Mineral paragenesis and metamorphic evolution of geological formations in the Loango sector, Province of Central Kongo, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

The aim of this work is to characterize the mineralogical assemblages of the rocks encountered in the Loango sector, with a view to determining the degree of metamorphism they have undergone, and to enrich and supplement the information essential for the geological mapping of the Central Kongo province. Specifically, we wanted to know whether the geological formations in the Loango area had petrographic characteristics that would enable us to classify them. We carried out a field trip and collected seven rock samples. After macroscopic and microscopic description in the CRGM laboratory, four lithofacies were determined: sericite schists, quartzophyllades, amphibolites and biotitoschists. This enabled us to classify the rocks according to metamorphic facies. The study of mineral paragenesis in the study area points to a regional metamorphism transiting from the epizone to the mesozone, characterized by the presence of sericite and biotite.