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Assessing copper fertility of intrusive rocks using field portable X-Ray fluorescence (pXRF) data


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Abstract
Based on a global compilation of whole-rock geochemical data, Sr/Y and Sr/MnO are identified as effective discriminators between ore-forming and unprospective intrusions in the porphyry Cu setting. Intrusive rocks are classified into three fertility groups prospective, unprospective and mixed-signal designed to assist explorers as a discrimination tool, narrowing the exploration search space in porphyry Cu districts.Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) data of Sr, Y and MnO were collected on pulp powders and rock slabs from six porphyry Cu (±Mo ± Au) districts. Pre- and post-mineralization intrusions from porphyry Cu districts have lower Sr/Y and Sr/MnO values than syn-mineralization intrusions from the same districts, although absolute values are variable between districts.pXRF data were compared to conventional whole-rock data to determine if pXRF data were appropriate substitutes for conventional whole-rock methods of evaluating the ore-forming potential of intrusive rocks. pXRF data collected on pulp material were found to be more accurate (within 16% of conventional methods) and more precise (
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: | Ahmed, A and Crawford, A and Leslie, C and Phillips, J and Wells, T and Garay, A and Hood, SB and Cooke, DR |
Keywords: | porphyry, fertility, whole rock geochemistry, pXRF, copper, gold |
Journal or Publication Title: | Geochemistry: Exploration, Environment, Analysis |
Publisher: | Geological Society Publishing House |
ISSN: | 1467-7873 |
DOI / ID Number: | https://doi.org/10.1144/geochem2018-077 |
Copyright Information: | Copyright © 2019 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London for GSL and AAG. All rights reserved. |
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