Numerical Simulation of Fluid Migration during Ore Formation of Carboniferous Exhalation-Sedimentary Massive Sulfide Deposits in the Tongling District, Anhui Province

Numerical simulation of fluid migration during the ore-forming process of the Carboniferous exhalationsedimentary (Sedex) massive sulfide deposits in the Tongling district shows that fluid and thermal activities in lying-wall rocks were limited to a small area around the main draining passage, which led to weak mineralization and alteration in the lying-wall rock. Temperature and fluid fields indicate that mineralization and alteration in the lying-wall rock of the Sedex-type deposits are usually weaker than those of volcano-hosted massive sulfide deposits. Fluid migration involves the following processes: seawater penetrating and leaching the lying-wall rocks, then mixing with ascending hydrothermal fluids in the main draining passage, and finally jetting into seafloor. Although fluid activity-influenced area is rather small,the content of metals leached out from the lying-wall rocks is high enough to form large-scale ore deposits. Tensional contemporaneous faults accompanied with strong heat flows controlled the formation and distribution of Sedex deposits.The tensional tectonic regime on the northern margin of the Yangtze block during the Hercynian provided Sedex deposits with a prerequisite geodynamic condition.     

GEOCHEMICAL KINETIC SIMULATION ON WALL—ROCK ALTERATION ZONING IN THE BAOBAN GOLD FIELD，SOUTH CHINA

The Baoban gold field,located in the area of Hainan Island ,South China ,bears three gold de-posits :Tuwaishan ,Baoban ,and Erjia ,which belong to the wall-rock alteration type.In terms of the petrography data,four alteration zones can be recognized from the ore-vein outwards(1)the silicification zone;(2)the sericitization zone;(3)the chloritization zone;and (4)the calcitization zone.The geochemical kinetic simulation was carried out on sericitization and chloritization .Results of the study showed that the formation of the alteration zones is connected with the properties of hydrothermal fluids:the initial concentration of Al (O H)3,the diffusion coefficient and the velocity of fluid flow.The alteration zones in this field are the result of multiple interaction between hydrothermal fluids and wall rocks.     

Geochemical Aspects of Hypogene Hydrothermal Alteration Zones in the Chol-qeshlaghi Area, NW Iran: Constrains on REEs

Chol-qeshlaghi altered area lies in the northwestern part of the post-collisional Urumieh-Dokhtar magmatic arc, NW Iran. Pervasive silicic, argillic, phyllic and propylitic altered zones appears to be intimately affiliated to the fluids derivative of upper Oligocene Khankandi granodiorite. This paper is dedicated to the identification of geochemical characteristics of hydrothermal alterations, focusing on the determination of the mass gains and losses of REEs, to gain significant insights regarding the chemical exchanges prevailed between the host rocks and hydrothermal fluids. The low pH and high activity of SO_4~(-2) ligands in silicic alteration fluids, resulting in depletion of entire REEs. Decreasing of LREEs appeared in argillic zone may attributed to reduce in adsorption ability of clay minerals in low pH; whereas HREEs enrichment in phyllic zone was inclined to put it down to the abundance of sericite(± Fe oxides). A significant reduction of Eu/Eu* ratio in silicic zone can be attributed to negligible sulfides and clay minerals as some effective agents in adsorption of released Eu~(+2). Factors such as changes in pH, the abundance of absorptive neomorph mineral phases, activity of ligands play an important role in controlling the distribution and concentration of REEs in Chol-qeshlaghi alteration system.     

Discovery of Early Tertiary Hydrothermal Activity and Its Significance in Oil／Gas Geology,Dougpu Depression,Henan Province,China

Data from the super-deep wells(PS10,PS14 and YS1)led to the discovery of widespread met-al-bearing hydrothermal fluids (or hot brines) related to basic magmas in the Lower Tertiary clastic sequence in the Dongpu Depression .In terms of SEM and EDAX analyses, pore-casting thin section examination of sandstone ,the composition and forming temperature of fluid inclusions ,the trace ele-ment composition of mustone and kerogen and organic geochemical analyses, it is demonstrated that the hydrothermal fluids existing in the area studied are ejecting fluids, which have a close bearing on diagenesis and sedimentation, rather than intrusive veins along the tectonic fractures.The main indicators of hydrothermal activity are:(1)abnormal alteration of kerogen;(2) high-temperature altered mineral assemblage;(30abnormal distribution of hydrocarbons;(4) specific assemblages and abnormal contents of heavy metals in mudstone and kerogen;(5) specific composi-tion of complex compounds and assemblages of fluid inclusions in sandstone;(6) periodic basaltic magma activity.Results of geological observations and laboratory simulating experiments demonstrated that the hydrothermal fluids have a close bearing on hydrocarbon generation in the Dongpu Depression. Two aspects of the effect of hydrothermal fluids are noticed:hydrothermal hydrocarbon production and strong metal catalysis in oil and gas generation.     

Geological and geochemical characteristics of the Baimazhai Ni-Cu-（PGE） sulphide deposit in Yunnan, China

The sulphide ores of the Baimazhai deposit, although typically orthomagmatic, locally exhibit peculiar textural features and are intimately associated with hydrothermal minerals, such as biotite, amphibole and chlorite. This association suggests that the magmatic sulphide ores were subjected to hydrothermal alteration and subsequent redistribution, resulting in the observed textural features. Geochemically, the Baimazhai sulphide ores are enriched in Cu, Pd and Au, which,according to previous studies, reflects the action of hydrothermal fluids. Interestingly, Ar-Ar dating yielded the plateau ages of about 160–170 Ma, which are at odds with the established Permian age of the Emeishan large igneous province. We interpreted these younger ages as due to thermal resetting during post-Permian tectonothermal events. We have proposed a model in which tectonic movements and hydrothermal fluids related to these events modified the pre-existing magmatic sulphides. Given the degree of overprint, we suggested two possible scenarios: 1) the sulphide disseminations that surround the massive magmatic ores are the result of deformation and hydrothermal alteration; and 2) there were both magmatic massive and disseminated sulphides, in which case the scale and relocation of remobilization would have been smaller, but still detectable.     

Rare Earth Element Behaviour in theWunugetushan Copper - Molybdenum Deposit,Inner Mongolia, and Its Implications

Considering porphyry and wall rocks as a whole system, the behaviour of rare earth elements (REE) in hydrothermal alteration and mineralization of the exceedingly large Wunugetushan porphyry Cu-Mo deposit of Inner Mongolia has been studied. It has been found for the first time that there exists complementary REE variation in hydrothermal alteration between porphyry and wall rocks, and Eu depletion has certain significance in indicating mineralization. Based on an analysis of the variation in REE contents of relevant minerals during the hydrothermal alteration, the ore-forming fluids are inferred to be depleted in ∑REE, comparatively enriched in ∑Y and strongly depleted in Eu. In the intermediate-strong alteration zones, porphyry and wall rock took part in hydrothermal metasomatism and alteration almost in equal ratio mass. Furthermore, studies of REE and hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and fluid inclusions confirm the existence of hydrothermal convection and the possibility of supplying part of ore mater     

Characteristics of rare-earth elements （REE）, strontium and neodymium isotopes in hydrothermal fluorites from the Bailashui tin deposit in the Furong ore field,southern Hunan Province,China

In this paper the authors present the REE concentrations and Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of fluorites from the Bailashui tin deposit of the Furong ore field, southern Hunan Province. The results showed that the total amount of REE in fluorites is usually low, ranging from 0.705 to 8.785 μg/g with the chondrite-normalized REE distribution patterns similar to those of the Qitianling granites in the study area, characterized by LREE-enrichment patterns with pronounced negative Eu anomalies. The fluorites vary in Sr isotopic composition within the range of 0.7083-0.7091, the values are lower than those of the granites and higher than those of the host carbonate rocks in this area. The εNd（t） values of fluorites vary between -9.4 and ＋10.3, revealing that both the crust- and mantle-source materials were involved in the ore-forming hydrothermal fluids. Combined with previous studies on this ore deposit, the Bailashui tin deposit is temporally and spatially closely related with granitic magmatism in this area. The hydrothermal fluorites are the product of fluid/rock interactions between granitic magmatic hydrothermal fluid and marine carbonate rocks. The REE and F in the ore-forming fluid were derived from the granites, whereas Sr in the ore-forming fluid came mainly from the granitic magmatic hydrothermal fluid and marine carbonate rocks, although variations in Sr isotopic composition cannot be explained by a simple mixture of these two end-members. Evidence demonstrated that the ore-forming fluids are of crustal-mantle mixing origin, but that the fluids were probably incompletely homogenized and this may be caused by inhomogeneous mixing of the fluids of different sources.     

Tectonic-mineralizing Fluids in the Kekesayi Gold Deposit,Qinghe, XinjiangEI北大核心CSCD

The Kekesayi gold deposit is located in the Buergen ductile shear zone in the southern margin of Altay, Qinghe County, Xinjiang. The deposit consists of altered mylonite type and gold-bearing quartz veins type ores. The main ore-bearing rocks are gray metamorphic tuffs of the Tuoranggekuduke Formation. The ores are mostly lenticular and vein, and are strictly controlled by shear bands. Through field investigation, sample collection and laboratory identification, the structural alteration characteristics are studied in detail. The microstructure of quartz is analyzed by SEM cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL). The fluid inclusions of the deposit were studied by means of micro-temperature measurement and laser Raman analysis, and the tectonic-fluid evolution characteristics were discussed. Our results showed that: (1) The gold mineralization is closely related to the structural alteration of the ductile shear zone. The mylonitization, subgrain deformation and fluid structure are developed in the mining area. The recrystallized texture, dissolution structure and multistage composite shear structure characteristics of SEM-CL show that the deformation and metamorphism are very strong. The tectonic-hydrothermal activity resulted in strong silicification and pyritization and closely related to gold mineralization. (2) The fluid inclusions of quartz veins in the mineralized rocks are distributed in groups and the morphology of the fluid inclusions are mostly oval and tadpole in shape. The primary fluid inclusions are distributed in disorder, and the secondary fluid inclusions distribute linearly along the fissures mostly elongated owing to the strong tectonic deformation. Fluid inclusions are not of uniform size, generally are 8-20 μm. The types of inclusions can be classified according to the petrography and micro temperature measurement: two phase aqueous solution type (LH2O-VH2O), carbon-rich type (LH2O-LH2O) and single phase aqueous solution type (LH2O). The evolution of the fluid is characterized by high temperature, low salinity and rich CO2 in the early stage. As the deformation of the shear zone increases in the middle and late stages, the fluid evolved into low temperature, low salinity rich H2O. (3) The Kekesayi gold deposit has the characteristics of orogenic gold deposit, and the evolutionary characteristics of tectonic-ore forming fluids are consistent with the evolution of shear zones. Structural alteration of shear zone is the main controlling factor of mineralization. And magmatic hydrothermal alteration may also play an important role in mineralization. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Evolution of the magmatic–hydrothermal system and formation of the giant Zhuxi W–Cu deposit in South China

The Zhuxi deposit is a recently discovered W–Cu deposit located in the Jiangnan porphyry–skarn W belt in South China. The deposit has a resource of 3.44 million tonnes of WO3, making it the largest on Earth,however its origin and the evolution of its magmatic–hydrothermal system remain unclear, largely because alteration–mineralization types in this giant deposit have been less well-studied, apart from a study of the calcic skarn orebodies. The different types of mineralization can be classified into magnesian skarn, calcic skarn, and scheelite–quartz–muscovite(SQM) vein types. Field investigations and mineralogical analyses show that the magnesian skarn hosted by dolomitic limestone is characterized by garnet of the grossular–pyralspite(pyrope, almandine, and spessartine) series, diopside, serpentine,and Mg-rich chlorite. The calcic skarn hosted by limestone is characterized by garnet of the grossular–andradite series, hedenbergite, wollastonite, epidote, and Fe-rich chlorite. The SQM veins host highgrade W–Cu mineralization and have overprinted the magnesian and calcic skarn orebodies. Scheelite is intergrown with hydrous silicates in the retrograde skarn, or occurs with quartz, chalcopyrite, sulfide minerals, fluorite, and muscovite in the SQM veins.Fluid inclusion investigations of the gangue and ore minerals revealed the evolution of the ore-forming fluids, which involved:(1) melt and coexisting high–moderate-salinity, high-temperature, high-pressure(>450 ℃and >1.68 kbar), methane-bearing aqueous fluids that were trapped in prograde skarn minerals;(2) moderate–low-salinity, moderate-temperature, moderate-pressure(~210–300 ℃and ~0.64 kbar),methane-rich aqueous fluids that formed the retrograde skarn-type W orebodies;(3) low-salinity,moderate–low-temperature, moderate-pressure(~150–240 ℃and ~0.56 kbar), methane-rich aqueous fluids that formed the quartz–sulfide Cu(–W) orebodies in skarn;(4) moderate–low-salinity,moderate-temperature, low-pressure(~150–250 ℃and ~0.34 kbar) alkanes-dominated aqueous fluids in the SQM vein stage, which led to the formation of high-grade W–Cu orebodies. The S–Pb isotopic compositions of the sulfides suggest that the ore-forming materials were mainly derived from magma generated by crustal anatexis, with minor addition of a mantle component. The H–O isotopic compositions of quartz and scheelite indicate that the ore-forming fluids originated mainly from magmatic water with later addition of meteoric water. The C–O isotopic compositions of calcite indicate that the ore-forming fluid was originally derived from granitic magma, and then mixed with reduced fluid exsolved from local carbonate strata. Depressurization and resultant fluid boiling were key to precipitation of W in the retrograde skarn stage. Mixing of residual fluid with meteoric water led to a decrease in fluid salinity and Cu(–W) mineralization in the quartz–sulfide stage in skarn. The high-grade W–Cu mineralization in the SQM veins formed by multiple mechanisms, including fracturing, and fluid immiscibility, boiling, and mixing.     

Relationship Between Pb-Zn and Au-Ag Mineralization of Kengdenongshe Polymetallic Deposit in Eastern Segment of the Eastern KunlunEI北大核心CSCD

The Kengdenongshe deposit is a newly discovered large Au-Ag-Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit in the eastern Kunlun metallogenic belt, and the genetic relationship between Pb-Zn-rich ore bodies and Au-rich ore bodies in this deposit is controversial. Therefore, comparative studies of mineralization, alteration, and fluid inclusions in the two types of ore bodies were carried out with the statistical analysis of the correlation among ore-forming elements of Au, Ag, Pb and Zn. The results show that, from north to south, the mineralization changes gradually from Pb-Zn-rich to Au-rich with the wall-rock alteration from silicification-epidotization to baritization-marbleization-silicification. In addition, the structures of Pb-Zn-rich ores indicate a hydrothermal sedimentary origin with the late hydrothermal superposition, while those of Au-rich ores show features of hydrothermal origin. Besides, based on the study of fluid inclusions in this mining area, the ore-forming fluid of Pb-Zn-rich ores is low temperature (focus on 150-170°C) and low-medium salinity (1.74%-10.24% NaCleqv), while that of Au-rich ores displays low-medium temperature (manily 130-250°C) with low-medium salinity (0.35%-10.24% NaCleqv). Pb-Zn and Au-Ag show positive correlation (correlation coefficient r>0.25), but Au is poorly correlated with Pb and Zn (correlation coefficient r<0.15). However, to due to the late stage hydrothermal superimposition, Au is rather well correlated with Pb in high grade ores. In summary, there may exist two epochs of mineralization in the Kengdenongshe polymetallic deposit. The early one is Pb-Zn mineralization stage with characteristics of hydrothermal sedimentary origin, and the ore-forming fluid may be derived from the mixture of magmatic water and seawater. While the later one is Au mineralization stage, having characteristics of hydrothermal origin with subsequent hydrothermal superimpositions, and the ore-forming fluid is mainly derived from magmatic water that mixed with meteoric water. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.     

火山成因块状硫化物矿床研究进展

火山成因块状硫化物（VMS）矿床可形成于太古宙至现代各个地质时期.现代海底热液成矿作用是赋存于海相火山岩系中的古代VMS矿床成矿作用的再现.VMS矿床可形成于多种构造环境,但均与拉张背景有关.按照构造环境和容矿岩系将VMS矿床分为黑矿型、塞浦路斯型、别子型和沙利文型.VMS矿床的热液蚀变由下盘蚀变带和上盘蚀变带两个结构单元组成.下盘蚀变一般有两种类型：（1）不整合的蚀变岩筒,直接产在块状硫化物带的下方;（2）半整合或层控的上盘蚀变带,并可以在区域范围内展布.与下盘蚀变类似,上盘蚀变也具有蚀变岩筒和半整合的蚀变带两种类型.成矿金属主要有两种可能的来源：（1）在岩浆侵入体和浅位岩浆房之上被加热的循环海水对含矿火山岩系及下伏基底物质的淋滤;（2）深部岩浆房挥发分通过释气作用直接释放.下渗的海水是成矿流体的主要来源,同时流体包裹体和稳定同位素资料显示岩浆流体对成矿流体系统亦有较大贡献.VMS矿床具有明显的金属分带现象,其金属序列组合从下至上依次为Fe→Fe-Cu→Cu-Pb-Zn→Pb-Zn-Ba,这种金属分带的演化反应了流体的演化和块状硫化物丘的生长机制.根据成矿流体温度变化而不断演化的4阶段成矿模式可以很好的解释经典丘堆式矿床的形成过程.     

Oxygen isotope mapping of the Archean Sturgeon Lake caldera complex and VMS-related hydrothermal system, Northwestern Ontario, Canada

The hydrothermal and magmatic evolution of the Sturgeon Lake caldera complex is graphically documented by a regional-scale (525 km²) analysis of oxygen isotopes. Spatial variations in whole-rock oxygen isotope compositions provide a thermal map of the cumulative effects of multiple stages of hydrothermal metasomatism before, during, and after volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) mineralization. There is a progressive, upward increase in δ¹⁸O from less than 2‰ to greater than 15‰ through a 5-km-thick section above the Biedelman Bay subvolcanic intrusive complex. This isotopic trend makes it clear that at least the earlier phases of this intrusive complex were coeval with the overlying VMS-hosting cauldron succession and provided thermal energy to drive a convective hydrothermal circulation system. The sharp contrast in δ¹⁸O values between late stage phases of the Biedelman Bay intrusion and immediate hanging wall strata indicates that the main phase of VMS-related hydrothermal activity took place before late-stage resurgence in the cauldron-related magmatic activity. Mineralogical and isotopic evidence indicates the presence of both syn- and postmineralization hydrothermal activity defined by the presence of widespread semiconformable and more restricted discordant alteration zones that affect the pre- and syncauldron strata. The semiconformable alteration zones formed during early stages of hydrothermal circulation and are defined by widespread silicification and carbonatization in association with relatively high δ¹⁸O values. The discordant alteration assemblages, containing Al-silicate minerals with chloritoid and/or Fe-rich carbonate or chlorite, centered on synvolcanic faults represent restricted zones of both seawater inflow and hydrothermal fluid upflow. A rapid increase in δ¹⁸O values (∼7–9‰) over a short distance (<200 m) suggests marked cooling of hydrothermal fluid from ∼350°C to less than 130°C either just before or during discharge onto the seafloor. Late emplacement of diorite sills and a dacite dome disrupted the isotopic imprint of cauldron-stage hydrothermal activity. The abrupt lowering of δ¹⁸O values at the transition from explosive to passive volcanism (andesite flows and dacite domes) indicates postcauldron emergence. Subsequently, thrust faulting disrupted the older synvolcanic hydrothermal isotopic patterns.     

四川呷村V HMS矿床：从野外观察到成矿模型

呷村矿床是一个与晚三叠世海相钙碱性酸性火山岩系有关的典型块状硫化物（VHMS）矿床。热水流体系统和贱金属成矿作用发育于义敦岛弧碰撞造山带上的弧间裂谷盆地内,并受其内部的一系列局限盆地及SN向基底断裂－裂缝系统控制。含矿岩系为双峰岩石组合,具火山碎屑岩－矿体－喷气岩“三位一体”特征。硫化物矿床具有“块状矿席＋层控网脉状矿带”式三维结构特征。块状矿席发育多旋回的硫化物－硫酸盐韵律型式,揭示热水流体在海底的幕式排泄以及硫化物－硫酸盐在卤水池内的韵律式化学淀积和滑塌堆积过程。层控网脉状矿带产出于流纹质火山岩系,与上覆的块状矿席平行展布,揭示高渗透性碎屑岩层和多条同级别断层或断裂共同约束海底下部热水流体,并诱导其“弥散式”排泄和侧向流动交代。热水流体的传导冷凝过程导致硫化物沉积、热水流体与冷海水的简单混合导致硅质岩或／重晶石淀积,传导冷凝与海水混合的联合作用导致含硫化物重晶石、硅质岩和红碧玉形成。     

Hydrothermal precipitates associated with bimodal volcanism in the Central Bransfield Strait,Antarctica

Polymetallic sulfide-sulfate mineralization enriched in Pb-Ag-As-Sb-Hg occurs in the Bransfield Strait, a late Tertiary-Quaternary marginal basin close to the Antarctic Peninsula. The mineralization is associated with bimodal volcanism and pelagic and volcaniclastic sediment in rifted continental crust. Hydrothermal precipitates have been recovered from two shallow (1,050–1,000 m water depth) submarine volcanoes (Hook Ridge and Three Sisters) in the Central Bransfield Strait. Mineralization at Hook Ridge consists of polymetallic sulfides, massive barite, and pyrite and marcasite crusts in semilithified pelagic and volcaniclastic sediment. Native sulfur commonly infills void space and cements the volcaniclastic sediment. The polymetallic sulfides are dominated by sphalerite with minor galena, enargite, tetrahedrite-tennantite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and traces of orpiment cemented by barite and opal-A. The presence of enargite at Hook Ridge, the abundance of native sulfur, and the low Fe content of sphalerite indicate a high sulfur activity of the hydrothermal fluids responsible for mineralization. The sulfur isotopic composition of Hook Ridge precipitates documents the complexity of the sulfur sources in this hydrothermal system with variable influence of biological activity and possibly magmatic contributions. Homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions in barite and opal-A suggest that boiling may have affected the hydrothermal fluids during their ascent. The discovery of massive barite-silica precipitates at another shallow marine volcano (Three Sisters volcano) attests to the potential for hydrothermal mineralization at other volcanic edifices in the area. The characteristics of the mineralization in the Bransfield Strait with rifting of continental crust, the presence of bimodal volcanism, including highly evolved felsic volcanic rocks, the association with sediments, and the Pb-Ag-As-Sb-Hg enrichment are similar to the setting of massive sulfide deposits in the Okinawa Trough, and distinct from those of sediment-dominated hydrothermal systems such as Escanaba Trough, Middle Valley, and Guaymas Basin. The geological setting of the Bransfield Strait is also broadly similar to that of some of the largest volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits in the ancient record, such as the Iberian Pyrite Belt.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Characterization of the hydrothermal systems associated with Archean VMS-mineralization at Panorama,Western Australia,using hyperspectral,geochemical and geothermometric data

Airborne hyperspectral imagery was used to study the distribution of white mica minerals in Archean (3.2 Ga) submarine hydrothermal systems associated with volcanogenic massive sulfide mineralization in a well-exposed volcanic sequence of the Soansville greenstone belt in the Pilbara, Western Australia. White mica mineral abundance and distribution maps were compared with published hydrothermal alteration maps and differences were interpreted using whole-rock geochemistry and temperature estimates from oxygen isotope geothermometric studies of hydrothermally altered rocks. Three different zones were identified from the hyperspectral imagery: 1) Al-rich white mica zones in the upper parts of the volcanic sequence which are related to recharge of unevolved seawater, 2) Al-poor white mica zones at middle and upper levels of the volcanic sequence predominantly related to K alteration by more-evolved hydrothermal fluids, and 3) high to intermediate Al-content white mica zones in lower levels of the sequence and in cross-cutting zones related to intense alteration by laterally flowing and upwelling evolved fluids. The integrated study of the spatial distribution of hyperspectrally detected white mica minerals together with published maps and rock analyses allowed characterization of the hydrothermal systems and reconstruction of paleo fluid pathways.     

The roles of magmatic and hydrothermal processes in PGE mineralization,Ferguson Lake deposit,Nunavut, Canada

The Ferguson Lake Ni–Cu–Co–platinum-group element (PGE) deposit in Nunavut, Canada, occurs near the structural hanging wall of a metamorphosed gabbroic sill that is concordant with the enclosing country rock gneisses and amphibolites. Massive to semi-massive sulfide occurs toward the structural hanging wall of the metagabbro, and a low-sulfide, high-PGE style of mineralization (sulfide veins and disseminations) locally occurs ~30–50 m below the main massive sulfide. Water–rock interaction in the Ferguson Lake Ni–Cu–Co–PGE deposit is manifested mostly as widespread, post-metamorphic, epidote–chlorite–calcite veins, and replacement assemblages that contain variable amounts of sulfides and platinum-group minerals (PGM). PGM occur as inclusions in magmatic pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite in both the massive sulfide and high-PGE zones, at the contact between sulfides and hornblende or magnetite inclusions in the massive sulfide, in undeformed sulfide veins and adjacent chlorite and/or epidote halos, in hornblende adjacent to hydrothermal veins, and in plagioclase–chlorite aggregates replacing garnet cemented by sulfide. The PGM are mostly represented by the kotulskite (PdTe)–sobolevskite (PdBi) solid solution but also include michenerite (PdBiTe), froodite (PdBi₂), merenskyite (PdTe₂), mertieite II (Pd₈[Sb,As]₃), and sperrylite (PtAs₂) and occur in variety of textural settings. Those that occur in massive and interstitial sulfides, interpreted to be of magmatic origin and formed through exsolution from base metal sulfides at temperatures <600°C, are dominantly Bi rich (i.e., Te-bearing sobolevskite), whereas those that occur in late-stage hydrothermal sulfide/silicate veins and their epidote–chlorite alteration halos tend to be more Te rich (i.e., Bi-bearing kotulskite). The chemistry and textural setting of the various PGM supports a genetic model that links the magmatic and hydrothermal end-members of the sulfide–PGM mineralization. The association of PGM with magmatic sulfides in the massive sulfide and high-PGE zones has been interpreted to indicate that PGE mineralization was initially formed through exsolution from base metal sulfides which formed by magmatic sulfide liquid segregation and crystallization. However, the occurrence of PGM in undeformed sulfide-bearing veins and in their chlorite–epidote halos and differences in PGM chemistry indicate that hydrothermal fluids were responsible for post-metamorphic redistribution and dispersion of PGE.     

Textural,mineralogical and stable isotope studies of hydrothermal alteration in the main sulfide zone of the Great Dyke,Zimbabwe and the precious metals zone of the Sonju Lake Intrusion,Minnesota, USA

Stratigraphic offsets in the peak concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGE) and base-metal sulfides in the main sulfide zone of the Great Dyke and the precious metals zone of the Sonju Lake Intrusion have, in part, been attributed to the interaction between magmatic PGE-bearing base-metal sulfide assemblages and hydrothermal fluids. In this paper, we provide mineralogical and textural evidence that indicates alteration of base-metal sulfides and mobilization of metals and S during hydrothermal alteration in both mineralized intrusions. Stable isotopic data suggest that the fluids involved in the alteration were of magmatic origin in the Great Dyke but that a meteoric water component was involved in the alteration of the Sonju Lake Intrusion. The strong spatial association of platinum-group minerals, principally Pt and Pd sulfides, arsenides, and tellurides, with base-metal sulfide assemblages in the main sulfide zone of the Great Dyke is consistent with residual enrichment of Pt and Pd during hydrothermal alteration. However, such an interpretation is more tenuous for the precious metals zone of the Sonju Lake Intrusion where important Pt and Pd arsenides and antimonides occur as inclusions within individual plagioclase crystals and within alteration assemblages that are free of base-metal sulfides. Our observations suggest that Pt and Pd tellurides, antimonides, and arsenides may form during both magmatic crystallization and subsolidus hydrothermal alteration. Experimental studies of magmatic crystallization and hydrothermal transport/deposition in systems involving arsenides, tellurides, antimonides, and base metal sulfides are needed to better understand the relative importance of magmatic and hydrothermal processes in controlling the distribution of PGE in mineralized layered intrusions of this type.     

Diverse Range of Mineralization Induced by Phase Separation of Hydrothermal Fluid: Case Study of the Yonaguni Knoll IV Hydrothermal Field in the Okinawa Trough Back-Arc Basin

The Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal vent field (24°51′N, 122°42′E) is located at water depths of 1370–1385 m near the western edge of the southern Okinawa Trough. During the YK03–05 and YK04–05 expeditions using the submersible Shinkai 6500, both hydrothermal precipitates (sulfide/sulfate/carbonate) and high temperature fluids (Tmax = 328°C) presently venting from chimney‐mound structures were extensively sampled. The collected venting fluids had a wide range of chemistry (Cl concentration 376–635 mmol kg^?1), which is considered as evidence for sub‐seafloor phase separation. While the Cl‐enriched smoky black fluids were venting from two adjacent chimney‐mound structures in the hydrothermal center, the clear transparent fluids sometimes containing CO₂ droplet were found in the peripheral area of the field. This distribution pattern could be explained by migration of the vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid within a porous sediment layer after the sub‐seafloor phase separation. The collected hydrothermal precipitates demonstrated a diverse range of mineralization, which can be classified into five groups: (i) anhydrite‐rich chimneys, immature precipitates including sulfide disseminations in anhydrite; (ii) massive Zn‐Pb‐Cu sulfides, consisting of sphalerite, wurtzite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and marcasite; (iii) Ba‐As chimneys, composed of barite with sulfide disseminations, sometimes associated with realgar and orpiment overgrowth; (iv) Mn‐rich chimneys, consisting of carbonates (calcite and magnesite) and sulfides (sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, alabandite, and minor amount of tennantite and enargite); and (v) pavement, silicified sediment including abundant native sulfur or barite. Sulfide/sulfate mineralization (groups i–iii) was found in the chimney–mound structure associated with vapor‐loss (Cl‐enriched) fluid venting. In contrast, the sulfide/carbonate mineralization (group iv) was specifically found in the chimneys where vapor‐rich (Cl‐depleted) fluid venting is expected, and the pavement (group v) was associated with diffusive venting from the seafloor sediment. This correspondence strongly suggests that the subseafloor phase separation plays an important role in the diverse range of mineralization in the Yonaguni IV field. The observed sulfide mineral assemblage was consistent with the sulfur fugacity calculated from the FeS content in sphalerite/wurtzite and the fluid temperature for each site, which suggests that the shift of the sulfur fugacity due to participation of volatile species during phase separation is an important factor to induce diverse mineralization. In contrast, carbonate mineralization is attributed to the significant mixing of vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid and seawater. A submarine hydrothermal system within a back‐arc basin in the continental margin may be considered as developed in a geologic setting favorable to a diverse range of mineralization, where relatively shallow water depth induces sub‐seafloor phase separation of hydrothermal fluid, and sediment accumulation could enhance migration of the vapor‐rich hydrothermal fluid.     

安徽铜陵矿集区块状硫化物矿床成因模型与成矿流体动力学迁移

根据地质和同位素地球化学特征，建立了铜陵地区赋存于石炭系地层底部的块状硫化物矿床的成因模型；该类型矿床的形成主要与石炭纪海底热水活动有关，属喷流-沉积型(SEDEX)块状硫化物矿床；下伏古生代地层是重要的成矿金属源区，海水硫酸盐是硫化物成矿的主要硫源。成矿热流体循环的动力学数值模拟揭示。该类型矿床底盘岩石中的流体活动和热影响范围主要局限在主排泄通道两侧较小的区域内；温度场和流场决定以沉积岩为容矿岩石的喷流．沉积型块状硫化物矿床底盘岩石中的蚀变和矿化强度不如以火山岩为容矿岩石的块状硫化物矿床。伴随强大深部热流的张性同生断裂是控制喷流一沉积型块状硫化物矿床形成与分布的关键因素。海西期扬子板块北缘的张性构造体制为该时期喷流一沉积型块状硫化物矿床的形成提供了有利的地球动力学环境。