Some new aspects of metallogeny of the Bohemian Massif (Central Europe)

Abstract

The paper gives a summary and generalization based on the author's extensive studies of the metallogeny of the Bohemian Massif in Central Europe, presented in several papers and in an unpublished 1,500-page report (Bernard et al., 1990). Two principal units are distinguished in the metallogenic province of the Bohemian Massif: the Bohemian-Moravian metallogenic zone and the Thuringian-Saxonian-Lower Silesian metallogenic zone, separated from each other by the deep-seated Litomerice fault (Fig. 1). Within each of these two zones, several metallogenic subzones have been defined. The intensity of mineral development of the subzones (Nos. 1-9), from the Precambrian through the Quaternary, has been determined (Fig. 2). The paper focuses on and compares three hydrothermal vein systems associated with the Variscan orogeny: 1 - The Lower Permian vein-type Fe-Zn-Pb-(Ag-Cu) sulfide mineralization referred to as the k-pol association. These are large ore deposits preferentially occurring in anticline structures, connected with intrusion of middle-Variscan granite massifs. Here belongs, in particular, the Kutna Hora and the Havlickuv Brod districts in Bohemia, and the Freiberg district in Saxony (Germany). The predominant strike of large ore veins is NE-SW and NNE-SSW (Fig. 6). 2 - The Lower Permian vein-type Pb-Zn-(Ag-Cu) sulfide mineralization, referred to as the pol-association. The deposits are characteristically bound on principal deep-seated sutures and fault system striking NNE-SSW to ENE-WSW and on feather structures connected with them. Here belongs the Pribram ore district in central Bohemia, the deposits along the Blanice and Jihlava sutures, a. o. (Fig. 7). 3 - The Triassic (?) vein-type Pb-Zn mineralization, referred to as the p-pol association is essentially bound on one extensive zone in western Bohemia, generally striking NW-SE to NNW-SSE (Fig. 8). The strike of the differently old ore veins of the k-pol, pol, and p-pol associations shows a tendency to change from NE-SW to NW-SE, i.e. anti-clockwise, the same tendency as observed in the Freiberg District in Saxony (Fig. 9). From the regional distribution of the above three types of Variscan mineralizations of special interest is that the anticlines with the associated ore-deposits of the k-pol association do not extend to the east beyond the major NW-SE trending regional boundary called the Elbe or Dlouha mez lineament (Fig. 6). A discussion is given in the text.