The Zimbabwe Craton comprises a typical Archean TTG (tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite)-greenstone terrain. In this study we contribute with geochronological results from the Manica Greenstone Belt in Mozambique. The Manica Group constitutes the eastern extension of the Odzi-Mutare-Manica Greenstone Belt and comprises the Macequece Formation dominated by komatiitic rocks in its lower part and the sedimentary dominated M'Beza-Vengo Formation on top. U–Pb zircon data from this study yield crystallization ages between ca. 2.91 and ca. 2.94 Ga, reflecting two distinct magmatic episodes: (1) the intrusion of mafic dykes and granitoids into older komatiitic rocks, and (2) the emplacement of a rhyolitic volcanic unit within the Macequece Formation. These results indicate that the upper, more evolved mafic to felsic units of the formation were formed over a relatively short time interval during the late Archean. In contrast, the underlying komatiitic sequences currently lack precise age constraints. Overall, the data suggests that a major magmatic phase occurred around ca. 2.93 Ga, representing a significant stage in the development of the Macequece Formation. Based on these ages the Macequece Formation belongs to the 3.0–2.8 Ga Lower Greenstones of the Bulawayan Supergroup. However, similar ca. 2.9 Ga greenstone units are rare within the Zimbabwe Craton and in most cases lack significant amounts of komatiite rocks. A major unconformity is indicated by a ca. 170 Ma time gap between the Macequece Formation and the overlying M'Beza-Vengo Formation, suggesting the absence of stratigraphy intervals common in other greenstone belts within the Bulawayan Supergroup. The lower intercept ages between ca. 578 and ca. 856 Ma indicated that the Manica Group and surrounding TTG basement were affected by Neoproterozoic tectono-thermal events. The age of ca. 578 Ma is consistent with overprinting related to the Pan-African orogeny, while the older ages of 704–846 Ma coincide with bimodal magmatism associated with the Rodinia breakup. In particular, they also correlate well with the newly recognized 724–712 Ma Mutare-Fingeren Large Igneous Province, which affected the eastern Kalahari Craton. 

This thesis presents an integrated geological study of the Mundonguara Cu-Au deposit, located within the Archean Manica Greenstone Belt of western Mozambique, which forms part of the eastern Zimbabwe Craton. The research combines petrography, lithogeochemistry, U-Pb geochronology, mineralogy, mineral chemistry, and stable isotope analysis (S, C, and Oisotopes) to develop a comprehensive genetic model and contribute to the understanding of metallogenic processes in Archean greenstone terranes.

Fieldwork and geochemical analyses reveal that the Macequece Formation, which hosts the Mundonguara Cu-Au deposit, comprises Al-undepleted peridotitic komatiites, pyroxenitic komatiites, ultramafic cumulates, and intrusive mafic to felsic rocks. These units show evidence of a mantle plume origin and were emplaced in a continental rift setting. U-Pb zircon ages from intrusive and extrusive units constrain the timing of a major magmatic event to 2.94-2.91 Ga, placing the Macequece Formation within the Lower Greenstones of the Bulawayan Supergroup. A major unconformity separates it from the overlying M'Beza-Vengo Formation, recording a temporal gap of ca. 170 Ma and indicating a craton-wide tectonic transition. Additional Neoproterozoic ages (578-846 Ma) reveal overprinting by later tectono-thermal events, including those associated with the Rodinia breakup and the Pan-African orogeny.

Sulfur isotope compositions of sulfides (δ³⁴S: -0.40‰ to +4.02‰) support a dominantly magmatic source, with minor crustal input. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios in gangue carbonates (δ¹³C: -9.61‰ to -4.32‰; δ¹⁸O: +4.93‰ to +13.05‰) define multiple stages of fluid-rock interaction, from early carbonate alteration of komatiites to later Cu-Au mineralization. These isotope signatures reflect the involvement of hybrid fluids of predominantly magmatic-hydrothermal character and with minor crustal contributions.

Mineral chemistry data further support this model. Chalcopyrite trace element patterns are consistent with medium-temperature hydrothermal systems (e.g., IOCG, skarn), while Ni enrichment indicates interaction with komatiitic host rocks. Pyrite compositions define two groups with contrasting Co/Ni ratio, pointing to mixing between magmatic and metamorphic fluid sources. Sphalerite Fe content yields ore formation temperatures between 280 and 335 °C, consistent with low- to medium-temperature hydrothermal systems and overlapping withorogenic gold deposits.

Altogether, the data supports a hybrid genetic model for the Mundonguara deposit, involving dominantly magmatic-hydrothermal fluids, minor metamorphic contributions, and metal input from both mantle-derived and local ultramafic rocks. The system differs from classical IOCG-and orogenic gold deposits and is best interpreted as an orogenic gold deposit with atypical metal association hosted in komatiitic rocks.

The Manica greenstones belt in western Mozambique constitutes the eastern extension of the Odzi-Mutare greenstone belt in Zimbabwe that is one of several Archean greenstone belts within the Zimbabwe Craton. These greenstones are in Mozambique constituting the Manica Group and are subdivided in two main lithostratigraphic units: The Macequece Formation and the Vengo Formation. The former is hosting the Mundonguara Cu-Au mine and is dominated by volcanic rocks, while the younger Vengo Formation is consisting of epiclastic sedimentary rocks. This paper considers the character and origin of the ultramafic, mafic, and felsic rocks within the Macequece Formation. They include peridotitic komatiite, pyroxenitic komatiite, komatiitic cumulate rocks, gabbroic dykes, rhyolitic units, and a granitic rock intruding the komatiites. Samples of these rocks have been collected from outcrops and drill cores and are investigated through petrographic studies of thin sections and whole rock geochemistry including major and trace elements to interpret the geological environment and tectonic setting.The supracrustal rocks are metamorphosed to greenschist facies and the komatiites consists of varying proportions of serpentine, talc, chlorite, and amphibole. Primary features are partly preserved, with spinifex, vesicular, and cumulate textures. The komatiites are variously affected by carbonate alteration and deformation and the rhyolitic rocks are mostly strongly silicified. The komatiites are of the Al-undepleted type, with a MgO content of 25–45 wt %, while the mafic intrusions are tholeiitic in character, varying from gabbronorite to diorite in composition. Trace element diagrams used for interpretation of tectonic setting gives ambiguous results that could be an effect of crustal contamination of the ultramafic and mafic magmas. Using diagrams less sensitive to crustal contamination suggests the mafic and ultramafic magma to have a mantle source Minor rhyolitic rocks are chemically similar to granitic rocks intruding the komatiites and might have a mainly crustal magma source. This suggested that the Manica greenstones belt formed from magmas generated by mantle plume activity in a continental rift setting and were deposited on older Archean continental crust. These rocks are tentatively correlated with the Bends or Brookland formations belonging to the 2.9–2.8 Ga Mtshingwe Group in the Belingwe greenstone belts in Zimbabwe.