Geochemistry and isotopic evolution of the central African Domes, Bangweulu and Irumide regions: Evidence for cryptic Archean sources and a Paleoproterozoic continental arc

The interregional cratonic relations between the Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic basement units surrounding the Neoproterozoic Central African Copperbelt are still largely unresolved, although they are regarded as major potential metal sources. This study focuses on the Domes region basement at depth below the Copperbelt and its relationship to the neighboring Bangweulu Block and its destabilized margin, the Irumide Belt. We applied an integrated whole rock petrochemical and Sm-Nd isotopic approach to major lithological units to assess the proposed mid-Proterozoic arc setting for the Domes basement inliers along with their relationship to the neighboring areas. The available petrochemical and isotopic data for the Paleoproterozoic eastern Domes granitoids and magmatic units in the SW Bangweulu Block is consistent with a continental arc setting. Moreover, the mid-Paleoproterozoic Nd isotope ratios preclude an island arc because they are significantly less radiogenic than the depleted mantle. Predominantly Archean and Early Paleoproterozoic depleted mantle model ages in all terranes indicate limited juvenile input during Paleo- and Mesoproterozoic magmatic phases. Finally, broadly similar model ages in the Domes inliers and the Bangweulu-Irumide region suggest a relationship between these terranes.