Episodic shear zone associated fluid flow in the Curnamona Province, South Australia

Two distinct generations of fluid flow associated with shear zone activity have been identified in Willyama Supergroup rocks of the southern Curnamona Province in northeastern South Australia. Fluids in the first event are inferred to have been sourced from the devolatilisation of Willyama Supergroup metasedimentary rocks during prograde metamorphism associated with the (1.61–1.58 Ga) Mesoproterozoic Olarian Orogeny. The second episode of fluid flow occurred during the (c. 500 Ma) Cambrian Delamerian Orogeny and resulted in localised rehydration of the Willyama Supergroup. Fluids were isotopically light and most likely sourced from prograde Delamerian metamorphism and dehydration of fault rocks and entrained meteoric waters that originally were involved in (c. 700 Ma) Neoproterozoic Adelaidean rifting. A key outcome of this study is the identification of this previously unrecognised fluid flow system that was active during the Delamerian Orogeny.     

Genetic types of tantalum ore deposits and their economic importance

Metasediments and meta-igneous rocks of the Willyama Supergroup in the Paleoproterozoic Olary Block of South Australia were deposited at ～1700 Ma. Intrusion by I-type granitoids at 1630 Ma was followed by the Olarian Orogeny, comprising two events of deformation and high-grade metamorphism at 1590 ± 20 Ma. Regional S-type granites and rare-metal pegmatites also formed during the Olarian Orogeny. The K-Ar isotopic system in primary pegmatitic muscovite closed at ～1505 ± 7 Ma, and the third event (regressive) of deformation and metamorphism together with minor granite emplacement, associated with the Olarian Orogeny, occurred at 1500 ± 20 Ma. A widespread thermal event occurred at 1100 to 1200 Ma and resulted from the Musgravian Orogeny. This was followed by crustal extension, tholeiitic dolerite dike intrusion, and rifting at 700 to 800 Ma. Cooling after the Delamerian Orogeny is recorded at ～466 to 475 Ma in the muscovite data. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data from many mica samples are complex because of multiple phases of thermal resetting and regression. This partial resetting of the K-Ar system is characterized by multiple age components and mixtures between them.     

Sulphide mineralisation in the Olary Block,South Australia

The South Australian portion of the Willyama Inliers hosts a diversity of small sulphide and uranium deposits and numerous outcropping gossans. This fact, together with geological similarities to the adjacent Broken Hill Block has led to extensive exploration. A broad classification distinguishes two main types of sulphide mineralisation: 1) stratiform iron sulphide-dominated (±Cu, Zn, Co) deposits which occur widespread within specific stratigraphic intervals, and stratabound occurrences of syn-depositional to diagenetic origin which show some structural control; 2) syn-tectonic to post-peak metamorphic replacement and vein-type deposits (Fe-Cu-Au and Cu-Zn-Pb), which are hosted by fractures and within faults and shear zones. These occurrences show no stratigraphic control and are not spatially related to type 1 mineralisation. Late-stage deposits also differ from stratiform/stratabound mineralisation in their texture, mineral assemblage and geochemical composition. Much of the sulphide mineralisation in the Olary Block has been interpreted as resulting from rift-associated syn- to diagenetic processes, such as hot spring exhalations and base metal precipitation along reduction-oxidation interfaces. Subsequent granitic intrusive, high grade metamorphic and multiphase deformation events would have induced remobilisation and redeposition of sulphides in a variety of epigenetic modes. However, a detailed petrographic and geochemical study of sulphide mineralisation in the Olary Block demonstrates that due to the lack of abundant pervasive fluids, translocation and modification of preexisting sulphides were restricted to less than a few centimetres. Instead, widespread syn-tectonic to epigenetic (i.e., post-peak metamorphic) mobilisation of ore constituents occurred to form retrograde sulphide mineralisation as well as multiple generations of late-stage vein deposits. These epigenetic deposits are genetically unrelated to synsedimentary and diagenetic occurrences, an aspect of significance for exploration in the Olary Block. Temporal separation of peak metamorphism in deeper crustal levels from its occurrence in shallow levels, periodic tectonic disturbances and repeated seismic pumping are processes believed to have resulted in intermittent mobilisation of ore constituents from a deep-seated metasedimentary reservoir.     

Geochemistry and age of metamorphosed felsic igneous rocks with A-type affinities in the Willyama Supergroup, Olary Block, South Australia, and implications for mineral exploration

Leucocratic quartzofeldspathic gneisses form a significant proportion of the lower part of the Palaeoproterozoic Willyama Supergroup sequence in the Olary Block, South Australia and have correlatives in the adjacent Broken Hill Block. Field and geochemical data demonstrate that these rocks were originally rhyolitic volcanics and granite, with A-type affinities consistent with magma production during intracratonic rifting, supporting tectonic models proposed for the Willyama Supergroup in the Broken Hill Block. Although the rocks have characteristic high-field-strength element enrichment, many have undergone extensive pervasive pre- or syn-metamorphic sodic alteration and are typically rich in albite.

Sensitive high resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U-Pb zircon data tightly constrain the depositional and early intrusive history. Zircons from an interpreted metavolcanic rock containing relict quartz phenocrysts yield an age of 1699 ± 10 Ma, whereas a metagranitoid sample has an age of 1703 ± 6 Ma. These results are compatible with recent geochronological data on felsic metavolcanic rocks from the Broken Hill Block (Page and Laing, 1992) and are indicative of widespread magmatism during deposition of the Willyama Supergroup. Nd signatures for the two Olary Block samples imply the presence of a significant component from a depleted mantle source.

The A-type metavolcanic rocks are locally associated with small iron formations, some of which grade into stratiform barite-rich horizons. Although potentially favourable for sediment-hosted exhalative PbZn mineralisation, the Fe- and Ba-rich units, along with transgressive vein and breccia occurrences of Fe oxides ± quartz ± pyrite cutting both the metavolcanic and metagranitoid rocks, may be more prospective for epigenetic Cu-Au mineralisation related to later metamorphic and/or magmatic events. Partial melting of the A-type suite during high grade regional metamorphism at ˜ 1600 ± 20 Ma led to the formation of local volumes of sodic granitoids and pegmatites containing U-Th-Ti-REE-F mineralisation.     

Isostatic constraints on the central Victorian lower crust: Implications for the tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Fold Belt

Interpretation and 2‐D forward modelling of aeromagnetic datasets from the Olary Domain to the north of the outcropping Kalabity Inlier, South Australia, is consistent with a buried structural architecture characterised by isolated anticlines (also referred to as growth anticlines) bounded by steeply dipping reverse faults. The isolated anticlines are interpreted to have formed by half‐graben inversion during crustal shortening associated with the ca 1600–1580 Ma Olarian Orogeny. We interpret the bounding reverse faults as reactivated high‐angle normal faults, originating from a listric extensional fault architecture. As shortening increased, ‘break‐back bypass’ and ‘short‐cut‘ thrusts developed because of buttressing of the hangingwall successions against the footwall. The resulting architecture resembles a combination of a thrust‐related imbricate fan and an accumulation of inverted basins. Using this structural architecture, synrift sediments proximal to interpreted normal faults were identified as prospective for sediment‐hosted massive sulfide Pb–Zn–Ag mineralisation.     

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.     

Tectonothermal implications of laser40Ar/39Ar ages of sulphide-bearing veins and their host rocks in the Willyama Supergroup,South Australia

Summary ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectra of mica separates from sulphide-bearing veins and associated metasedimentary whole-rock samples in the Olary Block, South Australia, indicate widespread emplacement of epigenetic mineralisation in Willyama Supergroup metasediments between 450 and 480 Ma, during the Delamerian Orogeny. This age range complements petrographic, structural and geochemical studies, which indicate that periodic tectonic disturbances occurred in the Olary Block since the Mid-Proterozoic, triggering the intermittent development of hydrothermal fluid circulation and infiltration into reactivated faults and shear zones over time scales of more than 1000 Ma.Vein emplacement did not result in extensive outgassing of argon from Mid-Proterozoic potassic minerals, as long as alteration of the psammopelitic host rock was restricted to the immediate contact of the vein. The release patterns of whole-rock samples illustrate that loss of^40*Ar in these assemblages is a function of the degree of metasomatism. Resetting of the K-Ar system occurred only in host rock assemblages that experienced strong pervasive alteration. The good retention properties of the host rock assemblages and the lack of a pervasive thermal pulse allow us to see through the Delamerian events. A positive correlation between increasing apparent ages and distance from the vein contact in less altered samples strongly support the view that the epigenetic alterations assemblages record actual vein emplacement ages.

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Tektonik und Temperaturgeschichte der Wllyama Supergroup (Süd-Australien)—Schlußfolgerungen anhand von Laser⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Datierungen an sulfidführenden Gängen und assoziierten Nebengesteinen

Zusammenfassung ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Altersspektra von Glimmer-Separaten aus sulfidführenden Gängen und assoziiertem Nebengesteins-Proben im Proterozoischen Olary Block, Süd-Australien, weisen auf die weitverbreitete Entstehung von Gangvererzungen zwischen 450 und 480 Ma in den Metasedimenten der Willyama Supergroup hin. Diese Gangmineralisationen stehen somit im Zusammenhang mit der Delamerian Orogenese. Die Entstehungsalter unterstützen petrographische, strukturelle und geochemische Untersuchungen, wonach periodische tektonische Aktivität im Olary Block seit dem Mittleren Proterozoikum auftrat. Dies führte zu der wiederholten Bildung und Zirkulation von hydrothermalen Lösungen sowie deren Infiltration in re-aktivierte Störungen und Scherzonen über einen Zeitraum von mehr als 1000 Ma.Die Entstehung der Gangvererzungen bewirkte keinen signifikanten Verlust von Argon aus Mittel-Proterozoischen, Kalium-reichen Mineralen, solange die hydrothermale Alteration im Nebengestein auf den unmittelbaren Kontakt zur Gangvererzung beschränkt blieb. Die Gasspektren der Nebengesteins-Proben zeigen deutlich, daß Verlust von radiogenem Argon in diesen Gesteinen vom Grad der hydrothermalen Alteration abhängig ist. Neueinstellung des K-Ar Systems geschah nur im Fall von extremer, durchdringender hydrothermaler Alteration des Nebengesteins. Die⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar Analysen der Nebengesteins-Proben ermöglichen somit in Abwesenheit eines durchdringenden thermalen Pulses Alterbestimmungen über die Ereignisse der Delamerian Gebirgsbildung hinaus. Die positive Korrelation zwischen zunehmenden Ar/Ar Altern der Nebengesteine und deren Abstand vom Kontakt zu den Gangvererzungen in schwach alterierten Proben unterstützt die Ansicht, daß die epigenetischen Alterierungsparagenesen tatsächliche Vererzungsalter repräsentieren.

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With 6 Figures     

Tectonic relationships between the Proterozoic Gawler and Willyama orogenic domains,Australia

Stratotectonic and morphotectonic data from the two principal exposed domains (pre‐Adelaidean rocks) of the Gawler sub‐province are used to characterize the Proterozoic Olarian orogeny and to distinguish its effects from those of the later Phanerozoic Delamerian orogeny.

The principal metasedimentary sequences in the Gawler domain and in the Willama domain are inferred to have been deposited in a single broad zone of early Proterozoic shallow‐water sedimentation on older (presumed Archaean) continental crust. The sequence becomes more pelitic upwards and may be interpreted as a transgressive sequence with more distal facies to the east.

Three main phases of deformation are recognized, and each phase has similar characteristics and age in both domains. D ₁ 2nd D₂ can be dated between 1850 and 1650 Ma, while D₃ appears to be about 1650–1540 Ma.

In high grade rocks, D₁ gave rise to a layer‐parallel schistosity, while D ₂ is characterized by tight folds with a high‐grade axial‐plane schistosity. The whole sub‐province was characterized by high geothermal gradients so that medium‐ to high‐grade metamorphism affected the lower parts of the succession before and during the D₁ and D₂ deformation episodes. No distinct tectonic zones can be recognized but large‐scale stratigraphic inversions (i.e. nappe tectonics) during D ₁ have been recognized only in the east of the Willyama domain. The higher parts of the stratigraphic succession are generally less deformed and exhibit only low‐grade metamorphism.

D ₃ produced relatively open, upright macroscopic folds and was characteristically associated with retrogression, but was demonstrably of pre‐Adelaidean age. The Gawler domain exhibits D ₃ structures although it lies in the platform west of the Adelaide Geosyncline and was not affected by deformation during Adelaidean sedimentation or by the subsequent Delamerian orogeny. A network of retrograde shear zones is the principal expression of post‐Olarian deformation in the Willyama domain which forms part of the basement to the Adelaide Geosyncline.

The trends of D ₂ and D ₃ folding in the two domains are similar and it is shown therefore that no large‐scale rotations of one domain relative to the other has been produced by the Delamerian orogeny. Large‐scale translations on discrete faults or on broad zones of simple shear in the basement are not easily ruled out, but if they exist, are probably largely of pre‐Adelaidean age. However, a significant relationship between Olarian structures and variable Adelaidean fold trends has been deduced.

The Olarian orogeny may have occurred in close proximity to a continental margin to the east and may thus be related to subduction processes. It differs from linear gneissic belts in Phanerozoic orogenies since it occurs in a more stable stratotectonic environment and over a wider area.     

Up-temperature flow of surface-derived fluids in the mid-crust: the role of pre-orogenic burial of hydrated fault rocks

The Walter‐Outalpa shear zone in the southern Curnamona Province of NE South Australia is an example of a shear zone that has undergone intensely focused fluid flow and alteration at mid‐crustal depths. Results from this study have demonstrated that the intense deformation and ductile shear zone reactivation, at amphibolite facies conditions of 534 ± 20 °C and 500 ± 82 MPa, that overprint the Proterozoic Willyama Supergroup occurred during the Delamerian Orogeny (c. 500 Ma) (EPMA monazite ages of 501 ± 16 and 491 ± 19 Ma). This is in contrast to the general belief that the majority of basement deformation and alteration in the southern Curnamona Province occurred during the waning stages of the Olarian Orogeny (c. 1610–1580 Ma). These shear zones contain hydrous mineral assemblages that cut wall rocks that have experienced amphibolite facies metamorphism during the Olarian Orogeny. The shear zone rock volumes have much lower δ¹⁸O values (as low as 1‰) than their unsheared counterparts (7–9‰), and calculated fluid δ¹⁸O values (5–8‰) consistent with a surface‐derived fluid source. Hydrous minerals show a decrease in δD_(H2O) from ?14 to ?22‰, for minerals outside the shear zones, to ?28 to ?40‰, for minerals within the shear zones consistent with a contribution from a meteoric source. It is unclear how near‐surface fluids initially under hydrostatic pressure penetrate into the middle crust where fluid pressures approach lithostatic, and where fluid flow is expected to be dominantly upward because of pressure gradients. We propose a mechanism whereby faulting during basin formation associated with the Adelaidean Rift Complex (c. 700 Ma) created broad hydrous zones containing mineral assemblages in equilibrium with surface waters. These panels of fault rock were subsequently buried to depths where the onset of metamorphism begins to dehydrate the fault rock volumes evolving a low δ¹⁸O fluid that is channelled through shear zones related to Delamerian Orogenic activity.     

Stable isotope and geochemical evidence of formation pore fluid evolution during diagenesis of Tertiary sandstones and mudrocks of the Niger Delta

Petrological data provide evidence that framboidal pyrite, Fe-carbonates and kaolinite are the major diagenetic minerals developed during burial diagenesis in the Tertiary Niger Delta sandstones and associated mudrocks. The pyrite sulphur, carbonate carbon and oxygen and kaolinite oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions have been determined. These data (pyrite, δ³⁴S = −24.8 to 21.0‰; “siderite”, δ¹³C(PDB) = −14.7 to +5.0‰, δ¹⁸O(PDB) = −19.1 to −0.6‰; Fe-calcite, δ¹³C(PDB) = +17.5 to 17.9‰, δ¹⁸O(PDB) = −8.3 to −8.0‰; kaolinite, δ¹⁸O(SMOW) = +14.7 to 17.5‰, δD (SMOW) = −86 to −43‰) have been used to interpret the isotopic compositions of the precipitating pore fluids and/or the temperatures of mineral formation. The interpretation of these results indicate that in the deltaic depositional setting the syndepositional pore waters had a significant but variable marine influence that favoured the early formation of pyrite. Subsequently the subsurface influence of meteoric waters, showing varying degrees of modification involving organic and/or water-rock reactions, played an increasingly significant role in the development of later diagenetic cements in the sediments when abundant authigenic carbonates and kaolinites were formed.     

Continental ca 1.7 – 1.69 Ga Fe-rich metatholeiites in the Curnamona Province,Australia: a record of melting of a heterogeneous,subduction-modified lithospheric mantle

Mg-rich and Fe-rich metatholeiites intruded the Willyama Supergroup of the southern Australian Curnamona Province in the Late Palaeoproterozoic at ca 1700 Ma and 1685 Ma, respectively. Intrusion of the Fe-rich metatholeiites occurred during a period of punctuated extension in the Willyama basin. Major-element concentrations are variable (SiO₂ 45.4 – 56.5 wt%; Fe₂O₃? 8.5 – 20.7; TiO₂ 0.46 – 2.52 wt%; Mg# 70.5 – 29.1) and, in conjunction with trace-element data, support near-closed-system fractionation of a mantle-derived melt with little or no replenishment. Fractionation produced progressively Fe-rich derivative melts. Crystallising phases were dominated by clinopyroxene and olivine, whereas Fe – (Ti) oxide crystallisation was hindered. Primitive mantle-normalised immobile trace elements are characterised by variable Th, Nb, Sr, P and Ti anomalies. Chondrite-normalised rare-earth element patterns for the most primitive, Mg-rich samples from the western Broken Hill Domain have La_N/Sm_N < 1, whereas the most evolved Fe-rich samples from the Olary Domain have ratios of La_N/Sm_N > 1. Initial εNd values range between – 2.2 and + 2.7 for the majority of the samples, with the isotopic compositions showing no correlation with differentiation or assimilation. The combined geochemical and isotopic data suggest that the southern Curnamona Province metatholeiites were extracted from a depleted mantle in the western Broken Hill Domain, and a variably enriched, heterogeneous subcontinental lithospheric mantle in the Olary Domain. Magmatism most likely occurred in a backarc basin or intracontinental setting. It is speculated that the geochemically enriched mantle component was derived from subduction-related processes, probably related to pre-Willyama basin accretionary processes along the southern and eastern margins of the North Australian Craton.     

Temporal constraints on the timing of high-grade metamorphism in the northern Gawler Craton: implications for assembly of the Australian Proterozoic

LA-ICPMS U–Pb data from metamorphic monazite in upper amphibolite and granulite-grade metasedimentary rocks indicate that the Nawa Domain of the northern Gawler Craton in southern Australia underwent multiple high-grade metamorphic events in the Late Paleoproterozoic and Early Mesoproterozoic. Five of the six samples investigated here record metamorphic monazite growth during the period 1730–1690 Ma, coincident with the Kimban Orogeny, which shaped the crustal architecture of the southeastern Gawler Craton. Combined with existing detrital zircon U–Pb data, the metamorphic monazite ages constrain deposition of the northern Gawler metasedimentary protoliths to the interval ca 1750–1720 Ma. The new age data highlight the craton-wide nature of the 1730–1690 Ma Kimban Orogeny in the Gawler Craton. In the Mabel Creek Ridge region of the Nawa Domain, rocks metamorphosed during the Kimban Orogeny were reworked during the Kararan Orogeny (1570–1555 Ma). The obtained Kararan Orogeny monazite ages are within uncertainty of ca 1590–1575 Ma zircon U–Pb metamorphic ages from the Mt Woods Domain in the central-eastern Gawler Craton, which indicate that high-grade metamorphism and associated deformation were coeval with the craton-scale Hiltaba magmatic event. The timing of this deformation, and the implied compressional vector, is similar to the latter stages of the Olarian Orogeny in the adjacent Curnamona Province and appears to be part of a westward migration in the timing of deformation and metamorphism in the southern Australian Proterozoic over the interval 1600–1545 Ma. This pattern of westward-shifting tectonism is defined by the Olarian Orogeny (1600–1585 Ma, Curnamona Province), Mt Woods deformation (1590–1575 Ma), Mabel Creek Ridge deformation (1570–1555 Ma, Kararan Orogeny) and Fowler Domain deformation (1555–1545 Ma, Kararan Orogeny). This westward migration of deformation suggests the existence of a large evolving tectonic system that encompassed the emplacement of the voluminous Hiltaba Suite and associated volcanic and mineral systems.     

Pyrite of distinctive isotopic composition from the Hemlo deposit: A potential tool to identify this type of gold mineralization in Archean terrain

Most sulphides from various rock types and mineralization of Archean age exhibit sulphur isotope values (δ³⁴S) near 0‰. This is due to a general absence of conditions suitable for the oxidation-reduction reactions essential for isotopic fractionation. However, some important occurrences of Archean Au mineralization do display significant variations in δ³⁴S). One such occurrence with unusual isotopic compositions is the Hemlo gold deposit: pyrite from the ore typically has δ³⁴S < −6‰ to a minimum value of −17.5‰ The isotopic composition of the pyrite is correlated with the content of Au, indicating that they are genetically related.The sulphur isotope data suggest that sulphur compounds experienced redox reactions in the hydrothermal system at Hemlo and that sulphate was present prior to the Au mineralization. This sulphate may be of exogenic origin from a restricted basin, or of endogenic origin from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids. Other characteristic features of the deposit, such as enrichment in Sb, Tl and Hg, may also be explained by ore deposition under moderately oxidizing conditions.Distinctive δ³⁴S values were also observed in pyrite from Au mineralization at Heron Bay, 30 km west of Hemlo, and from baritic strata 21 to 27 km west and on approximate strike from Hemlo. These occurrences also represent sulphate-bearing hydrothermal systems and, as such, give distant information on the unusual environment of the mineralization at Hemlo. Since the isotopes of sulphur are sensitive to oxidation conditions they may be used to identify hydrothermal activities characteristic of this type of Au mineralization and to explore for other unusual areas of sulphate accumulation in Archean terrains.     

Iron-formations and epigenetic ironstones in the Palaeoproterozoic Willyama Supergroup, Olary Domain, South Australia

Summary Iron-formations occur as massive to compositionally layered, Fe oxide-rich, concordant bodies in the Palaeoproterozoic Willyama Supergroup of the Olary Domain, South Australia. They have constitutional similarities to those occurring in the neighbouring Broken Hill Domain. The most abundant iron-formations are in the Quartzofeldspathic Suite and comprise magnetite-quartz assemblages (± hematite, barite, actinolite, apatite). Hematite, magnetite, albite, quartz, Ca(Na) amphibole(s), CaNaFe clinopyroxene and andraditic garnet are major constituents of rare calc-silicate iron-formations in the Bimba and Calcsilicate Suites, whereas magnetite, quartz, almandine-spessartine, manganoan fayalite, manganoan grunerite and apatite form manganiferous iron-formations in the Pelite Suite. The pronounced differences in mineralogy of the three iron-formation types are the result of regional metamorphism of diverse hydrothermal precipitates with variable elastic components, together with the local effects of high-temperature metasomatic alteration. Metasomatic fluids were produced as a result of devolatilisation of the evaporite-bearing volcanosedimentary sequence, during and following amphibolite grade metamorphism and deformation, which led to localised and regional-scale hydrothermal alteration. In places, there was extensive metasomatic reconstitution (veining, brecciation, replacement) of iron-formations and associated rocks, caused by high-temperature (350°–650°C), oxidising, saline fluids. The resulting epigenetic ironstones are dominated by magnetite-hematite-quartz with minor sulfides and display enrichment in Fe, Ti, Cu, Au, Sc, U, V, Y, Zn and HREE relative to parental iron-formations.

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Eisenformationen und epigenetische Eisensteine in der Paläoproterozoischen Willyama Supergroup, Olary Domäne, Südaustralien

Zusammenfassung Eisenformationen kommen als massige bis in der Zusammensetzung geschichtete, Eisenoxidreiche, konkordante Körper in der paläoproterozoischen Willyama Supergroup der Olary Domäne, Südaustralien, vor. Sie haben konstitutionelle Ähnlichkeiten mit Vorkommen in der benachbarten Broken Hill Domäne. Die häufigsten Eisenformationen befinden sich in der Quartzofeldspathic Suite and bestehen aus Magnetit und Quarz (± Hämatit, Baryt, Aktinolit, Apatit). Hämatit, Magnetit, Albit, Quarz, Ca(Na) Amphibol(e), CaNaFe Klinopyroxen und andraditischer Granat sind Hauptbestandteile von seltenen Kalksilikat-Eisenformationen in den Bimba und Calcsilicate Suites, während Magnetit, Quartz, Almandin-Spessartin, manganhaltiger Fayalit, manganhaltiger Grunerit und Apatit manganhaltige Eisenformationen in der Pelite Suite bilden. Die ausgeprägten Unterschiede in der Mineralogie der drei Typen von Eisenformationen sind durch Regionalmetamorphose von diversen hydrothermalen Ausfällungen mit variablen klastischen Komponenten verursacht worden, zusammen mit lokalen Wirkungen einer hock-Temperatur metasomatischen Alteration. Metasomatische Fluide wurden während und nach der Amphibolitmetamorphose und Deformation durch Devolatilisation der evaporithaltigen vulkanosedimentären Abfolge produziert, die sowohl zu lokaler, wie auch zu weiträumiger hydrothermaler Alteration führten. Örtlich kam es zu umfangreicher metasomatischer Rekonstitution (Gangbildung, Brekkzierung, Verdrängung) von Eisenformationen und assoziierten Gesteinen verursacht durch hoch-Temperatur (350°–650°C), oxidierte, saline Fluide. Die resultierenden epigenetischen Eisensteine bestehen hauptsächlich aus Magnetit, Hämatit, und Quarz mit Sulfiden und weisen eine Anreicherung in Fe, Ti, Cu, Au, Sc, U, V, Y, Zu und SREE relativ gegenüber den ursprünglichen Eisenformationen auf.

     

Gold and sulphide minerals in Tertiary quartz pebble conglomerate gold placers, Southland, New Zealand

Auriferous quartz pebble conglomerates (QPC) formed during Tertiary sedimentary recycling in the Waimumu district, Southland, New Zealand. These sediments contain fine-grained gold of detrital origin with abundant surface textures and gold-forms associated with authigenic gold remobilisation. Most authigenic gold contains no detectable silver and occurs as overgrowths on detrital Au–Ag and Au–Ag–Hg alloys that contain up to 13 wt.% Ag, and 9 wt.% Hg. Fine-grained Au–Ag and Au–Ag–Hg alloys are compositionally heterogeneous, exhibiting both well-defined silver-depleted and silver-enriched rims. Rare coarse Au–Ag alloy is intergrown with quartz and is homogenous. Discrete grains of authigenic, porous, sheet-like gold occur in carbonaceous mudstone within a QPC sequence. Some QPC contain abundant sulphide minerals. Some of these sulphides (pyrite and arsenopyrite) are of long-distance detrital origin, presumably from the Otago Schist, whereas the bulk of the sulphide suite is marcasite of variably transported diagenetic origin, derived from the erosion of QPC and underlying Tertiary sediments. There has also been authigenic deposition of sulphide minerals in the QPC themselves. These diagenetic sulphides include framboidal and anhedral marcasite, and framboidal and euhedral pyrite. Sulphur isotope data for the sulphide minerals range from − 45‰ to + 18‰ (relative to VCDT). Sulphur isotope data for euhedral detrital pyrite and arsenopyrite range from − 9‰ to − 1‰ and are most likely derived from the Otago Schist to the north. Both framboidal and anhedral marcasite have lower values (< − 20‰) reflecting microbial sulphate reduction as a source for the precursor hydrogen sulphide. Anhedral marcasite contains elevated concentrations of Ni, Co, As and Cr, commonly with compositional banding of these metals.Both the gold and diagenetic sulphides from the Belle-Brook QPC are compositionally similar to gold and sulphides from Archaean QPC. Porous, sheet-like authigenic gold is morphologically similar to gold associated with carbonaceous material in the Witwatersrand. In addition, Southland marcasite textures resemble the rounded and banded pyrite in Witwatersrand QPC placers. There is abundant evidence from these Tertiary QPC in southern New Zealand for sedimentary transport of sulphide minerals and post-depositional sulphide mineralisation in the surficial environment despite an oxygen-rich atmosphere. These young deposits thus provide an example of authigenic gold and sulphide textures formed during diagenesis in unmetamorphosed placers. Many of these textures are similar to those commonly ascribed to metamorphic processes in Archaean auriferous QPC.     

A newly defined Late Ordovician magmatic‐thermal event in the Mt Painter Province,northern Flinders Ranges,South Australia

Magmatism,metamorphism and metasomatism in the Palaeoproterozoic‐Mesoproterozoic Mt Painter Inlier and overlying Neoproterozoic Adelaidean rocks in the northern Flinders Ranges (South Australia) have previously been interpreted as resulting from the ca 500 Ma Delamerian Orogeny. New Rb–Sr, Sm–Nd and U–Pb data, as well as structural analysis,indicate that the area also experienced a second thermal event in the Late Ordovician (ca 440 Ma). The Delamerian Orogeny resulted in large‐scale folding, prograde metamorphism and minor magmatic activity in the form of a small volume of pegmatites and leucogranites. The Late Ordovician event produced larger volumes of granite (the British Empire Granite in the core of the inlier) and these show Nd isotopic evidence for a mantle component. The high‐temperature stage of this magmatic‐hydrothermal event also gave rise to unusual diopside‐titanite veins and the primary uranium mineralisation in the basement, of which the remobilisation was younger than 3.5 Ma. It is possible that parts of the Mt Gee quartz‐hematite epithermal system developed during the waning stages of the Late Ordovician event. We suggest that the Ordovician hydrothermal system was also the cause of the commonly observed retrogression of Delamerian metamorphic minerals (cordierite, andalusite) and the widespread development of actinolite, scapolite, tremolite and magnetite in the cover sequences. Deformation during the Late Ordovician was brittle. The recognition of the Late Ordovician magmatic‐hydrothermal event in the Mt Painter Province might help to link the tectonic evolution of central Australia and the southeast Australian Lachlan Fold Belt.     

Fluid flow, alteration and polysulphide mineralisation associated with a low-angle reverse shear zone in the Lower Palaeozoic of the Anglo-Brabant fold belt, Belgium

In the Lower Palaeozoic rocks of the Brabant Massif (Belgium), a recently discovered polysulphide mineralisation is related to a low-angle reverse shear zone. This shear zone has been attributed to the main early Devonian deformation event. Data from boreholes and outcrops allow a detailed investigation of the alteration pattern and palaeofluid flow along this shear zone. Macroscopic observations of the mineralogy and quantitative changes in the phyllosilicate mineralogy indicate that this shear zone is characterised by an envelope of intense sericitisation and silicification. In addition, chloritisation is associated with this alteration. The alteration zone may reach a thickness of 250 m. Ore mineralisation occurred synkinematically and is spatially related to the shear zone. The mineralisation consists of pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, stibnite and smaller amounts of tetrahedrite and other sulphosalts. It is concentrated in quartz–sulphide veins or occurs diffusely in the host rock. The mineralising fluids have a low-salinity H₂O–CO₂–CH₄–NaCl–(KCl) composition and a minimum temperature of 250–320 °C. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz vary between +12.3‰ and +14.5‰ SMOW, and δD compositions of the fluid inclusions in the quartz crystals range from −65‰ to −35‰ V-SMOW. The δD and the calculated δ¹⁸O values of the mineralising fluids fall in the range typical for metamorphic fluids and partly overlap with that for primary magmatic fluids. The δ³⁴S values, between +4.7‰ and +10.6‰ CDT, fall outside the interval typical for I-type magmas. Important migration of likely metamorphic fluids, causing a widespread alteration and a polysulphide mineralisation along a low-angle shear zone, has, thus, been identified for the first time in the Caledonian Anglo-Brabant fold belt.     

Delamerian‐aged metamorphism in the southern Curnamona Province,Australia: implications for the evolution of the Mesoproterozoic Olarian Orogeny

Monazite electron microprobe U–Th–Pb and garnet Sm–Nd isotopic data from metapelitic assemblages in the Willyama Supergroup in the southern Curnamona Province, south‐central Australia, indicate that the terrain underwent regional greenschist to amphibolite‐grade metamorphism during the c. 500 Ma Delamerian Orogeny. The Delamerian‐aged mineral assemblages include prograde garnet–staurolite and kyanite‐bearing associations that overprint andalusite‐ and sillimanite‐bearing assemblages that are interpreted to have developed during the c. 1600 Ma Olarian Orogeny. Importantly, the development of secondary kyanite‐bearing assemblages in the southern Curnamona Province has been used previously to suggest that the Olarian Orogeny followed an anticlockwise P–T evolution. If such assemblages are the product of c. 500 Ma metamorphism, then the anticlockwise P–T path is an apparent path, due to the overprint of a distinct metamorphic cycle c. 1100 Ma later. Making such distinctions is therefore extremely important when using the textural and metamorphic evolution of polycyclic terrains to model the thermal behaviour of the crust during orogeny. This study highlights the utility of in situ geochronology, linking age data to petrologically important phases and assemblages.     

Geology, mineralogy and stable isotope geochemistry of the Kabwe carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposit, Central Zambia

The carbonate-hosted Kabwe Pb–Zn deposit, Central Zambia, has produced at least 2.6 Mt of Zn and Pb metal as well as minor amounts of V, Cd, Ag and Cu. The deposit consists of four main epigenetic, pipe-like orebodies, structurally controlled along NE–SW faults. Sphalerite, galena, pyrite, minor chalcopyrite, and accessory Ge-sulphides of briartite and renierite constitute the primary ore mineral assemblage. Cores of massive sulphide orebodies are surrounded by oxide zones of silicate ore (willemite) and mineralized jasperoid that consists largely of quartz, willemite, cerussite, smithsonite, goethite and hematite, as well as numerous other secondary minerals, including vanadates, phosphates and carbonates of Zn, Pb, V and Cu.Galena, sphalerite and pyrite from the Pb–Zn rich massive orebodies have homogeneous, negative sulphur isotope ratios with mean δ³⁴S_CDT permil (‰) values of − 17.75 ± 0.28 (1σ), − 16.54 ± 0.0.27 and − 15.82 ± 0.25, respectively. The Zn-rich and Pb-poor No. 2 orebody shows slightly heavier ratios of − 11.70 ± 0.5‰ δ³⁴S for sphalerite and of − 11.91 ± 0.71‰ δ³⁴S for pyrite. The negative sulphur isotope ratios are considered to be typical of sedimentary sulphides produced through bacterial reduction of seawater sulphate and suggest a sedimentary source for the sulphur.Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios of the host dolomite have mean δ¹³C_PDB and δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of 2.89‰ and 27.68‰, respectively, which are typical of marine carbonates. The oxygen isotope ratios of dolomite correlate negatively to the SiO₂ content introduced during silicification of the host dolomite. The depletion in ¹⁸O in dolomite indicates high temperature fluid/rock interaction, involving a silica- and ¹⁸O-rich hydrothermal solution.Two types of secondary fluid inclusions in dolomite, both of which are thought to be related to ore deposition, indicate temperatures of ore deposition in the range of 257 to 385 and 98 to 178 °C, respectively. The high temperature fluid inclusions contain liquid + vapour + solid phases and have salinities of 15 to 31 eq. wt.% NaCl, whereas the low temperature inclusions consist of liquid + vapour with a salinity of 11.5 eq. wt.% NaCl.Fluid transport may have been caused by tectonic movements associated with the early stages of the Pan-African Lufilian orogeny, whereas ore deposition within favourable structures occurred due to changes in pressure, temperature and pH in the ore solution during metasomatic replacement of the host dolomite. The termination of the Kabwe orebodies at the Mine Club fault zone and observed deformation textures of the ore sulphides as well as analysis of joint structures in the host dolomite, indicate that ore emplacement occurred prior to the latest deformation phase of the Neoproterozoic Lufilian orogeny.     

Relationships between magmatism and deformation in northern Yorke Peninsula and southeastern Proterozoic Australia

The ca 1600–1580 Ma time interval is recognised as a significant period of magmatism, deformation and mineralisation throughout eastern Proterozoic Australia. Within the northern Yorke Peninsula in South Australia, this period was associated with the emplacement of multiple phases of the Tickera Granite, an intensely foliated quartz alkali-feldspar syenite, a leucotonalite and an alkali-feldspar granite. These granites belong to the broader Hiltaba Suite that was emplaced at shallow crustal levels throughout the Gawler Craton. Geochemical and isotopic analysis suggests these granite phases were derived from a heterogeneous source region. The syenite and alkali-feldspar granite were derived from similar source regions, likely the underlying ca 1850 Ma Donington Suite and/or the ca 1750 Ma Wallaroo Group metasediments with some contamination from an Archean basement. The leucotonalite is sourced from a similar but more mafic/lower crustal source. Phases of the Tickera Granite were emplaced synchronously with deformation that resulted in development of a prominent northeast-trending structural grain throughout the Yorke Peninsula region. This fabric is associated with composite events resulting from folding, shearing and faulting within the region. The intense deformation and intrusion of granites within this period resulted in mineralisation throughout the region, as seen in Wheal Hughes and Poona mines. The Yorke Peninsula shares a common geological history with the Curnamona Province, which was deformed during the ca 1600–1585 Ma Olarian Orogeny, and resulted in development of early isoclinal and recumbent folds overprinted by an upright fold generation, a dominant northeast-trending structural grain, mineralisation, and spatially and temporally related intrusions. This suggests correlation of parts of the Gawler Craton with the Curnamona Province, and that the Olarian Orogeny also affected the southeastern Gawler Craton.