1. Geology and Isotope Geochemistry of the Wainaulo Cu-Au Porphyry Deposit, Namosi District, Fiji.
- Author
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Orovan, Evan A., Cooke, David R., Harris, Anthony C., Ackerman, Ben, and Lawlis, Erin
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PORPHYRY ,ORE deposits ,ISOTOPE geology - Abstract
The late Miocene, calc-alkalic, Wainaulo Cu-Au porphyry deposit of the Namosi district, Fiji, hosts distinct styles of alteration and mineralization that overlapped to produce a substantial porphyry Cu-Au resource. The early stages produced medium-grade Cu, low-grade Au and concentric calc-potassic to propylitic alteration that is zoned around the early-stage diorite intrusions. Discrete zones of high-grade Cu and Au and calc-sodic alteration were then superimposed during the intrusion of the main-stage quartz diorites and the formation of quartz-sulfide and epidote-sulfide veins. As the magmatic-hydrothermal system waned, lower Cu and Au grades, with a weaker intensity of calc-sodic alteration and lower density of veins, were produced coincident with emplacement of subsequent quartz diorite intrusions. Late-stage anhydrite-pyrite veins and chlorite-illite alteration overprinted the quartz diorite intrusive complex. The final hydrothermal event consisted of argillic alteration that was concentrated in and around steeply dipping, ENE-trending shears. These structures appear to have controlled the emplacement of the quartz diorite complex and distribution of high-grade Cu-Au mineralization, suggesting they were active during the pre- and synmineralization stages. Stable and radiogenic isotopic data provide evidence for direct seawater contributions to the magmatic-hydrothermal system. Measured δ
34 Ssulfide (-5.0 to 3.8‰) and (δ34 Ssulfate (9.0-16.8‰) values are consistent with a predominantly magmatic source, whereas an elevated bulk sulfur composition (6.7‰) suggests mixing with an isotopically heavy fluid (e.g., seawater). Estimates of δDfluid derived from epidote (-9.1 to 11.3‰) and δ18 Ofluid from epidote and anhydrite (-0.2 to 4.7‰) approach that of Vienna standard mean ocean water, and the initial Sr isotope ratios of epidote (0.70364-0.70378) suggest a component of seawater Sr ranging from 3.2 to 5.8%. These results are consistent with the inferred submarine paleogeographic setting and may explain the abundance of albite- and epidote-rich alteration assemblages at Wainaulo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2018
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