Exploratory and Descriptive Study of the Kimberlite Massif of Boya-02 at Eastern Kasai in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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.