Hydrothermal haloes around komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide deposits

Australian Institute of Geoscientists > Events > Archaean, crustal recycling, plate tectonics, tectonics, tonalite, trondhjemite > Hydrothermal haloes around komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide deposits

Hydrothermal haloes around komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide deposits


Centre for Exploration Targeting Seminar Series:

Hydrothermal haloes around komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide deposits: application to exploration targeting and insight on the mobility of base metal and PGEs in hydrothermal fluids

Talk presented by Margaux Le Vaillant

ABSTRACT

Komatiite-hosted nickel sulphide deposits represent very difficult exploration targets, mainly due to the limited extend of their primary magmatic footprint. However, hydrothermal alteration has the potential to remobilise base metals and Platinum Group Elements (PGE), extending the detectable footprint of this ore type. Throughout the study of five case studies, this project identified the presence of a subtle geochemical halo characterised by anomalous Ni, As, Pd, Pt and Co concentrations within footwall lithologies, extending between 250 and 1780 meters away from the mineralisation. A practical flowchart was developed to use this geochemical halo as an exploration tool, specifically using portable XRF, for which a protocol was established for core-yard use. Finally, results of this project provide insights on the behaviour of base metals and PGEs in hydrothermal fluids, and sheds the light on the important role of arsenic in their remobilisation and transport.

BIOGRAPHY

Originally from France, Margaux completed her undergrad in Paris and Nancy. She completed her Masters in northern Sweden at the Lulea University of Technology and moved to Perth in 2011 to start her PhD. During the last 3 and a half years at CET, Margaux worked on hydrothermal footprints around magmatic nickel sulphide deposits. Margaux has now started a post doc position at CSIRO looking at the physical emplacement of these deposits.

The talk will be followed by refreshments provided by our local SEG Student Charter in the Resource Room, Robert Street Building.