Origin and deposition of a graphitic schist-hosted metamorphogenic Au-W deposit,Macraes, East Otago,New Zealand

The Macraes gold-tungsten deposit occurs in a low-angle thrust system in biotite grade Otago Schist. Native gold, scheelite, pyrite and arsenopyrite are found in and adjacent to quartz veins and silicified schist of lenticular reef zones, where the thrust system cuts through graphitic pelitic schist. Mineralization is confined to a shear zone, up to 80 m thick, which is closely sub-parallel to the regional schistosity. Chemical alteration is dominated by silicification, with some addition of Cr and depletion of Sr and Ba. Alteration extends only about 5 m from major veins. Oxygen becomes isotopically heavier away from veins due to temperature decrease as hot fluids penetrated into cooler (250°C?) rock. Graphite within the shear zone rocks has reflectance of 6–7% (in oil), similar to graphite in medium-high grade Otago Schist, and is presumed to be metamorphic in origin. This graphite has acted as a reducing agent to cause precipitation of gold where the thrust system, acting as a conduit for metamorphic fluids, intersects the graphitic schist. The metals were derived from the underlying schist pile which may include an over-thrust oceanic assemblage containing metal-enriched horizons.     

Mineralogical and geochemical features of graphitized rocks in the Chernorudka-Barakchin Tectonic Zone

The morphological and structural characteristics of graphite from the deep Chernorudka-Barakchin Fault Zone, Western Baikal region, are described. A complex of mineralogical investigations shows that graphite varieties of the Baikal region are characterized by a perfect structure. The most crystallographically regular samples are composed only of sp ²-carbon, whereas the virtually amorphous varieties are formed by sp ²-and sp ³-carbons as well. The characteristic features of the graphite varieties distinguish them from carbonaceous matter of metamorphic rocks. High concentrations of Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Ti, Zn, Sc, V, S, Nb, Zr, Sr, Ba, Y, Nd, and La were detected while analyzing the microcomponent composition of the graphitized rocks. The majority of these elements are contained in microinclusions hosted in graphite. The elevated noble metal contents were established in graphitized metasomatic rocks, granitoids, and particularly, in graphite concentrates extracted from these rocks. Sulfides, native metals, and intermetallic compounds were detected in microinclusions. It is suggested that the inflow of reduced high-carbonaceous fluids was responsible for the transfer of chemical elements.     

Jurassic Reconstruction of the Gulf of Mexico Basin

Octahedral, tetrahedral, and cubic forms of graphite, interpreted here as pseudomorphs after diamond, have been discovered in situ in crustal metamorphic rocks from central Macedonia, northern Greece. Several types of rocks, mainly of sedimentary origin, including eclogite, phyllite, quartzite, schist, and amphibolite, have been identified as hosts to inferred diamonds. All assemblages are invariably graphitic and retrograded under greenschist-facies metamorphism. The graphitized diamonds themselves occur as inclusions in garnet, quartz, amphibole, and graphite, and range in size from approximately 2 to 300 μm. In marked contrast with previously published Raman spectra of graphitized diamonds from crustal metamorphic rocks, the Raman spectra of the Greek specimens indicate very poor carbon crystallinity. This probably resulted from a rapid phase transition induced by high contact compressive stress (i.e., non-hydrostatic pressure) at ultradeep shear zones and subsequent rapid pressure release. The presence of former microdiamonds invalidates previous models on the geotectonic evolution of the Internal Hellenide zones, and demarcates a new ultrahigh-pressure zone, the width of which is currently uncertain, and which probably represents a Late Paleozoic suture marking the collision of individual continental blocks of unknown provenance.     

Graphite deposits of Sri Lanka: a consequence of granulite facies metamorphism

The vein graphite deposits of Sri Lanka are located in a Precambrian high grade metamorphic terrain dominated by granulite facies rocks. The vein graphite has been interpreted as being of solid phase lateral secretion origin, derived by hydrothermal solutions or of biogenic origin. Based on what is known on the composition of the fluids under granulite facies conditions and the role of these fluids in their transport through the crust, the origin of the graphite is proposed to be the direct consequence of granulite facies metamorphism in the presence of a CO₂ rich fluid under low fO₂ conditions. This CO₂ rich fluid could promote hydraulic fracturing and precipitation of vein graphite. Textures and structures of the vein graphite indicate syntectonic deposition by a crack-seal process under granulite facies metamorphic conditions. This model is supported by temperature estimates on graphite based on XRD data and stable carbon isotopes of graphite that suggest a deep-seated crustal origin.     

福建大田—漳平地区构造-热对煤系石墨成矿及赋存的控制探讨

福建省大田—漳平地区位于东部滨太平洋构造带上,不同时期的岩浆热液作用和复杂多变的构造形变格局,为该地区形成丰富的石墨矿床提供了良好的成矿条件。为了查明大田—漳平地区煤系石墨的成矿控制因素及分布规律,通过工业分析、元素分析、X射线衍射和激光拉曼光谱等实验,对不同矿区不同变质程度的煤和煤成石墨的化学组成及微观结构特征等煤成石墨化特征进行了研究,并将不同变形特征的样品划分为煤成石墨、煤成半石墨和石墨化无烟煤三大类。研究表明:煤的变形特征与煤成石墨的演化类型基本一致,且韧性变形样品的石墨化程度最高,说明构造应力作用能促进煤的石墨化作用;煤成石墨的分布受到岩浆-构造活动的控制,石墨矿床多产出于岩浆岩侵入体外接触带或附近断裂带的有利围岩地层中,且大田—漳平地区煤系石墨矿具有明显的成区、成带分布特点,煤成石墨成矿区主要集中在闽西南坳陷南部的漳平一带;而北部大田一带分布的矿区矿体石墨化程度较漳平一带低,多为煤成半石墨或石墨化无烟煤,研究结果可为该地区煤系石墨矿产综合勘探开发利用提供有利依据。      

Noble metals in carbon-rich metamorphic rocks of the Khanka terrane, Primorie

Carbon-rich metamorphic rocks of Riphean age in the northern part of the Khanka terrane were first analyzed for concentrations of noble metals (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd, Ir, Os, and Ru). According to the data of various physicochemical analytical techniques, the Au and Pt concentrations broadly vary: from 0.01 to 52 ppm for Pt and from 0.1 to 30 ppm for Au. Various techniques of sampling and analysis variably affect the losses of these metals because of difficulties in the decomposition of metal-carbon chemical bonds. The carbon isotopic composition (¹³C from ?8.5 to ?8.7‰) of the graphitized amphibolite-facies rocks widespread in the core of the Ruzhino paleodiapir suggest that their carbon is of mantle provenance. The Early Cambrian metaterrigenous rocks metamorphosed to the greenschist facies have ¹³C from ?19.9 to ?26.6‰, which testifies to its organic origin. The elevated concentrations of noble metals in these rocks suggest that the sources of carbon and metals were polygenetic and that the ore-forming system evolved over a long time span.     

Origin and thermometry of graphites from Itapecerica supracrustal succession of the southern Sao Francisco Craton by C isotopes,X-ray diffraction,and Raman spectroscopy

ABSTRACT

In the mines of the Nacional de Grafite Company around Itapecerica (Minas Gerais), located in the southern Sao Francisco Craton, occurs a supracrustal succession of high-grade metamorphic rocks including quartzite, garnet-biotite gneiss, and graphite schist formed in the Palaeoproterozoic (2.0 Ga). During metamorphic processes, organic matter was progressively transformed into graphite. From four graphite samples of three different mines (two samples from high-grade metamorphic graphite schist and two generated by hydrothermal recrystallization of the graphite schist), the origin and formation temperature of this mineral was obtained by C isotopes, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy. The values of δ¹³C range between ?21.23 and ?27.89 ‰, indicating that the source of the graphite was a primitive biogenic carbon material. High-grade metamorphic graphites show average temperatures around 729°C, while hydrothermal recrystallizated graphites (vein-graphites) show temperatures around 611°C by XRD, which correspond to granulite- to amphibolite facies conditions. The hydrothermal process with percolation of C-O-H fluids leads to a decrease in the crystal size along stacking direction (Lc₍₀₀₂₎) when compared with the previously formed high-grade metamorphism graphites. An update of the current tectonic model about the collisional process during Rhyacian-Orosirian orogeny in the Sao Francisco Craton is proposed to insert the formation of the Itapecerica graphite-rich metasedimentary sequence.     

Carbonization and geochemical characteristics of graphite-bearing rocks in the northern Khanka terrane,primorie, Russian Far East

Regional carbonization was examined in Riphean metamorphic complexes in the northern part of the Khanka terrane. The results obtained by various techniques of physicochemical analysis indicate that all petrographic rock varieties of this complex bear elevated concentrations (from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻⁶ wt %) of Au and PGE. XRF data were used to describe a wide spectrum of trace elements: Ti, V, Ni, Cr, Pt, Pd, Re, Rh, Os, Ir, Cu, Hg, Au, Ag, Ta, Nb, Sr, Rb, Zr, La, W, Sn, Pb, and Zn. The Rb/Sr-Ba diagram shows the fields of anatectic granite-gneisses, biotite granites, lamprophyres, graphitized crystalline schists, black shales, skarns, and quartz-graphite metasomatic rocks. The C isotopic composition in graphite from the metaigneous rocks (lamprophyres and crystalline schists of the amphibolite facies) corresponds to δ¹³C from −8.5 to −8.7‰, which suggests that the carbon could be of endogenic provenance. The carbon isotopic composition of the greenschist-facies black shales corresponds to δ¹³C from −19.9 to −26.6‰, as is typical of organogenic carbon. The concentrations of precious metals in the rocks are, on average, one order of magnitude lower than in the graphitized crystalline schists. The origin of the precious-metal ore mineralization was likely genetically related to the regional carbonization process.     

变质过程中的流体运移和稀土元素活动--庐山星子群变质脉体的微量元素地球化学

对庐山栖贤寺和黄岩寺两地星子群沉积变质岩及其中脉体的微量元素地球化学进行了研究。结果显示,栖贤寺变质石英脉继承了其围岩（变粒岩）的稀土元素地球化学特征,表明形成石英脉的流体来源于围岩;而黄岩寺以长英质脉为主的变质脉体与其围岩（主要是片岩）的稀土元素特征有较大的差异,显示了原岩组成对变质流体组成、性质及由流体导致的稀土元素活动性特点有明显的制约。此外,两地脉体的微量元素对Ｚｒ－Ｈｆ和Ｕ－Ｔｈ均与变质     

Graphite and Graphite-like Materials from Black Shale and Magmatic Ores: Raman Spectroscopy Data

Graphite and graphite-like materials widely are present at black shale and magmatic ores. The nature of these carbon materials (CM) is multifarious. In what cause connects a mineralization with carbon. The great numbers of parameters, namely, the temperature, the pressure, the shear stress, the catalytic species, the host-rock lithology, the time and etc., have an influence on the graphitization process. Accumulations of gold and platinum group elements in black graphite shale and extraction of these metals from rocks depend in considerable degree from structural properties of CM. Raman spectroscopy has wide applied for various carbon modifications, including nano-structuring materials. The first and second-order Raman spectrum have been correlated with changes in the structure of graphite. There is a linear relationship between temperature and Raman R2 and R1 parameters (derived from the area and intensity of the defect band (D) relative to the ordered graphite band (G), respectively). The purpose of the present study is to characterize the rocks and CM from carbon-rich rocks of gold-ore deposits of the black-shale formation and magmatic ores using micro-Raman spectroscopy technique (Horiba Jobin Ivon LabRam spectrometer). Exciting was performed with 325 nm line of He-Cd laser. The graphite and graphite-like samples from many ore deposits of Russia and Kazahstan are investigations. R1 and R2 ratio indicate variable degree of organisation CM in the samples. The results show different spectral variations of CM with metamorphic grade: the well-ordered graphite from magmatic rocks, more - ordered and the disordered less graphitized CM from black-shale ores. For the first time in the world practice the Raman spectroscopy technique has been applied to determine the temperature of graphitizing for CM at gold-ore deposits of the black-shale formation. The temperatures obtained on carboniferous substance for the gold deposits range from 405°С to 280°С. Temperature of CM formation from Pt-low sulphide ores of the Talnakh deposit ranges from 4700C to 6500C. It has been shown that the carbon-rich phases from black-shale and magmatic rocks have various degrees of graphitization and different carbon forms.     

Distribution Characteristics and Metallogenic Regularity of Graphite Deposits in Qinling Orogen, China

Qinling orogen is one of the five main repository distribution provinces of large scale graphite resources. Graphite occurrence strata are multitudinous including Neo Archaean group to Neopaleozoic. Mineral deposit types are complete consisting of crystal flaky graphite deposit and aphanitic graphite deposit, ore types of the former are main graphite gneiss, graphite schist and graphitized marble, and ore types of the latter are main graphite layer metamorphosised from coal bed and graphitic carbargilite. At present, most graphite deposits with low research degree only implement preliminary investigations of the graphite resource, which has a good prospect. Based on the basic material of dozens of graphite deposits, spots and plays discovered in the Qinling orogen, this paper applied geologic multidisciplinary analysis method to disclose the graphite deposit types of the Qinling orogen, mainly through outdoors geologic survey and specimen examination with analysis of some typical deposits: regional metamorphism crystal graphite deposits and thermo-contact metamorphic aphanitic graphite deposits, with the control of latitudinally trending regional tectonic, graphite deposits of the Qinling orogen distribute sublatitudinally trending three large ore belts: I the Neoarchean–Proterozoic basement crystal graphite enrichment deposits zone along the south margin of North China plate; II the Carboniferous intermountain basin group aphanitic graphite enrichment deposits zone near the Shangdan suture of the West Qinling; III Paleozoic crystal graphite enrichment deposits zone in the Qinling paleomicroplate of the west part of the East Qinling.Conclusions are reached from multiple inquiries: Qinling multi-cycle complex continental collision orogen zone has experienced multiple tectonic framework transformation and polyphase tectonic thermal event from Neo Archean Erathem adjointing multiple graphite tectonic mineralization cycle. In the light of chief control of mineralization and ore types, each of the three large graphite deposits belts of the Qinling orogen has its own genesis: I graphite deposits enriched metallogenetic zone is that regional tectogenetic movement from Neo Archaean caused polyphase metapepsis, which superimposed up and reconstructed Neo Archean Erathem to Proterozoic basement, forming regional metamorphic big flake crystal graphite deposits; II graphite deposits enriched metallogenetic zone is that polyphase regional tectogenetic movement associated with multiple heating caused by multiphase igneous intrusion, which resulted in original coal layers emerging multiple thermo-contact metamorphisms and formed thermo-contact metamorphic aphanitic graphite deposits. III graphite deposits enriched metallogenetic zone is that Palaeozoic cap–rock experienced polyphase metapepsis, forming regional metamorphic finely flake crystal graphite deposits. Comprehensive research of metallogenetic mechanism in graphite deposits and its associated profitable deposits of the Qinling orogen is importance for future exploration.     

Alpine metamorphism of calcareous metasediments in the Western Hohe Tauern,tyrol: mineral equilibria in COHS fluids

During Tertiary regional metamorphism in the Western Hohe Tauern, reaching maximum P, T conditions around 6 kb, 550° C in calcareous metasediments, reaction of pyrite to pyrrhotite is suggested by regional distribution and textural relations. In rocks without graphite pyrite is common at all metamorphic grades. In graphite bearing rocks, however, the dominant Fe-sulfide is pyrite at lower grade and pyrrhotite at higher grade. Furthermore, in graphite bearing high grade rocks, pyrite is restricted to assemblages with Mg-rich silicates. Several factors control pyrite-pyrrhotite relations. Increase of temperature is most effective by increase of pyrrhotite vs. pyrite stability field, shift of silicate-sulfide reactions toward the stability field of pyrrhotite, creation of sulfur free fluids from devolatilization reactions, and increase in the proportions of sulfur bearing fluid species. Presence of graphite also favours progress of pyrite to pyrrhotite reaction, as shown by different -stabilities and changes in the amount of minerals and fluid during metamorphic heating of graphite bearing and graphite free assemblages. An opposite effect is shown by assemblages with low Fe-contents in Fe-Mg silicates, due to the enlarged stability field of such minerals with increasing Mg (and F) content. Another inhibition of pyrite to pyrrhotite reaction is suggested to be due to relatively high sulfur contents of H₂O rich infiltrating fluids.     

中国云南哀牢山含海蓝宝石伟晶岩的起源和成岩模拟实验研究

The Ailaoshan aquamarine-bearing pegmatites are associated with Proterozoic metamorphic rocks in the southern portion of the Ailaoshan fault-folded complex.The gem-bearing pegmatite mineralization zones of the region occur in areas generally consistent with the regional tectonic trend.The pegmatites are found in metamorphic rocks,migmatites and in the inner/outer contact zones of gneissoid granites. The Rb-Sr isochron drawn for the pegmatites is 26～31 Ma,(i.e.in Himalayan).The homogenization temperatures of melt and liquid inclusions in minerals vary from 185 to 920℃,which are comparable to the inclusions observed in banded migmatites and ptygmatic quartz veins in the surrounding metamorphic rocks. The mineralization fluids of the pegmatite were rich in HCO_3 and CO_2,and their compositional assemblages are comparable to metamorphic fluids.Results of H,O,C,Si etc.isotopic analyses and REE,and Be analyses indicates that the sources of mineralization components that formed the pegmatites are closely associated with metamorphic fluids and the enclosing metamorphic rocks. A pegmatite structure simulation experiment was conducted at high temperature and pressure(840℃and 1,500×105Pa.),with various metamorphic rock samples in a water-rich and volatile-rich environment.When the liquidus was reached,the temperature was gradually decreased at the rate of 5～10℃/day over a time period of three months.SEM energy-dispersive spectrum analyses were performed on the experimental products.A series of pegmatoid textures were observed including zonal texture,megacryst texture,drusy cavities,crystal druses,and vesicular texture along with more than ten types of minerals including plagioclase,microcline,quartz and biotite.Different metamorphic rock melts generated different mineral assemblages.Experiment results revealed that the partial melting of metamorphic rocks could form melts similar to pegmatite magmas. Based upon the geological characteristics,geochemistry,and pegmatite texture simulation experimental results,it is concluded that the mineralization components of Ailaoshan aquamarine-bearing pegmatites came from metamorphic rocks.The petrogenetic model for the origin of pegmatites is related to ultrametamorphism and metamorphic anatexis.     

On the occurrence of gold mineralization in the Pala Neoproterozoic formations,South-Western Chad

The Pala region, in southwestern Chad, belongs to the northern part of the Central African Pan-African Fold Belt. It is made up of greenschist-facies schists and is characterized by bimodal, mainly mafic, magmatism. This schist unit named Goueigoudoum Series is intruded by pre- to post-tectonic plutonic rocks dated between 737 and 570 Ma and dykes of quartz. Gold is mined artisanally from alluvial deposits and primary chalcopyrite–pyrite-bearing quartz veins, brecciated and silicified zones and shear zones. The majority of the mineralized shear zones and some quartz veins generally trend N–S to NNE–SSW or NW–SE and are interpreted as extensional shear fractures related to regional NE–SW-trending sinistral strike–slip shear zones. The geological context of the Pala region clearly indicates hydrothermal fluids formed along active continental margins during collisional orogenesis, and subsequent associated fluid migration typically occurred during strike–slip events. Although the origin of fluids may be varied (magmatic, metamorphic or meteoric fluids, Proterozoic seawater, or sedimentary basin formation waters), the distribution of the mineralizations along the granitoid intrusions suggests that magmatism played a major role in the dynamics of the mineralizing fluids.     

山东平度刘戈庄石墨矿地质特征及找矿标志

刘戈庄石墨矿为赋存于古元古代荆山群陡崖组徐村段含石墨变质岩系地层中的沉积变质型矿床,严格受地层层位控制,含矿岩性为石墨黑云斜长片麻岩、石墨透辉变粒岩、石墨透闪透灰岩,变质相达麻粒岩相,经历多期区域变质作用形成。该文采用最新成矿理论,对典型矿床的构造背景、物质来源进行了研究,确定了刘戈庄石墨矿矿床成矿模式,对利用该模式进行石墨矿成矿预具有一定的指导意义。     

碳质物拉曼光谱变质温度计及其在造山带热结构重建与演化中的应用

变质沉积岩普遍含有碳质物,其源自沉积母岩中有机质。在变质过程中这些有机质逐渐转变为碳质物或石墨,且碳质物结晶程度可以作为变质等级的可靠指示标志。拉曼光谱是表征碳质物结晶度的有效工具,Beyssac et al.(2002a)基于碳质物拉曼光谱参数(R1=D1/G,D1和G为碳质物拉曼光谱峰强;R2=D1/(G+D1+D2),G、D1和D2为碳质物拉曼光谱峰面积)与寄主岩变质温度之间的线性关系构建了碳质物拉曼光谱温度计:T(℃)=-445(R2)+641,其简单且实用,并被应用到阿尔卑斯和喜马拉雅造山带热结构与折返机制研究中;随后,Rahl et al.(2005)对该变质温度计进行修订,修订后温度估算表达式为:T(℃)=737.3+320.9R1-1067R2-80.638R12,并将变质温度估算范围扩展为100~700℃。本文对碳质物拉曼光谱变质温度计的基本原理、方法、应用条件及其在造山带热结构重建与演化方面的研究进展进行了综述,并对碳质物拉曼光谱温度计与传统温度计估算的变质温度进行了系统的对比分析,结果表明碳质物拉曼光谱温度计代表峰期变质温度,不会受后期退变质影响,当传统温度计结果代表峰期变质温度时,二者计算结果一致。碳质物拉曼光谱温度计已被用于造山带热结构重建、折返过程的热演化,以及高应变带、流体相关热异常等研究。尽管变质过程的压力、变质持续时间、碳质物前体类型等因素对于碳质物拉曼光谱温度计的影响尚待研究,但与传统矿物组合温压计相结合,该方法可以有效评价峰期变质条件和造山多期热演化。     

Geology,Pb Isotope Geochemistry and Ore Genesis of the Liziyuan Gold Deposit,West Qinling Orogen,Central China

The Liziyuan gold deposit, situated on the south side of the Shangdan suture zone, West Qinling Orogen, occurs in metamorphic volcanic rocks(greenschist facies) of the early Paleozoic Liziyuan Group and in Indosinian Tianzishan monzogranite. Orebodies in the Liziyuan gold field are controlled by the ductile-brittle shear zone, and by thrusting nappe faults related to the Indosinian orogeny. In detail, this paper analyzed the geological characteristics of the Liziyuan gold field, and the Pb isotopes of the Lziyuan host rocks, granitoids(Tianzishan monzogranite and Jiancaowan syenite porphyry), sulfides, and auriferous quartz veins by multiple-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(MC-ICPMS). In addition, previous data on the sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen isotopes were employed to discuss the possible sources of the ore-forming fluids and materials, and to further understand the tectonic setting of the Liziyuan gold deposit. The sulfides and their host rocks(Lziyuan Group), Tianzishan monzogranite and Jiancaowan syenite porphyry, and auriferous quartz veins have similar Pb isotopic compositions.Zartman's plumbotectonic model diagram shows that most of the data for the deposit fall near the orogenic Pb evolutionary curve or within the area between the orogenic and mantle Pb evolutionary curves. In the△β-△γ diagram, which genetically classifies the lead isotopes, most of the data fall within the range of the subduction-zone lead mixed with upper crust and mantle. This indicates that a complex source of the ore lead formed in the orogenic environment. The δ~(34)S values of the sulfides range from 3.90 to 8.50‰(average6.80‰), with a pronounced mode at 5.00‰-8.00‰. These values are consistent with that of orogenic gold deposits worldwide, indicating that the sulfur sourced mainly from reduced metamorphic fluids. The isotopic hydrogen and oxygen compositions support a predominantly metamorphic origin of the oreforming fluids, with possible mixing of minor magmatic fluids, but the late stage was dominated by meteoric water. The characteristics of the Liziyuan gold deposit formed in the Indosinian orogenic environment of the Qinling Orogen are consistent with those of orogenic gold deposits found worldwide.     

Raman characterization of carbonaceous material in the Macraes orogenic gold deposit and metasedimentary host rocks,New Zealand

Raman spectroscopic and petrographic analyses were performed on samples collected from zones distal and proximal to the Macraes gold deposit in the Otago Schist of New Zealand to characterize the features and possible origins of Carbonaceous Material (CM) and to assess the potential role of CM in the formation of gold deposits. CM is a common component in meta-sedimentary orogenic gold deposits, and it has been proposed that CM contributes to gold mineralization processes, but the details of the mechanisms responsible are not fully understood. Documentation of the origins of the Otago schist CM will improve our understanding of the role of CM in gold deposits.This work has identified four types of CM of varying thermal maturity and origins from prehnite–pumpellyite grade to lower greenschist grade samples. In prehnite–pumpellyite and pumpellyite–actinolite grade rocks, low-maturity CM 1 coexists with framboidal pyrite, indicating an in-situ, sedimentary origin, with a potential association with the source of gold. Low crystallinity CM 2 is also found in low grade samples and is likely to have been deposited from fluids unrelated to gold mobilization. CM 3 is the highest maturity CM recognized. CM 3 is found in samples from the highest metamorphic grades studied (lower greenschist facies), where bands of CM 3 cross cut the foliation, CM 3 is therefore thought to have been transported by fluids, though possibly only at short length scales. CM 4 is less mature than CM 3 and is found in mineralized rocks in association with sulfide minerals and gold. CM 4 is likely to have a depositional origin but its precise role with respect to gold mineralization has not been identified.     

Fluid record of rock exhumation across the brittle–ductile transition during formation of a Metamorphic Core Complex (Naxos Island,Cyclades, Greece)

Fluid inclusions trapped in quartz veins hosted by a leucogneiss from the southern part of the Naxos Metamorphic Core Complex (Attic‐Cycladic‐Massif, Greece) were studied to determine the evolution of the fluid record of metamorphic rocks during their exhumation across the ductile/brittle transition. Three sets of quartz veins (V‐M2, V‐BD & V‐B) are distinguished. The V‐M2 and V‐BD are totally or, respectively, partially transposed into the foliation of the leucogneiss. They formed by hydrofracturing alternating with ductile deformation accommodated by crystal‐plastic deformation. The V‐B is discordant to the foliation and formed by fracturing during exhumation without subsequent ductile transposition. Fluids trapped during crystal–plastic deformation comprise two very distinct fluid types, namely a CO₂‐rich fluid and a high‐salinity brine, that are interpreted to represent immiscible fluids generated from metamorphic reactions and the crystallization of magmas respectively. They were initially trapped at ～625 °C and 400 MPa and then remobilized during subsequent ductile deformation resulting in various degrees of mixing of the two end‐members with later trapping conditions of ～350 °C and 140 MPa. In contrast, brittle microcracks contain aqueous fluids trapped at 250 °C and 80 MPa. All veins display a similar δ¹³C pointing to carbon that was trapped at depth and then preserved in the fluid inclusions throughout the exhumation history. In contrast, the δD signature is marked by a drastic difference between (i) V‐M2 and V‐BD veins that are dominated by carbonic, aqueous‐carbonic and high‐salinity fluids of metamorphic and magmatic origin characterized by δD between ?56‰ and ?66‰, and (ii) V‐B veins that are dominated by aqueous fluids of meteoric origin characterized by δD between ?40‰ and ?46‰. The retrograde P–T pathway implies that the brittle/ductile transition separates two structurally, chemically and thermally distinct fluid reservoirs, namely (i) the ductile crust into which fluids originating from crystallizing magmas and fluids in equilibrium with metamorphic rocks circulate through a geothermal gradient of 30 °C km^?1 at lithostatic pressure, and (ii) the brittle upper crust through which meteoric fluids percolate through a high geothermal gradient of 55 °C km^?1 at hydrostatic pressure.     

Ore genesis of the Tianbaoshan carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposit,Southwest China: geologic and isotopic (C–H–O–S–Pb) evidence

The Tianbaoshan Pb–Zn deposit, part of the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou (SYG) Pb–Zn metallogenic province, is located in the western Yangtze Block and contains 2.6 million tonnes of 10–15 wt.% Pb + Zn metals. Ore bodies occur as vein or tubular types and are hosted in Sinian (late Proterozoic) carbonate rocks and are structurally controlled by the SN-trending Anninghe tectonic belt and NW-trending concealed fractures. The deposits are simple in mineralogy, with sphalerite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, freibergite, and pyrargyrite as ore minerals and dolomite, calcite, and quartz as gangue minerals. These phases occur as massive, brecciated, veinlet, and dissemination in dolostone of the upper Sinian Dengying Formation. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope compositions of hydrothermal fluids range from –47.6 to –51.2‰ and –1.7 to +3.7‰, respectively. These data suggest that H₂O in hydrothermal fluids had a mixed origin of metamorphic and meteoric waters. Carbon and oxygen isotope compositions range from –6.5 to –4.9‰ and +19.3 to +20.2‰, respectively. These compositions plot in the field between mantle and marine carbonate rocks with a negative correlation, suggesting that CO₂ in the ore-forming fluids had multiple sources, including the Permian Emeishan flood basalts, Sinian-to-Permian marine carbonate rocks, and organic matters in Cambrian-to-Permian sedimentary rocks. Sulphur isotope compositions range from –0.4 to +9.6‰, significantly lower than Cambrian-to-Permian seawater sulphate (+15 to +35‰) and sulphate (+15 to +28‰) from evaporates in Cambrian-to-Permian strata, implicating that the S was derived from host-strata evaporates by thermal–chemical sulphate reduction. ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios range from 18.110 to 18.596, 15.514 to 15.878, and 38.032 to 39.221, respectively, which plot in field of the upper crust Pb evolution curve, unlike those of Proterozoic basement rocks, Sinian dolostone, Devonian-to-Permian carbonate rocks, and the Permian Emeishan flood basalts, implying complex derivation of Pb metal in the ore-forming fluids. Geological and isotopic studies of the Tianbaoshan Pb–Zn deposit reveal that constituents in the hydrothermal fluids were derived from multiple sources and that fluid mixing was a possible metallogenic mechanism. The studied deposit is not distal magmatic–hydrothermal, sedimentary exhalative (SEDEX), or Mississippi Valley (MVT) types, rather, it represents a unique ore deposit type, named in this article the SYG type.