Gold metallogeny in the Birimian craton of Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Primary gold deposits in Burkina Faso occur in Paleoproterozoic Birimian belt formations (2.0 Ga). Mineralization was synchronous with regional metamorphism and deformation, and is either hosted within, or is adjacent to, quartz-bearing veins. These are classical characteristics of epigenetic gold deposits in Precambrian metamorphic terranes and permit to classify the mineralized sites from Burkina Faso as orogenic-type gold deposits. A review of data collected over the past decade by our team permits to recognize two main styles of gold mineralization: (1) Quartz-vein hosted; this style occurs in all lithologies, the veins are deformed and gold is principally concentrated within the veins, associated with either sulfides or tourmaline. (2) Disseminated; this style occurs exclusively in albitites (and to a lesser extent listvenites) with gold occurring mainly within alteration halos of generally undeformed quartz-albite-carbonate vein. Quartz-vein and disseminated styles of mineralization can be associated within the same deposit. Albitites and listvenites are alteration products of mainly calc-alkaline igneous rocks of felsic to ultramafic composition, respectively. The predominant alteration assemblage consists of chlorite, albite, carbonate, and pyrite. Sulfides occur as fine masses commonly in the alteration halos close to vein margins and consist mainly of pyrite and arsenopyrite, depending on host-rock composition. Gold occurs as free native metal and, locally, in form of tellurides, in fissures or as inclusions within pyrite and arsenopyrite. Two main populations of fluid inclusions are associated with the gold deposits, independently of the mineralization style: (1) carbonic inclusions consisting of up to 90 mol% CO₂ (plus N₂ and CH₄) and (2) aqueous-carbonic fluid inclusions with moderate salinities. Interestingly, the disseminated gold style deposits of Burkina Faso, which have the highest economic potential, show strong similarities with the world-class Ashanti deposit, in neighboring Ghana.     

The Coolgardie Goldfied,Western Australia: district-scale controls on an Archaean gold camp in an amphibolite facies terrane

Archaean lode gold deposits in the Coolgardie Goldfield, Western Australia, occur in mafic and ultramafic rocks which have been metamorphosed to the amphibolite facies. Mineralisation was broadly synchronous with peak metamorphism, the main phase of granitoid emplacement, and regional deformation. Several different structural styles are represented by the deposits of the Coolgardie Goldfield. Mineralisation occurs along sheared felsic porphyry-ultramafic rock contacts, in gabbro-hosted quartz-vein sets, in fault-bounded quartzvein sets, and in laminated quartz reefs sited in brittleductile shear zones. The structures hosting mineralisation formed in response to a progressive deformation event, related to granitoid emplacement in an east-west compressional far-field stress régime, but with local heterogeneous stress orientations. This occurred after an earlier period of thrust-stacking, with probable north-south directed tectonic transport. Two contrasting styles of goldrelated wallrock alteration are associated with the auriferous lodes of the Coolgardie Goldfield. A high-temperature assemblage (formation temperature >500°C), characterised by the proximal alteration assemblage garnet+ hornblende + plagioclase + pyrrhotite, contrasts with a medium-temperature assemblage (formation temperature <500°C), consisting of calcic amphibole + biotite + plagioclase + calcite + arsenopyrite + pyrrhotite. The distribution of the two styles of gold-related alteration is controlled by distance from voluminous syntectonic granitoids located to the west of the Coolgardie Goldfield, with the high-temperature style of alteration more proximal to the granitoid-greenstone contact than the medium-temperature style. The occurrence of gold deposits that formed under amphibolite facies conditions throughout the Coolgardie Goldfield supports a crustal continuum model for Archaean lode-gold deposits, which proposes that gold is deposited in metamorphic environments that range from the sub-greenschist to granulite facies. In addition, the data from Coolgardie suggest that syntectonic, synmineralisation granitic plutons may play a significant role in controlling the style of gold associated wallrock-alteration at deep crustal levels.     

Lithogeochemical localisation of disseminated gold in the White River area, Yukon, Canada

Gold mineralisation in the White River area, 80 km south of the highly productive Klondike alluvial goldfield, is hosted in amphibolite facies gneisses in the same Permian metamorphic pile as the basement for the Klondike goldfield. Hydrothermal fluid which introduced the gold was controlled by fracture systems associated with middle Cretaceous to early Tertiary extensional faults. Gold deposition occurred where highly fractured and chemically reactive rocks allowed intense water–rock interaction and hydrothermal alteration, with only minor development of quartz veins. Felsic gneisses were sericitised with recrystallisation of hematite and minor arsenic mobility, and extensively pyritised zones contain gold and minor arsenic (ca 10 ppm). Graphitic quartzites (up to 5 wt.% carbon) caused chemical reduction of mineralising fluids, with associated recrystallisation of metamorphic minerals (graphite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite) in host rocks and veins, and introduction of arsenic (up to 1 wt.%) to form arsenopyrite in veins and disseminated through host rock. Veins have little or no hydrothermal quartz, and up to 19 wt.% carbon as graphite. Late-stage oxidation of arsenopyrite in some graphitic veins has formed pharmacosiderite. Gold is closely associated with disseminated and vein sulphides in these two rock types, with grades of up to 3 ppm on the metre scale. Other rock types in the White River basement rocks, including biotite gneiss, hornblende gneiss, pyroxenite, and serpentinite, have not developed through-going fracture systems because of their individual mineralogical and rheological characteristics, and hence have been little hydrothermally altered themselves, have little hydrothermal gold, and have restricted flow of fluids through the rock mass. Some small post-metamorphic quartz veins (metre scale) have been intensely fractured and contain abundant gold on fractures (up to 40 ppm), but these are volumetrically minor. The style of gold mineralisation in the White River area is younger than, and distinctly different from, that of the Klondike area. Some of the mineralised zones in the White River area resemble, mineralogically and geochemically, nearby coeval igneous-hosted gold deposits, but this resemblance is superficial only. The White River mineralisation is an entirely new style of Yukon gold deposit, in which host rocks control the mineralogy and geochemistry of disseminated gold, without quartz veins.     

The auriferous late Archaean sedimentation systems of South Africa: unique palaeo-environmental conditions?

Studies of the auriferous Witwatersrand placers and associated rocks have revealed that certain palaeo-environments, especially braided fluvial, are particularly well represented in this part of the rock record. However, there is a paucity of lithofacies indicating certain other palaeo-environments. Possible reasons for their scarceness or absence are suggested in this paper. It is generally assumed that pre-vegetational fluvial systems would have been characteristically braided, because of the absence of land plants necessary to stabilise river banks. A question arising is what kind of downstream changes such pre-vegetational braided streams underwent. A recent study of a braided stream placer revealed that the depositing system retained its braided character right down to the palaeo-shoreline. However, gravel did not reach the palaeo-beach. As with many modern examples, beach conglomerates are rare in the Witwatersrand rocks. The paucity of conglomeratic beach placers is ascribed to the low probability of gravel being transported across coastal plains, because of the relatively low slopes or depths of rivers here. The Witwatersrand fluvial channels are generally considered to have had high width-to-depth ratios, because of the absence of land vegetation to stabilise channel banks. However, two examples of deep, relatively narrow scour features, with predominantly fine-grained fills, occur near the base of the Central Rand Group. The low width-to-depth ratios of these scour features, which probably represent palaeo-valleys, are ascribed to severe incision during a rapid sea-level fall. The auriferous fluvial systems of the Witwatersrand are generally considered to have been entirely braided, due to the lack of bank stability. However, the fluvial B placer of the Welkom goldfield is confined to discrete channels. Their banks are thought to have been stable, due to the cohesive nature of the lutite into which the gravelly streams incised. In addition, braiding sensu stricto was probably inhibited by initial incision and a low sediment supply. No deposits of specifically deltaic sub-environments have been found in the Central Rand Group. Their absence is attributed to the following factors: (a) the paucity (absence?) of well-defined palaeo-river mouths; (b) low concentrations of suspended sediment; (c) intermittent sediment supply to the palaeo-coastline; and (d) reworking by tidal and longshore currents. Alluvial-fan deposits are also apparently absent in the Witwatersrand rocks. The absence of fan deposits is attributed to the poor potential for development and preservation of fan deposits in the compressive tectonic setting proposed for the Witwatersrand Basin. Although ventifacts have been found in the Witwatersrand rocks, no aeolianites have been reported. Their apparent absence is probably due to (a) reworking in a predominantly humid climate, and (b) transport of sand by dominant winds to areas unfavourable for the preservation of aeolianites.     

Alteration and mineralization styles of the orogenic disseminated Zhenyuan gold deposit,southeastern Tibet: Contrast with carlin gold deposit

Orogenic disseminated and Carlin gold deposits share much similarity in alteration and mineralization.The disseminated orogenic Zhenyuan Au deposit along the Ailaoshan shear zone,southeastern Tibet,was selected to clarify their difference.The alteration and mineralization from the different lithologies,including meta-quartz sandstone,carbonaceous slate,meta-(ultra)mafic rock,quartz porphyry and lamprophyre were researched.According to the mineral assemblage and replacement relationship in all types of host rocks,two reactions show general control on gold deposition:(1)replacement of earlier magnetite by pyrite and carbonaceous material;(2)alteration of biotite and phlogopite phenocrysts in quartz porphyry and lamprophyre into dolomite/ankerite and sericite.Despite the lamprophyre is volumetrically minor and much less fractured than other host rocks,it contains a large portion of Au reserve,indicating that the chemically active lithology has played a more important role in gold precipitation compared to structure.LA-ICP-MS analysis shows that Au mainly occurs as invisible gold in fine-grained pyrite disseminated in the host rocks,with Au content reaching to 258.95 ppm.The diagenetic core of pyrite in meta-quartz sandstone enriched in Co,Ni,Mo,Ag and Hg is wrapped by hydrothermal pyrite enriched in Cu,As,Sb,Au,Tl,Pb and Bi.Different host rock lithology has much impact on the alteration and mineralization features.Carbonate and sericite in altered lamprophyre show they have higher Mg than those developed in other of host rocks denoting that the carbonate and sericite incorporated Mg from phlogopite phenocrysts in the primary lamprophyre during alteration.The ore fluid activated the diagenetic pyrite in meta-quartz sandstone leading the hydrothermal pyrite enriched in Cu,Mo,Ag,Sb,Te,Hg,Tl,Pb and Bi,but the hydrothermal pyrite in meta-(ultra)mafic rock is enriched in Co and Ni as the meta-(ultra)mafic rock host rock contain high content of Co and Ni.However,Au and As shear similar range in both types of host rocks indicating that these two elements most likely come from the deep source fluid rather than the host rocks.It was shown in the disseminated orogenic gold deposit that similar hydrothermal alteration with mineral assemblage of carbonate(mainly dolomite and ankerite),sericite,pyrite and arsenopyrite develops in all types of host rocks.This is different from the Nevada Carlin type,in which alteration is mainly dissolution and silicification of carbonate host rock.On the other hand,Au mainly occur as invisible gold in both disseminated orogenic and Carlin gold deposits.     

Auriferous Precambrian conglomerates of Witwatersrand

Geological and mineralogical specificity of the world’s largest Witwatersrand gold deposit was defined by geodynamic processes in the Late Archean. The primary crust composed of felsic rocks (“gray gneisses”) was intruded 2.9–3.1 Ga ago by mafic melts that gave rise to greenstone belts. This was followed by the appearance of long-lived granulite mobile zones that promoted the formation of hydrosphere and atmosphere accompanied by an intense acidic leaching (weathering) of rocks in the greenstone belts. Numerous conglomerate interbeds were formed in the Witwatersrand Basin section due to vigorous eolian processes and floodwater washouts that produced a fan channel system mainly filled with quartz pebbles. At present, most researchers support a modified paleoplacer model of the origin of gold mineralization in Witwatersrand, suggesting a hydrothermal-metamorphic redistribution of the primary placer gold. According to various hydrothermal models, gold was introduced into sedimentary rocks in a water medium from outer deep sources or during the filtration of postsedimentary hydrothermal fluids. The present communication suggests that a significant portion of gold contained in reefs could be delivered to the sedimentation basin by the auriferous hydrothermal quartz of pebble or sand dimension that was metamorphosed at approximately 350–400°C. Metamorphism of gold was accompanied by its purification, transfer to matrix, and hydrothermal intrastratal redistribution.     

Metallogeny of gold in relation to the evolution of the Nubian Shield in Egypt

Gold mineralization in the Eastern Desert of Egypt is confined, almost completely, to the basement rocks of the Nubian Shield that was cratonized during the Panafrican orogeny.Island-arc, orogenic and post-orogenic stages are indicated for the tectonic-magmatic evolution of the Nubian Shield in Late Proterozoic times. Different styles of gold mineralization recognised in the Eastern Desert are inferred to have developed during these stages.In the island-arc stage, which is characterized by volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks in an ensimatic environment, gold mineralization is hosted in stratiform to strata-bound Algoma-type BIF and associated tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. Both types represent exhalative deposits, formed during breaks in sub-marine basaltic and bastalic–andesite volcanic eruptions. The volcanic rocks have a tholeiitic affinity and reflect an immature arc stage. Gold hosted in massive-sulphide deposits within calc-alkaline rhyolites represents another style of gold mineralization connected with mature island arc stage.During the orogenic-stage, ophiolites and island arc volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks were thrust onto the Pre-Panafrican continental margin. Subduction was active beneath the continent while the thrusting was still operative. A phase of calc-alkaline magmatic activity developed during this stage and the compressional deformation event was synchronous with regional metamorphism (greenschist–amphibolite facies). Extensional shear fractures (brittle–ductile shear zones) were broadly contemporaneous with the intense compressional tectonic regime. These fractures opened spaces in which the mineralizing fluids penetrated.Gold mineralization associated with the orogenic-stage is represented by vein-type mineralization that constituted the main target for gold since Pharaonic times. Other styles of gold mineralization during this stage are represented by altered ophiolitic serpentinites (listwaenites), Gold mineralization associated with intrusion related deposits (possibly porphyry copper deposits), as well as, auriferous quartz veins at the contacts of younger gabbros and G-2 granites.The post-orogenic stage is characterized by the dominance of intra-plate magmatism. Small amounts of the element in disseminations, stockworks and quartz veins of Sn–W–Ta–Nb mineralization represent gold mineralization connected with this stage.The link between these tectonic–magmatic stages and gold mineralization can be used as a criterion at any exploration strategy for new targets of gold mineralization in Egypt.     

A comparison of fluids causing post-depositional hydrothermal alteration in Archaean basement granitoids and the Witwatersrand Basin

Summary Some Archaean granitoids occurring along the north-western and western edge of what is classically known as the Witwatersrand Basin have been hydrothermally altered in two different styles. Both styles - pervasive and vein-controlled alteration - are characterised by sulphide mineralisation as well as by thorium-, uranium-, gold- and REE-rich nodules of carbonaceous material (fly-speck carbon). All of the granitoids displaying these characteristic alteration styles are associated with secondary moderate-to high-salinity, Ca-rich fluid inclusions with low homogenisation temperatures in magmatic quartz and quartz veins. C-isotopes of the fly-speck carbon and the fluid composition of the associated fluid inclusions are typical of modified basin brines. Similar types of Ca-rich fluid inclusions were found in authigenic quartz and hydrothermal quartz veins from gold-bearing, hydrothermally altered sediments of the Witwatersrand Basin, although the salinities of the fluids in the basement granitiods are somewhat higher. The moderate- to high salinity of this inclusion fluid and its present composition is considered to be the result of modifications by fluid-rock interaction during transport and subsequent metamorphism within the Witwatersrand Basin. Available age data on the hydrothermally derived minerals in these granitoids range between 2.7 and 2.0 Ga indicating several fluid pulses, with fluids repeatedly expelled during the dewatering of the Witwatersrand Basin. These data are consistent with the conclusion that major parts of the alteration are the result of sediment dewatering which affected both the granitoids and the gold-bearing strata within the Witwatersrand Basin.

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Ein Vergleich zwischen Formationswässern in archaischen Granitoiden und dem Witwatersrand Becken

Zusammenfassung Einige archaische Granitoide, die am nordwestlichen und westlichen Rand des Witwatersrand Beckens vorkommen, zeigen zwei Arten von hydrothermaler Überprägung. Beide Arten, pervasiv und gangförmig, sind mit einer Sulfidmineralisation und Thorium-, Uran-, Gold-, und SEE-reichen Knollen aus kohliger Substanz assoziiert. Alle Granitoide, die sich durch diese spezielle hydrothermale Überprägung auszeichnen, besitzen sekundäre moderat- bis hochsalinare, Ca-reiche Fluideinschlüsse mit niedrigen Homogenisierungstemperaturen in magmatischen und hydrothermalen Quarzen. Diese Fluide werden als modifizierte Beckenwässer gedeutet. Ähnliche Ca-reiche Fluideinschlüsse wurden in authigenen und hydrothermalen Quarzen in goldführenden, hydrothermal veränderten Sedimenten des Witwatersrand Beckens beobachtet, obwohl die Salinitäten der wässrigen Fluide in den Granitoiden noch höher sind. Die moderate bis hohe Salinität und die derzeitige Zusammensetzung der Einschlußfluide wird als eine Konsequenz aus der Fluid-Gesteinswechselwirkung, die während des Transportes im Becken stattfand, und der nachfolgenden Metamorphose angesehen. Vorläufige Altersdaten von den hydrothermal gebildeten Mineralen weisen auf mehrere hydrothermale Ereignisse während einer Zeitspanne zwischen 2.7 und 2.0 Ga hin. Während dieser Zeitspanne kam es durch Beckenentwässerung zu wiederholten Fluidschüben aus dem Becken in die Granitoide aufgrund lokaler tektonischer Ereignisse. Diese Daten deuten an, daß ein großer Teil der hydrothermalen Überprägung sowohl der Granitoide als auch der goldführenden Sedimente durch Formationswässer aus dem Witwatersrand Becken gebildet worden ist.

     

Widespread fluid infiltration during metamorphism of the Witwatersrand goldfields: generation of chloritoid and pyrophyllite

Abstract Chloritoid and pyrophyllite occur together in all major goldfields of the Witwatersrand Basin and are widespread in virtually all rock types of the upper Witwatersrand Supergroup, including metaconglomeratic reefs and altered mafic rocks. Both minerals are particularly characteristic of the pelitic horizons intimately associated with reef packages, but they are also developed locally in the regionally persistent metapelites that have basin-wide extent. Pyrophyllite is particularly common in foliated zones, adjacent to quartz veins, and near unconformably overlying auriferous conglomerates. The wide distribution of chloritoid and pyrophyllite in metapelites of the Witwatersrand Basin is attributed to alteration of chlorite-rich shales, rather than to unusual premetamorphic starting materials. This alteration event involved the redistribution of many elements, with up to 40% volume loss, mainly due to removal of silica. Removal of most of the Mg and some Fe accounts for the stabilization of chloritoid and pyrophyllite. Relatively immobile elements included Al, Ti, Nb, Cr, V, P, La and Ce, whereas Si, Fe, Mn, Zn, Co, Ni, Cu, Mg and Ca were lost, and K, Rb and Ba were introduced by an infiltrating fluid. The alteration event is inferred to have been within the chloritoid and pyrophyllite stability field (and thus syn-metamorphic) as bulk chemical changes in metapelites are from chlorite directly towards chloritoid and then pyrophyllite, rather than to lower grade minerals such as kaolinite. Muscovite–chlorite–chloritoid and muscovite–chloritoid–pyrophyllite assemblages are attributed to fluid buffering along appropriate curves, as their production by metamorphism of lower grade mineral mixes is considered unlikely, based on the present bulk rock compositional data. A metamorphic timing for the alteration accounts for the correlation of strongly foliated areas with greater degrees of inferred alteration. The transitions from chlorite to chloritoid to pyrophyllite define zones of increasing alteration. Widespread infiltration as part of peak metamorphism is suggested by the distribution of chloritoid and pyrophyllite, quartz veining and textures. Fluid:rock ratios calculated from a silica budget in one metapelitic horizon exceed 100:1 over many square kilometres. These values need not imply multi-pass fluid flow, as much of the silica migration may be redistribution on a scale of a few metres, from source rocks into veins. Although infiltration during metamorphism may have affected much of the upper Witwatersrand succession, channelized fluid flow within reef packages, along faults and unconformities and in certain metaconglomerates and metapelites is inferred.     

陕川丁家林-太阳坪金矿地质特征与成矿条件

丁家林-太阳坪金矿床是在秦岭造山带中发现的又一大型金矿床。该矿处于扬子板块与摩天岭地体，阳平关与青川区域边界断裂之间，赋存于茂县群黄坪组浅变质，强变形陆源细碎屑岩中，所圈定的矿（化）体均由叠加于黄坪组有利容矿岩段韧-脆性剪切带控制，与金有关的矿化蚀变主要有黄铁矿化，硅化，铁白云石化，成矿可分5个阶段，以早-中期细粒浸染状黄铁矿化，中-晚期条痕，断续细脉状黄铁矿化和晚期含多种硫化物-石英矿化为主成矿阶段，初步研究表明，属于沉积-浅变质叠加韧-脆性剪切与热液改造的类卡林型金矿床。     

秦岭地区与滇黔桂接壤区微细浸染型金矿差异性研究

秦岭地区和滇黔桂接壤区区均是中国微细浸染型金矿最重要的分布区之一，两地金矿的某些特性相似，均属沉积改造型金矿床，但由于所处的大地构造位置和地质构造演化历程不同，在地质地球化学等方面还存在许多差异。     

Orogenic Gold Mineralization in the Qolqoleh Deposit, Northwestern Iran

The Qolqoleh gold deposit is located in the northwestern part of the Sanandai‐Sirjan Zone, northwest of Iran. Gold mineralization in the Qolqoleh deposit is almost entirely confined to a series of steeply dipping ductile–brittle shear zones generated during Late Cretaceous–Tertiary continental collision between the Afro‐Arabian and the Iranian microcontinent. The host rocks are Mesozoic volcano‐sedimentary sequences consisting of felsic to mafic metavolcanics, which are metamorphosed to greenschist facies, sericite and chlorite schists. The gold orebodies were found within strong ductile deformation to late brittle deformation. Ore‐controlling structure is NE–SW‐trending oblique thrust with vergence toward south ductile–brittle shear zone. The highly strained host rocks show a combination of mylonitic and cataclastic microstructures, including crystal–plastic deformation and grain size reduction by recrystalization of quartz and mica. The gold orebodies are composed of Au‐bearing highly deformed and altered mylonitic host rocks and cross‐cutting Au‐ and sulfide‐bearing quartz veins. Approximately half of the mineralization is in the form of dissemination in the mylonite and the remainder was clearly emplaced as a result of brittle deformation in quartz–sulfide microfractures, microveins and veins. Only low volumes of gold concentration was introduced during ductile deformation, whereas, during the evident brittle deformation phase, competence contrasts allowed fracturing to focus on the quartz–sericite domain boundaries of the mylonitic foliation, thus permitting the introduction of auriferous fluid to create disseminated and cross‐cutting Au‐quartz veins. According to mineral assemblages and alteration intensity, hydrothermal alteration could be divided into three zones: silicification and sulfidation zone (major ore body); sericite and carbonate alteration zone; and sericite–chlorite alteration zone that may be taken to imply wall‐rock interaction with near neutral fluids (pH 5–6). Silicified and sulfide alteration zone is observed in the inner parts of alteration zones. High gold grades belong to silicified highly deformed mylonitic and ultramylonitic domains and silicified sulfide‐bearing microveins. Based on paragenetic relationships, three main stages of mineralization are recognized in the Qolqoleh gold deposit. Stage I encompasses deposition of large volumes of milky quartz and pyrite. Stage II includes gray and buck quartz, pyrite and minor calcite, sphalerite, subordinate chalcopyrite and gold ores. Stage III consists of comb quartz and calcite, magnetite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite and gold ores. Studies on regional geology, ore geology and ore‐forming stages have proved that the Qolqoleh deposit was formed in the compression–extension stage during the Late Cretaceous–Tertiary continental collision in a ductile–brittle shear zone, and is characterized by orogenic gold deposits.     

Geological controls on refractory ore in an orogenic gold deposit, Macraes mine, New Zealand

The Macraes mine is hosted in an orogenic (mesothermal) gold deposit in metasedimentary rocks of the Otago Schist belt. Much gold occurs within altered schist with minimal silica-addition, and this study focuses on altered schist ore types. The unmineralized host schists are chemically and mineralogically uniform in composition, but include two end-member rock types: feldspathic schist and micaceous schist. Both rock types have undergone hydrothermal alteration along a shallow-dipping foliation-parallel shear zone, but their different rheological properties have affected the style of mineralisation. Micaceous schist has been extensively recrystallized and hydrothermally altered during ductile deformation, to form ores characterized by abundant, disseminated millimetre-scale pyrite cubes (typically 1–2 wt% S) and minor silicification. The earliest pyrite contained Ni and/or As in solid solution and no gold was imaged in these pyrites or later arsenopyrite grains. The ore type is refractory and gold recovery by cyanide leaching is less than 50%, with lowest recovery in rocks that have been less affected by later brittle deformation. In contrast, hydrothermally altered feldspathic schist is characterized by mineralised black microshears and veinlets formed during shear-zone related brittle deformation. Microsheared ore has relatively low sulphur content (<0.7 wt%) and muscovite has been illitised during hydrothermal alteration. Pyrite and arsenopyrite in microshears are fractured and deformed, and contain 1–10 m blebs of gold. Later pyrite veinlets also contain micron- to submicron-scale inclusions of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, and gold (10 microns). Gold in microsheared ore is more readily recoverable than in the refractory ore, although encapsulation of the fine gold grains inhibits cyanidation. Both microsheared ore and disseminated pyritic ore pass laterally into mineralised black shears, which contain hydrothermal graphite and late-stage cataclastic sulphides. This black, sheared ore releases gold readily, but the gold is then adsorbed on to gangue minerals (preg-robbed) and net cyanidation recovery can be less than 50%. Hence, low gold recovery during cyanidation results from (1) poor liberation of gold encapsulated in microcrystalline quartz and unfractured sulphide grains, and (2) preg-robbing of liberated gold during cyanidation. Introduction of pressure-oxidation of ore prior to cynidation has mitigated these issues.     

俄罗斯堪察加中部Baranevskoy金-银矿床矿物学与流体包裹体研究

Baranevskoy金-银矿床产于巴尔喀什火山的火山口,该火山坐落在堪察加中部矿区东南部。本文基于矿物学原理和流体包裹体数据分析探讨了Baranevskoy金-银矿床的成矿环境及其物理化学条件。Baranevskoy金-银矿床的围岩为中新世—上新世的安山岩和玄武岩。热液蚀变活动随深度逐渐变化,从而可以进一步划分出最深部的石英带、中部的石英-绢云母(明矾石)-黄铁矿-铁钛氧化物带及其伴生的石英-绢云母-伊利石-黄铁矿矿物组合和浅部的石英-冰长石-水云母-黏土矿物-碳酸盐岩带。成矿早期存在密集浸染的铜矿化,主要矿石矿物有黄铜矿、斑铜矿、砷黝铜矿-黝铜矿,并在Rhzavaya矿脉中存在少量的自然金。其中砷黝铜矿-黝铜矿系列以砷黝铜矿和黝铜矿两个端员作为代表,且以黝铜矿为主。成矿后期产出代表晚期金-银矿化的自然金、黄铁矿、黄铜矿、闪锌矿、方铅矿、碲化物和硫酸盐等标志性矿物。早期铜矿化(第一期)被认为是中硫阶段,紧随其后的为低硫型金-银矿化(第二期和第三期)。金从第一期到第三期都有沉淀。经研究发现,自然金也赋存于变质围岩的岩石裂隙内。早期的自然金相对富银,其中金的摩尔分数为59%~65%,低于后期(第二、第三期)自然金中金的摩尔分数(64%~72%)。流体包裹体显微测温结果显示,位于中部(Central)矿脉的包裹体均一温度为190~280 ℃,Rzhavaya矿脉的包裹体为190~240 ℃,产出自然金的蚀变围岩中石英的包裹体温度为230~310 ℃。包裹体总体表现出低盐度(0.9%~2.4% NaCl_eq)特征,推测存在大气水的混入。     

Detrital origin of hydrothermal Witwatersrand gold—a review

The Witwatersrand 'basin' is the largest known gold province in the world. The gold deposits have been worked for moren than 100 years but there is still controversy about the ore forming process. Detailed petrographic studies often reveal that the gold is late in the paragenetic sequence, which has led many researchers to propose a hydrothermal origin for the gold. However, observations, such as the occurrence of rounded, disc-like gold particles next to irregularly shaped or idiomorphic secondary gold particles in the same sample, suggest an initial detrital gold source within the Witwatersrand strata. Mineral chemical and isotopic data, together with SEM cathodoluminescence imaging and fluid inclusion studies, provide evidence for small-scale variations in the fluid chemistry – a requirement for the short-range mobilization of the gold. The existing data and observations on the Witwatersrand rocks support a model of hydrothermally altered, metamorphosed placer deposits, with at least two subsequent gold mobilization events: hydrothermal infiltration in early Transvaal time (2.6–2.5 Ga) and during the 2.020 Ga Vredefort impact event.     

Transport and concentration of detrital gold in foreland basins

Economic concentrations of detrital gold are rare in young foreland basins due to paucity of significant gold sources, and a paucity of sediment recycling processes during filling of the foreland basin. Gold shed into the foreland basins is typically widely dispersed in an overwhelming volume of immature basin-fill detritus of no economic significance. In the actively forming Canterbury Basin of New Zealand, minor gold concentration occurs at the mountain front in the bed of the Rakaia River, and 60 km downstream on beaches and the crest of foredunes at the river mouth. The Cretaceous–Tertiary Denver and Western Canada Basins in North America also have minor gold concentrations at the mountain front, and minor gold dispersal into the basin. Tectonic quiescence in the middle Tertiary in the Denver Basin kept gold within 20 km of the mountain front, where renewed uplift in late Tertiary caused minor economic concentrations to form in modern streams. Gold has been transported ca. 200 km across the Western Canada basin by progressive recycling of gravel during slow (ca. 10 to 50 m/Ma) middle Tertiary–Recent regional uplift and tilting, but little concentration has occurred. Development of significant placers in a foreland basin, the generally accepted setting for the Witwatersrand Au-U palaeoplacers, appears to require specific tectonic conditions during and/or after basin evolution to drive the sedimentary recycling necessary for significant placer development. Such tectonic conditions have not occurred in an any of the three young foreland basins examined in this study.     

Mineralogy,geochemistry, and structural controls of a disseminated gold-bearing alteration halo around the schist-hosted Bullendale orogenic gold deposit,New Zealand

Orogenic gold-bearing quartz veins in the middle Tertiary Bullendale Fault Zone, New Zealand were mined historically for coarse gold in a narrow zone (ca. 5 m thick). However, recent drilling has revealed a broad hydrothermal alteration zone extending into the host schist, in which disseminated sulphide and gold mineralisation has occurred. The evidence of alteration is first seen over 150 m across strike from the fault zone, and the best-developed alteration halo is about 50 m wide. The extent and intensity of alteration is strongly controlled by local structures that developed during regional Tertiary kink folding of the pervasively foliated and fissile metasedimentary schist host. The earliest structures are foliation-parallel microshears (micron to millimeter scale) formed during flexural-slip folding. Later, but related, structures are predominantly normal faults and associated shear zones that have formed extensional sites during the regional folding event. All these structures facilitated hydrothermal fluid penetration and rock alteration, with localised vein formation and brecciation. Where fluid has followed structures, metamorphic chlorite, phengite, and titanite have been altered to hydrothermal ankerite, rutile, and muscovite or kaolinite. Ankerite with Fe/(Fe + Mg) < 0.4 formed in host rocks with Fe/(Fe + Mg) of 0.6, and iron released by ankerite alteration possibly formed pyrite and arsenopyrite that host disseminated gold. Fault zones were extensively silicified and veined with quartz, albite, sulphides, and gold. Host rocks have wide compositional variations because of centimeter-scale metamorphic segregation. However, the alteration halo is characterised by elevated CO₂ and S, as measured by loss-on-ignition (doubled to ca. 6 wt.%), elevated As (100–10,000 ppm), and weakly elevated Sb (up to 14 ppm). Strontium is elevated and Ba depleted in many altered rocks, so Sr/Ba ratio increases from < 1 (host rocks) to > 3 in the most altered and silicified rocks. Many altered and mineralised rocks have low Sr/Ba (< 0.5) as well. The subtle geochemical signature is not useful as a vector to ore because of the strong microstructural control on alteration. Likewise, there is no evidence for spatial mineralogical zonation across the alteration halo, although the most intense alteration is centred on the main fault zone, and intensity of alteration is controlled by microstructures at all scales. As documented in previous studies, hydrothermal alteration haloes enlarge the exploration target for some orogenic gold deposits, and may include disseminated gold, as in this Bullendale example.     

山西省五台白云叶蜡石矿地质特征及其对深部找矿的启示

山西五台县北约15 km的白云村一带出露有叶蜡石矿及金矿化点,其形成特点与关系对区域深部找矿具有重要启示意义。该叶蜡石矿体产于经历古元古代绿片岩相变质的新太古代酸性火山岩之中(绢英片岩),切割区域片理并被晚期的辉绿玢岩截切。矿体总体呈透镜状产出,倾向北西,近东-西向延伸大于5 km,最厚处约1 km,未见底。该叶蜡石矿形成于中生代早白垩世。矿石矿物以叶蜡石和石英为主,含少量绢云母、伊利石、硬水铝石和赤铁矿等,反映出蚀变流体酸性及氧化的特征。叶蜡石矿体外围发育黄铁绢英岩化带,强度由近及远逐渐减弱。在靠近叶蜡石矿的黄铁绢英岩中,硫化物颗粒边缘常见赤铁矿化现象,应与叶蜡石化流体叠加有关。以上蚀变特征与叶蜡石化细脉灌入黄铁绢英岩相吻合。叶蜡石矿体上盘的黄铁绢英岩化带宽约0.4 km,其内发育一小型石英脉型金矿(岭底金矿),下盘的黄铁绢英岩化带最宽约1.5 km,局部发育金矿化现象((1~18)×10^-6)。黄铁绢英岩中硫化物以黄铁矿为主,可见少量黄铜矿、斑铜矿和辉铜矿。金矿化黄铁绢英岩以发育大量浸染型黄铁矿为特征,该类黄铁矿无韧性变形,未见其他共生硫化物,SEM-EDS分析结果显示其内发育有明显的不可见金。黄铁绢英岩化可依据矿物变形与否分为两期。早期的蚀变分布局限,见于新太古代糜棱岩化奥长花岗岩与酸性火山岩(绢英片岩)接触带,其中的黄铁矿、绢云母和石英等矿物发育韧性变形特征;晚期的蚀变带内硫化物、绢云母和石英均无韧性变形特征。依据样品的岩相学及全岩Au、As含量特征,可以确认金矿化与晚期黄铁绢英岩化有关,与早期蚀变无关。叶蜡石矿石的H-O同位素组成(δ¹⁸O_V-SMOW=11.2‰~13.9‰;δD_V-SMOW=-34‰~-20‰)显示流体以气相为主,且缺乏大气水的混合。上述特征说明白云叶蜡石矿是深部岩浆侵位固结后出溶的以气相为主的热液与浅部新太古代变质火山岩反应的结果,类似于斑岩成矿系统中普遍发育的高级泥化带(岩帽)的底部蚀变特征。     

The genesis and tectonic control on archaean gold deposits of the Western Australian Shield — A metamorphic replacement model

Gold deposits occur in greenstone belts world wide, and contribute to anomalously high gold production from Archaean terranes. As in other cratons, Archaean gold mineralization of Western Australia represents a complex array of deposit styles. Despite this, most deposits are clearly epigenetic, and large deposits have a number of features in common, including their strong structural controls, distinctive wallrock alteration (Fe-sulphide, K-mica±albite, Ca---Mg---Fe carbonates), consistent metal associations (Au---Ag---As---Sb---W---B; low base metals), commonly Fe-rich host rocks, great depth extension and lack of appreciable vertical zonation. These shared characteristics, combined with their ubiquitous occurrence, indicate that Archaean gold deposits had a common origin related to the tectonic evolution of greenstone belts.Auriferous hydrothermal systems were broadly synchronous with regional metamorphism and emplacement of synkinematic granitoids and felsic (porphyry) intrusions. Although these gold systems involved low-salinity, lowdensity, reduced, near-neutral H₂O---CO₂ fluids carrying gold as reduced sulphur complexes, the origin of the fluids is equivocal. Most timing evidence and stable isotope data cannot distinguish metamorphic from magmatic (granitoid or felsic porphyry) orggins, but the lack of consistent spatial relationships between specific, volumetrically significant intrusive phases and large gold deposits in a number of cratons strongly favours metamorphic derivation of fluids.The metamorphic-replacement model for gold mineralization involves devolatilization of the lower portions of the greenstone pile, with high geothermal gradients inhibiting significant melting. CO₂ possibly formed by the decarbonation of early alteration, related to mantle degassing along crustal-scale, synbasinal fault zones. Auriferous fluids were channelled along greenstone-scale faults, in part developed during reactivation of crustal-scale faults in a strike-slip regime. Gold deposition occurred largely under greenschist facies conditions (about 300–400°C, 1–2 kb) in response to decreasing gold solubility with declining temperature. However, a major control on gold deposition was fluid/wallrock interaction. Many large deposits formed by sulphidation of Fe-rich host rocks, with synchronous deposition of Fe-sulphides and gold. However, the variable nature of gold-depositing reactions, including lowering of fO₂ and pH, allowed a multitude of small, and some large, deposits to form wherever that fluid circulation occurred. In consequence, several of the relatively small deposits currently worked from open pit are hosted by ultramafic and felsic rocks. There are few constraints on the source of components (Au, S, K, CO₂) added to gold deposits, but even giant deposits such as the Golden Mile, Kalgoorlie could have formed from a realistic greenstone source volume (ca. 8×8×5 km). Convective circulation of fluids could have contributed to the generation of high fluid-rock ratios.On the regional scale, the markedly heterogeneous distribution of large gold deposits, gold productivity and host rocks to deposits can be accommodated by the metamorphic-replacement model. The most favourable conditions for development of auriferous hydrothermal systems operated in younger (ca. 2.7±0.1 Ga) rift-phase greenstones where greatest extension and crustal thinning produced high geothermal gradients, crustal-scale synbasinal faults, and rapid extrusion and burial of volcanics, including abundant komatiites. Iron-rich tholeiitic basalts and dolerites were preferred host rocks for large gold deposits. The least favourable conditions existed in older (ca. 3.5-3.4 Ga) platformphase greenstones, where gentle sagging on submerged continental crust produced eruption of mainly mafic volcanics with few komatiites, commonly in very shallow-water environments. This allowed intense synvolcanic alteration of both gold source rocks and potential host rocks. The generally smaller gold deposits formed mainly in ultramafic or greywacke hosts. Younger (ca. 3.0 Ga) platform-phase greenstones appear intermediate in nature but, unlike other greenstones, have significant epigenetic gold deposits in originally oxide-facies BIF, which were deposited on relatively deep-water platforms. Similar controls appear to exist on a world scale, with gold mineralization peaking at ca. 2.7±0.1 Ga in response to development of major rift zones in thickened, relatively mature continental crust. Interestingly, the giant Witwatersrand goldfield formed at about the same time.     

Recognition of two contrasting structural-and mineralogical-gold mineral systems in the Youjiang basin,China-Vietnam:Orogenic gold in the south and Carlin-type in the north

The gold deposits in the Youjiang basin,totaling 25 Moz gold,have traditionally been thought to be of Carlintype,particularly those with extensional structural geometries in the northern basin dominated by platform sedimentary sequences.However,the structural geometries,mineralization styles and alteration types for the Jinya,Gaolong and Nakuang gold deposits in the south-central part of the basin are remarkably similar to those of unequivocal orogenic gold deposits.Structural studies show that gold mineralization in the three gold deposits was controlled by tight "locked-up"anticlines with NW—SE-to E-W-trending and/or concomitant thrusts and/or shear zones,which resulted from NE-SW-to N-S-trending compression or transpression following the Early Triassic closure of the Paleo-Tethyan Ocean.Alteration zones in these deposits are dominated by silicification(quartz),sericitization,sulfidation and carbonation.Zoned pyrites in these deposits comprise Au-poor cores and invisible Au-bearing rims with minor external free gold.Euhedral to subhedral auriferous arsenopyrites also contribute to the gold budget.These features indicate that the three gold deposits are sediment-hosted orogenic gold deposits that contrast markedly with the Carlin-type gold deposits in the northern part of the Youjiang basin in terms of structural geometry and timing,mineralization style and nature of associated alteration.Although additional reliable ages using robust methodologies are still required,the older isotopic ages of the gold deposits in the south-central Youjiang basin are also consistent with earlier formation during transpression that predated extension during orogenic collapse,the period of formation of the Carlin-type gold deposits in the northern Youjiang basin.