Abstract
The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) is recognized as having one of the major concentrations of volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits on Earth. Original resources of about 2000 Mt of massive sulfides have been reported in the province. Recent classifications have considered the IPB deposits as the bimodal siliciclastic subtype, although major differences can be recognized among them. The main ones concern the hosting rocks. To the north, volcanic and volcaniclastic depositional environments predominate, whereas to the south, black shale-hosted VMS prevail. The mineral composition is quite simple, with pyrite as the main mineral phase, and sphalerite, galena, and chalcopyrite as major components. A suite of minor minerals is also present, including arsenopyrite, tetrahedrite–tennantite, cobaltite, Sb–As–Bi sulfosalts, gold, and electrum. Common oxidized phases include magnetite, hematite, cassiterite, and barite. The spatial relationship between all these minerals provides a very rich textural framework. A careful textural analysis reported here leads to a general model for the genetic evolution of the IPB massive sulfides, including four main stages: (1) Sedimentary/diagenetic replacement process on hosting rocks; (2) sulfides recrystallization at rising temperature; (3) metal distillation and sulfides maturation related to late Sb-bearing hydrothermal fluids; and (4) metal remobilization associated with the Variscan tectonism. The proposed model can provide new tools for mineral exploration as well as for mining and metallurgy.
Highlights
The genetic model for volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits has been well developed in classic papers [1,2,3,4,5]
Sáez et al [11,23,31] and Almodóvar et al [18] proposed that this metal source was related to large volumes of both sea- and connate-water trapped in the underlaying volcanoclastic and sedimentary pile. This authors [11] proposed a hybrid model, between both sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) and VMS deposits applies to the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB), with subseafloor formation of sulfide deposits
The present study addresses for the first time the global mineralogical and textural features associated with the evolution of VMS
Summary
The genetic model for volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits has been well developed in classic papers [1,2,3,4,5]. Geodynamic interpretations suggest that during the Late Devonian–Mississippian the IPB was affected by a period of regional extension with the breakdown and compartmentation of Late Devonian homogeneous basin and the beginning of the volcanic activity [26,27] This paleogeographic environment favored the generation of hydrothermal systems, and the formation of the massive sulfide deposits [10]. Sáez et al [11,23,31] and Almodóvar et al [18] proposed that this metal source was related to large volumes of both sea- and connate-water trapped in the underlaying volcanoclastic and sedimentary pile This authors [11] proposed a hybrid model (called Iberian Type), between both sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) and VMS deposits applies to the IPB, with subseafloor formation of sulfide deposits. The results and evolution model presented here are significant for VMS exploration because they explain the ore shoot formation mechanisms in dominant pyrite mineralizations
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