The geology, genesis and exploration context of the Cadia gold-copper porphyry deposits, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

This research thesis documents the Late Ordovician gold-copper porphyry deposits of the Cadia district, in the eastern Lachlan Fold Belt of NSW, Australia. Located about 220 km west-northwest of Sydney, the Cadia district has produced gold, copper and iron ore from high grade veins and bulk tonnage skarn deposits for over 140 years. However, it was not until the porphyry gold-copper potential of the district was recognised by geologists of Newcrest Mining Limited in 1992 that significant tonnages of ore-grade mineralisation were identified. Subsequent exploration has resulted in the discovery of over 700 tonnes of contained Au and 3.0 Mt Cu in four porphyry deposits within a six kilometre long, westnorthwest oriented corridor of mineralisation.