Orogenic Gold mineralization at 3Ace and Geochemical Characteristics of Quartz Monzonite Dikes at Sprogge, South-east Yukon

• Author / Creator

  Whelan, Shaunaugh C.

• 3Ace and Sprogge are two Au occurrences in the southeast Yukon, Selwyn Basin. Gold
  mineralization at 3Ace was previously believed to be intrusion-related, however, recent
  petrography and geochemical analysis show mineralization to be associated with mid-
  Cretaceous orogenesis. Gold occurs along fractures within quartz veins hosted in metasediments
  of the Neoproterozoic Yusezyu Formation of the Selwyn Basin, and
  precipitated from low salinity, CO2-rich acidic fluids at temperatures around 300°C.
  Stable isotopes show evidence of fluid mixing and a significant meteoric water
  component in the system, but a magmatic contribution cannot be ruled out. X-ray
  diffraction was used to define alteration assemblages associated with Au. Geochemical
  analysis was also carried out at Sprogge to garner a better understanding of the regional
  geology and potential for mineralization. Radiogenic isotopic compositions of quartz
  monzonite dikes at Sprogge yielded estimated ages between 95.7 ± 2.0 Ma and 103.5 ± 1.2 Ma. Whole rock geochemical analyses indicate the quartz monzonite dikes were
  produced from similar petrogenetic processes to the Hyland and Tungsten plutonic
  suites.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • 3Ace
  • Sprogge
  • Orogenic gold

• Graduation date

  Fall 2014

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3N873730

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.