Lead isotope systematics of ore systems of the Macquarie Arc — Implications for arc substrate

The Macquarie Arc of New South Wales hosts several major Au and Cu deposits. We present new Pb isotope results for Cadia, the Copper Hill, Little Copper Hill and Cowal deposits, along with data from the CSIRO database. The results generally plot close to established mantle growth curves and are similar to oceanic basalts. Data for individual deposits mostly have Pb model ages consistent with independent age constraints on mineralization. Intrusions associated with the Early Silurian mineralization at Cadia and Goonumbla have narrow and distinct Pb isotope signatures that we interpret to be the result of partial melting of already LILE-enriched mantle-like sources. The data suggest that deposits of the Macquarie Arc derived Pb from one or more long-lived mantle-like Pb isotope reservoirs without significant contributions of crustal Pb prior to the Benambran Orogeny.Data for the Copper Hill deposits includes unradiogenic, possibly old Pb and supports previous workers who suggested that old MORB-like basalts may occur at depth in the area. The Peak Hill deposit has the most unradiogenic signature and has the lowest 208Pb/204Pb and 207Pb/204Pb. These signatures closely match Cambrian MORB-like basalts in the Koonenberry Belt and are unlike Cambrian mafic rocks in Victoria. Similar rocks could form part of the substrate to other parts of the Macquarie Arc.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideResearch Highlights
► Most ore deposits have Pb model ages consistent with independent age constraints.
► Pb isotope data support an interocenic setting during formation of the Macquarie Arc.
► Cambrian to Ordovician MORB-like rocks likely form part of the arc substrate.