Styles Of Mineralization Research Articles

Diagenetic History and Timing of Cu and Zn-Pb Sulfide Mineralization in the Permian Kupferschiefer System, Saale Subbasin, Eastern Germany

Abstract The Southern Permian basin in central Europe contains a number of important high-grade sediment-hosted Cu deposits. Laterally extensive stratabound Cu and Zn-Pb sulfide mineralized rocks are located at a major stratigraphic redox boundary, where coarse-grained continental sandstones of the uppermost Rotliegend Group are overlain by carbonaceous mudstones (T1) and limestones (Ca1) of the Zechstein Formation. This study investigates the diagenetic evolution and style of sulfide mineralization in three drill cores that intersect Cu and Zn-Pb sulfide mineralized rocks at three locations (Sangerhausen, Allstedt, and Wallendorf) in the Saale subbasin (Eastern Germany), which is located at the southern margin of the Southern Permian basin. We combine macro- to microscale petrographic data (binocular, transmitted and reflected light, and scanning electron microscopy) with quantitative X-ray diffractometry and bulk-rock geochemical analyses. Petrographic results show extensive, primary-porosity-occluding, early diagenetic calcite cementation that predates both the diagenetic alteration of detrital clasts and sulfide mineralization. The highest-grade Cu and Zn-Pb sulfides (bornite, sphalerite, and galena) replace the calcite cement, with subordinate replacement of dolomite and detrital clasts. Quantitative mineralogical and geochemical data demonstrate that the highest base metal (Cu, Zn, and Pb) concentrations are associated with carbonate-rich samples, mostly as disseminated mineralization in the middle T1. Bulk-rock geochemical results show enrichment and covariation of redox-sensitive trace elements (RSTEs, e.g., Mo) with total organic carbon content toward the lower T1, consistent with highly reducing depositional conditions. Overall, the distribution and dissolution of calcite cement across this stratigraphic redox boundary provided the main control on the lateral migration of base metal-bearing fluids and high-grade Cu and Zn-Pb sulfide mineralization in the Saale subbasin.

Multiscale (microscopic to remote sensing) preliminary exploration of auriferous-uraniferous marbles: A case study from the Egyptian Nubian Shield

Since their recent first record within the Egyptian Nubian Shield, auriferous and uraniferous marbles (Au = 0.98–2.76 g/t; U = 133–640 g/t) have rarely been addressed, despite not only their probable economic importance but also the fact that it is a new genetic style of gold and uranium mineralization in the Nubian Shield rocks. This is mainly attributed to the inadequate localization of these marbles within harsh terrains, as well as the cost and time spent with conventional fieldwork for their identification compared to the main lithological components of the Nubian Shield. On the contrary, remote sensing and machine learning techniques save time and effort while introducing reliable feature identification with reasonable accuracy. Consequently, the current research is an attempt to apply the well-known machine learning algorithm (Support vector Machine—SVM) over Sentinel 2 remote sensing data (with a spatial resolution of up to 10 m) to delineate the distribution of auriferous-uraniferous marbles in the Barramiya-Daghbagh district (Eastern Desert of Egypt), as a case study from the Nubian Shield. Towards better results, marbles were accurately distinguished utilizing ALOS PRISM (2.5 m) pan-sharpened Sentinel 2 data and well-known exposures during fieldwork. With an overall accuracy of more than 90%, a thematic map for auriferous-uraniferous marbles and the major rock units in the Barramiya-Daghbagh district was produced. Marbles are spatially related to ophiolitic serpentinite rocks, as consistent with their genesis within the Neoproterozoic oceanic lithosphere. Field and petrographic investigations have confirmed the newly detected Au and U-bearing zones (impure calcitic to impure dolomitic marbles in Wadi Al Barramiya and Wadi Daghbagh areas and impure calcitic marble in Gebel El-Rukham area). Additionally, X-ray diffraction (XRD), back-scattered electron images (BSEIs), and Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) results were integrated to verify our remote sensing results and petrographic investigations. Different times of mineralization are indicated, ranging from syn-metamorphism (gold in Wadi Al Barramiya and Gebel El-Rukham) to post-metamorphism (gold in Wadi Daghbagh and uranium in all locations). Based on the application of geological, mineralogical, machine learning and remote sensing results for the construction of a preliminary exploration model of the auriferous-uraniferous marble in the Egyptian Nubian Shield, we recommend a detailed exploration of Au and U-bearing zones in Barramiya-Dghbagh district and applying the adopted approach to other districts of similar geological environments.

Magmatic and hydrothermal controls on diverse Nb mineralization associated with carbonatite-alkaline complexes in the southern Qinling orogenic belt, Central China

Abstract Although carbonatite-alkaline complexes are the primary source of the world’s niobium (Nb) supply, the mineralization style is largely variable in these complexes and the processes behind their formation are still poorly understood. Exemplifying with our new observations on the ~430 Ma Miaoya and Shaxiongdong carbonatite-syenite complexes in the southern Qinling orogenic belt, central China, show that disseminated Nb mineralization in these two deposits is pervasive throughout the entire complexes in both syenite and carbonatite. Both magmatic and hydrothermal processes have contributed to Nb mineralization in both deposits, despite differences in the mineralization style. The Nb-bearing minerals in the mineralized Miaoya syenites include magmatic U-poor pyrochlore, rutile, and ilmenite with minor amounts of columbite, and hydrothermal columbite and rutile, whereas those in the mineralized carbonatites are mainly magmatic U-poor pyrochlore, uranpyrochlore, U-rich betafite, and rutile with minor amounts of columbite, and hydrothermal columbite and rutile. On the other hand, the Nb-bearing minerals in the mineralized Shaxiongdong syenites include magmatic U-poor pyrochlore, titanite, rutile, and ilmenite, and hydrothermal fersmite, rutile, and ilmenite, whereas those in the mineralized carbonatites are mainly magmatic U-poor pyrochlore without any hydrothermal Nb-bearing minerals. Field observations, whole-rock chemical and Sr-Nd isotopic compositions strongly constrained that assimilation of U-rich rocks (e.g., the hosting Yaolinghe and Meiziya Groups) and magma differentiation are responsible for diverse magmatic Nb mineralization in the two deposits. On the other hand, the diverse assemblages of hydrothermal Nb minerals in Miaoya and Shaxiongdong are mainly controlled by variations in the nature of the fluids, which is constrained to be genetically related to ~220 and ~420 Ma hydrothermal events, respectively. In summary, both magma evolution (e.g., differentiation, assimilation) and late hydrothermal overprinting are responsible for the diverse Nb mineralogy in carbonatite-alkaline complexes, a situation that is commonly observed worldwide.

The Umm Matierah gold prospect: Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of a potential low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposits, southeastern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

The Umm Matierah gold prospect is located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Shield, at the northernmost tip of the Jabal Ishmas-Wadi Tathlith gold belt. Detailed mineralogical and geochemical investigations indicated that the studied metavolcanics show lithological varieties of meta-alkali basalt, meta-andesite, meta-trachyandesite, and meta-dacite. These rocks are foliated and hydrothermally altered (bleached), indicating a low-temperature propylitic alteration, affected by breccia veins and veinlets, and irregular stockwork. The Umm Matierah gold deposit is characterized by quartz-adularia-sericite-chlorite-carbonate alteration assemblage. The ore minerals of the Umm Matierah gold prospect are dominated by pyrite and arsenopyrite, with minor amounts of sphalerite. The sulfides have no preferred host rock; however, they are mainly present within the veins and veinlets and at the contacts with host rocks; they are also associated with the quartz-rich breccias. Minute gold grains are traced at the contact between the inner pitted and the outer clear zones of large pyrite crystals. Gold and sulfide enrichment do not exceed 10 vol% of the whole rock and are correlated with the thickness of extensive alteration zones that also show an ultimate association of chlorite with sulfide minerals. Compositionally, the studied rocks show 6.47 ppm average gold, are relatively rich in K, Ag, As, Sb, and W, and are relatively poor in Al, Na, Cu, Cr, Ni, Nb, Y, and Rb. The host rocks range in composition from ultrapotassic, shoshonitic, high-K calk-alkaline, to calk-alkaline end member, with transitional environmental signature from intraplate to oceanic island arc. These compositional features suggest that these rocks may have been derived from island source and subsequently slightly fractionated and contaminated during ascent and/or slightly affected by hydrothermal alteration. The host rocks display strong positive Eu, and negative Th, Nb, and Sr anomalies in keeping with the upper continental crustal pattern. There is a general enrichment of the LILEs and the LREEs relative to the MREEs. Collectively, our data, suggest that gold mineralization at Umm Matierah gold prospect, is a possible candidate for a low-sulfidation epithermal style of mineralization, spatially associated with the distal intrusion.

Apatite texture and composition in the Tonglushan porphyry-related skarn system, eastern China: Implications for mineral exploration

The composition of ‘indicator’ minerals is thought to provide a guide to the potential of magmatic arc systems to form porphyry Cu deposits, but whether this is also the case for endoskarn- and exoskarn-dominated systems remains unclear, despite their importance as a source of Cu, Fe and Au. In a first step to address this, we compare the texture, cathodoluminescence (CL) colour and composition of apatite between relatively fresh quartz monzodiorite (QMD) and porphyry-type-, endoskarn- and Fe-(Cu)-mineralised exoskarn components of the Tonglushan porphyry-skarn system of the Daye ore district, China. In the relatively fresh QMD, apatite luminesces yellow-green due to elevated Mn contents. However, where affected by potassic-sodic alteration, it shows green–blue CL thought to reflect partial removal of Mn and an associated increase in REE. Apatite in the endoskarn is more pervasively replaced and veined, and shows mid-blue luminescence due to relatively low Mn, Mg and Cl. The exoskarns contain apatite with variable grain shapes and navy blue-violet or bright to dark blue CL colours, caused by low Mn and elevated Ce, and with only small patches of pale yellow-green CL. Apatite is near absent in the limestone wall rocks and xenoliths and, therefore, where present in the exoskarns is interpreted to have precipitated from the same fluids as the Fe-(Cu) mineralization.Apatite CL colour and chemistry is indicative of the different styles of alteration and mineralisation in the Tonglushan system and provides insights into the composition of skarn-forming fluids. Our results offer a potentially effective method for utilising apatite as a porphyry and skarn deposit indicator mineral in a range of exploration materials including regolith and stream sediments.

A paleoplacer component to the gold hosted in meta-conglomeratic units of the Neoarchaean moto greenstone belt, DRC

The giant Karagba-Chauffeur-Durba (KCD) gold deposit and its peripheral gold satellite deposits are located within the Kibali gold district in the Neoarchaean Moto Greenstone Belt in the northeast of the Congo Craton, Democratic Republic of Congo. The gold mineralisation within the KCD area occurs within altered chemical sedimentary rocks such as banded iron formation (BIF) and chert, as well as in meta-carbonaceous argillite, meta-sandstones and poorly-sorted pebble meta-conglomerates. To elucidate and characterise the controls on gold mineralisation in the siliciclastic rocks of this sedimentary sequence dating from approximately 2630 to 2625 Ma, the present study critically considers an extensive data set comprising borehole logs, petrographic observations, gold assay data, and mineral chemistry. Detailed high magnification petrographic analyses of polished sections enabled evaluation of 3824 gold grains from meta-conglomerate and siliciclastic sedimentary host rock specimens. These were compared to an additional 985 gold grains from deformed quartz-carbonate (ACSA) altered rocks and BIF host rock types, representing end-members for a purely hydrothermal style of gold mineralisation. These analyses revealed that most of the gold grains in the meta-conglomerates occur within the gangue mineral assemblage in the form of free gold generally distal to any sulphide minerals, with a second population associated with the sulphides, mainly pyrite, followed by arsenopyrite and lesser pyrrhotite. The gold grains in the meta-conglomerates show larger average sizes (433 µm2) than in the grains in the ACSA (311 µm2) and BIF (180 µm2) host rock types. A large dataset of assayed gold results of 9,632,470 data from 3953 drill holes highlights that the ACSA-altered rocks and the chemical sedimentary rocks (chert and BIF) are the main hosts for gold, showing average grades of 3.9, 2.5 and 2.4 g/t when a 0.5 g/t cut-off is applied, respectively. Conversely, meta-conglomerates have a relatively low Au content (1.84 g/t), yet this dataset has an extensive set of outlying values, with 86 data points reflecting grades over 100 g/t. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM-EDS/WDS) performed on 397 gold grains from meta-conglomerates and deformed quartz-carbonate (ACSA) altered rocks shows mainly Au-Ag alloys, dominated by native gold with averages of 85.46 wt% of Au and 9.76 wt% of Ag in the meta-conglomerates and 86.56 wt% of Au and 12.84 wt% of Ag within the ACSA. Minor amounts of Au-Ag alloys electrum and Au-Hg-Ag alloys amalgams are present predominantly at Gorumbwa and KCD deposits. Our analysis of textural features, mineral chemistry, morphology, assay results, and mineral associations suggests that there are significant differences between the purely hydrothermal mineralisation and the mineralisation hosted by the meta-conglomeratic units. We suggest that the pre-enrichment of these meta-conglomerates by placer processes has played a role in enhancing the fertility for gold mineralisation in the KCD area. This has far-reaching implications for the existing ore-genesis models and exploration paradigms employed in the KCD area. This work presents new opportunities for exploration by highlighting the significance of understanding the stratigraphy and identifying sub-basins that may have undergone early placer enrichments. To achieve this, the early sedimentary environment should be thoroughly investigated.

Sphalerite as a non-traditional critical metal source: Correlative microscopy (EPMA, EBSD, and APT) of cobalt-enriched sulfides from the sediment-hosted copper-cobalt Dolostone Ore Formation deposit, Namibia

Sphalerite from the sediment-hosted Dolostone Ore Formation (DOF) Cu-Co-Zn deposit, in northwestern Namibia, has previously been shown to contain extremely high concentrations of the critical metal Co (up to 1 wt%). These concentrations are the highest reported in sphalerite to date, and the how and why of sphalerite being able to incorporate such high concentrations of Co are poorly understood. We use correlative electron probe microanalysis, electron backscattered diffraction, and atom probe to reconstruct the likely incorporation mechanisms and modes of occurrence of such high Co concentrations in natural sphalerite. While over twenty samples were studied, the comprehensive analytical workflow was executed on one representative sample to gain a detailed understanding of Co enrichment. The sulfides of the studied sample are Co-rich pyrite, chalcopyrite, Co-rich sphalerite, linnaeite, cobaltpentlandite, and cobaltite, mentioned in order of abundance. Detailed petrography of these sulfides indicates that they formed through three stages during the main Cu-Co-Zn ore stage of the DOF. Cobalt was initially contained in pyrite that grew during Ore Stage 1 and was later affected by oxidizing fluids (Ore Stage two). This led to remobilization and growth of linnaeite (Co2+Co3+2S4). A later change in fO2 (Ore Stage three) led to the breakdown of linnaeite and the further growth of accessory cobaltite along with the Co-rich sphalerite and chalcopyrite. The hyper-enriched Co-sphalerite then is the last major sink for Co in the DOF deposit. A low Fe and Co and high Zn sub-grain boundary network within the Co-rich sphalerite was identified by EPMA and EBSD. This sub-grain network is believed to have formed during a later, secondary metamorphic stage (Cu-Zn (-Pb) Ore Stage 4), which developed during ductile deformational mineralization styles such as pressure shadows and veins. Our APT data reconstructions show no evidence for Co-inclusions within the Co-sphalerite, and spatial ion correlation analyses of the data suggest that Co occurs in the sphalerite through simple substitution of Zn. This study demonstrates that sphalerite may contain significant concentrations of the Co through simple substitution, potentially representing an important non-traditional Co source in future critical metal exploration.

Tungsten and tin deposits in South China: Temporal and spatial distribution, metallogenic models and prospecting directions

South China is one of the most important tungsten-tin metallogenic areas in the world. Based on the up-to-date geological and chronological data of more than 130 deposits of economic significance, this paper preliminarily summarized the main types and temporal-spatial distribution characteristics of the large-scale tungsten and tin mineralization related to granite in South China. The statistical results show that skarn and quartz-vein types are the most important tungsten metallogenic styles, while skarn and cassiterite-sulfide types are the most important tin metallogenic styles in South China. Tungsten and tin mineralization related to granite in South China are multi-aged, but the largest scale of mineralization is developed within the Yanshanian period. Tungsten mineralization, the majority of which represented by the Nanling and Ganbei metallogenic belts, mainly formed from the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous (160 ∼ 120 Ma), while the most important tin mineralization formed in the Late Cretaceous (110 ∼ 80 Ma, peaking at 90 ∼ 80 Ma) and Late Jurassic (160 ∼ 150 Ma) as represented by the Youjiang Basin and Nanling metallogenic belt, respectively. The combined occurrence of different mineralization styles or metal assemblages in individual deposit and sometimes within the same orefield is the most striking feature of granite-related tungsten-tin deposits in South China, and a comprehensive understanding of their patterns are of great significance to guide ore prospecting. To address this issue, this paper proposed several combined metallogenic models and prospecting directions for tungsten-tin mineralization in South China based on recent researches and exploration progresses from typical examples including the Yaogangxian, Chuankou, Maoping, Shizhuyuan, Dachang and Gejiu deposits or orefields. In addition, conventional petrological and mineralogical characteristics that differentiates tungsten and tin granites are summarized, and on this basis the chemical composition of both melt inclusion and early stage fluid inclusion from granitic magmatic-hydrothermal systems were tested as new index to evaluate the tungsten and tin mineralization potential of granitic system.

Tourmaline occurrence and gold mineralization at a granitoid-metasediment contact in the Upper Lom Basin, east Cameroon

Gold mineralization of the Upper Lom Basin in the eastern Cameroon goldfield is spatially associated with tourmaline. The goldfield belongs to the Adamawa-Yadé Domain of the Central African Fold Belt and is characterized by eluvial, alluvial and lode gold deposits of Pan-African age. This paper examines the chemistry and morphology of saprock gold and its link with tourmaline in the host rock. Tourmaline chemistry was obtained using the electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) technique while gold grains were examined for morphology and microchemistry using the EMPA equipped with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrum instruments. The tourmaline compositional data plot in the dravite field, and belongs to the alkali group showing major element variations that are typical of tourmaline associated with granite-related orogenic gold deposits common along shear zones. Gold alloy composition (Ag, Cu) suggests multiple gold precipitation events due to episodic fluid influx, with a range of 572–1000 gold fineness. We infer that tourmaline development and gold deposition were coeval within the aureole around the pluton and involved reduced hydrothermal fluids with low salinity. The high δ11B in the tourmaline also points to fluid derivation from the Pan African granitic basement widely recognized to be fertile in gold in eastern Cameroon. Tourmaline textural-chemical features such as low Na content and gold microchemistry point to granite-related hydrothermal style of primary gold mineralization, and has implications for exploration as tourmaline-rich rocks in the vicinity of the felsic plutons in the Lom Basin would be optimal target areas for future exploration.

Genesis of the Jinji gold deposit in the Jiangnan Orogen, South China: Constraints from geology, chlorite geochemistry, age and H-O-S-Pb isotopes

The Jinji gold deposit (northeastern Hunan province) is located in the central Jiangnan Orogenic Belt, South China. The auriferous sulfide-calcite-quartz vein orebodies, controlled by near NNW-trending faults, occur in the Lengjiaxi Group metamorphic rocks spatially associated with the Banshanpu granitic pluton. Metallic minerals include mainly pyrite, arsenopyrite, and pyrrhotite, with minor sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, and native gold. The main alteration types include K-feldspar, silicic, sericite, carbonate, and chlorite. The gold mineralization comprises three stages: (1) quartz–K-feldspar–chlorite–carbonate–arsenopyrite–pyrite, (2) quartz–carbonate–chlorite–polymetallic, and (3) quartz–carbonate–fluorite–pyrite. Geothermometry of chlorite yielded formation temperatures of 261–332 °C (stage 1) and 262–290 °C (stage 2), whereas the calculated oxygen fugacity of chlorite is −45 to −40 (stage 1) and −42 to −39 (stage 2). The δ18OH2O and δD values are 8.8–10.5 ‰ and −73.3 to −72.8‰ (stage 1), 3.2–4.8 ‰ and −83.6 to −80.7‰ (stage 2), and −1.4 to −0.4 ‰ and −82.2 to −78.6‰ (stage 3), respectively. These results indicate that the primary ore fluids (stages 1 and 2) were derived from a granitic magma and were mixed with meteoric water in stage 3. The gold-bearing sulfides (pyrite, pyrrhotite and galena) have δ34S values of −4.8 to +5.8‰, whilst their 208Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb, and 206Pb/204Pb ratios are of 35.975–36.204, 15.160–15.231, and 16.100–16.176, respectively. The sulfide S-Pb isotope compositions indicate that the metals were likely derived from the Banshanpu granitic magma, which was produced by partial melting caused by Early Paleozoic crustal thickening. The Jinji deposit exhibits many features of orogenic gold mineralization, such as the ore-controlling structures and mineralization styles (quartz-calcite-sulfide veins). The Jinji deposit is the first reported gold deposit in the central Jiangnan orogen with a genetic link to early Paleozoic granitic magma.

Gold endowment and unloading along pathway for giant gold mineralization: Insights from spatiotemporal variations of in-situ pyrite geochemistry and gold fineness from the Jiaodong gold deposits, north China Craton

Over 5000 tonnes of gold were accumulated in the Jiaodong Peninsula at the early Cretaceous, the sources and critical ore-forming processes of which are still controversial. Here, we conducted comprehensive in-situ textural, elemental and isotopic analyses on pyrite and gold grains from the different mineralization styles, hydrothermal stages and depths for three representative gold deposits (Linglong, Xiadian and Jiangjiayao) from the northwestern Jiaodong Peninsula, with the aim to exactly constrain the sources and ore-forming processes. Three groups of δ34Spyrite were identified in the studied deposits, of which the Group 1 shows stable and low δ34S (4.8–7.6‰) throughout the hydrothermal evolution while the Group 2 has elevated δ34S (6.0–12.8‰) coupled with increasing As and Au concentrations. The Group 3 shows moderate δ34S (5.2–9.8‰) accompanied by high Al and Si concentrations. The Group 1 suggests a low-δ34S primary auriferous fluid derived from a mantle-related source, whereas the Group 2 indicates the primary auriferous fluid leaching additional S, As and Au from the Precambrian metasedimentary rocks along pathway. The Group 3 is petrographically coupled with numerous silicate inclusions, indicating enhanced fluid-rock interaction between the auriferous fluids and the granitic wallrcoks. Gold fineness decreases from the early to the late hydrothermal stages, combined with increasing deposition of polymetallic sulfides, suggesting an increase of pH resulting in efficient Au deposition. Gold fineness and Bi concentrations in pyrite decrease with shallowing, suggesting that cooling affected Au deposition as well. Bismuth-Te-S minerals were identified in the deep depths, combined with the well correlated Bi and Ag, implying that Bi-Te complexes might play a role in transporting Au and Ag at high-temperature conditions. The above results corroborate that multiple sources and ore-forming processes were responsible for the giant gold mineralization, of which the gold endowment from Precambrian wallrocks needs to be further concerned.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of platinum-group elements in the zoned mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Uralian Platinum belt, Russia

Three styles of platinum-group element mineralization occur within the Ural-Alaskan type complexes of the Uralian Platinum belt: chromite-platinum, noble metal, and noble metal-copper ones. They are associated with dunite and chromitite (chromite-platinum), pyroxenite (noble metal) and gabbro (noble metal-copper). Three common platinum group element distribution patterns are observed for dunite and chromitite: (1) M-shaped (defined by positive Ir and Pt anomalies); (2) with positive Ir-Rh(Pt) anomalies; and (3) W-shaped with positive Os and Pt, or Os and Rh anomalies. In contrast, pyroxenite and gabbro are enriched in Pd and Au. The PGM assemblages correlate to the PGE + Au distribution patterns as exemplified by the predominance of Ir-rich Pt-Fe alloys within dunite and chromitite. The noble metal assemblages of pyroxenite and gabbro comprise tellurides, arsenides, and various Pd minerals, as well as native gold and Au-Ag alloy. An indicative Pd/Ir ratio in a succession dunite-chromitite-gabbro increases from 0.04 to 148 with a maximum value of ~5000 in massive sulfide ore of the Volkovsky that is attributable to the contrasting magma compositions defining chromite vs sulfide controls over PGE concentration.

Biogeochemical prospecting for gold at the Yellowknife City Gold Project, Northwest Territories, Canada: Part 2 - Robust statistical analysis

The Yellowknife City Gold Project (YCGP) is a promising Au district located in proximity to the city of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. Positive results of a short biogeochemical survey in 2015 over the Crestaurum and Barney shears (Part 1) resulted in a broad survey over the early and advanced Au targets across the YCGP (Part 2). This survey uses a systematic two-phase statistical approach, including process discovery and process validation, to evaluate the multi-element biogeochemical dataset and identify the geochemical process controlling elemental occurrence and distribution in black spruce needles. To achieve these objectives, 2788 black spruce needle samples were collected across the Northbelt and Eastbelt of the YCGP and analyzed by ICP-MS using a multi-element determinations package for unashed vegetation. Following that, a biogeochemical dataset including Au, As, Ag, As, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Se, Tl, and Zn were prepared and analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA) and inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation method. The univariate statistical analysis showed that the average Au value in the black spruce needle is higher than the background level in all targets. Contiguous anomalous Au values were identified in needle samples collected proximal to the Ptarmigan & Tom mines (∼10 ppb) and Ryan Lake target (3.8 ppb). According to the robust RQ mode-PCA, PC1 and PC2 control the distribution pattern of elements in black spruce needles. PC1 includes two sets of elements indicating geochemical/mineralization factor (Au, As, Sb, Fe, Pb, and Mo) and physiological factor (Cu, Ca, Zn, K, S, P, and Mg). On the other hand, PC2 differentiates these two factors with more emphasis on the influence of the geochemical/mineralization factor. The IDW interpolation method indicates zones of Au enrichments at the YCGP are associated with different sets of pathfinder elements based on the bedrock composition and mineralization style. According to the IDW, elevated Au values associated with shear zones hosted within mafic/ultramafic bodies are accompanied by As, Sb, Pb, and Cu, while those located proximal to late felsic bodies are accompanied by Ag, As, Se, Hg, and Tl. Zones of Au enrichment located along the faulted contacts between the felsic-intermediate metavolcanics and sulphide metasediments are accompanied by Bi, Se, Hg, and Zn. The results of this study attest to the robustness of multivariate statistical analysis in detecting zones of Au enrichment using biogeochemical exploration.

Mineralization Styles and Alteration Paragenesis of Metasomatic Zones in the Highly Fractionated Granite of Gabal Gattar, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt

Mineralization Styles and Alteration Paragenesis of Metasomatic Zones in the Highly Fractionated Granite of Gabal Gattar, Northern Eastern Desert, Egypt

Paragenesis of an Ediacaran carbonate-platform phosphorite: Constraints from optical petrography and texture-specific clumped isotope paleothermometry

The Salitre Formation is comprised of several hundred meters of primarily carbonate rocks, representing sedimentation in an intracratonic foreland basin during the Ediacaran Period (c. 600–550 Ma). The lowermost member of the Salitre Formation contains sedimentary phosphorite deposits, in which the dominant phosphate-bearing phase is cryptocrystalline carbonate-rich fluorapatite (CFA) cement. These CFA cements occur exclusively associated with digitate stromatolite buildups, decimeters to meters in vertical and lateral scale, which interfinger with cross-stratified grainstone. Notably, there are also non-phosphatic stromatolite buildups in close proximity to the phosphatic, in the same depositional facies. This implies that the mechanisms that control the distribution of phosphate cement development versus carbonate cement development are not driven by the location of depositional facies within the architecture of the Salitre paleobasin. Other models which could explain the distribution and style of phosphate mineralization there include: (1) differential diagenesis involving diagenetic fluids which infiltrate one lithofacies more pervasively than another to effect the replacement of primary cement mineralogies according to microtextural differences, and (2) differences in primary porewater chemistries over minute spatial scales which result in the formation of different primary cement phases. In this study, we present paired petrographic thin sections and novel measurements of ∆47, δ13Cmineral, and δ18Omineral. We provide a paragenetic framework for phosphatic and non-phosphatic lithofacies of the Salitre Formation which constrains the thermal and chemical alteration history of CFA, calcite, and dolomite cements. Structural carbonate in the CFA and calcite cements co-occurring in partially phosphatic digitate stromatolite buildups and adjacent carbonate grainstone generally yield similar δ13Cmineral values (0–5 ‰ VPDB), δ18Omineral values (−5–0 ‰ VPDB), as well as similar ∆47 temperatures (90–115 °C) and calculated δ18Owater (10–19 ‰ VSMOW), supporting a scenario in which CFA and calcite formed and then both recrystallized in equilibrium with the same diagenetic fluids under low water–rock ratio conditions at depth. Dolomite cements yielded similar δ18Omineral values to CFA and calcite, and similar to slightly higher temperatures (85–150 °C) — supporting a scenario in which dolomite cements were recrystallized in equilibrium with a different, and isotopically lighter, generation of fluids. Given the general absence of pervasive, fabric-destructive replacement is scarce, these geochemical data do not support later stage, differential diagenesis as a mechanism for controlling the distribution of phosphatic versus non-phosphatic cements. Rather, primary differences in porewater biogeochemistry seem the likeliest explanation. This is important, as it implies that the ecology of the Ediacaran seafloor controlled the style and quality of mineralization observed today, and that the presence of CFA cements in these rocks represents a unique taphonomic window for select microbial communities.

Fluid inclusion, zircon U-Pb geochronology, and O-S isotopic constraints on the origin and evolution of ore-forming fluids of the tashvir and varmazyar epithermal base metal deposits, NW Iran

Tashvir and Varmazyar deposits are part of the epithermal ore system in the Tarom–Hashtjin Metallogenic Belt (THMB), NW Iran. In both deposits, epithermal veins are hosted by Eocene volcanic-volcaniclastic rocks of the Karaj Formation and are spatially associated with late Eocene granitoid intrusions. The ore assemblages consist of pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, galena, and sphalerite (Fe-poor), with lesser amounts of bornite and minor psilomelane and pyrolusite. Fluid inclusion measurements from the Tashvir and Varmazyar revealed 182–287 and 194–285°C formation temperatures and 2.7–7.9 and 2.6–6.4 wt.% NaCl equivalent salinities, respectively. The oxygen isotope data suggested that the mineralizing fluids originated dominantly from a magmatic fluid that mixed with meteoric waters. The sulfur isotope data indicated that the metal and sulfur sources were largely a mixture of magma and surrounding sedimentary rocks. LA-ICP–MS zircon U–Pb dating of the granitoid intrusion at Tashvir and Varmazyar, yielded a weighted mean age of 38.34–38.31 and 40.85 Ma, respectively, indicating that epithermal mineralization developed between 40.85 and 38.31 Ma. Our data indicated that fluid mixing along with some fluid boiling were the main drives for hydrothermal alteration and mineralization at Tashvir and Varmazyar. All these characteristics suggested an intermediate-sulfidation epithermal style of mineralization. The THMB is proposed to be prospective for precious and base metal epithermal mineralization. Considering the extensional tectonic setting, and lack of advanced argillic lithocaps and hypersaline fluid inclusions, the THMB possibly has less potential for economically important porphyry mineralization.

Uranium Mineralization in the MacInnis Lake Area, Nonacho Basin, Northwest Territories: Potential Linkages to Metasomatic Iron Alkali-Calcic Systems

The intracratonic Paleoproterozoic Nonacho Basin, deposited on the western margin of the Rae craton, contains historic polymetallic (i.e., U, Cu, Fe, Pb, Zn, Ag) occurrences spatially associated with its unconformable contact with underlying crystalline basement rocks and regionally occurring faults. This study presents the paragenesis, mineral chemistry and geochemistry of uranium mineralized rocks and minerals of the MacInnis Lake sub-basin of the Nonacho Basin, to evaluate the style and relative timing of uranium mineralization. Mineralization is restricted to regionally occurring deformation zones, and post-dates widely spread and pervasive albitization and more local Ba-rich K-feldspar alteration of host rocks. Uranium mineralized rocks show elevated concentration of Cu, Ag and Au relative to variably altered host rocks. Microscopic and compositionally heterogeneous altered uraninite occurs (i) as overgrowths on partially dissolved Cu-sulphides with magnetite in chlorite ± quartz, calcite veins, and (ii) with minor uranophane in hematite-sericite-chlorite ± quartz breccia and stockwork. Both uraninite types are Th poor (<0.09 wt.% ThO2) and variably rich in SO4 (up to 2.26 wt.%), suggesting a low-temperature hydrothermal origin in a relatively oxidized environment. Rare-earth element (+Y) concentrations in type-i uraninite are high, up to 9.5 wt.% Σ(REE+Y)2O3 with CeN/YN values > 1, similar to REE compositions of uraninite in metasomatic iron and alkali-calcic systems (MIAC), including low-temperature hematite-type IOCG-deposits (e.g., Olympic Dam, Gawler Craton, Australia) and albitite-hosted uranium deposits (e.g., Southern Breccia, Great Bear Magmatic Zone, Canada, and Gunnar Deposit, Beaverlodge District, Canada). Both uraninite types are variably rich in Ba (up to 3 wt.% BaO), a geochemical marker for MIAC systems, provided by the dissolution of earlier secondary Ba-rich K-feldspar. Chemical U-Th-Pb dating yields resetting ages of <875 ± 35 Ma for type-ii uraninite-uranophane, younger than strike-slip movement along regional structures of the basin that are spatially associated with the uranium occurrences. We suggest that MacInnis Lake uranium occurrences formed from oxidized hydrothermal fluids along previously altered (albitized, potassically altered) regional-scale faults. Uranium minerals precipitated on earlier Fe-rich sulfides (chalcopyrite, bornite), which acted as a redox trap for mineralization, in low-temperature (~310–330 °C, based on Al-in-chlorite thermometry) breccias and stockwork zones, late in a metasomatic iron and alkali-calcic alteration system.

AHS mapping for hydrothermal alterations detection and mineral deposits exploration

The Actve Hyperspectral Sensing (AHS) application for a mineral mapping have been tested on outcrops with porphyry-copper style of mineralization in the Vlaykov Vruh and Tsar Assen deposits. As a new tool used in mineral exploration AHS reveals the advantages for mineral detection and targeting as an express new innovative technology and efficient tool for mineral prospecting.

Mohammadabad Manganese deposit, southwest Sabzevar basin, Iran: Evidence of sea-floor exhalation and geochemical studies in the late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequence

The southwest Sabzevar basin in northeast Iran is one of the most important areas for volcanogenic stratiform manganese deposits. The Mohammadabad Mn deposit, found in this basin, is hosted by the upper late Cretaceous marly tuffs in a region that has an active history of tectonism. Their geology, mineralogy and geochemistry, including major, trace and rare earth elements (REE), are described in this work. The main ore minerals include pyrolusite, psilomelane, cryptomelane, with minor braunite and manganite. Four styles of manganese mineralization are recognized: (1) layered; (2) nodular; (3) disseminated; and (4) replacement to massive. Regardless of style, pyrolusite, psilomelane, and cryptomelane usually tend to parallel the stratification of sediments, while braunite veins occur in high angle fractures. The replacement of radiolarian and foraminiferal fossils by manganese minerals during diagenesis near the seawater-sediment interface suggests that mineralization occurred in oxygen-rich conditions under the influence of low-temperature hydrothermal fluids. The geochemistry of trace elements of manganese oxides and rare earth elements gives clear evidence of hydrothermal-exhalative origin for Mohammadabad deposit. In general, ore minerals have Co/Ni ratios above 0.12, and U/Th ratios vary from 0.13 to 11.29. The presence of negative Eu anomalies in manganese minerals shows that the ore-forming fluids were generally low-temperature and oxic during mineral formation. In-situ mineralogy studies based on SEM-EDS have distinguished syngeneic and diagenetic Mn systems during the formation of manganese mineralization. The Mohammadabad deposit is considered a typical case of volcanic hydrothermal exhalative-diagenetic Mn mineralization, in which minerals deposited when hydrothermal fluid was released from oxic to dysoxic water columns.

District-Scale VMS to Porphyry-Epithermal Transitions in Subduction to Postcollisional Tectonic Environments: The Artvin Au-Cu District and the Hod Gold Corridor, Eastern Pontides Belt, Turkey

Abstract Porphyry, epithermal, and volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits can form together in the same mineral district in convergent margin environments. Their spatial association and superposition indicate evolving tectonic settings. The Artvin Au-Cu district is one of the major clusters of VMS bimodal-felsic, porphyry, and epithermal deposits in the Eastern Pontides belt in northeast Turkey. Whereas ore-forming processes, timing, and tectonic setting of VMS mineralization are well defined in Artvin, those for porphyry and epithermal mineralization remain less constrained. Our district-scale field study focused on the Hod gold corridor in the Artvin district, which is defined by the NE-trending alignment of the recent Au-Cu mineral discoveries (~205 t Au; ~0.33 Mt Cu; e.g., Hod Maden, Ardala-Salinbaş, and Taç-Çorak) that include Au-rich porphyry, highand intermediate-sulfidation epithermal, carbonate-replacement, and hybrid VMS-epithermal mineralization styles. Our new U-Pb, 40Ar/39Ar, and Re-Os geochronological results interpreted with previously compiled data show that magmatism in the Artvin district formed in the Carboniferous (358–325 Ma), Jurassic (182–174 Ma), Late Cretaceous (92–78 Ma), Eocene (51–40 Ma), and Oligocene (30 Ma). Porphyry and epithermal mineralization along the Hod gold corridor peaked in the Early (~113 Ma; Berta prospect) and Late Cretaceous (~86.5-82 Ma; e.g., Taç and Çorak deposits) and Eocene (~50 Ma; e.g., Ardala deposit), whereas VMS bimodal-felsic mineralization only formed in the Late Cretaceous (~91–85 Ma). Therefore, we interpret that the Hod gold corridor was a long-lived, deep crustal-scale structural feature along which the successive magmatic and mineralization events were emplaced. In addition, the timing of porphyry Cu-Mo mineralization can significantly (>20 Ma) postdate the crystallization age of the intrusive host rocks in the Artvin district, such as at Berta and Balcılı camp, which emphasizes the importance of dating mineralization directly to correctly attribute the tectonic setting. The distribution of Late Cretaceous mineral occurrences suggests a possible eastward temporal evolution from VMS (~91–85 Ma) to epithermal-porphyry systems (~86.5–82 Ma), transitioning from back-arc to arc settings at the onset of the Northern Neotethyan oceanic slab rollback and accompanied by increasingly elevated gold content eastwards across the Artvin district.