Geochemistry, U–Pb geochronology, and genesis of granitoid clasts in transported volcanogenic massive sulfide ore deposits, Buchans, Newfoundland

2013 ◽  
Vol 50 (11) ◽  
pp. 1116-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.B. Whalen ◽  
A. Zagorevski ◽  
V.J. McNicoll ◽  
N. Rogers
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide ◽  
Zircon Age ◽  
Felsic Volcanism ◽  
Mass Flows ◽  
Plutonic Rocks ◽  
Felsic Volcanic

The Buchans Group, central Newfoundland, represents an Ordovician continental bimodal calc-alkaline arc sequence that hosts numerous volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) occurrences, including both in situ and mechanically transported sulfide breccia–conglomerate orebodies. Diverse lithic clasts associated with transported deposits include rounded granitoid clasts. Earlier workers have suggested that Buchans Group VMS-hosting felsic extrusive units, small granodiorite intrusions (e.g., Wiley’s Brook), and granitoid cobbles associated with transported ore represent co-genetic products of the same magmatic system. The granitoid cobbles and small granodiorite intrusions are geochemically similar and closely resemble Buchans Group felsic volcanic units. U–Pb zircon age determinations show a (i) 466.7 ± 0.5 Ma crystallization age for the Wiley’s Brook granodiorite (WBG), (ii) 464 ± 4 Ma crystallization age for a granitoid cobble, and (iii) 466 ± 4 Ma maximum deposition age for a conglomerate–sandstone sequence associated with transported ore. Thus, Buchans Group felsic plutonic rocks are within experimental error of felsic volcanism and VMS deposition. Furthermore, εNd (T) (T, time of crystallization) values of four granitoid cobbles (–1.95 to –4.0) overlap values obtained from Buchans Group felsic volcanic units. Our results are compatible with plutonic and volcanic rocks being related through fractional crystallization or partial melting processes but do not support a petrogenetic link between VMS deposition and exposed felsic plutons. Comparisons to modern arc analogues favour exhumation of plutonic rocks by extension along caldera or rift walls and (or) subaerial erosion. Enigmatic rounding of Buchans granitoid clasts was likely accomplished in a subaerial or shallow marine environment, and the clasts transported into a VMS-active basin by mass flows.

Shock brecciation around the Kidd Creek deposit, Abitibi belt, Canada

2008 ◽  
Vol 45 (8) ◽  
pp. 871-878
Author(s):  
I. K. Pitcairn ◽  
N. T. Arndt
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Volcanic Processes ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Major Fault ◽  
Heavy Rare Earth Elements ◽  
Felsic Volcanic

The Kidd–Munro assemblage, Abitibi belt, Canada, is an ultramafic–mafic–felsic volcanic sequence that contains the giant Kidd Creek volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VMS) deposit. The Kidd basin, 1.6 km northeast of the deposit, contains pervasively brecciated pillowed and massive basalts. The breccia is distinctly different from most breccias in volcanic rocks, which form through volcanic processes or during later deformation or alteration. The Kidd Creek breccia occurs pervasively through otherwise undeformed pillow interiors and margins, and also in localized corridors of particularly intense brecciation. Clasts are angular, up to 4 cm wide, hosted in a very fine-grained matrix, and commonly show jig-saw fit texture. The chemical compositions of the breccia fragments and matrix are generally similar, although the matrix is slightly enriched in high field-strength elements (HFSE) and heavy rare-earth elements (HREE) and depleted in some mobile elements, such as Rb and Ba. The breccia contains altered basaltic clasts and fragments of in-filled amygdales and is crosscut by late-stage quartz–carbonate–sulfide veins. The observations imply that the breccia was formed in-situ, with minimal transport of material, and developed after solidification of the volcanic rocks. In-situ breccias, such as these, are known to form proximal to major fault zones, but no such structure occurs in the vicinity of the Kidd Basin. We suggest the brecciation was caused by the propagation of shock waves from explosive volcanic eruption, perhaps related to the emplacement of felsic volcanic rocks observed in the Kidd Creek Mine. The breccia was subject to enhanced hydrothermal fluid flow, perhaps linked to the formation of the ore deposit.

Massive sulfide deposits of the Noranda area, Quebec. IV. The Mobrun mine

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1349-1374 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Barrett ◽  
S. Cattalani ◽  
L. Hoy ◽  
J. Riopel ◽  
P.-J. Lafleur
Keyword(s):  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Sulfide Deposits ◽  
Calculated Mass ◽  
Higher Temperature ◽  
Felsic Volcanic ◽  
Clear Change

The Mobrun polymetallic deposit near Rouyn–Noranda comprises two complexes of massive sulfide lenses within mainly felsic volcanic rocks of the Archean Blake River Group. The Main lens contained 3.37 Mt of massive sulfides, with 1989 reserves of 0.95 Mt at 0.81% Cu, 2.44% Zn, 30.3 g/t Ag, and 2.2 g/t Au. The 1100 complex, located ~250 m to the southeast of the Main complex, contains estimated 1989 reserves of 10.4 Mt at 0.76% Cu, 5.43% Zn, 37.4 g/t Ag, and 1.35 g/t Au.Host volcanic rocks of the Main complex are mostly massive, brecciated, and tuffaceous rhyolites. The rhyolites are commonly strongly sheared parallel to lithological contacts, which are locally displaced by high-angle faults. Immobile-element plots such as Y–Zr and Nb–Zr show a separation of rhyolite data into two distinct alteration trends that generally correspond to massive and in situ brecciated rhyolite of the footwall, and tuffaceous rhyolite of the hanging wall. The hanging wall has tholeiitic Zr/Y ratios (3–5), whereas the footwall has mildly calc-alkaline Zr/Y ratios (7–9). Several immobile-element trends indicate that there was a subtle but clear change in rhyolite composition near the time of ore deposition. Identification of chemically distinct footwall and hanging wall rhyolites allows these units to be recognized and traced along strike, even where alteration is strong. Sericitization and silicification extend at least 100 m from the orebody, with local chloritic zones in the upper footwall. Calculated mass changes indicate that the footwall generally has lost silica mass relative to the hanging wall. Alteration zones associated with mineralization have mass gains in FeO + MgO and K2O gains, but mass loss in silica.The 1100 complex, located stratigraphically below the Main complex, is hosted by rhyolite, with one main andesite interval in the footwall. The footwall contains three chemically distinct rhyolite types, all tholeiitic. Hanging-wall rhyolites are, however, mildly calc-alkaline, and thus are chemically comparable to, and correlated with, the footwall of the Main complex. Rhyolites within ~100 m stratigraphically of the Main and 1100 complexes commonly have positively shifted δ18O whole-rock values of 11–13‰. These high values are interpreted as the result of an initial, widespread phase of low-temperature hydrothermal alteration that increased δ18O values by 3–5‰ relative to unaltered rhyolites. Some footwall rhyolites, however, are relatively depleted in 18O, strongly depleted in Ca–Na and depleted in Eu2+. Rhyolites with these chemical features have been overprinted by higher temperature alteration, presumably in localized feeder zones. All four rhyolite types near the 1100 complex are chemically recognizable despite contrasting alteration.The orebodies are interpreted as synvolcanic, based on their occurrence along distinctive volcanic contacts, and the presence of primary sulfide textures where deformation is minor. The chemostratigraphic framework defined for the host rhyolite sequence can be used to trace critical volcanic contacts through lithologically monotonous, strongly altered, and faulted stratigraphy.

scholarly journals U-Th-He Geochronology of Pyrite from the Uzelga VMS Deposit (South Urals)—New Perspectives for Direct Dating of the Ore-Forming Processes

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 629
Author(s):  
Olga Yakubovich ◽  
Mary Podolskaya ◽  
Ilya Vikentyev ◽  
Elena Fokina ◽  
Alexander Kotov
Keyword(s):  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
South Urals ◽  
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide ◽  
Ore Formation ◽  
Relative Simplicity ◽  
Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Thermal Extraction ◽  
Pyrite Sample

We report on the application of the U-Th-He method for the direct dating of pyrite and provide an original methodological approach for measurement of U, Th and He in single grains without loss of parent nuclides during thermal extraction of He. The U-Th-He age of ten samples of high-crystalline stoichiometric pyrite from unoxidized massive ores of the Uzelga volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, South Urals, is 382 ± 12 Ma (2σ) (U concentrations ~1–5 ppm; 4He ~10−4 cm3 STP g−1). This age is consistent with independent (biostratigraphic) estimations of the age of ore formation (ca, 389–380 Ma) and is remarkably older than the probable age of the regional prehnite-pumpellyite facies metamorphism (~340–345 Ma). Our results indicate that the U-Th-He dating of ~1 mg weight pyrite sample is possible and open new perspectives for the dating of ore deposits. The relative simplicity of U-Th-He dating in comparison with other geochronological methods makes this approach interesting for further application.

3D seismic imaging of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in the Flin Flon mining camp, Canada: Part 2 — Forward modeling

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. WC81-WC93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Malinowski ◽  
Ernst Schetselaar ◽  
Donald J. White
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Earth Model ◽  
Seismic Modeling ◽  
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Rock Interaction ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Flin Flon

We applied seismic modeling for a detailed 3D geologic model of the Flin Flon mining camp (Canada) to address some imaging and interpretation issues related to a [Formula: see text] 3D survey acquired in the camp and described in a complementary paper (part 1). A 3D geologic volumetric model of the camp was created based on a compilation of geologic data constraints from drillholes, surface geologic mapping, interpretation of 2D seismic profiles, and 3D surface and grid geostatistical modeling techniques. The 3D modeling methodology was based on a hierarchical approach to account for the heterogeneous spatial distribution of geologic constraints. Elastic parameters were assigned within the model based on core sample measurements and correlation with the different lithologies. The phase-screen algorithm used for seismic modeling was validated against analytic and finite-difference solutions to ensure that it provided accurate amplitude-variation-with-offset behavior for dipping strata. Synthetic data were generated to form zero-offset (stack) volume and also a complete prestack data set using the geometry of the real 3D survey. We found that the ability to detect a clear signature of the volcanogenic massive sulfide with ore deposits is dependent on the mineralization type (pyrite versus pyrrhotite rich ore), especially when ore-host rock interaction is considered. In the presence of an increasing fraction of the host rhyolite rock within the model volume, the response from the lower impedance pyrrhotite ore is masked by that of the rhyolite. Migration tests showed that poststack migration effectively enhances noisy 3D DMO data and provides comparable results to more computationally expensive prestack time migration. Amplitude anomalies identified in the original 3D data, which were not predicted by our modeling, could represent potential exploration targets in an undeveloped part of the camp, assuming that our a priori earth model is sufficiently accurate.

Geochemistry and age of the Aillik Group and associated plutonic rocks, Makkovik Bay area, Labrador: implications for tectonic development of the Makkovik Province

2002 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 731-748 ◽  
Author(s):  
G S Sinclair ◽  
S M Barr ◽  
N G Culshaw ◽  
J W.F Ketchum
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Metamorphic History ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Metavolcanic Rocks ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Tectonic Development ◽  
Plutonic Rocks ◽  
Felsic Volcanic ◽  
Felsic Volcanic Rocks

The Aillik domain of the Makkovik Province is dominated by deformed and metamorphosed sedimentary and bimodal volcanic rocks of the redefined Aillik Group and abundant unfoliated late- to post-orogenic plutonic rocks. Mapping and petrological studies in the Makkovik Bay area of the Aillik domain showed that the upper part of the group, in addition to felsic volcanic rocks, also includes extensive areas of hypabyssal, foliated granitic rocks (Measles Point Granite). Although petrochemically similar to the spatially associated felsic volcanic rocks, a new U–Pb (zircon) age of 1929 Ma suggests that the Measles Point Granite may be about 70 million years older than the volcanic rocks of the Aillik Group, based on published U–Pb dates for the latter unit. The volcanic and granitic rocks show similar structural and metamorphic history, and both have characteristics of crust-derived A-type felsic rocks, although the granite shows less chemical variation than the felsic volcanic rocks. A within-plate setting is postulated, although the associated mafic metavolcanic rocks and amphibolite dykes show evidence of a volcanic-arc influence. Possible solutions of the paradox presented by the U–Pb ages imply that the Measles Point Granite either represents the juvenile basement to the Aillik Group or was derived from a basement with a large juvenile component. The setting for deposition of the Aillik Group that is consistent with current tectonic models for the Makkovik Province is a rifted arc built on a juvenile terrane accreted to Archean crust.

Recognition of a 1.85 Ga oceanic rifting environment in southeastern Sweden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgenia Salin ◽  
Krister Sundblad ◽  
Yann Lahaye ◽  
Jeremy Woodard
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Southern Sweden ◽  
Zircon Age ◽  
Crustal Component ◽  
Southwestern Margin ◽  
Felsic Volcanic ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Geochronological Evidence

<p>The Fröderyd Group constitutes a deformed volcanic sequence, which together with the 1834 Ma Bäckaby tonalites occurs as a xenolith, within the 1793-1769 Ma TIB 1b unit of the Transscandinavian Igneous Belt (TIB) in southern Sweden. The Bäckaby tonalites, together with coarse-grained clastic metasedimentary sequences of the Vetlanda Group, belong to the Oskarshamn-Jönköping Belt (OJB; Mansfeld et al., 1996). In turn, the Fröderyd Group was considered to be an older, probably Svecofennian, unit by Sundblad et al. (1997).</p><p>The Fröderyd Group is composed of ca. 80% mafic and ca. 20% felsic volcanic rocks, with subordinate carbonate units. Mafic rocks are represented by tholeiitic basalts and spilitized pillow lavas with MORB affinity.</p><p>In this study, a sample from a metamorphosed rhyolite, belonging to the Fröderyd Group, was dated at 1849.5±9.8 Ga U-Pb zircon age (LA-ICPMS). This age is significantly younger than the Svecofennian crust, which was formed from 1.92 to 1.88 Ga. Instead, it is coeval with the oldest TIB granitoid generation (TIB 0), which intruded into the southwestern margin of the Svecofennian Domain, but the Fröderyd Group is still the oldest crustal component southwest of the Svecofennian Domain.</p><p>Geochronological, petrographical studies and field observations have shown that the southern margin of the Svecofennian Domain was affected by ductile deformation shortly after the intrusion of the 1.85 Ga TIB granites (Stephens and Andersson, 2005). This took place during an intra- or back-arc rifting above a subduction boundary in a retreating mode and caused formation of augen gneisses and emplacement of 1847 Ga dykes into the TIB 0 granitoids. Rifting was followed by a collision of the rifted slab with the Svecofennian crust which is evidenced from emplacement of pegmatitic leucosomes during 1.83-1.82 Ga into the 1.85 Ga orthogneisses.</p><p>It is interpreted, that the Fröderyd Group was formed within an oceanic rifting environment, collided with the rifted Svecofennian slab and later amalgamated onto the Svecofennian Domain. The proposed geological evolution includes two deformation events during the period of ca. 1.85-1.82 Ga, which is in accordance with Röshoff (1975). Furthermore, it is evident that the Fröderyd Group was formed as a separate unit outside the Svecofennian Domain, although they have a common geological history.      </p><p>References</p><p>Mansfeld, J., 1996. Geological, geochemical and geochronological evidence for a new Palaeoproterozoic terrane in southeastern Sweden. Precambrian Res. 77, 91–103.</p><p>Röshoff, K., 1975. Some aspects of the Precambrian in south-eastern Sweden in the light of a detailed geological study of the Lake Nömmen area. Geologiska Föreningens i Stockholm Förhandlingar 97, 368–378.</p><p>Stephens, M.B. and Andersson, J., 2015. Migmatization related to mafic underplating and intra- or back-arc spreading above a subduction boundary in a 2.0–1.8 Ga accretionary orogen. Sweden. Precambrian Res. 264, 235–257.</p><p>Sundblad, K., Mansfeld, J. and Särkinen, M., 1997. Palaeoproterozoic rifting and formation of sulphide deposits along the southwestern margin of the Svecofennian Domain, southern Sweden. Precambrian Res. 182, 1–12.</p>

Rare earth elements in volcanic rocks associated with Cu–Zn massive sulphide mineralization: a preliminary report

1982 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 619-623 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. H. Campbell ◽  
P. Coad ◽  
J. M. Franklin ◽  
M. P. Gorton ◽  
S. D. Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Massive Sulphide ◽  
Genetic History ◽  
Felsic Volcanism ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Felsic Volcanic ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Ree Patterns ◽  
Felsic Volcanic Rocks

Massive sulphide deposits are closely associated with felsic volcanism. This association is believed to be genetic and it forms the cornerstone for most exploration programs, but unfortunately not all felsic volcanic rocks contain ore. It seems likely that ore-bearing felsic volcanic rocks have a different genetic history from those that are barren and, if this is so, these differences should be reflected in their REE geochemistry.A preliminary study of REE in Archean felsic volcanic rocks has shown that those associated with ore have flat REE patterns with well-developed Eu anomalies whereas those from barren volcanic rocks have steep REE patterns with weak or absent Eu anomalies. The felsic volcanic rocks associated with ore can be subdivided into two types: tholeiitic and calc-alkaline. Kam-Kotia, Matagami, and South Bay are tholeiitic whereas Sturgeon Lake, Golden Grove, and Kuroko are calc-alkaline.The well-developed Eu anomalies in the ore-related felsic volcanic rocks indicate that the melt has undergone a high degree of fractional crystallization en route to the surface, suggesting the existence of a subvolcanic magma chamber below the orebody. The characteristic REE patterns of the ore-associated felsic volcanics should help mining companies in area selection for massive sulphide exploration.

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