Geochemistry of ore minerals from Chelopech deposit: I. Trace elements in pyrite

Abstract

The concentrations of trace elements in pyrite from blocks 8, 19-SE, 19-NW, 19-NE, 19-SW, 103-W, 103-E, 144, 146, 147, 149-south, 150, and 151 of copper-gold high sulphidation Chelopech deposit were determined by LA-ICP-MS. It was found that the pyrites from the individual blocks are enriched in different degrees of “impurity” elements: the highest contents of Ag, Au, Zn, Hg, and In are typical to block 19-NE; Se, Bi, and Ti to block 19-SE; As, Mn, Tl, V, and Cd to block 19-SW; Co and Ni to block 144; Sb and Sn to block 146; Cu to block 149-south; Pb, Te, and Ga to block 103-E and Cr to block 103-W. The obtained results also show that in collomorhic pyrites the variations in the contents of trace elements are always very large and are rather due to adsorption processes than isomorphism. In addition, pyrites are also enriched in poisonous trace elements, especially from the lower level of the northern blocks, which, however, also have the highest values of gold and silver.