World’s Main Gold/Auriferous Mineral Deposits

EraPrecambrian (3000-570)*Paleozoic (570-225)*Mesozoic (225-65)*Cenozoic (65-0)*
Age of host rocksGold-quartz deposits mainly in Archean rocks (>2500 m.y.); extensive deposits in Proterozoic quartz-pebble conglomerates; some large gold-quartz and varied stockwork deposits in Proterozoic rocksMainly Paleozoic; some deposits in Precambrian or both Paleozoic and Precambrian rocksMainly Mesozoic but also Paleozoic and Precambrian

 

Mainly Tertiary but also all older rocks
Principal  type of host  rocksGold-quartz deposits mainly in mcta-volcanics, iron-formation and meta-sediments of greywacke-slate type; also in associated quartz- feldspar porphyries and other granitic rocks.

Largest deposits in quartz-pebble conglomerates and associated quartzites (modified placers)

 

Gold-quartz and skarn-type deposits mainly in metasediments, especially in

greywacke-slate sequences; similar deposits in meta-volcanics, in porphyries and in granitic rocks

Gold-quartz and skarn-type deposits in meta-sediments and meta-volcanicsAndesites. dacites, tuffs, rhyolitcs and a great variety of meta-volcanic and meta-sedimentary rocks

 

Principal type of depositsModified placer (?) deposits in quartz-pebble conglomerates; gold-quartz veins, lenses, saddles, silicified zones, etc.; skam types; auriferous polymetallic veins, lodes and massive sulphide bodies

 

Gold-quartz veins, lodes, lenses, silicified zones; saddle reefs and bedding-plane veins are characteristic in many areas. Skam and homfels types. Auriferous polymetallic veins, lodes and massive sulphide bodies

 

Gold-quartz veins, lodes, lenses, silicified zones; skarn-type deposits; auriferous polymetallic veins, lodes and massive sulphide bodiesGold-quartz veins, lodes, lenses and silicified zones; auriferous polymetallic veins, lodes and massive sulphide bodies

 

Principal gangue mineralsQuartz-pebble conglomerates – pyrite, quartz, hematite, sericite. Gold-quartz type – quartz, pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, carbonates

 

Quartz, pyrite, arsenopyrite and carbonates

 

Quartz, pyrite, arsenopyrite and carbonates

 

Quartz, pyrite, arsenopyrite carbonates, adularia, alunite, fluorite, barite; rhodochrositc and rhodonite are characteristic

 

Principal metallic mineralsQuartz-pebble conglomerates – free gold, average size 80 microns. Gold-quartz type – free gold and as a lattice or submicroscopic constituent of pyrite, arsenopyrite. Sulphosalts

 

Pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, stibnite and sulphosalts

 

Pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, stibnite and sulfosaltsPyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, argentite, sulphosalts, stibnite and silver selenides

 

Nature of the goldQuartz-pebble conglomerates – free gold, average size 80 microns. Gold-quartz type – free gold and as a lattice or submicroscopic constituent of pyrite, arsenopyrite. sulphosalts, etc; in tellurides

 

 

Generally free; in some deposits much of the gold is present as a lattice or submicroscopic constituent of pyrite, arsenopyrite, sulphosalts, etc; in tellurides

 

Generally free; in some deposits much of the gold is present as a lattice or submicroscopic constituent of pyrite, arsenopyrite, sulphosalts, etc; in tellurides

 

Generally free; in some deposits much of the gold is present as a lattice constituent or submicroscopic constituent of pyrite and various sulphosalts; in tellurides

 

Characteristics associated elements+K, Na, Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, B, Th, U, rare earths, SiO,,

Pb, As. Sb, Bi, Te, (Se),

Mo, W, Cr, Mn, Fe, (Co), (Ni), (Pt metals). U, Th, and rare earths are characteristic of quartz-pebble conglomerates

 

K, Na, (Sr), (Ba). (Mo), W. (Co), (Ni). Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, (Hg), B, (Sn), Pb. As, Sb. Bi, (Se), Te, (F)

 

K, Na, (Sr), (Ba), (Mo), W, (Co), (Ni), Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, (Hg), B. (Sn), Pb. As, Sb, Bi, (Se), (Te), (U), (F)K, (Sr), Ba, (U). Mo, W, Mn. (Co), (Ni), Cu, Ag, Zn, Cd, Hg, (B), Tl, (Sn), Pb, As. Sb, Bi. Se, Te, F

 

Characteristics wall-rock alteration processPyritization, arsenopyritization. carbonatization, serialization, biotitization, tourmalinization, chloritization, silicification, albitization and development of skarn minerals. Development of pyrite. sericite, pyrophyllite in quartz-pebble conglomeratesPyritization, arsenopyritization, carbonatization, sericitization, tourmalinization, chloritization, silicification, listvenitization, bcresitization, albitization and development of skarn and hornfels

 

Pyritization, arsenopyritization, carbonatization,
sericitization, tourmalinization,
chloritization, silicification, albitization, listvenitization,
beresitization, (alunitization),
development of adularia; development of skarn and hornfels
Pyritization,

Carbonization,

Sericitization,

Chloritization, silicification,

Alunitization; propylitization is widespread in most auriferous areas.

http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/science/geology/gsc/17100