Structural modification of the Jaguar VHMS Zn-Cu-Ag deposits, Yilgarn Craton, W.A.

Summary

The Jaguar VHMS camp represents a cluster of small subsea- floor replacement style VHMS deposits sandwiched between two closely spaced, craton-scale, shear zones. Despite preserving evidence for growth faults and feeder structures, the country rocks are overprinted by two regional folding events with associated cleavage and reworking by transcurrent shearing. Understandably sulphide mineralisation is substantially modified by structure. This involved local folding and boudinage of banded tectonised ores, and remobilisation into shear zones enriched in high-tenor sphalerite within both the footwall and hanging wall rocks. Studies of ancient VHMS systems need to acknowledge that structural modification can be significant and have major implications for exploration targeting.

• Jaguar Zn-Cu-Ag Mine
• VHMS
• structural geology