The area is localized in NW of Zambia, at W of Ndola, and Mufullra (where there are may copper mines) and at SSE of Solwezi.
During an uranium research, the Italian company SOMIREN (actually part of AGIP), in 1971 found, along Luswishi River, (around the so called “Luswishi Dome”), some radoactive anomalies. These anomalies were most concentrated in Ncinke area and the cause was a mineral in a metamict state, which, once analyzed, was recognized as Davidite.
Other anomalies with similar minerals were also found in Mushingashi river and Lumwana river.
In a further phase of exploration, the mineralization was digged and the mineralization, an eluvial kind of occurrence, was formed of davidite “nests” of 1-2 Kg, concentrated into the first meter of depth. Below this level, the soil was completely sterile.
The Davidite found there (from 1 – 2 up to 10-12 cm !! with rhomboedrals crystals often twinned) was found also in association with Ilmenite, Rutile, Muscovite, Hematite, Pyrite, Thorite, Samarkite, Bastnesite, Apatite, Quartz, Smoky quartz, Amethyst. In Lumwana area were found Davidite crystals of 2-2.5 cm with tabular habitus formed of 2 or more twinned elements.
Ref.:
Picenza B. (1975) - Nuovo gacimento di Davidite nello Zambia - Notizie del Gruppo Min,. Lombardo, Milano, fasc. 1, March 1975,pp. 13-14
