Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The geology of the carbonate-hosted Blende Ag–Pb–Zn deposit, Wernecke Mountains, Yukon, Canada

  • Article
  • Published:
Mineralium Deposita Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Ag–Zn–Pb Blende deposit is located in the Wernecke Mountains, Yukon and is hosted by the middle Proterozoic Gillespie Lake Group dolomitic siltstones. The sulphide mineralization is localized within the axial planar cleavage of a kilometre-scale anticline and is dominated by galena- and sphalerite-cemented mosaic, rubble and crackle breccias with minor pyrite, galena, sphalerite and dolomite veins. 206Pb/204Pb values from galena range from 16.355 to 16.600, 207Pb/204Pb from 15.430 to 15.461, and 208Pb/204Pb from 36.016 to 36.283, respectively, and yield model ages between 1,490 and 1,430 Ma. A hydrothermal alteration zone, which is younger than the mineralization, has a poorly constrained U–Pb monazite age of 1,307 ± 180 Ma, which suggests that the Blende deposit is Proterozoic in age. Dolomites associated with the main- and late-stage mineralization have δ13C values that range from −1.8 to 0.9 ‰ and δ18O values of 15.7 to 21.9 ‰. The total range of δ34S values from pyrite, galena and sphalerite is 9.4 to 58.1 ‰, indicating that the sulphur in the deposit was derived from reduction of seawater sulphate in a closed system. Strontium isotopes suggest there were three fluids involved in the Blende mineralizing system: Fluid 1 was derived from seawater and formed carbonate and quartz veins pre-mineralization; it has an 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.70948. Fluid 2 has a high 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.73866, and fluid 3 has a Sr isotopic ratio of 0.71602. Fluids 1 and 3 have similar isotopic compositions but different total Sr ion signals (a function of concentration). This suggests that fluids 1 and 3 may have ultimately been derived from Proterozoic seawater but have undergone different amounts of water–rock interaction. The isotopic and geochemical data suggest the mineralization formed when a H2S-rich fluid derived from seawater (fluid 3) mixed with a metal-bearing fluid (fluid 2) in the high permeability zones of the axial planar cleavage. The Blende deposit is an unusual carbonate-hosted massive sulphide deposit which has features of both Irish-type and clastic-dominated Zn–Pb deposits. The deposit formed in response to a change in tectonism from a compressional regime to extension and rifting.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbott G (1997) Geology of the Upper Hart River area, Eastern Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon Territory (116A/10, 116A/11). Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Bulletin 9: 92p

  • Taylor BE, Beaudoin G (2000) Sulphur stratigraphy of the Sullivan Pb–Zn –Ag deposit, B.C: evidence for hydrothermal sulphur, and bacterial and thermochemical sulphate reduction. In: Lydon JW, Höy T, Slack JF, Knapp M (eds) The Sullivan deposit and its geological environment. Mineral Deposits Division of the Geological Association of Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland, pp 696–719

    Google Scholar 

  • Bizzarro M, Simonetti A, Stevenson RK, Kurszlaukis S (2003) In situ 87Sr/86Sr investigation of igneous apatites and carbonates using laser-ablation MC-ICP-MS. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 67:289–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brasier MD, Lindsay JF (1998) A billion years of environmental stability and the emergence of eukaryotes: new data from northern Australia. Geology 26:555–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bremner T, LeBarge B, Abbott G (1991) Blende. Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Yukon Exploration (1990), pp 19–20

  • Brideau MA, Thorkelson DJ, Godin L, Laughton JR (2001) Paleoproterozoic deformation of the Racklan Orogeny, Slats Creek (106D/16) and Fairchild Lake (106C/13) map areas, Wernecke Mountains, Yukon. Yukon Explor Geol 2001:65–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Buick R, Des Marais DJ, Knoll AH (1995) Stable isotopic compositions of carbonates from the Mesoproterozoic Bangemall Group, northwestern Australia. Chem Geol 123:153–171

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Colpron M, Nelson JL, Murphy DC (2006) A tectonostratigraphic framework for the pericratonic terranes of the northern Cordillera. In: Colpron M, Nelson JL (eds) Paleozoic evolution and metallogeny of pericratonic terranes at the Ancient Pacific Margin of North America, Canadian and Alaskan Cordillera. Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 45, pp 1–23

  • Dasch EJ (1969) Strontium isotopes in weathering profiles, deep-sea sediments, and sedimentary rocks. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 33:1521–1552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Delaney GD (1981) The mid-Proterozoic Wernecke Supergroup, Wernecke Mountains, Yukon Territory. In: Campbell FHA (ed) Proterozoic basins of Canada. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 81-10, pp 1–23

  • Eisenbacher G (1978) Two major Proterozoic unconformities, northern Cordillera. Current Research, Part A, Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 78-1A, pp 53-58

  • Everett CE, Rye DM, Ellam RM (2003) Source or sink? An assessment of the role of the old red sandstone in the genesis of the Irish Zn-Pb deposits. Econ Geol 98:31–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Fallick AE, Ashton JH, Boyce AJ, Ellam RM, Russell MJ (2001) Bacteria were responsible for the magnitude of the world-class hydrothermal base metal sulfide orebody at Navan Ireland. Econ Geol 96:885–890

    Google Scholar 

  • Furnaletto F, Thorkelson DJ, Gibson HD, Marshall DD, Rainbird RH, Davis WJ, Crowley JL, Vervoort JD (2013) Late Paleoproterozoic terrane accretion in northwestern Canada and the case for circum-Columbian orogenesis. Precambrian Res 224:512–528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabrielse H (1967) Tectonic evolution of the northern Canadian Cordillera. Can J Earth Sci 4:271–298

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson SA, Turner WA (2007) Fluid inclusion constraints on the origin of the brines responsible for Pb-Zn mineralization at Pine Point and coarse non-saddle and saddle dolomite formation in southern Northwest Territories. Geofluids 7:51–68. doi:10.1111/j.1468-8123.2006.00160.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gleeson SA, Sharp RJ, Dewing K, Krstic D, Turner EL, Ootes L (2007a) A regional S and Pb isotope study of carbonate hosted Zn-Pb mineralization, Mackenzie Mountains, NT, Canada. In: Andrew C. (ed) Digging deeper, p 315–319

  • Gleeson SA, Yardley BWD (2003) Surface-derived fluids in basement rocks: inferences from palaeo-hydrothermal systems. J Geochem Explor 78–79:61–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Glesemann A, Jäger H-J, Norman AL, Krouse HR, Brand WA (1994) Online sulfur-isotope determination using an elemental analyzer coupled to a mass spectrometer. Anal Chem 66:2816–2819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godwin CI, Sinclair AJ (1982) Average lead isotope growth curves for shale hosted lead-zinc deposits, Canadian Cordillera. Econ Geol 77:675–690

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldhaber MB (2003). Sulfur-rich sediments. In: Mackenzie FT, Holland HD, Turekian KK exec (eds). Treatise on geochemistry, vol 7. Elsevier, p 257–288

  • Goodfellow WD (1987) Anoxic stratified oceans as a source of sulphur in sediment-hosted stratiform Zn-Pb deposits (Selwyn basin, Yukon, Canada). Chem Geol 65:359–382

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodfellow WD, Jonasson IR (1984) Ocean stagnation and ventilation defined by δ34S secular trends in pyrite and barite, Selwyn Basin, Yukon. Geology 12:583–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodfellow WD, Peter JM (1999) Reply: Sulphur isotope composition of the Brunswick No. 12 massive sulphide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick: implications for ambient environment, sulphur source, and ore genesis. Can J Earth Sci 36:127–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordey SP, Makepeace AJ (2003) Yukon digital geology (version 2). Yukon Geological Survey, Open File 2003-9(D). 2 CD-ROMs

  • Gutzmer J (2006) The Paleoproterozoic carbonate-hosted Pering Zn-Pb deposit, South Africa: I. Styles of brecciation and mineralization. Miner Deposita 40:664–685

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hantelmann JJ (2013) The paragenesis and geochemistry of the Bellekeno Ag-Pb-Zn vein, Keno Hill district, Yukon, Canada. Unpublished MSc. Thesis, University of Alberta

  • Heijlen W, Muchez P, Banks DA (2001) Origin and evolution of high-salinity, Zn-Pb mineralising fluids in the Variscides of Belgium. Miner Deposita 36:165–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jébrak M (1997) Hydrothermal breccias in vein-type ore deposits: a review of mechanisms, morphology and size distribution. Ore Geol Rev 12:111–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laughton JR, Thorkelson DJ, Brideau MA, Hunt JA, Marshall DD (2005) Early Proterozoic orogeny and exhumation of Wernecke Supergroup revealed by vent facies of Wernecke Breccia, Yukon, Canada. Can J Earth Sci 42:1033–1044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leach DL, Sangster DF, Kelley KD, Large RR, Garven GG, Allen CR, Gutzmer J, Walters S (2005) Sediment-hosted lead-zinc deposits: a global perspective. In: Hedenquist JW, Thompson JFH, Goldfarb RJ, Richards JP (eds) Economic geology 100th Anniversary vol, p 561–607

  • Leach DL, Bradley DC, Huston D, Pisarevsky SA, Taylor RD, Gardoll SJ (2010) Sediment hosted Lead-Zinc deposits in Earth history. Econ Geol 105:593–625

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • LeHuray AP, Caulfield JBD, Rye DM, Dixon PR (1987) Basement controls on sediment-hosted Zn-Pb deposits—a Pb isotope study of Carboniferous mineralization in Central Ireland. Econ Geol 82:1695–1709

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lyons TW, Luepke JJ, Schreiber ME, Zieg GA (2000) Sulfur geochemical constraints on Mesoproterozoic restricted marine deposition: lower Belt Supergroup, northwestern United States. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 64:427–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Machel HG, Krouse HR, Sassen R (1995) Products and distinguishing criteria of bacterial and thermochemical sulfate reduction. App Geochem 10:373–389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews A, Katz A (1977) Oxygen isotope fractionation during the dolomitization of calcium carbonate. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 41:1431–1438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCrea JM (1950) On the isotopic chemistry of carbonates and a paleotemperature scale. J Chem Phys 18:849–857

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Medig KPR, Thorkelson DJ, Dunlop RL, (2010) The Proterozoic Pinguicula Group: stratigraphy, contact relationships and possible correlations. In: MacFarlane KE, Weston LH, and Blackburn LR (eds) Yukon exploration and geology 2009. Yukon Geological Survey, p 265–278

  • Moorbath S (1975) Evolution of Precambrian crust from strontium isotopic evidence. Nature 254:395–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mountjoy EW, Machel HG, Green D, Duggan J, Williams-Jones AE (1999) Devonian matrix dolomites and deep burial carbonate cements: a comparison between the Rimbey-Meadowbrook reef trend and the deep basin of west-central Alberta. Bull Can Petrol Geol 47:487–509

    Google Scholar 

  • Mustard PS, Roots CF, Donaldson JA (1990) Stratigraphy of the middle Proterozoic Gillespie Lake Group in the southern Wernecke Mountains, Yukon. Current Research, Part E. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 90-1E, p 43–53

  • Nielsen AB, Thorkelson DJ, Gibson HD, Marshall DD (2013) The Wernecke igneous clasts in Yukon, Canada: fragments of the Paleoproterozoic volcanic arc terrane Bonnetia. Precambrian Res 238:78–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson J, Paradis S, Christensen J, Gabites J (2002) Canadian Cordilleran Mississippi Valley-type deposits: a case for Devonian-Mississippian back-arc hydrothermal origin. Econ Geol 97:1013–1036

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohmoto H (1972) Systematics of sulfur and carbon isotopes in hydrothermal ore deposits. Econ Geol 67:551–578

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohmoto H, Rye RO (1979) Isotopes of sulfur and carbon. In: Barnes H (ed) Geochemistry of hydrothermal ore deposits, 2nd edn. Wiley, New York, pp 509–567

    Google Scholar 

  • Orr WL (1982) Rate and mechanism of non-microbial sulfate reduction. Geol Soc Am Abstr Programs 14:580

    Google Scholar 

  • Paradis S, Hannigan P, Dewing K (2007) Mississippi Valley-type lead-zinc deposits (MVT). In: Goodfellow W. (ed) Mineral resources of Canada: a synthesis of major deposit-types, district metallogeny, the evolution of geological provinces, and exploration methods. Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division, Special Publication no. 5, p 185–204

  • Robinson M, Godwin CI (1995) Genesis of the Blende carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb-Ag deposit, north-central Yukon Territory; geologic, fluid inclusion and isotopic constraints. Econ Geol 90:369–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roots CF (1990) New geological maps for the southern Wernecke Mountains, Yukon. Current Research, Part E. Geological Survey of Canada, Paper 90-1E, p 5–13

  • Russell MJ (1978) Downward-excavating hydrothermal cells and Irish-type ore deposits: importance of an underlying thick Caledonian prism. Inst Miner Metall Trans Sect B Appl Earth Sci 87:B168–B171

    Google Scholar 

  • Schandl ES, Gorton MP (2004) A textural and geochemical guide to the identification of hydrothermal monazite: criteria for selection of samples for dating epigenetic hydrothermal ore deposits. Econ Geol 99:1027–1035

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidberger SS, Simonetti A, Francis SD Sr (2003) Small-scale Sr isotope investigation of clinopyroxenes from peridotite xenoliths by laser ablation MC-ICP-MS—implications for mantle metasomatism. Chem Geol 199:317–329

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simonetti A, Gariepy C, Banic CM, Tanabe R, Wong HK (2004) Pb isotopic investigation of aircraft-sampled emissions from the Horne smelter (Rouyn, Quebec): implications for atmospheric pollution in northeastern North America. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 68:3285–3294

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simonetti A, Heaman LM, Chacko T, Banerjee NR (2006) In situ petrographic thin section U–Pb dating of zircon, monazite, and titanite using laser ablation–MC–ICP-MS. Int J Mass Spectrom 253:87–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simonetti A, Heaman LM, Hartlaub RP, Creaser RA, MacHattie TG, Böhm C (2005) U-Pb zircon dating by laser ablation-MC-ICP-MS using a new multiple ion counting Faraday collector array. J Anal At Spectrom 20:677–686

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strauss H (1993) The sulphur isotopic record of Precambrian sulphates- new data and a critical evaluation of the existing record. Precamb Geol 63:225–246

  • Thorkelson DJ (2000) Geology and mineral occurrences of the Slats Creek, Fairchild Lake and “Delores Creek” areas, Wernecke Mountains (106D/16, 106C/13, 106C/14), Yukon Territory. Exploration and Geological Services Division, Yukon, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Bulletin 10, 73p

  • Thorkelson DJ, Abbott JG, Mortenson JK, Creaser RA, Villeneuve ME, McNicoll VJ, Layer PA (2005) Early and middle Proterozoic evolution of Yukon, Canada. Can J Earth Sci 42:1045–1071

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thorkelson D, Mortenson JK, Creaser RA, Davidson GJ, Abbott G (2001) Early Proterozoic magmatism in Yukon, Canada: constraints on the evolution of northwestern Laurentia. Can J Earth Sci 38:1479–1494

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todt W, Cliff RA, Hanser A, Hofmann AW (1996) Evaluation of a 202Pb–205Pb double spike for high-precision lead isotope analysis. In: Basu A (ed) Earth processes. Reading the isotope code. American Geophysical Union, Washington, Geophysical Monograph 95, p 429–437

  • Tornos F, Heinrich CA (2008) Shale basins, sulfur-deficient ore brines and the formation of exhalative base metal deposits. Chem Geol 247:195–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vandeginste V, Swennen R, Gleeson SA, Ellam RM, Osadetz K, Roure F (2007) Geochemical constraints on the origin of the valley-separated Kicking Horse and Monarch ore deposits (southeast British Columbia). Miner Deposita 42:913–935

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veizer J, Compston W (1976) 87Sr/86Sr in Precambrian carbonates as an index of crustal evolution. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 40:905–914

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veizer J, Compston W, Clauer N, Schidlowski M (1983) 87Sr/86Sr in Late Proterozoic carbonates: evidence for a “mantle” event at ∼900 Ma ago. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 47:295–302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitney PR, Hurley PM (1964) The problem of inherited radiogenic strontium in sedimentary age determinations. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 28: 425–436

  • Wilkinson JJ (2003) On diagenesis, dolomitisation and mineralisation in the Irish Zn-Pb orefield. Miner Deposita 38:968–983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson JJ, Everett CE, Boyce AJ, Gleeson SA, Rye D (2005) Intracratonic crustal seawater circulation and the genesis of sub-seafloor zinc-lead mineralization in the Irish Orefield. Geology 33:805–808

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler JO, Brookfield AJ, Gabrielse H, Monger JWH, Tipper HW, Woodsworth GJ (1991) Terrane map of the Canadian Cordillera. Geological Survey of Canada, Map 1713A

  • Young G, Jefferson C, Delaney G, Yeo G (1979) Middle and late Proterozoic evolution of the northern Canadian Cordillera and Shield. Geology 7:125–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zheng Y-F, Hoefs J (1993) Effects of mineral precipitation on the sulfur isotope composition of hydrothermal solutions. Chem Geol 105:259–269

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by Eagle Plains Resources plc. and a National Science and Engineering Research Council Discovery grant to S. Gleeson. The Radiogenic Isotope Facility at the University of Alberta was supported in part by a National Science and Engineering Research Council Major Resources Support Grant. We wish to acknowledge the reviews of Georges Beaudoin and an anonymous reviewer.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2E3

    Micheal Moroskat, Sarah A. Gleeson & A. Simonetti

  2. Trans Polar Geological Consultants Inc., 60 Hawkmount Hts. NW, Calgary, AB, T3G 3S5, Canada

    R. J. Sharp

  3. Eagle Plains Resources Ltd., Suite 200, 44-12th Ave. S., Cranbrook, BC, V1C 2R7, Canada

    C. J. Gallagher

  4. Department Civil Engineering and Geological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA

    A. Simonetti

Authors
  1. Micheal Moroskat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sarah A. Gleeson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. J. Sharp
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. A. Simonetti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. C. J. Gallagher
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah A. Gleeson.

Additional information

Editorial handling: G. Beaudoin

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Online resource 1

A table of lead isotopic values from analyses of galena at the Blende. (PDF 62 kb)

Online resource 2

A table of U–Pb data derived from in situ LA-MC-ICP-MS analyses of monazite grains, from sample BE07113-1. (PDF 13 kb)

Online resource 3

A table of strontium isotope ratios, from in situ LA-MC-ICP-MS analyses of hydrothermal dolomite (PDF 85 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Moroskat, M., Gleeson, S.A., Sharp, R.J. et al. The geology of the carbonate-hosted Blende Ag–Pb–Zn deposit, Wernecke Mountains, Yukon, Canada. Miner Deposita 50, 83–104 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-014-0525-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-014-0525-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation