Early-Archaean (3.26 Ga) volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits located within the low strain and sub-prehnite- pumpellyite metamorphic-grade Strelley greenstone belt, East Pilbara, Western Australia, contain exceptionally well
preserved sulphide textures which are directly analogous to those of sulphide chimneys formed by black smokers at present- day submarine hydrothermal vents. The VMS deposits are associated with seafloor alteration zones in and below silica- carbonate laminites, at the top of tholeiitic to calc-alkaline intermediate and felsic rocks. VMS mineralisation comprises
stratabound Zn-rich sulphide lenses with significant Cu and barite, and variable Pb and Ag, above Cu-rich stringer zones,
all of which are similar to Phanerozoic polymetallic or Kuroko VMS deposits. Sulphide-sulphate mineralisation implicates
hydrothermal discharge into sulphate-bearing ocean waters, ruling out a globally anoxic Archaean hydrosphere. The volcanic
rocks and co-magmatic sub-volcanic intrusion hosting the VMS deposits are characterised by the conjunction of
LILE>LREE>HREE, and Phanerozoic La/Yb with negative normalised anomalies of Nb, P and Ti, consistent with
derivation via subduction zone hydrous metasomatism fusing the mantle lithosphere.