The Kalguty complex deposit, the Gorny Altai: Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics and fluid regime of ore formation

Abstract

The results of detailed mineralogical, geochemical, and thermobarogeochemical studies of the Kalguty complex greisen deposit are presented. The chemical compositions of ore veins, greisens, and other geological bodies have been determined. A wide range of chemical elements from Li to U (48 elements, including noble metals and REE) has been determined in ore minerals. Graphite in association with quartz and sulfides was identified in ore veins for the first time. Graphite is enriched in a light carbon isotope. The δ13C value varies from −26.3 ± 0.4 to −26.6 ± 0.3‰. High Au, Ag, Hg, Te, Sb, Bi, Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe, and S contents were detected in graphite grains with a microprobe. The graphite content increases regularly with depth; the spatial correlation of graphite with W, Mo, Cu, Au, Pt, Pd, and other metals is established. The highest Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, and Os contents are characteristic of minor intrusions of albitized granite porphyry (γπ2J1vk), intramineral dikes of hydrothermally altered kalgutite (γπ3J1vk), ore veins, their greisen selvages, and autonomous ore-bearing greisen bodies of the Mo stock type. Gold occurs in native form, while silver is contained largely in sulfides and sulfosalts. High PGE contents are characteristic of pyrite, wolframite, and molybdenite. The major components of fluid inclusions in quartz (H2O, CO2, CO, and H2) have been studied, as well as hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H6, C3H8, C4H10, C5H12, C6H14, C2H2, and C2H4) contained therein. Two-phase fluid inclusions are predominant, while single-and three-phase inclusions are less abundant. The homogenization temperatures of primary and secondary inclusions are 290–340 and 140–160°C, respectively. The concentration of dissolved salts (NaCl and KCl) in two-phase inclusions amounts to 11.6–14.0%. The H2O and CO2 contents decrease with depth, whereas the CO, H2, and HC concentrations increase in the same direction. Graphite is regarded as a product of reactions with participation of fluid (gas) components. The ore mineralization was formed under contrasting conditions related to the oxidation of a primary reduced deep metalliferous fluid.