University of Leicester Student Chapter of the Society of Economic Geologists

Transcription

1 University of Leicester Student Chapter of the Society of Economic Geologists Romania: Cu-Au-Mo porphyry mineralisation 23 rd 30 th April 2018 Field Trip Report

2 Participants Samantha Brand Undergraduate 2 nd Year University of Leicester Joshua Loveday Undergraduate 2 nd Year University of Leicester Ollie Davies Undergraduate 2 nd Year University of Leicester Matt Pearse Undergraduate 2 nd Year University of Leicester Lydia Hamp-Gopsill Undergraduate 2 nd Year University of Leicester Adam Eskdale Undergraduate 3 rd Year University of Leicester Dominic Judd Undergraduate 3 rd Year University of Leicester Curtis Durell Undergraduate 3 rd Year University of Leicester Luana Calburean Undergraduate 3 rd Year University of Leicester Vlad Ene Postgraduate 2 nd Year University of Leicester Daryl Blanks Postgraduate 2 nd Year University of Leicester Disclaimer The information contained within this report is for information purposes only. The information contained within the report may be changed or updated from time to time without notice. The authors of this report have taken all reasonable care and responsibility in producing and publishing information contained within this report. Material within this report may contain technical or other inaccuracies, omissions, or typographical errors, for which the Society of Economic Geologists assumes no responsibility. In consideration for the use of this material, the reader agrees to hold the Society and its affiliates harmless against any claims for damages or costs or any loss of any kind arising out of the access to or use of this report or any information contained in or obtained through this report. Technical information contained in this report is for personal use only. Any reliance on the information contained in these reports by any third party shall be entirely at their own risk. Brad Cluj Map highlighting the locations of destinations visited in Romania

3 Itinerary Overview Between the 23 rd and 30 th April 2018 the University of Leicester chapter ran its first international trip to Romania. The chapter took eleven participants comprising second year, third year and PhD students to the Apuseni Mountains in Romania. The trip looked at Au-Cu and Cu-Mo porphyry deposits in the region with visits to active industry exploration properties, SAMAX SA and Belevion. The aim of the trip was to enable students to learn the geology and mineralisation of the region with the opportunity to experience the mineral industry and learn different techniques in prospecting and exploration and gain key skills for the industry. Date Activities Location Monday, 23 rd April Tuesday, 24 th April Wednesday, 25 th April Flight from Birmingham to Cluj. Transport for Cluj to Brad Visit to SAMAX properties Lectures, field visit of Colnic deposit and core viewing Field visit to the licence area of Rovina Valley; mapping exercises and afternoon visit of Valea Arsului Brad Hotel: Ana Maria Brad Hotel: Ana Maria Brad Hotel: Ana Maria Thursday, 26 th April Friday, 27 th April Saturday, 28 th April Gold Museum in Brad. Travel to with stop in Deva. Arrival at Belevion properties in Arrival at Belevion properties. Lectures on geological history of the South Metaliferi Mountains; Overview of drillcore Cu-Mo deposits. Technical lectures on geochemical and geophysical techniques. Field visit to the Cu-Mo target. Accommodation on site at Belevion Accommodation on site at Belevion Accommodation on site at Belevion Sunday, 29 th April Monday, 30 th April Morning core logging workshop. Travel back to Cluj and afternoon/evening in city. Direct morning flight from Cluj to Birmingham Cluj-Napoca Hotel: Pensiunea Zbor Arrival back in Leicester Activities Day 1 23 rd April 2018 The group met at the University of Leicester and travelled to Birmingham airport by minibus. From Birmingham airport the group flew directly to Cluj, Romania where we greeted by our minibus driver and headed on a 4 hour journey to our accommodation in Brad.

4 Apuseni and Metaliferi Mountains The Apuseni Moutains lie in the north-west of Romania, and is the home to the majority of Romania s gold, encompassing what is referred to as the auriferous quadrangle. It had been historically mined since pre-roman times. The Metaliferi Mountains are home to one of the biggest gold deposits in Europe, Rosia Montana. It is estimated that around 55 Moz of gold has already been extracted however, exploration is still in place, with new and exciting finds countining to be discovered. The geology of the Metaliferi Mountains area comprises three main magmatic events; within the Jurassic Period (MORB and back-arc sequences); Late Cretaceous Paleogene (subduction related calc-alkaline rocks) and Neogene (post subduction settings). Deposit types range from orthomagmatic Fe-Ti deposits to porphyries. Day 2 24 th April 2018 The trip began with a visit to SAMAX s property in Criscior where the company explores for porphyry deposits in the local Neogene volcanics. On arrival we were greeted by the geological team with morning presentations by SAMAX SA geologists introducing the participants to the geological history of the area. Presentations covered a range of topics including the background of the company, mining history of the area, as well as past projects and active exploration programmes of the company itself, particularly the Rovina Valley project, comprising three Au-Cu porphyry deposits (Rovina, Colnic and Ciresata). This was followed by a visit to the discovery outcrop, where Mr. Sorin Hagla (Chief exploration geologist) and the rest of the SAMAX team introduced the participants to the key targets and mineralisation zones, with discussion on key mineralisation indicated and Students and SAMAX geologists at the Discovery Outcrop Mapping alteration indices of the Discovery Outcrop Core viewing at SAMAX core shed

5 alteration indices in the field. The outcrop is a prime example of a rarely seen type of alteration MACE (magnetite, actinolite, chlorite and epidote), that displays a close relationship with mineralisation. The day wrapped up with a visit to the core shed, where the group was shown some exceptional examples of stock work veining, host porphyry and mineralisation. In addition the group was given an introduction of mineralogical and structural core logging. Day 3 25 th April 2018 The second day included a visit to the licence area of the Tisa Valley in the Stanija region alongside local geologists. The visit included a mapping exercise of a recently discovered porphyry deposit where participants were given the opportunity to develop their mapping skills, and were given introductions on mapping porphyry alteration and host rocks. Afterwards, students separated into groups to complete the exercise. The afternoon included a visit to Valea Arsului, an abandoned low grade porphyry Cu-Au quarry, with Albert answering questions to students during the mapping exercise exceptional examples showing a diverse range of alteration and copper minerals. Furthermore the participants were able to observe association of stockwork mineralisation and late stage veining in outcrop with the opportunity to find and sample ore minerals. Students Matt, Lydia and Vlad discussion mineralisation at Valea Arsului Students Sam and Ollie identifying stockwork veins and sampling copper ores

6 Day 4 26 th April 2018 The day started with a visit to the spectacular gold museum in Brad, where remarkably preserved local Apuseni gold was on display exhibiting an unusual range of shapes and form, highlighting the long lived mining history of the region. The afternoon the group travelled to the second destination via Deva. Gold specimen at the Brad Gold Museum Day 5 27 th April 2018 Filip Onescu of Belevion leading a talk and discussion during the morning introduction lectures The last three days were spent in the South Metaliferi Mountains where we were warmly welcomed by Belevion, a Romanian owned prospecting company, working in the Late Cretaceous calc-alkaline rocks of the Poiana Rusca Mountains. The first morning started with presentations by the Belevion geological team, which included an introduction to the company and a comprehensive talk on the geology of the region. Following from the talks, geologist Mircea Negulici led a tour of the core shed and overview of the recently drilled core from the Cu-Mo deposits Chalcopyrite and molybdenite mineralisation observed in drill core

7 Day 6 28 th April 2018 In the morning, students were given technical lectures on the different geochemical and geophysical exploration techniques, with real life examples and tips from current exploration (and some old methods using dowsing rods!). Participants were shown how to use the geophysical equipment and were able to gain skills in trying out different techniques used on site. In the afternoon the Belevion team lead a short trip showcasing the geological and cultural aspects of the South Metaliferi Monuntains. Left: Ground-penetrating radar demonstration. Right: Students shown how the historical use of dowsing rods for identifying mineralisation. Day 7 29 th April 2018 On the final full day of the trip, students had the opportunity to undertake core-logging exercises in the morning lead by the chief geologist. The aim of the exercise was to specifically understand how logging is tailored to porphyry systems, in particular how to map different host and ore mineral assemblages, vein sets using Sillitoe s classification scheme (e.g. A, B and D veins), potassic, propylitic, phyllic and argillic alteration mineralogy and host lithologies. This was particular beneficial to the group, providing the opportunity to practice and develop core logging skills to industry standards, whilst observing some spectacular mineralised specimens and discussing various exploration techniques. Late morning the group travelled back to Cluj and arrived in time for an afternoon visit to the historical city and various museums.

8 Chief geologist Mircea Negulici from Belevion giving an overview of mineralisation and porphyry stockwork vein sets before an independent core logging excercise Day 8 30 th April 2018 After a successful and very eventful week the group caught a direct morning flight from Cluj to Birmingham and transferred to the University of Leicester. Acknowledgements We would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the Society of Economic Geologists and Mineral Deposits Study Group (MDSG) in the UK for being primary sponsors of the field trip. Furthermore, for the guidance and support received from the teams at SAMAX SA and Belevion, are thanked for their time and contribution towards the trip.