Sediment geochemistry and base metal sulphide mineralisation in the Quidong area, Southeastern New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Geochemically anomalous, pyritic sediments occur directly above a Mid Silurian unconformity in the Quidong area of southeastern New South Wales. The composition of these sediments reflects derivation from a mixture of: (a) feldspar- and mica-depleted detritus reworked from underlying quartz-rich flysch; (b) Mg-rich clay or chlorite precipitated from hydrothermal exhalations; and (c) pyrite formed by reaction of iron in clays or oxides with reduced sulphur derived largely from sea-water sulphate and possibly a magmatic source. Three types of base metal sulphide mineralisation occur at Quidong including: (a) weak syngenetic concentrations in the pyritic sediments; (b) stratabound and fault-controlled bodies of massive sulphides hosted by the pyritic sediments and containing higher grade Pb, Zn and Cu; and (c) small vein and cavity fillings of galena, barite and other minor sulphides in overlying limestones. All types of mineralisation are related to hydrothermal activity which occurred during and after deposition of the pyritic facies. The geochemistry of the immediately underlying basement rocks and Pb isotope data indicate that the source of the metal-bearing fluids was deeper in the crust and probably related to widespread partial melting and magmatic processes. The sulphidic sediments and stratabound sulphide deposits represent syngenetic-epigenetic, sediment hosted mineralisation developed in a shallow marine environment, distal from major volcanic centers. This style of mineralisation has not previously been described from the region. It has some similarities to the Irish-Alpine type spectrum of deposits best known in Europe.