Abstract
Re–Os dating of molybdenite is an accurate means to date intrusions and intrusion-related ore deposits using the model age or isochron approach. But, molybdenite has a new niche in the greenschist- to granulite-facies metamorphic environment. Re–Os ages for metamorphic molybdenite may be used to construct regional metamorphic histories. Age significance and accuracy are established by analyzing multiple molybdenite separates extracted from single, petrographically-characterized molybdenite occurrences. In this study, twelve geologically distinct molybdenite-bearing samples from two small Mo districts in northern Sweden trace a 150 m.y. Paleoproterozoic Svecofennian metamorphic history from ∼1900 to 1750 Ma. These data reveal a little-known, widespread and protracted, Late Svecofennian anatexis in northern Sweden. The Kåtaberget Mo–(Cu, F) deposit is located in the Moskosel granite batholith north of the economically-renown Skellefte district. Four different molybdenite samples from outcrop at Kåtaberget indicate an intrusion age of 1895 ± 6 Ma with the formation of later pegmatite–aplite at 1875 ± 6 Ma. The Allebuoda (Björntjärn) and Munka Mo–(W) deposits in the Rappen district are represented by three outcrop and five drill core samples of molybdenite-bearing aplite–pegmatite–granite. These two deposits were previously described as intrusion-related Climax-type Mo mineralization. Re–Os ages for molybdenites from these deposits range from 1865 to 1750 Ma and, significantly, Re concentrations are markedly low, extending to the sub-ppm level. Age agreement within the deposits is conspicuously lacking, whereas, with one exception, age agreement within any single sample (geologic occurrence), as established by analysis of additional molybdenite separates, is very good. These data, together with fundamental geologic observations discussed in this paper, suggest that Mo–(W) mineralization in northern Sweden is not intrusion-related, but the local product of episodic melting of Archean–Paleoproterozoic supracrustal gneisses related to the Svecofennian orogeny. Petrographic traverses across the boundary between widespread, foliation-parallel units of aplitic to pegmatitic pink granite and hosting biotite gneiss directly capture the process of ore formation. Dehydration breakdown of zircon-rich biotite aligned with the foliation in the gneiss is accompanied by formation of new pristine, post-deformational biotite plus sulfides, oxides, hydrothermal zircon and fluorite, all associated with microcline-dominant leucosomes. This process has profound implication for the traditional leucogranite, intrusion-related genesis attributed to the broad classification of Mo–W–Sn–base and precious metal mineralization (e.g., South Mountain Batholith, Nova Scotia; Okiep, Namaqualand, South Africa; Mactung, Yukon; Pogo–Liese, Tintina, Alaska; Carajás and Goiás–Rio Tocantins, Brazil; New England Batholith, NSW, Australia; Bergslagen, Sweden; Nevoria, Western Australia; Alpeinerscharte, Austria; Erzgebirge, Germany; Sardinia–Corsica Batholith). In addition to biotite, metallogenic contributions (e.g., Mo, W, Sn, U, Bi, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, Ni, Co, Au, Ag, Te, As, Sb, REE) in various combinations may also be controlled by breakdown of amphibole. In effect, the trace element composition of dehydrating or recrystallizing components in a gneissic rock essentially defines the local and district metallogenic suite. In the absence of focusing structures (e.g., shear zones, sheeted vein development), this process will generally form small and disconnected subeconomic deposits with erratic and unpredictable grades. Low Re content in associated molybdenite is a key indicator for a subeconomic origin by local melting of biotite gneiss (Mo–W) or muscovite schist (Sn–W).
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