Hugh Graham

Profile

Thesis Outline

Porphyry- and epithermal-style deposits are often spatially, temporally and genetically linked. They are associated with subduction-induced magmatism at convergent tectonic margins, and frequently host significant quantities of gold, copper, molybdenum and silver. The magmatic-hydrothermal systems that form the economically-viable deposits are complex, from an initial intrusive stage, through syn-mineralization hydrothermal fluid activity, to post-mineralization fluid flow. As such, there remain significant gaps in understanding of how these systems evolve, particularly in the periods of, and between, ore genesis. This study aims to elucidate the physico-chemical conditions of the hydrothermal fluids that facilitate ore deposition in certain parts of an evolving magmatic-hydrothermal system. 

The Iron Cap deposit, in the Kerr-Sulphurets-Mitchell (KSM) district, northwest British Columbia, Canada, provides an excellent opportunity to investigate porphyry-epithermal evolution. The KSM district as a whole hosts 38.8 Moz Au and 10.2 Mlb of copper (measured in reserves), within predominantly porphyry-style deposits. To understand the magmatic-hydrothermal evolution, Iron Cap will be studied in terms of its trace elements, including gold. Analysing the mobility, speciation and partitioning of trace elements at different points within the system will point toward changes in the physico-chemical conditions of the hydrothermal fluids. One specialization of the research at the University of Leeds is the study of the compositional variation of natural gold. The gold is characterized by measuring concentrations of minor alloying elements (Ag, Hg, Pd, Cu) and by systematic recording of mineral inclusions revealed in polished section. Study of alloy compositions and mineral inclusion suites will allow characterization of natural gold in the KSM district, in addition to providing an independent avenue to speculate the prevailing fluid conditions during ore genesis. The overall aim of this project is to define the physico-chemical conditions at various points within the Iron Cap deposit and to develop a detailed model describing the evolving hydrothermal process. The location-specific outcomes will subsequently be evaluated to inform a wider understanding of the evolution of porphyry-epithermal mineralizing systems.

Funding and Awards

• PhD funded by the NERC through the Leeds-York DTP.
• Awarded US$10000 through the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) Graduate Student Fellowship.
• Awarded CAD$5000 through the Geoscience BC (British Columbia) Scholarship. 

Memberships

• Society of Economic Geologists (SEG).
• Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits (SGA).

Research interests

The geochemistry of mineralising fluids; the evolution of magmatic-hydrothermal gold systems; and trace element associations in ore deposits.

Qualifications

• MGeol Geology from the University of Leicester.

Research groups and institutes

• Ores and Mineralization
• Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics