Olympic dam in test tube: Critical experiments and theory for understanding Fe-Cu-U-REE in hydrothermal fluids and during fluid-rock interaction

Olympic Dam (OD) is a supergiant CU-U-Au-Ag-REE ore deposit, containing more than a trillion AU$ worth of metals, and hosted by hematite-rich breccia in South Australia. Yet, key aspects of the geochemistry of OD-style deposits remain poorly understood. We will conduct innovative experiments to address the role for fluorine in Fe, U and REE transport at OD, and the role of fluid-rock interaction in generating the unusually oxidised FE-Cu mineral assemblages and in controlling U grades and distribution. The fundimental information gained will underpin intense on-going research aimed at discovering new OD-style orebodies and at creating new ore-processing technology that are environmentally sustainable and able to access lower-grade ores.