Hydrothermal alteration and rock geochemistry at the Berg porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit, north-central British Columbia
department or school: Science, Faculty of
department or school: Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Heberlein, David Rudi
issued: 2010-05-13T22:25:49Z
issued: 1984
related degree: Master of Science - MSc
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: In recent years our understanding of the genesis of porphyry copper systems has advanced to a sufficient level to be able to construct predictive models that enhance exploration for these deposits. Our understanding of primary and secondary geochemical dispersion around these deposits is not so advanced as variables such as climate and topography cause geochemical patterns to be distorted or masked at surface with the result of different deposits having quite different geochemical characteristics. In this study the geology and geochemistry of a porphyry copper-molybdenum from the Canadian Cordillera is examined with the aim of demonstrating how primary geochemical patterns are affected by the development of a supergene enrichment blanket and leached capping. Topographic controls on the extent of leaching and supergene enrichment are also explored. The Berg porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit is in the Tahtsa Mountain Ranges, approximately 84 km southwest of Houston, central British Columbia. Mineralized zones are centered on a circa 50 Ma composite quartz monzonite stock. Hydrothermal alteration zones are similar to those of the classic model by Lowell and Guilbert. Central zones are potassic (orthoclase and biotite) while peripheral zones are propylitic (chlorite, epidote, carbonate). Intense phyllic alteration (quartz, sericite, pyrite) occurs at the north and south margins of the stock. Hypogene mineralization (characterized by pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite) is concentrated in an annular zone straddling the quartz monzonite contact. Best grades are localized in altered quartz diorite and altered and hornfelsed Telkwa Formation (Hazelton Group) volcanic rocks at the east side of the deposit. The nature of these altered hornfelsed rocks has been a subject for much debate in previous studies. One school of thought suggests that they are part of a hornfels aureole associated with the quartz diorite. Others suggest that it is an alteration zone associated with t…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/24679
note: HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION. AND ROCK GEOCHEMISTRY AT THE BERG PORPHYRY COPPER-MOLYBDENUM DEPOSIT, NORTH-CENTRAL BRITISH COLUMBIA. by DAVID RUDI HEBERLEIN I . S c , The U n i v e r s i t y of. Southampton, E n g l a n d , 1980 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES Dep a r t m e n t o f G e o l o g i c a l S c i e n c e s We a c c e p t t h i s t h e s i s as c o n f o r m i n g t o t h e r e a u i r e d s t a n d a r d THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA O c t o b e r , 1984 0 D a v i d R u d i H e b e r l e i n , 1984 In presenting t h i s thesis i n p a r t i a l f u l f i l m e n t of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of B r i t i s h Columbia, I agree that the Library s h a l l make i t f r e e l y available f o r reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of t h i s thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. I t i s understood that copying or publication of t h i s thesis for f i n a n c i a l gain s h a l l not be allowed without my written permission. Department of The University of B r i t i s h Columbia 1956 Main Mall Vancouver, Canada V6T 1Y3 Date "Tl^H 2%/fgr~ DE-6 (3/81) Abstract In recent years our understanding of the genesis of porphyry copper systems has advanced to a s u f f i c i e n t l e v e l to be able to construct p r e d i c t i v e models that enhance e x p l o r a t i o n f o r these d e p o s i t s . Our understanding of primary and secondary geochemical d i s p e r s i o n around these deposits i s not so advanced as v a r i a b l e s such as cl i m a t e and topography cause geochemical patterns to be d i s t o r t e d or masked at surface with the r e s u l t of d i f f e r e n t deposits having q u i t e d i f f e r e n t geochemical c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . In t h i s study the geology and geochemistry of a porphyry copp…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0052443
language: eng
degree discipline: Geological Sciences
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/24679