The generation at hot springs of sedimentary ore deposits, microbialites and life

Notwithstanding the current fashion which favours an epigenetic origin for what used to be termed SEDEX deposits, there are several lines of evidence to indicate that Phanerozoic base-metal orebodies of this type have at least some exhalative aspects. The fossil polychaete worms, which occur in Lower Carboniferous pyrite mounds at Tynagh and Silvermines in Ireland, have affinities to Paralvinella, an organism that lives attached to hydrothermal chimneys at the Juan de Fuca hot spring site in the Northeast Pacific. In addition, fossil tube worms, and their moulds, occur both in silica masses underlying the Carboniferous giant Red Dog sulphide orebody in Alaska and in Devonian barite and base-metal deposits in North America and in Russia, respectively. The development of sulphide and carbonate fossil microbialites over exhalative centres further supports generation of some mineral deposits on sea or lake floors. Carbonate microbialite mounds are also developing today over warm springs and seepages.The existence of an environment in which sulphide mineralisation developed at the sea floor has implications also in a different sphere. Life itself may have emerged in a similar milieu at 4.2 Ga from iron monosulphide bubbles. A primitive metabolism could have been driven by the high, long-lived and constant, redox potential of 300 mV made available across an iron monosulphide membrane which would have been spontaneously generated where sulphide-bearing, submarine, alkaline springs issued into the acidic, iron-bearing, Hadean ocean. The alkaline spring provided bisulphide to the iron-rich (carbonic) acid ocean for the precipitation of iron-monosulphide bubbles (probotryoids), as well as acetate (Shock, 1992) — the feeder to the biochemical Krebs cycle, driven in reverse by the high partial pressure of CO₂. In addition to its scientific significance, an understanding of these beginnings may well benefit research into many aspects of economic geology.Even more extreme redox contrasts are revealed by the presence of sedimentary jasper or iron formation in three of the major Carboniferous sulphide orebodies in Ireland. Pyritic sulphide microbialites also grew over some of the associated fossil hot-spring sites and may be recognised by their bacteriogenic δ³⁴S values (−20 to −40‰). Recognition of such fossil hot-spring sites could lead to further discoveries of SEDEX deposits.     

Oil shales,evaporites and ore deposits

The relationships between oil shales, evaporites and sedimentary ore deposits can be classified in terms of stratigraphic and geochemical coherence. Oil shale and black shale deposition commonly follows continental red beds and is in turn followed by evaporite deposition. This transgressive-regressive sequence represents an orderly succession of depositional environments in space and time and results in stratigraphic coherence. The amount of organic carbon of a sediment depends on productivity and preservation, both of which are enhanced by saline environments. Work on Great Salt Lake. Utah, allows us to estimate that only 5% of TOC originally deposited is preserved. Inorganic carbonate production is similar to TOC production, but preservation is much higher.Oil shales and black shales commonly are enriched in heavy metals through scavenging by biogenic particles and complexation by organic matter. Ore deposits are formed from such rocks through secondary enrichment processes, establishing a geochemical coherence between oil shales and ore deposits. The Permian Kupferschiefer of N. Europe is used as an example to define a Kupferschiefer type (KST) deposit. Here oxygenated brines in contact with red beds become acidified through mineral precipitation and acquire metals by dissolving oxide coatings. Oxidation of the black shale leads to further acid production and metal acquisition and eventually to sulfide deposition along a reducing front. In order to form ore bodies, the stratigraphic coherence of the red bed-black shale-evaporite succession must be joined by the geochemical coherence of the ore body-evaporite-black shale association. The Cretaceous Cu-Zn deposits of Angola, the Zambian Copperbelt as well as the Creta, Oklahoma, deposits are other KST examples. In the Zambian Copperbelt, evaporites are indicated by the carbonate lenticles thought to be pseudomorphs after gypsum-anhydrite nodules. MVT deposits are also deposited by acid brines, but at more elevated temperatures and with carbonates as principal host rocks. The Pine Point deposits are cited for their close association with evaporites.Alkaline, metal-rich brines are postulated for the HYC deposit of McArthur River, Australia. Such brines are known from the Green River Formation and deposits formed from such brines constitute the GRT class. They can be recognized by the presence of Magadi-type cherts and zeolite-analcime-K-spar tuffs. The Cu-Co ore bodies of Outokumpu, Finland, might also belong to this type. A new classification of sedimentary ore deposits is proposed, based on their geochemical environment. KST and MVT are formed from acid ore fluids, while GRT and CT (Creede type) are derived from basic ore fluids. pH of the fluids is best evaluated not from the ores themselves, but from their effect on the host-rocks.     

小兴安岭地区与加里东期花岗岩类有关的矿床成矿系列

加里东期花岗岩类岩浆活动及其有关的成矿作用，在小兴安岭地区形成了一批铁、铜、锌、铅、锡、钼和钨等矽卡岩型和热液型的矿床。这些成因上紧密相关的矿床形成时间相近。不过，在不同的岩浆活动阶段和不同的地质环境中形成的矿床，，其矿化特征又有明显的差别，而且，矿种和矿化类型在空间的分布上，呈现有规律的分带象。本文着眼于研究上述的矿床所处的地质背景、成矿条件和成矿作用，用成矿系列的观点，对矿床进行矿亚系列和矿床     

重庆武隆-南川地区铝土矿地质特征及找矿方向浅析

重庆武隆-南川地区铝土矿资源丰富。其主要含矿层位为下二叠统梁山组,通过对重庆地区已有铝土矿地质资料的分析,笔者总结了该地区铝土矿产出的地质特征,为今后铝土矿的找矿工作提供了重要依据。     

大陆岩石圈地幔交代作用的产物——且干布拉克蛭石矿床

且干布拉克杂岩体位于库鲁克塔格地块的西南缘,是构造运移到陆壳中的大陆岩石圈地幔顶部的岩块。在862±12Ma期间,该岩体在地幔内经历了复杂的交代作用首先是透辉石交代蛇纹岩;然后是金云母交代蛇纹岩和透辉岩,这些金云母经近地表地质作用后形成了我国规模最大的蛭石矿床;最后是含金云母的碳酸岩岩脉贯入并交代先期形成的各种岩石。研究证明,交代剂应当是碳酸质的碱性硅酸盐熔体或流体,并分异成共轭的两部分这些交代剂普遍具有Ta、Nb、Ti、Zr和Hf的贫化;而且,Nd、Sr、Pb、O、C、H同位素组成普遍具EMⅠ、EMⅡ地幔端元和地壳岩石的特征。由此而证明交代剂主要源自于消减板块中的深海沉积物和在海沟中裹挟的陆源浊积岩。     

新疆北部幔源岩浆矿床的类型、时空分布及成矿谱系

新疆北部与幔源岩浆有关的矿床种类齐全,成矿环境复杂,时代和类型繁多,在中国乃至世界颇具特色。主要矿床类型包括铬铁矿矿床、钒钛磁铁矿矿床、铜镍硫化物矿床、铂族元素(PGE)矿床、铜镍-钒钛铁复合型矿床、含钴磁铁矿矿床、玄武岩自然铜矿床、热液型钴-多金属矿床,以及非金属矿床等。按照含矿地质体的类型,可分为6种类型:蛇绿岩型、层状杂岩型、小侵入体型、阿拉斯加型、浅成岩型和喷出岩型。这些幔源岩浆矿床可划分为3个成岩成矿系列:铜镍系列、钛铁系列和铬铁系列。钛铁系列以碱性层状岩体型钒钛磁铁矿、铁磷矿为代表,岩石具有明显的富Fe特征,属于碱性富铁质的高钛玄武岩系列;铜镍系列以小侵入体型铜镍矿、阿拉斯加型铜镍-PGE矿为代表,岩石属于铁质的拉斑玄武岩-钙碱性系列;铬铁系列主要为蛇绿岩型铬铁矿,岩石具富Mg贫Fe特征,属于镁质系列。3个系列的岩浆都具有亏损地幔源特征,可能都与地幔柱活动有关;岩浆源区富含相应的成矿元素,是形成3个系列矿床相应成矿地质体的主要条件。3个系列矿床的成矿机制可分为深部熔离/岩浆分异、就地分凝、矿浆贯入、岩浆热液等过程。根据各系列矿床之间存在的紧密联系,建立了与幔源岩浆作用有关的3个系列矿床综合模式: 亏损地幔部分熔融产生的幔源岩浆在上升过程中发生熔离/分异,分离为3个系列,由于外部物质加入在地壳深部发生分异和熔离,在不同深度富集形成铬铁矿、钒钛磁铁矿和铜镍硫化物矿床,临近地表时流体富集和分离成含矿流体,分别形成浅成岩型磁铁矿和喷出岩型自然铜矿。新疆北部各类幔源岩浆矿床从早到晚主要产于3期构造阶段/构造类型: 大陆裂解期、板块俯冲期、碰撞/后碰撞造山期(又分3个阶段: 碰撞后伸展阶段、幔柱叠加造山阶段、后碰撞结束阶段)。     

铁氧化物-铜-金(IOCG)型矿床:基本特征、研究现状与找矿勘查

国际上对IOCG型矿床的研究如火如荼,中国则刚刚起步。文章全面评述了IOCG型矿床的研究现状,包括IOCG型矿床的定义、全球时空分布特点、成矿环境、与成矿有关的岩浆岩、矿体形态特征及围岩蚀变、矿床的形成过程、找矿评价标志等。最后,文章从IOCG型矿床的角度,对中国某些矿床进行了思考,认为长江中下游宁芜和庐枞盆地内的玢岩铁矿可能属IOCG型矿床,河北邯邢铁矿和湖北大冶铁矿也有IOCG型矿床的某些特点。     

Hotspots and mantle plumes: global intraplate tectonics, magmatism and ore deposits

Summary Intraplate tectono-magmatic phenomena, including the emplacement of layered intrusions, and the giant dyke swarms, anorogenic (hotspot) volcanism, oceanic plataeux, rifting processes, basin formation, and geomorphological features are discussed in the context of the mantle plume theory. A review of the relationships between mantle plumes and ore deposits focuses on direct links, proxied by the emplacement of mafic-ultramafic magmas (e.g. PGE and Ni–Cu sulphides associated with flood basalts) and indirectly in rift systems where high geothermal gradients are set up in the crust above the plume, induce large scale circulation of hydrothermal fluids, which result in the generation of a wide range of ore deposits. Peak periods in the deposition of iron formations coincide with plume events in the Archeaen and Proterozoic. Passive margins, which evolve from continental breakups and triple junctions, host abundant mineral and hydrocarbon resources.     

西藏多龙矿集区典型矿床(点)矿化特征与成矿作用对比研究

西藏多龙矿集区是近年来中国新发现的具有世界级潜力的铜金矿集区。该矿集区现已查明多不杂、波龙、拿若和铁格隆南4个大型-超大型矿床,并新发现地堡那木岗和拿顿矿点。文章对上述矿床(点)脉体、蚀变、矿化和流体特征开展了系统研究和对比。结果表明,多不杂、波龙和拿若矿床矿化类型以斑岩型为主,同时钾硅酸盐化、绢英岩化、青磐岩化等蚀变广泛发育,而铁格隆南矿床除上述蚀变类型外,还叠加有高级泥化蚀变,并发育与之相关的浅成低温热液型矿化。根据脉体特征对比和流体包裹体温压计算推测,上述4个矿床矿化类型的差异可能由剥蚀深度的差异所引起(前三者剥蚀深度约为2～3 km,后者约为1～1.5 km)。此外,地堡那木岗矿点蚀变类型以绢英岩化、泥化为主,该矿点发育与斑岩型金矿中类似的深色条带状石英脉,指示该地区可能存在斑岩型金矿。拿顿矿点为典型的高硫型浅成低温热液型矿化,铜金矿体赋存于角砾岩筒中。野外地质调查表明,上述矿点地表蚀变岩盖(Lithocaps)发育,并且蚀变岩盖空间分布位置与下伏铜金矿体表现出良好的匹配关系,可有效地指导找矿勘查工作。流体包裹体实验进一步表明,铜金元素在斑岩型矿化中的沉淀可能与温度降低和氧逸度的变化有关,而在浅成低温热液型矿化中的沉淀则受控于温度的降低和流体的不混溶作用。最后,在前人年代学研究基础上,结合本次实验结果构建了该地区与成矿作用有关的时空演化模型。     

Geology and ore genesis of the manganese ore deposits of the Postmasburg manganese-field,South Africa

The Postmasburg Mn/Fe-ores occur exclusively in dolomitic Precambrian sinkhole structures with siliceous breccias and shales as hostrocks. The main manganese minerals are braunite and bixbyite, apart from secondary alteration products of the psilomelane-manganomelane family. Various generations of ore minerals could be identified. The ore mineralization is subdivided into three different genetic types. They are classified either as pure karst deposits or as combined formations of karst origin and shallow marine sedimentation due to the transgression of the Banded Iron Formation (BIF) sea. Post-sedimentary metamorphism is identified as very low grade. The development of the different ore types is illustrated schematically.     

Geochemical features of ore fluid for gold deposits related to alkaline rocks in China

Fluid inclusion studies of 5 gold deposits connected with alkaline rocks show that quartz separated from auriferous quartz veins contains abundant three-phase CO2-NaCl-H2O inclusions and two-phase CO2-dominated ones,measuring 5-20um in diameter,Homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions are mostly within the range of 150-300℃,and the salinities,mainly 0.2wt%-12 wt%(NaCl),Gold mineralizations occurred at depths of 1.4-2.8km,The most striking character of fluid composition is that among the cations,Na^ in dominant,followed by K^ ,Ca^2 ,among the anions,Cl^- is slightly higher than SO4^2-,In the evaporate,H2O is dominant,followed by CO2,The pH values are mainly within the range of 6.5-8.5,indicating that the ore-forming solutions are alkaline in nature.The hydrogen and oxygen isotopic ratios indicate that the ore fluid is composed mainly of magmatic water.With the dropping of temperature in the ore fluid,the contents of CO2 decreased while the salinity increased.The relations between Au and other components of the ore fluid are discussed in the paper,and it is concluded that in these deposits,Chlorides,H2S,SiO2,CO2,etc.in the fluid all are involved in the migration and concentration of Au.     

矿床形成深度与深部成矿预测

摘要：阐述了不同类型内生矿床的成矿深度和金属沉淀的垂直范围。热液成矿作用的深度下限可以下降到10000～12000m。不同类型矿床的成矿深度范围与成矿时的具体地质构造特征有关,且有很大的变化空间。金属矿床的形成深度受成矿母岩岩浆侵位深度的约束,而岩浆侵位的深度又与岩浆中挥发组分的数量、流体释放的时间、成矿元素的矿物/熔体和溶液/熔体分配系数等因素有关。据此可以解释斑岩铜－（钼）、斑岩钼-(铜)和斑岩钨矿床形成深度的差异。地温梯度和多孔岩石的渗透率也与成矿深度有关。CO2等挥发组分的溶解度对压力非常敏感,因此流体包裹体地质压力计对于成矿深度的确定有重要的应用价值。在开展深部成矿预测和找矿时,探寻隐伏岩体顶上带或岩钟是寻找深部与花岗岩有关的多金属矿床的捷径之一。     

矿床形成深度与深部成矿预测

阐述了不同类型内生矿床的成矿深度和金属沉淀的垂直范围。热液成矿作用的深度下限可以下降到10000～12000m。不同类型矿床的成矿深度范围与成矿时的具体地质构造特征有关,且有很大的变化空间。金属矿床的形成深度受成矿母岩岩浆侵位深度的约束,而岩浆侵位的深度又与岩浆中挥发组分的数量、流体释放的时间、成矿元素的矿物/熔体和溶液/熔体分配系数等因素有关。据此可以解释斑岩铜-(钼)、斑岩钼-(铜)和斑岩钨矿床形成深度的差异。地温梯度和多孔岩石的渗透率也与成矿深度有关。CO2等挥发组分的溶解度对压力非常敏感,因此流体包裹体地质压力计对于成矿深度的确定有重要的应用价值。在开展深部成矿预测和找矿时,探寻隐伏岩体顶上带或岩钟是寻找深部与花岗岩有关的多金属矿床的捷径之一。     

矿床形成深度与深部成矿预测

摘要：阐述了不同类型内生矿床的成矿深度和金属沉淀的垂直范围。热液成矿作用的深度下限可以下降到10000～12000m。不同类型矿床的成矿深度范围与成矿时的具体地质构造特征有关,且有很大的变化空间。金属矿床的形成深度受成矿母岩岩浆侵位深度的约束,而岩浆侵位的深度又与岩浆中挥发组分的数量、流体释放的时间、成矿元素的矿物/熔体和溶液/熔体分配系数等因素有关。据此可以解释斑岩铜－（钼）、斑岩钼-(铜)和斑岩钨矿床形成深度的差异。地温梯度和多孔岩石的渗透率也与成矿深度有关。CO2等挥发组分的溶解度对压力非常敏感,因此流体包裹体地质压力计对于成矿深度的确定有重要的应用价值。在开展深部成矿预测和找矿时,探寻隐伏岩体顶上带或岩钟是寻找深部与花岗岩有关的多金属矿床的捷径之一。     

铌钽矿研究进展和攀西地区铌钽矿成因初探

铌钽矿主要产出类型包括伟晶岩型、富Li-F花岗岩型、碱性侵入岩型、碳酸岩型及冲积砂矿型。前2种类型以钽为主,后3种则以铌占主导。铌和钽大多以铌钽独立矿物(铌铁矿、钽铁矿、细晶石、烧绿石等)呈浸染状分布于含矿岩石中,也有部分以类质同象的形式分布于云母、榍石、霓石、钛铁矿等矿物中。关于铌钽矿的富集机制,一些学者认为可由富F-Na和稀有金属(铌、钽等)的花岗质熔体经结晶分异作用形成;另一些学者则根据铌钽矿化与岩石的钠长石化、锂云母化等紧密共生的特点,认为铌钽的富集是岩浆期后流体交代早期形成的花岗岩所致。攀西(攀枝花-西昌)地区的铌钽矿床(化)基本上都是沿着断裂带分布,矿体赋存于印支期碱性岩脉(碱性正长伟晶岩)中,有少数存在于碱性花岗岩中,与区域上邻近的正长岩体及花岗岩体关系密切。其矿石矿物主要为烧绿石、褐钇铌矿等。初步推断,攀西地区的铌钽矿与二叠纪地幔柱活动有关。碱性的正长岩体及花岗岩体与广泛分布的峨眉山玄武岩、辉长岩均是地幔柱岩浆活动的产物,长英质岩体(包括正长岩体和花岗岩体)是富铌钽岩石的母岩体。碱性伟晶岩脉(如炉库和白草地区)是碱性岩浆逐步演化的产物,含矿的碱性花岗岩是花岗质岩浆分异演化的结果。此外,在该地区的铌钽矿床中,铌钽矿物几乎都富集在钠长石化发育的地段,说明后期的热液交代对铌钽的富集也起到了一定作用。因此,攀西地区铌钽的富集是岩浆结晶分异和岩浆期后热液交代共同作用的结果。     

2: Hydrothermal ore deposits related to post-orogenic extensional magmatism and core complex formation: The Rhodope Massif of Bulgaria and Greece

The Rhodope Massif in southern Bulgaria and northern Greece hosts a range of Pb–Zn–Ag, Cu–Mo and Au–Ag deposits in high-grade metamorphic, continental sedimentary and igneous rocks. Following a protracted thrusting history as part of the Alpine–Himalayan collision, major late orogenic extension led to the formation of metamorphic core complexes, block faulting, sedimentary basin formation, acid to basic magmatism and hydrothermal activity within a relatively short period of time during the Early Tertiary. Large vein and carbonate replacement Pb–Zn deposits hosted by high-grade metamorphic rocks in the Central Rhodopean Dome (e.g., the Madan ore field) are spatially associated with low-angle detachment faults as well as local silicic dyke swarms and/or ignimbrites. Ore formation is essentially synchronous with post-extensional dome uplift and magmatism, which has a dominant crustal magma component according to Pb and Sr isotope data. Intermediate- and high-sulphidation Pb–Zn–Ag–Au deposits and minor porphyry Cu–Mo mineralization in the Eastern Rhodopes are predominantly hosted by veins in shoshonitic to high-K calc-alkaline volcanic rocks of closely similar age. Base-metal-poor, high-grade gold deposits of low sulphidation character occurring in continental sedimentary rocks of synextensional basins (e.g., Ada Tepe) show a close spatial and temporal relation to detachment faulting prior and during metamorphic core complex formation. Their formation predates local magmatism but may involve fluids from deep mantle magmas.The change in geochemical signatures of Palaeogene magmatic rocks, from predominantly silicic types in the Central Rhodopes to strongly fractionated shoshonitic (Bulgaria) to calc-alkaline and high-K calc-alkaline (Greece) magmas in the Eastern Rhodopes, coincides with the enrichment in Cu and Au relative to Pb and Zn of the associated ore deposits. This trend also correlates with a decrease in the radiogenic Pb and Sr isotope components of the magmatic rocks from west to east, reflecting a reduced crustal contamination of mantle magmas, which in turn correlates with a decreasing crustal thickness that can be observed today. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic compositions of the related hydrothermal systems show a concomitant increase of magmatic relative to meteoric fluids, from the Pb–Zn–Ag deposits of the Central Rhodopes to the magmatic rock-hosted polymetallic gold deposits of the Eastern Rhodopes.