University of Tasmania, Australia

Objective: To develop practical, process-based models for the formation of hydrothermal and magmatic ore deposits that will help increase discovery rates for Australia’s deep earth resources.

Ore deposits form when chemical and physical processes cause dramatic changes in metal solubilities in hydrothermal fluids or magmas. These processes vary between deposit classes, and also between individual deposits. Evaluating the relative and absolute effectiveness of different ore-forming processes is essential for the development of new, process-based exploration models.

The Formation Program has two major research themes. The first, Ore-Forming Processes, investigates fundamental problems in ore genesis, taking advantage of CODES’ unparalleled access to world-class ore deposits, well-constrained sample suites and data sets, and cutting-edge technologies. These technologies are accessed via Program 5, the nodes, and international collaborators. This theme aims to generate high-profile publications, targeting high-impact journals such as Science, Nature, GCA, EPSL and Geology.

The second research theme is Ore Deposit Characterisation. In order to understand how ore deposits form, it is essential that alteration and mineralisation features are carefully documented, both in the field and in the laboratory. This applied research activity generates essential data for understanding deposit formation and refining mineral exploration models, which makes this theme strongly linked to Program 3. One of the aims is to publish key papers and special issues describing and interpreting world-class ore deposits in Economic Geology and Mineralium Deposita.

Core Projects:

• Theme 2A – Ore Forming Processes (two projects)

• Theme 2B – Ore Deposit Characterisation

P2B1A - Exploring the porphyry environment

Leaders: David Cooke, Janina Micko

External Collaborators/Partners: Benjamin Ackerman (Newcrest Mining Ltd.), Charlotte Allen (ANU), Ian Campbell (ANU), Mawson Croaker (Harmony Gold), Dean Collett (Newcrest Mining Ltd), Robert Creaser (University of Alberta), Russell Dow (Harmony Gold), Kevin Faure (GNS), Dave Finn (Morobe Mining Joint Venture), Anthony Harris (Newcrest Mining Ltd), John Holliday (Newcrest Mining Limited), Chris Muller (Morobe Mining Joint Venture), Ian Percival (GSNSW), Simon Shakesby (Morobe Mining Joint Venture), Betty Tekeve (Morobe Mining Joint Venture)

The team is working in close collaboration with Newcrest Mining in order to maximise opportunities for the discovery of new porphyry-related gold resources in Australia and the South West Pacific region.

A combination of university-based research and in-house training has led to an improved understanding of Newcrest’s porphyry and epithermal deposits in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and advanced the conceptual models and exploration techniques applied at the relevant deposits and districts.

The close working relationship with Newcrest has resulted in the rapid uptake of knowledge arising from research activities, as well as the continued support from the company’s leadership, both logistically and financially. Due to this, the company’s exploration teams are now able to capitalise on epithermal and porphyry vectors developed in AMIRA research projects, past and present (P588, P765, P765A, and P1060), the findings of which have helped the team to develop sampling and analytical protocols. In most cases, these are now being routinely applied to exploration and advanced projects.

P2B3B - Genesis of volcanic-hosted copper-lead-zinc-silver-gold massive sulfide deposits

Leader: Bruce Gemmell

External Collaborators/Partners: Mark Hannington, University of Ottawa; David Huston, Geoscience Australia; Jim Mortensen, University of British Columbia; Wan Fuad Wan Hassan, University Kebangsaan, Malaysia; Teh Guan Hoe and Azman Ghandi, University of Malaya, Malaysia; Hai Thanh Tran, Hanoi University of Geology and Mining, Vietnam; Jamie Wilkinson, Imperial College London

This project is investigating the spectrum of massive sulfide deposit types – from typical seafloor VHMS (zinc-lead-copper-silver-gold) deposits, through to sub-seafloor shallow-water, replacement gold-rich epithermal, and deep sub-volcanic intrusion-related copper-gold-rich styles.

In 2011, research was undertaken on deposits at Fossey-Hellyer-Que River-Mt Charter (Tasmania), Mt Lyell (Tasmania), DeGrussa (Western Australia), Palmer (Alaska), Duc Bo (Vietnam), Tsik Chini (Malaysia) and Tala Hamza (Algeria). The team’s new zircon age determinations for the Mount Read Volcanic Belt were presented publically for the first time. This work was conducted in collaboration with Jim Mortensen of UBC. A paper entitled ‘The role of granites in volcanic-hosted massive sulfide ore-forming systems: An assessment of magmatic–hydrothermal contributions’ was published in Mineralium Deposita, and was a collaboration with David Huston of Geoscience Australia.

2010 Research Output - Program 2

Chen, H.Y., Clark, A.H., Kyser, T.K., Ullrich, T.D., Baxter, R., Chen, Y.M., and Moody, T.C., 2010, Evolution of the giant Marcona-Mina Justa iron oxide-copper-gold district, South-Central Peru: Economic Geology, v. 105, p. 155-185.

Fan, Y., Zhou, T.F., Yuan, F., Zhang, L.J., Qian, B., Ma, L.A., and Cooke, D.R., 2010, Geochronology of the diorite porphyrites in Ning-Wu basin and their metallogenic significances: Acta Petrologica Sinica, v. 26, p. 2715-2728.

Hitzman, M.W., Selley, D., and Bull, S., 2010, Formation of sedimentary rock-hosted stratiform copper deposits through earth history: Economic Geology, v. 105, p. 627-639.

Huston, D.L., Pehrsson, S., Eglington, B.M., and Zaw, K., 2010, The geology and metallogeny of volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: Variations through geologic time and with tectonic setting: Economic Geology, v. 105, p. 571-591.

Kloppenburg, A., Grocott, J., and Hutchinson, D., 2010, Structural setting and synplutonic fault kinematics of a Cordilleran Cu-Au-Mo porphyry mineralization system, Bingham mining district, Utah: Economic Geology, v. 105, p. 743-761.

Large, R.R., 2010, Evidence for a two-stage process in the genesis of sediment-hosted gold-arsenic deposits, Deb, M., and Goldfarb, R., eds., Gold Metallogeny India and Beyond, Alpha Science International Ltd., Oxford, U.K., p. 30-47.

McGoldrick, P., Winefield, P., Bull, S.W., Selley, D., and Scott, R., 2010, Sequences, syn-sedimentary structures and sub-basins: the ‘where and when’ of sedex zinc systems in the Southern McArthur Basin, in Goldfarb, R., Marsh, E., and Moneke, T., eds., SEG Special Publication, 15 Ch 20, p. 367-389.

Micklethwaite, S., Sheldon, H.A., and Baker, T., 2010, Active fault and shear processes and their implications for mineral deposit formation and discovery: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 32, p. 151-165.

Vry, V.H., Wilkinson, J.J., Seguel, J., and Millan, J., 2010, Multistage intrusion, brecciation, and veining at El Teniente: Evolution of a nested porphyry system: Economic Geology, v. 105, p. 119-153.

Wilkinson, J.J., 2010, A review of fluid inclusion constraints on mineralization in the Irish ore field and implications for the genesis of sediment-hosted Zn-Pb deposits: Economic Geology, v. 105, p. 417-442.

Yuan, F., Zhou, T.F., Fan, Y., Huang, Y.M., and Zhang, L.J., 2010, LA-ICPMS U-Pb ages of zircons from Mesozoic volcanic rocks and their significance in Fanchang Basin, Anhui Province, China: Acta Petrologica Sinica, v. 26, p. 2805-2817.

Zajacz, Z., Seo, J.H., Candela, P.A., Piccoli, P.M., Heinrich, C.A., and Guillong, M., 2010, Alkali metals control the release of gold from volatile-rich magmas: Earth and Planetary Science Letters, v. 297, p. 80 50-56.

Zhang, L.J., Zhou, T.F., Fan, Y., Yuan, F., Ma, L.A., and Qian, B., 2010, Dating of copper mineralization in Jingbian deposit and its prospecting significance in Luzong basin, Anhui Province: Acta Petrologica Sinica, v. 26, p. 2729-2738.

Zhou, T.F., Fan, Y., Yuan, F., Song, C.Z., Zhang, L.J., Qian, C.C., Lu, S.M., and Cooke, D.R., 2010, Temporal-spatial framework of magmatic intrusions in Luzong volcanic basin in East China and their constrain to mineralizations: Acta Petrologica Sinica, v. 26, p. 2694-2714.

 

2011 Research Output - Program 2

Bonyadi, Z., Davidson, G.J., Mehrabi, B., Meffre, S., and Ghazban, F., 2011, Significance of apatite REE depletion and monazite inclusions in the brecciated Se-Chahun iron oxide-apatite deposit, Bafq district, Iran: Insights from paragenesis and geochemistry: Chemical Geology, v. 281(3-4), p. 253-269.

Chen, H.Y., 2011, Mesozoic IOCG mineralization in the Central Andes: An updated review, in Porter, T.M., ed., Hydrothermal iron oxide copper-gold and related deposits: A global perspective, v.3 – Advances in the understanding of IOCG deposits: Adelaide, PGC Publishing, p. 259-272.

Chen, H.Y., Chen, Y.J., and Baker, M., 2011, Evolution of ore-forming fluids in the Sawayaerdun gold deposit in the Southwestern Chinese Tianshan metallogenic belt, Northwest China: Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, DOI: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2011.05.011.

Chen, H.Y., Tian, W., Falloon, T., and Chen, M.M., Pyrite trace element geochemistry of mafic granulite xenoliths from Xikeer: Implications for the source of Cu in the exotic sediment-hosted mineralization of the northwest Tarim Basin (Northwest China): Mineralium Deposita, v. 46, p. 1001-1006.

Chen, H.Y., Yang, J.T., and Baker, M., 2011, Mineralization and fluid evolution of the Jiyuan polymetallic Cu-Ag-Pb-Zn-Au deposit, eastern Tianshan, NW China: International Geology Review, DOI: 10.1080/00206814.2011.581800.

Cooke, D.R., Deyell, C.L., Waters, P.J., Gonzales, R.I., and Zaw, K., 2011, Evidence for magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and ore-forming processes in epithermal and porphyry deposits of the Baguio District, Philippines: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1399-1424.

Cooke, D.R., Hollings, P., and Chang, Z., 2011, Philippine porphyry and epithermal deposits: An introduction: Economic Geology, v. 106(8), p. 1253-1256.

de Ronde, C.E.J., Massoth, G.J., Butterfield, D.A., Christenson, B.W., Ishibashi, J., Ditchburn, R.G., Hannington, M.D., Brathwaite, R.L., Lupton, J.E., Kamenetsky, V.S., Graham, I.J., Zellmer, G.F., Dziak, R.P., Embley, R.W., Dekov, V.M., Munnik, F., Lahr, J., Evans, L.J., and Takai, K., 2011, Submarine hydrothermal activity and gold-rich mineralization at Brothers Volcano, Kermadec Arc, New Zealand: Mineralium Deposita, v. 46(5-6), p. 541–584.

Deyell, C.L., and Hedenquist, J.W., 2011, Trace element geochemistry of enargite in the Mankayan district, Philippines: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1465–1478.

Fu, L.B., Wei, J.H., Kusky, T., Chen, H.Y., Tan, J., Li, Y.J., Kong, L.J., and Jiang, Y.J., 2011, Triassic shoshonitic dykes from the northern North China craton: Petrogenesis and geodynamic significance: Geological Magazine, v.149(1), p. 39-55, DOI: 10.1017/S0016756811000173.

Hollings, P., Cooke, D.R., Waters, P.J., and Cousens, B., 2011, Igneous geochemistry of mineralized rocks of the Baguio District, Philippines: Implications for tectonic evolution and the genesis of porphyry-style mineralization: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1317-1333.

Hollings, P., Wolfe, R., Cooke, D.R., and Waters, P.J., 2011, Geochemistry of Tertiary igneous rocks of Northern Luzon, Philippines: A case for slab roll-back?: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1257-1277.

Huston, D.L., Relvas, J.M.R.S., Gemmell, J.B., and Drieberg, S., 2011, The role of granites in volcanic-hosted massive sulphide ore-forming systems: An assessment of magmatic-hydrothermal contributions: Mineralium Deposita, v. 46, p. 473–507, DOI: 10.1007/s00126-010-0322-7.

Large, R.R., Bull, S.W., and Maslennikov, V.V., 2011, A Carbonaceous sedimentary source-rock model for Carlin-type and orogenic gold deposits: Economic Geology, v. 106(3), p. 331-358.

Li, W.C., Zeng, P.S., Hou, Z.Q., and White, N.C., 2011, The Pulang Porphyry Copper Deposit and associated felsic intrusions in Yunnan Province, Southwest China: Economic Geology, v. 106(1), p. 79-92.

Li, Y.J., Wei, J.H., and Chen, H.Y., 2011, Origin of the Maodun Pb-Zn-Mo polymetallic deposit, eastern Cathaysia Block, China: Geological, geochronological, geochemical and Sr-Nd-Pb-S isotopic constraints: Mineralium Deposita, DOI: 10.1007/s00126-011-0389-9.

Waters, P.J., Cooke, D.R., Gonzales, R.I., and Phillips, D., 2011, Porphyry and epithermal deposits and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar geochronology of the Baguio district, Philippines: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1335-1363.

Wilkinson, J.J., Crowther, H.L., and Coles, B.J., 2011, Chemical mass transfer during hydrothermal alteration of carbonates: Controls of seafloor subsidence, sedimentation and Zn-Pb mineralization in the Irish Carboniferous: Chemical Geology, v. 289, p. 55-75.

Wolfe, R.C., and Cooke, D.R., 2011, Geology of the Didipio region and genesis of the Dinkidi alkalic porphyry Cu-Au deposit and related pegmatites, Northern Luzon, Philippines: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1279-1315.

Yang, K., Huntington, J.F., Gemmell, J.B., and Scott, K.M., 2011, Variations in composition and abundance of white mica in the hydrothermal alteration system at Hellyer, Tasmania, as revealed by infrared reflectance spectroscopy: Journal of Geochemical Exploration, v. 108(2), p. 143-156.

Yuan, F., Zhou, T.F., Liu, J., Fan, Y., Cooke, D.R., and Jowitt, S.M., 2011, Petrogenesis of volcanic and intrusive rocks of the Zhuanqiao stage, Luzong Basin, Yangtze metallogenic belt, east China: Implications for ore deposition: International Geology Review, v. 53(5-6), p. 526-541.

Zhou, T.F., Fan, Y., Zhang, L.J., Qian, B., Ma, L.A., Yang, X.F., and Cooke, D.R., 2011, Geochronology and significance of volcanic rocks in the Ning-Wu Basin of China: Science China-Earth Sciences, v. 54(2), p. 185-196.

Zhang, L.J., Zhou, T.F., Yuan, F., Fan, Y., and Cooke, D.R., 2011, Petrogenetic-metallogenetic setting and temporal-spatial framework of the Yueshan district, Anhui Province, east-central China: International Geology Review, v. 53(5-6), p. 542-561.

Members (External)

Key Staff contacts:

Professor David Cooke (Program Leader) D.Cooke@utas.edu.au

Professor Bruce Gemmell Bruce.Gemmell@utas.edu.au

Professor Ross Large Ross.Large@utas.edu.au