Carlin-type

Carlin-type systems occur in continental magmatic arcs, but are remote from subjacent stocks and plutons. Consequently, ore fluids consist largely of meteoric water containing volatiles discharged from deep intrusions. Ore fluids scavenge elements from carbonaceous pyritic sedimentary rocks as it convects through them. Gold ore containing disseminated pyrite forms where acidic reduced fluids dissolve carbonate and sulfidize Fe-bearing minerals in host rocks. As, Hg, and Tl minerals precipitate by cooling. Stibnite precipitates with quartz by cooling from Au, As, Hg, Tl depleted fluids.
Color on map:

Deposit types

Name Commodities Critical minerals
Gold Au, Ag, Hg As, Sb
Antimony Sb Sb
Arsenic-thallium-mercury As, Tl, Hg As

References


Source: Hofstra, A.H., and Kreiner, D.C., 2020, Systems-Deposits-Commodities-Critical Minerals Table for the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2020-1042, 24 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20201042.

List of Earth MRI focus areas with mineral system = Carlin-type

6 focus areas match these criteria.

Focus area Region States Mineral Systems Deposit types Commodities
Seward Peninsula Alaska Alaska Carlin-type Gold gold; mercury; silver
Antimony district Southwest Utah Carlin-type Antimony; Arsenic-thallium-mercury gold; mercury; silver
Goldstrike district Southwest Utah Carlin-type Antimony; Arsenic-thallium-mercury; Gold gold; mercury; silver
Marysvale-Pioche belt Southwest Nevada; Utah Carlin-type Antimony; Arsenic-thallium-mercury mercury; thallium
Mercur district Southwest Utah Carlin-type Gold gold; mercury; silver
Nevada Carlin-type antimony Southwest Nevada Carlin-type Antimony; Arsenic-thallium-mercury; Gold gold; mercury; silver; thallium