Textures and U-W-Sn-Mo signatures in hematite from the Olympic Dam Cu-U-Au-Ag deposit, South Australia: Defining the archetype for IOCG deposits

Abstract

The textural characteristics and trace element geochemistry of hematite with U-W-Sn-Mo signatures from the Cu-U-Au-Ag orebody at Olympic Dam, South Australia, are documented. Olympic Dam is the archetype for iron-oxide copper–gold (IOCG) deposits where hematite is by far the most abundant mineral in the orebody. The deposit is located within hematite-bearing breccias (>5% Fe) hosted by the ∼1.6 Ga Roxby Downs Granite (RDG). Although such breccias are mostly derived from RDG, they also include volcanic clasts and sedimentary rocks. Samples cover the ∼6 km strike length and ∼2 km vertical extent of mineralisation, including hematite from the aforementioned lithologies. Hematite with U-W-Sn-Mo (‘granitophile’ elements) signatures is recognised throughout all lithologies and parts of the deposit. Hematite enriched in granitophile elements is represented by a variety of textures, of which zoned hematite, defined by oscillatory zonation patterns, is the most prominent and can be tied to the age of the RDG, and thus initiation of the IOCG system as confirmed by published U-Pb geochronology. Other categories of hematite with granitophile signatures include hematite resulting from replacement of pre-existing minerals (e.g., carbonates and feldspars), as well as replacement of previous oscillatory-zoned hematites. Matrix and vacuole filling hematite from volcanoclastic-dominated intervals also carry ‘granitophile’ signatures. In addition, some colloform types which likely post-date primary IOCG mineralisation are also rich in ‘granitophile’ elements. Trace element mapping and spot analysis by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) defines complex trace element signatures of hematite, which, in addition to the ‘granitophile’ elements, also comprise rare earth elements, high field strength elements, chalcogens and transition metals.The distinct geochemical signature, characterised by enrichment in the ‘granitophile’ elements (up to wt% levels of U and W within individual zones, and up to thousands of ppm Mo and Sn) prevails throughout the hematite in the deposit irrespective of textures. Iron-oxides have been repeatedly formed, reworked and overprinted by subsequent cycles of brecciation, fluid-mineral reaction, remobilization, element redistribution and recrystallisation. Coupled dissolution-replacement reactions are discussed as having played a major role in the modification of textural and geochemical patterns in hematite, but also allow for widespread preservation of primary geochemical signatures. Despite its simple chemistry, the crystal-structural modularity of hematite can adapt and retain evolving fluid signatures. The reported trace element signatures are fully concordant with conceptual frameworks for the genesis of IOCG systems, and may be an inherent, albeit hitherto under-reported characteristic of other IOCG systems. Hematite is probably by far the most important W-, Sn- and Mo-bearing phase in the deposit by mass.