Variations in composition and abundance of white mica in the hydrothermal alteration system at Hellyer, Tasmania, as revealed by infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectral reflectance of hydrothermally altered volcanic rocks in the footwall of the Hellyer massive sulfide deposit was measured with a portable PIMA-II infrared spectrometer. The Al–OH band was used to derive information on the octahedral Al content and the abundance of white mica (sericite) in the hydrothermal alteration and mineralization system. The range of the Al–OH band wavelength from 2192 nm to 2222 nm corresponds to the number of octahedral Al (Alvi) in white mica approximately from 3.9 to 3.0 (based on 4 octahedral cations per formula). This Alvi range represents a significant compositional variation, covering most of the compositional region between muscovite (Alvi = 4.0) and phengite (Alvi = 3.0). Furthermore, the spectral reflectance data show that the compositional variation of white mica is spatially related to hydrothermal alteration zoning, such that phengitic white mica tends to occur in 1) main upflow fluid channel, 2) intensely altered volcanic rocks, and 3) Pb–Zn mineralization, whereas muscovitic white mica was formed preferentially distal to massive sulfide mineralization on the margin of the footwall alteration system. The results suggest that the Al–OH band wavelength, and therefore the octahedral Al content, of white mica can be used as vectors to mineralization to map the hydrothermal system at Hellyer.

► The compositional variation of white mica (sericite) at Hellyer is complex and subtle.
► Phengitic white mica occurs in or near upflow fluid channel with intense hydrothermal alteration.
► Muscovitic white mica tends to be formed on the margin of the footwall alteration system.
► Field spectroscopy provides a rapid, economical and reliable tool for mapping VHMS systems.