Porphyry copper-gold deposits in the circum-Pacific and elsewhere

Australian Institute of Geoscientists > Events > exploration, PACRIM 2019, porphyry > Porphyry copper-gold deposits in the circum-Pacific and elsewhere

Porphyry copper-gold deposits in the circum-Pacific and elsewhere


This workshop will consist of two major parts. The first describes the tectonic and regional controls to copper and gold mineralization in the circum-Pacific region with a focus on the magmatic arcs of Southeast Asia, Western Pacific, Peruvian Andes and Ecuador. The relationships of mineralization to subduction-slab geometry, varying deformational styles, cross-orogen structures, heat- and fluid-flow focussing mechanisms and other controls will be discussed.

The second part of the course will present the geological setting, geochemical signature and geophysical expression of porphyry copper-(gold) systems on the district-scale and provide several global examples. This presentation will cover the key geological ingredients and physical constraints that make for productive porphyry systems. General geochemical zoning, hydrothermal alteration models and geophysical signatures will be presented. Examples from continental and island arc settings will include deposits formed from oxidized magmas in Indonesia and Ecuador, and more reduced magmas in Nevada, with comparisons drawn to the intrusion-related gold deposits in Alaska-Yukon. Exploration models will be discussed for porphyry deposits in different geological settings, erosion levels and weathering environments.

Course Presentation Components:

  1. Tectonic and regional controls to copper and gold mineralization in the circum-Pacific;
  2. General description of geology, geochemical expression and geophysical signatures of porphyry deposits, including an introduction and examples of oxidized systems – Batu Hijau and Elang, Indonesia;
  3. More examples of oxidized systems – Alpala – Cascabel, Ecuador; Kharmagtai, Mongolia and Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina
  4. Examples of reduced systems – Elder Creek and Fortitude, Nevada and comparison to intrusion-related gold deposits (IRGD) in Alaska, USA and the Yukon, Canada

Included:

  • Lunch, morning and afternoon teas
  • Electronic version of speaker’s presentation and hard-copy print outs of presentations.

Minimum number of participants: 15

Cost: 250 NZ for SEG members; 300 NZD for non-members; 50 NZD for students.

Further information: Email Steve Garwin at sgar@iinet.net.au

Presenter: Dr Steve Garwin

Steve has 30 years of experience as an exploration geologist with large and small mining companies. He has participated in the gold and copper projects of more than 26 clients in over 16 countries. He worked with Newmont Mining for ten years, including two years as Chief Geologist in Nevada.

He is one of the leading authorities on porphyry, epithermal and Carlin-style mineralization in the circum-Pacific. Steve has been involved in major exploration and mining projects, including the Batu Hijau porphyry mine in Indonesia, the mines of the Carlin and Battle Mountain Trends in Nevada, and the world-class Alpala porphyry deposit in Ecuador.

This workshop is post-conference workshop SC6 for the PACRIM 2019 conference.  Click here for the workshop brochure.