| External Collaborators / Partners | Australian National University, CSIRO and 17 other national and international institutions, organisations and industry companies |
|---|---|
| UTAS Collaborators | School of Earth Sciences |
| Funding Source | ARC and Industry |
| Project Status | Current |
Objective: To develop cutting edge techniques for the acquisition and interpretation of ore deposit geophysical and geochemical data that will assist in the discovery of Australia’s deep earth resources.
The Discovery Program leverages off CODES’ extensive, broad-based research expertise to enhance the development of geophysical, geochemical and geological models for specific world-class ore deposits. The program is now structured around two key discovery themes: innovative techniques, and integrated exploration models.
CODES has built on its traditional strengths in ore deposit geology and geochemistry by expanding its geophysics capability, which now employs a comprehensive suite of geophysical
and mathematical techniques in a diverse mix of projects around the world.
Core Projects:
SUMMARY OF TWO SPECIFIC PROJECTS WITHIN PROGRAM 3:
P3B1B (AMIRA P1060) – ENHANCED GEOCHEMICAL TARGETTING IN MAGMATIC-HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
Leaders: Bruce Gemmell, David Cooke, Mike Baker
This initiative commenced in June 2011, building on research carried out within AMIRA P765A, often referred to as the explorer’s toolbox for porphyry and epithermal districts, which concluded in late 2010. The project is being conducted in collaboration with Lakehead University and Imperial College London, and has the support of 21 industry sponsors, making it the largest exploration-based research project in AMIRA’s history.
The aims are to develop and refine new geochemical and geological tools that will help explorers to determine the locations of porphyry and epithermal deposits, discriminate between different styles of mineralisation, and assess the fertility of individual districts. These techniques will assist explorers to detect the subtle hypogene geochemical dispersion halos that extend for kilometres away from the intrusive centre; thereby enhancing their ability to discover new deposits more quickly and at less cost. An additional aim is to develop cost-effective, field-based methods that can be applied by explorers who do not have access to suitable laboratory facilities for LA-ICP-MS geochemical analyses.
This project received the 2012 award for excellence in research from AMIRA International.
P3B2A – SEDIMENT-HOSTED GOLD-ARSENIC-TELLURIUM DEPOSITS: GENESIS AND EXPLORATION MODELS
Leaders: Ross Large, Stuart Bull
This project focuses on pyrite textures, geochemistry and isotopes in a wide range of gold deposits, to elucidate the origin, sources and timing of pyrite and gold using LA-ICP-MS analyses and mapping. A portion of this work forms AMIRA project P1041: The application of new technologies to gold deposits.
Research on sediment-hosted and greenstone-hosted gold has resulted in a new genetic model for Carlin type and orogenic gold deposits, which has major relevance in mineral exploration. A paper on the topic has been recently published in Economic Geology.
2010 Research Output – Program 3
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.
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.
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.
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 mineralisations: Acta Petrologica Sinica, v. 26, p. 2694-2714.
2011 Research Output – Program 3
Bull, S.W., Selley, D., Broughton, D., Hitzman, M., Cailteux, J., Large, R., and McGoldrick, P., 2011, Sequence and carbon isotopic stratigraphy of the Neoproterozoic Roan Group strata of the Zambian copperbelt: Precambrian Research, v. 191(1-4), p. 70-89.
Chang, Z., Hedenquist, J.W., White, N.C., Cooke, D.R., Roach, M., Deyell, C.L., Garcia, J., Gemmell, J.B., McKnight, S., and Cuison, A.L., 2011, Exploration tools for linked porphyry and epithermal deposits: Example from the Mankayan Intrusion-Centered Cu-Au District, Luzon, Philippines: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1365-1398.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rae, A.J., Cooke, D.R., and Brown, K.L., 2011, The trace metal chemistry of deep geothermal water, Palinpinon geothermal field, Negros Island, Philippines: Implications for precious metal deposition in epithermal gold deposits: Economic Geology, v. 106, p. 1425-1446.
Thomas, H.V., Large, R.R., Bull, S.W., Maslennikov, V., Berry, R.F., Fraser, R., Froud, S., and Moye, R., 2011, Pyrite and pyrrhotite textures and composition in sediments, laminated quartz veins, and reefs at Bendigo Gold Mine, Australia: Insights for ore genesis: Economic Geology, v. 106(1), p. 1-31.
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.
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.
Members (External)
Assoc. Professor Andrew McNeill (Program Leader) andrew.mcneill@utas.edu.au
Professor Ross Large ross.large@utas.edu.au
Dr Mike Baker bakermj@utas.edu.au
Dr Stuart Bull s.bull@utas.edu.au
Professor David Cooke d.cooke@utas.edu.au
Assoc. Professor Jeff Foster Jeffrey.foster@utas.edu.au
Dr Peter Fullagar (Fullagar Geophysics)
Professor Bruce Gemmell bruce.gemmell@utas.edu.au
Dr Anya Reading anya.reading@utas.edu.au