Geochemical evolution of copper-bearing granitic rocks of Guichon Creek Batholith, British Columbia, Canada

1976 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Olade
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Element Distribution ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Geochemical Evolution ◽  
Trace Element Distribution ◽  
Apparent Lack ◽  
South Central ◽  
Normal Differentiation

The Guichon Creek batholith, located in south-central British Columbia, is host to numerous porphyry copper deposits that are considered as being closely related to the pluton. Variations in major and trace element distribution are consistent with a model of crystallization-fractionation of a K-poor calc-alkaline magma of intermediate composition. Relatively low Rb and Rb/Sr values, and high K/Rb ratios are consistent with Sr isotopic ratios that suggest a subcrustal source region for the generation of the magma, probably by partial melting of subducted oceanic crust at relatively shallow depths.Cu, like other femic elements, (Zn, Mn, V, Ni, Co, Ti) generally decreases with increasing fractionation, which reflects normal differentiation trends. The apparent lack of positive correlation between Cu contents of rocks and ore potential of intrusive units may be explicable if mineralization is regarded as an independent by-product of magma generation, rather than the result of differentiation processes. Close relationships between trace metal values and degree of fractionation emphasize the need for assigning different background values to each intrusive unit, during geochemical exploration.

Seismic and potential‐field imaging of the Guichon Creek batholith, British Columbia, Canada, to delineate structures hosting porphyry copper deposits

Geophysics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 1418-1434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baishali Roy ◽  
Ron M. Clowes
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Porphyry Copper Deposits ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Copper Deposits ◽  
South Central

The Guichon Creek batholith (GCB), located in south‐central British Columbia, contains several large, low‐grade copper deposits of considerable economic importance. The surface geology of the Guichon batholith and its surrounding region have been well mapped; however, little information about subsurface features is available. The batholith consists of four major phases, emplaced radially outward, which can be separated on the basis of their texture and composition. Previous interpretation of gravity data suggests a mushroom‐shaped structure for the batholith. Data from Lithoprobe seismic reflection line 88-11, acquired across the batholith in 1988, reveal weakly coherent east‐dipping reflections on the west side and west‐dipping reflections on the east in the upper 10 km. To determine if these are related to structures associated with the batholith, we reprocessed the upper 6 s with particular emphasis on applications of signal enhancement techniques (e.g., pattern recognition methods, refraction statics, dip moveout corrections) and correlation of the improved subsurface images with the geological environment associated with porphyry copper deposits. Low near‐surface velocities correlate well with the phases of the batholith hosting the major copper deposits, which structurally lie in faulted and brecciated regions. Although the top 1.5 km cannot be imaged by the regional‐scale seismic reflection data, the reprocessed seismic section helps define the edges of the batholith, its various concentric phases, and the stem in the depth range of 1.5 to 10 km. The seismic results are complemented by 2.5-D (profile sense) modeling and 3-D inversion of regional‐scale gravity and high‐resolution aeromagnetic data. These show a low‐density and low‐magnetic‐susceptibility region associated with the batholith that extends to more than 10 km depth. The region of active mining interest lies above a circular low‐susceptibility area at 2 km depth and a low‐velocity region. Integrated interpretation of geophysical results and geological observations indicates the GCB is a funnel‐shaped feature in which mineralization is located above the stem of the batholith.

scholarly journals RECOGNIZING PORPHYRY COPPER POTENTIAL FROM TILL ZIRCON COMPOSITION: A CASE STUDY FROM THE HIGHLAND VALLEY PORPHYRY DISTRICT, SOUTH-CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert G. Lee ◽  
Alain Plouffe ◽  
Travis Ferbey ◽  
Craig J.R. Hart ◽  
Pete Hollings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Trace Element ◽  
Detrital Zircon ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Detrital Zircons ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
South Central ◽  
Copper Mineralization ◽  
Porphyry Copper Mineralization

Abstract The detrital zircons in tills overlying the Guichon Creek batholith, British Columbia, Canada, have trace element concentrations and ages similar to those of zircons from the bedrock samples from which they are interpreted to have been sourced. Rocks from the core of the batholith that host porphyry copper mineralization have distinct zircon compositions relative to the distal, barren margin. We analyzed 296 zircons separated from 12 subglacial till samples to obtain U-Pb ages and trace element compositions. Laser ablation U-Pb ages of the detrital zircons overlap within error with chemical abrasion-thermal ionization mass spectrometry U-Pb ages of the Late Triassic Guichon Creek batholith and confirm that the detrital zircons are likely derived from the batholith. The youngest intrusions of the batholith produced the Highland Valley Copper porphyry deposits and contain distinctive zircons with elevated Eu/EuN* >0.4 attributed to high magmatic water contents and oxidation states, indicating higher porphyry copper potential. Zircon from till samples adjacent to and 9 km down-ice from the mineralized centers have mean Eu/EuN* >0.4, which are indicative of potential porphyry copper mineralization. Detrital zircon grains from more distal up- and down-ice locations (10–15 km) have zircon Eu/EuN* mean values of 0.26 to 0.37, reflecting background values. We conclude that detrital zircon compositions in glacial sediments transported several kilometers can be used to establish the regional potential for porphyry copper mineralization.

On an anatectic granite from Bygland, south Norway

1973 ◽  
Vol 39 (302) ◽  
pp. 216-223
Author(s):  
R. Sen ◽  
Ananda Deb Mukherjee
Keyword(s):  
Trace Element ◽  
Crystalline State ◽  
Regional Metamorphism ◽  
Element Distribution ◽  
Amphibolite Facies ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Trace Element Distribution ◽  
Rock Types ◽  
Anatectic Granite

SummaryThe Pre-Cambrian granitic rocks of Bygland are structurally and texturally concordant with the metamorphosed country rocks. Both these rock types plot close together in Q-Or-Ab and Ab-An-Or normative diagrams; trace element distribution is also similar. The granite has been reconstituted from the country rocks under epidote-amphibolite facies conditions. Plagioclase feldspars show that the granite is not a ‘mature’ rock; they are, however, ‘mature’ in the country rocks and are products of typical regional metamorphism (Ohta et al, 1968). Plagioclases in the granite are relicts of country rocks showing traces of a premetamorphic crystalline state. They have been rejuvenated with the introduction of alkali material during the reconstitution.

A thermodynamic approach to the understanding of the supergene alteration at the Afton copper mine, south-central British Columbia

1982 ◽  
Vol 19 (12) ◽  
pp. 2378-2386 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. T. J. Kwong ◽  
T. H. Brown ◽  
H. J. Greenwood
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Extreme Values ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Copper Oxides ◽  
Thermodynamic Approach ◽  
Porphyry Copper Deposits ◽  
Native Copper ◽  
Copper Mine ◽  
Supergene Zone ◽  
South Central

A thermodynamic reconstruction of the supergene alteration at the Afton copper mine, south-central British Columbia, demonstrates that the dominance of native copper and the lack of copper enrichment in the supergene zone are related to the relatively mafic composition of the wall rocks and the absence of abundant hypogene sulfides. Supergene alteration of porphyry copper deposits in general can be interpreted in terms of a [Formula: see text] plot. Two arbitary "limiting" curves characterized by extreme values of acidic and basic pH can be drawn. A reacting fluid evolving near the acidic limiting curve will produce a well developed leached cap with an enriched supergene ore blanket underneath. In contrast, a reacting fluid evolving near the basic limiting curve will lead to a spectrum of copper oxides and native copper with little enrichment, as typified by Afton.

Late Wisconsinan glacial history in the Bonaparte Lake map area, south-central British Columbia: implications for glacial transport and mineral exploration1This article is one of a series of papers published in this Special Issue on the theme of New insights in Cordilleran Intermontane geoscience: reducing exploration risk in the mountain pine beetle-affected area, British Columbia.2Earth Sciences Sector Contribution Number: 20100093.

2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 1091-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Plouffe ◽  
J.M. Bednarski ◽  
C.A. Huscroft ◽  
R.G. Anderson ◽  
S.J. McCuaig
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Mountain Pine Beetle ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Source Region ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Glacial History ◽  
Ice Flow ◽  
Glacial Sediments ◽  
South Central ◽  
Late Wisconsinan

This study is centred on the Bonaparte Lake map area located in the southern Interior Plateau of south-central British Columbia. The reconstruction of the Late Wisconsinan glacial history of this part of the southern sector of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet incorporates (i) the analysis and interpretation of landforms of various scales, (ii) the sedimentology and stratigraphy of glacial sediments, and (iii) the geochemical and mineralogical composition of till and analysis of regional glacial dispersal of these components. The onset of the last glacial event was initiated by ice advancing westerly and southwesterly into the study area from an alpine source region located in the Cariboo Mountains. As glaciation intensified, ice from the Coast Mountains coalesced with the Cariboo Mountain ice over the Interior Plateau and developed into an ice divide around 52° north latitude, which resulted in ice flow to be diverted to a southerly direction over the study area. The two dominant ice-flow directions produced palimpsest dispersal that was measured by three tracers in till including thorianite grains and terbium concentrations in the heavy mineral fraction, and granitoid pebble percentage. The two main phases of ice flow identified within our study area have significant implications for mineral exploration that uses mineral tracing in glacial sediments, especially in the area underlain by the highly prospective Quesnel Terrane.

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