Geological Evolution and Mineralization of Archean Greenstone Belts: A Comparative Study of the Barberton Greenstone Belt and the Zimbabwe Craton

Abstract

This study focuses on the geological evolution and mineralization of two major Archean terranes in southern Africa: the Barberton Greenstone Belt and the Zimbabwe Craton. It examines their lithological development, magmatic history, structural evolution, and economically important mineralization, with emphasis on gold and komatiite-associated nickel systems. The study is based on published geological literature, regional syntheses, and existing interpretations rather than new fieldwork or laboratory analysis. As such, the thesis is comparative and interpretive in nature, rather than experimental.