REE geochemistry and mineralogy of ores from the Talgan Cu-Zn massive sulfide deposit, South Urals

Abstract

The high REE contents (57,23-561,2 ppm) of thin-layered sulfide ores of the Talgan Cu-Zn massive sulfide deposit (South Urals) are related to the presence of REE minerals: galgenbergite, parisite, bastnesite, synchysite and xenotime, which were found for the first time in massive sulfide deposits of the Urals. These minerals occur in quartz-carbonate-chlorite matrix of sulfide layers, as well as pyrite nodules and sub- and euderal crystals. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns are enriched in LREEs relatively to HREEs and the presence of weak negative cerium and positive europium anomalies. The LREE contents decrease by an order of magnitude and the LREE and HREE contents become similar with decreasing amount of hyaloclastic material in sulfide layers. The REEs for the formation of REE minerals are derived from mixed carbonate-hyaloclastic and ore material during the formation of layered sulfide ores.