Fluid origin and structural enhancement during mineralization of the Jinshan orogenic gold deposit, South China

The Jinshan orogenic gold deposit is a world-class deposit hosted by a ductile shear zone caused by a transpressional terrane collision during Neoproterozoic time. Ore bodies at the deposit include laminated quartz veins and disseminated pyrite-bearing mylonite. Most quartz veins in the shear zone, with and without gold mineralization, were boudinaged during progressive shear deformation with three generations of boudinage structures produced at different stages of progressive deformation. Observations of ore-controlling structures at various scales indicate syn-deformational mineralization. Fluid inclusions from pyrite intergrown with auriferous quartz have ³He/⁴He ratios of 0.15–0.24 Ra and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁶Ar ratios 575–3,060. δ¹⁸O_fluid values calculated from quartz are 5.5–8.4‰, and δD values of fluid inclusions contained in quartz range between −61‰ and −75‰. The δ¹³C values of ankerite range from −5.0‰ to −4.2‰, and ankerite δ¹⁸O values from 4.4‰ to 8.0‰. The noble gas and stable isotope data suggest a predominant crustal source of ore fluids with less than 5% mantle component. Data also show that in situ fluids were generated locally by pervasive pressure solution, and that widespread dissolution seams acted as pathways of fluid flow, migration, and precipitation. The in situ fluids and fluids derived from deeper levels of the crust were focused by deformation and deformation structures at various scales through solution-dissolution creep, crack-seal slip, and cyclic fault-valve mechanisms during progressively localized deformation and gold mineralization.     

Isotope geochemistry of ore fluids for the Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit, China

The Dongsheng sandstone-type uranium deposit is one of the large-sized sandstone-type uranium deposits discovered in the northern part of the Ordos Basin of China in recent years. Geochemical characteristics of the Dongsheng uranium deposit are significantly different from those of the typical interlayered oxidized sandstone-type uranium ore deposits in the region of Middle Asia. Fluid inclusion studies of the uranium deposit showed that the uranium ore-forming temperatures are within the range of 150–160℃. Their 3He/4He ratios are within the range of 0.02–1.00 R/Ra, about 5–40 times those of the crust. Their 40Ar/36Ar ratios vary from 584 to 1243, much higher than the values of atmospheric argon. The δ18OH2O and δD values of fluid inclusions from the uranium deposit are -3.0‰– -8.75‰ and -55.8‰– -71.3‰, respectively, reflecting the characteristics of mixed fluid of meteoric water and magmatic water. The δ18OH2O and δD values of kaolinite layer at the bottom of the uranium ore deposit are 6.1‰ and -77‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of magmatic water. The δ13CV-PDB and δ18OH2O values of calcite veins in uranium ores are -8.0‰ and 5.76‰, respectively, showing the characteristics of mantle source. Geochemical characteristics of fluid inclusions indicated that the ore-formation fluid for the Dongsheng uranium deposit was a mixed fluid of meteoric water and deep-source fluid from the crust. It was proposed that the Jurassic-Cretaceous U-rich metamorphic rocks and granites widespread in the northern uplift area of the Ordos Basin had been weathered and denudated and the ore-forming elements, mainly uranium, were transported by meteoric waters to the Dongsheng region, where uranium ores were formed. Tectonothermal events and magmatic activities in the Ordos Basin during the Mesozoic made fluids in the deep interior and oil/gas at shallow levels upwarp along the fault zone and activated fractures, filling into U-bearing clastic sandstones, thus providing necessary energy for the formation of uranium ores.     

Helium and argon isotopic compositions of the Longquanzhan gold deposit in the Yishu fault zone and their geological implications

The Longquanzhan gold deposit hosted in granitic cataclasites with mylontization of the foot wall of the main Yishui-Tangtou fault. 3He/4He ratios in fluid inclusions range from 0. 14 to 0. 24 R/Ra,close to those of the crust-source helium. 40Ar/36Ar ratios were measured to be 289-1811, slightly higher than those of atmospheric argon. The results of analysis of helium and argon isotopes suggested that ore-forming fluids were derived chiefly from the crust. The δ18O values of fluid inclusions from vein quartz range from -1.78‰ to 4.07‰, and the δD values of the fluid inclusions vary between -74‰ and -77‰. The hydrogen and oxygen isotope data indicated that the ore-forming fluid for the Longquanzhan gold deposit had mixed with meteoric water in the process of mineralization. This is consistent with the conclusion from the helium and argon isotope data.     

The Darasun gold deposit,Eastern Transbaikal region: Chemical composition,REE patterns,and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of carbonates from ore veins

The chemistry, REE patterns, and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonates from ore veins of the Darasun deposit are discussed. In addition to the earlier described siderite, calcite, and carbonates of the dolomite-ankerite series, kutnahorite is identified. The total REE content in Fe-Mg carbonates of the dolomite-ankerite series (2.8–73 ppm) is much lower than in later calcite (18–390 ppm). δ¹³C of Fe-Mg carbonates and calcite varies from +1.1 to −6.7‰ and from −0.9 to −4.9‰, respectively. δ¹⁸O of Fe-Mg carbonates and calcite varies from +17.6 to 3.6‰ and from +15.7 to −0.5‰, respectively. The REE sum and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions reveal zonal distribution relative to the central granodiorite porphyry stock. The correlation between the carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions and REE sum reflects variations in the physicochemical formation conditions and composition of ore-forming fluid. The isotopic composition of fluid is calculated, and possible sources of its components are considered. Earlier established evidence for a magmatic source of ore-forming fluid and participation of meteoric water in ore formation is confirmed. Geochemical evidence for interaction of ore-forming fluid with host rocks is furnished. The relationships between the REE sum, on the one hand, and carbon and oxygen isotopic compositions of hydrothermal ore-forming fluid, on the other, are established.     

Geology and geochemistry of telluride-bearing Au deposits in the Pingyi area, Western Shandong, China

Summary Telluride-bearing gold deposits of the Pingyi area, western Shandong, China, are located on the southeastern margin of the North China Craton. There are two main types of deposits: (i) mineralized cryptoexplosive breccia, e.g., Guilaizhuang; and (ii) stratified, finely-disseminated mineralization hosted in carbonate rocks, e.g., Lifanggou and Mofanggou deposits. In Guilaizhuang, the cryptoexplosive breccia is formed within rocks of the Tongshi complex and Ordovician dolomite. The mineralization is controlled by an E–W-trending listric fault. Stratified orebodies of the Lifanggou and Mofanggou deposits are placed along a NE-trending, secondary detachment zone. They are hosted within dolomitic limestone, micrite and dolomite of the Early-Middle Cambrian Changqing Group. The mineralization in the ore districts is considered to be related to the Early Jurassic Tongshi magmatic complex that formed in a continental arc setting on the margin of the North China Craton. The host rocks are porphyritic and consist predominantly of medium- to fine-grained diorite and pyroxene (hornblende)-bearing monzonite. SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of diorites give a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U weighted mean age of 175.7 ± 3.8 Ma. This is interpreted as representing the crystallization age of the Tongshi magmatic complex. Considering the contact relationships between the magmatic and host sedimentary rocks, as well as the genetic link with the deposits, we conclude that this age is relevant also for the formation of mineralization in the Pingyi area. We hence consider that the deposits formed in the Jurassic. The principal gold minerals are native gold, electrum and calaverite. Wall-rock alteration comprises pyritization, fluoritization, silicification, carbonatization and chloritization. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that all the analyzed inclusions are of two-phase vapor–liquid NaCl–H₂O type. Homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions vary from 103 °C to 250 °C, and the ice melting temperatures range from −2.5 °C to −13.5 °C, corresponding to a salinity range of 4.65 to 17.26 wt.% NaCl equiv. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite associated with gold mineralization exhibit a narrow range of −0.71 to + 2.99‰, implying that the sulfur was probably derived from the mantle and/or dioritic magma. The δ¹³C_PDB values of the fluid inclusions in calcite range from −7.3 to 0.0‰. The δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of vein quartz and calcite range from 11.5 to 21.5‰, corresponding to δ¹⁸O_fluid values of −1.1 to 10.9‰; δD values of the fluid inclusions vary between −70 and −48‰. The isotope data for all three deposits suggest mixing of ore-forming fluids derived from the mantle and/or magma with different types of fluids at shallow levels. Pressure release and boiling of the fluids, as well as fluid-rock interaction (Lifanggou and Mofanggou) and mixing of magmatically-derived fluids with meteoritic waters (Guilaizhuang) played an important role in the ore-forming processes.     

Geology and geochemistry of jasperoids from the Gold Bar district, Nevada

Gold Bar is one of several Carlin-type gold mining districts located in the Battle Mountain–Eureka trend, Nevada. It is composed of one main deposit, Gold Bar; five satellite deposits; and four resources that contain 1.6 Moz (50 t) of gold. All of the deposits and resources occur at the intersection of north-northwest- and northeast-trending high-angle faults in slope facies limestones of the Devonian Nevada Group exposed in windows through Ordovician basin facies siliciclastic rocks of the Roberts Mountains allochthon. Igneous intrusions and magnetic anomalies are notably absent. The Gold Bar district contains a variety of discordant and stratabound jasperoid bodies, especially along the Wall Fault zone, that were mapped and studied in some detail to identify the attributes of those most closely associated with gold ore and to constrain genetic models. Four types of jasperoids, J₀, J₁, J₂, and J₃, were distinguished on the basis of their geologic and structural settings and appearance. Field relations suggest that J₀ formed during an early event. Petrographic observations, geochemistry, and δ¹⁸O values of quartz suggest it was overprinted by the hydrothermal event that produced ore-related J₁, J₂, and J₃ jasperoids and associated gold deposits. The greater amount of siliciclastic detritus present in J₀ jasperoids caused them to have higher δ¹⁸O values than J_1,2,3 jasperoids hosted in underlying limestones. Ore-related jasperoids are composed of main-ore-stage replacements and late-ore-stage open-space filling quartz with variable geochemistry and an enormous range of δ¹⁸O values (24.5 and −3.7‰). Jasperoids hosted in limestones with the most anomalous Au, Ag, Hg, ±(As, Sb, Tl) concentrations and the highest δ¹⁸O values are associated with the largest deposits. The 28‰ range of jasperoid δ¹⁸O values is best explained by mixing between an ¹⁸O-enriched fluid and an ¹⁸O-depleted fluid. The positive correlation between the sizes of gold deposits and the δ¹⁸O composition of jasperoids indicates that gold was introduced by the ¹⁸O-enriched fluid. The lowest calculated δ¹⁸O value for water in equilibrium with late-ore-stage quartz at 200°C (−15‰) and the measured δD value of fluid inclusion water extracted from late-ore-stage orpiment and realgar (−116‰) indicate that the ¹⁸O-depleted fluid was composed of relatively unexchanged meteoric water. The source of the ¹⁸O-enriched ore fluid is not constrained. The δ³⁴S values of late-ore-stage realgar, orpiment, and stibnite (5.7–15.5‰) and barite (31.5–40.9‰) suggest that H₂S and sulfate were derived from sedimentary sources. Likewise, the δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O values of late-stage calcite (−4.8 to 1.5‰ and 11.5 to 17.4‰, respectively) suggest that CO₂ was derived from marine limestones. Based on these data and the apparent absence of any Eocene intrusions in the district, Gold Bar may be the product of a nonmagmatic hydrothermal system.     

Stable isotope characteristics and origin of ore-forming fluids in copper-gold-polymetallic deposits within strike-slip pull-apart basin of Weishan-Yongping continental collision orogenic belt, Yunnan Province, China

More than 140 middle-small sized deposits or minerals are present in the Weishan-Yongping ore concentration area which is located in the southern part of a typical Lanping strike-slip and pull-apart basin. It has plenty of mineral resources derived from the collision between the Indian and Asian plates. The ore-forming fluid system in the Weishan-Yongping ore concentration area can be divided into two subsystems, namely, the Zijinshan subsystem and Gonglang arc subsystem. The ore-forming fluids of Cu, Co deposits in the Gonglang arc fluid subsystem have δD values between −83.8‰ and −69‰, δ¹⁸O values between 4.17‰ and 10.45‰, and δ¹³C values between −13.6‰ and 3.7‰, suggesting that the ore-forming fluids of Cu, Co deposits were derived mainly from magmatic water and partly from formation water. The ore-forming fluids of Au, Pb, Zn, Fe deposits in the Zijinshan subsystem have δD values between −117.4‰ and −76‰, δ¹⁸O values between 5.32‰ and 9.56‰, and Δ¹³C values between −10.07‰ and −1.5‰. The ore-forming fluids of Sb deposits have δD values between −95‰ and −78‰, δ¹⁸O values between 4.5‰ and 32.3‰, and Δ¹³C values between −26.4‰ and −1.9‰. Hence, the ore-forming fluids of the Zijinshan subsystem must have been derived mainly from formation water and partly from magmatic water. Affected by the collision between the Indian and Asian plates, ore-forming fluids in Weishan-Yongping basin migrated considerably from southwest to northeast. At first, the Gonglang arc subsystem with high temperature and high salinity was formed. With the development of the ore-forming fluids, the Zijinshan subsystem with lower temperature and lower salinity was subsequently formed. Translated from Mineral Deposits, 2006, 25(1): 60–70 [译自: 矿床地质]     

Fluid evolution at the Variscan front in the vicinity of the Aachen thrust

Quartz–carbonate–chlorite veins were studied in borehole samples of the RWTH-1 well in Aachen. Veins formed in Devonian rocks in the footwall of the Aachen thrust during Variscan deformation and associated fluid flow. Primary fluid inclusions indicate subsolvus unmixing of a homogenous H₂O–CO₂–CH₄–(N₂)–Na–(K)–Cl fluid into a H₂O–Na–(K)–Cl solution and a vapour-rich CO₂–(H₂O, CH₄, N₂) fluid. The aqueous end-member composition resembles that of metamorphic fluids of the Variscan front zone with salinities ranging from 4 to 7% NaCl equiv. and maximum homogenisation temperatures of close to 400°C. Pressure estimates indicate a burial depth between 4,500 and 8,000 m at geothermal gradients between 50 and 75°C/26 MPa, but pressure decrease to sublithostatic conditions is also indicated, probably as a consequence of fracture opening during episodic seismic activity. A second fluid system, mainly preserved in pseudo-secondary and secondary fluid inclusions, is characterised by fluid temperatures between 200 and 250°C and salinities of <5% NaCl equiv. Bulk stable isotope analyses of fluids released from vein quartz, calcite, and dolomite by decrepitation yielded δD_H2O values from −89 to −113 ‰, δ¹³C_CH4 from −26.9 to −28.9‰ (VPDB) and δ¹³C_CO2 from −12.8 to −23.3‰ (VPDB). The low δD and δ¹³C range of the fluids is considered to be due to interaction with cracked hydrocarbons. The second fluid influx caused partial isotope exchange and disequilibrium. It is envisaged that an initial short lived flux of hot metamorphic fluids expelled from the epizonal metamorphic domains of the Stavelot–Venn massif. The metamorphic fluid was focused along major thrust faults of the Variscan front zone such as the Aachen thrust. A second fluid influx was introduced from formation waters in the footwall of the Aachen thrust as a consequence of progressive deformation. Mixing of the cooler and lower salinity formation water with the hot metamorphic fluid during episodic fluid trapping resulted in an evolving range of physicochemical fluid inclusion characteristics.     

Fluid inclusion and stable isotope (O, H, C, and S) constraints on the genesis of the Serrinha gold deposit, Gurupi Belt, northern Brazil

The Serrinha gold deposit of the Gurupi Belt, northern Brazil, belongs to the class of orogenic gold deposits. The deposit is hosted in highly strained graphitic schist belonging to a Paleoproterozoic (∼2,160 Ma) metavolcano-sedimentary sequence. The ore-zones are up to 11 m thick, parallel to the regional NW–SE schistosity, and characterized by quartz-carbonate-sulfide veinlets and minor disseminations. Textural and structural data indicate that mineralization was syn- to late-tectonic and postmetamorphic. Fluid inclusion studies identified early CO₂ (CH₄-N₂) and CO₂ (CH₄-N₂)-H₂O-NaCl inclusions that show highly variable phase ratios, CO₂ homogenization, and total homogenization temperatures both to liquid and vapor, interpreted as the product of fluid immiscibility under fluctuating pressure conditions, more or less associated with postentrapment modifications. The ore-bearing fluid typically has 18–33mol% of CO₂, up to 4mol% of N₂, and less than 2mol% of CH₄ and displays moderate to high densities with salinity around 4.5wt% NaCl equiv. Mineralization occurred around 310 to 335°C and 1.3 to 3.0 kbar, based on fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures and oxygen isotope thermometry with estimated oxygen fugacity indicating relatively reduced conditions. Stable isotope data on quartz, carbonate, and fluid inclusions suggest that veins formed from fluids with δ¹⁸O_H2O and δD_H2O (310–335°C) values of +6.2 to +8.4‰ and −19 to −80‰, respectively, which might be metamorphic and/or magmatic and/or mantle-derived. The carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C) varies from −14.2 to −15.7‰ in carbonates; it is −17.6‰ in fluid inclusion CO₂ and −23.6‰ in graphite from the host rock. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite are −2.6 to −7.9‰. The strongly to moderately negative carbon isotope composition of the carbonates and inclusion fluid CO₂ reflects variable contribution of organic carbon to an originally heavier fluid (magmatic, metamorphic, or mantle-derived) at the site of deposition and sulfur isotopes indicate some oxidation of the originally reduced fluid. The deposition of gold is interpreted to have occurred mainly in response to phase separation and fluid-rock interactions such as CO₂ removal and desulfidation reactions that provoked variations in the fluid pH and redox conditions.     

S,Pb, C and O isotopic compositions and ore genesis of the strata-bound polymetallic sulfide deposits in central Inner Mongolia,China

The strata-bound Cu−Pb−Zn polymetallic sulfide deposits occur in metamorphic rocks of greenschist phase of the middle-upper Proterozoic Langshan Group in central Inner Mongolia. δ³⁴S values for sulfides range from −3.1‰ to +37.3‰, and an apparent difference is noticed between vein sulfides and those in bedded rocks. For example, δ³⁴S values for bedded pyrite range from +10.6‰ to +20.0‰, while those for vein pyrite vary from −3.1‰ to +14.1‰. δ³⁴S of bedded pyrrhotite is in the range +7.9‰–+23.5‰ in comparison with +6.5‰–+17.1‰ for vein pyrrhotite. The wide scatter of δ³⁴S and the enrichment of heavier sulfur indicate that sulfur may have been derived from H₂S as a result of bacterial reduction of sulfates in the sea water. Sulfur isotopic composition also differs from deposit to deposit in this area because of the difference in environment in which they were formed. The mobilization of bedded sulfides in response to regional metamorphism and magmatic intrusion led to the formation of vein sulfides. δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C of ore-bearing rocks and wall rocks are within the range typical of ordinary marine facies, with the exception of lower values for ore-bearing marble at Huogeqi probably due to diopsidization and tremalitization of carbonate rocks. Pb isotopic composition is relatively stable and characterized by lower radio-genetic lead. The age of basement rocks was calculated to be about 23.9 Ma and ore-forming age 7.8 Ma.²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb−²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb−²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb plots indicate that Pb may probably be derived from the lower crust or upper mantle. It is believed that the deposits in this region are related to submarine volcanic exhalation superimposed by later regional metamorphism and magmatic intrusion.     

A fluid inclusion and stable isotope study of 200 Ma of fluid evolution in the Galway Granite, Connemara, Ireland

Fluid inclusions in granite quartz and three generations of veins indicate that three fluids have affected the Caledonian Galway Granite. These fluids were examined by petrography, microthermometry, chlorite thermometry, fluid chemistry and stable isotope studies. The earliest fluid was a H₂O-CO₂-NaCl fluid of moderate salinity (4–10 wt% NaCl eq.) that deposited late-magmatic molybdenite mineralised quartz veins (V₁) and formed the earliest secondary inclusions in granite quartz. This fluid is more abundant in the west of the batholith, corresponding to a decrease in emplacement depth. Within veins, and to the east, this fluid was trapped homogeneously, but in granite quartz in the west it unmixed at 305–390 °C and 0.7–1.8 kbar. Homogeneous quartz δ¹⁸O across the batholith (9.5 ± 0.4‰n = 12) suggests V₁ precipitation at high temperatures (perhaps 600 °C) and pressures (1–3 kbar) from magmatic fluids. Microthermometric data for V₁ indicate lower temperatures, suggesting inclusion volumes re-equilibrated during cooling. The second fluid was a H₂O-NaCl-KCl, low-moderate salinity (0–10 wt% NaCl eq.), moderate temperature (270–340 °C), high δD (−18 ± 2‰), low δ¹⁸O (0.5–2.0‰) fluid of meteoric origin. This fluid penetrated the batholith via quartz veins (V₂) which infill faults active during post-consolidation uplift of the batholith. It forms the most common inclusion type in granite quartz throughout the batholith and is responsible for widespread retrograde alteration involving chloritization of biotite and hornblende, sericitization and saussuritization of plagioclase, and reddening of K-feldspar. The salinity was generated by fluid-rock interactions within the granite. Within granite quartz this fluid was trapped at 0.5–2.3 kbar, having become overpressured. This fluid probably infiltrated the Granite in a meteoric-convection system during cooling after intrusion, but a later age cannot be ruled out. The final fluid to enter the Granite and its host rocks was a H₂O-NaCl-CaCl₂-KCl fluid with variable salinity (8–28 wt% NaCl eq.), temperature (125–205 °C), δD (−17 to −45‰), δ¹⁸O (−3 to + 1.2‰), δ¹³C_CO2 (−19 to 0‰) and δ³⁴S_sulphate (13–23‰) that deposited veins containing quartz, fluorite, calcite, barite, galena, chalcopyrite sphalerite and pyrite (V₃). Correlations of salinity, temperature, δD and δ¹⁸O are interpreted as the result of mixing of two fluid end-members, one a high-δD (−17 to −8‰), moderate-δ¹⁸O (1.2–2.5‰), high-δ¹³C_CO2 (> −4‰), low-δ³⁴S_sulphate (13‰), high-temperature (205–230 °C), moderate-salinity (8–12 wt% NaCl eq.) fluid, the other a low-δD (−61 to −45‰), low-δ¹⁸O (−5.4 to −3‰), low-δ¹³C (<−10‰), high-δ³⁴S_sulphate (20–23‰) low-temperature (80–125 °C), high-salinity (21–28 wt% NaCl eq.) fluid. Geochronological evidence suggests V₃ veins are late Triassic; the high-δD end-member is interpreted as a contemporaneous surface fluid, probably mixed meteoric water and evaporated seawater and/or dissolved evaporites, whereas the low-δD end-member is interpreted as a basinal brine derived from the adjacent Carboniferous sequence. This study demonstrates that the Galway Granite was a locus for repeated fluid events for a variety of reasons; from expulsion of magmatic fluids during the final stages of crystallisation, through a meteoric convection system, probably driven by waning magmatic heat, to much later mineralisation, concentrated in its vicinity due to thermal, tectonic and compositional properties of granite batholiths which encourage mineralisation long after magmatic heat has abated. Received: 3 April 1996 / Accepted: 5 May 1997     

Fluid Inclusion Studies of Gold Deposits in the Gezhen Shear Zone,Hainan Province,China

The Tuwaishan, Baoban, Erjia, Bumo and other gold deposits in western Hainan occur in Precambrian metamorphic clastic rocks and are structurally controlled by the Gezhen shear zone. Fluid inclusion studies have been carried out of the gold deposits mentioned above. The homogenization temperatures of the whole fluid inclusion population range from 140°C to 370°C, indicating that gold was precipitated mainly at 240–250°C. The salinities are within the range of 2.0–9.2 wt% NaCl equiv. and the pressure of formation of the deposits was estimated at about 270×10⁵−500×10⁵Pa, corresponding to a depth of about 1.1–2.0 km under lithostatic confinement. Chemical studies show that the ore fluid is of the Na⁺(K⁺)-Ca²⁺-Cl⁻(F⁻) type. Theδ ¹⁸O andδD values of the fluid vary from −2.7‰- +4.4‰ and −50‰–−87‰ Evidence developed from fluid inclusions and geological setting indicates that the ore fluid was a mixture of magmatic and meteoric-hydrothermal waters. Changes in chemical composition andδ ¹⁸O andδD of fluid inclusions from one ore field to another seem to be related with regional tectonism, metamorphism and magmatism.     

Gold mineralization in the Mazowe area, Harare-Bindura-Shamva greenstone belt, Zimbabwe: II. Genetic relationships deduced from mineralogical, fluid inclusion and stable isotope studies, and the Sm-Nd isotopic composition of scheelites

In the Mazowe area some 40 km NW of Harare in Zimbabwe, gold mineralization is hosted in a variety of lithologies of the Archean Harare-Bindura-Shamva greenstone belt, in structures related to the late Archean regional D2/3 event. Conspicuous mineralzogical differences exist between the mines; the mainly granodiorite-hosted workings at Mazowe mine are on pyrite-rich reefs, mines of the Bernheim group have metabasalt host rocks and are characterized by arsenopyrite-rich ores, and Stori's Golden Shaft and Alice mine, both in metabasalts, work sulfide-poor quartz veins. In contrast to the mineralogical diversity, near-identical fluid inventories were found at the different mines. Both H₂O-CO₂-CH₄ fluids of low salinity, and highly saline fluids are present and are regarded to indicate fluid mixing during the formation of the deposits. Notably, these fluid compositions in the Mazowe gold field markedly contrast to ore fluids “typical” of Archean mesothermal gold deposits on other cratons. Stable isotope compositions of quartz from the various deposits (δ¹⁸O=10.8 to 13.2‰ SMOW), calcite (δ¹⁸O=9.5 to 11.9‰ SMOW and δ¹³C=−3.2 to −8.0‰ PDB), inclusion water (δD=−28 to −40‰ SMOW) and sulfides (δ³⁴S=1.3 to 3.2‰ CDT) are uniform within the range typical for Archean lode gold deposits worldwide. The fluid and stable isotope compositions support the statement that the mineralization in the Mazowe gold field formed from relatively reduced fluids with a “metamorphic” signature during a single event of gold mineralization. Microthermometric data further indicate that the deposits formed in the PT range of 1.65–2.3 kbar and 250–380 °C. Ages obtained by using the Sm/Nd and Rb/Sr isotope systems on scheelites are 2604 ± 84 Ma for the mineralization at Stori's Golden Shaft mine, and 2.40 ± 0.20 Ga for Mazowe mine. The Archean age at Stori's is regarded as close to the true age of gold mineralization in the area, whereas the Proterozoic age at Mazowe mine probably reflects later resetting. Received: 30 September 1998 / Accepted: 17 August 1999     

Mineralogical and stable isotope studies of gold–arsenic mineralisation in the Sams Creek peralkaline porphyritic granite, South Island, New Zealand

At Sams Creek, a gold-bearing, peralkaline granite porphyry dyke, which has a 7 km strike length and is up to 60 m in thickness, intrudes camptonite lamprophyre dykes and lower greenschist facies metapelites and quartzites of the Late Ordovician Wangapeka formation. The lamprophyre dykes occur as thin (< 3 m) slivers along the contacts of the granite dyke. δ¹⁸O_magma values (+5 to +8‰, VSMOW) of the A-type granite suggest derivation from a primitive source, with an insignificant mature crustal contribution. Hydrothermal gold–sulphide mineralisation is confined to the granite and adjacent lamprophyre; metapelite country rocks have only weak hydrothermal alteration. Three stages of hydrothermal alteration have been identified in the granite: Stage I alteration (high fO₂) consisting of magnetite–siderite±biotite; Stage II consisting of thin quartz–pyrite veinlets; and Stage III (low fO₂) consisting of sulphides, quartz and siderite veins, and pervasive silicification. The lamprophyre is altered to an ankerite–chlorite–sericite assemblage. Stage III sulphide veins are composed of arsenopyrite + pyrite ± galena ± sphalerite ± gold ± chalcopyrite ± pyrrhotite ± rutile ± graphite. Three phases of deformation have affected the area, and the mineralised veins and the granite and lamprophyre dykes have been deformed by two phases of folding, the youngest of which is Early Cretaceous. Locally preserved early-formed fluid inclusions are either carbonic, showing two- or three-phases at room temperature (liquid CO₂-CH₄ + liquid H₂O ± CO₂ vapour) or two-phase liquid-rich aqueous inclusions, some of which contain clathrates. Salinities of the aqueous inclusions are in the range of 1.4 to 7.6 wt% NaCl equiv. Final homogenisation temperatures (Th) of the carbonic inclusions indicate minimum trapping temperatures of 320 to 355°C, which are not too different from vein formation temperatures of 340–380°C estimated from quartz–albite stable isotope thermometry. δ¹⁸O values of Stage II and III vein quartz range from +12 and +17‰ and have a bimodal distribution (+14.5 and +16‰) with Stage II vein quartz accounting for the lower values. Siderite in Stage III veins have δ¹⁸O (+12 to +16‰) and δ¹³C values (−5‰, relative to VPDB), unlike those from Wangapeka Formation metasediments (δ¹³C_{bulk carbon} values of −24 to −19‰) and underlying Arthur Marble marine carbonates (δ¹⁸O = +25‰ and δ¹³C = 0‰). Calculated δ¹⁸O_water (+8 to +11‰, at 340°C) and (−5‰) values from vein quartz and siderite are consistent with a magmatic hydrothermal source, but a metamorphic hydrothermal origin cannot be excluded. δ³⁴S values of sulphides range from +5 to +10‰ (relative to CDT) and also have a bimodal distribution (modes at +6 and +9‰, correlated with Stage II and Stage III mineralisation, respectively). The δ³⁴S values of pyrite from the Arthur Marble marine carbonates (range from +3 to +13‰) and Wangapeka Formation (range from −4 to +9.5‰) indicate that they are potential sources of sulphur for sulphides in the Sams Creek veins. Another possible source of the sulphur is the lithospheric mantle which has positive values up to +14‰. Ages of the granite, lamprophyre, alteration/mineralisation, and deformation in the region are not well constrained, which makes it difficult to identify sources of mineralisation with respect to timing. Our mineralogical and stable isotope data does not exclude a metamorphic source, but we consider that the source of the mineralisation can best be explained by a magmatic hydrothermal source. Assuming that the hydrothermal fluids were sourced from crystallisation of the Sams Creek granite or an underlying magma chamber, then the Sams Creek gold deposit appears to be a hybrid between those described as reduced granite Au–Bi deposits and alkaline intrusive-hosted Au–Mo–Cu deposits.     

Geochemical Characteristics of Jinwozi Gold Deposit,Xinjiang

The Jinwozi gold deposit consists of gold-bearing quartz veins in a biotite granodiorite of Hercynian age (zircon U-Pb age ≈ 335.7 Ma). Ore mineralogy is simple. In addition to native gold, there are only small amounts of sulfides, mainly pyrite and minor sphalerite, chalcopyrite and galena. δ³⁴S values average 6.69‰, and δ¹⁸O 13.99‰ Abundant CO₂ is contained in fluid inclusions from quartz. Homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions are between 186 and 262 °C. REE distribution patterns indicate that the igneous mass may have been derived from a common initial material of calcareous-argillaceous sediments and alkali basalts as the country rocks. In other words, the Jinwozi granodiorite is of remelting origin from crustal material. Isotopic evidence of S, O and Pb shows that the ore-forming material is genetically related to magmatic hydrothermal activity.     

300 Million years of episodic hydrothermal activity: stable isotope evidence from hydrothermal rocks of the Eastern Iberian Central System

The Eastern Iberian Central System has abundant ore showings hosted by a wide variety of hydrothermal rocks; they include Sn-W, Fe and Zn-(W) calcic and magnesian skarns, shear zone- and episyenite-hosted Cu-Zn-Sn-W orebodies, Cu-W-Sn greisens and W-(Sn), base metal and fluorite-barite veins. Systematic dating and fluid inclusion studies show that they can be grouped into several hydrothermal episodes related with the waning Variscan orogeny. The first event was at about 295 Ma followed by younger pulses associated with Early Alpine rifting and extension and dated near 277, 150 and 100 to 20 Ma, respectively (events II–IV). The δ¹⁸O-δD and δ³⁴S studies of hydrothermal rocks have elucidated the hydrological evolution of these systems. The event I fluids are of mixed origin. They are metamorphic fluids (H₂O-CO₂-CH₄-NaCl; δ¹⁸O=4.7 to 9.3‰; δD ab.−34‰) related to W-(Sn) veins and modified meteoric waters in the deep magnesian Sn-W skarns (H₂O-NaCl, 4.5–6.4 wt% NaCl eq.; δ¹⁸O=7.3–7.8‰; δD=−77 to −74‰) and epizonal shallow calcic Zn-(W) and Fe skarns (H₂O-NaCl, <8 wt% NaCl eq.; δ¹⁸O=−0.4 to 3.4‰; δD=−75 to −58‰). They were probably formed by local hydrothermal cells that were spatially and temporally related to the youngest Variscan granites, the metals precipitating by fluid unmixing and fluid-rock reactions. The minor influence of magmatic fluids confirms that the intrusion of these granites was essentially water-undersaturated, as most of the hydrothermal fluids were external to the igneous rocks. The fluids involved in the younger hydrothermal systems (events II–III) are very similar. The waters involved in the formation of episyenites, chlorite-rich greisens, retrograde skarns and phyllic and chlorite-rich alterations in the shear zones show no major chemical or isotopic differences. Interaction of the hydrothermal fluids with the host rocks was the main mechanism of ore formation. The composition (H₂O-NaCl fluids with original salinities below 6.2 wt% NaCl eq.) and the δ¹⁸O (−4.6 to 6.3‰) and δD (−51 to −40‰) values are consistent with a meteoric origin, with a δ¹⁸O-shift caused by the interaction with the, mostly igneous, host rocks. These fluids circulated within regional-scale convective cells and were then channelled along major crustal discontinuities. In these shear zones the more easily altered minerals such as feldspars, actinolite and chlorite had their δ¹⁸O signatures overprinted by low temperature younger events while the quartz inherited the original signature. In the shallower portions of the hydrothermal systems, basement-cover fluorite-barite-base metal veins formed by mixing of these deep fluids with downwards percolating brines. These brines are also interpreted as of meteoric origin (δ¹⁸O< ≈ −4‰; δD=−65 to −36‰) that leached the solutes (salinity >14 wt% NaCl eq.) from evaporites hosted in the post-Variscan sequence. The δD values are very similar to most of those recorded by Kelly and Rye in Panasqueira and confirm that the Upper Paleozoic meteoric waters in central Iberia had very negative δD values (≤−52‰) whereas those of Early Mesozoic age ranged between −65 and −36‰. Received: 9 June 1999 / Accepted: 19 January 2000     

Carbon and oxygen isotope constraints on fluid sources and fluid–wallrock interaction in regional alteration and iron-oxide–copper–gold mineralisation, eastern Mt Isa Block, Australia

The source of metasomatic fluids in iron-oxide–copper–gold districts is contentious with models for magmatic and other fluid sources having been proposed. For this study, δ ¹⁸O and δ ¹³C ratios were measured from carbonate mineral separates in the Proterozoic eastern Mt Isa Block of Northwest Queensland, Australia. Isotopic analyses are supported by petrography, mineral chemistry and cathodoluminescence imagery. Marine meta-carbonate rocks (ca. 20.5‰ δ ¹⁸O and 0.5‰ δ ¹³C calcite) and graphitic meta-sedimentary rocks (ca. 14‰ δ ¹⁸O and −18‰ δ ¹³C calcite) are the main supracrustal reservoirs of carbon and oxygen in the district. The isotopic ratios for calcite from the cores of Na–(Ca) alteration systems strongly cluster around 11‰ δ ¹⁸O and −7‰ δ ¹³C, with shifts towards higher δ ¹⁸O values and higher and lower δ ¹³C values, reflecting interaction with different hostrocks. Na–(Ca)-rich assemblages are out of isotopic equilibrium with their metamorphic hostrocks, and isotopic values are consistent with fluids derived from or equilibrated with igneous rocks. However, igneous rocks in the eastern Mt Isa Block contain negligible carbon and are incapable of buffering the δ ¹³C signatures of CO₂-rich metasomatic fluids associated with Na–(Ca) alteration. In contrast, plutons in the eastern Mt Isa Block have been documented as having exsolved saline CO₂-rich fluids and represent the most probable fluid source for Na–(Ca) alteration. Intrusion-proximal, skarn-like Cu–Au orebodies that lack significant K and Fe enrichment (e.g. Mt Elliott) display isotopic ratios that cluster around values of 11‰ δ ¹⁸O and −7‰ δ ¹³C (calcite), indicating an isotopically similar fluid source as for Na–(Ca) alteration and that significant fluid–wallrock interaction was not required in the genesis of these deposits. In contrast, K- and Fe-rich, intrusion-distal deposits (e.g. Ernest Henry) record significant shifts in δ ¹⁸O and δ ¹³C towards values characteristic of the broader hostrocks to the deposits, reflecting fluid–wallrock equilibration before mineralisation. Low temperature, low salinity, low δ ¹⁸O (<10‰ calcite) and CO₂-poor fluids are documented in retrograde metasomatic assemblages, but these fluids are paragenetically late and have not contributed significantly to the mass budgets of Cu–Au mineralisation.     

Geochemical characteristics of pyrite in Duolanasayi gold deposit, Xinjiang

The Duolanasayi gold deposit, 60 km NW of Habahe County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is a mid-large-scale gold deposit controlled by brittle-ductile shearing, and superimposed by albitite veins and late-stage magma hydrothermal solutions. There are four types of pyrite, which are contained in the light metamorphosed rocks (limestone, siltstone), altered-mineralized rocks (chlorite-schist, altered albite-granite, mineralized phyllite), quartz veins and carbonatite veinlets. The pyrite is the most common ore mineral. The Au-barren pyrite is present mainly in a simple form and gold-bearing pyrite is present mainly in a composite form. From the top downwards, the pyrite varies in crystal form from {100} and {210} {100} to {210} {100} {111} to {100} {111}. Geochemical studies indicate that the molecular contents of pyrite range from Fe1.057S2 to Fe0.941S2. Gold positively correlates with Mn, Sr, Zn, Te, Pb, Ba and Ag. There are four groups of trace elements: Fe-Cu-Sr-Ag, Au-Te-Co, As-Pb-Zn and Mn-V-Ti-Ba-Ni-Cr in pyrite. The REE characteristics show that the total amount of REE (ΣREE) ranges from 32.35×10 -6 to 132.18×10 -6; LREE/HREE, 4.466-9.142; (La/Yb)N, 3.719-11.133; (Eu/Sm)N, 0.553-1.656; (Sm/Nd)N, 0.602-0.717; La/Yb, 6.26-18.75; δEu, 0.628-2.309; δCe, 0.308-0.816. Sulfur isotopic compositions (δ 34S=-2.46‰--7.02‰) suggest that the sulfur associated with gold mineralization was derived from the upper mantle or lower crust.     

A fluid inclusion and isotopic study of an intrusion-related gold deposit (IRGD) setting in the 380 Ma South Mountain Batholith,Nova Scotia,Canada: evidence for multiple fluid reservoirs

A set of sheeted quartz veins cutting 380 Ma monzogranite at Sandwich Point, Nova Scotia, Canada, provide an opportunity to address issues regarding fluid reservoirs and genesis of intrusion-related gold deposits. The quartz veins, locally with arsenopyrite (≤5%) and elevated Au–(Bi–Sb–Cu–Zn), occur within the reduced South Mountain Batholith, which also has other zones of anomalous gold enrichment. The host granite intruded (P = 3.5 kbars) Lower Paleozoic metaturbiditic rocks of the Meguma Supergroup, well known for orogenic vein gold mineralization. Relevant field observations include the following: (1) the granite contains pegmatite segregations and is cut by aplitic dykes and zones (≤1–2 m) of spaced fracture cleavage; (2) sheeted veins containing coarse, comb-textured quartz extend into a pegmatite zone; (3) arsenopyrite-bearing greisens dominated by F-rich muscovite occur adjacent the quartz veins; and (4) vein and greisen formation is consistent with Riedel shear geometry. Although these features suggest a magmatic origin for the vein-forming fluids, geochemical studies indicate a more complex origin. Vein quartz contains two types of aqueous fluid inclusion assemblages (FIA). Type 1 is a low-salinity (≤3 wt.% equivalent NaCl) with minor CO₂ (≤2 mol%) and has T _h = 280–340°C. In contrast, type 2 is a high-salinity (20–25 wt.% equivalent NaCl), Ca-rich fluid with T _h = 160–200°C. Pressure-corrected fluid inclusion data reflect expulsion of a magmatic fluid near the granite solidus (650°C) that cooled and mixed with a lower temperature (400°C), wall rock equilibrated, Ca-rich fluid. Evidence for fluid unmixing, an important process in some intrusion-related gold deposit settings, is lacking. Stable isotopic (O, D, S) analyses for quartz, muscovite and arsenopyrite samples from vein and greisens indicate the following: (1) δ¹⁸O_qtz = +11.7‰ to 17.8‰ and δ¹⁸O_musc = +10.7‰ to +11.2‰; (2) δD_musc = −44‰ to−54‰; and (3) δ³⁴S_aspy = +7.8‰ to +10.3‰. These data are interpreted, in conjunction with fluid inclusion data, to reflect contamination of a magmatic-derived fluid (d¹⁸O_H2O {\delta^{{{18}}}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{{\rm{H}}_{{2}}}{\rm{O}}}}}  ≤ +10‰) by an external fluid (d¹⁸O_H2O {\delta^{{{18}}}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{{\rm{H}}_{{2}}}{\rm{O}}}}}  ≥ +15‰), the latter having equilibrated with the surrounding metasedimentary rocks. The δ³⁴S data are inconsistent with a direct igneous source based on other studies for the host intrusion (d¹⁸O_H2O {\delta^{{{18}}}}{{\hbox{O}}_{{{{\rm{H}}_{{2}}}{\rm{O}}}}}  = +5‰) and are, instead, consistent with an external reservoir for sulphur based on δ³⁴S_H2S data for the surrounding metasedimentary rocks. Divergent fluid reservoirs are also supported by analyses of Pb isotopes for pegmatitic K-feldspar and vein arsenopyrite. Collectively the data indicate that the vein- and greisen-forming fluids had a complex origin and reflect both magmatic and non-magmatic reservoirs. Thus, although the geological setting suggests a magmatic origin, the geochemical data indicate involvement of multiple reservoirs. These results suggest multiple reservoirs for this intrusion-related gold deposit setting and caution against interpreting the genesis of intrusion-related gold deposit mineralization in somewhat analogous settings based on a limited geochemical data set.     

Genesis of sediment-hosted stratiform copper–cobalt mineralization at Luiswishi and Kamoto, Katanga Copperbelt (Democratic Republic of Congo)

The sediment-hosted stratiform Cu–Co mineralization of the Luiswishi and Kamoto deposits in the Katangan Copperbelt is hosted by the Neoproterozoic Mines Subgroup. Two main hypogene Cu–Co sulfide mineralization stages and associated gangue minerals (dolomite and quartz) are distinguished. The first is an early diagenetic, typical stratiform mineralization with fine-grained minerals, whereas the second is a multistage syn-orogenic stratiform to stratabound mineralization with coarse-grained minerals. For both stages, the main hypogene Cu–Co sulfide minerals are chalcopyrite, bornite, carrollite, and chalcocite. These minerals are in many places replaced by supergene sulfides (e.g., digenite and covellite), especially near the surface, and are completely oxidized in the weathered superficial zone and in surface outcrops, with malachite, heterogenite, chrysocolla, and azurite as the main oxidation products. The hypogene sulfides of the first Cu–Co stage display δ³⁴S values (−10.3‰ to +3.1‰ Vienna Canyon Diablo Troilite (V-CDT)), which partly overlap with the δ³⁴S signature of framboidal pyrites (−28.7‰ to 4.2‰ V-CDT) and have ∆³⁴S_SO4-Sulfides in the range of 14.4‰ to 27.8‰. This fractionation is consistent with bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR). The hypogene sulfides of the second Cu–Co stage display δ³⁴S signatures that are either similar (−13.1‰ to +5.2‰ V-CDT) to the δ³⁴S values of the sulfides of the first Cu–Co stage or comparable (+18.6‰ to +21.0‰ V-CDT) to the δ³⁴S of Neoproterozoic seawater. This indicates that the sulfides of the second stage obtained their sulfur by both remobilization from early diagenetic sulfides and from thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR). The carbon (−9.9‰ to −1.4‰ Vienna Pee Dee Belemnite (V-PDB)) and oxygen (−14.3‰ to −7.7‰ V-PDB) isotope signatures of dolomites associated with the first Cu–Co stage are in agreement with the interpretation that these dolomites are by-products of BSR. The carbon (−8.6‰ to +0.3‰ V-PDB) and oxygen (−24.0‰ to −10.3‰ V-PDB) isotope signatures of dolomites associated with the second Cu–Co stage are mostly similar to the δ¹³C (−7.1‰ to +1.3‰ V-PDB) and δ¹⁸O (−14.5‰ to −7.2‰ V-PDB) of the host rock and of the dolomites of the first Cu–Co stage. This indicates that the dolomites of the second Cu–Co stage precipitated from a high-temperature, host rock-buffered fluid, possibly under the influence of TSR. The dolomites associated with the first Cu–Co stage are characterized by significantly radiogenic Sr isotope signatures (0.70987 to 0.73576) that show a good correspondence with the Sr isotope signatures of the granitic basement rocks at an age of ca. 816 Ma. This indicates that the mineralizing fluid of the first Cu–Co stage has most likely leached radiogenic Sr and Cu–Co metals by interaction with the underlying basement rocks and/or with arenitic sedimentary rocks derived from such a basement. In contrast, the Sr isotope signatures (0.70883 to 0.71215) of the dolomites associated with the second stage show a good correspondence with the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios (0.70723 to 0.70927) of poorly mineralized/barren host rocks at ca. 590 Ma. This indicates that the fluid of the second Cu–Co stage was likely a remobilizing fluid that significantly interacted with the country rocks and possibly did not mobilize additional metals from the basement rocks.