Discriminant diagrams for iron oxide trace element fingerprinting of mineral deposit types

Magnetite and hematite are common minerals in a range of mineral deposit types. These minerals form partial to complete solid solutions with magnetite, chromite, and spinel series, and ulvospinel as a result of divalent, trivalent, and tetravalent cation substitutions. Electron microprobe analyses of minor and trace elements in magnetite and hematite from a range of mineral deposit types (iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG), Kiruna apatite–magnetite, banded iron formation (BIF), porphyry Cu, Fe-Cu skarn, Fe-Ti, V, Cr, Ni-Cu-PGE, Cu-Zn-Pb volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and Archean Au-Cu porphyry and Opemiska Cu veins) show compositional differences that can be related to deposit types, and are used to construct discriminant diagrams that separate different styles of mineralization. The Ni + Cr vs. Si + Mg diagram can be used to isolate Ni-Cu-PGE, and Cr deposits from other deposit types. Similarly, the Al/(Zn + Ca) vs. Cu/(Si + Ca) diagram can be used to separate Cu-Zn-Pb VMS deposits from other deposit types. Samples plotting outside the Ni-Cu-PGE and Cu-Zn-Pb VMS fields are discriminated using the Ni/(Cr + Mn) vs. Ti + V or Ca + Al + Mn vs. Ti + V diagrams that discriminate for IOCG, Kiruna, porphyry Cu, BIF, skarn, Fe-Ti, and V deposits.     

A magnetite-rich Cyprus-type VMS deposit in Ortaklar: A unique VMS style in the Tethyan metallogenic belt,Gaziantep, Turkey

The Ortaklar VMS deposit is hosted in the Koçali Complex consisting of basalts and deep sea pelagic sediments, which formed by rifting and continental break-up of the southern Neotethyan in Late Triassic. The basalts are of NMORB-type without notable crustal contamination. From the surface to depth, the Ortaklar deposit consists of a gossan zone, a thick massive ore zone and a poorly developed stockwork zone. Primary mineralisation is characterised by distinctive facies including sulphide breccias (proximal), graded beds (distal), stockworks and chimney fragments. Ore mineral abundances decrease in the order of pyrite, magnetite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. Two distinct phases of mineralisation, massive magnetite and massive sulphide, are present in the Ortaklar deposit. Textural evidence (e.g., magnetite replacing sulphides) and the spatial relationships with the host rocks indicate that magnetite and sulphide minerals were generated in different stages. The transition from sulphide to magnetite mineralisation is interpreted to relate to variation in H₂S content of ore fluids. The 1st stage massive sulphide ore might have formed by early hydrothermal fluids rich in Fe and H₂S. The 2nd stage massive magnetite might have formed by later neutral hydrothermal fluids rich in Fe but poor in H₂S, replacing the pre-existing sulphide ore.The alteration patterns, mineral paragenesis, lithological features (massive ore-stockwork ore-gossan) of the Ortaklar deposit together with its trace elements, Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag and REE signatures are all consistent with a Cyprus-type VMS system. The δ³⁴S values in pyrite and chalcopyrite samples range from 2.6 to 5.7‰, indicating that the hydrothermal fluids were associated with sub-seafloor igneous activity, typical of Cyprus-type VMS deposits. However, magnetite formed later than sulphide minerals in the Ortaklar deposit, contrasting with typical Cyprus-type VMS deposits where magnetite generally occurs in lower sections. Consequently, although the Ortaklar deposit generally conforms to Cyprus-type deposits, it is distinguished from them by its late stage and high magnetite concentration. Thus, the Ortaklar deposit is thought to be an exceptional and perhaps unique Cyprus-type VMS deposit.     

Physicochemical formation conditions of banded iron formations and high-grade iron ores in the region of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly: Evidence from isotopic data

The oxygen and carbon isotopic compositions of minerals from banded iron formations (BIFs) and high-grade ore in the region of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly (KMA) were determined in order to estimate the temperature of regional metamorphism and the nature of rock-and ore-forming solutions. Magnetite and hematite of primary sedimentary or diagenetic origin have δ¹⁸O within the range from +2 to 6‰. During metamorphism, primary iron oxides, silicates, and carbonates were involved in thermal dissociation and other reactions to form magnetite with δ¹⁸O = +6 to +11‰. As follows from a low δ¹⁸O_av = ?3.5‰ of mushketovite (magnetite pseudomorphs after hematite) in high-grade ore, this mineral was formed as a product of hematite reduction by organic matter. The comparison of δ¹⁸O of iron oxides, siderite, and quartz from BIFs formed at different stages of the evolution of the Kursk protogeosyncline revealed specific sedimentation (diagenesis) conditions and metamorphism of the BIFs belonging to the Kursk and Oskol groups. BIF of the Oskol Group is distinguished by a high δ¹⁸O of magnetite compared to other Proterozoic BIFs. Martite ore differs from host BIF by a low δ¹⁸O = ?0.2 to ?5.9‰. This implies that oxygen from infiltration water was incorporated into the magnetite lattice during the martite formation. Surface water penetrated to a significant depth through tectonic faults and fractures.     

华北克拉通前寒武纪BIF铁矿研究:进展与问题

研究表明,BIF铁矿在华北克拉通的分布具有一定规律性.大规模BIF铁矿主要发育在绿岩带分布区的鞍山-本溪、冀东、霍邱-舞阳、五台、鲁西和固阳等地;华北克拉通时代最古老的BIF形成于古太古代,最年轻BIF形成于古元古代早期,但BIF铁矿的峰期为新太古代晚期(2.52 ～2.56Ga);BIF铁矿类型可划分为阿尔戈马型和苏比利尔湖型两类,但华北以晚太古代绿岩带中的阿尔戈马型为主,仅吕梁的古元古代袁家村铁矿具典型苏比利尔湖型铁矿特征.根据BIF在绿岩带序列中的产出部位和岩石组合关系,可将华北BIF划分为:1)斜长角闪岩(夹角闪斜长片麻岩)-磁铁石英岩组合;2)斜长角闪岩-黑云变粒岩-云母石英片岩-磁铁石英岩组合;3)黑云变粒岩(夹黑云石英片岩)-磁铁石英岩组合;4)黑云变粒岩-绢云绿泥片岩-黑云石英片岩-磁铁石英岩组合;5)斜长角闪岩(片麻岩)-大理岩-磁铁石英岩组合等5种类型.华北克拉通BIF形成时代与早前寒武纪岩浆活动的时间基本一致(2.5～2.6Ga),但与华北克拉通陆壳增生的峰期(2.7～2.9Ga)有一定偏差,其原因可能与新太古代晚期华北克拉通构造-热事件十分强烈有关.华北克拉通新太古代BIF大多形成于岛弧环境,但局部地区(如固阳)BIF铁矿可能形成于深部有地幔柱叠加的岛弧环境.华北克拉通BIF富矿主要有三种类型:原始沉积、受后期构造-热液叠加改造和古风化壳等,但总体不发育富铁矿,国外发育的风化壳型富铁在我国甚为少见.本文认为在探讨BIF铁矿类型时,需要从绿岩带发育序列进行综合判别.阿尔戈马型铁矿一般产于克拉通基底(绿岩带)环境,苏比利尔湖型铁矿一般形成于稳定克拉通上的海相沉积盆地或被动大陆边缘.华北克拉通BIF铁矿地球化学研究结果表明,BIF铁矿无Ce负异常且Fe同位素为正值,从而暗示铁矿沉淀的环境为低氧或缺氧环境,而铕正异常可能指示BIFs为热水沉积成因,其机制可能为海水对流循环从新生镁铁质-超镁铁质洋壳中淋滤出F(e)和Si等元素,在海底排泄沉淀成矿,而条带状构造的形成可能归咎于成矿流体的脉动式喷溢.但对于BIF铁矿的物质来源、成矿条件和机制、富铁矿成因、华北克拉通不发育苏比利尔湖型铁矿的原因等方面,仍需深入研究.     

山西五台金岗库矿床成矿作用研究

金岗库矿床位于华北克拉通中部造山带,具有典型的VMS与BIF共生特征。本文对金岗库矿床的地质与地球化学特征进行系统研究,探讨金岗库硫化物矿石与磁铁石英岩的共生特点与成矿动力学模式。研究表明,硫化物矿体受地层及岩性控制,多呈扁豆、层状—似层状赋存于五台绿岩带金岗库组的磁铁石英岩、斜长角闪岩、斜长片岩和云母石英片岩中。矿石中金属矿物组合为黄铁矿—黄铜矿—磁黄铁矿—磁铁矿,矿石主要呈半自形—他形粒状结构和块状、条带状构造,围岩蚀变为绿泥石化和绢云母化。斜长角闪岩的原岩恢复,表明斜长角闪岩的原岩为拉斑玄武岩,可能形成于岛弧环境。LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb定年显示变基性火山岩的原岩形成于2 500 Ma,代表了金岗库矿床的成矿年龄。变质流体体系的成分模式为H2O-NaCl-CO2-CH4±N2±H2,变质峰期为中高温(322℃~473℃)、低盐度(2.2%~6.74%)的热液流体,并叠加少量中高温(290℃~470℃)、高盐度(37.4%~55.79%)的岩浆热液流体;峰后阶段为中低温(225℃~302℃)、中低盐度(4.03%~11.81%)的热液流体。金岗库矿床赋存的磁铁石英岩和硫化物矿体紧密共生,具有相同的成矿时代、物质来源和变质变形历史。综合以上研究认为金岗库矿床的成因类型为海相火山喷流沉积—变质热液流体叠加改造型。     

东天山地区多头山铁铜矿床磁铁矿化学成分及其对成矿流体演化的指示

多头山矿床位于阿齐山-雅满苏成矿带西段,是东天山地区海相火山岩型铁铜矿床的代表,但目前缺乏对其矿石矿物的直接研究.磁铁矿是一种常见的矿石矿物,其化学成分可以用于指示成矿演化过程.在详细划分磁铁矿形成期次的基础上,对东天山地区的多头山矿床展开磁铁矿化学成分研究.结果表明按照磁铁矿的生成顺序和共生矿物组合的不同,多头山铁铜矿床中的磁铁矿从早期到晚期可以划分为M_1a、M_1b和M₂型.其中,M_1a型磁铁矿为粒状结构,与绿帘石-角闪石-黄铁矿共生;M_1b型磁铁矿也为粒状结构,与石英-绿帘石-角闪石-黄铁矿共生;M₂型磁铁矿则呈长条状产出,与角闪石共生.这3类磁铁矿都有较低含量的Ti（84×10-6~1 117×10-6）、Al（417×10-6~5 273×10-6）和高场强元素,属于热液型磁铁矿.与M₂型磁铁矿相比,前两类磁铁矿具有较高含量的Si、Ca、Al和Mn,可能受到微细包体的影响.从M_1a型到M₂型磁铁矿,Ti含量呈现逐渐降低的趋势,可能与结晶温度逐渐降低有关;V和Cr含量表现出先升高后降低的变化规律,暗示成矿流体的氧逸度先降低后升高.综合考虑区域地质特征及M₂型磁铁矿更加富Mg,表明有一定比例的海水参与到多头山矿床中磁铁矿形成的晚期阶段.      

辽宁本溪大台沟铁矿地球化学特征及其地质意义

通过主量元素和稀土元素相结合的方法,对大台沟铁矿成矿物质来源提出了有效制约.研究表明：大台沟铁矿化学成分主要由TFe₂O₃和SiO₂组成,并且具有较低的Al₂O₃和TiO₂含量,这一特征与鞍本地区及山西五台山和冀东迁安地区铁矿一致,表明大台沟铁矿为火山沉积变质铁矿.稀土元素呈现轻稀土亏损、重稀土富集的特征,具有明显的Eu正异常特征,这些特征表明成矿物质来源于火山热液和海水的混合液.     

Petrology and geochemistry of REE-rich Mafé banded iron formations (Bafia group,Cameroon)

Archaean–Paleoproterozoic foliated amphibole-gneisses and migmatites interstratified with amphibolites, pyroxeno-amphibolites and REE-rich banded-iron formations outcrop at Mafé, Ndikinimeki area. The foliation is nearly vertical due to tight folds. Flat-lying quartz-rich mica schists and quartzites, likely of Pan-African age, partly cover the formations. Among the Mafé BIFs, the oxide BIF facies shows white layers of quartz and black layers of magnetite and accessory hematite, whereas the silicate BIF facies is made up of thin discontinuous quartz layers alternating with larger garnet (almandine–spessartine) + chamosite + ilmenite ± Fe-talc layers. REE-rich oxide BIFs compositions are close to the East Pacific Rise (EPR) hydrothermal deposit; silicate BIFs plot midway between EPR and the associated amphibolite, accounting for a contamination by volcanic materials, in addition to the hydrothermal influence during their oceanic deposition. The association of an oceanic setting with alkaline and tholeiitic magmatism is typical of the Algoma-type BIF deposit. The REE-rich BIFs indices recorded at Mafé are interpreted as resulting from an Archaean–Paleoproterozoic mineralization.     

Geological, mineralogical and geochemical aspects of Archean Banded Iron-Formation-hosted gold deposits: Some examples from Southern Africa

This paper reports on different styles of gold mineralization observed in Archean gold deposits hosted by Algoma-type Banded Iron-Formations (BIF) in southern Africa. Genetic aspects of various occurrences are discussed in the context of mineralogical as well as geochemical data of BIFs from the greenstone terranes of the Zimbabwe and Kaapvaal cratons. The study revealed that, in spite of their different provenance and age (3.5 to 2.6 Ga), the BIFs are geochemically similar, whereas observed mineralogical differences reflect various degrees of metamorphic overprint. Generally, the BIFs belong to mixed oxide-carbonate-(±sulfide)-facies. REE distribution patterns of the investigated Archean BIF samples exhibit positive Eu-anomalies, which suggest a strongly reducing nature of the solutions which also provided the distinctive element contents now present in the chemical sediments. Irrespective of their formation, gold enrichment in BIF only occurs if the S- and/or As-contents of the BIFs exceed specific threshold values, i.e. gold mineralization is always associated with increased contents of the iron-sulfides pyrite, arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite. The studies indicate that BIF-hosted gold occurrences are not products of a single universal metallogenic process, but may be explained by several different genetic processes such as primary syn-sedimentary formation, diagenetic changes, metamorphic remobilization, and epigenetic hydrothermal emplacement.     

In-situ LA–ICP-MS trace elemental analyses of magnetite: The Mesozoic Tengtie skarn Fe deposit in the Nanling Range,South China

The Nanling Range in South China hosts numerous world-class W–Sn deposits and some Fe deposits. The Mesozoic Tengtie Fe skarn deposit in the southern Nanling Range is contemporaneous with the regional Sn mineralization. The deposit is composed of numerous ore bodies along the contacts between the late Paleozoic or Mesozoic carbonate rocks and the Yanshanian Lianyang granitic complex. Interaction of the magma with hosting dolomitic limestone and limestone formed calcic (Ca-rich) and magnesian (Mg-rich) skarns, respectively. The Tengtie deposit has a paragenetic sequence of the prograde stage of anhydrous skarn minerals, followed by the retrograde stage of hydrous skarn minerals, and the final sulfide stage. Magnetite in the prograde and retrograde skarn stages is associated with diopside, garnet, chlorite, epidote, and phlogopite, whereas magnetite of the final stage is associated with chalcopyrite and pyrite. Massive magnetite ores crosscut by quartz and calcite veins are present mainly in the retrograde skarn stage. Laser ablation ICP-MS was used to determine trace elements of magnetite from different stages. Some magnetite grains have unusually high Ca, Na, K, and Si, possibly due to the presence of silicate mineral inclusions. Magnetite of the prograde stage has the highest Co contents, but that of the sulfide stage is extremely poor in Co which partitions in sulfides. Magnetite of magnesian skarns contains more Mg, Mn, and Al than that of calcic skarns, attributed to the interaction of the magma with compositionally different host rocks. Magnetite from calcic and magnesian skarns contains 6–185 ppm Sn and 61–1246 ppm Sn, respectively. The high Sn contents are not due to the presence of cassiterite inclusions which are not identified in magnetite. Instead, we believe that Sn resides in the magnetite structure. Regionally, intensive Mesozoic Sn mineralization in South China indicates that concurrent magmatic–hydrothermal fluids may be rich in Sn and contribute to the formation of high-Sn magnetite. Our study demonstrates that trace elements of magnetite can be a sensitive indicator for the skarn stages and wall-rock compositions, and as such, trace elemental chemistry of magnetite can be a potentially powerful fingerprint for sediment provenance and regional mineralization.     

Major and Trace Elements of Magnetite from the Qimantag Metallogenic Belt: Insights into Evolution of Ore–forming Fluids

Magnetite, as a genetic indicator of ores, has been studied in various deposits in the world. In this paper, we present textural and compositional data of magnetite from the Qimantag metallogenic belt of the Kunlun Orogenic Belt in China, to provide a better understanding of the formation mechanism and genesis of the metallogenic belt and to shed light on analytical protocols for the in situ chemical analysis of magnetite. Magnetite samples from various occurrences, including the ore–related granitoid pluton, mineralised endoskarn and vein–type iron ores hosted in marine carbonate intruded by the pluton, were examined using scanning electron microscopy and analysed for major and trace elements using electron microprobe and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry. The field and microscope observation reveals that early–stage magnetite from the Hutouya and Kendekeke deposits occurs as massive or banded assemblages, whereas late–stage magnetite is disseminated or scattered in the ores. Early–stage magnetite contains high contents of Ti, V, Ga, Al and low in Mg and Mn. In contrast, late–stage magnetite is high in Mg, Mn and low in Ti, V, Ga, Al. Most magnetite grains from the Qimantag metallogenic belt deposits except the Kendekeke deposit plot in the " Skarn " field in the Ca+Al+Mn vs Ti+V diagram, far from typical magmatic Fe deposits such as the Damiao and Panzhihua deposits. According to the(Mg O+Mn O)–Ti O2–Al2O3 diagram, magnetite grains from the Kaerqueka and Galingge deposits and the No.7 ore body of the Hutouya deposit show typical characteristics of skarn magnetite, whereas magnetite grains from the Kendekeke deposit and the No.2 ore body of the Hutouya deposit show continuous elemental variation from magmatic type to skarn type. This compositional contrast indicates that chemical composition of magnetite is largely controlled by the compositions of magmatic fluids and host rocks of the ores that have reacted with the fluids. Moreover, a combination of petrography and magnetite geochemistry indicates that the formation of those ore deposits in the Qimantag metallogenic belt involved a magmatic–hydrothermal process.     

新疆哈密卡拉塔格块状硫化物矿床金银赋存状态研究

新疆哈密红海黄土坡VMS矿床位于东天山卡拉塔格隆起带,是卡拉塔格矿集区内新发现的块状硫化物矿床。矿体产于卡拉塔格隆起带核部火山沉积岩建造中,具有典型的VMS型矿床“上层下脉”二元结构特征。该矿床中含金硫化物矿石主要有块状黄铁矿黄铜矿、块状黄铁矿黄铜矿闪锌矿、块状黄铁矿闪锌矿黄铜矿和块状闪锌矿。文中在对各类含金硫化物矿石进行详细的矿相学研究基础上,结合扫描电子显微镜与能谱仪联用技术(SEM/EDS),对硫化物样品中金、银的赋存状态进行研究。结果表明,4种块状硫化物中的主要矿物形成于多个期次,主要包括VMS成矿期(黄铁矿阶段、闪锌矿黄铜矿黝铜矿方铅矿阶段、石英重晶石阶段)、热液叠加期(石英黄铁矿黄铜矿闪锌矿方铅矿阶段)和表生期(铜蓝纤铁矿阶段)。矿区首次发现4颗金银金属互化物(银金矿、碲银矿),其较大的化学成分差异指示了热液环境由中酸性中性转变为更有利于Au、Ag迁移沉淀的偏碱性。后期的偏碱性热液对VMS成矿期形成矿物产生了交代作用,使得Au、Ag活化再富集。由于后期热液叠加改造,红海VMS型矿床中Au、Ag不仅赋存于VMS成矿期后期中低温闪锌矿黄铜矿阶段,也赋存于VMS成矿期早期中高温黄铁矿阶段,并贯穿整个热液叠加期。各含金矿物组合中除4颗金银金属互化物外Au多呈显微不可见状态,推测Au、Ag主要以原子或离子形式赋存于矿物晶格中或矿物空位处。     

Petrology and Geochemistry of the Banded Iron Formation of the Kuluketage Block,Xinjiang, NW China: Implication for BIF Depositional Setting

The Kuluketage block, located in the northeast Tarim craton, is one of the largest Precambrian blocks in the Xinjiang province. Recently, many banded iron formation (BIF)‐type (Superior‐type) deposits have been discovered in the western part of the Kuluketage block. These deposits occurred in the Paleoproterozoic Shayiti Formation, Xingditage Group, which has a nearly E–W distribution in the southern Xinger and Xingdi faults. Tremolite biotite schist and quartzite are the main wall rocks. The geochemical characteristics of schist indicate that the BIFs occurred in a passive continental margin environment. The LA–ICP–MS zircon ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U ages of BIF and late syenite are 1945 ± 10 Ma(MSWD = 0.77) (weighted average age) and 1974 ± 27 Ma(MSWD = 1.05) (upper intercept age), respectively, indicating that the BIFs occurred in the Paleoproterozoic. In addition, the approximately 1.9 Ga magmatic and metamorphic events are consistent with the global‐scale 2.1–1.8 Ga collisional orogen events which are associated with the assembly of the Columbia supercontinent. The geochemical characteristics show that magnetite and quartz are dominant components (total content, 91.65–98.22 wt.%), and the Zr(Nb) and TiO₂, Zr(Nb) and Al₂O₃ and Zr and Y/Ho display strongly positive correlations, illustrating the addition of crustal materials into the chemical precipitate of the original BIFs. The higher Zr, Nb and Al₂O₃ contents and a lower Y/Ho ratio of the Kuluketage BIFs indicate a higher terrigenous detrital component contaminant compared to BIFs of North China Craton (NCC). The rare earth and yttrium (REY) distribution patterns show a slight LREE enrichment and weak Eu positive anomaly features, indicating that the source of Fe and Si of the Kuluketage BIFs is mainly from the contribution of low‐temperature hydrothermal alteration of the oceanic crust. In addition, along with the decreasing BIF depositional age, the declining of Eu anomaly values reflects the increasing importance of low‐temperature hydrothermal solutions relative to high‐temperature hydrothermal solutions. Moreover, no Ce anomalies in studied BIFs, NCC and Xinyu BIFs are attributed to relative reducing environmental condition when the original BIFs precipitated.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of banded iron formation and iron ores from eastern India with implications on their genesis

The geological complexities of banded iron formation (BIF) and associated iron ores of Jilling-Langalata iron ore deposits, Singhbhum-North Orissa Craton, belonging to Iron Ore Group (IOG) eastern India have been studied in detail along with the geochemical evaluation of different iron ores. The geochemical and mineralogical characterization suggests that the massive, hard laminated, soft laminated ore and blue dust had a genetic lineage from BIFs aided with certain input from hydrothermal activity. The PAAS normalized REE pattern of Jilling BIF striking positive Eu anomaly, resembling those of modern hydrothermal solutions from mid-oceanic ridge (MOR). Major part of the iron could have been added to the bottom sea water by hydrothermal solutions derived from hydrothermally active anoxic marine environments. The ubiquitous presence of intercalated tuffaceous shales indicates the volcanic signature in BIF. Mineralogical studies reveal that magnetite was the principal iron oxide mineral, whose depositional history is preserved in BHJ, where it remains in the form of martite and the platy hematite is mainly the product of martite. The different types of iron ores are intricately related with the BHJ. Removal of silica from BIF and successive precipitation of iron by hydrothermal fluids of possible meteoric origin resulted in the formation of martite-goethite ore. The hard laminated ore has been formed in the second phase of supergene processes, where the deep burial upgrades the hydrous iron oxides to hematite. The massive ore is syngenetic in origin with BHJ. Soft laminated ores and biscuity ores were formed where further precipitation of iron was partial or absent.     

Subsea-floor replacement in volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits

Recent research on volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VMS) deposits indicates that syngenetic subsea-floor replacement ores form an important component of many deposits. In the context of VMS deposits, subsea-floor replacement can be defined as the syn-volcanic formation of sulfide minerals within pre-existing volcanic or sedimentary deposits by infiltration and precipitation in open spaces (fractures, inter- and intra-granular porosity) as well as replacement of solid materials.There are five criteria for distinguishing subsea-floor replacement in massive sulfide deposits: (1) mineralized intervals are enclosed within rapidly emplaced volcanic or sedimentary facies (lavas, intrusions, subaqueous mass-flow deposits, pyroclastic fallout); (2) relics of the host facies occur within the mineral deposit; (3) replacement fronts occur between the mineral deposit and the host lithofacies; (4) the mineral deposit is discordant to bedding; and (5) strong hydrothermal alteration continues into the hanging wall without an abrupt break in intensity. Criteria 1–3 are diagnostic of replacement, whereas criteria 4 and 5 may suggest replacement but are not alone diagnostic. Because clastic sulfide ores contain accessory rock fragments collected by the parent sediment gravity flow(s) during transport, criteria 2 can only be applied to massive, semi-massive, disseminated or vein style deposits, and not clastic ores.The spectrum of VMS deposit types includes deposits that have accumulated largely subsea-floor, and others in which sedimentation and volcanism were synchronous with hydrothermal activity, and precipitation of sulfides occurred at and below the sea floor over the life of the hydrothermal system. Deposits that formed largely subsea-floor are mainly hosted by syn-eruptive or post-eruptive volcaniclastic facies (gravity flow deposits, water-settled fall, autoclastic breccia). However, some subsea-floor replacement VMS deposits are hosted by lavas and syn-volcanic intrusions (sills, domes, cryptodomes). Burial of sea-floor massive sulfide by lavas or sediment gravity flow deposits can interrupt sea-floor mineralization and promote subsea-floor replacement and zone-refining.The distance below the sea floor at which infiltration and replacement took place is rarely well constrained, with published estimates ranging from less than 1 to more than 500 m, but mainly in the range 10–200 m. The upper few tens to hundreds of metres in the volcano-sedimentary pile are the favoured position for replacement, as clastic facies are wet, porous and poorly consolidated in this zone, and at greater depths become progressively more compacted, dewatered, altered, and less amenable to large scale infiltration and replacement by hydrothermal fluids. Furthermore, sustained mixing between the upwelling hydrothermal fluid and cold seawater is regarded as a major cause of sulfide precipitation in VMS systems, and this mixing process generally becomes less effective with increasing depth in the volcanic pile.The relative importance of subsea-floor replacement in VMS systems is related principally to four factors: the permeability and porosity patterns of host lithofacies, sedimentation rate, the relative ease of replacement of host lithofacies (especially glassy materials) and early formed alteration minerals during hydrothermal attack, and physiochemical characteristics of the hydrothermal fluid.     

Mass Change Calculations as Applied to the Search for Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits: An Example from Malusok, Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte, Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract. The Malusok volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits comprise two adjacent ore bodies, the Main Malusok and the Malusok Southeast ore bodies, hosted within Cretaceous metamorphic rocks. Owing to the structural and metamor-phic overprinting combined with intense hydrothermal alteration, primary textures of the Malusok volcanic rocks have been obliterated. The stratigraphic correlation of the Main Malusok and the Malusok Southeast ore bodies show that both deposits are essentially confined within a single stratigraphic interval. The lithogeochemical analysis of the Malusok samples shows that constituent lithologies have precursor compositions ranging from sub-alkaline basalts to rhyodacites. Field and mass flux data suggest that the Main Malusok VMS deposits were derived as a consequence of axial hydrothermal activity. The Malusok Southeast ore bodies represent satellite deposits generated by off-axis hydrothermal activities from vents aligned along a NW-SE trend with the Main Malusok zone. This alignment represents an ancient fissure that served as a pathway for the upwelling metalliferous hydrothermal fluids. In searching for lateral extensions of these VMS deposits, this NW-SE alignment should serve as a possible exploration guide.     

前寒武纪VMS与BIF铁矿床共生组合研究进展

VMS和BIF铁矿作为两种重要的矿床类型,在前寒武纪常常以共生组合方式赋存于古老克拉通内的表壳岩系中,是早期地球构造和环境演化耦合作用的产物。该组合不仅记录了当时特定的构造及大气和海洋环境,而且两者也是全球铜、铁、铅、锌等金属的重要来源,因此,开展VMS与BIF共生组合的研究具有重大科学价值和经济意义。前人研究表明,前寒武纪VMS与BIF集中出现于~2.7 Ga和~1.9 Ga,与同时期地幔柱活动和地壳增生的高峰相对应,两者共生时BIF通常产出于VMS外围或上盘,但在矿体空间展布上具有此消彼长的关系;研究还认为,前寒武纪地幔柱活动诱发的海底扩张、海底和地表强烈的火山活动形成的多重热液系统,可同时为VMS和BIF提供物质来源,海水的硫逸度、氧逸度及大气的氧含量是影响VMS与BIF空间分布及VMS硫同位素组成的重要因素。目前,VMS与BIF共生组合研究取得了较大进展,但仍存在一些问题:缺乏典型共生实例的精细解剖,已有共生模型缺乏详细的矿床成因机制研究支撑,对两者共生组合产出的构造背景和古海洋环境仍存在不同认识。华北克拉通的清原和五台新太古代绿岩带发育有较大规模的VMS与BIF铁矿共生现象,对其开展详细研究工作将为解决上述问题提供借鉴。     

与岩浆热场有关的“成矿组合”及其对找矿的启示

与岩浆热场有关的成矿组合是一个新概念,是指在一个或大或小的区域内,在岩浆活动集中的时间段范围内,在岩浆热场的统一作用下所形成和影响的所有矿床,不论成因和矿种,均属于一个成矿组合。与岩浆热场有关的成矿作用主要包括下列几类： 岩浆热液矿床、岩浆热场叠加的沉积矿床、岩浆热场叠加的变质矿床、岩浆热场叠加的能源矿床（藏）以及热泉型矿床等。与岩浆热场有关的成矿组合把金属与非金属成矿作用联系起来,把无机与有机成矿联系起来,把热液与沉积成矿联系起来,把热液与变质成矿联系起来,把金属与能源（燃料）成矿联系起来。这种成矿组合的分布有两种趋势： 一是纵向上的由不同温度构成的成矿组合,如钨锡—铅锌组合、锡—铜组合等; 二是横向上的由相同温度不同矿种构成的成矿组合,如钨锡—石墨组合、金—铜—煤组合、铅—锌—煤组合、油—气—煤—铀组合等。成矿组合强调综合找矿的思路,在找矿时,除了注意主要矿产的找矿外,还应当注意其他矿产和矿种的找矿。在找金属矿床时,注意非金属矿床、沉积叠加改造矿床、变质叠加改造矿床以及能源矿床找矿的可能性。在研究高温金属矿床时,注意与高温成矿相伴的其他矿种成矿的可能性,注意低温金属矿床成矿的可能性,注意与低温成矿作用相伴的其他矿种成矿的可能性。开阔找矿的思路,就不能拘泥于本行本专业,而是围绕岩浆热场,将找所有可能出现的矿为己任。     

三江特提斯叠加成矿作用样式及过程

三江地区经历了特提斯洋的多期洋-陆俯冲和新生代以来的陆-陆碰撞;成矿主要集中在大洋生长与俯冲造山阶段以及碰撞造山主碰撞向晚碰撞的转换阶段,控制了区域喜马拉雅期斑岩型铜金矿带、沉积岩容矿型铅锌多金属矿带与造山型金矿带等。在不同时期构造环境作用下,在矿田与矿床范围内形成了复杂多样的叠加成矿作用。叠加成矿作用可划分为3种类型及9种方式:(1)VMS-岩浆热液叠加型。包括喜马拉雅期岩浆热液型矿体叠加海西期-燕山期"VMS型"矿体(老厂式Pb-Zn-Mo矿床和鲁春式Cu-Pb-Zn矿床),印支/燕山期岩浆热液型矿体叠加海西期VMS型矿体的羊拉式Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn矿床;(2)沉积-热液叠加型。包括喜马拉雅期岩浆热液型矿体叠加燕山期沉积矿源层的白秧坪式Cu-Pb-Zn矿床,喜马拉雅期建造热液型Ge矿体叠加沉积煤层的大寨/中寨式Ge矿床,燕山期岩浆热液叠加加里东期分水岭式Fe-Cu矿床;(3)多期热液叠加型。主要为喜马拉雅期与印支期两期叠加成矿作用的老王寨床式Au矿床,燕山期叠加印支期普朗-红山式Cu矿床,喜马拉雅期多期次叠加的金满Cu矿床。叠加成矿作用增加矿床的资源储量,丰富了矿种类型;但是现在仅有部分年代学与矿田-矿床尺度地质现象的某些证据,叠加矿床的矿体-矿石结构特征、形成条件与地球化学及矿物学约束仍有待于进一步研究。     

庐枞盆地龙桥铁矿床中菱铁矿的地质特征和成因意义

龙桥铁矿床是庐枞火山岩盆地中的一个大型的铁矿床,多年来对其矿床成因的认识存在较大的争论.文章在野外地质研究工作的基础上,通过对矿床中菱铁矿的岩矿分析鉴定和电子探针测试,确定了矿床纹层状矿石中的菱铁矿为沉积成因.通过对菱铁矿的产出特征分析,并结合龙桥铁矿床的部分地质地球化学研究成果,认为在该矿床形成过程中,早期沉积形成了纹层状的菱铁矿层,在燕山期的岩浆热事件中,部分沉积菱铁矿被交代形成了磁铁矿和具有残余骸晶结构等一系列矿石交代组构特征的矿物.纹层状矿石既具有沉积特征,也具有热液改造特征,证实了矿床的形成存在早期(三叠纪)的沉积成矿(菱铁矿)作用和晚期(燕山期)的热液成矿(磁铁矿)作用.菱铁矿的研究为进一步确定龙桥铁矿床的成因提供了新的佐证.