Abstract
In many sediment-hosted ore deposits the timing of mineralisation and the role of diagenetic, syngenetic and epigenetic processes in the ore genesis is a contentious issue. Such uncertainty is inevitable in the absence of well-constrained unmetamorphosed assemblages. This study shows that fine-grained early-diagenetic sulphides formed at low temperature in unmetamorphosed auriferous quartz pebble conglomerates (QPC) at Belle-Brook in southern New Zealand have a variety of diagenetic textures and geochemical signatures similar to those attributed to metamorphic and/or hydrothermal processes in a variety of giant sediment-hosted ore deposits. Both sedimentary and diagenetic processes associated with the QPC at Belle-Brook gold are relatively well-constrained, and hence the mineralising processes are more easily understood than those from older sediment-hosted deposits.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
