Geocronology and isotopic geochemistry applied on metallogenetic evolution of the Copper South Belt, Carajás Mineral Province

• Grant number: 09/18371-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2010
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Lena Virginia Soares Monteiro
• Grantee: Carolina Penteado Natividade Moreto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IG). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Carajás Mineral Province is host to important iron oxide-copper-gold deposits (IOCG), such as Salobo, Cristalino, Igarapé Bahia/Alemão, Sossego and Alvo 118. The economic relevance of the IOCG deposits in the province also guides the mineral exploration in the region. However, a conceptual model to assist in the distinction between economic and sub-economic targets is still necessary.Although a common evolution of the paleo-hydrothermal systems responsible for the genesis of the Carajás IOCG deposits is suggested by the similar paragenetic and hydrothermal fluid characteristics in different deposits, previous geochronological data obtained for iron oxide-Cu-Au mineralization from Carajás are still not sufficiently precise to support the co-genetic origin of these deposits. Additionally, the influence of the different magmatic events recorded in Carajás and relationships among thermo-tectonic events, shear zone development and overprinting of hydrothermal events require further understanding.This project proposes geochronological studies in order to define the age intervals of the iron oxide-Cu-Au mineralization episodes in deposits in which the paragenetic evolution of alteration and mineralization is well defined. Additionally isotope geochemistry (Sm-Nd) will be used to identify the source of mineralizing fluids and metals, the history of fluid-rock interaction, and possible interplay between metals sources and reserves sizes in world-class deposits and sub-economic targets. This study may provide important insights into mineral exploration, with the proposition of alternative metallogenetic and prospective models for IOCG deposits in the Carajas Mineral Province, assisting in the identification of economic and noneconomic targets.

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BETTENCOURT, JORGE SILVA; JULIANI, CAETANO; XAVIER, ROBERTO P.; MONTEIRO, LENA V. S.; BASTOS NETO, ARTUR C.; KLEIN, EVANDRO L.; ASSIS, RAFAEL R.; LEITE, WASHINGTON BARBOSA, JR.; MORETO, CAROLINA P. N.; DIAS FERNANDES, CARLOS MARCELLO; et al. Metallogenetic systems associated with granitoid magmatism in the Amazonian Craton: An overview of the present level of understanding and exploration significance. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, v. 68, p. 28-pg., 2016-07-01. (09/18371-0, 13/25659-5)

BETTENCOURT, JORGE SILVA; JULIANI, CAETANO; XAVIER, ROBERTO P.; MONTEIRO, LENA V. S.; BASTOS NETO, ARTUR C.; KLEIN, EVANDRO L.; ASSIS, RAFAEL R.; LEITE, JR., WASHINGTON BARBOSA; MORETO, CAROLINA P. N.; DIAS FERNANDES, CARLOS MARCELLO; et al. Metallogenetic systems associated with granitoid magmatism in the Amazonian Craton: An overview of the present level of understanding and exploration significance. Journal of South American Earth Sciences, v. 68, n. SI, p. 22-49, JUL 2016. (13/25659-5, 09/18371-0)

DEMELO, GUSTAVO H. C.; MONTEIRO, LENA V. S.; XAVIER, ROBERTO P.; MORETO, CAROLINA P. N.; SANTIAGO, ERIKA S. B.; ANDREW DUFRANE, S.; AIRES, BENEVIDES; SANTOS, ANTONIO F. F.. Temporal evolution of the giant Salobo IOCG deposit, Carajas Province (Brazil): constraints from paragenesis of hydrothermal alteration and U-Pb geochronology. MINERALIUM DEPOSITA, v. 52, n. 5, p. 709-732, JUN 2017. (13/25659-5, 09/18371-0)

MORETO, CAROLINA P. N.; MONTEIRO, LENA V. S.; XAVIER, ROBERTO P.; CREASER, ROBERT A.; DUFRANE, S. ANDREW; MELO, GUSTAVO H. C.; DELINARDO DA SILVA, MARCO A.; TASSINARI, COLOMBO C. G.; SATO, KEI. Timing of multiple hydrothermal events in the iron oxide-copper-gold deposits of the Southern Copper Belt, Carajas Province, Brazil. MINERALIUM DEPOSITA, v. 50, n. 5, p. 517-546, JUN 2015. (09/18371-0)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MORETO, Carolina Penteado Natividade. U-pb e Re-Os geochronology applied to the metallogenetic evolution of the Southrn Copper Belt of the Carajás Mineral Province. 2013. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Geociências Campinas, SP.