Vein-type Mineralization Research Articles

Mineral chemistry, fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies of the Suyoc epithermal veins: Insights to Au-Cu mineralization in southern Mankayan Mineral District, Philippines

The Suyoc prospect is an epithermal vein-type mineralization located at the southern part of the Mankayan Mineral District, Northern Luzon, Philippines. The prospect’s epithermal veins are hosted in volcaniclastic rocks and conglomerate, which belong to the Late Oligocene to Early Miocene Balili Formation and the Middle to Late Miocene Suyoc Conglomerate, respectively. These veins are classified into three major types: quartz vein, quartz-sulfide vein, and quartz-carbonate vein. The quartz vein exhibits massive and cockade textures associated with pyrite + chalcopyrite. The quartz-sulfide vein consists of massive and comb quartz associated with pyrite + chalcopyrite + sphalerite. The quartz-carbonate vein has massive quartz associated with rhodochrosite and chalcopyrite + sphalerite + galena + Au/Ag ± bournonite. In addition, massive gypsum ± pyrite occurs as a minor vein-type.Fluid inclusion measurements in quartz from the three major vein-types revealed 230–250 °C formation temperatures and 1.0–3.5 wt. % NaCl equivalent salinity, which are values consistent with epithermal deposits. Quartz textures (e.g., massive, cockade, comb, crustiform) and dominance of liquid-rich fluid inclusions do not suggest that boiling is a primary mechanism of vein deposition. Possible mechanisms are inferred as meteoric water dilution based on homogenization versus salinity trend in quartz vein and presence of rhodochrosite in quartz-carbonate vein, and wall rock interaction based on FeS trend in sphalerite crystals of the quartz-carbonate vein. The presence of pyrite and chalcopyrite in the major vein-types and the FeS mole percent values (0.51 to 8.30) in quartz-carbonate vein indicate an intermediate sulfidation state. The alteration minerals illite, chlorite, pyrite and quartz indicate near-neutral pH condition. δ34S values, which vary from −1.1 to +3.9‰, suggest reduced condition when compared to the representative bulk δ34S value for the Mankayan Mineral District. The characteristics and conditions strongly indicate an intermediate sulfidation epithermal (ISE) style of mineralization. Moreover, the δDwater (−63 to −66‰) and δ18Owater (−3.9 to −1.1‰) values from the major vein-types suggest late stage formation in a magmatic-hydrothermal system similar to other ISE deposits in the Northern Luzon Segment (e.g., Victoria, Acupan and Antamok).Given these, the presence of the Suyoc ISE veins in the underexplored southern part of the Mankayan Mineral District implies potential presence of undiscovered cogenetic porphyry Cu and high sulfidation epithermal mineralization in the area.

Ar-Ar chronology of the brittle deformation age for the ore-controlling shear zones in the Jiaodong Peninsula and it's constrains on gold mineralization

胶东地区是典型的剪切带型金矿集中区，精确厘定该地区控矿剪切带的活动时代，可为探讨剪切带与金矿成因关系提供关键的时限约束，并且对矿床成矿模式的建立具有至关重要的意义。大量矿床地质证据显示胶东地区控矿剪切带中脆性变形活动对金矿体的形成具有直接影响，但其脆性变形时代尚不十分清楚。据此，本文在详细研究金矿体赋存特征的基础上，系统选取胶东焦家、玲珑、邓格庄、乳山这四个金矿区控矿剪切带断层泥中白云母进行⁴⁰Ar-³⁹Ar年代学研究。定年结果显示，胶东地区焦家剪切带、招平剪切带以及牟乳剪切带的脆性变形时代分别为110.3±1.5Ma、122.8±1.7Ma、119.6±1.2Ma~115.8±1.4Ma。其中焦家剪切带的脆性变形时代明显晚于招平和牟乳剪切带，可能代表了焦家蚀变岩型矿化形成后易遭受后期的构造叠加。综合胶东各金矿区控矿剪切带变形时代、岩体侵位时代、成矿时代及剪切带活动特征和矿体产出特征，本文认为在多期岩体侵位以及控矿剪切带递进变形过程中，剪切带韧性变形区中由高压流体作用产生的同期脆性破裂可形成脉型矿化，如乳山金矿；而在脆-韧性和脆性变形区中发生的大规模脆性变形可导致脉型和蚀变岩型矿化的形成，如玲珑、邓格庄和焦家金矿。但随着剪切带的递进变形和隆升剥蚀，后期多期次的脆性构造变形叠加，可导致多种矿化类型出现在同一构造部位，如焦家金矿中石英脉型和蚀变岩型矿化。;Jiaodong Peninsula is a typical concentration area for shear zone type gold deposits. Accurate determination of the deformation age of ore-controlling shear zones in this area can provide a key time limit for exploring the relationship between shear zones and the genesis of gold deposits, and is of vital significance to the establishment of metallogenic mechanism. A large number of geological evidences show that the formation of gold orebodies is directly controlled by brittle deformation activities of ore-controlling shear zones in Jiaodong Peninsula, but this deformation age is still unclear. Based on detailed study of the occurrence characteristics of orebodies, we systematically selected muscovite samples from fault gouge in Jiaojia, Linglong, Denggezhuang and Rushan gold mining areas for the Ar-Ar chronology study. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating results show that the brittle deformation ages of Jiaojia, Zhaoping and Muru shear zones in Jiaodong Peninsula are 110.3±1.5Ma, 122.8±1.7Ma and 119.6±1.2Ma~115.8±1.4Ma, respectively. Among them, the brittle deformation age of Jiaojia shear zone is obviously later than those of Zhaopin and Muru shear zones, which may represent that the altered rock type mineralization in Jiaojia deposit is susceptible to structural superposition in the later period. Comprehensively comparing shear zone deformation ages, pluton emplacement ages, metallogenic ages, shear zone activities and orebody occurrence characteristics in Jiaodong gold deposits, it is suggested that: (1) The contemporaneous brittle fractures caused by high-pressure fluids in ductile deformation region of shear zones can lead to the formation of vein type mineralization, e.g. Rushan gold deposits; (2) Large-scale brittle deformation in brittle-ductile and brittle region can lead to the formation of vein type and altered rock type mineralization, e.g. Linglong, Denggezhuang and Jiaojia gold deposits. Both stages take place during the process of multi-stage emplacement and progressive deformation of ore-controlling shear zones. However, with the progressive deformation and uplift denudation of shear zones, the superposition of brittle deformation in the late stage may lead to the occurrence of multiple mineralization types in the same structural site, e.g. quartz vein type and altered rock type mineralization in Jiaojia gold deposit.

Mineral chemistry and phase relations of Co–Ni arsenides and sulfarsenides from the Baycheh-Bagh deposit, Zanjan province, Iran

The polymetallic hydrothermal veins of Baycheh-Bagh deposit in NW Iran occur in quartz-carbonate veins which are hosted by Oligocene to Miocene volcanic (mainly andesite) and volcaniclastic (agglomerate, tuff) rocks unconformably overlying metamorphic basement rocks. Three transitional paragentic stages of hypogene mineralization have been identified. Stage 1 includes base metal (Cu, Zn, Pb) sulfides and gold and is succeeded by Co-Ni-Fe-As minerals and bismuth (Stage 2) and Cu-Bi sulfides/sulfosalts (Stage 3). Stage 2 Ni-Co-Fe mineralization is complex and is subdivided into three substages starting with sulfarsenides (arsenopyrite, alloclasite I, II), followed by native bismuth, triarsenides (skutterudite I, II, III) and diarsenides (rammelsbergite, safflorite) and terminated by sulfarsenides (gersdorffite-cobaltite solid solution, alloclacite III). Skutterudite and alloclasite are present in several generations and preserve delicate growth zoning reflecting a multi-stage episodic growth. The sulfarsenides and arsenides reveal significant substitution of Ni, Co, Fe as well as As and S reflecting compositional changes of the ore forming fluid (e.g., activities of metals, As/S) as well as changes in pH and oxidation state. The mineral assemblages and comparison with similar As-dominated vein-type Ni-Co mineralization elsewhere, collectively referred to as “five element veins”, suggest that the complex arsenide/sulfarsenide assemblages formed at temperatures below 300 °C. Baycheh-Bagh can be regarded as a member of this heterogeneous group of Bi-Co-Ni-As deposits. A peculiarity of hydrothermal vein-type mineralization at Baycheh-Bagh is that initial epithermal (?) Cu-(Au-Zn-Pb) mineralization evolved into (Bi)–Co-Ni-As mineralization with time.

Geological, geochemical and microthermometric characteristics of the Hakkari region Zn-Pb deposits, SE Turkey

The Hakkari region in SE Turkey contains large Zn-Pb deposits, primarily of non-sulfide ore in Upper Triassic passive margin carbonates. In the Karakaya, Meskantepe and Üzümcü Zn-Pb deposit, the 3 main and >15 ore layers alternate with a thick-bedded limestone. The feeder in the region veins are well defined, containing both non-sulfide and sulfide ore. Primary sulfide ore contains between 1 and 37 % Zn, has transformed to “non-sulfide” ore containing Zn > 10%. Both non-sulfide and sulfide ore is associated with As, Se, Hg, Tl, Mn and Sb, which is similar to other SEDEX deposits. The average δ34S of the stratiform and feeder zone sulfides are 2.1‰ and 1.67‰, respectively. Sulfur isotope data of sphalerite, galena and pyrite (from −3.4 to 8.8‰) indicates that sulfur came from a homogeneous large source. Sulfate was reduced by the process of thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) rather than bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). Lead isotope values (206Pb/204Pb ≈ 18.49, 207Pb/204Pb ≈ 15.66 and 208Pb/204Pb ≈ 38.69) reflect an evolved upper crustal source. The homogenisation temperature (Th) and salinity of fluid inclusions is from 165 to 289 °C, and from 1 to 22% equiv. NaCl salinity. Such a wide range of Th and salinity, and Cl/Br ratio (409 from sphalerite and galena; 662 from barite) of fluid inclusions may indicate mixing of basinal brines and seawater.Successive ore levels, laminated with shale-carbonate rich in organic matter, formed on the seafloor as banded and replacement ore. Trace element associations, fluid inclusion and isotope data indicate that the Zn-Pb deposits were formed as synsedimentary processes associated with feeder systems during the initiation of the Triassic rifting as a vent-proximal SEDEX-type. The metals (Pb, Zn, Fe) were leached from Palaeozoic and older clastic rocks in the Arabian platform by seawater sourced fluids, and ascended through deep fractures. The metalliferous fluids should have formed vein type mineralization in feeder zone, sub-seafloor replacement type ore under the ocean floor, and stratiform ore on the seafloor.

New insights into the genesis of IOCG deposits: From a case study of the Yinachang deposit in SW China

The Yinachang Fe-Cu-Au-U-REE deposit is hosted by the lower part of the Paleoproterozoic Kunyang Group in the central Yunnan Province of SW China in an area known to contain iron-oxide Cu-Au mineralisation. The deposit includes: (i) the sulphide assemblage chalcopyrite – pyrite – magnetite – cobaltite – molybdenite – cassiterite; (ii) Rare Earth Element assemblage bastnaesite – parasite – fergusonite – xenotime – monazite; (iii) the uranyl hydroxide mineral vandendriesscheite; (iv) gold commonly hosted by ankerite; and (v) the gangue mineral assemblage apatite – biotite – fluorspar – quartz – calcite. The ore is commonly massive, disseminated, banded, or in calcite veins. The banded mineralisation contains high concentration of Au, Co, Mo, U, Fe, Cu and REE, and the vein-type mineralisation has abundant REE minerals of bastnaesite, parisite, fergusonite and xenotime. Monazite exists as inclusions in apatite or as discrete grains on the surface of magnetite, and the uranium is associated with chalcopyrite. The mineralising process can be divided into an initial Na-alteration followed by the ore-forming assemblages of Fe-REE and Cu-Au-U-REE mineralisation. The average δ18OH2O values in the quartz and calcite change are between 3.5 and 10.7‰, with δDV-SMOW values ranging between −98.2 and −47.7‰. The calcite, siderite and ankerite have δ13C isotope composition ranges from –14 to +1‰ and δ18O compositions of +6.9 to +22‰. The H–O–C isotope systematics indicate that the mineralising fluids have mixed magmatic and metamorphic sources, whereas the carbon is sourced from marine carbonate, and the low temperature alternation of polyphase mantle material. In situ δ34S sulphide value ranges between 1.1 and 11.9‰, and the bulk δ34S value ranges between −4.7 and 10.5‰. In situ Pb isotopes of sulphide samples have 206Pb/204Pb values of 18.58–18.76, 207Pb/204Pb values of 15.51–15.66 and 208Pb/204Pb values of 37.47–38.06. These values plot in the upper crust Pb-evolution curve, indicative of a complex source of Pb in the deposit. The Pb is interpreted to have a deep-seated magmatic source with a contribution from the crust. It is also proposed that the REE-mineralised fluids are derived from a late stage of alkaline magma differentiation. The 40Ar-39Ar biotite date indicates that the Precambrian rocks in the Kangdian region were regionally metamorphosed at ca. 900 Ma. The Yinachang Fe-Cu-Au-U-REE deposit is interpreted as an IOCG deposit based on geological and isotopic studies. The banded ore and vein type ore are the main exploration targets for uranium, gold and REE. This study helps us better understand IOCG deposits in China.

Sulfide Rb-Sr, Re-Os and In Situ S Isotopic Constraints on Two Mineralization Events at the Large Hongnipo Cu Deposit, SW China

The Hongnipo deposit, a newly discovered large copper deposit in the Kangdian copper belt, SW China, is hosted in the Paleoproterozoic Hekou Group. This deposit contains ~4200 Mt of Cu ores, with an average grade of 1.42 wt.% Cu. Orebodies occur mainly as stratiform, stratoid and lenticular forms. Mineralization consists predominantly of high grade vein-type ores and low grade laminated ores. Field relationships indicate vein-type mineralization crosscuts laminated mineralization and host rocks, indicating that there were at least two mineralization events during the formation of the deposit. Pyrite separates from the laminated ores yield a Rb-Sr isochron age of 1552 ± 80 Ma, with a highly radiogenic initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 0.71214 ± 0.00081, indicating a major contribution from the ore-hosting rocks. Sulfides from the laminated ores have δ34S values ranging from −1.8‰ to 11.4‰, with the vast majority in the range of 5.3‰ to 11.4‰, suggesting the mixed derivation of sulfur from seawater sulfates and magmatic fluids. Chalcopyrite separates from the vein-type ores have a Re-Os isochron age of 794.8 ± 7.9 Ma. The initial 187Os/188Os (2.8 ± 1.2) and γOs (+2202) values are slightly lower than the average values of continental crust, indicating a major metal source of the Hekou Group with minor mantle input. Sulfides from the vein-type ores have δ34S values that range from −10.3‰ to 4.0‰ and cluster between 0‰ to 2.2‰, which implies a significant contribution of magmatic-sourced sulfur with minor biogenic sulfur. Two major mineralization events have been identified. The Rb-Sr age of the laminated ores likely records a VMS mineralization event at ~1.6 Ga. The much younger Re-Os age is considered to represent the timing of an important mineralization event, which is likely related to the Neoproterozoic magmatism and/or metamorphism and represents a newly documented mineralization event to be targeted by exploration.

Genesis of the Zhangquanzhuang gold deposit in the northern margin of North China Craton: Constraints from deposit geology and ore isotope geochemistry

The genesis of orogenic gold deposits in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) is still ambiguous, and this is addressed in this case study on the Zhangquanzhuang gold deposit. This deposit shows features typical of orogenic gold deposits, including quartz vein-type mineralization controlled by shear zones, sericite-quartz-pyrite-carbonate alteration along shear zones, absence of connection to any magmatic intrusion, and occurrence of native gold and electrum. The Zhangquanzhuang gold deposit, which is hosted in Archean high-grade metamorphic rocks, was formed in Mesozoic and largely later than the regional metamorphism. In this deposit, the Pb isotope compositions of sulfides in ores have low 206Pb/204Pb ratios of 16.874–17.007, 207Pb/204Pb ratios of 15.368–15.410, and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of 37.023–37.215, and these are much less radiogenic than those of regional metamorphic and magmatic rocks. This finding precludes the possible derivation of ore fluid from regional magmatism and metamorphism. In pyrite-hosted fluid inclusions in the ores, the 3He/4He and 40Ar/36Ar ratios are 1.26–1.75 Ra and 1622–2816, respectively, showing prominent signature of mantle sources. These geochemical features, together with the large temporal discrepancy between regional metamorphism and mineralization, suggest that ore fluid and metal had a subcrustal source similar to the gold deposits in the Jiaodong gold province in the southeastern margin of the NCC. The calculated δ34SH2S values for the ore fluid are 2.31–4.48‰, which are heavier than the δ34S of depleted mantle. The δ18O of ore-related quartz mostly cluster around 11‰, implying high δ18O of subcrust-derived ore fluid. The stable O and S isotope data indicate that the subcrustal source has been metasomatized by subducted crustal sediments.

Paleofluid Fingerprint as an Independent Paleogeographic Correlation Tool: An Example from Pennsylvanian Sandstones and Neighboring Crystalline Rocks (Tisia Composite Terrane, S Hungary)

In the basement areas of the southern Pannonian Basin, Central Europe (Tisia Composite Terrane, Hungary), Variscan blocks are essential components. The existing paleogeographic reconstructions, however, are often unclear and contradictory. This paper attempts to give a contribution for paleogeographic correlation of the Tisia using paleohydrological features (e.g., vein mineralization types, inclusion fluid composition and origin) of the Pennsylvanian continental succession and neighboring crystalline complexes. Vein-type mineralization in the studied samples dominantly forms blocky morphological types with inclusion-rich quartz and carbonate crystals. The evolution of hydrothermal mineralization and host rock alteration in the study area comprises three major stages. The first one is characterized by chloritization, epidotization, and sericitization of metamorphic rocks together with subsequent formation of Ca-Al-silicate and quartz-sulfide veins (clinopyroxene-dominant and epidote-dominant mineralization). The related fluid inclusion record consists of high-temperature and low-salinity aqueous inclusions, corresponding to a reduced retrograde-metamorphic fluid phase during the Late Westphalian (~310 Ma). The next mineralization stage can be related to a generally oxidized alkaline fluid phase with a cross-formational character (hematite-rich alkali feldspar-dominant and quartz-dolomite veins). High-salinity primary aqueous inclusions probably were originated from the Upper Permian playa fluids of the region. The parent fluid of the third event (ankerite-hosted inclusions) was derived from a more reductive and low-salinity environment and can represent a post-Variscan fluid system. Fluid evolution data presented in this paper support that the W Tisia (Mecsek–Villány area) belonged to the Central European Variscan belt close to the Bohemian Massif up to the Early Alpine orogenic phases. Its original position is presumably to the northeast from the Bohemian Massif at the Late Paleozoic, north to the Moravo-Silesian Zone. The presented paleofluid evolution refines previous models of the paleogeographic position of the Tisia and puts constraints on the evolution of the Variscan Europe.

Mineralogical Constraints on the Potassic and Sodic-Calcic Hydrothermal Alteration and Vein-Type Mineralization of the Maronia Porphyry Cu-Mo ± Re ± Au Deposit in NE Greece

The Maronia Cu-Mo ± Re ± Au deposit is spatially related to a microgranite porphyry that intruded an Oligocene monzonite along the Mesozoic Circum-Rhodope belt in Thrace, NE Greece. The magmatic rocks and associated metallic mineralization show plastic and cataclastic features at the south-eastern margin of the deposit that implies emplacement at the ductile-brittle transition, adjacent to a shear zone at the footwall of the Maronia detachment fault. The conversion from ductile to brittle deformation caused a rapid upward magmatic fluid flow and increased the volume of water that interacted with the host rocks through high permeable zones, which produced extensive zones of potassic and sodic-calcic alteration. Potassic alteration is characterized by secondary biotite + K-feldspar (orthoclase) + magnetite + rutile + quartz ± apatite and commonly contains sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite). Sodic-calcic alteration consists of actinolite + sodic-calcic plagioclase (albite/oligoclase/andesine) + titanite + magnetite + chlorite + quartz ± calcite ± epidote-allanite. The high-oxidation state of the magmas and the hydrothermal fluid circulation were responsible for the metal and sulfur enrichments of the aqueous fluid phase, an increase in O2 gas content, the breakdown of the magmatic silicates and the production of the extensive potassic and sodic-calcic alterations. Brittle deformation also promoted the rapid upward fluid flow and caused interactions with the surrounding host rocks along the high temperature M-, EB-, A- and B-type veins.

Constraints on the genesis of the Proterozoic bornite dominated copper deposit from Nim ka Thana, western India: An IOCG perspective

The copper mineralization at the southeastern fringe of the Khetri copper belt in western India is primarily hosted within the metapelites and dolomite units of the Mesoproterozoic Ajabgarh Group of rocks. The copper mineralization is well exposed along a NE-SW trending basinal part around Nim ka Thana area where a few of the prospects namely Dokan, Baniwala-ki-Dhani, Dariba, and Nanagwas primarily consist of abundant bornite, chalcopyrite, covellite, digenite, and chalcocite as disseminated phases hosted within a wide-ranging litho units and along quartz-calcite-barite veins. An integrated approach has been adopted to understand the metallogenetic evolution of this bornite dominated copper mineralization. δ13CV-PDB and δ18OV-SMOW results of the carbonate veins ranging from 0.57‰ to −3.75‰ and δ18O range from 15.01‰ to 20.74‰ respectively suggest the influx of hydrothermal fluid in shaping up the deposit. δ13C (CO2) of the ore-bearing fluid ranges from −1.67‰ to 2.65‰ and δ18O (H2O) from 7.11‰ to 12.84‰ respectively also suggest the input of hydrothermal source. The S-isotopic values of Cu-mineralized barite samples range between 16‰ and 20‰, which are lower than that of seawater (δ34S‰ = 20–22‰). This provides the evidence that the barite mineralization could have formed from the hydrothermal fluid that is cogenetic with the late-stage mineralization in a phase-wise separation as an associated mineral assemblage in the system progressively enriching the bornite-rich copper deposit.Based on the field data and evidences, petrographic characteristics, mineral chemistry, fluid inclusion, and stable isotopic signatures, a three-stage mineralization event is proposed as 1) syngenetic precipitation of dispersed bornite-pyrite in a euxinic environment; 2) hydrothermal vein-type mineralization dominated by chalcopyrite-bornite phase, and 3) supergene enrichment of the vein filled mineralization with the development of wide-scale chalcocite-digenetite-covellite mineral phases. Fluid inclusion microthermometry suggests a temperature range from 225°-320 °C with moderate salinity fluid representing epithermal mineralization which is coherent with the stable isotope data (C, O and S isotopes) of the mineralized carbonate and barite veins suggesting the involvement of large scale hydrothermal fluid influx. Te content of various Cu-bearing sulfide phases shows a gradual change in the concentration from chalcopyrite (2.21% to 2.31%), bornite (2.31% to 4.50%), chalcocite (2.77% to 2.87%), digenite (2.57% to 3.70%) and covellite (2.53% to 3.13%) suggesting their evolution from hydrothermal to supergene process. The studied area has experienced wide-scale alterations and Na-metasomatism with the development of associated minerals such as scapolite, tremolite, and sericite. Occurrence of primary and secondary copper sulfides in the metasedimentary sequence, alteration assemblages affected by Na-metasomatism, association of magnetite and specularite in the study area is affiliated to the hydrothermal system akin to IOCG clan as noted from the adjoining Khetri Copper Deposit.

Aluviální zlato v oblasti Dlouhá Ves - Řepová (zábřežské krystalinikum)

A detailed panning prospection of the Řepovský potok, Míroveček and Ospitský potok creeks (northern part of the Zábřeh Upland) proved that trace amount of alluvial gold occurs in the whole studied area. The collected gold sheets are 0.2 to 3 mm in size and mostly have shapes only weakly modified by transport in the stream. Although the chemical composition varies widely between Au-rich silver and pure gold (28.1 - 99.8 at. % Au), individual sheets are typically (few exceptions exist) compositionally homogeneous. Less than half of them has the narrow high-fineness rim, which was formed by leaching of silver in supergene conditions. In lower reach of the Řepovský potok creek there were also found gold sheets containing elevated mercury (0.1 - 5.1 at. %), which most probably originated from neighbouring vein-type Ag-Zn-Pb deposit Řepová. In contrast, the source of Hg-free gold sheets was not unambiguously established. The first possibility includes small vein-type mineralizations similar to the Řepová ore deposit and containing trace amount of gold (an occurrence of this type was newly recognized in the vicinity of Dlouhá Ves village). Second, one cannot exclude the trace occurrence of gold sheets directly in underlying metasiltstones or acid metavolcanic rocks of the Zábřeh Crystalline Complex [with respect to repeatedly observed intergrowths of gold with polymineral aggregates of phyllosilicates (muscovite, chlorite, biotite, clay minerals), feldspars (K-feldspar, albite, K-Na feldspar) and minor quartz in the alluvial gold sheets]. The particles of metallic Cu-Zn-Sn alloys with admixture of Ni, Sb and In, panned from the Řepovský potok creek, could contain metals originated from smelting of polymetallic ores from the deposit Řepová, which comprise the same minor elements.

Age and tectonic setting of vein-type mineralization of Hongtaiping copper polymetallic deposit in Yanbian area, Jilin Province, NE China

Age and tectonic setting of vein-type mineralization of Hongtaiping copper polymetallic deposit in Yanbian area, Jilin Province, NE China

Linkage of distal vein–type Au mineralization in carbonate rocks with Cu–Au skarn mineralization in the Fengshan area, Eastern China: Mineralogy and stable isotope geochemistry

Numerous limestone–hosted vein–type Au deposits (12 million tonnes at 5.0 g/t Au) are located peripheral to Cu–Au skarn deposits around the Late Jurassic granodiorite intrusions in the Fengshan area, Middle–Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt, Eastern China. Both the Cu–Au skarn and distal vein–type Au deposits have a complex mineral assemblage, consisting of base metal sulfides, sulfosalts and Au–Ag–(Tl) telluride minerals. In the Cu–Au skarn deposits, grains of electrum, Au–Ag tellurides (hessite and petzite) coexist with Bi–Te minerals (native bismuth, tetradymite, Phase C, and aikinite), sulfides (chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena), occurring as grain aggregates or veinlets. In the distal vein–type Au deposits, fine–grained Au–Ag–Tl tellurides (calaverite, petzite, hessite, and Tl–bearing Au telluride) occur as ore minerals in assemblages of sulfides, and carbonate minerals. The mineralogical Bi–Te signature characterizes the skarn assemblages, while the Te–Tl signature is typical of the distal vein–type Au mineralization.Textural relations and mineral assemblages allow the recognition of five generations of hydrothermal carbonate: (1) Cu sulfides and tellurides–bearing calcite assemblages; (2) sphalerite, galena and tellurides–bearing dolomite assemblages; (3) sericite, quartz and tellurides–bearing carbonate veinlets; (4) realgar and fluorite–bearing carbonate veinlets; (5) pure calcite veinlets. Electron microprobe analysis indicates that the tellurides–bearing, ore–related carbonate contains variable Mn content (up to 80 mol.% MnCO3).The C–O isotope compositions of carbonate from the Cu–Au skarn mineralization, to the carbonate–replacement Pb–Zn and distal vein–type Au mineralization, and to the post–ore, realgar–bearing veinlets in the country rocks display a tendency towards heavier isotopic compositions with time, which could be best interpreted as the effect of fluid–rock interaction between magmatic fluid and the Triassic carbonate host rocks. New S isotope data on sulfate minerals (anhydrite, gypsum, and celestite), and C–O isotopic data suggest a common magmatic fluid source for both skarn and distal vein–type mineralization.

The Metallogenic Setting of the Jiangjiatun Mo Deposit, North China: Constraints from a Combined Zircon U–Pb and Molybdenite Re–Os Isotopic Study

The Jiangjiatun Mo deposit is a recently discovered molybdenum deposit in the easternmost area of the Yan-Liao metallogenic belt, North China Craton. Quartz vein-type Mo mineralization at Jiangjiatun is associated with the granitic porphyry stock. In this study, we performed a combined zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re-Os dating study on the Jiangjiatun Mo deposit to constrain its mineralization age and metallogenic setting. Laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) zircon U–Pb analyses suggest that the granitic porphyry was formed during the Late Jurassic, with a weighted mean 206Pb/238U age of 154 ± 1 Ma (2σ). Seven molybdenite samples from the Jiangjiatun deposit yield a 187Re–187Os isochron age of 157.5 ± 0.5 Ma (2σ). The discrepancy between the U–Pb and Re–Os ages may be explained (1) by the “2 sigma” measurement uncertainty, or (2) by the different closure temperature of the Re–Os isotopic system of molybdenite and the U–Pb isotopic system of zircon. Even though there is a small difference between the zircon U–Pb and molybdenite Re–Os ages, we can clearly identify a Late Jurassic Mo mineralization event at Jiangjiatun in the easternmost area of the Yan-Liao metallogenic belt. The moderate Re concentrations (13 to 73 ppm) in molybdenite from the Jiangjiatun Mo deposit are indicative of the involvement of the mantle materials into the Mo mineralization. The Jiangjiatun Mo deposit is likely the result of the subduction of the paleo-Pacific plate beneath the North China Craton during the Late Jurassic. Combined with the available published regional robust geochronological data, we proposed that the Mo mineralization in the Yan-Liao belt is in good agreement with the tectonic transition from Late Triassic post-collision extensional setting due to the closure of the paleo-Asian ocean to the Yanshanian (J–K1) continental arc setting in response to the subduction of the paleo-Pacific Plate. The study highlights that regional mineralization may provide an excellent constraint on tectonic change.

From magmatic to hydrothermal Sn-Li-(Nb-Ta-W) mineralization: The Argemela area (central Portugal)

The Argemela mineralized area (AMA), central Portugal, exhibits a nearly continuous magmatic to hydrothermal ore-forming sequence typical of Variscan granite-related rare metal deposits. Disseminated and vein-type mineralization are distributed in two systems, the Argemela Mine (AM) and the Cabeço da Argemela (CA). Disseminated mineralization includes montebrasite, cassiterite and columbite-tantalite dispersed in rare metal granites. Vein-type mineralization occurs both in granites and country rocks. The CA system exposes three generations of intragranitic veins with montebrasite in the two earliest and montebrasite, wolframite, cassiterite and columbite-tantalite in the latest. Country rock veins include a swarm of cassiterite and montebrasite veins (AM) and rare isolated wolframite veins (CA). Disseminated cassiterites are enriched in Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 compared to vein cassiterites. Disseminated columbite-tantalites evolve toward Mn- and Ta-rich chemistries that contrast with the more Fe- and Nb-rich compositions in intragranitic veins. In the CA system, both intragranitic and country rock veins crystallize early Mn-rich wolframites followed by late more Fe-rich compositions associated with Nb-, Ta-poor cassiterite, the later replaced by stannite. Field relations, structural, mineralogical and geochemical data suggest that the disseminated and vein-type mineralization are expressions of a continuous metallogenic evolution initiated at the magmatic stage, pursued during the magmatic-hydrothermal transition and ended with hydrothermal circulations in country rock. The two mineralized systems share similarities, but they also show major differences. Structural analysis demonstrates that the intragranitic veins in the CA and the country rock veins in the AM were emplaced under the same tectonic regime. Therefore, the two systems are variants of the same local metallogenic evolution. Sn and W show markedly contrasted behaviors. Both have a magmatic source but only Sn reaches concentrations leading to saturation of the melt with cassiterite. W is deposited later and preferentially to Sn in intragranitic veins. At the hydrothermal stage, cassiterite and wolframite deposition are disconnected and, overall, wolframite occurs only in minor amounts. The metallogenic model proposed for the AMA emphasizes magmatic rare metal concentration processes, exsolution of magmatic fluids and selective deposition of metals during the magmatic-hydrothermal and later hydrothermal stages. The Sn-Li-(Nb-Ta)-dominated, and W-poor signature of the AMA makes it similar to LCT pegmatites of the Central Iberian Zone but is distinctive from the world class W-(Sn-Cu) Panasqueira deposit nearby.

Ouansimi copper mineralization (Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco): Paragenetic sequence and circulation of gangue hosted paleofluids.

The Ouansimi copper deposit, located South of the Kerdous inlier in Morocco, is an example of vein-type mineralization hosted in the Adoudou Formation limestone of the Lower Cambrian Taroudant Group. The copper-bearing veins are mainly controlled by Variscan NNW-trending faults and are subdivided here into Eastern, Western, and Central structures. On the basis of mineralogical, metallographic, and fluid inclusion studies, two mineralizing processes are proposed. A primary process is interpreted for the chalcopyrite, digenite, galena, sphalerite, carrollite, and pyrite with quartz and dolomite as gangue minerals. A secondary process is proposed for chalcocite, bornite, covellite, native copper, copper carbonate and oxide. Microthermometric analysis of fluid inclusions was carried out on quartz and dolomite gangues. Primary fluid inclusions trapped in quartz show the existence of fluids with temperatures of 175°C–275 °C and salinities of 10–15 wt % NaCl eq. However, fluid inclusions in dolomite indicate fluids with temperatures of 200°C–250 °C and salinities of 20–25 wt % NaCl equiv. Combining ore mineralogy and fluid inclusion microthermometry, two main hypogene sulphide mineralization stages can be distinguished in the Ouansimi copper deposit. The first Cu–Fe stage, with quartz as a gangue mineral, was related to hydrothermal fluids with moderate temperature and low salinity. The second Cu–Zn–Pb–Co–Ni–Fe stage was associated with dolomite as a gangue mineral and infilled cavities and fractures cutting quartz. This second phase was related to hydrothermal fluids with moderate temperature and high salinity. The tectonic evolution of the Ouansimi deposit was characterized by thrusting of the south limb over the north limb and by dextral and sinistral offsets of the mineralized structures along late-stage ENE-WSW-trending faults.

Paleoproterozoic SEDEX-type stratiform mineralization overprinted by Mesozoic vein-type mineralization in the Qingchengzi Pb-Zn deposit, Northeastern China

The Qingchengzi Pb–Zn deposit is located in the northeastern Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt (JLJB), North China Craton (NCC). Field observation and age dating indicate that the deposit was formed from Paleoproterozoic sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX) stratiform mineralization overprinted by Late Triassic hydrothermal vein-type mineralization. Five types of fluid inclusions (FIs) are identified in the quartz grains, based on petrography and laser Raman spectroscopy: liquid-rich two-phase (type 1), vapor-rich two-phase (type 2), CO2-bearing (types 3a and 3b), and CO2-pure (type 4). Quartz from the SEDEX stratiform ores contains only type 1 FIs, and hydrogen-oxygen isotopic compositions indicate that the ore-forming fluids were magmatic water-derived. The ore-forming fluids were likely of medium-temperatures and low-salinity, and belonged to a NaCl–H2O hydrothermal system. Quartz from the vein-types contains all five types of FIs, and the ore-forming fluids may have belonged to a medium-temperature, low-salinity NaCl–H2O–CO2 hydrothermal system. Hydrogen-oxygen isotopes indicate that the vein-type ore-forming fluids were derived from magmatic-meteoric mixed source. Rare-earth element (REE) and sulfur-lead isotopic compositions indicate that ore-forming materials of the SEDEX stratiform mineralization were derived from the wall-rocks and magma, wheres those of the vein-type mineralization were derived from Late Triassic granitic magma, wall-rocks, and the Paleoproterozoic SEDEX ores.Based on field geological and geochronological data, we propose the following regional metallogenic model: (1) SEDEX mineralization occurred during the Paleoproterozoic post-collisional extension in the JLJB; (2) vein-type mineralization was generated by the north-dipping subduction of the Yangtze Craton beneath the NCC, which led to continent-continent collision and slab break-off in the Late Triassic.

The Genetic Association between Quartz Vein- and Greisen-Type Mineralization at the Maoping W–Sn Deposit, Southern Jiangxi, China: Insights from Zircon and Cassiterite U–Pb Ages and Cassiterite Trace Element Composition

The large-scale Maoping W–Sn deposit in the Gannan metallogenic belt of the eastern Nanling Range, South China, spatially associated with the Maoping granite pluton, hosts total ore reserves of 103,000 t WO3 and 50,000 t Sn. Two different types of mineralization developed in this deposit: Upper quartz vein-type mineralization, mostly within the Cambrian metamorphosed sandstone and slate, and underneath greisen-type mineralization within the Maoping granite. Cassiterites from both types of mineralization coexist with wolframite. Here we report for the first time in situ U–Pb data on cassiterite and zircon of the Maoping deposit obtained by LA-ICP-MS. Cassiterite from quartz vein and greisen yielded weighted average 206Pb/238U ages of 156.8 ± 1.5 Ma and 156.9 ± 1.4 Ma, respectively, which indicates that the two types of mineralization formed roughly at the same time. In addition, the two mineralization ages are consistent with the emplacement age of the Maoping granite (159.0 ± 1.5 Ma) within error, suggesting a close temporal and genetic link between W–Sn mineralization and granitic magmatism. The two types of mineralization formed at the same magmatic-hydrothermal event. Cassiterite from both types of mineralization shows high Fe, Ta, and Zr contents with a low Zr/Hf ratio, suggesting that the ore-forming fluid should be derived from the highly differentiated Maoping granite pluton. Cassiterite in greisen has higher contents of Nb and Ta but a lower concentration of Ti compared with that in quartz vein, indicating that the formation temperature of greisen-type mineralization is little higher than that of quartz-vein-type mineralization.

Partial sub-pixel and pixel-based alteration mapping of porphyry system using ASTER data: regional case study in western Yazd, Iran

ABSTRACT This study uses remote sensing image-processing to enhance recognition of areas with mineral abundance halo, which can be associated with porphyry mineralisation of the Urumieh-Dokhtar Magmatic Belt (UDMB) in western Yazd. Granitoid intrusions of Oligocene-Miocene age in UDMB hosts the most important Porphyry Copper Deposits (PCDs) of Iran such as Darezereshk and Aliabad PCDs. Diagnostic spectral absorption features of six shortwave infrared (SWIR) and three visible and near-infrared (VNIR) bands of the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data were applied to determine the alteration minerals and their abundance. In this research reflectance data from various representative alteration types throughout the study area were measured by the FieldSpec-3 spectroradiometer and applied for mapping minerals. Different remote sensing analytical techniques, including the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), band ratio, relative absorption band depth, and MTMF, were applied to enhance mapping the alteration minerals. Field works including rock sampling, petrography and field spectroradiometer followed up the alteration mapping. Field observation implies that, the vein-type mineralisation above the cupola of this porphyry system is preserved in the western part, although it was eroded in the eastern area. Consequently, PCDs potential is expected to be higher in the western area.

Mineralogy and Garnet Sm–Nd Dating for the Hongshan Skarn Deposit in the Zhongdian Area, SW China

The Hongshan deposit is one of the largest Cu-polymetallic deposits in the Zhongdian area, southwest China. Two types of Cu–Mo ores, mainly developed in the skarns, have been recognized in the Hongshan deposit, i.e., massive or layered skarn and vein-type, with the former being dominant. The highly andraditic composition of garnet (Adr100 to Adr64Gr32) and diopsidic composition of pyroxene (Di90Hd9 to Di1Hd99) indicate the layered skarn ores are of magmatic-hydrothermal origin that formed under oxidized conditions. Sm–Nd dating of garnet yield a well-constrained isochron age of 76.48 ± 7.29 Ma (MSWD = 1.2) for the layered skarn ores. This age was consistent with the Re–Os age for the pyrrhotite from the layered skarn ores, and thereby indicated that the layered skarn mineralization was formed in the Late Cretaceous, rather than in the Triassic as was previously thought. The coincidence of the geochronology from the layered skarn ores and vein-type mineralization further indicated that both ores were the result of a single genetic event, rather than multiple events. The recognition of the Late Cretaceous post-collisional porphyry–skarn Cu–Mo–W belt in the Zhongdian area exhibited a promising prospecting potential.