Mapping ore-fluid pathways around mesothermal gold deposits in the Laberton region, WA using alkali elements and stable isotopes

The proposed PhD project will use innovating methods for chemical analysis of rocks to map alkali element mobility in the vicinity of three major mesothermal gold deposits in the south Laverton region of Western Australia to improve exploration strategy. The results should distinguish areas of fluid up-flow, which are prospective for gold, and areas of fluid down-flow that are not. Oxygen and sulfur isotopes will be used to test a new hypothesis that gold deposition in the areas of up-flow was caused by mixing between high temperature ore-fluids of deep crustal origin and cooler near-surface water.