Towards a stratigraphic framework for the Platreef, northern limb, Bushveld complex, South Africa

Current high Pd metal prices and the search for large Ni deposits has increased the importance of the Platreef mineralised zone in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex significantly. Poor understanding of the Platreef geology remains a complex problem for many exploration companies. The Ivanplats exploration team have shown that understanding lateral lithological facies variations in the Upper Critical Zone may be the most important aspect in unravelling the stratigraphy of the Platreef on the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex. Detailed examination of the eastern and western limb stratigraphy and observed lateral variations led to the recognition of key stratigraphic lithological indicators within the Platreef rock sequence on the Ivanplats properties. Grobler et al. (2019) have demonstrated a new stratigraphic interpretation for the Turfspruit area comparable to the Critical Zone of the BIC. The Platreef is shown to contain recognisable Upper Critical Zone stratigraphic units in addition to the Merensky Reef. Here we discuss the application of the new proposed stratigraphy in a regional sense to the Northern Limb.