Geochemistry and geochronology of igneous bodies intersected in Nankivel Core PPDH155

Abstract

The Gawler Craton is host to regions of high economic significance these are the Central Gawler Gold Province and the Olympic Iron Ore Copper Gold Province with both of these regions being related to Mesoproterozoic igneous bodies primarily from the Hiltaba Suite (1595-1575Ma). As such being able to understand the geochemistry and formational conditions of the igneous bodies is of high importance to both science and industry. This paper pertains to Mesoproterozoic igneous bodies with a range of compositions intersected by Investigator Resources PPDH155 Nankivel core located within the Central Gawler Gold Province. Geochemical and geochronological analysis was undertaken on samples from the Hiltaba Suite and samples from PPDH155 with supporting data from existing literature on the St Peter Suite (1620-1608Ma) to attempt to determine the age and formational conditions of the magmatic bodies intersected within the drill core. From this analysis age dates of 1577+/-24Ma and 1624+/-38Ma were obtained for samples from PPDH155 with geochemistry which more closely resembles that of the Hiltaba Suite. However, the data also suggests that the formational processes which led to the development of these igneous bodies are quite complex and further investigation is required to produce a more detailed understanding of these processes.