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Skarns in the Porphyry Copper-Gold Environment

Conference Paper · November 2008

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Skarns in the Porphyry Copper-Gold Environment
1 2
D B Forster and P M Downes

ABSTRACT
Porphyry-related skarns are common around the Pacific Rim. Examples include Cadia
and Goonumbla (Australia) Ok Tedi (PNG) and Ertsberg and Grasberg (Indonesia).
Although usually treated as separate to the adjacent porphyry copper-gold (Cu-Au)
deposit, skarns near porphyry deposits are commonly inextricably part of the larger
Cu-Au system(s). Using Cadia as the primary example, we demonstrate that large,
zoned, calc-silicate skarns necessitate very large porphyry systems.
The Big Cadia and Little Cadia Fe-Cu-Au skarns are associated with the Late
Ordovician to Early Silurian high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic Cadia Intrusive
Complex (CIC). Together, these skarns total ~40 Mt of Cu-Au ore but are much smaller
than the adjacent Cadia East–Far East, Cadia Hill, and Ridgeway porphyry-related
Cu-Au deposits. Historically these skarns were large, economically significant and
highly controversial deposits.
Porphyry-related skarns typically have well-developed calc-silicate and ore
zonation. At Cadia, classic skarn zonation has been mapped between Cadia Quarry
(proximal) and Big Cadia (distal). Over this 800 m interval, mineralogy trends from:
• proximal garnet > pyroxene, grading to;
• fe-oxide-rich skarn; and
• distal haematite-epidote-rich skarn.
At Little Cadia, analogous but symmetrical alteration zonation is present. Big
Cadia formed from fluids that migrated laterally within calcareous units and were
sourced from strongly altered quartz monzonite phases of the CIC at Cadia Quarry.
Isotope studies and mass-balance calculations suggest that prograde and retrograde
skarn alteration was caused by magmatic dominated fluids. They also indicate that the
mapped alteration system at Cadia Quarry is insufficient to account for the total
volume of Fe present at Big Cadia.
Despite the typically oxidised nature of many porphyry systems, not all skarns in the
porphyry environment are oxidised. Assimilation of carbonaceous sediment by
hydrous, alkaline intrusions could lead to reduced Au skarns rather than porphyry
deposits.

INTRODUCTION
Skarn deposits associated with porphyry Cu-Au deposits may be associated with granodiorite,
calc-alkaline or high-K calc-alkaline intrusions. Some porphyry-related skarns are reasonably well

1. Geosicentist, Geological Survey of New South Wales, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 344,
Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310. Email: David.Forster@dpi.nsw.gov.au
2. Senior Geoscientist, Geological Survey of New South Wales, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, PO Box
344, Hunter Region Mail Centre NSW 2310. Email: Peter.Downes@dpi.nsw.gov.au

PACRIM Congress 2008 24 - 26 November 2008 1

D B FORSTER and P M DOWNES

understood, for example, the Caicaýen Hill and Neuquen skarns (Franchin, Meinert and Montenegro,
2000), the Peña Colorada skarns (Meinert et al, 1997), Mt Polley (Fraser et al, 1995) and Cadia
(Forster, Seccombe and Phillips, 2004). However, in many cases relationships between porphyry
deposits and associated skarns are poorly understood.
In this study we demonstrate the importance of understanding porphyry-skarn relationships in
order to provide insights into the fluid dynamic and mineralising processes that occur in the porphyry
environment. Furthermore, skarns provide clues as to fluid dynamics, the size of the mineralising
systems and record information about high-temperature stages of the ore forming process including
poorly mineralised phases. Using Cadia as the primary example we propose that large, zoned,
calc-silicate skarns are commonly formed from fluids associated with very large porphyry systems.

CADIA
The Big Cadia skarn formed from fluids that migrated laterally within calcareous units. The fluids
were derived from strongly altered quartz monzonite phases of the CIC at Cadia Quarry. Little Cadia
shows similar, but symmetrical skarn development about a separate strongly-altered body of the CIC.
The section between Cadia Quarry and Big Cadia was used to model the flux of fluids responsible for
that skarn. An empirical association between high temperature (biotite-feldspar calc-potassic)
alteration within the porphyry and anhydrous calc-silicate skarn alteration can be demonstrated for
Big Cadia and Little Cadia. In addition to dynamic, hydrous vein-rich skarn, narrow zones of massive
‘contact style’ quartz-magnetite ± garnet alteration occur locally in less calcareous rocks adjacent to
the CIC.
Forster, Seccombe and Phillips (2004) identified several lines of evidence that fluids migrated
laterally and vertically from the quartz-monzonite porphyry intrusion of the CIC, in the Cadia Quarry
area, to the Big Cadia skarn. Mineralogical evidence includes the distribution of:
• well-zoned prograde, anhydrous-calc-silicate-bearing skarn mineralogy;
• pyrite, magnetite and haematite skarn; and
• Cu-Au-bearing hydrous-calc-silicate sulfide-rich skarn within and above a volcanic-derived
sandstone unit.
Moreover, alteration zonation about small calc-silicate-iron oxide-sulfide veins, which formed
peripheral to the system within volcanic sandstone, mimics the larger-scale patterns.
Skarn alteration at Cadia was not a constant-volume process. Modelling of mass-transfer and
element mobility during metasomatism, using whole-rock and trace element geochemistry, showed
that mass-balance change and fluid-flux from the CIC was controlled by permeability. Mass-transfer
between the porphyry and the skarn, by fluids, was channelled through a highly permeable volcanic-
derived sandstone unit and a calcareous conglomerate, whereas fine-grained volcanic units located
stratigraphically above and below this sequence had low permeability (Figure 1). This interpretation
is supported by:
• the composition and distribution of skarn alteration;
• an observed geochemical zonation for 62 major and trace elements (including Cu and Au) within
all the relevant rocks between Cadia and Cadia Quarry;
• the results of mass-balance calculations using the methodology of Gresens (1967); and
• stable and radiogenic isotope (δ18O, δD, 87Sr/86Sr) data.

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 SKARNS IN THE PORPHYRY COPPER-GOLD ENVIRONMENT

FIG 1 - Model for the formation of the Big Cardia skarn. Shows fluid flow from Cardia Quarry to Big Cardia within
the calcareous volcanic-derived sandstone. Abbreviations: Ad = andraditic garnet, Mag = magnetite, Qtz = quartz.

87
Sr/86Sr ratios for individual mineral grains demonstrate marked isotopic shifts from the distal
protolith marble (87Sr/86Sr = 0.7077) toward more primitive values at the skarn contact with the CIC
(87Sr/86Sr = 0.7045). δ18O and calculated δ18OH2O data from proximal minerals including garnet are
depleted relative to haematite and magnetite in distal skarn zones. The data support northwards
migration of magmatic-dominated fluids derived from the CIC.
The volcanic-derived sandstone experienced a marked increase of Fe; however, the main ore zone
that is epidote-rich is developed within the calcareous conglomerate and shows minimal mass-
balance change (Figures 1 and 2). Any contribution from the fine-grained volcanic rocks, surrounding
this zone, must have been limited as these rocks have low permeability and the propylitic alteration,
which is present in these units, involved little mass-balance change (Figure 2). It is concluded that at
least 40 Mt of Fe must have been sourced from strongly altered phases of the CIC and added to the Big
Cadia skarn. The data also suggest that the skarn acted as a ‘closed system’ with respect to Fe, Cu and
Au. Fe, Cu and Au were added to the volcanic-derived sandstone, but only Cu and Au were added to
the most distal, epidote zone within the volcanic conglomerate (Figures 1 and 2).

Implications
Based on alteration mapping it is suggested that the alteration system at Cadia Quarry is too small to
have contributed the volume of Fe included in the Big Cadia skarn and that additional Fe is required
from other source(s). These source(s) may lie at depth, have been removed by faulting and/or erosion
and/or be more distal to the skarn than is now evident (eg the larger Cadia Hill system or equivalent).
Based on the model described above, the large volume of fluid required to form a large, zoned
porphyry-related skarn system such as Big Cadia has implications for other porphyry-skarn districts.
Table 1 summarises the data for a number of major porphyry-skarn districts located around the Pacific
Rim. The relative size of the Big Cadia Fe skarn versus the Cadia Quarry-Cadia Hill porphyry system

PACRIM Congress 2008 24 - 26 November 2008 3

D B FORSTER and P M DOWNES

FIG 2 - Results of mass-balance calculations of relative gains and losses for three of the 62 calculated elements
within the main skarn host unit at Big Cadia based on Gresens (1967). The plot (from left to right) corresponds to
the major skarn zones at Cadia based on mineralogy. At the left is the interpreted fluid source, CIC at Cadia
Quarry with other skarn zones arranged from south to north (left to right) which corresponds to a ~600 m transect
(see also Figure 1). Note that Prox Qtz-Mt zone within fine-grained volcanic rocks had almost no mass transfer.
Copper and gold mineralisation is largely restricted to the He > Mt zone and the epidote zone. Also note that
Al2O3 is not immobile within the skarn, and that the skarn is effectively a closed system if the entire transect is
taken into account. Abbreviations: CIC = Cadia Intrusive Complex; Prox Qtz-Mt = proximal quartz-magnetite
zone; Gt = garnet zone; Int Gt = intermediate garnet zone; Mt-He = magnetite-haematite zone.

is ~1:14. By comparison, the comparative resources at Ok Tedi are ~1:24 which may be explained by
the relatively pure and less permeable limestone host rocks. At Ingerbelle British Columbia, the ratio
is lower, in part due to the fragmented distribution of calcareous host rocks. For example, the Ok Tedi
deposit has several large skarn deposits, but relatively restricted, albeit very intense vein-hosted
porphyry Cu-Au mineralisation (Table 1). The enormous Ertsberg skarns in the Gunung Bijih district
Irian Jaya (239 Mt of Cu-Au ore) and the Galore Creek deposits (284 Mt of Cu-Au ore) are not known
to be directly associated with classic porphyry deposits (Meinert et al, 2005). It is speculated that
focus of fluids at the margins of these intrusions produced high sulfide, low calc-silicate,
mineralisation that may be transitional between porphyry and skarn-type deposits (see also
Government of BC Minfile No 104G 090).

CONTROLS TO THE OXIDATION STATE OF SKARN-FORMING INTRUSIONS

Intrusions of the Ordovician to early Silurian Macquarie Arc in New South Wales that host porphyry
Cu-Au and related skarn deposits are typically high-K calc-alkaline series and relatively oxidised
(magnetite stable – Fe2O3/(Fe2O3 + FeO) ratio of >0.48) with strong mantle-derived affinities. By
contrast, the Sheahan-Grants Au skarns, near Cadia, are associated with intrusions that are
geochemically very similar to those at Cadia and elsewhere in the Macquarie Arc, but are relatively
reduced (Fe2O3/(Fe2O3 + FeO) ratios of ~0.2 to 0.4). Reduced Au skarns in other regions, such as
Hedley (British Columbia) occur in areas where carbonaceous rocks are abundant. The effect of
assimilation of potentially reducing wall-rocks, such as carbonaceous rocks (eg Bendoc Group for the
Macquarie Arc) is poorly understood, particularly in the upper crust where porphyry-related skarns
occur. Molar mass-balance calculations show that assimilation of as little as five per cent sedimentary
rock containing only moderate amounts of carbon (corresponding to a mixing ratio of reduced carbon

4 24 - 26 November 2008 PACRIM Congress 2008

 SKARNS IN THE PORPHYRY COPPER-GOLD ENVIRONMENT

TABLE 1
Examples of porphyry and skarn deposits.

Skarn name Porphyry resource Skarn type and Porphyry Skarn

(location) (wt % Cu, ppm Au) (skarn resource) to skarn protolith
ratio
Big Cadia1 2 2
Cadia Hill and Cadia Quarry 352 Mt Fe-Cu-Au 30 Mt at 0.5% Cu 1:12 Volcanic
(NSW, Australia) at 0.16% Cu and 0.63 ppm Au; 40 and 0.4 ppm Au sandstone and
Mt2 at 0.21% Cu and 0.4 ppm Au conglomerate,
limestone
blocks
Little Cadia1,7 Cadia East 220 Mt at 0.37 Cu and 0.43 Fe-Cu-Au 8 Mt at 0.45% Cu, 1:28 Volcanic
3
(NSW, Australia) Au 0.63 ppm Au sandstone
Ingerbelle3 Simikameen skarn and porphyry
3
Cu-Au 42.6 Mt at 0.45% 1:21 Calcareous
(BC, Canada) 141Mt at 0.47% Cu and 0.13% Cu6 1.58 ppm Au, 1.25% Cu 1:37 mass flow
deposits
Ok Tedi 439 Mt at 0.59% Cu and 0.51Au4 Au-Cu 28.8 Mt at 1.58 ppm Au, 1:15 Limestone
(Papua New Guinea) 1.25% Cu
Big Gossan Porphyry not defined Cu 34.7 Mt at 2.69% Cu N/A Limestone,
(Indonesia) dolostone
siltstone
Kucing Liar Au-Cu 2796 Mt at 0.97 ppm Au Au-Cu (220 Mt at 1.57 ppm Au 1:12 Limestone
(Indonesia) and 09% Cu5 1.42% Cu – more ore in
‘heavy sulfide’ zones)

Notes:
1. Forster, Seccombe and Phillips, 2004.
2. Cadia Hill and Cadia Quarry are combined for calculation of ratio.
3. Summary reference for world skarns: Meinert, Dipple and Nicolescu, 2005.
4. Davies, 1992 (premining resource).
5. Freeport-McMoRan, 2004.
6. Fahrni, Macaulet and Preto, 1976.
7. Skarn and porphyry resources are not well divided.

of 1:125) could reduce the magma oxidation state sufficiently to favour formation of reduced Au
skarns rather than porphyry Cu-Au deposits. Thus, it is suggested that there is potential, even in
well-explored porphyry Cu-Au districts, for reduced Au skarn-type systems.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Publication is with the permission of the Director-General, New South Wales Department of Primary
Industries.

REFERENCES
Davies, H L, 1992. Mineral and petroleum resources of Papua New Guinea, University of Papua New Guinea,
35 p.
Fahrni, K C, Macaulet, T N and Preto, V A G, 1976. Copper Mountain and Ingerbelle, in Porphyry Deposits of
the Canadian Cordillera, pp 365-375 (Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Montreal).
Forster, D, Seccombe, B and Phillips, D, 2004. Controls on skarn mineralisation and alteration at the Cadia
Deposits, New South Wales, Australia, Economic Geology, 99:761-788.

PACRIM Congress 2008 24 - 26 November 2008 5

 D B FORSTER and P M DOWNES

Franchini, M B, Meinert, L D and Montenegro, T F, 2000. Skarns related to porphyry-style mineralisation at

Caicaýen Hill, Neuquen, Argentina: Composition and evolution of hydrothermal fluids, Economic Geology,
95:1119-1213.
Fraser, T M, Stanley, C R, Nikic, Z T, Pesalj, R and Gorc, D, 1995. The Mount Polley alkalic porphyry Cu-Au
deposit, south-central British Columbia, in Porphyry Deposits of the Northwestern Cordillera of North
America (ed: T Schroeter), pp 609-622 (Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Monteal).
Freeport-McMoRan, 2004. Cu and Au incorporated annual report, 84 p.
Gresens, R L, 1967. Composition-volume relationships of metasomatism, Chemical Geology, 2:47-65.
Meinert, D M, Dipple, G M and Nicolescu, S, 2005. World skarn deposits, Economic Geology, 100:239-336.
Meinert, L D, Kristopher, K, Hefton, K, Mayes, D and Tasiran, I, 1997. Geology, zonation, and fluid evolution of
the Big Gossan Cu-Au skarn deposit, Ertsberg District, Irian Jaya, Economic Geology, 92:509-534.

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