Genetic Relationship Between Postcratering Dynamics and Footwall Deposit Formation at Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Importance for Sulfide Ore Exploration

Abstract

Research Article| June 01, 2019 Genetic Relationship Between Postcratering Dynamics and Footwall Deposit Formation at Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Importance for Sulfide Ore Exploration Torben Wüstemann; Torben Wüstemann 1Institut für Geologie, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul Göllner; Paul Göllner 1Institut für Geologie, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Peter C. Lightfoot; Peter C. Lightfoot 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street N., London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Ulrich Riller Ulrich Riller 1Institut für Geologie, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany †Corresponding author: e-mail, ulrich.riller@uni-hamburg.de Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Torben Wüstemann 1Institut für Geologie, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Paul Göllner 1Institut für Geologie, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany Peter C. Lightfoot 2Department of Earth Sciences, University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street N., London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada Ulrich Riller 1Institut für Geologie, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany †Corresponding author: e-mail, ulrich.riller@uni-hamburg.de Publisher: Society of Economic Geologists Accepted: 15 Feb 2019 First Online: 24 Jun 2019 Online Issn: 1554-0774 Print Issn: 0361-0128 © 2019 Economic GeologyEconomic Geology Economic Geology (2019) 114 (4): 599–612. https://doi.org/10.5382/econgeo.4655 Article history Accepted: 15 Feb 2019 First Online: 24 Jun 2019 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Torben Wüstemann, Paul Göllner, Peter C. Lightfoot, Ulrich Riller; Genetic Relationship Between Postcratering Dynamics and Footwall Deposit Formation at Sudbury, Ontario, Canada: Importance for Sulfide Ore Exploration. Economic Geology 2019;; 114 (4): 599–612. doi: https://doi.org/10.5382/econgeo.4655 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyEconomic Geology Search Advanced Search Abstract High-grade Ni-Cu-Co and precious metal mineralization forms footwall veins in close proximity (<~750 m) to the base of the Sudbury Igneous Complex. Successful exploration for these economically significant sulfide ore deposits benefits from an understanding of the geologic processes associated with their formation, notably within the framework of meteorite impact cratering. Based on examination of drill core and drilling logs of Vale’s Capre 3000 ore zone, we delineate petrographic and microstructural characteristics of sulfide veins and the adjacent host rocks. We show that transport, emplacement, and modification of sulfides are controlled by the dynamic conditions in the thermal aureole of the Sudbury Igneous Complex during early stages of crustal relaxation following impact cratering. This process accounts for the following observations: (1) occurrence of sulfide veins at preexisting structural discontinuities, (2) spatial distribution and thickness of veins, and (3) distinct spatial distribution of partial melting and static recrystallization textures in footwall rocks in the vicinity of sulfide mineralization. We suggest that the identification of high-temperature mineral textures in the footwall rocks lends itself as an exploration tool for footwall deposit identification. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.