Modelling the giant, Zn–Pb–Ag Century deposit, Queensland, Australia

Abstract

This paper presents a combination of geometric reconstructions of the Century Zn-Pb-Ag deposit, and finite-difference modelling of coupled deformation and fluid flow. Our intention is to demonstrate that these computer-based applications represent a new approach in testing ore genesis models. We use a ''visiometric'' approach, utilising GoCad 3D structural and property modelling. Computer visualisation is applied to reveal metal zonations, fault distributions and timing, stratigraphic influence on zoning, and the nature and extent of metal redistribution during basin evolution and deformation. We also examine possible links between fluid flow, deformation, and mass transfer using the numerical code FLAC3D. Numerical modelling results suggest that subsurface fluid flow during basin inversion is compartmentalised, being focussed within more permeable fault zones, thus accounting for the secondary redistribution of base metals identified using the 3D reconstructions. However, the results do not explain the broad metal zonation observed. Both the spatial and numerical models suggest that Century is syngenetic, with further diagenesis and deformation producing 1-100 m-scale (re)mobilisation.

Understanding regional structural controls on mineralization at the century deposit: A numerical modelling approach

“…Garven, 1985;Ord and Oliver, 1997;Zhao et al, 1998Zhao et al, , 2004Zhao et al, , 2007Sorjonen-Ward et al, 2002;McLellan et al, 2004;Yang et al, 2006;Zhang et al, 2006;Murphy et al, 2008b;Feltrin et al, 2009;Sheldon, 2009) and exploration effort for new mineral deposits (e.g. Schaubs et al, 2006;Potma et al, 2008).…”

“…Some studies (e.g. Feltrin, 2006;Feltrin et al, 2009) advocate a syngenetic model for the formation of the Century deposit, however there is also strong evidence in support of an epigenetic replacement model. Broadbent et al (1998) interpret mineralisation at Century as controlled by fluid flow during basin inversion on the basis of structural and mineral paragenesis data.…”

Teaching Research of Geology Field Courses: A Case Study from Wuhan University

“…Subsequently, a finite-difference approximation is used to find a spline function that locally fits the geological dataset. DSI is then utilized to obtain smooth, interpolated objects while following predefined linear constraints imposed by the integrated geological information (Feltrin, Mclellan, & Oliver, 2009). Using this algorithm, 3D surfaces, volumes and grids can be obtained by interpolating simple features with a discrete atomic structure, such as points and lines.…”

“…GoCAD allows the user to develop different classes of objects (e.g., point sets, lines, surfaces, voxets, S-grids). Data are commonly imported as point sets, well-based information (e.g., geology, logs of properties), or grid- based 2D or 3D information (geological cross-sections, geochemical, and geophysical data) (Feltrin, Mclellan, & Oliver, 2009). The core of the GoCAD application is the Discrete Smooth Interpolation method or DSI (Mallet, 1989;Mallet, 2002).…”

AN ORE ADIT PLANNING WITH THE HELP OF 3-DIMENSIONAL ORE BODY MODELING: A CASE STUDY FROM ÇULFA ÇUKURU Pb-Zn-Cu-Ag DEPOSIT

“…With the support of these studies, many problems that we encounter in during the actual work can be solved. In the geosciences, modeling studies are used frequently in the detection of subsurface location and the evaluation of natural resources such as ore deposits (Saraç and Tercan, 1996;Chen et al, 2007;Feltrin et al, 2009;Wang et al, 2011;Liu et al, 2012;Wang and Huang, 2012;Xiao et al, 2012;Akıska et al, 2013;Kashani et al, 2016), oil, natural gas and coal (Sims, 1992;Saraç et al, 2004;Kaufmann and Martin, 2008;Jian et al, 2012;Dağ and Özdemir, 2013), hydrology and hydrogeology studies (Turner, 1992;Watt et al, 2007;Ahmed, 2009;Gallerini and Donatis, 2009), determining structural elements (Renard and Courrioux 1994;de Kemp, 2000;Galera et al, 2003;Bistacchi et al, 2008;Calcagno et al, 2008;Zanchi et al, 2009;Dhont et al, 2012), and solving road, tunnel and dam problems (Veldkamp et al, 2001;Elkadi and Huisman, 2002;Rengers et al, 2002;Özmutlu and Hack 2003;Zhu et al, 2003;Hack et al, 2006;Choi et al, 2009).…”