Neotectonic stage in the formation of the Khokhlovskoe uranium deposit, eastern Transural region: Structural, hydrochemical, mineralogical, and geochemical formation conditions

The structural, hydrochemical, mineralogical, and geochemical features of the Khokhlovskoe uranium deposit related to neotectonic processes are considered. The structural feature is expressed in neotectonic dislocations in the form of overall intense fragmentation of host rocks and widespread low-amplitude strike-slip faulting. The hydrochemical specificity is determined by the appearance of thermal carbonated formation water in ore-bearing aquifers. This water is similar in chemical and gas composition to hydrothermal solutions in fluid inclusions and mineral waters abundant in this district. The mineralogical and geochemical features comprise the occurrence of newly formed ferroan carbonates and late iron hydroxides in altered (bleached) pelitic rocks; the formation of silicic opal segregations in ore-bearing sand and sandstone; late sulfides, arsenides, and selenides of iron and other metals; and multiphase gel-pitchblende enriched in Zr especially typical of high-grade uranium ore. The age of high-grade ore determined by a precision uranium-ionium method coincides with the time when thermal carbonated water appeared in the host rocks. This time was estimated from a mathematical model of heat transfer and regional dynamics of underground water. This coincidence clearly indicates that the aforementioned processes are related to the late Quaternary neotectonic reactivation of the eastern Transural region.     

661铀矿床矿石U-Pb等时线年龄及其成矿构造背景

661铀矿床位于赣杭构造火山岩铀成矿带东段大洲铀矿田内,矿体赋存于磨石山群九里坪组流纹岩之中,矿床定位于岩石圈伸展断陷盆地附近,明显受断裂带的控制.利用矿石U-Pb等时线法确定了该矿床两个矿体的成矿时代,分别为(107.0±2.3)Ma和(110.0±3.5)Ma.这些年龄值与断陷红盆底部发育的玄武岩的成岩年龄一致,也与东南沿海地区明显存在的110 Ma基性脉岩拉张活动的时间一致,表明岩石圈伸展与铀成矿之间具有良好的对应关系,为岩石圈伸展期与铀成矿关系研究提供了年代学证据.岩石圈伸展控制着富CO2热液形成的时间,因而也大致控制了铀成矿的时代.     

Genetic model of uranium mineralization in the Permo-Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Stara Planina eastern Serbia

One deposit and four occurrences of uranium minerals in the Permo-Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Stara Planina in eastern Serbia were ascertained using data from years of multidisciplinary geological research. The minerals are the fissure-filling type, and were assigned to the exogenic mineralization group, being mostly epigene in nature. Relevant geological information was used to derive a genetic model of uranium mineralization in the Permo-Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Stara Planina. The model explains the formation of Permo-Triassic rocks and three stages of the complex process of U mineralization. The genetic model treats: (1) the primary sources of the uranium; (2) the mobility of uranium; and (3) accessory metals from the parent rocks to their deposition in host rocks and the postmineral change in ore bodies. A geochemical barrier zone was identified in the sedimentary rocks that contained uranium mineral ore. This geochemical barrier area included crescent-shaped, flat-lens, or vein-like ore bodies. The U-containing mineral described is comparable with those from the relatively common fissure-filling uranium minerals found around the world.     

华南白垩-第三纪地壳拉张与铀成矿的关系

华南是中国最重要的铀矿产区之一。按赋矿围岩的不同 ,该区主要产出花岗岩型、火山岩型和碳硅泥岩型 3类铀矿床。铀矿区都分布有比铀成矿超前形成的富铀岩石 ;铀矿床成矿热液中的水主要为大气成因地下水 ,成矿温度约为 1 2 0～ 2 5 0℃ ,成矿热液的δ1 3 C值主要为 - 4‰～ - 8‰ ,表明幔源CO2 参与了成矿作用 ;矿床的N(3 He) /N(4He)为 0 .1 0～ 2 .0 2Ra,显示成矿热液中大量幔源He的存在。这些铀矿床的成矿时代与赋矿围岩的岩性和时代无关 ,都集中在该区地壳受到强烈拉张因而断陷盆地广泛发育并伴有幔源基性岩浆活动 (基性脉岩、玄武岩 )的白垩—第三纪。研究表明 ,白垩—第三纪导致了地幔与地壳表层沟通的地壳拉张 ,把该区 3大类型的铀矿床串联成了一个有机的整体 :(1 )地壳拉张通过控制向大气成因的贫CO2 热液提供铀成矿必不可少的幔源CO2 ,而与铀成矿发生联系 ;(2 )同一机制形成的富CO2 热液浸取同一或不同铀源岩石中的铀并在不同围岩中成矿 ,形成了按赋矿围岩划分的各种矿床类型 (花岗岩型、火山岩型和碳硅泥岩型 )。     

华南热液铀矿成矿作用若干问题探讨

华南地区基底铀背景值较高,区域热液铀矿形成于晚中生代-古近纪(K-E)的地壳拉张期。区内各类型热液铀矿床在成矿时代、温压条件、矿物组合及热液蚀变等方面有一定的共同特征,根据热液铀矿床的分布可划分为三大成矿带。铀成矿与伸展构造关系密切,且成矿流体、物质可能为不同来源;铀成矿期铀主要以碳酸铀络合物形式运移。     

草桃背矿床白垩纪橄榄玄粗岩与铀成矿关系

赣南会昌断陷盆地沿石城-寻乌深断裂分布一条白垩纪橄榄玄粗岩系列的火山岩带。草桃背大型铀矿床内出露大富足岩体中-粗粒黑云母花岗岩及早白垩世晚期到晚白垩世早期橄榄玄粗岩系列火山岩。大富足花岗岩体岩石w(SiO₂)平均为74.67％,碱总量(w（K₂O+Na₂O）)平均为7.99％,w(K₂O)>w(Na₂O),w(CaO)平均为0.54％,w(Al₂O₃)>w(CaO+Na₂O+K₂O),属高钾钙碱性岩石系列。橄榄玄粗系列火山岩岩石w(SiO₂)为45.78 %~59.78 %,w(K₂O+Na₂O)平均为7.37%,K₂O/Na₂O平均为1.02,w(TiO₂)平均为0.86%, 全铁质量分数平均为7.09%,属偏碱性橄榄玄粗质火山岩类。草桃背铀矿床赋矿岩性为橄榄玄粗岩、碎裂花岗岩及隐爆角砾岩。赋存于碎裂花岗岩及隐爆角砾岩中铀矿石化学成分,与围岩花岗岩成分相似;赋存于橄榄玄粗岩中铀矿石,Fe₂O₃+Fe₂O、CaO、MgO不同程度地带出,w(SiO₂)明显增高,表明橄榄玄粗岩在成矿过程中,通过输出大量Fe、Mg、Ca等阳离子而促进铀离子从含矿溶液中沉淀。草桃背矿床的铀矿化与充填在草桃背火山口的橄榄玄粗岩关系密切,在时间上相近、在空间上相伴、在成生上相关,受橄榄玄粗岩岩浆系列热动力的影响,铀元素发生活化、转移或物质交换而成矿,成岩成矿时代属早白垩世晚期到晚白垩世早期。从草桃背铀矿床岩石学、地球化学及赋矿特征入手,总结了铀成矿是富铀矿的花岗岩基底、北东向构造及火山作用结合的产物,橄榄玄粗岩提供热源,并指出半岭、上寮、小富足等地段是寻找草桃背式铀矿床的极有利地区。     

Geotectonic prerequisites for petroleum occurrences in northern seas of USSR

Chemical thermodynamic data and mineralogical-geochemical observations help to define the conditions of precipitation of uranium arid its satellites from infiltration waters in the thinning-out area of zones of layered limonitization. Localization of mineralisation, morphology of the ore segregations, and mineral composition of the ores are dependent on the grade of uranium content of the oxygenated formation solutions and their amounts of carbonate ion. It has been shown that ore bodies with narrow “saccate” particles, sometimes disintegrating into a series of lensoid segregations and often consisting of finely dispersed coffinite, develop where the ore-forming waters have low concentrations of dissolved uranium - less than 5. 10^-5 g/liter (with Σa_CO on the order of 10^-2 g/kg of H₂O). The scheme of infiltration ore formation in thermodynamic respects is of little use in explaining the origin of the black-pitchblende ores superimposed on ihe limonitized rocks.—Author.     

Uranium deposits with a new phosphate type of blacks

Data on ningyoite [CaU(PO₄)₂ · 2H₂O] occurrences in uranium ores and on deposits with ores composed entirely or largely of this mineral are considered. Most of the recent findings of ningyoite mineralization are confined to infiltration deposits, and only sporadic ones, to pegmatites and hydrothermal deposits. The geological settings and mineral assemblages indicate that ningyoite ores are formed from neutral or slightly alkaline solutions at higher Eh values relative to other types of uranium blacks (uraninite, coffinite) and are localized in the reducing zone at the boundary of redox zoning. The factors that testify to the decisive role of microbiological processes in the formation of monomineral ningyoite ore are considered. All hydrogenic deposits (occurrences) of ningyoite ore known to date in Japan, Bulgaria, Canada, Kazakhstan, and Siberia belong to the same ground-infiltration genetic type.     

Input of Sr/Sr ratios and Sr geochemical signatures to update knowledge on thermal and mineral waters flow paths in fractured rocks (N-Portugal)

Strontium isotopes and other geochemical signatures are used to determine the relationships between CO₂-rich thermal (Chaves: 76 °C) and mineral (Vilarelho da Raia, Vidago and Pedras Salgadas: 17 °C) waters discharging along one of the major NNE–SSW trending faults in the northern part of mainland Portugal. The regional geology consists of Hercynian granites (syn-tectonic-310 Ma and post-tectonic-290 Ma) intruding Silurian metasediments (quartzites, phyllites and carbonaceous slates). Thermal and mineral waters have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr isotopic ratios between 0.716713 and 0.728035. ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr vs. 1/Sr define three end-members (Vilarelho da Raia/Chaves, Vidago and Pedras Salgadas thermal and mineral waters) trending from rainfall composition towards that of the CO₂-rich thermal and mineral waters, indicating different underground flow paths. Local granitic rocks have ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of 0.735697–0.789683. There is no indication that equilibrium was reached between the CO₂-rich thermal and mineral waters and the granitic rocks. The mean ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio of the thermal and mineral waters (0.722419) is similar to the Sr isotopic ratios of the plagioclases of the granitic rocks (0.71261–0.72087). The spatial distribution of Sr isotope and geochemical signatures of waters and the host rocks suggests that the thermal and mineral waters circulate in similar but not the same hydrogeological system. Results from this study could be used to evaluate the applicability of this isotope approach in other hydrogeologic investigations.     

A geochemical and geophysical approach to derive a conceptual circulation model of CO2-rich mineral waters: A case study of Vilarelho da Raia, northern Portugal

The Vilarelho da Raia-Chaves region, located in northern Portugal adjacent to the Spanish border, is characterized by both hot and cold CO₂-rich mineral waters issuing from springs and drilled wells. The present paper updates the conceptual circulation model of the Vilarelho da Raia cold CO₂-rich mineral waters. Vilarelho da Raia mineral waters, dominated by Na and HCO₃ ions, have formed mainly by interaction with CO₂ of deep-seated mantle origin. The δ ¹⁸O, δ ²H and ³H values indicate that these waters are the result of meteoric waters infiltrating into Larouco Mountain, NW of Vilarelho da Raia, circulating at shallow depths in granitic rocks and moving into Vilarelho da Raia area. The conceptual geochemical and geophysical circulation model indicates that the hot and cold CO₂-rich mineral waters of Chaves (76 °C) and Vilarelho da Raia (17 °C) should be considered manifestations of similar but not the same geohydrological systems. Electronic Publication     

Catagenesis of terrigenous rocks in the neoproterozoic intracratonic sedimentary basins and its effect on the formation of unconformity-type uranium mineralization

Mineral transformation of host rocks and localization of orebodies at the unconformity-type uranium deposits are considered for the Karku deposit in the northern Ladoga region. It is shown that the great depth of uranium mineral formation and the peculiar composition of host rocks, along with temperature and chemistry of fluids, played a critical role in variation of lithostatic and fluid pressure, porosity, and permeability. The compaction of quartz sandstone and gravelstone, which are typical host rocks at unconformity-type deposits, the development of microstylolithic sutures, conformal structures, pressure solution and deposition of quartz in free pores gave rise to the closure or constraint of pore space and to increase in pore pressure of fluids in the deep part of the Riphean troughs with approaching lithostatic loading. A transitional zone between hydrostatic and lithostatic pressure controlled localization of orebodies and was decisive for uranium mineral formation. This zone coincided with the Riphean-Paleoproterozoic unconformity and sank somewhat into the crystalline basement. Below this transitional zone, the intergranular fluid was under a pressure that was close to the pressure on solid phases, i.e., P _tot ≈ P _fl. The reliability of this phenomenon is confirmed by cessation of pressure solution-redeposition of quartz and distinct deceleration of dehydration of hydrous minerals. As is shown for the Karku deposit, the highly hydrated clay minerals of the illite-smectite series are widespread in its subore portion and lacking at the supraore levels along with termination of quartz regeneration. It is suggested that a zone of superhigh fluid pressure in deep parts of sedimentary basins constrains localization of uranium orebodies by structural and stratigraphic unconformity between Riphean and Paleoproterozoic rocks. It is stated that altered wall rocks at the unconformity-type uranium deposits cannot be identified with products of hydrothermal phyllic and argillic alteration of host rocks at the medium- and low-temperature endogenic deposits. The main distinctions consist in lack of wall-rock metasomatic reaction zoning and acid-alkaline evolution of solutions. All transformations of host rocks should be classified as diverse manifestations of deep catagenesis of sedimentary sequences and buried regolith. The carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of calcite from host rocks at the Karku deposit are far from those of magmatic and hydrothermal carbonates. They are characterized by a high δ¹⁸O = +17 to +25‰ and a high dispersion of δ¹³C = −1.5 to almost −15‰. No granitoid magmatism is known in the regions, where the unconformity-type uranium deposits occur. Therefore, the rocks of the crystalline basement are the most probable source of uranium, which precipitated on the reductive barrier as a product of interaction with bitumen contained in the Riphean basal beds.     

The isotopic and chemical composition of CO2-rich thermal waters in the Mont-Dore region (Massif-Central,France)

Chemical and isotope compositions of fluid samples, collected between 1974 and 1986 from 52 springs or shallow boreholes located in the Mont-Dore region (Massif Central, France), were examined. Some springs and wells were sampled several times during this period. The fluids emerge from Quaternary volcanic rocks or Paleozoic granite at temperatures between 4 and 62°C, and the origin of the H₂O is meteoric. The waters can be classified into three groups: bicarbonate fluids, mixed bicarbonate-chloride fluids (with a mineralization up to 8 g/l), and acid-sulfate fluids. Only two fluids contain sufficient Cl⁻ to be considered as ‘mature’ waters. Previous work has demonstrated that they all contain partly mantle-derived CO₂ gas, and that the CO₂-rich gas phase and bicarbonate-chloride waters are separated at substantial depth.Mineralized fluids circulate at depth and undergo several processes, such as cooling or dilution with recent freshwater, during their ascent to the surface. Therefore, the CO₂-rich gas phase can be partly dissolved in the freshwater, or in deep fluids after their dilution. This process leads to the dissolution of surrounding rocks; such dissolution is discussed on the basis of major-element concentrations (Na, K, Ca, Mg), as well as the Sr 87/86 isotope ratio. Dissolution of S-bearing minerals has also been demonstrated. The presence of the CO₂-rich gas phase also leads to isotope exchange between CO₂ and H₂O. Some mineralized fluids are less affected by these processes than others, in which case they display the chemical and isotopic characteristics of the original deep fluids.It was shown that the applicability of geothermometer calculations for these waters is hampered by several processes that modify the chemical composition. However, some geothermometers can be used for estimating the temperature of the deep fluids using the chemical composition of the less modified fluids. They indicate that fluids emerging from volcanic rocks in the Dordogne valley reach temperatures of around 100–130°C at depth, while the temperature of the fluid that issues from the granite at Saint-Nectaire is 160–175°C at depth.     

Geochemistry and fluid inclusions of scheelite-mineralized granodiorite porphyries from southern Anhui Province,China

We report petrological, cathodoluminescence (CL), major and trace element analyses and fluid inclusion studies on scheelite (W)-mineralized granodiorite porphyries from Dongyuan and Zhuxiling, southern Anhui Province (China). In Dongyuan, the larger part of the granodiorite porphyry body is mineralized with W concentrations up to 1140 g/t (total WO₃ reserves >140 000 tonnes), whereas in Zhuxiling mineralization is spatially more limited. All mineralized rocks are strongly altered, containing abundant calcite and no fresh plagioclase. W-mineralized rocks show higher K, Pb and lower Na, Sr, Ti contents compared to the non-mineralized ones. Co-variations between mobile elements (K, Na, Pb, Sr, Rb, etc.) and W, combined with petrological observations, demonstrate that fluid alteration must have controlled the mineralization. In quartz from both deposits 4 types of fluid inclusions have been recognized, i.e., aqueous-carbonic (WC-type), aqueous (W-type, subdivided into Wm-type containing minor detected CO₂ and Wn containing no CO₂), carbonic (pure CO₂, C-type) and late secondary aqueous inclusions (LW-type). WC- and LW-type inclusions represent the original magmatic fluids and meteoric waters, respectively. The other inclusions represent evolved magmatic fluids which are closely related to alteration and mineralization. WC-, Wm- and Wn-type inclusions show higher salinity and lower homogenization temperatures, indicating fluid immiscibility with CO₂ effervescence. Additionally, during plagioclase alteration and precipitation of K-feldspar and sericite the K/Na ratio is lowered and Ca released. The precipitation of scheelite must have been promoted by increasing Ca contents in the fluid and also by increasing pH due to CO₂ loss. The present study demonstrates that for granitic rocks without calcareous wall rock, plagioclase breakdown must have been the key factor for scheelite mineralization. The presence of CO₂-rich fluid indicates that both deposits formed in the same intracontinental extension setting as those in the Nanling region. Thus, the Yanshanian granites from southern Anhui Province may have a great potential for W mineralization, especially the blind ones in deep levels.     

Geochemical controls on the formation of unconformity-type Au–U deposits (Northern Transbaikalia)

This study provides geochemical, mineralogical, and isotope data for rocks and ores from Lower Proterozoic black shale formations of the Kodar–Udokan structural and formational zone, which host the Khadatkanda gold—uranium deposit. The results indicate that the uranium and gold mineralizations were formed at different times in relation to different geodynamic settings. The gold mineralization is associated with the inception of the Syulban fault and has a juvenile source. The later Th–U mineralization originated during tectonic rejuvenation of the Syulban fault zone, while the sources of radioactive elements were presumably the underlying sediments of the Kodar Group, which are widespread throughout the area of the Baikal mountain region (BMR). Based on the above results, the Au–U mineralization in the study area can be recognized as unconformity-type deposits, analogous to the well-known deposits of Australia and Canada. In this connection, the Baikal mountain region has a good potential for the discovery of Au—U deposits.     

相山铀矿田成矿流体特征:来自微量、稀土元素地球化学证据

相山铀矿田的成矿流体性质和来源存在争议,为进一步探讨相山铀矿田成矿流体的性质和来源,本文对相山铀矿田西部的居隆庵铀矿床和北部的沙洲铀矿床中的新鲜围岩、蚀变围岩及矿石的微量、稀土元素含量及其变化进行了研究。结果显示:在含较多热液成因萤石的居隆庵铀矿床中,从新鲜围岩到蚀变围岩到矿石,Zr、Hf含量先降低再升高;而在含少量热液萤石的沙洲铀矿床中,新鲜围岩、蚀变围岩和矿石的Zr、Hf含量基本一致。鉴于富F流体易汲取岩石中的Zr、Hf,因此,这两个矿床中不同类型样品Zr、Hf含量的不同变化趋势,可能与居隆庵铀矿床的成矿流体富F、而沙洲铀矿床的成矿流体相对贫F有关。这两个铀矿床中矿石的稀土配分曲线与其各自的新鲜及蚀变围岩的稀土配分曲线形态相似但又存在差异,说明每个矿床的新鲜围岩、蚀变围岩和矿石之间的稀土元素既具有继承性、又受到不同性质的流体的影响。居隆庵铀矿床中矿石显示Eu负异常,可能主要是继承了围岩的Eu负异常;沙洲铀矿床中矿石Eu显示弱负异常至弱正异常的特征,可能与围岩中斜长石因热液蚀变作用而释放出的Eu的进入流体有关。基于新鲜围岩、蚀变围岩及矿石的U和REE研究,推断居隆庵铀矿床成矿流体中U和REE均以F的络合物形式迁移;但沙洲铀矿床中铀矿石品位较低,可能是与流体中相对贫F有关。     

陕西省矿床成矿系列的初步划分

通过系统总结，首次将陕西省主要矿床初步划分为4个矿床成矿系列组合，22个成矿系列类型，42个成矿系列和若干亚系列。其中省内金矿床的主要成矿系列为燕山期与变质一岩浆热液有关的金多金属矿床成矿系列、略勉板内结合带与岩浆热液有关的金矿成矿系列、商丹板块对接带与变质热液有关的金矿床成矿系列、现代河流中的冲一洪积砂金矿床成矿系列、与热水渗滤作用有关的金矿床成矿系列及活动区造山带与碱性碳酸盐类有关的金矿床成矿系列类型，银矿床的主要成矿系列为复理式建造中的菱铁矿银多金属矿床成矿系列，铜矿床的主要成矿系列为与元古代中-酸性岩有关的铁铜矿床成矿系列、加里东-印支期与中性-酸性花岗岩类有关的铁铜金钨萤石矿床成矿系列、与海相中基性火山岩有关的铜锌矿床成矿系列、前寒武系变质火山岩中的铜锌黄铁矿床成矿系列，钼矿床的主要成矿系列为与中酸性浅成-超浅成小岩体(斑岩)有关的钼铁铜矿床成矿系列，铅锌矿床的主要成矿系列为海底热液喷流-沉积铅锌矿床成矿系列、与热水渗滤作用有关的铅锌矿床成矿系列、海底喷流沉积-热液改造铅锌铜矿床成矿系列，汞锑矿床的主要成矿系列为与热水渗滤作用有关的汞锑矿床成矿系列，重晶石矿床的主要成矿系列为寒武系-奥陶系中的钒钼重晶石磷块岩黄铁矿石煤矿床成矿系列、下志留统中的重晶石铀石煤矿床成矿系列，煤矿床的主要成矿系列为大型内陆盆地中的煤油页岩成矿系列及与海陆交互相沉积岩有关的煤铝黄铁矿粘土高岭土矿床成矿系列类型，岩盐矿床的主要成矿系列为产于奥陶系中的岩盐(钠盐)矿床成矿系列。     

Formation conditions of paleovalley uranium deposits hosted in upper Eocene–lower Oligocene rocks of Bulgaria

The uranium deposits of Bulgaria related to the Late Alpine tectonomagmatic reactivation are subdivided into two groups: exogenic–epigenetic paleovalley deposits related to the basins filled with upper Eocene–lower Oligocene volcanic–sedimentary rocks and the hydrothermal deposits hosted in the coeval depressions. The geological and lithofacies conditions of their localization, the epigenetic alteration of rocks, mineralogy and geochemistry of uranium ore are exemplified in thoroughly studied paleovalley deposits of the Maritsa ore district. Argumentation of the genetic concepts providing insights into both sedimentation–diagenetic and exogenic–epigenetic mineralization with development of stratal oxidation zones is discussed. A new exfiltration model has been proposed to explain the origin of the aforementioned deposits on the basis of additional analysis with consideration of archival factual data and possible causes of specific ningyoite uranium ore composition.     

中国地洼区层控铀矿床地质和分布规律

我国地洼区分布广泛,其中层控铀矿床常见,它的形成是地壳大地构造单元受到多阶段构造演化及共伴随的多阶段成矿演化所致。本文所指层控铀矿床,是属一定地层、岩性和层间构造控制的矿床,因而是广义性的,它包括层状矿床和受层位控制的非层状矿床。但由于我国目前尚未发现沉积和成岩型层状铀矿床,故实际上又仅限于论述狭义的层控铀矿床。     

Silver Deposits of the Pamir Region,Tajikistan: Metallogeny,Mineralogy, and Genesis

Silver deposits of the South Pamir region of Tajikistan occur as siderite veins with sulfosalts and sulfides, and formed during a late Mesozoic-early Alpine cycle of rifting and orogenesis. Three mineral-geochemical types of ore deposits that occur in several ore districts are recognized: Ag-Sb, Ag-Pb, and Ag-Hg. The Ag vein deposits all occur in terrigenous-carbonate sedimentary rocks and in intrusive granites. The veins are controlled by late Mesozoic faults, and are the products of the last endogenous event in the region. The most significant group of Ag-Sb vein deposits is located in the Bazardara ore district. Three stages of mineralization are recognized in this region: siderite-tetrahedrite, quartz-tetrahedrite, and quartz-galena-freibergite. Most of the veins were deposited during the first stage. Tetrahedrite is the prevailing and most economically important mineral, and contains 0.2 to 15.5% Ag. Associated freibergite contains from 19.5 to 32% Ag. Fluid-inclusion studies indicate that Ag-Sb ore deposits formed over a temperature interval of 280-100°C and pressure of 750-450 bars. Ore deposits were formed from saline solutions (up to 38%) that in late stages were diluted (1.5%). Considerable fluctuations apparently occurred in the associated regional hydrothermal system. Temperature gradients ranged from 8-10°C/100 meters to 14-15°C/100 meters. Temperatures and concentrations of hydrothermal solutions significantly decreased from the main ore-controlling fault toward the north and south flanks of the ore districts.     

Specific features and composition of the Akkermanov manganese deposit

New data on the Akkermanov deposit characterized by specific structure and composition of primary (carbonate) and secondary (manganese oxide) ores are presented. Distribution of mineralization in host rocks and weathering crusts is considered. It is shown that manganiferous carbonate rocks, which host orebodies, formed in a marine basin with well-aerated bottom waters. Oxide ores are mainly composed of crystalline pyrolusite produced by multiple processes of the oxidation of manganese compounds. In this respect, the Akkermanov deposit differs drastically from all manganese deposits developed in Russia and Ukraine.