Quantifying the Intensity of Hydrothermal Processes: Main Methods, Advantages and Limitations, Directions

Monday, November 18

1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Room 307B

Regular rate: $150

Student rate: $50

Workshop Organizer:  Lucie Mathieu (Consultation GEOX Inc.)

Hydrothermal or magmatic-hydrothermal style of mineralization is generally spatially associated with alteration halos of variable extents. The intensity of hydrothermal alteration generally increases as we get closer to base and precious metal mineralization. To facilitate the targeting of mineralization, it is essential to identify, typify and quantify alteration. Numerous methods make it possible to exploit lithogeochemical databases to facilitate targeting. By combining these data with mineralogical observations, whether carried out with or without thin sections, it is possible to refine the metallogenic model and define exploration targets. During this workshop, we will recall the main hydrothermal mechanisms and present different methods such as normative calculations, mass balance, and alteration index, among others. Several demonstrations will be carried out to explain how to perform these calculations in Microsoft Excel.