Modelling the role of graphite in development of a mineralised mid-crustal shear zone, Macraes mine, New Zealand

Other

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

2

Scientific paper

The Hyde Macraes Shear Zone (HMSZ) is a mineralised low-angle shear within the Otago Schist traceable for ˜ 30 km with a NW strike. It is being actively mined along 12 km of this strike, producing > 6 Moz of gold. The shear zone formed under lower greenschist facies conditions as the host schist was uplifted through the brittle ductile transition. Sheared rocks consist of greenschist facies schists with mineralogy only subtly different from that of the host schist. Pervasive fluid flow has occurred along grain boundaries and within microshears whose development has been enhanced by the deposition of hydrothermal graphite. We model the development of these microshears using a three-dimensional numerical code. For an inhomogeneous initial rock with lithostatic fluid pressures and a dynamic permeability deformed under dextral non-coaxial flow, deformation is distributed into weak shear bands. Graphite deposition and associated reaction-softening have a dramatic effect on the development of model shear zones. Graphite is deposited into a shear band, weakening it and further localising the deformation into that shear band, producing an anastomosing and interconnected shear zone structure such as observed in the HMSZ. The degrees of graphite precipitation and graphite-induced weakening are varied in the models. Graphite precipitation with a low degree of reaction-softening results in more diffuse shear bands. In contrast less graphite deposition but with a high degree of reaction-softening leads to the development of more focused shear bands. Graphite deposition has clearly controlled the formation of the HMSZ structure, and is an important indicator of potentially mineralised mid-crustal structures elsewhere.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Modelling the role of graphite in development of a mineralised mid-crustal shear zone, Macraes mine, New Zealand does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Modelling the role of graphite in development of a mineralised mid-crustal shear zone, Macraes mine, New Zealand, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modelling the role of graphite in development of a mineralised mid-crustal shear zone, Macraes mine, New Zealand will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1319304

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.