Jacques L.H. CAILTEUX, Franck R.A. DELPOMDOR & Jean-Paul NGOIE NDOBANI

The Neoproterozoic West-Congo “Schisto-Calcaire” sedimentary succession from the Bas-Congo region (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in the frame of regional tentative correlations

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Annexes

• GB 18-2-4 Cailteux et al (7,4M)

Abstract

New detailed lithological, sedimentological, major chemical, δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O stable isotopes data were obtained from exploration drilling samples on carbonate formations of the Neoproterozoic Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup (> 635-575 Ma) in the Lukala area (Bas-Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo). This work characterizes and reinterprets the stratigraphical succession from the C2 (Bulu) up to the C4 (Lukunga) formations. The C3 (Luanza) Formation is subdivided into four submembers and the transition of the C3 Formation with both the C2 and C4 formations is examined. New δ¹³C andδ¹⁸O stable isotope data obtained complete the dataset for the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup in the frame of a correlation with the same succession in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo. The aged equivalent stratigraphic units and lithologies of the West-Congolian (WCB), Katangan (CAC) and Bambuí (SFB) successions are examined, compared and coupled with the available carbon and oxygen isotope values, and a regional correlation is proposed.

Table des matières

1. Introduction

1The West-Congolian succession is part of the Neoproterozoic Pan-African-Brasiliano orogenic belts that include two N-S-trending orogens, one on the western side (the West Congo Belt from Gabon to Angola, continued by the Kaoko, Gariep and Saldania Belts), and the other on the eastern side (the Mozambique Belt), linked by a third transcontinental orogen comprising the Damara, Central Africa and Zambezi Belts (Fig. 1).

2Figure 1. Location of the Neoproterozoic orogenic belts and basins in the Precambrian tectonic framework of southern Africa (modified after Hanson, 2003); MA = Matchless Amphibolite; MDZ = Mwembeshi Dislocation Zone.

3Contrastingly to the Damara and Central Africa Belts that host numerous well known major polymetallic deposits (stratiform Cu-Co and carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb-Cu-V-Cd-Ag-Ge-Ga; Kampunzu et al., 2009), only few Cu-Pb-Zn occurrences or deposits (e.g. Bamba-Kilenda) are known in the West Congo Belt (WCB) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

4The West Congolian carbonate series in the DRC are fullyrecognized for their cement potential, but thepalaeoenvironmentalconditions arestill unclearor not well known for these carbonates,which record a global warming related to the Snowball Earth Hypothesis occurring in extreme greenhouse conditions just after the Marinoan event (Kirschvink, 1992; Hoffman et al., 1998; Hoffman & Schrag, 2002).

5In Central Africa, recentdata(Delpomdor et al., in revision) concerning syn- and post-Marinoan carbonate sedimentary rocks indicated that these deposits mark a tectonically active deepening-upward cycle recording a regression. It is followed by: (1) a strong carbonate decrease and the change from carbonate to clastic system in deeper basins with the deposition of condensed red claystones or marls, and diamictites interpreted as debris flows, (2) high-density doloturbidites, and (3) sea-level rise illustrated by lower-density calciturbidites. The overlying carbonates, i.e. the C3 or Luanza Formation, mark the switch from siliciclastic or clastic carbonate to pure carbonate sedimentation due to an excess of production across the carbonate ramp (Delpomdor et al., 2015), facilitating the development of shallow-water subtidal- to supratidal depocentres with the development of bioherm reefs (Trompette & Boudzoumou, 1988; Bertrand-Sarfati & Milandou, 1989; Alvarez & Maurin, 1991) and oolitic shoals (Alvarez, 1992, 1995).

6This paper is part of a suite of working studies focussed on thepalaeoenvironmentalconditions of the Neoproterozoic West Congolian carbonate sequences in the DRC. Recent exploration drilling in the Lukala area conducted by the “Cimenterie de Lukala” (CILU, 2009-2012) provided important new fresh material from the top of the lower part of the C3 or Luanza Formation up to the base of the C4 or Lukunga Formation, and gave the opportunity for updating their lithological, sedimentological, chemical and isotopic data. The lithologies of the carbonate sequences are examined and compared with various analyses such as major element geochemistry,C and O stable isotopes,in order to constraint newstratigraphic subdivisions on the basis of the general depositional setting and sedimentary palaeoenvironmental conditions. Moreover, correlations within the Neoproterozoic West Congo Basin successions are examined.

2. Geological background

7The Neoproterozoic WCB stretches N-S over 1400 km long and 150 - 300 km wide along the western margin of the Congo Craton, and extends from southwestern Gabon, crossing the Republic of the Congo (RC) and the DRC, up to northwestern Angola (Fig. 2).

8Figure 2. Simplified geological map of the West Congo Belt (modified after Delpomdor et al., in revision).

9The WCB is a thrust-fold-belt with thrust direction oriented to the east (Tack et al., 2001), resulting from a continent-continent collision between the active São Francisco (Brazil) margin and the western margin of the Congo craton (Brito-Neves et al. 1999; Cordani et al. 2003) during the western Gondwana amalgamation (870 to 566 Ma; Kröner & Stern, 2005). This orogenic system, represented by the WCB and its Brasilian Araçuai belt counterpart, is constrained by well documented syn- (ca. 585-560 Ma) to post- (ca. 530-490 Ma) collisional magmatism, with a paroxysm around 580-560 Ma (Pedrosa-Soares et al., 2011).

10The WCB is composed of two different tectonic and metamorphic domains: (1) the western hinterland or "external" domain, that consists of Palaeoproterozoic (Kimezian) basement rocks folded and thrust to the east on top of (2) progressively younger, weakly to unmetamorphosed Neoproterozoic foreland or "internal" domain in the east, with decreasing regional metamorphism from amphibolite facies up to unmetamorphosed rocks (Frimmel et al., 2006).

3. Lithostratigraphy

11The "Ouest Congo" (or West Congo) Supergroup (Table 1) is subdivided into the: (1) metabasalts, metaclastites, metarhyolites succession of the Zadinian Group (ca. 1000 Ma - ca. 920 Ma), (2) volcano-sedimentary sequences of the Mayumbian Group (from 920 ± 8 Ma to 912 ± 7 Ma; Tack et al., 2001), (3) West Congolian Group sedimentary succession (from ca. 912 Ma to ca. 566 Ma), and (4) the Inkisi (Sub)Group that probably is of Palaeozoic age and overlain by the Karoo in Angola (Tack et al., 2001).

12Table 1. Lithostratigraphy of the Ouest Congo Supergroup, geochronological data and ages (according to Cahen, 1954; Lepersonne, 1974; Tack et al., 2001; Kadima et al., 2011).

13Both the Zadinian and Mayumbian groups represent early Neoproterozoic magmatic events marking the initial continental rifting of the Rodinia supercontinent before its breakup (Tack et al., 2001).

14The Neoproterozoic West Congolian Group comprises (Table 1): (1) ca. 4000 m-thick pre-Pan-African orogen passive-margin platform siliciclastic and carbonate sequences composed, from oldest to youngest, of the Sansikwa, Haut-Shiloango, and Schisto-Calcaire subgroups, and (2) ca. 1000 m-thick late- to post-Pan-African orogen foreland deposition of the Mpioka Subgroup. The succession includes two regionally extensive glaciogenic diamictites: (1) the up to 400 m-thick Lower Diamictite Formation” (former "Lower Mixtite"), and (2) the up to 150 m-thick Upper Diamictite Formation (former "Upper Mixtite"), located stratigraphically at the base of the Haut-Shiloango and of the Schisto-Calcaire subgroups, respectively (Cahen, 1954). The Lower Diamictite Formation is correlated to the global Sturtian glaciation event, with possibly two pulses between ca. 750 Ma (Frimmel et al., 1996; Borg et al., 2003) and ca. 713 Ma (Allen et al., 2002). The Upper Diamictite Formation is interpreted of Marinoan glaciation age (635 ± 1.2 Ma in Namibia according to Hoffmann et al., 2004; Kampunzu et al., 2009). Both Lower and Upper Diamictite formations consist of poorly sorted mud-supported conglomerates with angular and rounded clasts.

3.1. The Sansikwa Subgroup

15The lowermost Sansikwa Subgroup (up to 1630 m-thick) unconformably overlies the Zadinian and the Mayumbian groups through a basal clayey or arkosic matrix-supported conglomerate including arkose and siliceous shale beds. It comprises mostly siliciclastic rocks: grained to fine grained quartzites, siliceous shales, psammites, grained quartzites with stromatolitic and oolitic cherty beds, and shale with interbedded calcareous sandstones or alternating shales and quartzites to the top (Cahen, 1954; Lepersonne, 1974). It is interpreted as a continental rift fill because of its continental crustal basement, basal conglomerate, and the fluvial siliciclastic composition of its upper formation (Frimmel et al., 2006). Igneous events are associated to this succession: basaltic lavas interbedded to the bottom of the Lower Diamictite Formation and feeder dolerite sills and dykes with a tholeitic affinity intruding both the Lower Diamictite Formation and the Sansikwa Subgroup (Lepersonne, 1974; De Paepe et al., 1975).

3.2. The Haut-Shiloango Subgroup

16The succeeding predominantly siliciclastic Haut-Shiloango Subgroup (up to 1050 m-thick) is marked by a carbonatic lower sequence that reflects a typical post-Sturtian open marine carbonate platform deposition (Frimmel et al., 2006), and forms two transgression-regression cycles (Cahen, 1954; Lepersonne, 1974). The Bembezi (former “Mouyonzi” or "Petite Bembezi") Formation (500 to 700 m-thick), in the lower part, consists from bottom to top of basal sandy-calcareous matrix-supported conglomerates and quartzites, passing to bedded siliceous or dolomitic siliceous shales with calcareous sandstones and finely bedded limestones, and to clayey dolomites at the top. In the upper part, the "Sekelolo" unit (200 to 350 m-thick) comprises: (1) grained feldspathic quartzites passing to siliceous shales, (2) shales with clayey carbonate nodules or banded calcareous siliceous shale, (3) limestone breccias, stromatolitic-like limestones, and nodular clayey limestones at the top.

3.3. The Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup

17The post-Marinoan carbonate-rich succession of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup (ca. 1100 m-thick) is considered as post-glacial cap carbonates conformably overlaying the Upper Diamictite Formation. It deposited on a ramp composed of deep-marine outer ramp to shallow-marine inner ramp with oolitic shoal barrier, stromatolitic bioherms, lagoon- and sabkha-type environments (Cahen, 1954, 1978; Alvarez, 1995; Delpomdor, 2007). It was firstly subdivided into four units, the Kwilu, Lukunga, Bangu and Ngandu (Delhaye & Sluys, 1923; Cahen, 1954; Lepersonne, 1974; Cahen & Lepersonne, 1976), and later into five formations (C1 to C5; Tables 1, 2) by Delhaye & Sluys (1920, 1924a, 1924b, 1929) and Lepersonne (1974). The Ngandu unit occurs onlyin the Luozi regionand its relation to the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup is unclear.

18Table 2. Lithostratigraphical subdivisions of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup (according to Cahen, 1954; Sikorsky, 1958; Lepersonne, 1974; this paper).

19The ± 650 m-thick Kwilu (CI) unit is subdivided into three formations (C1, C2 and C3) that consist of: (1) a 0 to 15 m-thick pinkish or grey cap carbonates, formed by alternating dolomite and purplish thin shale beds at the top (C1 or Dolomies Roses Formation), (2) ± 400 m-thick generally clayey and sandy limestones, calcpelites or sandstones, clayey or sandy pelites (C2 or Bulu Formation), and (3) ± 240 m-thick cyanobacterial and oolitic limestones at the top (C3 or Luanza Formation).

20The Lukunga (CII) unit or C4 Formation, ± 300 m-thick, is marked by a sudden more clastic deposition at the base including an alternation of shales, calcpelites or sandstones with frequent ripple-marks. Sedimentation evolved to clayey limestones or dolomites, stromatolitic or oolitic limestones, and ended with a new clastic material input marked by the deposition of shales, calcpelites, calcareous sandstones containing abundant chert as beds or nodules.

21The Bangu (CIII) unit or C5 Formation, up to ± 265 m-thick, is characterized by a variably dolomitic and/or organic-rich carbonate succession, with oolite, chert, shale and calcpelite beds. It is marked by: (1) oolitic beds, lenticular calcareous conglomerates or breccias at the base, and (2) the 10-40 m-thick Kisantu Oolite unit that occurs in the lower part of the formation and consists of lenticular beds of grey to dark-grey silicified oolites or pseudo-oolites interbedded with shales and calcpelites. The presence of organic matter suggests a regressive episode with deposition in more or less closed lagoonal-type basins, and the lithologies indicate a sedimentation close to the coast, partly in quiet lagoonal or wavy conditions (Cahen, 1954; Alvarez & Maurin, 1991).

22The Ngandu (CIV) unit is locally identified in the Luozi area close to the Nionga massif at the border area between the DRC and RC. This unit has been firstly described in the Niari Basin from the RC (Cosson, 1955; Nicolini, 1959). In the DRC, the Ngandu (CIV) unit (90 m-thick) contains, from base to top (Delhaye & Sluys, 1929; Mayor, 1951; Cahen & Lepersonne, 1976): (1) light-greyish to -greenish clayey limestones, sometimes dolomitic, with lenticular intraformational breccia and dark cherty levels, (2) reddish to pinkish limestone beds and red calcareous claystone interbeds, (3) grey-greenish claystones with cherts, and (4) reddish calcareous claystones with very thin greenish clayey limestones and pinkish limestones, evolving to reddish sandy claystones and fine-grained feldspathic quartzites.

3.4. The Mpioka Subgroup

23The sediments of the Mpioka Subgroup deposited on top of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup through an erosional, probably karstic, surface, and represent a siliciclastic proximal marine deposition interrupted by some continental episodes (Cahen, 1954; Lepersonne, 1974). It displays a northern ~1000 m-thick “Plateaux des Cataractes” (former Bangu) facies (north of the Mbanza-Ngungu anticline), and a ≥ 370 m-thick “Eastern Inkisi River” facies (east of the Inkisi river). Both facies are marked by a basal conglomerate (Bangu and Niari Conglomerate Formation), that occurs locally in the Eastern Inkisi River facies.

24The succession comprises: (1) a lower sequence of siltstones and shales with alternating carbonate sandstone, feldspathic quartzite and conglomerate beds (Vampa Formation, Cataracte facies) or carbonate sandstones and shales, psammites, feldspathic quartzites with conglomerate beds (Gidinga and Luvemba formations, Eastern Inkisi River facies), and (2) an upper sequence of feldspathic quartzites and siltstones with occasional shale and conglomerate beds (Kubuzi and Liansama formations vs. Mpioka Formation sensu stricto). The Mpioka Subgroup is considered as a late-orogenic molasse-type sequences deposited in foreland basin (Tack et al., 2001; Frimmel et al., 2006).

3.5. The Inkisi (Sub)Group

25The Inkisi (Sub)Group is a tabular sequence completing the sedimentary pile at the top with a predominant reddish quartzitic-arkosic foreland deposition (> 920 m-thick) that displays two major sedimentary cycles comprising each conglomerate and/or arkosic formations in the lower part, grading up to finely grained quartzites, psammites and shales (Cahen, 1954; Lepersonne, 1974). The uppermost quartzitic to clayey formations are not well known in the western Congo region. The Insiki (Sub)Group was recently considered as an individual lithostratigraphic unit separated from the West Congo Group, being: (1) unrelated to the WCB evolution and (2) a post-orogenic deposition (Tack et al., 2001).

4. Age of deposition

26The age of deposition of the West Congolian Group (Table 1) is poorly constrained by the lack of geochronological data, i.e. igneous intrusions or volcanic ash deposits, and biostratigraphical fossils. The Sansikwa Subgroup is inferred to be between 923 ± 43 Ma, 961 ± 22 Ma and 960 ± 15 Ma, 979 ± 31 Ma based on youngest detrital zircon age (Frimmel et al., 2006; Straathof, 2011), and ≥ 750 Ma based on correlation with the overlying Sturtian age Lower Diamictite Formation and the Kaigas glacial event in southern Namibia. New U-Pb crystallization age of 694 ± 4 Ma is reported on baddeleyite grains from the Sumbi-type dolerite sill intruding both the Sansikwa Subgroup and the Lower Diamictite Formation (Straathof, 2011). In the equivalent time Louila Formation in Gabon, rhyolitic tuffs yielded an U-Pb SHRIMP age of 713 ± 49 Ma (Thiéblemont et al., 2009) consistent with the 709 ± 20 Ma detrital zircon age of the upper clastic unit of the Haut-Shiloango (Frimmel et al., 2006). The Haut-Shiloango is therefore considered to be deposited in a time-interval between 694 ± 4 Ma and the ca. 635 Ma Marinoan age Upper Diamictite Formation (Frimmel et al., 2006; Straathof, 2011; Delpomdor & Préat, 2013). This is confirmed by near-primary 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7068-0.7073) indicating a deposition between 720-645 Ma by comparison with the composite Sr isotope curve (Poidevin, 2007). U-Pb detrital zircon grains from the overlying Upper Diamictite Formation yielded a maximum age of 707 ± 23 Ma (Straathof, 2011) consistent with the Marinoan Ghaub Formation.

27Age of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup is constrained by strontium isotope ratios for its upper formations in the Bas-Congo region (C3 to C5 formations) that vary from 0.7074 to 0.7084, and thereby suggest deposition between ca. 575 to 550 Ma, consistent with a post Marinoan age (Frimmel et al., 2006; Poidevin, 2007; Delpomdor & Préat, 2013).

28The Sansikwa/Haut-Shiloango/Schisto-Calcaire folded succession, that is part of the external east-verging fold-and-thrust domain (Fig. 2), is affected by a greenschist facies metamorphism (Tack et al., 2001). The estimated age by Frimmel et al. (2006) of this regional greenschist metamorphism at 566 ± 42 Ma pre-date the unmetamorphosed Mpioka-Insiki sequences deposited unconformably on the folded West Congolian Group succession (Table 1). This is consistent with U-Pb data for the Mpioka Subgroup and Inkisi (Sub)Group giving maximum age constraints at 607 ± 16 Ma (Straathof, 2011) and 558 ± 29 Ma (Frimmel et al., 2006), respectively.

29Deposition of the tabular post-orogenic Inkisi (Sub)Group at the top of the succession is constrained at best by a maximum age of 558 ± 29 Ma obtained for detrital zircon grains (Frimmel et al., 2006).

5. Characterisation of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup

5.1. Methodology

30Detailed lithological logging has been performed on 66 drill cores (totalling 6290 m) from recent exploration by CILU between 2009 and 2012 mainly through the C3 or Luanza Formation. Drill cores cover three exploration zones in the Lukala area: Lukala (s.s., "LUK"), Zanga ("ZAN") and Luzolo ("LZO") (Fig. 3). All the drill holes crossed the C3 Formation and the lower part of the C4 Formation with an excellent core recovery, and were all used in order to reconstruct a reliable local stratigraphy. The fresh core material was sampled generally by 1 metre length (occasionally by 3 metres length). A total of 4172 samples were analysed for CaO, MgO, SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, loss on ignition (LOI) by the CILU Laboratory in Lukala. In addition, 89 samples collected from the old CICO cores, also drilled through the C3 Formation in the Lukala area and stored at the Royal Museum for Central Africa (Belgium), have been collected for sedimentology, stable isotopic carbon and oxygen (on 19 samples), and major element analysis (on 11 samples). Additional 83 chemical analysis on samples spaced at 50 cm in the first 40 metres of this CICO drill core are presented in this paper (MRAC archives 162 A, 1947).

31Figure 3. Surface geological map in the Lukala area (modified from Dupont, 1972).

32Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions, that commonly are used for chemostratigraphic correlation of marine carbonate units, were analysed on the different lithological microfacies, selected as homogeneous as possible, from the Lukala core material (from the C3a to C4a members, 18 new samples). Between 1 and 2 mg of powdered whole rock sample has been dissolved with 100% H₃PO₄ at 75°C in order to extract the CO₂ from the dolomites. The amount of extracted CO₂ at −196°C and its δ¹³C_V-PDB and δ¹⁸O_V-PDB were measured using a Thermo-Finnigan 252 mass spectrometer at Erlangen University (Germany). The reproducibility of the δ¹³C_V-PDB and the δ¹⁸O_V-PDB measurements is 0.06‰.

5.2. New lithological observations

33The intersected C3 to C4 formationsare describedlithologicallyfrom youngest tooldestasfollows (Table 2).

5.2.1. The C4 or Lukunga Formation

34This unit includes impure carbonates (limestone, dolostone) and shales, most strongly weathered in the Lukala area. It shows two distinct submembers according to the most complete succession.

35a) The C4a2 submember consists of ≥ 38 m-thick finely bedded dark red claystones, including (1) centimetric crossbedded sandstone and shale layers forming up to multi-centimetric fining- upward sequences, (2) interbedded decimetric yellowish-white to greyish limestone, and (3) occurrence of pseudomorphs after evaporites in cm-size concentrations (Figs 4A, 4B, 6A).

36Figure 4. (A) Cores of the drill hole LUK-64, C4a2 up to 48.2 m deep (weathered above 42.5 m), C4a1 (48.2-55.2 m), oolitic (55.2-74.9 m) and bedded (74.9-78.2 m) C3b2; (B) core 51/47.2 m, finely bedded evaporitic reddish C4a2 claystones; (C) core 88/53.6 m and (D) core 91/54.2 m: evaporitic greyish C4a1 limestone with collapse breccias; (E) cores 126-136/61-63 m and (F) core 138/63.5 m: C3b2 oolitic limestone with stylolitic joints and erosional surfaces; (G) cores 201/76.2 m - 205/77.7 m, drill hole ZAN-04 (H) core 240/92.5 m and (I) core 269/98.2 m: C3b2 bedded limestone with < 1 mm- to multi mm-thick greenish-grey shale layers.

37b) The C4a1 submember contains, from base to top, 6.8 to 7.8 m-thick bedded greyish clayey-silty dolomitic limestones, sometimes calcareous dolomites, with interbedded centimetric to multidecimetric dark- to light-greenish/grey dolomitic shale beds, and evolving to whitish-yellowish evaporitic dolomitic limestones at the top (Figs 4A, 6B). At the base occur ± 2 m-thick evaporitic grayish to yellowish limestones including calcitic casts or crystals after gypsum collapse breccias (Figs 4A, 4C, 4D). The contact with the underlying C3 Formation is sharp and marked by an erosional surface. A remarkable dissemination or concentration of pyrite occurs in mm- to cm-thick layers near the contact with the C3 Formation.

5.2.2. The C3 or Luanza Formation

38The C3 or Luanza Formation consists of carbonate rocks subdivided here into 4 submembers (C3b2, C3b1, C3a2, C3a1) according to the importance of a clastic-shaly material that generally decreases from the bottom to the top of the sequence. This clastic input consists of dark greenish-grey clinochlore associated with illite, of micrometric (µm) muscovite, and angular to sub-angular quartz and feldspar silts ; it occurs as disseminated grains marking the bedding (Fig. 6E), or forms < 1 mm- up to several mm-thick layers within the carbonate. Minor micron-sized concretions of framboidal pyrite also occur in the clayey layers (Delpomdor, 2007).

39a) The C3b2 submember is a high grade limestone unit (95-96% CaCO₃ in average) that forms the rich body exploited for the cement plant; its thickness reaches 51.2 m to 57.2 m. It is composed from the base to top of: (1) ± 35 metres whitish to light-grey bedded limestone including some zones with greenish-grey mm- to multi mm-thick shale layers (Figs 4A, 4G, 4H, 4I), overlain by (2) ± 20 metres whitish to light-grey massive oolitic limestone marked by erosional surfaces, frequent stylolitic joints, occasional intra-formational conglomerates and few ≤ 1 mm-thick greenish-grey dolomitic shale layers (Figs 4A, 4E, 4F). The oolitic limestones also contain lumps and rare oncolites (Fig. 6C). Oolites are predominantly spherical or ovoid, and consist of tangential and/or fibro-radial oolites, composite oolites and oolitic aggregates. Vadose pendant beard-like (Dunham, 1971) and/or lamellar microcrystalline calcite cements (Moore & Druckman, 1981; Moore, 1989) are observed around the grains. Millimetric-scale desiccation cracks and pseudomorphs after gypsum and polyhalite (Fig. 6C; Delpomdor et al., 2015) and rare authigenic bipyramidal quartz silts are observed.

40b) The C3b1 submember is a ± 26.5-45.2 m-thick dominant light-grey bedded limestones with an alternation of: (1) mm- to cm-thick greenish-grey shale layers, and (2) rare cm- to dm-thick greenish-grey impure shaly limestone beds (Fig. 5A). Microbial mats (Fig. 6D) related to Siphonophycus septatum are preserved in shale layers (Delpomdor, 2007; Préat et al., 2011). The importance of the impure shaly limestone and shale layers highlight two major cycles of variable thickness, both composed of a lower part with dominant more pure limestones followed by a more clayey upper part. Rare dm-thick massive lithoclastic beds contain rounded fragments of dolomitic limestones oriented parallel to stratification.

41Figure 5. (A) Drill hole LUK-69, selected cores between 104.9 and 108.2 m: C3b1 bedded limestone with < 1 mm- to multi mm-thick greenish-grey shale layers; (B) drill hole LUK-69, selected cores between 131.5 -136.0 m and (C) drill hole ZAN-11, selected cores between 110.5-114.2 : C3a2 bedded limestone with mm- to cm-thick greenish-grey shale layers; (D) drill hole ZAN-11, cores between 129.0-135.2 m: C3a2 in contact with C3a1 impure limestone; (E) cores at the contact between C3a2 and C3a1.

42Figure 6. Microfacies analysis – (A) micron-thick layers of evaporitic mushes, composed of randomly oriented very fine laths of replaced gypsum, overlying silty limestones, C4a2 submember; (B) Detrital material, including muscovite, quartz and feldspar silts, within laminar dolomitic limestone, C4a1 submember; (C) Oolitic limestone facies with tangential and micritic oolites and lumps in sparry calcite cement. Note the presence of pseudomorphs of evaporites within the nucleus of oolites and inside the lumps, C3b2 submember; (D) Dolomitized cyanobacterial mats in greenish shales, C3b1 submember; (E) Alternation of planar laminated detrital limestones and homogeneous dolomitic limestones; presence of stratified pyrite-rich layers, C3a2 submember; (F) View of detrital limestones, C3a1 submember.

43c) The C3a2 submember shows ± 35.0-42.6 m-thick dominant light-grey limestone beds, with frequent mm- to multi cm-thick greenish-grey shale layers, and occasional cm- to dm-thick greenish-grey impure shaly limestone beds (Figs 5B, 5C). Under the microscope, this submember displays submillimetric to millimetric planar laminated alternations of fine-grained clayey detrital limestones, including quartz and feldspar silts, micas, clinochlore and illite (Delpomdor, 2007), and homogeneous dolomitic limestones (Fig. 6E).

44d) The C3a1 submember was incompletely covered, drilled only on 19 m-thick at Zanga, 49.3 m-thick at Lukala, and 56.2 m-thick at Luzolo. It consists of dominant greenish-grey impure shaly limestone alternating with cm- to dm-thick greyish limestone beds containing frequent cm- to multi-cm-thick greenish-grey shale layers. The contact with the C3a2 submember is clear (Figs 5D, 5E).

45No unquestionable lithological marker exists to differentiate the C3a1, C3a2, C3b1 and C3b2 submembers at Lukala. Therefore, it is most convenient to use the fraction of non-carbonate material to differentiate these. The stratigraphic units as defined above are generally recognizable by logging, but locally, especially between the C3a2 and C3b1 submembers, a transition may occur with recurrent beds of more or less pure limestone. In that case, only chemical results (mostly CaO and SiO₂ concentrations) can help in differentiating the submembers

5.2.3. The C2 or Bulu Formation

46 The contact between the C2 and C3 formations has been defined, for the Kwilu area, at the last occurrence of greenish-grey calcareous sandstone beds (Delhaye & Sluys, 1923). Three transitional units comprise from the top to the bottom (Delhaye & Sluys, 1923; Sikorski, 1958): (1) the C2h member (incomplete thickness of ± 29 m) composed of dm-thick beds of green/grey calcareous sandstones with mm- to cm-thick greenish shales, passing to alternations of very thin beds of grey to pink limestones and green shales; (2) the C2g member (19 m in thickness) characterized by cm- to m-thick beds of greyish limestones with grey/green shale layers; and (3) the C2f member (incomplete thickness of ± 15 m) consisting of thin dark-grey calcareous shale beds interbedded within dm- to m-thick grey limestones.

5.3. Major element chemistry

47Average concentration curves of the recent data set from the Lukala area show an increasing CaO content from the C3a1 submember up to the C3b2 submember, a decrease in the C4a1 submember and a strong depletion in the C4a2 submember. The clastic input (indicated by SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃) has an opposite evolution (Table 3A, Fig. 7). CaO, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃ frequency Gauss curves (Figs 8A, 8B, 8C) show a large distribution of the grades for the C3a1 and the C4a1 submembers, indicating a relative heterogeneity of the sedimentary deposition in terms of clastic input vs. carbonate production. More narrow curves for the C3a2 and the C3b1 submembers, and narrow curves for the C3b2 submember confirm the progressively more homogeneity of the carbonate deposition. Distribution of the concentrations for the C4a2 submember is very large and completely shifted, reflecting the different nature and a more heterogeneous composition. The MgO Gauss curves (Fig. 8D) show a similar trend as for SiO₂ or as for Al₂O₃ but with a more narrow distribution in the low content domain (< 5 wt%), except for the C4a2 submember that shows a slightly more dolomitic character. No significative lateral variation of the chemical composition occurs in each unit between the Zanga, Lukala and Luzolo zones of the Lukala area.

48Table 3. CaO - MgO - SiO2 - Al2O3 - Fe2O3 - SO3- LOI average grades, CaO:MgO, CaO:Al2O3 and Al2O3:SiO2 ratios for the C3a1 up to C4a2 submembers of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup; (A) samples from the 2009-2012 exploration drilling in the Lukala area (analyses performed by the CILU Laboratory in Lukala); (B) samples from the old CICO drill hole in the Lukala quarry (analyses performed by the CILU Laboratory in Lukala, MRAC archives 162 A, 1947, and Actlabs Canada); (C) samples from the Kwilu 2 and Kwilu S drill holes for the C2d and C2e submembers in the Kwilu area (analyses performed by Actlabs Canada).

49Figure 7. Evolution of the CaO - 10*MgO - SiO2 - Al2O3 - Fe2O3 average concentrations from the 2009-2012 exploration drilling samples for C3a1 up to C4a2 submembers in the Lukala area.

50Figure 8. CaO (A), SiO2 (B), Al2O3 (C), and MgO (D) Gauss curves on the whole chemical dataset from the 2009-2012 exploration drilling for C3a1 up to C4a2 submembers.

51Therefore, CaO and Al₂O₃ concentrations allow differentiation between the C3a1 to the C4a2 submembers. The whole data set of chemical results (n = 4169) shows (Table 3A, Figs 9A, 9B, 9C): (1) a significant input of clastic material during the C3a1 submember, with periods of variable input (average = 5.24 wt% Al₂O₃; CaO:Al₂O₃ = 6.51; n = 142); (2) a global decrease of this clastic input, firstly in the C3a2 submember (average = 3.63 wt% Al₂O₃; CaO:Al₂O₃ = 11.35; n = 1135), and secondly in the C3b1 submember (average = 2.62 wt% Al₂O₃; CaO:Al₂O₃ = 17.30; n = 1678). Both submembers show the same range of values and are composed of cycles with higher followed by lower CaO vs. lower-higher Al₂O₃ contents; (3) a high purity of the C3b2 limestone (average = 1.06 wt% Al₂O₃; CaO:Al₂O₃ = 49.19; n = 1164), marking a very weak clastic input during this period of deposition; (4) a new episode with the re-occurrence of clastic material in the transitional C4a1 submember (average = 4.63 wt% Al₂O₃ ; CaO:Al₂O₃ = 8.07; n = 32) and a dominant clastic input in the C4a2 submember (average = 16.21 wt% Al₂O₃ ; CaO:Al₂O₃ = 0.28; n = 18).

52Figure 9. CaO, MgO*10 and Al2O3*2concentration curves for C3a1 up to C4a2 submembers from drill holes ZAN-04 and ZAN-11 for the Zanga zone (A), LUK-64, LUK-69 and LUK-04 for the Lukala zone (B), LZO-11, LZO-02 and LZO-25 for the Luzolo zone (C).

53On a CaO vs. Al₂O₃ graph (Fig. 10A), the C3 formation is aligned on the same trend with increasing CaO and decreasing Al₂O₃ contents from the C3a1 up to the C3b2 submembers. The C4a1 submember shows a return to less CaO and more Al₂O₃ contents, while the C4a2 submember appears abruptly depleted in CaO and enriched in Al₂O₃ contents. On the same graph (Table 3C; Fig. 10A), the C2 or Bulu Formation (C2d, C2e) shows a slightly shifted trend. The CaO:SiO₂ ratios show comparable results as the CaO:Al₂O₃ ratios, but appear not so accurate owning to the fact that part of the SiO₂ is authigenic (Delpomdor, 2007).

54Figure 10. (A) CaO vs. Al2O3 and (B) CaO vs. MgO concentration plots for C3a1 up to C4a2 submembers, and position of the C2 values from the old Kwilu-1, -2 and -S drill holes (Delpomdor et al., in revision).

55The MgO content in the C3 Formation and in the C4a member is variable and generally follows the inverse trend as for the CaO. Peaks highlight more dolomitic beds (Table 3A; Figs 9A, 9B, 9C). Using the classification of Chilingar (1957, 1960), the Ca:Mg ratios (Tables 3A, 3B; Fig. 10B) highlight that: (1) the C3a1 (Ca:Mg = 2.92 to 108.64; n = 142) and C3a2 (Ca:Mg = 1.45 to 90.59; n = 1144) carbonates vary from dolomites to slightly dolomitic limestones, (2) the C3b1 (Ca:Mg = 4.39 to 554.26; n = 1703) and C3b2 (Ca:Mg = 5.70 to 644.32; n = 1225) carbonates vary from dolomitic to highly calcitic limestones, (3) the C4a1 (Ca:Mg = 5.68 to 35.03; n = 32) and C4a2 (Ca:Mg = 0.50 to 20.85; n = 18) carbonates vary from dolomites to dolomitic limestones. By comparison, the C2 Formation displays dolomites to dolomitic limestones (Table 3C; Fig. 10B).

56In conclusion, the dolomitic character appears highly variable in the whole succession studied, and is generally minor within the upper part of the C3 Formation.

5.4. Carbon and oxygen isotopes

57The new carbon and oxygen isotopes (Table 4A; Fig. 11) from the Zanga, Lukala and Luzolo zones give δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values from -3.4 to -2.9‰ and -10.1 to -9.9‰, respectively, for the C3a1 submember (n = 2). The overlying C3a2 submember (n = 3) ranges between -2.7 and -2.5‰ for δ¹³C, and between -10.7 and -10.2‰ for δ¹⁸O. These values are concordant with the isotopic data of the old CICO samples (n = 8), for which the δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O vary between -2.9 and -2.3‰, and between -10.5 and -8.1‰, respectively (Delpomdor et al., 2015). The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values for the C3b1 submember (n = 4) yield from -2.6 to -2.3‰, and -10.3 to -9.6‰, respectively, while the CICO values (n = 5) are slightly heaviest (-2.4 to -2.1‰ for δ¹³C and -9.7 to -9.1‰ for δ¹⁸O). The δ¹³C isotope values for the C3b2 submember range between -2.5 and -1.5‰ for both new and CICO samples (n = 10), while the δ¹⁸O values slightly differ between the new (from -10.2 to -9.9‰; n = 4) and CICO samples (from -9.4 to -9.2‰; n = 6).

58Table 4. (A) New C and O isotope values for the C3 (Luanza) to C4 (Lukunga) formations from the new drill holes at Lukala (this paper).

59Tables 4. (B) Compilation of recent C and O isotope values for the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup in DRC (Delpomdor, 2007, Delpomdor & Préat, 2011; Straathof, 2011; Delpomdor et al., 2014, 2015), (C) in SW Gabon (Préat et al., 2011), and (D) for the SFB Bambuí Group in Brazil (Iyer et al., 1995; Santos et al., 2000, 2004).

60Figure 11. Composite litholog against δ13Cand δ18O evolution from the top of the Haut-Shiloango Subgroup up to the basal C4 unit of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup (according to Frimmel et al., 2006; Straathof, 2011; Delpomdor & Préat, 2013; Delpomdor et al., in revision; this paper).

61In contrast, the C4a1-C4a2 submembers (n = 5) show a more large variation of δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values, between -7.5 and -1.4‰, and between -7.8 and -5.6‰, respectively, suggesting a strong diagenetic alteration due to the presence of evaporites and/or to the dolomitization process.

62The general trend of the δ¹³C isotope values within the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup indicates an excursion to the negative values in C1 and C2 units, and a progressive return to positive values from the C3 to the C5 units, with an abrupt decrease in the C4a1 submember (Tables 4A, 4B). Contrastingly, the δ¹⁸O values evolve in a more or less stable range from the C1 to the C3 units; higher values occur in the C4 and C5 units, especially in the C4a member, probably related to supratidal- to sabkha-type evaporitic environments as recorded by the lithological observations.

6. Regional stratigraphic correlations

6.1. Intrabasinal correlation

63The Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup rests unconformably on the 1 - 200 m Upper Diamictite Formation in the RC, DRC and Angola, and upon the Niari ‘Tillite’ Formation in Gabon. According to the ‘Snowball Earth Hypothesis’ stating the synchronous deposition of these diamictites, the Niari "Tillite" and the Upper Diamictite formations are thought to be related to the Marinoan glacial event (Tait et al., 2011).

64In Gabon and RC, the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup consists of four predominantly carbonate formations, called SCI to SCIV, respectively. The SCI dolomudstones Formation starts with a 6 - 12 m-thick basal member composed of cap-carbonate dolomites, showing δ¹³C mean values at -3.2‰ in Gabon (Préat et al., 2011) and -3.5‰ in RC (Préat et al., submitted) in the same order (-3.4‰) that the stratigraphically equivalent C1 unit in the DRC (Frimmel et al., 2006; Straathof, 2011; Delpomdor & Préat, 2013) (Tables 4B, 4C; Figs 11, 12).

65Figure 12. Composite litholog against δ13C evolution of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup correlated to the same units in RC and Gabon.

66δ¹³C values analysed around -4.4‰ for the SCIc-a lithoherms and interstratified dolomites in Gabon (Préat et al., 2011), and between -4.07‰ and -2.77‰ (average of -3.75‰) for the SCIc peritidal dolomites in RC (Préat et al., submitted) suggest a correlation with the C2 unit in the DRC (average of -4.7‰) (Frimmel et al., 2006; Straathof, 2011; Delpomdor & Préat, 2013). The SCII and SCIII carbonates display an excursion from negative to positive δ¹³C values in the range of -3.3 to +6.3‰ in Gabon (Préat et al., 2011) and -3.74‰ to +8.36‰ in RC (Préat et al., submitted), comparable to values of the C4 and C5 formations in the DRC that vary between -7.5‰ and +12.6‰ (Tables 4B, 4C; Figs 11, 12) (Frimmel et al., 2006; Delpomdor & Préat, 2013). The δ¹⁸O values in Gabon and RC show a similar trend as for the equivalent units in DRC, but with a different order of values (Tables 4B, 4C; Figs 11, 12) (Frimmel et al., 2006; Straathof, 2011; Delpomdor & Préat, 2013).

67The siliciclastic red-beds of the Schisto-Gréseux Group in Gabon and the Mpioka Group in RC that overlay unconformably the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup, start with basal conglomerates, followed by rocks ranging from claystones to conglomeratic sandstones; they are correlated to the similar Mpioka Subgroup sequence in the DRC (Préat et al., 2011; Tait et al., 2011).

6.2. Regional correlation with the Central Africa Copperbelt

68The WCB, Kaoko-Damara Belt (KDB) in Namibia and Central Africa Copperbelt (CAC) are Neoproterozoic sedimentary basins developed around the Congo craton as a consequence of the Rodinia supercontinent break up (Tack et al., 2001). Some litho-chronostratigraphical comparison or tentative global correlation between these sedimentary successions have already been sketched, based mainly on the occurrence of extensive diamictite formations related to the Sturtian and Marinoan glacial events (Cailteux & Misi, 2007; Poidevin, 2007, Kampunzu et al., 2009; Tack et al., 2001; Delpomdor & Préat, 2013). On one hand, the Mwale (Grand Conglomérat), Varianto (Chuos) and Lower Diamictite formations in the CAC, KDB and WCB, respectively, are all correlated with the 750-713 Ma global Sturtian glaciation (Key et al., 2001; Hoffman et al., 1996; Frimmel et al., 2006), and represent robust geochronological markers. On the other hand, similarly as for the younger Upper Diamictite Formation in the WCB, the Kyandamu (Petit Conglomérat) diamictite in the CAC is interpreted of the same age as for the ± 635 Ma Marinoan Ghaub diamictite in Namibia (Hoffmann et al., 2004; Kampunzu et al., 2009).

69The mixed carbonate-siliciclastic lower sequence of the Nguba Group in the CAC, called Muombe Subgroup (up to 2500 m-thick), succeeds to the Mwale diamictite with a basal cap-carbonate (the Dolomie Tigrée, 0 to 50 m-thick), overlain by more or less calcareous to dolomitic carbonaceous shales or siltstones of the Kaponda Formation and by an open marine carbonate platform deposition of the Kakontwe Formation, ending with the more shalow Kipushi deposit (Batumike et al., 2007; Kampunzu et al., 2009). The overlying Bunkeya Subgroup forms an up to 3000 m-thick predominantly siliciclastic sequence prograding over the carbonates. By comparison with the Bembezi and Sekelolo sequences of the Haut-Shiloango Subgroup, respectively, major differences occur. The Bembezi unit appears predominantly clastic, while the Sekelolo unit was recently interpreted as a short-time marine carbonate transgression on a passive margin, with open marine platform carbonate conditions (Delpomdor et al., 2014). The δ¹³C values are around +2.4‰, and between -4.3 and +2.8‰ (mean value +1.7‰) for the Kaponda and Kakontwe carbonate formations, respectively, to the bottom of the Nguba succession (Bull et al., 2011), and in the same trend between +2.4 and +8.0‰ (mean value +5.5‰) for the Sekelolo Formation in the WCB (Frimmel et al., 2006; Straathof, 2011; Delpomdor et al., 2014; Table 5; Fig. 13). The δ¹⁸O values for the same sequences are between -10.8 and -0.8‰ (mean value -2.8‰) for the Kaponda-Kakontwe formations, and between -12.1 and -4.7‰ (mean value -9.4‰) for the Sekelolo unit.

70Table 5. Comparison of the C and O isotope values between the WCB Haut-Shiloango Subgroup (Frimmel et al., 2006; Straathof, 2011; Delpomdor & Préat, 2011) and the CAC Nguba Subgroup (Bull et al., 2011).

71Figure 13. Composite litholog against δ13C evolution of the Haut-Shiloango and the Schisto-Calcaire subgroups compared to the Muombe Formation (Nguba Group) in the CAC. Abbreviation: KI, Kiandamu Formation; L, Lusele Formation; LUB, Lubudi Formation.

72Succeeding to the Kyandamu diamictite in the CAC, interpreted of Marinoan age, the Gombela Subgroup starts with the basal 5 to 15 m-thick Lusele (Calcaire Rose) cap-carbonate, followed by up to 1600 m-thick alternating carbonatic shales and siltstones of the Kanianga Formation, and by up to 150 m-thick carbonate beds of the Lubudi Formation (Calcaire de Lubudi) at the top (Batumike et al., 2007). It displays a sedimentary succession strongly comparable to the C1, C2 and C3 formations of the Schisto-Calcaire, respectively (Table 6). In particular, the Lubudi Formation is marked by massive, irregularly bedded, oolitic high purity limestone beds alternating with sandy carbonate beds, showing shallow-water proximal conditions of deposition, similarly as for the C3b in Bas-Congo. Unfortunately, no carbon isotope values are available on the Lubudi limestone to support this correlation.

73Table 6. Tentative correlation between formations of the SFB, WCB and CAC.

74The overlying Mongwe and Kiubo formations up to > 600 m-thick are pelite-sandstone more or less dolomitic complexes, with frequent intraformational conglomerates and upward coarsening. The sequence contains predominant pelites to the bottom (Mongwe Formation), and predominant sandstones to the top (Kiubo Formation). These units are characterized by shallow-water and evaporitic conditions, similarly as for the C4 and C5 formations in Bas-Congo (Cahen, 1978). Youngest age for the C5 deposition suggested by strontium isotope ratios is ca. 550 Ma (Delpomdor & Préat, 2013), while thrusting of the folded Katangan terranes in CAC over the Mongwe-Kiubo sediments constraints the last deposition age for these formations in the range of 570-550 Ma (Kampunzu & Cailteux, 1999; Kipata et al., 2013). Sponge spicules and radiolaria Cambrian to present-day microfossils observed in chert beds of the Kiubo Formation (Cahen et al., 1946) also support this age.

75Ending both successions (Table 6), the late-orogenic molasse-type Sampwe and Mpioka sequences deposited at ≤ 573 and ± 566 Ma in CAC and WCB, respectively (Tack et al., 2001; Master et al., 2005).

76At the top of the CAC succession, the tabular Biano Subgroup (> 400 m-thick) is a deposit younger than and unrelated to the Lufilian (Pan-African) orogeny, probably of Palaeozoic Karoo age (Dumont et al., 1997; Batumike et al., 2007; Kampunzu et al., 2009). This is in agreement with the post-Karoo transpressional structural inversion (D3 Chilatembo stage of Kampunzu & Cailteux, 1999) that affected the Biano succession (Kipata et al., 2013). Therefore, this last has to be separated from the Kundelungu Group and considered as an individual lithostratigraphic unit similarly as for the tabular Inkisi deposit in the WCB (Tack et al., 2001).

6.3. Regional correlations with the São Francisco basin (SFB)

77The Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks of the Bambuí Group in Brazil form a 450 - 1800 m-thick transgressive sequence over the São Francisco craton on an intracontinental platform in relatively shallow water conditions. The Bambuí Group occurs along the south-eastern margin of the São Francisco Basin, overlying the Macaúbas Group/Jequitai Formation diamictites (Pflug & Schöll, 1975; Karfunkel & Karfunkel, 1975; Karfunkel & Hoppe, 1988) that are interpreted of Sturtian age (Santos et al., 2000, 2004; Babinski et al., 2007). Along the southern margin of the SFB, these diamictites pass laterally to the Carrancas Formation (Uhlein et al., 2012). According to Dardenne (1978), the Bambuí Group is divided into five units, from oldest to youngest: (1) the Sete Lagoas Formation, composed of 500 m-thick limestones and dolostones interbedded with shales, (2) the Serra de Santa Helena Formation, which comprises ± 600 m-thick thin-bedded shales and siltstones with interbeds of limestones and sandstones, (3) the Lagoa do Jacaré Formation, mainly composed of 350 m-thick limestones with oolites and stromatolites overlain by calcareous siltstones and shales, (4) the Serra da Saudade Formation, mainly composed of approximately 200 m-thick silty shales and shales with interbeds of shaly limestones, and (5) the Três Marias Formation, 300-400 m-thick, dominantly composed of arkoses, lithic sandstones and siltstones. Furthermore, the Sete Lagoas Formation is marked by: (1) a regional unconformity located into the post-Sturtian Pedro Leopoldo Member, which consists of shaly limestones capped by dolomites with a Pb-Pb age of 742 ± 22 Ma (Babinski et al., 2007), and (2) a post-Marinoan Lagoa Santa Member dominantly composed of limestones. However, refuting this gap of time, Paula-Santos et al. (2015) proposed a new maximum U-Pb age of 593 ± 17 Ma based on detrital zircon grains from the Pedro Leopoldo Member. Youngest detrital zircon population for most of the Sete Lagoas formations gave a depositional age of 557 Ma (Babinski et al., 2013), which is supported by the occurrences of Claudina late Ediacaran fossils recently found in the uppermost Sete Lagoas Formation (Warren et al., 2014). Nevertheless, the ages for the Bambuí Group are still debated, the maximum depositional age for the Bambuí Group being considered around 600 Ma (Rodrigues, 2008).

78In this paper, the West Congolian Group is attempted to be correlated with the Bambuí Group using the chemostratigraphic tool.

79The δ¹³C pattern of the Macaúbas Group displays isotopic variations (Table 4D), which evolve from between -7.7 and +2.1‰ in the Jequitaí diamictite, and between -4.2 and -3.7‰ in the Carrancas diamictite. In the overlying Bambuí Group it varies between -5.7 and -3.2‰ in a basal dolomite of the Sete Lagoas Formation (Alvarenga et al., 2007; Kuchenbecker, 2011; Caxito et al., 2012) that probably corresponds to a cap-carbonate after the Jequitaí/Carrancas diamictites (Fig. 14). The carbon isotope increases between +1.1 and +16.1‰ values in the upper part of the Sete Lagoas carbonates, and remains with high values between +10.4 and +14.7‰ in the Serra de Santa Helena and Lagoa do Jacaré formations (Iyer et al., 1995; Santos et al., 2000; Misi et al., 2007).

80Figure 14. Composite litholog against δ13C evolution of the Schisto-Calcaire subgroup compared to the Bambuí Group in the SFB (Brazil). Abbreviations: PD, Pedro Leopoldo Member.

81This δ¹³C profile is similar to those of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup in DRC, which displays a comparable negative shift in the Upper Diamictite and C1 formations, and an upwards increase from very negative values from the base of the C2 Formation, passing by a second negative shift in δ¹³C at the C3/C4 formations transition, towards positive values in the C5 Formation (Tables 4B, 4D; Fig. 14). The C3/C4 formations transition is clearly highlighted by abrupt lithological and chemical changes, related to the gradual regional-scale return for a predominantly clastic system mixed with short-time evaporitic lagoon-type lime depositions at the base of a second marine transgression, after a possible long period of non-deposition and/or karstification, in the basin. This 2^nd-order transgressive sequence is repeated from the C4 to C5 formations, which are overlain by a third 2^nd-order sequence composed by the Mpioka Subgroup (Delpomdor, 2015, unpublished). Similarly, the Bambuí Group can be also subdivided into three 2^nd-order sequences, which comprise from base to top: (1) the Sete Lagoas Formation, (2) the Serra de Santa Helena and Lagoa do Jacaré formations, and (3) the Serra da saudade and Três Marias formations (Alkmim & Martins-Neto, 2012; Fig. 14). As a result, both the isotopic chemostratigraphy and lithostratigraphy suggest a regional correlation between the 2^nd-order sequences of the SFB in Brazil and of the WCB in DRC-RC-Gabon as follows: (1) Sete Lagoas Formation and C1 to C3 formations, (2) Serra de Santa Helena/Lagoa do Jacaré formations and C4/C5 formations, and (3) Serra da saudade/Três Marias formations and Mpioka Subgroup, respectively (Table 6).

7. Discussions and conclusions

7.1. New chemostratigraphic subdivisions in the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup

82The new detailed lithological, sedimentological and major chemical data obtained on samples collected from the Kwilu area and from the recent exploration drilling in Lukala allow to characterize the stratigraphical succession of the upper part of the C2 (Bulu), C3 (Luanza) and lower part of the C4 (Lukunga) formations (Table 2) for which no clear lithological markers occur.

83The C2 Formation is a carbonatic open marine to peritidal deposition, marked by a high clastic shaly-sandy influx in the basin (Cahen, 1954; Dupont, 1971; Delpomdor et al., 2015).

84The transition between the C2 and C3 formations, i.e. C2f to C2h members, is characterized by a progressive decrease of the sandy input in the C2 Formation, and the disappearance of the sandy beds in the C3 Formation (Jauniau & Dujardin, 1970; Table 2).

85The C3 Formation is subdivided in this paper into four submembers: C3a1, C3a2, C3b1 and C3b2. The C3a1 sedimentation is marked by the persistence of an important shaly deposition, in continuation of the C2 deposition. The peritidal C3a2 and C3b1 submembers represent two successive moderate changes in the CaO:MgO and CaO:Al₂O₃ ratios (15.34 vs. 20.46 and 11.35 vs. 17.30, respectively) confirming a chemical transition from more dolomitic and shaly to more calcareous compositions related to slow sea level rise in a low-energy shallow restricted inner ramp (Delpomdor et al., 2015).

86The very pure limestone of the C3b2 submember is marked by an abrupt change in the CaO:MgO ratio and by the shut-down of clastic inputs. This change represents a high-energy open marine and massive oolitic shoal, with deposition of limestones, during a sudden sea level rise flooding the whole basin (Delpomdor et al., 2015).

87A regional-scale change succeeds to the C3 deposition with the transitional C4a1 submember, deposited above an erosional surface, associated with salt-rich carbonate beds and collapse breccias, displaying an increase of dolomitic composition (CaO:MgO ratio = 11.9), and marked by a sudden clastic input (CaO:Al₂O₃ ratio = 8.07). Sedimentation becomes mixed with carbonate-clastic deposition at the top of this unit. The overlying C4a2 submember is a fully clastic peritidal deposition with some dolomitic carbonate episodes, confirming a switch back to a dolomitic composition (CaO:MgO ratio = 2.9) and dominantly to a clastic input. The C3/C4 transition marks the turn on of salt-rich slightly dolomitic limestones recording a lagoon- to sabkha-type deposition, periodically exposed to fresh water condition with vadose-type cementation, in probable short-time highstand or the early marine transgression. For the upper part of the C4a1 and the C4a2 submembers, the regional-scale turn off of the carbonate factory is followed by a comeback of a clastic system during a probable new significant sea level rise inhibited during a short-time the deposition of the lagoon-type limestones (Delpomdor et al., 2015). The transition with the sea level rise marks a significant regional surface, as tool of intrabasinal correlation, which is also marked by an abrupt negative shift in δ¹³C.

88From the C2 (Bulu) up to the C4 (Lukunga) formations, the proposed lithostratigraphical subdivisions, that correspond to sedimentological and chemical changes in the environmental conditions of deposition from a siliciclastic–carbonate platform up to a progressively low energy tidal flat-, sabkha-, and lagoon-type environment, are in agreement with the data from previous studies. The new detailed lithological and chemical data presented in this paper from the C3 Formation up to the C4 Formation support the ability of the carbonate production to be related to the regional sea-level fluctuations overall in the basin (Martins-Neto, 2009; Alkmim & Martins-Neto, 2012; Delpomdor et al., 2014, 2015).

7.2. Tentative regional correlations

89Intra- and inter-basinal stratigraphic/lithological correlations of the Neoproterozoic WCB, CAC and SFB are not easily applicable because of the size, space and tectonic evolution of these basins, and the deficiency of time constraints within these successions. However, the major events that marked the evolution of the earth also marked these sedimentary basins and give way to possible large scale lithostratigraphic correlations. Furthermore, the carbon isotope geochemistry is a complementary tool most widely used in the chemostratigraphic reconstruction of regional or global correlations for the Neoproterozoic deposits.

90The Schisto-Calcaire (WCB), Kundelungu (CAC) and Bambuí (SFB) successions, that deposited between 635 Ma and ± 580-570 Ma (Table 6), are all three characterized by three major cycles of deposition: (1) a carbonatic-clastic sequence that succeeds to the cap-carbonate after Marinoan glaciogenic deposition, ending with high purity carbonates at the top, (2) a following transgressive clastic sequence that appears more carbonatic in the upper part of the WCB succession, and (3) late-orogenic molasse-type sequences deposited in foreland basins. The available δ¹³C results for the Schisto-Calcaire in DRC, RC and Gabon indicate a good intrabasinal correlation with comparable excursion to negative values in the basal carbonates (C1 and C2 formations in DRC), followed by increasing values in the topmost carbonates (C3 Formation), and a return to positives values in the overlying clastic sequence (Tables 4B, 4C; Figs 11, 12).

91According to the chrono-lithostratigraphy, sea level fluctuations and isotopic chemistry in the basins, the deposition of the Schisto-Calcaire Subgroup (WCB) appears diachronous with the Bambuí (SFB) and with the Kundelungu (CAC) groups. Three 2^nd-order sequences of deposition are observed overall in these basins, and are used as tool of correlation partly in association with chemostratigraphy. The Sete Lagoas - C1/C3 - Kanianga/Lubudi formations, the Serra de Santa Helena and Lagoa do Jacaré - C4/C5 - Mongwe/Kiubo formations, and finally the Serra da Saudade and Três Marias formations - Mpioka - Sampwe subgroups can be regionally correlated between the São Francisco Basin in Brazil, the West Congo Basin in DRC-RC-Gabon and the Central Africa Copperbelt in DRC (Table 6).

92The tabular Inkisi (WCB) and Biano (CAC) successions that have to be considered as individual lithostratigraphic units, are supposedly correlated to Karoo age, but no time constraints occur to confirm this correlation.

8. Acknowledgements

93The Forrest Group and Heidelberg Cement Companies are thanked for their agreement in publication of drill core logs and chemical results. The geochemical as well as the O and C isotope analyses were carried out at the University of Erlangen in Germany (Prof. Michael Joachimski). We also thank the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) for the access to the CICO available cores. We are grateful to Prof. Philippe Muchez and Dr. Stefan Schroeder for their constructive reviews.

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179Manuscript received 31.12.2014, accepted in revised form 26.10.2015, available on line 09.12.2015.

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