Investigations into sulfide mineralization at Mount Isa, Queensland [discussion]

With reference to a paper by Solomon (for reference, see this Bibliography Vol. 30), it is pointed out that it is not necessary to invoke the same processes to explain both the coarseness of sulfides in regions of plastic deformation (axial regions of folds) and the exsolution of chalcopyrite from the sphalerite of veins. High pressure alone would tend to retard recrystallization, whereas deformation would tend to activate it. Fracture fillings occur in both deformed and undeformed rocks, so their coarse grain and chalcopyrite exsolution probably have nothing to do with deformation.

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