Evolution of the Proterozoic lithosphere and its bearing of sediment hosted base metal mineralisation. This project aims to determine the aspects of lithospheric evolution that led to a concentration of giant base metal mineral deposits in the Early to Middle Proterozoic (ca 1.9-1.5 billion years ago). We propose to test three related hypotheses that, if validated, will fundamentally change our view of Proterozoic metallogenesis and the way the mineral industry approaches exploration for these ....Evolution of the Proterozoic lithosphere and its bearing of sediment hosted base metal mineralisation. This project aims to determine the aspects of lithospheric evolution that led to a concentration of giant base metal mineral deposits in the Early to Middle Proterozoic (ca 1.9-1.5 billion years ago). We propose to test three related hypotheses that, if validated, will fundamentally change our view of Proterozoic metallogenesis and the way the mineral industry approaches exploration for these deposits.Read moreRead less
Physical and Chemical Constraints of Fluid Activated Processes During the Polyphase Tectonic Evolution of the Olary Domain, S.A. The Olary Domain, eastern South Australia, underwent several phases of deformation and metamorphism. These events mobilised fluids leading, amongst other features, to the formation of breccia bodies and mineral deposits. The complex nature of the geological evolution of the region obscures relationships of fluid migration to the structural history. Fluid inclusion stud ....Physical and Chemical Constraints of Fluid Activated Processes During the Polyphase Tectonic Evolution of the Olary Domain, S.A. The Olary Domain, eastern South Australia, underwent several phases of deformation and metamorphism. These events mobilised fluids leading, amongst other features, to the formation of breccia bodies and mineral deposits. The complex nature of the geological evolution of the region obscures relationships of fluid migration to the structural history. Fluid inclusion studies and stable isotope analyses combined with structural analyses on micro to macro scales shall establish links between the thermal and structural evolution of the area. This will provide insigth into the scale and physico-chemical characteristics of fluids and mineralising processes an relate these to the tectono-thermal history.Read moreRead less
Isotopic fractionation in ore metals (Cu, Fe and Zn): A new window on ore-forming processes. Stable isotopes of common ore metals (e.g, copper and iron) are new tools for investigating ore deposits. Our data suggest that metal isotopic variations can provide new insights into mechanisms operative during formation of ore deposits. Stable metal isotopes also show promise as a new exploration tool for identifying the location of economic mineralisation within large prospective terrains; e.g., weakl ....Isotopic fractionation in ore metals (Cu, Fe and Zn): A new window on ore-forming processes. Stable isotopes of common ore metals (e.g, copper and iron) are new tools for investigating ore deposits. Our data suggest that metal isotopic variations can provide new insights into mechanisms operative during formation of ore deposits. Stable metal isotopes also show promise as a new exploration tool for identifying the location of economic mineralisation within large prospective terrains; e.g., weakly vs. strongly mineralised zones in a volcanic belt.
This project will provide fundamental baseline data that will help elucidate the processes that cause metal isotope variations. This will allow stable metal isotopes to be used much more effectively by the mining and exploration industries.
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Genetic and chemical characterisation of the pristine Archean Jaguar base-metal deposit, to improve local and global prospectivity. Jaguar is a remarkably pristine finely banded submarine volcanic hosted base-metals-silver deposit from the Australian Archean, ~2.7 billion years old. We will document its detailed ore and volcanic textures, gaining valuable new genetic insights from its extraordinary preservation. With an emerging mining company in regional Western Australia, we will combine foren ....Genetic and chemical characterisation of the pristine Archean Jaguar base-metal deposit, to improve local and global prospectivity. Jaguar is a remarkably pristine finely banded submarine volcanic hosted base-metals-silver deposit from the Australian Archean, ~2.7 billion years old. We will document its detailed ore and volcanic textures, gaining valuable new genetic insights from its extraordinary preservation. With an emerging mining company in regional Western Australia, we will combine forensic textural studies with advanced geochemical analysis to (1) determine the deposit origin; (2) infer the origin of other well laminated but less well preserved deposits globally; (3) apply these findings to the detection of local prospective horizons under deep cover; and (4) use the deposit features to test current models of massive sulfide formation.Read moreRead less
Transport of metals in vapours and brines: new insights into the formation of the Earth's mineral deposits. Traditional models for the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits assume that aqueous fluids transported the metals. This view is challenged by new observations showing that gold and copper are preferentially enriched in vapours coexisting with salty aqueous fluids in some deposits. This project uses state-of-the-art techniques and develops new instruments to measure experimentally the par ....Transport of metals in vapours and brines: new insights into the formation of the Earth's mineral deposits. Traditional models for the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits assume that aqueous fluids transported the metals. This view is challenged by new observations showing that gold and copper are preferentially enriched in vapours coexisting with salty aqueous fluids in some deposits. This project uses state-of-the-art techniques and develops new instruments to measure experimentally the partitioning of metals between solid, fluid and vapour at temperatures typical for natural ore deposits (350-550C, pressures varying for vapour saturated to 1 kb). By improving our understanding of metal transport within the Earth's crust, these data will lead to improved models and technologies for exploring and processing base and precious metals.Read moreRead less
The Role of Water in Precambrian Ultramafic Magmatism: Insights from an In-Situ Microbeam and Nanobeam Assessment of Hydromagmatic Amphibole. Hydromagmatic amphibole in some Precambrian (>600 million years old) komatiites and other ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada and Russia indicates >3% water in the parental magmas. This magmatic water could be crustal or mantle in origin. Constraints on the water source would profoundly impact concepts of Precambrian crustal evolution and water recycling ....The Role of Water in Precambrian Ultramafic Magmatism: Insights from an In-Situ Microbeam and Nanobeam Assessment of Hydromagmatic Amphibole. Hydromagmatic amphibole in some Precambrian (>600 million years old) komatiites and other ultramafic rocks in Australia, Canada and Russia indicates >3% water in the parental magmas. This magmatic water could be crustal or mantle in origin. Constraints on the water source would profoundly impact concepts of Precambrian crustal evolution and water recycling. The ultimate goal of this project is to provide constraints on the role of water in early Earth magmatism, through in situ microbeam and nanobeam analysis of the amphibole to produce an integrated trace element and isotopic dataset for geologically and chemically diverse types of Precambrian ultramafic rocks.Read moreRead less
A microscopic and analytical study of extreme thermophile bacteria in simulated environments compared to organic matter in early Earth hydrothermal systems. The study will examine microbial cells and organic residues of cultured thermophilic archaea from simulated extreme environments in terms of temperature, pressure and mineral concentrations. These will be compared, applying observational and geochemical techniques to organic material in geologically earliest ecosystems. A novel approach will ....A microscopic and analytical study of extreme thermophile bacteria in simulated environments compared to organic matter in early Earth hydrothermal systems. The study will examine microbial cells and organic residues of cultured thermophilic archaea from simulated extreme environments in terms of temperature, pressure and mineral concentrations. These will be compared, applying observational and geochemical techniques to organic material in geologically earliest ecosystems. A novel approach will be adopted, of 'backtracking' changes occurring to cultured microbial cells towards their breakdown and disintegration (in contrast to the more common approach of simulating synthesis of organic compounds as a starting point towards structured functioning organisms), and their viability limits. The results of the study will be tested within the currently available theoretical models for the origin of life.Read moreRead less
Toward the use of metal stable isotopes in geosciences. Metal stable isotopes (MSI: Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga) have enormous potential applications (basic and applied) in Geosciences and beyond. However the use of these elements as geochemical tracers and petrogenetic tools requires: (1) the definition of their isotopic composition in Earth key reservoirs and in reference materials such as the chondritic meteorites; (2) Understanding and quantification of the causes of MSI fractionations during geolog ....Toward the use of metal stable isotopes in geosciences. Metal stable isotopes (MSI: Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Ga) have enormous potential applications (basic and applied) in Geosciences and beyond. However the use of these elements as geochemical tracers and petrogenetic tools requires: (1) the definition of their isotopic composition in Earth key reservoirs and in reference materials such as the chondritic meteorites; (2) Understanding and quantification of the causes of MSI fractionations during geological processes. By a unique combination of in-situ and solution geochemical analytical techniques avaliable now through frontier technology and method development we aim to establish a conceptual and theoretical framework for the use of MSI in Geosciences.Read moreRead less
Cracking the sulfate isotopic composition problem in ancient hydrothermal systems: application of the Carbonate-Associated Sulfate (CAS) method. Successful exploration of the deep Earth for valuable ores requires better knowledge of ore formation conditions, to feed to predictive deposit models. Our work shows great promise of improving the quality of this raw data. Smarter ore deposit prediction would likely exert its influence over the next ten years, rather than be immediate. It will increase ....Cracking the sulfate isotopic composition problem in ancient hydrothermal systems: application of the Carbonate-Associated Sulfate (CAS) method. Successful exploration of the deep Earth for valuable ores requires better knowledge of ore formation conditions, to feed to predictive deposit models. Our work shows great promise of improving the quality of this raw data. Smarter ore deposit prediction would likely exert its influence over the next ten years, rather than be immediate. It will increase exploration efficiency, saving tens of millions of dollars currently devoted to unproductive exploration. Exploration and mining are conducted primarily in regional Australia, and a healthy mining industry is therefore directly benefits hinterland communities. It also benefits all Australians through the payment of royalties and contributions to Australia's GDP from mineral exports.Read moreRead less
Organic geochemistry of the McArthur River hydrothermal deposit. Exploration for hydrothermal ore deposits in sedimentary basins has many problems because of the lack of any general agreement on the mechanisms of formation of major deposits. This proposed research will focus on the fundamental issue of the interaction of organic matter and mineralizing fluids in contributing to ore mineral deposition. Given that the McArthur River orebody is an exquisitely preserved example of a hydrothermal dep ....Organic geochemistry of the McArthur River hydrothermal deposit. Exploration for hydrothermal ore deposits in sedimentary basins has many problems because of the lack of any general agreement on the mechanisms of formation of major deposits. This proposed research will focus on the fundamental issue of the interaction of organic matter and mineralizing fluids in contributing to ore mineral deposition. Given that the McArthur River orebody is an exquisitely preserved example of a hydrothermal deposit it will thus enable a comprehensive organic geochemical investigation to elucidate the role of organic matter in ore formation. The outcomes will benefit the Australian mineral exploration industry by refining current ore genesis models.Read moreRead less