Abstract
Stratiform quartz-sulphide-gold veins, locally termed “reefs” are hosted within the Proterozoic Transvaal Sequence sedimentary succession, in the Sabie-Pilgrim's Rest goldfield, eastern Transvaal. These deposits have produced about 180 tonnes of gold and share many characteristics with those of Telfer, Western Australia. Detailed examination of the Elandshoogte Mine shows that gold deposition occurred in two stages, both linked to bedding-parallel thrust faulting within the sedimentary pile. Deformation being concentrated within incompetent shale beds, interlayered within more competent units. The majority of gold was introduced in the second stage of mineralisation and occurs within fractures in early-formed sulphide minerals. Deposition of competent quartz veins accompanying early sulphide and gold mineralisation resulted in a change in deformation style within the reef zone, from early shearing in shales to later duplex faulting of the quartz-reef. Fluids accompanying faulting are implied to have transported gold, and a magmatic source of mineralisation is suggested.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ash, J.P., Tyler, N (1986) A preliminary investigation of fluid inclusions in the Pilgrim's Rest Goldfield. Inf. Cir. Econ. Geol. Res. Unit., Univ Witwatersrand. 180:21
Cawthorn, R.G., Davies, G., Clubley-Armstrong, A., McCarthy, T.S. (1981) Sills associated with the Bushveld Complex, South Africa: an estimate of the parental magma composition. Lithos 14:75–83
Colvine, A.C., Andrews, A.J., Cherry, M.E., Durocher, M.E., Fyon, A.J., Lavigne, M.J., Macdonald, A.J., Marmont, S., Poulsen, K.H., Springer, J.S., Troop, D.G. (1984) An integrated model for the origin of Archean lode gold deposits. Ontario Geol. Surv. Open File Rept. 5524:98
Fowler, A.R.C. (1968) Mining at Transvaal Gold Mining Estates Limited. 1872–1967. J. S. Afr. Inst. Min. Mett. February 1968:291–335
Goellnicht, N.M., Dimo, G., Groves, D.I., McNaughton, N.J. (1988a) An epigenetic origin for the Telfer gold deposit. In Bicentennial Gold 88, Extended Abstracts, Oral Programme. Geol. Soc. Aust., Abstr 22:79–94
Goellnicht, N.M., Groves, I.M., Groves, D.I., Ho, S.E., McNaughton, N.J. (1988b) A comparison between mesothermal gold deposits of the Yilgarn Block and gold mineralization at Telfer and Miralga Creek, Western Australia. Indirect evidence for a non-magmatic origin for greenstone-hosted gold deposits. In: Ho, S.E., Groves, D.I. (eds.) Geol. Dept. and Univ. Extension, Univ. West. Australia Publ. 12:309–319
Gretener, P.E. (1969) Fluid pressure in porous media — its importance in geology: a review. Bull. Can. Petroleum Geol. 20:255–295
Gretener, P.E. (1972) Thoughts on overthrust faulting in a layered sequence. Bull. Can. Petroleum Geol. 20:583–607
Harley, M., Charlesworth, E.G. (1991) The mineralisation and structure of the Elandshoogte gold mine, Sabie-Pilgrim's Rest Goldfield, eastern Transvaal. South Africa. In: Ladeira, E.A. (ed.) Brazil Gold '91. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 685–692
Hubbert, M.K., Rubey, W.W (1959) Role of fluid pressure in mechnics of overthrust faulting. Geol. Soc. Am Bull. 70:115–166
Laznicka, P. (1989) Breccias and ores. Part 1: History, organisation and petrography of breccias. Ore Geology Reviews 4:315–344
Maske, S., Maiden, K.J., Clendenin, C.W. (1986) Gold mineralisation at the Elandshoogte Mine, eastern Transvaal basin. In: Geocongress '86: Johannesburg. Geological Society of South Africa, pp. 531–534
Meyer, M., Welke, H.J., Robb, L.J. (1986) Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of flat reefs in the Sabie-Pilgrim's Rest Goldfield. In: Geocongress '86: Johannesburg. Geological Society of south Africa, pp. 535–540
Meyer, M. (1988) Environment of ore formation in the Sabie-Pilgrim's Rest Goldfield, South Africa. In: Geocongress '88: Durban. Geological Society of South Africa, pp. 427–430
Schirmer, T.W. (1988) Structural analysis using thrust-fault hangingwall-sequence diagrams: Ogden duplex, Wasatch Range, Utah. Am. Ass. Petrol. Geol. Bull. 72:573–585
Sharpe, M.R. (1981) Petrology and geochemistry of pre-Bushveld and Waterberg mafic sills. Trans. Geol. Soc. S. Afr. 84:75–83
Sibson, R.H. (1989) High-angle reverse faulting in northern New Brunswick, Canada and its implication for fluid pressure levels. J. Struct. Geol. 17:873–877
Swiegers, J.U. (1949) Gold deposits of the Pilgrim's Rest gold mining district, Transvaal. Trans. geol. Soc. S. Afr. 51:81–132
Tyler, N. (1985) The origin of gold mineralisation in the Pilgrim's Rest goldfield, eastern Transvaal. Inf. Cir. Econ. Geol. Res. Unit., Univ Witwatersrand 179:34
Tyler, R. (1989) Cyclic sedimentation and gold mineralisation in the Pilgrim's Rest Sabie Goldfield, eastern Transvaal. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis University of the Witwatersrand, 146 pp.
Visser, H.N., Verwoerd, W.J. (1960) The geology of the country north of Nelspruit. An explanation of Sheet 22 (Nelspruit). Geological Survey of South Africa, 128 pp.
Zietsman, A.L. (1967) The relationship between mineralisation and structure in the Pilgrim's Rest-Sabie Goldfield. Unpubl. D.Sc. Thesis. Univ. of the Orange Free State, Bloemfontein, 198 pp.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Harley, M., Charlesworth, E.G. Thrust-controlled gold mineralisation at the Elandshoogte Mine, Sabie-Pilgrim's Rest goldfield, South Africa. Mineral. Deposita 27, 122–128 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197096
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00197096