Chapter 17: Epithermal Gold Deposits Related to Alkaline Igneous Rocks in the Cripple Creek District, Colorado, United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 355-373
Author(s):  
Karen D. Kelley ◽  
Eric P. Jensen ◽  
Jason S. Rampe ◽  
Doug White
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Igneous Rocks ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Enriched Mantle ◽  
Cripple Creek ◽  
History Of

Abstract Cripple Creek is among the largest epithermal districts in the world, with more than 800 metric tons (t) Au (>26.4 Moz). The ores are associated spatially, temporally, and genetically with ~34 to 28 Ma alkaline igneous rocks that were emplaced into an 18-km2 diatreme complex and surrounding Proterozoic rocks. Gold occurs in high-grade veins, as bulk tonnage relatively low-grade ores, and in hydrothermal breccias. Pervasive alteration in the form of potassic metasomatism is extensive and is intimately associated with gold mineralization. Based on dating of intrusions and molybdenite and gangue minerals (primarily using 40Ar/39Ar and Re-Os techniques), the region experienced a protracted but intermittent history of magmatism (over a period of at least 5 m.y.) and hydrothermal activity (intermittent over the final ~3 m.y. of magmatic activity). Key factors that likely played a role in the size and grade of the deposit were (1) the generation of alkaline magmas during a transition between subduction and extension that tapped a chemically enriched mantle source; (2) a long history of structural preparation, beginning in the Proterozoic, which created deep-seated structures to allow the magmas and ore fluids to reach shallow levels in the crust, and which produced a fracture network that increased permeability; and (3) an efficient hydrothermal system, including effective gold transport mechanisms, and multiple over-printed hydrothermal events.

Identifying pathfinder elements for gold in bulk-rock geochemical data from the Cripple Creek Au–Te deposit: a statistical approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. geochem2020-048
Author(s):  
Irene M. Kadel-Harder ◽  
Paul G. Spry ◽  
Audrey L. McCombs ◽  
Haozhe Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Hierarchical Cluster ◽  
Geochemical Data ◽  
Northwestern Part ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Gold Telluride ◽  
Cripple Creek ◽  
Host Rocks

The Cripple Creek alkaline igneous rock-related, low-sulfidation epithermal gold telluride deposit, Colorado, is hosted in the 10 km wide Oligocene alkaline volcanic Cripple Creek diatreme in Proterozoic rocks. Gold occurs as native gold, Au-tellurides, and in the structure of arsenian pyrite, in potassically altered high-grade veins, and as disseminations in the host rocks.Correlation coefficients, principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and random forests were used to analyse major and trace element compositions of 995 rock samples primarily from low-grade gold mineralization in drill core from three currently operating pits (Wild Horse Extension, Globe Hill and Schist Island) in the northwestern part of the Cripple Creek diatreme. These methods suggest that Ag, As, Bi, Te and W are the best pathfinders to gold mineralization in low-grade disseminated ore. Although Mo correlates with gold in other studies and is spatially related to gold veins, molybdenite post-dated the formation of gold and is likely related to a late-stage porphyry overprint. These elements, in conjunction with mineralogical studies, indicate that tellurides, fluorite, quartz, carbonates, roscoelite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, pyrite, sphalerite, muscovite, monazite, bastnäsite and hübnerite serve as exploration guides to ore.

Flake-thrust structures and their role in gold deposits formation within Trans-Baikal region

2021 ◽  
pp. 52-61
Author(s):  
Vladimir Salikhov
Keyword(s):  
Gold Deposit ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Baikal Region ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Low Grade

The significant role of tectonometamorphic gold mineralization style thrust structures in the formation of some gold deposits (Kultuminskoye, Andryushkinskoye, Sepchugur, etc.) within Trans-Baikal region is shown. Thrust structures may present certain prospects for major relatively low-grade gold deposit prospecting, which requires a reassessment of some deposits.

Uplift history of the Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern North China Craton: implications for lithosphere thinning and gold mineralization

2017 ◽  
Vol 155 (4) ◽  
pp. 979-991 ◽  
Author(s):  
RUI ZHAO ◽  
QINGFEI WANG ◽  
XUEFEI LIU ◽  
M. SANTOSH ◽  
WANMING YUAN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North China Craton ◽  
North China ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Late Mesozoic ◽  
Lithosphere Thinning ◽  
Jiaodong Peninsula ◽  
History Of ◽  
Timing Of Initiation ◽  
Two Stages

AbstractThe link between lithosphere thinning and formation of world-class gold deposits is well established in the Jiaodong Peninsula within the eastern North China Craton (NCC). However, the timing of initiation and duration of the lithospheric thinning process as well as the depth of formation of the mineralization remain uncertain. Since these parameters are fundamental to formulate exploration strategies, in this study we perform fission track (FT) analysis on zircon and apatite grains in Late Mesozoic granitoid samples from the Jiaodong Peninsula and provide new constraints for the mode and duration of lithospheric evolution and mineralization depth. The zircon FT ages range from 64.3 to 90.9 Ma and those of apatite show a range of 32.8–50.9 Ma. The data collectively display age peaks at ~60–80 and ~30–50 Ma. Reverse modelling of the apatite FT results indicates rapid crustal uplift during ~30–80 Ma in the Jiaodong Peninsula. This period coincides with the timing of maximal sedimentation in the neighboring basins and voluminous basaltic eruptions in the eastern NCC. We suggest that the Jiaodong Peninsula has experienced two stages of crust uplift in the Late Cretaceous and Paleogene as a consequence of the continuing lithosphere thinning, together with the surrounding basins, forming the horst–graben system in the eastern NCC. The Late Mesozoic granitoids are the main wall rocks for gold deposits in Jiaodong, and thus the crust denudation history gathered from the FT data suggest that the gold mineralization formed at depths of c. 6–11 km.

Orogenesis, high-T thermal events, and gold vein formation within metamorphic rocks of the Alaskan Cordillera

1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (388) ◽  
pp. 375-394 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Goldfarb ◽  
L. W. Snee ◽  
W. J. Pickthorn
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Tectonic Deformation ◽  
Alkaline Magmatism ◽  
Metasedimentary Rocks ◽  
South Central ◽  
Vein Formation ◽  
Northern Alaska ◽  
Gold Bearing

AbstractMesothermal, gold-bearing quartz veins are widespread within allochthonous terranes of Alaska that are composed dominantly of greenschist-facies metasedimentary rocks. The most productive lode deposits are concentrated in south-central and southeastern Alaska; small and generally nonproductive gold-bearing veins occur upstream from major placer deposits in interior and northern Alaska. Oreforming fluids in all areas are consistent with derivation from metamorphic devolatilisation reactions, and a close temporal relationship exists between high-T tectonic deformation, igneous activity, and gold mineralization. Ore fluids were of consistently low salinity, CO2-rich, and had δ18O values of 7‰- 12‰ and δD values between −15‰ and −35‰. Upper-crustal temperatures within the metamorphosed terranes reached at least 450-500°C before onset of significant gold-forming hydrothermal activity. Within interior and northern Alaska, latest Paleozoic through Early Cretaceous contractional deformation was characterised by obduction of oceanic crust, low-T/high-P metamorphism, and a lack of gold vein formation. Mid-Cretaceous veining occurred some 50-100 m.y. later, during a subsequent high-T metamorphic/magmatic event, possibly related to extension and uplift. In southern Alaska, gold deposits formed during latter stages of Tertiary, subduction-related, collisional orogenesis and were often temporally coeval with calc-alkaline magmatism.

Structural control of gold mineralization at the Bousquet mine, Abitibi, Quebec

1989 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghislain Tourigny ◽  
Claude Hubert ◽  
Alex C. Brown ◽  
Robert Crépeau
Keyword(s):  
Deformation Zone ◽  
Structural Control ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Hydrothermal Activity ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Tectonic Deformation ◽  
Progressive Deformation ◽  
Initial Development

The Bousquet gold deposits are structurally controlled, disseminated and vein type lodes located within a 500 m wide anastomosing deformation zone. Ore is located within narrow zones of high strain surrounded by lozenge-shaped panels of less-deformed rock. Strain characteristics are those of the bulk inhomogeneous flattening style. Ore lenses are spatially related to highly sheared, fractured, and altered mafic and felsic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of contrasting rheologic properties. Deformation features can be ascribed to multistage progressive ductile → brittle deformation. Strain markers and kinematic indicators show that the principal displacement within the deformation zone was reverse faulting with a minor sinistral throw. A structural analysis demonstrates that the deformation responsible for the development of a pervasive regional foliation, brittle fractures, and oblique reverse faults can be attributed to a north–south compression.Metamorphic minerals such as andalusite, kyanite, garnet, biotite, chlorite, chloritoid, and calcic plagioclases indicate that upper greenschist metamorphism was attained locally within the ductile deformation zones. Subsequent pervasive retrograde alteration, including carbonatization and hydration of silicates to white mica and chlorite, suggests an important period of hydrothermal activity after peak metamorphism. Native gold is typically closely associated with pyrite and with these hydrothermal assemblages and was probably channelled into ductile and brittle structural zones prior to and after peak metamorphism.Two principal types of steeply dipping auriferous sulphide veins are present in the mine: foliation-oblique veins and foliation-parallel veins. Foliation-oblique veins occur within steeply dipping conjugate shear fractures spatially related to competent protoliths. The main set was emplaced during late stages of the regional tectonic deformation, after the initial development of a pervasive regional foliation and before the end of the progressive deformation. Foliation-parallel veins are located within openings created by decoupling schistosity laminae or by overriding of irregular surfaces such as fault planes and shear zones. These veins are relatively younger and less deformed than the foliation-oblique veins.Pervasive pyritic disseminations along foliation surfaces are earliest and synchronous with the development of foliation and probably continued throughout the progressive deformation. Early disseminated sulphides may also have been remobilized by pressure solution into later vein systems.

40Ar/39Ar age constraints on the thermal history of the Archean Abitibi greenstone belt and the Pontiac Subprovince: implications for terrane collision, differential uplift, and overprinting of gold deposits

1992 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 1389-1411 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Feng ◽  
R. Kerrich ◽  
S. McBride ◽  
E. Farrar
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Metamorphic Rocks ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Thermal Activity ◽  
Thermal Event ◽  
Southern Volcanic Zone ◽  
Differential Uplift

40Ar/39Ar mineral age spectra of granitic and metamorphic rocks, in conjunction with existing conventional zircon geochronology, indicate that at least two major late Archean thermal events affected tectonic blocks of the Abitibi Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ) and the juxtaposed Pontiac Subprovince. The earlier thermal activity (2690–2670 Ma) was accompanied by the intrusion of voluminous syntectonic plutons and caused low-pressure, greenschist-facies metamorphism in the SVZ and intermediate-pressure metamorphism in the Pontiac Subprovince. The second thermal event (2660–2630 Ma) was coeval with the emplacement of syncollisional, S-type garnet–muscovite granites in the Pontiac Subprovince and the higher grade Lacorne block of the Abitibi SVZ, and reset the K–Ar systems in preexisting rocks.Magmatic amphibole from the syntectonic Round Lake batholith (~2695 Ma U–Pb zircon age) of the Abitibi SVZ has a slightly disturbed Ar release spectrum with an upper plateau age of 2669 ± 6 Ma, signifying that the low-grade Round Lake block cooled through 500 °C at a slow rate. Amphiboles in syntectonic batholiths from the higher grade Lacorne block and the Pontiac Subprovince have substantially disturbed Ar release spectra, with high-temperature steps giving apparent ages of 2681 ± 4 to 2679 ± 4 Ma; these overlap zircon ages of 2690–2670 Ma, indicating relatively rapid cooling through the amphibole blocking temperature.Metamorphic rocks (amphibolites) from the Lacorne block and the Pontiac Subprovince contain amphiboles with substantially disturbed 40Ar/39Ar release spectra and higher temperature step ages of 2677 ± 6 to 2670 ± 5 Ma, representing the minimum formation age. Fine-grained muscovite and biotite (180–250 μm) from mica schists also have disturbed Ar release patterns, but much younger apparent ages at high-temperature release steps (2581–2523 Ma for muscovite, 2562–2455 Ma for biotite) than the amphiboles.Coarse-grained muscovites from pegmatites associated with syncollision, S-type garnet–muscovite granites (2644 ± 13 Ma) in the Lacorne block and Pontiac Subprpvince show undisturbed or slightly disturbed Ar release spectra and magmatic δ18Oquartz–muscovite = 1.8–3.5‰, with total integrated ages of 2615 ± 10 to 2594 ± 7 Ma (Lacorne) and 2572 ± 6 Ma (Pontiac), respectively, indicating different uplift rates for the two terranes. Amphiboles (~2680 Ma) from metamorphic rocks in the Lacorne block and Pontiac Subprovince and from the Round Lake batholith are disturbed, whereas coarse-grained muscovites from the pegmatites (2644 ± 13 Ma) are relatively undisturbed. This indicates that the disturbance of the amphiboles may have been caused by a thermal event that preceded or was coeval with the emplacement of the garnet–muscovite granite suite, rather than being a grain-size effect.These results are consistent with a model whereby early subduction of oceanic lithosphere beneath the Abitibi SVZ (2740–2680 Ma), and separately under the Pontiac Subprovince, was responsible for syntectonic batholiths and the first thermal event. Collision with the Abitibi SVZ and local underthrusting of the Pontiac Subprovince at about 2670–2630 Ma caused the second major thermal event and partial melting of the underthrust Pontiac-type metasediments to form the garnet–muscovite granites. Later differential uplift exposed the entire Pontiac Subprovince and the Lacorne block as a tectonic window of underthrust Pontiac in the Abitibi SVZ. Resetting of several isotopic systems, including apparent younger ages of gold mineralization, is probably related to this late collisional, tectonothermal overprinting event. Fluid and (or) thermal events at ≥275 °C influenced the Kirkland Lake – Cadillac fault down to 2513 ± 10 Ma, as indicated by a plateau age of postkinematic biotite in the fault. The fault was intermittently reactivated over a period of 440 Ma, from ~2690 Ma to ≤2250 Ma.

Chapter 8: The World-Class Gold Deposits in the Geita Greenstone Belt, Northwestern Tanzania

2020 ◽  
pp. 163-183
Author(s):  
P.H.G.M. Dirks ◽  
I. V. Sanislav ◽  
M. R. van Ryt ◽  
J.-M. Huizenga ◽  
T. G. Blenkinsop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Greenstone Belt ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Normal Faulting ◽  
Rock Interaction ◽  
Northwestern Tanzania ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Igneous Activity ◽  
History Of ◽  
Gold Bearing

Abstract The Geita mine is operated by AngloGold Ashanti and currently comprises four gold deposits mined as open pits and underground operations in the Geita greenstone belt, Tanzania. The mine produces ~0.5 Moz of gold a year and has produced ~8.3 Moz since 2000, with current resources estimated at ~6.5 Moz, using a lower cut-off of 0.5 g/t. The geologic history of the Geita greenstone belt involved three tectonic stages: (I) early (2820–2700 Ma) extension (D1) and formation of the greenstone sequence in an oceanic plateau environment; (II) shortening of the greenstone sequence (2700–2660 Ma) involving ductile folding (D2–5) and brittle-ductile shearing (D6), coincident with long-lived igneous activity concentrated in five intrusive centers; and (III) renewed extension (2660–2620 Ma) involving strike-slip and normal faulting (D7–8), basin formation, and potassic magmatism. Major gold deposits in the Geita greenstone belt formed late in the history of the greenstone belt, during D8 normal faulting at ~2640 Ma, and the structural framework, mineral paragenesis, and timing of gold precipitation is essentially the same in all major deposits. Gold is hosted in iron-rich lithologies along contacts between folded metaironstone beds and tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) intrusions, particularly where the contacts were sheared and fractured during D6–7 faulting. The faults, together with damage zones created along D3 fold hinges and D2–3 hydrothermal breccia zones near intrusions, formed microfracture networks that were reactivated during D8. The fracture networks served as conduits for gold-bearing fluids; i.e., lithologies and structures that trap gold formed early, but gold was introduced late. Fluids carried gold as Au bisulfide complexes and interacted with Fe-rich wall rocks to precipitate gold. Fluid-rock interaction and mineralization were enhanced as a result of D8 extension, and localized hydrofracturing formed high-grade breccia ores. Gold is contained in electrum and gold-bearing tellurides that occur in the matrix and as inclusions in pyrrhotite and pyrite. The gold mineralization is spatially linked to long-lived, near-stationary intrusive centers. Critical factors in forming the deposits include the (syn-D2–6) formation of damage zones in lithologies that enhance gold precipitation (Fe-rich lithologies); late tectonic reactivation of the damage zones during extensional (D8) faulting with the introduction of an S-rich, gold-bearing fluid; and efficient fluid-rock interaction in zones that were structurally well prepared.

scholarly journals NATIVE GOLD OF UKRAINE, PREREQUISITES FOR THE CREATION OF ITS CRYSTALLOGENETIC DETERMINANT

2018 ◽  
pp. 6-18
Author(s):  
V. Kvasnytsya ◽  
I. Kvasnytsya
Keyword(s):  
Native Gold ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Ukrainian Shield ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Mineral Associations ◽  
Gold Mineral ◽  
Impurity Elements

The main developments in the typomorphism of native gold from various depth and uneven-aged deposits are described briefly, and the basis for creating a native gold crystallogenetic determinant of Ukraine is proposed. A significant geological material for the most known occurrences of gold mineralization in Ukraine was collected and processed, and a certain stage of studying the crystallomorphology and chemical composition of visible native gold was completed. The crystals of native gold from the occurrences and deposits on the Ukrainian Shield, the Donbass, in the Ukrainian Carpathians and the Transcarpathia have been characterized. The methods of native gold studying, such as goniometry, scanning electron microscopy, and microprobe analysis were used. The typomorphic features of native gold from the main deposits and ore occurrences of Ukraine are determined, which can be used in the practice of predictive, geological prospecting and prospecting for gold. The native gold of the Ukrainian Shield is attributed to deep mineralization, the Ukrainian Carpathians and the Donbass - to medium-deep mineralization and the Transcarpathia – to shallow mineralization. It is shown that in Ukraine, as in other gold-bearing regions of the world, the transition from an ancient deep and medium deep mineralization to a younger near-surface mineralization increases the number of well-formed crystals of native gold and their morphology becomes more complex, individuals of isometric form are replaced by distorted crystals, the role of dendrites and complex twins increases, the grade of gold becomes lower and its heterogeneity grows, the composition and concentration of impurity elements change. The crystallomorphology of the shallow low-grade native gold of the Transcarpathia is diverse (the Muzhi³ve deposit, quartz-barite ores). Unique crystals here are complex twins of cube-octahedrons of native gold. Specificity of medium-deep medium-grade native gold from some ore occurrences of the Donbass is rhombododecahedral faceting of its crystals. Crystallomorphology of deep high-grade native gold from deposits and ore occurrences of the Ukrainian Shield is monotonous. Research data on native gold from known deposits and ore occurrences of Ukraine are generalized and systematization of endogenous gold ore occurrences of Ukraine is made on this basis. A model of a crystallogenetic determinant of native gold of Ukraine is proposed, in which the following main sections are emphasized: 1) native gold mineral associations; 2) chemical-structural and other features of gold crystals; 3) gold crystals morphology; 4) gold crystals anatomy; 5) the method and mechanism of gold crystals growth; 6 ) typomorphic signs of gold crystals; 7) genesis of gold. As an example, a crystallogenetic determinant of native gold from the Proterozoic conglomerates of the Bilokorovychi structure on the Volyn megablock is given. The mineralogical criteria of gold mineralization are outlined and some general conclusions concerning genesis, forecast and searches of gold deposits in Ukraine are made.

Structural controls on granitoid-hosted gold mineralization and paleostress history of the Edikan gold deposits, Kumasi Basin, southwestern Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 1033-1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghislain Tourigny ◽  
Markos D. Tranos ◽  
Quentin Masurel ◽  
Oliver Kreuzer ◽  
Steffen Brammer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Structural Controls ◽  
History Of
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