Hydrothermal Breccias Research Articles

Archaean Gold Mineralization in an Extensional Setting: The Structural History of the Kukuluma and Matandani Deposits, Geita Greenstone Belt, Tanzania

Three major gold deposits, Matandani, Kukuluma, and Area 3, host several million ouncez (Moz) of gold, along a ~5 km long, WNW trend in the E part of the Geita Greenstone Belt, NW Tanzania. The deposits are hosted in Archaean volcanoclastic sediment and intrusive diorite. The geological evolution of the deposits involved three separate stages: (1) an early stage of syn-sedimentary extensional deformation (D1) around 2715 Ma; (2) a second stage involving overprinting ductile folding (D2–4) and shearing (D5–6) events during N-S compression between 2700 and 2665 Ma, coeval with the emplacement of the Kukuluma Intrusive Complex; and (3) a final stage of extensional deformation (D7) accommodated by minor, broadly east-trending normal faults, preceded by the intrusion of felsic porphyritic dykes at ~2650 Ma. The geometry of the ore bodies at Kukuluma and Matandani is controlled by the distribution of magnetite-rich meta-ironstone, near the margins of monzonite-diorite bodies of the Kukuluma Intrusive Complex. The lithological contacts acted as redox boundaries, where high-grade mineralization was enhanced in damage zones with higher permeability, including syn-D3 hydrothermal breccia, D2–D3 fold hinges, and D6 shears. The actual mineralizing event was syn-D7, and occurred in an extensional setting that facilitated the infiltration of mineralizing fluids. Thus, whilst gold mineralization is late-tectonic, ore zone geometries are linked to older structures and lithological boundaries that formed before gold was introduced. The deformation-intrusive history of the Kukuluma and Matandani deposits is near identical to the geological history of the world-class Nyankanga and Geita Hill deposits in the central part of the Geita Greenstone Belt. This similarity suggests that the geological history of much of the greenstone belt is similar. All major gold deposits in the Geita Greenstone Belt lack close proximity to crustal-scale shear zones; they are associated with intrusive complexes and volcanics that formed in an oceanic plateau rather than subduction setting, and formed late-tectonically during an extensional phase. They are not characteristic of typical orogenic gold deposits.

Geology, ore-forming fluid and genesis of the Qiucun gold deposit: Implication for mineral exploration at Dehua prospecting region, SE China

The Qiucun gold deposit, located in the central Fujian Province, is one of the most important gold producers at the Dehua prospecting region. The deposit is hosted in the Nanyuan Formation consisting of continental arc volcanic rocks, which belong to the Mesozoic coastal volcanic belt of south China. Gold ore bodies are controlled by a group of NE-NEE trending faults. Wall rock alteration shows that gold mineralization is closely associated with quartz (chalcedony)-illite-pyrite-calcite assemblages, in which pyrite is the dominate sulfides (>90%). Petrographic study of ore minerals shows that gold occurs as electrum grains of 2–65 μm in diameter, interstitially or in fractures within pyrite. EPMA analysis of electrum yielded compositions of 62–69 wt% Au and 28–33 wt% Ag. Fluid inclusions petrographic and microthermometric studies were carried out on auriferous quartz veins from three different elevations, i.e. 712 m, 742 m and 820 m above sea level. Two types of fluid inclusion were observed, namely two-phase liquid-rich (type I) and two-phase vapor-rich (type II) fluid inclusions. There inclusions are predominately aqueous inclusions but can sometimes contain minor CO2 and N2 as revealed by laser Raman analysis. Type I inclusions show homogenization temperatures (Th) of 181–248 °C, with salinities of 0.5–2.6 wt% NaCl equivalent. Type II inclusions display Th of 208–249 °C, with salinities of 0.5–0.9 wt% NaCl equivalent. The occurrence of platy calcite and hydrothermal breccias, together with coexisting type I and type II inclusions which shows similar homogenization temperatures but contrasting salinities, all indicate that fluid boiling is a crucial mechanism for ore deposition at the Qiucun gold deposit. Combining the geological settings, alteration, mineralization and fluid inclusion characteristics, we propose that the Qiucun gold deposit is a low-sulfidation epithermal deposit. The estimated pressure calculated by fluid inclusion boiling assemblages corresponds to a formation depth of 200 to 260 m below paleo-surface, which is slightly deeper than the current depth. Accordingly, the denudation thickness of the overlying Nanyuan volcanic rocks is supposed to be approximately 100 m since ore deposition, which is conductive to the preservation of epithermal ore deposit. It is therefore suggested that the large area of the Daiyunshan Volcanic Basin at Dehua district is of great potential for epithermal ore exploration.

Enrichment in critical metals (In-Ge) and Te-Se in epithermal deposits of the ‘La Carolina’ district, San Luis, Argentina

ABSTRACTEpithermal Au-Ag deposits of the La Carolina district, in the San Luis metallogenetic belt (Argentina), are related spatially and genetically to Mio-Pliocene volcanism. In this district, mineralization in the Cerro Mogote and Puesto La Estancia prospects occur as disseminations, veins and fracture/cavity infillings in volcanic/pyroclastic rocks, metamorphic basement and hydrothermal breccias. The gangue assemblage is dominated by carbonates (siderite, rhodochrosite, kutnahorite, dolomite). The main sulfides are pyrite, sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite. Pyrite and sphalerite have compositional zoning, the former with As-rich cores and Cu-rich overgrowths, the latter with Fe-rich and Fe-poor bands. Sphalerite shows variable contents of Mn, Cu, In, Ga, Ge and Ag. The In-richest sphalerite hosts up to 5940 ppm In but also contains elevated concentrations of Cu, Ag, Ga and Ge, suggesting a coupled substitution mechanism resulting in enrichments in monovalent (Ag+, Cu+) and trivalent-tetravalent cations (Ga3+, In3+, Ge4+). The main precious metal minerals are Ag-rich tetrahedrite, acanthite, argyrodite, pearceite–polybasite and Au-Ag alloy. Locally, Se and/or Te-enriched minerals include galena Pb(S0.9–1Se0.1–0), hessite Ag2(Te0.9–1Se0.1–0), Se-rich cervelleite Ag4(Te1.3–0.9S1–0.5Se0.5–0.2), and also alburnite [Ag8GeTe2S4] and benleonardite [Ag15Cu(As,Sb)2S7Te4]. Pearceite contains Te (3.6–4.3 wt.%) and Se (1–2.3 wt.%) substituting for S, which are unusually high concentrations for this mineral. The Puesto La Estancia deposit contains various tellurides including sylvanite, petzite, stutzite, altaite, tellurobismuthite and volynskite. This study shows that the chemistry of the fluids fluctuated during ore deposition suggesting different fluid pulses (system rejuvenation and/or boiling). The enrichment in Te, Se and Bi enrichment is supportive of a magmatic contribution to the ore fluid, while graphite in the metamorphic basement could be the source of germanium, although a magmatic source cannot be ruled out.

A 20 m.y. long-lived successive mineralization in the giant Dahutang W–Cu–Mo deposit, South China

The connection between prolonged granitic magmatism and the formation of giant tungsten (W) polymetallic deposits has long been disputed. In this study, we present 6 mica Ar–Ar plateau ages and 22 molybdenite Re–Os model ages data on the newly discovered giant Dahutang W–Cu–Mo deposit in South China, which is one of the largest W deposits in the world. New and published zircon U–Pb, mica Ar–Ar, and molybdenite Re–Os age data reveal that the Mesozoic Dahutang magmatism and mineralization occurred in two major periods: (1) the Late Jurassic (ca. 153–147 Ma), forming the hydrothermal breccia, large wolframite-bearing quartz vein, and scheelite-dominated disseminated/veinlet type orebodies, which is mainly associated with the emplacement of porphyritic biotite granite; (2) the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (ca. 146–130 Ma), forming the Cu–Mo–W ± Sn mineralization overprinting the Late Jurassic W–Mo ± Cu orebodies, which is mainly related to the successively emplacement of the Early Cretaceous granites. We suggest that continuous accumulation of mineralization for a long period of time (151–130 Ma) have contributed to the formation of the giant Dahutang deposit.

Trace Element Compositions of Pyrite from the Shuangwang Gold Breccias, Western Qinling Orogen, China: Implications for Deep Ore Prediction

The Shuangwang gold deposit, located in the Fengxian-Taibai fore-arc basin in the western Qinling Orogen of Central China, has yielded over 70 tons of gold. It is an orogenic gold deposit occurring in an NW-trending breccia belt. Most of the ores are hydrothermal breccia type containing fragments of adjacent strata cemented by ankerite and pyrite. Pyrite is the most abundant metallic mineral and the major gold-bearing mineral in the ores. A total of 58 pyrite samples from main ore bodies of the Shuangwang gold deposit have been analysed for 44 trace elements by HR-ICP-MS. Sb, Ba, Cu, Pb, Zn, Bi, Mo, Co are selected as indicator elements to investigate the potential usefulness of trace elements in pyrite as an indicator in gold exploration. The results show that the supra-ore halo elements Sb and Ba, which may have been more active than other near-ore halo elements and sub-ore halo elements, are best to characterize the shape of ore bodies. Five target areas are pointed out for deep ore exploration based on a comprehensive study of supra-ore, near-ore and sub-ore halos. This study provides evidence that trace elements in pyrite can be used to depict the deep extension of ore bodies and to vector towards undiscovered ore bodies.

Evolution of the Mineralizing Fluids and Possible Genetic Links between Miduk Porphyry Copper and Latala Vein Type Deposits, Kerman Copper Belt, South Iran

ABSTRACT The Cenozoic Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB) of Iran is a major host to porphyry Cu-Mo-Au deposits (PCDs), represented by the world-class Sarcheshmeh deposit and Miduk deposit in the south and the Sungun deposit in the north. Vein type, base and/or precious metal deposits are also common and some are spatially associated with PCDs. Latala and Chahmessi are vein type, base and precious metal deposits in the north and southwest Miduk deposit. The area is covered mainly by Paleocene-Eocene volcanic and pyroclastic rocks of basaltic, basaltic-andesitic and trachy-andesitic compositions, and minor marls and limestones. The volcanic and pyroclastic rocks are intruded by Miocene shallow intrusions of quartz diorite, quartz monzonite and granodiorite compositions.The rocks are host to a set of ore-bearing quartz veins. Mineralization in both the Chahmessi and Latala deposits are controlled by faults and fractures. The role of the ring structures and faults in the distribution of hydrothermal alteration zones and mineralization is important in the Latala deposit. In these veins, euhedral quartz with sulfide mineralization occurs as open space fillings, minor replacement bodies and hydrothermal breccia. The veins consist of quartz, calcite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, bornite and minor sulfosalts, particularly enargite. According to studies based on fluid inclusions in the Miduk porphyry, three types of fluids are responsible for mineralization. Homogenization temperatures and salinity in porphyry-type fluids vary from 566 to 162 °C and 61.3 to 1.2 wt% NaCl equiv. For the Latala vein type base and precious metals deposit, homogenization temperature and salinity vary from 380 to 131 °C and 10.6 to 0.17 wt% NaCl equiv. The gas phase in fluid inclusions of Latala is dominated by CO2 but also shows the presence of CO and H2, characterizing reducing conditions associated with ore deposition. The change from lithostatic to hydrostatic regime, boiling and fluid dilution associated with the introduction of meteoric fluids provides an explanation for the widespread Th and salinity data. Calculated pressure for examples of Miduk fluid inclusions varies from 700 to 200 bars. These pressures correspond to depths of 2500 to 1500 metres for porphyry mineralization. The three-phase fluid inclusions, corresponding to magmatic fluid, show the highest pressure. The Latala base and precious metals deposit has formed at pressures between 200 and 100 bars, corresponding to a depth of less than 1 km. Sphalerite mineralization occurs in shallow parts of the sedimentary-volcanic sequence from magmatic fluids diluted by meteoric fluids and also occurs in more distal parts of the porphyry. The sulphur isotopic composition for sulfide minerals varies between -9.8 and -1.0‰, which correspond to values of magmatic sulfur. This suggests that magmatic water was responsible for transportation of metals in Latala. Epithermal mineral precipitation occurred upon dilution of the low-salinity magmatic fluid with meteoric water, which entered the hydrothermal system as it cooled and successively diluted during continued magmatic fluid ascent.

Mineralogy, structural control and age of the Incachule Sb epithermal veins, the Cerro Aguas Calientes collapse caldera, Central Puna

The Incachule Sb epithermal veins is located near to the N-E rim of the Cerro Aguas Calientes collapse caldera (17.5–10.8 Ma), in the geologic province of Puna, Salta- Argentina. It is hosted in Miocene felsic volcanic rocks with continental arc signature. The district includes twelve vein systems with mineralization of Sb occurring in hydrothermal breccias and stockwork. The veins are composed of quartz-sulfide with pyrite, stibnite and arsenopyrite. All around the veins, wall rocks are variably altered to clay minerals and sulfates in an area of around 2.5 km wide by more than 7 km long. The hydrothermal alterations recognized are: silicic, phyllic and argillic.The veins are characterized by high contents of Sb, As, and Tl and intermediate contents of Pb-Zn-Cu, and traces of Ag and Au. Homogenization and ice-melting temperatures of fluid inclusions vary from 125 °C to 189 °C and −2.4 °C to −0.8 °C. The isotopic data indicated a range of δ34S −3.04‰ to +0.72‰ consistent with a magmatic source for sulfur.We present the firsts K-Ar ages for hydrothermal illite/smectite mixed layers (I/SR1, 60% illite layers) and illite that constrain the age of the ore deposit (8.5–6.7 ± 0.2 Ma).The data shown here, let characterized the Incachule district as a shallow low sulfidation epithermal system hosted in a collapse caldera. Our data also indicate that mineralization is structurally controlled by a fault system related to the 10.3 Ma collapse of Aguas Calientes caldera. The interpreted local stress field is consistent with the regional one.

Whole rock geochemistry, molybdenite Re-Os geochronology, stable isotope and fluid inclusion investigations of the Siah-Kamar deposit, western Alborz-Azarbayjan: New constrains on the porphyry Mo deposit in Iran

The Siah-Kamar porphyry Mo deposit, located in the western Alborz-Azarbayjan magmatic belt, is the first and largest Mo deposit in the Iran. This deposit is mainly hosted by an I-type, shoshonitic quartz monzonite to monzonite intrusion and also extends in the surrounding lower to middle Eocene volcanic rocks. The geochemical features of the Siah-Kamar intrusion show enrichment in large-ion lithophile elements (LILE) and light rare earth elements (LREE), and significant negative anomalies of Nb, Ta and Ti analogues to the magmas derived from metasomatized sub-continental mantle. Porphyry molybdenum mineralization is associated with potassic, sericitic, argillic, and propylitic alteration zones. Mineralization occurs in disseminated form, in veins/veinlets and in hydrothermal breccias. The main ore minerals comprise molybdenite, chalcopyrite and bornite. The Microthermometric analyses at Siah-Kamar deposit showed that the halite-bearing inclusions contain high salinity (30.9–60.7wt% NaCl eq.) with homogenization temperature ranging from 226°C to 397°C. The homogenization temperature of two phase liquid-rich inclusions range between 224°C and 375°C. The salinity of this type inclusions range from 0.6 to 7.5wt% NaCl equivalent. The two-phase vapor-rich fluid inclusions homogenized at 270°C to 397°C. The salinity of this type fluid inclusions lie within the range of 0.6 to 4.24wt% NaCl equivalent. Coexisting two phase V-rich and L-rich fluid inclusions in quartz associated with molybdenite provide evidence for boiling at 270°C to 400°C. The δ18Owater values of quartz in the molybdenite-bearing veins vary from +2.16 to +4.05‰, suggesting a magmatic origin for the ore-forming fluids. Re-Os isotopic dating of molybdenite indicated a mineralization age of 41.9±3.6Ma. The Re concentration in molybdenite suggests incorporation of mantle derived melt with crustal materials. The late Eocene magmatism along the western Alborz-Azarbayjan magmatic zone resulted from the Neo-Tethys subduction beneath the Iranian plateau. The Siah-Kamar monzonitic intrusion hosting the Mo deposit, could be considered asan example among the late Eocene intrusions within the western Alborz-Azarbayjan magmatic zone for any further exploration in this zone.

EPITHERMAL MANGANESE MINERALIZATION, KIMOLOS ISLAND, SOUTH AEGEAN VOLCANIC ARC, GREECE

Manganese mineralization is hosted by a marine monomictic, lithic volcaniclastic breccia, possibly an andesitic in situ hyaloclastite, and shallow-marine or subaerial epiclastic conglomerates, in the Korakies area, NE Kimolos, active south Aegean volcanic arc. Old mine workings (in the form of rubble, adit and shaft), and abandoned rail and ship loading facilities, exist in the area. Mineralization occurs as a quartz/chalcedony vein system filling extensional NNE-SSW–trending faults and fractures, of Pliocene age. Maximum vein width reaches 5 m; length may extend to 250 m. The ore shares strong textural analogies with volcanic-hosted epithermal-style deposits, i.e. crustiform banding, vugs, hydrothermal breccias, cockade and comb textures. Vein wall rocks are hydrothermally altered to quartz-adularia±illite, chlorite and barite. Pyrolusite, hollandite, cryptomelane, and coronadite are the main ore minerals, with quartz, chalcedony, jasper and barite gangue. Ore samples contain up to 25.8 % MnO2, 14.7 % FeOTOT, 2860 ppm Zn, 1132 ppm Pb and 136 ppm Cu; Mn and Zn show mutual positive correlation (r2=0.61). Trace element enrichment (i.e. Zn, Pb, and Cu) may suggest a proximal base metal sulfide mineralization. Concentrations of 4.3 % Na, 0.09 % Mg and barite presence may suggest genetic involvement of sea water. The mineralization studied is similar to volcanic-hosted low-sulfidation epithermal ore deposits deposited from neutral pH fluids. This is a rare example of a vein-type epithermal-style hydrothermal manganese deposit formed in a marine environment.

Delineating the structural controls on the genesis of iron oxide–Cu–Au deposits through implicit modelling: a case study from the E1 Group, Cloncurry District, Australia

Abstract Iron oxide–Cu–Au (IOCG) deposits encompass a range of ore body shapes, including strata-bound replacement ores and hydrothermal breccias. We use the implicit method to make a detailed three-dimensional geological model of a strata-bound IOCG in the Cloncurry District, the E1 Group, to elucidate structural controls on mineralization. This model is compared with the nearby, world-class, Ernest Henry breccia-hosted IOCG deposit. Cu–Au mineralization in the E1 Group occurs as structurally controlled, mainly strata-bound, replacement bodies hosted in metasedimentary and metavolcaniclastic rocks intercalated with barren meta-andesite. Replacement bodies in the E1 Group conform to a series of NNW-plunging folds formed in regional D 2 during peak metamorphism. Folding was followed by local D 3 /regional D 4 shortening, which formed a dextral, transpressional Riedel brittle to ductile system along the regional Cloncurry Fault Zone. Modelling suggests that much of the Cu–Au mineralization is controlled by synthetic R structures associated with this Riedel system. The deformation sequence at Ernest Henry is comparable, but differences in host rock rheology, permeability and fluid pressure may explain the variation in ore body types and total Cu–Au resource between the two deposits. The results carry implications for other districts containing these styles of IOCG mineralization.

Authigenic potassic silicates in the Rathdowney Trend, southwest Ireland: New perspectives for ore genesis from petrography of gangue phases in Irish-type carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb deposits

Petrographic studies of Zn-Pb ore zones hosted by Lower Carboniferous dolomitized Waulsortian reef limestones in the Rathdowney Trend reveal a paragenetic association between sphalerite and potassium silicates: (Ba, K)-feldspar, adularia, and albite as well as rare quartz, illite and phengite. The dominant mineral assemblage is composed of 1) sphalerite±(K,Ba) feldspar±pengite/illite near the putative feeder conduit for the Lisheen Main Zone, and 2) a sphalerite±pengite/illite assemblage distal to the major normal faults (NW of Main Zone, Island Zone and Rapla occurrence). In addition, clay minerals have been identified in fault gouges located at the interface between the Waulsortian reef and argillaceous limestone of the Ballysteen Formation. This mineral assemblage has provided additional constraints on the physico-chemical conditions of ore formation (eH, pH, sulfur and metal species). Another implication of the mineral assemblage, is a revision of fluid rock interaction processes, in which mineral solution-precipitation reactions are contributing to the development of hydrothermal breccias, with dolomitic black matrix breccias interpreted as a by-product of massive sulfide precipitation. Additionally, textural studies of the breccias through fractal dimension analysis of fragment geometry extracted from large scale scanning electron microscope element maps (1cm2 areas or more), indicates the prevalence of chemical brecciation-corrosion processes in the generation of the black matrix breccias. Integration of these new observations allows for comparison of ore forming processes across the Irish Midlands from the perspective of gangue mineralogy and may provide further links with classic Mississippi-type deposits from the mid-continent region of the United States of America.

Geology and geochemistry of the Early Permian Axi low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit in North Tianshan (NW China)

The Axi gold deposit containing 12Mt of ore with an average Au grade of 5g/t is the largest low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit in Chinese Tianshan. It is hosted by Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous continental arc volcanic rocks in the Tulasu volcanic-sedimentary Basin in North Tianshan (NW China). The orebody is controlled by annular and radial faults associated with volcanic crater, and later NW-trending faults. Four stages of ore-formation could be identified based on petrographic studies: (I) chalcedony; (II) gold-bearing pyrite-quartz veins and breccias; (III) gold-bearing marcasite-quartz-carbonate veins; and (IV) quartz±barite-calcite veins. Electrum precipitated in stage II (285–195°C, logfS2=−6.7 to −13) and stage III (190–95°C, logfS2=−15.8 to −25.6). The chalcedony formed in stage I is strongly enriched in LREE (La/Yb=4.5–36.2) compared with later gold-bearing pyrite-quartz veins and quartz±barite-calcite veins (La/Yb=1.2–2.0). O–H isotopic data indicate that fluid mixing is a major mechanism causing electrum precipitation in stage II. Hydrothermal breccias consisting of chalcedony, altered wall-rocks and gold-bearing pyrite-quartz veins (stage II) are cemented by gold-bearing marcasite-quartz-carbonate assemblages (stage III), which implies that brecciation plays an important role in stage III ore-formation.Re-Os isotopic analyses of gold-bearing pyrite samples yield an 187Re/188Os–187Os/188Os isochron age of 299±35Ma with an initial 187Os/188Os ratio of 0.57±0.37. K-Ar ages of four intensively sericitized andesitic wall rocks range between 286 and 293Ma. These Early Permian ages are much younger than the Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous host volcanic rocks, but overlap the age range of postcollisional granitoid in the Tulasu Basin. The Re-Os isotopic compositions and the ages suggest that mantle-derived components were involved in the Axi ore-forming system in a postcollisional setting.

Sulfide chemistry and sulfur isotope characteristics of the Cenozoic volcanic-hosted Kuh-Pang copper deposit, Saveh county, northwestern central Iran

The several-hundred-m-thick Eocene-Oligocene volcanic units in the Urmia-Dokhtar magmatic arc in northwestern Central Iran host stratabound and fault-controlled copper mineralization. The Kuh-Pang deposit (2.8Mt at 1.65wt% Cu, 0.52g/t Au, 34g/t Ag) has vein-style copper mineralization, with primary Cu-sulfides of chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite and digenite, and supergene Cu-sulfides of chalcocite, covellite, malachite and azurite, in a tectonic–hydrothermal breccia zone within rhyodacite and andesite flows. The mineralization is accompanied by a variety of alterations including silicic, carbonate, argillic and advanced argillic within a broad-scale propylitic halo. The main ore formation is related to hydrothermal breccias, and has a close association with silicic and argillic alterations. Sulfides formed during hydrothermal alteration, as indicated by: 1) the occurrence of disseminated sulfides in the groundmass of hydrothermally altered rocks, 2) the co-precipitation of sulfides and alteration minerals (e.g., kaolinite, alunite) in the cement of hydrothermal breccias, and 3) the occurrence of sulfides filling fissures and voids of hydrothermally altered rocks (vuggy quartz). The main mineralization stages include: (i) pre-ore stage with pyrite and arsenopyrite, (ii) main ore-stage with chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite I and digenite, and (iii) late-ore and supergene enrichment stage with chalcocite II and covellite. Electron microprobe analyses of pyrite show that As, Cu and Co are the most abundant minor elements. Back-scatter electron imaging of pyrite shows zoning features that closely reflect variations in the As/S ratio. High Cu concentration in pyrite is probably related to the presence of sub-micrometer particles and aggregates of chalcopyrite or other Cu-bearing sulfide minerals. Silver is preferentially enriched in supergene chalcocite and covellite. The mineral assemblage indicates a trend from intermediate to high sulfidation state, and arsenopyrite geothermometry defines temperatures for the pre-ore sulfides ranging from 250 to 370°C. The sulfur isotope composition of pre-ore pyrite and arsenopyrite shows a δ34S range of −1 to 3‰, indicating a magmatic sulfur-source. The copper sulfides have lower δ34S values (−9 to −3‰), indicating that the ore-forming fluids gradually became SO42−-enriched and relatively oxidized during Cu mineralization. The tectono-magmatic setting, mineral assemblage and hydrothermal alteration, including advanced argillic and silicic zones, suggest that the Kuh-Pang copper deposit is a high sulfidation epithermal deposit in a volcanic arc terrain.

Late Pliocene High-Sulfidation Epithermal Gold Mineralization at the La Bodega and La Mascota Deposits, Northeastern Cordillera of Colombia

La Bodega and La Mascota are Plio-Pleistocene high- to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal gold deposits hosted in Proterozoic gneisses and Mesozoic granites of the Santander massif, eastern Cordillera of Colombia and are part of the California-Vetas mining district. Coeval volcanic rocks are not recognized in the district and volumetrically minor granodiorite porphyries dated at 10.1 Ma are the only igneous rocks younger than Jurassic known from the vicinity of the epithermal deposits. As of 2010, La Bodega and La Mascota contained an inferred resource of 3.47 Moz Au, 19.2 Moz Ag, and 84.4 Mlbs Cu at a 2 g/t Au cut off. Mineralization exhibits NE-trending, NW-dipping structural control associated with the right lateral strike-slip La Baja fault. Mineralization at La Bodega is composed of vein networks and tectonic-hydrothermal breccias while at La Mascota it is largely contained in tabular, fault-controlled tectonic-hydrothermal breccia bodies. Alteration and sulfide assemblages can be assigned to six distinct hydrothermal episodes which comprise early porphyry-style phases and a late epithermal-style phase with up to four distinct stages. Porphyry phases comprise stages 1 and 2. Stage 1 is characterized by propylitic alteration with epidote, chlorite, calcite, specularite veins, minor pyrite, and chalcopyrite. Molybdenite from veins collected 0.7 km southwest of La Mascota yielded an Re-Os age of 10.14 Ma which constrains the age of stage 1. Stage 2 is related to a separate, younger magmatic-hydrothermal system and characterized by phyllic alteration (sericite-illite, quartz, pyrite) associated with quartz-pyrite veins and its age is constrained by 40 Ar/ 39 Ar geochronology on hydrothermal muscovite (i.e., sericite) to ~3.4 Ma. The epithermal phase comprises stages 3 through 6 and is related to multiphase hydrothermal breccia development and quartz-alunite alteration. Stage 3 is defined by presence of copper sulfides such as bornite, covellite, and chalcopyrite, stage 4 by wolframite, stage 5 by enargite, and stage 6 by sphalerite. Pyrite, quartz, and alunite are common to all epithermal stages. Residual vuggy quartz is scarce. Gold-silver mineralization took place during stages 3 through 5 with some gold introduced during stage 2. Alunite 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages constrain epithermal mineralization to between ~2.6 and ~1.6 Ma. Primary fluid inclusion assemblages representative of hydrothermal stages 4 and 5 contain liquid and vapor-rich inclusions and, together with quartz vein textures, suggest that boiling was an important ore-precipitating mechanism. Homogenization temperatures of these range from ~143° and 238°C and salinities from 0.5 to 5.6 wt % NaCl equiv. Pyrite δ 34 S ranges from −16.9 to −11.3‰ at La Mascota and −8.3 to −6.1‰ at La Bodega. The strongly negative sulfur isotope signature can be explained by fluid boiling or, alternatively, by biogenic sulfur source from the Proterozoic paragneisses. Based on δ 18 O and δ D data, alunite was precipitated from magmatic fluids and only stage 6 alunite shows clear evidence for mixing of the hydrothermal fluid with meteoric water.

The geology, petrology, and geochronology of the Archean Côté Gold large-tonnage, low-grade intrusion-related Au(–Cu) deposit, Swayze greenstone belt, Ontario, Canada

The Archean Côté Gold Au(–Cu) deposit is the first large gold deposit discovered in the Swayze greenstone belt of the Abitibi Subprovince. The deposit is a low-grade, large-tonnage type with a combined indicated and inferred resource of 8.65 M oz Au (245.2 t Au). The deposit is hosted by the Chester intrusive complex (CIC), a multiphase, subvolcanic intrusion composed of low-Al tonalite, diorite, and quartz diorite, plus magmatic and hydrothermal breccia bodies. The age of the tonalite and dioritic phases is constrained at 2741–2739 ± 1 Ma using high-precision isotope dilution – thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID–TIMS) U–Pb zircon geochronology. Although these phases are co-temporal and co-spatial, they appear to be petrogenetically unrelated. The CIC was emplaced into mafic metavolcanic rocks of the Arbutus Formation whose geochemistry reflects a back-arc environment. The tonalite of the CIC is coeval and co-genetic with the felsic to intermediate metavolcanic rocks of the Yeo Formation. Emplacement of the CIC into a shallow crustal level is inferred based on the incorporation of screens and inclusions of the Yeo Formation and is supported by the presence of textures in tonalite and dioritic rocks (e.g., granophyres, miarolitic cavities, and pegmatites), as well as Al-in-hornblende geobarometry results of ≤1.3 ± 0.6 kbars (1 kbar = 100 MPa). The CIC is petrologically similar to other subvolcanic, low-Al tonalite–trondhjemite–diorite intrusions that underlie volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS)-type deposits and which themselves may contain syn-intrusion mineralization. Several geochemically unrelated dykes and deformation events crosscut and postdate the CIC.

Geology, Geochemistry and Hydrothermal Fluid Characteristics of Low Sulfidation Epithermal Deposit in the Sangon Area, Kokap, Special Region of Yogyakarta

On the basis of the previous studies and reconnaissance survey in the studyarea covering Sangon, Kalirejo, Kokap Sub-district, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, it reveals some facts of the occurrence of quartz veins with massive, crustiform, comb, drusy cavity, saccharoidal, granular, and reniform/mammillated textures, the appearance of lattice bladed barite and hydrothermal breccia veins. Referring to those characteristics, the deposit type in the study area is interpreted to be low sulfidation epithermal type. This study is aimed to understand and characterize the geological condition, rock and ore geochemistry and the mineralizing fluids. The alteration and ore mineralization are almost observed in entire rock units particularly the intrusive andesite 1. Their formation is controlled by the tension fractures (NW–SE and NE–SW) which associate with sinistral strike slip faults (NE–SW), dilational jog (NNW–SSE), oblique normal fault (WNW–ESE), and predictable normal fault at the NE of study area (NW–SE). The alteration zones are developed to be silica-clay (quartz-illite-kaolinite-kaolinite/smectite), argillic (smectite-illite/smectite), and propylitic (chlorite-calcite±epidote). The precipitationof ore minerals is controlled by boiling, mixing, and wall-rock alteration, and canbe found in the quartz veins (quartz-adularia-sericite) and disseminated in the alteration zones, which their high variability is only can be found in the quartz veins, including pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, marcasite, and arsenopyrite. Based on the ICPAES measurement of 5 quartz vein samples, the Cu, Zn, Pb, and As grade reach about 5,171 ppm, 8,995 ppm, 6,398 ppm, 34.1 ppm, and 1,010.5 ppm, respectively. Gold is not detected. Fluid inclusion microthermometric analysis shows Th of 242.1–257.6 °C and salinity of 1.57–3.87 wt.% NaCl equiv., which indicate a depth below the paleosurface of 384–516 m, and pressure of 101.7–136.6 bar. The ore deposit in the study area is interpreted to be a deep basemetal low sulfidation epithermal type. Gold might be depleted in this epithermal type.

The Paleoproterozoic Copper-Gold Deposits of the Gaoua District, Burkina Faso: Superposition of Orogenic Gold on a Porphyry Copper Occurrence?

The Gaoua mining district, underlain by Paleoproterozoic volcanic and intrusive rocks of the Boromo-Goren greenstone belt in southern Burkina Faso, is a rare case where economic copper and gold resources occur together in the Birimian terrane of West Africa. The main country rock lithologies consist of flows and volcaniclastic sediments of basaltic to andesitic compositions. These are intruded by subvolcanic diorite and quartz diorite stocks and dikes, granophyre dikes and, less commonly, gabbroic dikes. The stocks are porphyritic in texture, locally brecciated, and characterized by development of a carbonate, anhydrite, and quartz stockwork system. Structural observations, detailed petrography, and sulfide geochemistry reveal that copper and gold in the stockworks and surrounding altered rocks cannot be associated with the same mineralizing event. Copper mineralization, mainly in the form of chalcopyrite, is typically observed in hydrothermal breccia and is associated with early arsenic-poor and gold-free pyrite. The geochemistry of the plutonic rocks and associated basalts and andesites implies formation in an arc setting. Textural evidence indicates that gold mineralization is closely tied to a second generation of sulfides, with the later pyrite hosting visible gold and minor chalcopyrite that clearly postdates the copper ore. Analyses of these pyrites by LA-ICP-MS reveal compositions rich in Ag, As, Au, Bi, Cu, and Pb. Pyrite with this signature was only observed in local shear and fracture zones that crosscut the host rocks and copper-rich breccia. Therefore, our data indicate the strongly deformed and metamorphosed porphyry copper mineralization in the Gaoua district is overprinted by orogenic gold mineralization. Formation of the early porphyry copper deposit took place at 2165 ± 24 Ma based upon Re-Os dating of the early pyrite; the age of the younger gold event, which is similar in style to that described throughout the West African craton, is not known but may be related to one of the lode gold episodes that are widespread through the West African craton at ~2150 and ~2100 to 2040 Ma. The Gaoua copper deposit, one of very few Precambrian porphyry copper deposits known in West Africa, formed in a volcanic-arc setting that predated the Eburnean orogeny in the Boromo-Goren greenstone belt.

Telluromandarinoite, A New Tellurite Mineral From the El Indio-Tambo Mining Property, Andes Mountains, Chile

Abstract Telluromandarinoite, a tellurite, is a new mineral species from the Wendy open pit, Tambo mine, El Indio-Tambo mining property, Coquimbo Province, Chile. The ideal endmember telluromandarinoite formula is Fe 3+ 2 Te 4+ 3 O 9 ·6H 2 O and it is the Te 4+ analogue of the selenite mineral mandarinoite, Fe 3+ 2 Se 4+ 3 O 9 ·6H 2 O. These deposits are located in rhyolitic and dacitic pyroclastic volcanic rocks of Tertiary age (8–11 Ma) that are strongly hydrothermally altered. The mineralization in the Tambo area is characterized by high-level epithermal veins and breccias located along roughly east–west structures. Hydrothermal breccias consisting of silicified clasts of dacite tuffs cemented by a silica/barite/alunite matrix are common at the occurrence. In fact, all studied specimens containing tellurite mineralization are associated with alunite. Telluromandarinoite is translucent, pale green, with a white streak and vitreous luster. It forms as individual platy crystals, 0.2 mm or less in size, but more commonly as aggregates of platy crystals. The crystals are too small to allow a Mohs hardness determination; they are brittle with an uneven fracture and no observed cleavage or parting. Telluromandarinoite is biaxial positive with α = 1.750(3), β = 1.807(3), and γ = 1.910(5), with a calculated 2 V = 76.9°. The optical orientation is Y = b , c ˆ Z = 10° in obtuse β. No dispersion was noted and no pleochroism was observed. An average of 10 electron microprobe analyses gave SeO 2 22.91, TeO 2 44.30, Fe 2 O 3 26.43, and H 2 O (calc.) 17.59, total 111.23 wt.%. The mineral loses H 2 O in vacuum, so the high totals obtained were expected. The empirical formula (based on 15 O atoms) is Fe 3+ 2.03 (Te 4+ 1.71 Se 4+ 1.27 ) Σ2.98 O 9 ·6H 2 O with Z = 4, and D calc = 3.372 g/cm 3 . Spot analyses gave stoichiometries that range from telluromandarinoite Fe 3+ 2.03 (Te 4+ 2.12 Se 4+ 0.86 ) Σ2.98 O 9 ·6H 2 O to mandarinoite Fe 3+ 2.07 (Se 4+ 1.64 Te 4+ 1.31 ) Σ2.95 O 9 ·6H 2 O. A crystal-structure analysis shows the mineral to be monoclinic, space group P 2 1 / c , with a 16.9356(5), b 7.8955(3), c 10.1675(3) A, β 98.0064(4)°, and V 1346.32(13) A 3 . The strongest lines in the X-ray powder pattern [ d in A,( I ),( hkl )] are: 8.431(44)(200), 7.153(100), 3.5753(41), 3.4631(21), 2.9964(34), 2.8261(19)(412). The crystal structure of telluromandarinoite is similar to that of emmonsite, Fe 3+ 2 Te 4+ 3 O 9 ·2H 2 O.

Tectono-metallogenetic evolution of the Fe–Cu deposit of Dominga, northern Chile

The Dominga district in northern Chile (2082 Mt at 23.3 % Fe, 0.07 % Cu) shows a spatial and genetic affinity among distinctive structural elements and Fe–Cu-rich paragenetic mineral assemblages. Deep seated, NE-to-E striking structural elements form a right-lateral duplex-like structural system (early structural system, ESS) that cuts a regionally extensive alteration (stage I) zone. The EES system served as a locus and as path for the emplacement of biotite–magnetite alteration/mineralization (stage IIa) as veins and Fe-bearing layers following altered volcano sedimentary strata. NW-striking actinolite–magnetite hydrothermal breccias, coeval with and part of the ESS, include apatite (stage IIb) crystallized at 127 ± 15 Ma (U–Pb, 2σ). The ESS was also the locus of subsequent alteration/mineralization represented by K-feldspar, epidote, and albite (stage IIIa) and Fe–Cu-rich (vermiculite–anhydrite–chalcopyrite, stage IIIb) mineral associations. Shallowly developed, NNE-striking, left-lateral structural elements defining the El Tofo Structural System (ETSS)—probably part of the Atacama Fault System—clearly crosscut the ESS. Minerals associated with alteration/mineralization stage IIIb also occur as veins and as part of hydrothermal breccias of the ETSS, marking the transition from the ESS to ETSS. Molybdenite associated with alteration/mineralization stage IIIb yielded a Re–Os age of 127.1 ± 0.7 Ma (2σ). Both the ESS and ETSS were cut by left-lateral, NW- to E-striking shallowly developed structural elements (Intermediate Structural System, ISS) on which a hematite–calcite assemblage (stage IV) occurs mostly as infill material of veins and fault veins. The ISS is cut by N-striking, left-lateral, and shallowly developed structural elements (Late Structural System, LSS) showing no evidence of alteration/mineralization. Estimated strain and stress fields indicate an overall NW-trending shortening/compression and NE-trending stretching/tension strike-slip regime probably due to oblique subduction during the Mesozoic. However, the orientations of the stress and strain fields calculated for each structural system suggest a back-and-forth rotation pattern during transition from one structural system to the other—as they change between transtension and transpression—and between alteration/mineralization stages.

Feldspar evolution in the Roxby Downs Granite, host to Fe-oxide Cu-Au-(U) mineralisation at Olympic Dam, South Australia

The textural relationships and geochemistry of feldspars from least-altered to sericite-hematite altered and mineralised ~1.595Ga Roxby Downs Granite (RDG) at Olympic Dam, South Australia, were examined. The sample suite is representative of RDG both distal (>5km) and proximal (<1km) to the hydrothermal breccias of the Olympic Dam Breccia Complex (ODBC), which host Fe-oxide Cu-Au-(U) mineralisation at Olympic Dam. Microscopic observations and quantitative analyses indicate that a range of feldspar reactions have taken place within the RDG hosting the Olympic Dam deposit. An early phase of igneous plagioclase (~An27–34) is recognised, along with a more abundant, less-calcic plagioclase (~An12–20) both displaying rapakivi and anti-rapakivi textures with alkali feldspar. Alkali feldspars (~Or55Ab43An2) record post-magmatic evolution from cryptoperthite to patch perthite. Subsequent patch perthite is overprinted by highly porous, near end-member albite and K-feldspar, while plagioclase undergoes replacement by albite+sericite±Ba-rich K-feldspar. In sericite-hematite altered and mineralised RDG along the margin of the ODBC, sericite replaces all plagioclase, whereas red-stained, Fe-rich K-feldspar persists. Sulphide-uranium-rare earth element mineralisation is observed in association with hydrothermal feldspars, and increases in abundance with proximity to the orebody. Petrographic observations and whole-rock geochemistry illustrate the transformation of plagioclase and alkali feldspar from igneous to hydrothermal processes, and indicate that hydrothermal albite and K-feldspar formed within the RDG without the need for an external source of alkalis. Feldspar geothermometry indicates a minimum crystallisation temperature of 765°C at 2.2kbar for alkali feldspar (pressure estimate obtained using plagioclase-amphibole geobarometry) followed by a range of lower temperature transformations. Late-stage magma mixing/contamination is postulated from supportive temperature and pressure estimates along with feldspar and mafic mineral relationships.