The Golden Cross low sulfidation epithermal deposit produced approximately
750,000 ounces of Au from two ore zones: the underground Empire Vein System and
the open pit stockwork. The Empire Vein System has at least eight stages of vein
formation: (1) sulfide veins, (2) black veins, (3) massive veins, (4) banded
veins, (5) thin white veins, (6) crumbly veins, (7) massive/platy calcite veins,
and (8) flattened rhomb calcite veins. Gold mineralisation occurred relatively
early in the lifetime of the system, dominantly during 2 through 4. The late
calcite veins (7 and 8) and early sulfide veins (1) are barren. The vein system
formed in a dominantly extensional environment, though some compressional
faulting may have also existed during vein formation. There is no evidence for
significant strike-slip faulting during vein formation, highlighting the fact
that explorationists should pursue on-site structural patterns rather than
fashionable models.