Gold‐Related Sulfide Mineralization and Ore Genesis of the Penjom Gold Deposit, Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

The Penjom gold deposit lies on the eastern side of the Raub‐Bentong Suture line within the Central Belt of Permo‐Triassic rocks, near Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia. The geology of the deposit is dominated by a sequence of fine‐ to coarse‐grained rhyolitic to rhyodacitic tuff, tuff‐breccia and a minor rhyolitic–rhyodacitic volcanic series, associated with argillaceous marine sedimentary rocks consisting of shale with subordinate shalely limestone of Padang Tungku Formation and Pahang Volcanic Series. Fine‐ to coarse‐grained tonalite and quartz porphyry intruded this unit. The main structural features of the area are north–south‐trending left‐lateral strike‐slip faults and their subsidiaries, which generally strike north–south and dip moderately to the east (350°–360°/40°–60°). Mineralization at the Penjom gold deposit is structurally controlled and also erratic laterally and vertically. The gold mineralization can be categorized as (i) gold associated with carbonate‐rich zones hosted within dilated quartz veins carrying significant amount of sulfides; (ii) gold disseminated within stockwork of quartz–carbonate veins affiliated with tonalite; and (iii) gold often associated with arsenopyrite and pyrite in quartz–carbonate veins and stringers hosted within shear zones of brittle–ductile nature in all rock types and in brittle fractured rhyodacitic volcanic rocks. Sphalerite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite and pyrrhotite are the minerals accompanying the early stage of gold mineralization. These minerals also suffered from local brittle deformation. However, most of the gold mineralization took place after the deposition of these sulfides. Galena appears somewhat towards the end of gold mineralization, whereas tellurium and bismuth accompanied gold contemporaneously. The gold mineralization occurred most probably due to the metamorphogenic deformational origin concentrated mostly in the shear zone. The mineralization is strongly controlled by the wall rock (e.g. graphitic shale), the sulfide minerals and fluid–rock interaction.

Structural Mapping of the Bentong‐Raub Suture Zone Using PALSAR Remote Sensing Data, Peninsular Malaysia: Implications for Sediment‐hosted/Orogenic Gold Mineral Systems Exploration

“…Penjom, Selingsing and Buffalo reef goldfields, Rubber hill, Kechau‐Tui, Tersang, Ketok Batu and Pular gold deposits are among gold mineralization in the Central Gold Belt, which are located in this merged PALSAR scene. NE‐striking thrusts, NS‐striking normal faults and NW‐striking strike‐slip faults are the most important structural elements for gold exploration in the Central Gold Belt (Ariffin & Hewson, ; Ariffin, ; Makoundi et al, ; Pour & Hashim, ; Li et al, ; Endut et al, ). Major gold mineralization is observed along the steeply‐dipping faults.…”

“…The ore fluids ascended and deposited in structurally favorable traps, such as shear zones, saddle reefs, and fold hinges during metamorphism and deformation (Yeap, ). Major gold mineralization in the Central Gold Belt is observed along the steeply‐dipping faults and hosted in sandstone, carbonaceous shale, tuffaceous siltstone, and tuffaceous conglomerate (Ariffin & Hewson, ; Makoundi, ; Makoundi et al, ; Endut et al, ; Li et al, ; Pour & Hashim, ).…”

Structural analysis and vein episode of the Penjom Gold Deposit, Malaysia: Implications for gold mineralisation and tectonic history in the Central Belt of Malaysia

“…Main sulphide minerals comprise early D2 pyrite and arsenopyrite, precipitated in both quartz and wall rocks, and later D2 to D3 pyrite-base metal sulphide in veins with minor arsenopyrite. High level of As accompanies Au mineralisation in particular along shear vein parallel to carbonaceous shale and this is supported by geochemical analysis (Ariffin and Hewson, 2007) from early exploration data (grab samples with more than 100,000 ppm As at a gold grade of 26.13 ppm and in drillhole 11 with 85,000 ppm As with a gold grade of 18.54 g/t). Fault related vein (D3) and extension vein in felsite have lesser arsenopyrite compared to pyrite.…”

About the Special Issue: Collection of Achievements on Earth Resources from AUN/SEED‐Net, Part II

“…In addition to the island arc setting such as Indonesia and the Philippines, hydrothermal gold deposits occur in other parts of the ASEAN region including Peninsular Malaysia. Ariffin and Hewson (2007) report the gold‐related sulfide mineralization of the Penjom gold deposit, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia.…”

“…Most papers were presented at the AUN/SEED-Net eighth Fieldwise Seminar on Geological Engineering Field and the third International Symposium and Exhibition entitled "Contribution of Science and Engineering for Geo-Hazard and Geo-Resources Management Toward Sustainable Development" held on 3 -4 August 2006 at Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Three papers describe magmatic and hydrothermal systems of porphyry-type mineralization ( Idrus et al , 2007;Imai et al , 2007;Suerte et al , 2007 ), while seven papers including one short communication report on hydrothermal systems associated with gold mineralization ( Ariffi n & Hewson, 2007;Crisostomo et al , 2007;Harijoko et al , 2007;Jimenez et al , 2007;Syafrizal et al, 2007;Warmada et al , 2007 ). In addition, one paper discusses temporal evolution of island arc magmatism ( Polve et al , 2007 ).…”