Golden Blocks Goldfield, Tasman Region, New Zealandi
| Regional Level Types | |
|---|---|
| Golden Blocks Goldfield | Ore Field |
| Tasman Region | Region |
| New Zealand | Country |
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Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
40° 41' 48'' South , 172° 25' 37'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
Locality type:
Köppen climate type:
The Golden blocks goldfield covers an area of some 20sq kilometres.
The goldfield is bounded to the west and south by the Sandhills Creek, to the east by the Big Slaty Creek, and north by Lake Otuhie. The area is a jumble of low hills, thick scrub and forest, incised by creeks forming gorges. The nearest town is Mangarakau, 8 kilometres to the north-east. Access to the area is not easy.
Gold was first discovered in Slaty Creek by a group of Maori's in 1881. There was subsequent alluvial gold mining in the Malone, Tinnies, Cockabully and Independent streams in the area.
By 1884, interest had switched to the open pit (cast) mining of gold in cement (hardened clay) bordering Slaty Creek. Shortly after the gold was traced to quartz lodes, the first opened being the Golden Ridge Mine, with several companies then opening subsequent mines until activity ceased in 1914.
Most of the mines are found along the north-south trending Mine Fault, at 2.5 kilometres in length. Gold is found in quartz veins, with sparse sulphides, in slightly metamorphosed, complex deformed Lower Ordovician sandstone and mudstone. Some of the quartz veins cut elongated zones of microcrystalline quartz and graphite, carbonate and micaeous minerals. Muscovite, sericite, dolomite, siderite and chlorite are common minerals in the quartz, while ankerite is sparse. Quartz grains often contain fluid inclusions.
The clay mineral dickite forms sparse euhedral crystals, or irregular masses with mudstone, often filling fractures. Dolomite is often associated with pyrite, as small euhedra, and irregular shaped masses. Arsenopyrite has been found in places on the goldfield, with dolomite, pyrite, sphalerite and clay, and occasionally marcasite.
Select Mineral List Type
Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical ElementsCommodity List
This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded from this region.Mineral List
Mineral list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities15 valid minerals.
Rock Types Recorded
Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!
Rock list contains entries from the region specified including sub-localities
Select Rock List Type
Alphabetical List Tree DiagramDetailed Mineral List:
| ⓘ Ankerite Formula: Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
| ⓘ Arsenopyrite Formula: FeAsS Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
| ⓘ Calcite Formula: CaCO3 Reference: Soong, R., Olivecrona, J.A. (1975) An occurrence of cymrite in black shale, North-west Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Mineralogical Magazine, 40, 311-312.
|
| ⓘ 'Chlorite Group' Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
| ⓘ Copper Formula: Cu Reference: Christie, A.B., Brathwaite, R.L. (1997) Mineral commodity report 14-Gold. New Zealand Mining 21:21-40.
|
| ⓘ Cymrite Formula: BaAl2Si2(O,OH)8 · H2O Reference: Soong, R., Olivecrona, J.A. (1975) An occurrence of cymrite in black shale, North-west Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Mineralogical Magazine, 40, 311-312.
Railton, G.L., Watters, W.A. (1990) Minerals of New Zealand, New Zealand Geological Survey Bulletin No. 104.
|
| ⓘ Dickite Formula: Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
| ⓘ Dolomite Formula: CaMg(CO3)2 Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
| ⓘ Gold Formula: Au Localities: Reported from at least 10 localities in this region. Reference: Christie, A.B., Brathwaite, R.L. (1997) Mineral commodity report 14-Gold. New Zealand Mining 21:21-40.
|
| ⓘ Graphite Formula: C Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
| ⓘ Marcasite Formula: FeS2 Reference: Christie, A.B., Brathwaite, R.L. (1997) Mineral commodity report 14-Gold. New Zealand Mining 21:21-40.
|
| ⓘ 'Mica Group' Reference: Soong, R., Olivecrona, J.A. (1975) An occurrence of cymrite in black shale, North-west Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Mineralogical Magazine, 40, 311-312.
|
| ⓘ Muscovite Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 Localities: Reference: Soong, R., Olivecrona, J.A. (1975) An occurrence of cymrite in black shale, North-west Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Mineralogical Magazine, 40, 311-312.
|
| ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite Formula: K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 Reference: Soong, R., Olivecrona, J.A. (1975) An occurrence of cymrite in black shale, North-west Nelson, South Island, New Zealand. Mineralogical Magazine, 40, 311-312.
|
| ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
| ⓘ Pyrite Formula: FeS2 Localities: Reference: Christie, A.B., Brathwaite, R.L. (1997) Mineral commodity report 14-Gold. New Zealand Mining 21:21-40.
|
| ⓘ Quartz Formula: SiO2 Localities: Reference: Christie, A.B., Brathwaite, R.L. (1997) Mineral commodity report 14-Gold. New Zealand Mining 21:21-40.
|
| ⓘ Siderite Formula: FeCO3 Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
| ⓘ Sphalerite Formula: ZnS Reference: Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
|
Gallery:
List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification
| Group 1 - Elements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ⓘ | Copper | 1.AA.05 | Cu |
| ⓘ | Gold | 1.AA.05 | Au |
| ⓘ | Graphite | 1.CB.05a | C |
| Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts | |||
| ⓘ | Arsenopyrite | 2.EB.20 | FeAsS |
| ⓘ | Marcasite | 2.EB.10a | FeS2 |
| ⓘ | Pyrite | 2.EB.05a | FeS2 |
| ⓘ | Sphalerite | 2.CB.05a | ZnS |
| Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides | |||
| ⓘ | Quartz | 4.DA.05 | SiO2 |
| Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates | |||
| ⓘ | Ankerite | 5.AB.10 | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| ⓘ | Calcite | 5.AB.05 | CaCO3 |
| ⓘ | Dolomite | 5.AB.10 | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| ⓘ | Siderite | 5.AB.05 | FeCO3 |
| Group 9 - Silicates | |||
| ⓘ | Cymrite | 9.EG.05 | BaAl2Si2(O,OH)8 · H2O |
| ⓘ | Dickite | 9.ED.05 | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| ⓘ | Muscovite | 9.EC.15 | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| ⓘ | var. Illite | 9.EC.15 | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
| ⓘ | var. Sericite | 9.EC.15 | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc. | |||
| ⓘ | 'Chlorite Group' | - | |
| ⓘ | 'Mica Group' | - | |
List of minerals for each chemical element
| H | Hydrogen | |
|---|---|---|
| H | ⓘ Cymrite | BaAl2Si2(O,OH)8 · H2O |
| H | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| H | ⓘ Dickite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| C | Carbon | |
| C | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| C | ⓘ Graphite | C |
| C | ⓘ Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| C | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| C | ⓘ Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| O | Oxygen | |
| O | ⓘ Cymrite | BaAl2Si2(O,OH)8 · H2O |
| O | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| O | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| O | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| O | ⓘ Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| O | ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| O | ⓘ Dickite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| Mg | Magnesium | |
| Mg | ⓘ Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| Mg | ⓘ Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| Al | Aluminium | |
| Al | ⓘ Cymrite | BaAl2Si2(O,OH)8 · H2O |
| Al | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
| Al | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Al | ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Al | ⓘ Dickite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| Si | Silicon | |
| Si | ⓘ Cymrite | BaAl2Si2(O,OH)8 · H2O |
| Si | ⓘ Quartz | SiO2 |
| Si | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
| Si | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Si | ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Si | ⓘ Dickite | Al2(Si2O5)(OH)4 |
| S | Sulfur | |
| S | ⓘ Marcasite | FeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| S | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| S | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| K | Potassium | |
| K | ⓘ Muscovite var. Illite | K0.65Al2.0[Al0.65Si3.35O10](OH)2 |
| K | ⓘ Muscovite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| K | ⓘ Muscovite var. Sericite | KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 |
| Ca | Calcium | |
| Ca | ⓘ Calcite | CaCO3 |
| Ca | ⓘ Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
| Ca | ⓘ Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| Fe | Iron | |
| Fe | ⓘ Marcasite | FeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Pyrite | FeS2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Siderite | FeCO3 |
| Fe | ⓘ Ankerite | Ca(Fe2+,Mg)(CO3)2 |
| Fe | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| Cu | Copper | |
| Cu | ⓘ Copper | Cu |
| Zn | Zinc | |
| Zn | ⓘ Sphalerite | ZnS |
| As | Arsenic | |
| As | ⓘ Arsenopyrite | FeAsS |
| Ba | Barium | |
| Ba | ⓘ Cymrite | BaAl2Si2(O,OH)8 · H2O |
| Au | Gold | |
| Au | ⓘ Gold | Au |
References
Sort by
Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)Christie, A.B., Brathwaite, R.L. (1997) Mineral commodity report 14-Gold. New Zealand Mining 21:21-40.
Burgess, A.W. (1978) Gold Mineralization at the Golden Blocks Gold Field. MSc in Geology thesis, University of Canterbury (unpublished).
Localities in this Region
- Tasman Region
- Golden Blocks Goldfield
- Tasman Region
- Golden Blocks Goldfield
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