| Title | Unravelling tourmaline in mineralized porphyry systems: assessment as a valid indicator mineral |
| Download | Download (whole publication) |
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| Licence | Please note the adoption of the Open Government Licence - Canada
supersedes any previous licences. |
| Author | Beckett-Brown, C E ; McDonald, A M; McClenaghan, M B |
| Source | Targeted Geoscience Initiative: 2018 report of activities; by Rogers, N (ed.); Geological Survey of Canada, Open File 8549, 2019 p. 345-351, https://doi.org/10.4095/313669  Open Access |
| Year | 2019 |
| Publisher | Natural Resources Canada |
| Document | open file |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | on-line; digital |
| Related | This publication is contained in Targeted Geoscience
Initiative: 2018 report of activities |
| File format | pdf |
| Subjects | economic geology; igneous and metamorphic petrology; geochemistry; surficial geology/geomorphology; mineral deposits; porphyry deposits; copper; gold; molybdenum; mineral exploration; exploration
methods; ore mineral genesis; mineralization; tourmaline; petrogenesis; paragenesis; hydrothermal systems; mineral zoning; petrographic analyses; electron microscope analyses; trace element geochemistry; textural classifications; major element
geochemistry; mass spectrometer analysis; glacial deposits; tills; till samples; stream sediment samples |
| Illustrations | tables; photographs; photomicrographs; ternary diagrams |
| Program | Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI-5) Knowledge Management Coordination |
| Program | Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI-5) Intrusion/Porphyry ore systems - porphyry processes - mineral markers |
| Released | 2019 03 01 |
| Abstract | Tourmaline has long been regarded as a petrogenetic indicator of its host environment, but its genesis in mineralized porphyry systems is poorly understood. Based on chemical and physical properties,
tourmaline possesses essential features to be an effective indicator mineral. These properties, along with its abundant occurrence in mineralized copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry systems, make it potentially a key recorder of hydrothermal fluid
composition, evolution and potential mineralization. A suite of tourmaline-bearing, barren and mineralized porphyry samples have been analysed as part of a broader study, including those from the Canadian Cordillera (Casino, Schaft Creek, High-land
Valley and Woodjam) plus others, have been studied. Paragenetically, tourmaline is observed to be an early hydrothermal phase, predating both sulphide formation and any alteration. Tourmaline is observed to exhibit multiple growth zones, based on
petrographic and electron microscope observations, which are also reflected in distinct trace-element variations. Three distinct textural types are recognized: breccia-style, vein-style and disseminated-style. Ma-jor element analyses based on SEM-EDS
show a range between schorl (Na-Fe2+-rich) to dravite (Na-Mg-rich) with some minor povondraite (Na-Fe3+) component. Trace element analyses of porphyry related tourmaline via LAM-ICP-MS show distinct characteristics in comparison to that from
non-porphyry settings, including redox sensitive elements (Mn, As and Sb) and large-ion lithophile elements (Sr, Ba). Elements not observed in significant concentrations include the light elements (Li, Be) and REEs, which commonly were below limit of
detection. Current trace element analysis of tourmaline derived from surficial sediments points to tourmaline originating from the local porphyry system rather than an external source. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
The Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI) is directed towards providing next generation knowledge and methods to facilitate more effective targeting of
buried mineral deposits. The program aims to enhance the effectiveness of exploration for Canada's major mineral systems by resolving foundational geoscience problems that constrain the geological processes responsible for the liberation metals from
their source region, transportation of these ore metals and control their eventual deposition. TGI supports projects on gold, Ni-Cr-PGE, porphyry-style mineralization, uranium and volcanic- and sedimentary-hosted base metal mineralization ore
systems, with each project divided into subprojects focused on resolving specific knowledge gaps by integrating data and studies from multiple sites across Canada. Herein, we present interim results and interpretations from a selection of the
research activities currently being conducted under the auspices of TGI. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 313669 |
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