Gold

The Northern Territory is well endowed with gold deposits that range from small (100 oz) to large (5 Moz) in size. These deposits have produced in excess of 15 Moz over the past 40 years and contain known resources of about 14 Moz. There are currently three gold mines in operation: Callie, Brocks Creek and Toms Gully.

Gold mineralisation is present in a number of deposit styles including orogenic Au (quartz veins), intrusion-related Au (±Ag±Cu±Pb±Zn), iron oxide Au±Cu, Homestake Au (veins in iron-rich metasediments), skarn Au, epithermal Au±PGE, placer Au and unconformity-related U-Au.

Most of these deposits are concentrated into three Palaeoproterozoic geological provinces; Pine Creek Orogen, Tanami Region and Tennant Region. Quartz vein (orogenic-style) gold deposits are most common in the Pine Creek Orogen and Tanami Region. Iron oxide Au±Cu style deposits are dominant in the Tennant Creek Mineral Field. Significant undeveloped gold resources occur in all three provinces.

Other geological provinces with gold potential include:

The Amadeus Basin hosts the Arltunga and Winnecke goldfields; auriferous orogenic-style quartz veins with past production of 80 000 oz and potential for placer (Wittwatersrand-style) Au.

The Arunta Region hosts a number of significant auriferous quartz vein prospects and potential for iron oxide (Au-Cu), intrusion related polymetallic (gold-bearing) veins and gold skarns. The Arnhem and Murphy Inliers have potential for orogenic- and intrusion-related auriferous quartz veins and unconformity-related U-Au (±PGE).

Further details on the geological setting, ore characteristics, resources and genesis of gold deposits in the NT are documented in NTGS Report 11 (see Gold deposits of the Northern Territory).

Last Updated: 1 October 2007