Mineralization proximal to the final Nuna suture in northeastern Australia

Mineralization along continental suture zones is facilitated through the frequent presence of pathways from fertile mantle source regions to crustal repositories. Due their inherent rheological weakness, these are often concealed, which hinders surface-based observations. Here, we use zircon U-Pb and sericite 40Ar/39Ar dating, whole-rock geochemical data, investigate crystallization mineralization history a sequence granites (sensu lato), volcanic rocks sedimentary Au–Ag–Pb–Zn Empress Springs Project in northeast Australia, under >50 m Phanerozoic cover located near interpreted ca. 1.6 Ga tectonic boundary between North Australia Craton (Mount Isa Inlier) Laurentia (Georgetown Inlier). Zircon dating indicates that granite emplacement, eruptions dolerite intrusions occurred 1564 ± 6 1546 13 Ma (2σ), corresponding 1560–1550 Esmeralda Supersuite Croydon Volcanic Group exposed western Georgetown Inlier. ages detrital grains rock revealed unimodal 1560 population, likely sourced surrounding granitic rocks. Sericite yielded disturbed spectra with evidence for incorporation excess radiogenic Ar, but probable Carboniferous Permian age, potentially timing gold mineralization. Geochemical similarities point towards an epithermal origin Project, consistent post-orogenic at either or 330–250 Ma. It series west-dipping lithospheric-scale faults below here termed Suture Zone, demarcate final zone associated assembly Nuna. Reactivation Zone ~1.3 b.y. after potential contemporaneous attests its longevity fluid mobility.