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Pit
Levels
Mineral
Characterization
Drill core logging
Rock and ore petrography
XRD
SEM & QEMSCAN
CoreScan
Hi-Logger
Geochemistry
Lithogeochemistry
Qualitative, semi-quantitative &
quantitative characterization
Hydrothermal Alteration
45
Y = 1.05 X + 0.91
40
R2 = 0.27
Structural Refinement)
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
Visual Estimation (%)
Quantifying Alteration Failures
VHMS camp, volcaniclastic rocks; 6 experienced exploration geologists (A-F),
1 graduate student (M), 1 professor (S)
4
Sericitization Intensity (0 - 5)
A
B
3 C
D
E
2 F
M
S
0
2 1 1 5 OQ 1 O 2 1 2 3 3 5 5 3 3 2 5 1 1 5 1 OQOO 1 OS S 2 Q 1 O 5 1
Lithology
Quantifying Alteration Failures
Precision of Visual Estimates of Mineral Modes
self-reproducibility of most geologists is probably no
better than 20 %
inter-geologist reproducibility is far worse!
Applications to
Mineral Exploration Applications to Geo-
models Mineral Metallurgic
models
Element distributions and
hydrothermal alteration
Examples.
Elements that
discriminate
different
types of
hydrothermal
alteration are
sought
Element distributions and
hydrothermal alteration
Examples.
Elements that
discriminate
different
types of
hydrothermal
alteration are
sought
Distribution of synthetic variables
Synthetic variables used for hydrothermal alteration
determinations.
Phyllic Alteration: (KxNa)/Al; Na/Al; (Al+K)/(Na+Ca+Mg);
(Al+K+Na)/(Ca+Mg)
Propylitic Alteration: (Ca+Na)/(K+Al)
Argillic Alteration: Al/(Na+Ca+K); Al/Mg; Al/(K+Na)
Advanced Argillic Alteration and/or blue veins (enargite/famatinite):
(K+Al+S)/(Fe+S); (CuxAsxSbxS)/Fe; [(CuxAsxSbxS)/Fe]x[Al+K+S]
Potassic Alteration: KxAl; K/(Ca+Na); K/Mg
Example
Potassic Alteration: KxAl;
1. Discrimination of potassic
alteration (only Bt)
Geochemical classification of
alteration types / intensity
Examples
ite
lor Binary diagrams
Ch-
ite
t
Bio
e
r it
py
co
al
Ch
e-
rit
Py
Geochemical classification of
alteration types / intensity
Example classification on ternary diagrams
Mg-Fe-S
Recognition of at least three
sample clusters:
Potassic Alterations (browns)
Chlorite-sericite Alteration
(greens)
Phyllic Alteration (orange)
Phyllic-Argillic Alteration (yellow)
Zone 1
Zone 2
Hydrothermal alteration
classifications based on
Ca-Fe-S geochemistry
Two well discriminated groups occur
Ca
10%
(Ca Fe S)
Fe
50%
Ca Fe S
Geochemical
interpretation of
Mineralization
Aqua regia digestion is near total for sulfides,
thus allowing calculation of molar concentrations
and determination of molar ratios.
Stanley, C. (2012)
Geochemical classification of
alteration types / intensity
Application to Models
Once samples are classified by type of
hydrothermal alteration and mineralization,
these may be studied for spatial distribution
Characterization of lithology, type and intensity
of alteration and mineralization will be plotted
on a resolution equivalent to sample support
Results may be applied to 2 and 3D ore deposit
models for exploration and/or geo-mineral
metallurgy
Models may be based of thousands to tens of
thousands of samples with multielement whole
rock geochemical analysis (e.g. analytic FRX)
Application to Models
Classification by means of immobile elements allows
determination of lithologies, independent of alteration
Mobile to immobile element ratios allows
discrimination of alteration types and intensities
Geo-mineral metallurgical Models (qualitative to
quantitative, geostatistical - simulations)
Hardness Models
Grindability Models
Flotation Cu recovery Models
Leach pad Cu recovery Models
Mine processing tests
Representativity
Interpolations & extrapolations
PREDICTABILITY!!!
Bottom line
Thank you