Mercury in Stratabound copper mineralization in the Mammoth area,northwest Queensland

Copper mineralization along the Mount Gordon Fault Zone in northwest Queensland contains sufficient mercury to permit mercury pathfinder techniques to be used for exploration for further deposits in the area. At the Mammoth mine, the No. 1 orebody contains 310–14000 ppb Hg, with the highest contents in “sooty chalcocite” which may be of supergene origin. The B orebody contains 100–4300 ppb Hg, with highest concentrations at the top of the deposit. Other deposits in the Mammoth area contain 10–1600 ppb Hg, with mean mercury contents > 200 ppb in fault-related mineralization.There is a strong positive correlation between mercury and copper, sulfur, silver, arsenic, bismuth, lead, antimony and thallium contents in the deposits which suggests mercury was introduced during the mineralizing process. However, most of the mercury occurs on the surfaces of sulfide minerals, indicating its introduction at a late stage of mineralization.Mercury in the No. 1 orebody is partly of supergene origin whereas primary mineralogy may control mercury distribution in the B orebody. The presence near the Mammoth Fault of a lens of pyrite containing high concentrations of mercury (geometric mean 820 ppb) suggests that the mercury content of pyrite encountered in future exploration programmes in the region might be used to indicate proximity to mineralized fault zones.Gossans derived from copper deposits contain more than five times the amount of mercury in ironstones developed over unmineralized or poorly mineralized fault zones. The mercury contents of iron-rich rocks may be used to discriminate gossans from the numerous fault ironstones in the Mammoth area.     

青海拉脊山东段水系沉积物地球化学异常特征

青海拉脊山东段水系沉积物地球化学测量,发现金源、喇嘛庙、七里寺峡Au、As、Ag、Bi、Sb、Hg等元素的水系沉积物组合异常.Au、Ag、As相对高浓度带发育形态、分布范围、异常浓集中心吻合,与区内已知尼旦沟金矿床地球化学异常特征可以类比,发现有金、铜矿体和金矿化,显示铜金成矿的有望远景地段.     

Physical and chemical characteristics of the host rocks in controlling the mineralization of the Chinkuashih high-sulfidation gold–copper deposits,northeastern Taiwan

Epithermal high-sulfidation gold–copper deposits at the Chinkuashih area in northeastern Taiwan occur both within Pleistocene andesite and Miocene sedimentary rocks. Spatially associated Penshan and Shumei deposits of a major gold–copper vein, the “Main Vein”, were both mineralized along an extended normal fault zone. These deposits appear to have formed from the same original hydrothermal fluids, but in different host rock types. However, the results of trace element analyses indicate that the andesite-hosted Penshan deposit has distinctly higher ore-metal and lower LREE contents than the sediment-hosted Shumei deposit. The development of higher grade ore at Penshan deposit resulted from the presence of ferrous Fe-rich minerals in andesite that caused the deposition of a larger amount of pyrite and gold during the sulfidation–reduction reactions of acidic fluid with host rocks. Moreover, the porous–permeable silicic alteration facies of the Penshan deposit provided conduits for the circulation of ore-metal bearing fluids and the trapping of metal-bearing magmatic volatile to precipitate ore minerals. On the other hand, the higher LREE contents of the Shumei open pit reflect the low pH and abundance of mainly SO₄^2? ion in the hydrothermal fluid perhaps because sedimentary host rocks were not able to neutralize and to reduce the acidic fluid effectively through the reactions of fluid and host rocks. Moreover, the Fe-poor host rocks have lower capacity to consume H₂S and precipitate pyrite and gold. In addition, the circulation of ore-metal bearing fluids and trapping of metal-bearing magmatic volatile to precipitate ore minerals could be handicapped by the low permeability and porosity of the silicified sedimentary rocks. It is apparent from these observations that physical and chemical characteristics of host rocks are important factors in controlling the ore grade of the Chinkuashih high-sulfidation gold–copper deposits.     

Selenium Enrichment in Cambrian Stratabound Gold Deposits in the Western Qinling Mountains

Stratabound gold deposits in the western Qinling Mountains occur in Cambrian chert formation composed of carbonaceous chert and carbonaceous slate. The distinctive chert formation provides important grounds for the mineralization and controls on the formation of gold deposits. Study shows that Se is exceptionally higher in both host rocks and gold orebodies. It may be recovered as a valuable component in ores for total utilization, and in some localities even independent Se orebodies (which are mined exclusively for Se) may be delineated. In gold ore Se mainly occurs as independent minerals or in the isomorphous form in sulphides and there is a positive correlation between Se and Au.     

Mineralizations of Base Metal Deposits of Acid-Sulfate Type Coexisting with Adularia-Sericite Type

Abstract: Two types of ores are recognized in the Huanzala mine, Peru. Zinc and lead ore of adularia-sericite type, is accompanied by pyrite body and skarn. Orthoclase (adularia), sericite and calcite are found in the skarn and altered country rocks. On the other hand, copper and silver (tin) ore of acid-sulfate type, is characterized by enargite, luzonite and bornite, accompanied by tin, silver and tellurium minerals. Although sericite and calcite are found only at the earlier stage in the mineralization of acid-sulfate type, kaolinite appears in the country rocks at a subsequent stage. It is interpreted that the ore-forming fluid of the acid-sulfate type separated from the adularia-sericite type by boiling in the early stage of mineralization. The separated fluid was nearly neutral just after boiling and changed into acidic by the oxidation of H₂S into HSO₄^-. Both types of mineralizations are studied in terms of fo₂-fs₂-pH-temperature diagrams. The adularia-sericite type might correspond to the hot-water system of a geothermal area, and the acid-sulfate type to the vapor-dominated system.
The copper ores from the Teine mine, Hokkaido, Japan and the Chinkuashih mine, Taiwan are acid-sulfate type, characterized by the occurrence of enargite and luzonite. However, zinc and lead ores of the adularia-sericite type are also present in these deposits. Both types in the Teine and Chinkuashih deposits are supposed to have formed in the similar relation as in the Huanzala deposits. The enargite and luzonite ores in the Hokuetsu mine, Japan are closely associated with native sulfur of solfataric origin.     

Migration paths and precipitation mechanisms of ore-forming fluids at the Shuiyindong Carlin-type gold deposit,Guizhou, China

Shuiyindong is one of the largest and highest grade stratabound Carlin-type gold deposits in China. This paper reports on the results of petrographic studies, electron microprobe analyses (EMPA) of arsenian pyrite, and the mass transfer during mineralization and alteration, and it presents the deposit-scale distributions of Au, As, Sb, Hg, Tl, and trace elements in a representative cross section across the Shuiyindong Carlin-type gold deposit, Guizhou Province. The main objectives were to identify the precipitation mechanisms of minerals, or elements from fluids, and the migration paths of ore-forming fluids.Petrographic and EMPA studies indicate that gold in the primary ores is mainly hosted by arsenian pyrite. Mass transfer associated with alteration and mineralization shows that Au, As, Sb, Hg, Tl, and S were significantly added to all mineralized rocks, Fe₂O₃ and SiO₂ were immobile in the main orebodies that are hosted in bioclastic limestone, and CaO, Na₂O, Sr, and Li were removed from country rocks. The relations between Fe and S indicate that the sedimentary rocks at the Shuiyindong deposit contain more iron than is needed to combine with all of their contained sulfur to form pyrite. This suggests that sulfidation and decarbonation were the principal mechanism of gold precipitation at the Shuiyindong deposit. Hg, Sb, and As commonly formed sulfide minerals, such as stibnite, realgar, and orpiment, in late-stage quartz–calcite veins, or absorbed by organic matter in argillite. Fluid cooling presumably led to depositions of stibnite, realgar, and orpiment in late-stage quartz–calcite veins. Organic matter likely served as a reductant in argillite for the ore fluids, causing the precipitation of As, Sb, Hg, and S, as well as Au.Deposit-scale distributions of gold and other relevant elements reflect the passage of fluids through the rocks. Rock strata and structures allowed the ore-forming fluids to migrate horizontally along the unconformity surface of the Middle–Upper Permian, converge on the high position of an anticline, and then ascend into the overlying strata along the anticlinal axis. The distributions of the major and trace elements show that elements that accompanied the ore-forming fluids include Au, As, Sb, Hg, Tl, and S, and that Na₂O and Li were exhausted in the Longtan Formation at the anticlinal core during gold mineralization. The enrichment of Co, Cr, and Ni in the Longtan Formation at the anticlinal core might be associated with deformation that formed the anticline, or with gold mineralization. Different host rocks were preferentially mineralized by different elements. The bioclastic limestone is commonly enriched in Au, whereas the argillite is preferentially enriched in As, Hg, Sb, and Tl. The zonation of ore-forming elements in the deposit appears to be Sb–Tl–As–Hg–Au–Hg–As (from bottom to top). Enrichment of Au, As, Sb, Hg, and Tl provides useful guidance for the exploration for Carlin-type gold deposits in Guizhou. Anomalies of As and Hg in soil or stream sediment might be an important clue and these elements can be used as indicator elements. Ore-forming fluids migrated along the unconformity surface of the Middle–Upper Permian and the anticlinal axis, so these are favorable sites for exploration for Carlin-type gold deposits in Guizhou.     

Origin of the Kupferschiefer polymetallic mineralization in Poland

The Kupferschiefer ore series, between the Lower Permian (Rotliegendes) terrestrial redbeds/volcanics and the Upper Permian (Zechstein) marine sequence, is developed as dark-grey organic matter-rich and metal sulphide-containing deposits (reduced zone) and as red-stained organic matter-depleted and iron oxide-bearing sediments (oxidized zone?=?Rote Fäule). The transition zone from oxidized to reduced rocks occurs both vertically and horizontally. This zone is characterized by sparsely disseminated remnant copper sulphides within hematite-bearing sediments, replacements of copper sulphides by iron oxides and covellite, and oxide pseudomorphs after framboidal pyrite. These textural features and copper sulphide replacements after pyrite in reduced sediments imply that the main oxide/sulphide mineralization postdated formation of an early-diagenetic pyrite. Hematite-dominated sediments locally contain enrichments of gold and PGE. The Kupferschiefer mineralization resulted from upward and laterally flowing fluids which oxidized originally pyritiferous organic matter-rich sediments to form hematitic Rote Fäule areas, and which emplaced base and noble metals into reduced sediments. It is argued that long-lived and large-scale lateral fluid flow caused the cross-cutting relationships, expansion of the hematitic alteration front, redistribution of noble metals at the outer parts of oxidized areas, and the location of copper orebodies directly above and around oxidized and gold-bearing areas. The Rote Fäule may be a guide to favourable areas for both the Cu-Ag and new Au-Pt-Pd Kupferschiefer-type deposits.     

The Sin Quyen Cu–Fe–Au–REE deposit (northern Vietnam): composition and formation conditions

The Sin Quyen Cu–Fe–Au–REE deposit is localized in the Proterozoic deposits of the Phan Xi Pang zone, northern Vietnam. The mineralization is formed by lenticular and sheet-like bodies occurring concordantly with the host rocks. Seventeen orebodies have been recognized in the deposit, which form an ore horizon up to 140 m in total thickness, about 2 km in strike, and up to 350 m in dip. The ores are of simple mineral composition: Au-rich copper and iron sulfides (chalcopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite) and iron oxides (magnetite, hematite). Gold and silver are distributed unevenly in the ores: Their contents vary from hundredths and tenths of ppm to 1.8 ppm. Copper sulfide ores are the main concentrator of gold and silver. All ores are characterized by high REE contents, tens and hundreds of times exceeding the element clarkes. The highest contents have been revealed for Ce and La. Orthite is the main carrier of REE. No correlation between REE and ore elements of sulfide-oxide ores has been revealed, which points to the independent formation of the mineralization. Orebodies together with the host rocks underwent metamorphism at 500–600 to 630–685 °C and 3–7 kbar. The spatial association of the mineralization with amphibolites (metamorphosed basites) and the mineral composition of ores suggest that the Sin Quyen deposit is of Cyprian volcanogenic type.     

Locating Mechanism of Quartz Vein Gold Deposits in Rushan, Shandong Province

According to the differences in ore-controlling structural systems and the characteristics of host rocks, textures and structures of ores and mineral associations of ores, quartz vein-type gold deposits in the Rushan area can be divided into the Rushan and Tongling styles. Rushan style gold deposits, occurring in the Kunyushan complex, include Rushan, Tangjiagou and Tongxishan gold mines. They are distributed along four NNE-trending and sinistral, compresso-shear faults with a right stepping array. A prominent characteristic of the gold mineralization is that the orebodies in neighbouring gold deposits distributed in a single ore-controlling fault zone take opposite pitches. Study of the locating structures of the quartz vein gold deposits shows that the Rushan-style gold deposits are characterized by NNE and NE zoning. Therefore, the intersections of the NE direction of the known gold deposit and the neighbouring NNE-trending fault zones are favourable for looking for gold deposits, and the ends of the     

河南省栾川中营铅矿地质特征及成矿作用

中营铅矿床赋存于马超营断裂带的东段,为一新发现的品位较低大型铅矿床,矿体呈多层分枝复合产出,有用元素主要为铅,伴生金、银和钼;经矿床成因分析,区内安山岩为成矿有利地层,构造和岩浆活动为必要条件;从矿石矿物组成及矿物间穿插关系,可大致分为四个成矿阶段;从稀土元素分析,富铅矿石重稀土富集,且随铅品位的增高,富集明显,铅矿石中稀土元素与下伏花岗岩具有相似特征,矿床的形成与下伏花岗岩体关系较大;矿床赋存于隐伏岩体的低凹处。     

The forms of mercury in some australian stratiform Pb-Zn-Ag deposits of different regional metamorphic grades

Mercury concentrations of four Australian stratiform lead-zinc-silver deposits of Proterozoic age are not directly related to their metamoprhic grade and are probably determined by local factors. Average mercury contents of H. Y. C. mineralization (unmetamorphosed) is 1300 ppb, Mount Isa ore (greenschist facies) 8300 ppb, Squirrel Hills mineralization (amphibolite facies) 100 ppb, and Broken Hill ore (granulite facies) ranges from 1000 ppb for A lode to 37000 ppb for No. 3 lens. In present-day sulfidic muds from the Coorong region of South Australia, mercury is present as mercury sulfide either as inclusions or chemisorbed on mackinawite. This may be analogous to the manner of mercury occurrence in sediments which predated the ingress of lead-zinc-silver mineralization into ancient basins. In bedded H. Y. C. mineralization mercury is present principally in pyrite, but recrystallized mineralization contains mercury in both sphalerite and pyrite. In bedded Mount Isa ore mercury is present in sphalerite, but in remobilized ore which is enriched in galena, freibergite and pyrrhotite, it occurs in both sphalerite and freibergite. Mineralization from Squirrel Hills contains no tetrahedrite, and sphalerite is the host for most mercury. Normal Broken Hill ore contains mercury parti tioned approximately evenly between sphalerite and tetrahedrite, but mercury is enriched in remobilized ore. Veins generated during retrograde metamorphism of the Broken Hill lodes contain high levels of mercury, and multiple veins produced in this fashion around other deposits could result in mercury haloes that can be detected during exploration programs. The way mercury is held in stratiform leadzinc-silver deposits, and the lack of decrease of mercury contents with increasing metamorphic grade, rules out total loss of mercury during metamorphism. Primary mercury haloes around this type of mineralization are due to mercury in disseminated ore-forming minerals or late-stage vein systems contain secondary mercury-bearing minerals.     

Geochemical controls on the formation of unconformity-type Au–U deposits (Northern Transbaikalia)

This study provides geochemical, mineralogical, and isotope data for rocks and ores from Lower Proterozoic black shale formations of the Kodar–Udokan structural and formational zone, which host the Khadatkanda gold—uranium deposit. The results indicate that the uranium and gold mineralizations were formed at different times in relation to different geodynamic settings. The gold mineralization is associated with the inception of the Syulban fault and has a juvenile source. The later Th–U mineralization originated during tectonic rejuvenation of the Syulban fault zone, while the sources of radioactive elements were presumably the underlying sediments of the Kodar Group, which are widespread throughout the area of the Baikal mountain region (BMR). Based on the above results, the Au–U mineralization in the study area can be recognized as unconformity-type deposits, analogous to the well-known deposits of Australia and Canada. In this connection, the Baikal mountain region has a good potential for the discovery of Au—U deposits.     

滇黔桂卡林型金矿区水系沉积物和岩石金含量与时空分布

为研究滇黔桂卡林型金矿区水系沉积物和岩石中金的地球化学时空分布及其与金矿规模的对应关系,系统收集了该区1:20万区域化探全国扫面计划水系沉积物和全国地球化学基准计划岩石金的地球化学数据,绘制了水系沉积物和岩石金的地球化学分布图。滇黔桂卡林型金矿区以水系沉积物金地球化学异常面积大于1000 km^2为准,共圈定5处金的地球化学省,这些金的地球化学省同时也是矿床大规模产出的部位。区内右江盆地水系沉积物金背景值(1.94×10^–9)高于扬子克拉通(1.68×10^9),其内以泥岩、页岩、砂岩、灰岩为代表的容矿岩石金背景值(0.51×10^–9)也高于扬子克拉通(0.39×10^–9)。研究区不同构造单元及沉积相中水系沉积物金背景值受岩石金背景值的制约。金的地球化学省是地壳演化过程中不均匀分布的高金背景岩石、金矿化作用及金矿床次生风化作用相互叠加的结果。该研究有助于有效判断异常成因、识别成矿作用存在,对研究金的区域成矿规律和聚焦找矿靶区具有重要意义。     

柴北缘—东昆仑地区造山型金矿床的三级控矿构造系统

不同等级体制的构造分别控制了柴北缘—东昆仑地区造山型金矿的区域、矿化集中区以及矿床和矿体的分布和产出。在一个次级大地构造单元或成矿带内,造山型金矿大多产于构造边界和/或深大断裂旁侧(即造山带构造边界和/或深大断裂是柴北缘—东昆仑地区造山型金矿的第一级控制构造)。发育在上述深断裂旁侧的大型剪切带,控制了矿化集中区或矿田范围内金化探异常和造山型金矿床的分布和产出,是柴北缘—东昆仑地区造山型金矿的第二级控制构造。上述大型剪切带派生的褶皱和断裂系统,是造山型金矿床的第三级控矿构造,它们控制了矿体的分布和产出,滩间山、大场金矿床是褶皱控矿的良好例证,而五龙沟金矿床则是与剪切带伴生的断裂-裂隙系统控矿的典型实例。相比之下,受控于褶皱的金矿床中矿体规模较大、空间上变化较小。上述造山带构造边界和/或深大断裂、大型剪切带和大型剪切带派生的褶皱和断裂系统主要是区域加里东和晚华力西—印支碰撞造山作用的产物,它们具有大致相同或互相联系的几何学、运动学和年代学特征,后者通常是前者的派生、低序次构造。因此,这3个不同级别的构造,构成了柴北缘—东昆仑地区造山型金矿床的控矿构造系统。     

云南省维西县大宝山铜(银)矿床地质-矿化特征及其综合找金潜力

云南维西大宝山铜(银)多金属矿区通过近年的地质勘查,探明的铜资源量已达中型规模。在以铜、银为主的找矿过程中,发现矿体中有金矿化显示,经进一步调查证实,本区铜(银)矿体中金矿化普遍,且有一定强度。结合区域成矿地质背景及矿区的金矿勘查成果,研究认为,该区金矿找矿潜力较大,今后应重视金矿的综合勘查。     

新疆阿尔泰阿舍勒矿集区铜多金属矿床模型

阿舍勒是新疆十分重要的铜多金属矿集区,矿化均赋存于下–中泥盆统阿舍勒组火山岩系中。矿化类型多,成矿元素组合复杂(Cu、Cu-Zn、Cu-Zn-Au、Cu-Pb-Zn-Au、Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag)。阿舍勒组火山活动时间是402~375 Ma,矿化时间为394~379 Ma,持续了15 Ma。本文通过对阿舍勒铜锌矿和萨尔朔克金多金属矿的系统研究,提出阿舍勒矿集区矿床模型,认为尽管矿集区铜多金属矿化类型多,成矿元素组合复杂,但成矿均与火山作用有关,属同一VMS成矿系统,只是不同部位存在矿化差异。在火山斜坡和洼地喷流沉积形成层状铜锌矿体和重晶石矿体,补给通道中形成脉状铜(锌)矿体和铜铅锌银矿体,潜流纹岩中形成脉状金铜铅锌矿体,潜英安岩中形成铜矿体,潜火山岩接触带形成铜矿体,在断裂或裂隙中形成铜矿体。     

东坪金矿主要地质特征及控矿条件

东坪金矿产于水泉沟偏碱性杂岩体与太古宇桑干群变质岩之内接触带,矿石工业类型为石英脉和蚀变岩型,以前者为主.矿脉带走向为NNE,主要载金矿物为石英、黄铁矿、镜铁矿、黄铜矿和碲金矿,金成色937~990,矿化蚀变主要是钾长石化和硅化;肉红色钾长石化是东坪金矿乃至赋存于水泉沟杂岩体中所有金矿的典型特征.矿化共分5个阶段,其中第2、3两个阶段,即镜铁矿-自然金-石英阶段和多金属硫化物-自然金-石英阶段为主要成矿阶段.水泉沟杂岩体在东坪金矿成矿过程中,不仅提供了热动力,而且提供了成矿物质和矿化剂;太古宙桑干群涧沟河组提供了部分成矿物质,近E-W向尚义-崇礼-赤诚深大断裂控制了水泉沟金矿田的产出,而NNE和NW向两组裂隙则控制了东坪金矿矿体的产出.     

东川式铜矿的成矿作用及后期叠加改造:来自硫化物原位硫同位素的制约

沉积岩型层状铜矿床(SSC型)的成因争论聚焦在成矿作用主要集中在沉积成岩期并可能叠加有后期成矿作用,还是形成于成岩后盆地闭合过程和造山作用有关.产于扬子板块西缘的东川式铜矿是中国SSC型矿床的典型代表,这些矿床赋存在晚古元古界东川群岩石中,主要呈层状矿体产出,但也存在少量脉状矿体.文章选择东川铜矿田内因民、汤丹和滥泥坪...     

The Guelb Moghrein Cu–Au deposit: Neoarchaean hydrothermal sulfide mineralization in carbonate-facies iron formation

The Guelb Moghrein copper–gold deposit in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania reopened in 2006 and has produced copper concentrate and gold since then. The deposit is hosted in Neoarchaean–Palaeoproterozoic Fe–Mg carbonate-dominated metamorphic rocks interpreted as carbonate-facies iron formation. It forms tabular orebodies controlled by shear zones in the hanging wall and footwall of this meta-iron formation. Copper and gold are hosted in a complex sulfide ore in tectonic breccia replacing Fe–Mg carbonate and magnetite. Hydrothermal monazite dates the mineralization at 2492 ± 9 Ma. Two types of aqueous fluid inclusions suggest fluid mixing at 0.75–1.80 kbar and ~ 410 °C as the mineralization and precipitation mechanism, which is temporally coincident with regional retrograde metamorphism at 410 ± 30 °C (garnet-biotite). Distal alteration zones are enriched in K, Rb and Cu, whereas orebodies are depleted in K, Rb, Sr and Ba. The copper–gold mineralization at Guelb Moghrein formed during retrograde shearing in metamorphic rocks and contemporaneous hydrothermal alteration. The stable isotope signature of alteration and ore minerals suggest an external crustal fluid source. Fluids were focused in the reactive and competent meta-iron formation. Potassium alteration, magnetite and copper–gold mineralization suggest an IOCG mineral system akin similar deposits in Australia and Brazil.     

嵩县东湾金矿地质特征及深部盲矿预测

河南嵩县东湾金矿受构造蚀变带控制,矿体形态呈脉状或透镜状.矿石呈浸染状、细脉-浸染状、脉状-网脉状和蜂窝状等.围岩主要蚀变类型包括硅化、绢云母化、高岭石化、碳酸盐化、钾长石化、黄铁矿化.成矿阶段可分为4段：（1）硅化（黄铁矿）阶段;（2）石英-粗粒黄铁矿阶段;（3）石英-细粒黄铁矿阶段;（4）碳酸盐铅锌阶段.各阶段自然金矿物生成顺序是：自然金→银金矿→自然银→硫盐矿物.文中利用构造叠加晕原理,建立了河南嵩县东湾金矿构造叠加晕模式,并利用该模式对东湾金矿进行了成矿预测.