Unveiling the crustal controls shaping komatiite-hosted Ni-sulfide mineralisation: Insights from the Agnew-Wiluna Greenstone Belt, Western Australia

Anne Virnes

Research output: ThesisDoctoral Thesis

Abstract

Felsic-hosted komatiites are vastly more Ni-endowed than mafic-hosted komatiites in the ArchaeanAgnew-Wiluna Greenstone Belt, WA. The nature of the volcanic stratigraphy hosting mineralised and unmineralised komatiites may thus inform on the crustal controls on komatiite-hosted Ni-ore formation. Detailed lithofacies analysis, whole-rock, and mineral geochemistry, geochronology, and stable S isotope geochemistry are used to characterise the crustal architecture during komatiiteem placement. Findings reveal that major controls on the formation of Ni-mineralisation are proximity to syn-rift normal faults and syn-volcanic VMS mineralisation and alteration formed during protracted crustal extension, rather than host lithologies. Exploration may benefit from a VMS targeting approach.
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDoctor of Philosophy
Awarding Institution
  • The University of Western Australia
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Fiorentini, Marco, Supervisor
  • Masurel, Quentin, Supervisor
  • Thebaud, Nicolas, Supervisor
Award date4 Jun 2024
DOIs
Publication statusUnpublished - 2024

Embargo information

  • Embargoed from 04/06/2024 to 29/05/2026. Will become publicly avaliable on 29/05/2026

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