Paleoproterozoic molassoid complexes of southwestern Ghana

Abstract

The lithology, sedimentation conditions, tectonic evolution features, and mineralization of molassoid complexes in southwestern Ghana that fill the Tarkwa and Bui basins located within the Birrimian Paleoproterozoic orogenic belt are described on the basis of an analysis of published and our own data. The formation of these sediments in geodynamic conditions of pull-apart basins is described. The deposits of the Tarkwa group are compared with the Archean Timiskaming group of the Superior Province and similar younger complexes. The Tarkwa group is considered as the Paleoproterozoic equivalent of molasse-like complexes that formed at the last stage of accretion orogens of different ages in pull-apart structures.