Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Iron mobility during synmetamorphic alteration in the Selwyn Range area, NW Queensland: implications for the origin of ironstone-hosted Au-Cu deposits

  • Published:
Mineralium Deposita Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The Proterozoic metamorphic rocks of the Selwyn Range area in western Queensland contain a variety of styles of Au + Cu deposit including some (e.g. Selwyn mine and Osborne prospect) that are spatially associated with magnetite-rich ironstones. The area is characterized by extensive alkali-(chloride) metasomatism that occurred during the later stages of regional metamorphism. Existing experimental data indicate that hot saline fluids will dissolve and transport iron as they move through temperature/pressure gradients in the vicinity of the amphibolite-greenschist facies transition and predict that circulation cells will move iron and concentrate it in relatively cool, dilute and/or oxidized parts of such systems. New geological mapping coupled with geochemical data from the amphibolite facies zone of the Selwyn Range area suggest such processes occurred on a large scale and that large masses of Fe were mobilized, particularly in association with Na-metasomatism of biotite-bearing metasediments and high Fe-tholeiitic dolerites. Field and textural features of ironstones and other Fe-rich lithologies demonstrate that some of them at least formed by replacement of other rocks during metamorphism and deformation. Mineralization localized within such iron stones must itself be epigenetic.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amoco (1976) 1975 annual report, Squirrel Hills Project, Queensland Australia, Queensland Dept. Mines Open File Company Rpt. 5885

  • Appleby, A.-K., Williams, P.J. (1988) Epigenetic tourmalinite and arsenopyrite in the aureole of the Leinster batholith, SE Ireland. Mineral. Deposita 23:247–255

    Google Scholar 

  • Beardsmore, T.J. (1993) The role of metamorphic fluids in the petrogenesis of Mount Dore style breccia-hosted Cu-Au mineralization in the eastern Mount Isa inlier, Queensland. Geol. Soc. Aust. Abstr. 35:54–55

    Google Scholar 

  • Beardsmore, T.J., Newbery, S.P., Laing, W.P. (1988) The Maronan Supergroup: an inferred early volcanosedimentary rift sequence in the Mount Isa Inlier and its implications for ensialic rifting in the Middle Proterozoic of northwest Queensland. Precambrian Res. 40/41:487–507

    Google Scholar 

  • BHP (1985) Six monthly report, Authority to Prospect 3740M Bustard Creek, Queensland Dept. Mines Open File Company Rpt. 14091

  • Blake, D.H. (1982) A review of the Corella Formation, Mount Isa Inlier, BMR Jour. Aust. Geol. Geophys. 7:113–118

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake D.H. (1987) Geology of the Mount Isa Inlier and environs, Queensland and Northern Territory. Aust. Bureau Min. Res. Bull. 225

  • Blake, D.H., Jaques, A.L., Donchak, P.J.T. (1983) 1 ∶ 100 000 geological map commentary Selwyn Region Queensland. Aust. Bureau Min. Res., Canberra

  • Blake D.H., Bultitude, R.J., Donchak, P.J.T., Wyborn, L.A.I., Hone, I.G. (1984) Geology of the Duchess-Urandangi region Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland. Aust. Bureau Min. Res. Bull. 219

  • Chou, I-M., Eugster, H.P. (1977) Solubility of magnetite in super-critical chloride solutions. Am. J. Sci. 277:1296–1314

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, G.J., Dixon, G.H. (1992) Two sulphur isotope provinces deduced from ores in the Mount Isa Eastern Succession, Australia. Mineral. Deposita 27:30–41

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, G., Large, R., Kary, G., Osborne, R. (1989) The BIF- hosted Starra and Trough Tank Au-Cu mineralization: a new stratiform association from the Proterozoic eastern succession of Mt. Isa, Australia. Econ. Geol. Monogr. 6:135–150

    Google Scholar 

  • De Jong, G. (1993) Syn- to late metamorphic Na metasomatism, southeast Mount Isa Inlier. Geol. Soc. Aust. Abstr. 35:58–59

    Google Scholar 

  • Derrick, G.M., Wilson, I.H., Hill, R.M. (1976) Revision of stratigraphic nomenclature in the Precambrian of northwestern Queensland V. Soldiers Cap Group. Queensland Govt. Min. J. 77:600–604

    Google Scholar 

  • Derrick, G.M., Wilson, I.H., Hill, R.M. (1977) Revision of stratigraphic nomenclature in the Precambrian of northwestern Queensland. VI. Mary Kathleen Group. Queensland Govt. Min. J. 78:15–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Donchak, P.J.T., Blake, D.H., Noon, T.A., Jaques, A.L. (1983) 1∶100000 geological map commentary Kuridala Region Queensland. Aust. Bureau Min. Res., Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Edwards, A.B., Baker, G. (1959) Scapolitization in the Cloncurry district of northwestern Queensland. J. Geol. Soc. Aust. 1:1–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Eugster, H.P., Chou, I-M. (1979) A model for the deposition of Cornwall-type magnetite deposits. Econ. Geol. 74:763–774

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, J.A. (1986) The isocon diagram — a simple solution to Gresens' equation for metasomatic alteration. Econ. Geol. 81:1976–1982

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemley, J.J., Cygan, G.L., D'Angelo, W.M. (1986) Effect of pressure on mineral solubilities under hydrothermal conditions. Geology 14:377–379

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemley, J.J., Cygan, G.L., Fein, J.B., Robinson, G.R., D'Angelo, W.M. (1992) Hydrothermal ore-forming processes in the light of studies in rock-buffered systems. I. Iron-copper-zinc-lead sulfide solubility relations. Econ. Geol. 87:1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Hitzman, M.W., Oreskes, N., Einaudi, M.T. (1992) Geological characteristics and tectonic setting of Proterozoic iron oxide (Cu-U- Au-REE) deposits. Precambrian Res. 58:241–287

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaques, A.L., Blake, D.H., Donchak, P.J.T. (1982) Regional metamorphism in the Selwyn Range area, northwest Queensland. BMR J. Aust. Geol. Geophys. 7:181–196

    Google Scholar 

  • Kary, G.L., Harley, R.A. (1990) Selwyn gold-copper deposits. In: Hughes, F.E., (ed.) Geology of the mineral deposits of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Australas. Inst. Min. Metal., Parkville, Victoria, pp. 955–960

    Google Scholar 

  • Laing, W.P. (1991) Base metal + gold mineralization styles in the Cloncurry Terrane, Mount Isa Inlier. James Cook Univ. Econ. Geol. Res. Unit Contrib. 38:77–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Long, K.R., Kelly, W.C., Ohle, E.L., Lohmann, K.C. (1986) Ground preparation and zinc mineralization in bedded and breccia ores of the Monte Cristo mine, North Arkansas. Econ. Geol. 81:809–830

    Google Scholar 

  • McLean, G., Benjamin, P. (1993) The geology and development of the Mount Elliot copper-gold deposit. Aust. Inst. Geoscientists Bull. 13:47–54

    Google Scholar 

  • McPhail, D.C. (1993) The behaviour of iron in high temperature chloride brines. Geol. Soc. Aust. Abstr. 34:50–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Nisbet, B.W., Devlin, S.P., Joyce, P.J. (1983) Geology and suggested genesis of cobalt-tungsten mineralization at Mount Cobalt, northwestern Queensland. Proc. Aust. Inst. Mining Metall. 287:9–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, N.H., Wall, V.J. (1987) Metamorphic plumbing system in Pfoterozoic calc-silicates, Queensland, Australia. Geology 15:793–796

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliver, N.H.S., Valenta, R.K., Wall, V.J. (1990) The effect of heterogeneous stress and strain on metamorphic fluid flow, Mary Kathleen, Australia, and a model for large-scale fluid circulation. J. Metamorphic Geol. 8:311–331

    Google Scholar 

  • Oreskes, N., Einaudi, M. (1990) Origin of rare earth element-enriched hematite breccias at the Olympic Dam Cu-U-Au-Ag deposit, Roxby Downs, South Australia. Econ. Geol. 85:1–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Page, R.W. (1983) Timing of superposed volcanism in the Proterozoic Mount Isa Inlier, Australia. Precambrian Res. 21:223–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Page, R.W. (1993) Geological constraints given by U-Pb zircon geochronology in the Mount Isa inlier. Aust. Inst. Geoscientists Bull. 13:13–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Rankin, A.H., Ramsey, M.H., Coles, B., Vanglangvelde, F., Thomas, C.R. (1992) The composition of hypersaline iron-rich granitic fluids based on laser-ICP and synchrotron XRF microprobe analysis of individual inclusions in topaz, Mole Granite, Eastern Australia. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 56:67–79

    Google Scholar 

  • Rattenbury, M. (1992) Stratigraphic and structural controls on ironstone mineralization in the Tennant Creek goldfield, Northern Territory, Australia. Aust. J. Earth Sci. 39:591–602

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryburn, R.J., Grimes, K.G., et al. (1988) Cloncurry (1∶100 000 Scale map.) Aust. Bureau Min. Res., Canberra

    Google Scholar 

  • Spear, F.S., Cheney, J.T. (1989) A petrogenetic grid for pelitic schists in the system SiO2-Al2O3-FeO-MgO-K2O-H2O. Contrib. Mineral. Petrol. 101 149–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Switzer, C.K., Laing, W.P., Rubenach, M.J. (1988) The Proterozoic Starra Au + Cu deposit-syntectonic mineralization in a folded early regional zone of décollement. Geol. Soc. Aust. Abstr. Ser. 23:212–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaughan, J.P., Stanton, R.L. (1986) Sedimentary and metamorphic factors in the development of the Pegmont stratiform Pb-Zn deposit, Queensland. Inst. Min. Metall. Trans. Sec. B. 95:B94–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Wedekind, M.R., Large, R.R., Williams, B.T. (1989) Controls on high grade gold mineralization at Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. Econ. Geol. Monogr. 6:168–179

    Google Scholar 

  • White, S. (1989) Structural controls on, and the origin and timing of ironstone and mineralization at Starra, northwest Queensland. Unpubl. Hons thesis, James Cook University of North Queensland

  • Williams, P.J., De Jong, G., Verran, T. (1993) Evolution of Na-K-Fe-Si metasomatism and mineralization associated with the Cloncurry Fault, SE Mount Isa Inlier: a comparison with Kiruna-Olympic Dam type systems. Geol. Soc. Aust. Abstr. 35:56–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, P.J., Phillips, G.N. (1992) Cloncurry mapping project 1990: geology of the Selwyn Range (McKinlay River and Maramungee Creek areas). James Cook Univ., Econ. Geol. Res. Unit, Contrib. 40

  • Wilson, I.H. (1983) Discussion of a review of the Corella Formation, Mount Isa Inlier, Queensland. BMR J. Aust. Geol. Geophys. 8:161–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, B.J., Walther, J.V. (1986) Fluid flow during metamorphism and its implications for fluid-rock ratios. In: Walther, J.V., Wood, B.J. (eds.) Fluid-rock interactions during metamorphism. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp. 89–108

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geology Department and National Key Centre in Economic Geology, James Cook University of North Queensland, 4811, Townsville, Qld, Australia

    P. J. Williams

Authors
  1. P. J. Williams
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Williams, P.J. Iron mobility during synmetamorphic alteration in the Selwyn Range area, NW Queensland: implications for the origin of ironstone-hosted Au-Cu deposits. Mineral. Deposita 29, 250–260 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206868

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00206868

Keywords

Search

Navigation