Tellurium-Bearing Mineralization in Clastic Ores at the Yubileynoe Copper Massive Sulfide Deposit (Southern Urals)

At the well-preserved Yubileynoe VMS deposit (Southern Urals), sulfide breccias and turbidites host abundant tellurides represented by hessite, coloradoite, altaite, volynskite, stützite, petzite, and calaverite, as well as phases of the intermediate tellurobismuthite → rucklidgeite solid solution. Three telluride generations were highlighted: (1) primary hydrothermal tellurides in fragments of chalcopyrite and sphalerite of chalcopyrite-rich black smoker chimneys; (2) authigenic tellurides in pseudomorphic chalcopyrite and chalcopyrite veins after fragments of colloform and granular pyrite; and (3) authigenic tellurides in pyrite nodules. Authigenic tellurides are widespread in pyrite-chalcopyrite turbidites. Primary hydrothermal and authigenic tellurides are less common in sulfide turbidites and gritstones with fragments of sphalerite-pyrite, pyrite-sphalerite paleosmoker chimneys and clasts of colloform and fine-grained seafloor hydrothermal crusts. Siliceous siltstones intercalated with sulfide turbidites contain pyrite nodules, whose peripheral parts contain inclusions of epigenetic tellurides. It is assumed that Te for authigenic tellurides originated from fragments of colloform pyrite and hydrothermal chalcopyrite of pyrite-chalcopyrite chimneys, which dissolved during the postsedimentation processes. The main Te concentrators in clastic ores include pseudomorphic chalcopyrite, which inherits high Te, Bi, Au, Ag, Co, Ni, and As contents from the substituted colloform pyrite, and varieties of granular pyrite containing microinclusions of tellurobismuthite (Bi, Te), petzite (Au, Ag, Te), altaite (Pb, Te), coloradoite, and hessite (Ag, Te).

     

Evolution of the Vagran Gold-Bearing Placer Cluster (Northern Urals) and Prospects for Revealing Bedrock Mineralization

Geology of Ore Deposits - Abstract—More than 10 t of gold have been mined within the Vagran placer cluster (Northern Urals), and the identified primary sources are limited to single...     

Multi-Stage Magmatic-Hydrothermal Sulfide-PGE Mineralization of the Khudolaz Complex (South Urals)

Geology of Ore Deposits - For the first time, from the standpoint of magmatism and subsequent hydrothermal–metasomatic alteration, sulfide and platinum-metal mineral assemblages of rocks of...     

Genesis of Sulfide and Platinum-Metal Mineralization of the Khudolaz Complex (Southern Urals)

Doklady Earth Sciences - Mineralogical and geochemical studies of sulfide–platinum metal assemblages of the Khudolaz complex made it possible for the first time to substantiate their...     

New Data on the Platinum-Bearing Potential of Chromitites of the Kharcheruz Ultramafic Massif,Polar Urals

Geology of Ore Deposits - Abstract—The article reports the first finds and characteristics of isolated fine segregations of sulfides and sulfoarsenides of PGE (ruthenium, osmium, and iridium)...     

Gossan of the Yubileinoe Massive Sulfide Deposit (South Urals): Evidence for Formation on the Seafloor

Lithology and Mineral Resources - Oxidation zone of the Yubileinoe massive sulfide deposit, South Urals, is buried beneath Jurassic sediments containing coalified plant remains. Mineralogy of...     

Platinum-Group Mineral Characterization in Concentrates from High-Grade PGE Al-rich Chromitites of Korydallos Area in the Pindos Ophiolite Complex (NW Greece)

The Pindos ophiolite complex, located in the north-western part of continental Greece, hosts various podiform chromite deposits generally characterized by low platinum-group element (PGE) grades. However, a few locally enriched in PPGE + Au (up to 29.3 ppm) chromitites of refractory type are also present, mainly in the area of Korydallos (south-eastern Pindos). The present data reveal that this enrichment is strongly dependant on chromian spinel chemistry and base metal sulfide and/or base metal alloy (BMS and BMA, respectively) content in chromitites. Consequently, we used super-panning to recover PGM from the Al-rich chromitites of the Korydallos area. The concentrate of the composite chromitite sample contained 159 PGM grains, including, in decreasing order of abundance, the following major PGM phases: Pd-Cu alloys (commonly non-stoichiometric, although a few Pd-Cu alloys respond to the chemical formula PdCu₄), Pd-bearing tetra-auricupride [(Au,Pd)Cu], nielsenite (PdCu₃), sperrylite (PtAs₂), skaergaardite (PdCu), Pd-bearing auricupride [(Au,Pd)Cu₃], Pt and Pd oxides, Pt-Fe-Ni alloys, hollingworthite (RhAsS) and Pt-Cu alloys. Isomertieite (Pd₁₁Sb₂As₂), zvyagintsevite (Pd₃Pb), native Au, keithconnite (Pd₂₀Te₇), naldrettite (Pd₂Sb) and Rh-bearing bismuthotelluride (RhBiTe, probably the Rh analogue of michenerite) constitute minor phases. The bulk of PGE-mineralization is dominated by PGM grains that range in size from 5 to 10 µm. The vast majority of the recovered PPGM are associated with secondary BMS and BMA, thus confirming that a sulphur-bearing melt played a very important role in scavenging the PGE + Au content of the silicate magma from which chromian spinel had already started to crystallize. The implemented technique has led to the recovery of more, as well as noble, PGM grains than the in situ mineralogical examination of single chromitite samples. Although, the majority of the PGM occur as free particles and in situ textural information is lost, single grain textural evidence is observed. In summary, this research provides information on the particles, grain size and associations of PGM, which are critical with respect to the petrogenesis and mineral processing.     

Age and Sources of Dunite from the Konder Massif (Aldan Shield)

The Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr isotope characteristics were studied in clinopyroxenes (Cpx) of ultrabasic rocks (dunite, wehrlite, pyroxenite, and kosvite) from the Konder massif, which is a source of a unique placer platinum deposit. The chemical composition of the clinopyroxenes studied provides evidence for their crystallization from a single melt in the course of magmatic differentiation. The Sm–Nd isotope characteristics of Cpx in dunite from the Konder massif correspond to the regression with an age of 128 ± 40 Ma, which provides evidence for the same age of rocks of the “dunite core,” wehrlite, pyroxenite, kosvite, and alkaline rocks of the subsequent intrusive stage in the Konder massif. Variations in the Sr and Nd isotope characteristics in dunite, wehrlite, pyroxenite, and kosvite result from contamination of the picritic melt with rocks of the continental crust in the course of its cumulative evolution, which allows us to exclude the model of diapiric intrusion of mantle dunite.     

Mineralogical and Geochemical Features of Pyrite Nodules from Sulfide Turbidites in the Talgan Cu-Zn Massive Sulfide Deposit (Southern Urals)

Lithology and Mineral Resources - Pyrite nodules were found in thin-layered sulfide ores localized at the flanks of the Talgan Cu-Zn massive sulfide deposit (South Urals) which consists of (1) an...     

Zirconology of izrandites (Southern Urals)

Doklady Earth Sciences -     

Platinum-group element (PGE) deposits and occurrences: Mineralization styles,genetic concepts,and exploration criteria

PGE mineralization has been identified in various rock types and at various stratigraphic levels in layered intrusions of any age, size and magmatic lineage, but the most important deposits occur as relatively narrow stratiform reefs in the lower to central ultramafic–mafic portions of large tholeiitic intrusions of late Archean to early Proterozoic age. One of the main challenges in exploration is that the reefs tend to be sulfide-poor. In many chromitites, magnetitites and silicate-hosted ores, the rocks contain no visible sulfides, possibly due to (late) magmatic sulfide resorption. As a result, some deposits may have been overlooked, particularly those in the upper portions of the intrusions that were in the past considered to be relatively unprospective. Amongst lithogeochemical tools, Cu/Pd ratios have proven to be particularly useful to evaluate the PGE potential of intrusions and to delineate the position of the reefs within the intrusions.The origin of the PGE mineralization remains controversial. A possible explanation for the low sulfide contents of many PGE-rich intrusions is that most of their parental magmas were strongly undersaturated in sulfur and at least partially derived from the S-poor and PGE-enriched sub-continental lithospheric mantle. Sulfide saturation upon emplacement in the crust may have been reached during differentiation. Empirical evidence supports theoretical considerations that chromite and magnetite precipitation may be particularly conducive to trigger sulfide melt saturation, due to a pronounced decrease in FeO content of the magma. The importance of magma mixing in triggering sulfide supersaturation remains unclear. The same applies to contamination; some intrusions show a distinct crustal component, but many others do not, and there is little if any correlation between sulfide content and crustal component. Together with the general paucity of sulfides in the intrusions this could suggest that contamination is not critical in reef formation and may indeed be a negative factor.Other processes may also be relevant to reef formation. Data from the well-studied Bushveld Complex suggest that the magmas had reached sulfide saturation prior to emplacement, and that sulfides were entrained in the magma during ascent and emplacement. Sulfide entrainment has previously been recognised as one of the key factors in the formation of massive Ni–Cu sulfide deposits, and it is suggested here that it is also relevant to the formation of PGE deposits.     

The giant chromite deposits at Kempirsai, Urals: constraints from trace element (PGE, REE) and isotope data

The investigation of stable and radiogenic isotopes and of platinum-group (PGE) and rare earth elements (REE) in chromitites and associated ultramafic rocks of the Kempirsai Massif, southern Urals, gives strong evidence for a multistage formation of giant ophiolitic-podiform chromite deposits present in the southeastern part of the massif. The Kempirsai ophiolite massif is divided by a shear zone into two parts: in the northwestern area, small bodies of Al-rich chromite formed from basaltic melts between 420 to 400 Ma, according to Sm-Nd mineral isochrons of harzburgite, pyroxenite, websterite and gabbro. Harzburgites and pyroxenites in this area are enriched in light REE and have ɛ_Nd(400) > +6 and ɛ_Sr(400) ∼ +5. Chromitites have scattered PGE distributions (Pd/Ir, 0.4–7.0), being partly enriched in Pd and Pt. γ_Os(400) of one chromitite is −4.4. The southeastern part of the Kempirsai Massif, well-known for its world-class deposits of podiform low-Al magnesiochromite, is characterized by harzburgite and dunite enriched in light REE with very low ɛ_Nd(400) (+4.3 to –17.1) and positive ɛ_Sr(400) (>+10) values. Chromitites are strongly enriched in Ir, Os and Ru and depleted in Pd and Pt. γ_Os(400) of three chromitites is uniform and approaches C1 and DMM compositions. In veins and pods postdating crystallization of massive chromite, pargasitic amphibole formed in equilibrium with fluid-inclusion-bearing chromite at temperatures close to 1000 °C. These amphiboles give ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar stepwise heating ages of 365 to 385 Ma and are characterized by low ɛ_Nd(400) (+0.6 to −4.6) and general enrichment in REE. The cooling ages correspond to a 379.3 ± 1.6 Ma Rb-Sr mineral isochron produced from amphibole and phlogopite of a pyroxenite vein in the western part of the massif. From these data it is concluded that parts of the Kempirsai Massif have been pervasively metasomatized by large amounts of fluids and melts derived from a subducted slab composed of oceanic crust and sediments. Subduction occurred at least 15–35 Ma after a melting event that produced a typical ophiolitic sequence in the Paleozoic Sakmara Zone. We conclude that large chromite orebodies formed from second-stage high-Mg melts that interacted with depleted mantle and fluids on their way upward in a suprasubduction zone regime, and in a fore-arc position to the Magnitogorsk island arc. Received: 21 January 1998 / Accepted: 24 August 1998     

Typomorphic features of placer gold of Vagran cluster (the Northern Urals) and search indicators for primary bedrock gold deposits

The Vagran placer cluster is located on the eastern slope of Northern Urals. During > 100 years of gold mining history approximately 40 tons of gold have been extracted from the placer deposits.Bedrocks of the region consist of high metamorphic Upper Proterozoic and Paleozoic terrigeneous, terrigeneous-volcanogenic and igneous rocks. Gold placer deposits are mostly alluvial genesis deposits and of Quaternary to Oligocene (?) age. The alluvial deposits consist of gravel with pebbles, boulders, and sandy clay covered by sandy silt and a soil layer. The thickness of the alluvial sequence is usually 5–10 m and reaches 18 m in the main watercourses of the third order. Nearly all of the alluvial sediments are gold bearing but concentrations of economic importance prevail in the bottom part of the sequence above the bedrock.There are four different types of gold particles: (I) rounded and well-rounded particles of high fineness and homogeneous inner structure, (II) rounded to sub-rounded high fineness particles with a pure gold rim developed over a core, (III) crystallomorphic (idiomorphic) high fineness with a homogeneous inner structure, and (IV) irregular angular and subangular particles of medium fineness with a significant content of Ag (10–40 wt.%) and elevated Hg (up to 1.15 wt.%).The first type is prevalent and comprises up to 65% of the total gold particles; it is uniformly distributed throughout the territory. There are features with initially complicated dendritic and laminar shaped particles which were rounded during transportation. The second and third types have a propensity for zones of the inherited erosion–tectonic depressions. Apparently, types I, II and III are related with orogenic mesothermal gold-sulfide-quartz mineralization; the differences of these types depend on the primary zonation of ore bodies and supergenic transformation of the alloys. They were connected with middle-depth ore bodies of an orogenic gold-sulfide-quartz formation. The fourth type is evident of nearby transportation from primary sources and a short duration of supergenic influence. It is controlled by a zone of NW-SE orientation, diagonal to the main structures of Ural Fold Belt.The plot of Au content vs coefficient of heterogeneity (ratio of the Au content in the core and in the rim of the grains) is the distinguishing factor between the four types of gold grains both by primary hypogenetic characteristics and supergenetic features.No corresponding lode occurrence of gold-sulfide-quartz mineralization has been identified to date in this region. Placer gold concentrations are related to the intermediate hosts of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic surfaces of the Ural peneplain uplift in the Oligocene and eroded in Miocene-Quaternary time. This factor determines the widespread distribution of placer gold in the territory of the Vagran cluster.The large, Carlin-type Vorontsovsk gold deposit is located 60 km south-east from the Vagran area. It has a shallow erosional level, small size of native gold, and its distal location from the placer deposits makes it an unlikely primary source for the Vagran placers. However, mineralization of this type of deposit is noted within the cluster.Gold of the fourth type nearly resembles the gold of the Vorontsovsk deposit and, apparently, the source is related to the same hydrothermal mineralization event. ICP MS analyses of the quartz-sulfide lodes in the floor of gold-bearing valleys revealed a gold content of 2.0–6.9 g/t in the zone of type IV distribution. Therefore, gold of the fourth type can be used as an indicator for the exploration of primary bedrock mineralization. The geological setting and typomorphic features of this placer gold shows that the primary gold mineralization is similar to the Vorontsovsk deposit and within the zone of distribution of the placer gold of the fourth type.     

云南二叠纪白马寨铜镍硫化物矿床的成因:地壳混染与矿化的关系

云南金平白马寨-营盘街-带的奥陶纪变砂岩和板岩中出露大量小型约260Ma的镁铁-超镁铁质岩体,其中白马寨地区三个岩体具明显铜-镍硫化物矿化：三号岩体有一个中型铜镍硫化物矿床,一号和二号岩体可见微弱矿化。一号岩体的Ni／Cu值为0．7～2．2,二号岩体的Ni／Cu值为1．4～4．0,与三号岩体的比值（Ni／Cu=-0．5～6．7）相近,说明他们的母岩浆成分接近,为富Mg的镁铁质或苦橄质岩浆。三个岩体遭受不同程度的地壳混染,表现为强烈的Nb（Ta）异常,很低的Nb／La值（O．5～O．7）和很负的￡。。（f）值（一5．1～一9．O）。根据全岩的Th／Yb和Nb／Th值估算,一号岩体的地壳混染程度为5％～20％,二号岩体的地壳混染程度为5％～10％,而三号岩体的地壳混染程度高达35％。三个岩体的地壳混染程度与岩体中硫化物的含量呈正相关关系,表明地壳混染是导致白马寨岩体硫化物饱和的主要因素。     

冀北双井子穹状火山与银铅(锌)矿化的关系

通过区域地质调查,认为丰宁满族自治县双井子南西一带的晚侏罗世张家口期火山-侵入活动、同熔型岩浆作用、火山通道及火山断裂与银、铅(锌)矿化关系密切.在整体的火山-侵入活动过程中,先期的火山活动可使成矿物质初步富集,后期的岩浆侵入作用封闭性好,热量充足,可使成矿物质进一步叠加富集成矿.同熔型岩浆作用形成的石英正长斑岩是成矿物质的主要提供者,岩石中Ag、Pb、Zn等成矿元素的丰度值普遍较高,约为世界同类岩石平均值的4~10倍,呈强富集状态.火山通道深达上地幔,有利于岩浆向上运移及深部含矿热液的上升环流,是良好的导岩导矿构造.火山周边断裂规模相对较大,其内多形成构造角砾岩带,是成矿物质沉淀、富集的理想场所和最有利的容矿构造.放射状断裂是沟通火山通道和火山周边断裂并使含矿热液从火山通道向火山周边断裂运移的重要渠道,起到配矿构造的作用.     

The Final Stage of Silicic Island Arc Magmatism in the Northern Urals

Doklady Earth Sciences - The date of cessation of calc-alkaline volcanic complex accumulation within the Devonian (Frasnian) island arc in the Northern Urals was determined for the first time. It...