Hydrothermal alteration and lithogeochemistry of the boundary volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, Central Newfoundland, Canada

Buschette, Michael (2015) Hydrothermal alteration and lithogeochemistry of the boundary volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit, Central Newfoundland, Canada. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The Boundary volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit (0.45 Mt @ 3.4% Cu, 4.0% Zn, 1.0 % Pb, 34 g/t Ag) is located in the Tally Pond group (~510 Ma), central Newfoundland, Canada. The deposit is hosted by rhyolitic rocks that are interpreted to have formed within a rifted continental arc on the leading edge of Ganderia. Mineralization consists of massive pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite lenses. The basal portion of these lenses contain lapilli tuff clasts indicative of replacement style mineralization. Three hydrothermal alteration assemblages are recognized at Boundary: quartz-sericite, chlorite-sericite, and intense chlorite. Lithogeochemical data are useful in identifying key element associations and alteration assemblages. Short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy data provide an effective vector for Zn mineralization and correlate with whole rock geochemistry. Lithogeochemical and SWIR data have been used to recreate a three-dimensional alteration model of the Boundary deposit that may be useful in further mineral exploration.

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