Book Description

This bulletin proposes a geological classification of lode gold deposits based largely on the nature of the ore and on the geological settings of the deposits. Sixteen common types of bedrock gold deposits are distinguished and their main geological attributes are summarized. These do not correspond to an equal number of genetic types; many of these deposit types represent different components of larger hydrothermal systems and are genetically related. Most of the deposit types identified are represented by at least one large example (containing over 100 tonnes of gold). Descriptions are provided of Canadian gold deposits, including Archean & Proterozoic deposits in the Canadian Shield, Late Proterozoic to Palaeozoic deposits in the Appalachian Orogen, and Mesozoic to Cenozoic deposits in the Cordilleran Orogen. The final section discusses the application of gold deposit models.