Porphyry and Epithermal Systems -

Science-driven Exploration Successes

Richard Sillitoe
 Porphyry and epithermal deposits

Porphyry copper-molybdenum and

copper-gold deposits are centred on
shallow-level porphyry intrusions

Grasberg, Indonesia

Epithermal gold and silver

deposits are typically
hosted by volcanic rocks

Round Mountain, Nevada

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 Porphyry and epithermal systems
the state of play at end of 1960s (1)
Epithermal-hot spring linkage proposed (D.White), but relationship
uncertain
Types of epithermal deposits not appreciated (forgetting F.L.Ransome
and W.Lindgren)
Porphyry-epithermal connection unknown
Porphyry intrusion-volcano connection unknown
Plate tectonic setting and relationship of porphyry copper deposits to
subduction unrecognised (plate tectonics in its infancy)

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 Porphyry and epithermal systems
the state of play at end of 1960s (2)

Ages of copper and gold belts and

provinces poorly defined (isotopic
dating in its infancy)
Zoning patterns of hydrothermal
alteration in porphyry and epithermal
deposits poorly appreciated
Porphyry gold and gold-rich porphyry
copper deposits undefined
(notwithstanding Panguna)
Bulk-tonnage epithermal gold
deposits undefined (reflecting low
gold price)

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 The favourite buzz words for todays press releases
on porphyry and epithermal projects

HOT-SPRING SINTER
STEAM-HEATED ENVIRONMENT
PALEO-WATER TABLE
HIGH-SULPHIDATION SYSTEM
VUGGY QUARTZ
LOW-SULPHIDATION SYSTEM
POTASSIC ALTERATION
DIATREME-HOSTED
HYPOGENE COPPER ENRICHMENT
ADVANCED ARGILLIC LITHOCAP

Unknown to the exploration Active hot-spring sinter terrace,

Champagne Pool, New Zealand
community at the end of 1960s

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 Porphyry-epithermal relationships

Linkages between porphyry, high- and intermediate-

sulphidation epithermal, skarn, carbonate-replacement, and
Carlin-like environments now widely appreciated

The necessary information was supplied by worldwide

exploration activities
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High-sulphidation - porphyry transition

1.5 2 km vertical interval

represented from paleo-surface to
porphyry deposit
Vuggy quartz quartz-alunite
quartz-pyrophyllite quartz-sericite
from top downwards
Au-dominated Cu-dominated from
top downwards

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 Shallow epithermal features

High- and intermediate sulphidation deposits with andesitic-dacitic

arc volcanism
Low-sulphidation deposits with compositionally bimodal (basalt-
rhyolite) volcanism in extensional (rift) settings

Steam-heated environment,
hot-spring sinter and paleo-
water table silicification
recognised above Au-Ag
mineralization
- Again exploration supplied
the data

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 Deposit-scale features

Alteration zoning recognising importance of potassic alteration for

copper introduction in porphyry copper deposits
Los Pelambres, Chile
Discovered 1969, United Nations
3,300 Mt @ 0.63% Cu, 0.016% Mo

Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina

Discovered 1971, United Nations
700 Mt @ 0.51% Cu, 0.66 g/t Au

Potassic alteration
(beneath weathering zone)

Potassic alteration
(weathered at surface)

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 Deposit-scale features

Alteration zoning recognising significance of alteration types in

high-, intermediate- and low-sulphidation epithermal systems

La Coipa HS deposit, Chile

Discovered 1983, Amax
8.46 Moz Au Eq

Vuggy quartz in discovery outcrop: residue

after leaching by highly acidic fluid

Pascua-Lama HS deposit, Chile-Argentina

Discovered 1989, Lac Minerals,
then Barrick Gold

Barren steam-heated alteration above

16 Moz gold and >600 Moz silver

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 Tops of porphyry copper deposits

Guinaoang porphyry copper-gold

system, Philippines
Discovered 1983, RGC Exploration
>500 Mt @ 0.4% Cu, 0.4 g/t Au

Deposit concealed beneath advanced

argillic lithocap containing high-
sulphidation mineralization

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 Tops of low- and intermediate-sulphidation
epithermal deposits
El Pen, Chile
Blind vein discoveries 1998-2007, Meridian Gold
8.4 Mt @ 14 g/t Au, 234 g/t Ag
Fence drilling to intersect predicted favourable stratigraphic interval

Quebrada Colorada
Esquel, Argentina
Discovered 2000, Minera El Desquite (Brancote)
3.8 Moz Au, 7 Moz Ag
Recognition that two-thirds of deposit is concealed beneath
pre-mineral cover

Fruta del Norte, Ecuador

Discovered 2006, Aurelian
13.7 Moz Au, 22.4 Moz Ag
Drilling deep beneath a linear silicified zone
containing anomalous arsenic and antimony
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 Recognition of new mineralization styles
Montana Tunnels, Montana, USA
Discovered 1983, Centennial Minerals
61 mt @ 0.96 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, 0.67% Zn,
0.28% Pb
Disseminated mineralization in
phreatomagmatic diatreme breccia

Marte porphyry gold deposit, Chile

Discovered 1982,
Anglo American-Cominco j.v.

Soon led to discovery of

nearby Lobo porphyry gold
deposit by same j.v.
Combined: 5.5 Moz Au

Wafi, Papua new Guinea

Discovered 1990, CRA Exploration
Hypogene copper enrichment due to
high-sulphidation copper sulphides at
base of lithocap overprinting porphyry
copper-gold deposit
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 District-scale porphyry copper alignments
and clusters (trendology)

Detailed geology and scout RC

drilling beneath alluvial cover

Chuquicamata district, Chile Oyu Tolgoi district, Mongolia

Orogen-parallel alignment Arc-transverse alignment
New discoveries 2000-2006, Codelco New discovery 2007, Ivanhoe Mines
(supplied by I.Kavalieris)
Deep IP survey on trend

Comparable brownfield discoveries in Los Bronces alignment (Sulfatos, Anglo American) and
Escondida cluster (Pampa Escondida, MEL), Chile
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 Definition of porphyry copper belts and epochs

Isotopic dating has defined regional-scale belts and

corresponding epochs in most porphyry copper provinces

Isotopic dating now routine selection tool

in Andean copper province and elsewhere

Examples:
Gaby (Gabriela Mistral): 540Mt @
0.52% Cu Ox prioritised during initial
exploration because of 43 Ma age
Other prospects discarded because of
290-200 Ma ages

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 Definition of epithermal belts and provinces

Regional-scale belts and provinces become focus of exploration for

specific epithermal deposit type

After Riley et al. (2001)

After John et al. (2000)

Examples:
Northern Nevada rift: 16-14 Ma
Patagonia: 160-150 Ma
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 Origin of metallogenic provinces

Tectono-magmatic processes or predisposition?

Clustering of 10 Moz Au belts and isolated deposits of different types and ages
Suggestive of predisposition metal preconcentration or other chemical parameter
(e.g. redox state)
Focus exploration on endowed arc segments, but usually well explored (exception
Colombian Andes)
Or define unrecognised gold-rich arc segments but how?
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 Key role of geology in porphyry and epithermal exploration

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6
16

15 24 31 47
67

66
Circum-Pacific Region
4
14 23 30 36 46 65

9 13 19 22 29 35 39 45 50 53 59 64
2
58 61 63 70 72 74 77 79
2 4

1 3 5 6
8 12 18 21 26 28 34 38 42 44 49 52 55

7 10 11 17 20 25 27 32 33 37 40 41 43 48 51 54 56 57 60 62 69 71 73 75 76 78 80 81
Parameters
1970 1980 1990
Discovery Year
2000
37year history
Geological work 81 deposits
6

4
Mainly porphyry, epithermal, & sediment-hosted gold (minor
2
VMS & orogenic gold)

1970 1980 1990 2000

Main conclusions
Notwithstanding exploration changes, little overall evolution in
Geochemistry
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4 discovery methodology (but see next slide)

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Geologic fieldwork: 90% of discoveries
1970 1980 1990 2000 routine observation, mapping, & interpretation
Geophysics
familiarity with deposit models (since 1980s)
6

4
Geochemistry: 70% of discoveries
2
stream sediment, soil, & rock chip
2000
Geophysics: 15% of discoveries (only 50% of programs)
1970 1980 1990

Ground IP & EM
Drilling & serendipity: 12% of discoveries
Serendipity
6

Drilling
4
Remote sensing (satellite imagery, airborne scanners: 0%)
2

1970 1980 1990 2000

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 The future of porphyry and epithermal exploration
We need:
New geological concepts
Characterisation of distal manifestations of concealed and potentially
deep orebodies
New technological break-throughs
Properly qualified and motivated personnel to do the job

Rio Tinto, 2008

Last 40 years have brought great advances in the porphyry-epithermal environment; next 20
years must bring even greater advances if we are to satisfy growing demand for copper,
gold and silver and societal expectations in general all within increasingly stringent
environmental and community constraints
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