The observed geologic and geochemical characteristics of the gold-silver-lead-zinc deposit at Camino Rojo are consistent with those of a distal oxidized gold skarn deposit. Characteristics of these deposits (Meinert, L.D., Dipple, G.M., and Nicolescu, S., 2005) are summarized as:
- Typically found in lithologies containing some limestone, but deposits not restricted to limestones.
- Formed by regional or contact metamorphic processes by metasomatic fluids, often of magmatic origin.
- Typically zoned deposits with a general pattern of garnet and pyroxene minerals proximal to the mineralizing heat and fluid source, and distal zones of bleaching.
- Low total sulphide content.
- Sulphide mineralogy comprised of pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena.
- Highest gold grades are associated with late relatively lower temperature mineralizing events, often with potassium feldspar and quartz gangue.
- May be transitional to epithermal deposits.
The near surface portion of the Camino Rojo deposit has characteristics consistent with those of the distal skarn zone, transitional to epithermal mineralization, and overlies garnet bearing skarn mineralization encountered in the deeper portions of the system.
Skarn deposits often exhibit predictable patterns of mineral zoning and metal zoning. Application of skarn zoning models to exploration allows for inferences about the possible lateral and depth extents of the min ........
