@article{ba940495cb7d49a8b8b1f67502069077,
title = "Crustal architecture of the south-east Superior Craton and controls on mineral systems",
abstract = "Crustal and lithospheric architecture provide a first-order control on Earth evolution, including mineral systems. The ability to understand the internal nature and margins of crustal and lithospheric blocks, in both space and time, is vital in order to use continent architecture as a predictive tool in mineral exploration. In this study, we use U-Pb-Hf-O-trace element (TE) geochemical data from zircon grains in felsic magmatic rocks to isotopically map the south-east Superior Craton, producing a time-constrained architecture of the Archean crust in this area. We then assess the localization of volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS), komatiite-hosted Ni-Cu-PGE, and syn- to post-tectonic Au systems within that architecture, constraining the first-order crustal-scale controls on these mineral systems. In terms of zircon data, at ca. >2750–2695 Ma, the central and north-west Abitibi subprovince has more juvenile εHf, light to mantle-like δ18O, lower (Eu/Eu*)/Y*10000 (drier/shallower crust), reduced ΔFMQ, less continental initial-U (Ui)/Yb, and more mantle-like Ui/Nb, relative to surrounding crust. The syn-volcanic mineral systems are localised in this juvenile zone. At ca. 2704–2695 Ma, there is a marked transition in multiple datasets, including increases in δ18O, (Eu/Eu*)/Y*10000, ΔFMQ, Ui/Yb and Ui/Nb data, and a decrease in εHf. These data represent a more evolved continental signature and the transition to a relatively homogenous regional Hf-O-TE architecture. World-class orogenic gold mineralization occurring at ca. <2680 Ma is predominantly localized into the same region as the syn-volcanic deposits, demonstrating the profound role of early architecture on the localisation of later mineral systems.",
keywords = "Abitibi, Archean, Base metals, Gold, Lu-Hf isotopes, Ni-Cu-PGE, U-Pb geochronology, VMS, Zircon",
author = "Mole, {D. R.} and Frieman, {B. M.} and Thurston, {P. C.} and Marsh, {J. H.} and J{\o}rgensen, {T. R.C.} and Stern, {R. A.} and Martin, {L. A.J.} and Lu, {Y. J.} and Gibson, {H. L.}",
note = "Funding Information: This study was undertaken as part of the craton-scale isotopic mapping module of the Metal Earth project, hosted by Laurentian University, and funded by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund and federal/provincial/industry partners. We thank the Geological Survey of Canada, Ontario Geological Survey, Jack Satterley Geochronology Laboratory (University of Toronto), Minist{\`e}re de l'{\'E}nergie et des Ressources Naturelles, and the Centre de recherche sur la dynamique du syst{\`e}me Terre (GEOTOP; University of Quebec at Montreal) for technical and logistical support, as well as provision of sample material. We would like to highlight the work of Canadian geological surveys in providing excellent multi-purpose geoscience products, without which this work could not be accomplished. We thank Dr Michael Wingate at the Geological Survey of Western Australia for provision of the OGC zircon standard. Yongjun Lu publishes with the permission of the Executive Director, Geological Survey of Western Australia. The authors acknowledge the facilities, and the scientific and technical assistance, of Microscopy Australia at the Centre for Microscopy, Characterisation and Analysis (CMCA) at the University of Western Australia, a facility funded by the University, State and Commonwealth Governments. This is paper number MERC-ME-2022-25 of the Metal Earth project. We thank two anonymous reviewers, Bob Loucks, and the editor for revisions which greatly improved the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022",
year = "2022",
month = sep,
doi = "10.1016/j.oregeorev.2022.105017",
language = "English",
volume = "148",
journal = "Ore Geology Reviews",
issn = "0169-1368",
publisher = "Pergamon",
}