Source-migration-trap models for precious metal deposits

通过在不同的观测尺度(从全球尺度到矿床尺度)评价源岩-运移-圈闭模型，可以揭示与地壳中元素异常集中的形成有关的过程。我在未来几年的研究将主要集中在了解在沉积序列中形成世界级金矿(300万盎司黄金)的关键过程。两个地区被选为未来五年重点调查的地区：内华达州北部，拥有GoldStrike矿藏(&gt；5000万盎司黄金)；巴西带，拥有Morro do Ouro矿藏(&gt；1800万盎司黄金)。这项研究计划涉及区域和地方规模的多学科研究，并应用最先进的技术为理解上地壳大型金矿的形成提供了新的见解。这将导致源-运移-圈闭一体化模式的发展，并将有助于完善矿业公司的勘探战略，增加加拿大在具有相似特征的地区成功勘探计划的潜力。此外，研究硫化物中金和微量元素赋存状态的新的综合方法在材料和环境科学领域也有重要的应用。虽然砷黄铁矿是一种含砷的硫化铁，因其作为金在矿床中的重要宿主而广为人知，但它也是沉积岩、矿山废渣和尾矿中砷的主要来源。了解它的晶体结构和晶体化学对于评价它在加工和风化过程中的行为以及缓解砷和相关元素对环境污染的问题具有非常重要的意义。这项研究计划将包括培训高素质的地球科学家，他们将在行业、政府机构和其他研究中心的同事之间进行多学科合作。

The processes related to the formation of anomalous concentrations of elements in the earth crust, also known as ore deposits, can be unraveled by evaluating source-migration-trap models at various scales of observation (from global to deposit-scale). My research over the next years will concentrate mainly on understanding the processes that are critical in the formation of world-class gold deposits (>3 million ounces of gold) hosted in sedimentary sequences. Two areas have been selected to focus the investigations over the next five years: Northern Nevada which hosts the Goldstrike Deposit (> 50 million ounces gold) and the Brazilia Belt, which hosts the Morro do Ouro Deposit (> 18 million ounces gold). This research program involves both regional and local-scale multidisciplinary studies, and the application of state-of-the art techniques to bring new insights into understanding the formation of large accumulations of gold in the upper crust. This will lead to the development of integrated source-migration-trap models and will help to refine exploration strategies of mining companies, increasing the potential for successful exploration programs in Canada, in areas sharing similar characteristics. Furthermore, the new integrated approach to investigate the mode of occurrence of gold and trace elements in sulfides also has important applications to the field of material and environmental sciences. Although arsenian pyrite, an arsenic-bearing iron sulphide, is widely known for its role as an important host for gold in ore deposits, it is also a major source of arsenic in sedimentary rocks, mine wastes and tailings. Understanding its crystal structure and crystal chemistry will be very important to evaluate its behavior during processing and weathering, and to mitigate problems related to environmental contamination by arsenic and related elements. This research program will involve training of highly qualified geoscientists who will be working in multidisciplinary collaboration between industry, government agencies, and colleagues from other research centers.