Geological characteristics, metallogenic model and prospecting criteria of the South Deep gold deposit in Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa

In this paper, the authors have summarized a lot of previous research results of Witwatersrand conglomerate type gold deposits in South Africa, summed up regional geological background and lithostratigraphic classification of the South Deep gold deposit, and made a systematic analysis of the geological characteristics and genetic features of this ore deposit. Based on a lot of evidence, the authors have reached the following conclusions: ①The main source of gold was probably closely related to Archean gold-bearing granite-greenstone; ②Gold orebodies are mainly controlled by Archaeozoic Ventersdorp Contact Reef and Elsburg Formation of Turffontein Subgroup in Central Rand Group conglomerate strata; ③The gold deposit might have experienced early sedimentary diagenetic ore-forming stage and late multiple stage (Klipriviersberg volcanic activity period and 2050Ma metamorphism peak period of Bushveld Igneous Complex) and hence should belong to the stratabound modification deposit with complex genesis. The results obtained by the authors are of important reference value for in-depth study of ore deposits and implementation of ‘going out’ policy of Chinese enterprises.