Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gold in the Brunswick No. 12 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, Canada: Evidence from bulk ore analysis and laser ablation ICP─MS data on sulfide phases

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

Abstract

The 329-Mt Brunswick No. 12 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit (total resource of 163 Mt at 10.4% Zn, 4.2% Pb, 0.34% Cu, and 115 g/t Ag) is hosted within a Middle Ordovician bimodal volcanic and sedimentary sequence. Massive sulfides are for the most part syngenetic, and the bulk of the sulfide ore occurs as a Zn–Pb-rich banded sulfide facies that forms an intimate relationship with a laterally extensive Algoma-type iron formation and defines the Brunswick Horizon. Zone refining of stratiform sulfides is considered to have resulted in the development of a large replacement-style Cu-rich basal sulfide facies, which is generally confined between the banded sulfide facies and an underlying stringer sulfide zone. Complex polyphase deformation and associated lower- to upper-greenschist facies regional metamorphism is responsible for the present geometry of the deposit. Textural modification has resulted in a general increase in grain size through the development of pyrite and arsenopyrite porphyroblasts, which tend to overprint primary mineral assemblages. Despite the heterogeneous ductile deformation, primary features have locally been preserved, such as fine-grained colloform pyrite and base and precious metal zonation within the Main Zone. Base metal and trace element abundances in massive sulfides from the Brunswick No. 12 deposit indicate two distinct geochemical associations. The basal sulfide facies, characterized by a proximal high-temperature hydrothermal signature (Cu–Co–Bi–Se), contains generally low Au contents averaging 0.39 ppm (n = 34). Conversely, Au is enriched in the banded sulfide facies, averaging 1.1 ppm Au (n = 21), and is associated with an exhalative suite of elements (Zn–Pb–As–Sb–Ag–Sn). Finely laminated sulfide lenses hosted by iron formation at the north end of the Main Zone are further enriched in Au, averaging 1.7 ppm (n = 41) and ranging up to 8.2 ppm. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analyses of pyrite (n = 97) from the north end of the Main Zone average 2.6 ppm Au and range from the detection limit (0.015 ppm) to 21 ppm. Overall, these analyses reveal a distinct Au–Sb–As–Ag–Hg–Mn association within pyrite grains. Gold is strongly enriched in large pseudo-primary masses of pyrite that exhibit relict banding and fine-grained cores; smaller euhedral pyrite porphyroblasts, and euhedral rims of metamorphic origin surrounding the pyrite masses, contain much less Au, Sb, Ag, As, and Sn. Arsenopyrite, occurring chiefly as late porphyroblasts, contains less Au, averaging 1.0 ppm and ranging from the detection limit (0.027 ppm) to 6.9 ppm. Depth profiles for single-spot laser ablation ICP-MS analyses of pyrite and arsenopyrite display uniform values of Au and an absence of discrete microscopic inclusions of Au-bearing minerals, which is consistent with chemically bonded Au in the sulfide structure. The pervasive correlation of Au with Sn in the Zn–Pb-rich banded sulfide facies suggests similar hydrothermal behavior during the waxing stages of deposition on the seafloor. Under high temperature (>350ºC) and moderate- to low-pH conditions, Au and Sn in hydrothermal fluids would be transported as chlorocomplexes. An abrupt decrease in temperature and aH2S, accompanied by an increase in fO2 and pH during mixing with seawater, would lead to the simultaneous destabilization of both Au and Sn chlorocomplexes. The enrichment of Au in fine-grained laminated sulfides on the periphery of the deposit, accompanied by sporadic occurrences of barite and Fe-poor sphalerite, supports lower hydrothermal fluid temperatures analogous to white smoker activity on the flanks of a large volcanogenic massive sulfide system. In lower temperature (<350ºC) and mildly acidic hydrothermal fluids, Au would be transported by thiocomplexes, which exhibit multifunctional (retrograde–prograde) solubility and a capacity to mobilize Au to the outer parts of the sulfide mound. The sluggish nature of this low-temperature venting together with larger variations in ambient fO2 could lead to a sharp enrichment of Au towards the stratigraphic hanging wall of massive sulfide deposits.

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
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Barton PB Jr, Toulmin PIII (1966) Phase relations involving sphalerite in the Fe–Zn–S system. Econ Geol 61:815–849

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benning LG, Seward TM (1996) Hydrosulphide complexing of Au (I) in hydrothermal solutions from 150–400ºC and 500–1500 bar. Geochim et Cosmochim Acta 60:1849–1871

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bischoff JL, Rosenbauer RJ (1985) An empirical equation of state for hydrothermal seawater (3.2 percent NaCl). Am J Sci 285:725–763

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyle RW (1979) The geochemistry of gold and its deposits. Bull Geol Surv Can 280:584

    Google Scholar 

  • Bürg GH (1930) Die Sichtbarmachung des feinverteilten Goldes in goldhaltigen Erzenund ihre wirtschaftliche Bedeutung. Metall und Erz 27:333–338

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabri LJ, Chryssoulis SL, de Villiers JPR, Laflamme JHG, Buseck PR (1989) The nature of “invisible” gold in arsenopyrite. Can Mineral 27:353–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen TT (1978) Colloform and framboidal pyrite from the Caribou deposit, New Brunswick. Can Mineral 16:9–15

    Google Scholar 

  • Chryssoulis SL, Agha U (1990) Gold mineralogical balance in two Brunswick ore samples. Unpublished report, University of Western Ontario

  • Chryssoulis SL, Cabri LJ, Lennard W (1989) Calibration of the ion microprobe for quantitative trace precious metal analyses of ore minerals. Econ Geol 84:1684–1689

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clark LA (1960) The Fe–As–S system: phase relations and applications. Econ Geol 55:1345–1381

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook NJ, Chryssoulis SL (1990) Concentrations of “invisible gold” in the common sulfides. Can Mineral 28:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig JR (2001) Ore–mineral textures and the tales they tell. Can Mineral 39:937–956

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Craig JR, Vokes FM (1992) Ore mineralogy of the Appalachian–Caledonian stratabound sulfide deposits. Ore Geol Rev 7:77–123

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Roo JA, van Staal CR(2003) Sulfide remobilization and sulfide breccias in the Heath Steele and Brunswick deposits, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. In: Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR, Peter JM (eds) Massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Econ Geol Mon 11:479–496

  • Eldridge CS, Barton PB Jr., Ohmoto H (1983) Mineral textures and their bearing on formation of the Kuroko orebodies. In: Ohmoto H, Skinner BJ (eds) The Kuroko and related volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Econ Geol Mon 5:241–281

  • Fleet ME, MacLean PJ, Barbier J (1989) Oscillatory-zoned As-bearing pyrite from strata-bound and stratiform gold deposits: an indicator of ore fluid evolution. In: Keays RR, Ramsay WRH, Groves DI (eds) The geology of gold: the perspective in 1988. Econ Geol Mon 6:356–362

  • Fouquet Y, von Stackelberg U, Charlou JL, Donval JP, Erzinger J, Foucher JP, Herzig PM, Mühe RK, Soakai S, Wiedicke M, Whitechurch H (1991) Hydrothermal activity and metallogenesis in the Lau back-arc basin. Nature 349:778–781

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fouquet Y, von Stackelberg U, Charlou JL, Erzinger J, Herzig PM, Mühe RK, Wiedicke M (1993) Metallogenesis in back-arc environments: the Lau Basin example. Econ Geol 88:2154–2181

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin JM, Lydon JW, Sangster DF (1981) Volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposits. In: Skinner BJ (ed) 75th anniversary volume. Econ Geol 75:485–627

  • Franklin JM, Gibson HL, Jonasson IR, Galley AG (2005) Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. In: Hedenquist JW, Thompson JFH, Goldfarb RJ, Richards JP (eds) 100th anniversary volume. Econ Geol 100:523–560

  • Galley AG, Hannington MD, Jonasson IR (2007) Volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. In: Goodfellow WD (ed) Mineral deposits 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, pp 141–161

  • Gammons CH, Williams-Jones AE (1995) The solubility of Au–Ag alloy + AgCl in HCl/NaCl solutions at 300ºC: new data on the stability of Au (I) chloride complexes in hydrothermal fluids. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 59:3453–3468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gaspar OC (2002) Mineralogy and sulfide mineral chemistry of the Neves–Corvo ores, Portugal: insight into their genesis. Can Mineral 40:611–636

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilligan LB, Marshall B (1987) Textural evidence for remobilization in metamorphic environments. Ore Geol Rev 2:205–229

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodfellow WD (2003) Geology and genesis of the Caribou deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. In: Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR, Peter JM (eds) Massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Econ Geol Mon 11:327–360

  • Goodfellow WD (2007) Metallogeny of the Bathurst Mining Camp, northern New Brunswick. In: Goodfellow WD (ed) Mineral deposits 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, pp 449–469

  • 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 

  • Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR (2003) Geologic and genetic attributes of volcanic sediment-hosted massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, northern New Brunswick—a synthesis. In: Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR, Peter JM (eds) Massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Econ Geol Mon 11:245–302

  • Goodfellow WD, Peter JM, Winchester JA, van Staal CR (2003) Ambient marine environment and sediment provenance during formation of massive sulfide deposits in the Bathurst Mining Camp: importance of reduced bottom waters to sulfide precipitation and sulfide preservation. In: Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR, Peter JM (eds) Massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Econ Geol Mon 11:129–156

  • Gross GA, McLeod CR (1980) A preliminary assessment of the chemical composition of iron formations in Canada. Can Mineral 18:223–229

    Google Scholar 

  • Hannington MD, Scott SD (1989) Sulfidation equilibria as guides to gold mineralization in volcanogenic massive sulfides: evidence from sulfide mineralogy and the composition of sphalerite. Econ Geol 84:1978–1995

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannington MD, Peter JM, Scott SD (1986) Gold in sea-floor polymetallic sulfide deposits. Econ Geol 81:1867–1883

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannington MD, Herzig PM, Scott SD (1991) Auriferous hydrothermal precipitates on the modern seafloor. In: Foster RP (ed) Gold metallogeny and exploration. Blackie, Glasgow, pp 249–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Hannington MD, Tivey MK, Larocque ACL, Petersen S, Rona PA (1995) The occurrence of gold in sulfide deposits of the TAG hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Can Mineral 33:1285–1310

    Google Scholar 

  • Hannington MD, Galley AG, Herzig PM, Petersen S (1998) Comparison of the TAG mound and stockwork complex with Cyprus-type massive sulfide deposits. In Herzig PM, Humphris SE, Miller DJ, Zierenberg RA (eds) Proceedings of the ocean drilling program, scientific results. 158:389–415

  • Hannington MD, Poulsen KH, Thompson JFH, Sillitoe RH (1999a) Volcanogenic gold in the massive sulfide environment. In: Barrie CT, Hannington MD (eds) Volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposits: processes and examples in modern and ancient settings. Rev Econ Geol 8:325–356

  • Hannington MD, Bleeker W, Kjarsgaard I (1999b) Sulfide mineralogy, geochemistry and ore genesis of the Kidd Creek deposit: part I. north, central, and south orebodies. In: Hannington MD, Barrie CT (eds) The giant Kidd Creek volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, western Abitibi subprovince, Canada. Econ Geol Mon 10:163–244

  • Hayashi KI, Ohmoto H (1991) Solubility of gold in NaCl- and H2S-bearing aqueous solutions at 250–350°C. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 55:2111–2126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heinrich CA, Eadington PJ (1986) Thermodynamic predictions of the hydrothermal chemistry of arsenic, and their significance for the paragenetic sequence of some cassiterite–arsenopyrite–base metal sulfide deposits. Econ Geol 81:511–529

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helgeson HC (1969) Thermodynamics of hydrothermal systems at elevated temperatures and pressures. Am J Sci 267:729–804

    Google Scholar 

  • Henley RW (1973) Solubility of gold in hydrothermal chloride solutions. Chem Geol 11:73–87

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hennigh Q, Hutchinson RW (1999) Cassiterite at Kidd Creek: an example of volcanogenic massive sulfide-hosted tin mineralization. In: Hannington MD, Barrie CT (eds) The giant Kidd Creek volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, western Abitibi subprovince, Canada. Econ Geol Mon 10:431–440

  • Hinchey JG, Wilton DHC, Tubrett MN (2003) A LAM-ICP-MS study of the distribution of gold in arsenopyrite from the Lodestar prospect, Newfoundland, Canada. Can Mineral 41:353–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huston DL(2000) Gold in volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: distribution, genesis, and exploration. In Hagemann SG, Brown PE (eds) Gold in 2000. Rev Econ Geol 13:401–426

  • Huston DL, Large RR (1987) Precious metals in the Rosebery north-end orebody, Tasmania, Australia. Proceedings Pacific Rim Congress 87, abastract, pp 199–203

  • Huston DL, Large RR (1989) A chemical model for the concentration of gold in volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. Ore Geol Rev 4:171–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huston DL, Bottrill RS, Creelman RA, Zaw K, Ramsden TR, Rand SW, Gemmell JB, Jablonski W, Sie SH, Large RR (1992) Geologic and geochemical controls on the mineralogy and grain size of gold-bearing phases, eastern Australian volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits. Econ Geol 87:542–563

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huston DL, Sie SH, Suter GF, Cooke DR, Both RA (1995) Trace elements in sulfide minerals from eastern Australian volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: part I. Proton microprobe analyses of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite, and part II. selenium levels in pyrite: comparison with δ 34S values and implications for the source of sulfur in volcanogenic hydrothermal systems. Econ Geol 90:1167–1196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson RW (1973) Volcanogenic sulfide deposits and their metallogenic significance. Econ Geol 68:1223–1246

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishibashi J, Urabe T (1995) Hydrothermal activity related to arc-backarc magmatism in the western Pacific. In: Taylor B (ed) Backarc basins: tectonics and magmatism. Plenum, New York, pp 451–495

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson SE (2001) The application of Nd:YAG laser in LA-ICP-MS. In: Sylvester P (ed) Laser-ablation in the earth sciences: principles and application, short course, vol 29. Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ontario, pp 29–45

    Google Scholar 

  • Jambor JL (1979) Mineralogical evaluation of proximal–distal features in New Brunswick massive-sulfide deposits. Can Mineral 17:649–664

    Google Scholar 

  • Jonasson IR, Sangster DF (1978) Zn:Cd ratios for sphalerites separated from some Canadian sulphide ore samples. Curr Res Geol Surv Can, pp 195–201

  • Kretschmar U, Scott SD (1976) Phase relations involving arsenopyrite in the system Fe–As–S and their application. Can Mineral 14:364–386

    Google Scholar 

  • Large RR (1977) Chemical evolution and zonation of massive sulfide deposits in volcanic terrains. Econ Geol 72:549–572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Large RR (1992) Australian volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: features, styles and genetic models. Econ Geol 87:471–510

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larocque ACL, Hodgson CJ, Lafleur PJ (1993) Gold distribution in the Mobrun volcanic-associated massive sulfide deposit, Noranda, Quebec: a preliminary evaluation of the role of metamorphic remobilization. Econ Geol 88:1443–1459

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Larocque ACL, Hodgson CJ, Cabri LJ, Jackman JA (1995) Ion-microprobe analysis of pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite from the Mobrun VMS deposit in northwestern Quebec: evidence for metamorphic remobilization of gold. Can Mineral 33:373–388

    Google Scholar 

  • LeBlanc S (1989) Massive sulphide-associated gold: Brunswick No. 12 Mine, Bathurst, New Brunswick. B.Sc. thesis, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, p 51

  • Leistel JM, Marcoux E, Deschamps Y, Joubert M (1998) Antithetic behaviour of gold in the volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Miner Depos 33:82–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lentz DR (1996a) Trace-element systematics of felsic volcanic rocks associated with massive-sulphide deposits in the Bathurst Mining Camp: petrogenetic, tectonic and chemostratigraphic implications for VMS exploration. In: Wyman DA (ed) Trace element geochemistry of volcanic rocks: applications for massive sulphide exploration, short course, vol 12. Geological Association of Canada, pp 359–402

  • Lentz DR (1996b) Recent advances in lithogeochemical exploration for massive-sulphide deposits in volcano-sedimentary environments: petrogenetic, chemostratigraphic, and alteration aspects with examples from the Bathurst Camp, New Brunswick. In: Carroll BMW (ed) Current research 1995. New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources and Energy, Minerals and Energy Division, Mineral Resource Report 96-1, pp 73–119

  • Lentz DR (1999a) Petrology, geochemistry, and oxygen isotope interpretation of felsic volcanic and related rocks hosting the Brunswick 6 and 12 massive sulfide deposits (Brunswick Belt), Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. Econ Geol 94:57–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lentz DR (1999b) Deformation-induced mass transfer in felsic volcanic rocks hosting the Brunswick No. 6 massive sulfide deposit, New Brunswick: geochemical effects and petrogenetic implications. Can Mineral 37:489–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Lentz DR (2002) Sphalerite and arsenopyrite at the Brunswick No. 12 massive-sulfide deposit, Bathurst Camp, New Brunswick: constraints on P–T evolution. Can Mineral 40:19–31

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lentz DR, Goodfellow WD (1993) Petrology and mass-balance constraints on the origin of quartz-augen schist associated with the Brunswick massive sulfide deposits, Bathurst, New Brunswick. Can Mineral 31:877–903

    Google Scholar 

  • Lentz DR, van Staal CR (1995) Predeformational origin of massive sulfide mineralization and associated footwall alteration at the Brunswick 12 Pb–Zn–Cu deposit, Bathurst, New Brunswick: evidence from the porphyry dike. Econ Geol 90:453–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lentz DR, Goodfellow WD (1996) Intense silicification of footwall sedimentary rocks in the stockwork alteration zone beneath the Brunswick No. 12 massive sulphide deposit, Bathurst, New Brunswick. Can J Earth Sci 33:284–302

    Google Scholar 

  • Longerich HP (2001) Chemometrics. In: Sylvester P (ed) Laser-ablation in the earth sciences: principles and application, short course, vol 29. Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ontario, pp 21–28

    Google Scholar 

  • Longerich HP, Jackson SE, Günther D (1996) Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric transient signal data acquisition and analyte concentration calculation. J Anal At Spectrom 11:899–904

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luff WM (1986) Silver distribution at the Brunswick No. 12 massive sulphide deposit. Min Eng Mag 38:963–968

    Google Scholar 

  • Luff WM, Goodfellow WD, Juras S (1992) Evidence for a feeder pipe and associated alteration at the Brunswick No. 12 massive sulphide deposit. Explor Min Geol 1:167–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Lusk J (1969) Base metal zoning in the Heath Steele B-1 orebody, New Brunswick, Canada. Econ Geol 64:509–518

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lusk J, Krouse HR (1997) Comparative stable isotope and temperature investigation of minerals and associated fluids in two regionally metamorphosed (Kuroko-type) volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Chem Geol 143:231–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacLellan KL, Lentz DR, McClenaghan SH (2006) Petrology, geochemistry, and genesis of the copper zone at the Brunswick No. 6 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. Explor Min Geol 15:53–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall B, Gilligan LB (1987) An introduction to remobilization: information from ore-body geometry and experimental considerations. Ore Geol Rev 2:87–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marshall B, Vokes FM, Larocque ACL (2000) Regional metamorphic remobilization: upgrading and formation of ore deposits. In: Spry PG, Marshall B, Vokes FM (eds) Metamorphosed and metamorphogenic ore deposits. Rev Econ Geol 11:19–38

  • Martin J, McClenaghan SH, Lentz DR (2006) Form and distribution of gold in the Brunswick No. 12 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. IAGOD Conference Proceedings, Moscow, p 4

    Google Scholar 

  • McAllister AL (1960) Massive sulphide deposits in New Brunswick. CIM Bull 53:88–98

    Google Scholar 

  • McClay KR, Ellis PG (1983) Deformation and recrystallization of pyrite. Min Mag 47:527–538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClenaghan SH (2002) Gold in massive sulphide deposits, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick: form, distribution and genesis. M.Sc. thesis, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, p 371

  • McClenaghan SH, Goodfellow WD, Lentz DR(2003) Gold in massive sulfide deposits, Bathurst Mining Camp: distribution and genesis. In: Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR, Peter JM (eds) Massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Econ Geol Mon 11:303–326

  • McClenaghan SH, Lentz DR, Cabri LJ (2004) Abundance and speciation of gold in massive sulfides of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada. Can Mineral 42:851–871

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McClenaghan SH, Lentz DR, Beaumont-Smith CJ (2006) The gold-rich Louvicourt volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, New Brunswick: a Kuroko analogue in the Bathurst Mining Camp. Explor Min Geol 15:127–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCutcheon SR, Luff WM, Boyle RW (2003) The Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick, Canada: history of discovery and evolution of geologic models. In: Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR, Peter JM (eds) Massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Econ Geol Mon 11:17–36

  • Mercer W (1975) A solubility model for deposition of stratiform massive sulphide deposits, New Brunswick, and its relation to the distribution of gold and palladium. Ph.D. thesis, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, 225 p

  • Morrison GW, Rose WJ, Jaireth S (1991) Geological and geochemical controls on the silver content (fineness) of gold in gold–silver deposits. Ore Geol Rev 6:333–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moss R, Scott SD (2001) Geochemistry and mineralogy of gold-rich hydrothermal precipitates from the eastern Manus Basin, Papua New Guinea. Can Mineral 39:957–978

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newberry RJ, Schmidt JM (1990) Gold versus tin: predictive mineralogy for zinc–copper–lead volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Geological Association of Canada Annual Meeting, Program with Abstracts, 15:A96

  • Newberry RJ, Crawford TC, Newkirk SR, Young LE, Nelson SW, Duke NA (1996) Volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits of Alaska. In: Goldfarb RJ, Miller LD (eds) Mineral deposits of Alaska. Econ Geol Mon 9:120–150

  • Ohmoto H (1996) Formation of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits: the Kuroko perspective. Ore Geol Rev 10:135–177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peter JM, Goodfellow WD (1996) Mineralogy, bulk and rare earth element geochemistry of massive sulphide-associated hydrothermal sediments of the Brunswick Horizon, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. Can J Earth Sci 33:252–283

    Google Scholar 

  • Petruk W, Schnarr JR (1981) An evaluation of the recovery of free and unliberated mineral grains, metals and trace elements in the concentrator of Brunswick Mining and Smelting Corp Ltd. CIM Bull 74:132–159

    Google Scholar 

  • Pisutha-Arnond V, Ohmoto H (1983) Thermal history, and chemical and isotopic compositions of the ore-forming fluids responsible for the Kuroko massive sulfide deposits in the Hokuroku district of Japan. In: Ohmoto H, Skinner BJ (eds) The Kuroko and related volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. Econ Geol Mon 5:523–558

  • Powe EM (2008) Petrology, geochemistry and distribution of the copper zones at the Brunswick No. 12 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. B.Sc. thesis, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton NB, p 91

  • Renders PJ, Seward TM (1989) The stability of hydrosulphido- and sulphido-complexes of Au(I) and Ag(I) at 25ºC. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 53:245–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers N, van Staal CR, McNicoll V, Theriault R (2003) Volcanology and tectonic setting of the northern Bathurst Mining Camp: part 1. extension and rifting of the Popelogan Arc. In: Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR, Peter JM (eds) Massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Econ Geol Mon 11:157–180

  • Saif SI (1983) Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of iron-rich rocks and their significance in exploration for massive sulfide deposits, Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. J Geochem Explor 19:705–721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sato T (1972) Behaviours of ore-forming solutions in seawater. Min Geol 22:31–42

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott SD, Barnes HL (1971) Sphalerite geothermometry and geobarometry. Econ Geol 66:653–669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seward TM (1973) Thio complexes of gold and the transport of gold in hydrothermal ore solutions. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 37:379–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seward TM (1991) The hydrothermal geochemistry of gold. In: Foster RP (ed) Gold metallogeny and exploration. Blackie, London, pp 37–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Seward TM, Barnes HL (1997) Metal transport by hydrothermal fluids. In: Barnes HL (ed) Geochemistry of hydrothermal ore deposits, 3rd edn. Wiley, New York, pp 435–486

    Google Scholar 

  • Shenberger DM, Barnes HL (1989) Solubility of gold in aqueous sulfide solutions from 150 to 350ºC. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 53:269–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon M (2008a) Brine pool deposition for the Zn–Pb–Cu massive sulphide deposits of the Bathurst mining camp, New Brunswick, Canada. I. Comparisons with the Iberian pyrite belt. Ore Geol Rev 33:329–351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon M (2008b) Brine-pool deposition for the Zn–Pb–Cu massive sulphide deposits of the Bathurst mining camp, New Brunswick, Canada. II. Ocean anoxia during mineralisation. Ore Geol Rev 33:352–360

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon M, Walshe JL (1979) The formation of massive sulfide deposits on the sea floor. Econ Geol 74:797–813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanton RL (1959) Mineralogical features and possible mode of emplacement of the Brunswick Mining and Smelting ore bodies, Gloucester County, New Brunswick. CIM Bull 52:631–643

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanton RL (1960) General features of the conformable “pyritic” orebodies: part I.–field association. CIM Bull 53:24–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan RW, van Staal CR (1990) Age of metarhyolite from the Tetagouche Group, Bathurst, New Brunswick, from U–Pb isochron analyses of zircons enriched in common Pb. In: Radiogenic age and isotopic studies: report 3. Curr Res Geol Surv Can, pp 109–117

  • Sullivan RW, van Staal CR (1996) Preliminary chronostratigraphy of the Tetagouche and Fournier groups in northern New Brunswick. In: Radiogenic age and isotopic studies: report 9. Curr Res Geol Surv Can, pp 43–56

  • Sylvester PJ (2001) A practical guide to platinum-group element analysis of sulphides by laser-ablation-ICPMS. In: Sylvester P (ed) Laser-ablation in the earth sciences: principles and application, short course, vol 29. Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ontario, pp 203–213

    Google Scholar 

  • Tubrett MN, Míková J, Sylvester PJ, Košler J (2003) Trace element composition and homogeneity of MASS–1 sulphide calibration standard. In: 5th International Conference on the analysis of Geological and Environmental Materials, Rovaniemi

  • van Achterbergh E, Ryan CG, Jackson SE, Griffin WL (2001) Data reduction software for LA-ICP-MS. In: Sylvester P (ed) Laser-ablation in the earth sciences: principles and application, short course, vol 29. Mineralogical Association of Canada, Ontario, pp 239–243

    Google Scholar 

  • van Staal CR (1985) The structure and metamorphism of the Brunswick Mines area, Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. Ph.D. thesis, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, p 484

  • van Staal CR (1987) Tectonic setting of the Tetagouche Group in northern New Brunswick: implications for plate tectonic models of the northern Appalachians. Can J Earth Sci 24:1329–1351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Staal CR (1994) Geology. Brunswick Mines, New Brunswick. Geol Surv Can Map 1836A, Scale 1:20 000

  • van Staal CR, Williams PF (1984) Structure, origin and concentration of the Brunswick 12 and 6 orebodies. Econ Geol 79:1669–1692

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Staal CR, Winchester JA, Bedard JH (1991) Geochemical variations in Middle Ordovician volcanic rocks of the northern Miramichi Highlands and their tectonic significance. Can J Earth Sci 28:1031–1049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Staal CR, Wilson RA, Rogers N, Fyffe LR, Langton JP, McCutcheon SR, McNicoll V, Ravenhurst CE (2003) Geology and tectonic history of the Bathurst Supergroup, Bathurst Mining Camp and its relationship to coeval rocks in southwestern New Brunswick and adjacent Maine—a synthesis. In: Goodfellow WD, McCutcheon SR, Peter JM (eds) Massive sulfide deposits of the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick and northern Maine. Econ Geol Mon 11:37–60

  • Wagner FE, Marion P, Regnard JR (1986) Mössbauer study of the chemical state of gold in gold ores. In: Proc Int Conf, S. Afr Inst Min Metal, pp 435–443

  • Wagner T, Klemd R, Wenzel T, Mattsson B (2007) Gold upgrading in metamorphosed massive sulfide ore deposits: direct evidence from laser-ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry analysis of invisible gold. Geology 35:775–778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson SA, Ridley WI, Koenig AE (2002) Development of sulfide calibration standards for the laser ablation inductively-coupled mass spectrometry technique. J Anal At Spectrom 17:406–409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood SA, Crerar DA, Borcsik MP (1987) Solubility of the assemblage pyrite–pyrrhotite–magnetite–sphalerite–galena–gold–stibnite–bismuthinite–argentite–molybdenite in H2O–NaCl–CO2 solutions from 200° to 350°C. Econ Geol 82:1864–1887

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the staff of Xstrata Canada Corp. (Brunswick Mine), in particular Pierre Bernard, Tim Babin, Benoit Drolet, and Stuart Wells, for access to the underground workings of the Brunswick Mine, as well as assisting with sample collection and preparation. Electron microprobe analyses were carried out at the University of New Brunswick with the help of Douglas Hall. Laser ablation ICP-MS analyses were performed at Memorial University in St. John's, Newfoundland, with the assistance of Paul Sylvester and Mike Tubrett. Geochemical analyses were funded by an NSERC-CRD grant to David Lentz and the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources. This manuscript has benefited from thorough reviews by Ross Large, Jan Peter, Bernd Lehmann, James Walker, and editorial comments by Fernando Tornos and Reg Wilson.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Geological Surveys Branch, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources, P.O. Box 50, Bathurst, NB, E2A 3Z1, Canada

    Sean H. McClenaghan

  2. Department of Geology, University of New Brunswick, P.O. Box 4400, Fredericton, NB, E3B 5A3, Canada

    David R. Lentz & Jillian Martin

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NF, A1B 3X5, Canada

    Wilfredo G. Diegor

Authors
  1. Sean H. McClenaghan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David R. Lentz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jillian Martin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wilfredo G. Diegor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sean H. McClenaghan.

Additional information

Editorial handling: B. Lehmann

Electronic supplementary materials

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(PDF 294 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

McClenaghan, S.H., Lentz, D.R., Martin, J. et al. Gold in the Brunswick No. 12 volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, Canada: Evidence from bulk ore analysis and laser ablation ICP─MS data on sulfide phases. Miner Deposita 44, 523–557 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-009-0233-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-009-0233-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation