『Abstract
early Proterozoic chemical sediments of the Birimian Supergroup in northern Ghana host several types of metamorphosed manganese-bearing rocks. Differences in the mineralogy and geochemistry can be attributed to facies changes in a mixed volcanic-volcaniclastic depositional environment. Manganese oxide-bearing phyllite, which is enriched in transition metals (Cu, Ni, Co, Zn), formed on the flanks of submarine volcanic edifices above an oxidation boundary. Towards the deeper basin, manganese silicate-rich gondites occur. These consist either of spessartine + quartz + ilmenite, or of spessartine + quartz + Mn amphiboles ± rhodonite ± hyalophane ± Mn stilpnomelane ± ilmenite. The Mn amphiboles are identified as manganoan actinolite, tirodite, and dannemorite. Sulphides are widespread as premetamorphic inclusions in Mn garnet frains. In the basin centre, chlorite schist containing garnet with 50-60 mo.% spessartine represents the most distal manganese-bearing rock which is highly diluted by volcanogenic background sedimentation. The origin of mn-rich rocks is explained by heat-driven seawater convection systems active in submarine volcanic centres that provided hydrothermal solutions. Precipitation of different minerals depended on the geochemical conditions prevailing on the seafloor. During the Eburnean event (around 2000Ma), the chemical sediments were metamorphosed to upper greenschist or lower amphibolite facies. mineral assemblages in the gondites point to metamorphic conditions in the range of 450-500゜C at 2-3 kbar.

Keywords: gondite, manganese phyllite, hydrothermal activity, Nangodi belt, Lawra belt, Ghana, Birimian Superfroup』

Introduction
Geologic setting
Occurrence of manganese-bearing rocks
Mineralogy of manganese-bearing rocks
Manganese oxide-bearing phyllites
Gondites
Garnet-bearing chlorite schists
Geochemistry of manganese-bearing rocks
Discussion
Perological implications and metamorphism
Precursor sediments
Geological environment
Conclusion
Acknoeledgments
References