Carlin-style gold mineralization in the Yukon Territory, Canada, Venus Zone, Einarson Property, Anthill Resources Ltd.

Kovacs, Nikolett (2014) Carlin-style gold mineralization in the Yukon Territory, Canada, Venus Zone, Einarson Property, Anthill Resources Ltd. Memorial University of Newfoundland. (Unpublished)

[English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (15MB)

Abstract

Carlin-style deposits are broadly categorized as a sediment- (predominantly carbonate-) hosted class, with gold contained as solid solution or submicron particles within disseminated pyrite and arsenian pyrite. To date, Carlin-type gold deposits have been largely defined and described in the Great Basin region of Nevada. However, recent discoveries in the Yukon Territory show many of the defining characteristics of Carlintype gold deposits. The Venus Zone is located in the central eastern part of the Yukon Territory, 15 km east from the Nadaleen Trend, which hosts six recently recognized zones of Carlin-type mineralization in Neoproterozoic carbonates of the Selwyn Basin. Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analyzer (SEM/EDX) identified narrow rims (1-2 μm) of arsenian pyrite on syn-sedimentary framboidal and marcasitized pyrite. Two generations of submicroscopic native gold are observed in close association with: i) arsenian pyrite and stylolitic textures and ii) scorodite. These are suggested to represent ore and post-ore stages of Carlin-style gold mineralization, respectively. Thin section analysis confirmed that the major gold hosting lithology in the Venus Zone is silicified dolostone. Northeast trending brittle faults and second generation (F₂) fold hinges were the primary fluid conduits and structural fluid traps, which localized auriferous mineralizing fluids that arrived after silicification, but before the last phase of deformation. The Venus Zone is proposed to represent an eastern extension of the Nadaleen Trend, an emerging Carlin-style gold district in the Northern Cordillera. The findings of this study should prove useful in informing future exploration for Carlin-style gold deposits on the Einarson Property, and along the larger Nadaleen Trend.

Actions (login required)

View Item