Lindsay, Mark, Aitken, Alan, Hollis, Julie, Ford, Arianne, Dentith, Mike, and Tyler, Ian (2014) Finding mineral potential in greenfields regions with structural geophysical interpretation, west Kimberley, Australia. Geophysical Research Abstracts, 16. p. 1687.

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Abstract

The mineral potential of the greenfields west Kimberley region is investigated following structural interpretation of gravity and magnetic data. Special attention is given to identifying geological structures that reveal aspects of the regional geodynamic history. Structural domains have been delineated and related interpreted structures sorted into discrete events assigned to tectonic activity thought to have occurred within the study area. The interpreted structures characterise the spatial extent of tectonic activity and support an expanded view of the regional tectonic framework. Geophysical interpretation is depth constrained through joint forward modelling of gravity and magnetic modelling of three sections intersecting the area. Mantle-tapping structures critical to mineral potential mapping, such as those potentially reaching the Moho, are identified through structural interpretation and supported with section forward modelling. Crustal-scale structures are identified that separate regions of different geological and geophysical character and also control the formation of the oldest geological units. Mineral potential analysis of the west Kimberley has been undertaken using the results of regional-scale structural interpretation and modelling with a mineral systems approach. Several mineral systems are considered: 1) nickel-sulphide, 2) carbonate-hosted base metals, 3) orogenic gold, 4) stratiform-hosted base metals, 5) intrusion-related base metals (including tin-tungsten, iron-oxide-copper-gold and porphyry deposits). The resulting mineral potential maps reveal that spatial variations in geological characteristics considered favourable for each mineral system also indicate relative variations in prospectivity. Potential field geophysical data are shown to be effective for generating inputs for mineral potential modelling in greenfields regions through a combination of constrained structural geophysical interpretation and joint forward modelling. Importantly, potential field geophysical data allows the identification of deeper structures, and deeper mineral potential, that may otherwise not be observable at the surface.

Item ID:	40031
Item Type:	Article (Abstract)
ISSN:	1607-7962
Additional Information:	© Author(s) 2014. CC Attribution 3.0 License.
Date Deposited:	14 Aug 2015 03:30
FoR Codes:	04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0404 Geophysics > 040499 Geophysics not elsewhere classified @ 50% 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0403 Geology > 040312 Structural Geology @ 40% 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0403 Geology > 040399 Geology not elsewhere classified @ 10%
SEO Codes:	84 MINERAL RESOURCES (excl. Energy Resources) > 8401 Mineral Exploration > 840105 Precious (Noble) Metal Ore Exploration @ 30% 84 MINERAL RESOURCES (excl. Energy Resources) > 8401 Mineral Exploration > 840102 Copper Ore Exploration @ 30% 84 MINERAL RESOURCES (excl. Energy Resources) > 8401 Mineral Exploration > 840199 Mineral Exploration not elsewhere classified @ 40%
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