Metalogenia do Ouro

Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos

Universidade de Brasília
Instituto de Geociências
Prof. Dr. Claudinei Gouveia de Oliveira
Participação relativa dos diferentes tipos de depósitos auríferos
em termos de produção global de ouro

(Goldfarb, 2010)
 Modelo esquemático destacando o cenário tectônico dos
depósitos de ouro mais comuns
“The so-called ‘mesothermal’ gold ores (termed orogenic gold on this diagram) are
emplaced during compressional to transpressional regimes and throughout much of the
upper crust, in deformed accretionary belts adjacent to continental magmatic arcs”.

Groves et al., 1998, Ore Geology ReÍiews, v. 13, p. 7–27

Representação esquemática destacando o contexto dos depósitos auríferos
mais comuns em termos da profundidade de formação e configuração
estrutural dentro de uma margem de placa convergente

Groves et al., 1998, Ore Geology ReÍiews, v. 13, p. 7–27

Representação esquemática destacando o contexto dos depósitos auríferos
mais comuns em termos da profundidade de formação e configuração
estrutural dentro de uma margem de placa convergente

Benoît Dubé and Patrice Gosselin, Geological Survey of Canada

 Representação esquemática de Sistemas Minerais relacionados à
evolução de Orógenos Acrescionários
(Em termos de tempo, configuração geodinâmica, campo de tensões e profundidade de formação)

D.I. Groves et al., 2021

 Denominações históricas atribuídas aos
Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos

• Greenstone gold • Low-sulphide gold quartz veins

• Archean gold • Mother lode gold
• Turbidite-hosted gold • Mesothermal gold
• Shear zone gold
Benoît Dubé and Patrice Gosselin, Geological Survey of Canada
 Definição de Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos

• This class of gold deposit is

characteristically associated with
deformed and metamorphosed
mid-crustal blocks, particularly in
spatial association with major
crustal structures;

• A consistent spatial and temporal

association with granitoids of a
variety of compositions indicates
that melts and fluids were both
inherent products of thermal
events during orogenesis.

Groves et al., 1998, Ore Geology ReÍiews, v. 13, p. 7–27

Distribuição mundial de depósitos auríferos orogênico
contendo pelo menos 30 toneladas de Au.

Benoît Dubé and Patrice Gosselin, Geological Survey of Canada

Diagrama Teor vs. Tonelagem para Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos
com mais de 70 ton. de Au (produçao + reserva)

Goldfarb, R.J., 2005, Econ. Geol., 100th Anniversary Volume, pp. 407–450
Tipos de depósito auríferos e sustentabilidade

Orogenic gold
Províncias de Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos
do Pré-Cambriano

Goldfarb et al., 2001

Províncias de Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos
do Fanerozóico

Goldfarb et al., 2001

Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos vs. Períodos de Crescimento
Crustal
A. Distribution of major orogenic gold provinces with time.

B. Temporal evolution of continental crustal growth.

Goldfarb, R.J., 2005, Econ. Geol., 100th Anniversary Volume, pp. 407–450
Distribuição temporal dos Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos:
um forte reflexo da evolução tectônica e litosférica

Goldfarb, 2010
Depósitos auríferos orogênicos são mais abundantes e significativos, em termos de teor
total de ouro, em terrenos arqueanos, mas um número significativo de depósitos de
classe mundial (>100 t Au) também é encontrado em
terrenos proterozóicos e paleozóicos.

A. Number of gold deposits containing at B. Gold productivity by time period and

least 31 t Au as defined by time deposit type.
period and deposit type.

Goldfarb, R.J., 2005, Econ. Geol., 100th Anniversary Volume, pp. 407–450
Províncias de Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos
do Mesozoico e Paleozoico

Distritos de Depósitos Auríferos

Cordilheiranos do Mesozoico

Goldfarb et al., 2001

 Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos: escala crustal e
características estruturais
Schematic block diagram to illustrate the geometries of fractures and conduits generated
during transpressive orogenesis, with fracture arrays induced by both
thrust (A) and strike slip (B) movement.

Orogenic gold deposit are

distributed along major
compressional to transpressional
crustal-scale fault zones
characterized by several
increments of strain, and
consequently multiple generations
of steeply dipping foliations and
folds resulting in a complex
deformational history in deformed
greenstone terranes of all ages.
 Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos: escala crustal e
características estruturais
Schematic block diagram to illustrate the geometries of fractures and conduits generated
during transpressive orogenesis, with fracture arrays induced by both
thrust (A) and strike slip (B) movement.

• These crustal-scale fault zones are the

main hydrothermal pathways towards
higher crustal levels;
• However, the deposits are spatially and
genetically associated with second- and
third-order compressional reverse-
oblique to oblique brittle-ductile high-
angle shear and high-strain zones,
which are commonly located within 5
km of the first order fault and are best
developed in its hanging wall.
 Mapa geológico simplificado do greenstone belt Abitibi mostrando a
distribuição das principais zonas de falhas e depósitos de ouro
• Large gold camps are commonly associated with curvatures, flexures, and dilational jogs along major
compressional fault zones, such as the Porcupine-Destor fault in Timmins or the Larder Lake-Cadillac fault in
Kirkland Lake, which have created dilational zones that allowed migration of hydrothermal fluids;

• Brittle faults may also be the main host to gold mineralization as illustrated by the Kirkland Lake Main Break. A
brittle structure hosting the giant Kirkland Lake deposit exploited by seven mines that have collectively produced
more than 760 metric tonnes of gold.

Benoît Dubé and Patrice Gosselin, Geological Survey of Canada

 Mapa geológico simplificado do sul do greensone belt Abitibi (Província Superior)
mostrando a CFZ (Zona de Falha de Cadillac) e depósitos de ouro conhecidos
The CFZ in the Abitibi Greenstone-Belt (Superior Province) is a first order gold-bearing structure on a
province-wide scale, accounting for half of the gold production and reserves in the Abitibi and more
than 25% in Canada

Characteristics of the different gold mineralization types spatially associated to the CFZ in Quebec

Bodeaux et al. 2017

 Mapa geológico de uma porção da Eastern Goldfields Province

• The late Archaean Eastern Goldfields

Province of the Yilgarn Craton, Western
Australia, is a globally significant
orogenic lode gold province, with one
giant (>250 t Au) and at least 15
world-class(>100 t Au) gold camps or
deposits.

• These deposits are associated with

first-order regional shear zones and
are commonly sited on second- or
third-order faults that splay off these
first-order structures.

Mueller et at. 2016

 Mapa geológico generalizado do leste do Yilgarn
Craton mostrando a Eastern Goldfields Province (EGP)

The 2.7 Ga fold belt is subdivided into the Kalgoorlie

Terrane (KGT) back-arc rift, the Kurnalpi Terrane (KUT)
calc-alkaline magmatic arc mapped at Leonora (LN;
Hallberg 1983) and the Burtville Terrane (BUT)

Simplified structural map

showing the D2 Boulder
Lefroy-Golden Mile fault
system (BLF, GMF,
highlighted in red)
northwest of the Kalgoorlie
district, where the BLF and
other steeply dipping (70–
90°) D2 strike-slip faults
merge in the greenstone-
belt corridor bounded by
the Lake Owen (OWB) and
Scotia-Kanowna batholiths.

Mueller et at. 2016

Mapa simplificado do Barberton Goldfield, África do Sul, mostrando depósitos
de ouro orogênicos localizados adjacentes a falhas de empurrão dobradas
dentro de um domínio em forma de V invertido

Simplified map of the Southern Cross Greenstone Belt

showing several orogenic gold deposits clustered in
volcano-sedimentary sequences at impingement zones
and triple-point junctions of granitic batholiths.

Groves et al. 2018

Mapa geológico e bloco-diagrama do Greenstone Belt Rio Itapicuru,
Bahia

Silva et al. (2001)

 Mapa geológico do Quadrilátero
Ferrífero destacando os principais
depósitos de ouro
Mapa geológico do Depósito de Au Cuiabá (Níveis 3 e 11-16),
Quadrilátero Ferrífero

Fernandes et al., 2023

Cuiabá tubular-sheath fold, Cuiabá Gold Deposit
 Cuiabá tubular-sheath fold, Cuiabá Gold Deposit

(a) Development of the volcano-sedimentary sequence of the Nova Lima Group;

(c) Replacement of the chemically favorable Cuiabá BIF horizon and adjacent
country rocks due to pervasive and selective sulfidation by fluids introduced
adjacent to hydrothermal fissure faults during the En event.

Ribeiro-Rodrigues et al., 2007

The Homestake gold deposit: Precambrian iron-formation hosted
gold deposits

sulphidation front
 Detalhe da associação TTGs-
Greenstone Belts do Bloco
Arqueano-Paleoproterozoico do
Orógeno Brasília

Jost et al., 2014

Mapa geológico do greenstone belt Crixás e seção geológica transversal
ao Corpo IV do Depósito Aurífero Serra Grande, Crixás-GO

Campos et al., 2022

Mapa geológico dos greenstone belts de Guarinos e Pilar de Goiás
e suas ocorrências auríferas.

Jost et al., 2019

Mapa geológico da porção sul do Greenstone Belt Pilar
 Seção geológica transversal ao Depósto de Au Pilar de Goiás

36
 Representação esquemática das estruturas do
Depósito Morro do Ouro, Paracatu-MG

FP = Formação Paracatu; S = Fácies Serra da Anta; FV = Formação Vazante D = dolomitos; P = psamopelitos; GC = Grupo Canastra; preto =
depósito aurífero do Morro do ouro (segundo

Representação esquemática do depósito aurífero Morro do Ouro

MO = Fácies Morro do Ouro; MOM =

Depósito Morro do Ouro; TPZ = zona
transpressiva; TTZ = zona transtensiva;
setas simples = direção da migração dos
fluidos.

Freitas-Silva et al. 1991

 Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos: Ambiente Deposicional

• Orogenic gold deposits typically

formed late in the tectonic-
metamorphic history and the
mineralization is syn- to late-
deformation and typically post-
peak greenschist-facies and syn-
peak amphibolite facies
metamorphism.

• Most world-class deposits are

hosted by greenschist-facies
rocks. Gold deposited at depths
of 6-12km, within the brittle-
ductile transition zone.
Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos: Ambiente Deposicional
Modelo de uma zona de cisalhamento de
composição quartzo-feldspática
Distribuição dos principais tipos de rochas de falha com a
profundidade na crosta
 Terminologia para rochas relacionadas à
zona de cisalhamento de alta deformação

Proposed by Wise et al. (1984) Fault-related rocks: Suggestions for terminology. Geology, 12, 391-394.
 Representação qualitativa da geração de fluidos na transição da
fácies xisto verde para anfibolito aplicável a rochas máficas
Over an interval of tens of degrees (C), the mineral assemblage changes from chlorite–carbonate
bearing to one with hornblende–plagioclase and, in so doing, the rock becomes less hydrous and with
lesser carbonate and sulphide-bearing species.

Phillips and Powell, 2010, J. metamorphic Geol.,28, 689–718

 Diagrama esquemático dos principais processo envolvidos na
extração de fluidos e formação de depósitos de Au orogênico

Devolatilization model favoured here in which the fluid incorporates all essential components as it
forms by metamorphic processes.

Phillips and Powell, 2010, J. metamorphic Geol.,28, 689–718

 Diagrama esquemático destacando os principais processos envolvidos na
extração e migração de fluidos e formação de um Depósito de Au Orogênico

Fluids and metals are sourced in the upstream parts of the system. Metal scavenging from source rocks in many
cases involves pervasive grain-scale flow regimes. Delivery of potentially large fluid volumes to the relatively small
volumes of ore deposits involves structurally controlled channelling of fluid into localized pathways such as fracture
networks, faults, and shear zones. Spent fluids are dispersed downstream from ore deposits.

Cox, 2005
 O conceito de Sistema Mineral:
a chave para o direcionamento da exploração aurífera
Different sets of processes are important at different scales, an aspect that must be taken
into account in research and exploration strategy.

MCCUAIG AND HRONSKY 2014

Diagrama esquemático dos principais processos envolvidos na extração
e migração de fluidos e formação de um Depósito de Au Orogênico
A elevada e cíclica pressão de fluidos na base da zona sismogênica provoca
fraturas hidráulicas episódicas e deposição de ouro ao longo de um
sistemas de falhas reversas de alto ângulo

Typical complex of veins that records

episodes of fluid flow due to successive fault
failures (Defiance lode system, St Ives,
Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia)

After Sibson et al. (1988)

 A elevada e cíclica pressão de
fluidos na base da zona
sismogênica provoca fraturas
hidráulicas episódicas e
deposição de ouro ao longo de
um sistemas de falhas reversas
de alto ângulo
 Schematic diagram illustrating the geometric relationships between the
structural element of veins and shear zones and the deposit scale strain axes

Benoît Dubé and Patrice Gosselin, Geological Survey of Canada

Stress e strain: Strain é o efeito tangível que você observa, enquanto Stress é a
causa intangível que só pode ser deduzida

Graphic showing the three principal

directions of resolved stress that act upon
every point of a rock in the ground that is
subject to deviatoric stress. Sigma 1 is
always positive. Sigma 3 and sigma 2 are
usually positive but may be locally negative.

The effect of stress on an imaginary unit

sphere.
 A relação entre Stress e Strain
Structures that may form in the plane containing the principal (σ1) and least (σ3) stress
axes. The intermediate stress axis (σ2) is normal to the page. Red green and purple lines
show structures that might form and their angular relationships to the stress axes.
 Diagrama mostrando a orientação de σ1 e σ3 dentro de uma zona de
cisalhamento simples (ou seja, uma zona de falha)
The blue ellipse is the strain ellipse that exists at every instant during shear (known as the
instantaneous strain ellipse)

S – (green lines) these are planes of

compression – they could be ductile
foliations of various kinds, the axial planes
of folds, even stylolites.

T – (yellow) these are planes of tension.

They are sometimes characterised
as E (for extension) surfaces. Joints, open
fractures, veins, dykes.

R and R’ – (red) these are complementary

planes of simple shear (faults) known as
Reidel Shears (R) and Antithetic Reidel
Shears (R’). They form at an angle of 25°-
40° on either side of σ1.

C – (from the French cisaillement,

meaning shear). These are planes of
laminar flow related to movement on the
Primary Fault Zone and are parallel to the
boundaries of the Zone.
Desenvolvimento de estruturas de cisalhamento
Riedel R, R’, P e C
 As superfícies-C (cisalhamento) se originam como superfícies-S
compressivas que foram rotacionadas em paralelismo com a
direção de cisalhamento

In shear zones with well defined margins

simple shear strain is often greatest along the
zone boundaries. In the centre of the zone
compressive S foliation is at 45 degrees to
the margins, but are rotated to parallelism
with the shear direction (C surfaces) as they
approach the contacts.

S-C structure in a ductile shear zone

In zones of strong ductile simple shear C and S surfaces are often partitioned into
alternate laminae at millimetre to centimetre scale. This distinctive structure is known as
S-C structure
 Desenvolvimento progressivo de estruturas em uma zona de
cisalhamento simples (simple shear zone)

The strain ellipsoid that exists at any instant is shown in blue . At left, are time stages
(numbered 1-4) in the development of a quartz filled vein during continued dextral shear.
At right, the progressive growth of an S surface (a ductile foliation) is exactly analogous to
that of the vein although its orientation differs from the vein by 90°.
 Desenvolvimento
. de um dilational jog

As tension veins develop over time they can become very wide, forming mineral filled
offsets in a shear zone. Such distinctive offset veins are known as dilational jogs. Dilational
jogs are a characteristic development of brittle deformation, i.e. structures that form in
competent rocks in the upper few kilometres of the crust.
As relações entre Stress e Strain de primeira e segunda ordens

This type of analysis,

when applied at
regional scale, is called
a Moody-Hill analysis.
Such analyses often
invoke third, fourth
and even higher orders
of stress.
 Geometria de Veios
• Tabular fissure veins in more competent
host rocks;
• Veinlets and stringers (stockwork) in less
competent host rocks;
• En echelon veins;
• Veins usually have sharp contacts with
wallrocks
Esboços dos tipos de estruturas que hospedam a mineralização
aurífera na região de Menzies-Kambalda, Austrália

Eilu et. al. (1999)

Esboços dos tipos de estruturas que hospedam a mineralização
aurífera na região de Menzies-Kambalda, Austrália

Eilu et. al. (1999)

Esboços dos tipos de estruturas que hospedam a mineralização
aurífera na região de Menzies-Kambalda, Austrália

Eilu et. al. (1999)

Esboços dos tipos de estruturas que hospedam a mineralização
aurífera na região de Menzies-Kambalda, Austrália

Eilu et. al. (1999)

Estruturas que hospedam a mineralização aurífera do
Depósito Aurífero Pilar de Goiás
Estruturas que hospedam a mineralização aurífera do
Depósito Aurífero Pilar de Goiás
Estruturas que hospedam a mineralização aurífera no
Depósito Aurífero Pilar de Goiás
 Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos: Alteração hidrotermal
• At a district scale, orogenic gold deposits are associated with large-scale carbonate alteration
commonly distributed along major fault zones and associated subsidiary structures.

• At a deposit scale, the nature, distribution, and intensity of the wall-rock alteration is controlled
mainly by the composition and competence of the host rocks and their metamorphic grade.

Eilu et. al. (1999)

 Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos: Alteração hidrotermal

The proximal alteration haloes are zoned and characterized – in rocks at

greenschist facies – by iron-carbonatization and sericitization, with sulphidation
of the immediate vein selvages (mainly pyrite, less commonly arsenopyrite).
Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos: Alteração hidrotermal
Sequência paragenética de alteração hdrotermal em um depósito aurífero
orogênico gerado sob condições de fácies xisto verde a anfibolito

Eilu et. al. (1999)

Mineralização aurífera controlada por sombra de pressão em escala
regional no Depósito de ouro orogênico Príncipe, Brasil Central

Correia et al. 2015

Mineralização aurífera controlada por sombra de pressão em escala
regional no Depósito de ouro orogênico Príncipe, Brasil Central

Correia et al. 2015

Mineralização aurífera controlada por sombra de pressão em escala
regional no Depósito de ouro orogênico Príncipe, Brasil Central

Correia et al. 2015

Depósito aurífero orogênico Príncipe:
Alteração hidrotermal distal ou inicial

Correia et al. 2015

Depósito aurífero orogênico Príncipe:
Alteração hidrotermal intermediária

Correia et al. 2015

 Depósito aurífero orogênico Príncipe:
Alteração hidrotermal proximal ou avançada

Correia et al. 2015

 Depósito aurífero orogênico Príncipe:
Veio central ou zona de intensa silificaçao

Correia et al. 2015

 O Projeto Volta Grande do Xingu
localizado no Rio Xingu, ao norte da Província Mineral de Carajás
 Geologia do Projeto Volta Grande do Xingu
localizado no Rio Xingu, ao norte da Província Mineral de Carajás
 Geologia local do Projeto Volta Grande do Xingu
localizado no Rio Xingu, ao norte da Província Mineral de Carajás
Depósito aurífero orogênico Volta Grande do Xingu:
Alteração hidrotermal distal ou inicial

2
Depósito aurífero orogênico Volta Grande do Xingu:
Alteração hidrotermal intermediária

4
Depósito aurífero orogênico Volta Grande do Xingu:
5
Alteração hidrotermal proximal ou avançada

6
Depósito aurífero orogênico Volta Grande do Xingu:
Alteração hidrotermal proximal ou avançada

8
Diagrama esquemático mostrando a relação entre estilo estrutural
e alteração hidrotermal em Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos
Pyrite dominates in low metamorphic grade domains whereas pyrrhotite and loellingite
dominate in high metamorphic grade domains.

Groves et al. 2020)

 Resumo das características (modelo contínuo) de depósitos
auríferos orogênicos do Yilgarn craton
Features such as deposit style and ore and alteration mineral assemblages vary
with pressure-temperature conditions of ore

Goldfarb, R.J., 2005, Econ. Geol., 100th Anniversary Volume, pp. 407–450
Condições metamórficas (fácies metamórficas) para rochas
hospedeiras dos 25 maiores depósitos de ouro orogênico

Goldfarb, R.J., 2005, Econ. Geol., 100th Anniversary Volume, pp. 407–450
Distribution of regional metamorphic facies, granite types, gold deposits and main mining
centres and camps in the KKR

Witt et al. 2018

 Timing da mineralização aurífera orogênica no Kalgoorlie Gold Field,
Yilgarn Block, Western Australia

Figure demonstrating characteristic late kinematic timing of orogenic gold deposits

Groves et al. 2018

Timing e duração da mineralização aurífera orogênica arqueana no
Bourlamaque pluton, Val d’Or mining camp, Abitibi, Canada

Tremblay et al. 2020

 Depósitos auríferos orogênicos são
inerentes a cinturões metamórficos
barrovianos. Baixos gradientes térmicos
em cinturões de blueschist são carentes
nesses depósitos.

The metamorphic model for orogenic gold

reflects prograde breakdown of pyrite, chlorite,
carbonate, rutile, epidote, and other minerals in
sedimentary and volcanic rocks as they become
unstable in the area of the greenschist/
amphibolite boundary along a moderate P–T path
to release hydrothermal components that include
H2O, CO2, S, Au, As, and W.

Depending on the mineral assemblages, orogenic

gold can form anywhere from maximum burial
depth of fuid/metal source rocks to a few tens of
millions of years after their thermal metamorphic
peak during decompression.
Origem dos fluidos em Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos:
Fluidos metamórficos
 Depósitos Auríferos Orogênicos:
Química do minério

• The metallic geochemical

signature of orogenic gold
deposit is Au, Ag, As, W, B,
Sb, Te, and Mo, typically with
background or only slightly
anomalous concentrations of
base metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn).

• The Au/Ag ratio typically

varies from 5 to 10. Contrary
to epithermal deposits, there
is no vertical metal zoning.
 Depósitos Auríferos Orogenicos:
Principais caractcterísticas e Modelo genético

• Fluids CO2-H2O-rich with typically anomalous concentrations of

CH4, N2, K, and S. and low salinity. High Au, Ag, As, (±Sb, Te, W,
Mo). Low Cu, Pb, Zn;

• Isotopic evidence for origin of fluids – not connate or meteoric

but can’t differentiate between metamorphic and magmatic.
High CO2 consistent with metamorphic origin;

• Fluids tectonically driven – fault valve model;

• Au transported as bisulfide complexes;

• Deposition caused by loss of H2S due to pyrite deposition driven

by fluid-wallrock interaction.
 Depósitos Auriferos Orogênicos: Configuração tectônica

Major faults zones associated with accretion of allocthonous terranes onto

continental margins or arcs
Cordilleran-type orogens are recognized for the widespread distribution of orogenic gold
deposits in metamorphosed juvenile rocks on either side of the magmatic arc
Ore-forming fluids in the fore arc may be derived from prograde metamorphism of
accreted material above a subducting slab and from the slab itself

Where slab fluids are released into the mantle wedge, mantle-derived melts may carry some of the fluid into the
accreted oceanic rocks. The metalliferous fluids are focused along major crustal shear zones in the fore arc, which
previously may have been sites of terrane suturing.
 Depósitos auríferos orogênicos tendem a se formar a partir de fluidos aquo-
carbônicos em ambientes metamórficos de fore-arc e back-arc de margens
continentais ativas, mais comumente em profundidades de 6 a 12 km.

In some gold belts they may show a temporal and/or spatial association with magmatism.
They may show a temporal overlap with oxidized intrusion-related gold deposits (e.g.,
epithermal veins, Au-rich porphyries) that form in the upper 3 km of many subduction-
related arcs.
 Mudança nos movimentos das placas na bacia do Pacífico norte
em ca. 56 a 55 Ma e alteração no regime de fluxo de fluidos

This change from orthogonal (thrusting)

to oblique (strike-slip motion) far-field
stress was critical for seismicity, fluid
migration, and gold deposition along
the Sumdum-Fanshaw deep-crustal
fault system of the Juneau gold belt.
A subducção atual na costa oeste da América do Norte mostra duas zonas de
alto fluxo de calor e fluidos potenciais nas profundezas do
arco magmático Cascades
A formação de um depósito de ouro orogênico de classe mundial dentro de um
orógeno acrescionário pode ser considerada como a conjunção de três
elementos fundamentais:

• A fertile upper-mantle
source region;

• A transient remobilisation
event that extracts gold-
enriched magmas and/or
fluids from this source
region, and

• Favourable lithosphere-
scale architecture that
allows the focused flux of
these magmas/fluids

Hronsky et al. 2012

 O conceito de sistema mineral: a chave para o sucesso na
exploração mineral

Diferentes conjuntos de
processos são importantes
em diferentes escalas,
aspecto que deve ser
levado em consideração na
estratégia de pesquisa e
exploração.

MCCUAIG AND HRONSKY 2014

 Modelo de exploração integrado para depósitos auríferos
orogênicos baseado em uma abordagem de sistema mineral

At the geodynamic to province scales, critical

processes include a tectonic thermal engine and
deep, effective, fluid plumbing system driven by
seismic swarms up lithosphere-scale faults in an
oblique-slip regime during uplift late in the
orogenic cycle of a convergent margin.

At the district to deposit scale, the important

processes are fluid focussing into regions of
complex structural geometry adjacent to crustal-
scale plumbing systems, with gold deposition in
trap sites involving complex conjugations of
competent and/or reactive rock sequences and
structural or lithological fluid caps.

Groves et al. 2020

Resumo esquemático do modelo conceitual proposto para a fertilização de ouro
associada à supra-subducção do manto superior litosférico

“Flat” subduction (low-angle) is conceptually

particularly favourable for the process of
upper mantle fertilisation. There are two
reasons for this:
• First, in this setting, subduction-related
magma generation is likely to be
significantly diminished due to slab-induced
refrigeration of the mantle wedge, and any
magmas produced are likely to be low-
degree partial melts, and therefore gold-
enriched.
• Secondly, low-angle subduction is typically
associated with compressional tectonics
which inhibits the passage of mantle-
derived melts to the surface.

Hronsky et al. 2012

Representação esquemática do modelo baseado em subducção para a fonte dos
fluidos (e Au) envolvidos na formação de depósitos auríferos orogênicos

In this geodynamic model for the Jiaodong deposits, the auriferous fluids could be either derived
directly from the subduction zone or indirectly from the mantle lithosphere wedge that had been
fertilized and metasomatized by fluids derived from that subduction zone.

Groves et al. 2020

Modelo alternativo para a origem dos fluidos envolvidos na
formação de depósitos auríferos orogênicos

Goldarb 2023
 “A unified model for gold mineralisation in accretionary orogens and
implications for regional-scale exploration targeting methods”
(Hronsky, 2012)

• Successful exploration for the next generation of major gold deposits is likely to
require a greater emphasis on covered terranes;

• Therefore, regional-scale predictive targeting capability will become more

important than in the past, when empirical exploration methods dominated;

• Such predictive capability cannot be derived from knowledge of deposit scale

geology and rather requires the development of a generic, regional-scale
understanding of the patterns of gold metallogeny and their controls.