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Nanoparticle suspensions from carbon-rich fluid make high-grade gold deposits

Author

Listed:
  • Laura Petrella

    (University of Western Australia)

  • Nicolas Thébaud

    (University of Western Australia)

  • Denis Fougerouse

    (Curtin University)

  • Brian Tattitch

    (University of Western Australia)

  • Laure Martin

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Stephen Turner

    (Newmont Corporation)

  • Alexandra Suvorova

    (The University of Western Australia)

  • Sarah Gain

    (Geological Survey of Western Australia)

Abstract

Economic gold deposits result from a 100- to 10,000-fold enrichment in gold relative to crustal background. In hydrothermal systems, this enrichment is achieved through the transport and accumulation of metals via deeply sourced fluids to a site of deposition. However, the generally low metal solubility of Au in aqueous solutions in orogenic systems requires additional processes in order to explain high-grade gold formation. Reports of Au nanoparticles in high-grade gold veins infer that their formation is linked to mineralisation. However, processes leading to nanoparticle nucleation and deposition remain poorly understood. Here we show that formation of metal nanoparticles (Au, AuAg, Cu, Ag2O) is one of the essential contributors to efficient and focused gold deposition. We report systematic and previously unrecognized metal nanoparticles preserved in amorphous silica and/or carbonic phases in five high-grade deposits. The association of metal, silica and carbonic phases helps to constrain the multiple reactive processes involved in Au, Cu and Ag metallogenesis and formation of high-grade gold mineralisation.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Petrella & Nicolas Thébaud & Denis Fougerouse & Brian Tattitch & Laure Martin & Stephen Turner & Alexandra Suvorova & Sarah Gain, 2022. "Nanoparticle suspensions from carbon-rich fluid make high-grade gold deposits," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-31447-5
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-31447-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. G. N. Phillips & K. A. Evans, 2004. "Role of CO2 in the formation of gold deposits," Nature, Nature, vol. 429(6994), pages 860-863, June.
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