TITLE:
Exploratory and Descriptive Study of the Kimberlite Massif of Boya-02 at Eastern Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Arnold Onya Ngila, Ivon Ndala Tshiwisa, Ruben Koy Kasongo, Serge Diemo, Alain Cibumba Cibumba, Chamira Fwani Pambu, Dona Kampata Mbwelele
KEYWORDS:
Exploratoire, Massif, Kimberlitique, Kasaï Oriental
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.12 No.1,
January
25,
2024
ABSTRACT: The Boya-02 kimberlite was identified at depth by
geophysical survey work (a single-probe AM survey in 1997 and a gravity survey
in 2006) that De Beers DRC Exploration carried out around anomaly 193/172/0019.
This anomaly located approximately 50 km southwest of the town of Mbuji-Mayi in
the Kasaï-Oriental Province in the DRC should therefore be the subject of
detailed exploration with the aim of better identifying and describing this
kimberlite. Thus, through exploratory work and cross-checking of geophysical
and geological data, the discovery of this Massif was made by drilling on the
aeromagnetic anomaly 193/172/X298. Based on drilling, sampling and laboratory
petrographic analysis reports, the Boya-02 kimberlite was classified among
highly diluted re-sedimented volcaniclastic kimberlites (KVR), rich in olivine
and incidentally in quartz and poor in juvenile substances. This kimberlite
represents a deposit of very low economic interest following extremely high
dilution. The Boya-02 kimberlite was modeled using ground magnetism data. It is
a complex anomaly comprising 2 components with variable amplitude appearing on
a subtly magnetized linear detail. The modeled dimensions of two components of
this anomaly are 0.32 Ha and 0.2 Ha at depths of 32 m & 14 m for the deposits to the West and the East
respectively. Garnet data for the Boya-02 occurrence reports a maximum Pmin
value of 49.7 kbar (207 garnets). These data demonstrate the high diamond potential
which assumes a conductive cratonic geotherm of 40 mWm2.