Tectonic evolution and mineralization of the Australian Proterozoic

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Tectonic evolution and mineralization of the
Australian Proterozoic

• Ian M. Tyler

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Australian Proterozoic mineralization

• Substantial mineral resources
• Hematite iron ore
• Unconformity-related U
• Granite-related Au-Cu
• Proterozoic iron oxide-Cu-Au(-U)
• Orogenic lode-Au
• SEDEX Pb-Zn-Ag
• Layered intrusion Ni
• Diamond

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Proterozoic mineralization in WA

• Extensive greenfields areas in WA
• Under-explored
• Limited pre-competitive geoscience datai.e.
  under-researched by
• Government
• ARC-funded Academic research

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Kimberley-Arunta
Paterson
West Musgrave
Capricorn
Albany-Fraser
Pinjarra
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Reassess the tectonic evolution of the Australian
Proterozoic

• Establish tectonic setting of known
  mineralization
• Predict mineral potential of greenfields areas
• Target areas for acquisition of
• geochronological, isotopic, geochemical, and
  geophysical information
• remapping

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Tectonic models
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Tectonic models

• Etheridge, Rutland and Wyborn, 1987Orogenesis
  and tectonic process in the early to middle
  Proterozoic of Northern Australia
• The BMR model
• Intracratonic orogeny - stabilist
• Very influential for exploration models
• BUT
• Predated SHRIMP
• Unsuccessful at predicting events and correlations

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Tectonic models

• Myers, Shaw and Tyler, 1996, TectonicsTectonic
  Evolution of Proterozoic Australia
• Plate tectonic processes - mobilist
• Episodes of continental break-up, terrane
  accretion and plate aggregation
• Based on
• geochronological, isotopic, geochemical, and
  geophysical information
• remapping

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Tectonic models

• Myers et al. has become widely accepted to the
  point.......
• Traditional palaeotectonic perspective! (Dawson
  et al., 2002)
• See instead Krapez, 1999

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Tectonic models

• Tyler, 2005, Encyclopedia of Geology - updates
  Myers et al., 1996
• North Australian Basins GA-NTGS-GSQ
• NTGS-GA Tanami-Arunta work
• GSWA Capricorn work
• Australian Geodynamics CRC/Australian Crustal
  Research Centre
• Tectonics SRC UWA/Curtin
• Gawler Mineral Promotion GA-PIRSA
• Broken Hill Exploration Initiative
  GA-NSWDMR-PIRSA
• Macquarie Uni
• etc, etc

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Magnetics
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Gravity
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Modified from Betts et al., 2002 (after Myers et
al., 1996)
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Archaean basement
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Break-up of Archaean continents
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Assembly of West Australian Craton
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Assembly of North Australian Craton
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Assembly of South Australian Craton
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Collision of West and North Australian Cratons
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Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic supercontinent
Columbia
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Proterozoic Australia in Columbia
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Was Australia strung out?
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Docking with Laurentia
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Intracratonic extension
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Reorganisation Collision with East Antarctica
Grenvillian events
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Post-collision
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Warakurna large igneous provinceMantle plume
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Docking of Greater India
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East Gondwana

• 900 Ma
• Fitzsimons, 2003

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Proterozoic Australia in the Rodinia
supercontinent
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Break-up of Rodinia - Centralian Superbasin and
Adelaide Rift Complex
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Mount Olympus Au
Peak Hill Au
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Mineral potential in WA

• Collisional and accretionary settings
• Capricorn, Halls Creek and King Leopold,
  Albany-Fraser, Pinjarra, Paterson Orogens
• Orogenic lode-Au
• VHMS
• Porphyry Cu-Au
• Layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions

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Kimberley-Arunta
Paterson
West Musgrave
Capricorn
Albany-Fraser
Pinjarra
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Mineral potential in WA

• Intracratonic settings
• Pooranoo Metamorphics Mangaroon Orogeny
• SEDEX Pb-Zn-Ag
• Granite intrusions in Arunta, Musgrave,
  Albany-Fraser, Capricorn, Paterson e.g. Hiltaba
  Suite or Mount Crofton Granite
• Iron oxide-Cu-Au
• Granite-related Au-Cu
• Layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions
• Older intrusions Hart Dolerite, Musgrave,
  Albany-Fraser

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Kimberley-Arunta
Paterson
West Musgrave
Capricorn
Albany-Fraser
Pinjarra
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Synthesis of the Australian Proterozoic

• Proposed Geoscience Australia project in
  collaboration with Tectonics Special Research
  Centre and State geological surveys

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