Optical cathodoluminescence petrography, combined with SEM and LA-ICP-MS analyses: a case study from the Elatsite porphyry Cu-Au deposit

Abstract

In the present research, we have applied a combination of Cold-CL petrography with two in-situ techniques (SEM-EDS and LA-ICP-MS) to study quartz-pyrite-sericite veins with some carbonates from the Elatsite porphyry Cu-Au deposit. Based on Cold-CL images, we found out that these veins are formed during two stages: quartz-pyrite with sericite and later quartz-carbonate with chlorite. Together with the quartz and carbonates small amount of arsenian pyrite, hematite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena and apatite are precipitated. SEM-EDS and LA-ICP-MS allowed determining that the observed zoning of the pyrite from Q-Py stage is due to a variable Co and Ni content. Similarly, the zonal growth of calcite is due to variable Mn content. Pyrite and arsenian pyrite have different trace element composition. Arsenian pyrite has elevated Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Sb and Tl contents compared to the pyrite. The combination of the three techniques was essential for resolving temporal relationships between the minerals within quartz-pyrite-carbonate veins and changes of the composition of the pyrite from the quartz-pyrite-sericite to the later quartz-carbonate stage.