Session Details
We need to increase discovery and development rates for copper deposits if we are to achieve the energy transition is a reasonable time frame. Porphyry Cu-Au deposits are the major global source of copper, and there are more geoscientists currently exploring world-wide for PCD that any other deposit type. This workshop is therefore timely in providing up-to-date technical information about the key geological and geochemical elements required for the discovery and assessment of porphyry Cu-Au deposits.
The course commences with an overview of porphyry Cu-Au deposits from a global perspective. We then delve into a number of aspects that are critical for successful exploration, including:
- Types and Styles of porphyry copper-gold deposits
- The porphyry-epithermal transition
- Geological and tectonic environments of PCD
- Mapping techniques in PCD environments
- Hydrothermal veining and alteration types and zones (practical component)
- Importance of primary porphyry geochemistry
- New approach to resolving relationships between alteration facies, alteration mineralogy and copper-gold grades (computer exercise; need a laptop)
- Deriving mineralogy from major element geochemistry in PCD (computer exercises if practical)
- Far field vectoring using chlorite and epidote Top takeaways: Advances in PCD exploration
- Importance of boots on the ground mapping Recognition of alteration types and veining in PCD
- Integrating geology, mineralogy and geochemistry in PCD systems
- Vectoring methods to the PCD centre
- What makes a high grade PCD
Hands-on exercises are planned at various stages of the workshop. Participants must bring a laptop.