Quartz-bearing copper veins are confined to the crest of an anticlinal structure plunging towards the west. Mineralization is associated with brecciated and impregnated quartz veins of limited length of up to 400m pinching and swelling in places. The maximum recorded width is 20m average widths range between 0.8 and 2.5m. These mineralized quartz veins extend for about 45 km from the Onganja mining area.

In 1987 reserve estimates to a known depth of 100m was calculated to be not more than 300 000 tons at 2% Cu. Due to supergene enrichment the grade drops sharply below 100m.

Further potential exists in the area for manganese mineralization.

The Onganja deposit is situated in the southwestern corner of the farm Helen 235 and overlaps onto farms Klein Onganja 149 to the south and farm Otjozonjati 69 to the west. The area is situated about 60 km southeast of Okahandja.

Heap leaching of dump material was undertaken using 3% sulphuric acid. The acid solution of CuSO4 is passed over scrap metal precipitating copper. The copper concentrate is about 73% Cu. Some 15 000 tons of material has been treated this way producing 600 t copper.

To be determined

The project could provide Ongopolo with high grade copper ore material for the Tsumeb smelter.

Prospecting completed. Further ore reserve calculation need to be done.

Project funding

Open cast