Ag-Bearing Tetrahedrite-(Cd), (Cu,Ag)6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4S13, from the Galena–Fluorite Kon-Dara Mineral Deposit (Southwestern Pamirs): The First Discovery in Tajikistan

Abstract

Tetrahedrite-(Cd), Cu₁₀Cd₂Sb₄S₁₃, is a member of the tetrahedrite series of the tetrahedrite group with a predominance of Cd at the C position typically occupied by divalent metals. Cadmium end-members from the tetrahedrite group are rare: they have been described in 15 deposits and ore occurrences. This work reports on a new discovery site of Ag-bearing tetrahedrite-(Cd) at the Kon-Dara mineral deposit (Southwestern Pamirs, Tajikistan) and summarizes the known data on rare Cd-bearing fahlores with a Cd content from 1 to 12.31 wt %. Ag-bearing tetrahedrite-(Cd) at the Kon-Dara deposit occurs as xenomorphic segregations 10–35 μm in size in association with tetrahedrite-(Fe), tetrahedrite-(Zn), galena, polybasite, and chalcopyrite, calculated which replace bournonite. According to the EPMA data, its composition averaged over seven analyses (in wt %) is as follow: Ag 16.17, Cu 25.19, Cd 10.09, Fe 0.38, Zn 0.09, Pb 0.13, Sb 25.55, As 0.18, and S 22.34. The empirical formula calculated based on 29 atoms per unit is (Cu_7.40Ag_2.80)_Σ10.20(Cd_1.68Fe_0.13Zn_0.03Pb_0.01)_Σ1.84(Sb_3.92As_0.04)_Σ3.96S_13.00. The composition of the tetrahedrite-(Cd) from Kon-Dara is similar to those from the Tyndrum Pb–Zn mineralization in Scotland, the Clara baryte–fluorite–(Ag,Cu) mine in Germany, and the Xitieshan Pb–Zn deposit in China. The formation temperature of Ag-bearing tetrahedrite-(Cd) at the Kon-Dara deposit is estimated to have been at about (170–140) ± 20°C.