| dc.description.abstract | Over the last few decades it has become increasingly difficult to discover new ore
deposits and as existing deposits are exhausted, techniques for improving exploration success are
becoming vital. In this study I investigated the application of trace element mineral
geochemistry, in the context of well-defined petrology and field mapping, to the identification
and characterization of hydrothermal alteration of a small porphyry Mo deposit located in
southeastern B.C., Canada. Detailed geochemical analysis of the MAX Mo-porphyry deposit was
undertaken and the use of trace element geochemistry signatures of hydrothermal alteration
minerals were established. Ninety-six samples were collected from surface, underground and
drill core and graphic core logging was carried out on five holes. Whole rock geochemistry was
obtained for all samples in order to observe any general alteration trends. The trace element
concentrations of quartz, chlorite and epidote were analysed using laser ablation inductivelycoupled
plasma mass spectrometry. Cathodoluminescence was used to show textural differences
and growth zoning in quartz and to observe different generations of quartz. The results indicated
that in hydrothermal quartz Ti, Al and Li showed systematic increases in concentration towards
the porphyry center and could be used to infer the temperature of formation. The concentrations
of Ti, Al, Li, Ge, Mg and Fe could be used to distinguish between different types of quartz.
Hydrothermal quartz showed the most variance when it came to concentrations of individual
trace elements, whereas regional metamorphic quartz that was unaffected by hydrothermal
alteration had the lowest concentration of trace elements and a uniform trace element chemistry
regardless of proximity to the deposit center. Igneous quartz was depleted in Ge relative to
hydrothermal and metamorphic quartz.
For chlorite it was found that Ti, V and Sr concentrations varied depending on distance
from the porphyry center. Both Ti and V decreased in concentration away from the deposit
center, whereas Sr peaked around 350 - 400 meters and then decreased away from the deposit
center. The trace element alteration vectors identified in this study combined with subtle, but
identifiable, field criteria may assist exploration companies in the search for hidden deposits. | en_US |
