Archean high-Mg monzodiorite–syenite,epidote skarn,and biotite–sericite gold lodes in the Granny Smith–Wallaby district,Australia: U–Pb and Re–Os chronometry of two intrusion-related hydrothermal systems

The Granny Smith (37 t Au production) and Wallaby deposits (38 t out of a 180 t Au resource) are located northeast of Kalgoorlie, in 2.7 Ga greenstones of the Eastern Goldfields Province, the youngest orogenic belt of the Yilgarn craton, Western Australia. At Granny Smith, a zoned monzodiorite–granodiorite stock, dated by a concordant titanite–zircon U–Pb age of 2,665 ± 3 Ma, cuts across east-dipping thrust faults. The stock is fractured but not displaced and sets a minimum age for large-scale (1 km) thrust faulting (D2), regional folding (D1), and dynamothermal metamorphism in the mining district. The local gold–pyrite mineralization, controlled by fractured fault zones, is younger than 2,665 ± 3 Ma. In augite–hornblende monzodiorite, alteration progressed from a hematite-stained alkali feldspar–quartz–calcite assemblage and quartz–molybdenite–pyrite veins to a late reduced sericite–dolomite–albite assemblage. Gold-related monazite and xenotime define a U–Pb age of 2,660 ± 5 Ma, and molybdenite from veins a Re–Os isochron age of 2,661 ± 6 Ma, indicating that mineralization took place shortly after the emplacement of the main stock, perhaps coincident with the intrusion of late alkali granite dikes. At Wallaby, a NE-trending swarm of porphyry dikes comprising augite monzonite, monzodiorite, and minor kersantite intrudes folded and thrust-faulted molasse. The conglomerate and the dikes are overprinted by barren (<0.01 g/t Au) anhydrite-bearing epidote–actinolite–calcite skarn, forming a 600-m-wide and >1,600-m-long replacement pipe, which is intruded by a younger ring dike of syenite porphyry pervasively altered to muscovite + calcite + pyrite. Skarn and syenite are cut by pink biotite–calcite veins, containing magnetite + pyrite and subeconomic gold–silver mineralization (Au/Ag = 0.2). The veins are associated with red biotite–sericite–calcite–albite alteration in adjacent monzonite dikes. Structural relations and the concordant titanite U–Pb age of the skarn constrain intrusion-related mineralization to 2,662 ± 3 Ma. The main-stage gold–pyrite ore (Au/Ag >10) forms hematite-stained sericite–dolomite–albite lodes in stacked D2 reverse faults, which offset skarn, syenite, and the biotite–calcite veins by up to 25 m. The molybdenite Re–Os age (2,661 ± 10 Ma) of the ore suggests a genetic link to intrusive activity but is in apparent conflict with a monazite–xenotime U–Pb age (2,651 ± 6 Ma), which differs from that of the skarn at the 95% confidence level. The time relationships at both gold deposits are inconsistent with orogenic models invoking a principal role for metamorphic fluids released during the main phase of compression in the fold belt. Instead, mineralization is related in space and time to late-orogenic, magnetite-series, high-Mg monzodiorite–syenite intrusions of mantle origin, characterized by Mg/(Mg + Fe_TOTAL) = 0.31–0.57, high Cr (34–96 ppm), Ni (22–63 ppm), Ba (1,056–2,321 ppm), Sr (1,268–2,457 ppm), Th (15–36 ppm), and rare earth elements (total REE: 343–523 ppm). At Wallaby, shared Ca–K–CO₂ metasomatism and Th-REE enrichment (in allanite) link Au–Ag mineralization in biotite–calcite veins to the formation of the giant epidote skarn, implicating a Th + REE-rich syenite pluton at depth as the source of the oxidized hydrothermal fluid. At Granny Smith, lead isotope data and the Rb–Th–U signature of early hematite-bearing wall-rock alteration point to fluid released by the source pluton of the differentiated alkali granite dikes.     

富宁洞哈钛铁矿

印支期暗色、致密块状辉绿岩中含较高的含铁矿物,地磁异常较高,为矿源层。辉绿岩与灰岩接触形成矽卡岩带为有利的含矿带。矿体沿大断裂或次级断层形成的通道侵入穹窿状构造中,于二叠系砂岩、板岩隔层的下部形成工业钛铁矿体。     

安徽池州铜山铜矿深部找矿实践与启示

铜山铜矿资源储量日益枯竭。危机矿山接替资源勘查中,采用地质、物探综合手段圈定异常区,经深部钻探验证,取得突破。     

The “El Pilote” fluorite skarn: A crucial deposit in the understanding and interpretation of the origin and mobilization of F from northern Mexico deposits

Fluorite deposits are widespread in northern Mexico and those deposits have traditionally been categorized as exclusively hydrothermal–magmatic in origin. Recently, two different fluorite-bearing type models have been proposed for the Northern Mexican deposits: (1) MVT-like deposits formed from basinal brines mobilized during the Laramide Orogeny (La Encantada deposit, Gonzalez-Partida et al., [Gonzalez-Partida, E., Carrillo-Chavez, A., Grimmer, J.O.W., Pironon, J., 2002. Petroleum-rich fluid inclusions in fluorite, Purisima mine, Coahuila, Mexico. International Geological Review 44 (8), 751–763.]; Tritlla et al., [Tritlla, J., Gonzalez-Partida, E., Levresse, G., Banks, D., Pironon, J., 2004. Fluorite deposits at Encantada-Buenavista, Mexico: products of Mississippi Valley type processes — a reply. Ore Geology Reviews 25, 329–332.]); and (2) fluorite-bearing skarns in close contact with rhyolite intrusives (Levinson, [Levinson, A.A., 1962. Beryllium–fluorine mineralization at Aguachile Mountain, Coahuila, Mexico. American Mineralogist 47, 67–75.]). The El Pilote fluorite deposit falls into the second category, and is the only known example of a magmatic-related fluorite deposit in the area. The fluorite trace-element patterns from both the El Pilote skarn and La Encantada MVT deposits display comparable and very low relative abundances as well as comparable chondrite-normalized REE patterns; this would suggest that the skarn F-source comes from the remobilization of a MVT fluorite manto.     

Tectonic setting and petrogenesis of the Çelebi granitoid, (Kırıkkale-Turkey) and comparison with world skarn granitoids

Many studies have shown systematic correlations between the composition of plutons worldwide and the metal content of associated skarns. This is the first report of similar correlations between the composition of Çelebi granitoid and skarns of the Çelebi district in Central Anatolia, Turkey. The Çelebi district is well known for its polymetallic Fe–W and Cu vein ores. These are hosted by calcic skarn zones. Both exoskarns (pyroxene–garnet) and endoskarns (epidote–pyroxene) occur in the district formed mainly along the granitoid contacts and along the fractures within the marble. Based on mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry, two different igneous rocks were recognized in the Çelebi granitoid, referred to as leucocratic (felsic) and mesocratic (intermediate) Çelebi granitoid. The leucocratic Çelebi occurs as dominant rock type, and is classified as granite. The mesocratic Çelebi is not widespread and is classified as adamellite, tonalite, quartz monzonite and quartz monzodiorite. The mesocratic Çelebi has I-type characteristics, and have subalkaline, calc-alkaline and metaluminous characteristics like most worldwide skarn granitoids.A post-collisional tectonic setting is proposed on the basis of field evidence, the relative timing of intrusions with respect to metamorphic and obducted ophiolitic rocks and trace element geochemistry. The high abundance of La and Ce and the enrichment of V in mafic components suggest that Çelebi granitoids are formed by partial melting of mantle rocks, but have been contaminated by interaction with continental crust involving possible magma mixing processes (i.e. mixing of coexisting felsic and mafic magmas). In the district, the mesocratic type and mafic microgranular enclaves (MME) mainly within leucocratic type represent a mafic underplating magma that was mixed with and/or injected into felsic magma of the leucocratic type.The present study shows that Fe mineralization is associated with mesocratic Çelebi type, whereas W mineralization is associated with leucocratic type. Mesocratic Çelebi granitoid is significantly different from the worldwide average of plutons associated with Fe skarns. In particular, MgO vs. SiO₂, FeOt+CaO+Na₂O/K₂O vs. SiO₂, Fe₂O₃/Fe₂O₃+FeO vs. SiO₂ and V vs. Ni vary from typical values (are lower than values typical for plutons associated with Fe skarns) for plutons associated with Fe skarns. Instead, it resembles the geochemical characteristics of plutons associated with worldwide Cu and possibly Au skarns. This suggests new exploration possibilities for copper and gold in the Çelebi district.     

Methane-rich fluid inclusions in skarn near the giant REE–Nb–Fe deposit at Bayan Obo, Northern China

We report fluid inclusion data for skarn, formed at the contact between Hercynian granitoids and dolomite of the Proterozoic Bayan Obo Group, in the vicinity of Bayan Obo REE–Nb–Fe deposit, Inner Mongolia, China. Three types of fluid inclusions are identified: two-phase CH₄-rich, three-phase liquid–vapour–solid and two-phase aqueous inclusions. Using microthermometry and laser Raman microprobe analysis to calculate isochores for CH₄-bearing inclusions, we estimate fluid trapping conditions at T=280 to 344 °C and P<1 to 2.3 kbar. Such conditions are compatible with formation of CH₄ inclusions as a result of reaction between graphite in the country rocks (black slate sequence) and fluids derived from magma. The lack of carbonaceous material in the inclusions supports the hypothesis that CH₄ was generated during fluid migration rather than by in situ reaction. In contrast to the skarn, and despite the fact that similar graphite-bearing slates are found in the host rocks, no CH₄-bearing inclusions have been so far reported from Bayan Obo REE ores. We therefore conclude that the skarn-forming fluids in the contact aureole of the Hercynian granitoids were not involved at any stage in the formation of the Bayan Obo deposit.     

Occurrence and Chemical Compositions of Amphiboles in Altered Dioritic Rocks of Laiwu Skarn‐Type Iron Deposit in West Shandong Area,China

The Laiwu Fe deposit is the largest skarn‐type deposit in West Shandong in China, with an estimated reserve of 290 Mt of iron ore. Here, we investigate the occurrence and chemical composition of amphiboles in altered dioritic rocks of this deposit. Three generations of amphibole group minerals were identified in these rocks. The first type (Type 1) is a hornblende with a generally euhedral crystal shape, 150–500 μm in size, and dominantly occurs in the host monzonite. The second type (Type 2) of hornblende occurs as fine grains (<100 μm) or concentric rims, less than 50 μm in thickness, around the Type 1 hornblende. The third type (Type 3) of amphibole is anhedral actinolite occurring along the boundary or the cracks of the Type 1 or 2 hornblende grains. The Type 1 hornblende has higher FeO (12.5–15.6 wt.%) and lower MgO contents (11.2–14.6 wt.%) than the Type 2 hornblende, which has an FeO content ranging from 8.8 to 10.5 wt.% and MgO content ranging from 14.2 to 17.1 wt.%. The Type 3 actinolite shows the lowest FeO (4.6–6.4 wt.%) and highest MgO (19.8–21.2 wt.%) contents. We infer that the Type 2 hornblende formed from Fe‐rich hydrothermal fluids released during rapid upwelling of the crystallizing magma. The fluids were relatively reduced and enriched in Fe. The Type 3 actinolite formed by coupled dissolution and reprecipitation, and its formation is one of the features denoting Fe‐enrichment events. Our study of these types of amphibole provides insights into the ore formation process.     

湖南杏枫山钨矿床热液榍石的地球化学特征、U-Pb定年及其地质意义

杏枫山钨矿床是湘中地区近年新发现的、产出于浅变质岩系中的矽卡岩型钨矿。本文通过电子探针与LA-ICP-MS等技术手段,对杏枫山矿区矽卡岩中的热液榍石进行了主、微量元素组成以及U-Pb年代学研究。研究表明,榍石具有以下特征:(1)较低的∑REE、Ti O2含量,极低的Th/U,以及较高的Al_2O_3和F含量,这些均为典型热液榍石的地球化学特征;(2)富W而亏损Mo,表明其形成的热液流体具有富W贫Mo的特征;(3)稀土配分模式为左倾的、轻稀土显著亏损的重稀土富集型,正Ce、Eu异常表明其形成环境较为还原。此外,榍石原位U-Pb定年结果显示该矿形成于215.2±2.7Ma,与邻近白马山钛铁矿花岗岩形成的时间一致,基于地质及年代学证据,我们认为该矿的形成与白马山印支期的岩浆热液活动有关。结合前人的研究结果,我们发现湘中地区钨成矿与印支期还原性花岗质岩浆岩密切相关,为湘中印支晚期区域性成矿作用的产物。     

乳砷铅铜石的发现与研究

乳砷铅铜石发现于1984年,在广西德保和平桂等矿区的硫化物型矿床的氧化带铁帽中.对该矿物的物理、化学和X射线粉晶分析、红外光谱分析以及差热分析等方面进行了测试研究,其结果与国外已知数据基本一致.矿物呈淡黄绿或深绿色,细粒状或葡萄状,硬度H=4,比重D=5.35,透明,二轴晶负光性,2V大,Ng=1.9817,Nm=1.9703,NP=1.9584.化学成分为PbO 35.19,CuO 30.64,As_2O_5 30.09,FeO 0.28,ZnO 0.05,H_2O 4.10(%).相应的化学分子式为Cu_(2.96)Pb_(1.21)(AsO_4)_(2.01)(OH)_(2.31)·0.59H_2O.X射线粉晶数据与JCPDS26～1410卡基本一政,衍射强线为3.14(10),3.24(8),2.92(8),2.55(8),2.74(7),2.49(7),2.27(7),4.51(6),4.94(5),2.66(4),1.902(4),1.817(4).计算的晶胞参数为a=10.236(?).b=5.904(?),C=14.213(?),β=106.39°,z=4,单斜晶系;空间群为A2/a.红外吸收光谱波数为3440、1640、870、820、775、465和1100、590、557(cm~(-1));差热分析吸收峰为580、773、812、889、898(℃).     

新疆伊吾县宝山铁矿地质特征、成矿模式与找矿方向

宝山铁矿位于新疆东准噶尔晚古生代岛弧岩浆-构造成矿带东部,位于琼河坝铁铜多金属矿集区.宝山铁矿为由热液交代成因夕卡岩型磁铁矿矿体和黄铜矿-磁铁矿矿体、贯入成因夕卡岩型磁铁矿矿体和热液充填型黄铜矿矿脉构成的铁矿床,目前开采的主要为磁铁矿型铁矿.矿区岩浆岩类型多样,主要有花岗岩、辉长岩和辉绿玢岩.从矿体被花岗岩穿插及贯入型磁铁矿中含Co高等特征推断,主成矿岩体可能为隐伏的辉长岩.矿区深部存在规模较大的含矿夕卡岩质成矿流体"生产车间",含矿夕卡岩质流体的形成与迁移是脉动的,成矿后期以铜的成矿为主.宝山铁矿下步的找矿重点应放在对露天采坑深部隐伏铁矿和矿区深部隐伏铜矿的预测与探查.