Student: Cathryn Dickins

Thesis: The Late Archaean high-field-strength-element (HFSE) enriched plutonic-volcanic rock association of the Gindalbie Terrane, Eastern Goldfields, Western Australia

Summary

The project will attempt to develop a new petrogenetic model for an igneous rock suite in the Late Archaen Gindalbie Terrane in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.
I will be working as part of a research group looking to integrate and synthesise a geohistory of volcanic and sedimentary rock associations with plutonic rock associations to develop an integrated geological and metallogenic framework for the eastern Yilgarn Craton.
Specific aims of the project include:
- Determining field relationships between plutonic-volcanic rocks in the study area
- Determining a tighter age constraint for the HFSE-enriched plutonic-volcanic rock suite,
- Using geochemistry and compilation of other data to determine a petrogenetic model, and then comparing this model to similar models used in other areas to see whether it can be applied to other Late Archaean granite-greenstone terranes.

Why my research is important

The HFSE-enriched rocks are unique within the Gindalbie Terrane, and they are local hosts of VHMS-mineralisation. Understanding the evolution of these rocks could prove to be of great economic significance, particularly when it comes to predicting VHMS deposits in the future.
The HFSE-enriched plutonic-volcanic rocks of the Gindalbie Terrane have been included in general studies of the EGP; however, it is evident that a more sophisticated geochemical and petrological study would contribute towards an improved understanding of the geodynamic setting of the region.
There have been no detailed studies to date that have been undertaken on the HFSE-enriched association linking the plutonic and volcanic components and associated mineralisation. Although there have been some regional studies which have included these rocks, none have looked at both the intrusive and extrusive components.
The value of this study towards the prediction and discovery of VHMS deposits could prove to be very significant.

Supervisors: Prof Mark Barley; Dr Kevin F. Cassidy

Funding: Y1 pmd*CRC-AMIRA P763 project "Tectonostratigraphic and Structural Architecture of the Eastern Yilgarn Craton".; Jabiru Metals (formerly known as Pilbara Mines