at the local and regional scales along the Matchless Belt is a critical problem that has not been adequately addressed, hence the need for the study. “The discovery of new ore deposits depends on better knowledge of the existing ore deposits and improved exploration methods, including geological and geophysical methods to identify potential targets,” he said.
The project is held in collaboration with Uppsala University in Sweden. Scheduled to run for about three years, the project will also seek to confirm collaboration and support of the exploration and mining companies as well as other institutions to further initialise first sub-projects on selected topics.
The project that started in July, has attracted masters degree and doctorate students.
Other key partners of the project are Weatherly Mining International, Meeting Points Mining and the Geological Survey of Namibia.
The exact length of the Matchless Belt is not well known due to a cover of Kalahari sands towards the eastern extension of the Belt in Botswana, but it is known to be at least 350 km long in Namibia. The proposed project will cost an estimated N$1.3 million.