Geobotanical Indicator Species in the Cloncurry District,
North West Queensland.
INTRODUCTION TO THE CLONCURRY DISTRICT MINERAL SYSTEM
Roseby
Corridor
Scope of
this study
After Mark et al, 2007
‘COPPER GRASS’: Eriachne mucronata
•‘Mountain Wanderrie Grass’, coarse, loosely branched, stalky perennial grass (<60cm). • Observed growing directly on Cu-Zn-Pb mineralised outcrop.
• Can grow in distinctive ‘clumpy’ monoculture. • Cattle feed only as last resort.
• Narrow ‘wheaty’ seed heads (2-8cm) which turn furry when mature.
10mm
‘LITTLE COPPER GRASS’: Bulbostylus barbata
• ‘Dainty Sedge’ with distinctive tussocky growth.
• Slender annual sedge with very fine upright stems (max 20cm).
• Flower head cluster of spirally arranged spikelets with two bracts below.
‘COPPER BUSH’: Polycarpaea glabra
• Distinctive low bush (<30cm) with numerous dry, white flower heads.
• Grows in dense clumps, with other species absent (except Cu-grasses).
• Dries out quickly post-wet season.
• Only observed growing on Cu-stained subcrop.
• Presence indicates >1000ppm Cu
Cu in soil: 1025 ppm (Aquaregia) Roseby
Richard Lilly
A.W.E.S.O.M.E.S. Research Unit, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
richard.lilly@adelaide.edu.au
VEGETATION ANOMALIES
• The Cloncurry District of the Mount Isa Inlier, • Many outcropping or near-surface deposits were recognised from
N.W. Queensland, is recognised for its oxide minerals and vegetation anomalies at surface, including Dugald
abundance and diversity of mineralisation River (Zn-Pb-Ag)(pictured left and below).
styles including Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG). • This poster presents several indicator species observed in the
• Deposits are hosted in Proterozoic age rocks Cloncurry District often associated with Cu, Au, Zn and Pb
mineralisation in the range of +100ppm to +1000ppm.
(1.5-1.7 Ga) with multiple periods of alteration
and deformation .
• Despite 150 years of exploration the District
remains a major exploration province.
• Areas covered by shallow regolith still highly
prospective for Cu, Au, Pb, Zn, U and REE’s.
• Dry savannah climate, max temp 40°C+ Dugald River vegetation anomaly circa 1930
• While metal anomalism is not always present where
• Average annual rainfall of 400-500mm
these species grow, vegetation anomalies indicate a
(December to March).
change in geological conditions and are a good reason to
• Range of regolith types and depths. take a closer look at the location.
• Vegetation anomalies have been recognised • Despite the availability of advanced surface geochemical
since the first prospectors arrived in the district techniques these examples clearly highlight the continued
Dugald River vegetation anomaly, in 2010. Soil abundances (Aquaregia)
in the 1860’s and are well known to the local relevance of ‘traditional’ biogeochemical (prospectors) Zn: 500ppm->2300ppm
Note extensive presence of Eriachne Mucronata
indigenous Mitakoodi-Mayi people. techniques in the modern explorer’s toolkit. and absence of eucalypts, spinifex and scrub. Cu: 200ppm-1200ppm
• In many areas around Cloncurry indicates >100ppm Cu.
• Elevated metals not always present with grass , but
indicates relative enrichment compared to surrounding area.
Double Oxide Prospect,
west of Cloncurry
Zn-Pb-Cu mineralised outcrop, Roseby
Mongoose Prospect, Cloncurry
,
Growing on gravel ‘island’ in blacksoil
60km north of Ernest Henry 10km east of Ernest Henry
Wet Season Dry Season
Field of Eriachne mucronata down-slope from historic Cu workings.
Chum Prospect, west of Cloncurry
• Almost always found in association with Eriachne mucronata.
Copper Grass anomaly example: Airport Prospect, Roseby.
• Dies off quickly as soil dries out. Note absence of ‘Turpentine’ scrub and eucalypts.
• In many areas around Cloncurry indicates >100ppm Cu.
© JIRCAS Eriachne mucronata
Bulbostylus barbata
Eriachne mucronata
Roseby
Roseby Cloncurry Cu in soil: 200-350ppm
Average: 232 ppm (XRF)
‘LITTLE COPPER BUSH’: Polycarpaea spirostylus
• Locally termed ‘Pretty Polly’; original prospectors used it for Cu, Ag, Zn and Pb
• Distinctive narrow branched stalks, smaller flower heads (~3mm) than glabra
• Also recorded over Zn and Pb anomalies.
• Can be widespread, rarely monoculture
• Pink flower reported in Herberton (Qld) associated with Ag mineralisation.
• Less constrained than the other species reported here and requires further study
Roseby
Roseby
Roseby Roseby
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.a Roseby
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
• With thanks to K.J.Harvey and R.J Cavaney for their initial observations in the Roseby corridor.
Roseby Cu in soil: 1340 ppm (Aquaregia) Roseby • This work was completed with assistance from Mount Isa Mines and Altona Mining Ltd.