pXRF assessment of new magmatic fertility indicators in the Macquarie Arc

Tristan Wells; Sebastien Meffre; David Cooke; Jefferey Steadman; Jonathon Hoye

doi:10.1080/22020586.2019.12072965

2nd Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference: Data to Discovery

ISSN: 2202-0586
E-ISSN:

oa pXRF assessment of new magmatic fertility indicators in the Macquarie Arc
Authors Tristan Wells^a, Sebastien Meffre^c, David Cooke^c, Jefferey Steadman^c and Jonathon Hoye^b
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^a CODES – University of Tasmania, Private Bag 79, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001, [email protected] ^b Northparkes Mines, PO Box 995 Parkes, , NSW, 2870 ^c CODES – University of Tasmania, Private Bag 79, Hobart, Tasmania, 7001
Publisher: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Source: ASEG Extended Abstracts, Volume 2019, Issue 2nd Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference: Data to Discovery, Dec 2019, p. 1 - 4
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/22020586.2019.12072965
- Published online: 01 Dec 2019

Abstract

Summary

This research presents a new method for assessing magmatic fertility using pXRF in altered terranes using Zr and Y ratios. A study of global batholith related mineralised porphyries, highlights a low Zr fractionation trend. The depletion in Zr is associated with early crystallisation of titanite. Yttrium depletion is related to early crystallisation of both titanite and amphibole, an indication of hydrous melts. Previously differentiation of hydrous, potentially ore-forming (fertile) porphyries relied on Sr/Y from whole rock assay of least altered rocks. Finding samples in porphyry terranes where Sr can be demonstrated to be immobile is difficult given the ubiquity of hydrothermal alteration associated with porphyry emplacement. The requirement for unaltered samples is based on the mobility of Sr which precludes the widespread use of pXRF as quantitative assessment of LOI% (as a proxy for alteration) is beyond the current capabilities of the technology. Using comparatively immobile Zr and Y overcomes issues with alteration and provides a more reliable new indicator of magmatic fertility. In this case study, using a systematic workflow pXRF was successful in identifying the mineralising intrusions in the Northparkes intrusive complex using a Zr/Y vs. Y fertility indicator.

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References

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/content/journals/10.1080/22020586.2019.12072965

Article Type: Research Article

Keyword(s): fertility; Macquarie Arc; porphyry; pXRF

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