Gold mineralization models for the Virginia gold-pyrite belt, U. S. A

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States)

OSTI ID:6596695

Gleason, R J

The Virginia gold-pyrite belt is a 30 by 215 km zone extending through the Virginia Piedmont. This belt occurs within metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks of the central Virginia volcanic-plutonic belt. Rock units have mineral assemblages ranging from lower greenschist to middle amphibolite facies. Within the gold-pyrite belt, gold occurrences are distributed irregularly into clusters controlled by lithostratigraphic features. Clusters may be characterized by distinct sets of variables which influenced development of mineralization, including geologic setting, host lithofacies, vent proximity, hydrothermal geochemistry, and post-depositional effects. Four genetic models are proposed. In the Wilderness area, diffuse submarine hydrothermal activity accompanied fracturing and emplacement of a late subvolcanic pluton. Along the Fisher Lode, gold mineralization occurred during a final volcanic-tectonic pulse at the onset of fine pelitic sedimentation. In the Buckingham area, auriferous chemical sedimentary rocks were exhaled following felsic pyroclastic activity, also at a transition to pelitic sedimentation. Gold prospects near Belmont are associated spatially with massive sulfide deposits and probably developed as diffuse components of the same hydrothermal systems. Exploration for gold in Virginia can be guided by evaluation of the economic potential of these settings. It is anticipated that data generated during advanced exploration will alter or refine the proposed models.

• Research Organization: Callahan Mining Corporation, Ishpeming, MI (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6596695
• Report Number(s): CONF-8510489-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Geol. Soc. Am., Abstr. Programs; (United States) Journal Volume: 17
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

58 GEOSCIENCES
580300* -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
CHALCOGENIDES
FEDERAL REGION III
GEOLOGIC MODELS
GOLD ORES
HYDROTHERMAL ALTERATION
HYDROTHERMAL SYNTHESIS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
MINERALIZATION
MINERALOGY
MINERALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORES
PYRITE
ROCKS
SULFIDE MINERALS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
USA
VIRGINIA