Jb. Swenson et M. Person, The role of basin-scale transgression and sediment compaction in stratiform copper mineralization: implications from White Pine, Michigan, USA, J GEOCHEM E, 69, 2000, pp. 239-243
We present a paleohydrologic model of stratiform copper mineralization in t
he Keweenawan Midcontinent Rift System. We attribute regional-scale mineral
ization in the basal facies of the transgressive Nonesuch Formation to comp
action of the subjacent fluvial Copper Harbor Formation in response to depo
sition of the superjacent fluvial Freda Formation. The transgressive sequen
ce focused compaction-driven discharge of cupriferous brines in the Copper
Harbor Formation to the basin margins, where leakage into the overlying Non
esuch Formation drove redox-controlled copper precipitation. Intense fluid
focusing atop a basement high formed the White Pine ore body. The timing of
this simulated event is consistent with the inferred timing of stratiform
mineralization. Our model satisfies mass-balance constraints at White Pine
for a geologically plausible range of permeabilities and copper concentrati
ons. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.