Gold nugget morphology and geochemical environments of nugget formation,southern New Zealand

Gold nuggets (centimetre scale) have formed in a supergene alteration zone on hydrothermal gold deposits, and occur intergrown with quartz and iron oxyhydroxide pseudomorphs after sulphide minerals, and along fractures in quartz and host rocks. The supergene alteration was driven by groundwater-driven water-rock interaction near to a regional unconformity beneath fluvial sediments, and involved clay alteration and oxidation that extended up to 50 m below the unconformity. Oxidation of pyrite and arsenopyrite produced temporary thiosulphate ligands that mobilised microparticulate gold encapsulated in the sulphide minerals. The nuggets have some crystalline form, and internally they consist of anhedral grains, elongated gold plates, and intimate intergrowths of gold and iron oxyhydroxide. Nugget surfaces have further micron scale overgrowths of microparticulate gold, gold plates, and gold crystals. Nuggets were eroded and recycled into nearby proximal Miocene quartz pebble conglomerates, where they concentrated in placers near the basal unconformity. Later recycling transferred gold into Pleistocene fluvial channels. Gold dissolution and redeposition as plates and crystals occurred on the exterior surfaces of placer gold particles, with little change in mass. All groundwater maintained high pH throughout the geological history because there was sufficient calcite in the basement rocks to neutralise any acid generated by pyrite oxidation. Hence, gold mobility in sediments was driven by thiosulphate complexes as for the in situ nuggets, albeit with lower dissolved sulphur concentrations. Despite aridification of the climate in the late Cenozoic, with resulting localised high dissolved chloride concentrations, chloride complexation did not contribute to gold mobility.     

Evolution of Cretaceous–Cenozoic quartz pebble conglomerate gold placers during basin formation and inversion, southern New Zealand

Numerous auriferous fluvial quartz pebble conglomerates (QPCs) are present within the Late Cretaceous–Recent sedimentary sequence in southern New Zealand. The QPCs formed in low-relief settings before, during, and after regional marine transgression, in alluvial fan and a variety of fluvial and near-shore depositional settings: In particular, during slow thermal subsidence associated with Late Cretaceous–early Cenozoic rifting, and during the early stages of orogenic uplift following mid Cenozoic marine regression. QPC maturity characteristics are complex and vary with sediment transport and recycling history, stratigraphic proximity to the transgressive Waipounamu Erosion Surface, and the amount of first-cycle detritus incorporated during recycling. For pre-marine QPCs, the amount of first cycle detritus varies with tectonic intensity and proximity of the depositional setting to remnant Cretaceous topography. For post-marine QPCs, it varies with tectonic intensity and proximity to Late Cenozoic uplift of basement ranges.QPCs do not form during a single bedrock erosion–sediment deposition cycle: Non-oxidised and/or oxidized groundwater alteration (kaolinisation) of labile minerals in immature sediment and the upper part of underlying basement, and repeated sedimentary recycling, are fundamental processes of QPC formation regardless of the tectonic or sedimentary settings. Altered immature rock disaggregates easily upon erosion, and alteration clays are winnowed to leave quartz-rich residues containing resistant heavy minerals such as zircon and gold. Detrital sulfide survives recycling if deposition and burial in saturated sediments are rapid. QPCs result only if sediment recycling is not accompanied by excessive erosion of fresh basement rock. Uplift of many parts of the Otago Schist belt since late Miocene has raised rocks above the water table, increased erosion rates, and inhibited groundwater alteration and QPC formation. QPC formation is still occurring in Southland, where the water table is high, sediments are saturated and undergoing alteration, and uplift and erosion rates, topography, and fluvial gradients are all low. The QPCs accumulate as residual gravel on the valley floors of low-competence streams that are slowly incising pervasively altered dominantly late Miocene–Pliocene immature conglomerates.QPCs formation essentially represents physical and chemical lagging of precursor strata. Accumulation of detrital gold and other heavy minerals is an inevitable consequence, and most QPCs contain some gold. Three types of significant gold placer have developed in the QPCs. Type 1 placers are essentially eluvial and/or colluvial in origin and form without significant fluvial transport, by residual accumulation in low-competence valleys during low-rate uplift, fluvial incision and QPC formation. Type 2 placers have formed during significant fluvial transport and subsequent fluvial incision, mainly in higher energy proximal and medial reaches of larger pre-marine (Eocene) and post-marine fluvial systems. Type 3 placers formed by wave-base and marine current winnowing in the shallow shelf setting during low-rate regional marine transgression, especially in the Eocene.     

内蒙古干旱区赛乌素金矿氧化带及金表生地球化学研究

该矿是内蒙古干旱草原气候区典型的含金硫化物石英脉型矿床。研究表明:自全新世以来该氧化带一直处于干旱气候控制之下;金的表生演化除具有颗粒增大、形态复杂、品位变富和成色增高外,金、银出现双峰富集且基本处同一深度;这与潮湿气候区金、银以“单峰”富集及“上金下银”规律形成鲜明对比。太阳泵是金、银“双峰”富集的主要成因;金的下部富集与较低pH环境有关;伊利石2M_1是金、银上部富集峰主要成因之一。     

象牙海岸Issia地区铌钽砂矿的研究(英文)

在西非的象牙海岸Issia地区分布着许多铌钽矿床,包括原生矿和砂矿。原生矿产在分带很好的伟晶岩中。这个地区发育着许多花岗岩和花岗伟晶岩。伟晶岩可分为:(1)分异不好的伟晶岩,无矿化;(2)含Be伟晶岩,分带较好,见绿柱石;(3)含Be-Nb-Ta的伟晶岩,分带很好,是矿体;(4)Be-Nb-Ta-Li伟晶岩,分带很好,是矿体。除了10多个原生矿外,还有许多砂矿。砂矿有两种类型:一种近原生矿的坡积砂矿,另一种是经河流冲刷搬运后的冲积砂矿。我们选择了Etienne-Meguhe砂矿作为近原生矿的坡积砂矿的代表,Bemadi矿作为河流冲积型的砂矿的代表,对这两种类型的砂矿的风化、搬运、沉积机理进行了比较研究。研究发现不同的搬运距离和搬运模式对铌钽砂矿的主要矿物——铌钽铁矿的化学性质没有什么影响,而其物理形态则发生了变化。坡积型砂矿的铌钽铁矿常与石英、长石等矿物连生,其颗粒大小与原生的Nb-Ta伟晶岩中的铌钽铁矿一致;经河流冲积而形成的砂矿中,铌钽铁矿颗粒变小、轮廓变得圆滑,几乎无连生矿物,但矿体集中,常在河流的冲积扇中分布,易开采。     

狗头金成因新认识

依据金矿体中存在大块金金狗大头金与原生金矿体关系密切和表生条件下金的增生程度十分有限以及表生成因说无法解释的一系列疑点为基础，对狗头金的成因进行了探讨，指出存在于表生环境中的狗头金是原生块金在表生条件下经改造并发生有限增生的结果，狗头金发育地区应存在或曾存在原生金矿体。     

Effect of physical and biogeochemical factors on placer gold transformation in mountainous landscapes of Switzerland

In surface environments, placer gold particles are (re)shaped by physical, chemical and biogeochemical processes. This study hypothesizes that in modern landscapes combinations of physical and biogeochemical factors determine placer gold transformation and the composition of biofilm communities living on particle surfaces. Morphology, composition and biofilm communities of placer particles from eight locations in Switzerland were analyzed. Sites reflect a variety of modern-day placer environments in mountainous terrains, ranging from eluvial sites in close proximity to primary sources, to alluvial sites associated with both slow- and fast-moving streams, and to distal glacio-fluvial and depositional lake sediments. Particles are progressively physically and biogeochemically transformed with increasing distance from source. Variable degrees of rounding, gouging and scratching from physical reshaping due to transport and sedimentation processes are evident especially on particles from high energy environments. Surface textures indicative of biogeochemical gold/silver dissolution are common. In low energy/depositional environments and with increasing distance from source overgrowths of gold nano- and micro-particles and aggregates are abundant. These form micro-crystalline layers of secondary gold on particle surfaces covering them to depths of tens of micrometers. Biofilm communities across all sites are dominated by Proteobacteria (669 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), 49.8%), especially β‑Proteobacteria. Other important phyla include Acidobacteria, (172 OTUs, 9.7%), Bacteroidetes (222 OTUs, 11.6%), Cyanobacteria (26 OTUs, 13.7%), and Planctomycetes (125 OTUs, 7.1%). Canonical analysis of principal coordinates demonstrates significant links of community assemblages to biogeochemical transformation and landscape position of collected particles. Increasing specialization towards metallophilic phyla was recorded on particles collected with increasing distance from source, suggesting that Au toxicity resulting from progressing biogeochemical transformation affected bacterial communities. This study ultimately shows that placer gold transformation and biofilm composition within modern landscapes is highly dependent on the interplay of physical and biogeochemical factors.     

The ‚loess’︁ section at Borden,Kent, SE England

A 5.3m profile originally described as loess with a buried interglacial soil is reinterpreted from petrographic evidence and thermoluminescence dating as a Holocene colluvial accretionary soil. Mineralogical analyses of coarse silt (16–63 μm) fractions suggest that most of the silty colluvium was derived from weathered Thanet Beds upslope, though some loess was incorporated during the final depositional phase. Thin sections show that clay illuviation occurred penecontem-poraneously with deposition of colluvium. Thermoluminescence properties suggest partial optical bleaching of the grains during rapid deposition, which is consistent with a Holocene colluvial origin.     

Morphotectonic control on Quaternary sedimentation and landscape evolution,Pachham Island,Kachchh, Western India

Pachham Island is the westernmost island in a chain of four rocky islands within the Great Rann of Kachchh that are bounded in the north by the Island Belt Fault (IBF). The island is characterized by two parallel and structurally controlled Kaladungar hill range and Goradungar hill range separated by a synclinal central valley. The central valley has acted as a sink for the Quaternary sediments. The island is transversely traversed by a N-S trending basement high termed as Median high that shows pronounced geomorphic and drainage anomaly. The Quaternary sediments comprise coarse-grained colluvio-fluvial deposits, miliolite, and sandy alluvium. The coarse-grained Quaternary deposits were primarily derived from the colluvium generated due to the uplift of the Kaladungar hill range and Goradungar hill range along the IBF and Goradunagar Fault, respectively. The colluvial debris were subsequently reworked, transported down slope and deposited in the central valley. The presence of the deeply incised valleys in Quaternary sediments, two levels of terrace surfaces over the Median high, and the raised Rann floor surrounding the island suggest a dominant role of neotectonics in the landscape evolution and Quaternary sedimentation.     

Dahab stream sediments, southeastern Sinai, Egypt: a potential source of gold, magnetite and zircon

The stream sediments of Dahab area, southeastern Sinai, Egypt, were studied for their content of economic minerals. These sediments are immature as indicated by poor sorting and other mechanical parameters. They are derived from Precambrian basement rocks, which are mostly represented by granitic rocks in addition to lesser amounts of volcanics and gabbros. The mineralogical investigation revealed that these sediments contain considerable amounts of placer gold, Fe–Ti oxides and zircon.The concentrated Fe–Ti oxides comprise homogeneous magnetite and ilmenite in addition to ilmeno-magnetite, hemo-ilmenite and rutile–hematite intergrowths. Isodynamic separation of some raw samples of SIZE=1 mm revealed that up to 15.12% magnetic minerals can be recovered. Zircon shows remarkable variations in morphology, colour, chemistry and provenance. U-poor and U-rich varieties of zircon were discriminated containing UO₂ in the ranges of 0.04–1.19 and 3.05–3.68 wt.%, respectively. REE-bearing minerals comprise monazite, allanite and La-cerianite.On mineralogical basis, the present work suggests that Dahab stream sediments represent a promising target for further geochemical exploration for precious metals, especially gold. Fire assay data indicate that placer gold in the studied sediments sometimes reaches 15.34 g/t. Narrow gullies and valleys cutting the basement manifest the development and preservation of gold in this arid environment. Background concentration of gold and variation in lithology suggest multiple source of the metal in the investigated sediments.     

Slip rates on the Helike Fault, Gulf of Corinth, Greece: new evidence from geoarchaeology

Palaeoseismological and archaeological analysis of a trench enabled us to estimate the Holocene slip rates on the East Helike Fault, flanking the south-western Gulf of Corinth. We recognized two major fault strands within the trench: the ‘north fault’ controls a succession of three colluvial wedges and the deposition of a 2.7 m thick sedimentary sequence. The ‘south fault’ controls the deposition of a 2.9-m thick brownish-red colluvium. Based on colluvial stratigraphy, radiocarbon dating of the sediments suggests that the slip rate was c. 0.3 mm yr⁻¹ from 10 250 to c. 1400 bp , when it increased dramatically to c. 2.0 mm yr⁻¹ after a strong earthquake event near 1400 bp . The faster slip rate evidently increased the sedimentation rate.     

Supergene Geochemistry of Gold and Oxidation Zone of the Sain Us Gold Deposit in the Inner Mongolian Arid Region

The Sain Us gold deposit is a typical auriferous sulphide quartz vein deposit in the InnerMongolian arid steppe climatic region. The oxidation zone has been controlled by the arid cli-mate since the beginning of the Holocene. Gold supergene evolution is characterized by enlarge-ment of gold grains, complication of the gold form, raising of the gold grade and increase of thegold fineness; besides, gold and silver have two enrichment peaks at the same depth, which is insharp contrast to the unimodal enrichment of gold and silver and the occurrence of gold aboveand silver below in a humid climatic region. Sun pumping is the main cause for the bimodalenrichment of gold and silver. Illite 2 M_1 is one of the main causes for the upper enrichment peakof gold and silver.     

Chronostratigraphic studies of sediments in the Negev desert, using amino acid epimerization analysis of land snail shells

The chronostratigraphy of mostly Holocene sediments in the Northern Negev desert of Israel was studied through amino acid epimerization analysis (alloisoleucine/isoleucine ratio, A/I) of individual land snail shells and ¹⁴C analysis of bulk samples of land snail shells contained within the sediments. Analysis of 31 deposits shows a very strong correlation between A/I and ¹⁴C age. A/I analyses indicate that age mixtures occur within all colluvial and in some fluvial deposits. Consequently, radiocarbon dates of bulk samples, which give an average age, overestimate the time of deposition. Sedimentation rates were generally rapid in both fluvial and colluvial deposits. Colluviation shows a maximum in the early Holocene and decreases progressively thereafter, in accordance with the change in average rainfall. Accumulation of fluvial sediments shows a distinct mid-Holocene maximum and apparently relates to the interaction between variation in rainfall, extent of bedrock exposure, and vegetation density. Late Holocene fluvial deposition may relate to agricultural activity. The understanding of the chronology of sedimentation is dependent on an integrated approach employing amino acid epimerization analysis to study age variation within a layer and ¹⁴C analyses for establishment of an absolute chronology.     

一个大型红土型金矿的成矿地质条件及形成机理分析

蛇屋山金矿床是我国首先在湖北省发现并探明的大型红土型金矿床。矿床经渗流热卤水成矿作用，形成原生金矿化（体）；再经表生同化成矿作用形成风化型金矿床。矿床成因类型属渗流热卤水－表生成因的残积粘土型金矿床，工业类型为红土型金矿床。     

湄公河三角洲第四系沉积物地球化学特征及其地质意义

湄公河三角洲是由发源于青藏高原的世界第7长河——湄公河于南海西南部入海口处沉积而成.由于缺少可靠的地球化学资料和系统研究,湄公河三角洲地区第四系沉积物源性质尚不明确,制约了对湄公河三角洲源汇系统的进一步认识.本文对湄公河三角洲第四系沉积物进行了重矿物、主量元素和微量元素的地球化学特征分析,结果表明:所有样品稀土元素球粒...     

Composition of carbonate overgrowths produced on Iceland spar calcite crystals buried in bahamian carbonate-rich sediments

High-magnesium calcite overgrowths were precipitated on Iceland spar calcite crystals buried in Bahamian sediments. Their composition was within the range of carbonate cements in this area. The precipitation rate of the overgrowths was slower and the magnesium content higher than predicted from laboratory experiments, possibly due to adsorption of organic compounds.     

东昆仑中东段驼路沟钴（金）矿床钠铁矾的识别及其指示意义

黄钾铁矾族矿物是干旱地区硫化物矿床氧化带中常见的表生矿物,是重要的示矿标志,其详细研究可以为解剖与之相关矿床的次生富集过程提供重要依据。东昆仑中东段驼路沟钴（金）矿床主要出露一套纳赤台群哈拉巴依组变火山-沉积岩,其中的石英钠长石岩是重要的含矿主岩,前人认为其为一套热水喷流沉积岩,并由此提出驼路沟为喷流沉积型钴（金）矿床。文章重点选择矿区内玉女沟矿段的黄褐色-赤红色土状-块状破碎氧化带为研究对象,通过野外地质调查、显微观察、扫描电镜、全成分分析、电子探针和X射线衍射技术,揭示氧化带中主要矿物有钠铁矾、白云母、钠长石、石英、石膏和赤铁矿,其中以钠铁矾发育为显著特征。矿区发育的黄铁矿和石英钠长岩在氧化淋滤过程中析出的S、Fe、Na为钠铁矾的形成提供了物质来源,钠铁矾可作为指示高原干旱地区热水喷流沉积型矿床氧化带的标型矿物。     

Quaternary colluvium in west-central Anatolia: sedimentary facies and palaeoclimatic significance

The Quaternary colluvial aprons in Lake Eğirdir area, Taurus Mountains, consist of steep coalescent fans, up to 17–20 m thick and 350–450 m in plan-view radius, and the sedimentary succession comprises four lithostratigraphic divisions. The basal red–brown colluvium consists of a chaotic, bouldery fan-core rubble covered with bedded, openwork to matrix-rich gravel, whose deposition is attributed to rockfalls and cohesive debrisflows, with minor grainflows and sheetwash processes. The middle part of this division contains interbeds of early Pleistocene tephra. The overlying light-grey colluvium consists of bedded gravel with numerous palaeogullies and its deposition is attributed to waterflow, rockfalls and cohesive debrisflows. The younger, medium-grey colluvium consists of stratified pebbly sand interspersed with cobble/boulder gravel and its deposition is attributed to sheetwash processes accompanied by rockfalls and wet snowflows/slushflows. A bulk-pollen radiocarbon date indicates Late Würm age. The youngest, yellow–grey colluvium consists of bedded, mainly pebbly and openwork gravel, whose deposition is attributed to dry grainflows, rockfalls and minor cohesive debrisflows. Based on the sedimentary facies assemblages and available isotopic dates, the four colluvial divisions are correlated with the following stages of the region's climatic history: (1) the latest Pliocene to Early Pleistocene stage of warm–humid climate with pronounced phases of drier conditions; (2) the Late Pleistocene stage of colder climate, with alternating phases of higher and lower humidity; (3) the last glacial (Würm) stage of coldest climate; and (4) the Holocene stage of warm semi-arid climate. It is concluded that colluvial depositional systems bear a valuable proxy record of climatic changes and regional geoclimatic differences.     

Supergene leaching and formation of platinum in alluvium: evidence from Serro, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Summary The Córrego Bom Sucesso alluvial deposit near Serro, Minas Gerais, probably provided the specimens from which the element palladium was first discovered. Its Pt–Pd nuggets are characteristically botryoidal, arborescent and coralloidal, and exhibit an external halo with the composition of palladiferous platinum to virtually pure platinum. X-ray mapping of an arborescent Pt–Pd nugget from the historical occurrence documents selective palladium depletion, similar to the high-fineness gold haloes developed on detrital Au–Ag grains under supergene conditions. The Pd-depleted alteration zone truncates inclusions of crystals stoichiometrically close to PdPt within the Pt–Pd aggregate. Selective metal leaching in the weathering environment can account for the frequently observed Pt-enriched rims on alluvial platiniferous alloys which may lead to the formation of platinum nuggets at an advanced degree of weathering. Present address: Department of Geology: Exploration Geology Rhodes University PO Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140 South Africa     

Chai Mat Kaolin–Bauxite Deposit (South Vietnam): Typomorphic Features of Kaolinite and Formation Mechanism of the Zonal Profile of the Bauxite-Bearing Weathering Crust of Granites

Analysis of the evolution of bauxite-bearing weathering crust in the geological history of Asia, as well as detailed mineralogical–geochemical and hydrogeochemical studies, has made it possible to consider supergene infiltration metasomatism as a single mechanism for the formation of the eluvial zonal profile, using the weathering crust of southern Vietnam weathering crust as an example. It is established that all weathering crust zones develop simultaneously throughout the existing fracturing as rocks interact with the solutions percolating through them. All supergene minerals are formed directly from original parent rock components rather than by staged development at each other’s expense. The resulting paragenetic assemblages of newly formed minerals result in zoning.

     

内蒙古赛乌素金矿氧化带划分及金的次生富集

赛乌素金矿是在我国干旱－半干旱气候条件下形成的，较为典型的风化淋滤残积型金矿床。该矿床氧化带剖面可划分成：表土亚带、碳酸盐亚带、铁质亚带、花岗岩风化亚带和基岩。花岗岩风化亚带的上部为金矿体次生富集的主要赋存部位。但由于原含矿地质体金矿化及构造裂隙分布的不均匀性，使金的次生富集局部出现波动。在金的次生富集过程中腐殖酸的作用不是主要的，而粘土矿物、赤铁矿等对金的吸附，以及具有小分子量的有机酸类可能起着相对重要的作用。