As you know, in Africa you can find a lot natural resources. African states occupy high places in the ranking of world exports of raw materials for non-ferrous and ferrous metallurgy. It is no secret that South Africa is the richest in minerals in Africa.

Minerals of South Africa

All the most important deposits of ore minerals are concentrated in the regions of Equatorial and South Africa. Nigeria is rich in tungsten, large natural mineral aggregates (chromites) can be found in Southern Rhodesia, and large reserves of manganese are found in Ghana.

The main gold reserves are located in the Republic of South Africa. Natural mineral formations with gold content were formed in this region in the Cambrian period.

A large-scale graphite deposit was discovered on the island of Madagascar, but this is not as beneficial for the economy as the gold mining of states.

For the extraction of minerals such as cobalt, copper, lead, tin and tungsten, South Africa ranks 1st in the world. In addition, rare uranium ores are located in this territory, in which the content of pure uranium is 0.3%.

Minerals of West Africa

West Africa is the main producer of oil and coal. Today, states are actively developing new methods for oil production in this region.

The main large deposits are located in the Niger Delta. In West Africa, you can also find such minerals as: non-ferrous metal ores, iron ores, tantalum, niobium and tin ores.

Large pools of natural gas are located in the coastal regions of West Africa.

The extraction of such minerals in the West African region has a positive effect on the development of industry in the country. Thus, the chemical industry, non-ferrous metallurgy and mechanical engineering are actively developing.

Minerals of North Africa

In the north of the continent there are the main oil producers - Morocco and Northern Sahara.

Also in North Africa are large sources of manganese. There are deposits of such minerals as lead, molybdenum, zinc, cobalt. These fossils were formed back in the Mesozoic era.

In the region of the Atlas mountain range, not far from Libya, there is a unique strip of phosphorite occurrence. They are quite useful and valuable for the chemical industry and metallurgy. Morocco ranks first in the extraction of phosphorites among all countries in the world.

The main types of minerals in Africa

Platinum and gold are the most valuable metals mined in South Africa. Also, the country is mining such precious stones as diamonds. They are often used in jewelry or industry due to the strength of the stones.

Africa is home to such minerals as oil and coal, whose deposits are located in Algeria, South Africa, Nigeria, Libya. Ores of ferrous and non-ferrous metals - copper, aluminum, manganese, titanium-magnesium, antimony, tin - are mined in Zambia and South Africa, in the Republic of the Congo and Cameroon.

Minerals of Africa - video

Africa. Physico-geographical essay. Minerals

Minerals.

In Africa, deposits of almost all known types of minerals have been established (see mineral map). Among other continents, Africa ranks 1st in the reserves of ores of manganese, chromites, bauxites, gold, platinoids, cobalt, vanadium, diamonds, phosphorites, fluorite, 2nd in the reserves of ores of copper, asbestos, uranium, antimony, beryllium, graphite , 3rd - in terms of oil, gas, mercury, iron ore reserves; there are also significant reserves of ores of titanium, nickel, bismuth, lithium, tantalum, niobium, tin, tungsten, precious stones and other minerals.

Combustible minerals.
In terms of oil and natural gas reserves, Africa is inferior to the Near and Middle East, as well as North America. As of the beginning of 1984, reliable oil reserves in Africa amounted to about 8 billion tons (or 9.5% of the industrially developed capitalist and developing countries).

Reliable reserves of natural gas (mainly methane composition) have reached almost 6 trillion cubic meters. m 3 , or 12.4% of the reserves of industrialized capitalist and developing countries. The main areas of oil and gas concentration are concentrated in the Mediterranean subsidence zone - in the Sahara-Mediterranean oil and gas basin (Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt) and the Gulf of Suez basin (Egypt), as well as in the zone of pericratonic troughs of West Africa - the Gulf of Guinea basin (Nigeria, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Zaire). Single oil deposits have been discovered in many African countries (Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Mozambique, etc.). Significant prospects for oil and gas within the shelf of the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. North Africa (principally Libya and Algeria) is estimated to account for 60% of all discovered deposits, accounting for about 70% of the continent's proven oil and gas reserves.

Coal reserves - 155.7 billion tons, of which measured - 126.1 billion tons (beginning of 1984). Reserves mostly include bituminous coals and anthracites; brown coal reserves are estimated at only 189 million tons, including measured ones - 119 million tons. Over 80% of the reserves are in South Africa (129 billion tons). Among other African countries, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique, Nigeria, Madagascar, Tanzania, Zambia.

Metal minerals.
In terms of iron ore reserves, Africa ranks second (after America) among other continents (42.3 billion tons, early 1984, including 15.5 billion tons proven). Reserves of manganese ores - 12.7 billion tons, including reliable 1.9 billion tons (early 1984). Almost 90% of the reserves are in South Africa, 3.5% in Gabon, and the rest is in Morocco, Ghana, and Zaire.

Chromium ore reserves - 4.1 billion tons (early 1984), including almost 78% of the reserves are in South Africa, 21% in Zimbabwe, which practically exhausts the reserves of industrially developed capitalist and developing countries. Reserves of titanium ores are insignificant (9.2 million tons of rutile and 77 million tons of ilmenite in terms of TiO 2 , early 1984). Reserves of vanadium ores are concentrated mainly in South Africa (92% of the total reserves of industrialized capitalist and developing countries, 13.9 million tons of V 2 O 5).

Bauxite reserves - over 25 billion tons (60% of the reserves of industrialized capitalist and developing countries), proven reserves are estimated at 12.3 billion tons. The largest deposits are concentrated in Guinea (21 billion tons), Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Sierra -Leone, Congo, Malawi, Madagascar.

Reserves of copper ores are estimated at 162.7 million tons (in terms of metal), including proven 78.9 million tons (early 1984). The most important deposits of copper ores are located in the so-called Copper belt of Central Africa, passing through Zaire. Zaire accounts for 36% of Africa's copper reserves, Zambia for 54%.

With an abundance of ore occurrences in general, Africa is poor in deposits of lead ores (metal reserves over 16 million tons, including proven 11 million tons) and zinc (metal reserves over 31 million tons, including proven 24.7 million tons) . Three critical areas distribution - North African (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), Central African (Zambia, Zaire), South African (Namibia, South Africa). The main lead reserves (54%) are in South Africa (over 9 million tons of metal). Zinc reserves are distributed as follows: South Africa accounts for 16 million tons, Zaire 7.0 million tons, Morocco - 2.1 million tons, Algeria - 2 million tons, Namibia - 1 million tons.

Reserves of nickel ores - 16.8 million tons of metal (early 1984), including proven 5.2 million tons. Reserves of cobalt ores (early 1984) - 2.26 million tons (in terms of metal). Almost all of Africa's reserves are concentrated in the deposits of the copper belt of Zaire and Zambia.

Reserves of mercury ores (12 thousand tons, in terms of metal, early 1984) account for about 11% of mercury reserves in industrially developed capitalist and developing countries. The main reserves are concentrated in Algeria.

Over 30 antimony and antimony-containing deposits contain 455 thousand tons of metal (over 20% of the reserves of industrially developed capitalist and developing countries, early 1984).

Reserves of tungsten ores - 83 thousand tons of metal. Deposits of tungsten ores are numerous, but their reserves are small.

Reserves of tin ores - 750 thousand tons of metal, including proven 370 thousand tons (early 1984). The reserves of beryllium ores (in terms of BeO) are estimated at 192 thousand tons, including 27 thousand tons in Zimbabwe, 40.2 thousand tons in Uganda, and 42 thousand tons in South Africa.

Reserves of cesium ores - 40 thousand tons (in terms of Cs 2 O), lithium ores 875 thousand tons (in terms of LiO), tantalum ores 65 thousand tons (Ta 2 O 5).

In terms of reserves of gold ores, Africa occupies a leading position. The most important on a global scale are the fields of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), which contain 93% of the reserves and 94% of the production of the continent. Gold reserves in South Africa are estimated at 35 thousand tons (60% of the reserves of industrially developed capitalist and developing countries).

The main reserves of platinum ores (18.18 thousand tons, or 97% of the reserves of industrially developed capitalist and developing countries, 1984) are in the bowels of South Africa.

Sufficiently substantiated proven reserves of uranium (early 1984) amount to 535,000 tons (at a price of less than $80 per 1 kg). The most significant reserves (thousand tons): in South Africa (191), Niger (160), Namibia (119), Algeria (26), Gabon (19). The reserves of uranium deposits in Somalia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Angola, Morocco, Algeria, and Egypt have not yet been estimated.

Non-metallic minerals.
Significant reserves of apatite ores - 1.6 billion tons (including reliable 547.2 million tons), which corresponds to 28% of the reserves of industrially developed capitalist and developing countries. Reserves of high-quality phosphorites 70 billion tons, including reliable 26.5 billion tons, account for 70% of the reserves of industrially developed capitalist and developing countries. The main resources are associated with deposits in Morocco, Western Sahara, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Niger, etc.

Deposits of potash salts are concentrated in Ethiopia (total reserves of K 2 O 20 million tons, 1984), Congo (20 million tons of K 2 O) and other countries. Significant resources table salt in Botswana, Ethiopia, etc. Fluorite reserves - over 220 million tons (over 50% of the reserves of industrialized capitalist and developing countries), are concentrated mainly in the bowels of South Africa (190 million tons) and Kenya (13.5 million tons) . Stocks of asbestos make up 20% of stocks of industrially developed capitalist and developing countries and are concentrated in Swaziland, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sudan. Barite deposits are known in Liberia and South Africa, vermiculite deposits - in Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa. Industrial deposits of phlogopite are located in the southern part of Madagascar. Deposits of high quality muscovite are rare; small deposits of muscovite pegmatites are known in Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa; Mozambique, Namibia, Angola, Madagascar. The main reserves of crystalline graphite are concentrated in the deposits of Madagascar and are estimated at 5.29 million tons (early 1984), deposits of amorphous graphite - in South Africa (20 million tons). Known deposits of corundum (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia), piezo-optical quartz (Madagascar, 2nd place in the world after Brazil; Angola, Somalia and other countries), Icelandic spar (South Africa), kyanite and sillimanite (Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland , Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Madagascar and other countries), huge reserves of high-quality micro-cline ceramic raw materials in numerous deposits. The resources of talc, magnesite, gypsum, olivine, calcite, abrasive garnet, various clays, glass sands, and dolomite are known but insufficiently taken into account.

Precious and ornamental stones.
Africa's total diamond reserves are estimated at 1.165 billion carats, including 318 million carats of jewelry. Primary diamond deposits are associated with pipes, dikes and sill-like kimberlite deposits. different ages. The total number of known kimberlite bodies exceeds 1400, including about 700 in Angola, about 250 in South Africa, 193 in Tanzania, and about 60 in Namibia. The largest in the world is the Kamofuka-Kamazombo pipe in Angola (3200 × 1300 m), discovered in 1972; before that, the Mwadui pipe in Tanzania was considered the largest in the world (1525 × 1068 m). The largest continental placers of diamonds are in Ghana, Zaire, Angola and South Africa. Coastal and marine diamond placers are most characteristic of Namibia and South Africa.

Significant placer deposits of emerald, ruby, sapphire, alexandrite, jewelry garnet are developed in Tanzania, which exports up to 14 tons of precious stones per year. Industrial deposits of emerald are found in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar. Noble beryls, aquamarines, morganites, black beryls, colored tourmalines of Mozambique and Madagascar are widely known. Small deposits of chrysolite are unique on the islands of the Red Sea (Zeberged). IN various countries Africa produces topaz, spinel, amethyst, amazonite, purple quartz, dumortierite, lapis lazuli. Jewelry wulfenite (Namibia) is highly valued. Facing, exhibition and collection stones are varied.

I. V. Davidenko.

Encyclopedic reference book "Africa". - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. Chief Editor An. A. Gromyko. 1986-1987 .

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Africa has a diverse array of minerals, many of which are some of the richest deposits in the world.

Deposits of ore minerals - Iron, copper, zinc, tin, chromium ores, gold - are confined to the ancient foundation of the platform, composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks. Their largest deposits are located in the south and east of Africa, where the basement is shallow and the ores are close to the surface. Here, in particular, there are deposits of gold and copper, in terms of which Africa ranks first and second in the world.

Africa is famous for diamonds - the most valuable precious stones. They are used not only as exquisite decorations, but also as a material unsurpassed in hardness. Half of the world's diamonds are mined in Africa. Their deposits are open on the southwestern coast and in the center of Africa.

Deposits of non-metallic minerals - Coal, oil, natural gas, phosphorites - occur in sedimentary rocks, cover the low areas of the platform with a thick cover. Huge oil fields have been discovered in the north of the Sahara and the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. Rich deposits of phosphorites, from which fertilizers are produced, are concentrated in the north of the mainland. In the sedimentary strata there are also ore minerals formed as a result of the weathering of igneous and metamorphic rocks. So deposits of iron, copper, manganese ores and gold of sedimentary origin are common in western and southern Africa. The distribution of Africa's minerals continues to be explored.

The processes of mineralization proceeded mainly in the epochs of the most ancient foldings - in the Precambrian and at the beginning of the Paleozoic. In view of the fact that the ancient foundation of the platform is exposed mainly in Equatorial and South Africa, it is in these areas that all the most important deposits of ore minerals are concentrated. Deposits of copper in the Republic of South Africa, chromites in Southern Rhodesia, tin and tungsten in Nigeria, manganese in Ghana, and graphite on the island of Madagascar are associated with the metamorphization of the most ancient Archean and Proterozoic formations. However highest value among the minerals of the Precambrian is gold.

Among the areas of Cambrian mineralization, first of all, the so-called Central African copper belt stands out, stretching from the Katanga region (in the southeast of the Congo) through Northern and Southern Rhodesia to East Africa. Numerous deposits within this belt are mainly epigenetic, characterized by a high metal content and provide the main amount of copper, for the extraction of which Africa ranks second among the capitalist countries. Along with copper, cobalt, lead, tin and tungsten are mined in this zone.

In Katanga, in the Kazolo-Shinkolobwe region, one of the world's most important uranium ore deposits with a very high uranium content (0.3-0.5%) is exploited. Second large area Cambrian mineralization is concentrated in South Africa, where the formation of a number of large deposits occurred in connection with powerful outpourings of basic lavas and intrusions of granite batholiths. Complex processes of contact metamorphism ended with the formation of large deposits of platinum ores, gold, chromites, titanomagnetite ores.

In addition to non-ferrous metal ores, there are iron ore deposits in South Africa. Iron ores are generally low grade; it is believed that most of them were deposited in brackish sea or ocean waters. Their accumulation, which began as early as the Precambrian, continued into the Silurian. The main deposits are concentrated in the Pretoria region and in Capland. The third area of ​​concentration of Cambrian polymetallic ores is the Moroccan highlands of the Atlas Mountains, in which the oldest rocks of the entire mountain system are exposed.

The mines of Morocco produce cobalt, molybdenum, zinc and lead. By the end of the Paleozoic and the beginning of the Mesozoic era, when the African platform experienced a relatively calm tectonic stage of development and thick strata of continental deposits were deposited on its ancient core, the formation of formations containing coals belongs. The coal basins in the Republic of South Africa, Northern and Southern Rhodesia, the Republic of the Congo (with Leopoldville as its capital), Tanganyika and the island of Madagascar are of the greatest industrial importance.

To the north of the equator during this period of time there was an accumulation of iron and manganese ores of sedimentary origin and oil in the continental sandstones of the Sahara. Significantly more favorable conditions for the formation of various minerals were established at the end of the Mesozoic era, when the sea from the Tethys geosyncline region transgressed to the north of Africa and faults began, leading to the isolation of the African block, accompanied by active volcanism and the intrusion of large granite batholiths.

I read in many sources that Africa is the poorest continent on our planet. But, if we consider all the states in more detail, it becomes clear that the standard of living in them differs significantly. And all because of the presence in some countries of large deposits of minerals.

Treasures of North Africa

Throughout Africa, there are many minerals. Different parts have their own, more developed areas of the extractive industry. For example, in the north there is oil, coal and natural gas. They are exported to many European countries.

The countries of North Africa are much richer and higher in terms of living standards, as they are located on rich land. In addition to oil and coal, mining is carried out here:

• zinc;
• lead;
• cobalt;
• molybdenum.

Also in this region are large deposits of manganese. Even the north of Africa is known worldwide for the mining of phosphorites. They are widely used in metallurgy, as well as in chemical plants. Phosphorites mined in North Africa account for more than half of total number in the world. Morocco is the leader in their production.

Even in Morocco and Tunisia, salt is being mined, both for themselves and for export. All minerals in these territories were formed under the influence of many natural factors, including climate, flora and fauna, as well as various natural processes.

What is mined in South Africa

The South African territory is rich in ores, precious stones, non-ferrous metals. Ghana has large reserves of manganese, and tungsten is mined in Nigeria. And on the island of Madagascar there are the largest deposits of graphite in the world.

But more important role For economic development southern African countries has gold mining. The country of gold on the continent is considered Republic of South Africa(SOUTH AFRICA). Many other minerals are also mined in the south, for which the continent ranks first in the list of all countries (copper, lead, etc.). But most of all mining enterprises are owned by foreigners.

Africa is exceptionally rich in natural resources. It is one of the main suppliers of ferrous and non-ferrous metal ores for the global metallurgical industry. The continent boasts graphite deposits, deposits of oil and natural gas, and relatively small deposits of coal.

And yet the main treasure of Africa is the deposits of gold and gem diamonds. In addition, there are deposits of uranium ores on the mainland, the uranium content of which reaches 0.3%.

Features of the relief of Africa and their impact on mineral deposits

The processes of mineralization of the bowels of the African continent took place in the Precambrian period, as well as at the beginning of the Paleozoic. And since the ancient foundation of the continental platform rose to the surface in the southern parts and in the region of Equatorial Africa, it is there that all the most important places of occurrence of ore minerals are concentrated.

Metamofroses in the layers of ancient Archean and Proterozoic plates in various parts of the mainland led to the formation of deposits of chromites in Southern Rhodesia, copper ore in the South African region, tungsten and tin in Nigeria, as well as graphite in Madagascar and manganese in Ghana.

As a result of hydrothermal processes in the bowels of the mainland in West Africa, gold deposits were formed. South Africa is rich in gold ore of igneous origin.

Africa is so rich in diamonds that even one of the types of diamond pipes - kimberlite - was named after the African province of Kimberley, where this type of pipe was first discovered. Kimberlite pipes are the so-called primary deposits of diamonds formed from graphite, which for a long time was under pressure deep in the Earth's layers (at a depth of 100 to 200 km), was modified into diamond and brought to the surface by magma during volcanic eruptions.

Types of minerals in Africa

combustible minerals

Coal(deposits in South Africa). Formed from parts of ancient plants, it is one of the most important energy resources today.

Oil(deposits in Libya, Algeria and Nigeria). Refers to fossil fuels, has an oily liquid structure, consists of hydrocarbons of various masses. Highly valued in the world.

Ferrous metal ores

manganese ores(deposits in South Africa). Used as an additive to iron alloys to give them hardness and strength, for the production of alloyed iron and steel.

Chromite ores(deposits in South Africa). From chromites, chromium is extracted, which is an indispensable component of stainless and heat-resistant superalloys.

Titanium magnetite ores(deposits in South Africa). Ores containing vanadium are the rarest ferrous metal. It is used for the production of grade alloys of steel and cast iron.

Ores of non-ferrous metals

Aluminum(deposits of bauxite in Cameroon). It has a wide application due to its lightness, high thermal and electrical conductivity, resistance to corrosion. The most common metal in earth's crust.

Copper(deposits in the copper belt of the Republic of the Congo and Zambia). The most valuable among non-ferrous metals. It is used in the power engineering industry, in mechanical engineering, as well as in the production of various alloys.

Lead(SOUTH AFRICA). It is part of such minerals as cerussite, galena, anglisite, etc. It is widely used in the automotive, electrical, electronic and military industries.

Nickel(SOUTH AFRICA). It is used for the production of nickel steel, as a coating for various metal alloys, in the manufacture of coins, etc. In the earth's crust, it is present only in the composition of various ores.

Cobalt(Republic of the Congo and Zambia). It is used for the manufacture of high strength alloys and in the production of powerful magnets.

Tin. Most tin is mined from the mineral cassiterite (tin stone). The metal is safe, corrosion resistant and non-toxic, so it is mainly used as a coating.

Antimony(Republic of the Congo). Contained mainly in the ore mineral antimonite. It is used for the manufacture of flame retardants - compounds that reduce the flammability of various materials.

precious metal ores

Gold(SOUTH AFRICA). A precious metal used in jewelry and other industries. It is found in the composition of ore, as well as in pure form in water sources.

Platinum and platinoids(SOUTH AFRICA). It is the rarest and most expensive among precious metals. It is valued for its refractoriness, high resistance to corrosion and oxidation, high strength and electrical conductivity.

Ores of rare and radioactive metals

There are deposits of mineral ores on the African continent, from which niobium (northern Nigeria), tantalum (Egypt), cesium (Zimbabwe and Namibia), radioactive uranium (Namibia and South Africa) are mined.

Diamonds

The most famous among gems. They are highly valued as jewelry, and are also widely used in industry due to their hardness.

Resources and deposits

Consider briefly the largest mineral deposits in Africa. The continent is considered a leading supplier of gold, platinum and diamonds. The first place in the world in the extraction of gold and platinum belongs to South Africa (in 2011, 198 tons of gold and 151 tons of platinum were mined in the country). Also, large deposits of these metals are located in Zimbabwe, Ghana, the Republic of the Congo and Mali. Zambia holds the lead in copper mining in the world, and Zambia, together with the Congo, leads in cobalt deposits.

Priceless reserves of minerals are concentrated in the bowels of South Africa: 91% of the world's manganese ores, 58% of chromite ores and 50% of vanadium deposits. Cameroon holds 3.8% of the world's aluminum reserves.

The richest diamond deposits are located in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Angola. It is noteworthy that 100% of the diamonds mined in Namibia are of gem value.

There are large oil fields in Algeria (15th place in the world), Libya, Nigeria and Egypt. The northern coast of the continent is rich in iron, manganese and lead-zinc ores.