GEGN 401 - Mineral Deposits

Lecture 18 - Examples of Porphyry Copper Systems:

Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina
Yerington, Nevada
Chuquicamata, Chile
Far Southeast, Phillipines

M. W. Hitzman

Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina

(photo from cover of Guilbert and Park, 1986)

• Deposit is located in NW Argentina, approximately 200km east of the main Andean porphyry
copper belt of Chile.

• The deposit is centered on a number of subvolcanic dacitic porphyry stocks (7.1 - 6.8 Ma)
intruding co-genetic andesite wallrocks (9 -6.7 Ma).

• The deposit contains 402 million tons with an average grade of 0.54% Cu and 0.64 g/t Au. Was
brought into production in 1997 as Argentina’s first major metal mine.

• The deposit is upright and little deformed making it a “classic” example of a porphyry copper.
M. W. Hitzman

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 Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina
Surface Geology
The deposit is centered on a
number of subvolcanic dacitic
porphyry stocks (7.1 - 6.8 Ma)
intruding co-genetic andesite
wallrocks (9 -6.7 Ma).

Intrusions (oldest to youngest):

• NE Porphyry dike - Dacite dike,
mineralized and altered
• P2 Porphyry - stock-like body of
dacite in center of deposit, highly
potassically altered.
• Los Amarillos Porphyry - strongly
altered body that is largely a breccia.
• Early P3 Porphyry - Largest intrusion
in deposit. Consists of dacite.
Crosscuts previously mineralized P2
Porphyry, but is itself mineralized
and altered (postassic and sericitic).
• Quartz-eye Porphyry - Exposed in SE
and SW portion of deposit. Strongly
sericite altered.
• Late P3 Porphyry - N-S elongate (from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001, Econ Geol., p. 1723;
Map derived from unpub work of J.M. Proffett)
dikes. Slightly sericitically altered.
M. W. Hitzman

Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina

Geological Section

(from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001,

Econ Geol., p. 1723; map derived
from unpub work of J.M. Proffett)

Deposit consists of a swarm of near-vertical dikes and small stocks. The major
intrusions appear to be the P2 and Early P3 intrusions which are syn-alteration
and mineralization. Depth of emplacement is not known, but porphyry textures
suggest relatively shallow (>4 km) subvolcanic environment.
M. W. Hitzman

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 Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina
Surface Alteration
The deposit displays a classic
bullseye alteration pattern:
• Potassic -
– a core of strong potassic alteration (Ksp
replacement and intense qtz-mgt veining)

– Surrounded by a zone of moderate to

weak Ksp-biotite replacement of wallrocks
and magnetite veins. This zone grades
out into a more weakly developed zone of
secondary biotite.

• Propylitic
– Chlorite-epidote-albite-calcite alteration
(dominantly in andesite wallrocks. Sulfide
content is low and consists of pyrite with
trace molybdenite, sphalerite, galena (note
metal zoning).

• Sericitic -
– Chloritization (then sericitization) of (from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001, Econ Geol., p. 1727;
biotite and replacement of plagioclase and Map derived from unpub work of J.M. Proffett)
Ksp by sericite-calcite-(kaolinite). Zone
contains 1-10% pyrite. Dated at 6.75 Ma
(approx. 300,000 yrs after intrusion of P2
Porphyry).
M. W. Hitzman

Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina

Geological Section

(from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001,

Econ Geol., p. 1727; map derived
from unpub work of J.M. Proffett)

Vertical “pipe” of potassic alteration, partially enclosed in downward tapering funnel of sericitic
alteration which cuts and replaces potassic assemblages. Propylitic alteration extends
outward from the sericitic zone for up to 1 km - probably formed dominantly during potassic
alteration. Note that late and post-mineral porphyries display very weak secondary biotite (this
is after sericitic event). M. W. Hitzman

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 Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina

Nearly unaltered P2 porphyry

Highly biotitized (potassic alteration) P2

porphyry cut by py-cpy veins and
containing disseminated chalcopyrite

(from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001,

Econ Geol.)

Biotitically-altered andesite cut by

pyrite vein with feldspar destructive
(sericite) envelope. Note late gypsum
veins.

M. W. Hitzman

Bajo de la Alumbrera,
Argentina
Metal Zonation
• The deposit displays a classic
metal zonation pattern with
“high” grade copper and gold
forming a shell within the outer
portion of the potassic zone,
surrounding a relatively barren
core.

• Some mineralization, especially

gold, extends into the sericitic
alteration zone.

(from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001, Econ Geol, p. 1732) M. W. Hitzman

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 Yerington, Nevada

• The Yerington district contains porphryr

copper, copper skarn, and iron skarns.
• The Yerington porphyry copper deposit was
mined by Anaconda from 1952 to 1978 and
produced 162 Mt of oxide and sulfide ore
averaging 0.55% Cu.
• The district contains at least 2 other porphyry
deposits (Ann-Mason and MacArthur) which
are unmined.
• The district also contains numerous small,
higher grade skarn deposits that were mined
in the 19th century.
• The district is important because of the large
amount of research conducted by the
Anaconda Co., Stanford Univ., and the Univ.
of California-Berkeley.
• What makes the district unique is that
Tertiary basin and range extension has
resulted in tilting of the district exposing 60°
to 90° by normal faulting so that modern
exposures represent cross sections of the
hydrothermal system from the volcanic
environment (paleosurface) to about a 7 km
depth.

Cenozoic extension in the Yerington area

(from Dilles et al., 2000, Soc Econ Geol, Guidebook Series vol 32, p.69)
M. W. Hitzman

Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Surface Geology
• The Ann-Mason deposit represents a tilted
slice of crust from the top of the Yerington
batholith upwards for approximately 4 km.

• The area contains a granite porphyry dike

swarm emanating from a cupola emplaced
into earlier quartz monzondiorite of the
Yerington batholith.

• The granite porphyry dike system controls

the location (and depth) of the Ann-Mason
porphyry copper deposit which contains 496
Mt of 0.4 % Cu and >0.01% Mo.

• To the west of the Ann-Mason dike swarm,

the Yerington batholith intruded a Triassic to
Jurassic sedimentary section of limestone,
sandstone, argillite, and gypsum. Copper
skarns are developed in this area.

(from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1967)

M. W. Hitzman

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 Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Surface Hydrothermal
Alteration
• Alteration can be divided into 3 stages:
– 1) pre-main stage (endoskarn);
– 2) main stage (propylitic, sodic-calcic, potassic);
– 3) late stage (sodic, chloritic, and sericitic)
• Pre-main stage endoskarn(plag - pyx - gt) in
the Yerington batholith quartz monzonite is
localized adjacent to metasedimentary wall
rocks (depths 3 to > 6km)
• Main stage alteration consists of:
– Propylitic alteration (alb - epid - act - ch - py, cpy, mgtl)
(depths above 4 km)
– Sodic-calcic alteration (olig - act - sphene) at the
granite-qtz monzodiorite contact and deep portions of
the porphyry dike swarm (depths of 3.5 to >6 km). This
alteration leached K, Fe, and Cu.
– Potassic alteration (bio - Ksp) formed in a vertical zone
4 km high and 1.2 km wide centered on the granite dike
swarm. The hypogene Cu orebody lies within the area
of most intense potassic alteration (depths of 2.5 to 4
km).
• Late stage alteration consists of:
– Sodic alteration is zoned upwards from alb - chl -
vermic to alb - ser - py. Alb- chlc alteration leached Cu
from hypogene ore zone.
– Chloritic alteration forms a halo outward from sodic
alteration.
– Sericitic alteration forms a funnel shaped zone, rooted
in the Cu orebody at a paleodepth of 4 km. At the top
of exposure along the Tertiary erosion surface (1 km
paleodepth) the sericite zone is 3 km wide.

(from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1968)

M. W. Hitzman

Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Hypogene Sulfide
Distribution

• Hypogene sulfides above the copper

orebody associated with potassic
alteration consist of 0.01 - 1 % of rock
and are cpy >! py or cpy = py.

• The majority of sulfide is pyrite and Ann-Mason

occurs in the sericitic alteration zone Deposit
with the highest volumes of pyrite
(>5% of rock) in the uppermost (at depth)
portions.

(from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1960)

M. W. Hitzman

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 Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Copper Geochemistry
(Surface) Ann-Mason
Deposit
(at depth)

• Highest rock and soil geochemistry is

in the area of the buried Ann-Mason
deposit. The higher grade “tail” to the
south is a drainage-related anomaly -
it is on Tertiary volcanics and does
not reflect bedrock copper grades.

• Note the patchy copper grades to the

north in the area of sericitic alteration.
Copper in this area has largely been
leached from the surface by
supergene alteration.

(from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1970)

M. W. Hitzman

Yerington, Nevada - Geological Reconstruction

(from Dilles et al., 2000, Soc Econ Geol, Guidebook Series vol 32, p.57)

North - south geological cross section through the Yerington batholith showing the position of
porphyry copper centers (Ann-Mason, MacArthur) associated with granite cupolas at about 4 km
depth. Also shows how the granite has largely stopped its way upward in the same position as the
Yerington quartz monzodiorite batholith.
M. W. Hitzman

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 Yerington, Nevada - Alteration Model

(from Dilles et al., 2000, Soc Econ Geol, Guidebook Series vol 32, p.59)

North - south geological cross section through the Yerington batholith showing the position of
alteration zones.
M. W. Hitzman

Yerington, Nevada -
Why is it Important? What is Different about this System?
• The Yerington district is important because of its structural geometry - it allows us to view
a cross-section of a porphyry system.

• The district contains several porphyry copper centers which show the expected early
(main stage) potassic-propylitic alteration (with hypogene copper mineralization in the
potassic zone) and an overlying (and later) sericitic alteration zone.

• However, the porphyry copper deposits (especially the Ann-Mason / Yerington system)
also contains early sodic calcic alteration and later sodic alteration.
– Sodic-calcic alteration was due to prograding, saline, non-magmatic fluids (probably derived from
adjacent evaporites in the Jurassic section) that flowed into the batholith at least 3 km at depths of
4-6 km. As these fluids were heated they altered Ksp to oligoclase and leached Fe and Cu from
approximately 103 km of quartz monzodiorite. In the dike swarm, these fluids mixed with magmatic
fluids and probably contributed significant K, Fe, and Cu to the ore zone.

– The later sodic alteration was due to entrainment of saline meteoric water into the warmer thermal
anomaly along the dike swarm. These fluids exchanged sodium for potassium (alteration of Ksp to
oligoclase) and leached copper from sulfides. As they cooled and became more acidic as they rose,
the caused widespread sericitic alteration.

• The prevalence of sodic alteration at Yerington is probably due to the character of the
wallrocks (containing evaporites). The alteration seen in this system gives us important
clues about other types of ore forming systems - the iron oxide-Cu-Au systems (IOCG).

M. W. Hitzman

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 Chuquicamata, Chile
• Chuquicamata is the world’s largest
known copper orebody.

• 2035 Mt averaging 1.54% Cu has been

mined from Chuqui to date (it is
probably the world’s biggest manmade
hole in the ground).
West
• Chuqui has reserves of 6,450 Mt at Fissure
0.55% Cu.

• If resources at adjacent mines (part of

the Chuqui hydrothermal system) are
included the combined resouce is
approximately 11.4 billion tons of
0.76% Cu.

• Chuquicamata is certainly a porphyry

copper, however, it shows some
unusual features which may help
account for its enormous size.

M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile
• The Chuqui orebody occurs within the
Oligocene Chuqui Porphyry complex (35-
33 Ma) to the east of the West Fault strike-
slip fault zone. The unmineralized Fortuna
Complex occurs to the west of the fault.
• The Chuqui Complex consists of the East,
Fine Texture, West, and Banco
porphryries.
• The Chuquicamanta district comprises ore
deposits strung out over 30 km along the
West Fault from MM (Mansa Mine) in the
south to Radomiro Tomic on the north.

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 251

M. W. Hitzman

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 Chuquicamata, Chile
• The Chuqui pit is bisected by the West
Fault. Rocks to the east are mineralized,
while those to the west are largely barren.

• The largest, and probably oldest, intrusive

rock in the Chuqui Porphyry complex is
the East Porphyry.

• The East porphyry displays extensive

cataclasis. It appears more deformed
than the later West, Fine Texture, and
Banco porphryries. There is a suggestion
that intrusion of these porphyries
coincided with structural disruption. The
Banco porphyry forms a generally
elongate trend of dikes parallel to the
West Fault.

• Intrusive contacts between most

porphyries have not been observed,
probably because early ductile
deformation, subsequent pervasive
cataclastic deformation, and faulting have
affected the rocks.
from Ossandon et al.,
2001, Econ Geol., p. 253
M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile
Alteration - Map View
• Early Stage:
– Potassic alteration affects all porphyries. It
comprises partial Ksp and albite replacement of
plagioclase and more pervasive biotite replacement of
hornblende. Potassic alteration is accompanied by
quartz-Ksp veinlets with very minor chalcopyrite-
bornite.
– Fine-grained quartz-Ksp alteration, with destruction
of biotite, occurs parallel to the Banco porphyry
dikes. This alteration accompanies strong cataclastic
deformation. Sulfides are abundant only where
intense crackle brecciation.
– Propylitic alteration (chloritic on map) extends east of
the potassic zone and overprints hydrothermal
biotite.
– Potassically altered rocks are cut by quartz-
molybdenite veins.

• Main Stage
– This period formed quartz-sericite alteration and
sulfide-rich veins. On the western side of the body,
adjacent to the fault, this alteration has obliterated
earlier assemblages and igneous textures..
– Sulfide veins contain pyrite with varying amounts of
quartz, chalcopyrite, bornite, covellite, chalcocite,
enargite, tennantite, and sphalerite. These veins have
well developed sericitic halos.
from Ossandon et al.,
– Most copper production has come from this alteration 2001, Econ Geol., p. 259
type.
M. W. Hitzman

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 Chuquicamata, Chile
Alteration - Cross Section

• Early Stage:
– Potassic alteration forms a
linear zone parallel to the
West fault and extends to
depth.
– Prorpylitic alteration occurs
to the east.

• Main Stage
– This alteration type occurs
along the West fault and
also extends to depth (at
least 800m).

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 260
M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile
Sulfide Distribution -
Map View

• Early Stage:
– Dominantly chalcopyrite-bornite
with potassic alteration.

• Main Stage
– Complex mixture of sulfide types.
Laterally zoned from chalcopyrite-
rich to east to chalcocite and
chalcocite-covellite to enargite to
west along West fault.

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 259

M. W. Hitzman

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 Chuquicamata, Chile
Sulfide Distribution -
Cross Section
• Early Stage:
– Dominantly chalcopyrite-bornite with potassic
alteration. Note bornite “core” within the potassic
zone perhaps indicating the center of this system.

• Main Stage
– Complex mixture of sulfide types. Laterally and
vertically zoned. Laterally zoned from
chalcopyrite-rich to east to chalcocite and
digenite-covellite along West fault. Vertically
zoned from chalcocite-rich above to digenite
below.
– Enargite appears to cross-cut other sulfide zones -
late Butte-type veins.

• Supergene Mineralization
– The deposit originally contained a leached cap and
a copper oxide orebody. These have been largely
mined out.
– The chalcocite zones (in both sericite over
potassic and in potassic) are largely secondary
(supergene). This is the largest known supergene
enriched body in the world.

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 260
M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile
Metal Distribution

• Copper - High area within sericite zone but

also shows highs to the east associated
with potassic alteration zone.

• Moly - Linear trend parallel to West fault

along trend of silicification. Near contact
between potassic and sericitic alteration
zones.

• Arsenic - Immediately adjacent to West

fault (enargite zone).

• Zinc - Classic halo developed primarily to

N and S, which local high zones along
West fault. Pattern suggests that Chuqui
is a “bullseye” system.

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 263
M. W. Hitzman

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 Chuquicamata, Chile - Geochronology

• Difficulty in obtaining good ages due to superimposed events. Current

research suggests:

– Porphyries intruded between 36 and 33 Ma

– Potassic alteration 34-35 Ma (coincident with intrusion of porphyries)
– Molybdenite mineralization at 34.9 (Re-Os)
– Sericitic alteration at 31 Ma (approximately 2 my after potassic)
– Enargite event postdates seritic alteration but may be closely related in time
– Supergene alteration at 19-15 Ma

M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile - Why is this Deposit Unusual?

• The position of Chuqui within a major, long-lived, dynamic regional fault zone which
focused hydrothermal activity over several million years is probably the reason for the
deposits unusual size and grade.

• The early potassic system veins contain relatively low amounts of copper. Has the
copper from the early system been leached and fixed in the Main stage system? (as
postulated for Butte).

• The geochronology suggests at least 2 major mineralizing periods (early potassic and
Main stage) - possibly with 2 other events (moly event and late stage enargite event).
There is a suggestion from regional work that a major uplift separated the potassic and
Main stage events.

• Chuqui lacks the hydrothermal breccias that characterize many porphyry copper
deposits. This may be due to the pervasive shattering of rocks from faulting at all stages
of development of the orebody which would have prevented the buildup of extensive
fluid pressure required for hydrothermal brecciation.

• Where is the other half of Chuqui? This has intrigued geologists for decades. Regional
mapping indicates approximately 35 km of sinistral offset along the West fault. There is
a question about how much of this offset had occurred by each period of mineralization.

M. W. Hitzman

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 Far Southeast - Lepanto,
Phillipines
• The Far Southeast porphyry deposit is
gold rich (105 Mt at 0.86% Cu and 2.02
g/t Au).

• The top of the deposit is approximately

650m below the surface.

• Mineralization is associated with a

series of quartz diorite porphyry dikes.
These dikes are typically 50 - 150 m
wide and trend NW, parallel to the
Lepanto fault.

• Lepanto is unusual in that it contains a

significant zone of hypogene advanced
argillic alteration above a potassic
zone of alteration.

• Also, significant work has been

completed to genetically tie the world-
class Lapanto epithermal Cu-Au
deposit to the Far Southeast porphyry
deposit. from Hedenquist et al., 1998, p. 374

M. W. Hitzman

Far Southeast - Lepanto, Phillipines

from Hedenquist et al.,

1998, p. 375

• The Far Southeast porphyry deposit occurs as a vertically oriented system associated with a
dike swarm of quartz diorite.
• The Far Southeast porphyry is cut by post-mineral breccia pipes.
• The Lepanto deposit occurs along the Lepanto fault. It is located above and to the northwest of
the Far Southeast porphyry.
• The Lepanto deposit is localized along the contact between basement metavolcanic rocks and
unconformably overlying Pliocene volcanic rocks - just older than the intrusions responsible
for porphyry mineralization.
M. W. Hitzman

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 Far Southeast - Lepanto: Alteration

from Hedenquist et al.,

1998, p. 380

• The Far Southeast porphyry deposit displays a potassically altered (biotitic alteration) core
associated with copper-gold mineralization. It is cut by a zone of chlorite-sericite (which
contains higher Cu grades than the potassic zone) which is in turn cut by an advanced argillic
assemblage of pyrophyllite-diaspore-kandite (clay).
• The advanced argillic zone is overlain, and locally cut by, a zone of quartz-alunite alteration
(also advanced argillic assemblage) which hosts the Lepanto epithermal (high sulfidation) Cu-
Au deposit.
• The Lepanto deposit itself occurs with silicic alteration - brecciated, massive, or vuggy residual
quartz.
M. W. Hitzman

Far Southeast - Lepanto

How do we know the two are genetically related?

• Potassium-argon ages for

mineral separates from fresh
and hydrothermally altered
rocks from both the Far
Southeast and Lepanto
systems indicate that the
deposits are young (less than 2
million years) and that there is
an overlap in age between Far
Southeast and Lepanto.

• The age data supports field

observations that sericitic
alteration (illite) post-dates
potassic alteration (biotite) at
Far Southeast.

• Alunite from the advanced

argillic alteration at Lepanto from Hedenquist et al.,
has essentially the same age 1998, p. 378
as late bioitite and early illite at
Far Southeast.

M. W. Hitzman

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 Far Southeast - Lepanto
How do we know the two are genetically related?

from Hedenquist et al.,1998, p. 385

Studying fluid inclusions from the systems we can see there is a regular decrease in
homogenization temperature from high Ts in potassic veins (quartz-biotite; 500-550°C) to
quartz-sericite veins (350°C) of the Far Southeast porphyry to progressively lower Ts in
enargite in the Lepanto system moving away from the porphyry (260° C near the porphyry
to 196°C on the periphery).

M. W. Hitzman

Far Southeast - Lepanto

• Schematic longitudinal section through the
Far Southeast-Lepanto system showing the
approximate paleosurface at the time of
potassic and quartz-alunite alteration (1.4
m.y.).

• The upper limit of hypersaline (magmatic)

fluid is shown. Fluid inclusion evidence
suggest this brine was capped by a vapor-
cored plume. These coupled fluids (brine +
vapor) were responsible for forming the
potassic and advanced argillic
assemblages, respectively. The vapor
generated an extremely acidic fluid that
altered along the Lepanto fault (flow path).

• Later, (1.3 m.y.) the system contained

cooler, lower salinity fluids dominated by
magmatic water but with meteoric
component. This formed sericitic alteration
in porphyry. As fluid ascended it cooled
(formed pyrophyllite) and started to flow
laterally and was progressively diluted with
meteoric water, generating the Lepanto Cu-
Au deposit.
from Hedenquist et al.,1998, p. 391

M. W. Hitzman

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