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Zn and Pb mobility during metamorphism of sedimentary rocks and potential implications for some base metal deposits

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A Publisher's Erratum to this article was published on 06 October 2015

Abstract

Comprehension of the genesis of Pb-Zn ore systems is currently limited by a poor understanding of where these metals are sourced from. Our study of metal mobility during regional metamorphism in the Mt. Lofty Ranges, South Australia, demonstrates that in staurolite-absent siliciclastic metasedimentary rocks, biotite contains >80 % of the bulk rock Zn, as well as a considerable proportion of the total Pb. Fluid flow through these metasedimentary rocks led to a continuous depletion of Pb and Zn on a mineral and bulk rock scale during prograde regional metamorphism. We calculate that ∼80 % of the bulk rock Zn and ∼50 % of the bulk rock Pb were mobilised, mainly through reactions involving biotite. These reactions led to a calculated Pb and Zn “loss” of ∼2.7 and 27 Mt, respectively, in the high-grade metamorphic zone. Halogen contents of apatite and biotite and bulk rock Zn isotope data provide evidence that Cl-rich metamorphic fluids were important for metal transport. Hence, fluid flow accompanying prograde metamorphism of typical sedimentary rocks can mobilise base metals to the degree required to potentially supply significant Pb-Zn ore systems.

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Acknowledgments

We appreciate the constructive comments of John Lydon, David Huston, Georges Beaudoin and earlier suggestions by Andrew Tomkins. This work was funded by the Australian Research Council (DP 1095280). G.M.D. acknowledges support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

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Author notes

  1. Paolo Sossi

    Present address: Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, Paris, France

  2. Johannes Hammerli

    Present address: Centre for Exploration Targeting, School of Earth and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. EGRU, College of Science, Technology and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia

    Johannes Hammerli, Carl Spandler & Nicholas H.S. Oliver

  2. Holcombe Coughlin Oliver Consultants, PO Box 3533, Hermit Park, QLD, 4812, Australia

    Nicholas H.S. Oliver

  3. Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

    Paolo Sossi

  4. Mineral Deposit Research Unit, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Gregory M Dipple

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  1. Johannes Hammerli
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Correspondence to Johannes Hammerli.

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Editorial handling: D. Huston

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Hammerli, J., Spandler, C., Oliver, N.H. et al. Zn and Pb mobility during metamorphism of sedimentary rocks and potential implications for some base metal deposits. Miner Deposita 50, 657–664 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-015-0600-5

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