GEGN 401 - Mineral Deposits

Lecture 17 - Examples of Porphyry Copper Systems:

Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina (classic zoned)
Yerington, Nevada (on its side)
Chuquicamata, Chile (structural control)
Far Southeast, Philippines (porphyry to epithermal)

M. W. Hitzman

Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina

(photo from cover of Guilbert and Park, 1986)

•  Deposit is located in NW Argentina, approximately 200km east of the main Andean porphyry
copper belt of Chile, over a flattening subduction zone.

•  The deposit is centered on a number of subvolcanic dacitic porphyry stocks (7.1 - 6.8 Ma)
intruding co-genetic andesite wallrocks (9 - 6.7 Ma).

•  The deposit contains 605 million tons with an average grade of 0.54% Cu and 0.64 g/t Au. Was
brought into production in 1997 as Argentina’s first major metal mine.

•  The deposit is upright and little deformed making it a “classic” example of a porphyry copper.

M. W. Hitzman

Page 1
 Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina
Surface Geology
The deposit is centered on a
number of subvolcanic dacitic
porphyry stocks (7.1 - 6.8 Ma)
intruding co-genetic andesite
wallrocks (9 - 6.7 Ma).

Intrusions (oldest to youngest):

•  NE Porphyry dike - Dacite dike,
mineralized and K altered.
•  P2 Porphyry - stock-like body of
dacite in center of deposit, highly
potassically altered.
•  Los Amarillos Porphyry - strongly
K altered body that is largely a
breccia.
•  Early P3 Porphyry - Largest
intrusion in deposit. Consists of
dacite. Crosscuts previously
mineralized P2 Porphyry, but is
itself mineralized and altered
(potassic and sericitic).
•  Quartz-eye Porphyry - Exposed in
SE and SW portion of deposit.
Strongly sericite altered.
•  Late P3 Porphyry - N-S elongate
dikes. Slight sericitic alteration. (from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001, Econ Geol., p. 1723;
Map derived from work of J.M. Proffett, EG 2003)

M. W. Hitzman

Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina

Geological Section

(from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001,

Econ Geol., p. 1723; map derived
from work of J.M. Proffett, EG,
2003)

Deposit consists of a swarm of near-vertical dikes and small stocks. The major
intrusions appear to be the P2 and Early P3 intrusions which are syn-alteration and
mineralization. Depth of emplacement is not known, but porphyritic textures suggest
M. W. Hitzman
relatively shallow (2.5 km) subvolcanic environment.

Page 2
 The deposit displays a classic
bull's-eye alteration pattern:
Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina
•  Potassic – Surface Alteration
–  A core of strong potassic
alteration (Ksp replacement
and intense qtz-magnetite Propylitic
veining).
–  Surrounded by a zone of
moderate to weak Ksp-biotite
replacement of wallrocks
with magnetite veins. This
zone grades out into a more
weakly developed zone of
secondary biotite.

•  Propylitic
–  Chlorite-epidote-albite-
calcite alteration (dominantly
in andesite wallrocks).
Sulfide content is low and
consists of pyrite with trace
molybdenite, sphalerite,
galena (note metal zoning).

•  Sericitic -
–  Chloritization (then
sericitization) of biotite and (from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001, Econ Geol., p. 1727;
replacement of plagioclase Map derived from unpub work of J.M. Proffett)
and Ksp by sericite-calcite-
(kaolinite). Zone contains
1-10% pyrite. Dated at 6.75
Ma (approx. 300,000 yrs after
intrusion of P2 Porphyry). work of J.M. Proffett, EG, 2003
M. W. Hitzman

(from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001,

Econ Geol., p. 1727; map derived
Bajo de la Alumbrera, Argentina
from work of J.M. Proffett, EG,
2003)
Geological Section

Vertical “pipe” of potassic alteration, partially enclosed in downward tapering funnel of sericitic
alteration (“late fld destructive”) which cuts and replaces potassic assemblages. Propylitic alteration
(chl-epid) extends outward from the sericitic zone for up to 1 km - probably formed dominantly during
potassic alteration. Note that late and post-mineral porphyries display very weak secondary biotite (this
M. W. Hitzman
is after sericitic event).

Page 3
 Bajo de la Alumbrera,
Argentina

Nearly unaltered P2 porphyry

Highly biotitized (potassic alteration) P2

porphyry cut by py-cpy veins and
containing disseminated chalcopyrite

(from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001,

Econ Geol.)

Biotitically-altered andesite cut by

pyrite vein with feldspar destructive
(sericite) envelope. Note late gypsum
veins after anhydrite - critical to rock
quality for mining.

M. W. Hitzman

Bajo de la Alumbrera,
Argentina Ore
Metal Zonation shell
•  The deposit displays a
classic metal zonation
pattern with “high” grade
copper and gold forming a
shell within the outer portion
of the potassic zone,
surrounding a relatively
barren core of Kspar-mgt (but
a caution… intrusions tend to
be concentric, so late, post-
mineral intrusions may
destroy early-formed
mineralization).

•  Some mineralization,
especially gold, extends into
the sericitic alteration zone,
although this occurrence
largely reflects the late
overprinting of potassic by
sericitic alteration.
(from Ulrich and Heinrich, 2001, Econ Geol, p. 1732) M. W. Hitzman

Page 4
 Bajo de la Alumbrera -
Why is it Important?

•  Classic zonation of alteration and mineralization

(early potassic core grading out to propylitic, inverted
cup ore shell, cut by later sericitic alteration)

•  Displays syn-alteration and mineralization intrusions.

•  Late porphyries “cut out” altered and mineralized

zones - create “waste” rock in the deposit.

•  Total time for alteration and mineralization is <0.5 Ma.

M. W. Hitzman

Yerington, Nevada

Prof. Marco Einaudi (Stanford Univ.) with skarn mineral phase diagrams on skarn
outcrops. M. W. Hitzman

Page 5
 Yerington, NV.

•  The Yerington district contains porphyry copper,

copper skarn, and iron skarns.
•  The Yerington porphyry copper deposit was mined by
Anaconda from 1952 to 1978 and produced 162 Mt of
oxide and sulfide ore averaging 0.55% Cu.
•  The district contains at least 2 other porphyry
deposits (Ann-Mason and MacArthur) which are
unmined but currently in feasibility.
•  The district also contains numerous small, higher
grade skarn deposits that were mined in the 19th
century.
•  The district is important because of the large amount
of research conducted by the Anaconda Co., Stanford
Univ. (Einaudi), and the Univ. of California-Berkeley
(Proffett), and more recently Oregon State (Dilles).
M. W. Hitzman

Yerington,
Nevada

What makes the

district unique is
that Tertiary basin
and range extension
has resulted in
tilting of the district
by 60° to 90° (from Dilles et al., 2000,
through normal Soc Econ Geol,
faulting so that Guidebook Series vol 32,
p.69)
modern exposures
represent cross
sections of the
hydrothermal
system from the
volcanic
environment
(paleosurface) to
about a 7 km depth.

Cenozoic extension in the Yerington area

M. W. Hitzman

Page 6
 (from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ
Yerington, Nevada - Geol., p. 1967)

Ann-Mason area
Surface Geology
•  The Ann-Mason deposit
represents a tilted slice of crust
from the top of the Yerington
batholith upwards for
approximately 4 km.

•  The area contains a granite

porphyry dike swarm emanating
from a cupola emplaced into
earlier quartz monzondiorite of the
Yerington batholith.

•  The granite porphyry dike system

controls the location (and depth)
of the Ann-Mason porphyry
copper deposit which contains
496 Mt of 0.4 % Cu and >0.01%
Mo.

•  To the west of the Ann-Mason

dike swarm, the Yerington
batholith intruded a Triassic to
Jurassic sedimentary section of
limestone, sandstone, argillite,
and gypsum. Copper skarns are
developed in this area. M. W. Hitzman

Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Early Hydrothermal Alteration

•  Alteration can be divided into

3 stages: Up
–  1) pre-main stage
(endoskarn);
–  2) main stage (propylitic,
sodic-calcic, potassic);
–  3) late stage (sodic, chloritic,
and sericitic)

•  Pre-main stage endoskarn

(plag - pyx - gt) in the
Yerington batholith quartz
monzonite is localized
adjacent to metasedimentary
wall rocks (depths 3 to > 6km).

M. W. Hitzman
(from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1968)

Page 7
 Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Main Stage (Potassic)
Hydrothermal Alteration

•  Main stage alteration consists

of:
–  Propylitic alteration (alb -
epid - act - chl - py, cpy,
mgt) (depths above 4 km).

–  Sodic-calcic alteration (olig -

act - sphene) at the granite- Potassic
qtz monzodiorite contact
and deep portions of the early
porphyry dike swarm
(depths of 3.5 to >6 km). Sodic-calcic
This alteration leached K,
Fe, and Cu.

–  Potassic alteration (bio -

Ksp) formed in a vertical
zone 4 km high and 1.2 km
wide centered on the granite
dike swarm. The hypogene
Cu orebody lies within the
area of most intense
potassic alteration (depths M. W. Hitzman
of 2.5 to 4 km). (from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1968)

Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Late Stage Hydrothermal
Alteration Sericitic

•  Late stage alteration consists late

of: Sodic-sericitic
–  Sodic alteration is zoned
upwards from alb - chl -
vermic to alb - ser - py. Alb-
chl alteration leached Cu
from hypogene ore zone. Potassic

–  Chloritic alteration forms a early

halo outward from sodic Sodic-calcic
alteration.

–  Sericitic alteration forms a

funnel shaped zone, rooted
in the Cu orebody at a
paleodepth of 4 km. At the
top of exposure along the
Tertiary erosion surface (1
km paleodepth) the sericite
zone is 3 km wide.
M. W. Hitzman
(from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1968)

Page 8
Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Hypogene Sulfide
Distribution increasing
pyrite
upwards
•  Hypogene sulfides in the
copper orebody
associated with potassic
alteration consist of 0.01
- 1 % of rock and are cpy
> py or cpy = py. Ann-Mason
Deposit
(at depth)
•  The majority of sulfide is
pyrite and occurs in the
sericitic alteration zone
with the highest volumes
of pyrite (>5% of rock) in
the uppermost portions.

(from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1960)

M. W. Hitzman

Yerington, Nevada -
Ann-Mason area
Copper Geochemistry
(Surface)
•  Highest rock and soil Ann-Mason
geochemistry is in the area Deposit
of the buried Ann-Mason (at depth)
deposit. The higher grade
“tail” to the south is a
drainage-related anomaly -
it is on Tertiary volcanics
and does not reflect
bedrock copper grades.

•  Note the patchy copper

grades to the north in the
area of sericitic alteration.
Copper in this area has
largely been leached from
the surface by supergene
alteration.
(from Dilles and Einaudi, 1992, Econ Geol., p. 1970)
M. W. Hitzman

Page 9
 Yerington, Nevada - Geological Reconstruction

Ann Mason
MacArthur

Yerington batholith
(from Dilles et al., 2000, Soc Econ Geol, Guidebook Series vol 32, p.57)

North - south geological cross section through the Yerington batholith showing
the position of porphyry copper centers (Ann-Mason, MacArthur) associated with
granite cupolas at about 4 km depth. Also shows how the granite has largely
stopped its way upward in the same position as the Yerington quartz
monzodiorite batholith. M. W. Hitzman

Yerington, Nevada - Alteration Model

(from Dilles et al., 2000, Soc Econ Geol, Guidebook Series vol 32, p.59)

North - south geological cross section through the Yerington batholith showing the
position of alteration zones.
M. W. Hitzman

Page 10
 Yerington, Nevada -
Why is it Important? What is Different about this System?
•  The Yerington district is important because of its structural geometry - it allows us to view
a cross-section of a porphyry system.

•  The district contains several porphyry copper centers which show the expected early (main
stage) potassic-propylitic alteration (with hypogene copper mineralization in the potassic
zone) and an overlying (and later) sericitic alteration zone.

•  However, the porphyry copper deposits (especially the Ann-Mason / Yerington system) also
contains early sodic calcic alteration and later sodic alteration.
–  Sodic-calcic alteration was due to prograding, saline, non-magmatic fluids (probably derived
from adjacent evaporites in the Jurassic section) that flowed into the batholith at least 3 km
at depths of 4-6 km. As these fluids were heated they altered Ksp to oligoclase and leached
Fe and Cu from approximately 103 km of quartz monzodiorite. In the dike swarm, these fluids
mixed with magmatic fluids and probably contributed significant K, Fe, and Cu to the ore
zone.

–  The later sodic alteration was due to entrainment of saline meteoric water into the warmer
thermal anomaly along the dike swarm. These fluids exchanged sodium for potassium
(alteration of Ksp to oligoclase) and leached copper from sulfides. As they cooled and
became more acidic as they rose, the caused widespread sericitic alteration.

•  The prevalence of sodic alteration at Yerington is probably due to the character of the
wallrocks (containing evaporites). The alteration seen in this system gives us important
clues about other types of ore forming systems - the iron oxide-Cu-Au systems (IOCG).
M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile
•  Chuquicamata is the world’s
largest known copper orebody.

•  2035 Mt averaging 1.54% Cu has

been mined from Chuqui to date
(it is probably the world’s
biggest manmade hole in the
ground).
West
•  Chuqui has reserves of 6,450 Mt Fissure
at 0.55% Cu.

•  If resources at adjacent mines

(part of the Chuqui hydrothermal
system) are included the
combined resource is
approximately 11.4 billion tons
of 0.76% Cu.

•  Chuquicamata is certainly a
porphyry copper deposit;
however, it shows some unusual
features which may help
account for its enormous size. M. W. Hitzman

Page 11
 Chuquicamata, Chile
•  The Chuqui orebody occurs within
the Oligocene Chuqui Porphyry
complex (35-33 Ma) to the east of the
West Fault strike-slip fault zone. The
unmineralized Fortuna Complex
(same age as Chuqui porphyry)
occurs to the west of the fault.
•  The Chuqui Complex consists of the
East, Fine Texture, West, and Banco
porphyries.
•  The Chuquicamata district comprises
ore deposits strung out over 30 km
along the West Fault from MM (Mansa
Mine) in the south to Radomiro Tomic
on the north.

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 251

M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile
•  The Chuqui pit is bisected by the
West Fault. Rocks to the east are
mineralized, while those to the west
are largely barren.

•  The largest, and probably oldest,

intrusive rock in the Chuqui Porphyry
complex is the East Porphyry.

•  The East porphyry displays extensive

cataclasis. It appears more deformed
than the later West, Fine Texture, and
Banco porphryries. There is a
suggestion that intrusion of these
porphyries coincided with structural
disruption. The Banco porphyry
forms a generally elongate trend of
dikes parallel to the West Fault.

•  Intrusive contacts between most

porphyries have not been observed,
probably because early ductile
deformation, subsequent pervasive
cataclastic deformation, and faulting from Ossandon et al.,
have affected the rocks. 2001, Econ Geol., p. 253
M. W. Hitzman

Page 12
 Chuquicamata Alteration - Map View
•  Early Stage:
–  Potassic alteration affects all porphyries. It comprises partial
Kspar and albite replacement of plagioclase and more pervasive
biotite replacement of hornblende. Potassic alteration is
accompanied by quartz-Kspar veinlets with very minor
chalcopyrite-bornite.
–  Fine-grained quartz-Kspar alteration, with destruction of biotite,
occurs parallel to the Banco porphyry dikes. This alteration
accompanies strong cataclastic deformation. Sulfides are
abundant only where there is intense crackle brecciation.
–  Propylitic alteration (chloritic on map) extends east of the
potassic zone and overprints hydrothermal biotite.
–  Potassically altered rocks are cut by quartz-molybdenite veins.
•  Main Stage
–  This period formed quartz-sericite alteration and sulfide-rich
veins. On the western side of the body, adjacent to the fault, this
alteration has obliterated earlier assemblages and igneous
textures.
–  Sulfide veins contain pyrite with varying amounts of quartz,
chalcopyrite, bornite, covellite, chalcocite, enargite, tennantite,
and sphalerite. These veins have well developed sericitic halos.
–  Most copper production has come from this alteration type.

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 259
M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata Alteration -
Cross Section

•  Early Stage:
–  Potassic alteration forms a
linear zone parallel to the West
fault and extends to depth.
–  Propylitic alteration occurs to
the east.

•  Main Stage
–  This alteration type occurs
along the West fault and also
extends to depth (at least 800m),
associated with sericite stage;
evolution from intermediate to
high sulfidation states (cpy to
en).
[see discussion of Butte, MT in next lecture]

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 260
M. W. Hitzman

Page 13
 Chuquicamata, Chile
Sulfide Distribution -
Map View

•  Early Stage:
–  Dominantly chalcopyrite-bornite with
potassic alteration.

•  Main Stage:
–  Complex mixture of sulfide types. Laterally
zoned from chalcopyrite-rich to east to
chalcocite and chalcocite-covellite to
enargite to west along West fault.
from Ossandon et al.,
2001, Econ Geol., p. 259

M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile
Sulfide Distribution -
Cross Section
•  Early Stage:
–  Dominantly chalcopyrite-bornite with
potassic alteration. Note bornite “core”
within the potassic zone perhaps
indicating the center of this system.

•  Main Stage
–  Complex mixture of sulfide types.
Laterally and vertically zoned. Laterally
zoned from chalcopyrite-rich to east to
chalcocite and digenite-covellite along
West fault. Vertically zoned from
chalcocite-rich above to digenite below.
–  Enargite appears to cross-cut other sulfide
zones - late Butte-type veins.

•  Supergene Mineralization
–  The deposit originally contained a leached
cap and a copper oxide orebody. These
have been largely mined out.
–  The chalcocite zones (in both sericite over
potassic and in potassic) are largely
secondary (supergene). This is the largest
known supergene enriched body in the
world. from Ossandon et al.,
2001, Econ Geol., p. 260
M. W. Hitzman

Page 14
 Chuquicamata, Chile
Metal Distribution

•  Copper - High area within sericite

zone but also shows highs to the
east associated with potassic
alteration zone.

•  Moly - Linear trend parallel to West

fault along trend of silicification.
Near contact between potassic and
sericitic alteration zones.

•  Arsenic - Immediately adjacent to

West fault (enargite zone).

•  Zinc - Classic halo developed

primarily to N and S, with local high
zones along West fault. Pattern
suggests that Chuqui is a “bull's-
eye” zoned metal system.

from Ossandon et al.,

2001, Econ Geol., p. 263
M. W. Hitzman

Chuquicamata, Chile - Geochronology

Difficulty in obtaining good ages due to

superimposed events. Current research suggests:

–  Porphyries intruded between 36 and 33 Ma

–  Potassic alteration 34-35 Ma (coincident with intrusion of
porphyries)
–  Molybdenite mineralization at 34.9 (Re-Os)
–  Sericitic alteration at 31 Ma (approximately 2 my after
potassic)
–  Enargite event postdates sericitic alteration but may be
closely related in time
–  Supergene alteration at 19-15 Ma

M. W. Hitzman

Page 15
 Chuquicamata, Chile - Why is this Deposit Unusual?
•  The position of Chuqui within a major, long-lived, dynamic regional fault zone
which focused hydrothermal activity over several million years is probably the
reason for its unusual size and grade.

•  The early potassic system veins contain relatively low amounts of copper. Has the
copper from the early system been leached and fixed in the Main stage system?
(also postulated for Butte).

•  The geochronology suggests at least 2 major mineralizing periods (early potassic

and sericitic Main stage) - possibly with 2 other events (moly event and late stage
enargite event). There is a suggestion from regional work that a major uplift
separated the potassic and Main stage events.

•  Chuqui lacks the hydrothermal breccias that characterize many porphyry copper
deposits. This may be due to the pervasive shattering of rocks from faulting at all
stages of development of the orebody which would have prevented the buildup of
extensive fluid pressure required for hydrothermal brecciation.

•  Where is the other half of Chuqui? This has intrigued geologists for decades.
Regional mapping indicates approximately 35 km of sinistral offset along the West
fault. There is a question about how much of this offset had occurred by each
period of mineralization.
M. W. Hitzman

Far Southeast (FSE) - Lepanto, Philippines

From Hedenquist et al., 2001

M. W. Hitzman

Page 16
•  The Far Southeast
porphyry deposit is
gold rich (105 Mt at Far Southeast - Lepanto, Philippines
0.86% Cu and 2.02 g/t
Au).

•  The top of the deposit

is approximately 650m
below the present
surface.

•  Mineralization is
associated with a
series of quartz diorite
porphyry dikes. These
dikes are typically 50 -
150 m wide and trend
NW, parallel to the
Lepanto fault.

•  Lepanto is a high
sulfidation (HS)
epithermal deposit that
contains a significant
zone of hypogene from Hedenquist et al., 1998, p. 374
advanced argillic
alteration above a •  The world-class Lepanto epithermal Cu-Au
potassic zone of deposit has been shown to be linked genetically
alteration. to the Far Southeast porphyry deposit. M. W. Hitzman

Far Southeast - Lepanto, Philippines

Surface projections:
Lepanto,
Far Southeast
and Victoria

From Palidan; sericitic alteration exposed M. W. Hitzman

Page 17
 Far Southeast (FSE) - Lepanto, Philippines

Lepanto
Flts.

from Hedenquist et al.,

1998, p. 375

•  The Far Southeast porphyry deposit occurs as a vertically oriented system associated with a
dike swarm of quartz diorite.
•  The Far Southeast porphyry is cut by post-mineral breccia pipes.
•  The Lepanto deposit occurs along the Lepanto fault. It is located above and to the northwest
of the Far Southeast porphyry.
•  The Lepanto deposit is localized along the contact between basement metavolcanic rocks and
unconformably overlying Pliocene volcanic rocks - just older than the intrusions responsible
for porphyry mineralization.
M. W. Hitzman

Far Southeast - Lepanto: Alteration

from Hedenquist et al., Lepanto Flt.

1998, p. 380

•  The Far Southeast porphyry deposit displays a potassically altered (biotitic alteration) core
associated with copper-gold mineralization. It is cut by a zone of chlorite-sericite (which
contains higher Cu grades than the potassic zone) which is overlain by an advanced argillic
assemblage of pyrophyllite-diaspore-kandite (kaolinite-dickite), same age as potassic.
•  The advanced argillic zone of quartz-alunite alteration is cored by leached residual quartz
which hosts the Lepanto epithermal (high sulfidation) Cu-Au deposit.
•  The Lepanto deposit itself is closely associated with the Lepanto fault (70% ore in fault
breccia), as well as in a zone that mushrooms out along the basement-pyroclastic contact.
M. W. Hitzman

Page 18
 Lepanto
Cross Section

M. W. Hitzman

•  Potassium-argon ages for

mineral separates from fresh Far Southeast - Lepanto
and hydrothermally altered How do we know the two are
rocks from both the Far
Southeast and Lepanto genetically related?
systems indicate that the
deposits are young (less
than 1.5 million years) and
that there is an overlap in
age between Far Southeast
and Lepanto.

•  The age data supports field

observations that sericitic
alteration (illite) post-dates
potassic alteration (biotite)
at Far Southeast.

•  Alunite from the advanced

argillic alteration at Lepanto
has essentially the same age
as biotite and early illite at
Far Southeast; enargite cuts
from Arribas et al., 1995, and
alunite, so is younger, Hedenquist et al.,1998
possibly same age as
sericite. M. W. Hitzman

Page 19
 Far Southeast - Lepanto
How do we know the two are genetically related?
from Hedenquist et al.,1998, p. 385

Low

Med

High

Temps

Studying fluid inclusions from the systems we can see

there is a regular decrease in homogenization temperature
from high Ts in potassic veins (quartz-biotite; 500-550°C) to
quartz-sericite veins (350°C) of the Far Southeast porphyry
to progressively lower Ts in enargite in the Lepanto system
moving away from the porphyry (290° C near the porphyry
to 196°C on the periphery), due to asymmetric lateral flow to
the northwest away from the porphyry. M. W. Hitzman

Far Southeast - Lepanto

•  Schematic longitudinal section through
the Far Southeast-Lepanto system
showing the approximate paleosurface
at the time of potassic and quartz-
alunite alteration (1.4 m.y.).

•  The upper limit of hypersaline

(magmatic) fluid is shown. Fluid
inclusion evidence suggest this brine
was capped by a vapor-cored plume.
These coupled fluids (brine + vapor)
were responsible for forming the
potassic and advanced argillic
assemblages, respectively. The vapor
generated an extremely acidic fluid that
altered along the Lepanto fault (flow
path).

•  Later, (1.3 m.y.) the system contained

cooler, lower salinity fluids dominated
by magmatic water but with meteoric
component. This formed sericitic
alteration in porphyry. As fluid
ascended it cooled (formed pyrophyllite)
and started to flow laterally and was
progressively diluted with meteoric
water, generating the Lepanto Cu-Au
deposit. from Hedenquist et al.,1998, p. 391 M. W. Hitzman

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 Far Southeast-Lepanto -
Why is it Important?

•  The two deposits tie together porphyry and

epithermal environments in time and space.
–  The systems formed within <100,000 years of each other
–  The systems are separated by approximately 600m vertically and
the porphyry was formed approximately 1.2 km below the
paleosurface.
•  Far Southeast with potassic alteration is time
equivalent to quartz-alunite (advanced argillic)
alteration at higher levels.
•  Sericitic alteration above the Far Southeast
porphyry, formed by meteoric water collapse, is time
equivalent to epithermal gold-copper mineralization
at Lepanto.

M. W. Hitzman

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