鄂东程潮铁矿床磁铁矿的微量元素组成及其矿床成因意义

程潮铁矿床是长江中下游成矿带最大的矽卡岩型铁矿床,位于鄂东南矿集区北缘,矿体主要产于鄂城杂岩体与下三叠统大冶组碳酸盐岩的接触带。本文报道程潮铁矿床不同产状磁铁矿的LA-ICPMS(激光剥蚀等离子体质谱)微量元素分析结果,以讨论磁铁矿的微量元素组成和变化规律及其与成矿环境的关系,为深入认识程潮铁矿床的矿床成因及成矿演化提供重要制约。研究结果显示,程潮铁矿床与成矿有关岩体(花岗岩)中的岩浆磁铁矿(副矿物)与内矽卡岩和外矽卡岩中的热液磁铁矿在显微结构和微量元素组成上具有显著差异。花岗岩中的磁铁矿不发育环带,也没有遭受后期热液的交代。内矽卡岩以发育具有振荡环带的富Si磁铁矿为特征,而外矽卡岩中的磁铁矿则以无明显环带的富Mg磁铁矿为主。内矽卡岩和外矽卡岩中的原生磁铁矿都遭受了广泛的热液交代作用而形成次生磁铁矿,即具有明显的磁铁矿溶解-再沉淀作用。与矽卡岩矿石中的热液磁铁矿相比,岩体中的副矿物磁铁矿具有高得多的V、Ti、Ni、Cr、Co及Ga等亲铁元素(相容元素)和较低的Si、Al、Mg、Sr及Ba等亲石元素(不相容元素)。这种岩浆副矿物磁铁矿和矿石矿物磁铁矿微量元素组成的系统差异表明,程潮铁矿床属于典型的矽卡岩型矿床,而非矿浆型铁矿。另一方面,内矽卡岩和外矽卡岩矿石中的原生磁铁矿也具有明显不同的微量元素组成:前者具有较高的V、Ti、Ni、Cr、Ga、Sr和Ba等,而后者具有较高的Sn、Zn、U和Sn/Ga、Zn/V及Co/Ni比值,表明外矽卡岩中的磁铁矿受地层围岩成分的影响较大,而内矽卡岩中的磁铁矿则更多地受岩浆流体组分的控制。对原生磁铁矿和次生磁铁矿微量元素的系统分析结果表明,在磁铁矿的溶解-再沉淀过程中,内矽卡岩中的次生磁铁矿相对原生磁铁矿具有显著不同的微量元素组成,前者的Si、Al、Mg、Ti、Sr及Ga等元素含量大大降低,而Zn、V、Mn、Pb、Th及U等元素含量则升高,Co、Ni、Sn及Ba等元素基本不变。外矽卡岩中的原生磁铁矿被交代形成次生磁铁矿时,Mg、Mn、Al、Zn及Co等元素发生丢失,Pb、U、Nb及Sr等元素发生富集,而Sn和Ga的含量基本不变。根据不同产状、不同结构和不同成因磁铁矿的微量元素分析可以得出以下认识:(1)程潮铁矿床属于典型的热液成因,矿区不存在矿浆型铁矿;(2)磁铁矿的溶解-再沉淀作用使大部分微量元素发生明显亏损,少部分元素发生富集,表明流体交代对磁铁矿的微量元素组成具有显著影响;(3)对磁铁矿微量元素组成的研究可为磁铁矿及矽卡岩型铁矿床的矿床成因和成矿演化提供重要信息;对磁铁矿的原位微量元素分析必须建立在详细的显微结构研究基础上,对发生过溶解-再沉淀作用的磁铁矿,需要分别对原生和次生磁铁矿区域进行高精度、高分辨率的微量元素分析,只有这样才能对磁铁矿及含磁铁矿矿床的成因进行正确的分析和认识。     

磁铁矿显微结构及化学成分对铜绿山矽卡岩型铜铁矿床成矿过程的指示

铜绿山矽卡岩型铜铁多金属矿床是长江中下游鄂东南矿集区的一个典型矿床,矿体产于铜绿山岩体与三叠系碳酸盐岩地层的接触带.磁铁矿是铜绿山铜铁矿床中广泛发育的矿石矿物,选取内矽卡岩和外矽卡岩中的热液磁铁矿以及岩体中副矿物磁铁矿为研究对象,对其开展系统的显微结构观察和电子探针分析.热液磁铁矿中普遍发育有钛尖晶石出溶结构和富硅环带结构,且没有明显的后期热液交代改造现象.钛尖晶石出溶结构指示铜绿山矿床的早期热液磁铁矿具有较高的Ti含量,磁铁矿结晶后经历了降温和氧逸度降低过程导致钛尖晶石出溶.热液磁铁矿中还普遍含有较高含量的Si、Al、Cr、V、Mn、Mg、Co和Ni等元素,Si4+、Al3+、Mg2+、Mn2+等以类质同象方式进入磁铁矿晶格;但在不同产状的磁铁矿中,替代强度和机制略有不同,说明流体成分、温度、压力等物理化学条件影响元素替代强度和方式.外矽卡岩中磁铁矿的Al₂O₃/MgO比值小于4,内矽卡岩中磁铁矿的Al₂O₃/MgO比值为5~8,而副矿物磁铁矿的Al₂O₃/MgO比值约为13.岩体副矿物磁铁矿具有最高的V₂O₃含量（平均值为0.31%）,与岩体接触的内矽卡岩中的磁铁矿次之（平均值为0.14%）,外矽卡岩中磁铁矿的V₂O₃含量最低（平均值为0.01%~0.03%）.Al₂O₃/MgO比值和V₂O₃含量说明磁铁矿生长环境（熔体/热液）、围岩的成分及水-岩反应等对磁铁矿的化学组成均有影响.铜绿山矿床从岩体到内矽卡岩、再到外矽卡岩,磁铁矿的形成温度逐步下降,其成分的变化指示了磁铁矿可以作为矽卡岩矿床成矿过程的重要指示矿物.      

宁芜和尚桥铁氧化物-磷灰石矿床(IOA)成矿过程研究:来自磁铁矿LA-ICP-MS原位分析的证据

铁氧化物-磷灰石矿床(IOA)是全球铁矿资源重要的供给矿床类型之一,受到国内外科研和矿产开采工作者的广泛关注。对铁氧化物-磷灰石矿床研究的争议主要集中在矿床成因上,即岩浆成因或者热液成因。作为一类具有多阶段成矿作用的矿床,IOA型矿床很难用热液或者矿浆成因予以简单概括,需要动态地看待成矿作用。和尚桥铁矿床是一个大型的铁氧化物-磷灰石(IOA)矿床,位于中国东部长江中下游多金属成矿带宁芜矿集区中。和尚桥铁矿床成矿作用含有三个清晰的磁铁矿矿化阶段,分别形成浸染状(Mt1)、角砾状(Mt2)和脉状(Mt3)矿石。对各阶段磁铁矿矿石中磁铁矿进行激光剥蚀等离子质谱(LA-ICP-MS)微区成分测试。在成矿过程中,从早到晚,磁铁矿表现出了从具有岩浆成因特征向具有热液成因特征的方向演化。磁铁矿中Mg和Al含量升高,Cr含量先降低后略微升高,Mn、Co、Ni和V含量先降低后升高,Mo和Sn含量先升高后降低的趋势,表明成矿过程中各阶段围岩及大气水对成矿流体的贡献不一。结合前人研究成果,我们认为和尚桥铁矿床中磁铁矿铁质的来源与安山质侵入岩密切相关,可能来源于岩浆不混溶作用形成的铁质富集流体(熔体),磁铁矿在高温热液环境中结晶沉淀。成矿过程具有多阶段性,推测在各成矿阶段间隙,富铁流体得到富集,同时地层物质不断的加入并导致了磁铁矿成分显示出越来越多的热液成因信息,地层物质(特别是膏盐层)对成矿过程起到了重要的控制作用。     

矽卡岩中石榴子石在示踪热液流体演化和矿化分带中的研究现状及其展望

热液型矿床形成过程中流体的组成、运移、演化及其矿质沉淀机制是矿床学研究的重点内容和难点。矽卡岩矿床中具有震荡环带结构的石榴子石完整记录了热液流体的性质、组成及演化过程,这种震荡环带的出现暗示了不同成分系列的石榴子石对不同阶段热液流体成矿物化环境的特定选择性。石榴子石晶体元素化学分带现象是流体运移和矿物再沉淀过程周期性循环再现的结果,对指示早期矽卡岩阶段热液流体中主、微量元素化学分带机制具有重要意义。不同成分系列、不同期次石榴子石的Fe_2O_3和Al_2O_3含量差异显著,其对热液流体演化过程中氧化还原环境的变化具有较好的示踪作用;相对主量元素而言,微量元素在流体演化过程中具有更好的探针作用,钙铝榴石常富集Al、Ti、Zr、HREE元素,而钙铁榴石常富集As、W、Mo、Fe、LREE元素。借助EMPA和LA_ICP_MS技术对具震荡环带结构的石榴子石进行主、微量元素(包括稀土元素)的微区和原位分析是探讨成矿过程中流体组成和性质演化的重要手段,其有可能揭示矿物生长机制、成矿环境以及成矿流体组成与性质的演化,而这一地质信息对于全面理解矽卡岩型矿床的矿化分带及成矿作用非常重要。     

陆相火山-侵入岩有关的铁多金属矿成矿作用及矿床模型——以长江中下游为例

在长江中下游地区,与白垩纪陆相火山-侵入岩有关的铁多金属矿床在空间上绝大多数发育于白垩纪火山盆地,仅程潮和金山店出现于隆起区;成矿时间上分为两个时代,即133~130Ma和127~125Ma。按照成矿物质来源和成矿过程,鉴别出4个成矿系统:即在隆起区与石英闪长岩有关的矽卡岩铁矿(系统1);在火山盆地内,与大王山(或砖桥)旋回火山-次火山活动有关的铁多金属矿床(包括,磷灰石-磁铁矿型铁矿、类矽卡岩型铁矿、矿浆型铁矿、热液型硫铜金矿、热液型铅锌矿)(系统2)和与二长-正长岩有关的矽卡岩型铁矿(系统3);与娘娘山(或浮山)旋回火山-次火山活动有关的铜(金)矿和金铀矿(系统4)。盆地内和隆起区的矽卡岩型铁矿形成时间基本一致,略晚于与辉石闪长玢岩有关的铁多金属矿床(系统2), 但早于铜金铀为主的成矿系统4。前人以系统2中的磷灰石-磁铁矿型铁矿、类矽卡岩型铁矿和矿浆型铁矿为主,结合其他一些少见或不具工业意义的铁矿类型,提出一个具有广泛影响的玢岩铁矿成矿模式。此文以玢岩铁矿成矿模式为基础,结合4个成矿系统的基本特点,提出了白垩纪陆相火山-侵入岩有关的铁多金属矿床模型。以上这些具有成因联系的矿床系统和类型及其分带互为找矿标志。     

巴音布鲁克铁矿床成矿特征及找矿标志研究

新疆和静县巴音布鲁克铁矿床位于南天山造山带北部,产于上志留统巴音布鲁克组与海西中晚期中酸性侵入岩接触带矽卡岩中矿床成矿母岩为正长花岗岩,成矿方式主要为交代作用.围岩蚀变强烈,主要为各种矽卡岩矿物组合,与磁铁矿关系密切.该矿床成因类型属以酸性岩浆与碳酸盐地层接触交代形成的矽卡岩型铁矿床研究对比发现,可利用区域侵入岩标志、...     

西藏列廷冈铁多金属矿床磁铁矿元素地球化学特征及地质意义

西藏列廷冈矿床是林周盆地Fe-Mo-Cu-Pb-Zn矿集区内近年来新发现不久、规模较大的矽卡岩型铁多金属矿床。矿区磁铁矿发育,主要包括块状、浸染状和脉状3种类型。基于详细的野外地质调查和室内矿相学研究,将矿床成矿期划分为矽卡岩期和热液期2期,进而划分为5个成矿阶段:早期矽卡岩阶段、退化蚀变阶段、早期热液阶段、石英-硫化物阶段和碳酸盐阶段,其中,块状磁铁矿主要形成于退化蚀变阶段,浸染状和脉状磁铁矿主要形成于早期热液阶段。以磁铁矿为主要研究对象,采用电子探针(EPMA)和单矿物微量稀土元素ICP-MS分析实验,重点对磁铁矿元素地球化学特征、成因矿物学进行系统研究。研究结果表明,3种不同类型磁铁矿内均含Ti、Si、Ca等次要元素以及Na、K、Cr、Ni、Co、Pb、Ba、Sn、Sr、Sb、Cu等多种可检测到的微量元素,且矿物内主要发生了Al、Mg、Mn等元素的类质同像置换,综合TiO_2-Al_2O_3-MgO、TiO_2-Al_2O_3-(MgO+Mn O)和(Ca+Al+Mn)-(Ti+V)、Ni/(Cr+Mn)-(Ti+V)等多种磁铁矿成因判别图解投图结果及矿体野外宏观地质特征,表明矿区磁铁矿均为热液成因。块状磁铁矿具明显的Eu正异常,浸染状和脉状磁铁矿具Eu负异常,均无明显Ce异常特征,表明富Eu成矿流体在矽卡岩期的高温氧化环境下形成了矽卡岩型块状磁铁矿体,在热液期则逐渐转变为低温还原环境,形成浸染状和脉状磁铁矿及多种金属硫化物,且铁的物质来源主要与矿区花岗闪长岩和花岗斑岩紧密相关。     

东天山雅满苏铁矿床夕卡岩成因及矿床成因类型

新疆东天山雅满苏铁矿床是该区乃至我国产于海相火山岩中的典型铁矿床,其矿床成因类型长期以来一直有海相火山岩型和矽卡岩型之争,争论的焦点是该矿床中矽卡岩的成因,影响了关键控矿要素的确定和找矿标志的建立.为了探讨矽卡岩的成因,本文测定了穿插铁矿体和矽卡岩的辉绿岩脉的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄,采用XRF方法测定了雅满苏铁矿区火山岩、火山沉积岩和矽卡岩的主量元素含量,采用电子探针方法分析了该矿床不同产态不同期次矽卡岩中石榴石的矿物组成.测得辉绿岩脉锆石年龄为335Ma,将雅满苏矿区铁矿化和矽卡岩的形成时代限定于335Ma之前,表明矿化蚀变与火山岩同期,是雅满苏组火山岩喷发期热液交代作用的产物.岩矿鉴定也显示热液改造首先形成葡萄石,进而由于流体中铁质的加入形成石榴石.两期石榴石的矿物化学特征表明早期形成的石榴石富铁;晚期形成的石榴石铁质含量低,并有磁铁矿和黄铁矿等金属矿物与其共生.由于该矽卡岩的形成与火成岩体接触带的交代作用没有明显成因联系,因此笔者认为该矿床中的矽卡岩属广义矽卡岩,矿床成因类型归为海相火山岩型铁矿床更合理.     

福建李家坊金矿床磁铁矿成因及其对金矿化过程的指示

福建泰宁李家坊金矿床位于武夷山成矿带中段,为闽西北何宝山矿田内新发现的一个中型金矿床,成因类型尚未明确。磁铁矿是该矿床中常见的氧化物,文章应用磁铁矿微量元素特征对李家坊金矿床成矿过程与成因类型进行约束。基于野外地质踏勘和钻孔岩芯编录,结合室内详细的岩相学观察,依据磁铁矿的结构和矿物共生组合,文章将其分为4种类型（Mt1a、Mt1b、Mt2和Mt3）。其中,Mt1a位于铜金矿脉边缘,呈板柱状,与绿泥石共生; Mt1b位于铜金矿脉边缘,呈自形-半自形粒状,与绿泥石-赤铁矿共生; Mt2位于铜金矿脉中,呈脉状产出,穿插早阶段的石英-黄铁矿脉,与绿泥石-绿帘石共生; Mt3位于铜金矿脉中,呈半自形-他形粒状,与绿帘石-赤铁矿共生,被后阶段黄铜矿包裹、交代。金主要以自然金和银金矿的形式赋存于Mt3中。原位微区分析结果表明,李家坊金矿不同类型磁铁矿均属于热液型磁铁矿。此外,从Mt1a型到Mt3型磁铁矿,w（Ti）呈逐渐降低的趋势,指示热液流体逐渐向低温条件演化; w（V）表现出先降低后升高再降低的变化规律,暗示热液流体的氧逸度有明显波动,但总体呈升高趋势。磁铁矿的显微结构和化学组成具矽卡岩型矿化特征,是判断矿床成因类型的证据。其中,Mt3型磁铁矿与Au矿化密切相关,其矿物组合与微量元素特征可指示金在低温高氧逸度的环境下沉淀。     

鄂东矿集区矽卡岩型铁矿的叠加富集机制:来自磁铁矿结构和矿石品位数据的制约

矽卡岩型铁矿是我国重要的铁矿类型之一,但该类型铁矿床的品位存在两极分化的现象。本文对鄂东矿集区内典型的矽卡岩型铁矿:大冶铁铜矿、程潮铁矿和金山店铁矿开展详细的磁铁矿显微结构对比,并利用概率图解法对这三个矿床的矿石品位数据进行了筛分。发现在大冶铁铜矿和程潮铁矿中的磁铁矿至少有两个世代,发育明显的叠加结构,且叠加结构在光学显微镜和背散射电子照片中可以识别出来;金山店铁矿中局部矿石也发育叠加结构。这些矿床中代表性勘探线的钻孔品位数据的累积频率曲线具有由低值(TFe 18. 04%～33. 03%)和高值(TFe 48. 97%～55. 63%)两个非相交总体所形成的混合分布模式,剔除低品位数据(TFe 20%)再次筛分其分布模式不变,但单一总体的参数有所改变。磁铁矿结构和品位数据筛分结果表明,这些矿床可能是两个或多个期次/阶段成矿作用叠加的结果,但不同矿床的叠加程度略有区别,大冶和程潮铁矿叠加程度较高,而金山店则相对较弱,这可能是导致大冶和程潮矿床整体为富铁矿而金山店铁矿只有局部是富铁矿的重要原因。因此,叠加富集可能是矽卡岩型铁矿中铁高效富集的一种重要机制,多世代磁铁矿的发育范围和叠加程度可以在一定程度上反映高品位矿石的分布状况,其叠加程度可以作为矽卡岩型富铁矿的找矿线索。     

内蒙古阿右旗卡休他他铁（金、钴）矿床地质地球化学特征

文章较为全面地总结了卡休他他铁(金、钴)矿床的地质特征,并通过元素地球化学分析,探讨了该矿床的成矿作用与形成规律。卡休他他中型铁矿床由南、北2个矿带组成,共圈定24个铁矿体,其中以北矿带的3号矿体规模最大,其长约1300m,厚12.9～57m,斜深近200m。铁矿体的产出严格受辉长岩与震旦系浅变质岩接触带附近的矽卡岩控制。钴矿体在南、北矿带铁矿体和矿体外围的矽卡岩带中均有产出,金矿体则全部产出于北矿带矽卡岩带中,金和钴矿体在空间产出上与绝大多数铁矿体并不一致,它们主要与金属硫化物具有密切的成生关系,因此它们的形成可能晚于磁铁矿。元素地球化学分析结果表明,矿区内南、北矿带总体上是同一期成矿作用的产物,它们的少数成矿元素含量和矿石磁性之间的差别,可能与南矿带曾遭受后期二长岩侵入活动的影响,造成了部分成矿元素(如Au、Cu等)的活化迁移有关。卡休他他铁、金和钴矿的形成可能是同一成矿事件中不同阶段的产物,磁铁矿体属于早期岩浆气液阶段接触交代的产物,而钴和金的富集则可能是稍后的中高温热液阶段的产物。因此,卡休他他铁矿床属于接触交代型或矽卡岩型。     

塔什库尔干地区赞坎铁矿矿物学特征与成因

赞坎铁矿石西昆仑成矿带近年来新发现的一处超大型铁矿床,矿区内广泛出露古元古代布伦阔勒变质岩层,矿体主要赋存于布伦阔勒岩群角闪斜长片岩和黑云石英片岩内部,部分产于霏细岩与黑云石英片岩接触带内。矿床由Ⅰ~Ⅶ号矿体组成,其中Ⅰ号和Ⅲ号矿体为主要矿体。根据矿石组构、矿物共生关系等特征,成矿过程可划分为早期沉积期、中期变质期及晚期岩浆热液期3个成矿期,其中,岩浆热液期可进一步划分为矽卡岩阶段、热液改造阶段和硫化物阶段。早期沉积期磁铁矿呈微细粒他形晶结构,被变质期石英颗粒包裹,以较低含量的TFeO、MgO、MnO和较高含量的TiO2、Al2O3为特征;中期变质期磁铁矿分布于条带状矿石内,他形晶粒状结构,与早期相比,TFeO、MgO、MnO等含量相对升高而TiO2、Al2O3等含量相对降低;晚期岩浆热液期矽卡岩阶段磁铁矿分布于块状矿石内,自形晶粒状结构,以相对富TFeO、MgO、MnO而贫TiO2、Al2O3为特征;晚期热液改造阶段磁铁矿分布于浸染状矿石中,半自形-自形粒状结构、交代残余结构为主,TFeO、Al2O3、TiO2、MnO等含量变化较大。认为赞坎铁矿是沉积变质型铁矿床,遭受后期岩浆热液作用交代改造。     

西天山敦德铁矿床磁铁矿原位LA-ICP-MS元素分析及意义

敦德铁矿床是天山成矿带内新近发现并勘查的一处大型海相火山岩型铁矿床。该矿床的矿石可划分为浸染状、稠密浸染状、条带状和块状4种主要类型。其中的条带状矿石包括磁铁矿_矽卡岩条带和磁铁矿_方解石条带2种亚类型。块状矿石内出现围岩或矽卡岩角砾时则构成角砾状矿石,其磁铁矿的成因无甚差异。根据野外观察和矿相显微研究,认为磁铁矿形成于早期矽卡岩阶段后的退化蚀变阶段,之后又被更晚的硫化物阶段和绿泥石_碳酸盐阶段的矿物叠加。敦德磁铁矿内主要发生了Al、Mn、Mg和Zn的类质同象置换,此外,也含有Ti、Si、Ca等次要元素以及Na、K、V、Cr、Ni、Co等多种可检测到的微量元素。磁铁矿内元素含量在空间上显示出直观的差异,由深部到浅部,Mn、Zn含量升高,Si、Ca、Na、K、Pb、Ba、Sr、Sb、Cu等含量降低。在Ti O2_Al2O3_Mg O图解、Ti O2_Al2O3_(Mg O+Mn O)图解和Ca+Al+Mn_Ti+V图解上,敦德磁铁矿的分析数据均投影于热液交代(矽卡岩)成因区域。综上认为,该矿床的磁铁矿可能为热液充填交代成因。     

河北武安玉石洼铁矿中磁铁矿特征及其对铁矿床成因指示意义

夕卡岩铁矿床的成因一直以来备受争议,主要有接触交代和矿浆成因等模型。河北武安玉石洼铁矿是邯邢地区主要的夕卡岩铁矿之一,对矿区尖山剖面中的三类磁铁矿成分进行详细研究有助于解决此问题。产于剖面下部玉石洼铁矿主矿体中的磁铁矿以高Ti为特征,而在上部结晶灰岩中矿脉状中磁铁矿以高Si(w(SiO2)>1%)为特点,赋存于中部二长岩矿脉中的磁铁矿具有过渡的成分特征。通过对此三类磁铁矿中主量元素、微量元素研究发现,从下部玉石洼主矿体向上部结晶灰岩中的磁铁矿脉,磁铁矿具有Ti含量逐渐减少而Si、Mg含量逐渐增加的特征。高硅磁铁矿呈自形晶,与方解石平衡共生,其形成与流体有关,很可能是流体晶矿物。磁铁矿FeV/Ti判别图解显示下部玉石洼主矿体中部分磁铁矿具有岩浆成因,二长岩和结晶灰岩中的脉状矿石中磁铁矿具有热液成因,磁铁矿由下部到上部具有岩浆成因过渡为热液成因的连续过程。根据玉石洼矿区磁铁矿的这些特征,我们认为铁矿浆中含有大量流体,应该为“含铁熔体流体”,由于流体超压使“含铁熔体流体流”在岩浆通道中快速上升,至地壳浅部空间就位,在空间上由下部形成高温高Ti磁铁矿过渡为上部形成具有流体晶特征的高Si磁铁矿的岩浆通道成矿系统模型。     

Dissolution–reprecipitation process of magnetite from the Chengchao iron deposit: Insights into ore genesis and implication for in-situ chemical analysis of magnetite

Magnetite formed in different environments commonly has distinct assemblages and concentrations of trace elements that can potentially be used as a genetic indicator of this mineral and associated ore deposits. In this paper, we present textural and compositional data of magnetite from the Chengchao iron deposit, Daye district, China to provide a better understanding in the formation mechanism and genesis of the deposit and shed light on analytical protocols for in-situ chemical analysis of hydrothermal magnetite. Magnetite grains from the ore-related granitoid pluton, mineralized endoskarn, magnetite-dominated exoskarn, and vein-type iron ores hosted in marine carbonate intruded by the pluton were examined using scanning electron microscopy and analyzed for major and trace elements using electron microprobe. Back-scattered electron images reveal that primary magnetite from the mineralized skarns and vein-type ores were all partly reequilibrated with late-stage hydrothermal fluids, forming secondary magnetite domains that are featured by abundant porosity and have sharp contact with the primary magnetite. These textures are interpreted as resulting from a dissolution–reprecipitation process of magnetite, which, however, are mostly obscure under optically.Primary magnetite grains from the mineralized endoskarn and vein-type ores contain high SiO₂ (0.92–3.21 wt.%), Al₂O₃ (0.51–2.83 wt.%), and low MgO (0.15–0.67 wt.%), whereas varieties from the exoskarn ores have high MgO (2.76–3.07 wt.%) and low SiO₂ (0.03–0.23 wt.%) and Al₂O₃ (0.54–1.05 wt.%). This compositional contrast indicates that trace-element geochemical composition of magnetite is largely controlled by the compositions of magmatic fluids and host rocks of the ores that have reacted with the fluids. Compared to its precursor mineral, secondary magnetite is significantly depleted in most trace elements, with SiO₂ deceasing from 1.87 to 0.47 wt.% (on average) and Al₂O₃ from 0.89 to 0.08 wt.% in mineralized endoskarn and vein type ores, and MgO from 2.87 to 0.60 wt.% in exoskarn ores. On the contrary, average content of iron is notably increased from 69.2 wt.% to 71.9 wt.% in the secondary magnetite grains. The results suggest that the dissolution–reprecipitation process has been important in significantly removing trace elements from early-stage magnetite to form high-grade, high-quality iron ores in hydrothermal environments. The textural and compositional data confirm that the Chengchao iron deposit is of hydrothermal origin, rather than being crystallized from immiscible iron oxide melts as previously suggested. This study also highlights the importance of textural characterization using various imaging techniques before in-situ chemical analysis of magnetite, as is the case for texturally complicated UTh-bearing accessory minerals that have been widely used for UPb geochronology study.     

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.     

Skarns and Genesis of the Huanggang Fe-Sn Deposit, Inner Mongolia, China

Abstract: The skarns and genesis were studied of the Huanggang Fe‐Sn deposit and the nearby Sumugou Zn‐Pb deposit in Inner Mongolia, China. In the Huanggang mine, Nos. 1 to 4 Fe ore bodies are arranged along a calcareous horizon from proximal to distal in this order to a granite intrusion named Luotuochangliang, while Sn ore body is situated near another granite intrusion named 204. According to the distance from the granitic intrusions, mineral assemblages in skarns are systematically changed. Garnet is the most predominant skarn mineral throughout the deposit. Hastingsitic amphiboles, however, predominate in the proximal skarns. Fluorite is common in the proximal skarns, while instead calcite is common in the distal skarns. Chlorite is characteristically present only in No. 3 ore body, and chlorite geothermometry gives near 300C for the mineralization of later stage. When garnet crystal shows zonal structure, isotropic andraditic garnet occupies the core, and is surrounded with anisotropic less‐andraditic garnet. The presence of white skarn along the boundary between main skarns and host sedimentary rocks confirms relatively reducing environment prevailing as a whole in the studied area. However, the compositional relation between coexisting garnet and clinopyroxene demonstrates that relatively oxidizing condition was achieved for garnet skarn and magnetite ore in the distal, Nos. 2 to 4 Fe ore bodies and Sumugou deposit, compared to that for garnet skarn in the proximal, No. 1 and Sn ore bodies. Preliminary study on the tin content of garnets in the studied area revealed a certain degree of contribution brought from granitic intrusives since the early stage of skarn formation, irrespective of proximal or distal. Oxygen isotope study on garnet, magnetite, quartz and skarn calcite, as well as hydrogen isotope study on hastingsitic amphibole, demonstrates mainly meteoric water origin for the skarn– and ore‐forming solutions. The occurrence of Sn, W, Mo and F minerals indicates that those elements were mainly supplied to the deposit later than the formation of skarns and iron ores, overlapping to them. These constraints allow to delineate the formation model of the deposit as follows (Fig. 10): At the time of late Jurassic to early Cretaceous, felsic activity occurred in this region as a part of Yanshanian magmatism, and formed granitic intrusions as well as thick volcanic piles on the surface. The circulation of meteoric water was provoked by the heat brought by the intrusions. By this circulation, much amount of iron was extracted from andesites of the Dashizhai Formation, and precipitated as skarns and magnetite ores along calcareous horizons near the bottom of the Huanggangliang Formation. Subsequently, volatile‐rich fluids with Sn, W and Mo were expelled from the solidifying granitic magmas, and precipitated these metals in the pre‐existing skarns and ores.     

Mineralogy,fluid inclusions,and isotopes of the Cihai iron deposit,eastern Tianshan,NW China: Implication for hydrothermal evolution and genesis of subvolcanic rocks-hosted skarn-type deposits

Most skarn deposits are closely related to granitoids that intruded into carbonate rocks. The Cihai (>100 Mt at 45% Fe) is a deposit with mineral assemblages and hydrothermal features similar to many other typical skarn deposits of the world. However, the iron orebodies of Cihai are mainly hosted within the diabase and not in contact with carbonate rocks. In addition, some magnetite grains exhibit unusual relatively high TiO₂ content. These features are not consistent with the typical skarn iron deposit. Different hydrothermal and/or magmatic processes are being actively investigated for its origin. Because of a lack of systematic studies of geology, mineral compositions, fluid inclusions, and isotopes, the genetic type, ore genesis, and hydrothermal evolution of this deposit are still poorly understood and remain controversial.The skarn mineral assemblages are the alteration products of diabase. Three main paragenetic stages of skarn formation and ore deposition have been recognized based on petrographic observations, which show a prograde skarn stage (garnet-clinopyroxene-disseminated magnetite), a retrograde skarn stage (main iron ore stage, massive magnetite-amphibole-epidote ± ilvaite), and a quartz-sulfide stage (quartz-calcite-pyrite-pyrrhotite-cobaltite).Overall, the compositions of garnet, clinpyroxene, and amphibole are consistent with those of typical skarn Fe deposits worldwide. In the disseminated ores, some magnetite grains exhibit relatively high TiO₂ content (>1 wt.%), which may be inherited from the diabase protoliths. Some distinct chemical zoning in magnetite grains were observed in this study, wherein cores are enriched in Ti, and magnetite rims show a pronounced depletion in Ti. The textural and compositional data of magnetite confirm that the Cihai Fe deposit is of hydrothermal origin, rather than associated with iron rich melts as previously suggested.Fluid inclusions study reveal that, the prograde skarn (garnet and pyroxene) formed from high temperature (520–600 °C), moderate- to high-salinity (8.1–23.1 wt.% NaCl equiv, and >46 wt.% NaCl equiv) fluids. Massive iron ore and retrograde skarn assemblages (amphibole-epidote ± ilvaite) formed under hydrostatic condition after the fracturing of early skarn. Fluids in this stage had lower temperature (220°–456 °C) and salinity (8.4–16.3 wt.% NaCl equiv). Fluid inclusions in quartz-sulfide stage quartz and calcite also record similar conditions, with temperature range from 128° to 367 °C and salinity range from 0.2 to 22.9 wt.% NaCl equiv. Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic data of garnet and quartz suggest that mixing and dilution of early magmatic fluids with external fluids (e.g., meteoric waters) caused a decrease in fluid temperature and salinity in the later stages of the skarn formation and massive iron precipitation. The δ¹⁸O values of magnetite from iron ores vary between 4.1 and 8.5‰, which are similar to values reported in other skarn Fe deposits. Such values are distinct from those of other iron ore deposits such as Kiruna-type and magmatic Fe-Ti-V deposits worldwide. Taken together, these geologic, geochemical, and isotopic data confirm that Cihai is a diabase-hosted skarn deposit related to the granitoids at depth.     

Timing and setting of skarn and iron oxide formation at the Smältarmossen calcic iron skarn deposit, Bergslagen, Sweden

Abundant iron oxide deposits including banded iron formations, apatite iron oxide ores, and enigmatic marble/skarn-hosted magnetite deposits occur in the Palaeoproterozoic Bergslagen region, southern Sweden. During the last 100 years, the latter deposit class has been interpreted as contact metasomatic skarn deposits, metamorphosed iron formations, or metamorphosed carbonate replacement deposits. Their origin is still incompletely understood. At the Smältarmossen mine, magnetite was mined from a ca. 50-m-thick calcic skarn zone at the contact between rhyolite and stratigraphically overlying limestone. A syn-volcanic dacite porphyry which intruded the footwall has numerous apophyses that extend into the mineralized zone. Whole-rock lithogeochemical and mineral chemical analyses combined with textural analysis suggests that the skarns formed by veining and replacement of the dacite porphyry and rhyolite. These rocks were added substantial Ca and Fe, minor Mg, Mn, and LREE, as well as trace Co, Sn, U, As, and Sr. In contrast, massive magnetite formed by pervasive replacement of limestone. Tectonic fabrics in magnetite and skarn are consistent with ore formation before or early during Svecokarelian ductile deformation. Whereas a syngenetic–exhalative model has previously been suggested, our results are more compatible with magnetite formation at ca. 1.89 Ga in a contact metasomatic skarn setting associated with the dacite porphyry.