Gold Mineralization in Banded Iron Formation in the Amalia Greenstone Belt,South Africa: A Mineralogical and Sulfur Isotope Study

The Blue Dot gold deposit, located in the Archean Amalia greenstone belt of South Africa, is hosted in an oxide (± carbonate) facies banded iron formation (BIF). It consists of three stratabound orebodies; Goudplaats, Abelskop, and Bothmasrust. The orebodies are flanked by quartz‐chlorite‐ferroan dolomite‐albite schist in the hanging wall and mafic (volcanic) schists in the footwall. Alteration minerals associated with the main hydrothermal stage in the BIF are dominated by quartz, ankerite‐dolomite series, siderite, chlorite, muscovite, sericite, hematite, pyrite, and minor amounts of chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite. This study investigates the characteristics of gold mineralization in the Amalia BIF based on ore textures, mineral‐chemical data and sulfur isotope analysis. Gold mineralization of the Blue Dot deposit is associated with quartz‐carbonate veins that crosscut the BIF layering. In contrast to previous works, petrographic evidence suggests that the gold mineralization is not solely attributed to replacement reactions between ore fluid and the magnetite or hematite in the host BIF because coarse hydrothermal pyrite grains do not show mutual replacement textures of the oxide minerals. Rather, the parallel‐bedded and generally chert‐hosted pyrites are in sharp contact with re‐crystallized euhedral to subhedral magnetite ± hematite grains, and the nature of their coexistence suggests that pyrite (and gold) precipitation was contemporaneous with magnetite–hematite re‐crystallization. The Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratio of the dolomite–ankerite series and chlorite decreased from veins through mineralized BIF and non‐mineralized BIF, in contrast to most Archean BIF‐hosted gold deposits. This is interpreted to be due to the effect of a high sulfur activity and increase in fO₂ in a H₂S‐dominant fluid during progressive fluid‐rock interaction. High sulfur activity of the hydrothermal fluid fixed pyrite in the BIF by consuming Fe²⁺ released into the chert layers and leaving the co‐precipitating carbonates and chlorites with less available ferrous iron content. Alternatively, the occurrence of hematite in the alteration assemblage of the host BIF caused a structural limitation in the assignment of Fe³⁺ in chlorite which favored the incorporation of magnesium (rather than ferric iron) in chlorite under increasing fO₂ conditions, and is consistent with deposits hosted in hematite‐bearing rocks. The combined effects of reduction in sulfur contents due to sulfide precipitation and increasing fO₂ during progressive fluid‐rock interactions are likely to be the principal factors to have caused gold deposition. Arsenopyrite–pyrite geothermometry indicated a temperature range of 300–350°C for the associated gold mineralization. The estimated δ³⁴S_ΣS (= +1.8 to +2.5‰) and low base metal contents of the sulfide ore mineralogy are consistent with sulfides that have been sourced from magma or derived by the dissolution of magmatic sulfides from volcanic rocks during fluid migration.     

The Archean BIF-hosted Cuiabá Gold deposit,Quadrilátero Ferrífero,Minas Gerais,Brazil

The Cuiabá Gold Deposit is located in the northern part of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The region constitutes an Archean granite–greenstone terrane composed of a basement complex (ca. 3.2 Ga), the Rio das Velhas Supergroup greenstone sequence, and related granitoids (3.0–2.7 Ga), which are overlain by the Proterozoic supracrustal sequences of the Minas (< 2.6–2.1  Ga) and Espinhaço (1.7 Ga) supergroups.The stratigraphy of the Cuiabá area is part of the Nova Lima Group, which forms the lower part of the Rio das Velhas Supergroup. The lithological succession of the mine area comprises, from bottom to top, lower mafic metavolcanics intercalated with carbonaceous metasedimentary rocks, the gold-bearing Cuiabá-Banded Iron Formation (BIF), upper mafic metavolcanics and volcanoclastics and metasedimentary rocks. The metamorphism reached the greenschist facies. Tectonic structures of the deposit area are genetically related to deformation phases D₁, D₂, D₃, which took place under crustal compression representing one progressive deformational event (E_n).The bulk of the economic-grade gold mineralization is related to six main ore shoots, contained within the Cuiabá BIF horizon, which range in thickness between 1 and 6 m. The BIF-hosted gold orebodies (> 4 ppm Au) represent sulfide-rich segments of the Cuiabá BIF, which grade laterally into non-economic mineralized or barren iron formation. Transitions from sulfide-rich to sulfide-poor BIF are indicated by decreasing gold grades from over 60 ppm to values below the fire assay detection limit in sulfide-poor portions. The deposit is “gold-only”, and shows a characteristic association of Au with Ag, As, Sb and low base-metal contents. The gold is fine grained (up to 60 μm), and is generally associated with sulfide layers, occurring as inclusions, in fractures or along grain boundaries of pyrite, the predominant sulfide mineral (> 90 vol.%). Gold is characterized by an average fineness of 0.840 and a large range of fineness (0.759 to 0.941).The country rocks to the mineralized BIF show strong sericite, carbonate and chlorite alteration, typical of greenschist facies metamorphic conditions. Textures observed on microscopic to mine scales indicate that the mineralized Cuiabá BIF is the result of sulfidation involving pervasive replacement of Fe-carbonates (siderite–ankerite) by Fe-sulfides. Gold mineralization at Cuiabá shows various features reported for Archean gold–lode deposits including the: (1) association of gold mineralization with Fe-rich host rocks; (2) strong structural control of the gold orebodies, showing remarkable down-plunge continuity (> 3 km) relative to strike length and width (up to 20 m); (3) epigenetic nature of the mineralization, with sulfidation as the major wall–rock alteration and directly associated with gold deposition; (4) geochemical signature, with mineralization showing consistent metal associations (Au–Ag–As–Sb and low base metal), which is compatible with metamorphic fluids.     

内蒙古敖汉旗北大城金矿床地质特征

该金矿产于太古宙建平群小塔子沟组变质岩中,受北东东向韧脆性剪切带控制,矿体呈脉状,矿化类型有黄铁矿-石英脉型和蚀变岩型两类,矿化与蚀变呈正相关关系。矿质来自太古宙绿岩建造,金矿与燕山期浅成-超汽成石英正长斑岩、流纹斑岩有着成因联系,硫同位素组成相当于陨石硫,成矿温度主要在120-270℃之间,矿床成因为中低温变质-岩浆热液改造型金矿床。     

The Archean BIF-hosted Cuiabá Gold deposit, Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Cuiabá Gold Deposit is located in the northern part of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The region constitutes an Archean granite–greenstone terrane composed of a basement complex (ca. 3.2 Ga), the Rio das Velhas Supergroup greenstone sequence, and related granitoids (3.0–2.7 Ga), which are overlain by the Proterozoic supracrustal sequences of the Minas (< 2.6–2.1  Ga) and Espinhaço (1.7 Ga) supergroups.The stratigraphy of the Cuiabá area is part of the Nova Lima Group, which forms the lower part of the Rio das Velhas Supergroup. The lithological succession of the mine area comprises, from bottom to top, lower mafic metavolcanics intercalated with carbonaceous metasedimentary rocks, the gold-bearing Cuiabá-Banded Iron Formation (BIF), upper mafic metavolcanics and volcanoclastics and metasedimentary rocks. The metamorphism reached the greenschist facies. Tectonic structures of the deposit area are genetically related to deformation phases D₁, D₂, D₃, which took place under crustal compression representing one progressive deformational event (E_n).The bulk of the economic-grade gold mineralization is related to six main ore shoots, contained within the Cuiabá BIF horizon, which range in thickness between 1 and 6 m. The BIF-hosted gold orebodies (> 4 ppm Au) represent sulfide-rich segments of the Cuiabá BIF, which grade laterally into non-economic mineralized or barren iron formation. Transitions from sulfide-rich to sulfide-poor BIF are indicated by decreasing gold grades from over 60 ppm to values below the fire assay detection limit in sulfide-poor portions. The deposit is “gold-only”, and shows a characteristic association of Au with Ag, As, Sb and low base-metal contents. The gold is fine grained (up to 60 μm), and is generally associated with sulfide layers, occurring as inclusions, in fractures or along grain boundaries of pyrite, the predominant sulfide mineral (> 90 vol.%). Gold is characterized by an average fineness of 0.840 and a large range of fineness (0.759 to 0.941).The country rocks to the mineralized BIF show strong sericite, carbonate and chlorite alteration, typical of greenschist facies metamorphic conditions. Textures observed on microscopic to mine scales indicate that the mineralized Cuiabá BIF is the result of sulfidation involving pervasive replacement of Fe-carbonates (siderite–ankerite) by Fe-sulfides. Gold mineralization at Cuiabá shows various features reported for Archean gold–lode deposits including the: (1) association of gold mineralization with Fe-rich host rocks; (2) strong structural control of the gold orebodies, showing remarkable down-plunge continuity (> 3 km) relative to strike length and width (up to 20 m); (3) epigenetic nature of the mineralization, with sulfidation as the major wall–rock alteration and directly associated with gold deposition; (4) geochemical signature, with mineralization showing consistent metal associations (Au–Ag–As–Sb and low base metal), which is compatible with metamorphic fluids.     

国内外太古宇中金矿床的地质及地球化学特征对比兼成因分析

产于太古宇中的金矿床在国内外都属主要金矿类型，虽然有成矿物质都来自含镁铁－超镁铁火山岩的太古宇，但成矿环境在国内外却有重大差异。国外矿床产在地盾上，围岩变质浅，延深大，无垂直分带，金矿物成色高，矿石Ａｕ／Ａｇ值大，放射性成因铅同位素低，成矿压力大，盐度低，成矿时代老（太古宙）。而国内矿床产在活化地台上，围岩变质深，有的有垂直分带性，金矿物成色较低，矿石Ａｕ／Ａｇ值小，放射性成因铅同位素高，成矿压力     

Depositional age and tectonic environment of the Gouap banded iron formations from the Nyong group,SW Cameroon:Insights from isotopic,geochemical and geochronological studies of drillcore samples

The discovery of the Gouap banded iron formations(BIFs)-hosted iron mineralization in the northwestern of the Nyong Group(Ntem Complex)in southwestern Cameroon provides unique insights into the geology of this region.In this contribution,we firstly report detailed study of geochemistry,isotopic and geochronology of well preserved samples of the Gouap BIFs collected from diamond drillcores.The Gouap BIFs consist mainly of amphibole BIFs and amphibole-pyrite BIFs characterized by dominant Fe₂O₃+SiO₂contents and variable contents of CaO,MgO and SO₃,consistent with the presence of amphibole,chlorite,epidote and pyrite,formed during amphibolite facies metamorphism and overprinted hydrothermal event.The amphibole–pyrite BIFs are typically enriched in trace and rare earth elements(REE)compared to the amphibole BIFs,suggesting the influence of detrital materials as well as secondary hydrothermal alteration.The Post Archean Australian Shale(PAAS)-normalized REE–Y profiles of the Gouap BIFs display positive La,Eu anomalies,weak negative Ce anomalies,indicating a mixture of low-temperature hydrothermal fluids and relatively oxic conditions probably under relative shallow seawater.We present here the first isotopic data of BIFs within the Ntem Complex.Theδ³⁰Si_NBS28values of the quartz from the Gouap BIFs vary from-1.5‰to-0.3‰and from-0.8‰to-0.9‰for the amphibole BIFs and amphibole–pyrite BIFs,respectively.The quartz hasδ¹⁸OV-SMOW values of 6.8‰–9.5‰(amphibole BIFs)and 9.2‰–10.6‰(amphibole–pyrite BIFs).The magnetite from the Gouap BIFs showsδ¹⁸O values ranging from-3.5‰to-1.8‰and from-3‰to-1.7‰for the amphibole BIFs and amphibole–pyrite BIFs,respectively.Moreover,the pyrite grains in the amphibole–pyrite BIFs displayδ34S values of 1.1‰–1.8‰.All isotopic data of the Gouap BIFs confirm that they might have precipitated from low-temperature hydrothermal fluids with detrital input distant from the volcanic activity.According to their geochemical and isotopic characteristics,we propose that the Gouap BIFs belong to the Superior type.In situ U–Pb zircon dating of BIFs was conducted to assess the BIF depositional age based on strong evidence of zircon in thin section.The Gouap BIFs were probably deposited at 2422±50 Ma in a region where sediments extended from continental shelf to deep-water environments along craton margins like the Caue Formation of the Minas Supergroup,Brazil.The studied BIFs have experienced regional hydrothermal activity and metamorphism at 2089±8.3 Ma during the Eburnean–Transamazonian orogeny.These findings suggest a physical continuity between the protocratonic masses of both Sao Francisco and Congo continents in the Rhyacian Period.     

Geological features and origin of gold deposits occurring in the Baotou–Bayan Obo district, south-central Inner Mongolia, People's Republic of China

Located at western portion of northern margin of North China craton, the Baotou–Bayan Obo district is one of the most important Fe–REE–Nb and Au metallogenic provinces in China. Presently, about 52 gold deposits and prospects have been discovered, explored and mined, among which Shibaqinhao, Laoyanghao, Houshihua, Saiyinwusu, Wulashan and Donghuofang are the most important ones. All these gold occurrences can be subdivided into three groups (or types) according to its host rocks: (1) hosted by Archean high-grade metamorphic rocks; (2) hosted by Proterozoic sedimentary rocks; (3) hosted by or related to Hercynian alkaline intrusive rocks. The first group contains the Shibaqinhao, Laoyanghao and Houshihua gold deposits. Gold mineralization at these three deposits occurs within Archean amphibolite, gneiss and granulite as gold-bearing quartz veins and veinlet groups containing native gold, electrum, pyrite and chalcopyrite. The Saiyinwusu deposit belongs to the second group, and occurs within Proterozoic sandstone, quartzite and carbonaceous slate as quartz veins and replacement bodies along the fracture zones. Pyrite, marcasite, arsenopyrite, native gold and electrum are identified. The third group includes the Wulashan, Donghuofang and Luchang deposits. Gold mineralization at these three deposits occurs predominantly within the Hercynian alkaline syenite or melagabbro stocks and dyke swarms or along their contacts with Archean metamorphic wall rocks as K-feldspar–quartz veins, dissemination and veinlets. Pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, native gold and calaverite are major metallic minerals.δ³⁴S value of sulfides (pyrite, galena and pyrrhotite) separates from groups 1 and 2 varies from −4.01‰ to −0.10‰ and −3.01‰ to 2.32‰, respectively. δ³⁴S values of Archean and Proterozoic metamorphic wall rocks for groups 1 and 2 deposits range from −20.2‰ to −17.0‰ and −15.8‰ to −16.2‰, respectively. The values are much lower than their hosted gold deposits. All these pyrite separates from Hercynian alkaline intrusions associated with the gold deposits show positive δ³⁴S values of 1.3‰ to 4.8‰, which is higher than those Precambrian metamorphic wall rocks and their hosted gold deposits. δ³⁴S values of the sulfides (pyrite and galena) from the Donghuofang and Wulashan deposits (group 3) increase systematically from veins (−14.8‰ to −2.4‰) to the Hercynian alkaline igneous wall rocks (2.8‰ to 4.8 ‰). All of these deposits in groups 1, 2 and 3 show relatively radiogenic lead isotopic compositions compared to mantle or lower crust curves. Most lead isotope data of sulfides from the gold ores plot between the Hercynian alkaline intrusions and Precambrian metamorphic wall rocks. Data are interpreted as indicative of a mixing of lead from mantle-derived alkaline magma with lead from Precambrian metamorphic wall rocks.Isotopic age data, geological and geochemical evidence suggest that the ore fluids for the groups 1 and 2 deposits were generated during the emplacement of the Hercynian alkaline syenite and mafic intrusions. The Hercynian alkaline magma may provide heat, volatiles and metals for these groups 1 and 2 deposits. Evolved metamorphic fluids produced by the devolatilization, which circulated the wall rocks, were also progressively involved in the alkaline magmatic hydrothermal system, and may have dominate the ore fluids during late stage of ore-forming processes. Most of these gold deposits hosted by Archean high-grade metamorphic rocks occur at or near the intersections of the NE- and E–W-trending fracture systems. The ore fluid of the group 3 deposits may have resulted from the mixing of Hercynian alkaline magmatic fluids and evolved meteoric waters. The deposits are believed to be products of Hercynian alkaline igneous processes along deep-seated fault zones within Archean terrain.     

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.     

浅谈前寒武纪条带状铁建造的沉积-变质成矿过程

条带状铁建造(BIF)是3.5～1.8Ga前陆架和洋盆的常见沉积物.前寒武纪条带状铁建造构成了世界上重要的铁矿资源.虽然它们成矿过程及其演化的许多方面的问题仍未解决,但人们普遍认为,它们沉积方式的长期变化与地球的环境和地球化学演化有关.条带状铁建造记录了前寒武纪古海洋、古环境、大气条件和细菌代谢条件以及铁的来源和沉积过...     

Controversial Pb-Pb and Sm-Nd isotope results in the early Archean Isua (West Greenland) oxide iron formation: preservation of primary signatures versus secondary disturbances

Pb stepwise leaching (PbSL) determinations on two magnetite-enriched fractions of a BIF sample from the northeastern part of the Isua supracrustal belt (West Greenland) yield an isochron of 3691 ± 22 Ma (MSWD = 0.4). In combination with previously published geochronological constraints for a minimum deposition age of ∼3.71 Ga for volcanic sequences (Nutman et al., 1997) comprising the studied BIFs, and supported by microtextural observations, this demonstrates an early Archean amphibolite facies metamorphic event in the supracrustal. PbSL data on magnetite from slightly discordant veins within the same iron stone, together with bulk Pb isotope values of paragenetically late pyrite, yield a 3.63 ± 0.07 Ga (MSWD = 8.6) errorchron, with significantly different Pb isotopic compositions from those obtained from the main magnetite layers, and this suggests that the discordant layers of magnetite and sulfides crystallized when externally derived fluids passed through the formation a few tens of million of years later. The fluids controlling this redistribution of magnetite can be tentatively correlated with metasomatic alteration features produced during the widespread intrusion of 3.6 Ga granitic into 3.7 Ga tonalitic Amı̂tsoq gneisses enclosing the belt. Tremolite-rich layers in the BIF are characterized by Sm/Nd ratios close to chondritic [εNd(3800) of +1.7 and +2.1], within error of published results from adjacent basic units in the supracrustal suite. In contrast, the magnetite-dominated layers yield unrealistically high εNd(3800) of +14.8 and +14.4, indicative of Sm/Nd ratios resembling REE fractionated, continental sources. These high εNd(3800), together with radiogenic Sr leached from the magnetite-enriched separates, is ascribed to secondary hydroxyapatite, which predominantly forms as crystal overgrowths in the magnetite-rich bands. The timing of the hydrothermal event during which apatite was deposited within the BIF remains uncertain, but a T_CHUR model age of 1.85 Ga from the apatite-dominated HCl leachate may point to a close genetic relationship with local Proterozoic metamorphism and granite formation by crustal remelting in the Isukasia area.Step leaching of magnetite from a similar silicate-oxide facies BIF from the western part of the Isua supracrustal belt yield a Pb-Pb isochron age of 2.84 ± 0.05 Ga (MSWD = 1.43). The agreement between the PbSL age and previously published field and isotopic evidence for a major late Archean metamorphic event affecting the western area suggests there was widespread equilibration accompanying the intrusion of the 2.75–2.83 Ga granodioritic Ikkattoq gneisses west and southwest of the western limb of the Isua supracrustal belt.We argue that the PbSL isochron ages date the peak of amphibolite facies metamorphic events which, respectively, affected the eastern and western sections of the Isua supracrustal belt during the early and late Archean. Our results give additional support to the suggestion that the scatter on published εNd(T) values from the Isua supracrustal belt and adjoining gneisses can be assigned to post-formational hydrothermal processes and underline the need for care in the interpretation of Sm-Nd bulk data from polymetamorphic rocks to constrain isotopic models of early Earth’s evolution.     

古元古代大氧化事件(GOE)前后海洋环境的变化: 来自华北条带状铁建造(BIF)岩相学和地球化学的证据*

条带状铁建造(BIF)是形成于前寒武纪海洋中的化学沉积岩,记录了古海洋氧化还原状态的重要信息。华北克拉通广泛分布的新太古代和古元古代BIF,是了解古元古代大氧化事件(GOE)前后古海洋氧化还原环境变化的理想对象。初步研究表明,华北克拉通新太古代BIF主要为磁铁矿型氧化物相和硅酸盐相,极少数出现碳酸盐相;古元古代BIF包括赤铁矿型和磁铁矿型氧化物相、硅酸盐相和碳酸盐相,其中赤铁矿相是古元古代BIF独有的。以上矿物学特征表明,新太古代和古元古代水体的氧化还原条件是不同的。华北克拉通新太古代BIF的稀土元素组成缺乏强烈的负Ce异常,反映同期海水氧含量非常低,为缺氧状态; 但少量BIF也包含有负Ce异常,同时具有较大变化范围的Th/U值,指示新太古代海洋的局部水体氧含量相对较高,呈弱氧化状态。与新太古代BIF相比,古元古代BIF的Ce异常变化较大,包括无异常、正异常和负异常,尤其是赤铁矿相BIF具明显的负Ce异常,表明古元古代水体的氧含量和氧化还原结构已发生了明显变化; 结合华北克拉通BIF的Ni/Co、V/(V+Ni)和Th/U等比值特征,认为古元古代海洋呈次氧化—氧化环境。新太古代BIF 强烈富集重铁同位素,S同位素非质量分馏效应较为明显;而古元古代BIF相对富集轻铁同位素,S同位素非质量分馏效应不明显。综上,新太古代海洋环境整体缺氧,但局部可能存在氧气“绿洲”,暗示光合产氧作用在太古代晚期已经存在;大氧化事件期间及之后的古海洋总体具上部氧化、下部还原的分层特征。     

Geochemical Constraints on the Origin of Banded Iron Formation‐Hosted Iron Ore from the Archaean Ntem Complex (Congo Craton) in the Meyomessi Area,Southern Cameroon

Banded iron formations (BIFs) are the most significant source of iron in the world. In this study, we report petrographic and geochemical data of the BIF from the Meyomessi area in the Ntem Complex, southern Cameroon, and discuss their genesis and the iron enrichment process. Field investigations and petrography have revealed that the studied BIF samples are hard; compact; weakly weathered; and composed of magnetite, subordinate quartz, and geothite. The geochemical composition of the whole rock reveals that iron and silica represent more than 98 wt% of the average composition, whereas Al₂O₃, TiO₂, and high‐field strength elements (HFSE) contents are very low, similar to detritus‐free marine chemical precipitates. The total iron (TFe) contents range from 48.71 to 65.32 wt % (average of 53.29 wt %) and, together with the low concentrations of deleterious elements (0.19 wt % P on average), are consistent with medium‐grade iron ores by global standards. This interpretation is confirmed by the SiO₂/Fe₂O_3total versus (MgO + CaO + MnO)/Fe₂O_3total discrimination plot in which most of the Meyomessi BIF samples fall in the field of medium‐grade siliceous ore. Only one sample (MGT94) plots in the high‐grade magnetite–geothite ore domain. The high Fe/Ti (376.36), Fe/Al (99.90), and Si/Al (29.26) ratios of the sample are consistent with significant hydrothermal components. The rare earth elements (REE) contents of the studied BIF samples are very low (∑REE: 0.81–1.47 ppm), and the Post‐Archaean Australian Shale (PAAS)‐normalized patterns display weak positive Eu anomalies (Eu/Eu*: 1.15–1.33), suggesting a syngenetic low‐temperature hydrothermal solutions, similar to other BIF worldwide. However, the Meyomessi BIFs show high Fe contents when compared to the other BIFs. This indicates an epigenetic mineralization process affected the Meyomessi BIF. From the above results and based on the field and analytical data, we propose that the genetic model of iron ores at the Meyomessi area involves two stages of the enrichment process, hypogene enrichment of BIF protore by metamorphic and magmatic fluids followed by supergene alteration as indicated by the presence of goethite in the rocks.     

Changes of oceanic environment before and after the Paleoproterozoic Great Oxidation Event(GOE): Evidence from petrography and geochemistry of banded iron formation(BIF)from the North China Craton

Banded iron formation(BIF)belongs to sedimentary rocks formed in Precambrian marine,which can directly reflect the redox state of the ancient oceans. Mineral composition and geochemistry of BIF can reveal the relative changes of oxygen contents of ancient atmosphere-ocean. The Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic BIFs widely distributed in the North China Craton(NCC),are the ideal research objects for understanding the changes of the ancient ocean redox environment before and after the Paleoproterozoic Great Oxidation Event(GOE). Our previous studies indicated that the sedimentary facies of the Neoarchean BIF in the NCC are mainly magnetite-type oxide and silicate,with minor carbonate. The sedimentary facies of the Paleoproterozoic BIF are hematite- and magnetite-type oxide,silicate and carbonate,of which the hematite-oxide facies is unique to the Paleoproterozoic BIF. The above mineralogical features suggest that the redox conditions of the Neoarchean and Paleoproterozoic seawater are different. The rare earth element composition of the Neoarchean BIF in the NCC lacks a strong negative Ce anomaly,reflecting that the oxygen content of contemporary seawater is very low and the marine is anoxic. However,a small amount of BIFs in the NCC also present the negative Ce anomalies and a wide range of Th/U ratios,indicating that the local water of the Neoarchean ocean had relatively high oxygen content and was at a weak oxidation state. Compared with the Neoarchean BIFs,the Paleoproterozoic BIFs present a wide range of Ce anomalies(i.e.,no Ce anomalies,positive Ce anomalies and negative Ce anomalies). The hematite-bearing BIF has an obvious negative Ce anomalies,implying that the oxygen content and redox state of Paleoproterozoic seawater changed significantly. Combined with the ratios of Ni/Co,V/(V+Ni)and Th/U of the BIFs in the NCC,the Paleoproterozoic oceans exhibited a suboxidation to oxidation environment. Besides,Neoarchean BIF is strongly enriched in heavy iron isotopes and the non-mass fractionation of S isotope is obvious,whereas the Paleoproterozoic BIF is relatively enriched in light iron isotopes and the non-mass fractionation of S isotope is not obvious. It is summarized that the Neoarchean marine is anoxic,but the oxygen‘oasis' may exist locally,implying that photosynthetic oxygen production already existed in the Late Neoarchean. The ancient ocean presented a layered characteristics during and after the GOE,indicating that the shallow water was generally oxidized and the deep water was reduced.     

Types and Distribution of Endogenic Gold Deposits in Western Sichuan,China

Endogenic gold deposits and prospects are widely distributed in western Sichuan, People's Republic of China. To the present time, 43 individual gold deposits and 2 associated gold deposits have been discovered, explored, and mined. All of these deposits belong to one of nine principal types, according to their host-rock series: (I) Archean high-grade metamorphic rock series–hosted; Phanerozoic intermediate-acid intrusive rock-hosted; (HI) ophiolitic melange rock series–hosted; (IV) carbonate rock series–hosted; (V) slightly metamorphic rock series–hosted; (VI) moderately metamorphic rock series–hosted; (VII) subvolcanic rock series–hosted; (VIII) slightly metamorphosed fine-grained clastic-subvolcanic rock series–hosted; and (IX) volcanic rock series–hosted. The tectonic setting, geological features, and temporal and spatial distribution of these different types of gold deposits and occurrences indicate that, to a great extent, gold mineralization reflects the evolution of tectonic environments in the western part of Sichuan Province throughout geological time.     

Trace element chemistry of pyrite: A useful guide to the occurrence of sulfide base metal mineralization

Trace element contents for pyrite from a range of sulfide mineral occurrences in the Kangiara region, eastern Australia, illustrate two main groups of pyrite. The first group, with higher Ag, Cu, Pb and Mo contents, corresponds to samples from sulfide base metal deposits and the second group, with higher Mn, Ti and Ni contents, contains samples from skarn mineralization, volcanic rocks and quartz veins. The model proposed for the development of pyrite in the Kangiara region is that the first group was formed from base metal-bearing solutions, while the second group reflects diagenetic pyrite and metamorphic pyrite. Thus, the pyrite trace element chemistry may provide a means of distinguishing types of mineral occurrences, in particular, those containing significant base metal mineralization.     

Gold distribution in As-deficient pyrite and telluride mineralogy of the Yangzhaiyu gold deposit,Xiaoqinling district,southern North China craton

The Mesozoic Yangzhaiyu lode gold deposit is situated in the southern edge of the North China craton. Gold mineralization is hosted in Archean amphibolite facies metamorphic rocks, and consists mainly of auriferous quartz veins. Pyrite is the predominant sulfide mineral, with minor amounts of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena. Based on morphology and paragenesis, there are three generations of pyrite, termed as first generation (G1), second generation (G2), and third generation (G3). They have distinct contents, occurrences, and distribution patterns of gold. The coarse-grained, euhedral G1 pyrite contains negligible to low levels of gold, whereas both invisible and visible gold are present in the fine- to medium-grained G2 pyrite that is characterized by abundance of microfractures and porosities, forming a foam-like texture. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) depth profiles indicate that invisible gold occurs either as solid solution or as nanoparticles of gold-bearing tellurides in the G2 pyrite. Visible gold is widespread and present as irregular grains and stringers of native gold mostly along grain boundaries or filling microfractures of pyrite, likely resulting from remobilization of invisible gold once locked in the G2 pyrite. The G3 pyrite, invariably intergrown with chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena, contains the highest levels of invisible gold. There is a positive correlation between Au, Ag, and Te, indicating that gold occurs as submicroscopic Au-bearing telluride inclusions in the host minerals. Whenever gold, either invisible or visible, is present, As is always below or only marginally higher than the detection limit of LA-ICP-MS. This indicates that As played an insignificant role in gold mineralization. Tellurides are widespread in the auriferous quartz veins, consisting mainly of petzite, calaverite, hessite, altaite, and tellurobismuthite. Native gold commonly occurs as intergrowths with tellurides. Textural evidence indicates a precipitation sequence, in a temporal order, of calcaverite, petzite, altaite, tellurobismuthite, and hessite. Little amount of sulfide phases has been found in association with the tellurides, indicating that tellurides were deposited under low S fugacity (fS ₂ ) and/or high Te fugacity (fTe ₂ ) conditions. The textural relationships, when combined with fluid inclusion microthermometric data of auriferous quartz veins and tellurides thermodynamic data, permit estimation for logfTe ₂ during telluride formation, which are −6.8 to −10.8 at 300°C and −9.6 to −17.6 at 250°C. Available geochronological and geochemical data suggest that Te was most likely derived from the late Mesozoic magmatic rocks widespread in the Xiaoqinling district and other parts of the southern North China craton, which were emplaced broadly contemporaneous with gold mineralization at Yangzhaiyu. This study highlights the role of Te and tellurides as important gold scavengers in As-deficient ore fluids.     

Negative Ce Anomaly in the Indian Banded Iron Formations: Evidence for the Emergence of Oxygenated Deep-Sea at 2.9-2.7 Ga

Abstract: Major and rare earth element contents are reported for Late Archean banded iron formations (BIFs) in the Bababudan Group of the Dharwar Craton, South India. The BIFs are mostly composed of SiO₂ (average1ρ = 54.88.1 wt%) and Fe₂O₃* (44.38.2 wt%). The Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ contents are remarkably low, suggesting that detrital components were starved during the BIF deposition. The BIFs have a LREE-enriched pattern with a relatively high (La/Yb)_N (6.644.07). Total REE concentrations (RE) vary from 5.2 to 65.3 ppm. The REE patterns are characterized by the presence of a very large negative Ce anomaly (Ce/Ce*: 0.13-0.83) and a positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu*: 0.96-2.45). The Eu/Eu* decreases and (La/Yb)_N increases with a increase of RE. These correlations of REE indices are similar to those of modern hydrothermal iron-rich sediments near a mid-ocean ridge (MOR). Greenstones associated with the BIFs have MORB-like geochemical features. These geochemical and geological lines of evidence indicate that the depositional site of the BIFs was remote from a continent and/or island arc and that the BIFs were in situ hydrothermal sediments near a MOR. A striking negative Ce anomaly in the BIFs indicates that oxygenated deep-sea environments emerged at 2.9-2.7 Ga. The existence of contemporaneous Mn deposits in the Dharwar Craton supports this assertion. Our scenario of oxygen in the Earth's surface of the Late Archean is different from long-held notion that the atmosphere and ocean were persistently anoxic throughout the Archean.     

吉林夹皮沟金矿带岩脉和蚀变绢云母定年及金矿成矿时代

吉林夹皮沟金矿床的矿化年龄一直存在争议。采用先进的SHRIMP测年方法测得夹皮沟二道沟金矿床的花岗闪长岩脉锆石的2 0 6Pb/ 2 3 8U年龄为 (2 2 3± 2 )Ma ;八家子金矿床的石英正长斑岩锆石的2 0 6Pb/ 2 3 8U年龄为 (2 41± 6 )～ (2 18± 6 )Ma。这一结果与前人测得的K Ar年龄基本相符。这两条岩脉与含金石英脉同构造空间 ,形成时代相近 ,因此上述岩脉年龄大体反映了金矿化年龄。同时还测得八家子金矿床蚀变绢云母的 4 0 Ar 3 9Ar等时线年龄为(2 0 3 975± 0 5 2 7)Ma ,进一步证明金矿化发生在中生代印支期。矿石中含有大量的方铅矿 ,还存在矿物及元素的分带 ,这些特征表明夹皮沟金矿床不太可能是新太古代或元古代形成的变质热液矿床 ,更大可能是中生代与岩浆活动有关的岩浆热液矿床     

山东莱州曲家金矿黄铁矿微量元素对成矿过程的指示

曲家金矿位于我国重要的蚀变岩型金矿矿集区之焦家金矿带的中段，矿床赋存标高为-726～-1 334 m。为研究黄铁矿的演化及其对金成矿过程的指示，运用LA-ICP-MS分析黄铁矿原位微量元素含量，结合岩相学观察和点群分析对黄铁矿进行了分类。发现黄铁矿中Co、Ni、As等微量元素主要以类质同像形式赋存，而Au、Ag、Cu、Zn、Pb、Bi等元素主要以纳米级、微米级矿物包裹体形式赋存。黄铁矿主要分为5种类型：富Co型Py1,富Ni型Py2,富Au、As型Py3,富Au、Ag、Pb、Bi型Py4及“干净”型Py5。黄铁矿微量元素特征指示成矿物质可能主要来源于前寒武纪变质基底岩石和中生代岩浆岩，少量来源于地幔，成矿热液可能属变质热液、岩浆热液和浅部大气降水的混合成因。不同类型黄铁矿反映成矿热液由富Co、Ni经富As、Au向富Pb、Bi、Au、Ag演化。Py1和Py2形成后受构造活动影响发生强烈破碎，裂隙表面对热液中金络合物增强的吸附作用促使金在裂隙中沉淀，对金的富集成矿可能起重要作用。Co、Ni含量较低，同时Au、Ag、As、Pb、Bi等元素含量较高的黄铁矿与成矿作用有密切关系。另外，黄铁矿中C...     

Gold-bearing iron-formation in a granulite terrane of the Canadian Shield: a possible deep-level expression of an Archean gold-mineralizing system

Gold occurs in metamorphosed iron-formation within a migmatized paragneiss terrane in the Eastern Superior Province of the Canadian Shield. The main gold prospect, which is located 100 m from a tonalite pluton, has undergone skarn-like metamorphism that occurred late during the granulite grade metamorphism. Despite its occurrence in a high-grade metamorphic host-rock, the mineralization shares many of the characteristics of lowergrade Archean greenstone belt gold mineralization, such as: (1) enrichment in Au, As, S, Sb, W, U and FeO; (2) a low base-metal/gold ratio; (3) the inclusion of gold in arsenopyrite; (4) the proximity to a felsic pluton; (5) an iron-rich, fractured host-rock; and (6) a similar mineralization time (around 2650 Ma). This gold occurrence occurs near the metamorphic peak and represents a deep level expression of the widespread crustal-scale mineralizing system documented for the late Archean. The main conclusion of this work is that the principal characteristics of Archean gold mineralization are present in the deep crust, and do not come from the leaching of upper-level rock piles, such as greenstone belts.