Telfer Gold Mine Breccia18 Aug 2025 07:27
I pulled this off Google just now. AI overview:
Telfer -
Breccia is a significant feature at the Telfer gold-copper mine in Western Australia, specifically within the Telfer Dome area. The gold and copper mineralization at Telfer is associated with various geological structures, including breccia zones, stockwork and sheeted veining, and stratabound reefs. The breccia at Telfer is part of a larger geological setting that includes folded sedimentary rocks and intrusive rocks like dolerite dykes.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Telfer Dome:
The Telfer Mine is located within the Telfer Dome, which is defined by two en-echelon, doubly plunging anticlines: the Main Dome and the West Dome.
Mineralization:
Gold and copper mineralization occurs in a series of vertically stacked, stratabound to stratiform reefs, linked by zones of intense stockwork and sheeted veining. Breccia zones are also important locations for mineralization.
Geological Setting:
The Telfer deposit is hosted in Neoproterozoic marine sedimentary rocks, specifically within the Telfer and Malu Formations. These formations include sandstones, siltstones, and carbonaceous layers.
Breccia Types:
The breccia at Telfer includes both unmineralized crackle breccia and mineralized cemented breccias. The highest-grade breccia is often found on the margins of the Breccia Pipe, forming the South East (SE) Crescent Zone.
Hydrothermal Activity:
The breccia formation is linked to hydrothermal activity, with the breccia often cemented by minerals like quartz, calcite, and sulfides. The presence of altered fragments and hydrothermal infill minerals (like quartz, calcite, or sulfides) are indicators of hydrothermal breccia formation, according to a YouTube video about identifying hydrothermal breccia.
Intrusions:
The Breccia Pipe is intruded by a dolerite dyke, which is a post-mineralization feature.
Exploration:
The exploration at the nearby Red Setter Gold Project, located south of Telfer, has also intersected significant breccia with sulfides.