The Kapai Slate is a continuous, pyrite-rich carbonaceous shale horizon within the St. Ives Au district that is spatially related to high-grade Au mineralization. In situ laser ablation-inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) trace element analyses, in situ sensitive high resolution ion microprobe, stable isotope (SHRIMPSI) S isotope analyses, and optical microscopy pyrite texture analyses were used to examine the different pyrite types in the Kapai Slate and Au deposits. These data were also used to confirm that the trace element signature of sedimentary pyrite can be preserved in rocks that underwent upper to mid-greenschist facies metamorphism and significant hydrothermal overprint. The data were further utilized to gain a more detailed understanding of the ocean conditions during deposition of the Kapai Slate and determine whether some of the Au and S in the St. Ives district could have been sourced from the Kapai Slate.

Модели прочности на сдвиг в двухмерном и трехмерном измерениях для оценки устойчивости анизотропных горных склонов в регионе Пилбара в Западной Австралии.

The bedded iron ore and gold deposits in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia are hosted in highly anisotropic rock masses. For iron ore, these comprise strong banded iron formations discretely interbedded with very weak shales. Gold and other precious metals deposits in the same region are hosted by interbedded siltstones, sandstone and quartzites. Slope instability mechanisms generally involve sliding along bedding planes combined with joints or faults acting as release planes.