Study on Epithermal Gold Mineralization System at Shwebontha Prospect, Monywa Copper-Gold Ore Field, Central Myanmar

Authors

  • Toe Naing Oo Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia; Department of Geology, West Yangon University, Yangon, 11181, Myanmar
  • Agung Harijoko Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia
  • Lucas Donny Setijadji Department of Geological Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, 55281, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/agger.v5i1.5230
Received: 2 November 2022 | Revised: 30 December 2022 | Accepted: 6 January 2023 | Published Online: 9 February 2023

Abstract

The Shwebontha prospect area is situated in the Central Volcanic Belt, central Myanmar, where the well-known Sagaing Fault serves as its eastern boundary. This study aims to document key the mineralogy, host rock geochemistry and ore mineralizing fluids. The mineralization, hosted by Upper Oligocene to Middle Miocene rhyolites, displays a strong lithological control. Mineralization is characterized by gold-bearing silicified massive ore and chalcedonic quartz veins in which sulfides are clustered and disseminated not only in quartz gangue but also in rhyolite host rocks. The significant ore minerals in the mineralized veins include pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and gold. Common hydrothermal alterations such as silicic, argillic and propylitic alteration types are recognized. According to the fluid inclusion data and interpretation, ore mineralizing fluids in the research area are characterized by formation temperatures of 260-280 °C and salinity of 0.35-2.41 % wt. NaCl eq. respectively. Mixing of hydrothermal fluids was generally considered to be an effective mechanism for ore transport and deposition.

Keywords:

Geochemistry; Alteration; Fluid inclusions; Ore mineralization; Central Volcanic Belt, Shwebontha

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How to Cite

Oo, T. N., Harijoko, A., & Setijadji, L. D. (2023). Study on Epithermal Gold Mineralization System at Shwebontha Prospect, Monywa Copper-Gold Ore Field, Central Myanmar. Advances in Geological and Geotechnical Engineering Research, 5(1), 10–23. https://doi.org/10.30564/agger.v5i1.5230

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