Ages and trace element fertility of porphyry-related mineralization in the Philipsburg polymetallic district, Montana, with a comparison to Butte

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Abstract

The Philipsburg mining district is a Mo-Cu porphyry system with associated Cordilleran polymetallic veins. Geochronology was employed to date the porphyry (~66 Ma, U/Pb in zircon) and molybdenite mineralization from the veins (~76 Ma, Re-Os). Age results suggest that the two-mineralization events model proposed by Lund et al. (2018) for the Butte district can be applied to the Philipsburg deposit. Furthermore, common fertility indicators from zircon trace elements were analyzed with variable success to characterize the existing Mo-Cu mineralization of the Philipsburg porphyry. This raises concerns about the benefits of this method and/or the importance of sampling, which could impact exploration for similar porphyry deposits.

Suggested Citation

Beaucamp, C.M., Gammons, C.H., Thompson, J.M., Stein, H.J., 2025, Ages and trace element fertility of porphyry-related mineralization in the Philipsburg polymetallic district, Montana, with a comparison to Butte, 18th SGA Biennial Meeting, v. 2, Golden, CO, August 3-7, 2025, p. 356-359.

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Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Ages and trace element fertility of porphyry-related mineralization in the Philipsburg polymetallic district, Montana, with a comparison to Butte
Volume 2
Year Published 2025
Language English
Publisher Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA)
Contributing office(s) Geology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry Science Center
Description 4 p.
First page 356
Last page 359
Conference Title 18th SGA Biennial Meeting
Conference Location Golden, CO
Conference Date August 3-7, 2025
Country United States
State Montana
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