Lindsay, M.D., Aitken, A.R., Ford, A., Dentith, M.C., Hollis, J.A., and Tyler, I.M. (2015) Mineral prospectivity of the King Leopold Orogen and Lennard Shelf: analysis of potential field data in the west Kimberley region. Report. Geological Survey of Western Australia, East Perth, WA, Australia.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

The mineral potential of the west Kimberley region was investigated following interpretation of regional gravity and magnetic data. Emphasis was placed on identifying geological structures that may have importance for the mineral potential of the region. Subsurface structure was constrained through combined gravity and magnetic modelling along three transects. Crustal-scale faults were interpreted and investigated to determine their depth extent, because they may act as fluid conduits that localize mineralization. Crustal-scale features bound regions of different geological and geophysical character and may also control the formation of the oldest geological units. The Artesian Fault, identified during this study, is interpreted to extend from the Paperbark Supersuite into the Kimberley Basin.

The potential field interpretations and section models were linked to tectonic events and mineralization episodes in order to map the distribution of economically important regions using a knowledge-driven mineral systems approach to mineral prospectivity mapping. The mineral systems considered were 1) magmatic nickel sulfide, 2) carbonate-hosted base metals, 3) orogenic and epithermal gold, 4) sediment-hosted stratiform base metals, 5) intrusion-related base metals (including tin–tungsten, iron oxide– copper–gold and copper–gold porphyry deposits). Prospectivity modelling shows that a geologically complex belt in the south of the Kimberley Basin, at the boundary with the King Leopold Orogen, is prospective for magmatic-related and hydrothermal mineral systems. In addition, a structural high on the Lennard Shelf is prospective for carbonate-hosted base metals, and parts of the King Leopold Orogen are prospective for sediment-hosted stratiform base metals. These results show that knowledge-driven modelling of mineral systems can be effective in identifying prospectivity in regional studies of underexplored areas.

Item ID:	40204
Item Type:	Report (Report)
ISBN:	978-1-74168-597-8
ISSN:	1834–2280
Related URLs:	Organisation
Additional Information:	Report 142
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2015 04:55
FoR Codes:	04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0404 Geophysics > 040499 Geophysics not elsewhere classified @ 20% 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0403 Geology > 040312 Structural Geology @ 40% 04 EARTH SCIENCES > 0403 Geology > 040399 Geology not elsewhere classified @ 40%
SEO Codes:	84 MINERAL RESOURCES (excl. Energy Resources) > 8401 Mineral Exploration > 840105 Precious (Noble) Metal Ore Exploration @ 20% 84 MINERAL RESOURCES (excl. Energy Resources) > 8401 Mineral Exploration > 840199 Mineral Exploration not elsewhere classified @ 80%
Downloads:	Total: 4
	More Statistics