General characteristics of the geochemical evolution of silicic melts during the development of massive sulfide magmatic ore systems: Evidence from the investigation of melt inclusions

The investigation of melt inclusions in the minerals of volcanic rocks from the massive sulfide deposits of Siberia and the Urals revealed some specific features in the development of their magmatic ore systems. It was shown that the petrochemical and rare earth element compositions of melt inclusions reflect the geodynamic conditions of their formation: island arc conditions for the massive sulfide deposits of Rudny Altai, eastern Tuva, and the Salair Range and a back arc basin environment for the Yaman-Kasy deposit. The silicic melts of inclusions from the volcanic rocks of massive sulfide deposits show some specific features with respect to the contents of volatile components. In all of the ore deposits studied, fluorine content was always low (0.03–0.08 wt %), whereas chlorine content (0.13–0.28 wt %) was higher than the average value for silicic melts (0.17 wt %). There is a strong differentiation of water content in melt inclusions, both between deposits and between various volcanics from a single deposit. Ore-bearing melts show the highest water contents of 3.34–4.07 wt %. High Cu contents in the silicic melts of the Yubileinoe and Kyzyl-Tashtyg deposits (up to 7118 and 3228 ppm, respectively) may indicate the affinity of some ore components to particular silicic magmas. This is supported by the elevated contents of Cu in the porphyry Cu deposits of Romania (Valea Morii), Mongolia (Bayan Ula), and Bolivia. On the other hand, the silicic melts of inclusions from the molybdenum-uranium deposit of the Strel’tsovka ore field show high contents of another group of ore components (U and F).     

Genesis of massive sulfide deposits in the Verkhneural’sk ore district, the South Urals, Russia: Evidence for magmatic contribution of metals and fluids

Melt inclusions and aqueous fluid inclusions in quartz phenocrysts from host felsic volcanics, as well as fluid inclusions in minerals of ores and wall rocks were studied at the Cu-Zn massive sulfide deposits in the Verkhneural’sk ore district, the South Urals. The high-temperature (850–1210°C) magmatic melts of volcanic rocks are normal in alkalinity and correspond to rhyolites of the tholeiitic series. The groups of predominant K-Na-type (K₂O/Na₂O = 0.3–1.0), less abundant Na-type (K₂O/Na₂O = 0.15–0.3), and K-type (K₂O/Na₂O = 1.9–9.3) rhyolites are distinguished. The average concentrations (wt %) of volatile components in the melts are as follows: 2.9 H₂O (up to 6.5), 0.13 Cl (up to 0.28), and 0.09 F (up to 0.42). When quartz was crystallizing, the melt was heterogeneous, contained magnetite crystals and sulfide globules (pyrrhotite, pentlandite, chalcopyrite, bornite). High-density aqueous fluid inclusions, which were identified for the first time in quartz phenocrysts from felsic volcanics of the South Urals, provide evidence for real participation of magmatic water in hydrothermal ore formation. The fluids were homogenized at 124–245°C in the liquid phase; the salinity of the aqueous solution is 1.2–6.2 wt % NaCl equiv. The calculated fluid pressure is very high: 7.0–8.7 kbar at 850°C and 5.1–6.8 kbar at 700°C. The LA-ICP-MS analysis of melt and aqueous fluid inclusions in quartz phenocrysts shows a high saturation of primary magmatic fluid and melt with metals. This indicates ore potential of island-arc volcanic complexes spatially associated with massive sulfide deposits. The systematic study of fluid inclusions in minerals of ores and wall rocks at five massive sulfide deposits of the Verkhneural’sk district furnished evidence that ore-forming fluids had temperature of 375–115°C, pressure up to 1.0–0.5 kbar, chloride composition, and salinity of 0.8–11.2 (occasionally up to 22.8) wt % NaCl equiv. The H and O isotopic compositions of sericite from host metasomatic rocks suggest a substantial contribution of seawater to the composition of mineral-forming fluids. The role of magmatic water increases in the central zones of the feeding conduit and with depth. The dual nature of fluids with the prevalence of their magmatic source is supported by S, C, O, and Sr isotopic compositions. The TC parameters of the formation of massive sulfide deposits are consistent with the data on fluid inclusions from contemporary sulfide mounds on the oceanic bottom.     

Criteria for the detection of hydrothermal ecosystem faunas in ores of massive sulfide deposits in the Urals

The ore-formational, ore-facies, lithological, and mineralogical-geochemical criteria are defined for the detection of hydrothermal ecosystem fauna in ores of the volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits in the Urals. Abundant mineralized microfauna is found mainly in massive sulfide mounds formed in the jasperous basalt (Buribai, Priorsk, Yubileinoe, Sultanov), rhyolite–basalt (Yaman-Kasy, Blyava, Komosomol’sk, Sibai, Molodezhnoe, Valentorsk), and the less common serpentinite (Dergamysh) formations of the Urals (O–D2). In the ore-formational series of the massive sulfide deposits, probability of the detection of mineralized fauna correlates inversely with the relative abundance of felsic volcanic rocks underlying the ores. This series is also marked by a gradual disappearance of colloform pyrite, marcasite, isocubanite, pyrrhotite, and pyrite pseudomorphoses after pyrrhotite; increase of the amount of bornite, fahlores, and barite; decrease of contents of Se, Te, Co, and Sn in chalcopyrite and sphalerite; and decrease of Tl, As, Sb, and Pb in the colloform pyrite. Probability of the detection of mineralized fauna in the morphogenetic series of massive sulfide deposits decreases from the weakly degraded sulfide mounds to the clastic stratiform deposits. The degradation degree of sulfide mounds and fauna preservation correlates with the attenuation of volcanic intensity, which is reflected in the abundance of sedimentary and volcanosedimentary rocks and the depletion of effusive rocks in the geological sections.     

Cu–(Ni–Co–Au)-bearing massive sulfide deposits associated with mafic–ultramafic rocks of the Main Urals Fault,South Urals: Geological structures,ore textural and mineralogical features,comparison with modern analogs

Cu-rich massive sulfide deposits associated with mafic–ultramafic rocks in the southern portion of the Main Urals Fault (MUF) are characterized by variable enrichments in Ni (up to 0.45 wt.%), Co (up to 10 wt.%) and Au (up to 16 ppm in individual hand-specimens). The Cu (Ni–Co)-rich composition of MUF deposits, as opposed to the Cu (Zn)-rich composition of more eastward massive sulfide deposits of broadly similar age along the western flank of the Magnitogorsk arc, reflects the abundance of seafloor-exposed, Ni–Co-rich ultramafic rocks in the most external portion of the Early-Devonian Magnitogorsk forearc. Morphological, textural, and compositional differences between individual deposits are interpreted to be the result of the sulfide deposition style and, in part, of the original subseafloor lithology. One deposit produced by dominantly on-seafloor hydrothermal processes is characterized by pyrite–marcasite ≫ pyrrhotite, not so low Zn grades (occasionally up to 2 wt.%), abundant clastic facies and periodical superficial oxidation. Deposits produced by dominantly subseafloor hydrothermal processes are characterized by pyrrhotite > pyrite, very low Zn (generally < to ≪ 0.1 wt.%), volumetrically minor clastic facies, and multi-layer deposit morphology. Very low Ni/Co ratios in the on-seafloor deposit may indicate a dominant metal contribution from a mafic rather than ultramafic source. The sulfide mineralization was associated with extensive hydrothermal alteration of the host ultramafic and mafic rocks, leading to formation of abundant talc, talc–carbonate and chlorite rocks. Occurrence of large volumes of such altered lithotypes in ophiolitic belts may be considered as a potential searching criteria for MUF-type (Cu, Co, Ni)-deposits. In spite of the contrasting geodynamic environment, geological, geochemical, textural and mineralogical peculiarities of the MUF deposits in many respects are similar to those of ultramafic-hosted massive sulfide deposits along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In geological time, supra subduction-zone settings appear to have been more effective than mid-ocean ridge settings for preservation of ultramafic-hosted massive sulfide deposits.     

Silver sulfotellurides from volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits in the Southern Urals

Summary This paper addresses Ag-sulfotellurides occurring in volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits of the Southern Urals. Cervelleite-like minerals were identified in ores from the Gayskoe, Yaman-Kasy, Severo-Uvaryazhskoe, Tash-Tau, and Babaryk deposits, where they occur in ores containing chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, tennantite ± bornite. Other Ag- and Te-bearing minerals (electrum, hessite, stromeyerite and Ag-bearing chalcocite) are present in the association. A benleonardite-like mineral associated with sylvanite and native tellurium was found as a metastable phase in paleohydrothermal tubes relics from the Yaman-Kasy deposit. Formation of the sulfotellurides indicates relative low fTe₂ in the hydrothermal systems, insufficient for formation of most S-free tellurides. The significant Cu enrichment in cervelleite relates to the association with bornite. Broad variations in composition and physical properties of cervelleite-like sulfotellurides allow the supposition of the presence of several, as yet unnamed mineral species, which can be distinguished by Cu contents, Te/S ratios, and presumably by crystal structure.     

Participation of hydrothermal fluids in the formation of deposits of the proterozoic Udokan-Chineysky ore system

Numerous Cu deposits of the Udokan-Chineysky ore district (Udokan deposit of cupriferous sandstones, deposits of the Chineysky pluton, etc.), which occur in sedimentary and igneous rocks, are similar in many genetic features. One of these features is the similar parameters of fluid inclusions (hydrothermal fluids) in quartz of the Udokan deposit, rich chalcopyrite ores from the Rudnyi (Rudnyie deposit, and veins of the Pravoingamakitsky deposit studied previously. Fluid inclusions have the same range of high salinity and homogenization temperatures. These studies combined with geological data allow us to consider the formation of contact sulfide ores from the Chineisky pluton and Pravoingamakitsky and Udokan deposits as a common compound fluid-magmatic ore-generating system. The sedimentary rocks primarily enriched in chalcopyrite, pyrite, and pyrrhotite of the entire section of the Udokan complex served as the host media for the hydrothermal fluids and deposits of various scales.     

First Find of Ga-Bearing Minerals in Ores of Ural Massive Sulfide Deposits

Gallium-containing chlorite, mica, and magnetite (up to 14, 13, and 5–7 wt % of Ga) along with Ga hydroxides (oxyhydroxides?) were found for the first time in massive sulfide deposit in the Urals. The minerals identified within the cement of chalcopyrite–sphalerite breccias of the Shemur copper–zinc–massive sulfide deposit (Northern Urals) are associated with Ga-enriched sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and, less commonly, pyrite (33–364, 67–363, and 4–230 g/t, respectively).     

Erratum to: “Criteria for the detection of hydrothermal ecosystem faunas in ores of massive sulfide deposits in the Urals”

The ore-formational, ore-facies, lithological, and mineralogical-geochemical criteria are defined for the detection of hydrothermal ecosystem fauna in ores of the volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits in the Urals. Abundant mineralized microfauna is found mainly in massive sulfide mounds formed in the jasperous basalt (Buribai, Priorsk, Yubileinoe, Sultanov), rhyolite—basalt (Yaman-Kasy, Blyava, Komosomol’sk, Sibai, Molodezhnoe, Valentorsk), and the less common serpentinite (Dergamysh) formations of the Urals (O—D₂). In the ore-formational series of the massive sulfide deposits, probability of the detection of mineralized fauna correlates inversely with the relative abundance of felsic volcanic rocks underlying the ores. This series is also marked by a gradual disappearance of colloform pyrite, marcasite, isocubanite, pyrrhotite, and pyrite pseudomorphoses after pyrrhotite; increase of the amount of bornite, fahlores, and barite; decrease of contents of Se, Te, Co, and Sn in chalcopyrite and sphalerite; and inсrease of Tl, As, Sb, and Pb in the colloform pyrite. Probability of the detection of mineralized fauna in the morphogenetic series of massive sulfide deposits decreases from the weakly degraded sulfide mounds to the clastic stratiform deposits. The degradation degree of sulfide mounds and fauna preservation correlates with the attenuation of volcanic intensity, which is reflected in the abundance of sedimentary and volcanosedimentary rocks and the depletion of effusive rocks in the geological sections.     

Geochemistry of igneous rocks associated with ultramafic–mafic-hosted Cu (Co, Ni, Au) VMS deposits from the Main Uralian Fault (Southern Urals, Russia)

Ultramafic–mafic- and ultramafic-hosted Cu (Co, Ni, Au) volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits from ophiolite complexes of the Main Uralian Fault, Southern Urals, are associated with island arc-type igneous rocks. Trace element analyses show that these rocks are geochemically analogous to Early Devonian boninitic and island arc tholeiitic rocks found at the base of the adjacent Magnitogorsk volcanic arc system, while they are distinguished both from earlier, pre-subduction volcanic rocks and from later volcanic products that were erupted in progressively more internal arc settings. The correlation between the sulfide host-rocks and the earliest volcanic units of the Magnitogorsk arc suggests a connection between VMS formation and infant subduction-driven intraoceanic magmatism.     

Mineralogy,microchemistry and fluid inclusion studies of the Besshi-type Nudeh Cu-Zn VMS deposit,Iran

The southwestern Sabzevar basin is the north of Central Iranian Microcontinent hosts abundant mineral deposits, including exhalative Mn mineralization and Cu-Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. Amongst them, the Nudeh Besshi-type Cu–Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is hosted within the lower part of a Late Cretaceous volcano-sedimentary sequence composed of alkali olivine basalt flows and tuffaceous silty sandstone. Based on investigations into the ore geometry, mineralogy, and texture, we recognized three different ore facies: (1) a stockwork of sulfide-bearing quartz veins cutting across the footwall volcano-sedimentary rocks and representing the stringer zone; (2) a massive ore type, displaying replacement texture with pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, friedrichite, and minor magnetite; and (3) a bedded ore type, with laminated to disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite. EPMA studies indicate a distinctive minor element distribution between the different ore types of the Nudeh deposit. The Fe content in the sphalerite ranges from 0.65–1.80?wt.%, indicating the Fe-poor nature of the sphalerite. However, the Cd content in sphalerite ranged between 0.164–0.278?wt.%. According to the mineral compositions, Zn, Se, and Ag are found in bornite as minor elements. In the bedded ore facies, the pyrite contains higher levels of Se (up to 0.35?wt.%). The Zn content in the friedrichite in all of the ore samples is low. The Co/Ni ratios in pyrite from the Nudeh ore are lower than those of most magmatic deposits, but are similar to those from volcanogenic deposits, and hence support the proposed hydrothermal origin of the deposit. Two generations of quartz, Q1 and Q2 in the stockwork veins, contain primary fluid inclusions and these contain two phases (liquid and vapor). The lack of vapor-rich inclusions or variable liquid/vapor ratios indicate that the fluids did not boil at the site of trapping. Salinity for both Q1 and Q2 fluid inclusions ranges between 2.2–6.8?wt.% eq. NaCl. Homogenization temperatures for inclusions in the Q1 and Q2 veins average at about 296?°C and are similar to the temperatures of hydrothermal fluids discharged through vents in many modern seafloor VMS deposit. The Nudeh Besshi-type VMS deposit appears to have formed on the seafloor and based on the salinity and temperature constraints from the underlying stockwork, a buoyancy plume model is proposed as a mechanism for precipitation.     

Geology and ore enrichment factors at the Radiore mine,Quebec

The Radiore Cu-Zn massive sulfide deposit occurs in Archean metavolcanic rocks of the Abitibi greenstone belt in northwestern Quebec. The ore forms a stratiform lens between a massive rhyolite flow and a unit of mixed basaltic and intermediate flows. Intrusions of thick dykes of gabbro-diorite, quartz-diorite and granodiorite, and of the Bell River igneous complex, closely surround the ore lens. All the volcanic rocks, the quartz-diorite, grandiorite and the igneous complex are tholeiitic, whereas the gabbro-diorite is of calc-alkaline affinity. Sedimentary structures are prevalent in the ore, and heavily chloritized and biotitized rocks form a stratiform alteration zone mainly below the ore, indicating a distal-type deposit.Ore enrichment factors (wt % metal in ore/wt % metal in source rock) are calculated from analyses of ore and source rocks, assuming that seawater-derived brines leached ore materials from underlying rocks and precipitated them at the point of brine discharge onto the seafloor. Cd, Zn, Cu, Au and Ag are most highly enriched, followed by Bi, Pb, Sn, As and Co. Mo, W, V, Cr, Mn and Ni are not enriched at Radiore.     

Parkerite and bismutohauchecornite in chromitites of the Urals: Example of the Uralian Emerald Mines

An unusual ore mineralization represented by parkerite, millerite, bismutohauchecornite, bismuthinite, and nickeline was registered in altered chromitite from the Mariinsk emerald–beryllium deposit. Such mineralization is typical of Cu–Ni sulfide ores and hydrothermal veins from the five-element formation. This mineral assemblage was not registered in ophiolitic ultrabasic rocks and related chromitites. The find of bismutohauchecornite is the first in the Urals; the find of parkerite is the third.     

Geology,mineralogy, and sulfur isotope geochemistry of the Sargaz Cu–Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit,Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone,Iran

The Sargaz Cu–Zn massive sulfide deposit is situated in the southeastern part of Kerman Province, in the southern Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone of Iran. The stratigraphic footwall of the Sargaz deposit is Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic (?) pillowed basalt, whereas the stratigraphic hanging wall is andesite. Mafic volcanic rocks are overlain by andesitic volcaniclastics and volcanic breccias and locally by heterogeneous debris flows. Rhyodacitic flows and volcaniclastics overlie the sequence of basaltic and andesitic rocks. Based on the bimodal nature of volcanism, the regional geologic setting and petrochemistry of the volcanic rocks, we suggest massive sulfide mineralization in the Sargaz formed in a nascent ensialic back-arc basin. The current reserves (after ancient mining) of the Sargaz deposit are 3 Mt at 1.34% Cu, 0.38% Zn, 0.08%Pb, 0.24 g/t Au, and 7 g/t Ag. The structurally dismembered massive sulfide lens is zoned from a pyrite-rich base, to a pyrite?±?chalcopyrite-rich central part, and a sphalerite–chalcopyrite-rich upper part, with a sphalerite-rich zone lateral to the upper part. The main sulfide mineral is pyrite, with lesser chalcopyrite and sphalerite. The feeder zone, comprised of a vein stockwork consists of quartz–sulfide–sericite pesudobreccia and, in the deepest part, chlorite–quartz–pyrite pesudobreccia. Footwall hydrothermal alteration extends at least 70–80 m below the massive sulfide lens and more than a hundred meters along strike from the massive sulfide lens. Jasper and Fe–Mn bearing chert horizons lateral to the sulfide deposit represent low-temperature hydrothermal precipitates of the evolving hydrothermal system. Based on mineral textures and paragenetic relationships, the growth history of the Sargaz deposit is complex and includes: (1) early precipitation of sulfides (protore) on the seafloor as precipitation of fine-grained anhedral pyrite, sphalerite, quartz, and barite; (2) anhydrite precipitation in open spaces and mineral interstices within the sulfide mound followed by its subsequent dissolution, formation of breccia textures, and mound clasts and precipitation of coarse-grained pyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite–tennantite, galena and barite; (3) replacement of pre-existing sulfides by chalcopyrite precipitated at higher temperatures (zone refining); (4) continued “refining” led to the dissolution of stage 3 chalcopyrite and formation of a base-metal-depleted pyrite body in the lowermost part of the massive sulfide lens; (5) carbonate veins were emplaced into the sulfide lens, replacing stage 2 barite. The δ³⁴S composition of the sulfides ranges from +2.8‰ to +8.5‰ (average, +5.6‰) with a general increase of δ³⁴S ratios with depth within the massive sulfide lens and underlying stockwork zone. The heavier values indicate that some of the sulfur was derived from seawater sulfate that was ultimately thermochemically reduced in deep hydrothermal reaction zones.     

Chadormalu Kiruna-type magnetite-apatite deposit,Bafq district,Iran: Insights into hydrothermal alteration and petrogenesis from geochemical,fluid inclusion,and sulfur isotope data

The Chadormalu is one of the largest known iron deposits in the Bafq metallogenic province in the Kashmar-Kerman belt, Central Iran. The deposit is hosted in Precambrian-Cambrian igneous rocks, represented by rhyolite, rhyodacite, granite, diorite, and diabasic dikes, as well as metamorphic rocks consisting of various schists. The host rocks experienced Na (albite), calcic (actinolite), and potassic (K-feldspar and biotite) hydrothermal alteration associated with the formation of magnetite–(apatite) bodies, which are characteristic of iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) and iron oxide-apatite (IOA) systems. Iron ores, occurring as massive-type and vein-type bodies, consist of three main generations of magnetite, including primary, secondary, and recrystallized, which are chemically different. Apatite occurs as scattered irregular veinlets in various parts of the main massive ore-body, as well as apatite-magnetite veins and disseminated apatite grains in marginal parts of the deposit and in the immediate wall rocks. Minor pyrite occurs as a late phase in the iron ores. Chemical composition of magnetite is representative of an IOA or Kiruna-type deposit, which is consistent with other evidence.Whole rock geochemical data from various host rocks confirm the occurrence of Na, Ca, and K alteration consistent with the formation of albite, actinolite, and K-feldspar, respectively. The geochemical investigation also includes the nature of calc-alkaline igneous rocks, and helps elaborating on the spatial and temporal association, and possible contribution of mafic to felsic magmas to the evolution of ore-bearing hydrothermal fluids.Fluid inclusion studies on apatites from massive- and vein-type ores show a range of homogenization temperatures from 266 to 580 °C and 208–406 °C, and salinities from 0.5 to 10.7 wt.% and 0.3–24.4 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. The fluid inclusion data suggest the involvement of evolving fluids, from low salinity-high temperature, to high salinity-low temperature, in the formation of the massive- and vein-type ores, respectively. The δ³⁴S values obtained for pyrite from various parts of the deposit range between +8.9 and +14.4‰ for massive ore and +18.7 to +21.5‰ for vein-type ore. A possible source of sulfur for the ³⁴S-enriched pyrite would be originated from late Precambrian-early Cambrian marine sulfate, or fluids equilibrated with evaporitic sulfates.Field observations, ore mineral and alteration assemblages, coupled with lithogeochemical, fluid inclusion, and sulfur isotopic data suggest that an evolving fluid from magmatic dominated to surficial brine-rich fluid has contributed to the formation of the Chadormalu deposit. In the first stages of mineralization, magmatic derived fluids had a dominant role in the formation of the massive-type ores, whereas a later brine with higher δ³⁴S contributed to the formation of the vein-type ores.     

赣东北东乡铜矿侵入岩与成矿年龄的确定及意义

对于赣东北地区东乡铜矿床的成因机制,一直存在着海西期海底喷流沉积成矿作用与燕山期岩浆热液成矿作用的成因争议,获得精确的成矿年龄是解决这一成因争议的关键.利用LA-ICP-MS技术对矿区中与矿体伴生的花岗闪长斑岩进行了锆石U-Pb同位素定年,两个花岗闪长斑岩样品的形成年龄分别为164±2 Ma、160±1 Ma.同时对东乡铜矿床块状硫化物矿石中的石英,开展了流体包裹体Rb-Sr同位素定年研究,获得一条等时线年龄为161.8±9.6 Ma（MSDW=1.3）.结合对流体包裹体以及区域成矿作用的研究,认为该年龄可以代表东乡铜矿的形成时代.这些定年结果表明,东乡铜矿的形成可能与该区燕山期花岗闪长斑岩侵入活动带来的岩浆流体成矿作用有关.      

试论大火成岩省与成矿作用

根据组成大火成岩省的岩浆类型不同,大火成岩省可以分为两类,一是以基性火成岩为主的镁铁质大火成岩省（MLIPs）,二是以酸性火成岩为主的长英质大火成岩省（SLIPs）。它们都是由于在异常高的地幔热流参与下导致地幔或地壳大规模熔融形成的。大火成岩省独特的巨量岩浆活动是引起多层次物质和能量交换的重要场 所。成矿物质的聚集导致成矿作用和矿床的形成是必然的,因此大火成岩省本身就是一个大成矿系统。在这个成矿系统中,由于物源、成分、温度、压力、流体和氧逸度等条件的差异性,形成不同种类的矿化和矿床,并构成一定的成矿系列。镁铁质大火成岩省中形成的矿床类型有岩浆硫化物型Cr-Cu-Ni-PGE矿床和Ti-Fe 氧化物型V-Ti-Fe 矿床,热液型的Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag矿床,以及远程低温热液矿床等。长英质大火成岩省形成的矿床类型为岩浆和交代型、热液型Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag,W-Sn,U-Th-REE矿床,以及Sb-As矿床等。加强对大火成岩省及其成矿机理的研究,有望形成新的成矿理论和加速超大型矿床的发现。     

Stratiform base-metal deposits in the Eastern province of the Southern Urals, Russia

The stratiform base-metal Biksizak and Amur deposits, Kolpakovsky and Andree-Yul??evsky group of ore occurrences localized in the Eastern province of the Southern Urals and the adjacent Central Urals are considered in this paper. Their geology, composition of ore, and orebody morphology are characterized. These objects and occurrences occupy different geological positions, being hosted in (1) Ordovician, Silurian, and Devonian limestones formed in an island-arc setting (Biksizak deposit, Kolpakovsky occurrence); (2) Middle and Upper Devonian flyschoid sequences at a distance from the active volcanic zone (Amur deposit); and (3) Riphean (?) platform cover (Andree-Yul??evsky group of occurrences). The objects considered differ in origin. The hydrothermal Pb-Zn ores of the Biksizak deposit and the Kolpakovsky occurrence are epigenetic with respect to the host rocks. They were formed in the Early Carboniferous and related to early collisional minor andesite and quartz diorite porphyry intrusions. The hydrothermal-sedimentary Amur massive sulfide Zn deposit of the Filizchai type was formed at the end of Middle Devonian. Zinc occurrences of the Andree-Yul??evsky group are probably products of regeneration of older stratiform lodes.     

Compositions of magmatic melts and evolution of mineral-forming fluids in the banska Stiavnica epithermal Au-Ag-Pb-Zn deposit, Slovakia: A study of inclusions in minerals

Melt and fluid inclusions were investigated in minerals from igneous rocks and ore (Au-Ag-Pb-Zn) veins of the Stiavnica ore field in Central Slovakia. High H₂O (7.1–12.0 wt %) and Cl (0.32–0.46 wt %) contents were found in silicate melt inclusions (65–69 wt % SiO₂ and 5.2–5.6 wt % K₂O) in plagioclase phenocrysts (An 68–36) from biotite-homblende andesites of the eastern part of the caldera. Similar high water contents are characteristic of magmatic melts (71–76 wt % SiO₂ and 3.7–5.1 wt % K₂O) forming the sanidine rhyolites of the Vyhne extrusive dome in the northwestern part of the Stiavnica caldera (up to 7.1 wt %) and the rhyolites of the Klotilda dike in the eastern part of the ore field (up to 11.5 wt %). The examination of primary inclusions in quartz and sanidine from the Vyhne rhyolites revealed high concentrations of N₂ and CO₂ in magmatic fluid (8.6 g/kg H₂O and 59 g/kg H₂O, respectively). Fluid pressure was estimated as 5.0 kbar on the basis of primary CO₂ fluid inclusions in plagioclase phenocrysts from the Kalvari basanites. This value corresponds to a depth of 18 km and may be indicative of a deep CO₂ source. Quartz from the granodiorites of the central part of the Stiavnica-Hodrusa complex crystallized from a melt with 4.2–6.1 wt % H₂O and 0.24–0.80 wt % Cl. Magmatic fluid cogenetic with this silicate melt was represented by a chloride brine with a salinity of no less than 77–80 wt % NaCl equiv. Secondary inclusions in quartz of the igneous rocks recorded a continuous trend of temperature, pressure, and solution salinity, from the parameters of magmatic fluids to the conditions of formation of ore veins. The gold mineralization of the Svyatozar vein system was formed from boiling low-salinity fluids (0.3–8.0 wt % NaCl equv.) at temperatures of 365–160°C and pressures of 160–60 bar. The Terezia, Bieber, Viliam, Spitaler, and Rozalia epithermal gold-silver-base metal veins were also formed from heterogeneous low-salinity fluids (0.3–12.1 wt %) at temperatures of 380–58°C and pressures of 240–10 bar. It was found that the salt components of the solutions were dominated by chlorides (high content of fluorine, up to 0.45 mol/kg H₂O, was also detected), and sulfate solutions appeared in the upper levels. The dissolved gas of ore-forming solutions was dominated by CO₂ (0.1–8.4 mol %, averaging 1.3 wt %) and contained minor nitrogen (0.00–0.85 mol %, averaging 0.05 mol %) and negligible methane admixtures (0.00–0.05 mol %, averaging 0.004 mol %). These data allowed us to conclude that the magmatic melts could be sources of H₂O, Cl, CO₂, and N₂. The formation of the epithermal mineralization of the Stiavnica ore field was associated with the mixing of magmatic fluid with low-concentration meteoric waters, and the fluid was in a heterogeneous state.     

Metavolcanic host rocks,mineralization, and gossans of the Shaib al Tair and Rabathan volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits of the Wadi Bidah Mineral District,Saudi Arabia

The Wadi Bidah Mineral District of Saudi Arabia contains more than 16 small outcropping stratabound volcanogenic Cu–Zn–(Pb) ± Au-bearing massive sulphide deposits and associated zones of hydrothermal alteration. Here, we use major and trace element analyses of massive sulphides, gossans, and hydrothermally altered and least altered metamorphosed host rock (schist) from two of the deposits (Shaib al Tair and Rabathan) to interpret the geochemical and petrological evolution of the host rocks and gossanization of the mineralization. Tectonic interpretations utilize high-field-strength elements, including the rare earth elements (REE), because they are relatively immobile during hydrothermal alteration, low-grade metamorphism, and supergene weathering and therefore are useful in constraining the source, composition, and physicochemical parameters of the primary igneous rocks, the mineralizing hydrothermal fluid and subsequent supergene weathering processes. Positive Eu anomalies in some of the massive sulphide samples are consistent with a high temperature (>250°C) hydrothermal origin, consistent with the Cu contents (up to 2 wt.%) of the massive sulphides. The REE profiles of the gossans are topologically similar to nearby hydrothermally altered felsic schists (light REE (LREE)-enriched to concave-up REE profiles, with or without positive Eu anomalies) suggesting that the REE experienced little fractionation during metamorphism or supergene weathering. Hydrothermally altered rocks (now schists) close to the massive sulphide deposits have high base metals and Ba contents and have concave-up REE patterns, in contrast to the least altered host rocks, consistent with greater mobility of the middle REE compared to the light and heavy REE during hydrothermal alteration. The gossans are interpreted to represent relict massive sulphides that have undergone supergene weathering; ‘chert’ beds within these massive sulphide deposits may be leached wall-rock gossans that experienced silicification and Pb–Ba–Fe enrichment from acidic groundwaters generated during gossan formation.     

REE Geochemistry and Mineralogy in Ores of the Talgan Cu–Zn Massive Sulfide Deposit,Southern Urals

Doklady Earth Sciences - The high REE concentrations (57.23–561.2 ppm) in thin-layered sulfide ores of the Talgan Cu–Zn massive sulfide deposit (Southern Urals) are related to the...