Geology
- Property Geology -
Mineralization Zones
The following mineralization zones have been adapted and modified from a system originally used by Minera Phelps-Dodge del Peru S.A.C. for the Haquira project.
Zone 1 – Leached Cap
Zone 1 is the “Leached Cap” zone, which consists of rocks that have undergone strong to intense surface oxidation during supergene weathering. The zone is characterized by the presence of iron oxides (FeOx) ± manganese oxides (MnOx) and the complete destruction of all primary sulphide and secondary Cu-oxide and Cu-sulphide minerals. There are examples where the oxidation (leaching) has not completely destroyed all the primary sulphide minerals; however it is sufficiently leached to warrant inclusion into the leached cap zone. Importantly, there are no significant Cu-bearing oxide minerals found within this zone; therefore it typically returns very low copper assay results.
The distribution of Zone 1 is controlled by two principal factors:
1) Proximity to the surface topography, and
2) Faults and zones of stronger fracturing.
Sub-vertical faults and zones of stronger fracturing allowed the supergene fluids responsible for the oxidation to penetrate deeper down, away from the surface. For this reason it is quite common to encounter leached cap rocks at depths of over 100 metres below the surface, and in many cases as deep as 200 metres.
Zone 2 – Oxides
Zone 2 is the “Oxides” zone, which consists of rocks similar in overall appearance to those described for Zone 1 above, however in Zone 2 there are abundant secondary Cu-oxides. A variety of secondary Cu-oxide minerals can occur; black Cu-oxides (BkCuOx) (e.g., neotocite, Cu-Mn wads), blue-green Cu-oxides (BGCuOx) (e.g., chrysocolla, malachite, others?), and an as of yet unidentified yellow Cu-oxide (?) mineral (YelCuOx). No primary (hypogene) or secondary sulphide minerals are found in this zone.
Zone 3 – Mixed Oxides & Supergene Enrichment
Zone 3 is the “Mixed Oxides & Supergene Enrichment” zone, which as the name implies, consists of a mixture of secondary Fe-oxide (±FeOx), Mn-oxide (±MnOx), and Cu-oxide (±BkCuOx, ±BGCuOx, ±YelCuOx) minerals and the presence of secondary chalcocite (Cc) (± other secondary Cu-sulphides). “Remnant” amounts of primary (hypogene) sulphides may be present.
Zone 4 – Supergene Enrichment
Zone 4 is the “Supergene Enrichment” zone, which consists of greater than 60% secondary chalcocite (Cc) ± minor quantities of other secondary Cu-sulphide minerals. FeOx, MnOx, BkCuOx, BGCuOx, and YelCuOx minerals are only found in trace amounts.
Zone 5 – Mixed Supergene Enrichment & Primary Cu-Mo-Fe Sulphides
Zone 5 is the “Mixed Supergene Enrichment & Primary Cu-Mo-Fe Sulphides” zone, which consists of between 30% and 60% secondary chalcocite (Cc) (± minor quantities of other secondary Cu-sulphide minerals) and 70% to 40% primary Cu-Mo-Fe sulphide minerals. FeOx, MnOx, BkCuOx, BGCuOx, and YelCuOx minerals are only found in trace amounts.
Zone 6 – Primary Cu-Mo-Fe Sulphides
Zone 6 is the “Primary Cu-Mo-Fe Sulphides” zone, which consists of variable amounts of chalcopyrite, bornite, molybdenite, hypogene chalcocite, and pyrite. If there is secondary chalcocite present, it must represent less than 30% of the total Cu-sulphides present. FeOx, MnOx, BkCuOx, BGCuOx, and YelCuOx minerals are only found in trace amounts.
Zone 7 – Primary Fe Sulphides (no Cu or Mo)
Zone 7 is the “Primary Fe Sulphides” zone, which consists of pyrite and does not contain any Cu- or Mo-sulphide minerals. No BkCuOx, BGCuOx, and YelCuOx minerals and only trace amounts of FeOx and/or MnOx should occur.
Zone 8 – Cover (Colluvium or Soil)
Zone 8 is the “Cover (Colluvium or Soil)” zone, which consists of soil and/or colluvium. In some instances the colluvium may contain BkCuOx, BGCuOx, and YelCuOx minerals, thereby classifying it as Zone 2.
Zone 9 – No Mineralization
Zone 9 is the “No Mineralization” zone, which as the name implies contains no secondary oxide or sulphide minerals and also does not contain any FeOx or MnOx minerals due to the oxidation of sulphide minerals. Typically this zone is found in rocks outside the area of influence of the Haquira mineralizing porphyry system.
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