[Truncated abstract] A number of controlled and natural seismic sources are utilised to model the Pwave velocity structure of the southwest of the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia. The Yilgarn Craton is one of the largest pieces of Archaean crust in the world and is known for its gold and nickel deposits in the east and intraplate seismicity in the west. The aim of the project is to link 2D and 3D models of variations in seismic velocity with the local seismicity and geology. A new set of seismic refraction data, acquired in 25 overlapping deployments between 2002 and 2005, has been processed, picked and analysed using forward modelling. The data comprise two perpendicular traverses of three-component recordings of various delay-fired blasts from local commercial quarries. The data were processed using a variety of techniques. Tests were carried out on a number of data enhancement and picking procedures in order to determine the best method for enhancement of delay-fired data. A new method for automatic phase recognition is presented, where the maximum of the derivative of the rectilinearity of a trace is taken as the first break. Complete shot gathers with first break picks for each seismic source are compiled from the overlapping deployments. ... The starting 3D model was based on the models produced by 2D forward modelling. 14 iterations were carried out and the best-fit 3D model was achieved at the 10th iteration. It is 35% better then the current model used to locate earthquakes in this region. The resultant velocity block model was used to iii construct a density block model. A relative gravity map of the southwest of Yilgarn Craton was made. The results of 2D forward modelling, 3D tomography and forward gravity modelling have been compared and it was found that the HVZ is present in all models. Such a zone has been previously seen on a single seismic refraction profile, but it is the first time, this zone has been mapped in 3D. The gravity high produced by the zone coincides with the gravity high observed in reality. There is strong evidence that suggests that the HVZ forms part of the Archaean terrane boundary within the Yilgarn Craton. The distribution of the local seismicity was then discussed in the framework of the new 3D velocity model. A hypothesis, that the primary control on the seismicity in the study area is rotation of the major horizontal stress orientation, is presented. It is also argued that the secondary control on seismicity in the SWSZ is accommodation of movements along major faults.

[Truncated abstract] The Neoarchean (2800 to 2600 Ma) Eastern Goldfields Superterrane (EGST) comprises elongated belts of deformed and metamorphosed volcanic and sedimentary rocks intruded by granitoids. The Superterrane is made up of five distinct tectonostratigraphic terranes. From west to east these are the Kalgoorlie, Gindalbie, Kurnalpi, Laverton and Duketon Terranes. The Kalgoorlie Terrane is characterised by 2720 to 2680 Ma marine mafic-ultramafic volcanic successions interlayered with, and overlain by, 2710 to 2660 Ma dominantly trondhjemite-tonalite-dacite (TTD) dacititic volcaniclastic rocks (Black Flag Group). The adjacent Gindalbie and Kurnalpi terranes are characterised by 2720 to 2680 Ma calc-alkaline volcanic successions representing oceanic island arcs. To the west of the EGST, the Youanmi Terrane is characterised by older, dominantly 3000 to 2900 Ma greenstone rocks and complex granitoid batholiths derived from older crustal sources. The southern Kalgoorlie Terrane comprises five elongate NNW-trending tectono-stratigraphic domains. Three principal marine komatiitic to basaltic suites, collectively referred to as the Kambalda Sequence, are present, including the wellpreserved massive to pillowed Lower and Upper Basalt Sequences, separated by the Komatiite Unit, as well as numerous dyke suites. The Lower Basalt Sequence comprises the Woolyeenyer Formation, Lunnon, Wongi, Scotia, Missouri Basalts and Burbanks and Penneshaw Formations, whereas the Upper Basalt Sequence contains the Paringa, Coolgardie, Big Dick, Devon Consols, Bent Tree, and Victorious basalts. ... Instead, the data suggest that discrete PGE-bearing phase (s) fractionated from the basaltic magmas. Such phases could be platinum group minerals (PGM; e.g. laurite) and/or alloys, or discrete PGE-rich nuggets. In summary, data on the three magmatic sequences record decompression melting of three distinct mantle sources: (1) long-term depleted asthenosphere for prevalent depleted tholeiitic and komatiitic basalts, and komatiites; (2) long-term enriched asthenosphere for Paringa Basalts and similarly enriched rocks; and (3) shortterm enriched continental lithospheric mantle (CLM) for HREE and Al-depleted dykes. Some of these rocks were contaminated by TTD-type melts. Taken with the existing geophysical and xenocrystic zircon data, the most straightforward interpretation is eruption of a zoned mantle plume at the margin of rifted continental lithosphere. The Kalgoorlie Terrane extensional basin was subsequently tectonically juxtaposed with the adjacent arc-like Gindalbie and Kurnalpi Terranes at approximately 2660 Ma at the start of orogeny in a Cordilleran-style orogen to form the EGST. Collectively, uncontaminated basalts have Nb/Th of 8-16, compared to 8-12 reported for the Lunnon basalts in a previous study. To a first approximation these asthenosphere melts are complementary to average Archean upper continental crust with Nb/Th =2, consistent with early growth of large volumes of continental crust rather than models of steady progressive growth.

The Neoarchaean Agnew-Wiluna greenstone belt (AWB) of the Kalgoorlie Terrane, within the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane (EGS) of the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, contains several world-class, komatiite-hosted, nickel-sulphide ore bodies. These are commonly associated with felsic volcanic successions, many of which are considered to have a tonalite-trondhjemite-dacite (TTD) affinity. The Cosmos greenstone sequence lies on the western edge of the AWB and this previously unstudied mineralised volcanic succession contrasts markedly in age, geochemistry, emplacement mechanisms and probable tectonic setting to that of the majority of the AWB and wider EGS. Detailed subsurface mapping has shown that the footwall to the Cosmos mineralised ultramafic sequence consists of an intricate succession of both fragmental and coherent extrusive lithologies, ranging from basaltic andesites through to rhyolites, plus later-formed felsic and basaltic intrusions. The occurrence of thick sequences of amygdaloidal intermediate lavas intercalated with extensive sequences of dacite lapilli tuff, coupled with the absence of marine sediments or hydrovolcanic products, indicates the succession was formed in a subaerial environment. Chemical composition of the non-ultramafic lithologies is typified by a high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonite signature, indicative of formation in a volcanic arc setting. Assimilation-fractional crystallisation modelling has shown that at least two compositionally distinct sources must be invoked to explain the observed basaltic andesite to rhyolite magma suite. High resolution U-Pb dating of several units within the succession underpins stratigraphic relationships established in the field and indicates that the emplacement of the Cosmos succession took place between ~2736 Ma and ~2653 Ma, making it significantly older and longer-lived than most other greenstone successions within the Kalgoorlie Terrane. Extrusive periodic volcanism spanned ~50 Myrs with three cycles of bimodal intermediate/felsic and ultramafic volcanism occurring between ~2736 Ma and ~2685 Ma. Periodic intrusive activity, related to the local granite plutonism, lasted for a further ~32 Myrs or until ~2653 Ma. The Cosmos succession either represents a separate, older terrane in its own right or it has an autochthonous relationship with the AWB but volcanism initiated much earlier in this region than currently considered. Dating of the Cosmos succession has demonstrated that high-resolution geochronology within individual greenstone successions can be achieved and provides more robust platforms for interpreting the evolution of ancient mineralised volcanic successions. The geochemical affinity of the Cosmos succession indicates a subduction zone was operating in the Kalgoorlie Terrane by ~2736 Ma, much earlier than considered in current regional geodynamic models. The Cosmos volcanic succession provides further evidence that plate tectonics was in operation during the Neoarchaean, contrary to some recently proposed tectonic models.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Western Australia, 2007.

Geologically-constrained inversion of geophysical data is a powerful method for predicting geology beneath cover. The process seeks 3D physical property models that are consistent with the geology and explain measured geophysical responses. The recovered models can guide mineral explorers to prospective host rocks, structures, alteration and mineralisation. This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of how the University of British Columbia Geophysical Inversion Facility (UBC–GIF) gravity and magnetic inversions can be applied to subsurface mapping and exploration by demonstrating the necessary approach, data types, and typical results. The non-uniqueness of inversion demands that geological information be included. Commonly available geological data, including structural and physical property measurements, mapping, drilling, and 3D interpretations, can be translated into appropriate inversion constraints using tools developed herein. Surface information provides the greatest improvement in the reliability of recovered models; drilling information enhances resolution at depth. The process used to prepare inversions is as important as the geological constraints themselves. Use of a systematic workflow, as developed in this study, minimises any introduced ambiguity. Key steps include defining the problem, preparing the data, setting inversion parameters and developing geological constraints. Once reliable physical property models are recovered they must be interpreted in a geological context. Where alteration and mineralisation occupy significant volumes, the mineralogy associated with the physical properties can be identified; otherwise a lithological classification of the properties can be applied. This approach is used to develop predictive 3D lithological maps from geologically-constrained gravity and magnetic inversions at several scales in the Agnew-Wiluna greenstone belt in Australia’s Yilgarn Craton. These maps indicate a spatial correlation between thick mafic-ultramafic rock packages and gold deposit locations, suggesting a shared structural control. The maps also identify structural geometries and relationships consistent with the published regional tectonic framework. Geophysical inversion provides a framework into which geological and geophysical data sets can be integrated to produce a holistic prediction of the subsurface. The best possible result is one that cannot be dismissed as inconsistent with some piece of geological knowledge. Such a model can only be recovered by including all available geological knowledge using a consistent workflow process.

Geologically-constrained inversion of geophysical data is a powerful method for predicting geology beneath cover. The process seeks 3D physical property models that are consistent with the geology and explain measured geophysical responses. The recovered models can guide mineral explorers to prospective host rocks, structures, alteration and mineralisation. This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of how the University of British Columbia Geophysical Inversion Facility (UBC–GIF) gravity and magnetic inversions can be applied to subsurface mapping and exploration by demonstrating the necessary approach, data types, and typical results. The non-uniqueness of inversion demands that geological information be included. Commonly available geological data, including structural and physical property measurements, mapping, drilling, and 3D interpretations, can be translated into appropriate inversion constraints using tools developed herein. Surface information provides the greatest improvement in the reliability of recovered models; drilling information enhances resolution at depth. The process used to prepare inversions is as important as the geological constraints themselves. Use of a systematic workflow, as developed in this study, minimises any introduced ambiguity. Key steps include defining the problem, preparing the data, setting inversion parameters and developing geological constraints. Once reliable physical property models are recovered they must be interpreted in a geological context. Where alteration and mineralisation occupy significant volumes, the mineralogy associated with the physical properties can be identified; otherwise a lithological classification of the properties can be applied. This approach is used to develop predictive 3D lithological maps from geologically-constrained gravity and magnetic inversions at several scales in the Agnew-Wiluna greenstone belt in Australia’s Yilgarn Craton. These maps indicate a spatial correlation between thick mafic-ultramafic rock packages and gold deposit locations, suggesting a shared structural control. The maps also identify structural geometries and relationships consistent with the published regional tectonic framework. Geophysical inversion provides a framework into which geological and geophysical data sets can be integrated to produce a holistic prediction of the subsurface. The best possible result is one that cannot be dismissed as inconsistent with some piece of geological knowledge. Such a model can only be recovered by including all available geological knowledge using a consistent workflow process.

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.

[Truncated abstract] The Laverton Greenstone Belt (LGB), located in the northeastern part of the Eastern Goldfields Province (EGP) of the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia, has a total contained gold endowment of over 690t. An important feature of the gold deposits in the LGB is their close spatial association with granitoids, with many gold deposits located adjacent to, or hosted by, granitoids. Recently-proposed genetic models for Archaean orogenic gold deposits have emphasised the role of granitoids in the formation of ore-deposits, but differ significantly in the nature of that role. Some models suggest that the granitoids are a source of ore-fluids and solutes, whereas others suggest that granitoids exert an important structural control on gold mineralisation. Such competing genetic models for gold mineralisation variably propose either a proximal-magmatic or distal-metamorphic, or less commonly distal-magmatic, source for goldbearing fluids, or mixing of fluids from multiple sources. Isotope geochemistry and geochronological studies are used to constrain the source and timing of auriferous fluids at nine gold deposits in the LGB in an attempt to differentiate between conflicting genetic models. To overcome the lack of detailed deposit-scale geological constraints inherent to any regional study, hypotheses generated from regional datasets are tested in a detailed case-study of the Wallaby gold deposit. The Pb-isotope compositions of ore-related sulphides from deposits in the LGB plot along the line representing crustal-Pb in the Norseman-Wiluna Belt of the EGP, with individual deposits clustering with other nearby deposits based on their geographic location. This trend is similar to that recorded in the Kalgoorlie-Norseman region in the southern EGP, and is consistent with a basement Pb reservoir for gold-bearing fluids. As such, data are consistent with a similar fluid source for all gold deposits. The Nd and Sr isotopic composition of goldrelated scheelite in the LGB clusters very tightly. The inferred ore-fluid composition has a slightly positive εNd, similar to ore fluids at other gold deposits in the EGP for which a proximal magmatic source is highly improbable. As such, Sr and Nd data are consistent with a similar fluid source for the gold deposits analysed in the LGB, but cannot unequivocally define that source. The median S, C and O isotopic compositions of ore minerals from all nine different gold deposits studied in the LGB fall in a very narrow range

Geologically-constrained inversion of geophysical data is a powerful method for predicting geology beneath cover. The process seeks 3D physical property models that are consistent with the geology and explain measured geophysical responses. The recovered models can guide mineral explorers to prospective host rocks, structures, alteration and mineralisation. This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of how the University of British Columbia Geophysical Inversion Facility (UBC–GIF) gravity and magnetic inversions can be applied to subsurface mapping and exploration by demonstrating the necessary approach, data types, and typical results. The non-uniqueness of inversion demands that geological information be included. Commonly available geological data, including structural and physical property measurements, mapping, drilling, and 3D interpretations, can be translated into appropriate inversion constraints using tools developed herein. Surface information provides the greatest improvement in the reliability of recovered models; drilling information enhances resolution at depth. The process used to prepare inversions is as important as the geological constraints themselves. Use of a systematic workflow, as developed in this study, minimises any introduced ambiguity. Key steps include defining the problem, preparing the data, setting inversion parameters and developing geological constraints. Once reliable physical property models are recovered they must be interpreted in a geological context. Where alteration and mineralisation occupy significant volumes, the mineralogy associated with the physical properties can be identified; otherwise a lithological classification of the properties can be applied. This approach is used to develop predictive 3D lithological maps from geologically-constrained gravity and magnetic inversions at several scales in the Agnew-Wiluna greenstone belt in Australia’s Yilgarn Craton. These maps indicate a spatial correlation between thick mafic-ultramafic rock packages and gold deposit locations, suggesting a shared structural control. The maps also identify structural geometries and relationships consistent with the published regional tectonic framework. Geophysical inversion provides a framework into which geological and geophysical data sets can be integrated to produce a holistic prediction of the subsurface. The best possible result is one that cannot be dismissed as inconsistent with some piece of geological knowledge. Such a model can only be recovered by including all available geological knowledge using a consistent workflow process. / Science, Faculty of / Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of / Graduate