Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

DOI 10.1007/s00126-008-0205-3

ARTICLE

Mineralogy, textures, and whole-rock geochemistry of advanced

argillic alteration: Hugo Dummett porphyry CuAu deposit,
Oyu Tolgoi mineral district, Mongolia
Bat-Erdene Khashgerel & Imants Kavalieris &
Ken-ichiro Hayashi

Received: 6 February 2008 / Accepted: 8 May 2008 / Published online: 26 August 2008
# Springer-Verlag 2008

Abstract Advanced argillic (AA) alteration is developed

over a vertical interval of 500 m, above (and enclosing)
Late Devonian quartz monzodiorite intrusions that accompany porphyry-style CuAu mineralization at the Hugo
Dummett deposit. The AA alteration is mainly in basaltic
rocks and locally extends into the overlying dacitic ashflow tuff for about 100 m. The AA zone overprints
porphyry-style quartz veins associated with quartz monzodiorite intrusions, but at least partly precedes high-grade
porphyry-style bornite mineralization. Mineralogically, it
consists of andalusite, corundum, residual quartz, titanium
oxides, diaspore, alunite, aluminum phosphate-sulfate
(APS) minerals, zunyite, pyrophyllite, topaz, kaolinite,
and dickite, as well as anhydrite and gypsum, but is
dominated by residual quartz and pyrophyllite. Alteration
zonation is not apparent, except for an alunite-bearing zone
that occurs approximately at the limit of strong quartz
veining. Whole-rock geochemistry shows that the AA

Editorial handling: T Bissig

B.-E. Khashgerel (*) : K.-i. Hayashi
Doctoral Program in Earth Evolution Science,
Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences,
University of Tsukuba,
Tsukuba 305-8572, Japan
e-mail: hashgerel@yahoo.com
K.-i. Hayashi
e-mail: khayashi@geol.tsukuba.ac.jp
I. Kavalieris
Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc.,
Zaluuchuud Avenue 26,
Ulaanbaatar 210349, Mongolia
e-mail: imantsk2@yahoo.com

alteration removes most major elements except Si, Al, Ti,

and P, and removes the trace elements Sc, Cs, and Rb. V,
Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, U, and Th are relatively immobile, whilst
light REEs (La to Nd), Sr, Ba, and Ga can be enriched.
Middle REEs (Sm to Gd) are moderately depleted; Y and
heavy REEs (Tb to Lu) are strongly depleted except in
two unusual samples where middle to heavy REEs are
enriched.
Keywords Advanced argillic alteration . Porphyry copper .
Hugo Dummett . Oyu Tolgoi . Mongolia

Introduction
Porphyry CuAu deposits are characterized by an inward
core of potassic alteration, spatially related to felsic
intrusions, and outward zonation to sericitic alteration, and
finally to epidotechlorite alteration. This general alteration
zonation corresponds to the Lowell and Guilbert model
(Lowell and Guilbert 1970), and may be explained by the
path of hydrothermal fluids ascending with intrusions and
moving outward and cooling (Titley and Beane 1981;
Heinrich 2005), and perhaps mixing with external meteoric
fluids (e.g., Gustafson and Hunt 1975). A common feature
of porphyry CuAu deposits, particularly in young volcanic
island arc terranes, is the development of an extensive
advanced argillic (AA) alteration zone at shallow levels,
e.g., Lepanto Far Southeast, Philippines (Hedenquist et al.
1998), that overlies or overprints deeper sericitic and
potassic alteration. This alteration is generally understood
to be related to acid fluids formed by condensation of
magmatic volatiles above the porphyry system (Hedenquist
and Lowenstern 1994). Overprinting or telescoping of

914

alteration zones is a common feature for many porphyry

systems worldwide, and is explained by rapid collapse of
isotherms, due to downward retreat of the magma interface
during fluid exsolution (e.g., Heinrich et al. 2004), or due to
cessation of convection in a large magma chamber at depth
(Shinohara and Hedenquist 1997). Important processes in
island arc terrains include rapid uplift and erosion, and
sector collapse of volcanic edifices (Sillitoe 1994).
The Oyu Tolgoi mineral district is in the South Gobi desert,
Mongolia, about 80 km from the Chinese border (Fig. 1).
It is located in the mid to late Paleozoic Gurvansayhan
island arc terrane (Lamb and Badarch 1997), which forms an
eastwest trending belt through southern Mongolia, about
200 km wide and about 750 km long. The geology,
alteration, and mineralization of the Oyu Tolgoi area was
first described by Perello et al. (2001). These authors
recognized that hypogene mineralization was of porphyrystyle with several porphyry centers, and was related to
dioritemonzonite intruding island arc volcanic rocks of the

Fig. 1 Location of the Oyu

Tolgoi porphyry CuAu district
and simplified geology of the
Hugo Dummett deposit. The
Hugo Dummett ore body is
shown as a horizontal slice at
0 m elevation (present-day surface is at 1,170 m elevation); the
intensely quartz-veined quartz
monzodiorite at Hugo Dummett
South is projected from 700 m
elevation; faults are shown as at
surface, or projected to surface

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Paleozoic Tuva Mongol arc. Alteration included biotite, Kfeldspar with apatite, and minor albite. At South Oyu,
porphyry mineralization was recognized to be magnetiterich, pyrite-poor, and chalcopyrite dominant. At Central
Oyu, advanced argillic associations of quartz, alunite,
dickite, pyrophyllite, sericite, zunyite, svanbergite, and
fluorite were found with high sulfidation mineralization
assemblages, pyritehypogene chalcocitecovellitetennantite (with minor arsenosulvanite, chalcopyrite, bornite). K
Ar data on biotite from South Oyu suggested an Early
Devonian to Late Silurian age for the porphyry system.
Subsequently, descriptions of the geology and styles of
mineralization by Kirwin et al. (2005) include a review of
the history of exploration by BHP-Billiton and Ivanhoe
Mines Mongolia Inc. from the late 1990s to 2005. These
authors highlighted the occurrence of two styles of high
sulfidation mineralization, i.e., pyritecovellite at Central,
and bornitechalcopyritechalcocite at Hugo Dummett
South, and pointed out the importance of geophysical

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

surveys and deep drilling, leading to the discovery of the

largest deposit in the district (Hugo Dummett North) in 2003.
In addition, they report three molybdenite ReOs dates, from
Southwest, Central, and Hugo Dummett South that range from
3703731.2 Ma. A Late Devonian age for the Oyu Tolgoi
porphyry systems is also supported by zircon UPb dates
(Wainwright et al. 2005; Khashgerel et al. 2006). The
stratigraphy for the Oyu Tolgoi area and whole-rock geochemistry of igneous rocks has been reported by Kavalieris
and Wainwright (2005). Porphyry-related intrusions are
characteristically phenocryst-crowded; they belong to the
high K-calc-alkaline suite and are mainly quartz monzodiorite
in composition. Host rocks are principally massive augite
basalts (Late Devonian or older), and dacitic ash-flow tuff.
The quartz monzodiorites and dacitic tuffs are geochemically
similar, and may be co-magmatic (Kavalieris and Wainwright
2005). Advanced argillic alteration has not been reliably
dated, but is assumed to be of similar age as the Oyu Tolgoi
porphyry CuAu systems. A reconnaissance O, H, and S
isotope study (Khashgerel et al. 2006), showed that, in general, the fluids involved in the formation of the sericite zone
(muscovite), and for pyrophyllite and alunite in the AA zone
are magmatic, with little meteoric contribution (except at
temperatures <150C). Alunite at Hugo Dummett and Central
formed from a vapor condensate, that underwent the SO2
disproportionation reaction (4SO2 +4H2O=2H2SO4 +2H2S)
at temperatures <450C, and formed acidic fluids at
temperatures below 300C. The temperature of formation
of alunite is estimated from the isotope data to be about
260C. The stable isotope data of O, H, and S, particularly
for alunite, suggest that the AA zone may have formed in
conditions similar to well known porphyry systems, such
as Lepanto Far Southeast, Philippines. However, unlike
Cenozoic porphyry systems in young arc terrains, where
the volcanic environment can be partly reconstructed,
Hugo Dummett is of Late Devonian age and structurally
complex; the AA zone now lies beneath a thick sequence
of volcanic and sedimentary rocks (>1,000 m), that may not
have been present when the porphyry-AA system formed.
The AA zone is closely spatially associated to highgrade porphyry-style CuAu mineralization (Khashgerel
et al. 2006), and AA alteration overprints early porphyryrelated quartz veining and potassic alteration. However,
an unusual feature of the Hugo Dummett deposit, and
contrary to typical porphyry systems, is that the AA
zone itself is partly overprinted by high-grade bornitedominant mineralization of porphyry-style (Khashgerel
et al. 2006).
We, here, report on new advances in understanding the
AA zone from mineralogy, textures, and whole-rock geochemisty. Whole-rock geochemistry is used to help characterize the AA alteration, and to identify the protolith
composition. Commonly accepted terminology such as

915

advanced argillic, potassic (e.g., Seedorff et al. 2005) is

used here for alteration zones. Because the mineralogical
identification is mainly based on detailed short wave infrared (SWIR) spectrometer analyses, we use the term
muscovite instead of sericite.
The Oyu Tolgoi mineral district comprises six drillproven deposits, with measured and indicated reserves
totaling 1,390 Mt at 1.33% Cu and 0.47 g/t Au (0.6% Cu
cut-off; unpublished Oyu Tolgoi Technical report, March
2007 by GRD Minproc), and several porphyry prospects,
extending in a 20 km long north-north east trending zone
(Fig. 1). Hugo Dummett is the largest deposit in the Oyu
Tolgoi mineral district with measured and indicated
reserves of 820 Mt at 1.82% Cu and 0.42 g/t Au (0.6%
Cu cut-off), notable for exceptionally high grades with 329
Mt at 3.0% Cu and 0.76 g/t Au (2% Cu cut-off), therefore
ranking as one of the most Cu-rich porphyry systems in
the world.

Hugo Dummett deposit

The Hugo Dummett deposit extends over 3 km in plan view
(Fig. 1). High-grade (>2.5% Cu) disseminated and fracturefill mineralization, dominated by bornite or bornite
chalcopyrite is spatially related to small quartz monzodiorite dykes (meters to 50-m width) and intense quartz veining
(up to 90% by volume) in a zone that dips steeply to the
southeast (Fig. 2). These intrusions flank larger quartz
monzodiorite to monzogranite intrusions, that could be
domal, and that are inferred to comprise the core of the
intrusive system. An important feature of the Hugo
Dummett North deposit is that gold-rich bornite mineralization associated with potassic alteration is present in the
center of the intrusive system, at high level. The gold-rich
core, combined with the outer high-grade bornite zone,
extends the >2.5% Cu envelope to maximum dimensions of
400600 m width and 800 m height (Fig. 2). Similar goldrich mineralization is absent at the Hugo Dummett South
deposit.
Augite basalt and dacitic ash-flow tuff wall rocks and
alteration zones have an onion-skin-like geometry enclosing the upper part of the intrusive system. The reasons for
this structural geometry are not well understood, one
possibility is that the intrusions were emplaced into the
axis of a monoclinal fold that marks a north-northeast
oriented basement structure. Another characteristic is that
all quartz monzodiorite intrusions are emplaced in augite
basalt and are not known to intrude the overlying dacitic
ash-flow tuff. However, close to the ash-flow tuff contact,
small quartz monzodiorite dykes (meters thick) intruded
parallel to the contact. The nature of the dacite ash-flow
tuff-augite basalt contact is obscured by AA alteration,

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Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Fig. 2 Distribution of advanced

argillic alteration, a plan view
showing the sub-surface outline
of the AA zone for the Oyu
Tolgoi area, b OTD470 section
at Hugo Dummett South, where
the AA zone is more than 200 m
thick, c OTD1447 section at
Hugo Dummett North, showing
a deep intersection of the AA
zone, d EGD053 section, where
the AA zone has thinned to less
than 50 m thickness and is
weakly developed

faulting, and post-mineral andesite, basalt, and rhyolite

dykes. In addition, and pertinent to later arguments for the
protolith of the AA alteration, is that the augite basalt
underlying the dacitic volcanic rocks is massive, stratigraphically very thick, and without interbeds, or textural
variations, apart from rare volcaniclastic zones. The basalt
is characterized by large augite phenocrysts (up to 8 mm).
The uppermost parts of the intrusions are characterized
by intense quartzmuscovite alteration, which extends
nearly 1,000 m vertically at Hugo Dummett South,

whereas the muscovite zone is less than 500 m thick at

Hugo Dummett North. Wall rock alteration of augite
basalt surrounding the intrusions, progresses from dark
greenbrown alteration, comprising strong biotite overprinted by chlorite, to yellowgreen intermediate argillic
alteration (IA), and to buff AA alteration (see descriptions
for the IA and AA alteration below). The AA zone has
pyrite content up to 10% and thin (cm) pyriteenargite
veins, but high sulfidation enargitegold mineralization is
absent.

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

917

Advanced argillic alteration

systems) is a common late stage alteration of quartz

monzodiorite intrusions and is overprinted by AA alteration.
Intermediate argillic (IA) alteration in this study, refers to
a yellowgreenbrown alteration zone of basalt at the
margins of the AA zone, typically meters or tens of meters
wide, and too small to be shown on Fig. 2. The mineralogy
of this zone has been determined by detailed SWIR
spectrometer analyses (Khashgerel et al. 2006), and
comprises muscovitechloriteillitehematitesiderite, with
minor pyrophyllitetopazkaolinite (see, for comparison,
Seedorff et al. 2005).

The advanced argillic zone is shown as a lithological unit

(Figs. 1 and 2), enclosed between augite basalt and overlying dacitic ash-flow tuff. This interpretation is derived
from drill-core logging for the Hugo Dummett deposit,
where a fundamental problem has been that the protolith for
the AA zone cannot be identified by field criteria. In nearly
all cases, the top of the AA zone is relatively unaltered
dacitic ash-flow tuff, whilst at depth, augite basalt can be
recognized. Because of these field relationships, and
because the only textures present resembled fragmental or
pyroclastic textures, it was originally believed that the
protolith for the AA zone was dacitic volcanic rocks
(Khashgerel et al. 2006).
The term advanced argillic is used in a general sense in
this paper, for an alteration type that consists of some or
all of the following minerals: andalusite, corundum,
diaspore, alunite, aluminum phosphate-sulfate (APS) minerals, zunyite, pyrophyllite, topaz, kaolinite, and dickite
(Meyer and Hemley 1967, Stoffregen and Alpers 1987).
These minerals, as well as residual quartz, titanium oxides,
hematite, gypsum, and anhydrite occur at the Hugo
Dummett deposit (Khashgerel et al. 2006). Overall, the
AA alteration is mineralogically dominated by fine-grained
residual quartz (<50 to 200 m) and pyrophyllite. Fluorinebearing AA species, zunyite, and topaz, are characteristic
minerals.
The AA zone varies in thickness from <50 m to about
200 m; it closely envelopes and partly overprints the
porphyry system (Figs. 1 and 2) in a complex way that is
not well understood. Field relationships show that whilst
the AA alteration overprints porphyry-style quartz veins,
AA alteration minerals, such as topaz, zunyite, and
alunite, as well as tennantite, pyrite (and in rare cases
enargite) may be occluded in high-grade bornite mineralization (Khashgerel et al. 2006). In cross section, the AA
zone may be envisaged as mushroom-shaped, with a
relatively smooth upper surface, and an irregular lower
boundary characterized by numerous downward apophyses, that may extend to 500 m below the upper surface.
The lateral extent away from the ore body is not known
due to the lack of drilling and due to faulting.
Alteration zonation is not well developed, except for an
alunite zone (10100 m thick) located close to the disappearance of strong porphyry-style quartz veining and at approximately 1% Cu-grade boundary (Fig. 2). Pyrophyllite appears
to increase near the top of the AA zone, together with
abundant dickite veins. Minor gypsumanhydrite veins
occur at the margins, but they are rarely found outside the
AA zone. Muscovite is not included as part of the AA alteration assemblages, but may be present in the AA alteration
zone. Muscovite (typical of phyllic alteration in porphyry

Representative cross sections of AA alteration

A significant geological control on the position of the AA
zone appears to be the contact between augite basalt and
dacitic ash-flow tuff (Fig. 2). The AA zone has sharp
margins (cm to 12 m), to either IA alteration at depth or
weakly altered dacitic ash-flow tuff at the top. The nature of
the top margin is poorly understood, as it is invariably
faulted and intruded by post-mineralization dykes.
OTD470 section
At Hugo Dummett South, the AA zone exceeds 200 m
true thickness (Fig. 2), and is mineralized with significant
zones of high-grade bornitechalcocite. The protolith for
the AA zone is mainly augite basalt with several zones of
altered quartz monzodiorite, and it is capped by relatively
unaltered dacitic ash-flow tuff (Fig. 3a). The mineralized zone
at 450550 m is associated with strongly quartz-veined
quartz monzodiorite (Fig. 2). The quartz monzodiorite is
quartzmuscovite altered, overprinted by pyrophyllite
diasporetopazkaolinite alteration, and has some unusual
geochemical features discussed in the section on geochemical groups.
OTD1447 section
The AA zone of this section occurs beneath nearly 200 m
of relatively unaltered dacitic ash-flow tuff (Fig. 2).Well
preserved lenticular pyroclastic textures (Fig. 3b) show
convincingly that the AA zone extends into the lower part
of the dacitic ash-flow tuff. The dacitic ash-flow tuff
overlies a conglomerate unit. The upper part of the
conglomerate is AA-altered, but rapidly grades to chlorite
alteration (Fig. 3b).
EGD053 section
In this section, the AA zone occurs at the base of relatively
unaltered dacitic ash-flow tuff about 100 m thick (Fig. 2).

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Fig. 3 Drill holes from representative cross sections, showing

geology, alteration, and location
of whole-rock geochemical samples, a OTD470 log, b OTD1447
log, and c EGD053 and
EGD053C logs

The relatively thin alteration zone developed in this section

comprises of quartzmuscovite overprinted by pyrophyllitekaolinite and dickite alteration (Fig. 3c). Relict pyroclastic textures (Fig. 3c) suggest that the AA zone is

developed mainly within dacitic ash-flow tuff, at the

contact with basalt. Small quartz monzodiorite dykes
intruded at this contact are muscovite-altered and overprinted by pyrophyllitekaolinite alteration.

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

919

Fig. 3 (continued)

Mineralogy
The AA mineralogy of the Hugo Dummett deposit has
been clarified by drill-core logging by SWIR spectrometry
at 510 m intervals, by microscopy and XRD analysis
(Khashgerel et al. 2006). This study incorporates new
microscopic observations, electron probe micro analyses
(EPMA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and
whole-rock geochemistry. Mineral assemblages summarized by Seedorff et al. (2005) are used in a general sense
for high- to low-temperature AA minerals (below). The
temperature estimates are based on mineral assemblages
from geothermal fields in the Philippines (Reyes 1990)
and from isotopic temperatures for alunite, pyrite, anhydrite, and gypsum (Khashgerel et al. 2006).
High-temperature (350450C) AA alteration is characterized by an assemblage of andalusite, corundum,
woodhouseite, and diaspore. Andalusite is a replacement
of plagioclase phenocrysts and forms radiating rosettes,
pseudomorphing tabular crystals (Fig. 4a). Andalusite is
common at deep levels near the base of the AA zone and
associated with muscovite. Corundum has been found in
several samples as euhedral crystals up to 0.2 mm long but
its distribution is poorly known. Calcium-APS (woodhouseite) is found as ragged and strongly corroded
crystals, suggesting it may be paragenetically early and
at a relatively high temperature (Fig 4b). Diaspore occurs
as euhedral prisms of 0.1 mm length (Fig. 4c) but more
commonly as anhedral aggregates (Fig. 4d). Diaspore may

rim woodhouseite (Fig. 4b) and is commonly occluded by

chalcopyrite and bornite.
Moderate temperature (250350C) AA alteration is
characterized by an assemblage of alunite, zunyite, pyrophyllite, and topaz. In addition, quartz, rutile, and (specular)
hematite are found as residual phases. The presence of finegrained rutile or anatase in the AA zone was confirmed by
reflected light microscopy and EPMA qualitative analysis.
The temperature range for APS minerals (woodhouseite,
svanbergite, hinsdalite, and florencite) is not known, but
because APS minerals occur as inclusions in alunite, they
are inferred to have formed at temperatures >260C
(Khashgerel et al. 2006). Alunite (Fig. 4e) forms elongated
crystals (5 to 300 m long), and is commonly associated
with diaspore, zunyite, topaz, pyrophyllite, and kaolinite.
Zunyite occurs as relatively large zoned euhedral crystals
(0.3 mm diameter, Fig. 4f); topaz usually occurs as granular
zoned crystals (5100 m, Fig. 4g), and rarely as elongated
prisms (up to 550 m, Fig. 4h). Topaz may replace
pyrophyllite, and occurs in late cross-cutting alteration
zones. Both zunyite and topaz may contain small (<10 m)
liquidvapor fluid inclusions. Pyrophyllite is usually finegrained (510 m, Fig. 4i) but can occur as coarse sheaves
(100 m, Fig. 4i). SEM study suggests that pyrophyllite
replaces muscovite along the crystal layers (Fig. 5a and b).
Aluminum phosphate-sulfate (APS) minerals, excluding the
unusual ragged woodhouseite (Fig. 4b) are typically finegrained (510 m), but svanbergite (Sr-APS) occurs as fine
to relatively coarse euhedral crystals (up to 0.2 mm

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Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Fig. 3 (continued)

diameter; Fig. 4j and Fig. 5c to f). The APS minerals occur

with diaspore, alunite, and pyrophyllite and as inclusions in
chalcopyrite, bornite, pyrite, and enargite. Svanbergite
exhibits oscillatory zoning; outer rims are higher in Ca
and Ba but Sr is lower (darker parts in Fig. 5e to f), whereas
the centers of the crystals are P and Sr-rich but S-poor.
Euhedral crystals of CeLa (Nd) APS (florencite) occur in
the center of svanbergite crystals (Fig. 5d). This is the first
occurrence of florencite found in the Hugo Dummett
deposit. As discussed by Stoffregen and Alpers (1987), in
general for APS minerals, the ratio of phosphate to sulfate
is 1:1, but when the phosphate increases, there is
substitution in the mineral by trivalent cations like Ce.
Where phosphate completely replaces the sulfate, the end

members are goyazite, florencite, and crandallite. This may

suggest that high phosphate content is consistent with
appearance of florencite.
Low temperature assemblages (80250C) consist of
anhydrite-gypsum, dickite, and kaolinite, and occur usually
in veinlets. Among them, kaolinite occurs mainly as
micron-sized alteration product after pyrophyllite. In addition, green or purple fluorite is a common low-temperature
vein mineral at Oyu Tolgoi (Fig. 6).
Textures
Due to intense alteration, primary igneous textures are poorly
preserved in the AA zone. The typical AA zone is buff-

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Fig. 4 Advanced argillic minerals. a Radiating aggregates of
andalusite replacing plagioclase,
enclosed by muscovite (Mus);
b corroded APS with diaspore
rim surrounded by quartzpyrophyllite (Q-Prp); c euhedral
diaspore (Dia) prisms, enclosed
by pyrophyllite; d anhedral diaspore aggregates with quartz; e
alunite (Alu) corroded by pyrophyllite; f large crystal of zoned
zunyite with 8 micron liquid
vapor fluid inclusion (arrow); g
topaz (Tz) with zoning and
opaque inclusions, enclosed by
pyrophyllite and bornite (Bo);
h fine needles of topaz; i fine
and coarse-grained pyrophyllite
(confirmed by EPMA) with
bornite; j rectangular crystals of
svanbergite (Sv), enclosed by
bornitechalcopyrite (Cp)

921

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Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Fig. 5 Backscattered electron

images of advanced argillic
minerals. a Topaz (Tz) replacing
muscovitepyrophyllite; the image reveals that muscovite
(Mus) is most likely replaced by
pyrophyllite (Prp) along crystal
layers; b enlarged portion
of a, topaz (Tz)-cutting pyrophyllite (Prp; arrows); c Svanbergite (Sv) partly enclosed by
bornitechalcopyrite (BoCp)
and surrounded by diaspore and
pyrophyllite (dark grey); the box
shows the mapping area illustrated in Fig. 6; d to f enlarged
portions of c, showing euhedral
florencite in the core of svanbergite and compositional zoning in svanbergite crystals

colored and mottled, sometimes crudely layered or brecciated

and veined; in general, it is difficult to differentiate by small
scale or by large scale textures. Vuggy silica typical of
epithermal high sulfidation deposits (Arribas 1995) is absent.
A characteristic texture that occurs in parts of the AA zone is
patchy alteration (Fig. 7). Comparable patchy alteration
textures occur in the basalt wall rock below the AA zone,
and are mainly composed of chlorite-(specular) hematite
illite (Fig. 7a). The patchy alteration destroys primary
textural features, such as large augite phenocrysts in basalt.
Field relationships suggest that overprinting AA alteration
inherits the patchy alteration texture. Typically, apparent
fragmental textures in buff AA-altered rocks, grade with
depth to patchy alteration textures in yellowbrown to dark
green basalt. As patchy alteration disappears with depth
relics of augite phenocrysts become apparent, that clearly
identifies the basalt protolith. Since patchy alteration

textures are easily confused with fragmental volcanic

textures (Fig. 7b and c), the protolith for parts of the AA
zone has formerly been incorrectly identified as dacitic tuff.

Whole-rock geochemistry
Twenty-nine samples were collected from three drill sections
(Figs. 2 and 3) of the AA zone and overlying dacitic ashflow tuff for whole-rock (WR) geochemical analysis. One of
the important aims of whole-rock analysis was to determine
the protolith for the AA zone, and the relationship of the AA
zone to the overlying relatively unaltered dacitic ash-flow
tuff. Drill-core samples between 200 g to 1 kg were crushed
and pulverized to 150 mesh and 50 g samples were sent to
ACTLABS, Ontario, Canada, and analyzed by their 4LITHORESEARCHQUANT package.

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

923

Geochemistry of protoliths
The main host rocks for the AA zone at the Hugo Dummett
deposit are (1) basalt (Va), (2) quartz monzodiorite (Qmd),
and (3) dacitic ash-flow tuff. The latter is separated by
texture into ignimbrite characterized by lenticular texture
(Ign), and volcanic breccia (Vbx). In general, volcanic
breccia (Vbx) underlies ash-flow tuff (Ign), but the volcanic
breccia can be interbedded or absent. Although, when less
altered, these rocks are readily recognized by field
observation and WR analysis, they are not easily distinguished in the AA alteration zone.
Spiderdiagrams normalized to primordial mantle values
(Fig. 8) indicate that all rocks have island arc characteristics
in terms of negative spikes for Nb and Ti, and relatively
elevated abundance in large ion lithophile elements (LILE)
compared to high field strength elements (HFSE; Table 1).
The rare-earth element (REE) plot shows that light REEs
are moderately fractionated for the felsic rocks, whereas the
basalts exhibit very flat REE patterns with a slight slope
from light to heavy REE (Fig. 8). The dacitic ash-flow tuffs
and quartz monzodiorite are almost similar in composition
(Table 1), and they can be classified as high K-calc-alkaline
series and are I-type (Chappell and White 1974), whereas
the basalts are suggested to be primitive island arc rocks of
calc-alkaline affinity (Kavalieris and Wainwright 2005);
sample 312(217) (Table 1) is the most mafic sample from
the Oyu Tolgoi area, and is a picritic basalt with 42.8 wt.%
SiO2 and 10.7 wt.% MgO.
Geochemical discrimination
A variety of trace element plots have been used to
classify the whole-rock samples into a number of groups
and allocate the primary lithology. The immobile elements Ti, Zr, and Nb are found to be the most useful,
and nicely discriminate between basalts (Va) and felsic
rocks (Fig. 9) even when they are strongly altered. Basalt
has high TiO2 >1 wt.% and low Zr<60 ppm, and low Nb<
5 ppm, compared to quartz monzodiorite and dacitic ashflow tuff, which have TiO2 0.5 wt.%, Zr>100 ppm and
generally higher Nb>5 ppm (Tables 1 and 2). However,
the felsic rocks are geochemically similar and cannot be
discriminated.
Fig. 6 EPMA element mapping. a Distribution of Sr, P, S, and Al for
svanbergite crystals and nearby area; b distribution of Ti, V, La, and
Ce in enlarged portion of (a); Ti and V occur together as rutile, whilst
LaCe florencite occurs as an inclusion, within svanbergite. For
electron microprobe analysis a JEOL JXA-8900R EPMA machine
was used at operating conditions of 15 kV and 12 nA. Because of
overlap of K of Ti with K of V, the V signal is over-estimated

Geochemical groups
The primary lithology shown in drill logs (Fig. 3a to c) is
based on field logging, utilizing relict textures (such as
lenticular pyroclastic texture for ash-flow tuff, large augite
phenocrysts for basalt, and crowded porphyritic texture for
quartz monzodiorite) and immobile element WR characteristics (in particular Ti, Zr, and Nb abundance and their

924

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Fig. 7 Examples of patchy alteration textures after basalt. a

Irregular patches of specular
hematite (He)chloriteillite,
with grey areas of quartzillite,
crossed by quartz (Q) veins; b
advanced argillic alteration:
quartzalunite (Alu)pyrophyllite (Prp)topaz (Tz)kaolinite
(Kao) pseudomorphing earlier
patchy alteration similar to a; c
Relatively coarse alunite occurs
within irregular patches

ratios: Fig. 9). The altered rocks have been compared to

relatively unaltered reference samples from the Oyu Tolgoi
area (Table 1), and have been divided into a number of
geochemical groups based on their probable protolith and
alteration type (Table 2). The characteristics of geochemical
groups, illustrated by a representative sample population
(Fig. 9), are described in the following section (groups are
numbered as in Table 2 and Fig. 9).
Group 1. Va_AA: this group represents AA alteration after
augite basalt (Va). The sample chosen (470 97) is
from the outermost margin of the AA alteration
zone as currently exposed (Fig. 2), and is
characterized by slight enrichment of light REEs,
depletion of major element cations Fe, Na, Ca,
Mn, Mg, K, and by very strong depletion of REEs
(Fig. 10). In addition, Sr, P, and U are enriched.
Group 2. Va_AA(LREE): this single sample (470 153)
marks the top of the alunite zone (Fig. 3A); it is
characterized by depletion of major element
cations (K is partly retained in alunite), moderate depletion of the heavy REEs, and possible
enrichment of P and Ba (Fig. 10). It is unusual
as it exhibits strong enrichment of the light
REEs, as well as enrichment in U and Th.
Group 3. Qmd_AA: the group represents intense AA
alteration after quartz monzodiorite (Qmd). The
sample (470228.4) comes from the alunite
zone (Fig. 3a). It is characterized by strong
depletion of major element cations (K is partly
retained by alunite) and strong depletion of
heavy REEs and Y (Fig. 10).

Group 4. Qmd_AA(HREE): this group, illustrated by 470

479 (Fig. 10) represents intensely AA-altered
quartz monzodiorite at Hugo Dummett South
with strong bornitechalcopyritechalcocite
mineralization (Fig. 3A). This group is unusual
due to enrichment of heavy REEs and Y (Dy 11
ppm, Yb 5.27 ppm, Y 63 ppm, Table 2, Fig. 9),
and possible depletion of La, U, and Th
(Fig. 10). The mineral carrier for this enrichment
has not been identified. In addition, this group is
enriched in Ti and V (Fig. 10), and relatively
depleted in Zr, suggesting a basaltic affinity.
However, relict textures (Fig. 3a) favor a quartz
monzodiorite protolith.
Group 5. Va_IA: this group represents IA-altered augite
basalt with patchy alteration textures (Fig. 3a).
It is characterized by depletion of mainly Na,
Ca, and Mg, whereas the REEs are essentially
unmodified.
Group 6. Qmd_Alt: this group represents weakly altered
quartz monzodiorite (Table 2). The sample
chosen (EGD053 1299.2) is characterized by
quartz-muscovite alteration, overprinted by pyrophyllitekaolinite (Fig. 3c), and is characterized mainly by depletion of major element
cations, Na, Ca, Mn, and Mg (K retained in
muscovite). The apparent enrichment of REEs
(Fig. 10) may be an artifact related to lower
abundance in the reference sample (Group B,
Table 1).
Group 7. Ign_AA: this group represents AA-altered
dacitic ash-flow tuff, and is characterized

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Fig. 8 Geochemical characteristics of relatively unaltered basalt

(comparable to sample 318(217) in Table 1), quartz monzodiorite
and dacitic ash-flow tuff; primordial mantles values after Sun and
McDonough (1989); chrondrite values after Evensen et al. (1978) and
Nakamura (1974)

by depletion of major element cations Na,

Mn, Mg, and K, as well as moderate
depletion of heavy REEs. Calcium is also
depleted (Table 2), but appears to be unmodified in Fig 10, due to anomalously low
content in the reference sample (Group D,
Table 1). Similarly the apparent Sr enrichment in Fig. 10 may be spurious due to low Sr
in the reference sample.

Discussion
Whole-rock geochemistry provides unequivocal evidence
that major parts of the AA zone are formed by alteration of

925

basaltic wall rock. This can be ascertained due to the strong

geochemical contrast between felsic and basaltic rocks in
terms of immobile trace element signature, and in particular
for the Oyu Tolgoi basalt which is characterized by high
TiO2 content, and moderate to low Zr content. The key
result is that WR geochemistry indicates that augite basalt
occurs directly below relatively unaltered dacitic tuff on the
OTD470 section, which is one of the thickest AA zones, as
well as on the EGD053 section, where the AA zone is
relatively poorly developed and thin. This result, combined
with stratigraphy for the Oyu Tolgoi district (i.e., the ashflow tuff overlies a massive and thick sequence of augite
basalt) shows that most of the AA zone at Hugo Dummett
South is hosted by augite basalt, notwithstanding the
occurrence of small AA-altered quartz monzodiorite intrusions in parts of the AA-altered sequence. Advanced
argillic alteration also affects the dacitic tuff, to varying
extent, as shown by the OTD1447 section, where lenticular
pyroclastic textures are convincingly preserved in AAaltered ash-flow tuff, and where the AA zone is estimated
to extend for about 100 m true thickness from the base of
the dacitic tuff. These relationships indicate that the
stratigraphic contact between augite basalt and overlying
dacitic tuff exerted a strong structural control on fluids that
formed the AA alteration zone, but where the AA alteration
is the most extensive, the greater portion of the alteration
zone is within augite basalt. The mushroom-like geometry
of the Hugo Dummett AA zone in cross section, as well as
the stratigraphic control, are comparable to the AA zone at
Lepanto Far Southeast, Philippines (Hedenquist et al.
1998), and the Tombulilato district, Sulawesi, Indonesia
(Lowder and Dow 1978) where advanced argillic alteration
is also partly hosted by dacitic rocks overlying basalt.
Although WR geochemistry may reasonably separate
altered basaltic and felsic rocks (with a few samples
too altered to classify), geochemical discrimination between altered quartz monzodiorite intrusions and dacitic
volcanics is not possible, due to their geochemical
similarity.
Advanced argillic alteration is extremely destructive, and
removes most major elements (Fig. 11a), with the exception
of Si, Al, Ti, and P (Fig. 10). Figure 11b illustrates the
geochemical trend towards alumina-rich mineral species
during AA alteration. Silica remains as residual quartz and
is incorporated into zunyite, topaz, pyrophyllite, kaolinite,
and dickite. Aluminum is a component of all AA minerals,
except late anhydritegypsum. Gallium is known to
substitute for Al in AA alteration zones (Rytuba et al.
2003), and could be enriched >2 at Hugo Dummett
(Tables 1 and 2). Titanium originally hosted in rutile,
titanite, and titaniferous magnetite remains as fine-grained
titanium oxide. Phosphorus originally mainly held in apatite
is incorporated into APS minerals (e.g., svanbergite and

926

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Table 1 Whole-rock geochemistry of relatively unaltered reference rocks

Sample

318(217)

VaAv10

OT10-3

295(556)

976A(966.5)

Unit
Group
SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
Fe2O3
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
P2O5
LOI
Total
Be
Sc
V
Cr
Co
Ni
Cu
Zn
Ga
Ge
As
Br
Rb
Sr
Y
Zr
Nb
Mo
Ag
Cd
Sn
Sb
Cs
Ba
La
Ce
Pr
Nd
Sm
Eu
Gd
Tb
Dy
Ho
Er
Tm
Yb
Lu
Hf
Ta
W
Au (pbb)

Va
A
42.75
1.37
12.46
14.65
0.33
10.77
11.97
1.42
0.6
0.17
3.55
100.26

454
169
50
72
134
135
16
2
12

7
325
21
56
6
<2
<.50

<1
1.3
0.3
166
6
14
2.11
10.57
3.4
1.17
3.74
0.7
4.16
0.86
2.49
0.37
2.18
0.3
1.81
0.1
5.7

Va
A
45.51
1.31
15.03
13.5
0.25
7.11
9.72
2.34
1.14
0.22
3.87
100

Qmd
B
60.43
0.5
17.67
5.44
0.06
1.33
2.61
5.12
4
0.23
1.52
99.17
1
6
146
58
9

86
823
18
103
6.9

0.9
824
16
29
3.24
13.4
2.77
0.91
2.68
0.46
2.47
0.51
1.51
0.25
1.63
0.25
2.5
0.39

Ign
C
62.13
0.46
16.53
4.92
0.12
1.03
3.44
4.79
2.97
0.21
3.13
100.01

82
20
7
<20
50
64
17
1
8

57
900
18
133
9
<2
<.50

1
1.1
7.3
847
18
34
4.14
14.91
3.83
1.06
3.23
0.58
3.42
0.7
2.05
0.33
2.23
0.34
3.87
0.4
<.50

Vbx
D
64.68
0.52
17.01
6.06
0.05
1.04
0.59
3.42
3.21
0.24
2.89
99.88
<1
7
113
<5
9
2
24
104
21
1
6
<.50
96
244
19
126
8
<2
<.50
<.30
1
1.2
3.2
517
17
32
4.36
17.01
3.44
0.95
3.15
0.52
3.01
0.61
1.99
0.32
2.17
0.34
3.75
0.42
2
<2

406
89
29
41
505
81
16
3
13
19
534
25
55
3

0.8
145
7
16
2.34
11.72
3.55
1.3
4.08
0.71
4.38
0.89
2.63
0.39
2.37
0.37
1.88
0.11
2.2

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

927

Table 1 (continued)
Sample

318(217)

Tl
Pb
Bi
Th
U

0.1
8
<.10
0.5
0.22

VaAv10

OT10-3

295(556)

976A(966.5)

0.7
0.37

2.9
2.02

0.2
13
<.10
2.6
1.23

0.4
9
<.10
2.8
1.16

Groups A Va, B Qmd, C Ign, D Vbx, are relatively unaltered samples, VaAv10 is the average of ten samples. Oxides as %, trace elements in ppm,
except for gold (in ppb). All analyses by ACTLABS, 4LITHOQUANTRESEARCH package
Va Augite basalt, Qmd quartz monzodiorite, Ign dacitic ash-flow tuff (lenticular texture), Vbx dacitic ash-flow tuff (breccia texture)

woodhouseite; Stoffregen and Alpers 1987). Vanadium is

relatively immobile (Fig. 10, Table 2), and the reason why
V remains immobile is not well understood, although it
could possibly be incorporated into rutile. Trace elements
that are the least mobile are Zr, Hf, Nb, and Ta (Fig. 10,
Table 2), as these elements are held mainly in zircon.
Uranium and Th are relatively immobile in altered felsic
rocks (Fig. 10) and at least locally enriched in basalt
(Fig. 10). The main primary sources of U and Th are likely
to be zircon (and possibly baddelyite in basalt), which
are likely to survive AA alteration, and a minor source may
be apatite, which breaks down to form APS minerals
(Stoffregen and Alpers 1987). Because the felsic rocks are
I-type magmas, monazite (source for U, Th, REEs) is
unlikely to be a common accessory mineral. Enrichment
of U and Th could occur from hydrothermal fluids
associated with the AA alteration, particularly if fluorine
is present. The presence of fluorine is indicated by topaz,
zunyite, and late fluorite veins. Rare-earth elements are
variously affected by AA alteration (Fig. 10); the light
REEs are slightly enriched (and strongly enriched in one
sample, 470 153), compared to middle and heavy REEs,
which are strongly depleted (except group 4). Yttrium has
positive correlation with the heavy REEs (Fig. 10) and
Fig. 9 Geochemical discrimination of basaltic and felsic rocks;
the groups plotted here are listed
in Tables 1 and 2. Abbreviations
used are: Va basalt, Qmd quartz
monzodiorite, Ign dacitic ashflow tuff with lenticular texture,
Vbx dacitic ash-flow tuff with
breccia texture, AA advanced
argillic alteration, Alt altered, IA
intermediate argillic (defined in
text), LREE light rare-earth-element enrichment, HREE heavy
rare-earth-element enrichment

generally is depleted during AA alteration. In group 4, Y

and heavy REEs are strongly enriched. Primary sources of
light REEs are likely to be mainly apatite and calcic
plagioclase in basalt, whilst the heavy REEs and Y may be
mainly held by ferromagnesian minerals. REE-bearing
APS minerals (Bajnoczi et al. 2004) may explain enrichment of light REEs. The AA zone at the Hugo Dummett
deposit has relatively large APS crystals that exhibit core
to rim zonation or enclose early formed crystals. The inner
parts are P and LREE enriched but depleted in S and outer
parts are Ca, Ba enriched but with relatively lower Sr
content. Heavy REEs in general are lost with destruction
of ferromagnesian minerals. Scandium is also held by
ferromagnesian minerals (up to 35 ppm in relatively
unaltered basalt, Table 1) and is depleted during AA
alteration. Potassium in the AA zone is held by alunite,
but in general appears to be depleted relative to the
composition of reference rocks of basalt, quartz monzodiorite and dacitic ash-flow tuff. Because porphyrystyle mineralization accompanies several alterations such
as early potassic alteration of the protolith as well as
sericite alteration, the behavior of K in AA alteration is
complex. Rb and Cs are depleted with AA alteration, but
Rb correlates with K in weakly altered rocks (Table 2).

928

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

Table 2 Whole-rock geochemistry of the AA zone and related rocks

Sample
Drill depth
Locality
Group

EGD053C
1410.8
HugoDN
A

EGD053 470 62
1314
HugoDN HugoDS
A
C

EGD053
1247
HugoDN
C

1447
470 97 470 120.5 470 454 470 157 470 261 470 309 470 153 470 175 470 197.7 470 228.4
1810
HugoDN HugoDS HugoDS HugoDS HugoDS HugoDS HugoDS HugoDS HugoDS HugoDS HugoDS
C
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
3
3

SiO2
TiO2
Al2O3
Fe2O3
MnO
MgO
CaO
Na2O
K2O
P2O5
LOI
Total
Be
Sc
V
Cr
Co
Ni
Cu
Zn
Ga
Ge
As
Se
Rb
Sr
Y
Zr
Nb
Mo
Ag
Cd
Sn
Sb
Cs
Ba
La
Ce
Pr
Nd
Sm
Eu
Gd
Tb
Dy
Ho
Er
Tm
Yb
Lu
Hf
Ta
W
Au(ppb)
Tl
Pb
Bi
Th
U

51.34
1.26
16.82
8.51
0.17
8.92
1.09
0.1
2.55
0.31
7.59
99.5
2
34
411
102
39
57
5170
223
19
1.6
4

79
58
12
53
2.2
25
1.1

5.8
173
6
12
1.69
7.68
2.11
0.83
2.32
0.4
2.44
0.49
1.47
0.22
1.5
0.23
1.6
0.14

33
0.7
9
0.4
0.5
0.39

52.96
1.26
19.41
14.61
0.12
1.79
0.49
0.27
2.08
0.4
6.38
100.22
2
35
553
36
20
47
944
570
27
2.1
7

48
756
38
55
3.1
4

2.1
281
12
26
3.8
17.9
4.74
2.11
5.73
1.02
6.36
1.32
3.84
0.53
3.1
0.44
1.8
0.1
1

1.5
49
0.4
1.1
0.55

60.48
0.48
16.34
4.9
0.21
1.42
3.04
2.48
3.42
0.25
7.4
100.57
2
5
96

8
2
52
128
20
1.3
11

73
269
18
102
5.9

2
1.2
6.1
292
17
33
4.02
16
3.4
1.07
3.21
0.53
3.07
0.62
1.89
0.29
1.92
0.31
2.9
0.39
1
8
0.7
24
0.1
2.2
1.21

61.04
0.46
16.37
5.15
0.15
1.19
2.66
4.64
2.63
0.23
4.11
98.83
1
5
97

9
4
61
116
22
1.2
12

70
644
19
105
5.9

0.4
2.7
408
14
28
3.33
13.6
3.03
0.89
2.89
0.49
2.75
0.57
1.84
0.29
1.9
0.29
2.7
0.37

0.3
15
0.3
2.2
1.08

60.76
0.51
17.89
4.41
0.09
0.73
2
6.02
2.01
0.25
4.23
99.14
1
6
93

5
2
82
93
22
1.2
6

31
617
17
110
6

0.5

2.7
762
14
27
3.42
13.9
3.06
0.96
2.74
0.46
2.77
0.57
1.77
0.28
1.95
0.31
3.1
0.43
1

0.3
19
0.5
2.2
0.85

65.6
1.15
19.51
4.3

0.03
0.32
0.07

0.51
8.92
100.81
1
7
375
16
16
24
418
9
17
4.4
15

1739
3
49
3.4
21

135
10
21
3.03
13.7
3.14
0.92
2.19
0.26
0.97
0.13
0.34
0.05
0.39
0.07
2
0.22
9
14

334
0.5
0.7
8.83

65
1.24
22.31
0.97

0.03
0.32
0.07
0.2
0.57
7.75
98.83

6
188
23
3
1
216
23
9
3.4
17

2
1682
2
68
4.4
15

10

584
10
18
2.25
8.74
1.59
1.04
1.11
0.12
0.5
0.09
0.28
0.05
0.35
0.06
2
0.25
13

186
0.2
0.7
0.92

59.02
1.28
16.75
8.91

0.03
0.23
0.18
0.45
0.38
11.61
99.07
1
24
334
12
16
6

18
17
1.7
51

3
572
6
70
3.7
12
1.8

3
0.2
357
16
30
3.95
16.9
3.71
1.33
3.17
0.38
1.58
0.27
0.83
0.15
1.25
0.22
2.1
0.21
1
18

271
0.9
1.2
0.66

68.14
1.33
19.84
2.26

0.02
0.37
0.1
0.27
0.58
7.58
101.4

4
240
67
10
7
4900
29
9
5.9
18

2
1196
3
47
2.4
26
0.9

15

0.2
372
12
22
2.88
12
2.58
0.9
1.96
0.25
0.96
0.13
0.3
0.04
0.31
0.06
1.6
0.15
9
16

256
0.4
1.3
0.56

71.77
1.31
15.47
3.06

0.02
0.27
0.13
0.39
0.44
6.69
99.9
1
26
322
65
10
7

23
19
4
729

2
544
22
89
4.5
39
1.7

12
4.4
0.2
491
10
20
2.69
11.6
3.04
0.96
3.16
0.55
3.44
0.78
2.92
0.49
3.39
0.53
2.8
0.27
5
16
0.1
248
0.6
1.9
1.47

68.51
1.36
18.04
3.64

0.03
0.11
0.13
0.12
0.2
7.67
100.15
1
14
325
40
10
19

7
17
4.3
1130

2
613
3
67
3.2
29
2.5

10
0.2
0.3
229
9
15
1.7
6.53
1.3
0.37
0.88
0.12
0.63
0.13
0.43
0.08
0.66
0.12
2.1
0.21
6
23

103
0.4
1.3
1.16

67.67
1.37
21.41
2.38

0.03
0.26
0.13
0.16
0.39
6.2
100.23
1
9
478
66
6
4

11
16
4
16

1
645
16
55
2.7
14
0.9

15

0.4
267
23
47
6.39
26.9
5.16
1.7
4.24
0.63
3.34
0.62
1.79
0.26
1.68
0.26
1.8
0.22
7
11
0.1
64

2.3
1.24

69.24
0.95
17.85
2.15

0.01
0.2
0.22
0.52
0.46
8.63
100.94

4
155
6
9
3
1350
23
8
8.1
116

1
1864
3
140
6.8
264

16

0.2
639
13
26
3.45
14.2
2.53
1.13
1.53
0.14
0.57
0.12
0.42
0.09
0.73
0.15
4.2
0.54
6
8
0.1
1190

3.7
1.16

70.89
0.67
20.07
1.12

0.02
0.17
0.1
0.29
0.34
6.35
101.27

6
171
6
4
3
7400
10
26
3.1
249

2
997
12
107
5.1
76
1.3

8
2.7
0.3
579
18
35
4.5
17.7
3.49
1.08
3.03
0.44
2.25
0.46
1.52
0.25
1.85
0.31
3
0.38
3
12
0.1
277
2.6
2.7
1.26

65.13
0.68
19.66
2.28

0.02
0.23
0.18
0.63
0.36
9.51
99.81

5
215

8
4
6480
32
20
3.1
100

2
864
3
106
5.8
7
1

13
0.4
0.1
670
17
34
4.4
16.5
2.48
0.9
1.59
0.16
0.71
0.13
0.41
0.07
0.55
0.11
3
0.41
1
12
0.1
557
2
2.3
1.19

Groups A Va, C Ign, 1 Va_AA, 2 Va_AA(LREE), 3 Qmd_AA, 4 Qmd_AA(HREE) 5 Va_IA, 6 Qmd_Alt, 7 Ign_AA. Oxides as %, trace
elements in ppm, except Au (in ppb). All analyses by ACTLABS, 4 LITHOQUANTRESEARCH package
Va Augite basalt, Qmd quartz monzodiorite, Ign dacitic ash-flow tuff, AA advanced argillic, IA intermediate argillic, Alt altered, LREE light rare-earth
elements, HREE heavy rare-earth elements

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

929

470 248

470 288

470 479

470 527

470 428

470 340.5

470 387
HugoDS
5

EGD053
1272
HugoDN
6

EGD053
1299.2
HugoDN
6

1447
1838
HugoDN
7

EGD053
1258.8
HugoDN
7

EGD053
1263.4
HugoDN
7

EGD053C
1386
HugoDN
7

EGD053C
1395
HugoDN
7

HugoDS
3

HugoDS
3

HugoDS
4

HugoDS
4

HugoDS
5

HugoDS
5

71.76
0.91
20.21
1.02

0.18
0.08
0.14
0.31
5.87
100.69

9
169

9
21
2.4
57
10
1
468
16
240
9.9
46
2.8
0.5
6

0.2
296
24
46
5.51
20.8
3.8
1.07
3.3
0.49
2.72
0.6
2.16
0.37
2.77
0.46
5.8
0.8
8
39

125
2
6.1
1.87

70.28
0.83
20.92
1.32

0.02
0.13
0.09
0.01
0.32
6.56
100.76

10
260
27
2
2

8
27
3.2
54

2
1093
12
107
5.7
27
2.4

0.2
302
21
42
5.46
22.3
4.43
1.3
3.46
0.45
2.18
0.45
1.48
0.24
1.68
0.27
2.7
0.3
3
16

212
0.7
2.2
1.59

67.73
1.35
20.16
2.79

0.16
0.15
0.23
1.81
0.39
5.44
100.5

24
420
17
4
2

8
20
9.3
25

27
975
63
79
3.7
13
3.2

3
2.9
0.3
210
12
26
3.75
20.8
7.11
2.74
9.58
1.77
11
2.21
6.33
0.88
5.27
0.75
2.4
0.14
4
131
0.7
170
2.6
1.3
1.35

64.22
0.77
20.27
3.78

0.02
0.22
0.13
0.11
0.45
7.82
98.16

16
359
8
2
2

8
27
5.9
333

1
797
42
83
3.3
19
4.6

802
14
31
4.32
19.6
5.09
1.75
6.14
1.36
9.53
1.74
4.48
0.64
4.07
0.62
2.4
0.2
2
105

340
1.4
2.1
1.94

55.08
1.39
21.16
5.18

0.02
0.2
0.3
0.65
0.35
13.07
97.72

19
465
28
2
7

11
34
1.8
136
8
1
767
6
79
4.1
4
1.5

627
14
28
3.89
17.8
4.94
1.89
4.26
0.46
1.62
0.25
0.7
0.11
0.85
0.16
2.4
0.25
1
10

222
0.7
1.2
1.05

61.49
1.28
19.08
8.25

0.47
0.59
0.14
4.33
0.28
4.3
100.45
1
25
343
8
5
8

20
22
1.7
9

91
549
20
65
3.2
13

0.9
362
11
22
2.96
11.9
2.53
0.8
2.64
0.5
3.26
0.72
2.38
0.38
2.6
0.42
2.1
0.17
5

1.4
281
0.7
1.0
0.71

59.92
1.12
19.75
10.72

0.35
0.18
0.12
4
0.34
4.41
102.08
1
20
385
10
5
7
7190
84
27
1.5
10

77
779
34
81
3.9
12
0.6

0.8
340
13
27
3.87
18.3
5.21
1.85
5.45
0.99
6.13
1.26
3.79
0.56
3.59
0.52
2.5
0.21
2

1.2
133

1.5
1.05

61.77
0.74
19.74
5.43
0.01
0.46
0.21
0.52
4.12
0.39
6.19
100.03
1
11
244
7
12
10
183
778
22
0.9
19

81
1134
22
119
4.8

0.5
4.6

1.2
973
17
33
4.51
19.1
4.59
1.44
4.22
0.66
3.74
0.75
2.23
0.34
2.18
0.32
3.4
0.35
1
8
0.5
86

3.1
1.83

55.87
0.66
25.47
3.88
0.01
0.53
0.14
0.62
6
0.19
5.67
99.36
2
11
165

6
9
279
31
23
1.6
14

128
556
16
142
6.4

2.1
1099
26
54
6.71
26.4
5.26
1.84
4.77
0.78
4.19
0.69
1.81
0.25
1.56
0.22
3.8
0.48
1
12
1.3
18

3.7
0.89

63.2
0.66
17.23
6.92
0.01
0.04
0.48
0.1
0.14
0.3
9.62
99.32

4
129
16
13
11
1670
82
33
8
492

2
1428
6
115
4.1
6
1.3

2
10.6
0.1
589
12
24
2.88
11.9
2.73
0.91
2.34
0.3
1.23
0.21
0.64
0.1
0.77
0.14
2.7
0.31
2
21
0.1
486
0.4
2.4
1.1

61.87
0.66
17.64
6.59

0.24
0.18
1.02
3.49
0.35
6.55
99.31

7
172

6
5
3300
13
21
1.1
17
9
61
1408
15
134
4.5

1.2
0.6

2
450
21
39
4.88
19.5
4.01
1.2
3.52
0.49
2.59
0.51
1.57
0.24
1.69
0.28
3.2
0.33
2
36
0.6
95
0.2
2.8
1.27

62.69
0.64
17.74
6.26
0.01
0.17
0.17
0.35
1.94
0.34
8
98.63

7
148
6
4
8
536
11
23
1.2
17
12
36
1103
26
124
4.3

0.5
0.6
1

0.9
403
16
31
3.79
15.5
3.44
1.11
3.41
0.59
3.73
0.83
2.71
0.42
2.81
0.43
3.2
0.31
1
14
0.4
62
0.5
2.8
1.39

58.57
0.62
21.08
5.43
0.01
0.74
0.25
0.39
5.65
0.63
6.82
100.9
2
14
228
6
7
7
490
39
19
1.1
8

101
3029
21
72
2.9

0.5
0.7

1.9
1490
20
38
4.76
19.1
4.43
1.59
4.02
0.68
4
0.79
2.26
0.33
2.01
0.28
2.2
0.26
1

1.0
400
1.1
2.0
1.1

54.2
0.63
22.81
7.41
0.01
0.49
0.23
0.41
5.51
0.39
7.26
99.71
1
13
262
10
12
10
387
15
38
1.4
16
13
119
955
26
96
5.9
2

2
875
22
41
5.42
22.1
5.12
1.58
5.03
0.85
4.68
0.91
2.62
0.37
2.33
0.35
3
0.28
1

0.9
106

3.0
1.63

930

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

R Fig.

10 Selected enrichment-depletion diagrams for geochemical

groups listed in Table 2, plotted with logarithmic scale. The
enrichment-depletion plot for each group is constructed by choosing
a representative analysis and normalizing it by a relatively unaltered
protolith. For basalt (Va), quartz monzodiorite (Qmd), and dacitic ashflow tuff (Ign) groups, the normalizing samples are VaAv10, OT10-3,
and 976(966.5), respectively (Table 1)

Sr and Ba are relatively enriched in AA alteration, due to

incorporation into APS minerals (Bajnoczi et al. 2004;
Hikov 2004). In addition, Ba may also be held as barite,
but it has not been identified at Hugo Dummett.
Intermediate argillic alteration is characterized by strong
depletion of Na, Ca, Mn, and Mg, whereas Fe is retained in
Fe-minerals (chlorite and hematite) and K is retained in
muscovite and illite (Fig. 10). The comparison to the basalt
reference (Group A, Table 1) suggests that K (and Ba) is
enriched in the IA zone (Fig. 11b); this probably indicates
that potassic alteration is a likely precursor. Rare-earth
elements retain their primary abundances or are only
slightly modified by IA alteration (Fig. 10).
Unlike AA alteration associated with high sulfidation
gold deposits, vuggy silica textures do not occur at Hugo
Dummett and this suggests that fluids did not reach pH <2
where Al can be removed (Stoffregen 1987). A characteristic texture at the Hugo Dummett deposit is patchy
alteration. Patchy alteration is a low-temperature alteration
involving formation of chlorite, specular hematite, and
illite, which preceded formation of AA alteration as well as
the high-temperature porphyry-stage alteration. The patchy
textures are inherited by the AA alteration and can consist
of various mineral assemblages.

Conclusions
The advanced argillic zone at Hugo Dummett can be
regarded as an example of a mineralized AA lithocap partly
hosted by dacitic volcanic rocks, augite basalt, and quartz
monzodiorite. The dacitic volcanic rocks are likely comagmatic to quartz monzodiorite and related porphyry Cu
Au systems. The AA zone has some unusual features, in
terms of its close spatial relationship to porphyry CuAu
mineralization, that are partly explained by overprinting,
but also suggest that the AA zone partly preceded the
exceptionally high-grade bornite-dominant CuAu mineralization at Hugo Dummett.
The AA zone is developed at the base of dacitic ash-flow
tuff, overlying basaltic volcanic rocks and, although it may
extend for up to 100 m into the overlying dacitic tuff, it is
most strongly developed in underlying basalt. The most
extensive zone of AA alteration occurs at Hugo Dummett

Miner Deposita (2008) 43:913932

931

Fig. 11 a Illustration of the bulk

change in whole-rock geochemistry of both felsic and basaltic
rocks, with final compositions
characterized by very low
content of K, Na, Mg, Ca, Mn,
Fe, and with SiO2:Al2O3 4.
Mineralogically, this corresponds
to about 50% residual quartz,
with the remainder as mainly
pyrophyllite+diaspore, topaz,
zunyite, and andalusite (in approximate order of abundance),
b (Na2O+CaO)Al2O3K2O
diagram of Nesbitt and Young
(1984, 1989) showing geochemical trends of fresh and altered
rocks. Compositions are plotted
as molar proportions and the
compositions of plagioclase,
K-feldspar, muscovite, illite,
smectite, and kaolinite are
shown

South, where small quartz monzodiorite intrusions are

extensively AA-altered; Hugo Dummett South is further
characterized by the deepest muscovite (sericite zone)
overprinting of large quartz monzodiorite intrusions.
The AA zone comprises, nearly all AA minerals
typically reported in the literature, and includes hightemperature species, andalusite and corundum, that may
be characteristic for porphyry systems. However, it differs
from AA zones that may have formed in epithermal
environments, such as Lepanto Far Southeast (Hedenquist
et al. 1988), in lacking a clear alteration zonation (apart
from the alunite zone), and development of vuggy silica
and enargite-gold mineralization.
The whole-rock geochemistry from the AA zone shows
almost total depletion of most of the major elements, except
for Si, Al, Ti, and P. In addition, V remains immobile, and
possibly is held in rutile. An interesting feature is the
mobility of REEs in AA alteration, with typically strong

depletion of the middle to heavy REEs as well as Y.

However, AA alteration can lead to strong local enrichment
of light REEs, together with U and Th. It is likely that APS
minerals control the retention and enrichment of light REEs
and could possibly also explain enrichment of U and Th.
Another feature of AA alteration, that currently is not well
understood, is enrichment of middle and heavy REEs,
together with Y.

Acknowledgements The authors wish to gratefully acknowledge all

our colleagues at Ivanhoe Mines Mongolia Inc, and at the Graduate
School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba,
Japan. In particular, Charles Forster and Doug Kirwin for supporting
alteration and whole-rock studies as part of the Ivanhoe exploration
program at Oyu Tolgoi, Gombojav Jargaljav, Oyunchimeg Rinchin,
Zultsetseg Sodnombaljir and Damdiimaa Enkhbayar for their support
and help in the Oyu Tolgoi field laboratory. We also wish to thank the
Mineral Resources Group members at the Geological Survey of Japan,
especially Hiroyasu Murakami for reviewing an earlier version of this

932
manuscript and help with SEM and EPMA work, and Kazuyasu
Shindo and Kyoko Masukawa for their support at the University of
Tsukuba laboratory. We are particularly indebted to Jocelyn McPhie
for correctly identifying the nature of patchy alteration textures. We
are grateful for helpful and incisive reviews by Kalin Kouzmanov and
Bruce Gemmell.

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