Gold potential of the Dalradian rocks of north-west Northern Ireland: Prospectivity analysis using Tellus data

Abstract

The Dalradian terrane in the north-west of Northern Ireland is prospective for orogenic vein-hosted gold mineralisation with important deposits at Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw. New geochemical and geophysical data from the DETI-funded Tellus project have been used, in conjunction with other spatial geoscience datasets, to map the distribution of prospectivity for this style of mineralisation over this terrane. A knowledge-based fuzzy logic modelling methodology using Arc Spatial Data Modeller was utilised. Four main groups of targets were identified, many close to known occurrences in the Lack – Curraghinalt zone and others in prospective areas identified by previous investigations. Additional targets are located along west-north-west trending linear zones at the eastern end of the Newtownstewart Basin and to the north of the Omagh-Kesh Basin. These zones may be related to major structures linked to a westward extension of the Curraghinalt lateral ramp which is regarded as an important control on the location of the Curraghinalt deposit.

Keywords

OROGENIC GOLD PROSPECTIVITY ANALYSIS DALRADIAN NORTHERN IRELAND

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