The geology and genesis of the Tarcoola gold deposits, South Australia

Abstract

The Tarcoola goldfield is located in the Gawler Craton in northwestern Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. The gold deposits are hosted in the Middle Proterozoic Tarcoola Formation, comprised of the fluviatile Peela Coglomerate Member, the shallow marine Fabian Quartzite Member, and the marine Sullivan Shale Member. Mineralization in the goldfield consists of north-northeast to north-northwest trending gold-bearing quartz veins with associated hematite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, electrum and gold. Adamellite in contact with the Tarcoola Formation has previously been included in the Middle Proterozoic Hiltaba Suite granitoids, on the basis of an apparent intrusive relationship with the Tarcoola Formation, and the gold-quartz veins were interpreted as being genetically related to the cooling pluton. However, detailed field and petrographic studies have demonstrated that the contact between the Tarcoola Formation and adamellite is a nonconformity. Hence, there is no genetic relationship between the mineralization and the adamellite. Oxygen isotope data indicate that an oreforming fluid, derived from convective circulation of meteoric or seawater, or from formation water, underwent isotope exchange with sediments of the Tarcoola Formation. A magmatic heat source for the hydrothermal system is suggested by the presence of intrusive igneous rocks, including dykes of aplite, quartz monzonite and microdiorite. Sulphur isotope characteristics of the mineralization can be explained by reduction of seawater sulphate or dissolution of disseminated sulphides in the sedimentary sequence. Metals were probably derived from rocks of the Tarcoola Formation. A complex paragenetic sequence involved deposition of minerals in several stages separated by episodes of fracturing. Fluid inclusions in quartz and fluorite show that deposition took place over a temperature range of about 340° to 110°C from a low salinity fluid. Analyses of chlorite coexisting with sulphide minerals suggest deposition of sulphides from about 300° to 170°C. Gold was transported as Au(HS) 2 − and deposition appears to have coincided with a sudden decrease in fO2 at around 260° to 250 °C.