Abstract: The Mars property occurs on the southwestern margin of the Teslin Crossing pluton, a composite intrusion of intermediate, alkalic composition that was emplaced into sedimentary rocks of the Middle Jurassic Tanglefoot formation at about 175 Ma. Exposed alteration and mineralization define a northwest-trending zone 2.8 by 1.5 km. New field and petrographic data document a core zone dominated by sodic and magnetite-rich alteration, surrounded by more extensive calc-potassic alteration; each assemblage contains disseminated and fracture-hosted copper-gold mineralization. Subzones of younger quartz veins with strong copper-molybdenum±gold mineralization are widely distributed. Sericitic and propylitic alteration is minor and weakly mineralized. The system has low sulphide mineral content with a high ratio of chalcopyrite to pyrite. Hornfels in the Tanglefoot formation has stronger pyrite-pyrrhotite and also carries copper-gold mineralization. The Mars system is a silica-oversaturated alkalic copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry deposit with strong similarities to the Cadia and Goonumbla deposits in Australia.

Authors: Lang, J.R. and McClaren, M.

Keywords: igneous petrology, mineral potential

NTS Mapsheet(s): 105E07

Citation: Lang, J.R. and McClaren, M., 2004. Hydrothermal alteration, mineralization and exploration potential of the Mars alkalic copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry occurrence, Laberge map area (105E/7), Yukon. In: Yukon Exploration and Geology 2003, Emond, D.S. and Lewis, L.L. (eds.), Yukon Geological Survey, p. 261-269.

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