In Situ Trace Element and Sulfur Isotope Analysis of Pyrite in a Paleoproterozoic Gold Placer Deposit, Pardo and Clement Townships, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Extensive pyrite-bearing, auriferous cobble and boulder conglomerates are present in the basal 30 in of the Mississagi Formation in Pardo and Clement Townships, Ontario, Canada. The sedimentology of the conglomerates, combined with regional geology, indicates limited fluvial transport in a gravel bed braided river with local hyperconcentrated flows, with material derived from a highly restricted catchment area. Postdepositional overprinting of the conglomerates is related to the Penokean orogeny at 1.85 to 1.5 Ga and alkali metasomatism at similar to 1.7 Ga. Several pyrite varieties, including detrital and postdepositional recrystallized and altered grains, are present in the conglomerates. Detailed in situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA ICPMS) analysis of pyrite revealed that the gold in the deposit is intimately associated to large detrital pyrite grains, as invisible Au, with lesser amounts of free gold. Postdepositional pyrite and pyrite overgrowths have very low Au content. Elements such as Pb, Bi, Sb, Te, Ag, and Hg, together with Au were mobilized during hydrothermal alteration and dissolution of detrital pyrite grains. Small-scale transport and reprecipitation formed part of the postdepositional pyrite and free gold in immediate contact with postdepositional grains. In contrast, Ni, Co, and As were not mobilized. External fluid infiltration is negligible and is indicated only by minor, compositionally distinct, late sulfide veinlets crosscutting the conglomerates. Sulfur isotope analysis of detrital pyrite yields generally positive (delta(34)S values (0.97-9.26%0). The delta(34)S sulfur isotope composition of pyrite overgrowths and postdepositional grains overlaps the isotopic range of the detrital grains, suggesting a near-closed S system during postd.epositional processes. However, the detrital pyrite tends to have slightly negative Delta(33)S while the postdepositional and overgrowth pyrite are either neutral or slightly positive. The S isotope composition of the detrital pyrite is compatible with an origin of S as dissolved sulfate in an ocean under a low oxygen atmosphere. The potential source of the Au-bearing detrital pyrite appears to have been an, as yet, undiscovered Archean deposit located within 1 to 8 kin of the placer deposit.