Mineral studies at GSNSWSMEDG 04/12 Mineral Systems Workshop 2-3 July, 2013 Mineral System Studies at the GSNSW Phil Blevin

Mineral studies at GSNSW SMEDG 04/12Mineral Systems

Workshop2-3 July, 2013

Mineral System Studies at the GSNSW

Phil Blevin



• Mineral System Group – MinSysNSW• Within Minerals and Land Use Assessment Program• Chief Geo Minerals, includes MinSys, HyLogger, Mineral Exploration Assessment• Recruitment for 3 senior geoscientists: Metallogenic Mapping, Spectral and Western Division, two MinSys juniors, another MEA junior and NVCL technical.• Ongoing sustainable funded program.• Mineral Systems message infused into the rest of Survey.

MinSys NSW



GOALS:

• A time-space-process plot of mineralisation events.• Identify sources of fluids, magmas and metals; transport

mechanisms; depo sites and the drivers for mineralisation processes.

• Identify new and overlooked opportunities for explorers. Inform land use decision, resource lands.

• Add to existing MetIndEx database by providing additional details on the age, style and extent of individual mineral systems (points to polygons).

• Commence 2nd generation metallogenic mapping.

MinSys NSW



• Integrates source(s) with magma and fluid types,

• Recognises that multiple inputs may occur,

• Allows for systems that evolve over time,

• Allows for local and other descriptive, classifications to be integrated into a mineral system model,

• Bring order to 29,000 mineral occurrences – arranging into camps etc.





Metallogenic studies• Statewide

– Statewide metallogenic map, deposit classification, deposit models.

– Framework studies• Metals in Time → time space plot• Nd basement map

• Regional Syntheses– Nymagee– New England

• Mineral system scale studies• Strategic & on-going

– Exploration highlights, advice etc.– Commodities (REE, U, Sn).– HyLogger

Bathurst Metallogenic – 1972Mines&Wines 2013

Put in place datasets that will be required for the 2nd generation metallogenic mapping



Lot of life left in the brownfields



Re–Os dating • Trundle, Lake Cowal, Copper

Hill• Ardlethan, Taronga, Tyringham

Cassiterite U-Pb dating• Tullebung• Ardlethan• Euriowie – Broken Hill• New England

Ar–Ar dating • Uralla• Blackfellows Dam, Hera, Nymagee• Seven Hills• Tyringham

Placing mineralisation events in NSW in their regional and tectonic context.

Metals in Time

SHRIMP U-Pb dating • Nymagee region volcanics and

intrusions• New England• Mount Poole• Ardlethan

Assessment of arsenopyrite Re-Os



Time-space plot for metallogenic events



0 5 10 15 20 25

200

220

240

260

280

300

320

dbo.RIV_SAMPLERESULT

AGE_MY

Count

Ran

ge

SHRIMP Dates NEO

KingsgateOban RiverRed RangeMount JonbleeGilgaiParlour Mtn

100 km



250

252

254

256

258

260

Ma

SHRIMP & CA-IDTIMS Dating – New England:Age Range Of Late Permian Magmatism

ParlourMtn

RFDS

Gwydir R.

WVG Sth WVG Nth

Dundee



National Nd Mapof Australia

Mapping the basementevolution of Australia.

Courtesy David Champion, GA

115 new analyses

Δ Ox (plutons)

>0.8

0.3 - 0.8

0.1 - 0.3

-0.1 - 0.1

-0.7 - -0.1

< -0.7

K/Rb (plutons)

>400

250 - 400

200 - 250

150 - 200

100 - 150

33 - 100

Cu-Au; Cu-Mo

Cu CuCu Cu

delOx = log10(Fe2O3/FeO) + 0.3 + 0.03*FeOT

Δ Ox (plutons)

>0.8

0.3 - 0.8

0.1 - 0.3

-0.1 - 0.1

-0.7 - -0.1

< -0.7

K/Rb (plutons)

>400

250 - 400

200 - 250

150 - 200

100 - 150

33 - 100

Sn, Mo, W

Sn

Mo

Mo, Sn

delOx = log10(Fe2O3/FeO) + 0.3 = 0.03*FeOT

K/Rb (plutons)

>400

250 - 400

200 - 250

150 - 200

100 - 150

33 - 100



Pb & S - isotope study

Work in progress• 200+ new analyses• compiled historic data

(+110 analyses)

but need data for •granites/volcanics•Mt Hope•Wonawinta•Bobedah•Iron Duke•Restdown•etc

Preliminary results

Significant variation between unit/setting and deposit types.

Input from magmatic reservoirs into deposits more common than previously assumed. Correlation with Au?

Some exploration models appear to be wrong, eg. assumed magmatic input is not evident.



~20 drill holes HyLogged to

date

Data analysis has

commenced

Scanning is helping to

identify samples for further studies

e.g. datingisotope etc

HyLogger



GeoFizz• Continuation of airborne & reprocessing of older noisy data.• Teleseismic (Musgrave/RSES)• Close spaced gravity – Wagga Belt• Airborne EM – resisting urge to do U, better options include:

– Palaeochannels– Porphyry Cu-Au– Orogenic BM (Cobar)



Gravity Survey

11,000 stations



• Technique developed by CSIRO• 100 samples collected• Analysis underway

DaveGray

NathanReid

KyleHughes Paul

Parker

Collingullie Granite: Very High UAlso Mo, Li, (Sc)Low Rb, K

Ordovician System – preservation (Oh, and what is it)

• Mantle sourced• Med-high-K and shoshonites• Porphyry dominant• Fertile for Cu-Au and Au

Whole rock geochem locs

200 km

Source: D. Cooke, CODES

2-3 July, 20135 km

ZonationMole Granite – NEO,

Australia

• Roof rocks lost except for small pendant.

• Huge F hard rock resource in pendant – what has been lost?

• Sn vein deposits in granite generally small

• Sn shed into placers• Options for larger

deposits off the shoulders and buried cupolas and ridges

Documents

Mineral studies at GSNSWSMEDG 04/12 Mineral Systems Workshop 2-3 July, 2013 Mineral System Studies at the GSNSW Phil Blevin