Characterization of Ore-Forming Systems from Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Studies
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Economically viable concentrations of mineral resources are uncommon in Earth’s crust. Most ore deposits that were mined in the past or are currently being extracted were found at or near Earth’s surface, often serendipitously. To meet the future demand for mineral resources, exploration success hinges on identifying targets at depth. Achieving this requires accurate and informed models of the Earth’s crust that are consistent with all available geological, geochemical and geophysical information, paired with an understanding of how ore-forming systems relate to Earth’s evolving structure. Contributions to this volume address the future resources challenge by (i) applying advanced microscale geochemical detection and characterization methods, (ii) introducing more rigorous 3D Earth models, (iii) exploring critical behaviour and coupled processes, (iv) evaluating the role of geodynamic and tectonic setting and (v) applying 3D structural models to characterize specific ore-forming systems.
Assessment of lithological, geochemical and structural controls on gold distribution in the Nalunaq gold deposit, South Greenland using three-dimensional implicit modelling Available to Purchase
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Published:January 01, 2018
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CitationRobin-Marie Bell, Jochen Kolb, Tod E. Waight, 2018. "Assessment of lithological, geochemical and structural controls on gold distribution in the Nalunaq gold deposit, South Greenland using three-dimensional implicit modelling", Characterization of Ore-Forming Systems from Geological, Geochemical and Geophysical Studies, K. Gessner, T.G. Blenkinsop, P. Sorjonen-Ward
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Abstract
Field, drillcore and geochemical data are used to create a three-dimensional implicit model to assess the controls on gold mineralization at the Nalunaq orogenic gold deposit in South Greenland. Gold occurs in narrow quartz veins with variable dips averaging 34° SE that cut meta-basic rocks. The bulk of the mineralization is contained within a single gold–quartz vein, named the Main Vein. Within this vein, gold is concentrated into three ore shoots plunging 20–25° NE, corresponding to the South, Target and Mountain blocks of the Nalunaq gold mine. Gold anomalies in drillcores are identified updip and downdip from the current mine workings. Modelling reveals that structural controls have the greatest influence on the location of gold. Flexures in the Main Vein correspond to changes in the host rock lithology and the gold grade is highest where the quartz vein is steepest. Where late-stage faults intercept the Main Vein, gold grades are lower. The comprehensive gold assay data from the mine, which are integrated with structural observations in the implicit model, refine the structural interpretation of the Nalunaq gold deposit, highlighting the ore shoot geometry and delineating the minimum extents of mineralization beyond the currently mined areas.
- accuracy
- Arctic region
- assays
- chemical composition
- controls
- cores
- development
- dip
- faults
- field studies
- flexure
- geochemical controls
- geometry
- gold ores
- Greenland
- host rocks
- hydrothermal alteration
- Ketilidian Orogeny
- lithologic controls
- metabasalt
- metadiorite
- metaigneous rocks
- metal ores
- metamorphic rocks
- metasomatism
- mineral deposits, genesis
- mineral exploration
- mineralization
- ore grade
- ore-forming fluids
- Paleoproterozoic
- Precambrian
- Proterozoic
- quartz veins
- shear zones
- South Greenland
- spatial distribution
- stereographic projection
- structural analysis
- structural controls
- tectonostratigraphic units
- three-dimensional models
- upper Precambrian
- variations
- veins
- visualization
- Nalunaq Deposit
- Kirkespir Valley
- Main Vein
- Nanortalik Nappe