genetic role of dykes on the mineralization of the Monsabrais sector, Blake River Group, Abitibi greenstone belt /

Abstract

The Monsabrais area is a volcano-plutonic center located at the Northwest of the Blake River Group. It is situated between the inner and outer ring faults of the interpreted Misema Caldera based on the mega caldera complex model for the Blake River. The presence of a volcanic sequence intruded by a swarm of radial and concentric dykes within the plutonic suite of Monsabrais is the key features of the sector, and commonly very favourable for volcanogenic mineralization. The project had for main objective the establishment of the genetic role of the dykes on the mineralization. A series of techniques were used: mapping and sampling, pétrographie study of fresh and altered and mineralized samples, lithogeochemistry of dykes and host rocks and sulfide studies based on trace element signature yields by LA-ICP-MS.As result of the application of those techniques, it is possible to determine the co-magmatic character of this predominant intermediate, transitional magmaticvolcanic system. The intrusive lithologies are: major dykes, equigranular dykes, porphyritic dykes, Monsabrais plutonic suite and aplitic dykes. The major gabbroic dykes are interpreted as feeder conduits for the volcanic sequence. The gabbro to granodiorite plutonic suite crosscuts the precedent units. The granodiorite to granite aplitic dykes are a late and felsic phase from the pluton. The equigranular and porphyritic dykes have the same plutonic composition but a finer granulometry and occur crosscutting the other lithologies.The hydrothermal alteration has a random distribution interpreted as resulting from the analogous overprinting of semi-conformable alteration zones. The alteration zones are represented by the pervasive alteration of the following minerals: quartz, epidote, chlorite and carbonate. The quartz-carbonate veins are considered as related to the alteration zone genesis. Those alterations are the consequence of the distal leaching of elements from the rocks by hydrothermal fluids and the following precipitation of those elements in a proximal, hotter zone. The fluid source is interpreted as heated sea water and possibly later magmaticfluids from the plutonic suite.The mineralization is manifested by the occurrence of pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite that occur on the area in three forms: disseminated in the whole rock, filling amygdules and less recurrent in quartz-carbonate veins. The pyrite defines texturally two families that share similar elemental signatures. The pyrrhotite has similar elemental signature to the pyrite families, evidencing that sulfides result from the same event. These are chemically and texturally comparable to other known volcanogenic deposits.Evolution model defines the Monsabrais complex as a two stage magmatic event. A first extrusive event is responsible for the formation of the volcanic sequence, fed by the major dykes. The second magmatic event is responsible for the plutonic suite emplacement. The other dykes are emplaced continuously during and between both events. Those features support the...