Kaapvaal Craton

geological region, Africa

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June 30, 2026

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The Kaapvaal Craton is a geologically stable region in Southern Africa, formed between 3.6 and 2 billion years ago during the Precambrian era. It is composed of ancient rocks, including gneisses, granites, and volcanic rocks, some dating back as far as 3.6 billion years. This craton is known for its significant mineral deposits, particularly gold and sulfide minerals.12

Within the Kaapvaal Craton, notable features include the Witwatersrand Basin, famous for its gold and uranium deposits, and the Bushveld Complex, which contains vast reserves of platinum, chromium, and vanadium. The craton's stability has allowed for the preservation of early geological formations and some of the oldest traces of life, found in the Barberton greenstone belt. The Kaapvaal Craton is one of five ancient Precambrian cratons that form the foundation of the African continent.2341

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Africa
General considerations
…of five ancient Precambrian cratons—Kaapvaal, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Congo, and West African—that were formed between about 3.6 and 2 billion years ago and that basically have been tectonically stable since that time; those cratons are bounded by younger fold belts formed between 2 billion and 300 million years ago. All…
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…of five ancient Precambrian cratons—Kaapvaal, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Congo, and West African—that were formed between about 3.6 and 2 billion years ago and that basically have been tectonically stable since that time; those cratons are bounded by younger fold belts formed between 2 billion and 300 million years ago. All…
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Precambrian
Occurrence and distribution of Precambrian rocks
central Greenland, and Labrador; the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwean cratons in southern Africa; the Dharwar craton in India; the Aldan and Anabar shields in Siberia in Russia; the Baltic Shield that includes much of Sweden,
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central Greenland, and Labrador; the Kaapvaal and Zimbabwean cratons in southern Africa; the Dharwar craton in India; the Aldan and Anabar shields in Siberia in Russia; the Baltic Shield that includes much of Sweden,
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