Rare-Earth Element and Thorium Potential of Heavy Mineral Deposits Along the West Coast of South Africa With Special Reference to the Namakwa Sands Deposit

Abstract

The west coast of South Africa is well known for its Cenozoic unconsolidated marine and aeolian placer deposits and includes the heavy minerals mined at Namakwa Sands. Resources total ~900 million tons at a grade of 10% total heavy minerals (THMs) from which concentrates of zircon, ilmenite, rutile and leucoxene are produced. Several other resources including satellite deposits proximal and distal to the mine area, diamond mine dumps and beach placers indicate vast heavy mineral potential along the west coast. The increased global demand for rare-earth elements (REEs), uranium and thorium has initiated interest in the gangue minerals from these deposits. Monazite, impure zircon, leucoxene and garnet are common and host significant concentrations of REEs, uranium and thorium. Resources in the Namakwa Sands deposit in particular amount to 250 kt REEs, 4.7 kt uranium and 10.5 kt thorium. This suggests a vast untapped resource along the west coast.