RECORD 2020/9
LAYERED INTRUSION-HOSTED VANADIUM: A MINERAL SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
by JN Guilliamse
Government of Western Australia Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety Government of Western Australia Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety
RECORD 2020/9
LAYERED INTRUSION-HOSTED VANADIUM: A MINERAL SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
by JN Guilliamse
PERTH 2020 MINISTER FOR MINES AND PETROLEUM Hon Bill Johnston MLA
DIRECTOR GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF MINES, INDUSTRY REGULATION AND SAFETY David Smith
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND RESOURCE STRATEGY Jeff Haworth
REFERENCE The recommended reference for this publication is: Guilliamse, JN 2020, Layered intrusion-hosted vanadium: a mineral systems analysis: Geological Survey of Western Australia, Record 2020/9, 5p.
ISBN 978-1-74168-897-9 ISSN 2204-4345
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Cover image: Packing up the campsite in a claypan about 5 km south of Minilya in the southern Pilbara (photo by Olga Blay) Contents Abstract...... 1 Introduction...... 1 GSWA Mineral Systems Atlas...... 1 Layered intrusion-hosted vanadium mineral system...... 2 Layered mafic–ultramafic intrusions...... 2 Critical mineralization processes...... 2 Mineral systems analysis...... 2 References...... 5
Figures 1. The Mineral System Tree ...... 3 2. Examples of GIS map layers to assist exploration for layered intrusion-hosted vanadium ...... 4
iii iv Layered intrusion-hosted vanadium: a mineral systems analysis
by JN Guilliamse
Abstract Layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion-hosted vanadium deposits in Western Australia account for the majority of Australia’s vanadium resources, and include world-class examples at Speewah, Gabanintha, and Windimurra. The economic importance of such deposits warrants continued exploration and, to assist explorers, the Geological Survey of Western Australia has undertaken a mineral systems analysis to define critical and constituent processes controlling their genesis, and mappable proxies for these processes. Critical processes include: i) mantle-derived magmas as a source for vanadium; ii) mantle plumes to transport mafic–ultramafic magmas through the crust; iii) reduced, anhydrous magmas that delay Fe-oxide saturation and allowed vanadium to concentrate in the melt; v) chemical and mechanical processes to generate magnetite layers within layered intrusions; vi) preservation of the vanadium orebodies. A Mineral System Tree has been constructed for layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion-hosted vanadium deposits to document the link between critical geological processes and their recommended geographic information system map layers for exploration. KEYWORDS: exploration potential, GIS, layered intrusions, mineral exploration, vanadium
Resource companies exploring for mineral deposits Introduction understand that particular commodities are commonly Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy (Commonwealth found in certain deposit types that result from specific of Australia, 2019) defines a list of minerals that are geological processes. The companies therefore analyse considered strategically important to Australia, and outlines geological datasets to identify the most likely locations the Federal Government’s policy framework for advancing where such processes occurred. The Geological Survey our critical minerals industry through investment, of Western Australia (GSWA) has created the Mineral innovation and infrastructure. Vanadium is one of the Systems Atlas to deliver sets of geographic information elements included on the critical minerals list, largely due system (GIS) maps tailored to exploration for particular to its potential use in renewable battery technology, as well commodities and mineral deposit types. as its use in steel alloys and in superconducting magnets. This Record describes the process of creating such a Vanadium can occur in sandstone- or shale-hosted deposits, spatial dataset for the layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion- in vanadate deposits that form in oxidized zones of base hosted vanadium mineral system, including the conceptual metal deposits, and generally in trace amounts in other basis for the Mineral Systems Atlas and the results of a magmatic-hydrothermal deposit types (alkaline igneous metallogenetic analysis of this mineral system. The analysis intrusions, Alaskan-type mafic intrusions, porphyry copper, is based on current understanding of the characteristics vein-hosted gold). However, by far the primary source of of layered mafic–ultramafic intrusions and the critical vanadium is large, layered, mafic–ultramafic intrusions processes for associated vanadium mineralization (Kelley et al., 2017). Significant layered mafic–ultramafic (e.g. Cawthorn et al., 2005; Kelley et al., 2017). intrusion-hosted vanadium deposits occur in: South Africa (Bushveld Complex); Sichuan Province, China (Panzhihua layered intrusion); the Ural Mountains, Russia (Kachkanar massif); Quebec, Canada (Bell River [Matagami] and Lac Mineral Systems Atlas Doré Complexes); and Australia (Kelley et al., 2017). The The GSWA Mineral Systems Atlas is an interactive GIS majority of Australia’s defined vanadium resources are in platform that collates and delivers map-based geoscience Western Australia, and 99% of these are contained within data layers filtered for specific relevance to understanding layered mafic–ultramafic intrusions, including world- and exploring for mineral deposits in Western Australia. class examples at Speewah (4712 Mt @ 0.3% V2O5), Atlas content is systematically defined by applying the Gabanintha (131 Mt @ 0.9% V2O5), and Windimurra mineral systems concept advocated by Wyborn et al. (235 Mt @ 0.49% V2O5) (Summerfield, 2019). Therefore, (1994) and McCuaig et al. (2010). This concept has two only the layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion-hosted basic premises: firstly, that mineral deposits will only vanadium mineral system is considered here. form and remain preserved where there has been a spatial
1 Guilliamse and temporal coincidence of critical earth processes Critical mineralization processes (geodynamic setting, lithosphere architecture, fluid, ligand and ore component reservoir(s), fluid-flow drivers and The primary source of vanadium is the mantle, where it was pathways, depositional mechanisms, postdepositional incorporated into mafic melts that formed initially by partial processes); and secondly, that the occurrence of these melting in rising mantle plumes or upwelling asthenosphere critical processes might be recognized from mappable during lithospheric thinning. These melts then rose and were geological features expected to result from them. It is these emplaced into the crust within intracontinental rift zones, geological features (‘targeting elements’ or ‘geological where they could pond and fractionate (Allen et al., 1995; proxies’) that can be extracted as digital map layers from Ernst and Buchan, 2001; Cawthorn et al., 2005). Magmas geoscience datasets, and which may be used in GIS-based with tholeiitic compositions experienced delayed onset of prospectivity studies. Fe-oxide saturation, which allowed vanadium to concentrate in the residual melt (Nebel et al., 2013). Upon Fe-oxide GSWA classifies mineral systems and subsystems (deposit saturation, magnetite and ilmenite start to crystallize into types) after the scheme proposed by Fraser et al. (2007). discrete layers concordant with other igneous mineral The analysis of any particular mineral (sub)system layering, preferentially sequestering vanadium in solid draws on in-house knowledge, existing literature, and solution within their structure (Kelley et al., 2017). The collaborations with subject-matter experts. Structured formation of this distinct magnetite and ilmenite layering queries are then used to extract relevant data from is poorly understood — proposed mechanisms include statewide GSWA geoscience databases, for those proxies liquid immiscibility, mineral settling, and increases in that can be practicably produced. These queries operate oxygen fugacity and pressure (Cawthorn et al., 2005; directly on, and are dynamically linked to, primary GSWA Kelley et al., 2017). geoscience data sources. Thus, no new data are acquired or created, although some information may be reformatted As an aside, relatively small-volume, subduction-related, to meet the internal requirements of particular map layers. Alaskan-style intrusions generally have a higher water Furthermore, the queries are scheduled to automatically content than large-volume, rift-related magmas. This update the derived proxy map layers whenever new data higher water content causes early magnetite crystallization are added to the primary databases. Users may therefore and suppresses a ‘magnetite crisis’, limiting the ability to be confident that the data layers portrayed in the Mineral form an economic vanadium deposit (Himmelberg and Systems Atlas are as up to date as possible. The Atlas is Loney, 1995). complemented by a Guide that documents the important characteristics of the different mineral systems, and the procedures for generating the constituent GIS map layers. This Guide may be revised from time to time when there Mineral systems analysis are improvements in our understanding of particular The objective of a mineral systems analysis is to define mineral systems and additions of relevant geoscience data the critical and constituent processes responsible for to the GSWA databases. metallogenesis, the targeting elements that might represent the occurrence of such processes, and the mappable proxies for the targeting elements (i.e. the GIS map layers). Such analyses can be conveniently summarized in graphical Layered intrusion-hosted form in a ‘Mineral System Tree’. Figure 1 shows this for vanadium mineral system the layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion-hosted vanadium mineral system. Critical processes for the layered intrusion- hosted vanadium system include: i) voluminous mantle- Layered mafic–ultramafic derived magmas that source vanadium from the mantle; ii) mantle plumes or intracontinental rift zones to transport intrusions magma into the crust; iii) anhydrous magmas that delay Fe-oxide saturation and allow vanadium to concentrate in Layered mafic–ultramafic intrusions are differentiated the melt; and iv) sufficient uplift and erosion of overlying bodies of mantle-derived igneous rock that typically crust to expose the layered intrusions and orebodies, but form large, ovoid to sill-like bodies (100s–1000s km2 not destroy them. The occurrence of these critical processes areal extent), which are emplaced into the crust (Ernst may be manifested by a variety of geological ‘targeting and Buchan, 2001). They are mineralogically layered elements’, which themselves might be directly mappable, and broadly gabbroic in composition, typically with a or instead be represented by one or more geological proxies significant ultramafic component towards the base of (Fig. 1), each of which can potentially be fashioned into the intrusion (Ashwal, 1993). Layered mafic–ultramafic a GIS map layer in the Mineral Systems Atlas (Fig. 2). intrusions form an important part of the plumbing system GIS layers for all mappable proxies can theoretically be of Large Igneous Provinces (LIP) that result from massive generated using appropriately structured queries of relevant upwelling of mantle-derived magma (Ernst and Buchan, georegistered geological databases, although in practice, 2001). They are also associated with intracontinental some proxies cannot currently be represented because the rift systems (e.g. the Duluth Complex, US; Severson, required databases are inadequate, incomplete or absent. 1994) and convergent margins (e.g. Alaskan-style intrusions; Himmelberg and Loney, 1995). Layered mafic– Examples of some mappable proxies for the layered ultramafic intrusions are an important host for deposits of intrusion-hosted vanadium system are provided in Figure 2. chromite, platinum group elements (PGE) and vanadium Queries used to produce these layers are documented in the (Cawthorn et al., 2005). Guide to the Mineral Systems Atlas.
2 GSWA Record 2020/9 GSWA Record 2020/9 Layered intrusion-hosted vanadium: a mineral systems analysis Layered intrusion-hosted vanadium: a mineral systems analysis
ORTHOMAGMATIC VANADIUM Trap – Chemical/ Source Active Pathway Trap – Chemical scrubber physical scrubber Preservation
Transporting large volumes of Long-lived fractionation to produce Fe-oxide Formation of oxidized seams within Exhumation and preservation of vanadium Voluminous mantle melting mantle-derived magma through the saturation a layered mafic–ultramafic instrusion orebodies crust Critical process
Processes within the magma Mantle plumes to transport large Intracontinental rift zones where Pooling of mantle Stable Preservation High-degree mantle melting to produce Delayed onset of Fe- chamber? Density settling, magma Weathering of volumes of mantle-derived magma extensional forces produced passive derived magma in plateaus of the upper voluminous mafic–ultramafic magmas oxide saturation mixing, pressure changes, liquid magnetite layers through the crust melting of the mantle the crust with slow parts of immiscibility rates of layered erosion intrusions Constituent process What are the processes that control the critical process?
Triple junctions Sedimentary basins Volcanic rifted Kimberlites and Plateaus Large Igneous Archean granite Large Ingeous Archean granite– Domal uplift Rocks coeval with Layered mafic– where mantle caused by margins that may carbonitites that can Magnetite–ilmenite layers within a and areas Tilted Vanadomaghemite Provinces (LIP) greenstone Provinces (LIP) greenstone formed by underplating or indicators of ultramafic Dykes and sills Tholeiitic magmas plumes that reach subsidence after occur as a result of mark where mantle layered mafic–ultramafic intrusion with domains and hematite Flood basalts, terranes with Flood basalts, terranes with of mantle plumes rifting intrusions associated felsic komatiite–tholeiite associated felsic komatiite–tholeiite the surface produce doming mantle plumes plumes are abundant rocks, dyke swarms, associations rocks, dyke swarms, associations rifting underplating relict sills, layered mafic– interpreted to be sills, layered mafic– interpreted to be regolith ultramafic intrusions the Archean ultramafic intrusions the Archean equivalent of LIP equivalent of LIP argeting T How can we target each constituent process?
Proterozoic and Proterozoic and Layered mafic– Magnetite–ilmenite Archean rock age Archean rock Sedimentary Structure Structure Kimberlite Structure Rhyolite map Kimberlite Dyke and sill map Tholeiitic basalt Stable Regolith map phanerozoic rock Phanerozoic rock Sedimentary basins ultramafic intrusion layer map Dip map map age map thickness map complexity map complexity map occurrence map complexity map (m) occurrence map (m+dhd+g+WAROX map plateau (m) age map age map map (m) map (m+dhd+g+c+s+ (WAROX+m+g) (m+chron+ENS) (m+chron+ENS) (m+dhd+g) (m+g) (m+g) (m+c) (m) (m+c) +WAMEX) (m+c+WACHEM) layer (m) (m+chron+ENS) (m+chron+ENS) (m+dhd+g+c+WAROX WAROX+WAMEX)
+WAMEX) Dacite map Volcanic time slice Volcanic time slice Komatiite Komatiite Carbonitite Magnetic structure (m) map map Conglomerate map Paleocratonic Paleocratonic Hornblende gabbro Detrital ilmenite occurrence map occurrence map occurrence map complexity map Alkaline rock age (m+dhd+g+c+s+ (m+dhd+g+c+s (m+dhd+WAROX) boundary map (i) boundary map (i) map chemistry map (m+ENS) (m+ENS) (m+c) (g) map (m+chron) WAROX+WAMEX WAROX+WAMEX+ (m+c+WACHEM) (Dia)
+chron) chron) Felsic volcanic rock age map Tholeiitic basalt Tholeiitic basalt VMS age and Gravity structure (m+chron) Coeval (sulfidic) Dyke and sill map occurrence map Dyke and sill map occurrence map occurrence map complexity map sediments Ferrodiorite map (m+dhd+g+ (m+c+WAROX) (m+dhd+g+ (m+c+WAROX) (m+chron) (g) occurrence map (m+c+WACHEM) WAROX+WAMEX) WAROX+WAMEX) (m+chron) Alkaline rock
occurrence map Paleocratonic Alkaline rock age (m+c) BIF age and Layered mafic– Layered mafic– boundary map Fe-rich rhyolite map map (m+chron) occurrence map ultramafic intrustion ultramafic intrusion (i) (m+c+WACHEM) (m+chron) map map (m+dhd+g+c+s+ (m+dhd+g+c+s+ Carbonitite WAROX+WAMEX) WAROX+WAMEX) occurrence map BIF age and Felsic volcanic rock (m+c) VMS age and occurrence map occurrence map (m+chron) (m) occurrence map (m+chron) Syenite Data sources occurrence map m = mapping c = geochemistry Quartz andesite (m+c) g = geophysical interpretation chron = geochronology map (m) = isotopic ratios (e.g. Nd–Sm) dhd = drillhole database s = reflectance spectroscopy Pyroxenite WAMEX = WAMEX database/reports occurrence map WAROX = WAROX database (m+c) Dia = diamond exploration data Mappable proxies Which layers are needed and how they created?
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Figure 1. The Mineral System Tree is the graphical display of a mineral systems analysis showing the link between critical and constituent processes, and their recommended targeting features and GIS layers. Abbreviations: BIF, banded iron-formation; ENS, Explanatory Notes System; WACHEM, Western Australia geochemistry database; WAMEX, Western Australia mineral exploration reports database; WAROX, Western Australia field observation sites database
3 Guilliamse
a) b)
c) d)
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Figure 2. Examples of GIS map layers constructed to assist exploration for layered intrusion-hosted vanadium systems: a) distribution of gabbro, norite, and anorthosite in Western Australia, coloured by the likelihood of their presence in these areas (extracted from the GSWA 1:500 000 and 1:100 000 interpreted bedrock geology layers); b) distribution of LIP-related rocks in Western Australia, coloured by their respective LIP event (extracted from the GSWA 1:500 000 tectonic units layer); c) sample locations for gabbro, norite, anorthosite, magnetitite, and chromitite (excluding hornblende-rich equivalents), analysed for vanadium in parts per million (extracted from the GSWA geochemistry database); d) all recorded mines, deposits, prospects, and occurrences in Western Australia that contain vanadium as a target commodity; extracted from the mines and mineral deposits (MINEDEX) database. View the Mineral Systems Atlas online for descriptions of all map layers
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Kelley, KD, Scott, CT, Polyak, DE and Kimball, BE 2017, Vanadium: References Chapter U, in Critical mineral resources of the United States — Allen, DJ, Braile, LW, Hinze, WJ and Mariano, J 1995, The midcontinent Economic and environmental geology and prospects for future supply rift system, U.S.A.: a major Proterozoic continental rift in Continental edited by KJ Schulz, JH DeYoung, RR Seal and DC Bradley: United rifts: evolution, structure, tectonics edited by KH Olsen: Elsevier, States Geological Survey, Professional Paper 1802, p. U1–U36. Amsterdam, p. 373–407. McCuaig, TC, Beresford, S and Hronsky, J 2010, Translating the mineral Ashwal, LD 1993, Anorthosites: Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 422p. systems approach into an effective exploration targeting system: Ore Geology Reviews, v. 38, p. 128–138. Cawthorn, RG, Barnes, S-J, Ballhaus, C and Malitch, KN 2005, Platinum- group element, chromium and vanadium deposits in mafic and Nebel, O, Arculus, RJ, Ivanic, TJ, Rapp, R and Wills, KJA 2013, Upper ultramafic rocks,in Economic Geology 100th Anniversary Volume: Zone of the Archean Windimurra layered mafic intrusion, Western 1905–2005 edited by JW Hedenquist, JFH Thompson, RJ Goldfarb Australia: insights into fractional crystallisation in a large magma and JP Richards: Society of Economic Geologists, Ottawa, Canada, chamber: Journal of Mineralogy and Geochemistry, v. 191, no. 1, p. 215–250. p. 83–107. Commonwealth of Australia 2019, Australia's Critical Minerals Strategy, Severson, MJ 1994, Igneous stratigraphy of the South Kawishiwi 18p.,
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