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<title>UTas ePrints - The Geology of the Nifty Copper Deposit, Throssell Group, Western Australia: Implications for Ore Genesis</title>
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<meta content="Anderson, B.R." name="eprints.creators_name" />
<meta content="Gemmell, J.B." name="eprints.creators_name" />
<meta content="Berry, R.F." name="eprints.creators_name" />
<meta content="bruce_anderson@moh.govt.nz" name="eprints.creators_id" />
<meta content="Bruce.Gemmell@utas.edu.au" name="eprints.creators_id" />
<meta content="Ron.Berry@utas.edu.au" name="eprints.creators_id" />
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<meta content="2007-09-27" name="eprints.datestamp" />
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<meta content="The Geology of the Nifty Copper Deposit, Throssell Group, Western Australia: Implications for Ore Genesis" name="eprints.title" />
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<meta content="260100" name="eprints.subjects" />
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<meta content="sediment-hosted copper deposit, paragenesis, structural control, hydrothermal alteration, fluid inclusions" name="eprints.keywords" />
<meta content="The Nifty syndeformational, sediment-replacement Cu deposit is located approximately 450 km southeast of
Port Hedland, Western Australia, in subgreenschist-grade rocks of the Neoproterozoic Paterson orogen. The
resource of 99 million metric tons (Mt) @1.7 percent Cu is hosted in a syncline within carbonaceous and
dolomitic shales of the upper Broadhurst Formation.
The Cu mineralization occurred during Neoproterozoic DY2 deformation and formed at the center of a
zoned hydrothermal alteration system. Interbedded dolomitic and carbonaceous shale of the upper and lower
units of the Nifty member was altered S in two stages. Early siliceous S alteration with minor chlorite, pyrite,
hematite, sericite, and stilpnomelane, which was replaced by syntectonic black quartz in the core of the deposit.
On the fringes of the alteration, framboidal pyrite in the carbonaceous shale was replaced by quartz, chalcopyrite,
euhedral pyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Inward is a sequence of interlayered hydrothermal quartzdolomite
and unaltered shale beds. The hydrothermal quartz-dolomite first appears as spots and 2- to
4-mm-thick veins with light gray diffuse margins. In areas of intense spotty alteration, dolomitic alteration
forms bedding-parallel zones. Farther inward and proximal to the highest ore grade is silicified dolomitic shale,
which grades into fine-grained quartz and chalcopyrite, with minor fluorapatite and carbonaceous material.
Synmineralization fluid inclusions are small (10 microns) liquid-vapor inclusions with homogenization temperatures
between 200 degrees to 370 degrees C (median 270 degrees C) and salinity of 8 to 27 wt percent NaCl equiv (median 15 wt % NaCl equiv). Sulfur isotope data from framboidal pyrite range between delta 34 SCDT of -27 and +16 per mil, chalcopyrite delta 34 SCDT ranges between -6 and +6 per mil, and delta 34 SCDT for euhedral, synmineralization pyrite ranges between -12 to +12 per mil. Carbon and oxygen isotope results from synmineralization vein stage carbonates
and dolomitic alteration overlap with delta 13 CVPDB values from +2 to -10 per mil and delta 18O VSMOW values from 14 to
21 per mil. It is likely that decarbonation of host rock caused the large shift in delta 13 CVPDB values.
The formation of the Nifty Cu deposit is linked to deformation (tectonic loading) associated with the Miles
orogeny driving fluids from deep in the Yeneena basin. Hydrothermal fluids were focused along DY2 thrust
faults. During tightening of the Nifty syncline, thrust faulting penetrated carbonaceous and dolomitic shales,
allowing hydrothermal fluids to react with the Nifty member. Early fluid pulses were weakly oxidized and contained low concentrations of base metals. These fluids altered the host rock and precipitated green quartz.
The fluid evolved to a hotter, more saline, reduced and moderately acidic fluid with significant Cu concentration.
These fluids reacted with the dolomite-dominated Nifty member, forming the dolomitic alteration and
siliceous replacement of carbonaceous shale and dolomitic mudstone. Chalcopyrite precipitation was controlled
mainly by changes in pH accompanied by a slight decrease in temperature. The mineralization and alteration
styles at Nifty are similar to the copper orebodies at Mount Isa." name="eprints.abstract" />
<meta content="2001" name="eprints.date" />
<meta content="published" name="eprints.date_type" />
<meta content="Economic Geology" name="eprints.publication" />
<meta content="96" name="eprints.volume" />
<meta content="7" name="eprints.number" />
<meta content="1535-1565" name="eprints.pagerange" />
<meta content="10.2113/96.7.1535" name="eprints.id_number" />
<meta content="UNSPECIFIED" name="eprints.thesis_type" />
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<meta content="0361-0128" name="eprints.issn" />
<meta content="http://dx.doi.org/10.2113/96.7.1535" name="eprints.official_url" />
<meta content="Anderson, B.R. , 1999, The structure, alteration and mineralization of the Nifty copper deposit, Western Australia: Implications for ore genesis: Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Hobart, Australia, University of Tasmania,
225 p.
Anderson, B.R., Dare, P., Berry, R.F., and Gemmell, J.B., 1997, The Nifty copper deposit-geology and structure [abs.]: Geological Society of Australia Abstracts, v. 44, p. 2.
Andrew, A.S., Heinrich, C.C., Wilkins, R.W.T., and Patterson, D.J., 1989. Sulfur isotope systematics of copper ore formation at Mount Isa, Australia: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 84, p. 1614-1650.
Annels, A.E., 1989, Ore genesis in the Zambian copper belt, with particular reference to the northern sector of the Chambishi basin: Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 36, p. 427-452.
Bagas, L., and Smithies, R.H., 1998, Geology of the Connaughton 1:100 000 sheet, Western Australia: Geological Survey of Western Australia Explanatory Notes SF51-10-3452.
Bagas, L. and William, I.R., 1995, Paterson orogen: Geological Survey of Western Australia Annual Review 1994-1995, p. 132-134.
Bagas, L., Grey, K., and Williams, I.R., 1995, Reappraisal of the Paterson orogen and the Savory basin: Geological Survey of Western Australia Annual Review 1994-1995, p. 55-64.
Blake, D.H., 1987: Geology of the Mount Isa Inlier and environs, Queensland and Northern Territory: Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources Bulletin 225, 83 p.
Bodnar, R.J., 1993, Revised equation and table for the determination of the freezing point depression of H2O-NaCl solutions: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 57, p. 683-684.
Bodnar, R.J., and Sterner, S.M., 1987, Applications of synthetic fluid inclusions in experimental geochemistry and petrology, in Barnes, H.L., and Ulmer, G.C., eds., Hydrothermal experimental techniques: New York, Wiley, p. 423-457.
Borisenko, A.S., 1977, Study of salt composition of solutions of gas-liquid inclusions in minerals by the cryometric: Geologiya i Geofizika, v. 18, p. 16-27.
Bowers, T.S., and Helgeson, H.C., 1983a, Calculation of the thermodynamic and geochemical consequences of nonideal mixing in the system H2O-CO2-NaCl on phase relations in geologic systems: Metamorphic equilbria at high
pressures and temperatures: American Mineralogist, v. 68, p. 1059-1075.
-1983b, Calculation of the thermodynamic and geochemical consequences of nonideal mixing in the system C on phase relations in geologic systems: Equations of state for H2O-CO2-NaCl fluids at high pressures and temperatures: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 47, p. 1247-1275.
Carmichael, A.J., 1990, Mineralization, structure and geochemistry of the primary Nifty Cu-(Zn-Pb-Ag) deposit: Western Mining Corporation Internal Report K/3262, 9 p.
-1992, Geophysical/geological re-interpretation of the Throssell Range, Paterson province, Western Australia: Western Mining Corporation Internal Memorandum XDL 6/92.
Chin, R.J., and Hickman, A.H., 1977, Proterozoic geology of the Paterson Range, WA., 1:250,000 geological sheet: Geological Survey of Western Australia Record 1977/11.
Chin, R.J., and de Laeter, J.R., 1981, The relationship of new Rb-Sr isotopic dates from the Rudall metamorphic complex to the geology of the Paterson province: Geological Survey of Western Australia Annual Report 1980, p. 132-139.
Collins, P.L.F., 1979, Gas hydrates in CO2-bearing fluid inclusions and the use of freezing data for estimation of salinity: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 74, p. 1435-1444.
Cox, S.F., 1987, Antitaxial crack-seal vein microstructures and their relationship to displacement paths: Journal of Structural Geology, v. 9, p. 779-787.
Cunningham, M.J., 1986, Copper-cobalt mineralization in the northern portion of the Chambishi basin, Zambia: Unpublished Ph.D. research report, Cardiff, Wales, University College.
Dare, P., 1994, Nifty copper mine: Geological Society of Australia, Western Australia Division, Excursion Guide 5, p. 40-45.
Dechow, E., and Jensen, M.L., 1965, Sulfur isotopes of some Central African sulfide deposits: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 60, p. 894-941.
Eldridge, C.S., 1994a, A report on SHRIMP sulfur isotope analysis of the Nifty deposit: Unpublished report to WMC Resources Ltd, 2 p.
-1994b, Supplemental notes on SHRIMP sulfur isotopic analyses of Nifty drill core: Unpublished report to WMC Resources Ltd, 3 p.
Goellnicht, N.M., 1987, Constraints on the timing and source of gold mineralization at Main Dome, Telfer, Western Australia: Unpublished B.Sc. (Hons.) thesis, Perth, Australia, University of Western Australia, 78 p.
-1992, Late Proterozoic fractionated granitoids and their role in the genesis of gold and base-metal mineralization in the Telfer district, Western Australia: Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Perth, Australia, University of Western
Australia, 132 p.
Goellnicht, N.M, Groves, D.I., McNaughton, N.J., and Dimo, G., 1989, An epigenetic origin for the Telfer gold deposit: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY MONOGRAPH 6, p. 151-167.
Goellnicht, N.M., Groves, D.I., and McNaughton, N.J., 1991, Late Proterozoic fractionated granitoids of the mineralized Telfer area, Paterson province, Western Australia: Precambrian Research, v. 51, p. 375-391.
Haynes, D.W., 1979, Stratiform copper investigations: South-western edge, Paterson basin: Perth Western Mining Corporation Internal Report K/2478, 9 p.
-1990, Sediment-hosted ore deposits conceptual models: Perth Western Mining Corporation Internal Report K/3279, 19 p.
Haynes, D.W., Brooke, W.J.L., and Mazzoni, P.P., 1993, Application of conceptual models for sediment-hosted ore deposits in the discovery of the Nifty copper and adjacent zinc-lead deposits, Yeneena basin, Western Australia:
Geological Association of Canada Special Paper 40, p. 75-88.
Heinrich, C.A., Andrew, A.S., Wilkins, R.W.T., and Patterson, D.J., 1989, A fluid inclusion and stable isotope study of synmetamorphic copper ore formation at Mount Isa, Australia: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 84, p. 529-550.
Heinrich, C.A., Bain, J.H.C., Mernagh, T.P., Wyborn, L.A.I., Andrews, A.S., and Waring, C.L., 1995, Fluid and mass transfer during metabasalt alteration and copper mineralization at Mount Isa, Australia: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY,
v. 90, p. 705-730.
Hickman, A.H., and Clarke, G.L., 1994, Geology of the Broadhurst 1:100,000 sheet: Geological Survey of Western Australia Explanatory Notes, 40 p.
Hickman, A.H., Williams, I.R., and Bagas, L., 1994, Proterozoic geology and mineralization of the Telfer-Rudall region: Geological Society of Australia, Western Australia Division, Excursion Guide 5, 60 p.
Jackson, D.G., and Andrew, R.L., 1990: Kintyre uranium deposit: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Monograph 14, p. 653-658.
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McCrea, J.M., 1950, On the isotopic chemistry of carbonates and a palaeotemperature scale: Journal of Chemical Physics, v. 18, p. 849-857.
McKnight, R., 1992, Constraints on the origin of the Broadhurst stratabound Cu mineralization, with emphasis on stratigraphic setting and timing of mineralization: Unpublished B.Sc. (Hons.) thesis, Perth, Australia, University of Western Australia, 81 p.
McNaughton, N.J., and Goellnicht, N.M., 1990, The age and radiothermal properties of the Mount Crofton granite, Telfer area, Western Australia: Australian Journal of Earth Sciences, v. 37, p. 103-106.
Mendelsohn, F., 1961, Ore deposits, in Mendelsohn, F., ed., The geology of the northern Rhodesian copperbelt: London, Macdonald, p. 117-162.
Norris, M.S., 1985, Throssell Range project-Nifty prospect 1:500 scale outcrop geology map sheets: Western Mining Corporation, unpublished internal plans 1166-678, sheets 1-10.
-1987a, Geology of the Nifty carbonate member, Broadhurst Formation, Paterson province, Western Australia: Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, London, Canada, University of Western Ontario, 295 p.
-1987b, Geology of the Nifty carbonate member, Broadhurst Formation, Nifty prospect, W.A: Western Mining Corporation, unpublished internal report K/3076, 22 p.
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Perkins, W.G., 1984, Mount Isa silica dolomite and copper orebodies: The result of a syntectonic hydrothermal alteration system: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 79, p. 601-637.
-1997, Mount Isa lead-zinc orebodies: Replacement lodes in a zoned syndeformational copper-lead-zinc system?: Ore Geology Reviews, v. 12, p.61-110.
Pirmolin, J., 1970, Inclusions fluides dans la dolomie du gisement stratiforme de Kamoto (Katanga Occidental): Annales Society Geol. Belgique, v. 93, p. 193-202.
Plumb, K.A., Derrick, G.M., and Wilson, I.H., 1980, Precambian geology of the McArthur River-Mount Isa region, northern Australia, in Henderson, R.A., and Stephenson, P.J., eds., Geology and geophysics of northeastern Australia: Geological Society of Australia, Queensland Division, p. 71-88.
Potter, R.W., II, 1977, Pressure corrections for fluid inclusions homogenization temperatures based on volumetric properties of the system NaCl-H2O: U.S. Geological Survey Journal of Research, v. 5, p. 603-607.
Reed, A., 1996, The structural, stratigraphic and temporal setting of the Maroochydore copper prospect, Paterson orogen, Western Australia: Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Perth, Australia, University of Western Australia, 289 p.
Reed, A.R., Vearncombe, J.R., and Groves, D.I., 1995, Timing of copper mineralization at Maroochydore, Paterson orogen, Western Australia: Implications for the genesis of sediment-hosted copper deposits, in Pasava, J., Kribek, B., and Zak, K., eds., Mineral deposits: From their origin to their environmental impact: Biennial SGA Meeting, 3rd, Prague p. 311-314.
Richards, J.P. Krogh, T.E., and Spooner, E.T.C., 1988, Fluid inclusion characteristics and U-Pb age of late hydrothermal alteration and veining at the Musoshi stratiform copper deposit, Central African copper belt, Zaire: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 83, p. 118-139.
Roedder, E., 1984, Fluid inclusions: Reviews in Mineralogy, v. 12, 646 p.
Rowins, S., 1994, A geochemical study of Late Proterozoic gold copper mineralization in the Telfer district, Western Australia, with special emphasis on the porphyry copper-gold style deposits: Unpublished Ph.D. thesis, Perth, Australia, University of Western Australia, 265 p.
Rowins, S.M., Groves, D.I., and McNaughton, N.J., 1997, A reinterpretation of the role of granitiods in the genesis of the Neoproterozoic gold mineralization in the Telfer dome, Western Australia: ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, v. 92,
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-1998, Neoproterozoic Telfer-style Au (Cu) deposits: AGSO Journal of Geology and Geophysics, v. 17, p. 217-223.
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Smithies, R.H., and Bagas, L., 1997, High pressure amphibolite-granulite facies metamorphism in the Paleoproterozoic Rudall Complex, Central Western Australia: Precambrian Research, v. 83, p. 243-265.
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Williams, I.R., Bagas, L., and Smithies, R.H., 1996a, geology of the Throssell 1:100,000 sheet, Western Australia: Geological Survey of Western Australia Explanatory Notes SF51-10-3253.
-1996b, Throssell, Western Australia: Geological Survey of Western Australia, 1:100 000 geological series, sheet 3253 SF51-10-3253." name="eprints.referencetext" />
<meta content="Anderson, B.R. and Gemmell, J.B. and Berry, R.F. (2001) The Geology of the Nifty Copper Deposit, Throssell Group, Western Australia: Implications for Ore Genesis. Economic Geology, 96 (7). pp. 1535-1565. ISSN 0361-0128" name="eprints.citation" />
<meta content="http://eprints.utas.edu.au/1968/1/Anderson%2C_Gemmell%2C_Berry_ECON_GEOL_2001.pdf" name="eprints.document_url" />
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<meta content="The Geology of the Nifty Copper Deposit, Throssell Group, Western Australia: Implications for Ore Genesis" name="DC.title" />
<meta content="Anderson, B.R." name="DC.creator" />
<meta content="Gemmell, J.B." name="DC.creator" />
<meta content="Berry, R.F." name="DC.creator" />
<meta content="260100 Geology" name="DC.subject" />
<meta content="The Nifty syndeformational, sediment-replacement Cu deposit is located approximately 450 km southeast of
Port Hedland, Western Australia, in subgreenschist-grade rocks of the Neoproterozoic Paterson orogen. The
resource of 99 million metric tons (Mt) @1.7 percent Cu is hosted in a syncline within carbonaceous and
dolomitic shales of the upper Broadhurst Formation.
The Cu mineralization occurred during Neoproterozoic DY2 deformation and formed at the center of a
zoned hydrothermal alteration system. Interbedded dolomitic and carbonaceous shale of the upper and lower
units of the Nifty member was altered S in two stages. Early siliceous S alteration with minor chlorite, pyrite,
hematite, sericite, and stilpnomelane, which was replaced by syntectonic black quartz in the core of the deposit.
On the fringes of the alteration, framboidal pyrite in the carbonaceous shale was replaced by quartz, chalcopyrite,
euhedral pyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Inward is a sequence of interlayered hydrothermal quartzdolomite
and unaltered shale beds. The hydrothermal quartz-dolomite first appears as spots and 2- to
4-mm-thick veins with light gray diffuse margins. In areas of intense spotty alteration, dolomitic alteration
forms bedding-parallel zones. Farther inward and proximal to the highest ore grade is silicified dolomitic shale,
which grades into fine-grained quartz and chalcopyrite, with minor fluorapatite and carbonaceous material.
Synmineralization fluid inclusions are small (10 microns) liquid-vapor inclusions with homogenization temperatures
between 200 degrees to 370 degrees C (median 270 degrees C) and salinity of 8 to 27 wt percent NaCl equiv (median 15 wt % NaCl equiv). Sulfur isotope data from framboidal pyrite range between delta 34 SCDT of -27 and +16 per mil, chalcopyrite delta 34 SCDT ranges between -6 and +6 per mil, and delta 34 SCDT for euhedral, synmineralization pyrite ranges between -12 to +12 per mil. Carbon and oxygen isotope results from synmineralization vein stage carbonates
and dolomitic alteration overlap with delta 13 CVPDB values from +2 to -10 per mil and delta 18O VSMOW values from 14 to
21 per mil. It is likely that decarbonation of host rock caused the large shift in delta 13 CVPDB values.
The formation of the Nifty Cu deposit is linked to deformation (tectonic loading) associated with the Miles
orogeny driving fluids from deep in the Yeneena basin. Hydrothermal fluids were focused along DY2 thrust
faults. During tightening of the Nifty syncline, thrust faulting penetrated carbonaceous and dolomitic shales,
allowing hydrothermal fluids to react with the Nifty member. Early fluid pulses were weakly oxidized and contained low concentrations of base metals. These fluids altered the host rock and precipitated green quartz.
The fluid evolved to a hotter, more saline, reduced and moderately acidic fluid with significant Cu concentration.
These fluids reacted with the dolomite-dominated Nifty member, forming the dolomitic alteration and
siliceous replacement of carbonaceous shale and dolomitic mudstone. Chalcopyrite precipitation was controlled
mainly by changes in pH accompanied by a slight decrease in temperature. The mineralization and alteration
styles at Nifty are similar to the copper orebodies at Mount Isa." name="DC.description" />
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<meta content="Anderson, B.R. and Gemmell, J.B. and Berry, R.F. (2001) The Geology of the Nifty Copper Deposit, Throssell Group, Western Australia: Implications for Ore Genesis. Economic Geology, 96 (7). pp. 1535-1565. ISSN 0361-0128" name="DC.identifier" />
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<h1 class="ep_tm_pagetitle">The Geology of the Nifty Copper Deposit, Throssell Group, Western Australia: Implications for Ore Genesis</h1>
<p style="margin-bottom: 1em" class="not_ep_block"><span class="person_name">Anderson, B.R.</span> and <span class="person_name">Gemmell, J.B.</span> and <span class="person_name">Berry, R.F.</span> (2001) <xhtml:em>The Geology of the Nifty Copper Deposit, Throssell Group, Western Australia: Implications for Ore Genesis.</xhtml:em> Economic Geology, 96 (7). pp. 1535-1565. ISSN 0361-0128</p><p style="margin-bottom: 1em" class="not_ep_block"></p><table style="margin-bottom: 1em" class="not_ep_block"><tr><td valign="top" style="text-align:center"><a href="http://eprints.utas.edu.au/1968/1/Anderson%2C_Gemmell%2C_Berry_ECON_GEOL_2001.pdf"><img alt="[img]" src="http://eprints.utas.edu.au/style/images/fileicons/application_pdf.png" border="0" class="ep_doc_icon" /></a></td><td valign="top"><a href="http://eprints.utas.edu.au/1968/1/Anderson%2C_Gemmell%2C_Berry_ECON_GEOL_2001.pdf"><span class="ep_document_citation">PDF</span></a> - Full text restricted - Requires a PDF viewer<br />1892Kb</td><td><form method="get" accept-charset="utf-8" action="http://eprints.utas.edu.au/cgi/request_doc"><input value="2448" name="docid" accept-charset="utf-8" type="hidden" /><div class=""><input value="Request a copy" name="_action_null" class="ep_form_action_button" onclick="return EPJS_button_pushed( '_action_null' )" type="submit" /> </div></form></td></tr></table><p style="margin-bottom: 1em" class="not_ep_block">Official URL: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2113/96.7.1535">http://dx.doi.org/10.2113/96.7.1535</a></p><div class="not_ep_block"><h2>Abstract</h2><p style="padding-bottom: 16px; text-align: left; margin: 1em auto 0em auto">The Nifty syndeformational, sediment-replacement Cu deposit is located approximately 450 km southeast of
Port Hedland, Western Australia, in subgreenschist-grade rocks of the Neoproterozoic Paterson orogen. The
resource of 99 million metric tons (Mt) @1.7 percent Cu is hosted in a syncline within carbonaceous and
dolomitic shales of the upper Broadhurst Formation.
The Cu mineralization occurred during Neoproterozoic DY2 deformation and formed at the center of a
zoned hydrothermal alteration system. Interbedded dolomitic and carbonaceous shale of the upper and lower
units of the Nifty member was altered S in two stages. Early siliceous S alteration with minor chlorite, pyrite,
hematite, sericite, and stilpnomelane, which was replaced by syntectonic black quartz in the core of the deposit.
On the fringes of the alteration, framboidal pyrite in the carbonaceous shale was replaced by quartz, chalcopyrite,
euhedral pyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Inward is a sequence of interlayered hydrothermal quartzdolomite
and unaltered shale beds. The hydrothermal quartz-dolomite first appears as spots and 2- to
4-mm-thick veins with light gray diffuse margins. In areas of intense spotty alteration, dolomitic alteration
forms bedding-parallel zones. Farther inward and proximal to the highest ore grade is silicified dolomitic shale,
which grades into fine-grained quartz and chalcopyrite, with minor fluorapatite and carbonaceous material.
Synmineralization fluid inclusions are small (10 microns) liquid-vapor inclusions with homogenization temperatures
between 200 degrees to 370 degrees C (median 270 degrees C) and salinity of 8 to 27 wt percent NaCl equiv (median 15 wt % NaCl equiv). Sulfur isotope data from framboidal pyrite range between delta 34 SCDT of -27 and +16 per mil, chalcopyrite delta 34 SCDT ranges between -6 and +6 per mil, and delta 34 SCDT for euhedral, synmineralization pyrite ranges between -12 to +12 per mil. Carbon and oxygen isotope results from synmineralization vein stage carbonates
and dolomitic alteration overlap with delta 13 CVPDB values from +2 to -10 per mil and delta 18O VSMOW values from 14 to
21 per mil. It is likely that decarbonation of host rock caused the large shift in delta 13 CVPDB values.
The formation of the Nifty Cu deposit is linked to deformation (tectonic loading) associated with the Miles
orogeny driving fluids from deep in the Yeneena basin. Hydrothermal fluids were focused along DY2 thrust
faults. During tightening of the Nifty syncline, thrust faulting penetrated carbonaceous and dolomitic shales,
allowing hydrothermal fluids to react with the Nifty member. Early fluid pulses were weakly oxidized and contained low concentrations of base metals. These fluids altered the host rock and precipitated green quartz.
The fluid evolved to a hotter, more saline, reduced and moderately acidic fluid with significant Cu concentration.
These fluids reacted with the dolomite-dominated Nifty member, forming the dolomitic alteration and
siliceous replacement of carbonaceous shale and dolomitic mudstone. Chalcopyrite precipitation was controlled
mainly by changes in pH accompanied by a slight decrease in temperature. The mineralization and alteration
styles at Nifty are similar to the copper orebodies at Mount Isa.</p></div><table style="margin-bottom: 1em" border="0" cellpadding="3" class="not_ep_block"><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">Item Type:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row">Article</td></tr><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">Keywords:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row">sediment-hosted copper deposit, paragenesis, structural control, hydrothermal alteration, fluid inclusions</td></tr><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">Subjects:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row"><a href="http://eprints.utas.edu.au/view/subjects/260100.html">260000 Earth Sciences > 260100 Geology</a></td></tr><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">Collections:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row">UNSPECIFIED</td></tr><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">ID Code:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row">1968</td></tr><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">Deposited By:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row"><span class="ep_name_citation"><span class="person_name">Mrs Katrina Keep</span></span></td></tr><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">Deposited On:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row">27 Sep 2007</td></tr><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">Last Modified:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row">23 Jan 2008 14:27</td></tr><tr><th valign="top" class="ep_row">ePrint Statistics:</th><td valign="top" class="ep_row"><a target="ePrintStats" href="/es/index.php?action=show_detail_eprint;id=1968;">View statistics for this ePrint</a></td></tr></table><p align="right">Repository Staff Only: <a href="http://eprints.utas.edu.au/cgi/users/home?screen=EPrint::View&eprintid=1968">item control page</a></p>
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