Paleohydrology of the Golden Cross Vein System

Abstract

Fluid inclusion and stable isotopic analyses of carbonates and quartz establish that there are three fluids represented in the Empire Vein structure at Golden Cross. The first fluid is a more near-surface meteoric fluid which has undergone little or no isotopic exchange with the surrounding rocks. The second fluid comprises a deep geothermal fluid of probable meteoric origin but which has exchanged oxygen isotopes with the rock through which it has passed at elevated temperatures. The third fluid is of magmatic origin. In most cases the latter two fluids have been significantly diluted by mixing with the first fluid.