Ore mineralogy and textural zonation in the world-class epithermal Waihi Vein System, Hauraki Goldfield
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Abstract
The Waihi district in the Hauraki Goldfield of New Zealand contains adularia-sericite epithermal gold-silver veins that have produced more than 7.7 Moz gold. The outermost veins of the district (Martha, Favona, Moonlight, and Cowshed) contain abundant colloform, cherty, and black quartz fill textures, with minor crustiform and massive quartz. The central veins (Amaranth, Trio, and Union) contain predominantly massive and crustiform textures, and these veins are also commonly coarser grained than outermost veins. Pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, electrum, and acanthite occur in both outermost and central veins; base metal sulfide minerals typically increase in abundance in deeper samples. Antimony-, arsenic-, and selenium-bearing minerals are most abundant in the Favona and Moonlight veins, whereas base metal sulfide minerals are more abundant in the central veins at Correnso. Throughout the Waihi vein system, electrum is by far the most widespread, abundant, and significant gold-bearing mineral, but LA-ICP-MS analyses show that arsenian pyrite also contains some gold. Mineralogical and textural data are consistent with the central veins forming at a deeper structural level, or from hydrothermal fluids with different chemistry, or both.
Suggested Citation
Mauk, J.L., Skinner, E.G., Fyfe, S.J., Menzies, A.H., Lowers, H., Koenig, A.E., 2016, Ore mineralogy and textural zonation in the world-class epithermal Waihi Vein System, Hauraki Goldfield, chap. of AusIMM Monograph 31: Mineral deposits of New Zealand—Exploration and research, p. 293-301.
| Publication type | Book chapter |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Book Chapter |
| Title | Ore mineralogy and textural zonation in the world-class epithermal Waihi Vein System, Hauraki Goldfield |
| Year Published | 2016 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy |
| Contributing office(s) | Central Mineral and Environmental Resources Science Center |
| Description | 9 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Book |
| Larger Work Subtype | Monograph |
| Larger Work Title | AusIMM Monograph 31: Mineral deposits of New Zealand—Exploration and research |
| First page | 293 |
| Last page | 301 |