MINERALIZATION STYLES PRESENT AT THE HAILE GOLD MINE, SC

Mineralization textures can provide key information for determining the formation of ore deposits. Deposits that occur across sizable areas, have been telescoped during their development or that have complex histories can exhibit conflicting textures. The textures observed at the Haile gold mine demonstrate such complications. The Haile mine was discovered in 1827 and has produced an estimated 360,000 ounces of gold making it the second largest producer in the Southeastern US. The deposit now contains a reserve of 2.0 million ounces (moz), an inclusive measured and indicated resource of 4.0 moz and an inferred resource of 0.8 moz. Although the gold mineralization at Haile is characterized by well bedded host rocks, strata-bound replacement zones of massive silicification, disseminated fine grained pyrite and accessory molybdenite, variations do exist. Late quartz veins are common, are most often barren of gold, but phenomenal exceptions have been encountered in drilling. It is not determined if these mineralized veins were formed by remobilization during metamorphism and deformation, or if they represent epithermal feeder systems to the replacement style mineralization. Massive zones of pyrite have also been observed and pyrite stringer veins are common within most zones. Base metal sulfides other than molybdenite are locally present but are not common. Hydrothermal breccias are associated with intensely silicified zones and can show multiple pulses of silica addition. Contrasting styles of mineralization may be indicative of changing ore forming systems across the deposit, changing conditions during mineralization or from remobilization during subsequent deformation. Examples of these textures are presented.