Zn–Pb–Cu volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits: criteria for distinguishing brine pool-type from black smoker-type sulphide deposition

Abstract

Eight Zn–Pb–Cu massive sulphide deposits that appear to have formed on the sea floor (seven in Spain, one in Tasmania) are believed to have been precipitated in brine pools, based on the salinities and temperatures of fluid inclusions in underlying stockworks. Comparing the geological features of these deposits with those of the Zn–Pb–Cu massive sulphide ores of the Hokuroku Basin, Japan, which have formed as mounds from buoyant fluids of low salinity, shows that brine pool deposits have: (1) potentially very large size and tonnage, and high aspect ratio, (2) higher Zn/Cu and Fe/Cu values, (3) no evidence of chimneys, (4) relatively abundant framboidal pyrite and primary mineral banding, (5) reduced mineral assemblages (pyrite-arsenopyrite/pyrrhotite), and minor or rare barite in the massive sulphide, (6) associated stratiform and/or vein carbonates, (7) relatively unimportant zone refining, (8) lack of vertical variation in sphalerite and sulphur isotopic compositions, and (9) evidence of local bacterial sulphate reduction. Application of these criteria to the Rosebery deposit in Tasmania, for which there are no fluid inclusion data, leads to the conclusion that the southern section was deposited as separate lenses in a brine-filled basin or basins. Other potential candidates include Brunswick no. 12 and Heath Steele (Canada), Woodlawn and Captains Flat (New South Wales), Hercules and Que River (Tasmania), and Tharsis and the orebodies at Aljustrel (Spain and Portugal). Recently published fluid inclusion data for Gacun (China) and Mount Chalmers (Queensland) suggest that not all ores deposited from highly saline fluids have reduced mineral assemblages.