Research Article| January 01, 1999 Metasedimentary influence on metavolcanic-rock–hosted greenstone gold deposits: Geochemistry of the Giant mine, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada Edmond H. P. van Hees; Edmond H. P. van Hees 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Kevin L. Shelton; Kevin L. Shelton 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Todd A. McMenamy; Todd A. McMenamy 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Louis M. Ross, Jr; Louis M. Ross, Jr 1Department of Geological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65211, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Brian L. Cousens; Brian L. Cousens 2Department of Geological Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Hendrik Falck; Hendrik Falck 3Royal Oak Mines Inc., P.O. Bag 3000, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 2M2, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Malcolm E. Robb; Malcolm E. Robb 3Royal Oak Mines Inc., P.O. Bag 3000, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 2M2, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Tim W. Canam Tim W. Canam 3Royal Oak Mines Inc., P.O. Bag 3000, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories X1A 2M2, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1999) 27 (1): 71–74. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0071:MIOMRH>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Edmond H. P. van Hees, Kevin L. Shelton, Todd A. McMenamy, Louis M. Ross, Brian L. Cousens, Hendrik Falck, Malcolm E. Robb, Tim W. Canam; Metasedimentary influence on metavolcanic-rock–hosted greenstone gold deposits: Geochemistry of the Giant mine, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Geology 1999;; 27 (1): 71–74. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1999)027<0071:MIOMRH>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract The Giant mine is a mesothermal, greenstone-hosted gold deposit that has produced ∼250 metric tons of gold, principally from sulfide ores in altered metavolcanic rocks. Previous studies concluded that mineralizing fluids acquired metals and other ore-forming components from within the ore-hosting metavolcanic rocks and ascended a steep-dipping shear zone to the site of ore deposition. Our studies indicate that although the metavolcanic host rocks were important geochemically in the precipitation of gold, extensive metasedimentary rocks to the east were a more important conduit and/or source of fluids, metals, and ore-forming constituents. Geochemical analyses reveal an east-dipping Na depletion zone extending from the ore zone to within the metasedimentary sequence that coincides with enrichments in Ag, As, S, and Sb and with δ180quartz values of 11.7‰ to 14.1‰. These data indicate that wall-rock–hosted gold mineralization was deposited where fluids emerging from metasedimentary rocks encountered highly reactive Ti-rich tholeiitic basalts. From a geochemical standpoint, this ore system represents a metasedimentary-type gold deposit hosted in metavolcanic rocks. Documentation of a metasedimentary influence on formation of the minerals of the Giant mine helps explain why smaller greenstone belts can host substantial economic gold mineralization and has important implications for exploration for giant (>150 t) gold deposits. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.