Tectonic evolution and mineralization of the Australian Proterozoic

2. Tectonic evolution and mineralization of the Australian Proterozoic Ian M. Tyler

3. Australian Proterozoic mineralization • Substantial mineral resources: • Hematite iron ore • Unconformity-related U • Granite-related Au-Cu • Proterozoic iron oxide-Cu-Au(-U) • Orogenic lode-Au • SEDEX Pb-Zn-Ag • Layered intrusion Ni • Diamond

5. Proterozoic mineralization in WA • Extensive “greenfields” areas in WA • Under-explored • Limited pre-competitive geoscience datai.e. “under-researched” by • Government • ARC-funded Academic research

6. Kimberley-Arunta Paterson West Musgrave Capricorn Albany-Fraser Pinjarra

7. Reassess the tectonic evolution of the Australian Proterozoic • Establish tectonic setting of known mineralization • Predict mineral potential of greenfields areas • Target areas for acquisition of: • geochronological, isotopic, geochemical, and geophysical information • remapping

8. Tectonic models

9. Tectonic models • Etheridge, Rutland and Wyborn, 1987“Orogenesis and tectonic process in the early to middle Proterozoic of Northern Australia” • The “BMR model” • Intracratonic orogeny - “stabilist” • Very influential for exploration models BUT • Predated SHRIMP • Unsuccessful at predicting events and correlations

10. Tectonic models • Myers, Shaw and Tyler, 1996, Tectonics“Tectonic Evolution of Proterozoic Australia” • Plate tectonic processes - “mobilist” • Episodes of continental break-up, terrane accretion and plate aggregation • Based on • geochronological, isotopic, geochemical, and geophysical information • remapping

11. Myers et al. has become widely accepted to the point....... “Traditional palaeotectonic perspective”! (Dawson et al., 2002) See instead Krapez, 1999 Tectonic models

12. Tectonic models • Tyler, 2005, Encyclopedia of Geology - updates Myers et al., 1996: • North Australian Basins GA-NTGS-GSQ • NTGS-GA Tanami-Arunta work • GSWA Capricorn work • Australian Geodynamics CRC/Australian Crustal Research Centre • Tectonics SRC UWA/Curtin • Gawler Mineral Promotion GA-PIRSA • Broken Hill Exploration Initiative GA-NSWDMR-PIRSA • Macquarie Uni • etc, etc

13. Magnetics

14. Gravity

15. Modified from Betts et al., 2002 (after Myers et al., 1996)

16. Archaean basement

17. Break-up of Archaean continents

18. Assembly of West Australian Craton

19. Assembly of North Australian Craton

20. Assembly of South Australian Craton

21. Collision of West and North Australian Cratons

22. Palaeo- to Mesoproterozoic supercontinent: “Columbia”

23. Proterozoic Australia in Columbia

24. Was Australia “strung out”?

25. Docking with Laurentia

26. Intracratonic extension

27. Reorganisation: Collision with East Antarctica – Grenvillian events

28. Post-collision

29. Warakurna large igneous provinceMantle plume

30. Docking of Greater India

31. 900 Ma Fitzsimons, 2003 East Gondwana

32. Proterozoic Australia in the Rodinia supercontinent

33. Break-up of Rodinia - Centralian Superbasin and Adelaide Rift Complex

34. Mount Olympus: Au Peak Hill: Au

35. Mineral potential in WA • Collisional and accretionary settings • Capricorn, Halls Creek and King Leopold, Albany-Fraser, Pinjarra, Paterson Orogens • Orogenic lode-Au • VHMS • Porphyry Cu-Au • Layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions

36. Kimberley-Arunta Paterson West Musgrave Capricorn Albany-Fraser Pinjarra

37. Mineral potential in WA • Intracratonic settings • Pooranoo Metamorphics – Mangaroon Orogeny • SEDEX Pb-Zn-Ag • Granite intrusions in Arunta, Musgrave, Albany-Fraser, Capricorn, Paterson: e.g. Hiltaba Suite or Mount Crofton Granite • Iron oxide-Cu-Au • Granite-related Au-Cu • Layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions • Older intrusions: Hart Dolerite, Musgrave, Albany-Fraser

38. Kimberley-Arunta Paterson West Musgrave Capricorn Albany-Fraser Pinjarra

39. Synthesis of the Australian Proterozoic • Proposed Geoscience Australia project in collaboration with Tectonics Special Research Centre and State geological surveys