Tectonic evolution and mineralization of the Australian Proterozoic

Department ofIndustry and Resources

Geological Survey ofWestern Australia

Tectonic evolution and mineralization of the

Australian Proterozoic Ian M. Tyler



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





Proterozoic mineralization in WA• Extensive “greenfields” areas in WA

– Under-explored– Limited pre-competitive geoscience data

i.e. “under-researched” by• Government• ARC-funded Academic research



Kimberley-Arunta

Capricorn

Paterson

Albany-Fraser

West Musgrave

Pinjarra



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



Tectonic models



Tectonic models • Etheridge, Rutland and Wyborn, 1987

“Orogenesis 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



Tectonic models • Myers, Shaw and Tyler, 1996, Tectonics

“Tectonic 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



Tectonic models • Myers et al. has

become widely accepted to the point.......– “Traditional

palaeotectonic perspective”! (Dawson et al., 2002)• See instead Krapez,

1999



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



Magnetics



Gravity



Modified from Betts et al., 2002 (after Myers et al., 1996)



Archaean basement



Break-up of Archaean continents



Assembly of West Australian Craton



Assembly of North Australian Craton



Assembly of South Australian Craton



Collision of West and North Australian Cratons



Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic supercontinent: “Columbia”



Proterozoic Australia in Columbia



Was Australia “strung out”?



Docking with Laurentia



Intracratonic extension



Reorganisation: Collision with East Antarctica – Grenvillian events



Post-collision



Warakurna large igneous provinceMantle plume



Docking of Greater India



East Gondwana• 900 Ma

– Fitzsimons, 2003



Proterozoic Australia in the Rodinia supercontinent



Break-up of Rodinia - Centralian Superbasin and Adelaide Rift Complex



Peak Hill: Au

Mount Olympus: Au



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



Kimberley-Arunta

Capricorn

Paterson

Albany-Fraser

West Musgrave

Pinjarra



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



Kimberley-Arunta

Capricorn

Paterson

Albany-Fraser

West Musgrave

Pinjarra



Synthesis of the Australian Proterozoic• Proposed Geoscience Australia project in

collaboration with Tectonics Special Research Centre and State geological surveys



Documents

Tectonic evolution and mineralization of the Australian Proterozoic