EM953R Mod2

Restricted Investigation Report 953R
Geological Interpretation of Automated Mineralogical

Core-Logging Data from the Sunrise Dam Gold Mine,
Western Australia
Kai Yang, Peter Mason, Jon Huntington, and Keith Scott
June 2002
DIVISION OF EXPLORATION AND MINING
CSIRO Division of Exploration and Mining
P.O. Box 136, North Ryde, NSW, Australia, 1670

2
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................1
2. GEOLOGY .....................................................................................1
3. METHODS .....................................................................................6
4. RESULTS ......................................................................................8
4.1. Hydrothermal / metamorphic minerals............................................... 8
4.1.1. White mica ...............................................................................................8
4.1.2. Chlorite ..................................................................................................14
4.1.3. Carbonate ..............................................................................................18
4.1.4. Talc ........................................................................................................20
4.2. Minerals in regolith material.............................................................. 21
4.2.1. Kaolin.....................................................................................................21
4.2.2. Illite ........................................................................................................22
4.2.3. Iron oxides .............................................................................................22
4.2.4. Gypsum ..................................................................................................23
4.3. Spectral and mineralogical features indicative of mineralisation . 23
4.4. Comparison of OARS and ASD spectra ........................................... 28
4.5. Comparison of spectra acquired on flat and cylindrical surfaces. 28
5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS ...........................................30
5.1. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralisation .................................... 30
5.2. Weathering .......................................................................................... 31
5.3. The method ......................................................................................... 31
iii
FIGURES
Figure 1. Geological map of the Yilgarn craton (after Acacia Resources, 2000). ..............2
Figure 2. Domain subdivision of the Laverton Basin (after Acacia Resources, 2000). .........3
Figure 3. East – west cross section of the Cleo-Sunrise deposit. ...........................................4
Figure 4. Plan view (300mRL) of the locations of drill-holes measured in this study ..........5
Figure 5. 99250mN cross section view of the locations in the Cleo deposit of drill-holes
measured in this study......................................................................................................6
Figure 6. (a) Reflectance and (b) background-removed spectra of a sample from drill-hole
CD650 at 246m.. ..............................................................................................................7
Figure 7. Examples of OARS spectra. ....................................................................................8
Figure 8. Abundance variation of white mica for drill-hole CD638W1................................9
Figure 9. Wavelength variation of the Al-OH band of white mica for the upper part of drill-
hole CD245. . ................................................................................................................10
Figure 10. (a) Variation in Al-OH band wavelength of white mica for drill-hole CD301.
Logged (b) alteration intensities and (c) percentages of shears and veins are plotted for
comparison.....................................................................................................................10
Figure 11. (a) Variation in Al-OH band wavelength of white mica for drill-hole CD294. (b)
Logged alteration intensity and (c) percentages of shears and veins. ...........................11
Figure 12. (a) Variation in Al-OH band wavelength of white mica for drill-hole CD638W1.
(b) Gold values and (c) percentages of shears and veins. .............................................12
Figure 13. Variation in Al-OH band wavelength of white mica for the lower part of drill-
hole CD265.. ..................................................................................................................12
Figure 14. (a) Variations in white mica, (b) chlorite and (c) carbonate in drill-hole
CD638W1. ....................................................................................................................13
Figure 15. K/(K+Na) (solid diamonds), and Al-OH band wavelength (open squares) versus
Al(vi) of white mica. .....................................................................................................14
Figure 16. Variations in (a) Al-Oh for mica and (b) Fe-OH for chlorite wavelengths for the
upper part of drill-hole CD265. ...................................................................................15
Figure 17. (a) Variation in Fe-OH band wavelength (wvl) for drill-hole CD624. (b)
logged alteration intensity and (c) percentages of shears and veins. ............................16
Figure 18. (a) Variation in Fe-OH band intensity for drill-hole CD649. (b) percentages of
shears and veins.............................................................................................................16
Figure 19. (a) Variations in Fe-OH intensity and (b) wavelength of chlorite in the upper
part of CD245. (c) percentages of shears and veins.....................................................17
Figure 20. (a) Variation in Fe-OH band wavelength (wvl) of chlorite for drill-hole CD650.
(b) percentages of shears and veins...............................................................................18
Figure 21. (a) Variation in Fe-OH band wavelength (wvl) of chlorite for drill-hole CD649.
(b) percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). . ............................................18
Figure 22. (a) Variation in CO3 band wavelength of carbonate for drill-hole CD638W1.
(b) percentages of veins and shears (after Anglo Gold).. ..............................................19
Figure 23. (a) Variation in CO3 band wavelength of carbonate for the lower part of drill-
hole CD265. (b) percentages of veins and shears. .......................................................20
Figure 24. Reflectance spectrum of talc-bearing sample from 109m, CD169. ....................20
Figure 25. Reflectance spectrum of a kaolin and Fe oxide-bearing sample (RC chip) of
drill-hole CD652 at 3.1m depth. . .................................................................................21
Figure 26. Abundance variations of (a) kaolin, (b) illite and (c) iron oxides for the RC drill
portion of CD651. . .......................................................................................................22
Figure 27. Abundance variations of (a) kaolin, (b) illite and (c) iron oxides for the RC drill
portion of CD638. . .......................................................................................................23
Figure 28. Variations in (a) Al-OH intensity, (b) Fe-OH band intensity,(c) CO3 band
wavelength and (d) gold values for the lower part of drill-hole CD265. ....................24
iv
Figure 29. (a) Variations in CO3 band wavelength for drill-hole CD301. (b) gold values
and (c) percentages of shears and veins. .......................................................................25
Figure 30. (a) Variation in Al-OH wavelength for white mica for drill-hole CD638W1, (b)
gold values and (c) percentages of shears and veins.....................................................26
Figure 31. (a) Variation in Al-OH wavelength for white mica for drill-hole CD638W1. (b)
gold values and (c) percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). .....................26
Figure 32. Variations in (a) Al-OH, (b) Fe-OH and (c) CO3 wavelengths for drill-hole
CD653. (d) gold values, (e) alteration intensity and (f) percentages of shears and veins
.......................................................................................................................................27
Figure 33. Comparison of OARS and ASD spectra.............................................................28
Figure 34. Comparison of spectra measured on flat (in yellow, left) and cylindrical (in red,
right) surfaces of core samples. ...................................................................................29
Figure 35. Al-OH wavelengths of white mica derived from spectra measured on flat (blue
triangles) and cylindrical (red squares) surfaces of drill cores of CD301....................29
Figure 36. Al-OH band intensity (second derivative) of white mica derived from spectra
measured on flat (blue triangles) and cylindrical (red squares) surfaces of drill cores of
CD301............................................................................................................................30
v
APPENDICES
Appndx 1- 1. Spectral (upper) and geological (lower) logging results for the unweathered
cores of CD169. . ..........................................................................................................33
cores of CD245, upper part. Geologic legends as Appndx 1-1. ...................................34
cores of CD245, lower part. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1..................................35
cores of CD265, upper part. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1. ................................36
cores of CD265, lower part. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1..................................37
cores of CD294. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1. ...................................................38
cores of CD638W1. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1. ..............................................43
Appndx 2- 1. Spectral (upper) and geological (lower) logging results for the weathered
chips of CD624. .............................................................................................................49
Appndx 2- 2. Spectral (upper) and geological (lower) logging results for the weathered chips of
CD638. ............................................................................................................................50
CD649. ............................................................................................................................50
CD650. ............................................................................................................................51
CD651. ............................................................................................................................51
CD653. ............................................................................................................................52
vi
SUMMARY
Continuous core logging using the OARS spectral system defines alteration
mineralogical features which cannot be easily mapped during manual logging of
cores on chips. In this study of alteration mineralogy at the Cleo-Sunrise gold
deposit, the following features have been objectively mapped within 13 drill holes
(2170m of core and 1060m of chips) during a five-day working period.
Hydrothermal alteration in andesitic volcanics and volcaniclastics in western (Cleo)

part of the deposit is characterised by abundant mica and carbonate (dolomite,
ankerite and siderite) and poor development of chlorite. Mica abundance is
reflected by the intensity of the Al-OH feature and mica associated with
mineraltisation tends to be Al-rich, i.e. have Al-OH features with wavelengths <
2200nm. Carbonate associated with mineralisation has a high Mg content reflected
by CO3 wavelengths < 2330nm. The chlorite associated with mineralisation tends
to be Fe-rich (Fe-OH feature at 2255-2262nm). Gold mineralisation occurs, often
associated with shears within such broad alteration zones which can be rapidly and
objectively identified by spectrally determined parameters (Al-OH intensity and
wavelength, CO3 feature < 2330nm and low Fe-OH intensity for chlorite).
Unaltered rocks are characterised by more phengitic mica with relatively longer Al-
OH band wavelength (>2200nm), more abundant but less Fe-rich chlorite and
calcite as the dominant CO3 mineral (CO3 band wavelength >2330nm). Zones with
alteration features in the midst of unaltered rocks can rapidly be determined
spectrally.
Weathering affects the rocks and leads to kaolin and Fe oxide development in the
upper portion of the regolith and illite in the lower regolith.
vii
1. INTRODUCTION
Core logging is a time-consuming geological practice usually done by visually
examining cores, with the results being subjective, dependent on the experience of
the logging geologist. As drilling is commonly the most expensive phase during a
mineral exploration project, maximum return from the investment should be sought
by extracting as much geological and mineralogical information from the cores as
possible. To speed up the logging process, increase the obtainable mineralogical
information and minimise the subjectivity of the results, we have modified the
airborne visible and short-wave infrared profiling spectrometer, OARS, into a
automatic core logging facility.
The Cleo-Sunrise gold deposit is the first test site for the OARS core logging
facility. The data and results of the test are recorded in this report. The work shows
that automatic spectral core logging using the ORAS facility is a fast and effective
tool for obtaining consistent and objective mineralogical information from the drill
samples. The results of this test work have proved the concept of automatic
mineralogical core logging with visible and short-wave infrared spectroscopy, and
have demonstrated the application values of this technology.
2. GEOLOGY
This brief geological introduction is based on the company’s report (Acacia
Resources, 2000).
The Cleo-Sunrise gold deposit is located about 55 km south of Laverton, Western

Australia in the Eastern Goldfields Province of the Yilgarn Craton (Figure 1). The
deposit consists of two parts: the western part referred to as the Cleo deposit is
owned by Anglo Gold, and the eastern part referred to as the Sunrise deposit is
currently mined by the Granny Smith Joint Venture. Tectonically, the Laverton
region is referred to as the Laverton Basin. The Cleo-Sunrise deposit is hosted in a
complexly deformed central ‘corridor’ of felsic to intermediate rocks of the
Laverton Domain of the Laverton Basin (Figure 2). All drill-holes measured in this
study were all from the Cleo (western) part of the deposit.
1
Figure 1. Geological map of the Yilgarn craton (after Acacia Resources, 2000). The red circle
marks the Cleo-Sunrise gold deposit.
2
Figure 2. Domain subdivision of the Laverton Basin (after Acacia Resources, 2000).
Up to five phases of deformation have affected the Laverton Basin, with the last
being post-Archean. The first two phases (D0 and D1) are characterised by low-
angle shear zones, isoclinal folds and thrust faults. D2 was a major period of ENE-
WSW oriented shortening, widely recognised in the Eastern Goldfields Province.
Major shallowly dipping ore-host shear zones (e.g. Sunrise Shear Zone - SSZ, Cleo
Upper Shear Zone - CUSZ) in the Cleo-Sunrise deposit were formed in this event.
D3 is interpreted as a progression of D2, with displacement accommodated by
reactivation of existing structures. D3 was the main mineralisation event in the
Laverton Basin. The Cleo-Sunrise deposit was formed during this time. D4 was a
change from ENE-WSW directed shortening to NNW-SSE oriented extension,
resulting in a series of E-W striking normal faults, which are commonly filled by
Proterozoic (post-mineralisation) dolerite and lamprophyre and carbonatite dykes.
The low-angle shear zones, CUSZ and SSZ, are two large structures in the Cleo-
Sunrise deposit. Between these two shear zones, there are several smaller-scale
splay shears/faults, dipping 20 to 50? to the NW, of which the Placer Upper Shear
3
Zone (PUSZ) and the Western Shear Zone (WSZ) are the most significant ones,
characterised mainly by brittle deformation. Deeply dipping faults and shears are
also encountered in the footwall of the SSZ, but generally with weaker deformation
and alteration than those in the hangingwall (Figure 3).
Figure 3. East – west cross section of the Cleo-Sunrise deposit (after Acacia Resources, 2000).
The immediate host rocks of the Cleo-Sunrise deposit are dominantly andesitic
volcanogenic sedimentary and andesitic volcanic rocks and magnetite shales
(locally termed banded iron formation – BIF), along with lesser amounts of high-
Mg basalts, ultramafic rocks and felsic porphyries. These rocks are complexly
folded and cut by shear zones.
The combined ore-body in the Cleo-Sunrise deposit has a strike length of 3 km.
Gold mineralisation is mainly structure-controlled, in low angle high-strain shears
(e.g. SSZ and PUSZ), high angle low-strain shears (e.g. WSZ and CSZ), breccias
(mainly in BIF) filled with carbonate-quartz veins. Intersections of structures
(shears and faults) are particularly preferred sites for gold mineralisation.
Intersections of structure and BIF are also favourable sites for mineralisation (
Figure 3).
Hydrothermal alteration at Cleo-Sunrise is extensive and zoned. The typical

alteration types are distal calcite-chlorite, intermediate ankerite-calcite-chlorite or
ankerite-chlorite-sericite, and proximal ankerite-sericite-pyrite.
Drill-holes selected for this study are shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5. Collectively,
these drill-holes intersected the major structures and rock types at Cleo-Sunrise. It
4
is expected that the main mineralogical features of hydrothermal alteration be well
reflected by the samples of these drill-holes.
Figure 4. Plan view (300mRL) of the locations of drill-holes measured in this study (after Anglo
Gold).
5
Figure 5. 99250mN cross section view of the locations in the Cleo deposit of drill-holes measured in
this study (after Anglo Gold).
3. METHODS
Instrumentation details of the OARS Core-Logging facilities are given in a separate
report (Whitbourn et al., 2002).
13 drill-holes, ranging from 100 to 400m long, were spectrally measured. Most
samples were half cores. For 7 of the 13 drill-holes, rock chips of the collar RC
drilling were also measured. Drill cores were washed, and dried before being
scanned. However, locally some dirt remained, and occasionally cores, especially
those rich in phyllosilicates, were still damp when scanned.
All data presented in this report were derived on the flat surfaces of half cores. For
comparison, part of a drill-hole was selected and scanned on both the flat and the
cylindrical surfaces of the half cores.
Spectral processing and mineralogical interpretation were carried out by using the
TSG software package. In TSG, each spectrum was interpreted automatically for
the mineral assemblage (two mineral species) by the algorithm TSA (Berman &
Bischof, 1997). Although interpreted mineral assemblages of individual spectra are
obtained and could be used to identify restricted features like carbonate veins,
because of the large amount of spectral data for each drill-hole, this report focuses
on the trends displayed by the dataset of a drill-hole.
6
Samples were spectrally scanned whilst in trays made of aluminium (for cores) or
plastic (for chips). In the trays, wooden or metal blocks were used as depth
markers. As a result, ends of the trays, unoccupied tray runs and depth markers
were recorded in the spectral datasets.
In places, salts, precipitated from local salty ground water, were also present as fine
particles coating cores. They were spectrally evident, but not specified in the
interpretation.
In spectral processing, a continuum was fitted to each reflectance spectrum to

remove spectral background (Figure 6), and then the reflectance value at each wavelength
of the reflectance spectrum was divided by the corresponding value of the fitted
continuum at the same wavelength. Wavelength of an absorption band was
measured at the minimum absorption of the absorption band on the background-
removed spectrum. Depth of an absorption band on the background-removed
spectrum was taken as the intensity of the absorption band.
CD650, 246m
Al-OH
a
Fe-OH
reflectance
Al-OH
Fe-OH
reflectance b
hull quotient
?
450 1475 2500
wavelength (nm)
Figure 6. (a) Reflectance and (b) background-removed spectra of a sample

from drill-hole CD650 at 246m. Note that absorption bands are enhanced on the
background-removed spectrum. The Al-OH and Fe-OH combination bands are marked.
In the SWIR region, the compositional variations of white mica, chlorite and
carbonate are reflected by the wavelength shift of their diagnostic absorption bands:
the Al-OH bending and OH stretching combination band near 2200nm for white
mica, the Fe-OH and OH combination for chlorite near 2250nm, and the CO3
combinations near 2330nm for carbonate (Figure 7).
7
a b
AlOH
FeOH
reflectance
sericite chlorite
c d
2320 nm
CO 3
2338 nm
CO 3
reflectance
Fe-dolomite / ankerite (vein) calcite (vein)

450 1475 2500 450 1475 2500
reflectance reflectance
Figure 7. Examples of OARS spectra.
Mineralogical variations related to hydrothermal alteration were revealed by

tracking changes in the spectral responses of white mica, chlorite and carbonate
with depth down a drill hole. Depths and wavelengths of the three absorption bands
near 2200nm, 2250nm and 2330nm (e.g. Figure 7) were taken as the relative
abundance and cation composition of the three major alteration minerals,
respectively.
For the weathered parts of drill-holes, attention was placed on kaolin, illite and iron
oxide, as spectrally represented by the absorption features near 2160 to 2170nm,
2200nm and 800 to 900nm, respectively.
No effort was made to extract information on other minerals that were also present
but not as abundant nor geologically significant as those mentioned above.
To compare and correlate with geological logging results (data provided by Anglo
Gold), we plotted the following geochemical and geological logging data with the
spectral results for each drill-hole: Au grade, alteration intensity (1 to 5 from the
weakest to the strongest) and density of shears and veins (percentage per metre
core). It should be noted that even though the alteration intensity and percentages
of vein and shear are quantitatively expressed, they were derived from manual
logging by geologists, and thus might be subjective and only qualitative.
4. RESULTS
4.1. Hydrothermal / metamorphic minerals
4.1.1. White mica

The loosely defined term white mica as used here include muscovite, paragonite,
phengite, and any intermediate species between these three end members, and also
illite. This group shares a similar crystal structure. Spectrally, they are also alike,
8
characterised by a major Al-OH combination band near 2200nm. The wavelength
of this band slightly shifts as a result of the replacement of octahedral Al by Mg or
Fe, such that the wavelength increases with increasing Mg and/or Fe. White mica is
one of the most ubiquitous mineral groups found at the Cleo-Sunrise deposit.
We used the intensity and the wavelength of the Al-OH combination band as
indexes for the relative abundance and the octahedral Al contents of white micas,
respectively. The results show:
1. White mica (reflected by Al-OH intensity) is enriched in and near shear zones
(Figure 8). The increase in abundance of white mica in or near shear zones is
a common mineralogical feature, regardless of whether the shear is
mineralised or otherwise.
0.5 CD638W1
white mica-rich
AlOH intensity
2265
0 0
AFS ASA EOH
260 WSZ SSZ
335 410
Depth (m)
100
vein
80
percentage
shear
60
40
20
0
260 290 320 350 380 410
Depth (m)
Figure 8. Abundance variation of white mica for drill-hole CD638W1. For comparison,
percentages of shears and veins are plotted (after Anglo Gold). Note the high abundance of
white mica around the two sections at 285-315m and 370-395m with intensified veining and
shearing. Geological legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASA =
coarse grained volcaniclastic agglomerate, WSZ = Western Shear Zone, SSZ = Sunrise Shear
Zone, EOH = end of hole.
2. Variations in the observed wavelength range of the Al-OH combination band

of white mica in the Cleo-Sunrise deposit reflects two solid-solution series,
paragonite-muscovite (Al-OH wavelengths from < 2190nm to approximately
2200nm) and muscovite-phengite (approximately 2200 to 2220nm) (e.g
Figure 9). The first series is commonly found in (but not restricted to) shear
zones.
9
2220 CD245, upper part
phengitic
AlOH wvl (nm)
paragonitic
2185 ACI
AG AFS
160 190 220 250
Depth (m)
20
shear
percentage
Vein
10
0
130 160 190 220 250
Depth (m)
Figure 9. Wavelength variation of the Al-OH band of white mica for the upper part of drill-
hole CD245. Percentages of vein and shear are also plotted (after Anglo Gold). Geological
legends: AG = undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, AFS = intermediate / felsic
volcaniclastics and volcanics, ACI = banded iron formation. Two legends are used where
two rock types were logged in an interval.
When compared with alteration intensity, white mica of relatively short Al-
OH band wavelength (< 2200nm) tends to occur in the more highly altered
rocks commonly in or adjacent to shear zones (e.g. Figure 10 and Figure 11).
2220 CD301 a
AlOH wvl (nm)
2185
ACI AFS AIA AFS
AG SSZ
2265
5
b
FeOH wvl (nm)
Alteration intensity
4
3
2
1
0 2245
50
140 205 270 c 335 400 20
Depth (m) shear
40 vein 15
shear %
vein %
30 10
20
5
10
0 0
140 190 240 290 340 390
depth (m)
Figure 10. (a) Variation in Al-OH band wavelength of white mica for drill-hole CD301. Logged
(b) alteration intensities and (c) percentages of shears and veins are plotted for comparison
(after Anglo Gold). Rocks in this drill-hole down to 360m are variously sheared and
moderately to intensely altered. Further down, the logged alteration is weaker and this is
reflected by the increased Al-OH wavelength of the white mica. Geological legends for: AIA =
andesitic flows, other legends as Figures 8 & 9.
10
White mica of short Al-OH band wavelengths is commonly found in, but not
restricted to, shear zones or sheared rocks (e.g. the 140-160m interval of CD245,
Figure 9). For drill-holes with intense alteration throughout, the Al-OH band
wavelength of white mica remains short for the most parts of the drill-holes and the
wavelength tends to increase where the hydrothermal alteration is weakened (e.g.
Figures 10 & 11).
2220
a CD294
AlOH wvl (nm)
2185
AFS AFS
2265 SSZ
FeOH wvl (nm)
b
alteration intensity
5
4
3
2
135 1
2245
0
180 225 270 315
Depth (m) 15
80 c shear
shear %
vein
vein %
60 10
40
5
20
0 0
135 165 195 225 255 285 315
Depth (m)
Figure 11. (a) Variation in Al-OH band wavelength of white mica for drill-hole CD294. (b)
Logged alteration intensity and (c) percentages of shears and veins (afterAnglo Gold). Note the
weakened hydrothermal alteration from 285m downward (plot b) that corresponds to the
increased Al-OH wavelength of approximately the same interval in plot a. Geological legends
as Figure 8.
3. The Al-OH band wavelength (Al contents) of white mica may vary
significantly between shear zones. (Thus, the small shear zone at 290m has
longer Al-OH band wavelength than the mica in the large SSZ centred around
380m in CD638W1, Figure 12).
11
AFS ASA EOH
2220 WSZ SSZ
AlOH wavelength (nm)
phengitic
second derivative
CD638W1
a
2190
Depth (m)
13.0
8.0
Au (g/t)
3.0
1.0
b
0.0
100
vein
c
percentage
80
shear
60
40
20
0
260 290 320 350 380 410
Depth (m)
Figure 12. (a) Variation in Al-OH band wavelength of white mica for drill-hole CD638W1. (b)
Gold values and (c) percentages of shears and veins (afterAnglo Gold). Note the decrease in
Al-OH band wavelength in or at the edges of shear zones. Geological legends: AFS =
intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASA = coarse grained volcaniclastic
agglomerate, AG = undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, SSZ =Sunrise Shear Zone.
4. It appears that decrease in Al-OH wavelength in or toward a brittle shear

zone, such as the WSZ, is not as common as observed in ductile shear zones.
In drill-hole CD265, for example, part of the brittle WSZ contains white
mica with longer Al-OH wavelength than that in the ductile CUSZ (Figure
13).
2220 CUZ WSZ CD265, upper part SSZ

AlOH wvl (nm)
AFP AFS AG AFS ACI AFS
2185
a
130 215 300
Depth (m)
40
90 shear
Shear %
Vein %
vein 30
60
b 20
30 10
0 0
130 173 215 258 300
Depth (m)
Figure 13. Variation in Al-OH band wavelength of white mica for the lower part of drill-hole
CD265. For comparison, percentages of shears and veins are plotted (after Anglo Gold).
Geological legends: AFP = rhyolitic porphyry in Upper Shear, CUZ = Cleo Upper Shear Zone,
other legends as Figures 8 & 9.
12
5. The variation in abundance and composition of white mica may be
accompanied by changes in abundance and/or composition of other alteration
minerals (chlorite and carbonates). In CD638W1, for example, the abundance
of white mica is inversely correlated with that of chlorite, and the most intense
carbonate veining occurs where the white mica is most abundant (Figure 14).
This clearly shows the mineralogical zonation caused by hydrothermal
alteration.
0.5 a CD638W1

2190
mica-rich
AlOH intensity
2215
0
AFS ASA EOH
WSZ SSZ
2250
FeOH wavelength (nm)

0.14 b
FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
2265
0
c
2350 0.02
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH intensity
0.18
2310
260 335 410
Depth (m)
100
80
vein d
percentage
shear
60
40
20
0
260 290 320 350 380 410
Depth (m)
Figure 14. (a) Variations in white mica, (b) chlorite and (c) carbonate in drill-hole CD638W1.
Geological legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASA = coarse
grained volcaniclastic agglomerate, AG = undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, SSZ =
Sunrise Shear Zone, WSZ = Western Shear Zone.
Micas from three core samples from CD638W1 were selected for compositional
analysis by electron microprobe. It was observed during the analysis that white
mica in the samples was generally present as 40 x 20 µm grains in a matrix of albite
and quartz with clusters of Mg siderite and ankerite. The analytical results
expressed as K/(K+Na) and Al(vi), along with the Al-OH band wavelength, are
plotted in Figure 15. For the three samples, the Al(vi) contents of analysed white
mica do not correlate with the Al-OH band wavelength as otherwise would be
expected. Nevertheless, the analyses confirm that the short Al-OH band
13
wavelength white mica in shear zones is more Na-rich (toward paragonite) than that
outside shear zones.
1.0 2215
Figure 15. K/(K+Na) (solid diamonds), and
AlOH wavelength
0.8 2205
Al-OH band wavelength (open squares)
K / (K+Na)
versus Al(vi) of white mica. Each datum

point represents a single grain of white mica.
0.6 2195
Al(vi) is the octahedral Al, calculated from
the microprobe analyses based on 24 oxygen
atoms.
0.4 2185
3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0 4.1 4.2
A l(vi)
The above analytical results show that the composition of white mica varies
considerably between different grains within a sample. Given this large degree of
variation, sufficient analyses of individual white mica grains are needed to capture the
true compositions of white mica. The 13 analyses made on 8 grains of white mica
from the three samples as shown in Figure 15 are not likely enough for this purpose,
and the displayed relationships between Al-OH wavelength and compositions may not
reflect the true situations.
4.1.2. Chlorite
Chlorite is another mineral group commonly encountered in the Cleo-Sunrise deposit.
For chlorite, the observations are summarised as follows:
1. Chlorite abundance varies inversely with white mica (e.g. CD638, Figure 14; CD608,
CD624, CD649, CD652, see Appendix 1).
2. The wavelength of Fe-OH combination band of chlorite commonly shows a

much wider range of variation within a given interval than the Al-OH
wavelength of white mica. Nevertheless, because of the continuous sampling
method applied in this study, a trend in Fe-OH wavelength variation with depth
is still recognisable (e.g. Figure 16).
14
2220 CUZ WSZ CD265, upper part SSZ
AlOH wvl (nm)

AFP AFS AG AFS ACI AFS
a
2185
2265
FeOH wvl (nm)
2245
b
130 215 300
Depth (m)
4 c
3
2 low intensity?
1 (no data)
0
90 d shear
40
Shear %
Vein %
vein 30
60
20
30 10
0 0
130 173 215 258 300
Depth (m)
Figure 16. Variations in (a) Al-Oh for mica and (b) Fe-OH for chlorite wavelengths for
the upper part of drill-hole CD265. In a given depth, the Fe-OH wavelength fluctuates in a wider
range than the Al-OH, but the trend of variation with depth is still identifiable. (c) alteration
intensity and (d) percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). Note the lowered Fe-OH
wavelength in the interval between 240m and 290m approximately corresponds to weakened
hydrothermal alteration and relatively low shear and veining percentages. Geologic legends:
AFP = rhyolitic porphyry in Upper Shear, AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and
volcanics, ACI = banded iron formation, AG = undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, SSZ
=Sunrise Shear Zone, WSZ = Western Shear Zone, CUZ = Cleo Upper Shear Zone.
3. Wavelength of the Fe-OH combination band varies from 2250nm to 2265nm,

indicating moderately Mg-rich to very Fe-rich compositions. However, most
chlorite shows Fe-OH band wavelengths between 2255 and 2262nm (e.g. Figure
17), indicating fairly to very Fe-rich compositions, consistent with the andesitic
composition of the dominant host rocks.
15
7.5 CD624
a Fe-rich
5.5 2265
FeOH wvl (nm)

3.5
Mg-rich
ACI AFS ASC
2245 EOH
5 50 70 90 110
4 Depth (m)
5 50 70 90
4
b Depth (m)
3
2
1
0
60 c shear
15
vein
shear %
vein %
40 10
20 5
0
0
50 70 90 110
Depth (m)
Figure 17. (a) Variation in Fe-OH band wavelength (wvl) for drill-hole CD624. (b) logged
alteration intensity and (c) percentages of shears and veins(after Anglo Gold). Geologic legends:
AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanic, ACI = banded iron formation, ASC
=polymictic conglomerate.
4. It was observed that commonly chlorite in undifferentiated porphyries and

granitoids (AG) is poorly formed in contrast to other lithologies, especially the
andesitic volcaniclastics (e.g. Figure 18). This reflects the control by the
relatively Fe-poor composition of the original rocks.
0.45
CD649 2250
a

FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
0 2265
AFS ASA AFS AG AFS EOH
WSZ SSZ
20
40
b shear
15
vein %
vein
shear %
10
20
5
0 0
190 210 230 250 270 290

Depth (m)
Figure 18. (a) Variation in Fe-OH band intensity for drill-hole CD649. (b) percentages of
shears and veins(after Anglo Gold). Note there is no detectable chlorite in AG. Geologic
legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASA = coarse grained
volcaniclastic agglomerate, AG = undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids.
16
The following compositional variations for chlorite have been observed:
? In CD245 (Figure 19), the most Fe-rich chlorite (with relatively long Fe-
OH band wavelength) tends to occur in the banded iron formation (BIF)
around 160m, 180m and 190-200m. Similarly in CD608, the most Fe-rich
chlorite (Fe-OH wavelength from 2260 to 2265nm) also appears to be
associated with BIF. This may suggest 1) the influence of the Fe-rich
composition of the host rock, and/or 2) relatively Fe-rich composition for
chlorite formed in intense hydrothermal alteration as further stated below.
? Although the trend is not very obvious, it appears that relatively Fe-rich
chlorite (with long Fe-OH wavelength) tends to be formed in shear zones
(brittle and ductile). In CD650, for instance, the relatively Fe-rich chlorite
was preferentially formed in and near the Western Shear Zone (Figure 20).
The same trend is also evident for drill-hole CD265, where most of the
chlorite with relatively long Fe-OH wavelengths occur in the more
intensely veined or sheared rocks at 140-250m, whereas the rocks at
depths > 250m with less veining and shearing contain chlorite of mainly
shorter Fe-OH wavelengths (Figure 16).
? In some drill-holes (e.g. CD245), chlorite shows no clear trend of

compositional variation from sheared to unsheared rocks.
0.15
a CD245, Upper Part
FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
0
AFS volcaniclastics & volcanics
b ACI banded iron formation
AG porphyries and granites
2265
chlorite
Fe-rich
2245
160 190 220 250

Depth (m)
20 c shear
percentage
Vein
10
0
130 160 190 220 250
Depth (m)
Figure 19. (a) Variations in Fe-OH intensity and (b) wavelength of chlorite in the upper part of
CD245. (c) percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). Geologic legends: AFS =
intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ACI = banded iron formation, AG =
undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids. Two legends are used where two types of rocks are
logged in an interval.
17
2265 CD650 a
Fe -rich
FeOH wvl(nm)
Mg-rich
ASA AFS ASA AFS
2245 WSZ
215 230 245 260
Depth (m)
20 b
vein
percentage
15
10 shear
5
0 Depth (m)
200 210 220 230 240 250 260
Depth (m)
Figure 20. (a) Variation in Fe-OH band wavelength (wvl) of chlorite for drill-hole CD650. (b)
percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). Geologic legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic
volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASA = coarse grained volcaniclastic agglomerate, AG =
undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, WSZ = Western Shear Zone.
2265
CD649 a
FeOH wvl (nm)
2245
WSZ SSZ
20
40
b shear
15
vein %
vein
shear %
10
20
5
0
0
190 210 230 250 270 290
Depth (m)
Figure 21. (a) Variation in Fe-OH band wavelength (wvl) of chlorite for drill-hole CD649. (b)
percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). No difference in Fe-OH wavelength is
obvious between chlorites in and outside the WSZ. Geologic legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic
volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASA = coarse grained volcaniclastic agglomerate, AG =
undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, WSZ = Western Shear Zone, SSZ = Sunrise Shear
Zone.
4.1.3. Carbonate
Carbonate is also common in the altered rocks, as veins of millimetres to centimetres
wide and micron-scale disseminations in altered rocks. The spectral scanning method,
generally only detects the most carbonate present in veins. Because of the overlap in
major absorption features with chlorite and white mica, disseminated carbonates were
generally not detectable unless they occurred as major components. Therefore, when
interpreting the CO3 wavelengths plotted in all the figures (see Appendix 1), it must
be borne in mind that we see only the carbonates in veins (only those samples are
18
included where carbonate is identified by TSG as the first major mineral component)
or as major components (usually > 40-50% volume). Furthermore, even when
carbonate occurs as a major component, its CO3 wavelength can be influenced to
various extent by coexisting white mica and chlorite, so that the plotted CO3
wavelengths should be read along with the abundances of white mica and chlorite in
order to judge the validity of the wavelength data.
The following observation are summarised with regard to carbonates in the alteration
system:
1. Two types of carbonates can be distinguished spectrally,

dolomite/ankerite/siderite with shorter and calcite with longer CO3 wavelengths,
respectively (e.g. Figure 7c & d).
2. When identified CO3 wavelengths are plotted against depth, relatively high data
densities indicate intensified quartz-carbonate veining commonly within shear
and breccia zones. This is particularly evident in CD245 and CD638W1 (Figure
22), when the sample density of the CO3 wavelength data is compared with the
percentages of shears and veins.
CD638W1 a
2350 ankerite
CO3 wavelength (nm)
dol / ank
dominated
2310 ankerite + calcite
AFS ASA EOH
WSZ SSZ
100 b
vein
percentage
80
shear
60
40
20
0
260 290 320 350 380 410
Depth (m)
Figure 22. (a) Variation in CO3 band wavelength of carbonate for drill-hole CD638W1. (b)
percentages of veins and shears (after Anglo Gold). The white line in (a) marks the CO3
wavelength at 2330nm, below which the data points represent dolomite and/or ankerite
dominated assemblages. The clustered data below the white line clearly point to zones where
intensified dolomite/ankerite veining occurs, as confirmed by the geological log data. Geologic
legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASA = coarse grained
volcaniclastic agglomerate, WSZ = Western Shear Zone, SSZ = Sunrise Shear Zone.
3. It is evident for many drill-holes (e.g. CD294, CD301, CD638W1 and CD649,
see Appendix 1) that carbonates within shear zones tend to have shorter CO3
wavelengths than those outside shear zones (e.g. Figure 22). This suggests that
dolomite/ankerite occurs in shear zones and calcite outside such zones.
19
2350 CD265, lower part
a 0.02
MgOH intensity
CO3 wvl (nm)
dol / ank
dominated
2310 0.20
300 AFS AFS AIA? 370 AFS 440
SSZ Depth (m)
b
20
90
shear %
shear
vein %
vein
60
10
30
0 0
300 335 370 405 440
Depth (m)
Figure 23. (a) Variation in CO3 band wavelength of carbonate for the lower part of drill-hole
CD265. (b) percentages of veins and shears (after Anglo Gold). White dash line marks the CO3
wavelength at 2330nm, below which the identified carbonates indicate dolomite (dol) or
ankerite (ank) dominated alteration assemblages. In plot a, the two clusters of data below the
white line centred at 315m and 365m point to intervals with intensified dolomite/ankerite
veining as indicated by the log data in b. Geologic legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic
volcaniclastics and volcanics, AIA = andesitic flows, SSZ =Sunrise Shear Zone.
4. No obvious difference in CO3 band wavelength was observable for carbonates

between brittle and ductile shear zones.
4.1.4. Talc
Talc, characterised by a MgOH feature at 2310nm (Figure 24), was identified as a
major mineral component only in the ultramafic and mafic rocks in CD169 at 80-
150m.
Note that because of the major absorption band near 2310nm for talc, the CO3
wavelength of coexisting carbonates could not be accurately determined and the
plotted wavelength values are not the true wavelengths for carbonate, when talc is
present (e.g. the upper part of CD169).
Figure 24. Reflectance spectrum of talc-

bearing sample from 109m, CD169.
reflectance
MgOH
450 1475 2500
wavelength (nm)
20
4.2. Minerals in regolith material
All drill-holes have an upper RC drill section. The RC sections of drill-holes show
mainly the weathered portions of the hydrothermal alteration and mineralisation
system at Cleo-Sunrise.
4.2.1. Kaolin
Kaolin is a major type of clay in the close-to-surface parts of the RC chips. Because
of its common association with illite (e.g. CD653 (Figure 32)) that has a major Al-OH
band near 2200nm overlapping that of kaolin, the type of kaolin present could hardly
be defined visually on the spectra. The TSA automatic interpretation, however,
indicates that halloysite and kaolinite are present in the upper and lower parts,
respectively.
Al-OH
Kaolin
Fe oxide
Fe3+
wavelength (nm)
740nm
500nm
450 1475 2500

wavelength (nm)
Figure 25. Reflectance spectrum of a kaolin and Fe oxide-bearing sample (RC chip)
of drill-hole CD652 at 3.1m depth. The minor Al-OH band (a ‘shoulder’ on the major
Al-OH feature) of kaolin and the major Fe3+ band of iron oxide are marked. Red
arrows mark two reflectance values used in a ratio (Ref740nm/Ref500nm) for indexing
iron oxide abundance.
With the intensity of the minor Al-OH band near 2160-2170nm as the index of
relative abundance of kaolin (Figure 25), variations in relative abundance of kaolin
with depth for the RC collar parts of the drill-holes (e.g. Figure 26a and see Appendix
2 for other drill-holes) were extracted. The results show that kaolin is dominant in the
top parts of RC drilling, and downward the assemblage becomes kaolin plus illite and
then to probably illite dominated, before the unweathered rocks are encountered. In
terms of stratigraphy, in many holes, kaolin occurs mainly in the lake sediments (e.g.
CD651, Figure 26a), and less significantly in the upper part of saprolite (e.g. CD624,
CD649, see Appendix 2). But the kaolin development does not appear to be
geologically controlled.
21
CD651, RC a
kaolin intensity
lake sediments
more kaolin
saprolite
transition zone
fresh rocks
b
illite intensity
more illite
Ref740nm / ref500nm
more iorn oxides
1.3
0 60 120 180 240
Depth (m)
Figure 26. Abundance variations of (a) kaolin, (b) illite and (c) iron oxides for the RC drill portion of
CD651. The 2165nm band intensity, the 2210nm band intensity and the ratio of the reflectance at
740nm and 500nm are used as indicators of abundance for kaolin, illite and iron oxide respectively.
4.2.2. Illite
Thus this study differentiates illite and true white mica. Illite was often identified by
the TSG in the RC chips, as apposed to dominantly true white mica interpreted by the
TSG for the unweathered rocks. The RC portions of all drill-holes show that illite is
the dominant mineral component beneath a kaolin-rich section (Figure 26).
4.2.3. Iron oxides

Ferric iron oxides (hematite and/or goethite) are common in the top portions of the
RC drilling. Because of a sharp increase in reflectance from the blue to the red
wavelengths caused by iron oxides, we used the ratio of two reflectance values at
740nm and 500nm as the qualitative index of the relative abundance of iron oxide in
the RC chips (Figure 25). Note that this ratio for unweathered rocks without
detectable ferric iron oxides in the Cleo-Sunrise deposit is approximately < 1.3.
Ferric iron oxides are commonly associated with kaolin (e.g. Figure 26c; see
Appendix 2 for other drill-holes), formed in the top parts of the RC drilling. Like
kaolin, iron oxides are present mainly in the lake sediments. In some cases (e.g.
CD638, Figure 27), however, iron oxides extend deeper than kaolin, and are associated
mainly with illite.
22
0.12
CD638, RC Chips a
Kaolin intensity
more kaolin
lake sediments
saprolite
transition zone
fresh rocks
0.5
b
AlOH intensity
more illite
0
2.5
Ref740nm / Ref500nm
more iorn oxides

1.3
50 100 150 200
depth (m)
Figure 27. Abundance variations of (a) kaolin, (b) illite and (c) iron oxides for the RC drill portion
of CD638. The 2165nm band intensity, the 2210nm band intensity and the ratio of the reflectance at
740nm and 500nm are used as indicators of abundance for kaolin, illite and iron oxide respectively.
4.2.4. Gypsum
Gypsum is present as a minor mineral component in the RC chips. It is particularly
common in the lake sediments. Because of partial spectral overlaps with salt, we did
not extract the information for gypsum.
4.3. Spectral and mineralogical features indicative of mineralisation
As shown above, spectral features are directly related to alteration minerals, and
therefore they may be indicative of gold mineralisation in the alteration system. The
spectral features possibly indicative of gold mineralisation are:
1. High intensity of Al-OH band absorption in contrast to low or no Fe-OH band

intensity. This obviously indicates white mica enrichment in shear zones, which
may be mineralised. This is particularly evident for large-scale ductile shear
zones (e.g. drill-hole CD265 at 310-320m, Figure 28).
23
2190
0.6 CD265, lower part a
AlOH wvl (nm)

AlOH intensity
2215
0
AFS AIA? AFS
0.4 SSZ 2250

b
FeOH wvl (nm)

FeOH intensity
2265
0
2350 c 0.02
MgOH intensity
CO3 wvl (nm)
0.20
2310
d
Au (g / t)
300 370 440

Depth (m)
Figure 28. Variations in (a) Al-OH intensity, (b) Fe-OH band intensity,(c) CO3 band wavelength
and (d) gold values for the lower part of drill-hole CD265. Relative gold enrichment at 310-320 m
is characterised by the elevated Al-OH intensity of white mica, very poor to almost no Fe-OH
absorption from chlorite and enriched carbonate veins with mainly short CO3 band wavelengths
(dolomite and/or ankerite). Geologic legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and
volcanics, AIA = andesitic flows, SSZ =Sunrise Shear Zone.
2. Carbonates with short CO3 band wavelengths (< 2330nm). As shown in Figure
28, the two mineralised intervals at 310-320m and 360-365m are clearly defined
by the clustered data points (indicating intensified carbonate veining) with CO3
band wavelengths < 2330nm (indicating dolomite, ankerite and Mg siderite as
the main carbonate species). Here, not only the CO3 wavelength, but also the
data density indicate intense alteration with abundant dolomite/ankerite formed
as veins, and some of these intensely altered and veined zones are mineralised
(Figure 29).
24
2220 CD301 a
2350 CD301 0.02
CO3 wavelength (nm)

unsheared
2185 0.26
2310 SSZ
ACI AFS AIA AFS
4.5
b
2.5
Au (g/t)
1.0
0.5
50 shear c 20
vein
shear %
40 15
vein %
30 10
20
5
10
0 0
140 190 240 290 340 390
depth (m)
Figure 29. (a) Variations in CO3 band wavelength for drill-hole CD301. (b) gold values and (c)
percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). The white dash line in (a) marks the CO3
wavelength at 2330nm, below which dolomite/ankerite is the main carbonate species. Note
dolomite/ankerite is commonly present down to 360m where the shear percentage drops to
almost zero. The shallow mineralised section at 150-170m does not have any intensified
carbonate veining, probably reflecting the brittle style of brecciation in BIF. Geologic legends:
AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ACI = banded iron formation, AG =
undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, AIA = andesitic flows, SSZ =Sunrise Shear Zone.
3. Relatively short Al-OH wavelengths (< 2200nm, Al and probably Na-rich) for
white mica. For many drill-holes, decreased Al-OH band wavelength values
occur in ductile shear zones, which may be mineralised (Figure 30). However,
white mica of relatively short wavelength may occur in an entire shear zone,
whereas gold mineralisation is restricted within some small and separate parts of
the shear zone. In CD301 (Figure 31), for example, in the interval from 140m to
350m dominated by white mica of relatively short wavelength, gold
mineralisation occurs only in three narrow sections. Similar situation exists for
the drill-hole CD245.
Nevertheless, as already demonstrated in Section 4.1.1, white mica of short Al-

OH band wavelength tends to form where intensified hydrothermal alteration
occurs, which are variously brecciated, sheared and/or veined. As gold
mineralisation occurs within these intensely deformed and altered rocks,
occurrences of short Al-OH wavelengths (< 2200nm) should be treated as
‘anomalies’ that should be examined in detail.
25
AFS ASA EOH
2220 ？ WSZ SSZ

a
phengitic
reflectance
CD638W1
2190
Depth (m)
13.0
8.0
b
Au (g/t)
3.0
1.0
0.0
100
vein
c
percentage
80
shear
60
40
20
0
260 290 320 350 380 410
Depth (m)
Figure 30. (a) Variation in Al-OH wavelength for white mica for drill-hole CD638W1, (b) gold
values and (c) percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). Geologic legends: AFS =
intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASA = coarse grained volcaniclastic
agglomerate, WSZ = Western Shear Zone, SSZ =Sunrise Shear Zone.
ACI AFS AIA AFS

2220 AG SSZ
AlOH wvl (nm)
CD301
2185
140 205 270 335 400
Depth (m)
4.5
2.5
Au (g/t)
1.0
0.5
20
50 shear
shear %
40 vein 15
vein %
30 10
20
5
10
0 0
140 190 240 290 340 390
depth (m)
Figure 31. (a) Variation in Al-OH wavelength for white mica for drill-hole CD638W1. (b) gold values
and (c) percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo Gold). The logged vein percentage values suggest
that almost the entire length of the drill-hole is altered, which is consistent with the short Al-OH
wavelength of the white mica. Note the increased Al-OH wavelength from 350m downward coincides
with the lowered shear density. Geologic legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and
volcanics, ACI = banded iron formation, AG = undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, AIA =
andesitic flows, SSZ = Sunrise Shear Zone.
26
However, an opposite situation is present in drill-hole CD653, where the low Al-OH
band wavelength values occur in 160-200nm, whereas the best mineralised zone lies
where the white mica has the longest Al-OH wavelengths (Figure 32). Nevertheless,
the best mineralised part is still reflected by the CO3 band wavelength that reaches the
lowest values in this mineralised zone.
2220 CD653 a
AlOH wvl (nm)
2185
AFS ASC AFS
2265
b
FeOH wvl (nm)
2245
2350 c
CO3 wavelength (nm)
2310
15.0
d
10.0
Au (g/t)
5.0
2.0
1.0
0
4
3 e
2
1
0
f shear 5
40
shear %
vein %
vein
20
0 0
135 145 155 165 175 185 195
Depth (m)
Figure 32. Variations in (a) Al-OH, (b) Fe-OH and (c) CO3 wavelengths for drill-hole CD653.
(d) gold values, (e) alteration intensity and (f) percentages of shears and veins (after Anglo
Gold). Geologic legends: AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics, ASC =
polymictic conglomerate.
4. Relatively long Fe-OH band wavelength of chlorite. As already shown in

Section 4.1.2, changes in Fe-OH band wavelength, and so the Fe/Mg value, of
chlorite may be related to hydrothermal alteration and deformation, even though
the relationships are not as obvious as those between white mica and
alteration/deformation.
27
Again, CD653 stands out as an exception, where the best mineralised interval
has the lowest Fe-OH band wavelengths (Figure 32). There must be other
controls on the composition of chlorite that have not been known.
5. Probably the best indication for potential gold mineralisation is the combination
of all the above-mentioned four features. These four features collectively point
to where intense hydrothermal alteration, deformation (shearing or brecciation)
and veining occur together. Gold mineralisation is in those locations, as already
revealed by previous studies.
4.4. Comparison of OARS and ASD spectra
As already mentioned, the OARS produces high-quality reflectance spectra. For

quality control, we used an ASD FieldPro spectrometer, a field portable instrument
covering the same wavelength region as the OARS, to measure some selected core
samples. We have found that OARS and ASD spectra are comparable (Figure 33).
OARS spectrum CD638W1, 389.52 m OARS spectrum, CD649, 238.4m

reflectance
CD638W1, ASD spectrum, 389.50 m

ASD spectrum, CD649, 238.4m
reflectance
450 1475 2500 450 1475 2500

wavelength (nm) wavelength (nm)
Figure 33. Comparison of OARS and ASD spectra. Note that, because for OARS spectra the sample
depths between individual depth markers were linearly interpolated, the spectra measured by the two
instruments may not be from exactly the same samples.
4.5. Comparison of spectra acquired on flat and cylindrical surfaces
In this study, all drill-core samples were half core splits, and normally spectra were
acquired on the flat saw-cut surfaces. In order to test the extent of spectral variation
caused by different conditions of sample surface, for one tray of core samples we
scanned both flat and cylindrical surfaces of the half cores.
Systematically, spectra measured on the cylindrical surfaces of drill-cores are lower in

overall reflectance and have a narrower range of variation in reflectance across the
wavelength region. This is expected simply because a cylindrical surface reflects less
light than a flat surface to a detector placed vertically above.
28
Even though the main mineralogical information is still preserved in the spectra of
cylindrical surfaces, there may be difficulty in resolving minor spectral features, and
therefore detecting minor mineral components, because of the reduced variation in
reflectance across the wavelength region.
round
flat surface
surface CD301, 327.47 m cylindrical
flat surface surface CD301,
CD301, 327.47
327.47 m m
reflectance
round
flat surface
surface CD301, 349.25 m
cylindrical
flat surface surface
CD301, CD301,
349.25 m
349.25 m
reflectance
450 1475 2500 450 1475 2500

wavelength (nm) wavelength (nm)
Figure 34. Comparison of spectra measured on flat (in yellow, left) and cylindrical (in red, right)
surfaces of core samples. Note that for comparison, the two spectra at each depth are plotted on the
same scale.
To further compare spectral data acquired on the two different surfaces, we present
the data of the Al-OH combination band of white mica for part of the drill-hole
CD301, to see how significantly the wavelength and intensity of an absorption band
are influenced by the surface conditions of the measured cores. As shown in Figure 35, the
wavelength data derived from the two surfaces are agreeable well, with discrepancies
present only locally. This indicates that wavelengths of absorption bands are
insignificantly influenced. The intensity of the Al-OH band varies slightly greater
between the two sets of data, but the trends are generally agreeable (Figure 36).
2220
2210
2200
2190
330 340 350 360
Depth (m)
Figure 35. Al-OH wavelengths of white mica derived from spectra measured on flat (blue triangles)
and cylindrical (red squares) surfaces of drill cores of CD301.
29
0.5
0.4
AlOH intensity 0.3
0.2
0.1
0
330 340 350 360
depth (m)
Figure 36. Al-OH band intensity (second derivative) of white mica derived from spectra measured on
flat (blue triangles) and cylindrical (red squares) surfaces of drill cores of CD301.
5. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
5.1. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralisation
Hydrothermal alteration is zoned in the Cleo-Sunrise deposit. Spectrally, the zonation

is shown mainly by the distributions of white mica, chlorite and carbonates. The
typical hydrothermal alteration in a shear zone is spectrally characterised by elevated
abundance of white mica with relatively short Al-OH wavelengths (high Al), depleted
chlorite contents and increased carbonates of mainly relatively short CO3 wavelengths
(siderite/dolomite/ankerite).
White mica within a ductile shear zone tends to be more Al-rich (with Al-OH band
wavelengths < 2200nm) than that outside the shear zone, although Al-rich white mica
is not restricted to shear zones. The Al-rich white mica represents intense
hydrothermal alteration mainly in ductile shear zones. However, no significant
differences have been observed in white micas between mineralised and barren shear
zones.
Some mineralised structures are not enriched in white mica (e.g. 200-215m, CD245).
They are mainly breccia zones representing brittle style of deformation associated
with mineralisation, e.g. breccia zones in BIF.
As expected, most shear zones are depleted in chlorite. For a typical cross-section,
there is a clear change on spectra from chlorite dominated outside to white mica
dominated inside a shear zone. Chlorite with compositions from Mg- to Fe-rich has
been spectrally identified in the Cleo-Sunrise system, but most chlorite is variously
Fe-rich (with Fe-OH band wavelength > 2256nm). There appears to be a trend for
chlorite in mineralised shear zones (both brittle and ductile) to be more Fe-rich than
that outside the mineralised structures. It has also been observed that Fe-rich chlorite
was formed preferentially in the BIF and this probably suggests that the Fe-rich bulk
composition of the host rock contributed at least partly to the Fe-rich nature of the
chlorite.
The trend of chlorite/dolomite/ankerite within and calcite outside mineralised shear

zones was observed in many drill-holes. Since the spectral method tends to identify
carbonates present in veins, the frequency of reported carbonates in the spectral
30
logging results may be viewed as the degree of carbonate-quartz veining in the cores.
Because of feature overlaps, disseminated carbonates coexisting with white mica
and/or chlorite cannot be unambiguously determined from the spectral data.
Talc as a hydrothermal alteration mineral is strictly controlled by the host lithology.

It was formed only in ultramafic rocks.
In summary, the alteration mineral assemblages at Cleo-Sunrise are controlled by

hydrothermal processes and lithologies. Intense hydrothermal alteration is spectrally
characterised by enrichment of white mica with relatively short Al-OH band
wavelengths, depletion of chlorite (chlorite tends to be Fe-rich), and increased veining
with dolomite/ankerite as the main carbonate species. Known gold mineralisation
generally occurs within such zones.
5.2. Weathering
In the weathered upper parts of profiles, mineral assemblage changes from kaolite +
iron oxide +/- illite, through kaolinite + iron oxide + illite to dominantly illite. These
changes are spectrally evident, and reflect transitions from intensely weathered to less
weathered rocks.
5.3. The method
The Cleo-Sunrise deposit was the first test site for the OARS core logging facilities.
The work has shown:
1. Core samples can be fast scanned. At Cleo-Sunrise, we achieved 400 to 500

metres of core per day (8-10 working hours). Because the scanned spectral data
are contiguous, with a spectrum for every 7mm length of core, the data are un-
biased, covering the full length of the drill-holes. (The scanning rate is
adjustable, allowing even faster spectral mineralogical logging or alternatively
even more detailed than in this study, depending on the scope of the work.)
2. Reflectance spectra collected with the OARS are of high spectral resolution and
signal-to-noise, sufficiently good for not just identifying mineral species present
but also determining compositional variations of such minerals as white mica,
chlorite and carbonate.
3. The mineralogical zones formed in hydrothermal alteration/metamorphism and

weathering at Cleo-Sunrise can be revealed from the spectral data acquired with
the OARS core logging facility. The spectrally derived results are generally
comparable to the geological and geochemical data.
4. Different types of samples (core with flat and cylindrical surfaces, and RC chips)
were scanned in this study. They all give satisfactory and comparable results.
5. Processing of the spectral data and mineralogical interpretation of the results

using the software package TSG is fast and effective, especially with regard to
deriving information on the major mineral components.
31
REFERENCES
Berman, M. & Bischof, L., 1997. The algorithm underlying the spectral geologist
software. EMR 427R, 52pp.
Acacia Resources, 2000. Geology of the Cleo Deposit, Sunrise Dam Gold Mine,
Laverton, Western Australia. Unpublished, 119pp.
Whitbourn et al., 2002.
32
Appendix 1. Spectral and Geological Logging Data for Cores.
CD169 2190
0.60

AlOH intensity
mica-rich
0
2215
AB ASCASMAFP ASM, AFS AB? AG+AFS+ASC AFS
geology log
2250
0.40

chlorite-rich
FeOH intensity
0 2265
2350
0.02
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH wavelength (nm)

talc-rich
2310 0.30
130 190 250 580 625 670
Depth (m)
0.20
0.15
Au (g/t)
0.10
0.05
0.00
5
4
3
2
1
0
20
shear
15
vein
% 10
5
0
70 130 190 250 310 580 610 640 670
depth (m)
Appndx 1- 1. Spectral (upper) and geological (lower) logging results for the unweathered cores of
CD169. Geological logging data in this and all the following plots after Anglo Gold. Geologic legends:
AFP = rhyolitic porphyry in Upper Shear, AFS = intermediate / felsic volcaniclastics and volcanics,
ACI = banded iron formation, AG = undifferentiated porphyries and granitoids, AB = mafic to
ultramafic rock, AIA = andesitic flows, ASA = coarse grained volcaniclastic agglomerate, ASC =
polymictic conglomerate, ASM = angular, oligomict mudflow, SSZ =Sunrise Shear Zone, WSZ =
Western Shear Zone, CUZ = Cleo Upper Shear Zone.
33
0.60 CD245, Upper Part 2190

AlOH intensity
mica-rich
0 2215
2250
0.40

FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
0 2265
0.02
2350
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH intensity
0.18
2310
160 190 220 250
Depth (m)
1.6
1.2
Au (g/t)
0.8
0.4
0.0
5
4
3
2
1
0
20
shear
percentage
Vein
10
0
130 160 190 220 250
Depth (m)
CD245, upper part. Geologic legends as Appndx 1-1.
34
0.60 CD245, Lower Part 2190

mica-rich
AlOH intensity
0 2215
AFS EOH
SSZ SWS3 2250
0.40

chlorite-rich
FeOH intensity
2265
0
2350 0.02
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH intensity
0.18
2310
282.5 315 347..5
Depth (m)
2.0
1.5
Au (g/t)
1.0
0.5
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
shear
20
vein
percentage
15
10
5
0
250 280 310 340 370
Depth (m)
Appndx 1- 3. Spectral (upper) and geological (lower) logging results for the unweathered cores
of CD245, lower part. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1.
35
0.5 CD265, upper part 2190
AlOH wvl (nm)

AlOH intensity 2215
0AFP AFS AG AFS ACI AFS
0.4 CUZ WSZ SSZ

2250
FeOH wvl (nm)

FeOH intensity
2265
0
2350
0.02
MgOH intensity
CO3 wvl (nm)
0.20
2310
130 215 300
Depth (m)
10
alteration intensity Au (g / t)
3
2
1
0 Depth (m)
4
3
2
1
0
40
Shear %
Vein %
90 shear
vein 30
60
20
30 10
0 0
130 173 215 258 300
Depth (m)
CD265, upper part. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1.
36
2190
0.6 CD265, lower part
AlOH wvl (nm)

AlOH intensity
2215
0
AFS AIA? AFS
0.4 SSZ 2250
FeOH wvl (nm)

FeOH intensity
2265
0
2350 0.02
MgOH intensity
CO3 wvl (nm)
0.20
2310
300 370 440
Depth (m)
shear % alteration intensity Au (g / t)
4
3
2
1
0
20
90 shear
vein %
vein
60
10
30
0 0
300 335 370 405 440
Depth (m)
of CD265, lower part. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1.
37
0.60 CD294
CD294 2190

AlOH intensity
2195
mica-rich
2200
2205
0 2215
AFS AFS
SSZ
0.45 2250

FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
0 2265
2350
0.02
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH intensity
0.20
2310
135 180 225 270 315
Depth (m)
3
Au (g/t)
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
15
80 shear
shear %
vein
vein %
60 10
40
5
20
0 0
135 165 195 225 255 285 315
Depth (m)
cores of CD294. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1.
38
0.60 CD301
mica-rich
2190

AlOH band intensity
2215
0
ACI AFS AIA AFS
AG SSZ
0.12 2250

FeOH band intensity
chlorite-rich
2265
2350
0.02
CO3 wavelength (nm)
‘CO3’ band intensity

0.26
2310
140 205 270 335 400
Depth (m)
4.5
2.5
Au (g/t)
1.0
0.5
5
4
3
2
1
0
20
50 shear
shear %
40 vein 15
vein %
30 10
20
5
10
0 0
140 190 240 290 340 390
depth (m)
of CD301. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1.
39
0.5
CD608

2190
AlOH intensity
mica-rich
2215
0 AFS ACI AG ASC AIA ASC
0.40 2250
FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
2265
2350
CO3 wavelength (nm)
0.02
MgOH intensity
0.18
2310
70 90 110 130
Depth (m)
2.0
Au (g/t)
1.0
5
4
3
2
1
0
80 15
shear
shear %
60 vein
vein %
10
40
20 5
0 0
50 70 90 110 130
Depth (m)
CD608. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1.
40
0.50 CD624 2190

AlOH intensity
mica-rich
2215
0 ACI AFS ASC EOH
0.40 2250

chlorite-rich
FeOH intensity
2265
0
0.02
2350
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH intensity
0.18
2310
67.5 85 102.5 120
Depth (m)
7.5
5.5
Au (g/t)
3.5
1.0
0.5
5
4
3
2
1
0
60 15
shear
vein
shear %
vein %
40 10
20 5
0
0
50 70 90 110
Depth (m)
41
0.5 CD638
Core missing
2190
Core missing
AlOH wavelength
AlOH intensity
mica-rich
2215
0
AFS ASC AFS
0.12 CUSZ
2250
FeOH wavelength
FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
2265
0
2350 0.02
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH intensity
0.18
2310
190 220 280 325 370
Depth (m)
Au (g/t)
1
0.5
0 0.0
5
4
3
2
1
0
vein
60 shear
shear %
vein %
10
40
20
0 0
190 220 280 310 340 370
Depth (m)
42
0.5
CD638W1

2190
mica-rich
AlOH intensity
2215
0
AFS ASA EOH
？ WSZ SSZ
2250

0.14
FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
2265
0
2350 0.02
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH intensity
0.18
2310
260 335 410
Depth (m)
13.0
8.0
Au (g/t)
3.0
1.0
0.0
4
3
2
1
0
100
vein
80
percentage
shear
60
40
20
0
260 290 320 350 380 410
Depth (m)
cores of CD638W1. Geological legends as Appndx 1-1.
43
0.50 CD649 2190

AlOH intensity
mica-rich
2215
0
WSZ SSZ
0.45
2250

FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
2265
0
2350
CO3 wavelength (nm)
0.01
MgOH intensity
2310 0.20
190 295 300
Depth (m)
Depth (m)
20.0
15.0
10.0
Au (g/t)
5.0
1.0
0.5
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
20
shear
40 15 vein %
shear %
vein
10
20
5
0 0
190 210 230 250 270 290

Depth (m)
44
0.40 CD650

2190
mica-rich
AlOH intensity
2215
0
ASA AFS ASA AFS EOH
WSZ
0.12
chlorite-rich

2250
FeOH intensity
2265
0
CO3 wavelength (nm)
2350
0.02
MgOH intensity
0.20
2310
215 230 245 260
Depth (m)
8.0
5.0
Au (g/t)
2.0
1.0
5
4
3
2
1
0
20
percentage
15 vein
10 shear
5
0 Depth (m)
200 210 220 230 240 250 260
45
CD651
2190
mica-rich
AlOH intensity
AlOH wvl (nm)

2215
ASA AFS
chlorite-rich
2250
FeOH intensity
FeOH wvl (nm)
2265
CO3 wavelength (nm)
0.02
MgOH intensity
0.18
220 230 240 250

Depth (m)
20.0
12.0
Au (g/t)
4.0
1.0
0.5
0
5
4
3
2
1
0
60 vein 15
shear %
shear
vein %
40 10
20 5
0 0
210 220 230 240 250
Depth (m)
46
CD652 2190
mica-rich

AlOH intensity
2215
AFS AB AFS
chlorite-rich
2250

FeOH intensity
2265
2350
0.01
CO3 wavelength (nm)
MgOH intensity
MgOH intensity
2310
0.18
150 154 158 234 24
Depth (m) 7
25.0
15.0
Au (g/t)
5.0
4.0
2.0
0.0
4
3
2
1
0
15
60 shear
vein
shear %
shear %
40 10
20 5
0 0
150 170 190 210 230 250
Depth (m)
47
0.40 CD653
2190
AlOH intensity

0 mica-rich AFS ASC AFS 2215
WSZ
0.12

2250
FeOH intensity
chlorite-rich
0 2265
2350
CO3 wavelength (nm)
0.01
MgOH intensity
0.20
2310
135 167.5 200
Depth (m)
15.0
10.0
Au (g/t)
5.0
2.0
1.0
0
4
3
2
1
0
40 shear 5
vein
shear %
vein %
20
0 0
135 145 155 165 175 185 195
Depth (m)
48
Appendix 2. Spectral and Geological Logging Results for Weathered Chips.
0.1
a
Kaolin intensity
lake sediments
more kaolin
saprolite
transition zone
fresh rocks
CD624, RC Chips
0
0.5
b
AlOH intensity
more illite
0
2.5
Ref740nm / Ref500nm
c
more iorn oxides
1.3
10 20 30 40
depth (m)
Appndx 2- 1. Spectral (upper) and geological (lower) logging results for the weathered
chips of CD624.
49
0.12
CD638, RC Chips a
Kaolin intensity
more kaolin
lake sediments
saprolite
transition zone
fresh rocks
0.5
b
AlOH intensity
more illite
0
2.5
Ref740nm / Ref500nm
more iorn oxides

1.3
50 100 150 200
depth (m)
A
CD638.
0.16 CD649, RC Chips

a
Kaolin intensity
more kaolin
lake sediments
saprolite
transition zone
fresh rocks
0
0.4 b
AlOH intensity
more illite
0
Ref740nm / Ref500nm
4.0 c
more iorn oxides
1.3
50 100 150 200
depth (m)
CD649.
50
0.16
CD650, RC Chips a
Kaolin intensity
more kaolin
lake sediments
saprolite
transition zone
fresh rocks
0
0.5 b
AlOH intensity
more illite
0
c
Ref740nm / Ref500nm
4.0
more iorn oxides
1.3
50 100 150 200
depth (m)
CD650.
CD651, RC a
kaolin intensity
lake sediments
more kaolin
saprolite
transition zone
fresh rocks
b
illite intensity
more illite
Ref740nm / ref500nm
c
more iorn oxides
1.3
0 60 120 180 240
Depth (m)
CD651.
51
0.1
CD652, RC Chips a
Kaolin intensity
more kaolin
no geological logging data
0
0.5 b
AlOH intensity
more illite
0
Ref740nm / Ref500nm
3.1
c
more iorn oxides
1.3
35 70 105 140
depth (m)
Ap2- 1. Spectral (upper) and geological (lower) logging results for the weathered chips of CD652.
0.1 CD653, RC Chips a

Kaolin intensity
more kaolin
fresh rocks
no geological
logging data
0
0.5 b
AlOH intensity
more illite
0
Ref740nm / Ref500nm
2.5 c
more iorn oxides
1.3
35 70 105 140
depth (m)
CD653.
52

EM953R Mod2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

EM953R Mod2

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

EM953R Mod2

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Restricted Investigation Report 953R

Geological Interpretation of Automated Mineralogical

Kai Yang, Peter Mason, Jon Huntington, and Keith Scott

DIVISION OF EXPLORATION AND MINING

CSIRO Division of Exploration and Mining

P.O. Box 136, North Ryde, NSW, Australia, 1670

Hydrothermal alteration in andesitic volcanics and volcaniclastics in western (Cleo)

The Cleo-Sunrise gold deposit is located about 55 km south of Laverton, Western

Hydrothermal alteration at Cleo-Sunrise is extensive and zoned. The typical

In spectral processing, a continuum was fitted to each reflectance spectrum to

Figure 6. (a) Reflectance and (b) background-removed spectra of a sample

Fe-dolomite / ankerite (vein) calcite (vein)

Figure 7. Examples of OARS spectra.

Mineralogical variations related to hydrothermal alteration were revealed by

4.1. Hydrothermal / metamorphic minerals

4.1.1. White mica

2. Variations in the observed wavelength range of the Al-OH combination band

AlOH wavelength (nm)

4. It appears that decrease in Al-OH wavelength in or toward a brittle shear

2220 CUZ WSZ CD265, upper part SSZ

AFP AFS AG AFS ACI AFS

AlOH wavelength (nm)

FeOH wavelength (nm)

Figure 15. K/(K+Na) (solid diamonds), and

versus Al(vi) of white mica. Each datum

2. The wavelength of Fe-OH combination band of chlorite commonly shows a

AlOH wvl (nm)

3. Wavelength of the Fe-OH combination band varies from 2250nm to 2265nm,

FeOH wvl (nm)

4. It was observed that commonly chlorite in undifferentiated porphyries and

FeOH wavelength (nm)

190 210 230 250 270 290

? In some drill-holes (e.g. CD245), chlorite shows no clear trend of

160 190 220 250

1. Two types of carbonates can be distinguished spectrally,

4. No obvious difference in CO3 band wavelength was observable for carbonates

Figure 24. Reflectance spectrum of talc-

450 1475 2500

more iorn oxides

4.2.3. Iron oxides

more iorn oxides

4.3. Spectral and mineralogical features indicative of mineralisation

1. High intensity of Al-OH band absorption in contrast to low or no Fe-OH band

AlOH wvl (nm)

0.4 SSZ 2250

FeOH wvl (nm)

300 370 440

CO3 wavelength (nm)

Nevertheless, as already demonstrated in Section 4.1.1, white mica of short Al-

AlOH wavelength (nm)

ACI AFS AIA AFS

4. Relatively long Fe-OH band wavelength of chlorite. As already shown in

4.4. Comparison of OARS and ASD spectra

As already mentioned, the OARS produces high-quality reflectance spectra. For

OARS spectrum CD638W1, 389.52 m OARS spectrum, CD649, 238.4m

CD638W1, ASD spectrum, 389.50 m

450 1475 2500 450 1475 2500

4.5. Comparison of spectra acquired on flat and cylindrical surfaces

Systematically, spectra measured on the cylindrical surfaces of drill-cores are lower in