Petrogenesis of Mesoproterozoic K‐rich granitoids, southern Mt Angelay igneous complex, Cloncurry district, northwest Queensland

Abstract

The K‐rich granitoids of the southern Mt Angelay igneous complex belong to the younger phases of the Williams and Naraku Batholiths (<1540 Ma) in the Cloncurry district. Granitoids of the complex form a series of I‐type, K‐rich, metaluminous monzodiorite to subaluminous syenogranite. These intrusions have geochemical affinities akin to ‘A‐type’ granites and contain plagioclase, alkali feldspar, quartz, biotite, hornblende and typically accessory magnetite, titanite, apatite and zircon. With increasing SiO2 the granitoids vary from alkaline to subalkaline, and exhibit a decrease in TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3*, MnO, MgO, CaO, P2O5, Cu, Sr, Zr, LREE and Eu, with an increase in Na2O, K2O, Rb, Pb, Th, U, Y and HREE. This suite of relatively oxidised granitoids (<1.0 log units above NNO) were emplaced after the peak of metamorphism and pre‐ to post‐D3, a major east‐west horizontal‐shortening event. The synchronous emplacement of high‐temperature mafic (>960°C) and foliated felsic (>900°C) granitoids formed zones of mingled and mixed monzonite and quartz monzonite to monzogranite containing abundant rapakivi K‐feldspar. These intrusions are interpreted to have been derived from source rocks of different compositions, and probably by different degrees of partial melting. The unfoliated felsic granitoids are considered to represent the fractionated equivalents of older foliated felsic granitoids. All granitoids possess a Sr‐depleted and Y‐undepleted signature, which suggests that the source material probably contained plagioclase and no garnet, restricting magma production to <800–1000 MPa (∼24–30 km). Underplating of mantle‐derived mafic material into mid‐crustal levels is considered the most viable mechanism to produce these high‐temperature K‐rich granitoids at these pressures. The composition of the felsic granitoids is consistent with derivation from a crustal source with a tonalitic to granodioritic composition. However, the mafic granitoids require a more mafic, possibly gabbroic source, which may have been supplemented with minor mantle‐derived material. These granitoids are also enriched in Th, U, LREE and depleted in Ba, Ti, Nb and Sr and compare closely to the Mesoproterozoic granitoids of the Gawler Craton. The economic significance of these styles of granitoids may also be highlighted by the close spatial relationship of hematitic K‐feldspar, magnetite, fluorite and pyrite‐rich veins, alteration and filled miarolitic cavities with the least‐evolved felsic intrusions. This style of veining has a probable magmatic origin and is similar to the gangue assemblage associated with Ernest Henry‐style Fe‐oxide‐(Cu–Au) mineralisation, which suggests that these granitoids represent prospective sources of fluids associated with Cu–Au mineralisation in the district.