SC-9 Formation of Gold Provinces

Neil Phillips

The challenge of forming a major goldfield includes achieving five orders of magnitude enrichment in gold above crustal average, segregating gold from the more abundant base metals, and repeating this process many times in major gold provinces. It is unlikely that there are many fundamentally different ways to meet these challenges. However, individual goldfields and provinces all look quite different and some of this is due to later overprinting events including weathering. The short course concentrates on the basic principles of forming major gold-only deposits [Carlin, disseminated, slate belt, greenstone, low-S epithermal], looks at possible processes to account for the common features, and then examines the changes brought about by weathering. The course covers generic goldfield-forming processes, then moves on to observations on the Carlin gold province. It draws upon comparisons to other provinces; and provides a summary of deep weathering. It is designed for mining geologists with an interest in how their deposits form, and exploration geologists who want to introduce innovative ideas into their exploration plans. Professor Phillips is engaged in teaching and research at the University of Melbourne and runs a consultancy offering technical mentoring, short courses, and R&D within the gold and base metal industry. Cost: $300; May 21.