Supergene geochemistry of the Endeavor ore body, Cobar, NSW, and relationships to other deposits in the Cobar Basin

![CDATA[The Endeavor lead-zinc-silver deposit (previously called the Elura deposit) is located approximately 45 kilometres NNW of Cobar and is currently the largest operating mine in the Cobar Basin. The deposit was discovered in 1974 and is presently being mined via underground methods. Limited mining at the base of the oxidized zone occurred during the mid 1980s and early 1990s, with ore from this zone containing very high grades of silver along with appreciable lead, copper and gold (Schmidt 1990). As with the majority of deposits in the Cobar Basin, the nature of the supergene mineralogy at this deposit is not well understood, although several publications have appeared concerning it (Chapman & Scott 2005, Scott 1987, 1994, Scott & Taylor 1987, 1989, Taylor et al. 1984). The present study has identified an extensive suite of secondary minerals, many exotic, and many which have not previously been reported from the deposit. A thorough investigation of the assemblage is a vital first step in modelling the chemistry of the supergene zone. This in turn can lead to a better understanding of the formation of geochemical anomalies associated with “Cobar style” mineral deposits, and the chemical mechanisms responsible for them. Initial modelling of the deposit suggests that the supergene zone shows many similarities to that of the New Cobar Au-Cu deposit (McKinnon 2003, Leverett et al. 2003), and other deposits in the Cobar Basin.]]