Descriptive Geological Model for the San Felipe Laterite Ore Body, Camaguey, Cuba

Abstract

The concentration of free silica in all the profile makes San Felipe an atypical laterite deposit. It differs from the weathering crust ore bodies located in the western region of Cuba. The geologic model of this ore body is defined to be saprolitite-laterite of nickel plus cobalt. The geologic information of more than a thousand drills was recollected, systematized and evaluated to design the descriptive geologic model of this ore body with determinations for Fe, Ni, Co, SiO2, Al2O3, Cr2O3, MgO in addition to the results obtained from geophysical, mineralogical and geo-morphological investigations. This model is a key contribution to the scientific knowledge of the Cuban laterite ore and will facilitate the implementation of exploration guidelines allowing a better estimation of resources and planning of future geological and mining works.

Keywords

• yacimiento San Felipe
• corteza de intemperismo
• modelo geológico descriptivo
• lateritas cubanas.