Studies of the base metal sulfide deposits at McArthur River, Northern Territory, Australia; I, The Cooley and Ridge deposits

“…However, the latter concept has been questioned in recent years, particularly with reference to the McArthur deposit (Williams and Rye, 1974;Williams, 1978aWilliams, , 1978bWilliams, , 1979aWilliams, , 1979bRye and Williams, 1978). The preferred model of Williams, which he termed "epigenetic," calls on lateral influx of Zn-and Pbbearing hydrothermal brines.…”

Section: Timing Of Mineralization: the Mcarthur Examplementioning

confidence: 99%

The major stratiform lead-zinc deposits of the Proterozoic

Lambert

1983

Geological Society of America Memoirs

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Numerous Pb-Zn deposits formed during the Proterozoic, in contrast with the situation in the Archean. The largest examples, which are reviewed here, are McArthur, Mount Isa-Hilton, Sullivan, Gamsberg, and Broken Hill.These huge stratiform deposits occur well above the bases of thick, predominantly sedimentary sequences which accumulated in major ensialic troughs. The sequences are dominated by carbonates or clastics, but the mineralization is localized within distinctive chemo-clastic facies which were deposited in basins of restricted extent. There is commonly evidence for synsedimentary faulting and for distal igneous activity. Biogenic sulfide was probably incorporated into some of the pyrite but is unlikely to have precipitated the bulk of the Pb and Zn. The base metals are of crustal derivation; they could have been supplied by ascending basinal brines and/or hydrothermal fluids migrating from distant centres of igneous activity.There is active debate, focussed on the relatively pristine McArthur deposit, as to whether the mineralization formed at or beneath the sediment-water interface. It is maintained here that all features are consistent with syngenetic accumulation of the great bulk of the sphalerite, galena, and some of the pyrite, complemented by growth of biogenic pyrite and other diagenetic minerals within the sulfidic muds.

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“…Recent work on the important carbonate-hosted deposits in northern Namibia (e.g., Tsumeb, M. Hughes, written communication) has indicated that they formed by (Williams, 1978). Based on regional geologic settings, an environment of rifting can be tentatively postulated for many of these deposits, especially those in the McArthur River area, the Nanisivik deposit, and those in northern Namibia.…”

Section: Carbonate-hosted Pb-zn (±Cu) Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tectonic controls of the time-space distribution of some Proterozoic metal deposits

Sawkins

1983

Geological Society of America Memoirs

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A brief review of some major types of Proterozoic metal deposits indicates that each type is characterized by a distinctive lithologic and tectonic setting. The main types of metalliferous ores considered are: volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits, sediment-hosted massive sulfide deposits, stratiform copper deposits, carbonatehosted lead-zinc deposits, magmatic copper-nickel deposits, and banded iron formations. Metal deposits in sedimentary and volcanic rocks dominate Proterozoic metallogeny, and it can be demonstrated that most formed in tectonic environments characterized by rifting. This association is reinforced by the time-space relationship between specific tectonic environments and metal deposits during Proterozoic time.Although Proterozoic metal deposits are distinctly different from the dominant types of late Phanerozoic deposits, these differences are considered to be primarily a function of erosion levels, and initial deep burial of syngenetic-type deposits. Finally, there seems to be no compelling evidence that tectonic styles or ore-generating systems were markedly different in the Proterozoic versus those of the Phanerozoic.

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Studies of the base metal sulfide deposits at McArthur River, Northern Territory, Australia; I, The Cooley and Ridge deposits

Cited by 76 publications

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HYC (McArthur River) SEDEX deposit, Australia: First paleomagnetic results

HYC (McArthur River) SEDEX deposit, Australia: First paleomagnetic results

The major stratiform lead-zinc deposits of the Proterozoic

Tectonic controls of the time-space distribution of some Proterozoic metal deposits

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