Australian Proterozoic Mineral Systems: Essential Ingredients and Mappable Criteria

L.A.I. Wyborn*, C.A. Heinrich, A.L. Jaques

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Mt Todd lies towards the south end of the Pine Creek Geosyncline, sandwiched between the Cullen Batholith and the Edith Falls Basin, in an area of regionally metamorphosed sandstones, siltstones and shales. The Batman deposit, some 3 km west of Mt Todd is a sheeted quartz vein system hosted within greywackes of the Palaeoproterozoic Burrell Creek Formation (Finniss River Group). The gold-bearing quartz veins, trending 010-020 and dipping 60-70E, are commonly 0.5 to 5 cm wide and occur at intervals which are from 10 cm to 1 m apart. Gold tends to be restricted to the quartz veinlets and immediately adjacent country rock. Grade Control utilises two 4 m 'collar' samples which are collected from each 8 m production blasthole. The irregular distribution of the quartz veins and erratic gold mineralisation has resulted in a disseminated 'salt and pepper' type of gold occurrence, with only a poorly defined footwall. Delineation of ore and waste blocks for mining uses an approach which combines the smoothing effect of kriging with a pragmatic view of the raw data. Large ore blocks with simple geometry help to minimise mining dilution, reduce block variance and give good reconciliations to interpreted ore tonnes and grade. Daily mine face advance is reported against truck counts and provides continual comparison with budgeted production. All data processing uses Gemcom software, together with Lotus spreadsheets.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 1994 AusIMM Annual Conference, Darwin, August 1994
Subtitle of host publicationAustralian Mining Looks North - the Challenges and Choices
EditorsC.P. Hallenstein
Place of PublicationMelbourne
PublisherAustralasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Pages109-115
ISBN (Print)0949106976
Publication statusPublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes
Event1994 AusIMM Annual Conference: Australian Mining Looks North - the Challenges and Choices - Darwin, Australia
Duration: 5 Aug 19949 Aug 1994
https://www.ausimm.com/publications/conference-proceedings/1994-auslmm-annual-conference-darwin-august-1994/

Publication series

NamePublication Series
PublisherAustralasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
Number5/94

Conference

Conference1994 AusIMM Annual Conference
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityDarwin
Period5/08/949/08/94
Internet address

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