40Ar/39Ar age constraints on deformation and mineralization, Rosebery Zn-Pb-Cu and Mount Lyell Cu deposits, Tasmania, Australia

The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of alteration muscovite from the Rosebery Zn-Pb-Cu and Mount Lyell Cu deposits, Tasmania, Australia, has determined a succession of deformation events which occurred from 400-378 Ma, and comprises the Devonian Tabberabberan Orogeny. The dates from Rosebery range from 400-390 Ma, are a minimum age for mineralization, indicate the time of deformation, and provide a maximum age limit for granitoid emplacement in the vicinity of the deposit. The ages from the Mount Lyell field range from 400-378 Ma, are a minimum for mineralization, and date cleavage development. The North Lyell Cu mineralization, which was probably broadly coeval with deformation, may have formed at 400 Ma. All pre-Devonian alteration micas in the Rosebery and Mount Lyell areas have been recrystallized or reset. The Tabberabberan deformation in western Tasmania was broadly contemporaneous with widespread crustal shortening in southeastern Australia, as established from the dating of alteration minerals associated with deformation-related precious and base metal deposits.     

Pyrite composition and ore genesis in the Prince Lyell copper deposit, Mt Lyell mineral field, western Tasmania, Australia

The Prince Lyell copper-gold-silver deposit occurs in the late Cambrian Mt Read Volcanics, at Queenstown, Tasmania. Steeply plunging, broadly conformable lenses of disseminated and stringer pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralisation occur in quartz-sericite-chlorite rocks derived from intense alteration of predominantly felsic lavas and volcaniclastic rocks. Middle Devonian deformation has substantially modified primary sulphide textures.Although extensively fractured, pyrite grains in the ore have retained their original pre-deformation internal structure and chemistry which are revealed by etching and electron microprobe analysis. Earliest sulphide mineralisation produced oscillatory zoned, cobalt-rich pyrite (Pyrite I), coeval with chalcopyrite mineralisation. Cobalt-rich pyrite is commonly associated with Cambrian volcanic rocks in western Tasmania and suggests a volcanogenic origin for the ore fluids at Prince Lyell. Pyrite I was corroded by later hydrothermal fluids and reprecipitated as unzoned, trace element-poor pyrite (Pyrite II), commonly as overgrowths on Pyrite I cores. Minor amounts of a second cobalt-rich pyrite (Pyrite III) occurs with Pyrite II in composite pyrite overgrowths. Sulphur isotope ratios from all pyrite generations fall within a small range (3 to 11‰). In situ isotopic analyses showed no consistent δ³⁴S variation between the various pyrite generations, suggesting recycling of sulphur derived from a single Cambrian volcanogenic source.Hematite alteration, derived from oxidised fluids possibly from the adjacent hematitic Owen Conglomerate, occurs in the structural footwall volcanics and the Great Lyell fault zone. Hematite inclusions in Pyrite II and III indicate that these pyrite generations occurred after or during deposition of the conglomerate. It is postulated that Pyrite II and III were deposited during waning volcanism, contemporaneous with Owen Conglomerate sedimentation in the late Cambrian or early Ordovician. The Great Lyell fault would have acted as a growth fault margin between a terrestrial basin, filling rapidly from the east, and the volcanic terrane to the west. The scenario raises the possibility that the concentration of mineral deposits and hematitic alteration along the Great Lyell fault resulted from the subsurface interaction of reduced volcanogenic fluids and oxidised basin waters along the growth fault contact.     

Tourmaline-rich Rocks Associated with the Submarine Hydrothermal Rosebery Zn-Pb-Cu-Ag-Au Deposit and Granites in Western Tasmania,Australia

Summary The stratiform massive Zn-Pb sulphide Rosebery deposit of western Tasmania is hosted by metamorphosed deformed acid volcanics and sediments of the Cambrian Mt. Read Volcanics. Tourmalinite, a boron-rich siliceous sulphide facies iron formation, overlies and occurs as an exhalite facies equivalent of the massive sulphides. The orebody is partially replaced by post deformation tourmaline-bearing pyrrhotite-pyrite rocks associated with an alteration facies comprising magnetite-pyrite-tourmaline-phlogopite and the host metavolcanics are transgressed by quartz-tourmaline veins and tourmaline-filled joints. Tourmalinite and tourmaline in alteration zones are associated with other base metal deposits in the area. Tourmaline also occurs as fault-fill and in granitic rocks and associated Sn-W mineralization nearby. Tourmaline associated with the Cambrian massive sulphides is schorl > dravite in contrast to schorl in the Devonian granites.It is suggested that boron was an integral part of the ore fluids at Rosebery which precipitated tourmaline in exhalites immediately after and distal to the mineralization event. Tourmaline from the tourmalinite exhalites appears to have derived from submarine hydrothermal precipitation. Joint- and fracture-fill tourmaline could have derived from remobilization from tourmalinites during Devonian tectonism, however, it is more probable that these discordant tourmaline-bearing veins, tourmaline in the post-cleavage Rosebery Fault and tourmaline-bearing pyrrhotite-pyrite replacement of the Rosebery orebody derived from Devonian granite at a shallow depth which has been intersected in drilling. Tourmaline replacement associated with discordant structures is no different in composition from that from tourmalinites associated with the orebody and hence has undergone re-equilibration with the host rocks during multiple events of deformation and metamorphism associated with Devonian tectonism. In contrast, the composition of tourmaline from the Devonian granites is markedly different from that of the Rosebery area.

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Zusammenfassung Die stratiforme, massive Zn-Pb-Sulfidlagerstätte Rosebery in West-Tasmanien sitzt in metamorphen und deformierten sauren Vulkaniten und Sedimenten der Kambrischen Mt. Read Vulkanit-Serie auf. Turmalingesteine treten im Hangenden dieser Serie auf. Sie stellen eine Bor-reiche Eisenformation in silizuiumreicher Sulfidfazies dar und sind als das exhalative Äquivalent der massiven Sulfide anzusehen. Der Erzkörper wird teilweise von postdeformativen Turmalin-fährenden Pyrrhotin-Pyrit-Gesteinen verdrängt, die mit einer Alterationsfazies, bestehend aus Magnetit-Pyrit-Turmalin-Phlogopit, assoziiert sind. Die erzfährenden Metavulkanite werden von Quarz-Turmalin-Gängen und Turmalinadern durchschlagen. Turmalingesteine wie auch Turmalin in Alterationszonen kommen auch mit anderen Buntmetall-Vererzungen des Arbeitsgebietes vor. Turmalin tritt weiters in Störungszonen, in Graniten und in an diese gebundenen Sn-W Mineralisationen auf.Der mit den kambrischen, massiven Vulkaniten assozierte Turmalin ist ein Schörl > Dravit, während in den devonischen Graniten Schörl dominiert. Es ist anzunehmen, daß Bor einen integralen Anteil der Erzlösungen in der Rosebery-Lagerstätte darstellt. Aus diesen ist Turmalin exhalativ, kurz nach der Sulfidmineralisation distal gebildet worden. Es zeigt sich, daß der Turmalin aus submarin hydrothermalen Absätzen herzuleiten ist. Gangturmaline könnten durch Remobilisation der Turmalingesteine während devonischer Deformation entstanden sein. Es scheint jedoch wahrscheinlicher, daß diese diskordanten Gänge, wie auch der Turmalin in der Rosebery-Störung und die Turmalin-führenden Pyrrhotin-Pyrit-Verdrängungen aus dem devonischen Granit stammen. Verdrängter Turmalin, assoziiert mit diskordanten Strukturen, zeigt in seiner Zusammensetzung keinerlei Unterschiede zum Turmalin in Turmalingesteinen aus dem Erzkörper. Im Zuge mehrphasiger, devonischer Deformation und Metamorphose ist es somit zu Reäquilibrierung des Turmalins mit dem Trägergestein gekommen. Die Zusammensetzung des Turmalins in den devonischen Graniten unterscheidet sich deutlich von der des Rosebery-Gebietes.

     

Geochemical dispersion about the Western Tharsis Cu–Au deposit, Mt Lyell, Tasmania

The Western Tharsis disseminated Cu–Au orebody, which occurs within the Cambrian Mt Read Volcanics of Western Tasmania, is surrounded by a pyritic halo that extends 100–200 m stratigraphically above and below the ore zone. Although this halo extends laterally along the same stratigraphic position to the south, it probably closes off to the north based on limited surface and drill hole data. The ore zone is characterized by extreme enrichment (the enrichments and depletions referred to herein are relative to background; these have not been established using mass balance techniques) in As, Bi, Ce, Cu, Mo, Ni, S and Se; with the exception of Mo, these elements are also enriched, but at a much lower level, in the pyrite halo.Pronounced depletion in K, Cs and Mg occurs in 20–30 m wide stratiform zones that flank the orebody on both sides within the pyritic halo. These anomalies and depletions in Be, Ga, Rb, Y, MREE and HREE are associated with a pyrophyllite-bearing alteration zone that wraps around the main pyrite–chalcopyrite-bearing ore zone. This zone is also characterized by positive Eu anomalies which persist up to 150 m both into the hanging wall and footwall of the orebody. The depletion of these elements is consistent with the advanced argillic alteration assemblage developed about acid-sulfate Cu–Au deposits.The pyrite halo is surrounded by a peripheral carbonate halo which is highly enriched in C, CaO and MnO, and weakly enriched in Zn and Tl. Zinc and Tl are most enriched in the upper 100–150 m of the stratigraphically lower halo. In the stratigraphically upper halo, Zn and Tl values are anomalously high but erratic.Barium and Sr enrichment, although mainly restricted to the pyrite halo, extends into the stratigraphically lower carbonate halo by up to 100 m. A Na depletion anomaly extends from 150 m below the orebody and to at least the Owen contact (i.e. ≥400 m)in the hanging wall.The dispersion patterns observed at Western Tharsis are quite unlike those of Zn–Pb-rich volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposits in western Tasmania. Rather, the dispersion patterns observed at Western Tharsis are more akin to those surrounding porphyry Cu deposits and related acid-sulfate Cu–Au deposits.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy in massive sulphide exploration, Rosebery mine area, western Tasmania, Australia

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of hot HNO₃ insoluble residues of rock powders is used as a new exploration technique for the volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposit in the Rosebery mine area. The EPR signal intensities measured in 326.5±5 mT sweeps are strong in the altered rocks, and show a negative correlation with Ca, Na and Sr, and a positive correlation with K/Na, Rb/Sr and (K × Rb)/(Ca × Na × Sr). The EPR intensities measured in 326.5±100 mT sweeps show high values in the footwall pyroclastics, host rocks and hanging wall pyroclastics near and around the Rosebery deposit, and correlate positively with K, Fe, Mn, Ba, F, Rb, Zn, Pb and Zr. The Rosebery deposit and associated footwall alteration zone are located at the intersection of two elongated paramagnetic halos. The first is characterized by strong intensities of [AlO₄]° signals measured at magnetic flux density sweeps over 326.5±5 mT, trends NE–SW, and passes discordantly from the west to the east the White Spur Formation, altered footwall (footwall alteration zone), host rock of the Rosebery deposit, hanging wall and Mount Black Volcanics. The second, largely stratabound, halo is defined by strong intensities of Mn²⁺ sextets observed at magnetic flux density sweeps over 326.5±100 mT, runs N–S following the stratigraphic trend, and outlines the mineralized host rock and footwall alteration zone. It also extends toward the south into the unaltered footwall and hanging wall rocks. The first type of halo is considered to be related to wall rock alteration due to the VHMS mineralization processes as well to later Devonian metamorphism, and the second is thought to be related to massive sulphide mineralization alone.     

Endogreisen, brecciation and fluid activity at the Mount Bischoff Sn-deposit, north-west Tasmania, Australia

Abstract Endogreisens which replace K-feld-spar-quartz dykes in a Devonian (360 Ma) tin deposit at Mt Bischoff, north-west Tasmania, formed from the interaction of unusual solutions, probably derived from an underlying leucogranite pluton, porphyry dykes and limited quantities of local dolomitic country rock components. The intensity of greisenization and pH of the solutions increase inward to the greisenized dykes'cores and downward. The following types of greisen assemblages indicate increasing degrees of greisenization: 'sericite'muscovite + quartz ± tourmaline ± fluorite, topaz + quartz ± tourmaline ± fluorite, weberite, prosopite, ralstonite, Ca-ralstonite; and quartz ± topaz ± fluorite. Where the solutions interacted with dolomite, exogreisens consisting of topaz- or tourmaline-bearing assemblages were formed. The greisens were subsequently overprinted to varying degrees by siderite, sulphides and hydrous silicates (talc, serpentine, chlorite, micas).
The temperature during greisenization ranged from 180 to 414°C, based on fluid inclusions in topaz, quartz, fluorite, sellaite and cassiterite. The main greisen-forming event occurred at temperatures of 360±20°C. The fluids boiled intermittently. Their salinities ranged from 31.5 to 38.9 wt% total dissolved salts, consisting of Ca–K–Na–Fe–Cl±hydrocarbon species. Fluid inclusion data indicate that only 0.5–1.5 km of cover were present above this deposit at the time of formation.
The greisenized dykes were intruded by and intrude different stages of breccias. The breccias consist mainly of country rock and greisenized dyke fragments, with rock-flour and later tourmaline alteration. The Mt Bischoff greisen system is possibly part of a 'porphyry tin'style deposit formed at near-surface conditions (0.5–1.0 km).     

Microstructural timing of the Rosebery massive sulphides, Tasmania: evidence for a metamorphic origin through mobilization of disseminated base metals

Microstructural timing relationships indicate that the Rosebery massive sulphide ore, western Tasmania, Australia, formed by metasomatic replacement of 'sericite' schist during a Devonian deformation event (D3). This interpretation is contrary to earlier volcanogenic-based interpretations, but accords with the discordant position and inferred structurally controlled emplacement of the orebody. The main timing criteria are: overprinting of S3 by the late ore minerals, replacement textures in undeformed mineral parageneses, and a D3 structural control from the microscopic to the macroscopic scales. The consistent observation of these criteria in the orebody and the complete lack of pre-D3 ore argue against in situ dissolution of a primary orebody and local redeposition of sulphides by replacement.
D3 deformation at Rosebery is inferred to have been characterized by heterogeneous cleavage-parallel extension, which resulted in localized microfracturing and selective replacement of zones of maximum strain rate. Continuous shifts in the strain-rate distribution pattern during progressive mineralization led to the compositional ore banding.
Published Pb-isotope data point towards a Cambrian source rock for the orebody. This suggests a metamorphogenic origin by regional-scale dissolution of dispersed volcanogenic metals, focused solution transfer and concentrated redeposition in a structural trap.     

Two sulphur isotope provinces deduced from ores in the Mount Isa Eastern Succession,Australia

The sulphur isotopic characteristics of ore deposits in the Australian Mount Isa Eastern Succession are not well known, unlike those of the Western Succession. In this study new detailed analyses are provided for recently discovered Eastern Succession mineralisation, such as the Starra and Osborne BIF-hosted Cu-Au ores, the Dugald River sediment-hosted Pb-Zn prospect, and four vein-hosted Cloncurry-style Cu±Au deposits (Hampden, Mt Elliot/Swan, Mt Cobalt, and the Answer Mine). All of the deposits of the Eastern Succession have ³⁴S_sulphide between –8 and +9%., regardless of their genesis. Empirically a moderate (³⁴S range averaging close to 0%. characterises Starra-style Cu-Au and Pegmont Pb-Zn BIF ores, whereas shear and vein-style Cu mineralisation populations are tighter and do not average close to 0%. This is a particularly surprising result for Dugald River, where a larger isotopic variation more typical of stratiform sediment-hosted Pb-Zn ores in the region might have been expected. By comparison, Western Succession stratiform Pb-Zn and vein-style Cu deposits span a huge range of-15 to 51%. Large sulphur isotope ranges typify sulphate evaporite or organic sulphur-rich sedimentary successions. The lack of such variation in the Eastern Succession in turn suggests that primary evaporite sequences there were halite-dominated but sulphate-poor, and/or contained only limited volumes of organic-sulphur-rich sediment. Eastern Succession sequences were therefore less likely hosts for giant stratiform Pb-Zn deposits, because of their paucity of sulphur, although local sulphur sources permitted small deposits such as Dugald River to develop. Sedimentary conditions were more favourable for the development of sulphur-poor synsedimentary hydrothermal systems such as Starra, Osborne, and Pegmont, although sulphur isotope evidence is equivocal about the origin of these. Epigenetic deposits close to the Williams Batholith (Mt Dore, Hampden) owe their clustering around 0%. to their granitic fluid source.     

Mineralogical and microtextural parameters in metals ores traceability studies

The demand in mineral resources is increasing rapidly, but there is a lack of transparency in the trade of concentrated raw mineral materials because of speculation and involvement in the finance of armed conflicts. Because of the distance between primary extraction and the final production sites it is difficult to check the origin of these products. An identity card is required for mineral commodities, so that trading in the industry can be verified and the traceability of concentrates ensured. This problem may be considered as an inversion process: studying the products sold to identify the original ore. The discriminant parameters are mineralogical composition, identification of textural microfacies of the target minerals, “pseudo-paragenetic sequence”, and the contents and distribution of minor elements of target minerals. For base metal, the selected target minerals are pyrite, for its ubiquity, sphalerite for its ability to host numerous discriminant and potentially valuable minor elements in its lattice and chalcopyrite for its proximity with the two other minerals. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov distance and the Colin–White test are used to compare the chemical composition of the three target minerals. The application to Volcanic Massive Sulfide ore deposits shows that it is possible to distinguish pyrite, sphalerite and chalcopyrite between two ore deposits in the Iberian Pyrite Belt province and seven ore deposits from the Urals province using the selected characteristics. Ore deposits from different provinces may be discriminated using the identity cards, as well as different deposits in the same province.     

Sulphur isotope studies of the Mount Gunson copper deposits,Pernatty Lagoon,South Australia

The Mount Gunson copper deposits occur in essentially unmetamorphosed gently-folded Upper Proterozoic sediments, far from any known igneous intrusions. They consist of a number of small ore bodies which can be divided into two groups on the basis of differences in location, texture and mineralogy. The groups are here termed the off-lagoon deposits, which are extensively oxidized and occur in low hills to the west of Pernatty Lagoon, and the lagoon deposits, which are not significantly oxidized and occur in basins of permeable bedrock under the lagoon floor. The topography and drainage of this region appear to have altered little since the Tertiary. This paper presents the results of a sulphur isotope ratio study of sulphide minerals, groundwaters and gypsum samples from the mineralized areas. The isotope ratios recorded for the lagoon sulphides provide an example of the pattern predicted for metal sulphide precipitation due to bacterial reduction of sulphate in an environment with limited replenishment of sulphate. This finding is in accord with the suggestion that the copper sulphides were precipitated during recent geological times in groundwater traps in the permeable bedrock under the lagoon. However, sulphate from groundwater and gypsum in the lagoon is not enriched in the S³⁴ isotope, and hence it is concluded that no significant bacterial reduction of sulphate is occurring in the areas examined at the present time. The isotope ratios recorded for the off-lagoon sulphides, in contrast, fall in a narrower range. They can be interpreted to reflect metal sulphide precipitation by bacterial reduction of sulphate in a fairly open system, with considerable replenishment of sulphate, but they provide no information concerning the time of this precipitation. Mineralogical studies of the sulphide samples show that individual samples contain a mixture of sulphide minerals and that one mineral is usually dominant. It appears, for samples with co-existing chalcopyrite and djurleite, that S³⁴ is preferentially enriched in the chalcopyrite.

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Zusammenfassung Die Mount Gunson-Kupferlagerstätten finden sich in im wesentlichen nicht metamorphisierten, schwach gefalteten ober-proterozoischen Sedimenten, weit entfernt von irgendwelchen bekannten Intrusiven. Sie bestehen aus einer Reihe kleiner Erzkörper, die sich auf Grund ihrer Unterschiede in bezug auf ihren Fundort, ihr Gefüge und ihre Mineralogie in zwei Gruppen unterteilen lassen. Diese beiden Gruppen werden hier als Off-Lagoon-Lagerstätten, die weitgehend oxidiert sind und in niedrigen Hügeln westlich von der Pernatty Lagoon vorkommen, beziehungsweise als Lagoon-Lagerstätten, die nicht significant oxidiert sind und in Becken permeablen Gesteins unter dem Lagunenboden gefunden werden, bezeichnet. Die Topographie und die Abflußverhältnisse scheinen sich in dieser Region seit dem Tertiär nur wenig verändert zu haben. Diese Arbeit zeigt die Ergebnisse einer Analyse der Schwefelisotopen-Verhältnisse von Sulfiden, Grundwasser- und Gips-Proben aus den mineralisierten Bereichen. Die für die Lagunen-Sulfide registrierten Isotopenverhältnisse sind ein Beispiel der für die Metallsulfid-Ausfällung auf Grund von bakterieller Sulfatzufuhr zu erwartenden Verteilung. Dieser Befund stimmt mit der Vorstellung, daß die Kupfersulfide während rezenter geologischer Zeiten in Grundwasserspeichern innerhalb des permeablen Gesteins unter der Lagune ausgefällt worden sind, überein. Die Sulfate aus dem Grundwasser und Gips der Lagune sind jedoch nicht mit dem Isotop S³⁴ angereichert, woraus der Schluß gezogen wird, daß in den untersuchten Gebieten gegenwärtig keine wesentliche bakterielle Reduktion von Sulfaten stattfindet. Im Gegensatz dazu fallen die für die Off-Lagoon-Lagerstätten-Sulfide registrierten Isotopen-Verhältnisse in einen engeren Streuungsbereich. Sie können als Darstellung von Metall-Sulfid-Ausfällung durch bakterielle Reduktion von Sulfaten in einem ziemlich offenen System mit erheblichem Sulfat-Nachschub gedeutet werden, geben aber keine Auskunft über den Zeitpunkt dieser Präzipitation. Mineralogische Untersuchungen der Sulfid-Proben zeigen, daß die einzelnen Proben eine Mischung von Sulfid-Mineralien enthalten und daß gewöhnlich ein Mineral überwiegt. In Proben, die sowohl Kupferkies als auch Djurleit enthalten, scheint S³⁴ vorzugsweise im Kupferkies angereichert zu sein.

     

Mineralogical and geochemical studies of brecciated ores in the Dalucao REE deposit,Sichuan Province,southwestern China

The Dalucao deposit, located in western Sichuan Province, southwestern China, in the western part of the Yangtze Craton, is one of the largest and most extensive rare earth element (REE) deposits in the Himalayan Mianning–Dechang REE belt. Moreover, the Dalucao deposit is the only deposit identified in the southern part of the belt. The Dalucao deposit contains the No. 1, 2, and 3 orebodies; the No. 1 and 3 orebodies are both hosted in two breccia pipes, located in syenite–carbonatite host rocks. Both pipes have elliptical cross-sections at the surface, with long-axis diameters of 200–400 m and short-axis diameters of 180–200 m; the pipes extend downwards for > 450 m. No. 1 and No. 3 have total thickness varying between 55 and 175 m and 14 to 58 m respectively. The REE mineralization is associated with four brecciation events, which are recorded in each of the pipes. The ore grades in the No. 1 and 3 orebodies are similar, and consist of 1.0%–4.5% rare earth oxides (REOs). The No. 1 orebody is characterized by a Type I mineral assemblage (fluorite + barite + celestite + bastnäsite), whereas the No. 3 orebody is characterized by a Type II assemblage (fluorite + celestite + pyrite + muscovite + bastnäsite + strontianite). Argon (⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar) dating of hydrothermal muscovite intergrown with REE minerals in typical ores from the No. 1 and 3 orebodies yielded similar ages of 12.69 ± 0.13 and 12.23 ± 0.21 Ma, respectively, which suggest that both mineral assemblages formed coevally, rather than in paragenetic stages. Both ages are also similar to the timing of intrusion of the syenite–carbonatite complex (12.13 ± 0.19 Ma). The ore-mineral assemblages occur in breccias, veinlets, and in narrow veins. The ore veinlets, which usually show a transition to mineralized breccia or brecciated ores, are commonly enveloped by narrow veins and stringer zones with comparable mineral assemblages. The brecciated ores form 95% of the volume of the deposit, whereas brecciated ores are only a minor constituent of other deposits in the Mianning–Dechang REE belt. The carbonatite in the syenite–carbonatite complexes contains high concentrations of S (0.07–2.32 wt.%), Sr (16,500–20,700 ppm), Ba (3600–8400 ppm), and light REEs (LREE) (2848–10,768 ppm), but is depleted in high-field-strength elements (HFSE) (Nb, Ta, P, Zr, Hf, and Ti). The syenite is moderately enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILE), Sr (155–277 ppm), and Ba (440–755 ppm). The mineralized, altered, and fresh syenites and carbonatites exhibit similar trace element compositions and REE patterns. Brecciation events, and the Dalucao Fault and its secondary faults around the deposit, contributed to the REE mineralization by facilitating the circulation of ore-forming fluids and providing space for REE precipitation. Some hydrothermal veins composed of coarse-grained fluorite and quartz are distributed in the syenite–carbonatite complex. The oxygen isotope compositions of ore-forming fluids in equilibrium with quartz at 215 °C are − 4.95‰ to − 7.45‰, and the hydrogen isotope compositions of fluid inclusions in coarse-grained quartz are − 88.4‰ to − 105.1‰. The syenite–carbonatite complex and carbonatite are main contributors to the mineralization in the geological occurrence. Thus, the main components of the ore-forming fluids were magmatic water, meteoric water, and CO₂ derived from the decarbonation of carbonatite. According to the petrographic studies, bastnäsite mineralization developed during later stages of hydrothermal evolution and overprinted the formation of the brecciated fluorite–quartz hydrothermal veins. As low-temperature isotope exchange between carbonates of the carbonatite and water-rich magmatic fluids will lead to positive shifts in δ¹⁸O values of the carbonates, C–O isotopic compositions from the bulk primary carbonatite to hydrothermal calcite and bastnäsite changed (δ¹⁸O_V-SMOW from 8.0‰ to 11.6‰, and δ¹³C _V-PDB from − 6.1 to − 8.7‰). According to the chemical composition of syenite and carbonatite, REE chloride species are the primary complexes for the transport of the REEs in the hydrothermal fluids, and the presence of bastnäsite and parisite means the REE were precipitated as fluorocarbonates. High contents of Sr, Ba and S in the syenite–carbonatite complex led to the deposition of large amount of barite and celestite.     

Carbonaceous matter in sulphide ores from Mount Isa and McArthur River: An investigation using the electronprobe and the electron microscope

Carbonaceous matter, which constitutes up to 1% by weight of McArthur River and Mount Isa sulphide ores, occurs both as relatively large discrete flakes and as dispersed films. The flakes, observed on freshly fractured surfaces in the electronprobe, show no clearcut association with other elements. The dispersed films are probably closely related to fine-grained framboidal pyrite, although direct observation in the electron microscope is possible only after demineralization of the original ores. The organic matter in McArthur River ore (84% carbon) is in general more diffusely distributed within the ore than the graphitic material (93% carbon) in the Mount Isa ores. The nature and distribution of carbonaceous matter in these ores is consistent with their genesis under low temperature, sedimentary conditions. — The analytical methods are carefully considered.

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Zusammenfassung Die organische Substanz, die bis zu 1 Gewichtsprozent der McArthur River-und Mount Isa Sulfiderze ausmacht, kommt sowohl in der Form von verhältnismäßig großen begrenzten Flocken als auch dispersen Schichten vor. Die frisch gebrochene Oberfläche der Flocken, mit der Elektronensonde untersucht, zeigt keine eindeutige Beziehung zu anderen Elementen. Die dispersen Schichten sind wahrscheinlich nahe verwandt mit feinkörnigem framboidalem Schwefelkies, obwohl eine direkte Beobachtung im Elektronenmikroskop erst nach der Entmineralisierung der ursprünglichen Erze möglich ist. Das ornische Material im McArthur River Erz (84% Kohlenstoff) ist im allgemeinen stärker verstreut innerhalb des Erzes als das graphitische Material (93% Kohlenstoff) in den Mount Isa Erzen. Die Art und Verteilung der carbonischen Substanz in diesen Erzen entspricht ihrer Entstehung bei niedriger Temperatur und sedimentären Bedingungen. — Auf die analytischen Methoden wird genau Bezug genommen.

     

High resolution X-ray computed tomography studies of Grasberg porphyry Cu-Au ores,Papua, Indonesia

High-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) provides unique information of the geological and metallurgical significance for gold and related ore minerals in the supergiant Grasberg porphyry Cu–Au deposit. Digital radiographs have proved to be an effective means of screening samples for the presence of gold for HRXCT studies. Digital radiograph effectiveness is limited by the thickness of samples (typically to ≤2 cm), as well as the associated minerals. Thus, preselecting samples for gold studies using HRXCT is most effective using digital radiographs combined with assay information. Differentiating between metallic mineral grains with relatively small differences in density, e.g., bornite (5.1 g/cm³) from chalcopyrite (4.2 g/cm³), is relatively straightforward for isolated monominerallic grains or composites in a similar lower-density matrix, but difficulties are encountered with the interpretation of typical intergrown ore minerals. X-ray beam-hardening artifacts lead to inconsistency in attenuation determination, both within and among slice images, complicating quantitative processing. However, differentiation of chalcopyrite and bornite has been successful in smaller-diameter (≤22-mm) cores of Grasberg ores. Small-diameter (≤10 mm) cores of the Grasberg stockwork Cu–Au ore were analyzed using HRXCT methods scanned at the minimum spacing currently available (7.5 μm), and data reduction protocols using the Blob3D program were modified to improve the quantification of grain sizes and shapes. Grains as small as 6.5 μm have been identified. All of these grains are in direct contact with chalcopyrite, providing support for gold distribution in porphyry copper systems being a result of exsolution from copper sulfides. HRXCT scanning (±digital radiography) precisely defines the in situ location of mineral grains of interest within a sample, which then can be studied in conventional petrographic sections, and other types of analytical studies conducted, e.g., gold trace element geochemistry.     

Glaciations of the West Coast Range,Tasmania

Geomorphic, stratigraphic, palynologic and ¹⁴C evidence indicates that the West Coast Range, Tasmania, was glaciated at least three times during the late Cenozoic. The last or Margaret Glaciation commenced after 30,000 yr B.P., culminated about 19,000 yr B.P., and ended by 10,000 yr B.P. During this period a small ice cap, ca. 250 m thick, and cirque and valley glaciers covered 108 km². The glacial deposits show little chemical weathering or erosional dissection. The snow line ranged from 690 to 1000 m with an average of 830 m for the ice cap. Mean temperature was 6.5°C below the present temperature. During the preceding Henty Glaciation a 300- to 400-m-thick ice cap and outlet glaciers exceeded 1000 km². The glacial deposits are beyond ¹⁴C assay. They are more weathered chemically and more dissected than Margaret age deposits, and the degree suggests a pre-last interglaciation age (> 130,000 yr B.P.). The snow line of the ice cap lay at 740 m, and annual temperature was reduced by 7°C. Ice of the earliest Linda Glaciation slightly exceeded that of the Henty Glaciation but had a similar distribution. The glacial deposits are intensely weathered, have reversed magnetization, and overlie a paleosol containing pollen of Tertiary type. An early Pleistocene or Tertiary age is indicated.     

The geology and petrology of the Adamsfield Ultramafic Complex,Tasmania

The Adamsfield Ultramafic Complex is one of a dozen Tasmanian ultramafic-mafic and ophiolite complexes emplaced during Cambrian time in the Tasman Geosyncline.The Adamsfield complex is composed of partlyserpentinized dunites, olivine orthopyroxenites and orthopyroxenites. Rocks are commonly layered and alternately rich in olivines (Fo_93–84) and orthopy roxenes (En_94–87). Spinels are a minor but widely disseminated phase. Orthopyroxenes and spinels are poor in Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. Clinopyroxenes are rare, plagioclase or garnet have not been found.Nominal equilibration temperatures calculated from coexisting mineral assemblages range from quasi-magmatic values (1200±100 °C) for little-deformed rocks down to subsolidus values (950 °C) for deformed and reacted assemblages. Olivine kink band orientations imply that deformation also took place at lower temperatures (<800 °C) but mineral compositions apparently failed to react further.Adamsfield mineral assemblages probably crystallized originally at low pressures from highly magnesian, titania-poor tholeiitic or andesitic magmas. Fine-grained igneous rocks from the Tasmanian ultramafic-mafic and ophiolite complexes include highmagnesia andesites of appropriate compositions and comprise a distinctive compositional group termed the Low-titania Ophiolite Association, poor in TiO₂ (<0.5 wt%), P₂O₅ (<0.1 wt%) and Zr, and rich in MgO, Ni, and Cr.     

Thermal Metamorphism in the trial harbour district,Tasmania

A Devonian granite complex intrudes Precambrian and Silurian siltstones and sandstones as well as (?) Cambrian volcanics and dunite.

Metamorphism of the Precambrian sediments is slight, and an andalusite‐bearing, pelitic hornfels is the only characteristic assemblage. The (?) Cambrian volcanics give rise to a variety of assemblages; (1) lime‐ and ferromagnesia‐rich (hypersthene — cummingtonite — labradorite; diopside — hornblende — labradorite); (2) magnesia‐rich (cordierite — hypersthene; cordierite — anthophyllite); (3) ultrabasic (olivine and/or pleonaste). Biotite (or phlogopite) is an almost invariable component, and garnet may also be present in these groups.

No significant metamorphism of the dunite is evident; minor development of veins and segregrations of aragonite, magnetite, phlogopite, brucite, chalcedony and antigorite may result from low‐grade hydrothermal activity Metamorphic assemblages in calcareous Silurian siltstones contain garnet, diopside, calcite and epidote.

A characteristic feature of the contact metamorphic aureole is the occurrence of diopside‐rich bodies in granite, volcanic hornfels, quartzite and dunite host rocks.     

Pleistocene stratigraphy of the Boco Plain,western Tasmania

The Late Devonian‐Early Carboniferous Mansfield Basin is the northernmost structural sub‐basin of the Mt Howitt Province of east‐central Victoria. It is comprised predominantly of continental clastic sedimentary rocks, and is superimposed upon deformed Cambrian to Early Devonian marine sequences of the Palaeozoic Lachlan Fold Belt. This paper documents evidence for synsedimentary deformation during the early history of the Mansfield Basin, via sedimentological, structural and stratigraphic investigations. Repeating episodes of folding, erosion and sedimentation are demonstrated along the preserved western margins of Mansfield Basin, where fold structures within the lower sequences are truncated by intrabasinal syntectonic unconformities. A convergent successor basin setting (an intermontane setting adjacent to, or between major fault zones) is suggested for initial phases of basin deposition, with synsedimentary reverse faulting being responsible for source uplift and subsequent basin deformation. Palaeocurrents within conglomerate units indicate derivation from the west and are consistent with episodic thrusting along basin margin faults providing elevated source regions. Periods of tectonic quiescence are represented by finer grained meandering fluvial facies (indicative of lower regional topographic gradients) which display drainage patterns that appear not to have been influenced by bounding faults to the west. An up‐sequence increase in the textural and compositional maturity of basin sandstones and conglomerates is proposed to be a result of the incorporation of basin fill into ongoing basin deformation, with unstable metapelitic rocks being progressively winnowed from clast populations. Rather than resulting from Carboniferous (Kanimblan) reactivation of extensional structures, as is generally assumed, the deformation observed within the lower units of the Mansfield Basin is suggested here to be essentially syndepositional and at least Late Devonian in age.