[en] The invisible-gold deposits known as Carlin-type are becoming more important as easier to find deposits are progressively depleted. The combination of the invisible nature of the Au in these deposits, as well as the limited surface indicators of these deposits, makes exploration to find new Carlin-type deposits extremely difficult. Comprehensive mineralization models are essential to find new Carlin-type deposits in similar geologic settings. The Nadaleen Trend of Yukon, Canada, is one such district where an improved understanding of this deposit type has led to new discoveries. Previous studies compared and contrasted the tectonic setting, host rock depositional setting, structural preparation, and mineralization style of the Nadaleen Trend with those in Carlin-type localities, Nevada. However, the comparisons at an atomic scale, between Carlin-type Au deposits in the Nadaleen Trend and those in Nevada, has yet to be investigated. This study fills this knowledge gap by combining high resolution microanalytical techniques with atom probe tomography to examine the distribution of Au and other trace elements in the Nadaleen Trend, compare them to a representative Carlin-type deposit in Nevada (Turquoise Ridge), and determine how widespread the mineralization model is. Our findings show that in the Nadaleen Trend, as in Nevada, Au is generally directly linked with As at the macro to atomic scale, and is incorporated into As/Au rich overgrowths on sedimentary/diagenetic pyrite. Gold-rich pyrite rims in the Nadaleen Trend are generally smaller than those found in Nevada (0.5-2 µm vs > 10 µm), although the ore grades appear comparable. We find that the Au in the pyrite of the Nadaleen Trend is homogenously distributed (i.e. lattice bound) at the atomic scale, but that there is a notable enrichment of As surrounding individual Au atoms. These findings are in agreement with those from previous work on a representative deposit in Nevada, and support the assertation that As is the key ingredient in facilitating the incorporation of Au into the pyrite lattice. Arsenic as an essential component in the trapping mechanisms of Au in CTG deposits, is something that has been as to yet underappreciated in the current models of CTG deposit formation.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00126-024-01325-9.
Disciplines :
Earth sciences & physical geography
Author, co-author :
Gopon, Phillip ; Department of Applied Geosciences and Geophysics, Montanuniversität Leoben, 8700 Leoben, AT Austria ; Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PH UK ; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AN UK
Sack, Patrick; Yukon Geological Survey, Whitehorse, Yukon, CA Y1A 2C6 UK
Pinet, Nicolas; Natural Resources Canada, Geological Survey of Canada, Quebec, CA G1K9A9 Canada
Douglas, James O; Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PH UK ; Department of Materials, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ6 UK
Jenkins, Benjamin M; Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PH UK ; University Rouen Normandie, CNRS, INSA Rouen Normandie, Groupe de Physique des Matériaux UMR 6634, F-76000 Rouen, France
Johnson, Brooke ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Astrobiology ; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AN UK
Penny, Ella; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AN UK
Moody, Michael P; Department of Materials, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PH UK
Robb, Laurence; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3AN UK
Language :
English
Title :
Revealing Yukon's hidden treasure: an atomic-scale investigation of Carlin-type gold mineralization in the Nadaleen Trend, Canada.
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