The importance of oxidized brines for the formation of Australian proterozoic stratiform sediment-hosted Pb-Zn (sedex) deposits

A two-fold subdivision for stratiform sediment-hosted Pb-Zn (sedimentary ex halative, sedex) deposits is pro posed, based on fundamental differences in the chemistry of the mineralizing brines. The type of sedimentary basin fr om which the ore fluids are derived, and the lithologies contained within t he basin, control these differences in fluid chemistry. The two discrete brine types capable of transporting Zn and Pb are oxidized brines and reduced, acidic brines. McArthur-type deposits (e.g., McArthur River, Mount Isa, Hilton) precipitate from oxidized (SO42-predominant), aci dic to near-neutral brines that evolve from sedimentary basins' dominated b y carbonates, evaporites, and hematitic sandstones and shales. Selwyn-type deposits (e.g., Sullivan, Rammelsberg, sedex deposits of the Selwyn basin) precipitate from acidic, reduced (H2S-predominant) connate brines that evol ved in reduced siliciclastic and shale basins. Temperature decrease and dilution (fluid mixing), addition of H2S, and pH i ncrease can all be effective depositional processes for Zn and Pb from redu ced (Selwyn-type) brines. In contrast, sulfate reduction and/or addition of H2S (via fluid mixing or interaction with earlier formed pyrite) may be th e important processes for sphalerite and galena deposition from oxidized (M cArthur-type) brines. McArthur-type sedex deposits are intimately associate d with siderite or ferroan carbonate alteration halos and most likely preci pitate from lower temperature brines than Selwyn-type deposits. The redox state of the mineralized brines (sulfate or sulfide predominant) is important for controlling minor element associations in the two classes of sedex deposits. Weakly acidic to weakly alkaline oxidized brines can pre cipitate siderite but are incapable of carrying significant gold, tin, and barium in solution, and as such, McArthur-type deposits do not contain anom alous concentrations of these elements. Reduced, acid brines can carry high concentrations of barium, explaining the common association with barite in these deposits. If reduced sulfur concentrations were sufficient in the mi neralizing brines, individual Selwyn-type deposits may contain anomalous or ore-grade gold. If the brines were highly reduced (pyrrhotite-stable), the y may have carried high concentrations of tin (e.g., Sullivan). The lack of sulfide bearing feeder systems in McArthur-type deposits and their common occurrence in Selwyn-type deposits probably also relate to the redox state of the brines. From a mineral exploration perspective, oxidized sedimentary brines are mor e likely to produce large tonnage Zn-Pb-Ag deposits that have siderite or a nkerite alteration halos and commonly lack barite lenses and vent complexes . By contrast, deposits that form in reduced siliciclastic and shale-domina ted basins are more likely to be lower tonnage and to contain barite, vent complexes and may have minor gold or tin credits.