Luswishi River, Lufwanyama District, Copperbelt Province, Zambiai

Regional Level Types
Luswishi River	River
Lufwanyama District	District
Copperbelt Province	Province
Zambia	Country

Note: Coordinates are approximate.
"South-east Solwezi".

The area is localized in the NW of Zambia, W of Ndola and Mufulira (where there are may copper mines) and SSE of Solwezi.

During uranium research, the Italian company SOMIREN (actually part of AGIP), in 1971 found, along the Luswishi River (around the so-called “Luswishi Dome”), some radioactive anomalies. These anomalies were most concentrated in the Ncinke area and the cause was a mineral in a metamict state, which, once analysed, was recognised as davidite.

Other anomalies with similar minerals were also found in the Mushingashi river and the Lumwana river.

In a further phase of exploration, the mineralization, an eluvial kind of occurrence, was examined and found to be formed of davidite “nests” of 1-2 kg, concentrated into the first meter of depth. Below this level, the soil was completely sterile.

The davidite found there (from 1–2 up to 10-12 cm(!) with rhombohedral crystals, often twinned) was found in association with Ilmenite, Rutile, Muscovite, Hematite, Pyrite, Thorite, Samarskite, Bastnaesite, Apatite, Quartz, Smoky Quartz, and Amethyst. In the Lumwana area, Davidite crystals of 2-2.5 cm with tabular habit formed of 2 or more twinned elements were found.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References