Abstract
The Maria Cristina Zn-Pb skarn deposit, hosted by carbonate rocks of the Lower Cretaceous Chanarcillo Group in northern Chile, is described to provide a basis of comparison to adjacent (~2 km) barite deposits and regional Pb-Zn and Ba deposits with Mississippi Valley-type affinities. Strongly retrograded garnet (andradite to Ad30Gr70), diopsidic pyroxene, and epidote skarn, and barite-bearing massive sulfides (sphalerite-pyrite-galena-marcasite-magnetite) occur at the contact of potassically altered diorite porphyry of mid-Cretaceous age. The skarn mineral compositions, similar to those of Cu skarns, may reflect emplacement in a high f O2 context. Sulfur isotope values of sulfides (–8.8 to +7.1‰) and barite (14.0–26.1‰) indicate disequilibrium conditions and different sulfur sources, including magmatic sulfur. Lead isotope ratios of galena and strontium isotope ratios of barite indicate a similar metal reservoir for the different ore deposit types, constituted by the intercalated Lower Cretaceous volcanic rocks or mid-Cretaceous intrusive rocks. 40Ar/39Ar dating of hydrothermal K feldspar suggests an age between 94 and 90 Ma for the mineralization.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
