Tourmaline Veins Research Articles

Geochemistry, Mineralization, and Fluid Inclusion Study of the Bayan-Uul Porphyry Au-Cu-(Mo) Deposit, Central Mongolia

The Bayan-Uul porphyry Au-Cu-(Mo) deposit occurs within the Mongol–Okhotsk Orogenic Belt, which is a part of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt. To understand geotectonic, petrogenesis, mineralization, and ore-forming fluid evolution of the Bayan-Uul deposit, we report petrographic and geochemical analyses of host rocks, mineralogy of ores, and fluid inclusion characteristics. Based on petrographic and mineralogical analyses, Cu, Mo, and Au mineralization occurs as disseminated and sulfide-bearing quartz–tourmaline veins hosted within granodiorites, monzodiorites, and diorite porphyry and tourmaline breccia. Four main alteration assemblages are identified: potassic, phyllic, argillic, and quartz–tourmaline alteration. The ore mineralogy of quartz–tourmaline veinlets are classified into A-type veinlets (quartz + tourmaline + chalcopyrite + magnetite + pyrite ± electrum), B-type veinlets (quartz + tourmaline + molybdenum + chalcopyrite + pyrite), and C-type veinlets (quartz + tourmaline + pyrite ± chalcopyrite). Fluid inclusions are found in quartz–tourmaline veinlets consisting mainly of 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 fluid inclusions in A-type, B-type, and C-type veinlets range from 215 to 490°C, 215 to 500 °C, and 160 to 350 °C and their salinity varies from 5.4 to 43.5 wt.%, 16 to 51.1 wt.%, and 3.4 to 24.1 wt.% NaCl equivalent, respectively. Coexistance of (L-type), (V-type), and (S-type) inclusions support fluid boiling. The δ18O values of ore fluids from different mineralizing A-, B-, and C-type veins are 8.7‰, 10.9‰, and 8.4‰, respectively, and the δ34S values of sulfide minerals range from −1.4‰ to 5.3‰, which indicates magmatic origin.

Geochemistry and Genesis of Magnesium Tourmalines in Jian Forsterite Jade Deposits from Ji’an County, Jilin Province, Northeast China

The Jian forsterite jade, so named because of its enrichment in end-member forsterite, is a new type of jade found in Ji’an County (Jilin Province, Northeast China). Tourmaline is discovered in Jian forsterite jade deposits and is characterized by magnesium enrichment. In this study, three types of magnesium tourmaline were identified from the pegmatite veins (type 1), the contact zone (type 2), and the tourmaline veins in jade (type 3). The results are shown by the main test methods, such as EPMA, Micro-XRF, and LA-ICP-MS. The substitutions of Fe2+−1Mg2+−1, (□Al3+)−1 (Na+Mg2+)−1, (□Al3+2)−1 (Ca2+R2+2)−1, etc. are inferred by the variations in the major element compositions. From type 1 to type 2 tourmaline, the content of Mg, Sr, and Sn gradually increases, the content of Fe, Zn, K, Mn, Sc, Ga, and Co gradually decreases, the content of Ca initially decreases and then increases, and the content of Na initially increases and then decreases. Type 3 tourmaline has significantly higher Si and Al than the first two types, and the content of the remaining elements lies between the above two types. We propose that tourmalines in Jian forsterite jade deposits are typically of hydrothermal origins and are mainly constrained by magnesium, which is related to the contact metasomatic metamorphism of pegmatite-related hydrothermal fluid with the Jian forsterite jade, and the chemical composition of tourmaline indicates the fluid characteristics of gradual serpentinization of Jian forsterite jade.

A Fluid Chemical Study of the World-Class, Intrusion-Related Archean Windfall Gold Deposit, Quebec, Canada

Abstract Windfall is a world-class Archean intrusion-related Au deposit (7.4+ Moz of Au) located in the underexplored Urban-Barry greenstone belt (Quebec, Canada). The deposit remains an enigmatic Au setting—its intrusion-related features contrast with the more common orogenic deposit type in the Au-endowed Abitibi greenstone belt. Mineralization consists of quartz-pyrite-carbonate ± tourmaline veins and stockworks that cut sericite-pyrite ± silica ± tourmaline ± fuchsite replacement zones, all of which overprint a swarm of 2697.6 ± 2.6 Ma quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes. That the ore zones and quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes are cut by a later set of 2697.6 ± 0.4 Ma quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes constrains mineralization temporally and spatially to intrusive activity. To further address the deposit genesis, ore petrology integrated with scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry analysis and cathodoluminescence imaging, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry mapping of pyrite, fluid inclusion studies, and in situ secondary ion mass spectrometry isotopic studies (O, S) were completed. Ore-related sulfides are dominated by pyrite with lesser arsenopyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, tennantite-tetrahedrite, galena, gold, electrum, and minor Sb-rich and telluride alloys. Four pyrite generations (Py1-Py4) occur, with elemental maps indicating primary Au is related to As-rich Py2 that is also enriched in Ag-Sb-Hg-Cu-Zn-Pb-Bi-Te. The δ34Spyrite values are similar for Py1 to Py3, with an inferred δ34Sfluid of ~5‰ consistent with a magmatic reservoir, whereas δ18Oquartz for both igneous (avg = 8.4‰, n = 28) and vein (5.7–14.6‰, n = 53) material suggests mixing of a magmatic fluid with an 18O-poor reservoir. Fluid inclusion studies from pre- to postmineralization veins indicate the predominance of a carbonic (±CH4) fluid, with rare aqueous-carbonic (CO2 = 5–98 mol %) and variably saline aqueous types. Whereas the data are considered to best reflect an intrusion-related deposit model, we note that some data, such as the carbonic-rich nature of fluid inclusions and large range in δ18Oquartz, are equivocal in regard to their meaning, and thus further studies are needed to resolve some aspects of this ore system.

Geochemical Characteristics and Metallogenic Significance of the X03 Vein Tourmaline in the Jiajika Rare Metal Deposit, West Sichuan

The Jiajika rare metal deposit contains the largest area of granitic pegmatite-type rare metal deposits in China. The X03 vein is an immense rare metal deposit dominated by lithium, which was found in the deposit in recent years. The contact metamorphic belt of tourmalinization and petrochemistry is widely developed in its wall rocks, and the altered rocks formed contain Li and other rare metal mineralization. In this paper, the tourmaline found in the different rocks of the Jiajika X03 vein is divided into four types: two-mica quartz schist (Tur-Ⅰ), tourmaline hornfels (Tur-Ⅱ), tourmaline-bearing granite pegmatite (Tur-Ⅲ) and spodumene-bearing granite pegmatite (Tur-Ⅳ); their in situ major element, trace element and boron isotope data are systematically studied. The results show that all tourmalines in the Jiajika X03 vein deposit belong to the alkali group, and are schorl–Oxy/Fluor–schorl, dravite–Hydroxy-dravite and foitite–Oxy foitite solid solutions, among which Tur-Ⅰ are dravite, Tur-Ⅱ are foitite of hydrothermal origin and Tur-Ⅲ and Tur-Ⅳ are schorl of magmatic origin. The boron isotope values show that the boron involved the formation process of tourmaline mainly originates from the Majingzi S-type granite, and the boron isotope variations in tourmaline are controlled by melt fluid and Rayleigh fractionation. Moreover, there is a clear correlation between the B isotope value of tourmaline and the Li, Mn, Zn, Mg, and V contents, showing that these contents in tourmaline are good indicators of the mineralization type of pegmatite.

Petro-structural Evaluation of the Toulepleu-Guéya Section on the Toulepleu-Ity Gold District, West Côte d’Ivoire

The Birimian furrow of Toulépleu-Ity located in the Archaen domain of Côte d'Ivoire is at the heart of various mining projects. Thus, this study is initiated in three localities namely Toulepleu, Zogouiné and Guéya in order to elucidate the petrography and deformations. The data analysis and interpretations undertaken at the University of Man allow to learn deeply this Birimian furrow. Petrographically, two main groups of rocks are identified: (i) magmatic comprising granodiorite, microgranodiorite, tonalite and dolerite, (ii) metamorphic composed of gneissisified granodiorite, metatonalite, metaargilite, metadolerite and various schists (chloritoschists). Argillite is the main sedimentary rock. The metamorphism evolves from greenschist to amphibolite facies overprinted by the chlorite - green hornblende association. Eburnean magmatic event has been ended with the settlement of dolerite which appears metamorphosed and fractured suggesting the reactivation of the Eburnean event. Pervasive hydrothermal alteration is marked by mylonitized quartz veins. Structurally, three main orientations are expressed : N-S, NE-SW and NW-SE. Ductile deformations are observed in schists, metatotalites and metasediments. The schistosity planes have a dip of 44°S. Brittle deformations have a preferential NE-SW orientation and are associated with quartz plus tourmaline veins showing by that their auriferous potentiality. These structures are part of a shearzone of N080° that can serve as a target for gold exploration in the area.

The Formation of Magmatic-Hydrothermal Features in Sn-Mineralized and Barren Tasmanian Intrusions, Southeast Australia: Insights from Quartz Textures, Trace Elements, and Microthermometry

Abstract Tasmania is the most important tin province in Australia, having been endowed with >0.65 Mt Sn. Some granitic intrusions in western Tasmania have distinctive tourmaline- and quartz-rich magmatic-hydrothermal features, whether they are mineralized (e.g., Heemskirk Granite) or barren (Pieman Heads Granite). The Devonian Heemskirk and Pieman Heads plutons crop out on the western coast of Tasmania and are characterized by similar mineralogical and geochemical compositions and ages. The magmatic-hydrothermal textural features include tourmaline patches, tourmaline orbicules, and tourmaline-muscovite veins, as well as miarolitic cavities and quartz-fluorite-sulfide veins in the Heemskirk Granite. Cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and microthermometric analyses of quartz have revealed the physicochemical evolution of the magmatic-hydrothermal fluids from which these tourmaline- and quartz-bearing assemblages precipitated. High Ti quartz (20–28 ppm) in tourmaline patches, orbicules, and cavities typically have homogeneous CL-bright intensity, whereas CL-dark fractures have cut and/or offset the CL-bright and -gray domains that characterize low Ti quartz (3.4–8.5 ppm) from the tourmaline veins. The earliest fluid inclusion assemblages in the quartz-tourmaline orbicules and cavities have a salinity range from 3 to 14 wt % NaCl equiv with intermediate density and were probably trapped at lithostatic pressures of 1.57 ± 0.2 kbar and temperatures of 550° to 570°C, suggesting a depth of 5.9 ± 0.8 km. Prolonged depressurization and cooling may have led to the evolution of a brine (~39 wt % NaCl equiv salinity) from the primary magmatic liquid, which formed halite-bearing hypersaline inclusions in the tourmaline orbicules. Continuous pressure decrease explains the intense brittle failure and fluid migration outward from the apical portions of the pluton, where magmatic fluids partially mixed with and were cooled by external meteoric water. These mechanisms triggered the formation of tourmaline-muscovite-quartz veins and local cassiterite-bearing greisens from a moderate-salinity fluid (~12 wt % NaCl equiv) at temperatures of ~300°C and hydrostatic pressures of 120 bars. Retrograde dissolution textures evident from CL-bright quartz cores surrounded by oscillatory growth zones with gray CL response characterize the low Ti (<1 ppm) and high Al (500–1,000 ppm) quartz from the fluorite-sulfide veins that precipitated from a low-salinity (5.7 wt % NaCl equiv) acidic fluid at temperatures of 200° ± 25°C and hydrostatic pressures of <50 bars. High Sb concentrations (up to 80 ppm) in quartz may be an indicator of low-temperature base metal mineralization related to granitic intrusions. Abundant fluid percolation, protracted fractional crystallization, and high tin concentrations in exsolved hydrothermal fluids may explain why the Heemskirk Granite is well endowed in Sn and base metal deposits, whereas the Pieman Heads Granite is barren.

Mineralogical and Isotopic Characteristics of Sodic-Calcic Alteration in the Highland Valley Copper District, British Columbia, Canada: Implications for Fluid Sources in Porphyry Cu Systems

AbstractThe Highland Valley Copper porphyry Cu (±Mo) district is hosted in the Late Triassic Guichon Creek batholith in the Canadian Cordillera. Fracture-controlled sodic-calcic alteration is important because it forms a large footprint (34 km2) outside of the porphyry Cu centers. This alteration consists of epidote ± actinolite ± tourmaline veins with halos of K-feldspar–destructive albite (1–20 XAn) ± fine-grained white mica ± epidote. The distribution of sodic-calcic alteration is strongly influenced by near-orthogonal NE- and SE-trending fracture sets and by proximity to granodiorite stocks and porphyry dikes. Multiple stages of sodic-calcic alteration occurred in the district, which both pre- and postdate Cu mineralization at the porphyry centers.The mineral assemblages and chemical composition of alteration minerals suggest that the fluid that caused sodic-calcic alteration in the Guichon Creek batholith was Cl bearing, at near-neutral pH, and oxidized, and had high activities of Na, Ca, and Mg relative to propylitic and fresh-rock assemblages. The metasomatic exchange of K for Na, localized removal of Fe and Cu, and a paucity of secondary quartz suggest that the fluid was thermally prograding in response to magmatic heating. Calculated δ18Ofluid and δDfluid values of mineral pairs in isotopic equilibrium from the sodic-calcic veins and alteration range from 4 to 8‰ and −20 to −9‰, respectively, which contrasts with the whole-rock values for least altered magmatic host rocks (δ18O = 6.4–9.4‰ and δD = −99 to −75‰). The whole-rock values are suggested to reflect residual magma values after D loss by magma degassing, while the range of hydrothermal minerals requires a mixed-fluid origin with a contribution of magmatic water and an external water source. The O-H isotope results favor seawater as the source but could also reflect the ingress of Late Triassic meteoric water. The 87Sr/86Srinital values of strongly Na-Ca–altered rocks range from 0.703416 to 0.703508, which is only slightly higher than the values of fresh and potassic-altered rocks. Modeling of those data suggests the Sr is derived predominantly from a magmatic source, but the system may contain up to 3% seawater Sr. Supporting evidence for a seawater-derived fluid entrained in the porphyry Cu systems comes from boron isotope data. The calculated tourmaline δ11Bfluid values from the sodic-calcic domains reach 18.3‰, which is consistent with a seawater-derived fluid source. Lower tourmaline δ11Bfluid values from the other alteration facies (4–10‰) suggest mixing between magmatic and seawater-derived fluids in and around the porphyry centers. These results imply that seawater-derived fluids can infiltrate batholiths and porphyry systems at deep levels (4–5 km) in the crust. Sodic ± calcic alteration may be more common in rocks peripheral to porphyry Cu systems hosted in island-arc terranes and submarine rocks than currently recognized.

Importance of Tourmaline Gneiss and Vein near Main Central Thrust in Sikkim Darjeeling Himalaya

Lingtse gneiss (LGn) and Higher Himalayan crystallines (HHC) comprise parts of main central thrust (MCT) in the Darjeeling Sikkim Himalaya. Tourmaline bearing gneiss and quartz tourmaline veins are reported in immediate contact with the LGn and some lesser Himalayan rocks in this study. Their importance is inferred via their comparative occurrence, micro-texture and chemistry. Flow of ductile crust was proposed to expose deep crustal rocks in the Himalayas in form of these gneissic rocks. Generation of paragneissic HHC from the protolith like the lesser Himalayan rocks like biotite-muscovite schist was proposed and documented in previous studies. The main central thrust where the principal motion is reported to date at circa 20 Ma appears in the contact regions of the HHC and lesser Himalayan rocks. Whether the tourmaline bearing gneiss or veins is a product during the episode of generation of the Higher Himalayan crystallines, which is taken as a component of the higher Himalayan crystallines episode remains a question as both concordant and discordant tourmaline bearing gneiss and/or quartzo-feldspahic veins appear respectively. The mm-cm scale tourmaline in the occasionally discordant quartz tourmaline veins shows strong zonation and less effects of shearing. Those are strongly zoned indicating magmatic hydrothermal character. The matrix tourmaline shows a separate composition. However, evidences of a less prominent shearing in them might signify rejuvenation. Lower temperature activity and fluid movement in this thrust zone are signified from the microstructure signifying that the high grade main central thrust was probably rejuvenated during or after the veining.

Tourmaline as a recorder of contrasting boron source and potential tin mineralization in the Mopanshan pluton from Inner Mongolia, northeastern China

Abundant tourmaline occurs in the Mopanshan pluton in Inner Mongolia of NE China, and can be classified by its occurrence into four types: nodular tourmalines (ND type), pegmatite-pocket tourmalines (PP type), stockwork tourmalines (SW type) and vein tourmalines (VT type). All these tourmalines belong to the alkali group and are dravite-schorl. Petrography and major elements data suggest that the ND- and PP-type tourmalines crystallized during the transition from late-magmatic to early-hydrothermal evolution of granite with all the components derived from the magma. Petrography and trace elements (especially Sr、V、Cr、Ni、Ti) data suggest that the SW- and VT-type tourmalines may form by the mixing of magmatic and country rocks components in the post-magmatic hydrothermal environment. Due to the similar δ11B of the SW-type with the ND- and PP-type tourmalines (variation <2‰, and all averaged at −15.8‰), the boron source of the SW-type tourmalines is likely the same as the ND- and PP-type ones, i.e., from the granitic magma. The VT-type tourmalines have extremely negative δ11B values from −27.0‰ to −29.8‰, indicating a distinct and isotopically lighter boron source. The potential presence of non-marine evaporites (with very light boron isotopes) in the meta-sedimentary strata deep in the region may contribute boron to the VT-type tourmalines. The high Sn contents in the tourmalines, in particular the SW-type (918–2172 ppm) may have prospecting significance to target tin mineralization related to granite in the region.

Chemical and boron isotope compositions of tourmaline in the Hadamiao porphyry gold deposit, Inner Mongolia, China

The Hadamiao porphyry gold deposit in Inner Mongolia, China, is located in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC). Tourmaline is a common mineral in hydrothermal veins and granitic rocks contemporaneous with the mineralized granite porphyry in this deposit. The tourmaline can be divided into six types, including magmatic tourmaline (Tur-M1) in granite porphyry dikes, magmatic-hydrothermal transitional tourmaline (Tur-M2) in nodular granitic rocks, and hydrothermal tourmalines in early tourmaline veins (Tur-V1), gold-bearing quartz-tourmaline-chalcopyrite veins (Tur-V2), breccia cements (Tur-V3) and late carbonate-quartz veins (Tur-V4). The gold mineralization is closely related to the occurrence of Tur-V2.Almost all the tourmalines from the Hadamiao deposit belong to the alkali group and show a schorlitic–dravitic composition, except for some Tur-M1 belonging to uvite. The concentrations of most elements in different tourmaline types overlap. Tur-M1 has higher Ca, W, Th, U, Pb, Mn, and Zr contents than other types, and the hydrothermal tourmalines (V1–V4) show slightly higher Ba, Cu and Y contents than Tur-M1 and Tur-M2. The concentration of Au in Tur-M1 and Tur-M2 can reach up to 80 ppb and is higher than that in Tur-V1; the Au content in Tur-V2 is an order of magnitude higher than that in other stages of tourmaline. Systematic contrasts in major and trace element compositions between magmatic and hydrothermal tourmalines are attributed to the assimilation of the country rock by the magmatic-hydrothermal system.The six types of tourmaline exhibit variable δ11B values ranging from −8.7‰ to +21.2‰. Tur-M1 shows the highest δ11B values of +15.1‰ to +21.2‰, and Tur-V2 yields the lowest values ranging from−8.7‰ to −5.4‰. The boron probably came from two sources with different isotopic compositions, one with high positive δ11B values and the other with negative δ11B values. Magmatic hydrothermal fluids could have provided isotopically light boron for hydrothermal tourmalines, whereas the heavy boron in magmatic tourmaline was probably derived from marine carbonates that are widespread in the study area. The magma related to the mineralization and the one containing magmatic tourmaline may have experienced different degrees of interaction with wall rocks, resulting in the diversity of δ11B values in Hadamiao tourmaline.

Elemental and B-O-H isotopic compositions of tourmaline and associated minerals in biotite-muscovite granite of Mashhad, NE Iran: Constraints on tourmaline genesis and element partitioning

Abundant tourmaline occurs in Late Triassic biotite-muscovite granites of Mashhad (NE Iran), with several distinct morphologies including tourmaline nodules in granite, pegmatitic tourmalines, aplitic tourmalines, and vein-related tourmalines (quartz-tourmaline vein, tourmaline-rich vein and radial tourmalines). Pegmatitic and aplitic tourmalines are compositionally Fe-rich schorl and the nodule, radial and vein tourmalines are Mg-rich schorl. The tourmalines have generally low abundances for most trace elements except for Sr, Ga, Li, Be, Sn, Pb and some transition elements. Tourmalines have low REE abundances and are enriched in LREE and depleted in HREE (mostly below detection limits) with positive Eu anomalies. The concentration of several trace elements (e.g., Pb, Be, Sn, Ga, Sr, Pb, and REE) correlates well with the major element composition of the tourmalines (e.g. Mg# (Mg/Mg + Fe), vacancy/)X-site vacancy + Na(and Na/)Na + Ca(). Trace element data of coexisting minerals with tourmaline indicate that the oligoclase and albite show the most preference in Sr, Pb and Eu and LREEs, biotite readily incorporates Rb, Ba, Zn, Li, Cs and Nb; K-feldspar has high contents of Rb, Ba, Sr and Pb; and garnet incorporates HREEs and Y during magma differentiation. The B-O-H isotopic compositions for all tourmalines are consistent with an S-type granite source, that was derived from partial melting of the continental crust. The pegmatitic and aplitic tourmalines with Fe-rich schorl composition indicate magmatic conditions and the radial, vein, and nodule tourmalines with Mg-rich schorl composition formed during the transition from magmatic to hydrothermal conditions due to the internal evolution of the granitic magma.

Fractured latest Devonian granites of the West Moose River pluton along the Cobequid Shear Zone, Nova Scotia: implications for regional mineralization

Latest Devonian (∼365–358 Ma) A-type granites in the Cobequid Highlands host complex sequences of rare-earth element (REE) and other hydrothermal minerals. The West Moose River pluton is the only pluton truncated and brittly deformed by the mid-Carboniferous (∼327 Ma) strike-slip Minas Fault Zone during the Alleghanian orogeny. Fractures in the granite provide a record of several deformational and hydrothermal events with distinct mineral assemblages. Early sodic alteration produced albitization of feldspar, and riebeckite and tourmaline veins. The δ18O of albite and albitized granite (5‰–6‰) is similar to other regional granites, suggesting a mantle source of albitizing fluids. Nearby halite deposits are younger and thus not a source of Na. Early chlorite veins were followed by potassic alteration and hydrothermal biotite, and by diabase and lamprophyre dyke emplacement. Euhedral magnetite occupies new cross-cutting fractures and vugs, correlated with regional iron oxide – carbonate – sulphide mineralization following initiation of the Minas Fault Zone. This change in stress field resulted in widespread fracturing of the granite, greatly increasing its permeability. Magnetite is postdated by titania minerals with hydrothermal REE minerals in dissolution voids. The spatial variation in REE mineral types indicates variable availability of F, Cl, and CO2 in mineralizing fluids derived from groundwater. REE mineralization is rare in veins in country rock, demonstrating local plutonic sources of REEs. The emplacement of REE minerals was complex in time and space and was a consequence of pervasive microfracturing of the granite.

Experimental Investigation of Biotite-Rich Schist Reacting with B-Bearing Fluids at Upper Crustal Conditions and Correlated Tourmaline Formation

Fluid–rock interaction experiments between a biotite-rich schist (from Mt. Calamita Formation, Elba Island, Italy) and B-bearing aqueous fluids were carried out at 500–600 °C and 100–130 MPa. The experiments have been carried out in order to reproduce the reaction, which would have produced tourmalinisation of the biotite schist, supposedly by circulation of magmatic fluids issued from leucogranitic dykes. The reacting fluids were either NaCl-free or NaCl-bearing (20 wt %) aqueous solutions, with variable concentration of H3BO3 (0.01–3.2 M). The experimental results show that tourmaline (belonging to the alkali group) crystallise under high-temperature and upper crustal conditions (500–600 °C, 100–130 MPa) when H3BO3 concentration in the system is greater than 1.6 M. The composition of tourmaline is either dravitic (Mg-rich) or schorlitic (Fe-rich), depending if an NaCl-bearing or NaCl-free aqueous solution is used. In the first case, a significant amount of Fe released from biotite dissolution remains in the Cl-rich solution resulting from the experiment. By contrast, when pure water is used, Na/K exchange in feldspars makes Na available for tourmaline crystallisation. The high concentration of Fe in the residual fluid has an important metallogenic implication because it indicates that the interaction between the saline B-rich fluid of magmatic derivation and biotite-rich schists, besides producing tourmalinisation, is capable of mobilising significant amounts of Fe. This process could have produced, in part or totally, the Fe deposits located close to the quartz–tourmaline veins and metasomatic bodies of the Mt. Calamita Formation. Moreover, the super-hot reservoir that likely occurs in the deepest part of the Larderello–Travale geothermal field would also be the site of an extensive reaction between the B-rich fluid and biotite-bearing rocks producing tourmaline. Thus, tourmaline occurrence can be a useful guide during deep drilling toward a super-hot reservoir.

TOURMALINITE VEINS AND BRECCIAS FROM THE SYMVOLON-KAVALA PLUTON, NORTHERN GREECE: PETROGENETIC PRELIMINARY RESULTS

A previously undescribed tourmalinite rock consisting of tourmaline-rich veins and breccias occurs within the Lower Miocene Symvolon-Kavala granodiorite pluton, which intrudes the Lower Tectonic Unit of the Rhodope Metamorphic Province. Tourmaline, usually with crypto- to micro-crystalline grain size, is abundant within the matrix of breccias, also forming along with quartz and host rock clasts massive veins and injections in the fractures of the pluton. Field relations indicate that the tourmaline veins and breccias most likely formed in a brittle deformation regime, overprinting the previously developed foliation of the pluton. In addition, mineralogical and textural observations indicate that the precipitation of tourmaline was a result of cooling of B-rich hydrothermal fluids, implying for a possible magmatic-hydrothermal origin for the studied tourmalinite.

Determining the shape of an intrusion: the Tallarook granite

ABSTRACTField-based studies can place constraints on the shape of granite intrusions with the results being complementary to the less direct approach using geophysics. The Tallarook plateau in central Victoria provides the necessary outcrop and topographic relief to allow mapping of the outer boundary of the granite in detail, and to infer a thin sheet-like form for an intrusion that was previously interpreted as a vertically extensive cylindrical body. The boundary of the Tallarook granite against hornfels is box-shaped in plan with sides of 5–10 km length. These sides are quite irregular on the scale of 100s of metres with many near-vertical and near-horizontal intervals that define a step-and-stair geometry. There are also intervals with moderate outward dip, and fewer inward-dipping intervals. Various parts of the exposed contact are inferred to be the roof of a granite sheet, sides, and the underside towards a floor. The near-horizontal intervals that delineate the roof of the granite are from 200 to 800 m above sea level, with the lowest elevation of the roof being where the Goulburn River cuts through the Tallarook granite. Late magmatic features such as tourmaline, pegmatite, vugs, aplite and quartz veins, are concentrated at the inferred roof. The underside of the granite on the southwest of the Tallarook plateau is 200 to 400 m above sea level. Initial estimate is that the thickness of the Tallarook granite is at least 400 m, and could be less than 1 km. The neighbouring 10 km2 Kerrisdale pluton has a 13 km outer boundary that has been mapped to reveal both flat and steep intervals. This pluton is inferred to be near-horizontal and a few hundred metres thick. This approach of detailed field mapping should be applicable to other granite intrusions though of course not all. In the example of Tallarook, detailed field mapping of the granite boundary has been effective despite the topography not being extreme and the outcrop being modest.

The transition between shortening and extensional regimes in central Mexico recorded in the tourmaline veins of the Comanja Granite

In central Mexico, there is a major angular unconformity separating two lithologic groups. Below the unconformity, the rocks display shortening deformation structures produced by the Laramide orogeny, overprinting those shortening structures there are normal faults related to the Cenozoic Basin and Range tectonics. Above the unconformity, the rocks are affected only by the Basin and Range tectonics, displaying mainly normal faults and in minor amount, lateral-oblique faults. We analyzed the Comanja Granite in the Sierra de Guanajuato, it is a large pluton that contains tourmaline veins. The Granite lacks of the shortening structures that pervasively affected the Mesozoic host-rocks; for this reason, we infer that the granite was formed after the main shortening event. We determined that the emplacement of the Comanja Granite took place between 51.0 ± 0.3 Ma and 49.5 ± 0.8 Ma, and that the tourmaline veins of the granite were formed at ∼51.0 Ma. At the microscopic scale, the tourmaline veins contain three kinds of tourmaline, called T1, T2, and T3, according to the order of their formation. The T1 tourmalines are brown colored and appear affected by brittle-ductile (D1) and brittle (D2) deformations. The cataclasites formed during D2 overprinted the brittle-ductile structures of D1, indicating the transition from deeper to shallower levels. In contrast, T2 and T3 tourmalines were not involved in those deformations. At the outcrop scale, we identified two slickensides in the tourmaline veins. The older, related to D1, is strike-slip with a small thrust component and the younger, related to D2, is normal with oblique components. The T1 tourmalines (which are deformed) were formed before the lateral-thrust faulting, whereas the T2 and T3 tourmalines, which are not deformed, were deposited after the faulting occurred in the veins. Our interpretation is that T1 tourmalines were deposited in the later phases of the Comanja Granite emplacement, with the minimum principal compressional stress (σ3) being vertical, whereas the T2 and T3 were formed during the exhumation process of the Comanja Granite, with the minimum principal stress (σ3) being horizontal. We infer that the lateral-thrust faulting represents the transition between the Laramide shortening and the Basin and Range extension in the Sierra de Guanajuato. There are Paleogene intrusive bodies in the southern Mesa Central that were exhumed before the Oligocene. This observation strongly suggests that the uplift of the Sierra de Guanajuato could represent a wide event in the southern Mesa Central of Mexico.

Mineral chemistry of tourmaline from Mashak Pahar, South Purulia Shear Zone (SPSZ), eastern Indian Shield

The area of investigation at and around Mashak Pahar, Bankura district, West Bengal, India comprises a number of rock types namely: granite gneiss, migmatized quartz tourmaline gneiss, quartz pebble conglomerate, ferruginous quartzite, quartz tourmaline veins (as veins) and graphite schists. Interestingly, the study area lies in the region extending South Purulia Shear Zone (∼Tamar–Porapahar Shear Zone) which marks the boundary between two contrasting tectonic blocks of eastern India, namely, the Chhotanagpur Gneissic Terrane (CGC) to the north and Singhbhum Group of rocks to the south. The rocks of the study area are poly-phasedly deformed by three phases of folding, namely, F1, F2 and F3. All the tourmalines are classified to be of ‘Alkali Group’. Chemistry of tourmalines from migmatized quartz tourmaline gneiss and those from quartz tourmaline veins are in conformity with their relation to (earthquake induced) shear system evolution in this terrain. In general, the compositional evolution of tourmaline during prograde metamorphism (∼400°–730°C) has been supported by both petrographic and chemical evidences. Assessment of mineral–chemical data of constituent tourmaline grains clearly suggests compositional variations across zonal boundaries within tourmaline that was controlled by changing metamorphic milieu in this terrane. Field and petrographic evidences clearly indicate activation of earlier and later shears in this region accompanied by infiltration of boron and formation of zoned tourmaline crystals.

Fluid mixing in orogenic gold deposits: Evidence from the H-O-Sr isotope composition of the Val-d'Or vein field (Abitibi, Canada)

Quartz and tourmaline from the Val-d'Or, Québec (Canada) orogenic gold vein field have oxygen isotope fractionation indicating equilibrium over a range of temperature (280–492°C). The range of δ18O values is from 9.2 to13.8‰, and from 6.5 to 9.5‰, for quartz and tourmaline, respectively. The hydrogen isotope composition of tourmaline has a range from −63 to −13‰. The initial Sr isotope composition (87Sr/86Sr(i)) of vein tourmaline at the time of mineralization ranged from 0.700710 to 0.702246. Vein carbonates have a similar range in Sr isotope composition, form 0.701243 to 0.703641. A series of samples from the Sigma deposit displays no systematic variation with depth for δ18O values of quartz or tourmaline, δD values of tourmaline, temperature of equilibrium, or 87Sr/86Sr(i). The 87Sr/86Sr(i) of local komatiite, basalt, andesite, grauwacke and granodiorite, at 2.7Ga, ranged from 0.681971 to 0.7128706. Country rocks with low 87Sr/86Sr(i) are likely a consequence of hydrothermal resetting of the Rb/Sr system in these samples.Covariation of the calculated equilibrium δDH2O and δ18OH2O with quartz-tourmaline equilibrium temperatures indicates mixing between a low-δ18O (<1.5‰), high δD (>−10‰), low temperature (<280°C) upper crustal fluid, and a high-δ18O (>9.3‰), low δD (<−40‰), high temperature (>490°C) deep-seated metamorphic fluid. At temperatures below the critical point for low-salinity hydrothermal fluids, δDH2O are affected by liquid-vapour phase separation, yielding the high δD values characteristic of the upper crustal fluid. A broad covariation between δ18OH2O and the 87Sr/86Sr(i) of tourmaline is consistent with mixing of two fluids from two reservoirs with different Sr concentrations and δ18OH2O values. The low 87Sr/86Sr(i) (<0.7007) inferred for the deep-seated metamorphic fluid end-member is consistent with Archean prograde metamorphic dewatering of typical volcanic and sedimentary country rocks of the Val-d'Or area. The higher 87Sr/86Sr(i) (>0.7022) of the upper crustal fluid end-member most likely resulted from a long history of water-rock exchange between Archean seawater and carbonate and radiogenic plutonic rocks of the Abitibi sub-province.

Long‐term chemical evolution and modification of continental basement brines – a field study from the Schwarzwald, SW Germany

AbstractHighly saline, deep‐seated basement brines are of major importance for ore‐forming processes, but their genesis is controversial. Based on studies of fluid inclusions from hydrothermal veins of various ages, we reconstruct the temporal evolution of continental basement fluids from the Variscan Schwarzwald (Germany). During the Carboniferous (vein type i), quartz–tourmaline veins precipitated from low‐salinity (&lt;4.5wt% NaCl + CaCl2), high‐temperature (≤390°C) H2O‐NaCl‐(CO2‐CH4) fluids with Cl/Br mass ratios = 50–146. In the Permian (vein type ii), cooling of H2O‐NaCl‐(KCl‐CaCl2) metamorphic fluids (T ≤ 310°C, 2–4.5wt% NaCl + CaCl2, Cl/Br mass ratios = 90) leads to the precipitation of quartz‐Sb‐Au veins. Around the Triassic–Jurassic boundary (vein type iii), quartz–haematite veins formed from two distinct fluids: a low‐salinity fluid (similar to (ii)) and a high‐salinity fluid (T = 100–320°C, &gt;20wt% NaCl + CaCl2, Cl/Br mass ratios = 60–110). Both fluids types were present during vein formation but did not mix with each other (because of hydrogeological reasons). Jurassic–Cretaceous veins (vein type iv) record fluid mixing between an older bittern brine (Cl/Br mass ratios ~80) and a younger halite dissolution brine (Cl/Br mass ratios &gt;1000) of similar salinity, resulting in a mixed H2O‐NaCl‐CaCl2 brine (50–140°C, 23–26wt% NaCl + CaCl2, Cl/Br mass ratios = 80–520). During post‐Cretaceous times (vein type v), the opening of the Upper Rhine Graben and the concomitant juxtaposition of various aquifers, which enabled mixing of high‐ and low‐salinity fluids and resulted in vein formation (multicomponent fluid H2O‐NaCl‐CaCl2‐(SO4‐HCO3), 70–190°C, 5–25wt% NaCl‐CaCl2 and Cl/Br mass ratios = 2–140). The first occurrence of highly saline brines is recorded in veins that formed shortly after deposition of halite in the Muschelkalk Ocean above the basement, suggesting an external source of the brine's salinity. Hence, today's brines in the European basement probably developed from inherited evaporitic bittern brines. These were afterwards extensively modified by fluid–rock interaction on their migration paths through the crystalline basement and later by mixing with younger meteoric fluids and halite dissolution brines.

Gold mineralisation in the Essakane goldfield in Burkina Faso, West African craton

The West African craton is known for its structurally hosted Au deposits in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali and Niger. The Essakane goldfield in northeast Burkina Faso has produced 1 606,000oz of gold since 2010 from the Essakane Main Zone. The Essakane goldfield is made up of several exploration and artisanal sites that include; Essakane Main Zone, Gossey, Falagountou, Sokadie, Tin Zoubratan, Essakane North and South, Korizéna, Bom Kodjélé, Tin Taradat, Tassiri, Gaigou, and Takabangou. Gold mineralisation in sheeted and stockworks quartz–carbonate and tourmaline veins occurs with pyrite, arsenopyrite, and traces of pyrrhotite, galena and hematite. It is hosted in sheared, folded and contact metamorphosed volcanic, volcanoclastic and sedimentary Birimian Supergroup sequences. The maximum age of gold mineralisation in the Essakane goldfield is syn-deformational and formed during the Eburnean Orogeny (D2) at 2130–1980Ma.