Evaluation of magnetite as an indicator mineral for porphyry Cu exploration: a case study using bedrock and stream sediments at the Casino porphyry Cu–Au–Mo deposit, Yukon, Canada

The trace element composition of detrital magnetite grains recovered from six local streams around the Casino high-grade porphyry Cu-Au-Mo deposit, west-central Yukon, is compared with igneous and magmatic-hydrothermal mineralized unmineralized host rocks at deposit. Linear discriminant analysis 12 elements (Mg, Al, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga Ge) plots Ti versus Ni/Cr are used to discriminate between potassic alteration zone granodiorite quartz monzonite hosting Magmatic-hydrothermal a similar that identifiable in stream sediments draining Copper magnetite, present as minute inclusions sulfide minerals such chalcopyrite or substituted within crystal lattice, strong indicator Cu mineralization. We show chemical compositions can be explore for systems. Thematic collection: This article part Applications Innovations Geochemical Data Analysis collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/applications-of-innovations-in-geochemical-data-analysis Supplementary material: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5896900