Authors / CoAuthors
Hoatson, D.M.
Abstract
Precambrian layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions in Australia have recently generated considerable exploration interest for their platinum-group element (PGE: Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Os, Ir) and Ni-Cu-Co potential. Exploration has been stimulated by the discovery of potential world-class deposits (Voisey?s Bay, Canada; west Musgraves), high metal prices (notably Pd, Pt, and Rh), and a perception that many favourable intrusions are under-explored for different styles of orthomagmatic and hydrothermal mineralisation. Despite the renewed interest, Ni production associated with layered intrusions accounts for only 3% of Australia?s Ni production, and PGE production is currently restricted to the Archaean komatiitic-volcanic associations of the Yilgarn Craton. Exploration programs (see Hoatson & Blake 2000) for Precambrian layered intrusions vary considerably for different styles of precious- and base-metal mineralisation. The four styles of mineralisation considered here are believed to have the greatest potential in the following major orogenic domains: (1) Stratabound PGE-bearing sulphide layers: Yilgarn Craton, Pilbara Craton, Musgrave Block, Gawler Craton; (2) Stratabound PGE-bearing chromitite layers: Halls Creek Orogen, Albany?Fraser Orogen, Yilgarn Craton; (3) Basal segregations of Ni-Cu-Co?PGE sulphides: Musgrave Block, Pilbara Craton, Yilgarn Craton, Halls Creek Orogen, Arunta Block, Gawler Craton; and (4) Hydrothermal PGE remobilisation: Pilbara Craton, Arunta Block, Halls Creek Orogen, Yilgarn Craton, Musgrave Block, Gawler Craton. During the exploration of layered intrusions it is important not to be `blinkered? to a particular model, but to maintain a flexible innovative approach and consider different styles of orthomagmatic and hydrothermal mineralisation at different stratigraphic levels in the intrusion. It should also be borne in mind that it took more than 20 years of intensive exploration to define the J-M Reef of the Stillwater Complex, and it was not until the 1990s that a significant Au-PGE layer (Platinova Reef) was found in the Skaergaard Intrusion, East Greenland?an intrusion which has been investigated in great detail for more than 60 years.
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nonGeographicDataset
eCat Id
38050
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Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Dr GPO Box 378
Canberra
ACT
2601
Australia
Keywords
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- External PublicationAbstract
- ( Theme )
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- commodities
- ( Theme )
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- economic geology
- ( Theme )
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- metallogenesis
- Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)
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- Earth Sciences
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- Published_Internal
Publication Date
2001-01-01T00:00:00
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