Ancient structural inheritance explains gold deposit clustering in northern Perú

Abstract The punctuated distribution of major gold deposits along orogenic belts is poorly understood. In northern Perú, cluster trends that transect the subparallel Phanerozoic accreted onto western margin Archean–Proterozoic Amazonian craton. This suggests influence as yet unrecognized pre-Andean basement structures in controlling localization deposits. We report newly discovered Tomac ophiolite, which represents a missing link tracing cryptic collisional suture striking obliquely to Peruvian Andes. ophiolite signals opening former Neoproterozoic ocean basin between craton and continental ribbon dispersed microterranes. Re-accretion resulted formation belt ca. 465 440 Ma. Rifting re-accretion occurred parallel strike 1400–1000 Ma Grenvillian-Sunsás orogen, indicating structural corridors Andes at an oblique angle reflect inheritance preexisting lithospheric weak zones. Our study demonstrates Perú intersection defined superimposed Andean associated well-documented cross faults. Gold mineralization was localized ancient intersections, where enhanced permeability facilitated anomalous energy mass transfer, promoting ore accumulation during episodes accretion.