Structure, Lithological & Alteration Controls on the Cave Rocks Au Deposits

Supervisors / Dr John Miller
Research Affiliations / Centre for Exploration Targeting
Degree Type/Name / Honours - Geology, Earth Science, Minerals Geoscience
Pre-requisites / Degree in Geology or other kind of Geoscience degree.
Student Support / The student undertaking this project is eligible for financial support provided by the UWA Geoscience Foundation. The student will be eligible for full-time vacation employment with St Ives Gold Mines (SIGM) and is elligible for a SIGM bursary of up to $10,000.
Collaboration / This project is a collaboration with the St Ives Gold Mine.

Skills

This research project provides the opportunities for research students to obtain skills and experience highly regarded in mineral exploration companies, as well as forming a firm basis for a research or academic career.

Project Description

The Cave Rocks deposit was first mined as a small open pit in 1985. Extensive exploration has been completed during various campaigns since then. A 300,000 ounce reserve was reported in December 2006, and mining recommenced in April 2007, initially as Open Pit, with a view to establishing Underground Access in September 2007. Current mining activities and future underground development will expose a new ore system unique to the St Ives Gold Camp. These deposits are associated with the Zuleika Shear and in a higher metamorphic terrain than the main St Ives Gold Camp.

Aim: Develop an understanding of the structural, lithological and alteration controls to high grade mineralisation of the Cave Rocks East and West Lodes.

· Delineate the structural controls to high grade mineralisation

· Determine potential role of NNE trending faults akin to Kundana controls

· Develop an understanding of zoning in dolerites through geochemistry and core logging, and potential controls on shoot development

· Map out the sedimentary packages and determine facies classifications.

· Identify alteration characteristics of gold mineralising structures utilising spectral data, multi-element data and logging of core.

Expected main field activities: Pit/Underground development exposure/mapping and core logging.