Dual origins of lode gold deposits in the Canadian Cordillera

Research Article| June 01, 1986 Dual origins of lode gold deposits in the Canadian Cordillera Bruce E. Nesbitt; Bruce E. Nesbitt 1Department of Geology, University of Alberta, Edmontor, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar James B. Murowchick; James B. Murowchick 1Department of Geology, University of Alberta, Edmontor, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Karlis Muehlenbachs Karlis Muehlenbachs 1Department of Geology, University of Alberta, Edmontor, Alberta T6G 2E3, Canada Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1986) 14 (6): 506–509. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<506:DOOLGD>2.0.CO;2 Article history first online: 01 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Bruce E. Nesbitt, James B. Murowchick, Karlis Muehlenbachs; Dual origins of lode gold deposits in the Canadian Cordillera. Geology 1986;; 14 (6): 506–509. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1986)14<506:DOOLGD>2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract From Late Jurassic to late Tertiary time, two geologically, geochemically, and genetically distinct gold mineralization processes were active in the Canadian Cordillera. One group of deposits can be characterized as epithermal because of its association with intermediate to felsic volcanics, regional caldera structures, low pH alteration zones, low Au/Ag values, and quartz-chalcedony-barite-fluorite gangue. The second group of deposits is mesothermal in character and has strong similarities to the Mother Lode deposits of California, being associated with transcurrent faults, intermediate pH alteration zones, and quartz ± carbonate, albite, mariposite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, scheelite gangue. Compared to epithermal deposits, mesothermal deposits have higher As, W, and Au/Ag values, higher CO2 content in fluid inclusions, and δ18O values of ore-forming fluids of +3‰ to +10‰ vs. −14‰ to −7‰ for epithermal deposits.Like the gold deposits in Nevada and Colorado, epithermal mineralization in the Canadian Cordillera formed from the shallow circulation of meteoric water in subaerial, intermediate to felsic volcanic complexes. In contrast, mesothermal gold deposits throughout the North American Cordillera are shown to be the product of deep circulation and evolution of meteoric water in structures associated with major, transcurrent fault zones. Similarities between Archean lode gold deposits and mesothermal deposits of the Cordillera suggest that Archean lode deposits may have been produced by processes similar to those involved in the formation of Cordilleran mesothermal deposits. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.