Mineralogical evolution of indium in high grade tin-polymetallic hydrothermal veins — A comparative study from Tosham, Haryana state, India and Goka, Naegi district, Japan

Two tin-polymetallic vein-type deposits widely separated in time and space but with strong similarities in terms of mineralization style, ore mineralogy and chemistry have been studied comparatively with the aim of understanding the mineralogical evolution of In-rich hydrothermal systems. The Tosham deposit, Bhiwani district, Haryana, India, is of Neoproterozoic age and constitutes a Sn–Cu prospect with unusually high In content. The disseminated, crude stockwork and vein mineralization is hosted by greisenised metasedimentary rocks intruded by a porphyritic granite stock and by later rhyolitic effusives. The Goka deposit, Naegi district, Japan is probably of uppermost Cretaceous age and occurs close to a well fractionated ilmenite series granitoid body. The tin-polymetallic vein in the Goka deposit is hosted by a welded tuff unit close to a subvolcanic granodiorite porphyry.The main host minerals of indium in the Tosham and Goka ores are sphalerite, stannite, unidentified Zn–Cu–Fe–In–Sn–S phases and chalcopyrite. Up to 0.48 wt.% In has been noted in the Goka chalcopyrite, whereas at Tosham, the mineral has a maximum In concentration of 1220 ppm. At Goka the sphalerite contains up to 1.89 wt.% In, whereas In-bearing stannite carries up to ca. 9 wt.% of the metal. Roquesite is the other indium mineral present in the Tosham ores, but is absent in Goka. The mineral chemistry of the Tosham and Goka ores suggest that the In-bearing minerals belong to a multi-component Zn–Cu–Fe–(Ag)–Sn–In–S system. Based on various triangular plots of the atomic proportions of the main metals, it is inferred that there are end-member phases, roquesite and stannite, in the Tosham ores co-existing with chalcopyrite. The sphalerite is both pure end-member and Cu–In-bearing in both the Tosham and Goka ores. Some of the analysed stannite grains in Tosham ores could possibly be petrukite. The Zn–Cu–Fe–Sn–In–S system in the two ores has a Sn-poor, high-In solid solution phase and also a Sn-rich, low-In solid solution phase. It seems possible that these two solid solutions were the first to form during hydrothermal ore deposition at high temperatures from a disordered solid solution located at the (Cu + Ag):(Zn + Fe):(In + Sn) = 3:5:2 intersection in the (Cu + Ag)–(Zn + Fe)–(In + Sn) field. With decreasing temperatures, the Sn-poor, In-rich solid solution exsolved the Zn–In-mineral of Ohta [Ohta, E., 1980. Mineralization of Izumo and Sorachi veins of the Toyoha mine, Hokkaido, Japan. Bulletin, Geological Survey of Japan 31, 585–597. (in Japanese with English abstract).] and sphalerite, while the Sn-rich, In-poor solid solution was broken down to stannite and relatively-Cu-rich sphalerite.     

Indium Enrichment in the Meng'entaolegai Ag-Pb-Zn Deposit, Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract. The Meng'entaolegai In-rich Ag-Pb-Zn deposit is located in the eastern part of Inner Mongolia. It is one of the In-richest deposits in China. Large amounts of quartz and sulfide minerals constitute a hydrothermal quartz-sulfide vein deposit within a Hercynian acidic granite massif, which occupies an area of about 400 km². Thirty-six orebodies, controlled strictly by the E-W trend faults, are found in the orefield of 6 km in length from east to west and 200 to 1,000 m in width from south to north. The ore minerals are mainly galena, sphalerite and pyrite, and subordinate chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, cassiterite and stannite with many Ag-minerals. The gangue minerals are mainly quartz, calcite, sericite and chlorite. Economic components of the deposit are dominated by Pb andZn (reserves of Pb and Zn are 0.17 Mt and 0.37 Mt, and their grades are 1 % and 2.3 %, respectively), with Ag, Sn, In and Cd (1,800 t Ag, >2,000 t Sn, >500 t In and 1,800 t Cd) as by-products. Indium is highly enriched in ores and its contents are 9 to 295 ppm in ores and 85 to 2,660 ppm in sphalerite. Analytical results show that the ore-forming fluid of this deposit contains 0.8–3.5 ppm In and 4–36 ppm Sn, and the two elements show a very good positive correlation with a correlation coefficient of 0.8672, while the correlation between In and Zn in the ore-forming fluids, with a correlation coefficient of 0.5723, is not as good as that between In and Sn. This indicates that indium has an affinity with tin in the ore-forming fluids. The authors think that this is probably the main reason why those In-rich deposits spread over the world are simultaneously enriched in tin.     

Characteristics of the Cibaliung Gold Deposit: Miocene Low-Sulfidation-Type Epithermal Gold Deposit in Western Java, Indonesia

Middle Miocene (11.18–10.65 Ma) low sulfidation‐type epithermal gold mineralization occurred in the Cibaliung area, southwestern part of Java Island, Indonesia. It is hosted by andesitic to basaltic andesitic lavas of the Middle Miocene Honje Formation (11.4 Ma) and is covered by Pliocene Cibaliung tuff (4.9 Ma). The exploration estimates mineral resource of approximately 1.3 million tonnes at 10.42 g/t gold and 60.7 g/t silver at a 3 g/t Au cut‐off. This equates to approximately 435,000 ounces of gold and 2.54 million ounces of silver. That resource resulted from two ore shoots: Cibitung and Cikoneng. Studies on ore mineralogy, hydrothermal alteration, geology, fluid inclusion, stable isotopes and age dating were conducted in order to characterize the deposit and to understand a possible mechanism of preservation of the deposit. The ore mineral assemblage of the deposit consists of electrum, naumannite, Ag‐Se‐Te sulfide minerals, chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite and galena. Those ore minerals occur in quartz veins showing colloform–crustiform texture. They are enveloped by mixed layer clay illite/smectite zone, which grades into smectite zone outward. The temperature of mineralization revealed by fluid inclusion study on quartz in the veins ranges from 170 and 220°C at shallow and deep level, respectively. The temperature range is in agreement with the temperature deduced from the hydrothermal alteration mineral assemblage including mixed layered illite/smectite and laumontite. The mineralizing fluid is dilute, with a salinity <1 wt% NaCl equivalent and has stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen composition indicating a meteoric water origin. Although the deposit is old enough that it would have been eroded in a tropical island arc setting, the coverage by younger volcanic deposits such as the Citeluk tuff and the Cibaliung tuff most probably prevented this erosion.     

Ore and Skarn Mineralogy of the Yamato Mine,Yamaguchi Prefecture,Japan, with Emphasis on Silver‐, Bismuth‐, Cobalt‐, and Tin‐bearing Sulfides

Assemblages and chemical compositions of ore minerals from the Yamato mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan, were investigated in detail to clarify its characteristics as a skarn deposit. Special attention was paid to silver‐, bismuth‐, cobalt‐, and tin‐bearing sulfide minerals and native gold at the mine, which are described here for the first time. Samples of arsenopyrite‐dominant massive ore, and garnet‐rich, clinopyroxene‐garnet‐rich, and wollastonite‐bearing skarn ores were collected from the mine dump. Arsenopyrite is the most abundant ore mineral (>80 vol.%) in the massive ore, in association with both As‐poor/free and As‐bearing pyrite. The major ore minerals in the skarn specimens are pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite, along with minor argentite, Ag‐Pb‐Bi sulfate, matildite, bismuthinite, native bismuth, molybdenite, scheelite, stannite, stannoidite, cassiterite, cobaltite, gersdorffite, and Co‐rich violarite. In addition, native gold is observed in the interstices of gangue minerals. Based on the mineral assemblages and textures of the specimens examined, the major ore minerals formed in the early stage of mineralization, and the Bi‐, Ag‐, Co‐, Ni‐, As‐ and Sn‐mineralization occurred in the middle stage. Native gold was deposited in the late stage. The estimated formation temperature of the middle mineralization stage was 312±5 °C, according to iron and zinc partitioning between stannite and coexisting sphalerite. The mineralogical properties and mineralization process of the Yamato mine are consistent with those of common skarn‐ and vein‐type ore deposits associated with ilmenite‐series granitoids in the San‐yo and San‐in districts.     

Unusual sphalerite,chalcopyrite, and stannite intergrowths at tin deposits

Unusual intergrowths of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and stannite have been described in two samples from the St. Agnes (Cornwall) and Sinancha (southern Primorye) tin deposits. Possible origins of these sulfide intergrowths and their implications for understanding the formation conditions of the deposits are discussed on the basis of ore microscopy and analytical data. At the St. Agnes deposit, the intergrowths appeared due to the breakdown of a high-temperature solid solution with formation of a Zn-stannite matrix, chalcopyrite lamellae, and rounded drop-shaped inclusions of sphalerite. At the Sinancha deposit, the rare myrmekite stannite-sphalerite intergrowths are interpreted as eutectic textures of mutual penetration that resulted from ore metamorphism at the contact of a dike.     

The Tiger Sulfide Chimney,Yonaguni Knoll IV Hydrothermal Field,Southern Okinawa Trough,Japan: The First Reported Occurrence of Pt–Cu–Fe‐Bearing Bismuthinite and Sn‐Bearing Chalcopyrite in an Active Seafloor Hydrothermal System

A sulfide chimney ore sampled from the flank of the active Tiger vent area in the Yonaguni Knoll IV hydrothermal field, south Okinawa trough, consists of anhydrite, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite and bismuthinite. Electron microprobe analysis indicates that the chalcopyrite contains up to 2.4 wt% Sn, whereas bismuthinite contains up to 1.7 wt% Pt, 0.8 wt% Cu and 0.5 wt% Fe. The Sn‐rich chalcopyrite and Pt–Cu–Fe‐bearing bismuthinite are the first reported occurrence of such minerals in an active submarine hydrothermal system. The results confirm that Sn enters the chalcopyrite as a solid solution towards stannite by the coupled substitution of Sn⁴⁺Fe²⁺ for Fe³⁺Fe³⁺, whereas Pt, Cu and Fe enter the bismuthinite structure as a solid solution during rapid nucleation. The fluid inclusions homogenization temperatures in anhydrite (220–310°C) and measured end‐member temperature of the vent fluids on‐site (325°C) indicate that Sn‐bearing chalcopyrite and Pt–Cu–Fe‐bearing bismuthinite express the original composition of the minerals that precipitated as metastable phases at a temperature above 300°C. The result observed in this study implies that sulfides in ancient volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits have similar trace element distribution during nucleation but it is remobilised during diagenesis, metamorphism or supergene enrichment processes.     

Petrology,Geochemistry, and Fluid Inclusion Microthermometry of Sphalerite from the Laloki and Federal Flag Strata‐Bound Massive Sulfide Deposits,Papua New Guinea: Implications for Gold Mineralization

The Laloki and Federal Flag deposits are two of the many (over 45) polymetallic massive sulfide deposits that occur in the Astrolabe Mineral Field, Papua New Guinea. New data of the mineralogical compositions, mineral textures, and fluid inclusion studies on sphalerite from Laloki and Federal Flag deposits were investigated to clarify physiochemical conditions of the mineralization at both deposits. The two deposits are located about 2 km apart and they are stratigraphically hosted by siliceous to carbonaceous claystone and rare gray chert of Paleocene–Eocene age. Massive sulfide ore and host rock samples were collected from each deposit for mineralogical, geochemical, and fluid inclusion studies. Mineralization at the Laloki deposit consists of early‐stage massive sulfide mineralization (sphalerite‐barite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite–marcasite) and late‐stage brecciation and remobilization of early‐stage massive sulfides that was accompanied by late‐stage sphalerite mineralization. Occurrence of native gold blebs in early‐stage massive pyrite–marcasite‐chalcopyrite ore with the association of pyrrhotite‐hematite and abundant planktonic foraminifera remnants was due to reduction of hydrothermal fluids by the reaction with organic‐rich sediments and seawater mixing. Precipitation of fine‐grained gold blebs in late‐stage Fe‐rich sphalerite resulted from low temperature and higher salinity ore fluids in sulfur reducing conditions. In contrast, the massive sulfide ores from the Federal Flag deposit contain Fe‐rich sphalerite and subordinate sulfarsenides. Native gold blebs occur as inclusions in Fe‐rich sphalerite, along sphalerite grain boundaries, and in the siliceous‐hematitic matrix. Such occurrences of native gold suggest that gold was initially precipitated from high‐temperature, moderate to highly reduced, low‐sulfur ore fluids. Concentrations of Au and Ag from both Laloki and Federal Flag deposits were within the range (<10 ppm Au and <100 ppm Ag) of massive sulfides at a mid‐ocean ridge setting rather than typical arc‐type massive sulfides. The complex relationship between FeS contents in sphalerite and gold grades of both deposits is probably due to the initial deposition of gold on the seafloor that may have been controlled by factors such as Au complexes, pH, and fO₂ in combination with temperature and sulfur fugacity.     

柿竹园和香炉山W多金属矿床中硫化物微量元素特征:来自原位LA-ICP-MS分析

华南包括两个世界级的W矿带,分别是南岭和江南造山带W成矿带。柿竹园W多金属矿床位于南岭地区,香炉山W矿床位于江南造山带东北部。两个矽卡岩W矿床都发育硫化物成矿阶段。但硫化物和成矿元素组成存在显著的差异。前者由含Pb、Zn、Ag硫化物和黝铜矿、银黝铜矿、含Ag斜方辉铅铋矿和铁硫锡铜矿硫盐组成;后者主要为磁黄铁矿。柿竹园远接触带Pb-Zn-Ag矿脉中硫化物(闪锌矿、黄铜矿、方铅矿和磁黄铁矿)较富集B、Mn、Cr、Sb、Sn和Hg,香炉山似层状矽卡岩和硫化物-白钨矿矿体中硫化物(磁黄铁矿、黄铜矿和闪锌矿)较富集W、Se和Bi。两个矿床中黄铜矿、闪锌矿和方铅矿较富集Ag,黄铜矿、闪锌矿富集In和Sn,闪锌矿还富集Cd。两个矿床中的硫化物微量元素分析表明与矽卡岩W矿成矿相关的硫化物可载有多种微量元素。这些元素参与到硫化物中程度由多种因素控制。具体如下,硫化物中B含量高低与成矿相关岩体中B含量相关;在相对高温和还原条件下,硫化物中W含量较高;闪锌矿中Mn和Cd与Zn发生取代作用; Cr可以一定程度进入到硫化物中,并受成矿流体中Cr含量影响; Se与S发生了一定程度的取代进入硫化物,并受流体中它的含量控制; Bi在闪锌矿与黄铜矿易形成固溶体;硫化物中Sb含量受初始流体中它的含量影响,方铅矿中易包裹一定的辉锑矿(Sb_2S_3)或含Sb的硫盐矿物; Ag是否形成独立的矿物相和进入哪些硫化物中,取决于流体中Ag的初始含量和硫化物的沉淀次序;硫化物中Hg的含量受温度影响。     

Polymetallic and Au-Ag Mineralizations at the Mutnovskoe Deposit in South Kamchatka, Russia

Abstract. The Mutnovskoe deposit located in the Porozhisto‐Asachinskaya metallogenic province of South Kamchatka, Russia, is a polymetallic vein and Au‐Ag quartz vein associated type of hydrothermal deposit. The Mutnovskoe deposit is located inside a paleo‐caldera structure at the center of the Mutnovsko‐Asachinskaya geothermal field of Pliocene ‐ Quaternary age, where active gold deposition is identified in hot spring precipitate. The Mutnovskoe deposit is subdivided into the north flank, the central flank and the south flank based on the vein distributions and mineral parageneses. The mineralized vein system is oriented N‐S hosted in diorite ‐ gabbroic diorite stock, volcanic rocks and sedimentary rocks of Miocene ‐ Pleistocene age. The mineralization stage I (polymetallic vein) mainly in the central and the south flanks is Zn‐Pb‐Cu‐Au‐Ag contained in sphalerite, galena and tetrahedrite‐tennantite group mineral. The stage II (Au‐Ag quartz vein) occurs in the north and the central flanks. The stage III (Mn‐sulfide and Mn‐Ca‐carbonate vein) occurs in the whole deposit area. Stage II is the typical Au‐Ag quartz‐adularia vein of low‐sulfidation type. Stage III is alabandite‐rhodochrosite‐quartz‐calcite vein. The K‐Ar ages are 1.3±0.1 Ma for stage I sericite in alteration zone, and 0.7±0.1 Ma for the stage II adularia in mineralized vein. Based on the fluid inclusion study, range of ore forming temperature of the Mutnovskoe deposit is 200 to 260d?C (av. 230d?C). Salinities of fluid inclusions indicate 2.2 to 5.7 wt% NaCl in sphalerite and 0.8 to 3.3 wt% NaCl in quartz for the stage I. Mineral paragenesis of the polymetallic vein (stage I) is characterized by a district zoning of tennantite and Cd‐rich sphalerite in the south flank and tetrahedrite and Mn‐rich sphalerite in the central flank, which is due to the fractional crystallizations of ore‐forming fluid. Depositional condition of the low sulfidation state is inferred for the Mutnovskoe deposit, where the polymetallic vein of the south flank is in relatively higher sulfidation state than the central flank.     

Mineralogical controls on mine drainage of the abandoned Ervedosa tin mine in north-eastern Portugal

The Ervedosa Mine, in north-eastern Portugal, has Sn-bearing quartz veins containing cassiterite and sulphides that cut Silurian schists and a Sn-bearing muscovite granite. These veins were mined for Sn and As₂O₃ until 1969. Cassiterite, the main Sn ore, has alternate lighter and darker growth-zones. The darker zones are richer in Fe, Nb, Ta and Ti, but poorer in Sn than the adjoining lighter zones. Exsolution blebs of ferrocolumbite, manganocolumbite, Ti ixiolite, rutile, ilmenite and rare wolframite were found in the darker zones. Arsenopyrite is the most abundant sulphide and contains inclusions of pyrrhotite, bismuth, bismuthinite and matildite. Other sulphides are pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite and stannite. Secondary solid phases consisting mainly of hydrate sulphate complexes of Al, Fe, Ca and Mg (aluminocopiapite, copiapite, halotrichite, pickeringite, gypsum and alunogen, meta-alunogen) occur at the surface of the Sn-bearing quartz veins and their wall rocks (granite and schist), while oxides, hydroxides, arsenates and residual mineral phases (albite, muscovite and quartz) occur in mining tailings. Toxic acid mine waters (acid mine drainage AMD), which have high conductivity and significant concentrations of As, SO₄ and metal (Cu, Zn, Pb, Fe, Mn, Cd, Ni and Co), occur in an area directly affected by the mine. Surface stream waters outside this area have low conductivity and a pH that is almost neutral. Metal and As concentrations are also lower. Stream waters within the impact area have an intermediate composition, falling between that of the AMD and the natural stream waters outside impact area. Waters associated directly with mineralised veins must not be used for human consumption or agriculture.     

内蒙古靠山屯银铅多金属矿综合找矿信息的提取及找矿前景

为了评价内蒙古靠山屯勘查区银铅多金属矿床找矿前景,对该勘查区进行了地质、航磁激电和化探综合找矿信息的提取。结果表明,靠山屯银铅多金属矿床是以银为主,伴生有铅和锌的中型矿床,产于早白垩世钾长花岗岩和晚侏罗世凝灰岩内。蚀变和矿化特征显示该矿床成因类型为中温热液脉型。上侏罗统玛尼吐组火山岩富含Pb、Ag等成矿元素,是有利的容矿围岩,产于火山岩和岩体接触带附近的断裂构造是有利的控矿构造,绢英岩化和硅化是近矿的围岩蚀变。成矿后区内存在差异性抬升,中部和北东部矿化以方铅矿和共伴生银矿物为主,矿床保存条件好,如Ⅱ和Ⅲ号蚀变带。南西部以闪锌矿(含黄铜矿)为主,矿床剥蚀较大,如Ⅰ号蚀变带,中高极化、低阻或中高阻、低-中高磁异常的物探异常总体为矿致异常的特征。Pb、Zn、Ag异常套合好,Pb和Ag异常面积大,强度高的异常KHt4-11分布区矿床保存条件较好,找矿前景较好。Zn异常面积大,外侧的Pb和Ag异常面积小的异常KHt1 KHt3分布区矿床剥蚀较大,找矿前景较差。     

Sulfide mineralogy in the polymetallic cassiterite deposits of Dachang,P.R. China

Several important mineral deposits of Sn, Zn, Cu, Pb, and other metals associated with Devonian sediments and Yanshanian (Cretaceous) granitic rocks are known in the Dachang district (Guangxi). Early genetic hypotheses related the origin of the deposits entirely to the Yanshanian granites. Recently, it was suggested that in Devonian times an earlier syngenetic metal concentration may have occurred, later overprinted by the Yanshanian metallogeny. This contribution is aimed at placing constraints on the physicochemical conditions during the Yanshanian ore formation-remobilization by studying the sulfide chemistry (arsenopyrite, sphalerite, stannite) and fluid inclusion data on the two major deposits in the area, i.e., the polymetallic cassiterite deposit of Changpo and the Zn-Cu skarn deposit of Lamo. Sphalerite and arsenopyrite are quite abundant in both deposits; stannite is minor, but fairly widespread at Changpo, and quite rare at Lamo. They are accompanied by pyrite, pyrrhotite, galena, chalcopyrite, cassiterite, fluorite, and a large variety of other sulfides and sulfosalts. The main compositional data for sphalerite and arsenopyrite are summarized as follows:Changpo: arsenopyrite associated with pyrrhotite 31.4–36.1 at% As; Associated with pyrite 31.9–33.1 at% As; sphalerite associated with pyrrhotite 18.3–22.2 mol% FeS; associated with pyrite 10.6–18.6 mol% FeS.Lamo: arsenopyrite associated with pyrrhotite 32.9–35.3 at% As; associated with pyrite 30.3–31.7 at% As; sphalerite associated with pyrrhotite, 17.2–24.4 mol% FeS; associated with pyrite 4.2–19.6 mol% FeS.Partitioning of Fe and Zn between coexisting sphalerite and stannite from Changpo indicates temperatures of 300°–350°C. For Lamo, the following fluid inclusion data are available: fluorite, salinities of 0–9.5 equiv. wt% NaCl, and homogenization temperatures between 160°C and 250°C; quartz, moderate salinities (0–4.6 equiv. wt% NaCl), and homogenization temperatures of 208°–260°C. Combining the mineralogical evidence with the compositional and fluid inclusion data, it is suggested that the evolution of the environment during the Yanshanian event was characterized by the following parameters: pressure was relatively low (on the order of 1–1.5 kb); temperature may have been as high as 500°C during deposition of the As-richest arsenopyrites, but eventually dropped below 200°–250°C in the latest stages; with an increase in sulfur activity and/or the decrease in temperature pyrrhotite was no longer stable in the latest stages of mineralization.     

Indium mineralisation in SW England: Host parageneses and mineralogical relations

The SW England ore region contains significant amounts of indium (In) in Early Permian granite-related skarn and lode parageneses and, to a lesser extent, Triassic epithermal “crosscourse” veins. Ore parageneses that predate granite emplacement (Devonian and Lower Carboniferous sedimentary exhalative and vein parageneses) are largely devoid of In. Cadmium (Cd) and gallium (Ga) occur widely in all sulphide-bearing parageneses across the region with sphalerite concentrations locally reaching 1.74 wt% Cd and 1750 ppm Ga.Indium displays a strong affinity to sulphide-bearing magmatic-hydrothermal parageneses. It occurs in silicate-sulphide skarns, polymetallic sulphide lodes and sulphide-bearing portions of greisen-bordered sheeted vein systems and quartz-tourmaline lodes across the region. Magnetite-silicate skarns and quartz-tourmaline lodes that are devoid of sulphide, in contrast, were comparatively unfavourable for In precipitation. The highest In concentrations are found in mineral lodes associated with the Carnmenellis and St Agnes granites, which are the districts that had the highest historical production of Sn. Total In concentrations in these areas locally exceed 430 ppm, while concentrations elsewhere are systematically below 200 ppm.The principal In hosts are chalcopyrite, sphalerite and stannite group minerals with local concentrations within cassiterite and tennantite. Surprisingly, chalcopyrite accounts for the majority of the In budget throughout the region, although concentrations are highest in sphalerite and stannite group minerals. Sphalerite locally contains up to 1.42 wt% In, chalcopyrite has up to 2200 ppm and stannite group minerals up to 6800 ppm. No In was detected in löllingite, arsenopyrite, rutile, haematite, magnetite, tourmaline, biotite, chlorite, galena, bornite, chalcocite or pyrrhotite. Scattered concentrations in pyrite relate to impurities rather than incorporation by solid solution. Roquesite and possibly dzhalindite or native In formed locally where In-bearing chalcopyrite or sphalerite has been replaced by bornite and quartz. The In partitioning between sphalerite and chalcopyrite varies broadly between 1:1 and 10:1.Sporadic In was included in Triassic crosscourse veins as a result of interactions between migrating CaCl₂-rich basinal brines and earlier formed granite-related parageneses. The interactions involved at least two distinct components: 1) Incorporation of clasts of magmatic-hydrothermal veins in crosscourse veins during faulting, and 2) Dissolution and re-precipitation of magmatic-hydrothermal vein minerals in crosscourse fluids. Local concentrations reach 140 ppm In.The magmatic-hydrothermal parageneses in SW England are comparable to the South China Tin Belt, Mount Pleasant, as well as Erzgebirge/Krušné Hory. Magmatic-hydrothermal fluids associated with peraluminous granites have developed a variety of skarn, greisen, lode and veins parageneses by interactions with their host rocks and contained fluids. Crosscourse epithermal mineralisation occurred as In was transported by CaCl₂-rich basinal brines in a similar manner as In-bearing veins in the West Shropshire ore field.     

Genesis of the Bianjiadayuan Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit,Inner Mongolia,China:Constraints from in-situ sulfur isotope and trace element geochemistry of pyrite

The Southern Great Xing'an Range(S(GXR)which forms part of the eastern segment of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt(CAOB)is known as one of the most important Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn-Ag-Au metallogenic belts in China,hosting a number of porphyry Mo(Cu),skarn Fe(Sn),epithermal Au-Ag,and hydrothermal veintype Ag-Pb-Zn ore deposits.Here we investigate the Bianjiadayuan hydrothermal vein-type Ag-Pb-Zn ore deposit in the southern part of the SGXR.Porphyry Sn± Cu± Mo mineralization is also developed to the west of the Ag-Pb-Zn veins in the ore field.We identify a five-stage mineralization process based on field and petrologic studies including(i)the early porphyry mineralization stage,(ii)main porphyry mineralization stage,(iii)transition mineralization stage,(iv)vein-type mineralization stage and(v)late mineralization stage.Pyrite is the predominant sulfide mineral in all stages except in the late mineralization stage,and we identify corresponding four types of pyrites:Pyl is medium-grained subhedral to euhedral occurring in the early barren quartz vein;Py2 is medium-to fine-grained euhedral pyrite mainly coexisting with molybdenite,chalcopyrite,minor sphalerite and galena;Py3 is fine-grained,subhedral to irregular pyrite and displays cataclastic textures with micro-fractures;Py4 occurs as euhedral microcrystals and forms irregularly shaped aggregate with sphalerite and galena.LA-ICP-MS trace element analyses of pyrite show that Cu,Pb,Zn,Ag,Sn,Cd and Sb are partitioned into pyrite as structurally bound metals or mineral micro/nano-inclusions,whereas Co,Ni,As and Se enter the lattice via isomorphism in all types of pyrite.The Cu,Zn,Ag,Cd concentrations gradually increase from Pyl to Py4,which we correlate with cooling and mixing of ore-forming fluid with meteoric water.Py2 contains the highest contents of Co,Ni,Se,Te and Bi,suggesting high temperature conditions for the porphyry mineralization stage.Ratios of Co/Ni(0.03-10.79,average 2.13)and sulphur isotope composition of sulfide indicate typical hydrothermal origin for pyrites.The δ~(34)S_(cDT) values of Pyl(0.42‰-1.61‰,average1.16‰),Py2(-1.23‰to 0.82‰,average 0.35‰),Py3(—0.36‰to 2.47‰average 0.97‰).Py4(2.51‰--3.72‰,average 3.06‰),and other sulfides are consistent with those of typical porphyry deposit(-5‰to 5‰),indicating that the Pb-Zn polymetallic mineralization in the Bianjiadayuan deposit is genetically linked to the Yanshanian(Jurassic-Cretaceous)magmatic-hydrothermal events.Variations of δ~(34) S values are ascribed to the changes in physical and chemical conditions during the evolution and migration of the ore-forming fluid.We propose that the high Sn content of pyrite in the Bianjiadayuan hydrothermal vein-type Pb-Zn polymetallic deposit can be used as a possible pathfinder to prospect for Sn mineralization in the surrounding area or deeper level of the ore field in this region.     

Study on the Cu–As–Sb–Ag–Bi–Pb–Te Sulfosalt Minerals from the Hydrothermal System of Southwestern Hokkaido,Japan

Shin‐Otoyo, Suttsu, Teine, Date, Chitose, and Koryu are sites rich in precious and base metal Miocene–Pleistocene epithermal deposits, and located in southwestern Hokkaido, Japan. The deposits are predominantly hosted by the Green Tuff Formation of Middle Miocene age. Ore petrographic study of these deposits shows the occurrence of variable quantities of Cu–As–Sb–Ag–Bi–Pb–Te sulfosalt minerals. Determination of mineralogical and chemical compositions of the sulfosalt minerals was undertaken to elucidate the time and spatial changes of the sulfide‐sulfosalt minerals. Various types of sulfosalt minerals identified from gold–silver and base metal quartz–sulfide veins represented some sulfosalt mineralization phases, such as the Cu–Fe–Sn–S phase of mawsonite and stannite; Cu–(As,Sb)–S phase of tetrahedrite–tennantite and luzonite–famatinite series minerals; (Cu,Ag)–Bi–Pb–S phase of emplectite, pavonite, friedrichite, aikinite, and lillianite–gustavite series minerals; (Ag,Cu)–(As,Sb)–S phase of proustite–pyrargyrite and pearceite–polybasite series minerals; and Bi–Te–S phase of tetradymite and kawazulite minerals. There are some trends in the paragenetic sequence of sulfosalt mineralization in southwestern Hokkaido (in complete or partial) as follows: sulfide → Cu–Fe–Sn–S → (Cu,Ag)–Bi–Pb–S → (Bi–Te–S) → Cu–(As,Sb)–S → ([Ag,Cu]–[As,Sb]–S). The formation of sulfosalt minerals is characterized by the introduction of some elements such as Sn, Bi, and Te at an earlier stage and an increase or decrease of some elements such as As and Sb, followed by the introduction of Ag at the later stage of ore mineral paragenesis sequence. Mineral composition of the Chitose and Koryu deposits are slightly different from those of Shin‐Otoyo, Suttsu, Teine, and Date due to their lack of Sn (tin) and Bi (bismuth) mineralization. The variable concentrations and relationships are not simply with redistributed trace elements from the original sulfide minerals of chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, and sphalerite. Some heavier elements were also introduced during the replacement reaction, which is consistent with the occurrence of their associated minerals.     

云南镇康芦子园铅锌铁多金属矿床矿石矿物特征及成因分析

镇康芦子园铅锌铁多金属矿床属大型铅锌铁矿床,对矿床矿石矿物的系统研究表明,矿石主要金属硫化物有闪锌矿、方铅矿、黄铜矿、黄铁矿。根据矿床地质特征、矿物共生组合及相互穿插关系,认为成矿主要分为热液成矿期和表生期,矿床是与燕山期隐伏岩体有关的岩浆热液型矿床。     

Ag-Cu-Pb-Bi-S Minerals Newly Discovered from the Ohori Base Metal Deposit, Yamagata Prefecture, NE Japan: Implications for Bi-metallogenesis in the Green-Tuff Region

The Ohori deposit, one of the base metal deposits in the Green-Tuff region, NE Japan, is composed of two types of mineralization; a skarn-type (Kaninomata orebody) made by the replacement of the Miocene calcareous layer, and a vein-type (Nakanomata orebody). While the ore mineral assemblage of the deposit (chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite and galena) has been known for being rather simple, some Pb-Bi-S minerals have been discovered for the first time in the present study. The minerals mainly occur in the chalcopyrite-rich ores of both orebodies. They essentially belong to the Pb-Bi-S system and contain Cu and Ag in minor amounts, which correspond to the lillianite–gustavite solid solution series (phases Z and X), cosalite, neyite, felbertalite, krupkaite and Bi-bearing galena. The chalcopyrite-rich (Bi-bearing) ores from both orebodies are richer in chalcopyrite, pyrite and chlorite, and have higher homogenization temperatures (>300°C) of fluid inclusions, and higher FeS contents in sphalerite compared to the Bi-free ores. In the Green-Tuff region, Bi-minerals have been reported from many base metal deposits. Most of these Bi-bearing ore deposits are referred to as xenothermal-type deposits, and are characterized by the following common features; composite mineralization of high- and low-temperatures in the shallower environments, and close relationships with the Tertiary granitic rocks. The whole mineralization at the Ohori deposit also has a similar xenothermal character because of the coexistence of high-temperature chalcopyrite-rich ores with Pb-Bi-S minerals, which were formed by the influence of the Tertiary granitic rocks at a shallow depth.     

Compositional variation in Hg-bearing sphalerite from the polymetallic Eskay Creek deposit, British Columbia, Canada

The Eskay Creek, British Columbia, Canada, is a polymetallic, gold- and silver-rich, volcanic-hosted, massive sulfide deposit. The ore in the deposit is divided into subzones distinguished by mineralogy, texture, grade and metallurgical characteristics. This study presents the results of a mineralogical examination of three composite field samples, with emphasis on the chemistry of sphalerite. Sphalerite is associated with variable amounts of Hg-tetrahedrite and cinnabar, and an array of sulfides, sulphosalts and non-opaque minerals. Electron micro probe analyses of sphalerite in the three composite samples reveal wide variations in compositions. The Hg content in sphalerite in the three samples varies between 0.08 and 16.35 wt%, whereas the Fe content ranges from 0.33 to 2.29 wt%. The chemical formula of the sphalerite shows the compositional range (Zn_0.89–0.98Hg_0.01–0.09.Fe_0.005–0.02)S. Sphalerite exhibits an almost perfect substitution of Hg and Zn, as shown by the negative covariance between them. Sphalerite with the highest Hg contents tends to have the lowest Fe concentrations. The highest Hg contents in sphalerite are recorded in the samples with the highest bulk Hg concentrations and with the highest cinnabar contents.

The compositional variations of sphalerite are important because they can be used in mapping ore forming fluids and indicate possible temporal variations. Second, determination of the compositional variation of the sphalerite in the mine has metallurgical implications because the mineral is an important Zn source. The mineralogical data indicate that non-physical processes (e.g. pyrometallurgy) must be used to separate Hg from Zn concentrates, with direct environmental implications, that is, release of metals, such as Hg, into the environment during mining and processing.     

大兴安岭中段铜多金属矿床矿物微量元素研究

对大兴安岭中段铜多金属矿床硫化物矿同量元素研究表明,虽然该区矿床类型不同,但闪锌矿种属一致,多为铁闪锌矿和含铁闪锌矿,而方铅矿中Ｓｂ,Ｂｉ,Ａｇ含量却明显不同;黄铜矿中的Ｃｏ,Ｎｉ含量明显大于黄铁矿中的Ｃｏ,Ｎｉ含量;各类型矿床中方铅矿,闪锌矿,黄铜矿,黄铁矿等硫化物中Ａｇ普遍有较高的含量,反映了大兴安岭中段银处于高异常区,银,金,镉,铟往往具有综合利用价值。     

Mineralogical and Genetical Aspects of the Doyashiki Kuroko Deposits, Hokuroku Basin, Japan

Abstract. A detail investigation of ore and gangue minerals was performed on the Doyashiki Kuroko deposits, Hokuroku basin, Japan for the first time. Main ore minerals are sphalerite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite-tennantite and digen-ite. Small amounts of enargite, wittichenite, electrum, covellite, bornite, marcasite and hematite are also observed. Quartz, barite and gypsum are common gangue minerals. Homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions in quartz, sphalerite and barite range from 190 to 240C and 3.0 to 5.5 wt% NaCl equivalent, respectively. The FeS contents of sphalerite and Ag contents of electrum were 0.12 to 0.18 mol %, 39.0 to 39.6 atom %, respectively. The chemical composition of digenite as a primary mineral shows high sulfur contents.
These data indicate that ore fluid responsible for digenite and associated ore minerals was characterized by a range of high sulfur fugacity with a moderate formation temperature. This is concordant with the mineral assemblage of bornite-pyrite and chalcopyrite, which shows high sulfur fugacity conditions. It seems that the mineralization closely associated with acidic volcanism has occurred around 13 Ma of Middle Miocene on the seafloor at the depth of about 1500 m.