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Identification of hydrothermal alteration related to mineralisation using epidote mineral chemistry

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 12:59 authored by Michael BakerMichael Baker, David CookeDavid Cooke, Hollings, PN, Piquer, J
The sorosilicate mineral epidote is a commonly occurring and easily recognisable mineral found within the alteration halo surrounding mineralised hydrothermal deposits that are hosted in volcano-sedimentary and igneous terranes. Epidote is also a product of greenschist and amphibolite facies regional metamorphism. As a result, in ancient arc-volcanic terranes it can be unclear whether epidote encountered during regional exploration has formed via metamorphic or magmatic-hydrothermal processes. In this study, we compare mineral chemical analyses of epidote from regional metamorphic terranes with epidote sampled from the hydrothermal alteration halos surrounding porphyry and skarn mineralisation in the Baguio district, Philippines. The results are subsequently used to test the ‘fertility’ of epidote-bearing samples collected from the Aconcagua river valley of central Chile. It was determined that there are measurable differences in trace and rare earth element chemistry that can be used to effectively discriminate between epidote formed from regional metamorphism and hydrothermal alteration related to mineralisation. The ability to geochemically distinguish between these two styles of epidote has substantial implications for mineral exploration in regionally metamorphosed terranes, as well as for situations where porphyry-style mineralisation is not exposed at surface.

Funding

Australian Research Council

AMIRA International Ltd

BHP Billiton Ltd

Newcrest Mining Limited

History

Publication title

Proceedings of the 14th SGA Biennial Meeting: Mineral Resources to Discover

Editors

P Mercier-Langevin, B Dube, M Bardoux, P-S Ross, C Dion

Pagination

1069-1071

ISBN

9782981689801

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits

Place of publication

Switzerland

Event title

14th SGA Biennial Meeting

Event Venue

Quebec City, Canada

Date of Event (Start Date)

2017-08-20

Date of Event (End Date)

2017-08-23

Rights statement

Copyright 2017 Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Copper ore exploration

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