Sediment Provenance, Geodynamic Evolution and Metallogenic Significance of Sandstones and Magmatic Intrusions from the Eastern Congo Basin, Democratic Republic of the Congo
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47941/nsj.3875Keywords:
Congo Basin, Geochemistry, Sandstone Provenance, Chemical Weathering, Magmatic Intrusions, Metallogenic PotentialAbstract
Purpose: This study investigates the geochemistry of sandstones and associated magmatic intrusions from the eastern Congo Basin to constrain sediment provenance, weathering intensity, tectonic setting, and metallogenic potential.
Methodology: Representative samples of sandstones, granites, granodiorites, and gabbros were collected from the Wanie-Rukula area and analyzed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Major and trace element compositions were interpreted through weathering indices, particularly the Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA), provenance and tectonic discrimination diagrams, Clarke-normalized enrichment factors, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis. The integration of geochemical, petrographic, and field observations enabled a comprehensive assessment of sedimentary and magmatic evolution.
Findings: The results indicate that the sandstones were predominantly derived from felsic to intermediate continental source rocks, mainly granites and granodiorites. CIA values reveal moderate to intense chemical weathering consistent with prolonged alteration under humid tropical conditions. Geochemical discrimination diagrams suggest sediment contributions from both stable cratonic domains and tectonically active continental environments, reflecting a complex provenance history. The intrusive rocks record multiple stages of magmatic differentiation involving gabbroic, granodioritic, and granitic facies. Trace-element distributions reveal significant enrichments in Fe, Ag, Sb, Au, Mo, and W, highlighting the influence of magmatic-hydrothermal processes and indicating localized metallogenic anomalies within the study area.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: This study provides new geochemical evidence on the provenance of sedimentary deposits, the evolution of magmatic systems, and the metallogenic potential of the eastern Congo Basin. The findings contribute to the understanding of crustal evolution and intracratonic basin development in Central Africa. From a practical perspective, the identified geochemical anomalies constitute valuable indicators for future mineral exploration programs. The study also provides a scientific basis for geological mapping, natural resource assessment, and sustainable management of mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Downloads
References
Allen, P. A., & Allen, J. R. (2013). Basin analysis: Principles and application to petroleum play assessment (3rd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
Batumike, J. M., Griffin, W. L., O'Reilly, S. Y., & Belousova, E. A. (2009). Crustal evolution in the northern part of the Congo Craton: Insights from zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes. Precambrian Research, 170(1–2), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.precamres.2008.11.001
Bhatia, M. R., & Crook, K. A. W. (1986). Trace element characteristics of graywackes and tectonic setting discrimination of sedimentary basins. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 92(2), 181–193. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00375292
Cahen, L., Snelling, N. J., Delhal, J., & Vail, J. R. (1984). The Geochronology and Evolution of Africa. Oxford University Press.
Cai, K., Wang, H., Liu, Y., Zhang, X., & Li, Z. (2022). Geochemical constraints on provenance, weathering intensity and tectonic setting of clastic sediments from an intracontinental basin. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 232, 105245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jseaes.2022.105245
Condie, K. C., Dengate, J., & Cullers, R. L. (2001). Provenance and tectonic setting of Neoproterozoic sandstones in south-central North America. Journal of Sedimentary Research, 71(3), 452–466. https://doi.org/10.1306/2DC4094A-0E47-11D7-8643000102C1865D
Cullers, R. L. (2000). The geochemistry of shales, siltstones and sandstones of Pennsylvanian–Permian age, Colorado, USA: Implications for provenance and metamorphic studies. Lithos, 51(3–4), 181–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0024-4937(99)00063-8
Davis, J. C. (2002). Statistics and Data Analysis in Geology (3rd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
De Waele, B., Johnson, S. P., & Pisarevsky, S. A. (2008). Palaeoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic growth and evolution of the Congo Craton. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 294(1), 209–231. https://doi.org/10.1144/SP294.12
Delpomdor, F., Tack, L., Fernandez-Alonso, M., & De Waele, B. (2016). Geological evolution of the Congo Craton and surrounding Pan-African belts: A review. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 123, 327–347.
Delpomdor, F., Fernandez-Alonso, M., Tack, L., et al. (2021). Geological evolution of the Congo Craton and the Congo Basin: Recent advances and remaining challenges. Journal of African Earth Sciences.
Deng, J., Wang, Q., & Santosh, M. (2023). Magmatic-hydrothermal processes and metallogenic evolution in continental crust. Ore Geology Reviews, 156, 105449.
Einsele, G. (2000). Sedimentary Basins: Evolution, Facies and Sediment Budget (2nd ed.). Springer.
Fan, X., Zhang, H., Liu, J., Wang, Y., & Zhao, Q. (2024). Geochemical evidence for provenance, weathering intensity and tectonic setting of continental siliciclastic sediments. Sedimentary Geology, 468, 106612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sedgeo.2024.106612
Gill, R. (2010). Igneous Rocks and Processes: A Practical Guide. Wiley-Blackwell.
Govett, G. J. S. (1983). Rock Geochemistry in Mineral Exploration. Elsevier.
Guillocheau, F., Simon, B., Baby, G., et al. (2023). Phanerozoic evolution of African intracratonic basins: Implications for basin architecture and sedimentary infill. Earth-Science Reviews, 241, 104393.
Harnois, L. (1988). The CIW index: A new chemical index of weathering. Sedimentary Geology, 55(3–4), 319–322.
Hou, Z. Q., et al. (2021). Magmatic-hydrothermal mineral systems and critical metal mineralization. Earth-Science Reviews, 221, 103779.
Kadima, E., Delvaux, D., Sebagenzi, M. N. S., Tack, L., & Kabeya, S. M. (2011). Structure and geological history of the Congo Basin: An integrated interpretation of gravity, magnetic and reflection seismic data. Journal of African Earth Sciences, 62(2), 95–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2011.10.008
Linol, B., & de Wit, M. J. (2011). Origin and Evolution of the Congo Basin. Springer.
Luo, Y., Chen, X., Wang, P., Zhang, L., & Li, H. (2025). Provenance, paleoweathering and tectonic implications of siliciclastic sedimentary rocks from intracratonic basins: Insights from major and trace element geochemistry. International Geology Review, 67(2), 215–234.
McLennan, S. M., Hemming, S., McDaniel, D. K., & Hanson, G. N. (1993). Geochemical approaches to sedimentation, provenance, and tectonics. Geological Society of America Special Paper, 284, 21–40.
Nesbitt, H. W., & Young, G. M. (1982). Early Proterozoic climates and plate motions inferred from major element chemistry of lutites. Nature, 299, 715–717.
Nesbitt, H. W., & Young, G. M. (1984). Prediction of some weathering trends of plutonic and volcanic rocks based on thermodynamic and kinetic considerations. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 48(7), 1523–1534.
Pirajno, F. (2009). Hydrothermal Processes and Mineral Systems. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8613-7
Richards, J. P. (2018). Ore Deposits and Mantle Plumes. Springer.
Retallack, G. J. (2001). Soils of the Past: An Introduction to Paleopedology (2nd ed.). Blackwell Science.
Robb, L. (2005). Introduction to Ore-Forming Processes. Blackwell Publishing.
Rollinson, H. R. (1993). Using Geochemical Data: Evaluation, Presentation, Interpretation. Longman Scientific & Technical.
Roser, B. P., & Korsch, R. J. (1986). Determination of tectonic setting of sandstone–mudstone suites using SiO₂ content and K₂O/Na₂O ratio. Journal of Geology, 94(5), 635–650.
Roser, B. P., & Korsch, R. J. (1988). Provenance signatures of sandstone–mudstone suites determined using discriminant function analysis of major-element data. Chemical Geology, 67(1–2), 119–139.
Sillitoe, R. H. (2010). Porphyry copper systems. Economic Geology, 105(1), 3–41. https://doi.org/10.2113/gsecongeo.105.1.3
Taylor, S. R., & McLennan, S. M. (1985). The Continental Crust: Its Composition and Evolution. Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Winter, J. D. (2010). Principles of Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology (2nd ed.). Pearson Education.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Gilbert Singoma Dhesaba, Evariste Loke Lobanga, Desiré Katembo Kasekete, Benoît Dhed’a Djailo, Pierre Mashala Tumone
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
