A 3-D Geological and Structural Synthesis of the Leinster Area of the Agnew-Wiluna Belt, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, with Special Reference to the Volcanological Setting of Komatiite-Associated Nickel Sulfide Deposits

2015 ◽  
Vol 110 (2) ◽  
pp. 469-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. S. Perring
Keyword(s):  
Special Reference ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Nickel Sulfide ◽  
Yilgarn Craton ◽  
Structural Synthesis ◽  
Sulfide Deposits

A possible volcanic-exhalative origin for lenticular nickel sulfide deposits of volcanic association, with special reference to those in western Australia

1976 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lusk
Keyword(s):  
Special Reference ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Nickel Sulfide ◽  
Regional Metamorphism ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Sulfide Ores ◽  
Direct Link ◽  
Sulfide Deposits ◽  
Local Abundance ◽  
Greenstone Belts

Archean lenticular nickel sulfide deposits of volcanic association bear a striking resemblance lo volcanic-exhalative Cu–Zn massive sulfide deposits. They have similar morphologies, show well developed mineralogical layering, and exhibit close stratigraphic relationships with intimately associated volcanics and intra-volcanic sediments of greenstone belts. The nickel sulfide deposits are associated with early ultramafic/mafic volcanics. and massive Cu–Zn sulfide deposits with intermediate to silicic volcanics that formed later in volcanic-sedimentary cycles.It is suggested that a magmatic volcanic-extrusive origin does not explain features of massive nickel sulfide deposits as well as an alternative volanic-exhalative origin, which provides a direct link between sulfide ores and intimately associated exhalative sediments. It also satisfactorily accounts for a number of important features, including mineralogical layering, a relative enrichment in pyrite, and the local abundance of millerite.Outpouring of extremely hot ultramafic lavas across top surfaces of deposits would partially melt the Ni–Cu sulfides, thereby generating the igneous textures observed. Later regional metamorphism has modified these earlier features.

The Honeymoon Well nickel sulfide deposits, Western Australia

1981 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1550-1564 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Donaldson ◽  
G. J. Bromley
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Nickel Sulfide ◽  
Sulfide Deposits

scholarly journals Targeting nickel sulfide deposits from 3D seismicreflection data at Kambalda, Australia

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. WC123-WC132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milovan Urosevic ◽  
Ganesh Bhat ◽  
Marcos Hexsel Grochau
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Nickel Sulfide ◽  
Forward Modeling ◽  
Geometric Constraints ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Sulfide Deposits ◽  
3D Seismic Data

The greenstone belts of the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, host numerous Archaean gold, nickel, and iron ore deposits. These deposits typically are found in complex geologic structures hidden by a deep, heterogeneous, and often conductive regolith profile. This added complexity limits the depth of penetration for the potential field methods, but at the same time opens new revenue possibilities through the application of seismic methods. To explore this opportunity, we acquired high-resolution, experimental, 3D seismic data over Lake Lefroy in Kambalda, Western Australia. The main objective was to map exceptionally complex, deep structures associated with Kambalda dome. Survey design used 3D ray tracing to improve the distribution of the common reflection points across ultramafic-basalt contacts which host numerous small, high-grade nickel sulfide deposits. A combination of small explosive sources, high-shot/receiver density, and exceptionally good coupling over the ultrasalty lake surface produced seismic data of very high quality. Processing focused on computation of accurate static and dynamic corrections, whereas imaging was helped by the existing geologic model. Advanced volumetric interpretation supported by seismic forward modeling was used to guide mapping of the main lithological interfaces and structures. Forward modeling was carried out using rock properties obtained from ultrasonic measurements and one borehole, drilled in the proximity of the 3D seismic volume. Using this information, geometric constraints based on the typical size of ore bodies found in this mine and a simple window-based seismic attribute, several new targets were proposed. Three of these targets subsequently have been drilled and new zones of mineralization were intercepted. The case study presented demonstrates that high-quality, high-resolution, 3D seismic data combined with volumetric seismic interpretation could become a primary methodology for exploration of deep, small, massive sulfide deposits distributed across the Kambalda area.

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