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Geology and lithogeochemistry of the Ren gold prospect, Elko County, Nevada - the role of rock sampling in exploration for deep Carlin-type deposits

January 1, 1994

The Ren gold prospect, Elko County, Nevada, is in the northern part of the Carlin trend, two kilometers northwest of the recently-discovered, high-grade Purple Vein deposit. The Ren area is underlain mainly by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks, consisting of limestone, calcareous siltstone, and mudstone of the eastern (carbonate) assemblage, overlain in thrust contact by chert, quartzite, and mudstone of the western (siliceous) assemblage. Cretaceous(?) granodiorite porphyry and hornblende porphyry dikes have intruded the sedimentary rocks along north-striking faults. Three stages of mineralization include a pre- or syntectonic base metal-barite assemblage, a middle stage of Ag- and Sb-rich jasperoid, and a late Au-rich stage responsible for the potentially economic mineralization at the prospect. The latter two stages of alteration and mineralization were focused along steep east-dipping faults and dikes, and the nearly flat-lying contact between lower massive limestone and laminated calcareous siltstone. Mineralization is present between 380 and 500 m below the surface. Alteration includes decalcification and weak silicification in siltstone, and formation of massive jasperoid in the upper part of the limestone unit. Alteration of dikes is mainly sericite-quartz-pyrite, with late pyrite-quartz-kaolinite. The element suite characteristic of Au-stage mineralization includes Au, As, and Hg with minor Ag and Hg; Ag and Sb are most enriched in the earlier jasperoid event. Haloes of As and Hg extend at least 80 m above the Au mineralization, but no anomalies are present at the surface. Gold anomalies are more widespread, and extend to shallower depths, but are less coherent. ?? 1994.

Publication Year 1994
Title Geology and lithogeochemistry of the Ren gold prospect, Elko County, Nevada - the role of rock sampling in exploration for deep Carlin-type deposits
Authors G.V. Albino
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Geochemical Exploration
Index ID 70017007
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse