The Comet Gold Mine is in the Murchison mineral field which lies within the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia. Several different geophysical methods were used in this study to define the geophysical signatures of sedimentary iron formations (SIF) and altered basalt associated with gold mineralisation. The geophysical surveys carried out at the Comet Gold Mine were gravity, sub-audio magnetics (SAM), transient electromagnetics (TEM) and downhole geophysical logging. Data from previous geophysical surveying were also used, and these included highresolution aeromagnetics and TEMPEST airborne electromagnetics. Other exploration information, such as geology and drillhole data, were integrated with geophysical results to study the geophysical responses and generate a geophysical interpretation map. / The main aim of this study was to generate an understanding of the various geophysical responses of geology and gold mineralisation in the Comet Mine area for future gold exploration in this region. Particularly, the study focused on the ability of the SAM method to map out geology and geophysical response for gold mineralisation. The response from SAM surveying has been investigated over an area of 13 sq kms. The SAM surveying was completed using a transmitter current of 5-8 Amp with a 50% duty cycle at 4 Hz frequency, which was considered the best setting for the Comet area. The SAM anomalies were compared to results from other geophysical methods. The results of all geophysical surveying suggested that the TEM method was also effective for identifying altered sulphide and magnetic altered rock associated with gold mineralisation. / Experiments were carried out using SAM surveying with electrodes in standard surface pits and pits placed directly into the gold mineralised structure. Both surveys showed very similar results, so in this area, surface electrode pits work well for current injection during SAM surveys. The similarities are probably due to the lack of conductive regolith cover in the Comet Mine area. / The SAM response was studied for survey grids using different electrode positions and directions. Experiments in changing SAM electrode position over the same area were carried out along and across geological strike to detect the different geological structure directions. The EQMMR response was different for electrodes oriented at 90º when surveys were repeated over the same area. SAM mainly measures conductive features running sub-parallel to the electrode direction, but the EQMMIP response was mostly the same, despite the difference in electrode direction. In addition, the EQMMIP result was very similar for rotated grids, with some distortion occurring around the main EQMMR anomaly near the Venus open cut pit. Therefore, SAM chargeability was not strongly polarised along the electrode direction like the EQMMR response. This is consistent with the theory of MIP that the method detects the effect of induced polarisation in the earth by virtue of the magnetic fields associated with current flow in polarisable bodies within the earth. / Gravity data were collected along in 4 transects 500 m apart and at 50 m station spacing. 3D gravity modelling using polygonal shapes was completed to a good fit with felsic and mafic rocks by having rock units dip to the SE. Euler depth solution calculations were applied to locate contacts and deep gravity sources. Gravity surveying has also proved to be a useful survey method for geological mapping and locating regional structures. / Ground TEM survey data were used at the Venus prospect to map out conductive zones at depths ranging from 30 to 90 m. All anomaly bodies were interpreted to have a SE dip. The modelled ground TEM results were compared to TEMPEST airborne electromagnetic conductivity depth slices. Both EM survey results showed reasonably similar patterns, but the ground TEM method provided more reliable conductor locations and depth estimations that correlated well with the drilling information and downhole conductivity logging. / Geophysical logs of natural gamma and inductive conductivity were surveyed in 5 drillholes that intersected gold alteration zones. The alteration zones associated with gold mineralised sediments, sulphide and magnetic minerals were identified in the downhole logs as increased conductivity, with a sight increase in the natural gamma response. Natural gamma was usually high above a background of host rock in the gold mineralised shear zones. This was likely due to K associated with the clay rich SIF units, and sericite and biotite from gold related alteration. During this study, drillhole CTRC028 was drilled into a modelled TEM anomaly, and gold mineralised SIF was intersected at the predicted location from the model. / Geophysical survey information (magnetics, gravity, SAM and TEM) and anomalies in the Comet area were found to be primarily controlled by the local structures and mineralisation along these structures. Modelled ground TEM results were compared to TEMPEST airborne, EM data and showed reasonably similar patterns. The geophysical survey data also highlights black shale units, which can produce a false target commonly running parallel to the sulphide altered fault zones and SIF units, because of graphite and sulphide in the black shale. / The TEMPEST data were a valuable guide to bedrock conductivity over the outline project area at Comet, and the follow–up ground TEM and SAM survey data was very useful for accurately pin-pointing anomalies for drill testing. / Geophysical and geological data analysed in this study was used to generate a geophysical interpretation map at 1:5,000 scale. The new interpretation of geological units and structures at Comet will provide geologists with a better understand about the geological and structural setting for mineralisation in the Comet area. For example, the Comet Fault represents a faulted limb of the Comet fold structure that has both limbs dipping to the SE, and plunges to the NE. Magnetic anomalies associated with SIF are considered to correlate with some gold bearing horizons and the location of the Comet Fault, that has become more siliceous and altered by sulphide minerals and magnetite minerals. / It is recommended that other prospect areas in the region should be surveyed using the SAM method in order to identify shallow gold bearing structures and improve geological interpretations ahead of drilling.

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No description available.

[pt] O presente trabalho estudou o comportamento de rejeitos de minério de ferro e de ouro, reforçados com fibras de polipropileno, com o objetivo da aplicabilidade destes compósitos em aterros (pilhas) de rejeitos de mineração. As fibras foram distribuídas de forma aleatória nos rejeitos (matriz) em um teor de 0.5 por cento em relação ao peso seco da matriz. Os rejeitos de minério de ferro e de ouro são classificados como uma areia siltosa e uma argila siltosa, respectivamente. O programa experimental consistiu em ensaios triaxiais convencionais drenados e não drenados (tensões efetivas de confinamento de 50, 100, 200 e 400 kPa) em amostras não reforçados e reforçados com fibras. Ensaios de cisalhamento direto com superfície polida (tensões normais de 25, 50, 100, 200 e 400 kPa) foram realizados para determinar a influência do reforço na fase residual dos compósitos. Ensaios de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) foram realizados para visualizar a interação fibra-matriz. A análise global dos resultados permitiu mostrar que fibras de polipropileno não modificam o comportamento elastoplástico do rejeito de minério de ferro, porém no rejeito de minério de ouro o comportamento muda para elastoplástico de enrijecimento. A resistência ao cisalhamento incrementou em ambos os rejeitos reforçados, com um ganho mínimo equivalente ao dobro da tensão cisalhante dos rejeitos sem reforço. Com relação à variação volumétrica, o rejeito de minério de ferro apresenta um comportamento dilatante e a adição de fibras incrementa esse comportamento. No rejeito de minério de ouro observa-se que a tendência volumétrica inicial é de contração e depois apresenta uma leve dilatância, porém, com a adição de fibras, o comportamento dilatante é eliminado. Em conclusão, a aplicabilidade das fibras de polipropileno se mostra como alternativa de reforço e melhoria do comportamento geotécnico dos rejeitos de mineração estudados. / [en] The objective of this work is to study the behavior of iron and gold mine tailings reinforced with polypropylene fibers with the objective of the applicability of these composites in landfills (piles) of mine tailings. The fibers were randomly distributed in the mine tailings (matrix), where was used a content of 0.5 percent in relation to the dry weight of the matrix. The iron and gold mine tailings are classified as a silty sand and a silty clay, respectively. The experimental program consisted of conventional drained and undrained triaxial tests (effective confinement stresses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 kPa) in non-reinforced and reinforced samples. Direct shear tests with a polished surface (normal stresses of 25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 kPa) were performed to determine the influence of reinforcement on the residual phase of the composites. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) tests were performed to visualize the fiber-matrix interaction. The global analysis of the results allowed to show that polypropylene fibers do not modify the elastoplastic behavior of the iron mine tailings, but in the gold mine tailings the behavior changes to the strain hardening elastoplastic. Shear strength increased in both reinforced tailings, with a minimum gain equivalent to twice the shear stress of non-reinforced tailings. The strength parameters in the drained, undrained and residual condition of both mine tailings were increased with the addition of fiber. Regarding the volumetric variation, the iron mine tailings exhibits a dilative behavior and the fiber addition increases this behavior. In the gold mine tailings, it is observed that the initial volumetric tendency is contractive and then presents a slight dilatancy, however, with the fiber addition, the dilative behavior is eliminated. In conclusion, the applicability of the polypropylene fibers is showed as an alternative of reinforcement and improvement of the geotechnical behavior of the studied tailings.

Ädelfors is situated ca 17 km east of Vetlanda, Jönköping County, in the N-S striking Trans-scandinavian igneous belt and is a part of the NE-SW striking 1.83-1.82 Ga Oskarshamn-Jönköping belt emplaced during a continental subduction towards the Svecofennian continental margin. The continental arc hosts the 1.83 Ga metasedimentary Vetlanda supergroup composed of foliated metagreywacke, metasandstone and metaconglomerate. The sequence is intercalated by mafic and felsic volcanites and hosts the Cu-Au-Fe-mines at Ädelfors. Ädelfors mining field consists of ca 330 mineralized quartz veins hosting both copper, gold and iron. The iron mines Nilsson’s iron mine (NFE) and Fe-mine (FE), the copper mine Kamelen (KM) and the gold mines Brånad’s mine (BR), Adolf Fredrik’s mine (AF), Old Kron mine (GKR), Old Kolhag’s mine (GKO), Thörn mine (TH), New Galon mine (NG), Stenborg’s mine (ST), Tysk mine (TG), Hällaskallen (HS) and Fridhem (FR) have been investigated to deduce a possible genetic relation between the veins and their origin. Sulfur isotope ratios have also been conducted on pyrite from KM, AF and FE. The veins can stucturally be divided into several groups. AF, GKR, ST, NG, TH and possibly NFE are striking 10-70° with a dip of 55-70°. BR, GKO and KM are striking 110-140° with a dip of 80-90° whereas TG and HS strike 90-110° dipping 85°. Fridhem, being distal to the other mines, strikes 70° and dips 80°. A chlorite-quartz-biotite-sericite-rich metapelite hosts the veins in all localities except; FR where a layered, beresitizised felsic volcanite rich in plagioclase, sericite, biotite and quartz hosts disseminated pyrite; and NFE, HS and NG which are hosted by a mafic tuffite. Quartz veins are mainly milky and equigranular, exceptions are FE with black pyrite-bearing quartz veins, cutting through the banded magnetite-metapelite and KM with its dynamically recrystallized quartz. Chlorite-, zeolite-, carbonate-, hematite-, amphibole-, kalifeldspar-, sericite-, biotite- and epidote alteration has been observed among the localities. The ore minerals are dominated by: fractured sub- to euhedral pyrite in cataclastic aggregates or selvage bands, interstitial chalcopyrite in pyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, gold and sporadic chalcopyrite diseased sphalerite and arsenopyrite. Previously not reported tetradymite, staurolite, galena and Ce-monazite have also been observed. Bismuthinite and tetradymite as inclusions in pyrite were observed in AF, GKR, FR and TG. Gold was observed in AF, BR, GKR and TG as inclusions in pyrite or quartz with a Au/Ag median of 78.41. HS distinguishes itself with Au/Ag ratios of 4.66-5.25. The trace element ratios in pyrite reveal two major types of pyrite. 1) found in FE and KM (pyrite type 1) with Co/Ni ratio of 10.94, Bi/Au of 1.79, Bi/S of 0.037, Au/Ag of 11.13, S/Se of 235.96 and As/S of 0.006. 2) found in NG, GKO, ST, TH, AF, NFE, HS, GKR, BR, FR, TG and as stringers in KM4 py1 pyrite type 2) with an average Co/Ni ratio of 5.26, Bi/Au of 1.95, Bi/S of 0.031, Au/Ag of 4.19, S/Se of 0 and As/S of 0. δ34S values strengthens this grouping as KM and FE has 1,3-2,6 ‰ and AF 3,6-3,8 ‰. The following geological interpretation has been concluded: The banded iron formation in FE is the earliest mineralization and was later fractured, emplacing quartz veins with pyrite of type 1. During this event, the Cu-vein in KM was also formed. A second generation of fractures, emplaced after the Småland granitoids formed, were filled with quartz and pyrite of type 2 at mesozonal depth. This is the main stage of gold mineralization and includes NG, GKO, ST, TH, AF, NFE, GKR, BR, FR and TG. During this event, pyrite of type 2 was added to KM, causing recrystallizing of the quartz. HS is possibly emplaced last or altered as it is more enriched in silver. Morphology, mineralogy, alterations, mineral chemistry and sulfur isotope signatures indicates an orogenic origin of the gold-rich quartz veins at Ädelfors as well as the copper-rich vein in KM. / Ädelfors ligger ca 17 km öster om Vetlanda, Jönköpings län, i det N-S strykande Transskandinaviska granit och porfyrbältet och är en del av det NÖ-SV strykande 1,83-1,82 Ga Oskarshamn-Jönköpingsbältet (OJB) bildad i en kontinental subduktionszon i kanten av den Svecofenniska kontinentalplattan. I denna kontinentalbåge ligger Vetlanda supergruppen som är en metasedimentär del av OJB bestående av starkt folierad 1,83 Ga metagråvacka, metasandsten och metakonglomerat med inlagringar av mafiska och felsiska vulkaniter. Ädelfors gruvfält består utav ca. 330 kvartsgångar förande mestadels guld men också koppar. Järnmineraliseringar i form av bandad järnmalm finns också i området. Geologin, mineralogin och pyritens kemiska sammansättning från järngruvorna Nilssons järngruva (NFE) och Fe-gruvan (FE), koppargruvan Kamelen (KM) och guldgruvorna Brånadsgruvan (BR), Adolf Fredriks gruva (AF), Gamla Krongruvan (GKR), Gamla Kolhagsgruvan (GKO), Thörngruvan (TH), Nya Galongruvan (NG), Stenborgs gruva (ST), Tyskgruvan (TG), Hällaskallen (HS) och Fridhem (FR) har undersökts för att finna eventuella genetiska likheter. Svavelisotopförhållande har fastställts för pyrit från AF, FE och KM. Strukturellt kan gångarna delas in i ett antal grupper. AF, GKR, ST, NG, TH och möjligtvis NFE stryker 10-70° och stupar 55-70°. BR, GKO och KM stryker 110-140° och stupar 80-90° medan TG och HS stryker 90-110° och stupar 85°. Fridhem stryker 70° och stupar 80°. En klorit-kvarts-sericit-biotitrik metapelit utgör värdbergarten i alla gruvor förutom; FR där den utgörs av en beresitiserad felsisk vulkanit rik på plagioklas, sericit, biotit och kvarts med disseminerad pyrit; och NFE, HS, NG vilka har en mafisk tuffitisk moderbergart. Kvartsgångarna är mjölkvita med undantag för FE:s svarta, pyritförande kvarts vilket uppträder som sprickfyllnad i den bandade järnmalmen och är senare bildad. Kvartsen i KM är starkt dynamiskt omkristalliserad. Svag till måttlig foliation är vanlig i sidoberget med undantag av stark foliation i TG och NFE, vilka är lokaliserade i förkastningssprickor med stark kloritförskiffring av värdbergarten. Klorit-, zeolit-, karbonat-, hematit-, amfibol-, kalifältspat-, sericit-, biotit- och epidotomvandling förekommer i majoriteten av lokalerna. Malmmineralen är dominerande sprött deformerad subhedral till euhedral pyrit som kataklastiska aggregat eller band, interstitiell kopparkis i pyrit, markasit, magnetkis, guld och sporadiskt kopparkissjuk zinkblände och arsenikkis. I det här arbetet har även tetradymit, staurolit, blyglans och Ce-monazit observerats. Bismutinit och tetradymit i form av inneslutningar i pyrit observerades i AF, GKR, FR och TG. Guld observerades i AF, BR, GKR och TG som inneslutningar i pyrit eller fritt i kvarts med Au/Ag medianvärde på 78,41, avvikande är HS med värden mellan 4,66-5,25.    Förhållanden mellan spårelement i pyrit indikerar två typer av pyrit. Typ 1 funnen i FE och KM har följande värden: Co/Ni = 10,94, Bi/Au = 1,79, Bi/S = 0,037, Au/Ag = 11,13, S/Se = 235,96 och As/S = 0,006. Typ 2 funnen i NG, GKO, ST, TH, AF, NFE, HS, GKR, BR, FR, TG och som sliror i KM4 py1 har följande värden Co/Ni = 5,26, Bi/Au = 1,95, Bi/S = 0,031, Au/Ag = 4,19, S/Se = 0 and As/S = 0. δ34S värden styrker denna uppdelning där KM och FE har värdena 1,3-2,6 ‰ och AF 3,6-3,8 ‰. Den geologiska utvecklingen av fältet har tolkats som följande: FE-gruvans bandade järnmalm är den tidigaste mineraliseringen vilket följs utav uppsprickning och läkning av kvarts med pyrit typ 1 som också bildar kopparmineraliseringen KM. Senare sprickzoner efter Smålandsgraniternas intrusion läks av kvarts med pyrit typ 2 på mesozonalt djup vilket bildar NG, GKO, ST, TH, AF, NFE, GKR, BR, FR, TG och omkristalliserar och introducerar nya pyritsliror i kvartsen i KM. HS bildas möjligtvis sist eller har blivit omvandlad eftersom den är anrikad på silver. Morfologi, omvandlingar och svavelisotop-signaturer tyder på ett orogent ursprung för Ädelfors guldrika kvartsådror samt den kopparrika kvartsådern i KM.

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Department of Ecology and Resource Management / MENVSC