On the Precambrian Tectonics of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula (K Tektonike Dokembriya Afriki i Araviiskogo Poluostrova),

A basic mass of mineral resources (diamonds, gold, iron, uranium etc.) is concentrated in the Precambrian strata, whose outcrops occupy about 35% of the territory of Africa and Arabia. This determines the significance of a tectonic study of the African Precambrian, and the identification by this example of the structural regularities of the Precambrian base of the continents. A scheme of the present Precambrian structure is shown on the figure which is part of this publication. It was compiled on the basis of well-known generalizations, according to the data of a tectonic map of Africa at a scale of 1:5,000,000 and other information. The structural-compositional complexes of the Lower, Middle and Upper Precambrian are the main structural elements of this scheme. Combinations of these complexes, distinguished according to compositional indications, metamorphism, ages and structure form the metamorphic base of the continent and folded areas and plates of different ages and types. (Author)