Pub Date : 2023-12-29DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01240-5
Ryan D. Taylor, Garth E. Graham, Heather A. Lowers
Attempts to geochemically distinguish between metamorphic-hydrothermal systems that form orogenic gold deposits and both reduced and oxidized magmatic-hydrothermal systems using isotopes or metal associations have proven ambiguous, particularly for orogenic gold and reduced intrusion-related gold systems. The absence of conclusive geochemical discriminators and the overlap in geologic characteristics have led to gold deposit models being potentially incorrectly applied, which in turn negatively affect regional mineral exploration and mine planning. In this study, in situ electron microprobe geochemical analyses of hydrothermal monazite and xenotime crystals associated with different types of gold-bearing deposits are shown to be effective geochemical discriminators. There are notable differences in mineral chemistry such as rare earth element (REE) profiles, total light REE, Dy, Er, Pr, Y, Nd/Sm, and La/Sm that distinguish monazite precipitated from metamorphic-hydrothermal fluids that form orogenic gold deposits and those precipitated from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids that form both porphyry Cu-Mo-Au and reduced intrusion-related gold deposits. Notable differences in overall xenotime abundances and concentrations of heavy REEs, Ca, and Sc are distinctive between the different deposit classes for xenotime. The origin of the controversially classified Pogo gold deposit, Tintina gold province, Alaska, which has been characterized as both a reduced intrusion-related and an orogenic gold deposit, is tested based upon the noted chemical differences associated with these hydrothermal phosphates. The findings of this study have implications for exploration and mine development in the Tintina gold province and other areas that contain deposits that are controversially classified as either orogenic or as magmatic-hydrothermal gold deposits.
{"title":"Hydrothermal monazite and xenotime chemistry as genetic discriminators for intrusion-related and orogenic gold deposits: implications for an orogenic origin of the Pogo gold deposit, Alaska","authors":"Ryan D. Taylor, Garth E. Graham, Heather A. Lowers","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01240-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01240-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Attempts to geochemically distinguish between metamorphic-hydrothermal systems that form orogenic gold deposits and both reduced and oxidized magmatic-hydrothermal systems using isotopes or metal associations have proven ambiguous, particularly for orogenic gold and reduced intrusion-related gold systems. The absence of conclusive geochemical discriminators and the overlap in geologic characteristics have led to gold deposit models being potentially incorrectly applied, which in turn negatively affect regional mineral exploration and mine planning. In this study, in situ electron microprobe geochemical analyses of hydrothermal monazite and xenotime crystals associated with different types of gold-bearing deposits are shown to be effective geochemical discriminators. There are notable differences in mineral chemistry such as rare earth element (REE) profiles, total light REE, Dy, Er, Pr, Y, Nd/Sm, and La/Sm that distinguish monazite precipitated from metamorphic-hydrothermal fluids that form orogenic gold deposits and those precipitated from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids that form both porphyry Cu-Mo-Au and reduced intrusion-related gold deposits. Notable differences in overall xenotime abundances and concentrations of heavy REEs, Ca, and Sc are distinctive between the different deposit classes for xenotime. The origin of the controversially classified Pogo gold deposit, Tintina gold province, Alaska, which has been characterized as both a reduced intrusion-related and an orogenic gold deposit, is tested based upon the noted chemical differences associated with these hydrothermal phosphates. The findings of this study have implications for exploration and mine development in the Tintina gold province and other areas that contain deposits that are controversially classified as either orogenic or as magmatic-hydrothermal gold deposits.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139059722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-21DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01239-y
J. Tepsell, Y. Lahaye, F. Molnár, O.T. Rämö, N. Cook
Silver is probably the closest isotopic proxy to track monoisotopic gold and has been shown to have great potential to yield new information on the origin and enrichment processes of gold. This study describes the development of a tailored analytical protocol for accurate analysis of Ag isotopes and provides the first Ag isotope data for the Paleoproterozoic Rajapalot Au-Co deposit, Finnish Lapland. Six native Au samples yield ε109Ag values (relative to NIST SRM 978a) from −6.8 to +2.1 and are within the range of Ag isotopic compositions reported for native Au samples. The mean of the analyzed Au samples is ε109Ag = −3.8 ± 1.7 (2SD) with most of the samples with negative ε109Ag values (−6.7 to −2.0); one sample has a positive ε109Ag value of +2.1 ± 0.5. Silver isotope fractionation in the Rajapalot Au deposit was likely associated with physicochemical processes related to deposition and/or re-mobilization of the ore rather than with source region inheritance. It is suggested that redox reactions involving Ag+ ↔ Ag0 phase change primarily account for the isotopic differences within the deposit. Our results also suggest that the Rajapalot Au-Co deposit was formed via multistage ore-forming processes and/or that the primary ore was re-mobilized, which caused isotope fractionation along fluid pathways. Silver isotope variation within a deposit may mark a fractional crystallization trend with the lightest isotopic composition representing the earliest precipitate. Hence, Ag isotopes show potential as an isotopic vectoring tool in search of Au-enriched domains.
{"title":"Silver isotope analysis and systematics of native gold from the Rajapalot Co-enriched gold deposit, Finnish Lapland","authors":"J. Tepsell, Y. Lahaye, F. Molnár, O.T. Rämö, N. Cook","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01239-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01239-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Silver is probably the closest isotopic proxy to track monoisotopic gold and has been shown to have great potential to yield new information on the origin and enrichment processes of gold. This study describes the development of a tailored analytical protocol for accurate analysis of Ag isotopes and provides the first Ag isotope data for the Paleoproterozoic Rajapalot Au-Co deposit, Finnish Lapland. Six native Au samples yield ε<sup>109</sup>Ag values (relative to NIST SRM 978a) from −6.8 to +2.1 and are within the range of Ag isotopic compositions reported for native Au samples. The mean of the analyzed Au samples is ε<sup>109</sup>Ag = −3.8 ± 1.7 (2SD) with most of the samples with negative ε<sup>109</sup>Ag values (−6.7 to −2.0); one sample has a positive ε<sup>109</sup>Ag value of +2.1 ± 0.5. Silver isotope fractionation in the Rajapalot Au deposit was likely associated with physicochemical processes related to deposition and/or re-mobilization of the ore rather than with source region inheritance. It is suggested that redox reactions involving Ag<sup>+</sup> ↔ Ag<sup>0</sup> phase change primarily account for the isotopic differences within the deposit. Our results also suggest that the Rajapalot Au-Co deposit was formed via multistage ore-forming processes and/or that the primary ore was re-mobilized, which caused isotope fractionation along fluid pathways. Silver isotope variation within a deposit may mark a fractional crystallization trend with the lightest isotopic composition representing the earliest precipitate. Hence, Ag isotopes show potential as an isotopic vectoring tool in search of Au-enriched domains.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138840175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-19DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01241-4
Tuhin Chakraborty, Steffen H. Büttner, Gelu Costin, Charles F. Kankuzi
{"title":"Correction to: The petrogenesis of highly fractionated gem‑bearing pegmatites of Malawi: evidence from mica and tourmaline chemistry and finite step trace element modelling","authors":"Tuhin Chakraborty, Steffen H. Büttner, Gelu Costin, Charles F. Kankuzi","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01241-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01241-4","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138959931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-19DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01221-8
Thomas Monecke, T. James Reynolds, Tsolmon Gonchig, Natsagdorj Batbayar
The evolution of the magmatic-hydrothermal system that formed the Triassic Erdenetiin Ovoo porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, northern Mongolia, is reconstructed through the study of the sequence of stockwork veining and the petrographic characteristics of the veins, as well as the cathodoluminescence and fluid inclusion characteristics of the vein quartz. Early A veins associated with potassic alteration formed at temperatures ≳ 500 °C under lithostatic pressures. The quartz in these veins shows a blue cathodoluminescence emission and is extensively recrystallized. Subhedral to euhedral quartz crystals contained in AB veins precipitated at the ductile to brittle transition at ~ 400–450 °C. The quartz crystals have cores showing a long-lived purple cathodoluminescence color with well-developed growth zoning, whereas the rims of the crystals lack growth banding and have a brownish-red cathodoluminescence emission. Fluid inclusions in the A and AB veins show elevated CO2 concentrations but show no evidence for immiscibility, implying that Erdenetiin Ovoo formed at ≳ 5 km below paleosurface. Quartz in the A and AB veins is crosscut by molybdenite ribbons. The presence of encapsulated molybdenite and sericite grains along growth zones in the quartz rims of the subhedral to euhedral quartz crystals constrains the timing of Mo introduction and suggests an association with the sericite alteration of the host rocks, which affected 50–60% of the deposit. Elevated Cu grades at Erdenetiin Ovoo are linked to the occurrence of C veins, which consist primarily of chalcopyrite and pyrite. These veins surrounded by halos of sericite-chlorite alteration lack quartz as a gangue mineral, suggesting formation at conditions of retrograde quartz solubility at ~ 400 °C and hydrostatic pressures. Late D veins formed at ≲ 375 °C and hydrostatic conditions. The veins consist primarily of pyrite and are associated with texturally destructive sericite alteration of the host rocks. The study demonstrates that hypogene Cu mineralization at Erdenetiin Ovoo was predated and post-dated by sericite alteration, which has important implications to alteration vectoring in porphyry exploration worldwide.
通过对岩浆脉序和岩脉的岩相特征以及岩脉石英的阴极发光和流体包裹体特征的研究,重建了形成蒙古北部三叠纪额尔德尼铁林敖包斑岩铜-钼矿床的岩浆-热液系统的演化过程。与钾盐蚀变有关的早期A型矿脉是在岩石压力下温度≳ 500 °C时形成的。这些矿脉中的石英发出蓝色阴极荧光,并广泛重结晶。AB 矿脉中所含的亚方体到八面体石英晶体是在约 400-450 °C 的韧性到脆性转变过程中析出的。石英晶体的内核显示出长效的紫色阴极荧光,并具有发达的生长带状,而晶体的边缘则缺乏生长带状,并发出棕红色的阴极荧光。A 和 AB 矿脉中的流体包裹体显示二氧化碳浓度升高,但没有显示出不溶解的迹象,这意味着额尔德尼敖包岩是在≳ 5 千米的古地表以下形成的。A 和 AB 矿脉中的石英被辉钼矿带横切。亚方体至八面体石英晶体的石英边缘生长带中存在包裹的辉钼矿和绢云母晶粒,这限制了钼的引入时间,并表明与寄主岩的绢云母蚀变有关,该蚀变影响了 50-60% 的矿床。Erdenetiin Ovoo 铜品位的升高与主要由黄铜矿和黄铁矿组成的 C 矿脉的出现有关。这些被绢云母-绿泥石蚀变晕所包围的矿脉中没有石英这种煤矸石矿物,这表明矿脉是在约 400 °C 的逆行石英溶解度和静水压力条件下形成的。晚期 D 型矿脉是在≲ 375 °C和静水压力条件下形成的。这些矿脉主要由黄铁矿组成,与母岩的纹理破坏性绢云母蚀变有关。该研究表明,绢云母蚀变在 Erdenetiin Ovoo 的下伏铜矿化之前和之后都曾出现过,这对全球斑岩勘探中的蚀变矢量具有重要意义。
{"title":"Evolution of the magmatic-hydrothermal system at the Erdenetiin Ovoo porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, Mongolia: constraints on the relative timing of alteration and mineralization","authors":"Thomas Monecke, T. James Reynolds, Tsolmon Gonchig, Natsagdorj Batbayar","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01221-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01221-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The evolution of the magmatic-hydrothermal system that formed the Triassic Erdenetiin Ovoo porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, northern Mongolia, is reconstructed through the study of the sequence of stockwork veining and the petrographic characteristics of the veins, as well as the cathodoluminescence and fluid inclusion characteristics of the vein quartz. Early A veins associated with potassic alteration formed at temperatures ≳ 500 °C under lithostatic pressures. The quartz in these veins shows a blue cathodoluminescence emission and is extensively recrystallized. Subhedral to euhedral quartz crystals contained in AB veins precipitated at the ductile to brittle transition at ~ 400–450 °C. The quartz crystals have cores showing a long-lived purple cathodoluminescence color with well-developed growth zoning, whereas the rims of the crystals lack growth banding and have a brownish-red cathodoluminescence emission. Fluid inclusions in the A and AB veins show elevated CO<sub>2</sub> concentrations but show no evidence for immiscibility, implying that Erdenetiin Ovoo formed at ≳ 5 km below paleosurface. Quartz in the A and AB veins is crosscut by molybdenite ribbons. The presence of encapsulated molybdenite and sericite grains along growth zones in the quartz rims of the subhedral to euhedral quartz crystals constrains the timing of Mo introduction and suggests an association with the sericite alteration of the host rocks, which affected 50–60% of the deposit. Elevated Cu grades at Erdenetiin Ovoo are linked to the occurrence of C veins, which consist primarily of chalcopyrite and pyrite. These veins surrounded by halos of sericite-chlorite alteration lack quartz as a gangue mineral, suggesting formation at conditions of retrograde quartz solubility at ~ 400 °C and hydrostatic pressures. Late D veins formed at ≲ 375 °C and hydrostatic conditions. The veins consist primarily of pyrite and are associated with texturally destructive sericite alteration of the host rocks. The study demonstrates that hypogene Cu mineralization at Erdenetiin Ovoo was predated and post-dated by sericite alteration, which has important implications to alteration vectoring in porphyry exploration worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138740163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-18DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01235-2
Ali Aluç, İlkay Kuşcu, Alexey Ulyanov, David Selby, Clémentine Antoine, Richard Spikings, Robert Moritz
The Kirazlı deposit is located at the center of the Biga Peninsula metallogenic province, in a geological setting characterized by an extensional tectonic environment. A NNW-SSE trending high-sulfidation (HS) orebody with a total reserve of 33.86 Mt @ 0.69 g/t Au and 9.42 g/t Ag lies beneath the Kirazlı Main zone. A porphyry Cu orebody hosted by Eocene intrusive and volcanic rocks has been intersected by drilling within its vicinity. The HS epithermal deposit is hosted by a partly silicified and brecciated Oligocene volcanic and volcaniclastic sequence consisting mainly of basaltic andesite lava flow and lithic/crystal tuff. Lithogeochemistry and zircon U-Pb radiometric ages allow us to distinguish three distinct high-K calc-alkaline magmatic events at ca. 41, 38, and 32 Ma, sourced by metasomatized mantle melts, which have interacted with the crust during their ascent. Porphyry Cu mineralization took place at 36.7 ± 0.4 Ma (muscovite 40Ar/39Ar age) with subsequent re-opening and base metal deposition. Crosscutting quartz-pyrite-molybdenite veins were emplaced at 33.6 ± 0.2 Ma (molybdenite Re-Os age), and followed by the HS epithermal Au-Ag event at ca. 31 Ma, based on a previous study. Our radiometric data indicate that the Kirazlı deposit has recorded a long-lasting Cenozoic magmatic and metallogenic evolution during about 10 Myr. Our study demonstrates that successive, independent, and overprinting, but genetically unrelated, HS epithermal precious metal, hydrothermal Mo, base metal, and porphyry Cu systems have been active at the same location during protracted extensional tectonics of the Biga Peninsula.
{"title":"Protracted metallogenic and magmatic evolution of the Kirazlı epithermal Au-Ag and porphyry Cu deposits, Biga Peninsula, NW Turkey: evidence from zircon U-Pb, muscovite 40Ar/39Ar, and molybdenite Re-Os geochronology","authors":"Ali Aluç, İlkay Kuşcu, Alexey Ulyanov, David Selby, Clémentine Antoine, Richard Spikings, Robert Moritz","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01235-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01235-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Kirazlı deposit is located at the center of the Biga Peninsula metallogenic province, in a geological setting characterized by an extensional tectonic environment. A NNW-SSE trending high-sulfidation (HS) orebody with a total reserve of 33.86 Mt @ 0.69 g/t Au and 9.42 g/t Ag lies beneath the Kirazlı Main zone. A porphyry Cu orebody hosted by Eocene intrusive and volcanic rocks has been intersected by drilling within its vicinity. The HS epithermal deposit is hosted by a partly silicified and brecciated Oligocene volcanic and volcaniclastic sequence consisting mainly of basaltic andesite lava flow and lithic/crystal tuff. Lithogeochemistry and zircon U-Pb radiometric ages allow us to distinguish three distinct high-K calc-alkaline magmatic events at <i>ca.</i> 41, 38, and 32 Ma, sourced by metasomatized mantle melts, which have interacted with the crust during their ascent. Porphyry Cu mineralization took place at 36.7 ± 0.4 Ma (muscovite <sup>40</sup>Ar/<sup>39</sup>Ar age) with subsequent re-opening and base metal deposition. Crosscutting quartz-pyrite-molybdenite veins were emplaced at 33.6 ± 0.2 Ma (molybdenite Re-Os age), and followed by the HS epithermal Au-Ag event at <i>ca.</i> 31 Ma, based on a previous study. Our radiometric data indicate that the Kirazlı deposit has recorded a long-lasting Cenozoic magmatic and metallogenic evolution during about 10 Myr. Our study demonstrates that successive, independent, and overprinting, but genetically unrelated, HS epithermal precious metal, hydrothermal Mo, base metal, and porphyry Cu systems have been active at the same location during protracted extensional tectonics of the Biga Peninsula.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138713934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-14DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01237-0
Yin-Ce Ma, Xing-Wang Xu, Tao Hong, Wen-Kai Jin, Hang Li, Zhi-Quan Yang, Shan-Ke Liu, Kai Kang, Xue-Hai Wang, Lei Niu
The Tashisayi Li deposit was newly discovered in the eastern part of the Tashisayi batholith, located in the Altyn Tagh region of Northwest China. A Li-rich composite pegmatite-aplite dyke (γ02) displays superimposed relationships among different Li-bearing phases, including lepidolite-albite-quartz pegmatite (LAQ), spodumene-albite-quartz pegmatite (SAQ), and aplite. The timing and conditions of magmatism and Li mineralization in the Tashisayi remain enigmatic. The study involved field observations, U–(Th)–Pb dating of columbite-group minerals (CGM), zircon, and monazite, and geochemical analyses of CGM and quartz. U–Pb dating of CGM of the γ02 dyke revealed formation ages of 471.6±3.5 Ma (LAQ), 439.6±5.0 Ma (SAQ), and 416.3±4.8 Ma (aplite). Zircon U-Pb and monazite U-(Th)-Pb dating of biotite granite, pegmatitic aplite, and muscovite granite yielded ages of ca. 473 Ma, 439 Ma, and 425 Ma, respectively. The dating results indicate that the rare-metal pegmatites and granites in the Tashisayi area were emplaced during various periods from the Early Ordovician to Early Devonian, consistent with other rare-metal deposits in the Tugeman region. The textural and geochemical analyses on the CGM and quartz reveal that the LAQ, SAQ and aplite crystallized from highly evolved magmas under water-poor and relatively low temperature conditions, experiencing distinct evolution trend and forming processes. Additionally, both LAQ and SAQ were influenced by fluid or magma activities and the pegmatitic melt forming LAQ could enrich both Li and Sn. Extensive tectonic events in the Altyn Tagh Orogen, including ocean basin closure and continental collisions, promote the development of Li-rich granitic magmas. Thus, we argue that the multiple magmatic and Li mineralization events in the Tashisayi area are most likely originated from the melting of Proterozoic crustal materials, and the process was controlled by tectonic interactions between the Central Altyn, Southern Altyn, Northern Altyn, and Eastern Kunlun blocks.
{"title":"Multiphase evolution of a Li-pegmatite field from the Tashisayi area, Altyn Tagh, NW China: insights from a petrological, geochemical, and geochronological study","authors":"Yin-Ce Ma, Xing-Wang Xu, Tao Hong, Wen-Kai Jin, Hang Li, Zhi-Quan Yang, Shan-Ke Liu, Kai Kang, Xue-Hai Wang, Lei Niu","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01237-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01237-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Tashisayi Li deposit was newly discovered in the eastern part of the Tashisayi batholith, located in the Altyn Tagh region of Northwest China. A Li-rich composite pegmatite-aplite dyke (γ02) displays superimposed relationships among different Li-bearing phases, including lepidolite-albite-quartz pegmatite (LAQ), spodumene-albite-quartz pegmatite (SAQ), and aplite. The timing and conditions of magmatism and Li mineralization in the Tashisayi remain enigmatic. The study involved field observations, U–(Th)–Pb dating of columbite-group minerals (CGM), zircon, and monazite, and geochemical analyses of CGM and quartz. U–Pb dating of CGM of the γ02 dyke revealed formation ages of 471.6±3.5 Ma (LAQ), 439.6±5.0 Ma (SAQ), and 416.3±4.8 Ma (aplite). Zircon U-Pb and monazite U-(Th)-Pb dating of biotite granite, pegmatitic aplite, and muscovite granite yielded ages of ca. 473 Ma, 439 Ma, and 425 Ma, respectively. The dating results indicate that the rare-metal pegmatites and granites in the Tashisayi area were emplaced during various periods from the Early Ordovician to Early Devonian, consistent with other rare-metal deposits in the Tugeman region. The textural and geochemical analyses on the CGM and quartz reveal that the LAQ, SAQ and aplite crystallized from highly evolved magmas under water-poor and relatively low temperature conditions, experiencing distinct evolution trend and forming processes. Additionally, both LAQ and SAQ were influenced by fluid or magma activities and the pegmatitic melt forming LAQ could enrich both Li and Sn. Extensive tectonic events in the Altyn Tagh Orogen, including ocean basin closure and continental collisions, promote the development of Li-rich granitic magmas. Thus, we argue that the multiple magmatic and Li mineralization events in the Tashisayi area are most likely originated from the melting of Proterozoic crustal materials, and the process was controlled by tectonic interactions between the Central Altyn, Southern Altyn, Northern Altyn, and Eastern Kunlun blocks.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138582545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-06DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01236-1
Tuhin Chakraborty, Steffen H. Büttner, Gelu Costin, Charles F. Kankuzi
Late-Pan-African granitic pegmatites in Malawi host gem mineralization (tourmaline, beryl/aquamarine/heliodor). We use major and trace element chemistry of mica and tourmaline as proxies to describe the geochemical characteristics and to analyze the evolution of the pegmatite-forming melts. Trace element contents and ratios of pegmatitic micas and tourmalines show characteristic fractionation trends. Mica from highly fractionated pegmatite typically shows high Rb, Cs, Zn, Nb, Ta, F, and Li concentrations but low Ni, Co, V, Ti and Sc concentrations. In their less fractionated counterparts, these compositional patterns are largely reversed. Exceptions in these element patterns are related to the presence or absence of other phases that may fractionate specific elements more strongly than mica. Tourmaline shows similar fractionation trends in major and trace elements. The observed patterns indicate fractional crystallization as the dominant process of melt evolution. A near exponential decrease of alkali element ratios, such as K/Rb and K/Cs, and an increase in Rb, Cs and Li in white mica from the less to the more strongly differentiated zones suggest Rayleigh fractional crystallization. The modelling of these element ratios shows that in different pegmatite bodies the least differentiated zone formed at a fractionation coefficient of F = 0.35–0.5. Zones of intermediate fractionation show F = 0.85–0.9. Gem mineralization is associated with the most highly fractionated pegmatites or pegmatite zones (F = ~ 0.99). These highly fractionated pegmatites show strong enrichment of Li, Rb and Cs in mica and tourmaline forming from melts rich in incompatible elements. The crystallization of gem phases depended on this highly enriched environment.
{"title":"The petrogenesis of highly fractionated gem-bearing pegmatites of Malawi: evidence from mica and tourmaline chemistry and finite step trace element modelling","authors":"Tuhin Chakraborty, Steffen H. Büttner, Gelu Costin, Charles F. Kankuzi","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01236-1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01236-1","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Late-Pan-African granitic pegmatites in Malawi host gem mineralization (tourmaline, beryl/aquamarine/heliodor). We use major and trace element chemistry of mica and tourmaline as proxies to describe the geochemical characteristics and to analyze the evolution of the pegmatite-forming melts. Trace element contents and ratios of pegmatitic micas and tourmalines show characteristic fractionation trends. Mica from highly fractionated pegmatite typically shows high Rb, Cs, Zn, Nb, Ta, F, and Li concentrations but low Ni, Co, V, Ti and Sc concentrations. In their less fractionated counterparts, these compositional patterns are largely reversed. Exceptions in these element patterns are related to the presence or absence of other phases that may fractionate specific elements more strongly than mica. Tourmaline shows similar fractionation trends in major and trace elements. The observed patterns indicate fractional crystallization as the dominant process of melt evolution. A near exponential decrease of alkali element ratios, such as K/Rb and K/Cs, and an increase in Rb, Cs and Li in white mica from the less to the more strongly differentiated zones suggest Rayleigh fractional crystallization. The modelling of these element ratios shows that in different pegmatite bodies the least differentiated zone formed at a fractionation coefficient of F = 0.35–0.5. Zones of intermediate fractionation show F = 0.85–0.9. Gem mineralization is associated with the most highly fractionated pegmatites or pegmatite zones (F = ~ 0.99). These highly fractionated pegmatites show strong enrichment of Li, Rb and Cs in mica and tourmaline forming from melts rich in incompatible elements. The crystallization of gem phases depended on this highly enriched environment.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138544738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-06DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01232-5
Gang Chen, Xiuqing Yang, Changhui Ke, Yanwen Tang, Maohong Chen
Many massive sulfide deposits have been discovered in the Upper Paleozoic rift-related volcaniclastic sequence in South China, among which the Yushui copper deposit is the most important due to its high grade. The deposit has been variably attributed as SEDEX (sedimentary exhalative) or MVT (Mississippi valley type). The Yushui copper deposit in Guangdong (South China) contains stratiform bornite-chalcopyrite orebodies (102.1 kt Cu @ 3.5%, 186.6 kt Pb @ 4.29%, 117.6 kt Zn @ 2.91%, and 339 t Ag @ 112 g/t) developed along the contact between Upper Carboniferous dolostone and Lower Carboniferous pebbly quartz sandstone, which indicates a shallow marine deposition environment. The Yushui deposit comprises an upper massive sulfide orebody and a lower stockwork orebody with intense alteration. In this study, we newly identified Carboniferous tuffs and syn-volcanic faults in the footwall, and exhalites in the hanging-wall. Hematite from the Cu ores yielded a U-Pb age of 320 ± 15 Ma (MSWD = 2.1, n = 57), and hydrothermal dolomite yielded a Sm-Nd isochron age of 308.1 ± 4.6 Ma (n = 7; MSWD = 0.94), which constrains the timing of mineralization at Yushui. These ages are coeval with the Carboniferous host rocks. Combining the evidence from the geological features (syn-volcanic faults, volcanic rocks, exhalites) and hematite trace element compositions, we suggest that the Yushui is a shallow marine VMS (volcanogenic massive sulfide) deposit. The Sr-Nd isotope composition of hydrothermal dolomite (εNd ~−12) indicates that the ore-forming materials were originated from the crustal basement. The Yushui copper deposit was likely formed during the Late Carboniferous continental back-arc extension in eastern South China. The regional extension may have caused enhanced heat flow, which promoted fluid convection in the basement rocks. In addition, we suggest that volcanic rocks and disseminated chalcopyrite-pyrite mineralization in the Lower Carboniferous quartz sandstone and exhalites are good indicators for regional VMS prospecting.
在华南地区上古生界与裂谷有关的火山碎屑层序中发现了许多块状硫化物矿床,其中以玉水铜矿床最为重要,其品位较高。该矿床可分为SEDEX型(沉积喷淋型)和MVT型(密西西比河谷型)。广东玉水铜矿床沿上石炭统白云岩与下石炭统含砾石英砂岩接触发育层状斑铜矿-黄铜矿体(Cu = 102.1 kt @ 3.5%, Pb = 186.6 kt @ 4.29%, Zn = 117.6 kt @ 2.91%, Ag = 339 t @ 112 g/t),为浅海沉积环境。玉水矿床由上部块状硫化物矿体和下部蚀变强烈的网状矿体组成。本次研究在下盘新发现了石炭系凝灰岩和同火山断裂,在上盘新发现了呼出物。铜矿石中赤铁矿的U-Pb年龄为320±15 Ma (MSWD = 2.1, n = 57),热液白云岩的Sm-Nd等时年龄为308.1±4.6 Ma (n = 7);MSWD = 0.94),限制了玉水成矿的时间。这些年龄与石炭系寄主岩年龄相同。综合地质特征(同火山断裂、火山岩、喷出物)和赤铁矿微量元素组成,认为玉水为浅海火山岩块状硫化物矿床。热液白云岩Sr-Nd同位素组成(εNd ~−12)表明成矿物质来源于地壳基底。豫水铜矿床可能形成于华南东部晚石炭世大陆弧后伸展期。区域伸展可能使热流增强,促进了基底岩石中的流体对流。此外,下石炭统石英砂岩和呼出岩中的火山岩和浸染型黄铜矿成矿是区域VMS找矿的良好标志。
{"title":"The shallow marine VMS copper deposit of Yushui, Eastern Guangdong, South China: evidence from geology, geochronology, and geochemistry","authors":"Gang Chen, Xiuqing Yang, Changhui Ke, Yanwen Tang, Maohong Chen","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01232-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01232-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Many massive sulfide deposits have been discovered in the Upper Paleozoic rift-related volcaniclastic sequence in South China, among which the Yushui copper deposit is the most important due to its high grade. The deposit has been variably attributed as SEDEX (sedimentary exhalative) or MVT (Mississippi valley type). The Yushui copper deposit in Guangdong (South China) contains stratiform bornite-chalcopyrite orebodies (102.1 kt Cu @ 3.5%, 186.6 kt Pb @ 4.29%, 117.6 kt Zn @ 2.91%, and 339 t Ag @ 112 g/t) developed along the contact between Upper Carboniferous dolostone and Lower Carboniferous pebbly quartz sandstone, which indicates a shallow marine deposition environment. The Yushui deposit comprises an upper massive sulfide orebody and a lower stockwork orebody with intense alteration. In this study, we newly identified Carboniferous tuffs and syn-volcanic faults in the footwall, and exhalites in the hanging-wall. Hematite from the Cu ores yielded a U-Pb age of 320 ± 15 Ma (MSWD = 2.1, <i>n</i> = 57), and hydrothermal dolomite yielded a Sm-Nd isochron age of 308.1 ± 4.6 Ma (<i>n</i> = 7; MSWD = 0.94), which constrains the timing of mineralization at Yushui. These ages are coeval with the Carboniferous host rocks. Combining the evidence from the geological features (syn-volcanic faults, volcanic rocks, exhalites) and hematite trace element compositions, we suggest that the Yushui is a shallow marine VMS (volcanogenic massive sulfide) deposit. The Sr-Nd isotope composition of hydrothermal dolomite (<i>ε</i><sub>Nd</sub> ~−12) indicates that the ore-forming materials were originated from the crustal basement. The Yushui copper deposit was likely formed during the Late Carboniferous continental back-arc extension in eastern South China. The regional extension may have caused enhanced heat flow, which promoted fluid convection in the basement rocks. In addition, we suggest that volcanic rocks and disseminated chalcopyrite-pyrite mineralization in the Lower Carboniferous quartz sandstone and exhalites are good indicators for regional VMS prospecting.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138544735","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-12-02DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01234-3
Jun Deng, Fuchuan Chen, Qihai Shu, Qingfei Wang, Gongjian Li, Xiaolin Cui, Jan Marten Huizenga, Xinwei Hu
Jinchanghe is a Zn-Pb-Fe-Cu skarn deposit in the northern Baoshan block, southwestern China. It is a typical distal skarn deposit with orebodies in the Cambrian Hetaoping Formation limestone and calcareous siltstone. The skarn minerals display a vertical zonation with garnet skarn in the lower part and pyroxene skarn in the upper part. Economic metals are also zoned with Fe at the base, Cu in the middle, and Zn-Pb in the upper part. The skarn formation and Zn-Pb-Fe-Cu mineralization is divided into four paragenetic stages: a pre-ore stage dominated by prograde garnet and pyroxene, an oxide stage represented by Fe mineralization associated with retrograde ilvaite, actinolite and epidote alteration, a sulfide stage characterized with Cu–Zn-Pb sulfides, and a post-ore stage with barren calcite, quartz and chlorite.
Fluid inclusion microthermometry indicates that the hydrothermal fluids of the Jinchanghe skarn system evolved from the pre-ore stage (450–480 °C and 11.7–15.5 °C wt% NaCl equiv), through the oxide stage (230–280 °C and 6.5–12.2 wt% NaCl equiv), the sulfide stage (190–230 °C and 1.3–10.3 wt% NaCl equiv), and eventually to the post-ore stage (120–180 °C and 1.6–4.6 wt% NaCl equiv). Correspondingly, the δ18Ofluid values decrease from 1.8–7.1‰ to 1.0–6.4‰, -1.0 to 1.3‰, and -3.6 to -1.4‰. This indicates that the pre-ore fluids comprise a magmatic component but mixed with some meteoric water, and in the later stages meteoric water has become dominant in the hydrothermal system. Zinc and sulfur isotope compositions reveal that the Zn and S forming the sulfides have a dominantly magmatic origin.
The coupled decreases of fluid temperature, salinity, and δ18Ofluid values during the mineralization indicate simultaneous mixing with meteoric water and ore precipitation, suggesting that fluid mixing was critical in ore deposition. The gradual increase of δ13CCO2 values in equilibrium with the hydrothermal calcite (-5.2 to -1.6‰) from the sulfide stage to the post-ore is attributed to the reaction between the fluids and the carbonate wallrocks, implying a role that fluid-rock interaction has taken in the sulfide deposition. Fluid mixing and fluid-carbonate reaction are the two major factors controlling the formation of the Jinchanghe deposit.
{"title":"Mineralogy, fluid inclusion and stable isotope study of the Jinchanghe Zn-Pb-Fe-Cu skarn deposit in southwestern China","authors":"Jun Deng, Fuchuan Chen, Qihai Shu, Qingfei Wang, Gongjian Li, Xiaolin Cui, Jan Marten Huizenga, Xinwei Hu","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01234-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01234-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Jinchanghe is a Zn-Pb-Fe-Cu skarn deposit in the northern Baoshan block, southwestern China. It is a typical distal skarn deposit with orebodies in the Cambrian Hetaoping Formation limestone and calcareous siltstone. The skarn minerals display a vertical zonation with garnet skarn in the lower part and pyroxene skarn in the upper part. Economic metals are also zoned with Fe at the base, Cu in the middle, and Zn-Pb in the upper part. The skarn formation and Zn-Pb-Fe-Cu mineralization is divided into four paragenetic stages: a pre-ore stage dominated by prograde garnet and pyroxene, an oxide stage represented by Fe mineralization associated with retrograde ilvaite, actinolite and epidote alteration, a sulfide stage characterized with Cu–Zn-Pb sulfides, and a post-ore stage with barren calcite, quartz and chlorite.</p><p>Fluid inclusion microthermometry indicates that the hydrothermal fluids of the Jinchanghe skarn system evolved from the pre-ore stage (450–480 °C and 11.7–15.5 °C wt% NaCl equiv), through the oxide stage (230–280 °C and 6.5–12.2 wt% NaCl equiv), the sulfide stage (190–230 °C and 1.3–10.3 wt% NaCl equiv), and eventually to the post-ore stage (120–180 °C and 1.6–4.6 wt% NaCl equiv). Correspondingly, the δ<sup>18</sup>O<sub>fluid</sub> values decrease from 1.8–7.1‰ to 1.0–6.4‰, -1.0 to 1.3‰, and -3.6 to -1.4‰. This indicates that the pre-ore fluids comprise a magmatic component but mixed with some meteoric water, and in the later stages meteoric water has become dominant in the hydrothermal system. Zinc and sulfur isotope compositions reveal that the Zn and S forming the sulfides have a dominantly magmatic origin.</p><p>The coupled decreases of fluid temperature, salinity, and δ<sup>18</sup>O<sub>fluid</sub> values during the mineralization indicate simultaneous mixing with meteoric water and ore precipitation, suggesting that fluid mixing was critical in ore deposition. The gradual increase of δ<sup>13</sup>C<sub>CO2</sub> values in equilibrium with the hydrothermal calcite (-5.2 to -1.6‰) from the sulfide stage to the post-ore is attributed to the reaction between the fluids and the carbonate wallrocks, implying a role that fluid-rock interaction has taken in the sulfide deposition. Fluid mixing and fluid-carbonate reaction are the two major factors controlling the formation of the Jinchanghe deposit.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138473492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-11-16DOI: 10.1007/s00126-023-01226-3
Nicolas Dall’Asta, Gianreto Manatschal, Guilhem Hoareau
Although many studies link mineral deposit formation to rifting and hydrothermal processes, we present a study that focuses on the relationship between crustal necking and mineral deposit formation. Necking corresponds to the timing, location, and process of rift localization and abrupt crustal and lithospheric thinning. Although necking is well identified and described from present-day rifted margins and has been modeled numerically, little is known about the necking process and its possible link to ore deposit formation. We present observations from the Mont-Blanc fossil detachment system, one of the few exposed examples of a necking detachment fault. We show that fluids flowed along the fault zone and leached metals (mainly Pb and Zn). This process was associated with the hydrothermal breakdown of feldspar and biotite at temperatures of 200 °C and salinities ranging from 5 to 20 eq. wt% with a H2O-NaCl (-KCl) composition. The resulting metal-rich fluids reacted with mainly carbonate-rich units to form Pb-Zn ore deposits in basement and sedimentary cover rocks. A direct link can, therefore, be demonstrated between fluid and reaction-assisted breakdown of silicates, metal transfer and trapping along detachment faults, and the overlying sedimentary rocks during necking. Similar ore deposits can be found throughout the inner External Crystalline Massif of the Western Alps, interpreted as the former necking domain of the Alpine Tethys. This leads to the suggestion that necking and Pb-Zn deposit formation may be closely linked, a hypothesis, if correct, that has the potential to predict additional Pb-Zn-Ba-F resources in rifts, rifted margins, and reactivated fossil rifted margins forming collisional mountain belts.
{"title":"Linking mineral deposits to crustal necking: insights from the Western Alps","authors":"Nicolas Dall’Asta, Gianreto Manatschal, Guilhem Hoareau","doi":"10.1007/s00126-023-01226-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-023-01226-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Although many studies link mineral deposit formation to rifting and hydrothermal processes, we present a study that focuses on the relationship between crustal necking and mineral deposit formation. Necking corresponds to the timing, location, and process of rift localization and abrupt crustal and lithospheric thinning. Although necking is well identified and described from present-day rifted margins and has been modeled numerically, little is known about the necking process and its possible link to ore deposit formation. We present observations from the Mont-Blanc fossil detachment system, one of the few exposed examples of a necking detachment fault. We show that fluids flowed along the fault zone and leached metals (mainly Pb and Zn). This process was associated with the hydrothermal breakdown of feldspar and biotite at temperatures of 200 °C and salinities ranging from 5 to 20 eq. wt% with a H<sub>2</sub>O-NaCl (-KCl) composition. The resulting metal-rich fluids reacted with mainly carbonate-rich units to form Pb-Zn ore deposits in basement and sedimentary cover rocks. A direct link can, therefore, be demonstrated between fluid and reaction-assisted breakdown of silicates, metal transfer and trapping along detachment faults, and the overlying sedimentary rocks during necking. Similar ore deposits can be found throughout the inner External Crystalline Massif of the Western Alps, interpreted as the former necking domain of the Alpine Tethys. This leads to the suggestion that necking and Pb-Zn deposit formation may be closely linked, a hypothesis, if correct, that has the potential to predict additional Pb-Zn-Ba-F resources in rifts, rifted margins, and reactivated fossil rifted margins forming collisional mountain belts.</p>","PeriodicalId":18682,"journal":{"name":"Mineralium Deposita","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.8,"publicationDate":"2023-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138293130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}