Implicit Geomodelling of the Merensky and UG2 Reefs of the Bushveld Complex from Open-Source Data: Implications for the Complex’s Structural History

Abstract

The Bushveld Complex (BC) is the world’s largest source of platinum group metals. Extensive studies on the complex have focused on its geochemistry, magma and platinum group mineral genesis, mineral characterization and intrusion mechanisms. However, relatively little work has been undertaken on the overall 3D geometry of the complex, which detracts from the adequate contextualization of such studies. Furthermore, the absence of a broader 3D model of the complex does not permit the identification of structural trends and mineralization patterns. This contribution details the construction of 3D implicitly-modelled Merensky and UG2 Reefs across the Rustenburg Layered Suite of the BC, using Seequent’s Leapfrog software. Multiple open-source and public-domain data sources and modelling workflows were explored to account for disparities in data resolution, data spacing and clustering, and the resolution of model outputs. Key outcomes are (1) a representative, fully-implicit, dynamic geological model of the Merensky and UG2 Reefs over the main chamber of the BC; (2) identification of modelled features that augment the current understanding of the BC’s kinematic history and cumulative deformation; and (3) identification and analysis of subtle geometrical trends and patterns, such as inter-reef spacing and modelled depths, as well as structural domains that may not have been apparent from numerous, more focused or isolated petrological or geochemical studies. It is anticipated that this baseline 3D model will form the foundation for future, possibly localized, dynamic updates as further information becomes available. The addition of proprietary (viz., non-open-source) data, such as 2D seismic sections and 3D seismic surveys, would enhance the overall resolution and quality of such a model and resulting interpretations.

AdaHRBF v1.0: Gradient-Adaptive Hermite-Birkhoff Radial Basis Function Interpolants for Three-dimensional Stratigraphic Implicit Modeling

“…Hillier et al (2014) presented a generalized interpolation framework using RBF to implicitly model 3D continuous geological interfaces from on-surface points with gradient constraints as defined by strike-dip data with assigned polarity. Leapfrog Geo (www.leapfrog3d.com) is an implicit geological modeling software package that models scattered data for interfaces using fast RBF interpolation methods (Vollgger et al, 2015;Stoch et al, 2020;Creus et al, 2018;Basson et al, 2016;Basson et al, 2017). Martin and Boisvert (2017) developed a RBF-based implicit modeling framework using domain decomposition to locally vary orientations and magnitudes of anisotropy for geological boundary models.…”