Těžké minerály rozsypových ložisek zlata vázaných na khantaishirský ofiolitový komplex poblíž měst Altaj a Khaliun (jihozápadní Mongolsko)

Abstract

Detailed morphological and chemical studies of heavy minerals from two localities fluvial sediments in the area of the khantaishir ophiolitic complex near the towns Altai and Khaliun (Southwestern Mongolia) allowed the interpretation possible source region for the gold. The heavy mineral spectrum from the sediments near the Altai town is dominated by magnetite (32 %), chromite (27 %), epidote (11 %), apatite (6 %), and clinopyroxene (5 %). We assume that these minerals come from the ultrabasic and basic igneous rocks in the Neoproterozoic khantaishir ophiolitic complex. The relatively undeformed and three-dimensional shape of gold particles indicating short distance their transport. Rare is native gold enclosed in dolomite or quartz, which indicates that potential gold sources are listvenite. The heavy mineral spectrum from the fluvial sediments in the small creek near the Khaliun town is different. The studied sample includes magnetite (31 %), amphibole (19 %), zircon (18 %), pyrite (13 %), apatite (5 %), epidote (4 %), titanite (4 %), clinopyroxene (2 %), monazite (1 %), ilmenite (1 %), garnet (1 %), and barite (0.1 %). Large variations in the mineral composition heavy mineral spectrum indicate a wide source area which includes basic to intermediate igneous rocks Cambrian-Ordovician Ikh-Mongol Arc System and medium-grade metamorphic rocks (metapelite). The subspherical rounded shape of the gold particles indicates fluvial transport. In the case of small and geologically simple drainage area as creek near the Altai town represents heavy minerals a good tool for determination of the origin of placer gold. There is a contrast between the heavy mineral spectrum from the localities near the Altai and Khaliun towns. The shape of gold particles as well as a simple heavy mineral spectrum from sediments near the Altai indicates short transport from the limited draining area (approximately 6 km2). Gold probably originating from the ultramafic rocks (listvenite), according to associated dolomite and simple spectrum of heavy minerals. Whereas the origin of gold from the placer deposits near Khalinun remains unclear and most probably could originate from the hydrothermal veins in intermediate or basic igneous rocks (presence of barite associated with abundant pyrite).