CHARAKTERYSTYKA RELIKTOWEJ MINERALIZACJI KRUSZCOWEJ W ZACHODNIEJ CZĘŚCI OBSZARU ZŁOŻOWEGO RADWANICE (POŁUDNIOWO-ZACHODNIA CZĘŚĆ ZŁOŻA LUBIN-SIEROSZOWICE)

Abstract

CHARACTERISTIC OF RELICT MINERALIZATION IN THE NORTHERN PART OF RADWANICE COPPER FIELD (SW PART OF LUBIN-SIEROSZOWICE DEPOSIT) Abstract. The paper presents the characteristics of relict mineralization in the lowermost Zechstein sediments based on core material from wells located in the western part of the Radwanice copper field. The occurrence and distribution of mineralization in the lowermost Zechstein sediments is closely associated with a range of different geochemical zones. Particularly important for the interpretation of mineralization processes is the presence of the transition zone occurring between reduced and oxidized rocks. The main attributes of the transition zone are the occurrence of intermediate features between the oxidized zone and the reduced facies, and the presence of relict mineralization accompanied by iron oxides and hydroxides as well as native gold. As a result of detailed petrographic observations, using reflected light microscopy scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe, the following minerals were identified: bornite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, cinnabar, covellite, digenite, electrum, geerite, goethite, hematite, idaite, pyrite, siderite, spinocopite, tetraauricuprite, tiemannite, tetrahedrite, yarrowite and native gold. Relict nature of mineralization and coexistence of metal sulphides with iron oxides and hydroxides allows the conclusion that the transition zone was originally reduced. The nature of mineralization in the transition zone indicates changes in the physical and chemical conditions during the secondary mineralization process leading to remobilization of elements/metals contained in the primary mineralization.