Fluid inclusion geochemistry of the Grasberg Cu-Au porphyry

摘要

The Grasberg mine in the West Papua Province of Indonesia exploits an exceptionally large, high grade, and gold-rich porphyry deposit. It currently leads the world as a single mine producer of gold and is third in copper production. New microthermometric and micro-analytical (PIXE and laser Raman probe) data from fluid inclusions are used here in conjunction with scanned cathodoluminescence (CL) and PIXE X-ray imagery of quartz textures to throw light on the geochemical evolution of the Grasberg hydrothermal system. The study is an illustration of how micro-analytical and imaging techniques may identify key genetic factors in hydrothermal ore systems that are hidden from conventional fluid inclusion studies.