Bauxitic and other duricrusts in Suriname: a review

Abstract

The bauxite deposits and ferritic duricrusts of Suriname are arranged in four groups, based on their geology and a number of other parameters. In an appendix five examples are described in sufficient detail to illustrate the essential mutual differences and similarities. The four groups of deposits are related to the geomorphological history of Suriname, from which a genetic history for the bauxite and other duricrusts evolves. It also becomes clear that, although saprolitic weathering occurred four or five times during Tertiary and Quaternary history, in Suriname only the Late Eocene-Oligocene weathering period was of sufficient intensity to produce accumulation zones and duricrusts that could withstand later erosion, denudation and planation activities. Several of these old duricrusts are now being mined for bauxite.