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Structure imparts a significant control on the distribution of Carlin-type gold mineralization recently discovered in the Nadaleen trend, Yukon. An improved understanding of the structural framework for gold mineralization is essential for continued exploration success and interpreting ore fluid controls. Structural observations from the Osiris cluster of the Nadaleen trend indicate that NW-verging F1 folds were refolded in response to later SSW-NNE directed contraction. F2 folds have a subvertical ESE-striking axial plane with subvertically plunging axes on steep F1 limbs and subhorizontal fold axes in shallow F1 limbs. F2 folds have a pervasive axial planar cleavage that is recognized regionally. The steeply dipping Osiris and Nadaleen faults appear to cut all folds. Mineralization is spatially associated with later NW-striking faults in the Conrad zone. Much of the folding within the mineralized Conrad limestone is synsedimentary and its geometry reflects its emplacement as an olistostrome.

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for a copy of this paper please contact the Yukon Geological Survey; geology@gov.yk.ca.

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Quantitative mineralogy, U-Pb geochronology of zircon and monazite, 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of muscovite and sericite, and Pb isotopes from galena in veins and feldspar in plutons provide insight into the age of metamorphism, mineralization, intrusion emplacement and the sources of metals at the Plateau South (MINFILE 105N 034, 035, 036) occurrences in central Yukon. Orogenic mineralization and metamorphism is ca. 110 Ma to 100 Ma, and possibly as old as ca. 130 Ma. Following deformation and regional metamorphism, two biotite-muscovite plutons, the Russell stock and Armstrong pluton, were emplaced at 95.39 ± 0.03 Ma and 95.51 ± 0.03 Ma, respectively. These plutons are here reassigned to the Tungsten suite based on mineralogy, chemistry and age. Coeval with these plutons are contact metamorphism and possibly intrusion-related mineralization. Lead isotopic data from galena cluster into two groups: Group 1 is enriched in thorogenic Pb with 206Pb/204Pb values between 18.31 and 18.14, 207Pb/204Pb between 15.62 and 15.55 and 208Pb/204Pb between 38.77 and 38.30. Group 2 is isotopically evolved with 206Pb/204Pb values between 19.13 nd 18.91, 207Pb/204Pb between 15.78 and 15.63 and 208Pb/204Pb between 39.24 and 39.07. We suggest that late Early Cretaceous mineralization is related to large-scale orogenic fluids that tapped primitive (deep?) metal sources and early Late Cretaceous mineralization, coeval with local intrusions, sourced isotopically distinct metals from the intrusions. Alternatively, all mineralization could relate to Early Cretaceous orogenic fluids but with heterogeneous, locally derived metal sources and thermal resetting of Ar ages near the intrusions.

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