Regional fluid flow and gold mineralization in the Dalradian of the Sperrin Mountains, northern Ireland

Gold vein mineralization occurs in the metamorphosed and deformed Dalradian (Neoproterozoic) rocks of the Sperrin Mountains, Northern Ireland. Two str uctures exerted a control on the location of the mineralization; the north- south Omagh lineament and the west-northwest-east-southeast Curraghinalt la teral ramp in the footwall of the northeast-southwest Omagh thrust. These a re Caledonian structures resulting from the thrusting of Dalradian rocks ov er a possibly still active Ordovician arc. Cathodoluminescence microscopy distinguishes four phases of vein quartz in the Curraghinalt gold prospect. Fluid inclusion studies and stable isotope geochemistry have defined the probable fluids responsible for the precipita tion of each quartz phase and associated sulfide and precious metal mineral ization. The initial phase (QI) appears to have been associated with the ma in Caledonian metamorphic event (ca. 470 Ma) and is nonauriferous. The seco nd phase (Q2) forms an extensive cement to brecciated early quartz and is b elieved to have involved a fluid (similar to 15 wt % CO2 10 wt % NaCl + KCl equiv) with a significant magmatic component of 470 to 400 Ma, which under went phase separation and dilution with a cooler formation water. This proc ess resulted in precipitation of the main phase of gold mineralization char acterized by an assemblage of electrum, pyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, and Various tellurides. Similar fluids are observ ed on a regional scale, concentrated within the hanging wall of the Omagh t hrust, indicating an extensive fluid-flow event. The relative abundance of gold at the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw prospects is thought to be due to hi gher fluid fluxes in favorable zones of dilation and closer proximity to th e fluid source. The deposit was subsequently reactivated with the precipitation of later qu artz (Q3-Q4) from a formation water believed to be resident in the Dalradia n metasediments, which mixed with a low-temperature, high-salinity basinal brine, probably during Carboniferous basin inversion. Brine flow resulted i n the remobilization of earlier electrum, reducing its fineness, and also i ntroduced base metal sulfides, carbonates, and barite. Again, brine flow is localized by the Omagh thrust, indicating the long-lived role of this stru cture in controlling regional fluid migration.