Journal article
Re-Os geochronology and isotope systematics of the Tanami, Tennant Creek and Olympic Dam Cu-Au deposits
BIA McInnes, RR Keays, DD Lambert, J Hellstrom, JS Allwood
Australian Journal of Earth Sciences | Published : 2008
Abstract
The 187Re-187Os system can determine directly the age of formation of ore deposits and can characterise the isotopic provenance of metals in ore systems. We report rhenium-osmium (Re-Os) isotope data from the Callie gold deposit of the Tanami district in the Northern Territory, the Gecko Cu-Au-Bi deposit of the Tennant Creek district in the Northern Territory and the giant Olympic Dam Cu-Au-U deposit in South Australia. Re-Os data for vein sulfides from the Callie deposit produce an isochron age of 1622 ± 120 Ma, indicating that gold mineralisation occurred after emplacement of adjacent granitoid plutons in the Tanami region. Sulfide minerals from the Callie gold-quartz vein system have init..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This publication is an outcome of a multi-institutional project (AMIRA P563) principally funded by the Australian Mineral Industry Research Association (AMIRA) and the Australian Research Council (ARC). Project sponsors included Geoscience Australia, Anglo-gold, BHP Exploration, Billiton International Metals BV, Normandy Exploration Limited, Pasminco Exploration and WMC Resources Ltd. We thank Joe Cucuzza of AMIRA for coordinating the project. Field activities for the project were supported by the Northern Territory Geological Survey and Geoscience Australia through the North Australian Craton Project. Andrew Wygralak, David Huston and Terry Mernagh were instrumental in providing samples and advice during the collection and interpretation phase of this project. David Huston provided samples for the Tenant Creek project from his personal research collection. The Tanami Mine Joint Venture and Normandy NFM Ltd. provided additional logistical support, food and lodging. Industry geologists that provided time and expertise, including Stewart Eldridge, Kathy Ehrig, Simon Henderson, Mike Roache, Louise Mohamed, Chris Large, Helen Burgess, Dave Hammond, John Hammond and John Campbell, are all gratefully acknowledged. The assistance of Rachelle Pierson for Re-Os preparation, Jeff Davis for the provision of mineral separates and Travis Naughton for drafted figures is appreciated. We also thank Noreen Evans and Rob Hough for comments on an initial draft, and acknowledge the constructive journal reviews of Mike McWilliams and Roland Maas.