Geological note: Boudinage, a reinterpretation of the structural control on the mineralization at Broken Hill

Recognizing Broken Hill geology as a large‐scale boudinage structure provides an aspect of the geology that has been missing from the previous controversial debate, and a possible explanation for the orebody which has been previously overlooked. Although the interpretation implies that the orebody is epigenetic in its location and configuration, and is largely post‐F₂ deformation, it allows that the ore constituents may have been syngenetic, possibly as dewatering of metal‐rich brines. If true, this would easily reconcile opposing epigenetic and syngenetic views.

Key words:

• boudinage
• Broken Hill
• mineralization