The origin of mafic–ultramafic rocks and felsic plutons along the Clarke River suture zone: implications for porphyry exploration in the northern Tasmanides

The Clarke River Fault in northeast Queensland records an early Paleozoic history of subduction, accretion and continental suturing. Samples mafic–ultramafic rocks collected proximal to the record oceanic geochemical affinities comprise alteration assemblages consistent with ophiolitic origin. ca 456 Ma Falls Creek Tonalite a continental-arc signature was formed response long-lived subduction beneath Thomson Orogen. Ordovician Orogen is broadly coeval arc magmatism documented Lachlan Orogen, which has been associated formation several large porphyry ore deposits. yields adakite-like signatures that reflect fertile melt source conducive outcropping plutons ductile deformation mid-crustal depths, they were emplaced during late syntectonic activity. This implies at too great depth have northern Charters Towers Province shares many geological similarities Greenvale Province, where erosional level may be shallower, potential for deposit preservation greater.