Quartz Vein Samples Research Articles

Genesis and Formation of the Tuwaishan Gold Deposit in Hainan Island, South China: Implications from H-O-S Isotopes

The Tuwaishan gold deposit is located at the northeastern end of the Gezhen shear zone in the western part of Hainan Island, South China. It is one of a series of similar gold deposits hosted in the Mesoproterozoic basement rocks and structurally controlled by the Gezhen shear zone. The hydrothermal ore-forming period can be divided into quartz-pyrite-arsenopyrite stage, quartz-pyrite-base metal sulfides stage and quartz-carbonate stage. Eleven gold-bearing quartz vein samples yield δDV-SMOW and δ18OV-SMOW values of −75.9‰ to −54.4‰ and +8.1‰ to +13.7‰, respectively, and the corresponding δ18Owater values range from +3.1‰ to +8.7‰. In addition, the pyrite separates from 14 ore samples yield δ34S values of +4.5‰ to +7.9‰. The H-O-S isotopic data, along with fluid properties of the Tuwaishan and other gold deposits along the Gezhen shear zone, suggest that the ore-forming fluid and materials are of metamorphic rather than magmatic origin. Hence, we propose that the Tuwaishan gold deposit is best classified as orogenic gold deposit that resulted from regional metamorphism. Considering that the Mesoproterozoic basement rocks have experienced amphibolite facies metamorphism prior to the gold mineralization, the metamorphic devolatilization of the Ordovician-Silurian rocks at depth would provide a realistic source of fluid, gold and sulfur for the Tuwaishan and other gold deposits of the Gezhen gold belt.

Geological Structure Control on the Formation of Metal Mineralization at Quartz Veins in Jendi Village, Wonogiri Regency, Central Java

Quartz veins in the Jendi area and its surroundings are formed by geological structures with distributions and patterns that need to be known. This study uses data on striation, quartz vein orientation, and metal content in quartz veins. The use of this data aims to determine the relationship between the vein direction pattern and its metal mineral content with the main structure that forms it. The results of this study can be useful in determining the structural model and distribution of veins in the study area. The research method was carried out through a series of field and laboratory work. Fieldwork includes measuring striation data, measuring the orientation of quartz veins, and taking quartz vein samples. Studio work includes stereographic analysis of striation data, rosette diagram analysis of vein measurement data, and analysis of metallic element content of quartz veins. The quartz vein mineralization zone in the study area is controlled by a right slip fault with a northwest-southeast trend that forms a transtension zone with a north-south trend. The north-south trending veins are generally thick, long/continuous, and have a high metal content.

Silica crystallinity: Characteristics and controlling factors in marine shale of the upper Yangtze area, China

The quartz crystallinity index (QCI) was applied to quantitatively characterise the crystallinity features of silica within the marine shale of the upper Yangtze area. A total of 67 samples, including 63 shale samples, 3 quartz vein samples, and 1 artificial quartz sample as reference, were applied in QCI calculation by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Furthermore, based on the identification and classification of graptolite biozones, a series of experimental analyses, including the total organic carbon (TOC) content, bitumen reflectance, and elemental composition, were conducted to determine the silica origin and controlling factors of crystallinity. The results indicated that biogenic silica in marine shale intervals had an obviously lower crystallinity than silica of other origins. The quartz vein in shale intervals presented the highest silica crystallinity. Silica that experienced a low diagenesis intensity exhibited the lowest crystallinity. Furthermore, biogenic silica in a state of overpressure had a much lower crystallinity than that under normal pressure. The crystallinity of silica in marine shale of the upper Yangtze area is affected by origin, diagenesis intensity, and overpressure. From the perspective of QCI, the Chengkou area is probably the next favourable area for shale gas exploration and development.

X-ray Fluorescence and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Analysis of Li-Rich Minerals in Veins from Argemela Tin Mine, Central Portugal

In this work, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analyses were applied to samples of quartz, montebrasite, and turquoise hydrothermal veins in the Argemela Tin Mine (Central Portugal). Montebrasite (LiAl(PO4)(OH,F)) is potentially the main ore mineral; with its alteration, lithium (Li) can disseminate into other minerals. A hand sample was cut and analyzed by XRF and LIBS for several elements of interest including Cu, P, Al, Si, and Li. Although XRF cannot measure Li, results from its analysis are effective for distinguishing turquoise from montebrasite. LIBS analysis complemented this study, making it possible to conclude that turquoise does not contain any significant Li in its structure. The difference in spot size between the techniques (5 mm vs. 300 µm for XRF and LIBS, respectively) resulted in a poorer performance by XRF in accurately identifying mixed minerals. A thin section was petrographically characterized and mapped using LIBS. The mapping results demonstrate the possibility of the successful identification of minerals and their alterations on a thin section. The results of XRF analysis and LIBS mapping in petrographic sections demonstrate the efficacy of these methods as tools for element and mineral identification, which can be important in exploration and mining phases, complementing more traditional techniques.

鄂西宜昌地区页岩气勘探发现对MVT铅锌矿成矿的指示意义

The coupling relationship between hydrocarbon accumulation and the involvement of organic matter in metal mineralization has been a frontier scientific question in recent years. On the basis of the petrography and Raman spectral analysis of fluid inclusions, high-density methane inclusions were discovered in the samples of quartz and calcite veins from Sinian Doushantuo shales, Lower Cambrian Niutitang shales, and MVT (Mississippi Valley type) lead-zinc deposit of Sinian Dengying Formation in Yichang area. The Raman scatter peak v of methane inclusions was applied to calculate the density of pure methane inclusions, and the ore-forming ages of MVT lead-zinc deposit were determined by using Rb-Sr and Sm-Nd isochron dating. The density of methane inclusions trapped in the quartz veins within the Doushantuo shales of well EYY 1 mainly ranges from 0.237 to 0.278 g/cm, and the density of methane inclusions trapped in the calcite veins within the Hejiaping MVT lead-zinc deposit mainly ranges from 0.213 to 0.271 g/cm, which signifies methane inclusions of high density. Paragenetic mineral association sphalerite and galena within the Hejiaping lead-zinc deposit have a Rb-Sr isochron age of 189.1±1.8 Ma, and calcite within the Hejiaping lead-zinc deposit yields a Sm-Nd isochron age of 189.9±2.0 Ma, which indicates is the mineralization of Hejiaping lead-zinc deposit was closely related to the Yanshanian tectonic compressions. The Sr/Sr values of the paragenetic mineral association (0.711 92) and calcite (0.712 03-0.712 27) indicate that the ore-forming fluids of the Hejiaping lead-zinc deposit were derived largely from shale sources. The high-density methane trapped in fluid inclusions within the Hejiaping lead-zinc deposit was most likely derived from the high-density overpressure methane generated by the Doushantuo shales and/or Niutitang shales. The discovery of high-density methane inclusion in the shale gas layer and MVT lead-zinc deposit, and the determination of ore-forming ages of MVT lead-zinc deposit provide new evidence for the study of organic matter participation in the mineralization of MVT lead-zinc deposit.

High-Resolution Hyperspectral Mineral Mapping: Case Studies in the Edwards Limestone, Texas, USA and Sulfide-Rich Quartz Veins from the Ladakh Batholith, Northern Pakistan

The study of hand samples is a significant aspect of geoscience. This work showcases a technique for relatively quick and inexpensive mineral characterization, applied to a Cretaceous limestone formation and for sulfide-rich quartz vein samples from Northern Pakistan. Spectral feature parameters are derived from mineral mixtures of known abundance and are used for mineral mapping. Additionally, three well-known classification techniques—Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Neural Network—are compared. Point counting results from petrographic thin sections are used for validation the limestone samples, and QEMSCAN mineral maps for the sulfide samples. For classifying the carbonates, the SVM classifier produced results that are closest to the training set—with 84.4% accuracy and a kappa coefficient of 0.8. For classifying sulfides, SAM produced mineral abundances that were closest to the validation data, possibly due to the low reflectance of sulfides throughout the short-wave infrared spectrum with some differences in the overall spectral shape.

Vein Mineralogy and Hydrothermal Gold Mineralization at the Kyaw Soe Thu Prospect in the Wabo Deposit, Mandalay Region, Central Myanmar

The Kyaw Soe Thu Prospect is a part of the Wabo deposit which is situated along Mogok Metamorphic Belt (MMB) in Central Myanmar. Gold bearing veins are hosted in the banded garnet-biotite gneiss, calc-silicate, marble and granitoid of the Wabo area. The granitic rocks intruded into banded garnet-biotite gneiss. The MMB was intensely deformed and it is a highly fractured metamorphic terrain in which metamorphic facies ranges from amphibolite to granulite facies. Gold mineralization at the Kyaw Soe Thu Prospect in the Wabo deposit occurred in the forms of gold-quartz veins. The quartz veins are a few centimeters in width. The color of the quartz vein at the Kyaw Soe Thu Prospect is commonly smoky and milky. The quartz vein exhibits chalcedonic, saccharoidal and granular textures. Three mineralizations were indicated. Stage I is the thin layered crustiform chalcedonic quartz. Stage II is chalcedonic quartz vein and stage III is Ankerite-quartz-sericite vein. Stage II and stage III are gold rich hydrothermal stages, and Ankerite-quartz-sericite veins were formed with a small amount of sericites in the Kyaw Soe Thu Prospect. The Ankerite-quartz-sericite veinlets range from a centimeter up to three centimeter in width within the stage II chalcedonic quartz vein. Textures of mineralized quartz vein samples were petrographically examined. The textures include a feathery texture that is most closely associated with electrum in both stage II chalcedonic quartz veins and stage III Ankerite-quartz-sericite veins. Ankerite varies in color from pink, white to buff. Among them, pink color is more common in the Kyaw Soe Thu Prospect. Ankerite in the Kyaw Soe Thu Prospect exhibits rhombohedral idiomorphic, which exhibits growth patterns. Ore minerals of the veins are electrum, pyrite, galena, and trace amount of very fine-grained chalcopyrite. On the basis of textures of the chalcedonic quartz veins, the Kyaw Soe Thu Prospect is ascribed to be a low-sulfidation epithermal deposit.

LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis of arsenopyrite from the Samgwang gold deposit, South Korea, and its genetic implications

The Samgwang deposit, previously classified as an orogenic gold deposit, consists of several structurally controlled auriferous quartz veins hosted by metasedimentary rocks of the Precambrian Gyeonggi massif, South Korea. The gold at Samgwang occurs as electrum commonly associated with arsenopyrite. Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), coupled with ore microscopy, was conducted on Au and trace elements distributed in arsenopyrite grains contained in quartz vein and wall rock samples. Resulting profiles for Au, Co, Ni, and Sb were relatively flat and showed little variability, indicating that the elements were relatively homogeneously distributed and exchanged via substitution in arsenopyrite, while variability and noisy depth profiles inferred that Pb was present as tiny inclusions or discrete particles. Furthermore, measured gold concentrations were typically higher in arsenopyrite grains from laminated quartz veins (avg. 2.07 ppm) than in grains from massive quartz veins (avg. 0.26 ppm) and wall rock samples (avg. 0.33 ppm). In the case of wall rock and massive quartz vein samples, arsenopyrite grains of euhedral shape illustrate an element distribution pattern whereby Au concentrations tend to decrease towards the rims of the analyzed grains. In contrast, the rims of arsenopyrite grains in laminated quartz vein samples recorded much higher Au concentrations of up to 20.1 ppm, with increasing Pb, Bi, and Ag, particularly within domains of fractured or recrystallized arsenopyrite grains. The newly acquired LA-ICP-MS data, along with textural evidence, may be interpreted in terms of the release and remobilization of invisible gold that was originally locked up in the arsenopyrite. This release is linked to late deformation and hydrothermal event during which the remobilized invisible gold was redeposited as electrum. In addition, there is evidence for the introduction of additional gold and other precious and base metals by the late-stage hydrothermal fluids. Based on the above and in contrast to previous genetic models, we propose a more complex metallogenic concept for Samgwang in which the economically important gold enrichment process was genetically related to intrusive activity during the waning stages of Jurassic to Early Cretaceous Daebo orogenesis.

Possible generation and existence of quartz veins at Cisolok Geothermal Area

Cisolok area located at Southern West Java shows various geothermal manifestations. The igneous and volcanic rocks forming the main component of lithology in the area contains quartz veins. This indicates the rocks units in the area may have a close relation to the widely known Cikotok Fomation containing valuable minerals. Macroscopic description of Cisolok quartz vein samples show pyrite and possibly other heavy metal minerals in the veins. Geological condition shown close relation of Cikotok Formation having older geological age to dasitic volcanic rocks extrusted in Cisolok geothermal area. Further and detail research of quartz veins in Cisolok geothermal area will provide relationship to the Cikotok Formation, possible generation and component of valuable heavy minerals. This paper discusses the case condition under lithological and stratigraphic analysis of the volcanic and igneous rocks having quartz veins at Cisolok geothermal area.

Fluid Inclusion Study of The Tumpangpitu High Sulfidation Epithermal Gold Deposit in Banyuwangi District, East Java, Indonesia

The Tumpangpitu high sulfidation (HS) epithermal gold deposit is located in the south coast of East Java, Banyuwangi District, East Java Province, Indonesia. This area lies within the central portion of the Cenozoic Sunda‐Banda magmatic arc which trends southeast from northern Sumatra to west Java then eastward through east Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa and terminating at Banda sea. The geology of the Tumpangpitu is predominantly occupied by Late Oligocene to Middle Miocene low-K calc-alkaline to alkaline andesitic volcanic rocks and interbedded with volcaniclastic rock sequences, which are associated with low-K intermediate intrusions. The mineralization style at the Tumpangpitu area is composed of a high‐sulfidation (HS) epithermal gold-copper system which is typically associated with concealed gold-rich porphyry copper system. The HS epithermal mineralization is hosted by volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks in this research area. The mineralization domains are divided into Zone A, Zone B and Zone C which are situated along NW-SE-trending silica ledges zones. The HS epithermal mineralization is texturally occurs as vuggy replacements mineralization as well as stockworks, disseminated forms, fractures and veins. Fluid inclusion study was conducted for 6 quartz vein samples which petrographically entrapped fluid inclusions. Homogenization temperature (Th) and melting temperature (Tm) can microthermometrically be determined by fluid inclusion analysis. The average homogenization temperature (Th) of the fluid inclusions gives 180˚C to 342˚C and melting temperature are from -0.1 ˚C to -1.4˚C. Tm corresponds to the salinities ranging from 0.1 to 4.5 wt% NaCl equivalent. The paleodepth of ore formation can be estimated from the salinity of fluid. Since the deposit was not formed at boiling condition, the minimum paleodepth of ore (quartz) samples taken from both shallow level (53.35 m) and deep level (135.15 m) is determined at 650m and 1,220 m, respectively. The microthermometric data point out that the Tumpangpitu deposit formed at moderate temperature and low salinity by magmatic fluid mixing and dilution by meteoric water during the hydrothermal fluid evolution. On the basis of the fluid inclusion microthermometric data and its other key characteristics, the Tumpangpitu gold mineralization shares some similarities compared to other typical HS-epithermal gold deposits worlwide although it also shares few differences.

Characteristics and Behavior of Hydrothermal Fluids for Gold Mineralization at the Hishikari Deposits, Kyushu, Japan

AbstractThe Hishikari gold–silver deposits in southern Kyushu, Japan, are low‐sulfidation vein‐type epithermal deposits. Bulk composition analysis, fluid inclusion microthermometry and quantitative gas composition analysis on the basis of the crush‐fast scan (CFS) method were conducted to elucidate characteristics and behavior of hydrothermal fluids responsible for the gold mineralization of the Hishikari deposits. Quartz vein samples were collected from widely scattered locations of ore veins: Zuisen‐6, ‐3, ‐1 (Main deposit), Keisen‐2 and Shosen‐5 (Sanjin deposit), and Seisen‐8 (Yamada deposit) between −70 and 64 ML (mine meter level). The samples are composed mainly of quartz and adularia, and ore minerals of electrum, pyrargyrite, pyrite and/or stibnite, having an average bulk Ag/Au weight ratio of 0.54. Fluid inclusions in quartz and adularia are two‐phase liquid–vapor, and their trapping temperatures and salinities are ca. 190–220 °C and 1.5–2.7 wt.% NaCl eq., respectively. The salinity is highest with an average 2.4 wt.% NaCl eq. of the fluid inclusions from the deepest level (Zuisen‐6 vein at −70 ML), while the fluid inclusion salinities from other samples are relatively low less than ca. 2.0 wt.% NaCl eq. Parallel‐ and lattice‐bladed quartz occur in a number of veins, suggesting fluid boiling during the vein formation.Gases of fluid inclusions are composed mainly of H2O (93.4–99.8 mol%) and CO2 (0.15–6.2 mol%), N2 (0.007–0.96 mol%), Ar (0.0001–0.0047 mol%), CH4 (0.002–0.048 mol%), H2S (0.0004–0.0028 mol%), H2 (0–0.074 mol%) and He (0.0002–0.0011 mol%). CO2, N2 and Ar contents of the fluid inclusions are elevated in the samples collected from deep levels, while H2O, H2S and He contents are elevated in those from shallow levels. The Ar/He, CO2/CH4 and N2/Ar ratios of fluid inclusion gas indicate a systematic transition from magmatic to meteoric signatures in order from deep to shallow levels. The CO2/N2 ratio and volatiles contents are positively correlated suggesting condensation in relatively high Au‐grade quartz vein samples (19.5–27.7 ppm Au), while negative correlations suggest boiling with volatile contents less than 1% are indicative of low Au‐grade quartz vein samples (0.14 to 0.18 ppm Au). The elevated CO2 contents observed in the Zuisen veins are signatures of the deeply circulating hydrothermal fluid with a magmatic contribution. Due to intermittent boiling of hydrothermal fluid, CO2 and H2S were partitioned into the vapor phase in deeper portions and condensed into the steam‐heated meteoric water in shallower portions. The signatures of both meteoric and magmatic fluids in fluid inclusion gas compositions were detected in the samples collected near the unconformity between Shimanto Supergroup (shale and sandstone) and Hishikari Lower Andesite. This suggests that a mixing of the deeply circulating hydrothermal fluids with the steam‐heated meteoric water took place near the unconformity, and it was one of the mechanisms to have precipitated gold.

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.

Zonation of primary haloes of Atud auriferous quartz vein deposit, Central Eastern Desert of Egypt: A potential exploration model targeting for hidden mesothermal gold deposits

The Atud gold mine located in the Neoproterozoic diorite and metagabbro of the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt has been initially excavated during Pharaonic times. Between 1953 and 1969, the Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority performed underground prospection in the auriferous quartz vein and metasomatic alteration zones in the main Atud area, estimating a principal gold lode of 19,000tones (16.28g/ton), and 1600tons of damp (1.24g/ton). Yet the potentiality of the deposit has not been exhausted. However, for exploration of hidden ore, quantitative characterization using trace elements zoning of mineralization haloes with 280 samples from surface and three underground mining levels is applied. This was through multivariate statistical analysis (Factor analysis) of 11 selected trace elements. Axial (vertical) extents of primary haloes above and beneath gently dipping orebody are also visualized to interpret the level of erosion, determine the direction of mineralizing solutions as well as to examine whether the hidden orebody is promising at the Atud mine.Axial zones of primary dispersion aureoles of trace elements are: Ag, As, S and U around the auriferous quartz veins; Cu, and Pb in the surface horizons; and Zn, Ni, Co, and U along the lower margin of mineralization zone. Gold contents in bedrock and quartz vein samples from level-42M are the highest (5.7 and 40.3ppm, respectively). In the transverse (lateral) direction, the maximum relative accumulation of Au and Zn occurs at the Northern Shaft; Pb, Cu, As, and U at the Main Shaft; and Ag, S, Co, and Ni at the Southern Shaft. The estimated axial zonation sequence of indicator elements using the variability index is Pb→Cu→Ag→Au→As→S→Ni→Co→U→Zn. According to this zonation, an index such as (Pb×Cu)D/(U×Zn)D can be a significant for predicting the Au potentiality at a particular depth. In addition, the Pb/U zonality index is an appropriate indicator for the degree of erosion at the Atud gold mine. The degree of surficial zonality of the mineralization as deduced from geochemical maps and the level of erosion of the geochemical anomalies as well as the decreasing of gold content with depth recorded throughout the different underground mine workings make it necessary for the prospection model to evaluate the drainage patterns dissecting the mineralized zone.The application of R-mode factor analysis estimated seven statistical factors, and factor score maps are portrayed. Factors 1 (Ag, Au, As, Co, S, U and Zn) and 2 (Zn, U, Co and S) significantly reflect the Au-mineralization (ore-controlled), and their score maps enable a more precise delineation of auriferous quartz veins and the area which may contain primary gold mineralization. The other factors reveal the distribution of Cu- and Pb-bearing minerals (supergene alteration factors), and Ba and Ni in the host diorite (lithologically-controlled). These are consistent with the calculated maximum relative accumulation of trace elements, proposing a potential model of exploration based on integrating underground geochemical data from old gold mine workings with spatial information from R-mode factor score maps.

Geology and Gold Mineralization around Kutcheri, northwestern Nigeria

The study area predominantly consists of metasediments, porphyritic granites with minor amphibolite dykes, quartz vein and quartzofeldspathic intrusions. The metasediments are fractured and folded in places. The dominant fold axes and quartz vein intrusions trend NNE-SSW parallel to the regional foliation of the rocks. Artisanal mining of placer gold mineralization were documented around the banks of Rivers in northwestern part of the study area. Panning of 40kg sediments from pits in the area around Gidan Boss and Dutsen Burka yields 0.28g Au. Grain morphology shows both eluvial and alluvial deposits occur. The eluvial gold are presumed to occur within steeply dipping (70° E and above) quartz veins. Geochemical analysis of 13 quartz vein samples to characterize samples enriched with target (Au) and some pathfinder elements (Pb, Hg, Cu, Ag and Zn) above background levels were carried out. The concentration in ppm had Au (< 1-4.8) and others, Pb (<1-28), Hg (<0.5), Cu (6.2 to 61.4), Ag (<0.5) and Zn (8.8 to 39). There is no significant difference between concentration of analytes in Dutsen Burka and Gidan Boss at α = 0.05. Also, strong positive correlation between Au and Cu, Au and Pb confirms they are indicator elements for Au in the area.

Evaluation of rockburst potential in a cut-and-fill mine using energy balance

Rockburst has been one of major hazards in underground mines, including cut-and-fill mines and it must be properly prevented. The rockburst is characterized by a sudden release of strain energy in the highly stressed pillar that often causes local violent failure of the pillar. An evaluation of rockburst potential based on the ration between stored strain energy and released strain energy has been carried out. It included laboratory work where the specimens were tested in loading-unloading uniaxial compression and numerical analysis of a cut-and-fill mine. The laboratory experiments revealed that the quartz vein samples have very low to high rockburst potential whereas the numerical analysis showed that the crown pillar of quartz vein would have low to moderate rockburst potential.

The Early Cretaceous Yangzhaiyu Lode Gold Deposit, North China Craton: A Link Between Craton Reactivation and Gold Veining

The Yangzhaiyu gold deposit is one of numerous lode gold deposits in the Xiaoqinling district, southern margin of the North China Craton. Gold mineralization is hosted in Neoarchean to early Paleoproterozoic amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks and consists of auriferous quartz veins and subordinate disseminated ores in the vein-proximal alteration zone. Ore-related hydrothermal alteration is dominated by sericite + quartz + sulfide assemblages close to gold veins, and biotite + quartz + pyrite ± chlorite ± epidote alteration generally distal from mineralization. Pyrite is the predominant sulfide mineral, locally coexisting with minor amounts of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Gold occurs mostly as free gold enclosed in or filling microfractures of pyrite and quartz and is also present in equilibrium with Au-bearing tellurides, mainly petzite and calaverite coexisting with hessite, tellurobismuthite, and altaite. Fluid inclusion studies suggest that gold veins were deposited at intermediate temperatures (175°–313°C) from aqueous or aqueous-carbonic fluids with moderate salinity (5–14 wt % NaCl equiv). δ 34S values of sulfide minerals range mainly from 2.0 to 4.4‰, whereas auriferous quartz vein samples have δ 18O values of 12.4 to 9.6‰, with calculated δ 18OH2O values of 6.0 to 3.2‰. Gold-related pyrite grains yield elevated 3He/4He ratios (1.51-0.32 Ra) relative to crustal reservoirs and mantle-like 20Ne/22Ne and 21Ne/22Ne ratios (9.90-9.68 and 0.029, respectively). The stable and noble gas isotopes thus suggest deep-seated, most likely magmatic and mantle-derived, sources for the ore fluids, sulfur and, by inference, other components in the ore system. 40Ar/39Ar dating of ore-related sericite and biotite separates indicates two episodes of gold genesis at 134.5 to 132.3 and 124.3 to 123.7 Ma. The mineralization ages overlap zircon U-Pb ages of 141.0 ± 1.6 to 125.8 ± 1.4 Ma (2 σ ) for the Wenyu and Niangniangshan monzogranite Plutons and a number of mafic to intermediate dikes intruding these Plutons, all being proximal to the Yangzhaiyu gold deposit. The synchronism of gold genesis and magmatism provides additional weights of evidence for a magmatic derivation of ore fluids and sulfur. The geochronologic data also suggest that gold veining took place billions of years after the stabilization of the North China Craton and associated metamorphism in the Late Archean to early Paleoproterozoic. This contrasts sharply to lode gold deposits in other Precambrian cratons that formed predominantly in Late Archean to Paleoproterozoic, temporarily and genetically related to regional high-grade metamorphism and compressional or transpressional tectonism. Available data have demonstrated that the North China Craton was reactivated in the late Mesozoic, as marked by voluminous igneous rocks, faulted-basin formation, high crustal heat flow, and widespread metamorphic core complexes in the eastern part of the craton. It is thus suggested that the Yangzhaiyu gold deposit, together with other deposits of similar ages in the Xiaoqinling district, were products of this craton reactivation event. Lithospheric extension and extensive magmatism related to the craton reactivation may have provided sufficient heat energy, fluid, and sulfur required for the formation of the gold deposits.

External micro-PIXE analysis of fluid inclusions: Test of the LABEC facility on samples of quartz veins from Apuan Alps (Italy)

Fluid inclusions are small portions, usually smaller than 100μm, of fluid trapped within minerals during or after growth. Their characteristics provide therefore fundamental information on nature and evolution of fluids present in the past in different geological environments. At the LABEC laboratory in Firenze, high-salinity fluid inclusions in quartz crystals, coming from the Apuan Alps metamorphic complex, were analysed at the external scanning microbeam. Results, although still preliminary, have already provided us with hints on fluid-rock interaction processes during the metamorphism of the Apuan Alps.

Geology and geochemical aspects of lode gold mineralization at Dimako–Mboscorro, SE Cameroon

The Dimako–Mboscorro lode gold deposit has two styles of mineralization: quartz veins (4.5–54 ppm Au) and altered wallrock (up to 2.6 ppm Au). The veins occur in steeply dipping brittle–ductile shear zones in a foliated biotite metagranite. The alteration envelop around the gold-bearing quartz veins shows lateral zoning comprising a silicified/ ferruginized and mylonitic zone (SFZ) at the centre, through a transitional sericite zone (SZ), to an outer, slightly sheared, but mineralogically less altered, though bleached, metagranite zone (BZ) at the shear zone boundaries. Hydrothermal alteration in these zones is characterized by silicification (SFZ, SZ), hematite formation (SFZ), alkali metasomatism with muscovite/sericite formation (SFZ, SZ, to a much lesser extent BZ), and pyritization (SFZ, SZ). The auriferous quartz veins are concordant to the host structure but discordant to the foliation in the metagranite. The main ore minerals in the veins and in the SFZ and SZ zones are gold, hydrothermal hematite, sphalerite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, chalcocite, covellite and colloidal supergene hematite. Gold occurs as inclusions in sphalerite (15.7±0.4 wt% Ag; 83.6±0.2 wt% Au), as coarse grains associated with euhedral hematite pseudomorphs (18.5±1.0 wt% Ag; 82.0±1.1 wt% Au), as stringers within fractures in quartz (13.3±0.1 wt% Ag; 87.1±0.5 wt% Au), as well as fine to coarse grains related to limonite, goethite and colloidal hematite (8.1±1.8 wt% Ag; 92.1±2.2 wt% Au). A hydrothermal metal association of Ag, Au, As, Ba, Pb, V, W, and Zn is identified in the wallrock and quartz veins. These metals, together with K-enrichment, are potential pathfinder elements for wider lithogeochemical exploration in this region, especially when combined with the lateral wallrock zonation pattern. Preliminary fluid inclusion data from the auriferous quartz vein samples indicate that gold was probably deposited from low salinity (&lt;1 to 8 wt% eq. NaCl, with mean at 5.52 wt% eq. NaCl) H 2 O–CO 2 fluids that have total homogenization temperatures of 263–335°C.

Characteristics of orogenic-gold deposits in the Northcote district, Hodgkinson Province, north Queensland: implications for tectonic evolution

We report results of metallogenic, structural, petrological and fluid-inclusion studies that characterise the nature of gold mineralisation in the Northcote district of the Hodgkinson Goldfield, one of the major goldfields in the Palaeozoic Hodgkinson Province of northeastern Queensland, Australia. Gold – arsenic and gold – antimony – arsenic deposits in the Northcote district are spatially associated with distinctive northwest-trending faults and shear zones suggesting a strong structural control on their development during several phases of deformation in the Late Devonian to Carboniferous. Field evidence, as well as petrographic, scanning electron microscope and fluid-inclusion analysis of mineralised samples, indicates the occurrence of two stages of gold genesis. Gold associated with the earlier of the two mineralising episodes exists mainly in solid solution with acicular arsenopyrite. SEM analysis indicated that minor sphalerite, galena and tetrahedrite formed during this episode of mineralisation. Gold deposited during the second mineralising episode has a strong association with antimony. Fluid-inclusion studies of quartz vein samples record minimum homogenisation temperatures between 108 and 312°C, and salinities of up to 13 wt% NaCl equivalent. Little to no difference in the nature of the fluids is observed between samples related to the two gold-forming stages. The style of gold mineralisation in the Northcote district is compatible with orogenic-gold deposits that form primarily during compressional and transpressional deformation along convergent plate margins.

Fluid inclusion studies of the Abawso gold prospect, near the Ashanti Belt, Ghana

The major Ghanaian lode gold deposits are preferentially aligned along the western and eastern contacts of the Kumasi Basin with the Ashanti and Sefwi Belts, respectively. The investigated area of the Abawso small-scale concession, covering the workings of the old Ettadom mine, is situated 3 km west of the lithological contact of the Birimian metavolcanic rocks of the Akropong Belt in the east with the Birimian metasedimentary rocks of the Kumasi Basin in the west. The rocks of the Abawso concession represent a steeply NW-dipping limb of a SE-verging anticline with an axis plunging to the SW. Quartz veining occurs predominantly in the form of en echelon dilatational veins along NNE–SSW-striking shear zones of a few metres width and shows evidence of brittle and ductile deformation. Also stockwork-style quartz veining occurs in the vicinity of the main shaft of the old Ettadom mine. Hydrothermal alteration includes sericitisation, sulphidation and locally carbonatisation. The auriferous quartz veins mainly follow the trend of brittle to ductile deformed quartz veins; however, some occur in stockwork. Fluid inclusion studies reveal a large number of H2O inclusions along intragranular trails in auriferous quartz vein samples, as well as an overall dominance of H2O and H2O-CO2 inclusions over CO2 inclusions. Textural observations and physico-chemical fluid inclusion properties indicate post-entrapment modifications for all quartz vein samples due to grain boundary migration recrystallisation. This process is interpreted to be responsible for the generation of the CO2 inclusions from a H2O-CO2 parent fluid. In comparison with mineralisation at the Ashanti and Prestea deposits, which are characterised by CO2±N2 inclusions, the observed inclusion assemblage may be due to a shallower crustal level of mineralisation, or different degrees and styles of recrystallisation, or a less pronounced development of laminated quartz veins due to comparably restricted pressure fluctuations. Furthermore, the microthermometric observations allow the reconstruction of a possible retrograde P-T path, depicting near-isothermal decompression in the P-T range of the brittle/ductile transition.