Alteration, zoning model, and mineralogical structure considering lithogeochemical investigation in Northern Dalli Cu–Au porphyry

Abstract

Dalli Cu–Au porphyry deposit was occurred in the igneous diorite, quartz diorite porphyry (QDP), and volcanic rocks such as porphyritic amphibole andesite, andesite (AND), dacite, and pyroclastics during the late Miocene to Pliocene. Regolith investigations and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer images were used to identify the anomalous areas. According to lithogeochemical survey (from boreholes and trenches) in Northern Dalli Cu–Au porphyry, the potassic, chlorite, sericite, propylitic, and argillic alterations have been found and mineralization was basically associated with potassic and quartz–sericite alterations. The alteration is dominantly moderate quartz chlorite ± sericite magnetite with 1–10 mm wide quartz ± magnetite veinlets. The elevated copper–gold values are correlated with density of stockworking and mineralization. The intensity of the mineralization is high in the contact of QDP and AND with increases in pyrite and chalcopyrite values. Malachite, native Cu, and bornite were used to identify supergene, transition, and hypogene zone. In addition, molybdenum increased near to the center of granodiorite intrusion. And besides, from depth to surface in DDH03 and wall rock to mineralization zones, a sequence of Mo→Cu (Au)→Au (Cu) was recorded and the mineralization temperature cooled down (from high to low). The alteration is characterized by specific pattern and structure in Dalli Cu–Au porphyry deposit. The alteration model was followed from the modified Lowell and Gilbert model. The porphyry is stockworked by quartz veins and by quartz magnetite veins. Vein distribution and ore mineralogy vary between the different alteration zones. Due to the formation of an iron cap in the supergene, especially in the southern hills, supergene grade was higher than hypogene zone. Also, hematite, as a dominant Fe oxide in DDH03 borehole with minor limonite, jarosite, and goethite created thickness about 150–270 m in supergene zone; finally, this finding show a possibility of an extensive mineralization.