From intrusion-related to orogenic mineralization: The Wasamac deposit,Abitibi Greenstone Belt,Canada

The Wasamac deposit is an example of Archean greenstone-hosted gold deposit located in the Abitibi Belt, 15 km southwest of Rouyn-Noranda. The deposit is hosted by a second-order ductile shear zone of the Cadillac–Larder Lake Fault Zone (CLLFZ), known as the Francoeur-Wasa Shear Zone (FWSZ). It regionally sits at the boundary between the orogenic gold district of Noranda and the Kirkland Lake gold district dominated by intrusion-related gold systems. This specific location in-between two different gold mineralization environments sets the Wasamac deposit apart as a prime candidate for investigating hydrothermal processes along the CLLFZ. Within the Wasamac deposit, gold distribution is constrained to the altered mylonitized portion of the FWSZ; lode systems are absent. Hydrothermal alteration and associated disseminated mineralization occurs as a replacement of the Blake River Group metavolcanic units. The hydrothermal signature displays two distinct alkaline alteration assemblages: potassic and albitic, each associated with specific gold characteristics. (1) Potassic alteration is characterized by the crystallization of microcline, carbonates and quartz. Within this assemblage gold is associated with porous pyrite enriched in Te-Ag-Au-Mo-Pb-Bi-W, deposited under oxidizing conditions. Such characteristics are widely described in the Kirkland Lake area, and are found in examples of syenite-related mineralization, such as the Beattie and Malartic gold deposits. (2) The albitic alteration assemblage, composed of albite, sericite and carbonates, reflects more reduced hydrothermal conditions with mineralization characterized by free native gold. This hydrothermal event is coeval with the brecciation of early gold-rich pyrite reflecting a structural overprint that controlled late-stage gold characteristics. These alteration and structural features are common in orogenic gold deposits both worldwide and regionally, particularly at the neighbouring Kerr-Addison and Francoeur deposits, and in lode-gold systems such as in the Sigma-Lamaque deposit.The gold mineralization at Wasamac has similar characteristics to both intrusion-related gold systems and structurally controlled orogenic gold deposits. Hydrothermal and structural crosscutting relationships at Wasamac indicate that a structurally controlled hydrothermal event overprinted earlier potassic magmatic-hydrothermal alteration. This observation supports a multistage process of gold concentration during which new gold characteristics, metal anomalies, fluid conditions and alteration assemblages replaced earlier stages of gold enrichment, in places completely obliterating previous signatures. We propose that the Wasamac deposit was originally related to an alkaline intrusion buried at depth beneath the Francoeur-Wasa Shear Zone.     

The Nassara gold prospect,Gaoua District,southwestern Burkina Faso

The Nassara-Au prospect is located in the Birimian Boromo Greenstone Belt in southwestern Burkina Faso. It is part of a larger mineralized field that includes the Cu–Au porphyry system of Gaoua, to the north. At Nassara, mineralization occurs within the West Batié Shear Zone that follows the contact between volcanic rocks (basalt and andesite) and volcano-sediments (pyroclastics and black shales) at the southern termination of the Boromo Belt. Gold is associated with pyrite and other Fe-bearing minerals that occur disseminated within the sheared volcanic and volcano-sedimentary rocks. In particular, highest grades are distinguished in alteration halos of small quartz–albite–ankerite veins that form networks along the shear zone. Here, pyrites are marked by As-poor and As-rich growth zones, the latter containing gold inclusions. Gold mineralization formed during D2_NA. Subsequent shear fractures related to D3_NA related are devoid of gold. Nassara is a classical orogenic gold occurrence where gold is associated to disseminated pyrite along quartz veins.     

Isotopic Geochronology of the Late Paleozoic Kanggur Gold Deposit of East Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, NW China

Abstract: The Kanggur gold deposit lies in East Tianshan mountains, eastern section of Central Asia orogenic belt. The gold mineralization occurs on the northern margin of the Aqishan‐Yamansu Paleozoic island arc in the Tarim Plate. It was hosted mainly in Middle‐Lower Carboniferous calc‐alkaline volcanic rocks, and controlled by the distributions of syn‐tectonic intrusions and ductile shear zones. In order to determine ore‐forming age of the Kanggur deposit, samples were collected from ores, wall rocks, altered rocks and intrusions. The dating methods include Rb‐Sr isochron and Sm‐Nd isochron, and secondly ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age spectrum, U‐Pb and Pb‐Pb methods. Based on the mineral assemblage and crosscutting relationship of ore veins, five mineralization stages are identified. This result is confirmed by isotope geochronologic data. The first stage featuring formation of pyrite‐bearing phyllic rock, is mineralogically represented by pyrite, sericite and quartz with poor native gold. The Rb‐Sr isochron age of this stage is 2905 Ma. The second stage represents the main ore‐forming stage and is characterized by native gold–quartz–pyrite–magnetite–chlorite assemblage. Magnetite and pyrite of this stage are dated by Sm‐Nd isochron at 290.47.2 Ma and fluid inclusion in quartz is dated by Rb‐Sr isochron at 282.35 Ma. The third mineralization stage features native gold–quartz–pyrite vein. In the fourth stage, Au‐bearing polymetallic sulfide‐quartz veins formed. Fluid inclusions in quartz are dated by Rb‐Sr isochron method at 25821 Ma. The fifth stage is composed of sulfide‐free quartz–carbonate veins with Rb‐Sr age of 2547 Ma. The first and second stages are related to ductile‐brittle deformation of shear zones, and are named dynamo‐metamorphic hydrothermal period. The third to fifth stages related to intrusive processes of tonalite and brittle fracturing of the shear zones, are called magmato‐hydrothermal mineralization period. The Rb‐Sr isochron age of 2905 Ma of the altered andesite in the Kanggur mine area may reflect timing of regional ductile shear zone. The Rb‐Sr isochron age of 28216 Ma of the quartz‐syenite porphyry and the zircon U‐Pb age of 2757 Ma of tonalite in the north of Kanggur gold mine area are consistent with the age of gold mineralization (290‐254 Ma). This correspondence indicates that the tonalite and subvolcanic rocks may have been related to gold mineralization. The Rb–Sr, Sm‐Nd and U‐Pb ages and regional geology support the hypothesis that the Kanggur gold deposit was formed during collisional orogenesis process in Late Variscan.     

Geological setting and SHRIMP U–Pb geochronological evidence for ca. 2680–2660 Ma lode-gold mineralization at Jundee–Nimary in the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia

The 7 million oz. Jundee–Nimary lode-gold deposit occurs in the northern portion of the Yandal greenstone belt in the northeastern part of the Archean Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia. Gold mineralization at Jundee–Nimary is similar in structural style, mineralogy, geochemistry and relative timing with respect to deformation and metamorphism, to other Western Australian Archean greenstone-hosted gold deposits, but is unusual in the fact that mineralized structures are crosscut by structurally late intermediate to felsic dykes. Within the Deakin South open cut, gold mineralization is hosted in brittle–ductile shear zones primarily developed within the dacitic Mitchell Porphyry. The Moore Porphyry, a broad dyke of porphyritic granodiorite, intrudes the Mitchell Porphyry, crosscutting and post-dating gold mineralization. Analytically indistinguishable SHRIMP U–Pb zircon ages of 2678 ± 5 Ma for the Mitchell Porphyry and 2669 ± 7 Ma for the Moore Porphyry require that gold mineralization at Jundee–Nimary occurred at ca. 2680–2660 Ma, approximately 40 million years earlier than the majority of published robust ages for gold mineralization in the Yilgarn Craton, which mostly overlap at ca. 2640–2630 Ma. The close spatial and temporal relationship between gold mineralization and felsic to intermediate magmatism at Jundee–Nimary also raises the possibility of a genetic link between hydrothermal and igneous activity. However, additional work is required to establish a firm connection. Current research on lode-gold mineralization in Archean, Paleozoic and Phanerozoic terranes suggests a model which postulates that these deposits formed during transpressional to compressional deformation in accretionary and collisional orogens and that their formation is intimately related to orogenic processes. Consequently, mineralization and regional metamorphism are expected to be diachronous, as terranes are accreted and the front of orogenesis migrates. Consideration of the new data presented in this paper in conjunction with previously published dates supports the hypothesis that gold mineralization, along with regional metamorphism, was generally diachronous from northeast to southwest across the Yilgarn Craton, over a period of approximately 40 million years from ca. 2680–2660 Ma to ca. 2640–2630 Ma. This is directly analogous to the accepted model for the timing of orogenic lode-gold mineralization in other provinces and therefore provides further support for a unified model for this style of deposit through geological time. Received: 17 March 2000 / Accepted: 8 September 2000     

内蒙古东部二连浩特-乌兰浩特地区金矿化特征的初步研究

研究区属含古老地块并经中生代改造的中古生代造山带,存在金、锡等丰度较高的锡林浩特元古宙杂岩、古生代蛇绿岩及板块缝合带、二叠系火山岩、中生代伸展构造背景下的大规模火山-侵入活动及锡多金属成矿作用.本区金矿化类型主要有:韧性剪切带中的石英脉型、蚀变岩型金矿,产于幔源中基性侵入岩中的铜金矿,燕山晚期斑岩型铜金矿,与燕山期次火山岩浆活动有关的脉状铜矿床中的伴生金矿化,微细浸染型金矿化,浅成低温热液型金矿化等.研究区金矿成矿时代可分为242~229Ma、169~161.8Ma、132~159Ma (可能以130~140Ma为主)、127~109.2Ma四个区间.认识到存在印支期成矿、燕山期多阶段成矿等特点对于区内金矿勘查有重要意义.新发现7个矿床(点)的伴生金矿化.毛登、大井等多金属矿床的伴生金矿化具有重要的潜在工业意义.     

Multistage gold mineralization at the Lapa mine, Abitibi Subprovince: insights into auriferous hydrothermal and metasomatic processes in the Cadillac–Larder Lake Fault Zone

The Lapa gold deposit contains reserves of 2.4 Mt at 6.5 g/t Au and is one of the few deposits located directly within the Cadillac–Larder Lake Fault Zone (CLLFZ), a first-order crustal-scale fault that separates the Archean Abitibi Subprovince from the Pontiac Subprovince to the south. Gold mineralization is predominantly hosted in highly strained and altered, upper greenschist–lower amphibolite facies mafic to ultramafic rocks of the Piché Group. Auriferous ore zones consist of finely disseminated auriferous arsenopyrite–pyrrhotite?±?pyrite and native gold disseminated in biotite- and carbonate-altered wall rocks. Native gold, which is also present in quartz ± dolomite–calcite veinlets, is locally associated with Sb-bearing minerals, especially at depth ≤1 km from surface where the deposit is characterized by a Au–Sb–As association. At vertical depth greater than 1 km, gold is associated with arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite (Au–As association). The mineralogy and paragenesis of the Lapa deposit metamorphosed ore and alteration assemblages record the superposition of three metamorphic episodes (M1, M2, and M3) and three gold mineralizing events. Spatial association between biotitized wall rocks and auriferous arsenopyrite indicates that arsenopyrite precipitation is concomitant with potassic alteration. The predominant Au–As association recognized across the deposit is related to gold in solid solution in arsenopyrite as part of a pre-M2 low-grade auriferous hydrothermal event. However, the occurrence of hornblende?+?oligoclase porphyroblasts overprinting the biotite alteration, and the presence of porous clusters and porphyroblasts of arsenopyrite with native gold and pyrrhotite indicate an auriferous metasomatic event associated with peak M2 prograde metamorphism. Late retrograde metamorphism (M3) overprints the hornblende–oligoclase M2 assemblage within the host rocks proximal to ore by an actinolite–albite assemblage by precipitation of free gold and Sb–sulfosalts at lower P–T. The complex relationships between ore, structural features, and metamorphic assemblages at Lapa are related to the tectonometamorphic evolution of the Cadillac–Larder Lake Fault Zone at different times and crustal levels, and varying heat and fluid flow regimes. The Lapa deposit demonstrates that early, low-grade gold mineralization within the Cadillac–Larder Lake Fault Zone has benefited from late gold enrichment(s) during prograde and retrograde metamorphism, suggesting that multi-stage processes may be important to form gold-rich orogenic deposits in first order crustal-scale structures.     

The Syama and Tabakoroni goldfields,Mali

Gold deposits in the Syama and Tabakoroni goldfields in southern Mali occur along a north-northeast trending mineralised litho-structural corridor that trends for approximately 40 km. The deposits are interpreted to have formed during a craton-wide metallogenic event during the Eburnean orogeny. In the Syama goldfield, gold mineralisation in 9 deposits is hosted in the hanging-wall of the Syama-Bananso Shear Zone in basalt, greywacke, argillite, lamprophyre, and black shale. Gold is currently mined primarily from the oxidised-weathered zone of the ore bodies. In the Syama deposit, mineralisation hosted in altered basalt is associated with an intense ankerite–quartz–pyrite stockwork vein systems, whereas disseminated style mineralisation is also present in greywackes. In contrast, the Tellem deposit is hosted in quartz–porphyry rocks.In the Tabakoroni goldfield, gold mineralisation is hosted in quartz veins in tertiary splay shears of the Syama-Bananso Shear Zone. The Tabakoroni orebody is associated with quartz, carbonate and graphite (stylolite) veins, with pyrite and lesser amounts of arsenopyrite. There are four main styles of gold mineralisation including silica-sulphide lodes in carbonaceous fault zones, stylolitic quartz reefs in fault zones, quartz–Fe–carbonate–sulphide lodes in mafic volcanics, and quartz–sulphide stockwork veins in silicified sediments and porphyry dykes. The several deposit styles in the goldfield thus present a number of potential exploration targets spatially associated with the regional Syama-Bananso Shear Zone and generally classified as orogenic shear-hosted gold deposits.     

甘肃李坝金矿围岩蚀变与金成矿关系

西秦岭地区是目前国内造山型和卡林型金矿找矿的热点地区之一,已发现的甘肃李坝造山型金矿为超大型规模。以李坝金矿6号矿带为例,系统地研究了其蚀变矿物组合、近矿围岩蚀变分带及相应的金矿化特征,总结了矿床(带)的蚀变分带模式。该模式具典型的中心式环带结构,可分为3个蚀变带,由中心向外依次为黄铁绢英岩化带、绢云母化带和绿泥石化带。蚀变矿物组合分别为黄铁矿+绢云母+石英±毒砂±白云母±电气石±方解石、绢云母+绿泥石+石英+黄铁矿±黑云母及绿泥石+黑云母±绢云母±黄铁矿;与这3个蚀变带相对应的是金的富集带、矿化带和无矿带。蚀变岩石物质组分迁移分析表明,围岩蚀变及其分带是热水流体/岩石反应时岩石化学组分发生迁移的结果,矿化伴随着蚀变发生,且金矿化与黄铁矿化和浸染状硅化关系最为密切。     

The geology and Re–Os geochronology of the Palaeoproterozoic Vaikijaur Cu–Au–(Mo) porphyry-style deposit in the Jokkmokk granitoid, northern Sweden

The Vaikijaur Cu–Au–(Mo) deposit is located in the ca. 1.88 Ga calc-alkaline Jokkmokk granitoid near the Archaean–Proterozoic palaeoboundary within the Fennoscandian shield of northern Sweden. The Skellefte VMS district lies immediately to the south and the northern Norrbotten Fe-oxide–Cu–Au deposits to the north. The Vaikijaur deposit occupies an area of 2×3 km within the Jokkmokk granitoid and includes stockwork quartz-sulphide veinlets and disseminated chalcopyrite, pyrite, gold, molybdenite, magnetite, and pyrrhotite. Porphyritic mafic dykes were emplaced along fractures in a ring dyke pattern. The Jokkmokk granitoid, dykes, and the mineralized area are foliated, indicating that mineralization predated the main regional deformation. The mineralized area is characterized by strong potassic alteration. Phyllic and propylitic alteration zones are also present. A pyrite-rich inner core is surrounded by a concentric zone with pyrite, chalcopyrite, and gold. Molybdenite is distributed irregularly throughout the chalcopyrite zone. Geophysical data indicate a strongly conductive central zone in the mineralized area bordered by conductive and high magnetic zones. Five high precision Re–Os age determinations for three molybdenite occurrences from outcrop and drill core samples constrain the age of porphyry-style Cu–Au–(Mo) mineralization to between 1889±10 and 1868±6 Ma. A younger molybdenite is associated with a much later metamorphic event at about 1750 Ma. These data suggest that primary porphyry-style mineralization was associated with calc-alkaline magmatism within the Archaean–Proterozoic boundary zone at ca. 1.89–1.87 Ga.     

Structural and geochronological studies on the Liba goldfield of the West Qinling Orogen, Central China

The Liba goldfield, located to the northeast of the Zhongchuan Granite in the West Qinling Orogen (WQO) of mainland China, contains the largest known gold resource of 2.8 Moz in the Zhongchuan area. Devonian metasedimentary rocks host the structurally controlled gold mineralization, which is associated with silica–sericite–chlorite–carbonate alteration. Two major styles of mineralization occurred at the goldfield, which are disseminated sediment-hosted and quartz vein hosted types. Pyrite, arsenopyrite, and arsenian pyrite are major gold carriers and gold also occurs as native gold grains and electrum spatially associated with the sulfides. Numerous felsic/intermediate dykes have a similar structural control as the mineralization, and their contacts with host rocks are recognized as favorable zones for mineralization. Detailed fieldwork in conjunction with geochronological studies has helped to define the deformation history and gold metallogenesis of the goldfield. Three major phases of deformation have been recognized in the Zhongchuan area. The first deformation (D₁) event was compressional in broadly a N–S orientation, the second (D₂) event was also compressional and orientated in a NE–SW direction, and the third (D₃) event was post-mineralization and was associated with the emplacement of barren calcite and anhydrite veins. Compression related to D₂ is the key process that controlled the distribution of igneous dykes and gold mineralization in the Liba goldfield. Both igneous and hydrothermal fluids preferentially focused along dilational jogs under local trans-extension, which took place during the late stage of D₂. Precise dating with high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U–Pb on zircon and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar on muscovite, biotite, hornblende, and plagioclase of crosscutting pre-mineralization granitic porphyry and diorite dykes have constrained the mineralization age to after ca. 227 Ma. ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar analysis of minerals formed in hydrothermal alteration zones associated with gold mineralization indicates that there was a widespread ca. 216 Ma hydrothermal event that affected almost all lithologies in the area. This detailed investigation is the first study to tightly constrain the timing of gold mineralization in the WQO. The broadly overlapping timing and similar structural control of the mineralization and igneous dykes show a promising correlation, which could be potentially used to map this Late Triassic gold mineralization event in the WQO.     

The Palaeoproterozoic Kristineberg VMS deposit, Skellefte district, northern Sweden, part I: geology

The Kristineberg volcanic-hosted massive sulphide (VMS) deposit, located in the westernmost part of the Palaeoproterozoic Skellefte district, northern Sweden, has yielded 22.4 Mt of ore, grading 1.0% Cu, 3.64% Zn, 0.24% Pb, 1.24 g/t Au, 36 g/t Ag and 25.9% S, since the mine opened in 1941, and is the largest past and present VMS mine in the district. The deposit is hosted in a thick pile of felsic to intermediate and minor mafic metavolcanic rocks of the Skellefte Group, which forms the lowest stratigraphic unit in the district and hosts more than 85 known massive sulphide deposits. The Kristineberg deposit is situated lower in the Skellefte Group than most other deposits. It comprises three main ore zones: (1) massive sulphide lenses of the A-ore (historically the main ore), having a strike length of about 1,400 m, and extending from surface to about 1,200 m depth, (2) massive sulphide lenses of the B-ore, situated 100–150 m structurally above the A-ore, and extending from surface to about 1,000 m depth, (3) the recently discovered Einarsson zone, which occurs in the vicinity of the B-ore at about 1,000 m depth, and consists mainly of Au–Cu-rich veins and heavily disseminated sulphides, together with massive sulphide lenses. On a regional scale the Kristineberg deposit is flanked by two major felsic rock units: massive rhyolite A to the south and the mine porphyry to the north. The three main ore zones lie within a schistose, deformed and metamorphosed package of hydrothermally altered, dominantly felsic volcanic rocks, which contain varying proportions of quartz, muscovite, chlorite, phlogopite, pyrite, cordierite and andalusite. The strongest alteration occurs within 5–10 m of the ore lenses. Stratigraphic younging within the mine area is uncertain as primary bedding and volcanic textures are absent due to strong alteration, and tectonic folding and shearing. In the vicinity of the ore lenses, hydrothermal alteration has produced both Mg-rich assemblages (Mg-chlorite, cordierite, phlogopite and locally talc) and quartz–muscovite–andalusite assemblages. Both types of assemblages commonly contain disseminated pyrite. The sequence of volcanic and ore-forming events at Kristineberg is poorly constrained, as the ages of the massive rhyolite and mine porphyry are unknown, and younging indicators are absent apart from local metal zoning in the A-ores. Regional structural trends, however, suggest that the sequence youngs to the south. The A- and B-ores are interpreted to have formed as synvolcanic sulphide sheets that were originally separated by some 100–150 m of volcanic rocks. The Einarsson zone, which is developed close to the 1,000 m level, is interpreted to have resulted in part from folding and dislocation of the B-ore sulphide sheet, and in part from remobilisation of sulphides into small Zn-rich massive sulphide lenses and late Au–Cu-rich veins. However, the abundance of strongly altered, andalusite-bearing rocks in the Einarsson zone, coupled with the occurrence of Au–Cu-rich disseminated sulphides in these rocks, suggests that some of the mineralisation was synvolcanic and formed from strongly acidic hydrothermal fluids. Editorial handling: P. Weihed     

Orogenic Gold Mineralization in the Qolqoleh Deposit, Northwestern Iran

The Qolqoleh gold deposit is located in the northwestern part of the Sanandai‐Sirjan Zone, northwest of Iran. Gold mineralization in the Qolqoleh deposit is almost entirely confined to a series of steeply dipping ductile–brittle shear zones generated during Late Cretaceous–Tertiary continental collision between the Afro‐Arabian and the Iranian microcontinent. The host rocks are Mesozoic volcano‐sedimentary sequences consisting of felsic to mafic metavolcanics, which are metamorphosed to greenschist facies, sericite and chlorite schists. The gold orebodies were found within strong ductile deformation to late brittle deformation. Ore‐controlling structure is NE–SW‐trending oblique thrust with vergence toward south ductile–brittle shear zone. The highly strained host rocks show a combination of mylonitic and cataclastic microstructures, including crystal–plastic deformation and grain size reduction by recrystalization of quartz and mica. The gold orebodies are composed of Au‐bearing highly deformed and altered mylonitic host rocks and cross‐cutting Au‐ and sulfide‐bearing quartz veins. Approximately half of the mineralization is in the form of dissemination in the mylonite and the remainder was clearly emplaced as a result of brittle deformation in quartz–sulfide microfractures, microveins and veins. Only low volumes of gold concentration was introduced during ductile deformation, whereas, during the evident brittle deformation phase, competence contrasts allowed fracturing to focus on the quartz–sericite domain boundaries of the mylonitic foliation, thus permitting the introduction of auriferous fluid to create disseminated and cross‐cutting Au‐quartz veins. According to mineral assemblages and alteration intensity, hydrothermal alteration could be divided into three zones: silicification and sulfidation zone (major ore body); sericite and carbonate alteration zone; and sericite–chlorite alteration zone that may be taken to imply wall‐rock interaction with near neutral fluids (pH 5–6). Silicified and sulfide alteration zone is observed in the inner parts of alteration zones. High gold grades belong to silicified highly deformed mylonitic and ultramylonitic domains and silicified sulfide‐bearing microveins. Based on paragenetic relationships, three main stages of mineralization are recognized in the Qolqoleh gold deposit. Stage I encompasses deposition of large volumes of milky quartz and pyrite. Stage II includes gray and buck quartz, pyrite and minor calcite, sphalerite, subordinate chalcopyrite and gold ores. Stage III consists of comb quartz and calcite, magnetite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite and gold ores. Studies on regional geology, ore geology and ore‐forming stages have proved that the Qolqoleh deposit was formed in the compression–extension stage during the Late Cretaceous–Tertiary continental collision in a ductile–brittle shear zone, and is characterized by orogenic gold deposits.     

The Boliden gold-rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Skellefte district, Sweden: new U–Pb age constraints and implications at deposit and district scale

The Boliden deposit (8.3 Mt at 15.9 g/t Au) is interpreted to have been formed between ca. 1894 and 1891 Ma, based on two new U–Pb ID-TIMS ages: a maximum age of 1893.9?+?2.0/?1.9 Ma obtained from an altered quartz and feldspar porphyritic rhyolite in the deposit footwall in the volcanic Skellefte group and a minimum age of 1890.8?±?1 Ma obtained from a felsic mass-flow deposit in the lowermost part of the volcano-sedimentary Vargfors group, which forms the stratigraphic hanging wall to the deposit. These ages are in agreement with the alteration and mineralization being formed at or near the sea floor in the volcanogenic massive sulfide environment. These two ages and the geologic relationships imply that: (1) volcanism and hydrothermal activity in the Skellefte group were initiated earlier than 1.89 Ga which was previously considered to be the onset of volcanism in the Skellefte group; (2) the volcano-sedimentary succession of the Vargfors group is perhaps as old as 1892 Ma in the eastern part of the Skellefte district; and (3) an early (synvolcanic) deformation event in the Skellefte group is evidenced by the unconformity between the ≤1893.9?+?2.0/?1.9 Ma Skellefte group upper volcanic rocks and the ≤1890.8?±?1 Ma Vargfors sedimentary and volcanic rocks in the Boliden domain. Differential block tilting, uplift, and subsidence controlled by synvolcanic faults in an extensional environment is likely, perhaps explaining some hybrid VMS-epithermal characteristics shown by the VMS deposits of the district.     

Rb–Sr Dating of Gold‐bearing Pyrites from Wulaga Gold Deposit and its Geological Significance

Wulaga epithermal gold deposit is located in northeast China. Gold mineralization mainly occurs within the crypto‐explosive breccia belt of subvolcanic intrusion. Constraints on the precise timing of mineralization are of fundamental importance for understanding the ore genesis of the Wulaga gold deposit and its mineralization potential. Three hydrothermal stages have been identified: the early veiny quartz–euhedral pyrite stage; the fine pyrite–marcasite–gray or black chalcedony stage; and the late carbonate–pyrite stage. The Rb–Sr dating of gold‐bearing pyrites from the fine pyrite–marcasite–gray or black chalcedony stage is 113.8 ± 4.4 Ma with an initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of 0.706346 ± 0.000019. The age of the gold deposit is consistent with the age of ore‐bearing volcanic (109–113 Ma) and subvolcanic intrusion (103–112 Ma) within the error limits, and the pyrite initial ratio has an identical value of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr to subvolcanic intrusion (0.705547 ± 0.000012). These indicate that crystallization of the wall rock and epithermal gold mineralization was coeval and likely cogenetic. Moreover, a lot of epithermal gold deposits that formed in Early Cretaceous volcanic and subvolcanic intrusions have been discovered in recent years in Heilongjiang province. Combined with the studies of tectonic and magmatic activities, we propose that the formation of the Wulaga gold deposit might be caused by the heated circum‐flow water related to the volcanic–subvolcanic intrusive hydrothermal event triggered by the ancient subduction of the Izanagi plate in the Early Cretaceous.     

Metallogeny of precious and base metal mineralization in the Murchison Greenstone Belt, South Africa: indications from U–Pb and Pb–Pb geochronology

The 3.09 to 2.97 Ga Murchison Greenstone Belt is an important metallotect in the northern Kaapvaal Craton (South Africa), hosting several precious and base metal deposits. Central to the metallotect is the Antimony Line, striking ENE for over 35?km, which hosts a series of structurally controlled Sb–Au deposits. To the north of the Antimony Line, hosted within felsic volcanic rocks, is the Copper–Zinc Line where a series of small, ca. 2.97 Ga Cu–Zn volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS)-type deposits occur. New data are provided for the Malati Pump gold mine, located at the eastern end of the Antimony Line. Crystallizations of a granodiorite in the Malati Pump Mine and of the Baderoukwe granodiorite are dated at 2,964?±?7 and 2,970?±?7?Ma, respectively (zircon U–Pb), while pyrite associated with gold mineralization yielded a Pb–Pb age of 2,967?±?48?Ma. Therefore, granodiorite emplacement, sulfide mineral deposition and gold mineralization all happened at ca. 2.97?Ga. It is, thus, suggested that the major styles of orogenic Au–Sb and the Cu–Zn VMS mineralization in the Murchison Greenstone Belt are contemporaneous and that the formation of meso- to epithermal Au–Sb mineralization at fairly shallow levels was accompanied by submarine extrusion of felsic volcanic rocks to form associated Cu–Zn VMS mineralization.     

Relationships between Volcanism, Hydrothermal Alteration and Epithermal Gold-Silver Mineralization in the Muka Mine Area in the Kitami Metallogenic Province, Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract: Neogene magmatism in the Muka mine area in the Kitami metallogenic province was characterized on the basis of K-Ar age data by felsic–to–mafic terrestrial extrusive and intrusive volcanism from Late Miocene to Early Pliocene. The geology of the Muka mine area comprises the Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene Yubetsu Group, consisting primarily of sandstone and shale; Upper Miocene Ikutahara Formation, consisting of clastic and felsic volcaniclastic rocks and Kane-hana Lava (rhyolite) of 7. 5 Ma; Upper Miocene Yahagi Formation, consisting of clastics, felsic volcaniclastics and rhyolite lavas; Late Miocene andesite and rhyolite dikes (Chidanosawa Rhyolite of 7. 2 Ma and Hon-Mukagawa Andesite of 6. 6 Ma); Lower Pliocene Hakugindai Lava (basalt: 4. 0 Ma); and Quaternary System. The volcanism consists of earlier Late Miocene felsic extrusive activity during the sedimentation of the Ikutahara Formation, later Late Miocene felsic extrusive and intrusive activities during the sedimentation of the Yahagi Formation and intermediate intrusive activity after the sedimentation of the Yahagi Formation and Early Pliocene mafic extrusive activity. The Muka gold-silver ore deposit occurs primarily in the felsic volcaniclastic rocks and Kanehana Lava of the Ikutahara Formation and in Hon-Mukagawa Andesite. These wall–rocks, the clastic rocks of the Ikutahara Formation and the clastic and felsic volcaniclastic rocks of the Yahagi Formation were affected to various extents by hydrothermal alteration. The hydrother-mal alteration can be divided into two stages (early and late) based on the modes of occurrence and mineral assemblages. Early hydrothermal alteration is characterized by regional and vein-related alterations associated with epithermal gold-silver mineralization in a near-neutral hydrothermal system. Regional alteration can be subdivided into a zeolite zone (mordenite+adularia±heulandite–clinoptilolite series mineral±smectite±quartz°Cristobalite±opal–CT) and a smectite zone (smec–tite±quartz±opal–CT). Vein-related alteration can be subdivided into a K-feldspar zone (quartz+adularia±illite±interstratified illite/smectite±pyrite), an illite zone (quartz+illite°Chlorite±interstratified illite/smectite±smectite±pyrite) and an interstratified illite/smectite zone (quartz+interstratified illite/smectite±smectite±pyrite). The adularization age of 6. 8 Ma in the K-feldspar zone that developed in Kanehana Lava hosting ore veins coincides well with the epithermal gold-silver mineralization age of 6. 6 Ma. Late hydrothermal alteration is characterized by a kaolinite zone (kaolinite±dickite±alunite±quartz°Cristobalite± tridymite±pyrite) in an acid hydrothermal system, and cuts early alteration zones such as the K-feldspar zone. Other modes of occurrence of acid alteration are a 7Å halloysite-kaolinite vein in the hydrothermal explosion breccia dike and smectite–kaoli–nite veins along joint planes of Kanehana Lava. The style of the gold-silver deposit associated with early near-neutral hydrothermal alteration is a low-sulfidation epithermal type. The low-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver mineralization of 6. 6 Ma in the vicinity of the Muka ore deposit was essentially accompanied by felsic volcanic activity during the sedimentation of the Yahagi Formation, and was closely related both temporally and spatially to the felsic intrusive activity of Chidanosawa Rhyolite of 7. 2 Ma. The related hydrother-mal activity of the gold-silver mineralization took place at intervals of approximately 0. 4–0. 6 Ma after the volcanic activity related to the mineralization.     

Gold mineralization in Proterozoic black shales: Example from the Haoyaoerhudong gold deposit,northern margin of the North China Craton

The Haoyaoerhudong gold deposit in the northern margin of the North China Craton (NCC) is a large tonnage lower-grade deposit with a reserve of about 148 tons of gold. Gold mineralization is characterized by pyrite and pyrrhotite films and thin veins on the schistosity plane of the Proterozoic black shales. The orebodies, strictly controlled by a near EW-trending shear zone, are stratabound within carbonaceous phyllite and andalusite-garnet schist of the Bilute Formation. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopic data show that the ore-forming fluid was derived from a magmatic source and mixed with meteoric water. Sulfur and carbon isotope data indicate that most of the sulfur and carbon came from the black shale strata. Well-defined biotite Ar-Ar plateau age and inverse isochron age show that the deposit formed at ca. 270Ma, which suggests a probable link between Hercynian magmatism and gold mineralization. Studies on regional geology, ore geology, isotope geochemistry, and ore-forming age substantiate a complex evolutionary history of the deposit. The Proterozoic black shales rich in gold, sulfur, and organic matter, which were deposited in the Proterozoic continental margin rifts, comprised the source bed for gold mineralization. EW-ENE-structures, products of Palaeozoic orogenic process, provided pathways and mineralization space for ore-forming fluids. Hercynian tectono-magmatism and subsequent hydrothermal events remobilized gold and drove the ore-forming fluids to dilatational fracture zones. Related to postcollisional magmatic hydrothermal events, the Haoyaoerhudong gold deposit is considered as a special type of orogenic gold deposit formed in the compression–extension transition stage.     

西秦岭夏河—合作地区与还原性侵入岩有关的金成矿系统及其动力学背景和勘查意义

西秦岭造山带是我国最重要的金成矿带之一。以往研究大多认为造山型金矿床和(类)卡林型金矿床是西秦岭主要的金矿床类型,并且两类金矿床的金成矿作用主要与造山过程中的区域变质作用有关,而与岩浆活动不存在直接的成因联系。位于西秦岭造山带西段的夏河—合作地区大面积出露花岗岩类侵入体,其周缘发育有富金的夕卡岩型铜(钨)矿床。近年来该地区新发现的多个大型—超大型石英脉型金矿床和微细粒浸染型金矿床都与中酸性侵入岩的空间关系紧密,暗示这些金矿床可能和岩浆活动有成因联系。论文在作者研究结果以及总结前人成果基础上,综述了夏河—合作地区典型金(铜)矿床的地质矿化特征、地球化学特征、时空分布特征,以及中酸性侵入岩的岩性特征、形成时代和演化过程。年代学研究结果显示,夏河—合作地区的早子沟微细粒浸染型金矿床、德乌鲁夕卡岩型金(铜)矿床和老豆石英脉型金矿床均形成于250~240 Ma,与邻近的早中三叠世花岗闪长质石英闪长质侵入岩近于同时形成。拉布在卡等石英脉型金矿床略晚于区内中三叠世末期侵位的闪长玢岩脉(约230~225 Ma)形成。H、O、S、C、B、Pb等多种同位素地球化学特征指示该地区早中三叠世金矿床的成矿热液均为岩浆来源,并且显示低氧逸度的特征。早中三叠世中酸性侵入岩的还原性钛铁矿系列花岗岩类特征,以及同时代的多种金矿化类型和成矿分带性,表明夏河—合作地区在早中三叠世(约250~230 Ma)多期次侵位的钛铁矿系列I型中酸性岩浆是金成矿作用的成矿流体和成矿物质的主要来源,其中与250~240 Ma多期金成矿事件有关的准铝质弱过铝质、高钾钙碱性系列花岗岩类侵入岩均经历了幔源基性熔体和壳源酸性熔体的岩浆混合作用,而与约230 Ma的金成矿作用有关的闪长质岩浆岩则可能指示了更多幔源基性熔体的加入。与金(铜)成矿有关的早中三叠世还原性中酸性岩是在古特提斯洋俯冲过程中局部弧后伸展条件下交代富集地幔楔部分熔融形成的基性岩浆与壳源酸性岩浆混合作用的产物。夏河—合作地区形成于早中三叠世的夕卡岩型、电气石石英脉型、石英方解石脉型和微细粒浸染型金矿床共同构成了一个与还原性侵入岩有关的金成矿系统。夏河—合作地区与还原性侵入岩有关的金成矿系统的发现,丰富了西秦岭造山带区域成矿作用的类型,并为西秦岭西段其他早中三叠世岩浆岩分布区(如青海同仁地区)的金矿勘查工作提供了新的思想和方向。     

西准噶尔宝贝金矿地质与容矿火山岩的锆石SHRIMP年龄

位于西准噶尔的宝贝金矿主要由石英脉型矿石组成,主要含金矿物为银金矿,以裂隙金和包裹金的形式赋存在毒砂、黄铁矿和石英中。宝贝金矿的黄铁矿普遍含As（最高达3.88%,平均1.49%）。根据脉穿切和矿物共生组合可将宝贝金矿的成矿作用划分出四个成矿阶段：钠长石–石英阶段（I）、银金矿–黄铁矿–毒砂–石英阶段（II）、多金属硫化物浸染状矿化阶段（III）和碳酸盐化阶段（IV）,其中第II和III阶段为主要成矿期。利用锆石SHRIMP方法测定了赋矿围岩（酸性凝灰岩）的形成时代,其U–Pb谐和年龄为328.1±1.8 Ma（MSWD＝1.6, n＝13）。该年龄代表宝贝金矿赋矿围岩的形成时间,即西准噶尔地区大规模中酸性火山岩的喷发时间。     

Gold-Related Sulfide Mineralization and Ore Genesis of the Penjom Gold Deposit, Pahang, Malaysia

The Penjom gold deposit lies on the eastern side of the Raub‐Bentong Suture line within the Central Belt of Permo‐Triassic rocks, near Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia. The geology of the deposit is dominated by a sequence of fine‐ to coarse‐grained rhyolitic to rhyodacitic tuff, tuff‐breccia and a minor rhyolitic–rhyodacitic volcanic series, associated with argillaceous marine sedimentary rocks consisting of shale with subordinate shalely limestone of Padang Tungku Formation and Pahang Volcanic Series. Fine‐ to coarse‐grained tonalite and quartz porphyry intruded this unit. The main structural features of the area are north–south‐trending left‐lateral strike‐slip faults and their subsidiaries, which generally strike north–south and dip moderately to the east (350°–360°/40°–60°). Mineralization at the Penjom gold deposit is structurally controlled and also erratic laterally and vertically. The gold mineralization can be categorized as (i) gold associated with carbonate‐rich zones hosted within dilated quartz veins carrying significant amount of sulfides; (ii) gold disseminated within stockwork of quartz–carbonate veins affiliated with tonalite; and (iii) gold often associated with arsenopyrite and pyrite in quartz–carbonate veins and stringers hosted within shear zones of brittle–ductile nature in all rock types and in brittle fractured rhyodacitic volcanic rocks. Sphalerite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite and pyrrhotite are the minerals accompanying the early stage of gold mineralization. These minerals also suffered from local brittle deformation. However, most of the gold mineralization took place after the deposition of these sulfides. Galena appears somewhat towards the end of gold mineralization, whereas tellurium and bismuth accompanied gold contemporaneously. The gold mineralization occurred most probably due to the metamorphogenic deformational origin concentrated mostly in the shear zone. The mineralization is strongly controlled by the wall rock (e.g. graphitic shale), the sulfide minerals and fluid–rock interaction.