Comparative lithogeochemistry of komatiites in the Norseman-Wiluna and Abitibi Greenstone Belts, and implications for nickel sulfide targeting

Stephen J. Barnes; C. Michael Lesher; Rebecca A. Sproule

doi:10.1071/ASEG2006ab008

ISSN: 2202-0586
E-ISSN:

oa Comparative lithogeochemistry of komatiites in the Norseman-Wiluna and Abitibi Greenstone Belts, and implications for nickel sulfide targeting
Authors Stephen J. Barnes^a, C. Michael Lesher^b and Rebecca A. Sproule^c
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^a CSIRO Exploratbn and Mining Laurentian University, PO Box 1130 Bentley, , 6102, [email protected] ^b CSIRO Exploratbn and Mining Laurentian University, 9333 Ramsey Lake Rd Sudbury, Ontario Canada, P3E6B5 [email protected] ^c GeoDiscovery Group, PO Box 59, Sherwood, QLD, 4075
Publisher: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Source: ASEG Extended Abstracts, Volume 2006, Issue ASEG2006 - 18th Geophysical Conference, Dec 2006, p. 1 - 3
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/ASEG2006ab008
- Published online: 01 Dec 2006

Abstract

This paper uses large sets of whole-rock geochemical data to make comparisons between the komatiitic rocks of Abitibi (AGB) and Norseman-Wiluna (NWGB) greenstone terranes.

The NWGB komatiite suite has a much higher proportion of highly olivine-enriched cumulates than the AGB suite, as indicated by data-density distributions on plots of MgO vs FeO and MgO vs Cr, although average compositions of the komatiite magmas in the two belts were not significantly different. NWGB komatiites appear generally more contaminated, on the basis of various ratios of strongly to moderately incompatible low-mobility trace elements.

Both factors which are likely contributors to the much higher Ni sulfide resource endowment of the NWGB. The combination of high degrees of contamination and presence of olivine adcumulates in the NWGB attests to the presence of exceptionally high-intensity, prolonged eruptions, capable of forming long-lived entrenched magma pathways, represented by highly olivine-enriched cumulates, and capable of melting substrates to form orebodies. This is in contrast with more episodic, lower volume eruptions in the AGB. The contrast is interpreted as the result of crustal structure and tectonic setting, rather then the size and intensity of mantle plume sources.

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References

BARNES, S.J., HILL, R.E.T., PERRING, C.S. & DOWLING, S.E. (2004). Lithogeochemical exploration for komatiite-associated Ni-sulfide deposits: strategies and limitations. Mineralogy and Petrology 82, 259-293.
BARNES, S.J. (1998). Chromite in Komatiites, 1. Magmatic controls on crystallization and composition. Journal of Petrology 39, 1689-1720.
LAYTON-MATTHEWS, D., BURNHAM, O.M. & LESHER, CM. (2003). Trace Element Geochemistry of Ultramafic Intrusions in the Thompson Nickel Belt: Relative Roles of Contamination and Metasomatism. The Gangue (GAC Mineral Deposits Division) 76, 1-10.
LESHER, CM. & KEAYS, R.R. (2002). Komatiite-associated Ni-Cu-PGE deposits: geology, mineralogy, geochemistry and genesis. In ed. CABRI, L.J., pp. 579-617. Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum Special Volume 54.
SPROULE, RA., LESHER, CM., AYER, J.A., THURSTON, P.C & HERZBERG, CT. (2002). Spatial and temporal variations in the geochemistry of komatiites and komatiitic basalts in the Abitibi greenstone belt. Precambrian Research 115, 153-186.
SPROULE, R.A., LESHER, CM., HOULE, M., KEAYS, R.R., THURSTON, P.C. & AYER, J.A. Chalcophile element geochemistry and metallogenesis of komatiitic rocks in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Canada. Economic Geology and the Bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists in press

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Article Type: Research Article

Keyword(s): Archaean; greenstone belts; komatiites; nickel

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oa Comparative lithogeochemistry of komatiites in the Norseman-Wiluna and Abitibi Greenstone Belts, and implications for nickel sulfide targeting

Abstract

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