Investigating the controls on critical metal distribution in porphyry deposits

Sullivan, K.A., Roberts, S., Teagle, D.A.H., Naden, J. and Lusty, P.A.J. (2013) Investigating the controls on critical metal distribution in porphyry deposits. In, Jonsson, E. (ed.) Mineral Deposit Research for High-Tech World, Vols. 1-4. 12th Biennial SGA Meeting on Mineral Deposit Research for a High-Tech World (11/04/13 - 14/08/13) Uppsala, SE. Uppsala University, pp. 884-887.

Abstract

Investigations of critical metal enrichment in the Muratdere Cu-Au porphyry deposit, Western Turkey, suggests that the enhanced levels of Re and Te in this porphyry system results from the interaction between the porphyry magmas, fluids and pre-existing mafic and ultramafic rocks, rather than from mantle derived melts. An initial quartz-pyrite vein set is associated with the majority of the Cu-Au mineralisation, along with a later disseminated pyrite-chalcopyrite phase. Molybdenite is disseminated within the host rock, and in quartz veins which cross-cut the earlier quartz-pyrite veins. High Re concentrations, up to 2.37 ppm from assay, correlate with increased molybdenite content, which suggests it was introduced during the same mineralisation phase. A later faulting event generated a series of breccias which are also associated with increased Re. The Muratdere deposit also contains up to 5.9 ppm Te, which is associated with a late polymetallic quartz vein generation, characterised by abundant sphalerite, pyrite and molybdenite and containing significant lead and zinc content. This suggests that the critical metal enrichment occurred during a series of discrete mineralising events and is the result of interactions between ore forming fluids and the ultramafic country rocks.

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Contributors

Author: S. Roberts

Author: D.A.H. Teagle

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