Copper mobility in the Eastern Creek Volcanics, Mount Isa, Australia: evidence from laser ablation ICP-MS of iron-titanium oxides

The Palaeoproterozoic Eastern Creek Volcanics are a series of copper-rich tholeiitic basalts which occur adjacent to the giant sediment-hosted Mount Isa copper deposit in Queensland, Australia. The volcanic rocks are often cited as the source of metals for the deposit. New laser ablation ICP-MS analyses of iron–titanium oxides from the basalts provide evidence for the local mobilisation of copper during regional greenschist facies metamorphism. This interpretation is based on the observation that copper-bearing magmatic titanomagnetite was destabilised during greenschist facies metamorphism, and the new magnetite which crystallised was copper poor. Petrological observations, regional geochemical signatures and geochemical modelling suggest that the mobilised copper was concentrated in syn-metamorphic epidote-rich alteration zones, creating a pre-concentration of copper before the main mineralisation event at Mount Isa. Geochemical modelling demonstrates this process is enhanced by the addition of CO₂ from adjacent carbonate-rich sediments during metamorphic devolatilisation. Regional geochemical data illustrate elevated copper concentrations in epidote-rich zones (high CaO), but where these zones are overprinted by potassic alteration (high K₂O), copper is depleted. A two-stage model is proposed whereby after metamorphic copper enrichment in epidote–titanite alteration zones, an oxidised potassium-rich fluid leached copper from the epidote-altered metabasalts and deposited it in the overlying sedimentary rocks to form the Mount Isa copper deposit. This ore-forming fluid is expressed regionally as potassium feldspar-rich veins and locally as biotite-rich alteration, which formed around major fluid conduits between the metabasalt metal source rocks and the overlying deposit host sequence. This model is consistent with the remobilisation of copper from mafic source rocks, as has been found at other world-class copper deposits.Electronic supplementary material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at and is accessible for authorized users.     

Cobalt mineralization at Mount Isa,Queensland, Australia,with references to Mount Cobalt

Mineralium Deposita - In North Western Queensland, Australia, there are numerous small cobalt deposits of which Mount Cobalt is the largest. Recent work has shown that cobalt is also a significant...     

Reactive transport model of silicification at the Mount Isa copper deposit, Australia

A distinct feature of the world-class Mount Isa copper system is the presence of a massive silica body enveloping the chalcopyrite ore body in the Urquhart shale. Because silicification may be genetically linked to the copper mineralization, it is important to understand its formation. It can be shown by numerical simulations of reactive transport processes that both hydraulic head and buoyancy driven flow are capable of generating silicification patterns similar to the field example. Considering the physical conditions required to form the observed patterns we suggest, however, that head-driven flow rather than free thermal convection produced the silica body. Free convection requires very special conditions and only one of several possible scenarios reproduces the observed silicification whereas any of the tested forced flux scenario is capable of doing so.     

Structural geology of the Dugald River Zn---Pb---Ag deposit, Mount Isa Inlier, Australia

The sediment-hosted Zn---Pb---Ag deposit at Dugald River is situated 87 km northeast of Mount Isa, NW Queensland. It is a mid-scale base metal accumulation restricted to a black slate sequence of low metamorphic grade. The orebody is tabular and consists of fine- to medium-grained sulphides with a dominant mineralogy of sphalerite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, galena, quartz and muscovite. Three different ore types have been recognized based on mineralization textures; laminated, banded and brecciated. The present reserve stands at 38 million tons of ore averaging 13.0% Zn, 2.1% Pb and 42 g/t Ag. A structural investigation has revealed that six stages of deformation have affected the metasediments in the Dugald River area. The first four (D₁, D₂, D₃ and D₄) are characterized by the extensive development of folds and associated axial plane cleavage. They were all generated in a ductile regime and are of considerable significance for the structural evolution of this region as well as for the emplacement and localization of the sulphide mineralization. D₅ provides a transition towards brittle deformation developing strong kink folds with subhorizontal axial planes. D₆ was a brittle event, producing E-W-trending open folds and major NE and NW strike-slip faults crosscutting all the pre-existing structural elements plus segmenting the orebody. Correlation between the development of deformation and the formation of mineralization can be observed from macro- to microscales. Relationships of mineralization with folds and cleavage indicate a post-D₂ (dominant deformation event) and probably syn-D₄ deformation timing for the Zn---Pb---Ag mineralization at Dugald River, as suggested by the ubiquitous truncations of D₂ fabrics by ore mineral assemblages throughout the deposit.     

U-Th-Pb isotope systematics related to igneous rocks and ore Pb,Mount Isa,Queensland

This study is a search for a genetic relationship between Pb sulphide ore and igneous rocks in the region of Mount Isa, Queensland. The approach involves derivation of Pb isotope initial ratios by the whole-rock isochron method, and comparison of the initial ratios (Pb²⁰⁶/Pb²⁰⁴, Pb²⁰⁷/Pb²⁰⁴ and Pb²⁰⁸/Pb²⁰⁴) with the isotopic composition of the ore Pb. Data are reported for four igneous units; Kalkadoon granodiorite, Kalkadoon adamellite, Sybella granite and Eastern Creek volcanics. The results display considerable scatter for each of the units, and reveal the effects of recent surficial loss of U. The positioning of isochrons is aided by previous Rb-Sr geochronological data wherever possible. Comparison of initial ratios and ore Pb suggests that none of the igneous rock units is co-genetic with the ore deposit. Both phases of the Sybella Granite are more radiogenic and are apparently younger than the ore Pb. The Kalkadoon Granite is possibly related to the ore through some post-emplacement process of extraction and transport of Pb (e.g. by erosion or by anatectic magma generation) to the present site of the orebodies.     

Switching bulk horizontal shortening directions and regional-scale partitioning of deformation during the Isan Orogeny in the Eastern Fold Belt,Mount Isa Inlier,Australia

Prolonged deformation for ca 150 Ma along the Eastern Fold Belt, Mount Isa Inlier, differentially partitioned into three distinct Mesoproterozoic tectonic domains. NW–SE-trending structures dominate the northern domain, whereas E–W- and N–S-trending structures dominate the central and southern domains, respectively.

Changing the direction of bulk horizontal shortening from NE–SW to N–S to E–W shifted the locus of maximum tectono-metamorphic effect. This accounts for the different generations of structures preserved in these three domains. Overprinting relationships and geochronological data reveal a component of deformation partitioning in time as well as space.

Rheological contrasts in the Soldiers Cap Group between a thick interlayered pelitic, psammitic and volcanic units on the one hand, and ca 1686 Ma, competent mafic intrusives and genetically related metasomatic albitite bodies present in its lower part, on the other, enhanced strain localisation during the long-lived Isan Orogeny (ca 1670–1500 Ma).     

Three-dimensional structure along the inverted Palaeoproterozoic Fiery Creek Fault System, Mount Isa terrane, Australia

The NW-dipping Fiery Creek Fault System, located in the northern Mount Isa terrane, comprises numerous sub-parallel faults that record multiple episodes of Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic movement. Hanging wall wedge-shaped stratal geometries and marked stratal thickness variation across the fault system indicate that the earliest movement occurred during episodic intracontinental extension (Mount Isa Rift Event; ca. 1710–1655 Ma). Reactivation of the fault system during regional shortening and basin inversion associated with the Mesoproterozoic Isan Orogeny (ca. 1590–1500 Ma) resulted in complex three-dimensional hanging wall geometries and highly variable strain in the hanging wall strata along the fault system. This has resulted in the development of discrete hanging wall deformation compartments, that are characterised by different structural styles. High strain compartments are characterised by relatively intense folding and the development of break-back thrusts, whereas low strain compartments are only weakly folded. Variations in hanging wall strain are attributed to selective reactivation of normal fault segments, controlled by the pre-inversion fault dip and lithological contrasts across the faults. Variation of the pre-inversion fault dip is interpreted to have been caused by episodic tilt-block rotation during crustal extension. Moderately dipping faults active early in the Mount Isa Rift Event show the greatest degree of reactivation, whereas younger and steeper normal faults have behaved as buttresses during inversion with strain focussed in zones of upright folding in the hanging wall.     

航磁资料在澳大利亚昆士兰州艾萨山选区成矿预测中的应用

高精度航磁测量相对简单,获得的信息丰富,是开展大面积成矿预测的有利工具。澳大利亚艾萨山选区地质资料较少,地面物探工作开展较难。利用高精度航磁资料,对该地区航磁数据进行了处理与解释,推断出断裂构造及岩体分布。结合区域成矿地质、构造环境和金属矿床时空分布特点,识别出成矿有利地区的航磁异常特征,划分了有利航磁异常分布带。在航磁有利异常分布图的基础上,结合矿床、矿点位置情况,进一步圈定出成矿远景区,为该地区成矿预测工作提供了依据。     

A metasomatic origin for the iron-oxide Au-Cu Starra orebodies, Eastern Fold Belt, Mount Isa Inlier

The Starra ironstone-hosted Au-Cu deposit in northwest Queensland, Australia, displays evidence of a polyphase history of late-post metamorphic, structurally controlled metasomatism. The mineralisation is hosted within several massive ironstone units which occur at a lithological contact of metamorphosed sandstone and siltstone sequences and foliated chlorite-biotite-magnetite schists. The ironstones strike north-south and occur as discontinuous lenses that cross cut the host rocks in places. Magnetite ironstone textures are generally massive in appearance, but relict deformed breccia and foliation textures are locally preserved. Sulphide ore textures are more brittle and consist of fine, pervasive brecciation of the ironstones and host rocks. Petrological and textural observations support a hydrothermal origin for both ironstone and mineralisation. Three dominant post-peak metamorphic paragenetic stages of alteration and mineralisation are recognised: (1) early widespread Na-Ca metasomatism consisting of albite-quartz-actinolite-scapolite, (2) localised K-Fe metasomatism consisting of biotite-magnetite-hematite- quartz-pyrite and (3) the mineralising stage consisting of anhydrite-calcite-hematisation of magnetite-pyrite-chalcopyrite-gold and extreme chloritisation of biotite. The Na dominant alteration occurs throughout the Eastern Fold Belt and for at least 50 km to the east and 150 km to the north of Starra. The ironstones were products of localised Fe-metasomatism associated with shearing and brecciation of previously Na-metasomatised host rocks. Gold and copper mineralisation resulted from the interaction of magnetite, a late oxidising fluid and an increase in pH. This produced variable hematisation of magnetite and caused the solubility of chloride-complexed gold to decrease dramatically. High gold:copper ratios can be explained in terms of the solubility differences of gold and copper in the thermochemical conditions that existed at Starra. Received: 15 May 1996 / Accepted: 17 January 1997     

Occurrence and composition of sphene from eastern fold belt, Mount Isa Inlier, Cloncurry, northwestern Queensland, Australia

Sphene is very common in rocks including albitized granite, dioritic porphyrite, calcsilicate rock and breccia from the eastern fold belt of Mount Isa Inlier, Cloncurry. Two stages of sphenes are present in these rocks. First-staged sphene is relatively fine, euhedral, some grains show round or patchy zoning; second-staged sphene is relatively large, anhedral to subhedral, some grains show patchy zoning;both possibly contain rutile, ilmenite and magnetite inclusions. All sphenes are of low-Al type. The second-staged sphene has lesser Fe apfu than the first-staged sphene. Light-color part of the sphene has bigger Fe apfu than the dark-color part, as observed on one individual grain of sphene with patchy zoning, the average Xro of the sphene with patchy zoning is greater than that of the sphene without patchy zoning. Because the sphenes are taken from different types of rocks, Si, Ti, and Al have variable relations with F OH apfu. Si and Ti are not correlated with OH F in all analyzed samples ; Fe is correlated with OH F in the sphene just from granite and dioritic porphyrite; Al is correlated with OH F in the sphene fromgranite and breccia and is not correlated with OH F in the sphene from the dioritic porphyrite and calcsilicate rocks. The first-staged sphenes were possibly formed in the processes of magmatism and metamorphism. The second-staged sphenes were formed as a result of the breakdown of hornblendes and biotites in the process of Na (Ca) -metasomatism.     

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.

     

Fluctuations in a magmatic sulphur isotope signature from the Pinnacles Mine,New South Wales,Australia

Sulphur isotopic compositions of 29 sulphide samples from the Broken Hill-type Pinnacles Deposit, NSW, are found to cluster at 0%. (mean −0.8‰). The restricted range of the (δ³⁴S) values between −3.5 and + 3.7‰ with a mean of −0.8‰, is interpreted as reflecting partial oxidation of a dominantly magmatic sulphur source. δ³⁴S data for galena samples fall into two groups: (1) isotopically heavier galenas (range −0.7 to 0.0‰; mean −0.4‰) which come mainly from the footwall Zn lode and (2) isotopically lighter galenas (range −3.5 to −0.8‰; mean −2.2‰) which are from the main Pb lode. Sphalerite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite have slightly heavier isotopic compositions (range −1.6 to +3.7‰ mean +0.3‰) but exhibit the same stratigraphic differentiation. These data are interpreted as representing fluctuating conditions at the site of ore deposition, in which upwelling hydrothermal fluids were subject to increasing fO₂ and decreasing temperature with time.     

Significance of strain localization and fracturing in relation to hydrothermal mineralization at Mount Isa, Australia

The rheology of layered meta-sedimentary rocks, and their orientation and position relative to major fault systems were the key controls on Proterozoic hydrothermal copper mineralization at Mount Isa, Australia. Compositional layering in the host rock partitioned mechanical behavior and strain, leading to selective permeability generation and the focusing of fluid flow. Shale layers preferentially failed by plastic shearing, whereas meta-siltstones remained elastic or failed in tension depending on magnitude of deformation and fluid pressure. Numerical simulations support the hypothesis that the orientation of layering and the proximity to major fault systems controlled fracturing and permeability increase in the Urquhart shale. The dilating shale provided a pathway for an upward-flowing, reduced basement fluid, from which quartz was precipitated during cooling. During a later event, the reactivation of steep structures provided access to surface derived oxidized metal-bearing brine, causing the precipitation of dolomite followed by chalcopyrite ore in the brecciated silicified shale.     

Stable isotope studies of the origins of mineralization at Mount Isa. I.

Further support for the view that mineralization at Mount Isa comprises two separate events is provided by ³⁴S/³²S measurement. Isotopic exchange between sulphides in lead-zinc-silver ores appears to have been promoted locally during metamorphism, whereas isotopic disequilibrium persists in the copper ores. These isotopic data are explained by a model in which sedimentary deposition of lead, zinc and silver was succeeded by the post-metamorphic emplacement of copper. Past biological activity is inferred from the occurrence of low concentrations of organic carbon with ¹³C values ranging from –21 to –26 PDB. Carbonate contents, expressed as carbon, vary from <0.1% to 10.9%. The ¹³C and ¹⁸O values for the carbonates are relatively constant at –4.4±1.1 and –17.6±1.1 PDB respectively. These values are interpreted as reflecting isotopic changes induced in original marine carbonates by isotopic exchange during lower greenschist metamorphism.     

Magmatic history of the Eastern Creek Volcanics,Mt Isa,Australia: insights from trace-element and platinum-group-element geochemistry

The Paleoproterozoic basalts of the Eastern Creek Volcanics are a series of continental flood basalts that form a significant part of the Western Fold Belt of the Mt Isa Inlier, Queensland. New trace-element geochemical data, including the platinum-group elements (PGE), have allowed the delineation of the magmatic history of these volcanic rocks. The two members of the Eastern Creek Volcanics, the Cromwell and Pickwick Metabasalt Members, are formed from the same parental magma. The initial magma was contaminated by continental crust and erupted to form the lower Cromwell Metabasalt Member. The staging chamber was continuously replenished by parental material resulting in the gradual return of the magma composition to more primitive trends in the upper Cromwell Metabasalt Member, and finally the Pickwick Metabasalt Member formed from magma dominated by the parental melt. The Pickwick Metabasalt Member of the Eastern Creek Volcanics has elevated PGE concentrations (including up to 18 ppb Pd and 12 ppb Pt) with palladium behaving incompatibly during magmatic fractionation. This trend is the result of fractionation under sulfide-undersaturated conditions. Conversely, in the basal Cromwell Metabasalt Member the PGE display compatible behaviour during magmatic fractionation, which is interpreted to be the result of fractionation of a sulfide-saturated magma. However, Cu remains incompatible during fractionation, building up to high concentrations in the magma, which is found to be the result of the very small volume of magmatic sulfide formation (0.025%). Geochemical trends in the upper Cromwell Metabasalt Member represent mixing between the contaminated Cromwell Metabasalt magmas and the PGE-undepleted parental melt. Trace-element geochemical trends in both members of the Eastern Creek Volcanics can be explained by the partial melting of a subduction-modified mantle source. The generation of PGE- and copper-rich magmas is attributed to melting of a source in the subcontinental lithospheric mantle below the Mt Isa Inlier which had undergone previous melt extraction during an older subduction event. The previous melt extraction resulted in a sulfur-poor, metal-rich metasomatised mantle source which was subsequently remelted in the Eastern Creek Volcanic continental rift event. The proposed model accounts for the extreme copper enrichment in the Eastern Creek Volcanics, from which the copper has been mobilised by hydrothermal fluids to form the Mt Isa copper deposit. There is also the potential for a small volume of PGE-enriched magmatic sulfide in the plumbing system to the volcanic sequence.     

Structural geology of the Dugald River ZnPbAg deposit, Mount Isa Inlier, Australia

The sediment-hosted ZnPbAg deposit at Dugald River is situated 87 km northeast of Mount Isa, NW Queensland. It is a mid-scale base metal accumulation restricted to a black slate sequence of low metamorphic grade. The orebody is tabular and consists of fine- to medium-grained sulphides with a dominant mineralogy of sphalerite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, galena, quartz and muscovite. Three different ore types have been recognized based on mineralization textures; laminated, banded and brecciated. The present reserve stands at 38 million tons of ore averaging 13.0% Zn, 2.1% Pb and 42 g/t Ag. A structural investigation has revealed that six stages of deformation have affected the metasediments in the Dugald River area. The first four (D₁, D₂, D₃ and D₄) are characterized by the extensive development of folds and associated axial plane cleavage. They were all generated in a ductile regime and are of considerable significance for the structural evolution of this region as well as for the emplacement and localization of the sulphide mineralization. D₅ provides a transition towards brittle deformation developing strong kink folds with subhorizontal axial planes. D₆ was a brittle event, producing E-W-trending open folds and major NE and NW strike-slip faults crosscutting all the pre-existing structural elements plus segmenting the orebody. Correlation between the development of deformation and the formation of mineralization can be observed from macro- to microscales. Relationships of mineralization with folds and cleavage indicate a post-D₂ (dominant deformation event) and probably syn-D₄ deformation timing for the ZnPbAg mineralization at Dugald River, as suggested by the ubiquitous truncations of D₂ fabrics by ore mineral assemblages throughout the deposit.     

Isotopic remobilization in the Mount Isa tuff beds

The water-laid tuff beds in the mine sequence at Mount Isa, Queensland, yield anomalous whole-rock isochron results. The RbSr “age” is significantly younger than expected, the apparent initial ratio is high, and the scatter about the regression line is significantly greater than experimental. In the UThPb system, the scatter is greater, the “age” is even lower, and the initial ratios approximate to the ore values. The results are interpreted in terms of continued mobility of minor elements in the water-rich sediments while deep-burial conditions persist.