Kabele-Kabenga Fm

Along the Kiankodi and Lovoy rivers, (Cahen and Mortelmans, 1947) in Sankuru-Mbuji-Mayi-Lomami-Lovoy Basin (DRC).

Synonym: Kabele Conglomerate, Kabenga Conglomerate

Reference: Cahen and Mortelmans, 1947; Delpomdor et al., 2013; Delpomdor et al., 2018

[Fig 1. Simplified geological map of the Congo Basin, compiled from various published map. The stratigraphic units have been assembled into major sequences (Late Neoproterozoic, Paleozoic and Cenozoic)]

[Fig 2. Tectonic setting of the Neoproterozoic basins of present-day Central Africa, compiled from the 1: 2M geological map of the Zaire (Lepersonne, 1974a) and the 1: 4MmapGeology and Major Ore Deposits of Africa (Milesi et al., 2006)]

[Fig 3. Lithostratigraphic synthesis for the Neoproterozoic to Early Paleozoic period. Compiled after various authors (see text).Dotted lines between Banalia, Alolo and Galamboge formations: stratigraphic transition by recurrences]

[Fig 4. Lithostratigraphic columns for the Congo Basin established using data from the 4 wells in the central part of the basin and outcrops on its NE margin (Lindi-Ubangi and Kisangani-Kindu region), compared with the West-Congo and Katanga stratigraphy]

[Fig 5. Simplified geological map of Sub-Saharan Africa showing the Neoproterozoic basins on and around the Congo Shield (modified after De Waele et al. 2008). (LC) Lower Congo Basin, (Co) Comba Basin, (Sa) Sangha Basin, (Ny) Nyanga-Niari Basin, (An) Angola Basin, (SO) Semb-Ouesso Basin, (Ba) Ubangui Basin, (LiB) Likki-Bembe´ Basin, (Bk) Bakouma Basin, (Fou) Fouroumbala Basin, (Li) Lindi Basin, It Itombwe Basin, (Ma)Malagarazi-Bukoban Basin, (Mb) Sankuru-Mbuji-Mayi-Lomami-Lovoy Basin, (Lu) Luamba Group, (Kat) Katanga Basin, (RB) Ruwenzorian Belt, KaB) Karagwe-Ankole Belt, (RuB) Ruzisian Belt, (KiB) Kibaran Belt,(UB) Ubendian Belt, IB Irumide Belt]

[Fig. 6. Southern margin of the Congo Shield. (A) Sketched geological map of the Sankuru-Mbuji-Mayi-Lomami-Lovoy Basin (modified after Raucq 1957, 1970). (B) Synthetic stratigraphic log combined with C and Sr isotopic curves of the Mbuji-Mayi Supergroup in the DRC (Modified after Raucq 1957, 1970)]

[Fig 7. Stratigraphic correlation between the Neoproterozoic sedimentary basins in Central Africa. Correlations based on Sr isotopic data, radiometric age constraints and revised lithological relationships]

[Fig. 8. Chrono- and lithostratigraphic section of the Sankuru-Mbuji-Mayi-Lomami-Lovoy Basin. This study focuses on the BIe to BIIe carbonates and black shales which were deposited in marine and lacustrine environments. Chronostratigraphy is from Cahen (1954), Holmes and Cahen (1955), Delhal et al. (1966), Cahen et al. (1974, 1984), Maheshwari et al. (1977), Delpomdor et al. (2013b) and François et al. (2017); depositional environments are from Raucq (1957, 1970), Delpomdor et al. (2015) and this paper (see text).]

[Fig. 9. (A) Simplified geological map of the Sankuru-Mbuji-Mayi-Lomami-Lovoy Basin in the Democratic Republic of Congo (see Fig 1), showing the location of the five studied boreholes and the two outcrops intersecting the BIe-BIIe subgroups. (B) Cross-sections of the Mbuji-Mayi succession which rests on Archean crystalline basement or on the Kibaran Supergroup in the SMLL Basin (profile lines are shown in Fig. 3A). Cross-sections A-A’ and B-B’ show a tabular Mbuji-Mayi succession resting on Archean basement; well Kafuku #15 in the Luembe area penetrates the BIe subgroup. Cross-section C-C’ shows that the Mbuji-Mayi succession in the Kiankodi area is folded, with dips of up to 60° (Cahen and Mortelmans, 1947). Cross-section D-D’ shows that the succession in the Makukulu area is folded with dips of 10-40°, and that it rests uncomformably on the Kibaran Supergroup (Cahen and Mortelmans, 1947). Raucq (1970) suggested that the basin succession in general deepens to the south.]

[Fig. 10. Simplified geological map of the Sankuru-Mbuji-Mayi-Lomami-Lovoy Basin (Democratic Republic of Congo) with location of (i) studied drillholes (S70 Tshinyama, B13 Kanshi, Bena Kalenda, Bena Tshovu, Kaf.15) stored at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA); (ii) studied drillhole of de Beers stored at the Société Minière de Bakwanga (MIBA); and (iii) samples retrieved from outcrops (226, 243, 628, Forminière) kept at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA). (from Delpomdor et al., 2013)]

Polymictic conglomerate with more than 50% of clasts material derived from the Mbuji-Mayi carbonates. The conglomerates unconformably overlie the Kibaran Belt and Mbuji-Mayi Supergroup lithologies (Delpomdor et al., 2013). Cahen and Mortelmans (1947) correlated this conglomerate with the ‘Grand Conglomérat Formation’ of the Katanga Supergroup (Delpomdor et al., 2013).

The Kabele and Kabenga Conglomerates are younger than the Mbuji-Mayi Supergroup and older than the Karoo periglacial tillites of the Lukuga Group, which rest unconformably on the conglomerate (Delpomdor et al., 2013). They are were attributed to the Grand Conglomerate Fm of the Katanga Supergroup; in turn considered to be early Cryogenian (Sturtian glacial)