Quartz vein hosted low sulfidation high grade Au-Ag ores represent great prizes for miners, yet are notoriously difficult to explore for, due to their narrow hydrothermal footprints and subtle petrophysical signatures. Development of predictive structural models via direct analysis of the vein arrays can also be hampered by non-Andersonian fracture mechanics in the near surface environment, and vein opening modes that do not produce the range of kinematic indicators classically used to decipher the structural history of mesothermal Au deposits. In this study of the world class Pliocene Gosowong goldfield of Halmahera, we circumvent these limitations through the construction of a four-dimensional district scale structural model, based on analysis of lithostratigraphic architecture. The method allows us to project controlling structures beyond the limits of the mineralised vein arrays, identify lithologic and hydrologic controls on vein propagation and alteration styles, and to link the geometrically diverse ores that occur throughout the district.

Item Type:	Conference Extract
Keywords:	structural geology, Gosowong
Research Division:	Earth Sciences
Research Group:	Geology
Research Field:	Structural geology and tectonics
Objective Division:	Mineral Resources (Excl. Energy Resources)
Objective Group:	Other mineral resources (excl. energy resources)
Objective Field:	Other mineral resources (excl. energy resources) not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Selley, D (Dr David Selley)
UTAS Author:	Jansen, N (Dr Nic Jansen)
ID Code:	101201
Year Published:	2015
Deposited By:	Centre for Ore Deposit Research - CODES CoE
Deposited On:	2015-06-12
Last Modified:	2015-06-12
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