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Epithermal gold mineralization and its volcanic environments

Article · February 1987

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Jeffrey Hedenquist
University of Ottawa
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 © Circum-Pacific Council for Energy and Mineral Resources 2009 - Transactions
of the Fourth Circum-Pacific Energy and Mineral Resources Conference, 1986.

CHAPTER 44
•

MINERALIZATION ASSOCIATED
WITH VOLCANIC~RELATED
HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS
IN THE CIRCUM~PACIFIC BASIN
Jeffrey w. Hedenquist
Geothermal Research Center, D. S.I. R. ,
Wairakei, 1aupo, New Zealand

ABSTRACT
Epithermal ore deposits hosted by volcanic rocks and fonned by volcanic-related hydrothermal systems are becoming increas-
ingly important gold producers in Circum-Pacific countries, with many recent discoveries. One such type of epithennal deposit,
termed low sulfidation, is characterized by reduced sulfur. This type of deposit formed in an environment analogous to active geo-
thennal systems, and it is now recognized that in the low sulfidation system, gold precipitates from boiling fluids focused into zones
of high penneability. Exploring for this type of deposit can be greatly aided by detailed mapping of alteration. The other group ofgold
deposits reviewed here is characterized by relatively oxidized sulfur, termed high sulfidation. These types of deposits remain some-
what enigmatic, because they are poorly studied. However, indications are that their fonnation is closely related to an acid mag-
matic fluid, with mineralization therefore more intimately associated with volcanism than is the case for the low sulfidation type.
Further exploration for this style of mineralization will be greatly assisted through integrated geologic and geochemical (particularly
paragenetic) studies of this type of deposit and of active volcanic systems .

•
INTRODUCTION
This paper proposes a framework which will hopefully lead
to a better understanding of hydrothermal gold mineraliza-
tion hosted by volcanic rocks and intimately associated with
volcanism. This approach needs to be based on a rigorous
characterization of the chemistry of the hydrothermal ore flu-
ids. One group of deposits reviewed here has a deduced paleo-
chemistry similar to geothermal systems, and as such is
relatively well understood. The sulfur present in the mineral-
izing fluids is in the reduced state, and these are termed "low
sulfidation" systems; sulfide is the principal ligand for gold
transport. Another group is more enigmatic, though there are
strong indications that it is more intimately related to volcanic
rather than geothermal fluids. Sulfur is relatively oxidized, the
fluids are acid, and they are referred to as "high sulfidation"
systems; under these conditions, chloride may also be an
important ligand for gold transport.
There is much potential for further discovery of both types
of deposits in the Circum-Pacific; however, an inadequate
understanding of both the controls on mineralization and the
geologic environment of emplacement of the high sulfidation
systems hampers exploration. In this chapter, I will briefly dis-
cuss the distinctive characteristics of both low and high sulfi-
dation gold deposits. I will then attempt to identify the
problems hindering the same high confidence of understand-
ing of the high sulfidation systems that we have with the low
sulfidation systems. Along the line of the analogous active sys-
tems, used to such advantage in the study of low sulfidation
deposits, I will review the chemistry of volcanic fluids, largely
from Japan and New Zealand, and their interaction with the
rock matrix. This approach will be invaluable to eventually
understanding the controls on the high sulfidation style of
mineralization, and to the development of exploration crite-
ria.
Background
A dramatic increase in the exploration for volcanic-hosted
ore deposits, particularly of gold, has led to a wealth of discov-
eries since the early 1970s in the Circum-Pacific (Figure 1). A
majority of these deposits formed in the near-surface, or epi-
. thermal, portion of hydrothermal systems; essential compo-
nents of these convective systems are magmatic heat sources
intimately associated with subduction-related volcanism.
Most discovered epithermal deposits formed in the Tertiary or
Recent; however, new Permo-Devonian discoveries in Aus-
tralia indicate that preservation of the volcanic host is the only
necessary aspect in retaining epithermal mineralization.
Examples of these recent epithermal discoveries, some with
spectacular gold grades or tonnages, include Hishikari
(Japan), Lihir Island and Porgera (papua New Guinea), Kelian
(Indonesia), Babelthuap (Palau), Temora (Australia), Golden
Cross and Martha Hill (New Zealand), El Indio (Chile), Round

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