Bimodal distribution of gold in pyrite and arsenopyrite: Examples from the archean boorara and bardoc shear systems, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

Economic Geology

Volumn 103, Issue 3, 2008, Pages 599-614

  Morey, Anthony A ^a   Tomkins, Andrew G ^a   Bierlein, Frank P ^b   Weinberg, Roberto F ^a   Davidson, Garry J ^c  

^a MONASH UNIVERSITY   (Australia)

^b UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA   (Australia)

^c UNIVERSITY OF TASMANIA   (Australia)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ABLATION; AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS; ANALYTICAL GEOCHEMISTRY; ARSENIC; BARIUM; BEARINGS (STRUCTURAL); CHEMICAL ELEMENTS; CHEMISTRY; CRYSTAL GROWTH; EARTH SCIENCES; ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE; ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES; GEOCHEMISTRY; GOLD; GRAIN BOUNDARIES; INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA; INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA MASS SPECTROMETRY; LASER ABLATION; LEAD; MASS SPECTROMETERS; MASS SPECTROMETRY; MINERALOGY; MINERALS; MOLYBDENUM; OXYGEN; PHOTORESISTS; PLASMA STABILITY; PULSED LASER DEPOSITION; PYRITES; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY; SILVER; STAGES; SULFUR; TELLURIUM COMPOUNDS; TRACE ELEMENTS;

ARCHEAN; ATOMIC MASSES; BI-MODAL DISTRIBUTION; COUPLED PLASMAS; ELECTRON MICROPROBE; ELEMENT DISTRIBUTIONS; FLUID CONDITIONS; GOLD-BEARING PYRITE; HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATIONS; HYDROTHERMAL EVOLUTION; HYDROTHERMAL FLUIDS; HYDROTHERMAL PROCESSING; IN-SITU; INITIAL PHASES; LA-ICP-MS; MASS SPECTROSCOPY; METAMORPHIC FLUIDS; ORDERS-OF-MAGNITUDE; OROGENIC GOLD DEPOSITS; OXYGEN FUGACITY; PHASE RELATIONSHIPS; SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE; SHEAR SYSTEMS; STABILITY RELATIONS; TEXTURAL FEATURES; UNIFOR M DISTRIBUTION; WESTERN AUSTRALIA;

GOLD DEPOSITS;

ARSENOPYRITE; GOLD; HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION; HYDROTHERMAL FLUID; MINERALIZATION; PYRITE; TRACE ELEMENT;

AUSTRALASIA; AUSTRALIA; WESTERN AUSTRALIA; YILGARN BLOCK;

EID: 53749098162     PISSN: 03610128     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2113/gsecongeo.103.3.599     Document Type: Article

References (57)

1. Arehart, G.B., Chryssoulis, S.L., and Kesler, S.E., 1993, Gold and arsenic in iron sulfides from sediment-hosted disseminated gold deposits: Implications for depositional processes: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY , v. 88, p. 171-185.
2. Ashley, P.M., Creagh, C.J., and Ryan, C.G., 2000, Invisible gold in ore and mineral concentrates from the Hillgrove gold-antimony deposits, NSW, Australia: Mineralium Deposita, v. 35, p. 285-301.
3. Aylmore, M.G., and Graham, J., 1992, Arsenopyrite as a host for refractory gold [abs.], in Griffin, B.J., Johnson, A.W.S., Kuo, J., and Lincoln, F.J., eds., The 1992 Joint Conference on Electron Microscopy and Cell Biology: Electron Microscopy in Mining, Exploration and Metallurgy: Perth, Australia, University of Western Australia, February 10-14, 1992, Proceedings ACEM-12 and ANZSCB-1, p. 43.
4. Bakken, B.M., Hochella, M.F., Jr., Marshall, A.F., and Turner, A.M., 1989, High-resolution microscopy of gold in unoxidised ore from the Carlin mine, Nevada: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 84, p. 171-179.
5. Barton, P.B., Jr., 1969, Thermochemical study of the system Fe-As-S: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 33, p. 841-857.
6. Brown, S.M., Fletcher, I.R., Stein, H.J., Snee, L.W., and Groves, D.I., 2002, Geochronological constraints on pre-, syn, and post-mineralization events at the world-class Cleo deposit, Eastern Goldfields Province, Western Australia: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 97, p. 541-559.
7. Cabri, L.J., Chryssoulis, S.L., de Villiers, J.P.R., Laflamme, J.H.C., and Buseck, P.R., 1989, The nature of "invisible" gold in arsenopyrite: The Canadian Mineralogist, v. 27, p. 353-362.
8. Cabri, L.J., Gasper, O.C., Lastra, R., and McMahon, G., 1998, Distribution of gold in tin-rieb samples from the Corvo orebody, Portugal: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 36, p. 1347-1360.
9. Cabri, L.J., Newville, M., Gordon, R.A., Crozier, E.D., Sutton, S.R., McMahon, G., and Jiang, D.T., 2000, Chemical speciation of gold in arsenopyrite: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 38, p. 1265-1281.
10. Cathelineau, M., Boiron, M.-C., Holliger, P., Marion, P., and Denis, M., 1989, Gold in arsenopyrites; Crystal chemistry, location and state, physical and chemical conditions of deposition: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY MONOGRAPH 6, p. 328-341.
11. Champion, D.C., and Sheraton, J.W., 1997, Geochemistry and Nd isotope systematics of Archaean granites of the Eastern Goldfields, Yilgarn craton, Australia: Implications for crustal growth processes: Precambrian Research, v. 83, p. 109-132.
12. Clark, L.A., 1960, The Fe-As-S system: phase relations and applications: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 55, p. 1345-1381; 1631-1652.
13. Coleman, L.C., 1957, Mineralogy of the giant Yellowknife gold mine, Yellowknife, N.W.T.: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 52, p. 400-425.
14. Connolly, J.A.D., and Cesare, B., 1993, C-0-H-S fluid composition and oxygen fugacity in graphitic metapelites: Journal of Metamorphic Geology, v. 11, p. 379-388.
15. Craig, J.R., Vokes, F.M., and Solberg, T.N., 1998, Pyrite: Physical and chemical textures: Mineralium Deposita, v. 34, 82-101.
16. Dahl, N., McNaughton, N.J., and Groves, D.I., 1987, Trace-element and lead isotopic compositions of pyrites as guides to gold and base-metal mineralization; A pilot study: The Minerals and Energy Research Institute of Western Australia Report 22, 57 p.
17. Danyusbevsky, L., Robinson, P., McGoldrick, P., Large, R., and Gilbert, S., 2003 LA-ICPMS of sulphides: Evaluation of an XRF glass disc standard for analysis of different sulphide matrixes: Geocbimica et Cosmichimica Acta, v. 67, p. A73-A73.
18. Danyusbevsky, L., Robinson, P., McGoldrick, P., Large, R., and Gilbert, S., 2004, Quantitative multi-element analysis of sulphide minerals by laser ablation ICPMS, in McPhie, J., and McGoldrick, P., eds., Dynamic Earth: Past, present and future, Geological Society of Australia Abstracts Volume 73, p. 260.
19. Fleet, M.E., and Mumin, A.H., 1997, Gold-bearing pyrite and arsenopyrite from Carlin Trend gold deposits and laboratory synthesis: American Mineralogist, v. 82, p. 18Z-193.
20. Fleet, M.E., MacLean, P.J., and Barbier, J., 1989, Oscillatory-zoned Asbearing pyrite from the strata-bound and stratiform gold deposits: An indicator of ore fluid evolution: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY MONOGRAPH 6, p. 356-362.
21. Genkin, A.D., Bortnikov, N.S., Cabri, L.J., Wagner, F.E., Stanley, C.J., Safonov, Y.G., McMahon, G., Friedl, J., Kerzin, A.L., and Gamyanin, G.N., 1998, A multidisciplinary study of invisible gold in arsenopyrite from four mesothermal gold deposits in Siberia, Russian Federation: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 93, p. 463-487.
22. Griffin, W.L., Ashley, P.M., Ryan, C.G., Soey, S.H., and Suter, G.F., 1991, Pyrite geochemistry in the north arm epitbermal As-Au deposit, Queensland, Australia: A proton-microprobe study: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 29, p. 185-198.
23. Groves, D.I., Phillips, G.N., Ho, S.E., Henderson, C.A., Clark, M.E., and Woad, G.M., 1984, Controls on distribution of Archaean hydrothermal gold deposits in Western Australia, in Foster, R. P., ed., Gold 82: The geology, geochemistry and genesis of gold deposits: Rotterdam, Balkema, p. 689-712.
24. Groves, D. I., Goldfarb, R. J., Gebre-Mariam, M., Hagemann, S. G., and Robert, F., 1998, Orogenic gold deposits: A proposed classification in the context of their crustal distribution and relationship to other gold deposit types: Ore Geology Reviews, v. 13, p. 7-27.
25. Groves, D.I., Goldfarb, R.J., Knox-Robinson, C.M., 0jala, J., Gardoll, S., Yuri, G.Y., and Holyland, P., 2000, Late kinematic timing of orogenic gold deposits and significance for computer-based exploration techniques with emphasis on the Yilgarn Block, Western Australia: Ore Geology Reviews, v, 17, p. 1-38.
26. Hagemann, S.G., and Cassidy, K.F., 2000, Archean orogenic lode gold deposits: Reviews in Economic Geology, v. 13, p. 9-68.
27. Heinrich, C.A., and Eadington, P.J., 1986, Thermodynamic predictions of the hydrothermal chemistry of arsenic, and their significance for the paragenetic sequence of some cassiterite-arsenopyrite-base metal sulfide deposits: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 81, p. 511-529.
28. Johan, Z., Marcoux, E., and Bonnemaison, M., 1989, Distribution de Au, Sb, As et Fe dans l'arsenopyrite aurifere du Chatelet et de Villeranges (Creuse, Massif Central francais): Les Comptes rendus de l'Académie des sciences, v. 308, p. 293-300.
29. Kretschinar, U., and Scott, S.D., 1976, Phase relations involving arseriopyrite in the system Fe-As-S and their application: The Canadian Mineralogist, v. 14, p. 364-386.
30. Lang, J.R., and Baker, T., 2001, Intrusion-related gold systems: The present level of understanding: Mineralium Deposita, v. 36, p. 477-489.
31. Laroque, A.C.L., Hodgson, C.J., Cabri, L.J., and Jackman, J.A., 1995, Ion-microprobe analysis of pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite from the Mobrun VHM deposit in northwestern Quebec: Evidence for metamorphic remobilization of gold: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 33, p. 373-388.
32. Marsh, E.E., Goldfarb, R.J., Hart, C.J.R., and Johnson, C.A., 2003, Geology and geochemistry of the Clear Creek intrusion-related gold occurrences, Tintina gold province, Yukon, Canada: Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, p. 681-699.
33. Mikucki, E.J., 1998, Hydrothermal transport and depositional processes in Archean lode-gold systems: A review: Ore Geology Reviews, v. 13, p. 307-321.
34. Mikucld, E.J., and Ridley, J.R., 1993, The hydrothermal fluid of Archaean lode-gold deposits at different metamorphic grades: compositional constraints from ore and wallrock alteration assemblages: Mineralium Deposita, v. 28, p. 469-481.
35. Mikucki, E.J., and Roberts, F.I., 2004, Metamorphic petrography of the Kalgoorlie region, Eastern Goldfields granite-greenstone terrane: METPET database, Geological Survey of Western Australia Record 2003/12, p. 40.
36. Morey, A.A., Weinberg, R.F., and Bierlein, F.P., 2007a, The structural controls of gold endowment within the Bardoc Tectonic Zone, Eastern Goldfields Province, Western Australia: implications for gold endowment in shear systems: Mineralium Deposita, v. 42, p. 583-600.
37. Morey, A.A., Weinberg, R.F., Bierlein, F.P., and Davidson, G.J., 2007b, Gold deposits of the Bardoc tectonic zone: A distinct style of orogenic gold in the Archaean Eastern Goldfields Province, Yilgarn craton, Western Australia: Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 54, p. 783-800.
38. Mumin, A.H., Fleet, M.E., and Chryssoulis, S.L., 1994, Gold mineralization in As-rich mesothermal gold ores of the Bogosu-Prestea mining district of the Ashanti gold belt, Ghana; remobilization of "invisible" gold: Mineralium Deposita, v. 29, p. 445-460.
39. Neumayr, P., Cabri, L.J., Groves, D.I., Mikucki, E.J., and Jackman, J.A., 1993, The mineralogical distribution of gold and relative timing of gold mineralization in two Archean settings of high metamorphic grade in Australia: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 31, p. 711-725.
40. Norman, M., Robinson, P., and Clark, D., 2003, Major- and trace-element analysis of sulfide ores by laser-ablation ICP-MS, solution ICP-MS, and XRF: New data on international reference materials: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 41, p. 293-305.
41. Oberthür, T., Weiser, T., Amanor, J.A., and Chryssoulis, S.L., 1997, Mineralogical siting and distribution of gold in quartz veins and sulphide ores of the Ashanti mine and other deposits in the Ashanti belt of Ghana: Genetic implications: Mineralium Deposita, v. 32, p. 2-15.
42. Palenik, C.S., Utsunomiya, S., Reich, M., Kesler, S.E., Wang, L., and Ewing, R.C., 2004, "Invisible" gold revealed; direct imaging of gold nanoparticles in a Carlin-type deposit: American Mineralogist, v. 89, p. 1,359-1366.
43. Salier, B.P., Groves, D.I., McNaughton, N.J., and Fletcher, I.R., 2005, Geochronological and stable isotope evidence for widespread orogenic gold mineralization from a deep-seated fluid source at ca. 2.65 Ga in the Laverton Gold Province, Western Australia: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 100, p. 1363-1388.
44. Sharp, Z. D., Essene, E.J., and Kelly, W.C., 1985, A re-examination of the arsenopyrite geothermometer: Pressure considerations and applications to natural assemblages: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 23, p. 517-534.
45. Simon, G., Huang, H., Permer-Halin, J.E., Kesler, S.E., and Kao, L., 1999, Oxidation state of gold and arsenic in gold-bearing arsenian pyrite: American Mineralogist, v. 84, p. 1071-1079.
46. Stüwe, K., 1998, Tectonic controls on the timing relationships of metamorphism, fluid production and gold-bearing quartz vein emplacement: Ore Geology Reviews, v. 13, p. 219-228.
47. Swager, C.P., 1997, Tectono-stratigraphy of late Archaean greenstone terranes in the southern Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia: Precambrian Research, v. 83, p. 11-42.
48. Swager, C.P., and Griffin, T.J., 1990, Geology of the Archaean Kalgoorlie terrane, northern and southern sheets: Perth, Geological Survey of Western Australia, scale 1:250,000.
49. Sylvester, P.J., Cabri, L.J., Tubrett, M.N., McMahon, G., Laflamme, J.H.G., and Peregoedova, A., 2005, Synthesis and evaluation of a fused pyrrhotite standard reference material for platinum group element and gold analysis by laser ablation-ICPMS, in Törmänen, T.O., and Alapieti, T.T., eds., 10th International Platinum Symposium: Oulu, Geological Survey of Finland, Extended Abstracts, p. 16-20.
50. Tarnocai, C.A., Hattori, K., and Cabri, L.J., 1997, "Invisible" gold in sulfides from the Campbell mine, Red Lake greenstone belt, Ontario: Evidence for mineralization during the peak of metamorphism: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 35, p. 805-815.
51. Tomkins, A.G., and Mavrogenes, J.A., 2001, Redistribution of gold within arsenopyrite and löllingite during pro- and retrograde metamorphism: Application to timing of mineralization: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 96, p. 525-534.
52. Tomkins, A.G., and Mavrogenes, J.A., 2002, Mobilization of gold as a polymetallic melt during pelite anatexis at the Challenger gold deposit, South Australia: A metamorphosed Archean deposit: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY , v. 97, p. 1249-1271.
53. Wagner, F.E., Marion, P.H., and Regnard, J.R., 1986, Mossbauer study of the chemical state of gold in gold ores: Gold 100: South African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy International Conference on Gold, Proceedings, v. 2, p. 435-443.
54. Wagner, T., and Jonsson, E., 2001, Mineralogy of sulfosalt-rich vein-type ores, Boliden massive sulfide deposit, Skellefte district, northern Sweden: Canadian Mineralogist, v. 39, p. 855-872.
55. Wagner, T., Klemd, R., Wenzel, T., and Mattsson, B., 2007, Gold upgrading in metamorphosed massive sulfi de ore deposits: Direct evidence from laser-ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis of invisible gold: Geology, v. 35, p. 775-778.
56. Witt, W.K., 1993, Lithological and structural controls on gold mineralisation in the Archean Menzies-Kambalda area, Western Australia, Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 40, p. 65-86.
57. Wu, X., and Delbove, F., 1989, Hydrothermal synthesis of gold-bearing arsenopyrite: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 84, p. 2029-2032.