Unravelling tourmaline in mineralized porphyry systems: assessment as a valid indicator mineral

Tourmaline has long been regarded as a petrogenetic indicator of its host environment, but its genesis in mineralized porphyry systems is poorly understood. Based on chemical and physical properties, tourmaline possesses essential features to be an effectiveindicator mineral. These properties, along with its abundant occurrence in mineralized copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry systems, make it potentially a key recorder of hydrothermal fluid composition, evolution and potential mineralization. A suite of tourmaline-bearing, barren and mineralized porphyrysamples have been analysed as part of a broader study, including those from the Canadian Cordillera (Casino, Schaft Creek, High-land Valley and Woodjam) plus others, have been studied. Paragenetically, tourmaline is observed to be an early hydrothermal phase, predating both sulphide formation andany alteration. Tourmaline is observed to exhibit multiple growth zones, based on petrographic and electron microscope observations, which are also reflected in distinct trace-element variations. Three distinct textural types are recognized: breccia-style, vein-style and disseminated-style. Ma-jorelement analyses based on SEM-EDS show a range between schorl (Na-Fe2+-rich) to dravite (Na-Mg-rich) with some minor povondraite (Na-Fe3+) component. Trace element analyses of porphyry related tourmaline via LAM-ICP-MS show distinct characteristics in comparison to that from non-porphyry settings,including redox sensitive elements (Mn, As and Sb) and large-ion lithophile elements (Sr, Ba). Elements not observed in significant concentrations include the light elements (Li, Be) and REEs, which commonly were below limit of detection. Current trace element analysis of tourmaline derived fromsurficial sediments points to tourmaline originating from the local porphyry system rather than an external source.