Zoning in the Carboniferous-Lower Permian Cracow epithermal vein system, central Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Four epithermal vein deposits (i.e. Dawn, Central Extended, Rose's Pride and Klondyke) in the Cracow gold field, central Queensland were investigated in terms of paragenesis, mineralogy, vein textures, fluid inclusions and stable isotopes. The Cracow epithermal field is confined to an area approximately 6 by 5 kilometers. All the deposits are hosted by the massive Camboon Andesite of Upper Carboniferous to Lower Permian age, occur as open-space vein fillings, and have similar paragenesis. However, significant variations in mineralogy, textures of quartz and adularia, and fluid geochemistry were found for a main mineralisation stage (Stage II) of each individual deposits. At Rose's Pride and Klondyke, basemetal sulphides are virtually absent, but significant amounts of calcite and quartz with minor adularia are widely distributed. Replacement textures are distinct, and mineralisation temperature is less than 220 °C and salinity less than 0.2 wt%. The δ ¹⁸O values of quartz and calcite range from −2.65 to −2.06‰ and from −6.66 to −6.34%. respectively, and calculated δ ¹⁸O_H2_O value is about −17%. which represents a nearly unshifted palaeo-meteoric water. Gold mineralisation is best developed at Central Extended among the studied deposits, where patches rich in electrum are often observed in polished thin sections and where gold grades exceeding 10 g/t are frequently indicated by assays. Base-metal sulphides are only present locally and rarely exceed 5 volume percent of the vein samples. Quartz is the dominant gangue mineral, but significant amounts of rhombic adularia and chlorite are widely distributed. Various primary and recrystallisation textures possibly inherited from silica gel are well developed and widespread. At individual sites where crustiform bands developed from both walls of a fissure, temperatures could drop sharply from 275 °C to less than 220 °C. The ore-forming fluid at Central Extended, compared with that at Rose's Pride and Klondyke, was isotopically shifted from meteoric water with δ ¹⁸O_H2_O value of −13.5‰ calculated in equilibrium with quartz (δ ¹⁸O values of −3.09 to −1.44%.). The orebodies at Dawn are rich in base-metal sulphides which are commonly coarse-grained and form up to 20 volume percent of the vein materials. Quartz is the predominant gangue mineral, and commonly shows a coarse comb texture. The ore-forming fluid was 275 ± 10 °C and low salinity (0.4 to 0.7 wt%). The δ ¹⁸O values of quartz range from −3.97 to −3.22%., and calculated δ ¹⁸O_H2_O value is about −12‰, indicating large isotopic shifts from palaeo-meteoric water. A depth zoning in typical boiling epithermal systems, corresponding to different fluid compositions, wall rock permeability and boiling behaviors, was invoked to explain different characteristics of these selected epithermal veins.