Gold Mineralization of the Gatsuurt Deposit in the North Khentei Gold Belt,Central Northern Mongolia

Mineral assemblages, chemical compositions of ore minerals, wall rock alteration and fluid inclusions of the Gatsuurt gold deposit in the North Khentei gold belt of Mongolia were investigated to characterize the gold mineralization, and to clarify the genetic processes of the ore minerals. The gold mineralization of the deposit occurs in separate Central and Main zones, and is characterized by three ore types: (i) low‐grade disseminated and stockwork ores; (ii) moderate‐grade quartz vein ores; and (iii) high‐grade silicified ores, with average Au contents of approximately 1, 3 and 5 g t^?1 Au, respectively. The Au‐rich quartz vein and silicified ore mineralization is surrounded by, or is included within, the disseminated and stockwork Au‐mineralization region. The main ore minerals are pyrite (pyrite‐I and pyrite‐II) and arsenopyrite (arsenopyrite‐I and arsenopyrite‐II). Moderate amounts of galena, tetrahedrite‐tennantite, sphalerite and chalcopyrite, and minor jamesonite, bournonite, boulangerite, geocronite, scheelite, geerite, native gold and zircon are associated. Abundances and grain sizes of the ore minerals are variable in ores with different host rocks. Small grains of native gold occur as fillings or at grain boundaries of pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena and tetrahedrite in the disseminated and stockwork ores and silicified ores, whereas visible native gold of variable size occurs in the quartz vein ores. The ore mineralization is associated with sericitic and siliceous alteration. The disseminated and stockwork mineralization is composed of four distinct stages characterized by crystallization of (i) pyrite‐I + arsenopyrite‐I, (ii) pyrite‐II + arsenopyrite‐II, (iii) galena + tetrahedrite + sphalerite + chalcopyrite + jamesonite + bournonite + scheelite, and iv) boulangerite + native gold, respectively. In the quartz vein ores, four crystallization stages are also recognized: (i) pyrite‐I, (ii) pyrite‐II + arsenopyrite + galena + Ag‐rich tetrahedrite‐tennantite + sphalerite + chalcopyrite + bournonite, (iii) geocronite + geerite + native gold, and (iv) native gold. Two mineralization stages in the silicified ores are characterized by (i) pyrite + arsenopyrite + tetrahedrite + chalcopyrite, and (ii) galena + sphalerite + native gold. Quartz in the disseminated and stockwork ores of the Main zone contains CO₂‐rich, halite‐bearing aqueous fluid inclusions with homogenization temperatures ranging from 194 to 327°C, whereas quartz in the disseminated and stockwork ores of the Central zone contains CO₂‐rich and aqueous fluid inclusions with homogenization temperatures ranging from 254 to 355°C. The textures of the ores, the mineral assemblages present, the mineralization sequences and the fluid inclusion data are consistent with orogenic classification for the Gatsuurt deposit.     

Mineralogy of the Boroo Gold Deposit in the North Khentei Gold Belt,Central Northern Mongolia

Mineral assemblages and chemical compositions of ore minerals from the Boroo gold deposit in the North Khentei gold belt of Mongolia were studied to characterize the gold mineralization, and to clarify crystallization processes of the ore minerals. The gold deposit consists of low‐grade disseminated and stockwork ores in granite, metasedimentary rocks and diorite dikes. Moderate to high‐grade auriferous quartz vein ores are present in the above lithological units. The ore grades of the former range from about 1 to 3 g/t, and those of the latter from 5 to 10 g/t, or more than 10 g/t Au. The main sulfide minerals in the ores are pyrite and arsenopyrite, both of which are divisible into two different stages (pyrite‐I and pyrite‐II; arsenopyrite‐I and arsenopyrite‐II). Sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and tetrahedrite are minor associated minerals, with trace amounts of bournonite, boulangerite, geerite, alloclasite, native gold, and electrum. The ore minerals in the both types of ores are variable in distribution, abundance and grain size. Four modes of gold occurrence are recognized: (i) “invisible” gold in pyrite and arsenopyrite in the disseminated and stockwork ores, and in auriferous quartz vein ores; (ii) microscopic native gold, 3 to 100 µm in diameter, that occurs as fine grains or as an interstitial phase in sulfides in the disseminated and stockwork ores, and in auriferous quartz vein ores; (iii) visible native gold, up to 1 cm in diameter, in the auriferous quartz vein ores; and (iv) electrum in the auriferous quartz vein ores. The gold mineralization of the disseminated and stockwork ores consists of four stages characterized by the mineral assemblages of: (i) pyrite‐I + arsenopyrite‐I; (ii) pyrite‐II + arsenopyrite‐II; (iii) sphalerite + galena + chalcopyrite + tetrahedrite + bournonite + boulangerite + alloclasite + native gold; and (iv) native gold. In the auriferous quartz vein ores, five mineralization stages are defined by the following mineral assemblages: (i) pyrite‐I; (ii) pyrite‐II + arsenopyrite; (iii) sphalerite + galena + chalcopyrite; (iv) Ag‐rich tetrahedrite‐tennantite + bournonite + geerite + native gold; and (v) electrum. The As–Au relations in pyrite‐II and arsenopyrite suggest that gold detected as invisible gold is mostly attributed to Au⁺¹ in those minerals. By applying the arsenopyrite geothermometer to arsenopyrite‐II in the disseminated and stockwork ores, crystallization temperature and logfs₂ are estimated to be 365 to 300 °C and –7.5 to –10.1, respectively.     

Mineral Paragenesis, Fluid Inclusions and Sulfur Isotope Systematics of the Lepanto Far Southeast Porphyry Cu-Au Deposit, Mankayan, Philippines

Abstract: The Lepanto Far Southeast porphyry Cu‐Au deposit is located beneath and to the southeast of the Lepanto enargite‐luzonite Cu–Au deposit in Mankayan, Benguet Province, Philippines. The principal orebody consists of potassic alteration subjected to partial retrograde chlorite alteration that rims stock‐work of quartz‐anhydrite veinlets. Fluid inclusions found in stockwork quartz and anhydrite in the biotitized orebody center are dominated by polyphase inclusions that homogenize at temperatures of >500C. Sulfur isotopic thermometry applied to the sulfides‐anhydrite pairs suggests around 500C. The principal ore minerals associated with quartz‐anhydrite stockworks are chalcopyrite and pyrite with minor bornite and Bi–Te–bearing tennantite, with trace of native gold. Rounded pyrite grains appear fractured and corroded and are interpreted as remnants of primary intermediate solid solution + pyrite assemblage. A breccia pipe truncates the deposit. Mineralization in the breccia pipe is brought by quartz‐anhydrite veinlets and infilling in the interstices between clasts. Chalcopyrite‐Au mineralization associated with molybdenite is recognized in the deeper zone in the breccia pipe. Fluid inclusion microthermometry on polyphase inclusions in veinlet quartz as well as sulfur isotope thermometry applied for the pair of anhydrite and sulfides suggests >450C. Fluid inclusions in veinlet quartz and anhydrite in the fringe advanced argillic alteration are chiefly composed of coexisting liquid‐rich inclusions and gas‐rich inclusions, in addition to coexisting polyphase inclusions and gas‐rich inclusions. These inclusions exhibit a wide range of homogenization temperatures, suggesting heterogeneous entrapping in the two‐fluid unmixing region. Sulfur isotopes of aqueous sulfide and sulfate exhibit a general trend from the smallest fractionation pairs (about 11%) in the biotitized orebody center to the largest fractionation (about 25%) pairs in the fringe advanced argillic alteration, suggesting a simple evolution of hydrothermal system. The slopes of arbitrary regression lines in δ³⁴S versus ³⁴S[SO₄ = –H₂S] diagram suggest that the abundance ratio of aqueous sulfate to sulfide in the hydrothermal fluid has been broadly constant at about 1:3 through temperature decrease. The intersection of these two regression lines at the δ³⁴S axis indicates that the bulk δ³⁴S is about +6%. Thus, the Lepanto FSE deposit is a further example which confirms enrichment in ³⁴S in the hydrous intermediate to silicic magmas and associated magmatic hydrothermal deposits in the western Luzon arc.     

Victoria Carbonate-Base Metal Gold Deposit and Its Significance in the Mankayan Mineral District, Luzon, Philippines

Abstract. The Victoria gold deposit is a low-sulfidation style epithermal carbonate-base metal gold deposit discovered in 1995 in the Mankayan mineral district, northern Luzon, Philippines. It occurs just south of a high-sulfidation copper-gold orebody (Lepanto enargite deposit) and a porphyry copper-gold orebody (Far Southeast (FSE) deposit). Radiometric dating of the Victoria mineralization yields ages from 1.6 to 1.1 Ma, similar to ages of the Lepanto enargite deposit. Mineralogical, geochemical, fluid inclusion and sulfur isotope studies suggest that the Victoria deposit is not directly related to the late stage of hydrothermal activity that produced the FSE porphyry copper-gold and the Lepanto enargite deposits. The hydrothermal fluids from which Victoria was formed appear to have been derived from the south, and not from the FSE intrusive center to the northeast. This would suggest a regional south to north hydrothermal gradient, consistent with the similar flow within the FSE porphyry-Lepanto enargite system. On a district scale, structures similar to those of the Victoria deposit in trend and nature would be highly prospective, especially if they occur north of identified plutons and volcanic centers.     

Hydrothermal Alteration and Cu-Au Mineralization at Nena High Sulfidation-type Deposit, Frieda River, Papua New Guinea

Abstract. The Nena Cu‐Au deposit, located in the Frieda River mineral district of northwestern mainland Papua New Guinea, is a composite structurally‐lithologically controlled high sulfidation (HS) system. Its hydrothermal alteration and Cu‐Au mineralization are presented in this paper. Initially propylitized andesitic volcanics veined by epithermal quartz were pervasively superimposed by zoned HS alteration. The zonation grades from vuggy silica core to sulfur‐rich, pyritic silica‐alunite halo followed by pyrophyllite‐dickite‐kaolinite interval and finally to thin illite‐smectite margin, suggesting progressive decrease in temperature and increase in pH. This zonation is enveloped by chlorite‐epidote‐calcite‐gypsum alteration. The acid altered rocks were then invaded by multiple phases of pyrite, subsequently crosscut by quartz, vein alunite and barite. Then sequential deposition of bladed covellite, enargite, luzonite and stibioluzonite occurred from the NW to the SE portions of the deposit, forming a zonation suggestive of progressive decrease in temperature, sulfur fugacity and sulfidation stage. Most ore mineralization occurs in the vuggy silica core. Gold mineralization commenced from the transition of enargite to luzonite and continued throughout the stibioluzonite stage. Associated with gold deposition are Au‐rich pyrite, tennantite‐tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite‐bornite, native tellurium, electrum, calaverite, bismuthinite and galena. Native sulfur occupied the remaining cavities and represents the waning stage of the hydrothermal system. Fluid inclusions studies distinguished magmatic (>300–350d?C, 9–15 wt% NaCl equiv.) and meteoric (<150–200d?C, 1–2 wt% NaCl equiv.) fluids (Holzberger et al., 1996). Temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions from barite associated with Cu sulfides show a general decrease from NW (330d?C, 9–15 wt% NaCl equiv.) to SE (172d?C, 10 wt% NaCl equiv.) parts of the deposit, indicating gradual entrainment of ground water (Hitchman and Espi, 1997). Interaction of magmatic fluids with meteoric water accompanied by changes in temperature, salinity, acidity and oxidation state of the resultant fluids is interpreted to have been the main cause of metal precipitation. Finally, supergene processes generated Au zone with an underlying chalcocite‐covellite‐digenite blanket over the primary sulfides at depth. Gold occurs as lattice constituent in scorodite, limonite‐goethite and jarosite. Chalcocite is more abundant and widespread than other Cu sulfides. Acidic fluids deposited powdery alunite and kaolinite, vein alunite and amorphous silica. Weakly secondary biotite‐quartz altered porphyry located below the known HS Cu‐Au deposit contains chalcopyrite‐bornite and is overprinted by quartz‐alunite‐pyro‐phyllite‐pyrite assemblage. This feature indicates close temporal, spatial and genetic relation between the two deposit types.     

Mineralogy,Sulfur Isotope and Fluid Inclusion Studies of Hydrothermal Ore at the Hakurei Deposit,Bayonnaise Knoll,Izu‐Bonin Arc

Sulfide and sulfate ore samples collected from the Hakurei deposit of the Bayonnaise knoll were examined for the occurrence and chemical composition of minerals, including the sulfur isotopes and the microthermometry of fluid inclusions. Massive sulfide ore, mineralized volcanic rock, and anhydrite ore occur in descending order, from the seafloor to the bottom of the cored sample. The massive sulfide ore is dominated by sphalerite and accompanied by tennantite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite with lesser amounts of galena, enargite, and covellite. Amorphous silica is commonly precipitated on the surface of the sulfide minerals. As‐bearing minerals such as tennantite, enargite, and luzonite are common, while galena and Sb‐rich tetrahedrite are scarce. The mineral abundance and chemical composition of the minerals differs from that found in chimneys of the deposit. The sulfur isotope compositions in the minerals are +3.1–5.2‰ for sulfides and +19.6–21.8‰ for sulfate minerals. The homogeneous nature of the sulfur isotopes suggests that sulfur incorporated in the Hakurei deposit came from the reduction of aqueous sulfate in seawater.     

The Crater Mountain Deposit,Papua New Guinea: Porphyry‐related Au–Te System

Ore mineralization and wall rock alteration of Crater Mountain gold deposit, Papua New Guinea, were investigated using ore and host rock samples from drill holes for ore and alteration mineralogical study. The host rocks of the deposit are quartz‐feldspar porphyry, feldspar‐hornblende porphyry, andesitic volcanics and pyroclastics, and basaltic‐andesitic tuff. The main ore minerals are pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite and moderate amounts of tetrahedrite, tennantite, pyrrhotite, bornite and enargite. Small amounts of enargite, tetradymite, altaite, heyrovskyite, bismuthinite, bornite, idaite, cubanite, native gold, CuPbS₂, an unidentified Bi‐Te‐S mineral and argentopyrite occur as inclusions mainly in pyrite veins and grains. Native gold occurs significantly in the As‐rich pyrite veins in volcanic units, and coexists with Bi‐Te‐S mineral species and rarely with chalcopyrite and cubanite relics. Four mineralization stages were recognized based on the observations of ore textures. Stage I is characterized by quartz‐sericite‐calcite alteration with trace pyrite and chalcopyrite in the monomict diatreme breccias; Stage II is defined by the crystallization of pyrite and by weak quartz‐chlorite‐sericite‐calcite alteration; Stage III is a major ore formation episode where sulfides deposited as disseminated grains and veins that host native gold, and is divided into three sub‐stages; Stage IV is characterized by predominant carbonitization. Gold mineralization occurred in the sub‐stages 2 and 3 in Stage III. The fS₂ is considered to have decreased from ～10^?2 to 10^?14 atm with decreasing temperature of fluid.     

Rosia Poieni copper deposit,Apuseni Mountains,Romania: advanced argillic overprint of a porphyry system

The Rosia Poieni deposit is the largest porphyry copper deposit in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization are related to the Middle Miocene emplacement of a subvolcanic body, the Fundoaia microdiorite. Zonation of the alteration associated with the porphyry copper deposit is recognized from the deep and central part of the porphyritic intrusion towards shallower and outer portions. Four alteration types have been distinguished: potassic, phyllic, advanced argillic, and propylitic. Potassic alteration affects mainly the Fundoaia subvolcanic body. The andesitic host rocks are altered only in the immediate contact zone with the Fundoaia intrusion. Mg-biotite and K-feldspar are the main alteration minerals of the potassic assemblage, accompanied by ubiquitous quartz; chlorite, and anhydrite are also present. Magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and minor bornite, are associated with this alteration. Phyllic alteration has overprinted the margin of the potassic zone, and formed peripheral to it. It is characterized by the replacement of almost all early minerals by abundant quartz, phengite, illite, variable amounts of illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals, minor smectite, and kaolinite. Pyrite is abundant and represents the main sulfide in this alteration zone. Advanced argillic alteration affects the upper part of the volcanic structure. The mineral assemblage comprises alunite, kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, aluminium-phosphate-sulphate minerals (woodhouseite-svanbergite series), zunyite, minamyite, pyrite, and enargite (luzonite). Alunite forms well-developed crystals. Veins with enargite (luzonite) and pyrite in a gangue of quartz, pyrophyllite and diaspore, are present within and around the subvolcanic intrusion. This alteration type is partially controlled by fractures. A zonal distribution of alteration minerals is observed from the centre of fractures outwards with: (1) vuggy quartz; (2) quartz + alunite; (3) quartz + kaolinite ± alunite and, in the deeper part of the argillic zone, quartz + pyrophyllite + diaspore; (4) illite + illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals ± kaolinite ± alunite, and e) chlorite + albite + epidote. Propylitic alteration is present distal to all other alteration types and consists of chlorite, epidote, albite, and carbonates. Mineral parageneses, mineral stability fields, and alteration mineral geothermometers indicate that the different alteration assemblages are the result of changes in both fluid composition and temperature of the system. The alteration minerals reflect cooling of the hydrothermal system from >400 °C (biotite), to 300–200 °C (chlorite and illite in veinlets) and to lower temperatures of kaolinite, illite-smectite mixed layers, and smectite crystallization. Hydrothermal alteration started with an extensive potassic zone in the central part of the system that passed laterally to the propylitic zone. It was followed by phyllic overprint of the early-altered rocks. Nearly barren advanced argillic alteration subsequently superimposed the upper levels of the porphyry copper alteration zones. The close spatial association between porphyry mineralization and advanced argillic alteration suggests that they are genetically part of the same magmatic-hydrothermal system that includes a porphyry intrusion at depth and an epithermal environment of the advanced argillic type near the surface.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Distribution of gold and silver and its relation with hypogene ore minerals in the Esperanza porphyry deposit,Antofagasta Region,Chile

Modes of occurrence of Au‐ and Ag‐bearing phases and their relation with associated hypogene ore minerals were examined with the objective to elucidate Au‐Ag distribution at the Esperanza porphyry deposit in the Eocene Centinela copper belt, using ore‐microscope modal analysis, semi‐quantitative analyses by automated mineralogy, electron probe microanalysis, and secondary ion mass spectrometer. The Esperanza hypogene mineralization is characterized by early‐stage chalcopyrite‐rich veinlets in the potassic alteration zone and later polymetallic stage with tennantite and galena in the chlorite‐sericitic alteration zone. Only the early‐stage chalcopyrite contains fine‐grained electrum (Au₆₈Ag₃₂ ‐ Au₈₁Ag₁₉) and hessite (Ag₂Te), and thus yields positive correlations in Cu vs. Au and Cu vs. Ag grades that are clearly recognized in the hypogene sulfide zone. The early‐stage chalcopyrite grains frequently exhibit polysynthetic twinning suggestive of inversion from intermediate solid solution. These features suggest that the fine‐grained electrum and hessite are products exsolved in the cooling process with the intermediate solid solution to chalcopyrite inversion. In contrast, tennantite and galena of the later‐stage mineralization contain no detectable Ag, and it is thus proposed that the early‐stage inverted chalcopyrite is the principal storage of economically important precious metals.     

青藏高原两个斑岩-浅成低温热液矿床成矿亚系列及其"缺位找矿"之实践

斑岩_浅成低温热液型铜金矿床是西藏最新发现的组合矿床类型,其具有巨大的找矿潜力。笔者在西藏多龙矿集区铁格隆南铜金矿床、雄村矿集区主要矿体系统地质编录、综合研究的基础上,对其矿床地质背景、矿体形态产状、矿物组合、蚀变特征、成岩成矿年龄等进行了系统的总结,在前人研究的基础上,提出班怒成矿带与早白垩世岛弧型中_酸性火山岩_浅成岩组合有关的铜、金、银、铅锌矿床成矿亚系列,以及冈底斯成矿带与早侏罗世—晚侏罗世岛弧型中_酸性火山岩_浅成岩组合有关的铜、金、银、铅锌矿床成矿亚系列,是西藏最重要的寻找斑岩型_浅成低温热液型铜金矿的矿床成矿系列。依据"缺位找矿"理论,预测多龙矿集区尕尔勤、地堡那木岗、铁格隆山是浅成低温热液型铜金矿床的进一步勘查评价区,色那、拿顿角砾岩筒是寻找独立高硫化型浅成低温热液金矿床的重要靶区。铁格隆南浅成低温热液矿体叠加在斑岩型矿体之上,高硫化型浅成低温热液矿床浅部发育多孔状硅帽和明矾石_地开石_高岭石蚀变组合,金属矿物以硫砷铜矿_铜蓝_蓝辉铜矿_黝铜矿_黄铜矿_斑铜矿_黄铁矿等铜硫二元体系矿物组合为主,其中黄铁矿_黄铜矿_斑铜矿形成较早,矿床规模可突破1200万吨。雄村铜金矿集区发育低硫化型浅成低温热液多金属金矿体,矿体呈脉状,或在火山机构边缘构造中独立产出,或叠加于斑岩型铜金矿体之上产出,以绢云母化、叶蜡石化、伊利石化发育,闪锌矿、黝铜矿、磁黄铁矿_黄铁矿为主要金属矿物组合为特征,洞嘎、普钦木_哑达是低硫化型浅成低温热液矿床的勘查评价区,深部有找到斑岩型铜金矿的可能。上述2套矿床成矿系列亚系列都与燕山期斑岩铜金矿床的流体演化有关,具有特殊的蚀变矿物、金属矿物组合,寻找独立的浅成低温热液型金矿是下一步需要重视的找矿方向。     

Mineral Paragenesis and Ore‐Forming Processes of the Dongping Gold Deposit,Hebei Province,China

The Dongping gold deposit is located near the center of the northern margin of the North China Craton. It is hosted in the Shuiquangou syenite and characterized by large amounts of tellurides. Numerous studies have addressed this deposit; the mineral paragenesis and ore‐forming processes, however, are still poorly studied. In this contribution, a new mineral paragenesis has been evaluated to further understand ore formation, including sulfides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, molybdenite, and bornite), tellurides (altaite, calaverite, hessite, muthmannite, petzite, rucklidgeite, sylvanite, tellurobismuthite, tetradymite, and volynskite), and native elements (tellurium and gold). Molybdenite, muthmannite, rucklidgeite, and volynskite are reported for the first time in this deposit. We consider the Dongping gold deposit mainly formed in the Devonian, and the ore‐forming processes and the physicochemical conditions for ore formation can be reconstructed based on our newly identified ore paragenesis, that is, iron oxides → (CO₂ effervescence) → sulfides → (fTe₂/fS₂ ratio increase) → Pb‐Bi‐tellurides → (condensation of H₂Te vapor) → Au‐Ag‐tellurides → (mixing with oxidizing water) → carbonate and microporous gold → secondary minerals → secondary minerals. The logfO₂ values increase from the early to late stages, while the fH₂S and logfS₂ values increase initially and then decrease. CO₂ effervescence is the main mechanism of sulfides precipitation; this sulfidation and condensation of H₂Te vapor lead to deposition of tellurides. The development of microporous gold indicates that the deposit might experience overprint after mineralization. The Dongping gold deposit has a close genetic relationship with the Shuiquangou syenite, and tellurium likely originated from Shuiquangou alkaline magmatic degassing.     

Fluid evolution,wallrock alteration,and ore mineralization associated with the Rodalquilar epithermal gold-deposit in southeast Spain

At Rodalquilar gold mineralization is found in Late Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Sierra del Cabo de Gata and is related to a caldera collapse. Radial and concentric faults were preferred sites for gold deposition. Hydrothermal activity produced a specific alteration zoning around gold-bearing vein structures, grading from an innermost advanced argillic via an argillic into a more regionally developed propylitic zone. Advanced argillic alteration with silica, pyrophyllite, alunite, and kaolinite extends down to several hundred m indicating a hypogene origin. High-grade gold mineralization in vein structures is confined to the near-surface part of the advanced argillic alteration. Fine-grained gold is associated with hematite, jarosite, limonite, or silica. At a depth of about 120 m, the oxidic ore assemblage grades into sulfide mineralization with pyrite and minor chalcopyrite, covellite, bornite, enargite, and tennantite. Two types of fluids from different sources were involved in the hydrothermal system. Overpressured and hypersaline fluids of presumably magmatic origin initiated the hydrothermal system. Subsequent hydrothermal processes were characterized by the influx of low-salinity solutions of probable marine origin and by interactions between both fluids. Deep-reaching, advanced argillic alteration formed from high-salinity fluids with 20–30 equiv. wt% NaCl at about 225°C. Near-surface gold precipitation and silification are related to fluids with temperatures of about 175°C and 3–4 equiv. wt% NaCl. Gold was transported as Au(HS) ₂ ^– , and precipitation resulted from boiling with a concomitant decrease in temperature, pressure, and pH and an increase in fO₂. All features of the Rodalquilar gold deposit reveal a close relationship to acid-sulfate-type epithermal gold mineralization.     

Zonation of Sulfate and Sulfide Minerals and Isotopic Composition in the Far Southeast Porphyry and Lepanto Epithermal Cu–Au Deposits,Philippines

The world‐class Far Southeast (FSE) porphyry system, Philippines, includes the FSE Cu–Au porphyry deposit, the Lepanto Cu–Au high‐sulfidation deposit and the Victoria–Teresa Au–Ag intermediate‐sulfidation veins, centered on the intrusive complex of dioritic composition. The Lepanto and FSE deposits are genetically related and both share an evolution characterized by early stage 1 alteration (deep FSE potassic, shallow Lepanto advanced argillic‐silicic, both at ~1.4 Ma), followed by stage 2 phyllic alteration (at ~1.3 Ma); the dominant ore mineral deposition within the FSE porphyry and the Lepanto epithermal deposits occurred during stage 2. We determined the chemical and S isotopic composition of sulfate and sulfide minerals from Lepanto, including stage 1 alunite (12 to 28 permil), aluminum–phosphate–sulfate (APS) minerals (14 to 21 permil) and pyrite (?4 to 2 permil), stage 2 sulfides (mainly enargite–luzonite and some pyrite, ?10 to ?1 permil), and late stage 2 sulfates (barite and anhydrite, 21 to 27 permil). The minerals from FSE include stage 2 chalcopyrite (1.6 to 2.6 permil), pyrite (1.1 to 3.4 permil) and anhydrite (13 to 25 permil). The whole‐rock S isotopic composition of weakly altered syn‐mineral intrusions is 2.0 permil. Stage 1 quartz–alunite–pyrite of the Lepanto lithocap, above about 650 m elevation, formed from acidic condensates of magmatic vapor at the same time as hypersaline liquid formed potassic alteration (biotite) near sea level. The S isotopic composition of stage 1 alunite–pyrite record temperatures of approximately 300–400°C for the vapor condensate directly over the porphyry deposit; this cooled to <250°C as the acidic condensate flowed to the NW along the Lepanto fault where it cut the unconformity at the top of the basement. Stage 1 alunite at the base of the advanced argillic lithocap over FSE contains cores of APS minerals with Sr, Ba and Ca; based on back‐scattered electron images and ion microprobe data, these APS minerals show a large degree of chemical and S‐isotopic heterogeneity within and between samples. The variation in S isotopic values in these finely banded stage 1 alunite and APS minerals (16 permil range), as well as that of pyrite (6 permil range) was due largely to changes in temperature, and perhaps variation in redox conditions (average ~ 2:1 H₂S:SO₄). Such fluctuations could have been related to fluid pulses caused by injection of mafic melt into the diorite magma chamber, supported by mafic xenoliths hosted in diorite of an earlier intrusion. The S isotopic values of stage 2 minerals indicate temperatures as high as 400°C near sea level in the porphyry deposit, associated with a relatively reduced fluid (~10:1 H₂S:SO₄) responsible for deposition of chalcopyrite. Stage 2 fluids were relatively oxidized in the Lepanto lithocap, with an H₂S:SO₄ ratio of about 4. The oxidation resulted from cooling, which was caused by boiling during ascent and then dilution with steam‐heated meteoric water in the lithocap. This cooling also resulted in the sulfidation state of minerals increasing from chalcopyrite stability in the porphyry deposit to that of enargite in the lithocap‐hosted high‐sulfidation deposit. The temperature at the base of the lithocap during stage 2 was ≥300°C, cooling to <250°C within the main lithocap, and about 200°C towards the limit of the Lepanto orebody, approximately 2 km NW of the porphyry deposit. Approximate 300°C and 200°C isotherms, estimated from S isotopic and fluid inclusion temperatures during stage 1 and stage 2, shifted towards the core of the FSE porphyry deposit with time. This general retreat in isotherms was more than 500 m laterally within Lepanto and 500 m vertically within FSE as the magmatic–hydrothermal system evolved and collapsed over the magmatic center. During this evolution, there is also evidence recorded by large S isotopic variations in individual crystals for sharp pulses of higher temperature, relatively reduced fluid injected into the porphyry deposit.     

Jusa and Barsuchi Log Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits from the Southern Urals of Russia: Tectonic Setting, Structure and Mode of Formation

The Jusa and Barsuchi Log volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits formed along a paleo island arc in the east Magnitogrosk zone of the Southern Urals between ca 398 and 390 Ma. By analogy with the VMS deposits of the west Magnitogrosk zone, they are considered to be Baimak type deposits, which are Zn‐Cu‐Ba deposits containing Au, Ag and minor Pb. Detailed mapping and textural analysis of the two deposits shows that they formed as submarine hydrothermal mounds which were subsequently destroyed on the sea floor under the influence of ocean bottom currents and slumping. Both deposits display a ratio of the length to the maximum width of the deposit >15 and are characterized by ribbon‐like layers composed mainly of bedded ore and consisting principally of altered fine clastic ore facies. The Jusa deposit appears to have formed in two stages: deposition of colloform pyrite followed by deposition of copper–zinc–lead sulfides characterized by the close association of pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, tennantite, arsenopyrite, marcasite, pyrrhotite, bornite, native gold and electrum and high concentrations of gold and silver. The low metamorphic grade of the east Magnitogorsk zone accounts for the exceptional degree of preservation of these deposits.     

Geology and Geochemistry of the Buerkesidai and Kuoerzhenkuola Gold Deposits in the Sawuershan Region, Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region, Northwest China

The Sawuershan region, one of the important gold metallogenic belts of Xinjiang, is located in the western part of the Kalatongke island arc zone of north Xinjiang, NW China. There are two gold deposits in mining, namely the Kuoerzhenkuola and the Buerkesidai deposits. Gold ores at the Kuoerzhenkuola deposit occur within Carboniferous andesite and volcanic breccias in the form of gold‐bearing quartz–pyrite veins and veinlet groups containing native gold, electrum, pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. Gold ores at the Buerkesidai deposit occur within Carboniferous tuffaceous siltstones in the form of gold‐bearing quartz veinlet groups and altered rocks, with electrum, pyrite and arsenopyrite as major metallic minerals. Both gold deposits are hosted by structurally controlled faults associated with intense hydrothermal alteration. The typical alteration assemblage is sericite + chlorite + calcite + quartz, with an inner pyrite–sericite zone and an outer chlorite–calcite–epidote zone between orebodies and wall rocks. δ³⁴S values (0.3–1.3‰) of pyrite of ores from Kuoerzhenkuola deposit are similar to those (0.4–2.9‰) of pyrite of ores from Buerkesidai deposit. δ³⁴S values (1.1–2.8‰) of pyrite from altered rocks are similar to δ³⁴S values of magmatic or igneous sulfide sulfur, but higher than those from ores. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb data of sulfide from ores range within 17.72–18.56, 15.34–15.61, and 37.21–38.28, respectively. These sulfur and lead isotope compositions imply that ore‐forming materials might originate from multiple, mainly deep sources. He and Ar isotope study on fluid inclusions of pyrites from ores of Kuoerzhenkuola and Buerkesidai gold deposits produces ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar and ³He/⁴He ratios in the range of 282–525 and 0.6–9.4 R/Ra, respectively, indicating a mixed source of deep‐seated magmatic water (mantle fluid) and shallower meteoric water. In terms of tectonic setting, the gold deposits in the Sawuershan region can be interpreted as epithermal. These formations resulted from a combination of protracted volcanic activity, hydrothermal fluid mixing, and a structural setting favoring gold deposition. Fluid mixing was possibly the key factor resulting in Au deposition in the gold deposits in Sawuershan region.     

Studies of Metallic and Trace Minerals of the Tiegelongnan Cu‐Au Deposit,Central Tibet,China

Electron probe micro-analysis(EPMA) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) equipped with energy dispersive spectrometry(EDS) have been used to investigate the principal ore minerals and coexisting metallic mineral inclusions in polished thin sections from the Tiegelongnan deposit, which consists of a high-sulfidation epithermal system(HSES) and a porphyry system(PS). Molybdenite,chalcopyrite, bornite, tennantite, enargite, digenite, anilite, covellite, and tetrahedrite have been identified by EPMA. Intergrowth, cross-cutting and replacement relationships between the metallic minerals suggest that molybdenite formed first(stage 1),followed by chalcopyrite ± bornite ± hematite(stage 2),then bornite ± Cu-sulfides ± Cu-Fe-sulfoarsenides(stage 3),and lastly Cu-Fe-sulfoarsenides ±Cu-sulfides(stage 4). Pyrite is developed throughout all the stages. Droplet-like inclusions of Au-Te minerals commonly occur in tennantite but not in the other major sulfides(molybdenite, chalcopyrite and bornite),implying that tennantite is the most important Au telluride carrier. The pervasive binary equilibrium phases of calaverite and altaite constrain f_(Te2) in the range from ～-6.5 to ～-8 and f_(S2)-11.The intergrowth of bornite and chalcopyrite and the conversion from bornite to digenite suggest fluctuated and relatively low precipitation temperature conditions in the HSES relative to the PS.Contrastingly, the dominance of chalcopyrite in the PS, with minor bornite, suggests relatively high temperature conditions. These new results are important for further understanding the mineral formation processes superimposed by HSES and PS systems.     

紫金山金铜矿床深部成矿作用研究和找矿前景评价的关键

紫金山铜金矿床是典型的高硫化浅成低温热液矿床, 发育巨厚的热液蚀变帽, 多孔状石英和高级泥化蚀变带等标志性特征; 特别是在金矿体之下出现垂直厚度超过1000米的巨大铜矿体, 属于蓝辉铜矿－铜蓝－硫砷铜矿－明矾石矿物组合的高硫化型浅成低温热液铜矿床类型, 铜硫化物的矿物学研究预示着深部可能变为斑岩型铜矿床。     

藏东芒康县巴达铜金矿床地质特征及找矿方向研究

巴达铜金矿位于藏东富碱斑岩带南段,是藏东地区近年来新发现的大型铜金矿。虽然对巴达铜金矿开展了大量勘查工作,但对该矿床的成因尚未取得共识。本文基于详细的野外调研、岩心与坑道编录及系统的镜下鉴定,对巴达铜金矿床地质特征进行研究。巴达矿床主要产于石英二长斑岩中,局部产于斑岩和砂岩地层的接触带内。矿床发育的围岩蚀变主要为青磐岩化、钾化、绢英岩化,高岭土化、蛋白石化、蒙脱石化次之,蚀变分带从内向外依次为钾硅酸盐化带、绢英岩化带、青磐岩化带、高岭土化带,铜金矿体主要赋存于钾硅酸盐化和绢英岩化带内,铜矿化主要以黄铜矿形式产出,金矿化主要以银金矿形式产于白云石±石英+细粒黄铁矿±黄铜矿脉中,铜矿化与金矿化呈正相关,矿体的产出受北西向逆冲断层的控制。与典型斑岩和浅成低温热液矿床不同,巴达铜金矿化主要产于白云石±石英+黄铁矿脉中;矿床内既发育碳酸盐、伊利石、绢云母和黄铁矿、黄铜矿、方铅矿、黝铜矿、低FeS闪锌矿等一套中硫型浅成低温热液矿床的蚀变矿物组合,又发育符合碱性斑岩系统的特征矿物赤铁矿。基于以上特征判断,巴达铜金矿矿床成因类型应为与富碱斑岩有关的浅成低温热液矿床,巴达铜金矿矿床成因的厘定,为下一步找矿提供了理论指导。     

巴布亚新几内亚奥克泰迪铜金矿床成矿特征和控制因素

巴布亚新几内亚西部Fubilan山奥克泰迪矿床是一个世界级铜金矿床,在大地构造上位于新几内亚造山带的巴布亚褶皱带。该矿床的铜金矿化赋存于Fubilan二长斑岩及其周边的磁铁矿夕卡岩和硫化物夕卡岩中。矿石类型以原生硫化物矿石为主,金属矿物包括磁铁矿、黄铁矿、磁黄铁矿、白铁矿、黄铜矿、斑铜矿等。蚀变类型包括夕卡岩化、钾化、泥化和青盘岩化。矿床氧化次生富集带发育,表生矿石矿物为蓝辉铜矿、辉铜矿、自然铜、铜蓝和银金矿。成矿作用主要受区域构造、侵入杂岩体、Darai组灰岩地层、断裂等因素的控制。根据矿床的主岩、矿石特征、蚀变特征和控矿因素,认为该矿床成因类型属于较为典型的夕卡岩一斑岩型矿床。     

西藏地堡那木岗斑岩型铜矿多光谱遥感蚀变矿物组合分带特征

文章基于ASTER和Landsat-8OLI两种多光谱遥感数据,采用高光谱遥感技术混合调谐滤波(MTMF)、多光谱遥感技术相对吸收深度(RBD)、波段比值(BR)等方法提取了西藏多龙矿集区地堡那木岗斑岩型铜金矿床地表的蚀变矿物组合。其结果表明,基于ASTER数据的MTMF技术可将Al—OH矿物划分为白云母+高岭石/蒙脱石和地开石+蒙脱石+累托石两种组合,进一步可细分出斑岩型矿床多光谱遥感地表蚀变矿物组合并呈现出良好的分带特征:地堡那木岗铜金矿床自内而外依次为白云母+高岭石/蒙脱石→地开石+蒙脱石+累托石→Mg—OH类矿物组合,分别对应于前人野外调查所勘测到的的绢英岩化带+泥化带→泥化带→青磐岩化带,Fe3+矿物叠加于绢英岩化带、泥化带及其两带的叠合部位。所提取的多光谱遥感蚀变矿物组合分带特征对该区斑岩型铜金矿床的勘查工作提供了重要的遥感线索,对定位找矿靶区具有指导意义。