Feldspar evolution in the Roxby Downs Granite,host to Fe-oxide Cu-Au-(U) mineralisation at Olympic Dam,South Australia

The textural relationships and geochemistry of feldspars from least-altered to sericite-hematite altered and mineralised ~ 1.595 Ga Roxby Downs Granite (RDG) at Olympic Dam, South Australia, were examined. The sample suite is representative of RDG both distal (> 5 km) and proximal (< 1 km) to the hydrothermal breccias of the Olympic Dam Breccia Complex (ODBC), which host Fe-oxide Cu-Au-(U) mineralisation at Olympic Dam. Microscopic observations and quantitative analyses indicate that a range of feldspar reactions have taken place within the RDG hosting the Olympic Dam deposit. An early phase of igneous plagioclase (~ An_27–34) is recognised, along with a more abundant, less-calcic plagioclase (~ An_12–20) both displaying rapakivi and anti-rapakivi textures with alkali feldspar. Alkali feldspars (~ Or₅₅Ab₄₃An₂) record post-magmatic evolution from cryptoperthite to patch perthite. Subsequent patch perthite is overprinted by highly porous, near end-member albite and K-feldspar, while plagioclase undergoes replacement by albite + sericite ± Ba-rich K-feldspar. In sericite-hematite altered and mineralised RDG along the margin of the ODBC, sericite replaces all plagioclase, whereas red-stained, Fe-rich K-feldspar persists. Sulphide-uranium-rare earth element mineralisation is observed in association with hydrothermal feldspars, and increases in abundance with proximity to the orebody. Petrographic observations and whole-rock geochemistry illustrate the transformation of plagioclase and alkali feldspar from igneous to hydrothermal processes, and indicate that hydrothermal albite and K-feldspar formed within the RDG without the need for an external source of alkalis. Feldspar geothermometry indicates a minimum crystallisation temperature of 765 °C at 2.2 kbar for alkali feldspar (pressure estimate obtained using plagioclase-amphibole geobarometry) followed by a range of lower temperature transformations. Late-stage magma mixing/contamination is postulated from supportive temperature and pressure estimates along with feldspar and mafic mineral relationships.     

Magmato-hydrothermal space: A new metric for geochemical characterisation of metallic ore deposits

“Magmato-Hydrothermal Space” is a new mathematical construct where 24 ore and pathfinder elements are used to quantify ore-element signatures. Quantification allows relationships between ore deposit samples to be mapped. The broad-scale view of Magmato-Hydrothermal Space reveals three important trends: (1) Zn-Pb sediment-hosted mineralisation to igneous-associated Cu-Au mineralisation, (2) Cu-Au mineralisation to Au-only mineralisation, and (3) ultramafic associated magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE mineralisation through Cu-Au mineralisation to granitoid-associated Mo, W and Sn mineralisation. The view provided by Magmato-Hydrothermal Space reveals that there is a spectrum of ore element signatures that mirrors the spectrum of ore deposit classes described in the literature.Geochemical variations within individual ore deposit classes are examined for orogenic-Au, VHMS, epithermal and sediment-hosted Cu samples. Sub-groups within each of these classes are compared on element enrichment diagrams and described in the context of Magmato-Hydrothermal Space. Orogenic Au samples are divided into two sub-groups of As-Sb rich mineralisation and four sub-groups of relatively As-Sb poor mineralisation. The As-Sb poor sub-groups include a Te-Cu-Ag rich sub-group that overlaps with the porphyry Cu class and a Te-W-(Bi-Mo) rich class dominated by granitoid hosted deposits. The VHMS class ranges from a Cu-rich sub-group that overlaps with porphyry Cu and IOCG classes through a Cu-Zn sub-group to two Zn-Cu sub-groups, one of which overlaps with the SHMS class. The epithermal class is divided into Zn-rich, Cu-rich and base metal – poor sub-groups.     

Genetic implications of pyrite chemistry from the Palaeoproterozoic Olary Domain and overlying Neoproterozoic Adelaidean sequences, northeastern South Australia

Sulphide mineralisation associated with rocks from the Palaeoproterozoic Olary Domain (OD) and overlying Neoproterozoic Adelaidean sequences has undergone a complex history of metamorphism and remobilisation. In this study, new trace element and sulphur isotopic analyses of pyrites from a large number of deposits and paragenetic generations are combined with an existing data set to build up a sequence of mineralising events linked to the tectonometamorphic evolution of the region. The typically high Co/Ni ratios (>10) indicate that early strata-bound pyrite precipitated from a volcanic-related fluid, which had fluctuating activities of the two metals during the early stages of the evolution of the Willyama basin. This period of mineralisation was followed by a diagenetic concentration of sulphide mineralisation at the horizon known as the Bimba Formation, which occurred as a result of the differing redox conditions between the upper and lower sequences in the Willyama Supergroup. During the Mesoproterozoic (1600 to 1500 Ma) Olarian Orogeny, metamorphic remobilisation of strata-bound pyrite resulted in an epigenetic signature; the trace element concentrations of this generation were controlled primarily by the proximity of mineralisation to the mafic intrusive bodies found throughout the terrane. Further reworking of existing sulphides during the Delamerian Orogeny and associated granitoid-intrusive rocks led to the formation of a new generation of epigenetic pyrite that occurs in quartz veins in the Adelaidean sequences and veins that crosscut Olarian fabrics in the Olary Domain. δ³⁴S results range from 16‰ to 11‰, but most data fall between 2‰ and 4‰. This association is suggestive of an initial uniform deep-seated crustal reservoir of sulphur, which has been repeatedly tapped throughout the metallogenic history of the region. The isotopic outliers can be explained by the input of biogenic sulphur or sulphur derived from oxidised, possibly evaporitic, sediments, respectively. Previous workers have invoked the Kupferschiefer and the Zambian Copperbelt as analogues to mineralisation processes in the Olary Domain. This study shows that δ³⁴S and trace element data are suggestive of some affinities with the aforementioned analogues, but a more likely link can be made between epigenetic remobilisation in the Olary region and the iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) style of mineralisation found at the nearby Olympic Dam deposit.     

A comparison of selective extraction soil geochemistry and biogeochemistry in the Cobar area, New South Wales

In parts of the deeply weathered and semi-arid environments of the Cobar area (NSW, Australia), detection of mineralisation using conventional soil sampling and total metal analysis is impeded. This is due to the intense leaching of trace elements within the weathered profile, discontinuous coverage of transported materials and the existence of diffuse regional geochemical anomalies of ill-defined source. Selective chemical extractions, applied to various regolith components, and biogeochemistry offer a means of isolating localised geochemical patterns related to recent dispersion of trace elements through the overburden. Lag geochemical patterns across the McKinnons deposit (Au) and Mrangelli prospect (Pb–Zn–As) reflect mechanical dispersion processes and minor hydromorphic effects. Concentrations of more mobile elements tend to be higher in the non-magnetic fraction, due to higher proportions of goethite and poorly crystalline hematite than in the magnetic fraction. The subdued soil geochemical responses for metals extractable by cold 40% hydrochloric acid (CHX) and for total element concentration reflect the leached nature of the residual profile, low grade of mineralisation, dilution by aeolian components and disequilibrium of fine fractions with coarser, relict Fe-oxides. The stronger contrast for CHX for most metals, compared with total extraction, indicates surface accumulation of trace elements derived from underlying mineralisation. Enzyme leach element anomalies are intense but generally located directly over bedrock sources or major structural breaks, irrespective of the nature of the overburden. Though mechanisms for the dispersion of trace elements extracted by enzyme leaching are not well established, the lack of lateral transport suggests vertical migration of volatile metal species (atmimorphic dispersion). The strong, multi-element response to mineralisation in cypress pine needles indicates significant metal recycling during the present erosional cycle. However, a comparison of the trace element concentrations in vegetation (cypress pine needles) and selective extractions of soils indicates that recycling by the plants is not the dominant mechanism for transportation of metals through the overburden. The vegetation may be responding to hydromorphic dispersion patterns at depth. The use of selective extractions may be useful in detecting mineralisation through deeply leached profiles, but offers even greater potential when integrated with biogeochemistry to detect targets buried by significant thickness of transported cover.     

Alteration at the Olympic Dam IOCG–U deposit: insights into distal to proximal feldspar and phyllosilicate chemistry from infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Twenty thousand metres of diamond drill core representing a 14 km cross-section from weakly to intensely altered Roxby Downs Granite through the Olympic Dam Breccia Complex, host to the Olympic Dam iron-oxide–copper–gold–uranium deposit in South Australia, was analysed using the HyLogger-3 spectral scanner. Thermal and shortwave infrared spectroscopy results from 30 drill holes provide insight into the spatial relationships between quartz, orthoclase–microcline, albite–oligoclase and progressively changing sericite and chlorite compositions. The relative proportions of quartz, feldspars and phyllosilicates were mapped with thermal infrared spectroscopy. Variations in the chemistry of sericite and chlorite were extracted by proxy from their shortwave infrared spectral response, together with their relative spatial distribution. HyLogger scanning has revealed four deposit-scale mineralogical trends, progressing from least-altered Roxby Downs Granite into mineralisation where most of the feldspar has been replaced by sericite + hematite + quartz: (1) a progressive Al–OH wavelength shift of 2205 nm to 2210 nm for sericite, followed by a spatially rapid reversal corresponding to lower phengite/muscovite abundance ratios; (2) progressive Mg/Fe–OH wavelength shift of 2248 nm to 2252 nm reflecting an increase in the Fe:Mg ratio of chlorite; (3) increasing ratio of microcline to orthoclase followed by a rapid decrease; and (4) slightly decreasing ratio of albite to oligoclase followed by plagioclase destruction prior to albite replacement by sericite. The HyLogger feldspar results support recent petrographic evidence for hydrothermal albite and K-feldspar at the Olympic Dam deposit, not previously reported. The spectral results from continuous HyLogger scans also show that the microscopic observations and proposed feldspar replacement reactions are not locally isolated phenomena, but are applicable at the deposit and regional-scale. A modified quartz–K-feldspar–plagioclase ternary diagram utilising mineralogy interpreted from HyLogger thermal infrared spectra (QAP_TIR) diagram along with supporting data on the abundance ratios of orthoclase/microcline and albite/plagioclase, and the wavelength shifts in characteristic absorption features for sericite and chlorite, can be used as empirical vectors towards mineralisation within the Olympic Dam mineral system, with potential application to other IOCG ore-forming systems. Intrusion of Gairdner Dyke Swarm dolerite dykes into sericite ± hematite altered Roxby Downs Granite results in retrograde albite–chlorite–magnetite alteration envelopes (up to tens of metres thick) overprinting the original sericite ± hematite alteration zone and needs to be carefully evaluated to ensure that such areas are not falsely downgraded during exploration.     

海南石碌铁矿北一南六矿体地球化学特征

北一、南六矿体是海南石碌铁矿床最主要的2个铁矿体,赋矿围岩同为二透岩,铁矿石主要为赤铁矿加少量磁铁矿.研究两矿体赋矿围岩和富铁矿石的地球化学特征,比较其物质组成差异性,可以为本矿床深部和外围找矿提供有用信息.研究表明,北一、南六2个矿体二透岩、富铁矿的主量元素、微量元素及稀土元素配分曲线差异明显;北一矿体二透岩除CaO和Co含量低于南六矿体样品外,其余氧化物及微量元素含量均高于南六矿体样品;北一矿体二透岩及富铁矿有Eu弱负异常,南六矿体二透岩及富铁矿Eu正异常;所有样品均表现Ce的弱负异常和轻稀土相对亏损、重稀土相对富集的特征.研究结果表明两矿体成矿环境或受后期热液影响不同.     

黑龙江省逊克县高松山金矿床微量元素地球化学

利用相关分析、聚类分析、因子分析等多元统计方法,对高松山金矿床岩（矿）石微量元素地球化学特征的.研究表明,Au与Ag、As、Sb、Pb等中低温元素具有较强的相关性.依据元素的共生组合及相关性特征,将微量元素分为5个组合类型：Au、Ag、As、Sb、Pb、Mo;Co、Ni、Mn、-Sn;Cu、W;Hg、Bi;Zn、Sn.对矿体轴向上微量元素分布特征研究表明,在不同标高上矿体微量元素出现前缘晕与尾晕指示元素、近矿晕与尾晕指示元素、前缘晕与近矿晕指示元素相互叠加的现象,显示出矿区内成矿作用复杂、具有多次矿化叠加的特征.     

Metallogeny of the Mont-de-l’Aigle IOCG deposit, Gaspé Peninsula, Québec, Canada

The Mont-de-l’Aigle deposit is located in the northern part of Dome Lemieux, in the Connecticut Valley-Gaspé Synclinorium, Gaspé Peninsula, Québec. The Dome Lemieux is a subcircular antiform of Siluro–Devonian sedimentary rocks that is cut by numerous mafic and felsic sills and dikes of Silurian to Late Devonian age. Plutonism occurred in a continental within-plate extensional setting typical of orogenic collapse. The Cu−Fe (± Au) mineralization of Mont-de-l’Aigle occurs in veins, stockworks, and breccias. Mineralization is located near or within N−S and NW−SE faults cutting sedimentary rocks. IOCG mineralization postdates intrusions, skarns, hornfels, and epithermal mineralization typical of the southern part of the Dome Lemieux. The paragenetic sequence comprises: (1) pervasive sodic, potassic, chlorite, and silica alteration, (2) hematite, quartz, pyrite, magnetite, and chalcopyrite veins, stockworks and breccias and, (3) dolomite ± hematite veins and veinlets cutting the earlier mineralization. Intrusions display proximal sodic and potassic alteration, whereas sedimentary rocks have proximal decalcification, silicification, and potassic alteration. Both intrusive and sedimentary rocks are affected by a pervasive distal chlorite (± silica) alteration. The sulfur isotope composition of pyrite and chalcopyrite (δ³⁴S=−1.5 to 4.8‰) suggests that sulfur was derived mainly from igneous rocks. Fluid δ¹⁸O (−0.4 to 2.65‰) indicates meteoric or seawater that reacted with the country rocks. Mixing of hot magmatic fluids with a cooler fluid, perhaps meteoric or seawater is suggested for mineral deposition and alteration of the Mont-de-l’Aigle deposit. The mineralogy, alteration, and sulfur isotope composition of the Mont-de-l’Aigle deposit compare well with IOCG deposits worldwide, making the Mont-de-l’Aigle deposit a rare example of Paleozoic IOCG mineralization, formed at shallow depth, within a low metamorphic grade sedimentary rock sequence.     

Alteration patterns and structural controls of the El Espino IOCG mining district,Chile

The El Espino IOCG mining district is characterized by several mineralized bodies the largest of which is the El Espino deposit, which has an estimated geologic resource of 123 Mt at 0.66 % Cu and 0.24 g/t Au. Mineralized bodies are distributed in a 7?×?10 km² area throughout a 1,000-m vertical section. They range from single veins to stockworks and breccias to manto-type deposits. The ore bodies are hosted primarily by volcanic, volcaniclastic, and sedimentary rocks of the Early Cretaceous Arqueros and Quebrada Marquesa formations, with a few mineralized zones within Late Cretaceous dioritic intrusions. The fault and vein architecture shows that El Espino IOCG system was localized within a dilatational jog along a major transtensional dextral fault system. Sodic alteration (albite) is the most extensive style of alteration in the district, and it is bounded by major NS–NNE trending faults. Sodic–calcic (epidote–albite) alteration occurs at deep to medium elevations (1,000–500 m) and grades inward into calcic alteration. Calcic alteration surrounds dioritic intrusions of the Llahuin plutonic suite. Significant iron oxides are associated with later calcic alteration associations (actinolite–epidote–hematite). The upper portions of the alteration system (0–500 m) display hydrolytic alteration associations with abundant hematite. Hydrolytic veins are feeders to zones of manto-type alteration and mineralization within favorable volcano-sedimentary lithologies that formed El Espino deposit. Sulfides are largely confined to calcic and hydrolytic alteration associations. Hydrothermal fluids responsible for hematite and sulfide mineralization had salinities between 32 and 34 wt% NaCl_eq and temperature of approximately 425 °C at an estimated depth of 3–4 km. Geochronological U–Pb and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar data indicate that hydrothermal alteration was coeval with magmatic intrusive activity. One particular dioritic intrusion (88.5 Ma) preceded the calcic stage (88.4 Ma), which was accompanied by iron oxide copper and gold mineralization. Hydrolytic alteration, related to economic iron oxide copper and gold mineralization, came immediately after at 87.9 Ma.     

Mobility of rare-earth elements and copper during shear-zone-related retrograde metamorphism

In Mid Proterozoic crystalline rocks of the Mount Isa Inlier, around Cloncurry, Australia, 2000 km² of alteration and brecciation are the product of high-temperature (> 450 °C) concentrated saline solution activity. During retrogression, this fluid was locally responsible for mobility of V, Y, Nb and light rare-earth elements (15 × enrichment). Copper and S were leached during alteration and this may have been a significant source of components in nearby Cu-Au deposits. Similar rare-earth-element behaviour has been observed in the hematite breccias which host Cu-sulfides at the giant Olympic Dam Cu-Au deposit.     

A magnetite-rich Cyprus-type VMS deposit in Ortaklar: A unique VMS style in the Tethyan metallogenic belt,Gaziantep, Turkey

The Ortaklar VMS deposit is hosted in the Koçali Complex consisting of basalts and deep sea pelagic sediments, which formed by rifting and continental break-up of the southern Neotethyan in Late Triassic. The basalts are of NMORB-type without notable crustal contamination. From the surface to depth, the Ortaklar deposit consists of a gossan zone, a thick massive ore zone and a poorly developed stockwork zone. Primary mineralisation is characterised by distinctive facies including sulphide breccias (proximal), graded beds (distal), stockworks and chimney fragments. Ore mineral abundances decrease in the order of pyrite, magnetite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite. Two distinct phases of mineralisation, massive magnetite and massive sulphide, are present in the Ortaklar deposit. Textural evidence (e.g., magnetite replacing sulphides) and the spatial relationships with the host rocks indicate that magnetite and sulphide minerals were generated in different stages. The transition from sulphide to magnetite mineralisation is interpreted to relate to variation in H₂S content of ore fluids. The 1st stage massive sulphide ore might have formed by early hydrothermal fluids rich in Fe and H₂S. The 2nd stage massive magnetite might have formed by later neutral hydrothermal fluids rich in Fe but poor in H₂S, replacing the pre-existing sulphide ore.The alteration patterns, mineral paragenesis, lithological features (massive ore-stockwork ore-gossan) of the Ortaklar deposit together with its trace elements, Cu-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag and REE signatures are all consistent with a Cyprus-type VMS system. The δ³⁴S values in pyrite and chalcopyrite samples range from 2.6 to 5.7‰, indicating that the hydrothermal fluids were associated with sub-seafloor igneous activity, typical of Cyprus-type VMS deposits. However, magnetite formed later than sulphide minerals in the Ortaklar deposit, contrasting with typical Cyprus-type VMS deposits where magnetite generally occurs in lower sections. Consequently, although the Ortaklar deposit generally conforms to Cyprus-type deposits, it is distinguished from them by its late stage and high magnetite concentration. Thus, the Ortaklar deposit is thought to be an exceptional and perhaps unique Cyprus-type VMS deposit.     

扬子地块西南缘拉拉IOCG矿床矿化蚀变元素地球化学研究

拉拉IOCG矿床是我国西南地区著名的大型铁铜矿床,矿床中与铜(钼)矿化密切相关的钠长石化、碳酸盐化、钾长石化、黑云母化、萤石化等蚀变作用广泛发育。本文在对该矿床中黑云母片岩系列和钠长石变粒岩系列大量赋矿岩石样品进行岩相学研究的基础上,选取典型蚀变与矿化样品进行主、微量元素分析测试,通过质量比簇判别法和等浓度公式元素定量迁移计算研究矿床中蚀变元素特征及其与矿化的关系。质量比簇判别法和等浓度图解法确定了两个系列岩石共有的主量元素不活动组分为SiO_2,微量元素不活动组分为Yb。主量元素定量迁移计算表明黑云母片岩系列铜矿化与钠长石化和碳酸盐化成正相关关系,钠长石变粒岩系列铜矿化与钾长石化和碳酸盐化成正相关关系,且变粒岩系列碳酸盐化程度较片岩系列更强。稀土元素和金属元素定量迁移计算发现拉拉IOCG矿床中U、Co、Mo、Ni等成矿金属元素在蚀变过程中随Cu矿化大量带入,说明热液蚀变是拉拉Fe-Cu-Au-U-Mo-REE多金属矿床形成的主要原因。蚀变与矿化关系分析表明二者基本是同步发生,蚀变的过程也是矿化的过程,即蚀变的标志也是找矿的标志。拉拉IOCG矿床中蚀变元素地球化学特征及其与矿化关系的研究,对于矿床成矿理论的丰富及矿区进一步找矿勘探工作都具有重要意义。     

东升庙多金属硫化物矿床主要含矿岩系地质地球化学特征及对矿床成因的指示意义

东升庙矿床是内蒙古狼山-渣尔泰山成矿带上最大的锌多金属矿床,主要含矿岩系是狼山群第2岩组。通过对矿区地质现象的野外观察和钻孔样品地球化学特征的研究,结合国际上同类矿床最新研究进展,对东升庙矿床主矿体的成矿过程提出了新观点。岩、矿石样品的岩相学研究结果显示,不同岩段的岩、矿石有不同的组构特征：第4岩性段中部菱铁矿矿石为典型的细粒镶嵌结构和块状构造,具明显的化学沉积特征;第4岩性段底部②号矿体中的闪锌矿矿石具半自形-它形晶粒结构或溶蚀结构,多为角砾状构造或块状构造,有明显的充填-交代现象;第3岩性段以绢云石墨片岩为主的黑色岩系网脉状矿化普遍,常见后期热液充填现象。岩矿石样品的地球化学研究结果显示,菱铁矿矿石和闪锌矿矿石有相似的微量元素富集特征和稀土元素配分曲线,可能具有同一物质来源。而第3岩性段的绢云石墨片岩有不同的微量元素富集特征和稀土元素配分曲线,可能是多期热液活动作用的结果。值得一提的是,在②号主矿体硫化物矿石中不但发现有来自于矿体下部的有一定磨圆度的绢云石墨片岩碎屑角砾,还有一些来自上部围岩的含炭质白云大理岩角砾。此类碎屑角砾可能是交代残余或者交代过程中垮塌的产物,无法用同时沉积解释。综合分析认为第3岩性段的网脉状矿化是后期热液充填的结果,而第4岩性段底部的②号矿体是含矿热液选择性交代碳酸盐地层而成矿,菱铁矿矿体是富铁热液运移到海底后沉积生成。相对于传统的喷流沉积成矿方式,本文认为交代作用对东升庙主矿体的形成起到了关键作用。     

Discriminant diagrams for iron oxide trace element fingerprinting of mineral deposit types

Magnetite and hematite are common minerals in a range of mineral deposit types. These minerals form partial to complete solid solutions with magnetite, chromite, and spinel series, and ulvospinel as a result of divalent, trivalent, and tetravalent cation substitutions. Electron microprobe analyses of minor and trace elements in magnetite and hematite from a range of mineral deposit types (iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG), Kiruna apatite–magnetite, banded iron formation (BIF), porphyry Cu, Fe-Cu skarn, Fe-Ti, V, Cr, Ni-Cu-PGE, Cu-Zn-Pb volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) and Archean Au-Cu porphyry and Opemiska Cu veins) show compositional differences that can be related to deposit types, and are used to construct discriminant diagrams that separate different styles of mineralization. The Ni + Cr vs. Si + Mg diagram can be used to isolate Ni-Cu-PGE, and Cr deposits from other deposit types. Similarly, the Al/(Zn + Ca) vs. Cu/(Si + Ca) diagram can be used to separate Cu-Zn-Pb VMS deposits from other deposit types. Samples plotting outside the Ni-Cu-PGE and Cu-Zn-Pb VMS fields are discriminated using the Ni/(Cr + Mn) vs. Ti + V or Ca + Al + Mn vs. Ti + V diagrams that discriminate for IOCG, Kiruna, porphyry Cu, BIF, skarn, Fe-Ti, and V deposits.     

Regional fluid flow and the genesis of Irish Carboniferous base metal deposits

The Irish carbonate-hosted base metal deposits have long been an enigmatic subclass of deposit. Some of the Irish deposits (Harberton Bridge, Allenwood) are clearly epigenetic, hosted in breccia pipes and have close affinities to Mississippi Valley-type deposits. Others, are characterised by stratabound and sometimes stratiform mineralisation (Abbeytown, Navan), while a third group is associated closely with concordant dolomitic breccias and cavity fill mineralisation at the base of carbonate mud mounds (Lisheen, Ballinalack). When the stratigraphic and textural evidence is reviewed, it is apparent that all of the base metal mineralisation occurred in already compacted sediments. Hence, mineralisation probably occurred at depths of at least several 100 m depth below the sea bed. The mineralisation occurred either during transtensional Lower Carboniferous basin development, or subsequently, during the onset of Variscan shortening. Fluids may have been derived from dewatering of Variscan-driven deformation to the south of the carbonate platform, with fluid flow through major fracture zones and basal clastic aquifers. Alternatively, high heat flow produced by Lower Carboniferous extension may have driven the mineralising system. Syn-genetic models are extremely difficult to sustain.     

新疆乔夏哈拉铁铜金矿床与国内外IOCG矿床的对比研究

随着IOCG矿床不断取得巨大的勘探成果,IOCG矿床在国内外都日益受到关注。新疆乔夏哈拉铁铜金矿床在构造环境、元素组合、蚀变特征等方面与国外典型的IOCG矿床有相似之处,乔夏哈拉铁铜金矿床处于大陆边缘拉张环境,具有Fe-Cu-Au(-REE)多元素组合,蚀变以绿帘石矽卡岩化为主,垂直分带不明显;在成矿时代方面又区别于多数产在元古代的IOCG矿床,而是在古生代;乔夏哈拉西矿区切割铁矿层的闪长岩脉角闪石的Ar-Ar坪年龄为378.1±3.6Ma,故铁的成矿年龄应在泥盆纪。本文认为乔夏哈拉铁铜金矿床不仅与IOCG矿床有较多相似之处,与国内内蒙古白云鄂博铁稀土铌矿床、云南迤纳厂铁铜稀土矿床、云南拉拉铜铁金钴钼稀土矿床和云南稀矿山铁铜矿床等也有相似之处,因此,在中国寻找IOCG矿床尤其是大型矿床,是有可能的。     

A magmatic source of hydrothermal sulfur for the Prominent Hill deposit and associated prospects in the Olympic iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) province of South Australia

The Prominent Hill deposit is a world-class iron oxide copper–gold (IOCG) deposit in South Australia, characterized by a high Cu/S ratio of the dominant Cu-(Fe) sulfides hosted by hematite breccias. It contains a total resource of 278 Mt of ore at 0.98% Cu and 0.75 g/t Au. Prominent Hill is one of several IOCG deposits and numerous prospects in the Olympic IOCG province that are temporally associated with the 1603–1575 Ma Gawler Range Volcanics, a large igneous province including co-magmatic granitoid intrusions of the Hiltaba Suite. Globally, IOCG deposits share many similar features in terms of their geological environment and mineral association. However, it is not yet clear whether sulfur and copper originate from the same source rocks and which hydrothermal redox processes created the characteristic iron oxide enrichment. Highly variable sulfur isotope compositions of sulfides and sulfates in IOCG deposits have previously been interpreted in terms of diverse sulfur sources that may include contributions from magmatic, sedimentary, seawater or evaporitic sulfur. In order to test these alternatives, we performed a detailed sulfur isotope study of Cu-(Fe) sulfides from Prominent Hill and IOCG prospects nearby. The Prominent Hill deposit shows a wide range in δ³⁴S_V-CDT between − 33.5‰ and 29.9‰ for Cu-(Fe) sulfides, and a narrower range of 4.3‰ to 15.8‰ for barite. Iron sulfides (pyrite, pyrrhotite) show a narrow range in sulfur isotope composition, whereas Cu-bearing sulfides show a much wider range, and more negative δ³⁴S_V-CDT values on average. We propose a two-stage sulfide mineralization model for the IOCG system in the Prominent Hill area, in which all hydrothermal sulfur is ultimately derived from a magmatic source that had a composition of 4.4 ± 2‰. The diversity in sulfur isotope composition can be produced by different fluid evolution pathways along reducing or oxidizing trajectories. A reduced sulfur evolution pathway is responsible for stage I mineralization, when intrusion-derived magmatic-hydrothermal fluids produced early pyrite and minor chalcopyrite at Prominent Hill, and iron ± copper sulfides in regional magnetite skarns and in some pervasively altered volcanic rocks of the Gawler Range Volcanics. Shallow-venting magmatic-hydrothermal fluids and subaerial volcanic gases that became completely oxidized by reaction with atmospheric oxygen produced sulfate and sulfuric acid with a sulfur isotope composition equal to their magmatic source. This highly oxidized ore fluid probably consisted dominantly of water from the hydrosphere, but contained magmatic solute components, notably sulfate, acidity and Cu. Sulfate reduction produced hydrothermal Cu sulfides with a wide range in sulfur isotope compositions from very negative to moderately positive values. Partial reaction of the Cu-rich stage II fluid with earlier stage I sulfides resulted in mixing of sulfur derived from sulfate reduction and from sulfides deposited during stage I. Modeling of the sulfur isotope fractionation processes in response to reducing and oxidizing pathways demonstrates that the entire spectrum of sulfur isotope data from stage I and stage II mineralization can be explained with a single, ultimately magmatic sulfur source. Such a magmatic sulfur source is also adequate to explain the complete spectrum of sulfur isotope data of other IOCG prospects and deposits in the Olympic province, including Olympic Dam. The results of our study challenge the conventional model that suggests the requirement of multiple and compositionally diverse sulfur sources in hematite-breccia hosted IOCG style mineralization.     

智利MARCIA铜矿地质特征及成矿机理

MARCIA铜矿位于智利海岸山脉成矿带,通过对矿区地层、地质特征、矿体特征与构造的关系等分析,对该矿区铜矿的形成机理进行了初步探讨,认为该矿区铜矿的形成与断裂关系密切,F2断裂是导矿和容矿断裂,该区找矿前景巨大.     

Iron oxide-copper-gold deposits: an Andean view

Iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposits, defined primarily by their elevated magnetite and/or hematite contents, constitute a broad, ill-defined clan related to a variety of tectono-magmatic settings. The youngest and, therefore, most readily understandable IOCG belt is located in the Coastal Cordillera of northern Chile and southern Peru, where it is part of a volcano-plutonic arc of Jurassic through Early Cretaceous age. The arc is characterised by voluminous tholeiitic to calc-alkaline plutonic complexes of gabbro through granodiorite composition and primitive, mantle-derived parentage. Major arc-parallel fault systems developed in response to extension and transtension induced by subduction roll-back at the retreating convergent margin. The arc crust was attenuated and subjected to high heat flow. IOCG deposits share the arc with massive magnetite deposits, the copper-deficient end-members of the IOCG clan, as well as with manto-type copper and small porphyry copper deposits to create a distinctive metallogenic signature.The IOCG deposits display close relations to the plutonic complexes and broadly coeval fault systems. Based on deposit morphology and dictated in part by lithological and structural parameters, they can be separated into several styles: veins, hydrothermal breccias, replacement mantos, calcic skarns and composite deposits that combine all or many of the preceding types. The vein deposits tend to be hosted by intrusive rocks, especially equigranular gabbrodiorite and diorite, whereas the larger, composite deposits (e.g. Candelaria-Punta del Cobre) occur within volcano-sedimentary sequences up to 2 km from pluton contacts and in intimate association with major orogen-parallel fault systems. Structurally localised IOCG deposits normally share faults and fractures with pre-mineral mafic dykes, many of dioritic composition, thereby further emphasising the close connection with mafic magmatism. The deposits formed in association with sodic, calcic and potassic alteration, either alone or in some combination, reveal evidence of an upward and outward zonation from magnetite-actinolite-apatite to specular hematite-chlorite-sericite and possess a Cu-Au-Co-Ni-As-Mo-U-(LREE) (light rare earth element) signature reminiscent of some calcic iron skarns around diorite intrusions. Scant observations suggest that massive calcite veins and, at shallower palaeodepths, extensive zones of barren pyritic feldspar-destructive alteration may be indicators of concealed IOCG deposits.The balance of evidence strongly supports a genetic connection of the central Andean IOCG deposits with gabbrodiorite to diorite magmas from which the ore fluid may have been channelled by major ductile to brittle fault systems for several kilometres vertically or perhaps even laterally. The large, composite IOCG deposits originated by ingress of the ore fluid to relatively permeable volcano-sedimentary sequences. The mafic magma may form entire plutons or, alternatively, may underplate more felsic intrusions, as witnessed by the ore-related diorite dykes, but in either case the origin of the ore fluid at greater, unobserved depths may be inferred. It is concluded that external 'basinal' fluids were not a requirement for IOCG formation in the central Andes, although metamorphic, seawater, evaporitic or meteoric fluids may have fortuitously contaminated the magmatic ore fluid locally. The proposed linkage of central Andean and probably some other IOCG deposits to oxidised dioritic magmas may be compared with the well-documented dependency of several other magmatic-hydrothermal deposit types on igneous petrochemistry. The affiliation of a spectrum of base-metal poor gold-(Bi-W-Mo) deposit styles to relatively reduced monzogranite-granodiorite intrusions may be considered as a closely analogous example.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Geological and thermochronological studies of the Dashui gold deposit, West Qinling Orogen, Central China

The Dashui gold deposit is a structurally controlled, Carlin-type gold deposit hosted by recrystallised limestone in the West Qinling Orogen of Central China. The major, structurally late east-trending Dashui Fault forms the hanging wall to the gold mineralisation at the Dashui mine and defines the contact between Middle Triassic limestone and a steeply dipping overlying succession of Middle Triassic argillaceous limestone, dolomite, and sandstone. Multiple carbonate veins and large-scale supergene enrichment, represented by hematite, goethite, limonite and jarosite, characterise the deposit. Detailed geochronological investigation using zircon SHRIMP U-Pb dating reveals that volcanic rocks closely associated with the Dashui gold deposit were synchronous with the Ge’erkuohe Granite and pre-date mineralisation. The igneous dyke sample from the hanging wall has the same U-Pb zircon age as the footwall, ca. 213 Ma. (U-Th)/He thermochronology on dykes in the hanging wall and footwall of the Dashui Fault yields identical (U-Th)/He zircon ages of ca. 210 Ma but distinct (U-Th)/He apatite ages of ca. 136 and 211 Ma, respectively. Therefore, the hanging wall and footwall are interpreted as having distinct post-mineralisation exhumation histories. Reverse fault movement exhumed the hanging wall ~2 to 4 km since the Late Triassic with the main component of faulting taking place between the Late Triassic and Early Cretaceous. These relationships suggest a Late Triassic to Early Cretaceous age for the primary gold mineralisation at the Dashui gold deposit, with the corollary that any ‘missing portion’ of the deposit, previously hypothesised to exist in the hanging wall of the Dashui Fault, has been eroded away. The mineralisation in the footwall may have been supergene enriched soon after the primary mineralisation was emplaced, because it has been located at shallow depth since the Late Triassic. Semi-quantitative results obtained in this study also constrain the maximum depth of formation of the Dashui gold at no more than 2 km.