You are on page 1of 36

An AMIRA collaborative research proposal between the

Centre for Ore Deposit Research (University of Tasmania), CSIRO, and the
Centre for Strategic Mineral Deposits (University of W.A.)

Giant Porphyry
Copper-Gold Deposits
A contribution to:

Hydrothermal Systems,
Giant Ore Deposits
&
A New Paradigm for
Predictive Mineral Exploration
P511
JULY 1998
COMMERCIAL-IN-CONFIDENCE
The contents of this Proposal are confidential to Centre for Ore Deposit Research (University
of Tasmania), CSIRO Exploration & Mining, Centre for Strategic Mineral Deposits
(University of Western Australia) and The Australian Minerals Industry Research Association
and are made available to possible participants in the Project solely for the purpose of
inviting their interest and are not to be used for any other purpose or disclosed or made
available to any other person or body.

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Preamble
RELATIONSHIP OF CODES PROJECT TO AMIRA GODS RESEARCH
PROGRAM P511
This document is an outline of a collaborative research proposal between the Centre for Ore Deposit
Research (CODES) , University of Tasmania and CSIRO on Giant Porphyry Cu-Au Deposits, to be
managed by AMIRA.
Giant Porphyry Cu-Au Deposits (CODES Project) will be a subproject of Hydrothermal Systems,
Giant Ore Deposits & A New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration - P511 (the GODS
Research Program). GODS commenced in early 1998, and will continue until early 2001. Any
company sponsoring the CODES project will automatically join P511, gaining full access to the
results of that project. Likewise, existing sponsors of the GODS AMIRA project P511 will gain full
access to the results of the CODES project. This complete exchange of information will be mutually
beneficial, and will help lead to the overall success of both projects.
In April 1998, a Strategic Partnership in Industry Research and Training (SPIRT) project proposal
was submitted to the Australian Research Council (ARC), seeking funds to match industry funding
that we are seeking for the CODES proposal. If we fail to gain industry support, the application for
ARC matching funds will be withdrawn. Should this occur project P511 will continue in its current
form, without a major porphyry Cu-Au component.
The following document outlines the aims and scope of the Giant Porphyry Cu-Au Deposits (CODES
Project). It also discusses the broader scope of the GODS Research Program (P511), explaining how
the current proposal on giant porphyry copper-gold deposits will be integrated within GODS.
A minimum of four companies is required to ensure that the Giant Porphyry Cu-Au Deposits project
will attract SPIRT funding and thus proceed.

GODS RESEARCH PROGRAM P511 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY


The Question
Where and how does nature create giant, high grade mineral deposits?
A holistic view of the ore system
Previous attempts to address this question have sought empirical criteria for the giant ore deposits.
The approach has not been successful. This research is taking a holistic view of ore systems and
aims to elucidate the key processes within hydrothermal systems which determine the formation of
the giant deposits, both at the regional and deposit scales. The research is combining traditional
empirical approaches, conceptual methods and numerical modelling. Some of the major themes
being investigated include
the role of basement structures
nature of fluid reservoirs within the crust and the role of regional seals in preserving and
dispersing reservoirs
reservoir evolution with depth, temperature and pressure
mixing of fluids of contrasting chemistry from different reservoirs and hypogene enrichment as
mechanisms for generating high grades
Soft - hard model approach to developing mineral-systems concepts
Available data from all scales - regional, deposit, microscale - is being integrated into soft
conceptual models of the hydrothermal systems which formed the outsized deposits.

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

The soft models, together with 3-D geological models of the crust, provide a framework for
evaluating quantitative 4-D (hard) models of the development of fluid reservoirs within the crust and
of mechanisms of focusing fluids from major reservoirs into sites of ore formation.
Key results from the modelling will be tested with selected acquisition of new data.
Work Program GODS Research Program
The focus of the project is on the nature of fluid reservoirs within Au and Cu-Au systems, the
influence of the architecture and geodynamic processes on fluid release from reservoirs, fluid flow
paths and the processes of metal transport, deposition and enrichment.
The following three regions are being studied initially:

Papua New Guinea Irian Jaya

Northern Chile

Kalgoorlie

Work Program CODES Project


This SPIRT project will investigate the role of high level magma chambers as reservoirs for
hydrothermal fluid and the interplay of magmatic and non-magmatic fluids around these chambers.
This project utilises the expertise in porphyry deposits available through the Centre for Ore Deposit
Research at the University of Tasmania. Systematic geochemical studies will seek to fingerprint the
ortho-magmatic stages of productive magma chambers (both hydrothermal and magmatic products)
and differentiate the hydrothermal stages dominated by non-magmatic fluid reservoirs. Research will
include sulfur isotope systematics, magnetite chemistry and distribution, vein and alteration
mineralogy and geochemistry and fluid inclusions, focusing on the giant ore deposits in Chile and
Papua New Guinea/Irian Jaya.
Structure and Funding
The GODS Research Program is a collaborative venture between CSIRO, Centre for Strategic Mineral
Deposits (CSMD), University of Western Australia and CODES Special Research Centre, University
of Tasmania and is based on three closely linked projects (see Figure below). A fourth project,
funded by a ARC Large Grant at CSMD, will feed results into the AMIRA project although it is not
an official part of GODS.

AMIRA

NON -AMIRA

Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits &


A New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral
Exploration P511
Giant Porphyry Cu-Au
Deposits
SPIRT
CODES
Uni. Tasmania

The Conjunction of
Physical and Chemical
Factors Responsible for the
Formation of World Class
Orogenic Lode-Gold Deposits
SPIRT
CSMD
UWA
CSIRO

ii

Fault Architecture
Large ARC Grant
CSMD
UWA

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

The GODS Research Program - P511


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & A New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral
Exploration. Currently with ten sponsors.
SPIRT project at University of Western Australia
The Conjunction of Physical and Chemical Factors Responsible for the Formation of World Class
Orogenic Lode-Gold Deposits.
SPIRT project at the Centre for Ore Deposit Research, University of Tasmania
Giant porphyry Cu-Au deposits. Submitted as a SPIRT proposal to the ARC in April, 1998
An additional four sponsors are required for the CODES project to ensure that the SPIRT application
is successful.
Large ARC Grant funded project at CSMD, University of Western Australia. Fault architecture.
This is not part of GODS but results from this project will flow through into GODS.
Reporting
Since the three-year CODES project will commence one year after the GODS Research Program
(P511) started it will not be completed until one year after the official completion of the GODS
Research Program, as a result we are proposing the following reporting strategy:
A penultimate report will be produced at the end of three years (early 2001) for the GODS

Research Pogram, encompassing the Lode _Au project and results of the CODES project up to that
time,
A final report will be produced for the CODES Project only at the end of the project.
A fully integrated report for the GODS Research Program, encompassing all the results of the

Giant Porphyry Cu_Au project, will then be distributed to sponsors.


We must emphasize that it is our intention to report project outcomes to sponsors on a continuous

basis. As part of this process, a support group will be established to disseminate information as
results come through.

PERSONNEL
Giant Ore Deposits Research Program - Project Leaders
Dr John L. Walshe Project Leader: GODS AMIRA Project P511
Specialist in geology and geochemistry of hydrothermal systems.
Prof. David Groves - SPIRT (Lode Au)
Economic geologist, specialist in lode gold deposits.
Director of the Centre for Strategic Mineral Deposits, Geology Department, University of
Western Australia
Dr David Cooke SPIRT (Giant Porphyry Cu-Au)
Specialist in hydrothermal geochemistry and magmatic-hydrothermal systems.
GODS Team Members, CSIRO
Dr. Graham Carr
Mrs. Gem Midgley
Dr. Alison Ord
Dr. Chris Ryan
Dr. Phaedra Upton
Dr. Paul Gow
Dr. Chongbin Zhao
Dr. Hans Muhlhaus

North Ryde
Nedlands
Nedlands
North Ryde
Nedlands
Nedlands
Nedlands
Nedlands

Pb isotope geochemistry
Database and project management
Deformational modelling
PIXE analysis, fluid inclusion geochemistry
Thermal and deformational modelling
Thermal and deformational modelling
Thermal modelling
Geomechanics

iii

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

SPIRT Lode Au Team Members, University of Western Australia


Dr. Neal McNaughton
Dr. Steffen Hagemann
Dr. Carl Knox-Robinson
Dr. Derek Wyman
Dr. Ed Mikucki

Pb isotope geochemistry
Hydrothermal geochemistry
Geographical information systems
Economic geology, metallogeny
Hydrothermal geochemistry

SPIRT Giant Cu-Au Team Members, University of Tasmania


Dr David Cooke

Porphyry Cu-Au & hydrothermal geochemistry

iv

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

TABLE OF CONTENTS
RELATIONSHIP OF CODES PROJECT TO AMIRA GODS RESEARCH PROGRAM P511. I
GODS RESEARCH PROGRAM P511 - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................. I
PERSONNEL...................................................................................................................................... III
GIANT PORPHYRY COPPER-GOLD DEPOSITS ......................................................................... 1
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

GOAL ......................................................................................................................................... 1
SIGNIFICANCE......................................................................................................................... 1
RESEARCH PLAN .................................................................................................................... 4
TIMETABLE.............................................................................................................................. 8
BUDGET .................................................................................................................................... 9

HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS, GIANT ORE DEPOSITS & A NEW PARADIGM FOR


PREDICTIVE MINERAL EXPLORATION ................................................................................... 10
I.
II.
III.
A)
B)
C)
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 10
THE WORK PROGRAM......................................................................................................... 11
SOFT - HARD MODELLING STUDIES ................................................................................ 11
Papua New Guinea - Irian Jaya............................................................................................... 11
Northern Chile Regional Study ................................................................................................ 14
Kalgoorlie Regional Study ....................................................................................................... 15
PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND FUNDING.......................................................................... 17
DELIVERABLES..................................................................................................................... 19
TIMETABLE............................................................................................................................ 20
BUDGET (EXCLUDES THE CODES GIANT PORPHYRY CU-AU PROJECT)................ 21
KEY PEOPLE FOR THE SOFT - HARD REGIONAL MODELLING.................................. 22

SPIRT LODE AU PROJECT............................................................................................................. 23


I.
II.
III.

GLOBAL- TO TERRANE- SCALE STUDIES ....................................................................... 23


DISTRICT-SCALE STUDIES ................................................................................................. 23
DEPOSIT-SCALE STRUCTURAL, HYDROTHERMAL AND FLUID CHEMISTRY
CONTROLS ............................................................................................................................. 24

LARGE ARC FAULT ARCHITECTURE PROJECT.................................................................... 26


COLLABORATION BETWEEN CSIRO, CODES, CSMD AND INDUSTRY ........................... 27
REPORTING, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER & CONFIDENTIALITY ...................................... 27
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY......................................................................................................... 28
REFERENCES .................................................................................................................................... 28

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

GIANT PORPHYRY COPPER-GOLD DEPOSITS


I.

GOAL

The SPIRT project on Giant Porphyry Cu-Au deposits will investigate the role of high level magma
chambers as reservoirs for hydrothermal fluid and the interplay of magmatic and non-magmatic fluids
around these chambers utilizing the porphyry copper and geochemical expertise available through the
Centre for Ore Deposit research at the University of Tasmania. Systematic geochemical studies will
seek to fingerprint the ortho-magmatic stages of productive magma chambers (both hydrothermal and
magmatic products) and differentiate the hydrothermal stages dominated by non-magmatic fluid
reservoirs.
The principal research topics will:
1. Magnetite distribution, mineral and whole rock geochemistry
2. Fluid inclusions and vein paragenesis
Specifically, we will analyse:

Homogenisation temperatures and salinities conventional microthermometric techniques

Cation ratios (Na/K, Na/Ca etc) analyse decrepitates using EMP +/- laser Raman

Daughter mineral composition SEM and/or laser Raman spectroscopy

Gas compositions (CO2, CH4, SO2 etc) laser Raman spectroscopy

3. Sulfur isotope systematics


4. District-scale alteration
The research project will be lead by Dr. David Cooke (CODES) and Dr. John Walshe (CSIRO), and
will include a research team of one postdoctoral research fellow and two PhD students.
The project will identify magmatic, lithological and hydrothermal controls on brine compositions, test
hypotheses on the diversity of processes operating within the giant Cu-Au porphyry systems and help
identify the key geological and geochemical elements of hydrothermal systems that generate giant
porphyry deposits.
The focus will be on the giant deposits in northern Chile and/or Papua New Guinea. The final output
will be a set of geological and geochemical criteria to be used by mining companies for target
evaluation and exploration in Australia and overseas. This knowledge will make Australian porphyry
exploration more efficient and competitive in both the local and global context.

II.

SIGNIFICANCE

Towards an Understanding of Giant Porphyry Cu -Au Systems


Porphyry deposits are the world's principal copper resource, and are also an important source of gold,
with many of the largest, recently discovered Au resources located in porphyry mineralising systems
in Pacific Rim countries (Cooke et al., 1998a). Australia has several typical porphyry Cu-Au
deposits that are currently being mined or developed (eg. Cadia and Goonumbla). As the Australian
mining industry strives for greater efficiency and profitability, there is a growing demand for large
tonnage, high grade giant resources such as the Grasberg, Ok Tedi and Bingham Canyon porphyry
Cu-Au deposits of Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea and the USA. Mirroring this demand is an
increased awareness that we lack an understanding of the processes required to form these premium
resources. The general processes of ore formation are understood, but not the particular processes
that lead to giant ore deposits. Without this understanding, we are unable to devise effective
exploration criteria to maximize the chances for new discoveries.
Clark (1993) has conceded that it is not possible to develop a set of descriptive criteria for outsized
mineral deposits. Determining the factors that govern the location, size and grade of mineral deposits
requires a judicious combination of the empirical and conceptual approaches to understanding oreforming processes. The construction of the truly giant deposits requires effective methods of storing
large volumes of fluids within the Earths crust, while sustaining metal and sulfur solubility within
1

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

these fluids. It is important to understand the processes operating at the regional to crustal scales that
give rise to reservoirs of heat, salinity, acidity, sulfur and redox capacity within the crust and mantle.
These are effectively the metal reservoirs, or are the reservoirs of the critical reagents (oxidant,
reductant, etc.) required for metal transport/precipitation. Equally, it is important to understand the
mechanisms of fluid release from these reservoirs, and of the focusing mechanisms at the trap site that
operate while maintaining chemical integrity of the fluids. Maintaining fluid pressure as well as
temperature within fluid reservoirs is also likely to be of paramount importance. Commonly, the
partial pressure of the acid volatile species (CO2, H2S, SO2 and HCl) determines acidity, oxidation
state, sulfur concentrations and maintains a balance of both metal and the sulfur components within
the fluid. Loss of fluid pressure is likely to lead to a degradation of the reservoir both in terms of
volume of available fluid and its chemical potential for deposit formation. However, in a pre-existing
zone of mineralization, a loss of fluid pressure can lead to sulfide dissolution and a significant
upgrading of the resource. There is a need to recognise the existence and extent of any regional seals,
be it a plug in the top of a magma chamber or a clay horizon within a sedimentary basin, and to learn
to recognise when one or several reservoirs have released fluids in a controlled and focused way.
These are likely to be times of great potential for the formation of large tonnage and high-grade
hydrothermal deposits.

1km

5km

200km
La E scondida

Chuquicama ta
Radiom iro To mic

Zaldiv ar

Regional
Seal
1

Groundwater
Reservoir

10

100 km

Brine & gas reserv oir


within
magma chamber

Figure 1

Recent advances in understanding the regional settings of porphyry Cu-Au deposits in PNG-Irian
Jaya, southwest United States, Lachlan Fold Belt and northern Chile suggest sub-volcanic magma
chambers play an important role in the formation of porphyry deposits, acting as reservoirs of magma,
saline brines and magmatic vapour. Other key elements of the architecture of porphyry and related
hydrothermal systems appear to be large-scale structures (arc-parallel and arc-normal) and regional
seals within the host sequences. The key to the formation of the giant deposits appears to lie in a
complex interplay of fluids from magmatic and non-magmatic reservoirs, with focusing mechanisms
governed by fault networks, and critical gas pressures determined by seals around and above magma
chambers. High metal grades are possible when large gradients are generated and sustained in one or
more solution parameters (temperature, acidity of fluid, redox state of fluid, salinity of fluid and
concentration of volatile species, particularly sulfur). The mechanisms for sustaining these gradients
are limited. Common processes include reactions of fluids with specific host rocks, phase separation
at particular sites and mixing of fluids (liquids and/or gases). Fluid-rock reactions and phaseseparation mechanisms have limited capacity to maintain gradients and generate both large tonnage
and high grades. Processes involving the mixing of large volumes of fluid with strongly contrasting
properties or processes involving the recycling and upgrading of initially low-grade deposits are
potentially the most effective mechanisms for generating both high grade and large tonnage deposits.

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Ultimately, large tonnage, high-grade resources appear to have complex histories of formation. From
the work of Zentilli et al (1995) on the Chuquicamata deposit, it is possible to argue that giant
deposits may result from a two-stage process, as outlined in Figure 1: an initial proto-ore develops
during the ortho-magmatic stages of the system remobilisation and upgrading of this proto-ore by
para-magmatic fluids results in the formation of a large tonnage, high grade resource at a high level in
the system. This reworking may take place over considerable (km-scale) vertical distances within the
crust. If the giant deposits are products of complex processes involving reworking of previously
deposited sulfides, then it will be necessary to clearly identify each stage in the rock record.
Questions that must be posed include:

Is it possible to determine if and when a sub-volcanic chamber acted as a reservoir for metal-rich
brines or vapour from the geochemistry of its high-level magmatic products?

Is it possible to recognize regional architectures that facilitate reworking processes?

Is it possible to resolve the relative roles of magmatic and non-magmatic fluids in the
remobilization stage?

Re gion al Sea l

2 km

Zone of second ary enrich m ent

Po ta ssic a lteratio n

Sod ic a lterat io n/m a gn et ite


5 km

Vap our-p hase Fin ge rprin ts


tourm aline
anhydrite (SO 2 )
hematite
molybdenite
(high HCl/H 2 O)

vapour
brine

-ve sulf ur isotopes (SO 2 )

Figure 2

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

III. RESEARCH PLAN


To test the hypotheses outlined above, field investigations and detailed geochemical investigations
will be combined. An integrated approach will be adopted, with each team member contributing to an
overall synthesis of the results and development of exploration parameters. The postdoctoral research
fellow (to be appointed) and chief investigator (Cooke) will conduct the more regional aspects of the
field studies, with deposit-specific studies undertaken by the two PhD students.
Researchers in this project will have full access to analytical equipment at CODES, the Geology
Department and the Central Science Laboratory at the University of Tasmania. This includes
facilities for the preparation of thin sections and polished sections, petrologic microscopes, a wide
range of computers, drafting equipment and a scientific library. Equipment available for the research
project includes an automated XRF unit, fluid inclusion and melt inclusion facilities, stable isotope
analytical equipment (conventional & laser ablation), scanning electron microscope, an electron
microprobe and a new laser ablation ICP-MS facility. Laser Raman analyses will be conducted at
AGSO, oxygen isotope analyses at Monash University and radiogenic isotopes at the University of
Adelaide.
The major research themes will be as follows:
Magnetite Distribution, Mineral and Whole Rock Geochemistry: It may argued that the orthomagmatic stages of porphyry deposits are the products of fairly standard magma chambers that
essentially behave as sealed reservoirs of hydrothermal fluids (brine and vapor). A critical issue is
learning to recognize if and when magma chambers behaved in this productive fashion. If highly
saline brines are capable of transporting high field strength elements and if such brines coexist with
small volumes of melt at a late stage, it may be possible for the brine to buffer the concentrations of
high field strength trace elements in the melt. Concentrations of these elements in late dykes would be
an indicator of a productive reservoir at depth. There is a need for an integrated geochemical study of
the late magmatic products and the early alteration products in productive systems to evaluate this
possibility. Consequently, we plan to investigate the distribution of magnetite (both magmatic and
hydrothermal) within giant porphyry deposits and in the surrounding regions (eg. the core of the
Grasberg deposit contains > 7% magnetite, which is coincident with the highest gold grades of > 4
g/t). Magnetic susceptibility measurements are an initial guide to magnetite content of lithologies and
alteration assemblages, and will be used to help systematically sample the various types of magnetite.
Petrographic and geochemical analyses (electron microprobe - EMP, scanning electron microscopy SEM and oxygen isotopes) will then be used to characterise the different varieties of magnetite, trace
fluid sources responsible for hydrothermal magnetite deposition, determine the temperatures of
formation (by analysing 18O in magnetite-quartz pairs) and to determine the importance of magmatic
magnetite in both the formation and fingerprinting of giant porphyry Cu-Au deposits. For the
magnetite-bearing intrusions and related lavas, samples will be analysed major, trace and REE
compositions and radiogenic isotopes (Nd, Sr, Pb) to help identify magma sources, petrogenetic
relationships and to try and identify the relative importance of mantle and crustal processes in the
formation of giant porphyry Cu-Au deposits.
1)

2) Fluid Inclusions and Vein Paragenesis: Detailed studies of fluid inclusions, placed in a
paragenetic (temporal) context, are essential for determining the role of brine chemistry in forming
giant porphyry deposits, and to test hypotheses about depositional processes (fluid mixing, phase
separation, etc.). There seems to be a first-order distinction between porphyry deposits which are
products of fluids exsolved from a magma chamber (ortho-magmatic fluids) and those which are
products of evolved magmatic fluids (para-magmatic fluids), substantially modified by fluid-rock
reactions and/or mixing with non-magmatic fluids. In the latter case, metals may be largely derived
from the intrusive complex, but the metal contents of the fluids reflect their extensive subsolidus
history. The salient characteristics of deposits in which ortho-magmatic processes played a
significant role are early high temperature Fe-Na Ca metasomatism, characterized by plagioclase
biotite and magnetite (M veins of Clark, 1993) with highly saline (> 50-90 wt. %) fluid inclusions (eg.
Endeavour 26N, NSW; Park Premier, Utah; El Salvador, Chile; Panguna, Papua New Guinea).

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Commonly, the most saline fluids are also the most sodic (Figure 3). The porphyry deposits most
likely to have formed by para-magmatic processes are those in which the deposition of sulfides is
relatively late in the paragenesis (eg. Ann-Mason, Yerrington Batholith; Nevada; Bingham, Utah;
Santa Rita, New Mexico; Sierrita, Arizona). In these deposits, the early M and A veins are missing
and deposit formation begins with the formation of a sulfide-poor quartz stockwork (most probably
equivalent to B veins, using the vein terminology of Gustafson and Hunt, 1975) and associated
potassic alteration (K-feldspar - biotite). Deposits such as Bingham, which do not display the early
stages of this paragenesis, lack the highly saline and sodic fluid inclusions. Detailed analyses of fluid
inclusions in the mineralised vein stages of giant porphyry Cu-Au deposits will therefore be
undertaken to help understand the origins and compositions of brines and gases that form giant
porphyry Cu-Au deposits, and to evaluate if there are any unique characteristics. Specifically, we will
analyse:

Homogenisation temperatures and salinities - conventional microthermometric techniques

Cation ratios (Na/K, Na/Ca, etc.) analyse decrepitates using EMP +/- laser Raman

Daughter mineral compositions SEM and/or laser Raman spectroscopy

Gas compositions (CO2, CH4, SO2, etc.) laser Raman spectroscopy

H2O
C&Dvein fluids
quartz poor
sulfide rich

Bingham
Early barr en quartz ve ins
with m olybdenite pyrite

Park P remier
Type C

Ortho- magmatic
Fluids

B- vein e quivalents
B ingham

Para-m agmat ic
Fluids
Park P remier
Type D

KC l

N a Cl
Park Premier

Pa rk Premier

M-vein stage

A/B - vein stage


quartz K-feldspar
m agnetite
pyrite
chalcopyrite

magnetite + actinolite
Na-plagioclase quartz
biotite & pyroxene stable

Figure 3

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

3) Sulfur Isotope Systematics: Sulfur isotopes provide information about the sulfur source and/or the
redox state of the system. The strongly negative numbers for sulfide seen in some deposits (eg. El
Salvador; early stage, & Goonumbla; Figure 4) are taken to reflect very oxidized fluids of orthomagmatic origin with bulk fluid compositions around 0. However, most data sets are more
positive. The positive shift in the late stage at El Salvador was interpreted in terms of ingress of
groundwater into the system. If this is a common process, then the sulfur budgets of the productive
stages of a host of deposits - Bingham, Grasberg, El Teniente, Rio Blanco may have been dominated
by country rock sulfur. However, it is not clear how variable the magmatic sulfur signature might be.
To resolve this issue there is a need to determine the sulfur isotopic compositions of sulfides in
magmatic sulfides in coeval volcanics and also to determine the bulk sulfur isotopic compositions of
country rocks. Sulfur isotope analyses will also be used to trace fluid and sulfur sources, and to
determine if any isotopic zonation exists around giant porphyry Cu-Au deposits. The laser ablation
system for analysing sulfur isotopes at the University of Tasmania can analyses individual sulfide
grains with diameters as small as 100m. Previous sulfur isotope studies of porphyry deposits have
been hampered by the requirement of coarse-grained sulfides for hand drilling. The laser ablation
technique is ideally suited to a study of porphyry-style mineralization, because it can effectively
analyse the fine, disseminated sulfides that occur in the primary igneous lithologies, and in the various
alteration assemblages related to a giant porphyry system. In addition, under the auspices of an ARC
large grant at the University of Tasmania, Dr. Garry Davidson has been developing a whole rock
technique for the analysis of sulfur isotopes in rocks that have low sulfur contents (eg. fresh diorites
and monzonites). We can use this technique to determine the primary magmatic sulfur isotope
composition of the magmas responsible for giant porphyry formation. In addition to the important
scientific insights to be gained from this aspect of the project, our sulfur isotope research has
excellent potential as an exploration tool within deposits and in mineralized districts, because it will
be able to detect any subtle sulfur isotopic zonation that may be associated with oxidation or other
processes that occur within giant porphyry deposits.
4) District-Scale Alteration: To test how important fluid mixing is for the origin of giant porphyry
deposits, it is essential to investigate fluid compositions in the districts that host the deposits. By
studying regional alteration assemblages (using alteration petrography, whole rock geochemistry,
fluid inclusions and stable isotopes), it is possible to determine whether a given assemblage acted as a
metal source or sink, whether the pore fluids were oxidized or reduced (eg. Cooke et al., 1998b), and,
given suitable sample material and sample distribution, regional temperature gradients and directions
of fluid flow. If, as hypothesised, regional seals are important, then meteoric/connate water
convection should have established distinctive background alteration assemblages such as the sodiccalcic assemblage at Yerrington, Nevada (Dilles and Einaudi, 1992), which is recognised to be a
prograde assemblage formed by influx of pore waters from the country rocks into the intrusions
during porphyry formation. These subtle regional alteration assemblages (eg. epidote-albite-pyritechlorite etc.) are the most common varieties encountered during exploration. A greater understanding
of their importance and an evaluation of their potential as exploration vectors are of great relevance to
the mining industry.

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

+12
0
80

60

+8

X H S > > X SO
2
4

oC
0
40

Bulk sulfur isotopic


composition

oC
0
30

oC

Porgera - stage 1
(A veins)

do m

in a

te d

0.

-4

??

0.

-8
S

Ro

XH2

ck

34 S ( 0 /00) - Sulfide

+4

oC

=
0.
5

-12

Magmatic fluid
dominated
Porgera - stage 2
(D veins)

-16

-20

0
15

10

12

14

X H S ~ X SO
2
4

oC

16

18

20

22

24

34 S Anhydrite ( 0 /00)
Bingham
Grasberg -paired sample
El Teniente, Rio Blanco

Ertsberg - paired sample

Gaspe
Goonumbla (E26N)
El Salvador
Open symbols; sulfide data only; temperature based on fluid inclusions

Figure 4

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

IV.

TIMETABLE

The field component will be completed in two stages during the first 18 months. Petrographic and
geochemical analyses will continue from year 1 through to year 3, with a greater emphasis on
geochemistry in the later stages of the project. An additional half-year has been added allowing for
completion of the APA-I (PhD) projects and integration of their results with the regional studies. If
the APA-I projects are completed within 3 years, then the additional 0.5 years will not be required:
Porphyry Cu-Au M odule

M ar

Jun

99
Sep

Dec

M ar

Jun

Northern C hile
Field Program

Petrography

G eochem istry

G eochem ical M odelling

Reporting

PNG -Irian Jaya


Field Program

Petrography

G eochem istry

G eochem ical M odelling

Reporting

00
Sep

D ec

M ar

Jun

01
Sep

D ec

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

V.

BUDGET
1998

1999

2000

2001

Predicted Income
AMIRA
ARC (SPIRT)

42K

83K
86K

83K
87K

42K
88K

Total

42K

169K

170K

130K

18K

57K
40K
18K

58K
40K
18K

41K
40K
9K

13K
6K
10K
15K
10K
169K

16K
6K
10K
12K
10K
170K

24K

Expenditure - salary
Structural Post-doc
2 PhD scholarships
Part time Research Assistant

9K

Other Expenditure
Geochemical analyses
Fieldwork and assoc expenses PhDs

2K
5K

Travel
AMIRA Fees
Total Expenditure

3K
5K
42K

3K
8K
5K
130K

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

HYDROTHERMAL SYSTEMS, GIANT ORE DEPOSITS & A NEW


PARADIGM FOR PREDICTIVE MINERAL EXPLORATION
I.

INTRODUCTION

The ultimate goal of this project (including the CODES project), is to understand the factors that
govern the location, size and grade of mineral deposits.
There is increasing consciousness within the community that we lack an understanding of the
processes required to form large tonnage, high grade deposits. The general processes of ore
formation are understood but not the particular processes that lead to giant ore deposits. There is also
awareness that regional-scale data, particularly geophysical data, are fundamentally modifying
perceptions of the physical dimensions of hydrothermal systems. It is increasingly possible to think
in terms of ore-forming systems rather than ore deposits.
Hydrothermal systems research necessitates a shift in perspective from the traditional depositoriented and class-oriented approaches to ore deposit research. There is a need for new skills and
tools to permit development of holistic pictures of hydrothermal systems. There is a need for new
skills to read from the rock record information about scale of systems, nature and location of
productive fluid reservoirs, locations of major flow paths, and regional and local seals. There is also
a need to understand what features of a deposit - even features at the microscale - are of significance
at the regional scale. Alteration assemblages, zonations and parageneses at the deposit scale have
been traditionally interpreted in terms of fluid-rock reactions at that scale. From a hydrothermal
systems perspective many of these same features may be interpreted in terms of mixing of fluids
from different reservoirs. Such interpretations, if sustained, will be one of the ways of making the
links between sites of ore formation, the regional-scale flow paths and fluid reservoirs. Fluid-rock
reactions may play a far more significant role in the reservoirs and along the flow paths than at the
site of ore formation. A microscale texture, such as the replacement of sulfides by silicates or quartz,
may have regional significance in much the same way as cleavage in a rock or thin-section may be of
regional significance. The rationale for this is that the texture reflects pressure perturbations in the
system and such perturbations may be of regional significance.
It is not possible to develop a set of descriptive criteria for outsized mineral deposits. Understanding
why and where giant ore deposits occur will require a judicious combination of the empirical and
conceptual approaches to understanding ore-forming processes. There is a need to critically reexamine the geological and geochemical data at all scales (regional, mine, micro) to provide a basis
for developing thoroughly integrated qualitative to semi-quantitative (soft) models of ore formation.
The soft models, together with 3-D geological models of the crust, may provide a framework for
evaluating quantitative 4-D models of the development of fluid reservoirs within the crust and of
mechanisms of focusing fluids from major reservoirs into sites of ore formation. The quantitative
modelling (the hard modelling) involves complete coupling between fluid flow, heat transport, rock
deformation and chemical reaction. It provides a holistic, quantitative view of the giant ore systems.
The hard modelling is a tool to answer the what-if questions. It is potentially a new tool in
designing and evaluating exploration programs: the essence of the new paradigm in predictive
mineral exploration.
Relating processes to size and grade
Mixing fluids of contrasting chemistry and hypogene enrichment, the reworking of pre-existing
sulfidic domains in the rock column, are two important processes for attaining high grades. Large
tonnage, high grade resources appear to reflect complex histories involving several different
processes that operated over time. Highly efficient focusing mechanisms are important: large
deposits are commonly related to large, deep-seated and long-lived fault systems. Many of these
themes are common to various classes of hydrothermal deposits (porphyry Cu-Au, lode Au, MVT,
syn-metamorphic and VMS deposits). It seems that it is possible to think in terms of a general theory
of hydrothermal systems and that it will be possible to make some quite powerful statements about
why deposits are large, why they are high grade and where they might be found.

10

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Two themes woven into the fabric of this research may well be germane to genuine progress in
understanding the origins of the giant deposits.
These are:
- the need to recognize the diversity and complexity of the processes
- the need to integrate all of the data from the microscale to the crustal scale

II.

THE WORK PROGRAM

The work program develops the soft model hard model concept.
The modelling begins by asking the following five questions about the system.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

What is the system?


What is the P-T and geodynamic history?
What is the nature of fluid reservoirs in the system?
What mechanisms advect/convect/focus fluids?
What are the metal transport/depositional mechanisms of ore formation?

The answers to these five questions generate the soft models that in turn provide a framework for the
hard models. Quantitative modelling of hydrothermal systems places severe constraints on what is
possible. It is this holistic, quantitative view of the ore system that holds the key to the new paradigm
in mineral exploration: utilizing modelling as a tool in designing and evaluating exploration programs
at local, regional and crustal scales.
The focus of the project is on the nature of fluid reservoirs within Au and Cu-Au systems, the
influence of the architecture and geodynamic processes on fluid release from reservoirs, fluid flow
paths and the processes of metal transport, deposition and enrichment. The project is utilizing the
numerical modelling skills within the AGCRC and architectures largely derived from other studies by
the AGCRC, AGSO, state geological surveys and the exploration industry.
The following three regions are being studied initially:

Papua New Guinea Irian Jaya

Northern Chile

Kalgoorlie

The present status of the soft models and the concepts to be examined by the hard modelling within
each of these regions is summarized in this document.
Assessment of all the data, from the deposit-scale to the regional-scale to the crustal-scale is being
utilized in developing soft and hard models of the ore forming processes. It should lead to the
recognition of linkages between deposits, districts and provinces not previously appreciated.

III. SOFT - HARD MODELLING STUDIES


A) Papua New Guinea - Irian Jaya
Aim:
To test some key concepts about fluid reservoir development within a system. These include:

robustness of reservoirs - effectiveness of seals/development mechanisms

mechanisms to trigger release of fluids

role of regional uplift in developing reservoirs and providing triggers for focused release of fluids
from reservoirs

how much fluid can be stored

how effectively can it be delivered to site of ore deposition - time/velocity

11

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Region/deposit classes

PNG/Irian
Jaya Cu-Au

Priority
What is the system?
Size
??
Structural architecture

Lithological architecture

Physical/chemical properties of rocks

Nature of fluids/reservoirs?
Meteoric
Basinal brines
Basinal devolatilization (hydrocarbons)

Lower-crustal devolatilization

Magmatic

Mantle
Mechanisms driving the fluids?
Compaction
Topography
Thermal - igneous complexes

Tectono-thermal-deformational

P-T / geodynamic history?


Sedimentation/erosion

Extension

Thrust loading

Thermal time constants

Transport/depositional processes?
Fluid mixing

Fluid/rock reaction
Phase changes/pressure seals

Hypogene enrichment

common parameters system specific parameters

Northern
Chile Cu

Kalgoorlie
Region Au

Carlin
Au

Wiluna
Au

??

??

??

??

The working hypothesis with respect to the Porgera deposit:


Regional architecture

Size of system
The working hypothesis for the Papua New Guinea - Irian Jaya region is that the deposits from
Porgera through Ok Tedi and Frieda River to Grasberg/Etrsberg may be considered part of one
large system.
Structure
There appears to be three important structural elements and we are focusing on these initially:
Arc-parallel structures that align with the edge of the Australian craton.
Arc-normal structures that appear to be reactivated basement structures in the Australian craton.
A regional seal which is the thrust contact between the Darai Limestone and the Chim
Formation.

Lithologies

Chim and Om Formations and black shale sequences

Darai Limestone and correlates

Intrusive rocks

Porgera Intrusive Complex - alkaline intrusive complex

Other Late Miocene - Quaternary porphyries

12

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Porgera Complex - site of mixing of


oxidized and reduced fluids

Om U plift

Darai Limest one


Chim Formation
Om Formation

Intrusions
-source of oxidized fluid

Convection in this cel l


generates homogenous
A-vein fluid
- reduced fluid
- mixed igneous/sed isotopic signature

R e gion al S ea ls

SSW

NNE

Sec tion alon g the P o rg era tra ns fer


(a fte r H ill)

Figure 5

135 0

140 0

145 0

150 0

155 0

00

Grasberg
Nena
Frieda
?

50

Ok Te di

Porgera
Mt Kare

Tertiary limestone - Darai Limestone


Upper Cretaceous clastics - Chim Formation
Jurassic shales - Om Formation

10 0

Intrusions

Figure 6

13

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Geodynamic History
What is the relationship between uplift in the Papua New Guinea Irian Jaya region, magmatism and
the formation of mineral deposits?
Part of the answer may lie in the need to load the system to activate the seals and form the reservoirs.
Uplift may also provide triggers for focused release of fluids from reservoirs.
Nature and location of fluid reservoirs that generated the Porgera deposit
Reduced fluids: Stage 1 mineralization in the Porgera Au deposit is associated with reduced sulfide
assemblages sitting in and around an alkaline intrusive complex. The Pb isotope data indicate that the
Pb in the fluids was mostly derived from igneous rocks and the Om Formation. This suggests the
reduced ore fluid is a product of fluid interaction with sedimentary and igneous rocks which occurred
at least three kilometres beneath the
The hydrothermal history of the Porgera deposit suggests oxidized fluids were active in the system at
a very early stage and also at a late stage during the formation of the high grade ore in the Roamane
Fault. Some part(s) of the Porgera Complex is assumed to have formed the reservoir for the oxidized
fluid.
Mechanisms of transport and deposition at Porgera
Gold was deposited in Stage I from reduced fluids that had equilibrated with the black shales in the
stratigraphic column
Magmatic volatiles oxidised the reduced ore fluid during stage II
The strong redox gradients between the reduced and oxidized fluids generated the high grades
within the Roamane Fault
Significant remobilization of gold in the rock column occurred during stage II
Mechanisms driving fluid flow and fluid focussing in the system
The model of fluid reservoirs summarized in Figure 5. brings together the major elements of the
geology and geochemistry of the Porgera deposit. From modelling of the magnetic data, the top of the
larger body of intrusive rock at Porgera is taken to be 2-3 km below the present surface. Convection
led to a reduced fluid with a homogeneous isotope signature. It is suggested that the Darai Limestone
- Chim Formation contact (a thrust fault) acted as a regional seal on the system. This seal would have
controlled fluid pressures in the underlying rock column and breaking of the seal focused fluids into
the zone of mineralization.
B) Northern Chile Regional Study
Aim:
To test some key concepts about crustal magma chambers acting as fluid reservoirs in a linked-fault
system and the interplay of magmatic and non-magmatic reservoirs:

Determine the shapes of the deep magma reservoirs from geophysical data

Modelling of fracture propagation around the model chamber with/without mineral precipitation
examining the influence of pre-existing structure and regional seals
Examine the interplay between pre-existing structure and the chamber to locate the valves that
release fluids to a higher level in the between
Model the role of gas pressure in driving hypogene enrichment processes in the system
The working hypothesis for the Northern Chile porphyry Cu deposits:
Architecture of the system

Size
Taken to be approximately the length of the west fissure.
14

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Structure
Arc-parallel structures, dominated by west fissure but also E-W, NE and SW trending structures these seem to be basement structures.

Lithologies
Need to document the following elements:
marine sediments - potential hosts of reduced-fluid reservoirs
terrestrial sediments - potential hosts for oxidized fluid reservoirs
potential regional seals
relationships of volcanic rocks/dykes to chambers defined by magnetics

Geodynamic History
The giant porphyry Cu deposits form within a relatively restricted time interval. What is the causal
relationship between subduction and ore formation during this interval?
Nature and location of fluid reservoirs in the system
The deep-seated magma chambers may act as reservoirs for ortho-magmatic fluid (brines and/or
vapor) and non-magmatic fluid or evolved magmatic fluid reservoirs may occur external to the magma
chambers.
Available data on mineralogy, paragenetic relations, and isotopic compositions will be used to assess
the relative roles of ortho-magmatic and non-magmatic fluid reservoirs. Deposits to be studied
include El Teniente, Rio Blanco-Los Bronces, El Salvador, and Chuquicamata.
Transport and deposition processes
Available data will used to assess the role of gas pressure within the system in controlling available
acid and the mobility of Cu at both the ortho-magmatic and para-magmatic stages of the system.
Numerical models will be developed to assess the role of gas pressure in hypogene enrichment
processes
C) Kalgoorlie Regional Study
Aims:
To explore the interplay between structure and chemistry of fluid reservoirs in determining
location, size and grade of deposits within the Kalgoorlie region
To understand the outstanding size and grade of the Golden Mile
Chemistry modelling
The numerical modelling of the chemistry will examine:
The influence of the Golden Mile Dolerite on mineral assemblage and capacity to buffer the redox
state of the fluid
The grade of gold that may be generated by reaction of fluid of variable pH and redox conditions
with the Golden Mile Dolerite
The robustness of redox states set at deeper levels in the system. Will these conditions be
transferred to higher levels in the system or will they be reset by fluid-rock reaction along the flow
paths?
The effectiveness of mixing fluids of contrasting redox state to generate large tonnage/high grade
resources
Soft Modelling
The soft modelling will proceed by developing a GIS database of key geological, geophysical and
geochemical elements that will aid the correlation of fluid reservoirs and flow paths of contrasting

15

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

chemistry with structure. Interest is particularly centred on resolving differences between sets of N-S
trending structures and cross-structures. The elements of the database will include:
regional geology
regional structures
geophysical data sets
major and minor deposits
alteration styles
presence of pyrite, pyrrhotite, hematite, magnetite, sulfate
talc-carbonate alteration
presence of minor phases (roscoelite, scheelite, Ni-arsenides, molybdenite, tourmaline)
fluid inclusion data temperature and salinity
variation in sulfur and carbon isotopes
Pb isotope data
age constraints on intrusions/alteration/mineralization
Working hypothesis for the formation of the Golden Mile deposits:
Regional Architecture

Size of the system


Crustal scale system. The Y-front seismic section provides one possible interpretation of the third
dimension of the system

Structures

N-S trending
Early set with carbonate alteration that does not cut greenstone/basement contact

N-E trending features in topography with some possible correlation with dykes - from
magnetic image. Locally late N-E structures control distribution of gold grades within N-S
trending structures

Lithologies

Do the Black Flag Beds act as a regional seal within the system?

What is nature of fluids / fluid reservoirs in the system?


Fluid histories in the Golden Mile provide some insight into possible fluid reservoirs in the region. At
minimum, the mineralogy/geochemistry of the Golden Mile suggests two fluids

a reduced CO2-H2S-Au rich fluid


an oxidized fluid - most likely magmatic
Correlation of Golden Mile and Kanowna Belle on same N-E suggests an oxidized fluid reservoir was
tapped by at least one N-E trending structure. Arguably, the N-S trending structures carried the more
typical reduced, CO2 and gold-bearing fluid.
Depositional Processes within the Golden Mile
The outstanding size and grade of the Golden Mile mineralization may reflect a combination of
processes including:
effective focussing mechanisms
extensive reworking and upgrading of the gold mineralization
highly efficient deposition of the gold by oxidation of reduced gold-rich fluids

16

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

In part, the Golden Mile Dolerite may have behaved as an aquiclude at the local to regional scale
maintaining the chemical integrity of reduced and oxidized fluids up to the point of mixing.

IV.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE AND FUNDING

A novel approach and a well balanced team


The systems approach to the study of hydrothermal mineral deposits is novel and demands new
approaches to project structures, mechanisms of funding, collaboration between researchers and
exploration geoscientists.
The project is constructed around the following constraints:
A need to ask a diverse range of questions about mineral systems. Questions about architecture,
geodynamic history, fluid reservoirs, and mechanisms of fluid flow, metal transport and
depositional processes.
A need undertake research at different scales - terrane, district, deposit, microscale.
A need to spend time integrating data to develop robust soft models to focus the hard
modelling.
A need to utilize the knowledge and skills of university and CSIRO researchers and exploration
geoscientists.
A need to maximise the funding of the research by integrating AMIRA projects and SPIRT grants.
The funding for the research is being arranged through three closing linked projects.
The GODS Research Program - AMIRA project P511
Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & A New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral
Exploration
The GODS project is currently funded by 10 sponsors.
SPIRT project at CSMD, University of Western Australia
The Conjunction of Physical and Chemical Factors Responsible for the Formation of World Class
Orogenic Lode-Gold Deposits
SPIRT project at the Centre for Ore Deposit Research, University of Tasmania
Giant porphyry Cu-Au deposits
SPIRT Proposal submitted to ARC in April, 1998.

Large ARC funded project at CSMD, University of Western Australia. Fault Architectures. Not
officially part of the GODS research program but will feed results into the program

Collaboration between researchers and exploration geoscientists is being developed through a series
of support groups.
The GODS project is unique in its character and scope. The GODS project is bringing together a
breadth and depth of talent from the CSIRO, the Centre for Strategic Mineral Deposits at the
University of Western Australia, Centre for Ore Deposit Research at the University of Tasmania, the
AGCRC and collaborative partners. The team encompasses skills in hydrothermal ore deposits,
hydrothermal geochemistry, igneous petrology, basin analysis, isotope geochemistry, analytical
geochemistry, structure, numerical modelling of fluid flow (thermal and deformational), geographical
information systems and exploration geoscience. The team blends the experience of internationally
recognised geoscientists and experienced explorers with the youthful and talented enthusiasm of a
new generation of geoscientists.

17

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

SPIRT Au
Orogenic Gold
Deposits

GODS

Scales

P/T history
magmatism
geodynamic
s
space/time

The
Questions

SPIRT
Au
Wyman
Gardoll
Groves
(Barley)

Integration
&
Prediction

GODS
Walshe
Gow
(McInnes)
(Hobbs)
(Ord)

Porphyry Cu-Au
Deposits

Scale of system

Global to
Terrane

Research

SPIRT

Deposit
Scale

Province
and
District

Architecture

Transport
and
Deposition

Reservoirs

SPIRT Au

LARGE ARC
Faults-Au
Hagemann
Groves
ARC Rfellow
McNaughton

GODS

Walshe
Gow
McNaughton
(Ord)
Cooke
SPIRT Cu-Au
Rf ll & PhD

SPIRTAu
/GODS
SPIRT
Rfellow

SPIRT CuHagemann
Groves
Mikucki
SPIRT Au Rfellow & PhDs
Cooke
SPIRT Cu-Au Rfellow & PhDs
Walshe & Midgley

Soft Models
CSIRO Modelling Group
CSMD and CODES

GIS Integration
Gardoll
Knox-Robinson
(Fractal Graphics)

GODS/SPIRT Au & Cu-Au

AMIRA
Sponsors

PNG-Irian Jaya
Northern Chile
Kalgoorlie Region
Wiluna Region
Post-Rodinian Au, Cu-Au
distribution

Global to District
Exploration Criteria

District

Global

Hard Models
Ord and
CSIRO Modelling Group
GODS

18

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

V.

DELIVERABLES

The deliverables of the GODS Research Program will be a series of atlases.


Deposit Elements Atlas
Ore forming events; conditions of ore forming events; sources of hydrothermal fluids; character
and age of host-rock events; relative and absolute timing of host-rock and ore forming events.
Regional Elements Atlas
Structural architecture; basin history; magmatic history of the region; metamorphic and
deformation history and nature of fluid reservoirs.
Atlas of Ore Deposit Models
Soft and hard models of the hydrothermal system and ore-forming processes based on
integration of regional and deposit scale data, testing possible flow regimes, sites of reservoir
development, flow paths and sites of ore formation.
Benefits:
The systems approach to the study of the giant hydrothermal mineral deposits, the integration of
deposit and regional scale data and the interplay of the soft and hard modelling has the potential to
radically modify concepts of ore formation and significantly impact on exploration strategies. The
benefits from this approach include:
Systematic compilation of the characteristics and settings of some of the truly giant metal
resources.
New insights into links between characteristics and events at the regional scale with events and
characteristics at the deposit scale.
New insights into links between different groups and classes of deposits providing increased
opportunity for lateral thinking and novel approaches to exploration.
New skills and tools to aid regional scale interpretation of hydrothermal systems.
Enhanced ability to evaluate the prospectivity of regions.
Enhanced interaction between exploration geoscientists and research scientists.

19

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

VI.

TIMETABLE
REG IO NAL STUDIES

M ar

Jun

98
Sep

Dec

M ar

Jun

99
Sep

Dec

M ar

Jun

PNG -Irian Jaya


Architecture/geodynam ic history

Fluids/reserv oirs/transport/depositional processes


Porgera
O k Tedi
Hard m odelling
Reservoirs
Kalgoorlie Region

triggers
W iluna Region

Architecture/geodynam ic history

Fluids/reserv oirs/transport/depositional processes

Hard m odelling
radiogenic tracers
Northern Chile
Architecture/geodynam ic history
m agm a cham bers

m agnetics

Fluids/reserv oirs/transport/depositional processes

Hard m odelling
fault architecture - fluid flow

20

00
Sep

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

VII.

BUDGET (EXCLUDES THE CODES GIANT PORPHYRY CU-AU PROJECT)


1998

1999

2000

Income
AMIRA
SPIRT
CSIRO

200K
130K
93K

200K
120K
93K

200K
120K
93K

Total

423K

413K

413K

Expenditure - salary
JLW (65%)
Research assistant - Gem Midgley
Structural Post-doc
Contr. hard modelling (Gow/Upton)
2 PhD scholarships
Advertising/moving
Part-time assistance

72K
46K
59K
40K
40K
10K
20K

72K
48K
59K
40K
40K

72K
50K
59K
40K
40K

20K

20K

Other Expenditure
Computer/software
GIS
Geochemical analyses
Fieldwork and assoc expenses PhDs
Travel
AMIRA Fees
Total Expenditure

10K
20K
26K
20K
32.6K
27.4K
423K

10K
20K
24K
20K
32.7K
27.3K
413K

10K
20K
22K
20K
32.7K
27.3K
413K

21

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

VIII. KEY PEOPLE FOR THE SOFT - HARD REGIONAL MODELLING


Region
Soft Modelling

PNG-Ijaya

Nth Chile

Architecture / Geodynamics- P&T


/Driving mechanisms
Structures

Gow

Lithologies

Gow

Intrusions/coeval volcanics

Gow

Magnetics assess plutons / structure

Gow

Uplift data
Geochemistry of igneous rocks
Fluids/Reservoirs
Transport/depositional processes
Deposit geology
Mineralogy/ paragenesis
Fluid inclusions
Stable Isotopes
Radiogenic isotopes

Kalgoorlie

Archibald
JLW
Archibald
JLW
Archibald
JLW
Archibald
JLW

Gow
McInnes

JLW/GEM
JLW/GEM
JLW/GEM
JLW/GEM

Hard Modelling
Seal/reservoir /def/thermal/uplift
Seal/res/def/therm/chamber/faults
Models above with qtz ppt
Gas pressure/acidity
Replicate above in 3D
Inversion of magnetic image/chamber

Wiluna

DIG/SPIRT
Rfellow
DIG/SPIRT
Rfellow
DIG/SPIRT
Rfellow
DIG/SPIRT
Rfellow
Wyman

SH/DIG/students/JLW
SH/DIG/students/JLW
SH/DIG/students/JLW
SH/DIG/students/JLW
McNaughton / Carr

Upton/Gow
Upton/Gow
Upton/Gow
Upton/Gow
Upton/Gow
CSIRO/Fractal Graphics

Code Development
Perm/por for modelling of seals

Upton/Zhang

Partial link of EQ3/6 and Gibbs


model gas pressure/acidity

Upton/ Semeniuk/JLW

22

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

SPIRT LODE Au PROJECT


I.

GLOBAL- TO TERRANE- SCALE STUDIES

Objectives:
1. Establish models to explain why some orogens are gold-rich and others are gold-poor by placing
known deposits in the spatial and temporal context of (i) supercontinent aggregation and breakup
and/or (ii) the global record of coeval tectonics and magmatism (Archean lode gold deposits).
2. Define exploration criteria to distinguish these different types of orogens by comparing the
attributes of prospective and non-prospective terranes.
3. Provide guidelines for determining the location of prospective districts within favourable terranes.
Key Areas:
1. Archaean: Yilgarn; Superior Province (highly and weakly prospective)
2. Post-Archaean: Circum-Pacific
Personnel:
Derek Wyman, Stephen Gardoll (GIS Research Officer), David Groves, Mark Barley, Brian Krapez
Scientific Approach:
GIS studies at two scales:
1. Global Plate Reconstructions
2. Terrane Focus Studies Incorporating Multiple Data Types:
Lithogeochemical data that fingerprints terrane geodynamic histories
Data for gold mineralization and other deposit types that may define recurring geodynamic-

metallogenic associations
Terrane-scale structural data,
Geochronological data that constrain individual deposit ages, establish terrane histories and

allow recognition of global patterns through time


Geophysical data that reflect the orogenic histories of terranes

All CSMD terrane studies will be available for comparison and study in the GODS Project in order to
more rigorously establish prospective exploration criteria
Outcomes:
Identification of prospective age spans and terrane types. Establishment of guidelines for selection of
prospective districts within prospective terranes. Development of sets of criteria for evaluation and
prioritisation of poorly exposed or little-studied terranes.

II.

DISTRICT-SCALE STUDIES

Objectives:
1.

To establish those factors which are common to districts containing world-class orogenic gold
deposits within gold-rich orogens.

2.

In particular, to determine the relative roles of: 1) the regional-scale structural architecture of
the ore systems, 2) the nature of fluid reservoirs, and 3) the plumbing systems promoting
anomalously high fluid flux, in determining the specific conjunction of factors which lead to
the generation of world-class orogenic gold deposits.

23

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Key Areas:
1.

Comparative province-scale comparative analysis of structural geometry of Yilgarn (including


sub-provinces), Zimbabwe, Abitibi and Pilbara.

2.

Yilgarn: Kalgoorlie, Sunrise and Wiluna goldfields vs smaller Yilgarn systems.

3.

Pine Creek: Howley and Howley Anticline vs smaller systems.

4.

Ghana: Projects at Damang and Prestea but may be confidentiality clauses.

Personnel:
David Groves, Derek Wyman, Neal McNaughton, Carl Knox-Robinson, Juhani Ojala with input from
Steffen Hagemann and John Walshe. PhD students whose studies impact on the project include Susie
Brown, Graeme Cameron, Jon Pigois, Orestes Santos, Eduardo Videla, and Grace Yun.
Scientific Approach:
Two levels of research:
1.

Province / District Scale Studies


Geometrical analysis of highly mineralised versus non-mineralised belts (eg. G. Yun)
Regional syntheses based on non-confidential work in Africa (Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia);
Brazil (Tapajos); Australia (Yilgarn, Pine Creek, Victoria) by D. Groves

2.

District / Goldfield Scale Studies


GIS - based analysis of district, goldfields (eg. Wiluna, Howley)
Modelling of hydrothermal plumbing systems at district scale (eg. Kalgoorlie, Sunrise?)

Outcomes:
Identification of geometric and other parameters of highly mineralised belts with world-class deposits
versus those poorly mineralised belts. Improved understanding of architecture of giant hydrothermal
systems at district scale. Derivation of quantitative models of such systems through interactions with
CSIRO personnel.

III.

DEPOSIT-SCALE STRUCTURAL, HYDROTHERMAL AND FLUID


CHEMISTRY CONTROLS

Objectives:
1. Determine, through integrated structural and hydrothermal studies, the main factors, which
control the spatial occurrence of world-class gold deposits.
2. In particular, to elucidate the structural and hydrothermal evolution of the deposits, reconstruct
the paleohydrothermal system in terms of P-T-X-t, and provide an integrated structuralhydrothermal and fluid chemistry model for the deposits.
Key Areas: (subject to negotiation)
1. Wiluna lode-gold deposits, and Mt. Wilkinson lode-gold deposits in the Wiluna greenstone belt
2. Tamoola gold deposits near Leonora, and
3. Damang and Prestea mines in Ghana
4. Sunrise
Personnel:
Steffen Hagemann, Ed Mikucki, David Groves, Postdoc (to be decided), PhD students Paul Duuring,
Susie Brown, Graeme Cameron, Jon Pigois, other APA (I) (to be decided).

24

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

Scientific Approach:

Detailed mapping will be undertaken of open pits and/or underground workings

Alteration zonation and timing will be constrained in terms of petrography, whole rock and
mineral chemistry

Fluid chemistry studies of gases, ions and metals will employ quadrupole mass-spectrometry and
laser-ICP-MS analyses on fluid inclusions.

Fluid sources will be constrained by a combination of stable, radiogenic isotopes and gas- and
ion-chromatography

Structural, petrographic and chemical work will then be integrated in order to provide a
descriptive as well as genetic model for each deposit.

Outcomes:
The study will establish (1) the structural control of lode-gold mineralization within specific ore
bodies, (2) petrographic and geochemical vectors towards high grade gold mineralization, and (3) a
quantitative structural-hydrothermal model for each deposit. Results will be synthesised to define the
structural-hydrothermal architecture of giant lode-gold systems at the deposit scale.

25

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

LARGE ARC FAULT ARCHITECTURE PROJECT


Objectives:
1. Establish the primary channelways for auriferous ore fluids, constrain the nature of hydrothermal
connectivity and the reasons (physical and/or chemical) for the lack of significant gold deposition
in the crustal-scale structures.
2. To provide preliminary constraints on the total structural and hydrothermal history of the crustalscale deformation zones in order to identify reactivation of earlier-formed structures during the
gold mineralising events, post-gold fault movements, etc.
Key Areas:
1. Archean Perseverance Fault in the northern Yilgarn Block of Western Australia, which is adjacent
to the well-studied Wiluna and Mt. Wilkinson deposits (Hagemann et al., 1995),
2. the Cadillac Fault (Break) in Quebec, along which a number of well-studied world-class gold
deposits are sited (Robert and Brown, 1986), and
3. the Mesozoic Fanshaw Fault System in Alaska, the site of the extensively documented Juneau
gold district (eg. Goldfarb, et al., 1986).
Personnel:
UWA: Steffen Hagemann, David Groves, Postdoc (to be decided), Honours student (Daniel Bishop)
in cooperation with the Quebec Geological Survey (Dr. Jean-Francois Couture), the United States
Geological Survey (Dr. Richard Goldfarb), ETH Zurich (Dr. John Ridley), Leeds University (Prof.
Bruce Yardley), University of Michigan (Prof. Steve Kesler), and University of Wisconsin (Prof. John
Valley).
Scientific Approach:
1. Detailed mapping of the fault systems, including paleostress analyses (Angelier, 1984)
2. Whole-rock geochemical analyses of quartz veins and adjacent wallrocks to detect gold anomalies
to the ppb level)
3. Thin section studies to determine siting of anomalous gold in veins or wallrocks
4. Detailed quadrupole mass-spectrometry and laser-ICP-MS analyses, (including halogen analysis)
of vein fluids and laser-based oxygen isotope analyses on zoned quartz will be undertaken to
constrain the compositions, processes and source of the hydrothermal fluids.
Outcomes:
Improved constraints will be placed on models to account for the lack of major gold deposits firstorder structures. Relationships between crustal-scale fault movements and the evolution of complex
vein systems will be established. Improved constraints will be placed upon the sources of
hydrothermal fluids, gold transport mechanisms and gold depositional processes.
The results from this project will not be subject to the AMIRA confidentiality provisions that are
applicable to the GODS Research Program projects.

26

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

COLLABORATION BETWEEN CSIRO, CODES, CSMD AND


INDUSTRY
The CODES Giant Porphyry Cu-Au project has been jointly devised in consultation with AMIRA,
University of Western Australia, University of Tasmania and the relevant sponsor companies of the
Giant Ore Deposits project (AMIRA P511). The project was discussed at AMIRA project P511
sponsors meeting in March 1998 (Perth), where the sponsors indicated their support of the project,
and indicated preferences for research directions. AMIRA, as research coordinators for the
Australian mineral industry, have been involved in several previous collaborative projects with the
University of Tasmania. As the AMIRA representative to the current project, the Industry Partner
(Joe Cucuzza) will be responsible for managing the financial contributions from the industry sponsors
and distribution of annual reports, organising and chairing annual sponsors meetings, and for
facilitating technology transfer between the academic and industry groups. The PhD students,
postdoctoral research fellow and (to a lesser degree) the chief investigator (Cooke) will spend
considerable time on-site with the industry geologists during the field investigations. On-site
meetings will be held at these times to discuss specific aspects of the projects will be discussed with
company geologists. Each PhD student will have an industry supervisor, appointed by the company
who operates the mine where the student is studying. The sponsors will provide a total of $10K cash
and $10K in-kind support for the APA-I students pa. ($5K each), and $37.5-39.5K towards the salary
of the postdoctoral research fellow pa., in addition to financial support for the analytical, travel and
reporting costs. In-kind support will include local travel and accommodation on site, vehicle hire,
sample bags, sample shipment and field assistance in sorting and laying out drill core for the
postdoctoral research fellow and APA-I students, and travel, accommodation and time for company
representatives to attend sponsor meetings at the University of Tasmania (total $44K pa. in-kind,
including APA-I contributions).

REPORTING, TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER & CONFIDENTIALITY


The end users of the outcomes of this project will be exploration geoscientists engaged in regionalscale mineral exploration. Reporting and technology transfer will be through the following
mechanisms:
Quarterly progress reports.
Six-monthly meetings between research staff and company representatives.
Ad-hoc, informal technical meetings will be held to discuss specific technical questions realting to
the area under study. All sponsors are invited to participate in these meetings.
At the conclusion of the project a comprehensive final report will be issued describing the work
done and the conclusions reached.
Interim reports will be issued upon the completion of significant stages of the research.
Technology transfer workshops will also be held at appropriate juncture of the project.
All material and information derived from the project will be treated as confidential and withheld
from publication for a period of up to eighteen months after completion of the project and issuing of
the final report to sponsors. Sponsors approval will be sought prior to the publication of any
information or findings derived from the project.
Results that flow from projects other than AMIRA projects will nbot be subject to this provision.

27

Giant Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits Proposal


Hydrothermal Systems, Giant Ore Deposits & a New Paradigm for Predictive Mineral Exploration

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Intellectual property generated during this project shall be available to all parties according to the
conditions set out in the CSIRO-AMIRA-University standard collaborative research agreement. The
rights and obligations of sponsors under this agreement are as follows:
Each Sponsor Company has a non-exclusive, royalty free right to use in its own operations both
the Intellectual Property generated by a Project and so much of the Background Technology
contributed by the Researcher as is necessary to enable the Sponsor Company to so utilise the
Project Intellectual Property.
Each Sponsor Company has the further right after written notice to AMIRA and the Researcher to
sublicense that Intellectual Property to third parties solely for the purpose of enabling the Sponsor
Company to utilise the Intellectual Property in its own operations and not for any other use by the
third party. The Sponsor Company bears all risk and responsibility arising from the granting of
such a sub-licence, without recourse to the Researcher.
Sponsor Companies have the further right to disclose Project Intellectual Property to related
companies for evaluation only on terms of strict confidentiality and after written notice to AMIRA
and the Researcher. Related Companies wishing to use such Intellectual Property must negotiate a
separate licence agreement with the Researcher.
For a period of eighteen months after completion of a Project, Sponsor Companies have the right
to request, and to participate in, any further research, development or commercialisation of the
Project Intellectual Property on terms to be agreed.
The proceeds of any licensing of Project Intellectual Property by the Researcher are required to be
shared with Sponsor Companies proportionately to their respective contributions.
Save as above, Sponsor Companies are bound by a strict duty of confidentiality which urvives the
completion of the Project and the expiry of the Research Agreement and are required to ensure
that their employees and others to whom they are entitled to disclose Project Intellectual Property
accept a similar duty of confidentiality.
The standard AMIRA IP provisions above (1-6) will have to be agreed to by Monash University
and the CSIRO prior to the initiation of the project.

REFERENCES
Clark, A.H., 1993, Are Outsize Porphyry Copper Deposits either Anatomically or Environmentally
Distinctive?: In Whiting, B.H., Hodgson, C.J., and Mason, R. eds, Giant Ore Deposits, Society
of Economic Geologists, Special Publication 2, p. 213-284.
Cooke, D.R., Heithersay, P.S., Wolfe, R., and Losada-Calderon, A., 1998a, Concepts and Exploration
Criteria for Australian and Western Pacific Porphyry Cu-Au deposits: AGSO Journal of
Geology and Geophysics (in press).
Cooke, D.R., Bull, S.W., Donovan, S., and Rogers, J.R., 1998b, K-metasomatism and Base Metal
Depletion in the Settlement Creek and Gold Creek Volcanics, McArthur Basin, Northern
Territory - Implications for Base Metal Mineralisation. Economic Geology (in press).
Dilles, J.H., and Einaudi, M.T., 1992, Wall-rock Alteration and Hydrothermal Flow Paths about the
Ann-Mason Porphyry Copper Deposit, Navada - A 6km Vertical Reconstruction: Economic
Geology, v. 87, p. 1963-2001.
Gustafson, L.B., and Hunt, J.P., 1975, The Porphyry Copper Deposit at El Salvador, Chile: Economic
Geology, v. 70, p. 857-912.
Zentilli, M., Graves, M., Lindsay, D., Ossandon, G., and Camus, F., 1995, Recurrent Mineralization in
the Chuqicamata Porphyry Copper System: Restrictions in Genesis from Mineralogical,
Geochronological and Isotopic Studies: In Clark, A.H., ed., Giant Ore Deposits II, Proceedings
of the Second Giant Ore Deposits Workshop, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, p. 90-113.
28

TERMS AND CONDITIONS


RELATING TO PARTICIPATION AS SPONSORS

1.

AMIRA acts as agent for the Sponsors collectively to enter into an agreement on their behalf
with one or more Researchers to carry out the Research Project described in the proposal to
which these terms are attached.

2.

Each Sponsor will pay to AMIRA its specified proportion of the operating budget for the
Research Project in the amounts and on the dates set out in the letter accompanying the
proposal.

3.

AMIRA will hold moneys received from each Sponsor on trust for that Sponsor for
disbursement in accordance with the Research Project Agreement.
Pending such
disbursement AMIRA may mix such moneys with its own moneys and with the moneys of
others and may invest and earn interest on such moneys in any form of investment approved
by the Council of AMIRA. Any interest accruing from such investments shall belong to
AMIRA to assist in defraying its expenses and operating costs generally.

4.

Proportionately with all other Sponsors, each Sponsor will indemnify and keep indemnified
AMIRA from and against all losses, claims, expenses, costs, actions, proceedings and
liabilities sustained, suffered or incurred by AMIRA arising out of the Research Project and
anything done or omitted by AMIRA as their agent, acting within the scope of its authority.

5.

AMIRA will monitor the performance of the Research Project and keep the Sponsors
informed of all material matters, including any developments likely to be useful to Sponsors
in relation to the subject matter of the Research Project.

6.

AMIRA and each Sponsor shall keep confidential any information passing between them and
the Researcher in relation to the Project, save that Sponsors shall be entitled to disclose
otherwise confidential information to related companies for the purpose of evaluation on
similar terms of confidentiality. Furthermore, Sponsors shall ensure that their employees,
officers and agents have agreed in writing, either generally as a term of their employment or
specifically in relation to the project, to maintain the confidentiality of all Project related
confidential information of which they become aware.

7.

Both during and on completion of the Research Project, the rights of Sponsors to, and their
obligations in relation to, the Intellectual Property provided by other Sponsors or the
Researcher or developed by the Researcher in the performance of the Research Project shall
be as set out in the Research Project Agreement.

SPONSOR COMPANIES RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS


IN RESPECT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEVELOPED
IN AMIRA RESEARCH PROJECTS

Companies which sponsor AMIRA research projects and members of AMIRA generally need to be
aware of their rights and obligations in respect of Intellectual Property generated in Collaborative
Research projects and made available to Sponsor Companies.
Following is a precis of the relevant provisions of the standard form Collaborative Research/Licence
Agreement used by AMIRA in contracting with Researchers on Sponsor Companies behalf.
Other than in exceptional cases of which due notice will be given, the following provisions will apply:
1. Each Sponsor Company has a non-exclusive, royalty free right to use in its own operations both
the Intellectual Property generated by a Project and so much of the Background Technology
contributed by the Researcher as is necessary to enable the Sponsor Company to so utilise the
Project Intellectual Property.
2. Each Sponsor Company has the further right after written notice to AMIRA and the Researcher to
sublicense that Intellectual Property to third parties solely for the purpose of enabling the Sponsor
Company to utilise the Intellectual Property in its own operations and not for any other use by
the third party. The Sponsor Company bears all risk and responsibility arising from the granting
of such a sub-licence, without recourse to the Researcher.
3. Sponsor Companies have the further right to disclose Project Intellectual Property to related
companies for evaluation only on terms of strict confidentiality and after written notice to
AMIRA and the Researcher. Related Companies wishing to use such Intellectual Property must
negotiate a separate licence agreement with the Researcher.
4. For a period of eighteen months after completion of a Project, Sponsor Companies have the right
to request, and to participate in, any further research, development or commercialisation of the
Project Intellectual Property on terms to be agreed.
5. The proceeds of any licensing of Project Intellectual Property by the Researcher are required to be
shared with Sponsor Companies proportionately to their respective contributions.
6. Save as above, Sponsor Companies are bound by a strict duty of confidentiality which survives
the completion of the Project and the expiry of the Research Agreement and are required to
ensure that their employees and others to whom they are entitled to disclose Project Intellectual
Property accept a similar duty of confidentiality.
These provisions are designed to protect the interests of both Researchers and Sponsor Companies in
restricting the free availability of the technology to those who are directly involved. Apart from any
other consideration, the availability to sponsors of concessional deductions under S.73B of the
Australian Income Tax Act depends upon access to the technology being restricted in this way.

You might also like