A reappraisal of lead isotope investigations of gold deposits in Zimbabwe.

Previously published lead isotopic data on galenas from gold deposits in Zimbabwe have been re-examined in the light of our present knowledge of the regional geology and lithostratigraphy of the greenstone belts in Zimbabwe, coupled with an improved understanding of the nature of the gold mineralizations and of 'plumbotectonics'. Galena and other lead minerals commonly occur in vein-type gold deposits and often are associated with the gold. It is argued that the lead and gold in these deposits are derived from the same source and thus conclusions from the Pb isotopic data regarding the early crustal history of the lead may have a bearing on the source of the gold. -from Authors