Implication of Apatite and Anhydrite for Formation of an Iron‐Oxide‐Apatite (IOA) Rare Earth Element Prospect,Benjamin River,Canada

The Benjamin River apatite prospect in northern New Brunswick, Canada, is hosted by the Late Silurian Dickie Brook plutonic complex, which is made up of intrusive units represented by monzogranite, diorite and gabbro. The IOA ores, composed mainly of apatite, augite, and magnetite at Benjamin River form pegmatitic pods and lenses in the host igneous rocks, the largest of which is 100 m long and 10–20 m wide in the diorite and gabbro units. In this study, 28 IOA ore and rock samples were collected from the diorite and gabbro units. Mineralogical observations show that the apatite–augite–magnetite ores are variable in the amounts of apatite, augite, and magnetite and are associated with minor amounts of epidote‐group minerals (allanite, REE‐rich epidote and epidte) and trace amounts of albite, titanite, ilmenite, titanomagnetite, pyrite, chlorite, calcite, and quartz. Apatite and augite grains contain small anhydrite inclusions. This suggests that the magma that crystallized apatite and augite had high oxygen fugacity. In back scattered electron (BSE) images, apatite grains in the ores have two zones of different appearance: (i) primary REE‐rich zone; and (ii) porous REE‐poor zone. The porous REE‐poor zones mainly appear in rims and/or inside of the apatite grains, in addition to the presence of apatite grains which totally consist of a porous REE‐poor apatite. This porous REE‐poor apatite is characterized by low REE (<0.84 wt%), Si (<0.28 wt%), and Cl (<0.17 wt%) contents. Epidote‐group minerals mainly occur in grain boundary between the porous REE‐poor apatite and augite. These indicate that REE leached from primary REE‐rich apatite crystallized as allanite and REE‐rich epidote. Magnetite in the ores often occurs as veinlets that cut apatite grains or as anhedral grains that replace a part of augite. These textures suggest that magnetite crystallized in the late stage. Pyrite veins occur in the ores, including a large amount of quartz and calcite veins. Pyrite veins mainly occur with quartz veins in augite. These textures indicate pyrite veins are the latest phase. Apatite–augite–magnetite ore, gabbro–quartz diorite and feldspar dike collected from the Benjamin River prospect contain dirty pure albite (Ab₉₈Or₂–Ab₁₀₀) under the microscope. The feldspar dikes mainly consist of dirty pure albite. Occurrences of the dirty pure albite suggest remarkable albitization (sodic alteration) of original plagioclase (An_25.3–An₆₀ in Pilote et al., 2012) associating with intrusion of monzogranite into gabbro and diorite. SO₄^2? bearing magma crystallized primary REE‐rich apatite, augite and anhydrite reacted with Fe in the sodic fluids, which result in oxidation of Fe²⁺ and release of S^2? into the sodic fluids. REE, Ca and Fe from primary REE‐rich apatite, augite and plagioclase altered by the sodic fluids were released into the fluids. Then Fe³⁺ in the sodic fluids precipitated as Fe oxides and epidote‐group minerals in apatite–augite–magnetite ores. Finally, residual S^2? in sodic fluids crystallized as latest pyrite veins. In conclusion, mineralization in Benjamin River IOA prospect are divided into four stages: (1) oxidized magmatic stage that crystallized apatite, augite and anhydrite; (2) sodic metasomatic stage accompanying alteration of magmatic minerals; (3) oxidized fluid stage (magnetite–epidote group minerals mineralization); and (4) reduced fluid stage (pyrite mineralization).     

The Petrological and Geochemical Evolution of Ediacaran Rare-Metal Bearing A-type Granites from the Jabal Aja Complex, Northern Arabian Shield, Saudi Arabia

New fieldwork, mineralogical and geochemical data and interpretations are presented for the rare-metal bearing A-type granites of the Aja intrusive complex(AIC) in the northern segment of the Arabian Shield. This complex is characterized by discontinuous ring-shaped outcrops cut by later faulting. The A-type rocks of the AIC are late Neoproterozoic post-collisional granites, including alkali feldspar granite, alkaline granite and peralkaline granite. They represent the outer zones of the AIC, surrounding a core of older rocks including monzogranite, syenogranite and granophyre granite. The sharp contacts between A-type granites of the outer zone and the different granitic rocks of the inner zone suggest that the AIC was emplaced as different phases over a time interval, following complete crystallization of earlier batches. The A-type granites represent the late intrusive phases of the AIC, which were emplaced during tectonic extension, as shown by the emplacement of dykes synchronous with the granite emplacement and the presence of cataclastic features. The A-type granites consist of K-feldspars, quartz, albite, amphiboles and sodic pyroxene with a wide variety of accessory minerals, including Fe-Ti oxides, zircon, allanite, fluorite, monazite, titanite, apatite, columbite, xenotime and epidote. They are highly evolved(71.3–75.8 wt% SiO_2) and display the typical geochemical characteristics of post-collisional, within-plate granites. They are rare-metal granites enriched in total alkalis, Nb, Zr, Y, Ga, Ta, REE with low CaO, MgO, Ba, and Sr. Eu-negative anomalies(Eu/Eu* = 0.17–0.37) of the A-type granites reflect extreme magmatic fractionation and perhaps the effects of late fluid-rock interactions. The chemical characteristics indicate that the A-type granites of the AIC represent products of extreme fractional crystallization involving alkali feldspar, quartz and, to a lesser extent, ferromagnesian minerals. The parent magma was derived from the partial melting of a juvenile crustal protolith with a mantle contribution. Accumulation of residual volatile-rich melt and exsolved fluids in the late stage of the magma evolution produced pegmatite and quartz veins that cut the peripheries of the AIC. Post-magmatic alteration related to the final stages of the evolution of the A-type granitic magma, indicated by alterations of sodic amphibole and sodic pyroxene, hematitization and partial albitization.     

Metasomatic albitites and related biotite-rich schists from a low-pressure polymetamorphic terrane, Snake Creek Anticline, Mount Isa Inlier, north-eastern Australia: microstructures and P–T–d paths

Rocks of the Snake Creek Anticline are mainly pelitic schists, psammitic schists and quartzites that were metamorphosed during multiple high‐T/low‐P events extending from D1 to D5, with the metamorphic peak occurring late to post‐D3. Albitites are widespread, but are concentrated in five areas. They are typically fine‐ to medium‐grained, and consist of albite, with or without combinations of quartz, biotite, staurolite, cordierite, garnet, andalusite, sillimanite, kyanite, gedrite and tourmaline. From the presence or absence of albite inclusions in porphyroblasts, the albitites are interpreted as forming early in the D3 event as a result of infiltration of external fluids. Psammitic schists and quartzites were preferentially altered, but pelitic schists were also albitized in localities where the alteration was more extreme, with the replacement of muscovite total and the replacement of quartz and biotite variable. Structural controls on albitization include fracturing and syn‐D3 shear zones in fold hinges. Biotite schists with abundant porphyroblasts (combinations of staurolite, garnet, andalusite and cordierite) occur adjacent to albitites, and it is argued that they formed by the addition of Fe and Mg sourced from the albitites. In several albitite‐rich areas, cordierite grew early in D3 and was partly or entirely replaced during or after D3 by combinations of biotite, andalusite, tourmaline, staurolite and sillimanite. A postulated P–T–d path involved an increase in pressure (with or without a decrease in temperature) subsequent to early D3 albitization, followed by an increase in temperature up to the metamorphic peak (late D3 to early D4. The metamorphism was contemporary in part with the emplacement of the Williams Batholith (c. 1550–1500 Ma), which probably supplied the Na‐rich fluids.     

Petrogenesis of andalusite–kyanite–sillimanite veins and host rocks, Sanandaj-Sirjan metamorphic belt, Hamadan, Iran

Quartz‐rich veins in metapelitic schists of the Sanandaj‐Sirjan belt, Hamadan region, Iran, commonly contain two Al₂SiO₅ polymorphs, and, more rarely, three coexisting Al₂SiO₅ polymorphs. In most andalusite and sillimanite schists, the types of polymorphs in veins correlate with Al₂SiO₅ polymorph(s) in the host rocks, although vein polymorphs are texturally and compositionally distinct from those in adjacent host rocks; e.g. vein andalusite is enriched in Fe₂O₃ relative to host rock andalusite. Low‐grade rocks contain andalusite + quartz veins, medium‐grade rocks contain andalusite + sillimanite + quartz ± plagioclase veins, and high‐grade rocks contain sillimanite + quartz + plagioclase veins/leucosomes. Although most andalusite and sillimanite‐bearing veins occur in host rocks that also contain Al₂SiO₅, kyanite‐quartz veins crosscut rocks that lack Al₂SiO₅ (e.g. staurolite schist, granite). A quartz vein containing andalusite + kyanite + sillimanite + staurolite + muscovite occurs in andalusite–sillimanite host rocks. Textural relationships in this vein indicate the crystallization sequence andalusite to kyanite to sillimanite. This crystallization sequence conflicts with the observation that kyanite‐quartz veins post‐date andalusite–sillimanite veins and at least one intrusive phase of a granite that produced a low‐pressure–high‐temperature contact aureole; these relationships imply a sequence of andalusite to sillimanite to kyanite. Varying crystallization sequences for rocks in a largely coherent metamorphic belt can be explained by P–T paths of different rocks passing near (slightly above, slightly below) the Al₂SiO₅ triple point, and by overprinting of multiple metamorphic events in a terrane that evolved from a continental arc to a collisional orogen.     

Stable isotope constraints on the Al2SiO5'triple-point' rocks from the Proterozoic Priest pluton contact aureole, New Mexico, USA

The Priest pluton contact aureole in the Manzano Mountains, central New Mexico preserves evidence for upper amphibolite contact metamorphism and localized retrograde hydrothermal alteration associated with intrusion of the 1.42 Ga Priest pluton. Quartz–garnet and quartz–sillimanite oxygen isotope fractionations in pelitic schist document an increase in the temperatures of metamorphism from 540 °C, at a distance of 1 km from the pluton, to 690 °C at the contact with the pluton. Comparison of calculated temperature estimates with one‐dimensional thermal modelling suggests that background temperatures between 300 and 350 °C existed at the time of intrusion of the Priest pluton. Fibrolite is found within 300 m of the Priest pluton in pelitic and aluminous schist metamorphosed at temperatures >580 °C. Coexisting fibrolite and garnet in pelitic schist are in oxygen isotope equilibrium, suggesting these minerals were stable reaction products during peak metamorphism. The fibrolite‐in isograd is coincident with the staurolite‐out isograd in pelitic schist, and K‐feldspar is not observed with the first occurrence of fibrolite. This suggests that the breakdown of staurolite and not the second sillimanite reaction controls fibrolite growth in staurolite‐bearing pelitic schist. Muscovite‐rich aluminous schist locally preserves the Al₂SiO₅ polymorph triple‐point assemblage – kyanite, andalusite and fibrolite. Andalusite and fibrolite, but not kyanite, are in isotopic equilibrium in the aluminous schist. Co‐nucleation of fibrolite and andalusite at 580 °C in the presence of muscovite and absence of K‐feldspar suggests that univariant growth of andalusite and fibrolite occurred. Kyanite growth occurred during an earlier regional metamorphic event at a temperature nearly 80 °C lower than andalusite and fibrolite growth. Quartz–muscovite fractionations in hydrothermally altered pelitic schist and quartzite are small or negative, suggesting that late isotopic exchange between externally derived fluids and muscovite, but not quartz, occurred after peak contact metamorphism and that hydrothermal alteration in pelitic schist and quartzite occurred below the closure temperature of oxygen self diffusion in quartz (<500 °C).     

Anatectic record and contrasting P–T paths of aluminous gneisses from the central Grenville Province

Anatectic aluminous gneisses, some derived from sedimentary rocks of broadly pelitic composition and others from hydrothermally altered felsic volcanic rocks, are exposed in the mid‐P and high‐P segments of the hinterland in the central Grenville Province. These gneisses consist dominantly of garnet, biotite, K‐feldspar, plagioclase and quartz, with sillimanite or kyanite, and display microstructural evidence of anatexis by fluid‐absent reactions consuming muscovite and/or biotite. Melt‐related microstructures, such as inter‐granular films and/or interstitial quartz or feldspar enclosing relict phases, are most abundant in the metasedimentary samples. Despite anatexis at granulite facies conditions, the hydrothermally altered rocks preserve earlier features attributed to the circulation of hydrothermal fluids, such as sillimanite seams, dismembered quartz veins and garnet‐rich aluminous nodules in a K‐feldspar‐dominated matrix. Microstructural and mineral chemical data, integrated with P–T pseudosections calculated with thermocalc for the metasedimentary rocks, permit qualitative constraints on the P–T paths. Data from a high‐P kyanite‐bearing sample are consistent with a steep prograde P–T path up to ~14.5 kbar and 860–900 °C, followed by decompression with minor cooling to the solidus at ~11 kbar and 870 °C. This pressure‐dominated P–T path is similar to those inferred in other parts of the high‐P segment in the central Grenville Province. In contrast, the P–T path predicted from a mid‐P sillimanite‐bearing paragneiss has a strong temperature gradient with P–T of ~9.5 kbar and 850 °C at the thermal peak, and a retrograde portion down to ~8 kbar and 820 °C. In a broad sense, these two contrasting P–T patterns are consistent with predictions of thermo‐mechanical modelling of large hot orogens in which P–T paths with strong pressure gradients exhume deeper rocks in the orogenic flanks, whereas P–T paths with strong temperature gradients in the orogenic core reflect protracted lateral transport of ductile crust beneath a plateau.     

Stable isotope evidence for magmatic fluid input during large-scale Na–Ca alteration in the Cloncurry Fe oxide Cu–Au district, NW Queensland, Australia

Sodic–calcic alteration is common in mineralized hydrothermal systems, yet the relative importance of igneous vs. basinal fluid sources remains controversial. One of the most extensive volumes of sodic–calcic rocks occurs near Cloncurry, NW Queensland, and was formed by overlapping hydrothermal systems that were active synchronously with emplacement of mid‐crustal batholithic granitoids (c. 1.55–1.50 Ga). Altered rocks contain albite–oligoclase, actinolite, diopside, titanite and magnetite. Alteration was localized by: (A) composite veins and breccias containing crystallized magma intimately intergrown with hydrothermal precipitates; (B) intrusions that host setting A veins and breccias; and (C) extensive breccia and vein systems linked to regional fault systems. Isotope analyses of actinolites in settings A and B indicate calculated δ¹⁸O_H2O (+8.2 to +10.6‰) and variably depleted δD_H2O (?130 to ?54‰) compared with typical magmatic fluids, whereas those from setting C typically indicate calculated δ¹⁸O_H2O (+8.0 to +12.8‰) and δD_H2O (?29 to ?99‰). The lowest δD_H2O values are interpreted as representing residual fluids after significant (> 90%) open‐system magmatic degassing. Overall the stable isotope, field, geochronological and geobarometric data suggest that these sodic–calcic alteration systems were formed by the episodic incursion of magmatic fluids that underwent minor isotopic modification as a result of varying degrees of interaction with country rocks.     

Gold Mineralization and Occurrence of Sinter in the Hoshino Area, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan

Abstract. Several epithermal gold deposits occur in the Hoshino area, which is located in the western end of the late Cenozoic Hohi volcanic zone, north‐central Kyushu, Japan. The area is characterized by intermediate to felsic extrusive rocks of Pliocene age. In the Hoshino area, the shallow manifestation of the hydrothermal activity is exposed on the surface. Several outcrops of sinter are still preserved on the top of hydro thermally altered volcanic rocks, and high‐grade gold‐bearing quartz veins occur on the surface at lower levels. The hydrothermal alteration resulted into well‐developed alteration zones. The zonal alteration pattern, primarily of near‐neutral pH type, is characterized by the outer smectite zone of a lower temperature, and the inner mixed layer minerals zone of a higher temperature. Quartz vein‐related or fracture‐controlled alteration, is represented by the occurrence of interstratified illite/smectite and K‐feldspar, suggesting a potassium‐enriched alteration. The mineralization in the Hoshino area is recognized on the surface by the occurrence of gold‐bearing quartz veins distributed mainly in the mixed layer minerals zone. The fracture system related to the gold mineralization is mainly characterized by NW‐SE trend. The alteration pattern and the mineralogical composition of the veins suggest that the mineralizing fluids had near‐neutral pH and the mineralization is of low‐sulfidation‐type. Fluid inclusion data and textures observed in quartz veins indicate that gold precipitated during boiling. The chemical composition of quartz veins shows that high‐grade gold‐bearing quartz veins are characterized by higher content of Al₂O₃, K₂O and Rb. Several outcrops of silica‐sinters are distributed on the top of the mixed layer minerals zone. Although their structures are not very well preserved, because of later silicification, the Hoshino sinters still show characteristic textures identical to those observed in modern sinters, such as the presence of plant fossil incorporated into the sinters, the strongly developed depositional laminations and the columnar structures perpendicular to the depositional surfaces. Quartz is the only silica mineral constituting the Hoshino sinters presently. The conversion of amorphous silica into quartz was probably governed by higher temperatures resulting from later hydrothermal activity. This later hydrothermal activity is reflected by the intense silicification affecting mainly the lower parts of the sinters and also by the presence of quartz veins cutting the sinters. The distribution of sinters in the Hoshino area is very significant. The presence beneath the sinters of concealed high‐grade gold‐bearing quartz veins should be highly considered and exploration work is strongly suggested.     

Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusions Analysis of Vein Quartz in the Multiple Hydrothermal Systems of Mankayan Mineral District,Philippines

Several high‐sulfidation epithermal gold orebodies in the Mankayan Mineral District were formed in an environment that has been already affected by earlier porphyry‐type mineralization. This study reports the geologic and geochemical characteristics of the Carmen and Florence epithermal orebodies, which are located in the south of the Lepanto main enargite–gold orebody. The gold‐bearing epithermal quartz veins in the Carmen and Florence areas are of two types: (i) the enargite‐rich veins and (ii) the quartz–pyrite–gold (QPG) veins. The two types of veins are mainly hosted by the Cretaceous Lepanto Metavolcanics basement rocks, with minor veins cutting the Pleistocene Imbanguila Dacite Pyroclastics. The mineral assemblages and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions indicate that the Carmen and Florence orebodies were deposited by fluids varying from high to very high sulfidation state. The enargite and QPG epithermal veins of Carmen and Florence cut porphyry‐type quartz veinlet stockworks and veins that host polyphase hypersaline fluid inclusions that did not homogenize at or below 400°C. These high‐temperature quartz exhibits distinctly different mineral chemistry from the quartz of the QPG and enargite‐rich epithermal veins. In particular, the Ti content of quartz of the porphyry‐type veinlet stockwork is elevated (>100 ppm), whereas the Ti concentration of the epithermal vein quartz crystals are below detection limits. The Fe concentration of quartz is high in epithermal vein quartz (>300 ppm), whereas nearly undetected in the porphyry‐type stockwork veinlet quartz. Multiple generations of quartz with different mineral chemistry, fluid inclusions morphology, temperature, salinity and bulk gas compositions, and stable isotopic ratios indicate the variable hydrothermal conditions throughout the mineralization history of the Mankayan District. The temperature, pH, sulfidation state, oxidation state, and fluid composition vary among the orebodies in Carmen and Florence areas. Furthermore, the characteristics of earlier alteration affected the apparent characteristics of subsequent mineralization.     

Metamorphic differentiation at Einasleigh,Northern Queensland

Biotite‐muscovite‐garnet gneisses at Einasleigh contain quartz‐feldspar veins composed of the same minerals as found in the enclosing rock. The vein‐gneiss boundaries are commonly irregular and on a microscopic scale, gradational.

Certain amphibolite layers contain quartz‐feldspar veins composed of the same minerals as found in the amphibolite. Hornblende‐rich extraction zones surround these veins, and material balance calculations show that all or nearly all of the vein‐forming matter was locally derived. Variation in the abundance of hornblende and plagioclase in the amphibolite as a function of distance from a quartz‐feldspar vein can be expressed by error‐function curves, thus suggesting that the mineral‐segregation process was diffusion‐controlled. During the mineral rearrangement, the Na and Ca contents of plagioclase have evidently remained unchanged, but the vein hornblende has become slightly richer in Fe+3, Mg, and Ca, and poorer in Si and Al relative to hornblende in the adjacent amphibolite.

A certain biotite‐plagioclase rock forms layers and boudins in the gneisses and contains pegmatite veins composed of the same minerals as found in the host rock. The plagioclase in these veins is more sodic than that in the host rock while the biotite contains slightly more Ti and Fe+² and less Si and Mg than the biotite of the enclosing rock.

The data indicate that significant portions of the vein‐forming matter at Einasleigh were locally derived. The chemistry of some minerals has changed slightly during the segregation process, resulting possibly from different diffusion rates for the different mineral‐forming constituents.     

Occurrence of the Iron–rich Melt in the Heijianshan Iron Deposit, Eastern Tianshan, NW China: Insights into the Origin of Volcanic Rock–hosted Iron Deposits

Long-standing controversy persists over the presence and role of iron–rich melts in the formation of volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits. Conjugate iron–rich and silica–rich melt inclusions observed in thin-sections are considered as direct evidence for the presence of iron-rich melt, yet unequivocal outcrop-scale evidence of iron-rich melts are still lacking in volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits. Submarine volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits, which are mainly distributed in the western and eastern Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, are important resources of iron ores in China, but it remains unclear whether iron-rich melts have played a role in the mineralization of such iron ores. In this study, we observed abundant iron-rich agglomerates in the brecciated andesite lava of the Heijianshan submarine volcanic rock–hosted iron deposit, Eastern Tianshan, China. The iron-rich agglomerates occur as irregular and angular masses filling fractures of the host brecciated andesite lava. They show concentric potassic alteration with silicification or epidotization rims, indicative of their formation after the wall rocks. The iron-rich agglomerates have porphyritic and hyalopilitic textures, and locally display chilled margins in the contact zone with the host rocks. These features cannot be explained by hydrothermal replacement of wall rocks(brecciated andesite lava) which is free of vesicle and amygdale, rather they indicate direct crystallization of the iron-rich agglomerates from iron-rich melts. We propose that the iron-rich agglomerates were formed by open-space filling of volatile-rich iron-rich melt in fractures of the brecciated andesite lava. The iron-rich agglomerates are compositionally similar to the wall-rock brecciated andesite lava, but have much larger variation. Based on mineral assemblages, the iron-rich agglomerates are subdivided into five types, i.e., albite-magnetite type, albite-K-feldsparmagnetite type, K-feldspar–magnetite type, epidote-magnetite type and quartz-magnetite type, representing that products formed at different stages during the evolution of a magmatic-hydrothermal system. The albite-magnetite type represents the earliest crystallization product from a residual ironrich melt; the albite-K-feldspar-magnetite and K-feldspar-magnetite types show features of magmatichydrothermal transition, whereas the epidote-magnetite and quartz-magnetite types represent products of hydrothermal alteration. The occurrence of iron-rich agglomerates provides macroscopic evidence for the presence of iron-rich melts in the mineralization of the Heijianshan iron deposit. It also indicates that iron mineralization of submarine volcanic rock-hosted iron deposits is genetically related to hydrothermal fluids derived from iron-rich melts.     

Quartz chemistry – A step to understanding magmatic-hydrothermal processes in ore-bearing granites: Cínovec/Zinnwald Sn-W-Li deposit,Central Europe

Quartz from granites, greisens and quartz veins from a 1596 m long vertical section through the Cínovec/Zinnwald Li-Sn-W deposit (Czech Republic) was studied using cathodoluminescence (CL) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP MS). The trace contents of Al, Ti, Li and the Ge/Ti and Al/Ti values in quartz reflect the degree of fractionation of parental melt from which primary quartz crystallized. From the biotite granite to the younger zinnwaldite granite, quartz is characterized by increasing contents of Al (from 136–176 to 240–280 ppm) and decreasing Ti (from 16–54 to 6–14 ppm), while the contents of Li and Ge are similar (15–36 and 0.8–1.7 ppm, respectively). Quartz of the greisen stage and vein stage is poor in all measured elements (26–59 ppm Al, 0.5–1.6 ppm Ti, 2–13 ppm Li, 0.8–1.6 ppm Ge). The youngest low-temperature quartz forming thin coatings in vugs in greisen and veins differs in its extreme enrichment in Al (>1000 ppm) and Li (∼100 ppm) and very low Ti (<1 ppm). Within the greisen, remnants of primary magmatic quartz should be distinguished from metasomatic greisen-stage quartz in their higher intensity of CL and relatively higher Ti contents. A part of primary magmatic quartz may by secondarily purified via infiltration of hydrothermal fluids and dissolution–reprecipitation processes. Such quartz parallels newly formed greisen-stage quartz in its chemical and CL properties; the share of greisen-stage quartz may by therefore overestimated.     

Characteristic Features of Tin–iron–copper Mineralization in the Anle-Huanggangliang Mining Area, Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract: The Anle Sn‐Cu and Huanggangliang Fe‐Sn deposits have been exploited in the Linxi district, which is located 165 km northwest of Chifeng City in northern China. In this study the formation mechanisms of the tin deposits in the Anle and Huanggangliang mining area were investigated to understand the mechanisms of tin mineralization in northern China. The veins of the Anle deposit are divided into cassiterite–quartz–chlorite veins, chalcopyrite‐bearing quartz veins, cassi–terite–chalcopyrite–bearing quartz veins and sphalerite‐quartz veins. The sequence of mineralization is tin mineralization (stage I), copper mineralization (stage II), and lead‐zinc mineralization (stage III). The Huanggangliang tin deposit consists of magnetite skarn orebodies and many cassiterite‐bearing feldspar–fluorite veins and veinlets cutting the magnetite orebodies. The fluid inclusions in quartz and fluorite in ores from the Anle and Huanggangliang tin deposits are divided into two‐phase fluid inclusions, vapor‐rich fluid inclusions and poly‐phase fluid inclusions. The final homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions of quartz in the ores of the Anle deposit and fluorite of tin‐bearing feldspar veins in the Huanggangliang tin deposit range from 195 to 425C and from 215 to 450C, respectively. The fluids responsible for the Anle and Huanggangliang tin deposits were of very high temperature and NaCl‐rich ones containing K, Ca, Al, Si, Ti, Fe and Cl in addition to ore metals such as Sn and Cu. The temperature and chemical composition of fluid in fluid inclusions of igneous rocks in the mining area are very similar to those of fluid in fluid inclusions in the ores of these deposits. The fluid for these ore deposits had a close relation with the fluid coexisting with melt of Late Jurassic granitic rocks in this mining area. Salinities of fluid inclusions from these ore deposits and granitic rocks in the mining area were estimated to range from 35 to 50 wt % NaCl equivalent. Based on arsenopy‐rite geothermometry and fluid inclusion studies, a fluid containing 40 wt% NaCl (eq.) could be formed by phase separation of fluid having 6 wt% NaCl (eq.) at a temperature of 420 to 500C and a pressure of 0.3 to 0.4 kb. The temperatures and pressures presented above indicate an NaCl‐rich magmatic fluid derived from granitic melt that had intruded into a shallow level of crust caused the Sn–Fe–Cu mineralization of the mining area. The geological relationship between these ore deposits and granitic bodies around the ore deposits, and the similarity of fluids forming these ore deposits and coexisting with granitic melt, suggest that these ore deposits were formed by the activity of fluid derived from granitic melt in Late Jurassic age.     

Geology and Origin of the Dongping Alkalic-Type Gold Deposit, Northern Hebei Province, People's Republic of China

Abstract: The Dongping deposit, located near the center of the northern margin of the north China craton, is one of the largest gold deposits in China. It is spatially, temporally, and genetically associated with the shallowly-emplaced Hercynian Shuiquan-gou alkaline intrusive complex. The complex intrudes high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Archean Sanggan Group along a deep-seated fault zone within the north China craton. Four major ore bodies (Nos. 1, 2, 22, and 70), consisting mainly of a set of en echelon lenses and veins, have been delineated at the Dongping deposit. Hypogene hydrothermal activities can be divided into four periods from early to late including: (1) gold-bearing K–feldspar–quartz stockworks and veins; (2) disseminated sulfide and gold zones; (3) gold-bearing quartz veins, and (4) barren calcite-quartz veins. Individual veins and stockwork systems can be traced along strike for 125 to 600 m and downdip for 100 to 600 m; they range from 0. 5 to 3 m in thickness. The mineralogical composition of the ore in the first three hypogene periods is relatively simple. It is composed of pyrite, galena, sphalerite, magnetite, specularite, chalcopyrite, native gold, electrum, calaverite, and altaite. Gangue minerals include K–feldspar, quartz, sericite, chlorite, epidote, albite, and calcite. Ore grade averages 6 g/t Au, but varies between 4. 14 and 22. 66 g/t Au. Gold is generally fine-grained and not visible in hand specimen. Fluid inclusions in ore-bearing quartz of periods 1, 2, and 3 are CO₂–rich, variable salinity (2. 5–21 wt% equiv. NaCl), and have variable homogenization temperatures of 195° to 340°C. Quartz in the gold-bearing K–feldspar–quartz stockworks (period 1), disseminated sulfide and gold zones (period 2), and the gold-bearing quartz veins (period 3) has calculated δ¹⁸O_H2O values between –1. 7 and 6. 9%, and δ values of fluid inclusion waters between –101 and –66%. All these isotope data of the ore-forming fluids plot between the magmatic fluid field and the meteoric water line. Sulfide minerals disseminated in host rocks show positive δ³⁴S values of 1. 9 to 3. 5%. Pyrite separates from he gold-bearing K–feldspar–quartz stockworks and veins (period 1) have a δ³⁴S range of –4. 3 to 0. 5%, whereas δ³⁴S values of pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, and sphalerite from the disseminated sul-fide and gold zones (period 2) and the gold-bearing quartz veins (period 3) vary from –5. 3 to –13. 4%. Gold ores are also characterized by relatively radiogenic lead isotope compositions compared to those of the alkaline syenite host rock. The data are interpreted as indicative of a mixing of lead from the alkaline intrusive complex with lead from Archean metamorphic rocks. The combined fluid inclusion measurements, sulfur, oxygen, hydrogen, and lead isotope data, and petrological observations indicate that the Dongping deposit was formed from the mixing of these magmatic fluids with meteoric waters. The deposit is, therefore, believed to be a product of Hercynian alkaline igneous processes within the north China craton.     

Geochemical characteristics of gold mineralization of the Huai Kham On deposit,Sukhothai Fold Belt,Northern Thailand

The Huai Kham On gold deposit is located in the central part of the Sukhothai Fold Belt, northern Thailand. The Sukhothai Fold Belt represents an accretionary complex formed by subduction and collision between the Indochina and Sibumasu Terranes. There are many small gold deposits in the Sukhothai Fold Belt; however, the styles and formation environments of those gold deposits are not clear. The geology of the Huai Kham On deposit consists of volcanic and volcanosedimentary rocks, limestone, and low‐grade metamorphic rocks of Carboniferous to Triassic age. Gold‐bearing quartz veins are hosted by volcanic and volcanosedimentary rocks. The quartz veins can be divided into four stages. The mineral assemblage of the gold‐bearing quartz veins of Stages I and II comprises quartz, calcite, illite, pyrite, native gold, galena, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. Quartz veins of Stage III consist of microcrystalline quartz, dolomite, calcite, pyrite, native gold, and chalcopyrite. Veins of Stage IV consist of calcite, dolomite, chlorite, and quartz. Fluid inclusions in quartz veins are classified into liquid‐rich two‐phase (Types I_A and I_B), carbonic‐aqueous (Type II), and carbonic (Type III) fluid inclusions. The homogenization temperatures of Types I_A and II fluid inclusions that are related to the gold‐bearing quartz veins from Stages I to III ranged from 240° to 280°C. The δ¹⁸O values of quartz veins of Stages I to III range from +12.9 to +13.4‰, suggesting the presence of a homogeneous hydrothermal solution without temperature variation such as a decrease of temperature during the formation of gold‐bearing quartz veins from Stages I to III in the Huai Kham On gold deposit. Based on the calculated formation temperature of 280°C, the δ¹⁸O values of the hydrothermal solution that formed the gold‐bearing quartz veins range from +3.2 to +3.7‰, which falls into the range of metamorphic waters. The gold‐bearing quartz veins of the Huai Kham On deposit are interpreted to be the products of metamorphic water.     

Ore‐Forming Fluids as Sampled by Sulfide‐ and Quartz‐Hosted Fluid Inclusions in the Jinwozi Lode Gold Deposit,Eastern Tianshan Mountains of China

The Jinwozi lode gold deposit in the eastern Tianshan Mountains of China includes auriferous quartz veins and network quartz veins that are exemplified by the Veins 3 and 210, respectively. This paper presents H‐, O‐isotope compositions and gas compositions of fluid inclusions hosted in sulfides and quartz, and S‐, Pb‐isotope compositions of sulfide separates collected from the principal Stage 2 ores in Veins 3 and 210. Fluid inclusions trapped in quartz and sphalerite are pseudo‐secondary and primary. They were trapped from the fluids during the successive or alternate precipitation of quartz with sulfides. H‐ and O‐isotope compositions of fluid inclusion of three pyrite and one quartz separates from Vein 210 plot within the field of degassed melt, which is evidence for the incorporation of magmatic fluid as well with some possibility of contribution of metamorphic water to the hydrothermal system since the two datasets show a higher oxygen isotopic ratio than those of degassed melt. However, δD and δ¹⁸O values of fluid inclusions hosted in sulfides and quartz from Vein 3 are distinctly lower than those from Vein 210. In addition, salinities of fluid inclusion from Vein 3, approximately 3 to 6 wt% NaCl equivalent, are considerably lower than those from Vein 210, which are approximately 8 to 14 wt% NaCl equivalent. Ore‐forming fluids of Veins 3 and 210 have migrated through the relatively high and low levels in the imbricate‐thrust column where rock deformation is characterized by dilatancy or ductile–brittle transition, respectively. Therefore, the ore‐forming fluid of Vein 3 is interpreted to have mixed with greater amounts of meteoric‐derived groundwater than that of Vein 210. Fluid inclusions hosted in sulfides contain considerably higher abundances of gaseous species of CO₂, N₂, H₂S, and so on, than those hosted in quartz. Many of these gaseous species exhibit linear correlations with H₂O. These linear trends are interpreted in terms of mixing between magmatic fluid and groundwater. The relative enrichment of gaseous species in fluid inclusions hosted in sulfides, coupled with the banded ore structure, suggests that the magmatic fluid was involved with the ore‐forming fluid in pulsation. Lead isotope compositions of 21 pyrite and galena separates form a linear trend, suggesting mixing of metallic materials from diverse reservoirs. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite and galena range from +5.6‰ to +7.9‰ and from +3.1‰ to +6.3‰, respectively, indicating sulfur of the Jinwozi deposit has been leached mainly from the granodiorite and partly from the Jinwozi Formation by the circulating ore‐forming fluid.     

Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of hydrothermal alteration and episyenitization in the Königshain granites, northern Bohemian Massif, Germany

The late-Hercynian granites of Königshain underwent multistage hydrothermal processes. Extensive high-temperature late-magmatic alteration is, for example, indicated by low Zr/Hf and an REE pattern displaying the tetrad effect. Intensive post-magmatic alteration of the granite occurred along brittle structures. At least two main stages of post-magmatic hydrothermal alteration are involved. The first high-temperature stage, which is characterized by albitization and/or quartz leaching (episyenitization), resulted from fluid–rock interaction with late-magmatic fluids that very probably mixed with external low-salinity fluids. Quartz dissolution was triggered by vapour condensation and/or the cooling of these fluids (below 450??°C) along brittle structures. The high porosity resulting from quartz leaching during stage 1 assisted subsequent circulation of low-temperature fluids at stage 2; the latter is characterized by the chloritization and illitization of episyenites. Almost all major and trace elements were enriched or depleted during one of the main alteration stages. However, Zr, Hf, Th, and Ti were immobile during post-magmatic alteration. The significant depletion of LREE and the enrichment of HREE in albitized samples is controlled by the dissolution of monazite and the new formation of HREE-rich polycrase-(Y) or aeschynite-(Y) during post-magmatic stage 1. Negative Ce anomalies of episyenites are associated with illitization and suggest oxidizing conditions during stage 2.     

河北平山阜平群夕线石钾长浅粒岩深熔作用的微区矿物学标志

河北省平山县阜平群是一套高角闪岩相岩石。根据宏观现象，某些地段曾经历过深熔作用过程。深熔效应以小觉地区的夕线石钾长浅粒岩最为典型。通过电子显微镜观测确认，所研究的夕线石钾长浅粒岩经受了深熔作用的改造，具有丰富而显著的微区矿物学标志。主要表现为前存矿物，如钾长石、条纹长石、石英、钠长石、黑云母和磁铁矿等，不同程度地被熔蚀，主要组成元素发生迁移和重组，沿矿物的解理、裂隙及粒间形成夕线石、石英、云母、长石、金红石等再结晶相。在深熔过程中，元素的迁移有两种可能形式：①选择性地从前存矿物晶格中移出；②通过前存矿物的熔融。Fe、Ti等元素从黑云母中移出，形成再结晶磁铁矿和金红石；Si、AI等元素则从黑云母和长石中移出，形成夕线石和再结晶石英。     

松辽盆地白垩系砂岩长石碎屑的钠长石化作用

松辽盆地白垩系砂岩以长石岩屑砂岩和岩屑长石砂岩为特征。砂岩中发育长石碎屑、岩屑等不稳定组分，而且随着埋藏深度加深（成岩作用加强）钾长石逐渐减少并最终在2700m以下消失。斜长石碎屑中钠长石组分逐渐增多，钙长石组分逐渐减少，最终形成纯钠端元的钠长石。在成岩过程中长石碎屑的钠长石化主要有3种方式：①由离子交代作用导致长石碎屑的钠长石化；②长石碎屑边缘钠长石次生生长；③与长石碎屑溶解伴生的新生钠长石作用。结合热动力学平衡原理分析，斜长石的钠长石化基本不受成岩温度和压力的制约，而钾长石的钠长石化需要较高的成岩温度和压力作用才能进行。因此，斜长石的钠长石化可见于成岩早期，而钾长石的钠长石化只发生于成岩晚期。     

Andalusite–sillimanite–quartz veins as indicators of low-pressure–high-temperature deformation during late-stage unroofing of a metamorphic core complex, Turkey

Ductilely deformed veins consisting of quartz+andalusite, in which the andalusite is partially replaced by fibrous sillimanite, locally occur in garnet–sillimanite schist near a margin of the Niğde metamorphic core complex in south-central Turkey. Mineral assemblages, reaction textures and structural features of the veins record low-pressure–high-temperature deformation during exhumation of mid-crustal rocks. The partial replacement of andalusite by sillimanite may indicate a late-stage increase in temperature and/or fluid pressure, possibly related to Miocene magmatism, during extensional unroofing of the core complex. Aluminosilicate-bearing veins are observed at the eastern margin of the massif where metapelitic rocks were deformed during unroofing of the core complex. Veins formed in aluminous rocks where deformation-enhanced permeability allowed fluid flow during extensional shear. The cm-scale veins are typically boudinaged and form asymmetric lenses concordant with the host rock foliation and are parallel to the down-dip lineation defined by sillimanite and stretched biotite. Aluminosilicate-bearing boudins record top-to-the-east shear sense, which is compatible with the extensional shear sense displayed by structures in the host rock.