In:
Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, Canadian Science Publishing, Vol. 30, No. 12 ( 1993-12-01), p. 2366-2379
Abstract:
The problems of the timing and source of gold mineralization and the sulfidation mechanism in the Red Lake area, north-western Ontario, have been addressed using more than 300 Pb-isotope analyses of more than 250 samples of sulfides, oxides, gold, and potential source rocks. Base metals and some gold from the Campbell and Dickenson mines are interpreted to have been mainly derived from the mafic–intermediate and felsic volcanic rocks of the lower sequence at ca. 2865 Ma, the model age calculated for samples of gold, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and galena. Other samples of gold are considered to have formed at younger ages, perhaps at ca. 2700 Ma. Differences in isotopic patterns for deposits in possibly different deformation zones but hosted by rocks of the same age and composition, e.g., Campbell–Dickenson, McFinley, Cochenour Willans, are interpreted to mean that some of the deposits formed at different times or from different sources or both (i.e., by multistage processes). The older period of gold mineralization is supported by a 2865 ± 10 Ma Pb–Pb isochron age (mean square of weighted deviates (MSWD) 2.9) for Cu–Ni and Fe sulfides and a similar model age for pyrite from the Bridget Lake prospect in the western sector. Younger mineralization at ca. 2700 Ma is represented by, for example, disseminated sulfides in the Dome stock, Balmer Lake arsenopyrite, the Red Summit mine in the Red Crest stock, sulfides and gold from the McFinley mine, and the model age for the Abino galena. A well-constrained Pb–Pb line for magnetites, mainly from 2700–2730 Ma felsic intrusions, gives an apparent age of 2660 ± 10 Ma (MSWD 3.7). This event may represent late-stage hydrothermal activity. Analyses of gold grains yield very complex isotopic patterns possibly because of remobilization and the very low contents of Pb in the gold grains. In environments such as Red Lake, Pb-isotope analyses of gold appear to give unreliable estimates of genesis and timing.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0008-4077
,
1480-3313
Language:
English
Publisher:
Canadian Science Publishing
Publication Date:
1993
detail.hit.zdb_id:
417294-2
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1491201-6
SSG:
16,13
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