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  • <p>The Mesoproterozoic Roper Group of the McArthur Basin has excellent petroleum potential, but its poorly constrained post-depositional history has hampered resource exploration and management. The Derim Derim Dolerite occupies an important position in the regional event chronology, having intruded the Roper Group prior to deformation associated with the ‘Post-Roper Inversion’ event. It was assigned a magmatic crystallisation age of 1324 ± 4 Ma (uncertainties are 95% confidence unless otherwise indicated) in 1997, based on unpublished Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro Probe (SHRIMP) U-Pb analyses of dolerite-hosted baddeleyite from sample 97106010, collected from the Derim Derim Dolerite type locality in outcrop within the northwestern McArthur Basin. Herein, we refine these data via Isotope Dilution-Thermal Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ID-TIMS) analysis of baddeleyites plucked from the SHRIMP grain-mounts, which yielded a precise mean 207Pb/206Pb date of 1327.5 ± 0.6 Ma. This date is significantly older than a baddeleyite U-Pb ID-TIMS date of 1313.8 ± 1.3 Ma recently obtained from dolerite ALT-05, sampled in Pacific Oil and Gas Ltd drillhole Altree 2, near the northern margin of the Beetaloo Sub-basin, and 200 km south of 97106010. This pair of results indicates that Derim Derim Dolerite magmatism spanned at least 10-15 Ma. Previously documented geochemical variation in Mesoproterozoic mafic rocks across the Northern Territory (such as the 1325 ± 36 Ma (2σ) Galiwinku Dolerite in the northern McArthur Basin, 1316 ± 40 Ma phonolites intruding the eastern Pine Creek Orogen, and 1295 ± 14 Ma gabbro in the Tomkinson Province) may reflect episodic pulses of magmatism hitherto obscured by the low precision of the available isotopic dates. <p><b>Citation:</b> Bodorkos, S., Yang, B., Collins, A.S., Crowley, J., Denyszyn, S.W., Claoue-Long, J.C., Anderson, J.R. and Magee, C., 2020 Precise U–Pb baddeleyite dating of the Derim Derim Dolerite: evidence for episodic mafic magmatism in the greater McArthur Basin. In: Czarnota, K., Roach, I., Abbott, S., Haynes, M., Kositcin, N., Ray, A. and Slatter, E. (eds.) Exploring for the Future: Extended Abstracts, Geoscience Australia, Canberra, 1–4.

  • Xenotime (YPO4) occurs in a wide range of geological environments, but its potential to establish the timing of mineralisation and sediment diagenesis has been the focus of most recent studies. Xenotime in these settings usually has a low uranium content (typically < 1000 ppm) and occurs as microscopic crystals (< 20 μm diameter), either individually or as outgrowths on a zircon substrate. Large radius ion microprobes, such as the SHRIMP or Cameca 1270/1280, that have high sensitivity and spatial resolution, are well suited for the U–Pb–Th analysis of xenotime from such environments. SIMS U–Pb–Th analyses of xenotime, however, are prone to significant U–Pb–Th matrix effects (ME) that are related to the wide natural range of U (0–6 wt%) and rare earth element (REE) (ΣREE: 12–22 wt%) concentrations in this mineral. For SHRIMP U–Pb–Th xenotime analyses, a 1 wt% increase in U concentration, relative to the U–Pb–Th calibration reference material (RM), will on average cause a corresponding increase in the measured 206Pb/238U and 208Pb/232Th of approximately 15% and 14% respectively. Similarly, a 1 wt% contrast in ΣREE causes an increase of about 1.2% in 206Pb/238U and about 1.7% in 208Pb/232Th. Correction for these chemically-induced matrix effects requires the concurrent analysis of three xenotime reference materials (RMs) which have known ages and a range of U and ΣREE contents that have been determined accurately by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). A least squares methodology is used to derive correction coefficients that relate the SHRIMP U–Pb–Th ME to the U and ΣREE concentrations for the RMs. Crucial to the success of this technique is the use of one dimensional (1-D) calibrations using 206Pb+/270[UO2]+ and 208Pb+/248[ThO]+. Processing is carried out in two steps: the first derives the correction coefficients to matrix correct the 206Pb+/270[UO2]+ and 208Pb+/248[ThO]+ ratios, the second processes the matrix corrected ratios to determine 206Pb/238U and 208Pb/232Th. <b>Citation:</b> A.J. Cross, I.S. Williams, SHRIMP U–Pb–Th xenotime (YPO4) geochronology: A novel approach for the correction of SIMS matrix effects, <i>Chemical Geology</i>, Volume 484, 2018, Pages 81-108, ISSN 0009-2541, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2017.12.017.

  • This Record presents new Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro Probe (SHRIMP) U–Pb geochronological results for six drill core samples from the Rover mineral field, an area of prospective Palaeoproterozoic rocks southwest of Tennant Creek that is entirely concealed below younger sedimentary cover rocks. The work is part of an ongoing collaborative effort between Geoscience Australia (GA) and the Northern Territory Geological Survey (NTGS) that aims to better understand the geological evolution and mineral potential of this region. SHRIMP U–Pb detrital zircon results from two samples, a meta-siltstone/mudstone from the Au–Cu–Bi Rover 1 deposit (drillhole WGR1D011; sample BW20PGF090) and a volcaniclastic sandstone from the Explorer 142 prospect (drillhole NR142D001; sample BW20PGF156) gave near identical maximum depositional ages of 1849.1 ± 3.1 Ma and 1848.9 ± 3.0 Ma respectively. The euhedral nature of the zircons in both samples and their unimodal age distributions, support the interpretation that the maximum depositional ages of these samples are good approximations for their true age of deposition. These results are a very close match with U–Pb zircon geochronology of some other drill core samples from the Rover mineral field. Two magmatic rocks from drillhole RVDD0002 (located in the East of the Rover field), gave ages of ca 1851–1850 Ma, while a volcaniclastic sandstone from RVDD0002 gave a maximum depositional age of 1854.0 ± 2.9 Ma (Cross et al 2021). Our new results from drillholes WGR1D011 and NR142D001 confirm the widespread presence of detrital zircons at ca 1854–1849 Ma across much of the Rover mineral field. SHRIMP U–Pb detrital zircon analysis was undertaken on four samples from the base metal Curiosity prospect drillhole, MXCURD002. The first sample analysed GS20PGF058 [520.0–525.7 m], has a maxima at ca 1842 Ma but youngest statistical grouping at 1729 ± 17 Ma (n = 6). This is in stark contrast with a previous sample from this drillhole (GS19DLH0056 [437.63–438.18 m]) that is 82 metres above GS20PGF058, and gave a MDA of 1854.0 ± 2.9 Ma (Cross et al 2021). In an effort to further investigate the ca 1729 Ma date given by GS20PGF058, three further samples were collected from drillhole MXCURD002, one sample below, GS20PGF190 [525.7–531.5 m] and two samples above, GS20PGF085 [515.0–520.0 m] and GS20PGF084 [468.1–473.45 m]. Additionally, samples GS20PGF190 and GS20PGF085 are continuations of the same meta-siltstone/mudstone unit sampled by GS20PGF058. These three samples returned maximum depositional ages of 1851.7 ± 3.9 Ma (GS20PGF085), 1846.6 ± 3.2 Ma (GS20PGF190) and 1841 ± 12 Ma (GS20PGF084). They are also indistinguishable within their uncertainties (MSWD = 0.71, POF = 0.49) and have an average date of ca 1848 Ma. Therefore, the evidence from SHRIMP U–Pb detrital zircon studies of four rocks from drillhole MXCURD002 (this study and that of Cross et al 2021), indicates that the metasedimentary rocks in MXCURD002 were probably deposited at ca 1850 Ma, similar to other metasedimentary units within the Rover mineral field. We suggest that the relatively younger statistical grouping in sample GS20PGF058 at ca 1730 Ma is possibly the result of isotopic re-setting due to a thermal and/or fluid event associated with lead–zinc–copper mineralisation at a similar time which has been recently reported by Farias et al (2022). Although other explanations to explain the ca 1730 Ma grains in this sample such as laboratory contamination or that the zircons have in fact preserved their original crystallisation age, cannot be ruled out. <b>Bibliographic Reference:</b> Cross AJ, Farias PG and Huston DL, 2022. Summary of results. Joint NTGS–GA geochronology project: Rover mineral field, Warramunga Province, July–December 2020. <i>Northern Territory Geological Survey</i>, <b>Record 2022-005</b>.

  • This Record presents new U-Pb geochronological data, obtained via Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro Probe (SHRIMP), from six samples of igneous rocks and four samples of sedimentary rocks, collected from south-central New South Wales. The work is part of an ongoing Geochronology Project, conducted by the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) and Geoscience Australia (GA) under a National Collaborative Framework (NCF) agreement, to better understand the geological evolution of the central Lachlan Orogen in the East Riverina region. The results presented herein correspond to the reporting period July 2015-June 2016.

  • This record presents new Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP) U– Pb zircon results for eighteen samples from the Cairns, Cape York and Georgetown regions in Queensland. Samples from the Cairns region comprise one granite and one microgranite. Eight samples from the Cape York region and three from the Georgetown region comprise Paleozoic igneous rocks, all but one of which are part of the Carboniferous to Permian Kennedy Igneous Association. Of particular interest are the results for two rhyolitic intrusions from the Coen Inlier that are host to gold mineralisation and gave ages of approximately 280 Ma. These results are supported by similar ages reported by Kositcin et al. (2016), also from felsic dykes spatially associated with gold mineralisation. Together, they suggest a widespread, early-Permian gold (Kungurian) event in this region. The results for two felsic dykes spatially associated with gold mineralisation much farther to the south in the Georgetown region, also gave similar early-Permian ages. The geochronology of five metamorphic rocks from the Cape York region, which were analysed in support of the Coen–Cape Weymouth geology mapping project has resulted in all samples being reassigned to other formations. The work contained in this report was carried out under the auspices of the National Collaborative Framework (NCF) between Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Queensland. The data and age interpretations are also available in Geoscience Australia’s Geochronology Delivery database (http://www.ga.gov.au/geochron-sapub-web/). <b>Bibliographic Reference: </b>CROSS, A.J., DHNARAM, C., BULTITUDE, R.J., BROWN, D.D., PURDY, D.J. & VON GNIELINSKI, F.E., 2019. Summary of results. Joint GSQ–GA geochronology project: Cairns, Cape York and Georgetown regions, 2015–2016. <i>Queensland Geological Record</i> <b>2019/01</b>.

  • New SHRIMP U-Pb zircon ages from the New England Orogen, New South Wales July 2014-June 2015

  • <div>This Record documents the efforts of Geoscience Australia (GA) in compiling a New South Wales (NSW) Uranium–Lead (U–Pb) geochronology interpreted age compilation (version 1.0), utilising the MinView data from the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW), GA’s ‘in house’ storage of SHRIMP (Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro Probe) ages, and other disparate publication sources e.g. academic journal articles and university theses. Here we describe both the dataset itself and the process by which it is incorporated into the continental-scale Isotopic Atlas of Australia. This initial release of the NSW geochronology compilation comprises of 1007 U–Pb ages of named and unnamed rock units in NSW.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Isotopic Atlas draws together age and isotopic data from across the country and provides visualisations and tools to enable non-experts to extract maximum value from these datasets. Data is added to the Isotopic Atlas in a staged approach with priorities determined by GA- and partner-driven focus regions and research questions. This NSW U–Pb compilation represents the third in a series of compilation publications (Records and Datasets) for the southern states of Australia, which are a foundation for the second phase of the Exploring for the Future initiative over the period 2020–2024. All geochronology compilations in this series of Isotopic Atlas of Australia Records are available online from the Geochronology and Isotopes Data Portal.</div><div><br></div>

  • This Record contains new zircon U-Pb geochronological data, obtained via Sensitive High-Resolution Ion Micro Probe (SHRIMP), from two samples of metamorphosed felsic igneous rocks of the Proterozoic Pinjarra Orogen (Western Australia), intersected in diamond drillcore at the base of deep petroleum exploration wells penetrating the Paleozoic sedimentary successions of the Perth Basin. In the southern Perth Basin, petroleum exploration well Sue 1 was terminated at depth 3074.2 m, in crystalline basement rocks of the southern Pinjarra Orogen. Abundant zircon from a biotite-bearing felsic orthogneiss at depth 3073.2-3073.7 m yielded a complex array of U-Pb isotopic data, indicative of significant post-crystallisation disturbance of the isotopic system. A Discordia regression fitted to the array yielded an upper intercept date of 1076 ± 35 Ma (all quoted uncertainties are 95% confidence intervals unless specified otherwise) interpreted to represent magmatic crystallisation of the igneous precursor to the orthogneiss, and a lower intercept date of 680 ± 110 Ma which is our best estimate of the age of the tectonothermal event responsible for post-crystallisation disturbance of the U-Pb system. Crust of known Mesoproterozoic age is rare in the southern Pinjarra Orogen: pre-1000 Ma igneous crystallisation ages in the Leeuwin Complex were previously known only from two c. 1090 Ma garnet-bearing orthogneisses at Redgate Beach (Nelson, 1999), 30 km west of Sue 1. All other dated outcrops have revealed Neoproterozoic (780-680 Ma) granitic protoliths reworked by Early Cambrian (540-520 Ma) magmatism, deformation and metamorphism (Nelson, 1996, 2002; Collins, 2003). In the northern Perth Basin, petroleum exploration well Beagle Ridge 10A was terminated at depth 1482 m, in crystalline basement rocks of the northern Pinjarra Orogen. A leucocratic orthogneiss sampled within the interval 1464.0-1467.0 m yielded only sparse zircon, but four of the seven grains analysed yielded a weighted mean 207Pb/206Pb date of 1092 ± 27 Ma, interpreted to represent magmatic crystallisation of the igneous precursor to the orthogneiss. Our data show no evidence for Neoproterozoic U-Pb resetting of the c. 1090 Ma zircons: where present, post-crystallisation isotopic disturbance is predominantly geologically recent. The two newly dated samples are located at opposite ends of the Perth Basin (about 470 km apart), and although the two magmatic crystallisation ages are imprecise, the date of 1092 ± 27 Ma from the Beagle Ridge 10A leucocratic orthogneiss is indistinguishable from the date of 1076 ± 35 Ma from the Sue 1 felsic orthogneiss. Furthermore, both rocks contain inherited zircon of Mesoproterozoic age (1620-1180 Ma in Sue 1; 1290-1210 Ma in Beagle Ridge 10A), indicating the presence of pre-1100 Ma crustal components in their parent magmas. This is consistent with a suite of Paleoproterozoic Sm-Nd model ages determined by Fletcher et al. (1985) on buried Pinjarra Orogen orthogneisses, which span 2.01 ± 0.06 Ga to 1.78 ± 0.04 Ga in the north (near BMR Beagle Ridge 10A), and including a model age of 1.80 ± 0.04 Ga from a sample of granitic gneiss obtained from Sue 1. Fletcher et al. (1985) argued that the consistency of 2.1-1.8 Ga Nd model ages obtained from crystalline basement in drillcore beneath the southern and northern Perth Basin, and from outcrop in the Northampton Complex and Mullingarra Complex of the northern Pinjarra Orogen, indicated a similar or shared crustal evolution. Our new U-Pb zircon data support this model, expanding the known extent of 1100-1050 Ma felsic magmatism in both the southern and northern Pinjarra Orogen, and indicating that Neoproterozoic tectonothermal overprinting appears to be restricted to the Leeuwin Complex, with no corresponding event discernible in the northern Pinjarra Orogen.

  • This Record presents new zircon U-Pb geochronological data, obtained using a Sensitive High Resolution Ion MicroProbe (SHRIMP) for five samples of plutonic and volcanic rocks from the central Lachlan Orogen and the Thomson Orogen, New South Wales. The work was carried out under the auspices of the National Geoscience Accord, as a component of the collaborative Geochronology Project between the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) and Geoscience Australia (GA) during the reporting periods 2011-2012.

  • This Record presents new U–Pb geochronological data, obtained via Sensitive High Resolution Ion Micro Probe (SHRIMP), from 43 samples of predominantly igneous rocks collected from the East Riverina region of the central Lachlan Orogen, New South Wales. The results presented herein correspond to the reporting period July 2016–June 2020. This work is part of an ongoing Geochronology Project, conducted by the Geological Survey of New South Wales (GSNSW) and Geoscience Australia (GA) under a National Collaborative Framework agreement, to better understand the geological evolution and mineral prospectivity of the central Lachlan Orogen in southern NSW (Bodorkos et al., 2013; 2015; 2016, 2018; Waltenberg et al., 2019).