The metamorphosed Neoarchean epithermal Vent prospect, Ontario, Canada

Abstract

Epithermal precious metal deposits are uncommon within the Archean rock record, as are detailed descriptions of their associated features and modes of formation. The Vent prospect is a Neoarchean Au–Ag occurrence within the Eastern Wabigoon Subprovince of the Superior Province in Ontario. It is hosted by aphyric, and quartz ± feldspar-porphyritic aphanitic dacitic flows that show remnants of spine-like structures within blocky flow top breccia facies that lack visible hyaloclastite, consistent with subaerial emplacement. Numerous phreatic breccia dikes containing rounded, heterolithic, fragments in a fine rock flour and locally altered matrix intrude the dacitic host rocks, supporting a subaerial setting. Discordant replacement and stringer Au- and Ag-bearing pyrite mineralization is associated with a decimeter-scale, zoned, discordant sequence of metamorphic associations consisting of a) quartz-pyrite; b) kyanite-quartz; c) muscovite-kyanite; and d) muscovite. The geochemical characteristics of these metamorphic associations reflect intense pre-metamorphic acidic alteration. These lithofacies, alteration characteristics, and mineralization styles are consistent with a subaerial volcanic edifice altered by acidic hydrothermal fluids, which periodically brecciated the edifice. We propose that the features that characterize the Vent prospect are consistent with those of Phanerozoic epithermal systems. New U–Pb zircon geochronology of the host dacites indicate formation at ca. 2720 Ma, suggesting that the Vent prospect may represent one of the oldest identified epithermal deposits preserved in the ancient rock record. The recognition of epithermal mineralization in Archean greenstone belts underlain by Mesoarchean crust, such as those of the Eastern Wabigoon, opens up the possibility of potential for gold and silver in other underexplored Archean greenstone belts.