Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Coolgardie Goldfied, Western Australia: district-scale controls on an Archaean gold camp in an amphibolite facies terrane

  • Published:
Mineralium Deposita Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Archaean lode gold deposits in the Coolgardie Goldfield, Western Australia, occur in mafic and ultramafic rocks which have been metamorphosed to the amphibolite facies. Mineralisation was broadly synchronous with peak metamorphism, the main phase of granitoid emplacement, and regional deformation. Several different structural styles are represented by the deposits of the Coolgardie Goldfield. Mineralisation occurs along sheared felsic porphyry-ultramafic rock contacts, in gabbro-hosted quartz-vein sets, in fault-bounded quartzvein sets, and in laminated quartz reefs sited in brittleductile shear zones. The structures hosting mineralisation formed in response to a progressive deformation event, related to granitoid emplacement in an east-west compressional far-field stress régime, but with local heterogeneous stress orientations. This occurred after an earlier period of thrust-stacking, with probable north-south directed tectonic transport. Two contrasting styles of goldrelated wallrock alteration are associated with the auriferous lodes of the Coolgardie Goldfield. A high-temperature assemblage (formation temperature >500°C), characterised by the proximal alteration assemblage garnet+ hornblende + plagioclase + pyrrhotite, contrasts with a medium-temperature assemblage (formation temperature <500°C), consisting of calcic amphibole + biotite + plagioclase + calcite + arsenopyrite + pyrrhotite. The distribution of the two styles of gold-related alteration is controlled by distance from voluminous syntectonic granitoids located to the west of the Coolgardie Goldfield, with the high-temperature style of alteration more proximal to the granitoid-greenstone contact than the medium-temperature style. The occurrence of gold deposits that formed under amphibolite facies conditions throughout the Coolgardie Goldfield supports a crustal continuum model for Archaean lode-gold deposits, which proposes that gold is deposited in metamorphic environments that range from the sub-greenschist to granulite facies. In addition, the data from Coolgardie suggest that syntectonic, synmineralisation granitic plutons may play a significant role in controlling the style of gold associated wallrock-alteration at deep crustal levels.

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

  • Anderson, E.M. (1951) The Dynamics of Faulting and Dyke Formation, with Applications to Britain. Oliver & Boyd. Edinburgh, 206 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrews, A.J., Hugon H., Durocher, M., Corfu, F., Lavigne, M.J. (1986) The anatomy of a gold bearing greenstone belt: Red Lake, northwestern Ontario. In: MacDonald, A.J. (ed.) Gold ’86, An International Symposium on the Geology of Gold: Konsult International, Toronto, p. 3–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Barnicoat, A.C., Fare, R.J., Groves, D.I., McNaughton, N.J. (1991) Synmetamorphic lode-gold deposits in high-grade Archean settings. Geology 19:921–924

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boulter, C.A., Fotios, M.G., Philips, G.N. (1987) The Golden Mile, Kalgoorlie: a giant gold deposit localized in ductile shear zones by structurally induced infiltration of an auriferous metamorphic fluid. Econ. Geol. 82:1661–1678

    Google Scholar 

  • Brady, J.B. (1977) Metasomatic zones in metamorphic rocks. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta. 41:113–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Compston, W., Williams, I.S., Campbell, I.H., Gresham, J.J. (1986) Zircon xenocrysts from the Kambalda Volcanics: age constraints and direct evidence for older continental crust below the Kambalda-Norseman greenstones. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 76:299–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Couture, J.F., Guha, J. (1990) Relative timing of emplacement of an Archean lode-gold deposit in an amphibolite terrane: the Eastmain River deposit, northern Quebec. Can. J. Earth Sci. 27:1621–1636

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubé, B., Poulsén, H., Guha J. (1989) The effects of layer anisotropy on auriferous shear zones: the norbeau Mine, Quebec. Econ. Geol. 84:871–878

    Google Scholar 

  • Gray, N.M., Ward, H.J. (1953) The geology of the country about Coolgardie, Coolgardie Goldfield, W.A.-Part II-selected mining groups. Geol. Surv. West. Aust. Bull. 107:120–365

    Google Scholar 

  • Groves, D.I., Binns, R.A., Barrett, F.M., McQueen, K.G. (1975) Sphalerite compositions from Western Australian nickel deposits, a guide to equilibria below 300°C. Econ. Geol. 70:391–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Groves, D.I., Knox-Robinson, C.M., Ho, S.E., Rock, N.M.S. (1990) An overview of Archacan lode-gold deposits. Geol. Dept. (Key Centre) and Univ. Extension. Univ. West. Aust. Publ. 20:2–18

    Google Scholar 

  • Groves, D.I., Barley, M.E., Barnicoat, A.C., Cassidy, K.F., Fare, R.J., Hagemann, S.G., Ho, S.E., Hronsky, J.M.A. Mikucki, E.J., Mueller, A.G., McNaughton, N.J., Perring, C.S., Ridley, J.R., Vearncombe, J.R. (1992) Sub-greenschist to granulite-hosted Archaean lode-gold deposits of the Yilgarn Craton: a depositional continuum from deep-sourced hydrothermal fluids in crustalscale plumbing systems. Geol. Dept. (Key Centre) and Univ. Extension, Univ. West. Aust. Publ. 22:325–337

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R.I., Chappell, B.W., Campbell, I.H. (1992) Late Archaean granites of the southeastern Yilgarn Block, Western Australia: age, geochemistry, and origin. Trans. R. Soc. Edinburgh 83:211–226

    Google Scholar 

  • Hodges, K.V., Spear, F.S. (1982) Geothermometry, geobarometry and the Al2SiO5 triple point at Mt. Moosilauke, New Hampshire. Am. Minerali. 67:1118–1134

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter, W.M. (1988a) Yilmia, W.A. Geol. Surv. West. Aust. 1: 100 000 geological series map, Sheet 3135

  • Hunter, W.M. (1988b) Kalgoorlie, W.A. Geol. Surv. West. Aust. 1: 100 000 geological series map, Sheet 3136

  • Hutchison, M.N., Scott, S.D. (1981) Sphalerite geobarometry in the Cu−Fe−Zn−S system. Econ. Geol. 76:143–153

    Google Scholar 

  • Keele, R.A., Shelton, M.C. (1990) Greenfields gold deposit, Coolgardie. In: Hughes, F.E. (ed.) Geology of the mineral deposits of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Australas. Inst. Min. Metall. Monogr. 14:467–473

  • McCormick, C., Hanna, J.P. (1990) Tindals gold deposits, Coolgardie. In: Hughes, F.E. (ed.) Geology of the mineral deposits of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Australas. Inst. Min. Metall. Monogr. 14:467–473

  • McMath, J.C. (1953) The geology of the country about Coolgardie, Coolgardie Goldfield, W.A. I. Regional Geology. Geol. Surv. West Aust. Bull. 107:11–119

  • Middleton, T.W. (1990) Three Mile Hill gold deposit, Coolgardie. In: Hughes, F.E. (ed.) Geology of the mineral deposits of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Australas. Inst. Min. Metall. Monogr. 14:459–462

  • Mueller, A.G., Groves, D.I. (1991) The classification of Western Australian greenstone-hosted gold deposits according to wallrock-alteration mineral assemblages. Ore Geol. Rev. 6:291–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, G.N., De Nooy, D. (1988) High-grade metamorphic processes which influence Archaean gold deposits, with particular reference to Big Bell, Australia. J. Metamorphic Geol. 6:95–114

    Google Scholar 

  • Pidgeon, R.T. (1986) The correlation of acid volcanics in the Archaean of Western Australia. Western Australian Mining and Petroleum Research Institute (WAMPRI): Report 27, 77 pp.

  • Ridley, J.R. (1993) The relations between mean rock stress and fluid flow in the curst: with reference to vein-and lode-style gold deposits. Ore Geol. Rev. 8:23–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ridley, J.R., Barnicoat, A.C. (1990) Wallrock alteration in amphibolite facies gold deposits. Geol. Dept. (Key Centre) and Univ. Extension. Univ. West. Aust. publ. 20:79–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Robert, F., Brown, A.C. (1986) Archean gold-bearing quartz veins at the Sigma mine, abitibi greenstone belt, Quebec. I. Geologic relations and formation of the vein system. Econ. Geol. 81:578–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharp, Z.D., Essene, E.J., Kelly, W.C., (1985) A re-examination of the arsenopyrite geothermometer: pressure considerations and applications to natural assemblages. Can. Mineral. 23:517–534

    Google Scholar 

  • Swager, C.P. (1989) Structure of the Kalgoorlie greenstones-regional deformation history and implications for the structural setting of gold deposits within the Golden Mile. Geol. Surv. West. Aust. Rept. 25:59–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Swager, C.P., Griffin, T.J. (1990) An early thrust duplex in the Kalgoorlie-Kambalda greenstone belt, Eastern Goldfields Province, Western Australia. Precamb. Res 48:63–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swager, C.P., Griffin, T.J., Witt, W.K., Wyche, S., Ahmat, A.L., Hunter, W.M., McGoldrick, P.J. (1990) Geology of the Archaean Kalgoorlie Terrane — An explanatory note. Geol. Surv. West. Aust. Record 12, 55 pp.

  • Swager, N. (1990) Bayleys gold deposit, Coolgardie. In: Hughes, F.E. (ed.) Geology of the mineral deposits of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Australas. Inst. Min. Metall. Monograph 14:455–457

  • Tobisch, O.T., Paterson, S.R. (1988) Analysis and interpretation of composite foliations in areas of progressive deformation. J. Struct. Geol. 10:745–754

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Toulmin, P., Barton, P.B., Wiggins, L.B. (1991) Commentary on the sphalerite geobarometer. Am. Mineral 76:1038–1051

    Google Scholar 

  • Travis, G.A., Woodall, R., Bartram, G.D. (1971) The geology of the Kalgoorlie goldfield. Geol. Soc. Aust. Special Publ. 3:175–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Winkler, H.G.F. (1979) Petrogenesis of Metamorphic Rocks. Springer-Verlag, New York, Heidelberg, Berlin, 348 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, W.K. (1991) Regional metamorphic controls on alteration associated with gold mineralization in the Eastern Goldfields Province, Western Australia: implications for the timing and origin of Archaean lode-gold deposits. Geology 19:982–985

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Witt W.K. (1993a) Lithological and structural controls on gold mineralization in the Archaean Menzies-Kambalda area, Western Australia. Aust. J. Earth Sci. 40:65–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, W.K. (1993b) Porphyry intrusions and albitites in the Bardoc-Kalgoorlie area, Western Australia, and their role in Archean epigenetic gold mineralization. Can. J. Earth Sci. 29:1609–1622

    Google Scholar 

  • Witt, W.K., Swager, C.P. (1989) Structural setting and geochemistry of Archaean I-type granites in the Bardoc-Coolgardie area of the Norseman-Wiluna Belt, Western Australia. Precamb. Res. 44:323–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yardley, B.W.D. (1989) An Introduction to Metamorphic Petrology. Longman, harlow, 248 pp.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Centre for Teaching and Research in Strategic Mineral Deposits, Department of Geology and Geophysics, The University of Western Australia, 6009, Nedlands, WA, Australia

    J. T. Knight, D. I. Groves & J. R. Ridley

Authors
  1. J. T. Knight
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. D. I. Groves
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. R. Ridley
    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

Knight, J.T., Groves, D.I. & Ridley, J.R. The Coolgardie Goldfied, Western Australia: district-scale controls on an Archaean gold camp in an amphibolite facies terrane. Mineral. Deposita 28, 436–456 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02431601

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02431601

Keywords

Search

Navigation