The geochemistry of gold-bearing chemical sediments, Dickenson Mine, Red Lake, Ontario: a reconnaissance study

1981 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 624-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Kerrich ◽  
B. J. Fryer ◽  
K. J. Milner ◽  
M. G. Peirce
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Base Metals ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Red Lake ◽  
Reconnaissance Survey ◽  
Rare Elements ◽  
Chemical Sediments ◽  
Mobile Base ◽  
Gold Bearing

Auriferous sedimentary rocks at the Dickenson Mine, Red Lake, are characterized by large enrichments of rare elements (Au, Ag, Pd, As, Sb, B) and metals conventionally considered to be relatively immobile (Ni, W), with negligible concentrations of the abundant and mobile base metals. Based on a reconnaissance survey involving 12 rocks analysed for 42 elements, these sediments can be represented in terms of a mixture of two components―mafic volcaniclastic material and hydrothermal precipitates. The volcaniclastic component has a composition closely comparable to mafic volcanic rocks that conformably envelope the sediments, and contributes all of the Al, Ti, V, Sc, Zr, and F. The hydrothermal component donates Si, Fe, Mn, Mg, Ca, K, Si, and C, together with Au, Ag, Pd, As, Sb, B, W, and Ni. Chromium and nickel are contributed from both sources. Alteration of the mafic volcanic rocks that envelope the auriferous sediments involved fixation of Si, K, and CO2, in contrast to the typical patterns of metasomatism in footwall rocks to base metal massive sulphide deposits, which are characterized by Mg, Fe (Si, S) addition.Quartz isolated from chert within the auriferous sediments and volcanic rocks has a maximum δ18O of 19‰, which is within the range of δ values for marine cherts of ~2.8 Ga, and signifies precipitation in equilibrium with ambient marine water of ~−1‰ at ~70–90 °C. Mafic volcanic wall rocks to the sediments have whole-rock δ18O values of 16–17‰ and Δquartz–chlorite ≤ 2‰. The anomalously heavy whole-rock isotopic composition and small quartz–chlorite fractionation may result from the growth of chlorite from precursors such as zeolites and smectite. Alternatively, chlorite or its precursors may have become enriched in 18O by isotope exchange with metamorphic hydrothermal fluids that become ponded when discharge to the hydrosphere was capped by overlying basalts.Rare earth element (REE) distributions in sediments and mafic volcanic wall rocks are characterized by relatively flat normalized patterns up to Sm–Gd, followed by an abrupt continuous decline in abundance. This implies modification of the primary tholeiitic abundances by hydrothermal solutions capable of mobilizing heavy REE's relative to light REE's. The environment that would satisfy the geological observations and chemical data is one of metamorphic hydrothermal fluids emmanating onto the sea floor during a period of relatively quiescent mafic submarine volcanism, with subsequent capping of the discharge during emplacement of the overlying pillow basalts.

U–Pb zircon ages for magmatism in the Red Lake greenstone belt, northwestern Ontario

1986 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Corfu ◽  
H. Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Greenstone Belt ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Red Lake ◽  
Northwestern Ontario ◽  
Igneous Activity ◽  
Felsic Volcanic ◽  
Felsic Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Chemical Sediments

U–Pb dating was carried out on nine volcanic rocks and two felsic intrusions from the Red Lake greenstone belt in order to establish an absolute time framework for the magmatic evolution of the area and yield first indications on the time of deformation and gold mineralization.The data indicate a protracted period of igneous activity spanning at least 270 Ma. Felsic volcanic rocks near the top of the tholeiitic to komatiitic sequence in the eastern part of the belt yield ages of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. A third unit, dated at [Formula: see text], contains inherited zircons older than 2982 Ma, which casts some uncertainty on the validity of the inferred intercept age. Rocks in the western part of the belt, previously believed to form a relatively young calc-alkalic sequence but now known to be dominantly tholeiitic, are shown to be relatively old, with ages of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. These two dates also bracket the age of stromatolites occurring in chemical sediments that are under and overlain by the dated units.Another volcanic horizon in the centre of the belt is dated at 2830 ± 15 Ma, and calc-alkaline volcanic sequences on the southern and northern flanks of the belt yield ages of 2739.0 ± 3.0 and [Formula: see text], respectively. An age of [Formula: see text] was determined for tholeiitic pyroclastic rocks near the base of the predominantly calc-alkaline Heyson sequence.The major gold deposits of the Red Lake belt appear to be present dominantly within older supracrustal sequences. On the other hand, they are also associated with late deformation zones that postdate the intrusion of the Dome Stock dated at 2718.2 ± 1.1 Ma ago. The time of an earlier folding event is bracketed by this age and by the age of [Formula: see text] for an isoclinally folded felsic dike.

scholarly journals 3.5-Ga hydrothermal fields and diamictites in the Barberton Greenstone Belt—Paleoarchean crust in cold environments

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. e1500368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarten J. de Wit ◽  
Harald Furnes
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Hydrothermal Systems ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Cold Environments ◽  
Barberton Greenstone Belt ◽  
Mineral Growth ◽  
Hydrothermal Fields

Estimates of ocean temperatures on Earth 3.5 billion years ago (Ga) range between 26° and 85°C. We present new data from 3.47- to 3.43-Ga volcanic rocks and cherts in South Africa suggesting that these temperatures reflect mixing of hot hydrothermal fluids with cold marine and terrestrial waters. We describe fossil hydrothermal pipes that formed at ~200°C on the sea floor >2 km below sea level. This ocean floor was uplifted tectonically to sea level where a subaerial hydrothermal system was active at 30° to 270°C. We also describe shallow-water glacial diamictites and diagenetic sulfate mineral growth in abyssal muds. These new observations reveal that both hydrothermal systems operated in relatively cold environments and that Earth’s surface temperatures in the early Archean were similar to those in more recent times.

scholarly journals Geology of the orogenic Cheminis gold deposit along the Larder Lake – Cadillac deformation zone, Ontario

2015 ◽  
Vol 52 (12) ◽  
pp. 1093-1108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Lafrance
Keyword(s):  
Deformation Zone ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Tholeiitic Basalt ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
South Side ◽  
Shear Sense ◽  
Abitibi Subprovince ◽  
Deformation Features ◽  
Shear Sense Indicators ◽  
Host Rocks

The Larder Lake – Cadillac deformation zone (LLCDZ) is one of two major, auriferous, deformation zones in the southern Abitibi subprovince of the Archean Superior Province. It hosts the Cheminis and the giant Kerr Addison – Chesterville deposits within a strongly deformed band of Fe-rich tholeiitic basalt and komatiite of the Larder Lake Group (ca. 2705 Ma). The latter is bounded on both sides by younger, less deformed, Timiskaming turbidites (2674–2670 Ma). The earliest deformation features are F1 folds affecting the Timiskaming rocks, which formed either during D1 extensional faulting or during early D2 north–south shortening related to the opening and closure, respectively, of the Timiskaming basin. Continued shortening during D2 imbricated the older volcanic rocks and turbidites and produced regional F2 folds with an axial planar S2 cleavage. D2 deformation was partitioned into the weaker band of volcanic rocks, producing the strong S2 foliation, L2 stretching lineation, and south-side-up shear sense indicators, which characterize the LLCDZ. Gold is present in quartz–carbonate veins in deformed fuchsitic komatiites (carbonate ore) and turbiditic sandstone (sandstone-hosted ore), and in association with disseminated pyrite in altered Fe-rich tholeiitic basalts (flow ore). All host rocks underwent strong mass gains in CO2, S, K2O, Ba, As, and W, during sericitization, carbonatization, and sulphidation of the host rocks, suggesting that they interacted with the same hydrothermal fluids. Textural relationships between alteration minerals and S2 cleavage indicate that mineralization is syn-cleavage. Thus, gold was deposited as hydrothermal fluids migrated upward along the LLCDZ during contractional, D2 south-side-up shearing. The gold zones were subsequently modified during D3 reactivation of the LLCDZ as a dextral transcurrent fault zone.

scholarly journals Gold Deposits in Chile

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
José Cabello
Keyword(s):  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Gold Content ◽  
Base Metals ◽  
Porphyry Copper Deposits ◽  
Copper Deposits ◽  
Mineralization Age ◽  
Low Sulfidation ◽  
Gold Bearing

A review of gold and gold bearing base metals deposits in Chile, indicate the existence of at least six different type of ore deposits, most largely formed during the Cenozoic with predominance in the Miocene. Mesozoic deposits are common but less relevant regarding their size and gold content. These hydrothermal ore deposits are genetically associated with subduction related Andean arc magmatism. Due to its relationship with episodic magmatism migrating eastward, there is a tendency for the deposits to be in distinct, north-south trending, belts with a progressive west to east decrease in mineralization age. After analysing 82 cases in total, main gold concentration can be assigned to high-sulfidation epithermal and porphyry type deposits. Low-sulfidation epithermal, IOCG and mesothermal type appears as less relevant. Gold bearing copper deposits constitute an important part of Chile’s total gold production. Both IOCG type but especially porphyry copper deposits are and will remain as a substantial source to supplement the future output of the gold in the country. The 82 deposits with their tonnage and grade studied, represent a total gold content of 11,662 t equivalent to 375 Moz, excluding past production for those exploited. A number of probable gold bearing base metals high tonnage deposits (IOCG and porphyry copper) do not include their gold content in public format, hence the number delivered could be estimated conservative. Methodical geochronological, ore types and zonation studies are required to better appreciate this metallogenic setting widening current understanding and future exploration results.

scholarly journals Structural and Chemical Controllers of the North and Northwest of Torud Based on Involved Fluid Studies, Structural and Geochemical Analyses

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-349
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Baseri ◽  
Arash Gourabjeri Pour ◽  
Nima Nezafati
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Hydrothermal Solutions ◽  
Base Metals ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Scattered Space ◽  
The North ◽  
Geochemical Analyses ◽  
Geochemical Studies ◽  
Semnan Province

Chah Mura mining area in Semnan province is located 30 km southwest of Shahroud and 20 km north of Torud village with an area of 35 km2 and includes a part of 1:250,000 Torud plate. Structurally, this area is located in the northeastern part of Central Iran and in the center of the volcanic-intrusive arc of Torud-Chah Shirin. Rock units of the area are volcanic and pyroclastic, depending on the Eocene age. Exposed assemblages in the Chah Mura area, based on field and laboratory studies, can be divided into basalt, andesite, andesite-basalt, trachyandesite, trachyandesibasalt and small outcrops of pyroclastic units in the form of agglomerates and sediments of sandstone and conglomerate. Volcanic rocks are influenced by sub-volcanic masses younger than Eocene with an intermediate to basic composition, and their predominant textures are granular, porphyroid with microcrystalline to microintragranular background. Finally, the units are cut by dikes. In this area, mineralization is mainly in the control of sub-faults and subvolcanic massifs. Mineralization is in the form of vein-veinlet, filling empty and scattered space in the oxidation-supergen stage. Mineral sequences include pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, digenite and covellite, cuprite, tenorite, natural copper, malachite, azurite, and iron oxides and hydroxides. Geochemical studies indicate that copper does not correlate well with any of the base metals and depositing elements. Copper shows only a relative correlation with silver. Micrometric studies of fluid inclusions in samples from this area indicate dilution as a result of mixing hydrothermal solutions with atmospheric fluids in formation of this reserve.

Early Tertiary basalts from the Labrador Sea floor and Davis Strait region

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 956-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. B. Clarke ◽  
B. I. Cameron ◽  
G. K. Muecke ◽  
J. L. Bates
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Labrador Sea ◽  
Baffin Island ◽  
Nd Isotope ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
West Greenland ◽  
Depleted Mantle ◽  
Davis Strait ◽  
Isotope Systematics ◽  
Seawater Exchange

Fine- to medium-grained, phyric and aphyric basalt samples from ODP Leg 105, site 647A, in the Labrador Sea show little evidence of alteration. Chemically, these rocks are low-potassium (0.01–0.09 wt.% K2O), olivine- to quartz-normative tholeiites that compare closely with the very depleted terrestrial Paleocene volcanic rocks in the Davis Strait region of Baffin Island and West Greenland. However, differences exist in the Sr–Nd isotope systematics of the two suites; the Labrador Sea samples have ε Nd values (+9.3) indicative of a more depleted source, and are higher in 87Sr/86Sr (0.7040), relative to the Davis Strait basalts (ε Nd +2.54 to +8.97; mean 87Sr/86Sr 0.7034). The higher 87Sr/86Sr in the Labrador Sea samples may reflect seawater exchange despite no petrographic evidence for significant alteration. The Labrador Sea and early Davis Strait basalts may have been derived from a similar depleted mantle source composition; however, the later Davis Strait magmas were generated from a different mantle. None of the Baffin Island, West Greenland, or Labrador Sea samples show unequivocal geochemical evidence for contamination with continental crust.

K-Ar Ages of Volcanic Rocks and Gold-Bearing Quartz-Adularia Veins in the Bodie Mining District, Mono County, California

1972 ◽  
Vol 67 (5) ◽  
pp. 597-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miles L. Silberman ◽  
Charles W. Chesterman ◽  
Frank J. Kleinhampl ◽  
Cliffton H. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Mining District ◽  
Gold Bearing

scholarly journals Fracture Fillings and Implication of Fluid Activities in Volcanic Rocks: Dixi Area in Kelameili Gas Field, Junggar Basin, Northwestern China

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingyou Feng ◽  
Tian Liu ◽  
Tong Lin ◽  
Xiaohong Liu ◽  
Ningxin Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Junggar Basin ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Northwestern China ◽  
Volatile Components ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Weakly Alkaline ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Calcite Veins

The Carboniferous Batamayineishan Formation of the Kelameili Gas Field is a specific weathered crust-related volcanic reservoir that has a significant production rate in the Junggar Basin, Northwestern China, attributed to debatable processes of fluid evolution. The results suggest that various types of fluids occurring in volcanic rocks lead to the filling of quartz and calcite in fractures and their associated alteration haloes. The silica that formed quartz veins was mainly derived from deep hydrothermal fluids, while the carbon dioxide that formed calcite veins originated from sources characterized by mixing and alteration of deep hydrothermal and hydrocarbon fluids. Siliceous hydrothermal fluids rich in sulphur dioxide and other volatile components were driven by a pressure gradient and buoyancy, and circulated both laterally and vertically along the fractures, forming quartz veins and tension fractures under different temperature conditions. Moreover, changes in salinity, pressure, and carbon dioxide of deep fluids, varying from acidic to weakly alkaline, resulted in earlier calcite precipitation in contraction fractures and weathered fractures. Tectonic uplift resulted in the long-term exposure of volcanic rocks, where fresh water mixed with the partially alkaline fluid escaping the basin to form calcite cements, thus retaining the characteristics of a seepage environment in the weathered fractures. Structural fractures occurred due to tectonic movements during the burial period. Filling and leakage of hydrocarbons caused pore fluids to convert from acidic to alkaline, precipitating late sparry calcite in dissolution fractures. Late hydrothermal fluid metasomatism, brought about by infiltration into the permeable zone, caused partial dissolution of local calcite along cleavage cracks.

Early Paleozoic Volcanism and Metamorphism of the Moretons Harbour–Twillingate Area, Newfoundland

1973 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1363-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Strong ◽  
J. G. Payne
Keyword(s):  
Oceanic Crust ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Metal Sulfides ◽  
Early Paleozoic ◽  
Extensive Area ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Pillow Lavas ◽  
Intense Deformation ◽  
Sea Floor Spreading ◽  
Harbour Area

In the Moretons Harbour area, at the eastern end of the Lushs Bight terrane of central Newfoundland, the volcanic rocks of the "Lushs Bight Supergroup" are divided into two new groups, viz, the Moretons Harbour Group and the Chanceport Group. The former is separable into four formations, consisting primarily of variable proportions of basaltic pillow lavas and volcanoclastic sediments, with a composite thickness in excess of 6 km, or around 8 km including an extensive area of 'sheeted' diabase dikes. These formations are steeply dipping and face southwest; they are separated by the Chanceport fault from the Chanceport Group to the south. The latter consists of interbedded basaltic pillow lavas with graywackes and banded red and green cherts, all facing north and steeply dipping to overturned, with a composite thickness of approximately 3 km.The Moretons Harbour Group has been intruded by the Twillingate trondhjemitic granite–granodiorite pluton and abundant basic dikes intrude the granite, indicating that the mafic and felsic magmatism were coeval. Both have undergone intense deformation and the volcanics show a change from greenschist to amphibolite facies mineralogy within a distance of 2 km on approaching the pluton, a result of buttressing by the pluton during deformation, and not an intrusive effect.Base metal sulfides are common throughout the area, but the main occurrences of Cu, As, Sb, and Au are concentrated in the Little Harbour Formation, a 2600 m thick sequence of volcanoclastic rocks within the Moretons Harbour Group.The great thickness of volcanic rocks is interpreted as having formed in an island arc environment, although it is possible that the lowermost parts of the sequence represent oceanic crust. It is unlikely that the sheeted diabases of the Moretons Harbour area were produced by sea-floor spreading.

Resolving the Richat enigma: Doming and hydrothermal karstification above an alkaline complex

Geology ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 33 (8) ◽  
pp. 665-668 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Matton ◽  
Michel Jébrak ◽  
James K.W. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Alkaline Complex ◽  
Late Proterozoic ◽  
Hydrothermal Origin ◽  
Internal Sediments

Abstract The Richat structure (Sahara, Mauritania) appears as a large dome at least 40 km in diameter within a Late Proterozoic to Ordovician sequence. Erosion has created circular cuestas represented by three nested rings dipping outward from the structure. The center of the structure consists of a limestone-dolomite shelf that encloses a kilometer-scale siliceous breccia and is intruded by basaltic ring dikes, kimberlitic intrusions, and alkaline volcanic rocks. Several hypotheses have been presented to explain the spectacular Richat structure and breccia, but their origin remains enigmatic. The breccia body is lenticular in shape and irregularly thins at its extremities to only a few meters. The breccia was created during karst dissolution and collapse. Internal sediments fill the centimeter- to meter-scale cavities. Alkaline enrichment and the presence of Cretaceous automorphous neoformed K-feldspar demonstrate the hydrothermal origin of these internal sediments and their contemporaneity with magmatism. A model is proposed in which doming and the production of hydrothermal fluids were instrumental in creating a favorable setting for dissolution. The circular Richat structure and its breccia core thus represent the superficial expression of a Cretaceous alkaline complex with an exceptionally well preserved hydrothermal karst infilling at its summit.

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