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Rapid mineralogical and geochemical characterisation of the Fisher East nickel sulphide prospects, Western Australia, using hyperspectral and pXRF data

Rapid mineralogical and geochemical characterisation of the Fisher East nickel sulphide prospects, Western Australia, using hyperspectral and pXRF data

Authors :
Stephen Barnes
Marco L. Fiorentini
Lauren L. Burley
Margaux Le Vaillant
David R. Mole
Carsten Laukamp
Source :
Ore Geology Reviews. 90:371-387
Publication Year :
2017
Publisher :
Elsevier BV, 2017.

Abstract

The use of Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) and Thermal Infrared (TIR) hyperspectral data in mineral exploration has been well documented in many mineralisation types, but is limited in komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide deposits. This project combines hyperspectral, Portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) and whole-rock geochemical data to assess different analytical techniques in the exploration of these deposits. We use the Fisher East nickel sulphide prospects, Western Australia for our case study. The Fisher East prospects lie in an area of the eastern goldfields that has historically been underexplored and understudied. The rocks have undergone intense deformation with primary igneous textures being destroyed, along with strong alteration to talc carbonate assemblages. Combining different analytical tools allowed for differentiation of A and B-zones of original komatiite flows, and the reconstruction of original volcanological facies in a setting where whole rock chemistry as well as igneous textures have been substantially modified by metamorphism. By using different lithogeochemical techniques including pXRF, this study shows the Fisher East prospects are hosted within channelised komatiite flows, and have similar characteristics to Kambalda style deposits.

Details

ISSN :
01691368
Volume :
90
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Ore Geology Reviews
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........6c470fec224fd3454f11871704ece283
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2017.04.032