This paper presents the results of a set of numerical models focussing on structural controls on hydrothermal mineralization. We first give an overview of natural phenomena of structurally-controlled ore formation and...This paper presents the results of a set of numerical models focussing on structural controls on hydrothermal mineralization. We first give an overview of natural phenomena of structurally-controlled ore formation and the background theory and mechanisms for such controls. We then provide the results of a group of simple 2D numerical models validated through comparison with Cu-vein structure observed near the Shilu Copper deposit （Yangchun, Guangdong Province, China） and finally a case study of 3D numerical modelling applied to the Hodgkinson Province in North Queensland （Australia）. Two modelling approaches, discrete deformation modelling and continuum coupled deformation and fluid flow modelling, are involved. The 2D model-derived patterns are remarkably consistent with the Cu-vein structure from the Shilu Copper deposit, and show that both modelling approaches can realistically simulate the mechanical behaviours of shear and dilatant fractures. The continuum coupled deformation and fluid flow model indicates that pattern of the Cu- veins near the Shilu deposit is the result of shear strain localization, development of dilation and fluid focussing into the dilatant fracture segments. The 3D case-study models （with deformation and fluid flow coupling） on the Hodgkinson Province generated a number of potential gold mineralization展开更多
The Douta permit of African Star Resources/Thor Explorations, located in the southeast of Senegal, in the Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier (western part of the West African Craton), is dominated to the East by m...The Douta permit of African Star Resources/Thor Explorations, located in the southeast of Senegal, in the Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier (western part of the West African Craton), is dominated to the East by metasedimentary formations such as greywackes, shales, graphitic shales, quartzites, cherts, claystones and breccias characteristic of the Dialé-Daléma basin. To the West, the mafic formations of the Mako volcanic belt are the most common. Metasedimentary rocks are associated with metavolcanosedimentary terms found at the contact zones between the two (2) Birimian groups. These different geological formations are cut by mafic dolerite and gabbro sills and/or dykes, as well as quartz and microgranite veins. The Douta gold project is crossed from North to South by the MTZ (Main Transcurrent Zone), generally oriented NE-SW and becoming N-S towards the North. The permit is characterized by several shear corridors. The rocks are affected by brittle, brittle-ductile to ductile deformations. The gold mineralization is hosted by a NE-trending shear corridor called the Makosa corridor (Makosa shear zone), therefore sub-parallel to the MTZ. It has a subvertical dip (75˚ to 85˚ to the NW). It is associated with a hydrothermal phase characterized by quartz-sericite-epidote-fine, disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite ± albite ± chlorite paragenesis. These minerals testify to the existence of a low degree of metamorphism (greenschist facies, epizonal domain) in the area. However, metamorphism reaches amphibolite facies in some places, particularly in the vicinity of intrusive bodies, with the presence of hornblende (amphiboles) and plagioclase. The gold mineralization is mainly hosted by two (2) metasedimentary lithological units: meta-greywackes and shales.展开更多
Whole-rock Rb-Sr, zircon U-Pb and hornblende, biotite and K-feldspar K-Ar ages areused to reconstruct the cooling history of the Huangmeijian intrusion in the Anqing-Lujiangquartz-syenite belt in Anhui. Oxygen isotope...Whole-rock Rb-Sr, zircon U-Pb and hornblende, biotite and K-feldspar K-Ar ages areused to reconstruct the cooling history of the Huangmeijian intrusion in the Anqing-Lujiangquartz-syenite belt in Anhui. Oxygen isotope geothermometry of mineral pairs demonstrates thatdiffusion is a dominant factor controlling the closure of isotopic systems. Assuming the coolingof the intrusion is synchronous with a dicrease in local geothermal gradients, an emplacementdepth of about 8 km and the magma crystallization temperature of 800±50℃ are estimated. TheHuangmeijian intrusion experienced a rapid cooling process and uplifted after its emplacementand crystallization at 133 Ma B.P. with a cooling rate of 34.5℃/Ma and an uplifting rate of 0.35mm/a. The intrusion was rising until it rested at a depth of 3km at a temperature of 300±50℃about 14 Ma later. Then the intrusion was in slow cooling and uplifting with a cooling rate of4.4℃/Ma and an uplifting rate of 0.04 mm/a. U-Pb dating of pitchblende is done for the hydrothermal uranium deposit formed in thecontact zone of the Huangmeijian intrusion. The result shows that the mineralization age is closeto the closing time of the K-Ar system in biotite. The fluid inclusion thermometry indicates thatthe mineralization temperature is in agreement with the closure temperature of the biotite K-Arsystem. This suggests a close relationship between the slow cooling of the intrusion and thehydrothermal uranium mineralization process.展开更多
文摘This paper presents the results of a set of numerical models focussing on structural controls on hydrothermal mineralization. We first give an overview of natural phenomena of structurally-controlled ore formation and the background theory and mechanisms for such controls. We then provide the results of a group of simple 2D numerical models validated through comparison with Cu-vein structure observed near the Shilu Copper deposit （Yangchun, Guangdong Province, China） and finally a case study of 3D numerical modelling applied to the Hodgkinson Province in North Queensland （Australia）. Two modelling approaches, discrete deformation modelling and continuum coupled deformation and fluid flow modelling, are involved. The 2D model-derived patterns are remarkably consistent with the Cu-vein structure from the Shilu Copper deposit, and show that both modelling approaches can realistically simulate the mechanical behaviours of shear and dilatant fractures. The continuum coupled deformation and fluid flow model indicates that pattern of the Cu- veins near the Shilu deposit is the result of shear strain localization, development of dilation and fluid focussing into the dilatant fracture segments. The 3D case-study models （with deformation and fluid flow coupling） on the Hodgkinson Province generated a number of potential gold mineralization
文摘The Douta permit of African Star Resources/Thor Explorations, located in the southeast of Senegal, in the Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier (western part of the West African Craton), is dominated to the East by metasedimentary formations such as greywackes, shales, graphitic shales, quartzites, cherts, claystones and breccias characteristic of the Dialé-Daléma basin. To the West, the mafic formations of the Mako volcanic belt are the most common. Metasedimentary rocks are associated with metavolcanosedimentary terms found at the contact zones between the two (2) Birimian groups. These different geological formations are cut by mafic dolerite and gabbro sills and/or dykes, as well as quartz and microgranite veins. The Douta gold project is crossed from North to South by the MTZ (Main Transcurrent Zone), generally oriented NE-SW and becoming N-S towards the North. The permit is characterized by several shear corridors. The rocks are affected by brittle, brittle-ductile to ductile deformations. The gold mineralization is hosted by a NE-trending shear corridor called the Makosa corridor (Makosa shear zone), therefore sub-parallel to the MTZ. It has a subvertical dip (75˚ to 85˚ to the NW). It is associated with a hydrothermal phase characterized by quartz-sericite-epidote-fine, disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite ± albite ± chlorite paragenesis. These minerals testify to the existence of a low degree of metamorphism (greenschist facies, epizonal domain) in the area. However, metamorphism reaches amphibolite facies in some places, particularly in the vicinity of intrusive bodies, with the presence of hornblende (amphiboles) and plagioclase. The gold mineralization is mainly hosted by two (2) metasedimentary lithological units: meta-greywackes and shales.
文摘Whole-rock Rb-Sr, zircon U-Pb and hornblende, biotite and K-feldspar K-Ar ages areused to reconstruct the cooling history of the Huangmeijian intrusion in the Anqing-Lujiangquartz-syenite belt in Anhui. Oxygen isotope geothermometry of mineral pairs demonstrates thatdiffusion is a dominant factor controlling the closure of isotopic systems. Assuming the coolingof the intrusion is synchronous with a dicrease in local geothermal gradients, an emplacementdepth of about 8 km and the magma crystallization temperature of 800±50℃ are estimated. TheHuangmeijian intrusion experienced a rapid cooling process and uplifted after its emplacementand crystallization at 133 Ma B.P. with a cooling rate of 34.5℃/Ma and an uplifting rate of 0.35mm/a. The intrusion was rising until it rested at a depth of 3km at a temperature of 300±50℃about 14 Ma later. Then the intrusion was in slow cooling and uplifting with a cooling rate of4.4℃/Ma and an uplifting rate of 0.04 mm/a. U-Pb dating of pitchblende is done for the hydrothermal uranium deposit formed in thecontact zone of the Huangmeijian intrusion. The result shows that the mineralization age is closeto the closing time of the K-Ar system in biotite. The fluid inclusion thermometry indicates thatthe mineralization temperature is in agreement with the closure temperature of the biotite K-Arsystem. This suggests a close relationship between the slow cooling of the intrusion and thehydrothermal uranium mineralization process.
