The scale of ore-depositional systems: an important restraint on epigenetic vs remobilized syngenetic origins for Archaean mesothermal gold deposits

There is general consensus that the majority of gold deposits in the important group hosted by volcanic or intrusive host rocks within Archaean granitoid-greenstone terrains have an epigenetic origin. However, there is controversy surrounding those stratabound deposits hosted by Fe-rich sedimentary rocks, such as banded iron formation (BIF), for which epigenetic, syngenetic and remobilized syngenetic (lateral secretion) origins have all been proposed.In Western Australia, such controversial gold deposits in Fe-rich sedimentary units have similar ore mineralogies, ore-element ratios and, in places, alteration assemblages and, on the craton scale, show very similar structural controls to the other deposits: equivalent relationships are recorded for similar deposits in other cratons. All Western Australian deposits occur along kilometre-scale shear or fault zones linked to trans-craton, obliqueto strike-slip shear zones that were a focus for: i) carbonation with a mantle-like isotopic signature, and ii) emplacement of high-level A- and I-type granitoids, felsic porphyries and/or calc-alkaline lamprophyres. The scale of the mineralizing systems and the broad contemporaneity of mineralization, as indicated by radiogenic isotope studies, is much larger than that envisaged in conceptual secretion models which involve volumetrically small, locally-enriched source rocks. Instead, Archaean gold mineralization in Western Australia, at least, is probably the result of high fluid-flux during deformation, hightemperature metamorphism and magmatism which may be related to tectonism at convergent plate margins, as in modern examples. There is strong evidence for similar tectonic and mineralizing processes from the Canadian Shield.

---

Zusammenfassung Goldlagerstätten in vulkanischen oder intrusiven Gesteinskörpern innerhalb von Granitoid-Grünstein Regionen archaischen Alters gelten im allgemeinen als epigenetisch. Unklarheit besteht dagegen bei Lagerstätten, die an eisenreiche Sedimentgesteine wie gebänderte Roteisensteine (banded iron formation (BIF) gebunden sind und für die epigenetische, syngenetische sowie remobilisierte syngenetische (laterale Sekretion) Entstehungstheorien diskutiert werden.In West-Australien gibt es diese kontroversen Goldvorkommen in eisenreichen Sedimentgesteinen. Sie haben ähnliche Lagerstättenmineralogien, Elementverteilungen und z. T. auch ähnliche Umwandlungsprodukte wie die zuerst genannten, eindeutig epigenetischen Goldvorkommen, außerdem erkennt man vergleichbare strukturelle Kontrollen der Lagerstätte und Ähnlichkeiten, wenn sie mit Vorkommen in anderen Kratonen verglichen werden. Alle westaustralischen Lagerstätten befinden sich in trans-kratonischen Scher- und Störungszonen mit kilometergroßen Versatzbeträgen. An diesen Störungszonen fand Inkohlung mit einer den Mantel ähnlichen Isotopensignatur und der Aufstieg von A- und I-Typ Granitoiden, felsischen Porphyren und/oder kalk-alkalischen Lamprophyren statt. Das Größenverhältnis des mineralisierenden Systems und die weitreichende, zeitgleiche Mineralisation, auf die Untersuchungen an radiogenen Isotopen hindeuten, ist viel größer als sie durch Sekretions-Modelle, die auf kleinen Volumina und nur lokal angereichertem Gold im Gestein basieren, prognostiziert werden können.In der Zeit des Archaikums resultiert die Goldanreicherung in West-Australien wahrscheinlich aus einem enormen Lösungsdurchfluß während der Deformation, aus Hoch-Temperatur-Metamorphose und Magmatismus, was in möglichem Zusammenhang mit tektonischen Vorgängen an konvergierenden Plattenrändern, ähnlich modernen Beispielen, steht. Es gibt zahlreiche Hinweise auf entsprechende tektonische und mineralogische Prozesse des Kanadischen Schildes.

---

Résumé Il existe un consensus général quant à l'origine épigénétique des dépôts d'or contenus dans les ensemble volcaniques ou intrusifs des formations de granitoïdes — greenstones d'âge archéen. Par contre, une controverse subsiste à propos des dépôts stratiformes contenus dans les roches sédimentaires riches en Fe, telle que la «banded iron formation» (BIF), pour lesquels ont été proposées des origines épigénétique, syngénétique et syngénétique de remobilisation (sécrétion latérale).Il existe en Australie occidentale de tels dépôts d'or situés au sein d'unités sédimentaires riches en Fe. Ces dépots présentent, par rapport aux dépôts épigénétiques du premier type, un certain nombre de similitudes: leur minéralogie, les rapports entre leurs éléments, en certains endroits leurs produits d'altération et, à l'échelle du craton, leurs relations avec la structure. Des similitudes analogues peuvent être relevées à propos de gisements de même type situés dans d'autres cratons. Tous les gisements ouest-autraliens sont localisés le long de zones de failles ou de cisaillement d'échelle kilométrique liées à des shear zones transcratoniques à rejet oblique ou horizontal. Ces zones sont marquées par: 1) une carbonisation avec signature isotopique mantélique; 2) la mise en place de granitoïdes peu profonds de type A et I, de porphyres felsitiques et/ou de lamprophyres calco-alcalins. L'échelle du système minéralisant et la simultanéité des minéralisations révélée par la géochronologie isotopique sont bien supérieures à ce qu'impliqueraient les modèles par sécrétion, qui mettent en jeu des sources de faible volume à enrichissement local.En conclusion, les minéralisations de l'Australie de l'ouest ont probablement pour origine l'action d'un flux important de fluide minéralisant au cours de la déformation, du métamorphisme de haute température et du magmatisme, phénomènes que l'on peut mettre en relation avec une convergence de plaques par analogie avec des exemples récents. Il existe de nombreux indices d'une tectonique et d'une minéralisation analogues dans le bouclier canadien.

---

, - . , , , .: (banded iron formation (BIF)); , . , . , , , , . . - , . , , I, / . , , , , , . , , , , , , , ; . , .

     

Evaluating Weather Research and Forecasting Model Sensitivity to Land and Soil Conditions Representative of Karst Landscapes

Due to their particular physiographic, geomorphic, soil cover, and complex surface-subsurface hydrologic conditions, karst regions produce distinct land–atmosphere interactions. It has been found that floods and droughts over karst regions can be more pronounced than those in non-karst regions following a given rainfall event. Five convective weather events are simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting model to explore the potential impacts of land-surface conditions on weather simulations over karst regions. Since no existing weather or climate model has the ability to represent karst landscapes, simulation experiments in this exploratory study consist of a control (default land-cover/soil types) and three land-surface conditions, including barren ground, forest, and sandy soils over the karst areas, which mimic certain karst characteristics. Results from sensitivity experiments are compared with the control simulation, as well as with the National Centers for Environmental Prediction multi-sensor precipitation analysis Stage-IV data, and near-surface atmospheric observations. Mesoscale features of surface energy partition, surface water and energy exchange, the resulting surface-air temperature and humidity, and low-level instability and convective energy are analyzed to investigate the potential land-surface impact on weather over karst regions. We conclude that: (1) barren ground used over karst regions has a pronounced effect on the overall simulation of precipitation. Barren ground provides the overall lowest root-mean-square errors and bias scores in precipitation over the peak-rain periods. Contingency table-based equitable threat and frequency bias scores suggest that the barren and forest experiments are more successful in simulating light to moderate rainfall. Variables dependent on local surface conditions show stronger contrasts between karst and non-karst regions than variables dominated by large-scale synoptic systems; (2) significant sensitivity responses are found over the karst regions, including pronounced warming and cooling effects on the near-surface atmosphere from barren and forested land cover, respectively; (3) the barren ground in the karst regions provides conditions favourable for convective development under certain conditions. Therefore, it is suggested that karst and non-karst landscapes should be distinguished, and their physical processes should be considered for future model development.     

Positioning fisheries in a changing world

Marine capture fisheries face major and complex challenges: habitat degradation, poor economic returns, social hardships from depleted stocks, illegal fishing, and climate change, among others. The key factors that prevent the transition to sustainable fisheries are information failures, transition costs, use and non-use conflicts and capacity constraints. Using the experiences of fisheries successes and failures it is argued only through better governance and institutional change that encompasses the public good of the oceans (biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, sustainability) and societal values (existence, aesthetic and amenity) will fisheries be made sustainable.     

A unified model for gold mineralisation in accretionary orogens and implications for regional-scale exploration targeting methods

Accretionary orogens are the sites of long-lived convergent margin tectonics, both compressional and extensional. They are also the hosts to the majority of the world’s important gold deposits. A very diverse range of deposit types occurs within accretionary orogens, commonly in close proximity in space and time to each other. These include porphyry and associated high-sulphidation Au–Cu–Ag deposits, classic low-sulphidation Au–Ag deposits, low-sulphidation Au deposits centred on alkalic intrusive complexes, Carlin-type Au deposits, Au-rich volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits, orogenic Au deposits, intrusion-related Au deposits and iron oxide Cu–Au deposits. Empirical patterns of spatial distribution of these deposits suggest there must be fundamental generic controls on gold metallogeny. Various lines of evidence lead to the proposal that the underlying key generic factor controlling accretionary orogen gold metallogeny is regional-scale, long-term, pre- and syn-subduction heterogeneous fertilisation of the lithospheric mantle that becomes a source of mineralisation-associated arc magma or hydrothermal fluid components. This process provides a gold-enriched reservoir that can be accessed later in a diverse range of tectonomagmatic settings. Based on this concept, a unified model is proposed in which the formation of a major gold deposit of any type requires the conjunction in time and space of three essential factors: a fertile upper-mantle source region, a favourable transient remobilisation event, and favourable lithospheric-scale plumbing structure. This framework provides the basis for a practical regional-scale targeting methodology that is applicable to data-poor regions.     

The petrogenesis of Merensky Reef potholes at the Western Platinum Mine, Bushveld Complex: Sr-isotopic evidence for synmagmatic deformation

Potholes represent areas where the normally planar PGE-rich Merensky Reef of the upper Critical Zone of the Bushveld Complex transgresses its footwall, such geometric relationships being unusual in layered intrusions. The recognition of vertical dykes of Merensky pyroxenite in the footwall suggests downward collapse of crystal mush into pull-apart sites resulting from tensional deformation due to the loading effects of major new magma additions. In contrast, crosscutting anorthosite veins display physical and isotopic evidence of upward emplacement. The Merensky Reef and its footwall have distinct initial Sr-isotope ratios (R ₀ > 0.7066 and <0.7066, respectively), which may be used to constrain these processes related to pothole formation. Merensky Reef in potholes (R ₀ = 0.7069−0.7078) shows no isotopic evidence of assimilation of, or reaction with, footwall material. Discrete, discordant replacement bodies of anorthosite extend from the footwall lithologies to cross-cut the Merensky Reef and its hanging wall. The initial Sr-isotope ratio in these replaced rocks is totally reset to footwall values (R ₀ = 0.7066), and immediately adjacent stratiform lithologies are slightly modified towards footwall values. In contrast, Neptunian pyroxenitic (Merensky) dykes cross-cutting the footwall lithologies, with a large surface area to volume ratio, and low Sr content, do not display footwall-like Sr-isotope initial-ratios (R ₀ = 0.7077), and thus show no evidence for assimilation of or reaction with footwall material. Furthermore, pegmatoidal replacement pyroxenite (“replacement pegmatoid”), at the base of the Merensky Reef within potholes, has a high initial-ratio (R ₀ > 0.7071), and so models of pervasive metasomatism by footwall material are not applicable. This isotopic evidence indicates that there was no active interaction of footwall material with the overlying magma during, or after, the formation of Merensky Reef potholes, a basic tenet of existing pothole formation hypotheses involving footwall mass-transfer. In contrast, the isotopic data are entirely consistent with an extensional model for pothole formation, with the more radiogenic Merensky magma migrating laterally to fill extensional zones in the footwall layers. Received: 11 October 1997 / Accepted: 21 December 1998     

Archean lode-gold deposits: fluid flow and chemical evolution in vertically extensive hydrothermal systems

The range of conditions of formation of lode-gold deposits from the sub-greenschist to the lower-granulite facies in Archean greenstone belts, and the generally steeply plunging, vertically continuous pipe-like or tabular geometries of individual deposits, indicate long-distance hydrothermal fluid advection along well-defined channelways in the upper and middle crust. From presently available gold solubility data, destabilisation of gold-bisulphide complexes through H₂S loss from the fluid to the wallrock was the dominant gold precipitation mechanism within these hydrothermal systems as a whole. This inference is supported by the S:Au ratios of ores. Sulphur and Au precipitation in the hydrothermal system is estimated to be relatively inefficient, with only 10–50% of S or Au contained in the fluid precipitated over any kilometre length of fluid channelway. The relative inefficiency of gold precipitation allowed mineralisation over a significant depth range in a crustal profile.     

The nature and dimensions of regional and local gold-related hydrothermal alteration in tholeiitic metabasalts in the Norseman goldfields: the missing link in a crustal continuum of gold deposits?

The Archaean lode-gold deposits at Norseman, Western Australia, consist of auriferous quartz veins in dextral-reverse ductile-brittle shear zones within tholeiitic metabasalts of upper-greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphic grade. Three types of deposits (Northern, Central, Southern) are delineated on the basis of their spatial distribution, veining style, alteration mineraloty and metamorphic grade of host rocks. Northern deposits, hosted in upper-greenschist to lower-amphibolite facies rocks, comprise massive to laminated quartz veins with selvedges of quartz-chlorite-calcite-biotite-plagioclase assemblages. Central deposits, hosted in lower-amphibolite facies rocks, consist of laminated to massive quartz veins with selvedges of quartz-actinolite-biotite-plagioclasecalcite assemblages. Southern deposits, hosted in middleamphibolite facies metabasalts, consist of banded quartz-diopside-calcite-microcline-zoisite veins. All deposits exhibit variable ductile deformation of veins and contiguous alteration haloes, consistent with a syn-deformational genesis at high temperatures. From Northern to Southern deposits, the alteration assemblages are indicative of higher temperatures of formation, and there are progressively greater degrees of dynamically recovered textures in alteration and gangue minerals. These observations imply that a thermal variation of gold-related hydrothermal alteration exists within the Norseman Terrane over a distance of 40 km, with T_Northern<T_Central<T_Southern This thermal zonation is corroborated by T−X_{CO 2} phase relations between vein selvedge assemblages, which signify formation temperatures of approximately 420°–475°C, 470°–495°C and >500°C for Northern, Central and Southern deposits, respectively. The sum of structural, petrographic and mineral chemistry data indicates that the alteration assemblages formed in high-temperature, open hydrothermal systems and have not been subsequently metamorphosed. The thermal differences between the deposit groups may reflect (1) a temperature gradient, at relatively constant P, corresponding to the proximity of the deposits to regional granitoid complexes, or (2) formation of the deposits at progressively deeper crustal levels from north to south. In either case the deposits represent a continuum of gold deposition from upper-greenschist to amphibolite facies, now exposed in an oblique section through the Archaean crust at Norseman.     

Lithospheric controls on the formation of provinces hosting giant orogenic gold deposits

Ages of giant gold systems (>500 t gold) cluster within well-defined periods of lithospheric growth at continental margins, and it is the orogen-scale processes during these mainly Late Archaean, Palaeoproterozoic and Phanerozoic times that ultimately determine gold endowment of a province in an orogen. A critical factor for giant orogenic gold provinces appears to be thickness of the subcontinental lithospheric mantle (SCLM) beneath a province at the time of gold mineralisation, as giant gold deposits are much more likely to develop in orogens with subducted oceanic or thin continental lithosphere. A proxy for the latter is a short pre-mineralisation crustal history such that thick SCLM was not developed before gold deposition. In constrast, orogens with protracted pre-mineralisation crustal histories are more likely to be characterised by a thick SCLM that is difficult to delaminate, and hence, such provinces will normally be poorly endowed. The nature of the lithosphere also influences the intrinsic gold concentrations of potential source rocks, with back-arc basalts, transitional basalts and basanites enriched in gold relative to other rock sequences. Thus, segments of orogens with thin lithosphere may enjoy the conjunction of giant-scale fluid flux through gold-enriched sequences. Although the nature of the lithosphere plays the crucial role in dictating which orogenic gold provinces will contain one or more giant deposits, the precise siting of those giants depends on the critical conjunction of a number of province-scale factors. Such features control plumbing systems, traps and seals in tectonically and lithospherically suitable terranes within orogens.     

Nature and genesis of a carbonatite-associated fluorite deposit at Speewah, East Kimberley region, Western Australia

Summary The Speewah fluorite deposit (>2.28Mt at 25.5% CaF₂) is sited adjacent to the crustal-scale Greenvale Fault on the western side of the Halls Creek Orogen, in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Host rocks are Palaeoproterozoic sedimentary rocks, dolerite and granophyre, Early Cambrian basalt, and the Yungul carbonatite. The deposit comprises mainly fluorite–quartz veins associated with lesser barite, sulfides and calcite, controlled by NNE–SSW and N–S brittle faults and fractures. Cross-cutting field relationships indicate that the fluorite veins were deposited post Early Cambrian.Fluorite–quartz vein textures, including colloform banding and comb texture, combined with microthermometric data from primary fluid inclusions, indicate that fluorite was deposited by the incremental infill of open-space structures in an epizonal, and probably epithermal, environment (<160°C) from complex, Li–Ca–Mg-rich, highly saline ore-fluids.The Yungul carbonatite and intimately-associated replacement-type fluorite have similar levels of REE enrichment and identical chondrite-normalised HREE patterns. Samarium and neodymium isotopic analyses of the fluorite indicate extreme differentiation of the ¹⁴⁷Sm/¹⁴⁴Nd ratio, from 0.0709 to 0.6918. These Sm–Nd isotopic data correspond to a mineral isochron with an age of 122±24Ma, interpreted to represent the age of fluorite deposition.Based on the potentially magmatic fluid composition, the replacement-type fluorite within the carbonatite, the similar HREE patterns of fluorite and carbonatite, and direct, if imprecise, isotopic dating of the fluorite, which confirms that fluorite mineralization is younger than the Early Cambrian basalts, the Speewah fluorite deposit is interpreted to be genetically related to the Yungul carbonatite. The large fluorite resource cannot have been derived from the exposed, low-volume carbonatite dyke. Rather, it must have been sourced from a larger carbonatite body at depth, whose presence is implied from basement-derived xenocrystic zircons in the Yungul carbonatite.     

The characteristics,origins, and geodynamic settings of supergiant gold metallogenic provinces

There are six distinct classes of gold deposits, each represented by metallogenic provinces, having 100's to >1000 tonne gold production. The deposit classes are: (1) orogenic gold; (2) Carlin and Carlin-like gold deposits; (3) epithermal gold-silver deposits; (4) copper-gold porphyry deposits; (5) iron-oxide copper-gold deposits; and (6) gold-rich volcanic hosted massive sulfide (VMS) to sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) deposits. This classification is based on ore and alteration mineral assemblages; ore and alteration metal budgets; ore fluid pressure(s) and compositions; crustal depth or depth ranges of formation; relationship to structures and/or magmatic intrusions at a variety of scales; and relationship to the P-T-t evolution of the host terrane. These classes reflect distinct geodynamic settings. Orogenic gold deposits are generated at mid-crustal (4–16 km) levels proximal to terrane boundaries, in transpressional subduction-accretion complexes of Cordilleran style orogenic belts; other orogenic gold provinces form inboard, by delamination of mantle lithosphere, or plume impingement. Carlin and Carlin-like gold deposits develop at shallow crustal levels (<4 km) in extensional convergent margin continental arcs or back arcs; some provinces may involve asthenosphere plume impingement on the base of the lithosphere. Epithermal gold and copper-gold porphyry deposits are sited at shallow crustal levels in continental margin or intraoceanic arcs. Iron oxide copper-gold deposits form at mid to shallow crustal levels; they are associated with extensional intracratonic anorogenic magmatism. Proterozoic examples are sited at the transition from thick refractory Archean mantle lithosphere to thinner Proterozoic mantle lithosphere. Gold-rich VMS deposits are hydrothermal accumulations on or near the seafloor in continental or intraoceanic back arcs.

The compressional tectonics of orogenic gold deposits is generated by terrane accretion; high heat flow stems from crustal thickening, delamination of overthickened mantle lithosphere inducing advection of hot asthenosphere, or asthenosphere plume impingement. Ore fluids advect at lithostatic pressures. The extensional settings of Carlin, epithermal, and copper-gold porphyry deposits result from slab rollback driven by negative buoyancy of the subducting plate, and associated induced convection in asthenosphere below the over-riding lithospheric plate. Extension thins the lithosphere, advecting asthenosphere heat, promotes advection of mantle lithosphere and crustal magmas to shallow crustal levels, and enhances hydraulic conductivity. Siting of some copper-gold porphyry deposits is controlled by arc parallel or orthogonal structures that in turn reflect deflections or windows in the slab. Ore fluids in Carlin and epithermal deposits were at near hydrostatic pressures, with unconstrained magmatic fluid input, whereas ore fluids generating porphyry copper-gold deposits were initially magmatic and lithostatic, evolving to hydrostatic pressures. Fertilization of previously depleted sub-arc mantle lithosphere by fluids or melts from the subducting plate, or incompatible element enriched asthenosphere plumes, is likely a factor in generation of these gold deposits. Iron oxide copper-gold deposits involve prior fertilization of Archean mantle lithosphere by incompatible element enriched asthenospheric plume liquids, and subsequent intracontinental anorogenic magmatism driven by decompressional extension from far-field plate forces. Halogen rich mantle lithosphere and crustal magmas likely are the causative intrusions for the deposits, with a deep crustal proximal to shallow crustal distal association. Gold-rich VMS deposits develop in extensional geodynamic settings, where thinned lithosphere extension drives high heat flow and enhanced hydraulic conductivity, as for epithermal deposits. Ore fluids induced hydrostatic convection of modified seawater, with unconstrained magmatic input. Some gold-rich VMS deposits with an epithermal metal budget may be submarine counterparts of terrestrial epithermal gold deposits. Real time analogs for all of these gold deposit classes are known in the geodynamic settings described, excepting iron oxide copper-gold deposits.