Epithermal High Sulphidation Gold Deposit

High sulphidation deposits result from fluids mainly gases (SO 2, HCl and HF) from a
hot magma. Interaction between fluids and groundwater form strong acids. The
strong acids will dissolve the surrounding rock leaving only silica behind, often in a
sponge-like formation known as vuggy silica. This spongy vuggy silica bodies will be
the place for metal like gold deposited from brines that ascend from the magma.
The way for movement of the strong acid usually accomodated by fault.
The zones of alteration minerals almost certainly formed in shell-like layers around
the fault zone. These zones are result from acidic fluid neutralization that alter the
rock into progressively more neutral stable mineral the further from the fault.
Typically the sequence of the zones are, from the centre of the fault to the outer,
are vuggy silica progressing through quartz alunite to kaolinite dickite, illite rich
rock, to chlorite rich rock.
In Indonesia Ephithermal High Sulphidation Gold Deposit can found in Bakan
District, North Sulawesi.