Origin of fluids associated with Carlin-type ore systems

Many authors have attributed the fluid origins for Carlin-type ore deposits to
basinal or meteoric fluids; however, the data from most of these studies have come
from near-surface, oxidized deposits. Stable isotope analyses of kaolinite from
deeper-level Carlin-type systems where arsenian pyrite/marcasite are present in association
with high-grade (>0.4opt Au) gold and with intimate association to shallow,
mineralized glassy rhyolites present indisputable evidence that a deep-sourced fluid,
here interpreted as magmatic, is responsible for ore fluid generation and related
wallrock alteration.