Skip to main content
Conference Proceedings

12th International Mining Geology Conference 2022

Conference Proceedings

12th International Mining Geology Conference 2022

PDF Add to cart

Goodbye from the Argyle diamond deposit – insights from deep mining of the world’s largest diamond deposit

The Ernest Henry Iron Oxide Copper Gold deposit is hosted in a large dilation between two moderately dipping shear zones found in the footwall and hanging wall of the deposit. These shears are controlled by a large diorite intrusion to the north-east and south-west of the deposit, formed ~1660 Ma. A shear zone dubbed the ‘Interlens’ uncovered through underground workings truncates the main orebody into two lenses, and is hypothesized to have formed in conjunction with the Hanging Wall Shear Zone and Footwall Shear Zone. All three shears dip moderately to the SSE (50–140) from open cut exposures through to the current mining horizon approximately 800 m below the surface. Routine geological work and a capital drilling campaign has identified a significant flexure in these sub parallel ore bounding shears with increasing depth. A shift in shear orientation in the Interlens over approximately 100 m vertically from ~50° to the SSE to a steep, easterly trend (~85° to the east) is observed in both drill core and exposures in the underground workings. It is hypothesized the diorite intrusive to the south-west of the deposit controls the shear zone geometries at depth. The geometry of the Interlens mirrors the surface expression of the Proterozoic package of the ore_x0002_bounding shears to the south-west of the deposit, suggesting the surface geometries of the shear zones are consistent with depth. Additional drilling to explore the validity of this hypothesis is planned for the near future to better understand the structural controls on the Ernest Henry mineralisation with increasing depth.
Return to parent product
  • Goodbye from the Argyle diamond deposit – insights from deep mining of the world’s largest diamond deposit
    PDF
    This product is exclusive to Digital library subscription
  • Goodbye from the Argyle diamond deposit – insights from deep mining of the world’s largest diamond deposit
    PDF
    Normal price $22.00
    Member price from $0.00
    Add to cart

    Fees above are GST inclusive

PD Hours
Approved activity
  • Published: 2022
  • Pages: 14
  • PDF Size: 0.804 Mb.
  • Unique ID: P-01879-L0H2D9

Our site uses cookies

We use these to improve your browser experience. By continuing to use the website you agree to the use of cookies.