Ore-forming Conditions Research Articles

Noble-metal mineralization of the Adycha-Taryn metallogenic zone: Geochemistry of stable isotopes, fluid regime, and ore formation conditions

The regional geologic setting of the Adycha-Taryn metallogenic zone, one of the areas most productive for noble-metal mineralization in northeastern Russia, is discussed. The intricate metallogenic history of the zone and the prolonged geodynamic activity of its ore-hosting structures are documented. Different types of mineralization, such as hydrothermal-metamorphogenic, gold-bismuth, gold-quartz, gold-antimony, and silver-antimony, are described. New data on the isotopic compositions of oxygen in quartz, sulfur in sulfides, and oxygen and carbon in carbonates from different mineralization types are presented. The early metamorphogenic quartz beyond the ore zones has δ18O = +20.1 ± 2.0‰. At the gold-bismuth deposits, the δ18O values of quartz are within the narrow range of +12.5 ± 0.4‰. Quartz from the gold-quartz mineralization shows much wider variation in δ18O values, from +14.2 to +19.5‰. A similar range (δ18O = +16.1 to +19.2‰) is observed for the gold-antimony mineralization. Cryptograined quartz from the silver-antimony mineralization is enriched in light oxygen isotopes (δ18O = -3.2 to +4.7‰). The following δ34S values (‰) have been established in sulfides of mineralization of different types: gold-bismuth -3.7 to -2.2 (Apy) and -6.7 to -6.8 (Py); gold-quartz -2.1 to +2.4 (Apy), -6.6 to +5.4 (Py), and -6.1 to +4.2 (St); gold-antimony -2.0 to +1.6 (Apy), -3.5 to +2.1 (Py), and -5.3 to +0.2 (St); and silver-antimony -2.0 to -1.9 (Apy), -2.2 ± 0.1 (Py), and -5.7 to -5.6 (St). The δ13C and δ18O values are contrasting in the studied types of mineralization, varying respectively from -6.9 to -5.9‰ and from +2.1 to +5.7‰ (gold-bismuth), from -9.1 to -6.1‰ and from +12.4 to 18.7‰ (gold-quartz), from -12.1 to -9.5‰ and from +15.0 to +16.3‰ (gold-antimony), from -11.6 to -11.1‰ and from +1.5 to +4.7‰ (silver-antimony). Metamorphogenic calcites are rich in both heavy C (-1.1 to -1.7‰) and heavy O (+20.3 to +20.5‰) isotopes. Microthermometric study and crush-leach analysis of fluid inclusions have revealed differences in the composition of ore-forming fluids and formation conditions for different types of mineralization. The isotopic compositions of O, C, and S of mineral-forming fluids suggest a significant input of magmatic fluids to the formation of gold-bismuth and gold-antimony deposits, the contribution of metamorphic fluids increases at gold-quartz deposits, and meteoric water is involved in the formation of silver-antimony deposits.

Constraints on depositional conditions and ore-fluid source for orogenic gold districts in the West Qinling Orogen, China: Implications from sulfide assemblages and their trace-element geochemistry

Yangshan, Mian-Lue-Ning and Manaoke represent three large orogenic gold districts in the Triassic West Qinling Orogen, the third largest gold province in China (∼1100 t gold resource). Although their component gold deposits have similar geological characteristics, representative deposits from these three gold districts have contrasting ore-mineral assemblages and gold speciation suggestive of diversity in gold source and/or ore-forming depositional conditions or processes. Decrease in P-T conditions of ore formation and metamorphic grades of host rocks in deposits from the Mian-Lue-Ning through Yangshan to Manaoke districts is matched by variation in their mineral paragenesis from pyrite–chalcopyrite–sphalerite–galena–native gold through pyrite–arsenopyrite–stibnite to scheelite–pyrite–arsenopyrite–stibnite–realgar. Invisible gold in the deposits of the Yangshan and Manaoke gold districts, contrasts with native gold in the Mian-Lue-Ning gold district. Concentrations of Ag–As–Au-Bi-Cu–Pb–Sb-Tl in hydrothermal pyrite show a gradual systematic increase from Mian-Lue-Ning through Yangshan to Manaoke. Pyrite in the Huachanggou gold deposit from the Mian-Lue-Ning district has high Co and low As and Au concentrations, in contrast with pyrite which is zoned with respect to As and Au in gold deposits from the other two districts. These variations between gold deposits in the different districts could be due to variable local ore–fluid sources derived from the different host-rock sequences during metamorphic devolatilization, as also allowed by mass-balance calculations. However, previously unmetamorphosed voluminous source rocks that have experienced amphibolite facies metamorphism, with liberation of gold and other metals during conversion of gold-bearing pyrite into pyrrhotite, are limited. It appears more likely that an external deeply-sourced fluid, most logically from devolatilization of the pyrite-bearing sediment wedge above the Triassic subduction zone associated with the formation of the West Qinling Orogen, was responsible for gold mineralization. In this model, variation between districts was due to fluid interactions with contrasting host-rock sequences under contrasting P-T conditions.

The Matagami District, Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Canada: Volcanic Controls on Archean Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits Associated with Voluminous Felsic Volcanism

Several volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits have been mined in the Archean Matagami mining district (Abitibi subprovince, Quebec, Canada), but the volcanology of their host rocks has been little studied. Most VMS lenses are located along a stratigraphic marker known as the Key tuffite. Footwall rocks belong to the Watson Lake Group (tholeiitic dacite and rhyolite), whereas hanging-wall rocks belong to the Wabassee Group (tholeiitic basalt and tholeiitic to transitional andesite, with lesser tholeiitic felsic volcanic rocks). All felsic units of the South Flank are interpreted as lobe-hyaloclastite lava flows. For most felsic units, many such flows are juxtaposed and stacked. A significant proportion of the units is made up of fragmental rocks, especially at the top of the Watson Lake Group in some specific areas where the VMS deposits sit. Where hyaloclastite is well developed, conditions were favorable for subseafloor replacement-style VMS deposits, as is the case at Bracemac-McLeod, the currently producing mine. There, sheet-shaped ore lenses were emplaced under a capping unit, the massive core of a hanging-wall lobe-hyaloclastite flow. The proximal footwall chlorite alteration zone is subconcordant. Abundant hyaloclastite is also present at the 25 Mt Mattagami Lake deposit, and similar ore-forming conditions are inferred. In other places, fragmental rocks were less developed at the top of the Watson Lake rhyolite, and sulfides formed mounds on the sea floor, with a discordant chlorite pipe underneath. Therefore, several styles of VMS mineralization can be considered in a single mining district, even at a specific marker horizon, depending on the volcanic facies found in the host sequence.

Geochronology and trace element geochemistry of titanite in the Machangqing Cu-Mo-dominated polymetallic deposit, Yunnan Province, southwest China

The Machangqing Cu-Mo-dominated polymetallic deposit is a porphyry-skarn-epithermal Cu-Mo (-Au) metallogenic system located in the middle part of the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan alkaline porphyry metallogenic belt. The skarn mineralization of the Machangqing deposit mainly occurs along the contacts between the alkalic porphyry intrusions and the surrounding Lower Ordovician Xiangyang Formation rocks. We present LA-ICP-MS U-Pb ages and trace element data for titanite from the Machangqing deposit in order to investigate the origin of this deposit. Based on mineral textures and assemblages, two types of titanite are recognized in Machangqing: magmatic titanite (Type I) from the granite porphyry and hydrothermal titanite from the mineralized skarn. The coarse-grained magmatic titanite is euhedral and occurs as discrete grains in the interstices of feldspar, quartz and biotite, whereas fine- to medium-grained hydrothermal titanite crystals (Type II) are euhedral to subhedral and occur in association with skarn minerals such as garnet, pyroxene and magnetite. Magmatic titanite has lower FeO, Al2O3, F and Nb/Ta but higher TiO2, Th/U, HFSEs and Lu/Hf than hydrothermal titanite. The magmatic titanite has higher LREE/HREE ratios and total REE contents with stronger negative Eu anomalies than its mineralized skarn counterpart. Trace elemental characteristics of hydrothermal titanite in Machangqing are consistent with relatively low F contents and oxygen fugacities when compared to the neighboring Beiya gold-dominated polymetallic deposit in the same metallogenic belt. The weighted average 206Pb/238U age of 34.3 ± 1.2 Ma of hydrothermal titanite is within error but slightly younger than the age of magmatic titanite (37.5 ± 4.1 Ma), indicating that the skarn mineralization followed the emplacement of the granite porphyry and was broadly coeval with the porphyry mineralization. The porphyry and skarn types of mineralization at Machangqing were formed from the same metallogenic system. Different ore-forming conditions, such as oxygen fugacities and F contents, might be responsible for different metal enrichments at the Machangqing and Beiya deposits.

Publisher’s Note to “corrigendum to ‘Nature of ore-forming fluid and formation conditions of BIF-hosted gold mineralization in the Archean Amalia Greenstone Belt, South Africa: Constraints from fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies....

Publisher’s Note to “corrigendum to ‘Nature of ore-forming fluid and formation conditions of BIF-hosted gold mineralization in the Archean Amalia Greenstone Belt, South Africa: Constraints from fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies....

Physicochemical conditions of ore formation in the Samolazovskoe gold deposit (Central Aldan)

Using modern thermobarogeochemical methods (thermo- and cryometry, Raman spectroscopy, and LA-ICP-MS), we studied fluid inclusions in quartz from ores formed at the quartz-fluorite, pyrite-chalcopyrite, pyrite-molybdenite, and polysulfide stages of evolution of the Samolazovskoe gold deposit. We have established the fluid regime of the ore formation processes, the gas and liquid composition, main solid phases (metal sulfates, carbonates, and chlorides), homogenization temperatures of the inclusions, and the eutectic temperatures of their solutions. The obtained data helped to estimate the fluid temperatures during the formation of ores at each stage and to determine the contents of major salt components. Based on the substance solubility values given in the reference-book by V.B. Kogan, we have first constructed a phase diagram of the system Na2SO4-NaHCO3-H2O (Na2SO4 < 35 wt.%) at temperatures below 40 °C. The metal contents and geochemical specifics of solutions at each stage of the ore formation were determined by LA-ICP-MS. At the quartz-fluorite stage, the solutions were enriched in B, V, Co, Ni, Zn, As, Te, Cs, Ba, and Mg; at the pyrite-molybdenite stage, they had high concentrations of Ti, Ni, Nb, and Mo; and at the polysulfide stage, the solutions were rich in Ca, As, Pb, Sb, Te, Ag, Rb, Ba, and Sr. Native sulfur found along with sulfate and sulfide sulfur in the inclusions impelled us to study the sulfur isotope composition. The research has shown a light sulfur isotope composition (534S = -2.5 to -13.4%c). We believe that sulfide sulfur in the Samolazovskoe deposit formed from a fluid during high-temperature (>500-700 °C) sulfate reduction.

Granitoid-associated gold mineralization in Egypt: a case study from the Atalla mine

Gold-bearing sulfide-quartz veins cutting mainly through the Atalla monzogranite intrusion in the Eastern Desert of Egypt are controlled by subparallel NE-trending brittle shear zones. These veins are associated with pervasive sericite-altered, silicified, and ferruginated rocks. The hosting shear zones are presumed as high-order structures of the Najd-style faults in the Central Eastern Desert (~ 615–585 Ma). Ore minerals include an early pyrite-arsenopyrite (±pyrrhotite) mineralization, partly replaced by a late pyrite-galena-sphalerite-chalcopyrite (±gold/electrum ± tetrahedrite ± hessite) assemblage. Gold occurs as small inclusions in pyrite and arsenopyrite, or more commonly as intergrowths with galena and sphalerite/tetrahedrite in microfractures. Arsenopyrite geothermometry suggests formation of the early Fe-As-sulfide mineralization at 380–340 °C, while conditions of deposition of the late base metal-gold assemblage are assumed to be below 300 °C. Rare hessite, electrum, and Bi-galena are associated with sphalerite and gold in the late assemblage. The early and late sulfide minerals show consistently a narrow range of δ34S ‰ (3.4–6.5) that overlaps with sulfur isotopic values in ophiolitic rocks. The Au-quartz veins are characterized by abundant CO2 and H2O ± CO2 ± NaCl inclusions, where three-dimensional clusters of inclusions show variable aqueous/carbonic proportions and broad range of total (bimodal) homogenization temperatures. Heterogeneous entrapment of immiscible fluids is interpreted to be caused by unmixing of an originally homogenous, low salinity (~ 2 eq. mass % NaCl) aqueous-carbonic fluid, during transition from lithostatic to hydrostatic conditions. Gold deposition occurred generally under mesothermal conditions, i.e., 1.3 kbar and ~ 280 °C, and continued during system cooling to < 200 °C and pressure decrease to ~ 0.1 kbar. Based on the vein textures, sulfur isotope values, composition of ore fluids, and conditions of ore formation, we suggest that the Atalla monzogranite intrusion acted only as a competent structural host for ore deposition from shear-related, metal-rich fluids migrated up from depth. This model is also presumed for most granitoid-associated Au deposits in the region, considering the similarity in their structural control, alteration pattern and mineralogy, and chemistry of the ore fluids.

Bi-sulphotellurides associated with Pb – Bi – (Sb ± Ag, Cu, Fe) sulphosalts: an example from the Stan Terg deposit in Kosovo

AbstractNew mineralogical and mineral-chemical data from the Stan Terg deposit, Kosovo, revealed the presence of abundant Bi-sulphotellurides associated with Bi- and Sb-sulphosalts and galena in pyrite–pyrrhotite-rich skarn-free ore bodies (ores without skarn minerals). The Bi-bearing association comprises Bi-sulphotellurides (joséite-A, joséite-B, unnamed phase A with a chemical formula close to (Bi,Pb)2(TeS)2, unnamed phase B with a chemical composition close to (Bi,Pb)2.5Te1.5S1.5), ikunolite, cosalite, Sb-lillianite, members of the kobellite series and Bi-jamesonite. Compositional trends of the Bi-sulphotellurides suggest lattice-scale incorporation of Bi–(Pb)-rich module and/or admixture with submicroscopic PbS layers in modulated structures, or complicated Bi–Te substitution. Cosalite is characterized by high Sb (max. 3.94 apfu), and low Cu and Ag (up to 0.72 apfu of Cu+Ag). Jamesonite from this mineralization has elevated Bi content, from 0.85 to 2.30 apfu. The negligible content of Au and Ag in the Bi-sulphotellurides, the low content of Ag in Bi-sulphosalts, together with the lack of Au–Ag bearing phases in the mineralization, indicate either ore deposition from fluid(s) depleted in precious metals, or physico-chemical conditions of ore formation preventing Au and Ag precipitation at the deposit site. The temperature of initial mineralization may have exceeded 400 °C as suggested by the lamellar exsolution textures observed in lillianite, which indicate breakdown textures from decomposition of high-temperature initial crystals. Non-stoichiometric phases among the Bi-sulphosalts and sulphotellurides studied at Stan Terg reflect modulated growth processes in a metasomatic environment.

Geology, fluid inclusion and isotope constraints on ore genesis of the post-collisional Dabu porphyry Cu–Mo deposit, southern Tibet

The Dabu Cu-Mo porphyry deposit is situated in the southern part of the Lhasa terrane within the post-collisional Gangdese porphyry copper belt (GPCB). It is one of several deposits that include the Qulong and Zhunuo porphyry deposits. The processes responsible for ore formation in the Dabu deposit can be divided into three stages of veining: stage I, quartz–K-feldspar (biotite)±chalcopyrite±pyrite, stage II, quartz–molybdenite±pyrite±chalcopyrite, and stage III, quartz–pyrite±molybdenite. Three types of fluid inclusions (FIs) are present: liquid-rich two-phase (L-type), vapor-rich two-phase (V-type), and solid bearing multi-phase (S-type) inclusions. The homogenization temperatures for the FIs from stages I to III are in the ranges of 272–475°C, 244–486°C, and 299–399°C, and their salinities vary from 2.1 to 49.1, 1.1 to 55.8, and 2.9 to 18.0wt% NaCl equiv., respectively. The coexistence of S-type, V-type and L-type FIs in quartz of stage I and II with similar homogenization temperatures but contrasting salinities, indicate that fluid boiling is the major factor controlling metal precipitation in the Dabu deposit. The ore-forming fluids of this deposit are characterized by high temperature and high salinity, and they belong to a H2O–NaCl magmatic–hydrothermal system. The H–O–S–Pb isotopic compositions indicate that the ore metals and fluids came primarily from a magmatic source linked to Miocene intrusions characterized by high Sr/Y ratios, similar to other porphyry deposits in the GPCB. The fluids forming the Dabu deposit were rich in Na and Cl, derived from metamorphic dehydration of subducted oceanic slab through which NaCl-brine or seawater had percolated. The inheritance of ancient subduction-associated arc chemistry, without shallow level crustal assimilation and/or input of the meteoric water, was responsible for the generation of fertile magma, as well as CO2-poor and halite-bearing FIs associated with post-collisional porphyry deposits. The estimated mineralization depths of Qulong, Dabu and Zhunuo deposits are 1.6–4.3km, 0.5–3.4km and 0.2–3.0km, respectively, displaying a gradual decrease from eastern to western Gangdese. Deep ore-forming processes accounted for the generation of giant-sized Qulong deposit, because the exsolution of aqueous fluids with large fraction of water and chlorine in deep or high pressure systems can extract more copper from melts than those formed in shallow systems. However, the formation of small-sized Dabu deposit can be explained by a single magmatic event without additional replenishment of S, metal, or thermal energy. In addition, the ore-forming conditions of porphyry Cu–Mo deposits in GPCB are comparable to those of porphyry Cu±Au±Mo deposits formed in oceanic subduction-related continental or island arcs, but differ from those of porphyry Mo deposit formed in the Dabie-Qinling collisional orogens. The depth of formation of the mineralization and features of primary magma source are two major controls on the metal types and ore-fluid compositions of these porphyry deposits.

X-ray spectroscopy study of the chemical state of “invisible” Au in synthetic minerals in the Fe-As-S system

Minerals of the Fe-As-S system are the main components of Au ores in many hydrothermal deposits, including Carlin-type Au deposits, volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits, epithermal, mesothermal, sedimentary-hosted systems, and Archean Au lodes. The “invisible” (or refractory) form of Au is present in all types of hydrothermal ores and often predominates. Knowledge of the chemical state of “invisible” Au (local atomic environment/structural position, electronic structure, and oxidation state) is crucial for understanding the conditions of ore formation and necessary for the physical-chemical modeling of hydrothermal Au mineralization. In addition, it will help to improve the technologies of ore processing and Au extraction. Here we report an investigation of the chemical state of “invisible” Au in synthetic analogs of natural minerals (As-free pyrite FeS2, arsenopyrite FeAsS, and löllingite FeAs2). The compounds were synthesized by means of hydrothermal (pyrite) and salt flux techniques (in each case) and studied by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy in a high-energy resolution fluorescence detection (HERFD) mode in combination with first-principles quantum chemical calculations. The content of “invisible” Au in the synthesized löllingite (800 ± 300 ppm) was much higher than that in arsenopyrite (23 ± 14 ppm). The lowest Au content was observed in zonal pyrite crystals synthesized in a salt flux. High “invisible” Au contents were observed in hydrothermal pyrite (40–90 ppm), which implies that this mineral can efficiently scavenge Au even in As-free systems. The Au content of the hydrothermal pyrite is independent of sulfur fugacity and probably corresponds to the maximum Au solubility at the experimental P-T parameters (450 °C, 1 kbar). It is shown that Au replaces Fe in the structures of löllingite, arsenopyrite, and hydrothermal pyrite. The Au-ligand distance increases by 0.14 Å (pyrite), 0.16 Å (löllingite), and 0.23 Å (As), 0.13 Å (S) (arsenopyrite) relative to the Fe-ligand distance in pure compounds. Distortions of the atomic structures are localized around Au atoms and disappear at R > ∼4 Å. Chemically bound Au occurs only in hydrothermal pyrite, whereas pyrite synthesized without hydrothermal fluid contains only Au°. The heating (metamorphism) of hydrothermal pyrite results in the decomposition of chemically bound Au and formation of Au° nuggets, which coarsen with increasing temperature. Depending on the chemical composition of the host mineral, Au can play a role of either a cation or an anion: the Bader atomic partial charge of Au decreases in the order pyrite (+0.4 e) > arsenopyrite (0) > löllingite (−0.4 e). Our results suggest that other noble metals (platinum group elements, Ag) can form a chemically bound refractory admixture in base metal sulfides/chalcogenides. The content of chemically bound noble metals can vary depending on the composition of the host mineral and ore history.

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.

Age of the Dahongliutan rare metal pegmatite deposit, West Kunlun, Xinjiang (NW China): Constraints from LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of columbite-(Fe) and cassiterite

Dahongliutan is a medium-size Li–Be–Ta–Nb rare metal pegmatite deposit in the Tianshuihai terrane, West Kunlun orogenic belt (NW China). In this paper, LA–ICP–MS U–Pb ages of columbite-(Fe) and cassiterite are reported to constrain the metallogenic age. Columbite-(Fe) (with high U and low Th) yielded a Late Triassic weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 211.9±2.4Ma, whilst cassiterite yielded a 206Pb/238U–207Pb/235U concordia lower intercept age of 218±12Ma and a Tera-Wasserburg lower intercept age of 218±12Ma, which is identical to the columbite-(Fe) U-Pb age and thus represents the emplacement age of the pegmatite dikes. The ore-hosting pegmatite dikes are intimately time-space related to the Dahongliutan S-type granite (ca. 220–217Ma), indicating that they may have been cogenetic. Integrating new and published geological data, we suggest that the Dahongliutan pegmatites may have evolved from the granitic magma represented by the Dahongliutan S-type pluton in a post-collisional tectonic setting. Regionally, the Tianshuihai terrane is the western extension of the Songpan-Ganzi block, and thus the Kunlun Li-mineralization belt may have been connected to the Songpan-Ganzi Li-mineralization belt which contains eleven lithium deposits with about 9.8% of Li2O reserves in China, implying that the Dahongliutan pegmatite deposit may also have favorable ore-forming conditions. The similar columbite-(Fe) and cassiterite ages demonstrate that these minerals can be precisely dated and could provide useful alternatives to accurately constrain the timing and evolution of rare metal mineralization.

Oxygen, Hydrogen, Sulfur, and Carbon Isotopes in the Pea Ridge Magnetite-Apatite Deposit, Southeast Missouri, and Sulfur Isotope Comparisons to Other Iron Deposits in the Region

Oxygen, hydrogen, sulfur, and carbon isotopes have been analyzed in the Pea Ridge magnetite-apatite deposit, the largest historic producer among the known iron deposits in the southeast Missouri portion of the 1.5 to 1.3 Ga eastern granite-rhyolite province. The data were collected to investigate the sources of ore fluids, conditions of ore formation, and provenance of sulfur, and to improve the general understanding of the copper, gold, and rare earth element potential of iron deposits regionally. The δ 18 O values of Pea Ridge magnetite are 1.9 to 4.0‰, consistent with a model in which some magnetite crystallized from a melt and other magnetite—perhaps the majority—precipitated from an aqueous fluid of magmatic origin. The δ 18 O values of quartz, apatite, actinolite, K-feldspar, sulfates, and calcite are significantly higher, enough so as to indicate growth or equilibration under cooler conditions than magnetite and/or in the presence of a fluid that was not entirely magmatic. A variety of observations, including stable isotope observations, implicate a second fluid that may ultimately have been meteoric in origin and may have been modified by isotopic exchange with rocks or by evaporation during storage in lakes. Sulfur isotope analyses of sulfides from Pea Ridge and seven other mineral deposits in the region reveal two distinct populations that average 3 and 13‰. Two sulfur sources are implied. One was probably igneous melts or rocks belonging to the mafic- to intermediate-composition volcanic suite that is present at or near most of the iron deposits; the other was either melts or volcanic rocks that had degassed very extensively, or else volcanic lakes that had trapped rising magmatic gases. The higher δ 34 S values correspond to deposits or prospects where copper is noteworthy—the Central Dome portion of the Boss deposit, the Bourbon deposit, and the Vilander prospective area. The correspondence suggests that (1) sulfur either limited the deposition of copper or was cotransported with copper, and (2) sulfur isotope analysis may be useful in evaluating southeast Missouri iron deposits for copper and possibly for gold.

Phase distribution of elements in ferromanganese nodules of the Kara Sea

The relation of nonferrous metals and other elements to the main mineral phases in iron–manganese ore is a matter of interest in theoretical and practical terms and has long been discussed by experts. However, opinions on this issue diverge due to the vast variety of conditions of ore formation. This is particularly applicable to ferromanganese nodules of the Kara Sea. The results published here demonstrate that the ferromanganese nodules of the Arctic seas accumulate the same range of elements as pelagic ocean nodules, but in different concentrations and proportions: the contents of most ore elements is decreased by a significant influx of clastic material.

Sources and formation conditions of ferromanganese mineralization of the Bureya and Khanka massifs, Russian Far East

The geochemical features of typical representatives of ferromanganese deposits are studied in the eastern Bureya and Khanka massifs (Russian Far East). Based on the major-, trace-, and rare-earth element distribution, the hydrothermal–sedimentary (with hydrogenic component) nature of their mineralization is established and the geodynamic setting and depth of ore formation are estimated. The differences in the depth and redox conditions of ore formation resulted in the metallogenic zonation of the Khingan block (Bureya Massif), which is expressed in a westward change in ore composition from the magnetite ores of the Kosten’ga–Kimkan zone to the hematite–magnetite and iron–manganese ores of the South Khingan zone. The conclusions about the participation of hydrothermal sources in the formation of ore mineralization of the studied deposits and the specifics of their localization require revision of the strategy of exploration and evaluation of ferromanganese ores in the southern Far East.

Heavy Metals in Surface Soils in the Upper Reaches of the Heihe River, Northeastern Tibetan Plateau, China.

The upper reaches of the Heihe River have been regarded as a hotspot for phytoecology, climate change, water resources and hydrology studies. Due to the cold-arid climate, high elevation, remote location and poor traffic conditions, few studies focused on heavy metal contamination of soils have been conducted or reported in this region. In the present study, an investigation was performed to provide information regarding the concentration levels, sources, spatial distributions, and environmental risks of heavy metals in this area for the first time. Fifty-six surface soil samples collected from the study area were analyzed for Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb concentrations, as well as TOC levels. Basic statistics, concentration comparisons, correlation coefficient analysis and multivariate analyses coupled with spatial distributions were utilized to delineate the features and the sources of different heavy metals. Risk assessments, including geoaccumulation index, enrichment factor and potential ecological risk index, were also performed. The results indicate that the concentrations of heavy metals have been increasing since the 1990s. The mean values of each metal are all above the average background values in the Qinghai Province, Tibet, China and the world, except for that of Cr. Of special note is the concentration of Cd, which is extremely elevated compared with all background values. The distinguished ore-forming conditions and well-preserved, widely distributed limestones likely contribute to the high Cd concentration. Heavy metals in surface soils in the study area are primarily inherited from parent materials. Nonetheless, anthropogenic activities may have accelerated the process of weathering. Cd presents a high background concentration level and poses a severe environmental risk throughout the whole region. Soils in Yinda, Reshui daban, Kekeli and Zamasheng in particular pose threats to the health of the local population, as well as that of livestock and wildlife.

Partitioning of trace elements in co-crystallized sphalerite–galena–chalcopyrite hydrothermal ores

There is an abundance of published trace element data for sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite in natural systems, yet for a co-crystallized assemblage comprising these base metal sulphides, there is no detailed understanding of the preferred host of many trace elements. Laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry trace element maps and spot analyses were generated on 17 assemblages containing co-crystallized sphalerite and/or galena and/or chalcopyrite from 9 different ore deposits. These deposits are representative of different ore types, geologic environments and physiochemical conditions of ore formation, as well as superimposed syn-metamorphic remobilisation and recrystallization. The primary factors that control the preferred base metal sulphide host of Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Ag, Cd, In, Sb, Te, Tl and Bi are element oxidation state, ionic radius of the substituting element, element availability and the maximum trace element budget that a given sulphide mineral can accommodate. Temperature, pressure, redox conditions at time of crystallization and metal source, do not generally appear to influence the preferred base metal sulphide host of all the trace elements. Exceptions are Ga, In and Sn recrystallized at high metamorphic grades, when the preferred host of Ga and Sn usually becomes chalcopyrite. In more typical lower temperature ores, the preferred host of Ga is sphalerite. Indium concentrations also increase in chalcopyrite during recrystallization. At lower temperatures the partitioning behaviour of Sn remains poorly constrained and shows little predictable pattern among the data here. The results obtained may be used as a tool to assess co-crystallization. If trace element distributions in a given base metal sulphide assemblage match those reported here, and assuming those distributions have not been significantly altered post (re-) crystallization, then it may be suggestive of a co-crystallized assemblage. Such information provides a foundation for novel attempts to develop trace element-in-sulphide geothermometers.

مطالعات کانی سازی، ژئوشیمی، سیالات درگیر و ایزوتوپ پایدار گوگرد کانسار Cu-Zn-As باقرق با سنگ میزبان کربناته (شمال شرق انارک)

کانسار Cu-Zn-As باقرق در شمال شرق شهر انارک و در استان اصفهان قرار دارد. کانی‌سازی به‌صورت دیرزاد، ماهیت چینه‌کران و بافت و ساخت پرکننده فضای خالی در سنگ میزبان کربناتی رخداده است. کانی‌شناسی بخش درون‌زاد شامل کالکوسیت، کالکوپیریت، پیریت، اسفالریت، گالن، انارژیت، باریت و کلسیت و کانیهای بخش برون‌زاد شامل مالاکیت، آزوریت، کوولیت، کریزوکولا، کالکوسیت، سروزیت، اسمیت‌زونیت، مس طبیعی، هماتیت، گوتیت و لیمونیت می‌باشد. سنگ میزبان کربناتی در اطراف زون‌های کانه‌دار متحمل دگرسانیهای دولومیتی‌شدن و کلسیتی‌شدن شده است. مس به‌عنوان عنصر اصلی ذخیره (با میانگین 28/20 درصد وزنی) و پس از آن عناصر روی (با میانگین تقریبی 1 درصد وزنی) و آرسنیک (با میانگین تقریبی 1 درصد وزنی) می‌باشند. مطالعات سیالات‌درگیر روی کانی باریت نشان می‌دهد سیال کانه‌دار سولفیدی دارای محدوده دمای همگن شدن بین 259 تا 354 درجه سانتی‌گراد و میزان شوری بین 8 تا 13 درصد وزنی معادل NaCl می‌باشد. سیال کانه‌دار در مراحل پایانی کانی‌سازی با آبهای جوی دچار اختلاط شده و فاز تأخیری غیر سولفیدی کلسیتی با محدوده دمای نسبتا پایین ‌(78 تا 112 درجه سانتی‌گراد) و درجه شوری پایین (بین 3 تا 6 درصد وزنی معادل NaCl) را تشکیل داده است. محدوده مقادیر 34Sδ کانی‌ باریت کانسار باقرق بین 13+ تا 14+ در هزار بوده در حالی‌که محاسبه مقدار 34Sδ مربوط به سیال کانه‌دار پس از تصحیح دمایی بین 7- تا 8- در هزار به‌دست آمد. منشأ گوگرد باقرق با توجه به شباهت ایزوتوپ باریت با سولفات‌های دریایی کرتاسه، احتمالا از لایه‌های تبخیری این دوره زمانی تأمین شده است. این سولفا‌ت‌ها توسط فرآیند‌های ترموشیمیایی به‌صورت بخشی به گوگرد احیایی با مقدار ایزوتوپی سبک‌تر (حدود 21 در هزار) تبدیل و جهت ته‌نشست سولفیدها مورد استفاده قرار گرفته است. کانسار باقرق با توجه به خصوصیاتی همچون سنگ میزبان کربناته، غیاب فعالیت آذرین، بافت پرکننده فضای خالی، دگرسانی دولومیتی،کانی‌شناسی، ژئوشیمی ماده‌معدنی (وجود As و Sb بالا و عدم حضور Bi)، داده‌های دماسنجی و مقادیر ایزوتوپ گوگرد، شباهت زیادی با کانسارهای مس با سنگ میزبان کربناته در افریقا و به‌ویژه نوع سومب (Tsumeb) در نامیبیا نشان می‌دهد. کانسار باقرق احتمالا مرتبط با سیالات دگرگونی آزاد شده در حین فازهای کوه‌زایی مرتبط با بسته‌شدن اقیانوس نئوتتیس می‌باشد.

Mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the metamorphosed and precious metal-bearing Ming deposit, Canada

The Ming deposit in the northwestern Canadian Appalachians is a metamorphosed, bimodal-mafic, precious-metal (Au, Ag)-bearing and Cu-rich volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit consisting of several, spatially proximal lenses in a sericite- to chlorite-altered rhyodacitic footwall. The various lenses (1807 Zone, 1806 Zone, Ming South Up Plunge, Ming South Down Plunge, and the Lower Footwall Zone) have variations in Cu, Au, Ag, and Zn grades that reflect varying physico-chemical conditions of ore formation. This study describes the complex ore mineralogy of the orebodies and constrains the genesis of the deposit using field methods, mineralogy, whole rock sulfide geochemistry, and micro-analytical methods.The orebodies are predominantly pyrite, chalcopyrite, with lesser sphalerite, pyrrhotite, and trace galena and arsenopyrite, with the exception of the Lower Footwall Zone, which consists of a high temperature (>320°C) chalcopyrite–pyrrhotite–pyrite±cubanite assemblage. The other orebodies (1806, 1807, Ming South Up Plunge and Down Plunge) contain trace amounts of tellurides (hessite, altaite, tsumoite, unnamed bismuthtelluride), sulfosalts (Ag-poor and Ag-rich tennantite–tetrahedrite, meneghinite, AgSb phases, stannite), and precious metal phases (electrum, AgHg±Au alloys). The 1807 Zone is enriched in Te, Bi, and Se, whereas the 1806 Zone is telluride-free and contains As, Sb, Hg, Au, and Ag. Mineral chemistry of sphalerite shows strong variations in Fe content (1.12–11.04wt.%). Intermediate Fe (4.33–6.33wt.% Fe) and Fe-rich (7.327–11.04wt.% Fe) sphalerite are common in all orebodies, whereas Fe-poor sphalerite (1.12–3.57wt.% Fe) occurs exclusively in the 1807 and 1806 zones. Tennantite-tetrahedrite is typically Ag-poor (0.25–2.19wt.%) in the 1807 Zone, but is significantly enriched in Ag (up to 29.3wt.%) in the 1806 Zone. Galena in the 1807 Zone and Ming South orebodies is commonly myrmekitically intergrown with tellurides and has high concentrations of Te, Bi, Se, and Ag. In contrast, galena in the 1806 Zone is less enriched in Te, Bi, and Se, but high in Ag.Variations in mineralogy, epithermal elements (As, Bi, Hg, Sb, Se, Sn, Te) and precious metal (Ag, Au) content, and mineral chemistry between the different orebodies indicate that they were formed from predominantly reduced, acidic hydrothermal fluids with varying ƒTe2/ƒS2, ƒSe2/ƒS2, and mBi/mSb ratios as temperatures steadily decreased from >300°C to <260°C during ore formation. In the 1807 and Ming South orebodies, late-stage deposition of Te-, Bi-, Se-, Ag-rich galena and tellurides occurred prior to precipitation of Ag-poor tennantite-tetrahedrite, whereas in the 1806 Zone hydrothermal fluids low in ƒTe2/ƒS2, ƒSe2/ƒS2, and mBi/mSb favored the precipitation of Te-, Bi-, Se-poor galena and Ag-rich tennantite-tetrahedrite. A magmatic source for epithermal elements and precious metals is suggested and was part of the depositional history of the Ming deposit.

On the massive metal accumulation on the eastern margin of the North China Craton and the prospecting evaluation — a case study of Jiaojia gold concentration belt

North China Craton, with characteristics of the multistage tectonic evolution, has experienced a long geological history of more than 3.8 billion years, which records almost all the major geological events from the early crust development stage to the Mesozoic and has formed rich mineral resources and unique dominant minerals. Jiaodong terrane, on the eastern margin of the North China Craton, has become the basement after experiencing the evolution of Precambrian formation. Controlled by the tectonic regime in the Mesozoic, this terrane witnessed the strong crust-mantle interaction, and became the largest gold producer in China after forming the massive metal accumulation and an outbreak of large-scale metallogenic events. Previous scholars have conducted extensive researches on the metallogenic theory of Jiaodong Gold Concentrating Area and applied it to prospecting and exploration; with the increasing difficulty in prospecting and the deployment of deep prospecting, finding out the new prospecting methods has become the study focus. Based on the analysis of the regional tectonic evolution and the research on the metallogenic theory of the massive metal concentration, this paper has summed up some favorable geological conditions for ore-formation and ore-controlling, and with Jiaojia gold concentration belt as a case study and combined with the geophysical and geochemical data in this area, this paper has deduced the deep mineralization space with the three-dimensional geological modeling technique, which has achieved the integration of metallogenic theory and prospecting methods. The result indicates that forecast areas deep resources in the Jiaojia gold concentration belt is 842.88 t. More importantly, it delineated 7 undeveloped predicted targets for deep prospecting which provided a scientific basis for prospecting exploration.