The nature, origin and physicochemical controls of hydrothermal Mo-Bi mineralization in the Cadillac deposit, Quebec, Canada

Mo-Bi mineralization occurs in subvertical and subhorizontal quartz-muscovite-± K-feldspar veins surrounded by early albitic and later K-feldspathic alteration halos in monzogranite of the Archean Preissac pluton, Abitibi region, Québec, Canada. Molybdenite is intergrown with muscovite in the veins or associated with K-feldspar in the alteration halos. Mineralized veins contain five main types of fluid inclusions: aqueous liquid and liquid-vapor inclusions, aqueous carbonic liquid-liquid-vapor inclusions, carbonic liquid and vapor inclusions, halite-bearing aqueous liquid and liquid-vapor inclusions, trapped mineral-bearing aqueous liquid and liquid-vapor inclusions. The carbonic solid in frozen carbonic and aqueous-carbonic inclusions melts in most cases at −56.7 ± 0.1 °C indicating that the carbonic fluid consists largely of CO₂. All aqueous inclusion types and the aqueous phase in carbonic inclusions have low initial melting temperatures (≥70 °C), requiring the presence of salts other than NaCl. Leachate analyses show that the bulk fluid contains variable proportions of Na, K, Ca, Cl, and traces of Mg and Li. The following solids were identified in the fluid inclusions by SEM-EDS analysis: halite, calcite, muscovite, millerite (NiS), barite and antarcticite (CaCl₂ · 6H₂O). All are interpreted to be trapped phases except halite which is a daughter mineral, and antarcticite which formed during sample preparation (freezing). Aqueous inclusions homogenize to liquid at temperatures between 75 °C and 400 °C; the mode is 375 °C. Aqueous-carbonic inclusions homogenize to liquid or vapor between 210 °C and 400 °C. Halite-bearing aqueous inclusions homogenize by halite dissolution at approximately 170 °C. Aqueous inclusions containing trapped solids exhibit liquid-vapor homogenization at temperatures similar to those of halite-bearing aqueous inclusions. Temperatures of vein formation, based on oxygen isotopic fractionation between quartz and muscovite, range from 342 °C to 584 °C. The corresponding oxygen isotope composition of the aqueous fluid in equilibrium with these minerals ranges from 1.2 to 5.5 per mil with a mean of 3.9 per mil, suggesting that the liquid had a significant meteoric component. Isochores for aqueous fluid inclusions intersect the modal isotopic isotherm of 425 °C at pressures between 590 and 1900 bar. A model is proposed in which molybdenite was deposited owing to decreasing temperature and/or pressure from CO₂-bearing, moderate to high salinity fluids of mixed magmatic-meteoric origin that were in equilibrium with K-feldspar and muscovite. These fluids resulted from the degassing of a monzogranitic magma and evolved through interaction with volcanic (komatiitic) and sedimentary country rocks. Received: 6 February 1997 / Accepted: 28 January 1998     

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     

Origin of CO2-rich fluid inclusions in synorogenic veins from the Eastern Mount Isa Fold Belt, NW Queensland, and their implications for mineralization

Synorogenic veins from the Proterozoic Eastern Mount Isa Fold Belt contain three different types of fluid inclusions: CO₂-rich, aqueous two-phase and rare multiphase. Inclusions of CO₂ without a visible H₂O phase are particularly common. The close association of CO₂-rich inclusions with aqueous two-phase, and possibly multiphase inclusions suggests that phase separation of low- to -moderate salinity CO₂-rich hydrothermal fluids led to the selective entrapment of the CO₂. Microthermometric results indicate that CO₂-rich inclusions homogenize between –15.5 and +29.9 °C which corresponds to densities of 0.99 to 0.60 g.cm⁻³. The homogenization temperatures of the associated aqueous two-phase inclusions are 127–397 °C, with salinities of 0.5 to 18.1 wt.% NaCl equivalent. The rarely observed multiphase inclusions homogenize between 250 and 350 °C, and have salinities ranging from 34.6 to 41.5 wt.% NaCl equivalent. Evidence used to support the presence of fluid immiscibility in this study is mainly derived from observations of coexisting H₂O-rich and CO₂-rich inclusions in groups and along the same trail. In addition, these two presumably unmixed fluids are also found on adjacent fractures where monophase CO₂-rich inclusions are closely related to H₂O-rich inclusions. Similar CO₂-rich inclusions are widespread in mineral deposits in this region, which are simply metal-enriched synorogenic veins. Therefore, we argue that fluid immiscibility caused volatile species such as CO₂ and H₂S to be lost from liquid, thus triggering ore deposition by increasing the fluid pH and decreasing the availability of complexing ligands. Received: 28 April 1997 / Accepted: 4 January 1999     

Retrograde fluids in the Archean Shawmere anorthosite, Kapuskasing Structural Zone, Ontario, Canada

The Archean Shawmere anorthosite lies within the granulite facies portion of the Kapuskasing Structural Zone (KSZ), Ontario, and is crosscut by numerous linear alteration veins containing calcite + quartz ± dolomite ± zoisite ± clinozoisite ± margarite ±paragonite ± chlorite. These veins roughly parallel the trend of the Ivanhoe Lake Cataclastic Zone. Equilibria involving clinozoisite + margarite + quartz ± calcite ± plagioclase show that the vein minerals were stable at T < 600 °C, XCO₂ < 0.4 at P ≈ 6 kbar. The stabilities of margarite and paragonite in equilibrium with quartz are also consistent with T < 600 °C and XCO₂ < 0.4 at 6 kbar. Additional assemblages consisting of calcite + clinochlore + quartz + talc + margarite indicate T < 500 °C with XCO₂ > 0.9. Thus, vein formation, while clearly retrograde, spanned a range of temperatures, and fluid compositions evolved from H₂O-rich to CO₂-rich. The calcite in the retrograde veins has δ¹⁸O values that range from 8.4 to 11.2‰ (average = +9.7 ± 0.9‰) and δ¹³C values that range from −3.9 to −1.6‰ (average = −3.1 ± 0.6‰). These values indicate that the fluids from which calcite precipitated underwent extensive exchange with the anorthosite and other crustal lithologies. The fluids may have been initially derived either from devolatilization of metamorphic rocks or crystallization of igneous rocks in the adjacent Abitibi subprovince. Vein quartz contains CO₂-rich fluid inclusions (final melting T = −57.0 to −58.7 °C) that range in size from 5 to 17 μm. Measured homogenization temperatures (T h) range from −44.0 to 14.5 °C, however for most inclusions (46 of S1), T h = −44.0 to −21.1 °C (ρCO₂ ≈ 1.13 to 1.05 g/cm³). At 400 to 600 °C, these densities correspond to pressures of 3.5 to 7 kbar, which is the best estimate of pressures of vein formation. It has been argued that some high density CO₂-rich fluid inclusions found in the KSZ were formed during peak metamorphism and thus document the presence of a CO₂-rich fluid during peak granulite facies metamorphism (Rudnick et al. 1984). The association of high density CO₂-rich fluid inclusions with clearly retrograde veins documents the formation of similar composition and density inclusions after the peak of metamorphism. Thus, the coincidence of entrapment pressures calculated from fluid inclusion density measurements with peak metamorphic pressures alone should not be considered strong evidence for peak metamorphic inclusion entrapment. All fluid inclusion results are consistent with an initially semi-isobaric retrograde P–T path. Received: 2 April 1996 / Accepted: 15 November 1996     

Gold ore-forming fluids of the Tanami region, Northern Australia

Fluid inclusion studies have been carried out on major gold deposits and prospects in the Tanami region to determine the compositions of the associated fluids and the processes responsible for gold mineralization. Pre-ore, milky quartz veins contain only two-phase aqueous inclusions with salinities ≤19 wt% NaCl eq. and homogenization temperatures that range from 110 to 410°C. In contrast, the ore-bearing veins typically contain low to moderate salinity (<14 wt% NaCl eq.), H₂O + CO₂ ± CH₄ ± N₂-bearing fluids. The CO₂-bearing inclusions coexist with two-phase aqueous inclusions that exhibit a wider range of salinities (≤21 wt% NaCl eq.). Post-ore quartz and carbonate veins contain mainly two-phase aqueous inclusions, with a last generation of aqueous inclusions being very CaCl₂-rich. Salinities range from 7 to 33 wt% NaCl eq. and homogenization temperatures vary from 62 to 312°C. Gold deposits in the Tanami region are hosted by carbonaceous or iron-rich sedimentary rocks and/or mafic rocks. They formed over a range of depths at temperatures from 200 to 430°C. The Groundrush deposit formed at the greatest temperatures and depths (260–430°C and ≤11 km), whereas deposits in the Tanami goldfield formed at the lowest temperatures (≥200°C) and at the shallowest depths (1.5–5.6 km). There is also evidence in the Tanami goldfield for late-stage isothermal mixing with higher salinity (≤21 wt% NaCl eq.) fluids at temperatures between 100 and 200°C. Other deposits (e.g., The Granites, Callie, and Coyote) formed at intermediate depths and at temperatures ranging from 240 to 360°C. All ore fluids contained CO₂ ± N₂ ± CH₄, with the more deeply formed deposits being enriched in CH₄ and higher level deposits being enriched in CO₂. Fluids from deposits hosted mainly by sedimentary rocks generally contained appreciable quantities of N₂. The one exception is the Tanami goldfield, where the quartz veins were dominated by aqueous inclusions with rare CO₂-bearing inclusions. Calculated δ ¹⁸O values for the ore fluids range from 3.8 to 8.5‰ and the corresponding δD values range from −89 to −37‰. Measured δ ¹³C values from CO₂ extracted from fluid inclusions ranged from −5.1 to −8.4‰. These data indicate a magmatic or mixed magmatic/metamorphic source for the ore fluids in the Tanami region. Interpretation of the fluid inclusion, alteration, and structural data suggests that mineralization may have occurred via a number of processes. Gold occurs in veins associated with brittle fracturing and other dilational structures, but in the larger deposits, there is also an association with iron-rich rocks or carbonaceous sediments, suggesting that both structural and chemical controls are important. The major mineralization process appears to be boiling/effervescence of a gas-rich fluid, which leads to partitioning of H₂S into the vapor phase resulting in gold precipitation. However, some deposits also show evidence of desulfidation by fluid–rock interaction and/or reduction of the ore-fluid by fluid mixing. These latter processes are generally more prevalent in the higher crustal-level deposits.     

Fluid evolution of rare-element and muscovite granitic pegmatites from central Galicia, NW Spain

Fluid inclusions have been studied in three pegmatite fields in Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula. Based on microthermometry and Raman spectroscopy, eight fluid systems have been recognized. The first fluid may be considered to be a pegmatitic fluid which is represented by daughter mineral (silicates)-rich aqueous inclusions. These inclusions are primary and formed above 500 °C (dissolution of daughter minerals). During pegmatite crystallization, this fluid evolved to a low-density, volatile-rich aqueous fluid with low salinity (93% H₂O; 5% CO₂; 0.5% CH₄; 0.2% N₂; 1.3% NaCl) at minimum P–T conditions around 3 ± 0.5 kbar and 420 °C. This fluid is related to rare-metal mineralization. The volatile enrichment may be due to mixing of magmatic fluids and fluids equilibrated with the host rock. A drop in pressure from 3 ± 0.5 to 1 kbar at a temperature above 420 °C, which may be due to the transition from predominantly lithostatic to hydrostatic pressure, is recorded by two-phase, water-rich inclusions with a low-density vapour phase (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂). Another inclusion type is represented by two-phase, vapour-rich inclusions with a low-density vapour phase (CO₂, CH₄ and N₂), indicating a last stage of decreasing temperature (360 °C) and pressure (around 0.5 kbar), probably due to progressive exhumation. Finally, volatile (CO₂)-rich aqueous inclusions, aqueous inclusions (H₂O-NaCl) and mixed-salt aqueous inclusions with low Th, are secondary in charac- ter and represent independent episodes of hydrothermal fluid circulation below 310 °C and 0.5 kbar. Received: 14 October 1999 / Accepted: 5 October 1999     

Hydrocarbon- and ore-bearing basinal fluids: a possible link between gold mineralization and hydrocarbon accumulation in the Youjiang basin,South China

The Youjiang basin, which flanks the southwest edge of the Yangtze craton in South China, contains many Carlin-type gold deposits and abundant paleo-oil reservoirs. The gold deposits and paleo-oil reservoirs are restricted to the same tectonic units, commonly at the basinal margins and within the intrabasinal isolated platforms and/or bioherms. The gold deposits are hosted by Permian to Triassic carbonate and siliciclastic rocks that typically contain high contents of organic carbon. Paragenetic relationships indicate that most of the deposits exhibit an early stage of barren quartz ± pyrite (stage I), a main stage of auriferous quartz + arsenian pyrite + arsenopyrite + marcasite (stage II), and a late stage of quartz + calcite + realgar ± orpiment ± native arsenic ± stibnite ± cinnabar ± dolomite (stage III). Bitumen in the gold deposits is commonly present as a migrated hydrocarbon product in mineralized host rocks, particularly close to high grade ores, but is absent in barren sedimentary rocks. Bitumen dispersed in the mineralized rocks is closely associated and/or intergrown with the main stage jasperoidal quartz, arsenian pyrite, and arsenopyrite. Bitumen occurring in hydrothermal veins and veinlets is paragenetically associated with stages II and III mineral assemblages. These observations suggest an intimate relationship between bitumen precipitation and gold mineralization. In the paleo-petroleum reservoirs that typically occur in Permian reef limestones, bitumen is most commonly observed in open spaces, either alone or associated with calcite. Where bitumen occurs with calcite, it is typically concentrated along pore/vein centers as well as along the wall of pores and fractures, indicating approximately coeval precipitation. In the gold deposits, aqueous fluid inclusions are dominant in the early stage barren quartz veins (stage I), with a homogenization temperature range typically of 230°C to 270°C and a salinity range of 2.6 to 7.2 wt% NaCl eq. Fluid inclusions in the main and late-stage quartz and calcite are dominated by aqueous inclusions as well as hydrocarbon- and CO₂-rich inclusions. The presence of abundant hydrocarbon fluid inclusions in the gold deposits provides evidence that at least during main periods of the hydrothermal activity responsible for gold mineralization, the ore fluids consisted of an aqueous solution and an immiscible hydrocarbon phase. Aqueous inclusions in the main stage quartz associated with gold mineralization (stage II) typically have a homogenization temperature range of 200–230°C and a modal salinity around 5.3 wt% NaCl eq. Homogenization temperatures and salinities of aqueous inclusions in the late-stage drusy quartz and calcite (stage III) typically range from 120°C to 160°C and from 2.0 to 5.6 wt% NaCl eq., respectively. In the paleo-oil reservoirs, aqueous fluid inclusions with an average homogenization temperature of 80°C are dominant in early diagenetic calcite. Fluid inclusions in late diagenetic pore- and fissure-filling calcite associated with bitumen are dominated by liquid C₂H₆, vapor CH₄, CH₄–H₂O, and aqueous inclusions, with a typical homogenization temperature range of 90°C to 180°C and a salinity range of 2–8 wt% NaCl eq. It is suggested that the hydrocarbons may have been trapped at relatively low temperatures, while the formation of gold deposits could have occurred under a wider and higher range of temperatures. The timing of gold mineralization in the Youjiang basin is still in dispute and a wide range of ages has been reported for individual deposits. Among the limited isotopic data, the Rb–Sr date of 206 ± 12 Ma for Au-bearing hydrothermal sericite at Jinya as well as the Re–Os date of 193 ± 13 Ma on auriferous arsenian pyrite and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar date of 194.6 ± 2 Ma on vein-filling sericite at Lannigou may provide the most reliable age constraints on gold mineralization. This age range is comparable with the estimated petroleum charging age range of 238–185 Ma and the Sm–Nd date of 182 ± 21 Ma for the pore- and fissure-filling calcite associated with bitumen at the Shitouzhai paleo-oil reservoir, corresponding to the late Indosinian to early Yanshanian orogenies in South China. The close association of Carlin-type gold deposits and paleo-oil reservoirs, the paragenetic coexistence of bitumens with ore-stage minerals, the presence of abundant hydrocarbons in the ore fluids, and the temporal coincidence of gold mineralization and hydrocarbon accumulation all support a coeval model in which the gold originated, migrated, and precipitated along with the hydrocarbons in an immiscible, gold- and hydrocarbon-bearing, basinal fluid system.     

Fluid inclusions in the Niquelândia and Barro Alto Complexes, Goias State, Brazil

Summary ?Fluid inclusions from two Mesoproterozoic, metamorphosed layered intrusive complexes, Niquelandia and Barro Alto, Goiás State, Brazil record multiple fluid influx events from the magmatic to granulitic and retrograde metamorphic stages. 1. The oldest inclusions contain high density CO₂ ± N₂ ± CH₄ and are found as primaries in plagioclase and orthopyroxene in mafic granulite with homogenization temperatures between − 48 and − 28 °C. These inclusions may correspond to the early, magmatic stage. This type was found in samples from both the Niquelandia and the Barro Alto complexes. 2. Intragranular, relatively high density CO₂ + N₂ inclusions (T_h between − 33 and − 26 °C) together with decrepitated and reequilibrated N₂ inclusions (T_h between − 160 and − 151 °C) in the rock-forming minerals can be associated with the granulite facies metamorphism. Such inclusions were found only in the Barro Alto complex. 3. Transgranular, high density, CO₂–N₂ inclusions (93% CO₂ and 7% N₂, according to Raman analysis, with T_h between − 66.6 and − 50.4 °C) as well as the low density, secondary CO₂ ± N₂ ± CH₄ inclusions (T_h between − 13.0 and + 18.7 °C) and the H₂O–NaCl–CaCl₂ hypersaline inclusions (with halite dissolution temperature between 132 and 354 °C, and T_h between 212 and 490 °C) are attributed to different fluid influx events during the retrograde metamorphism. This inclusion type can be found both in the Niquelandia and in the Barro Alto complexes. The fluid inclusion textures and compositions show several stages of fluid evolution. The fluid inclusion measurements and the geothermobarometric data indicate an anticlockwise P-T path for both the Barro Alto and the Niquelandia complexes. Received October 16, 2000; revised version accepted November 20, 2001     

Structural controls,temperature–pressure conditions and fluid evolution of orogenic gold mineralisation at the Betam mine,south Eastern Desert,Egypt

The Betam gold deposit, located in the southern Eastern Desert of Egypt, is related to a series of milky quartz veins along a NNW-trending shear zone, cutting through pelitic metasedimentary rocks and small masses of pink granite. This shear zone, along with a system of discrete shear and fault zones, was developed late in the deformation history of the area. Although slightly sheared and boudinaged within the shear zone, the auriferous quartz veins are characterised by irregular walls with a steeply plunging ridge-in-groove lineation. Shear geometry of rootless intra-folial folds and asymmetrical strain shadows around the quartz lenses suggests that vein emplacement took place under a brittle–ductile shear regime, clearly post-dating the amphibolite-facies regional metamorphism. Hydrothermal alteration is pervasive in the wallrock metapelites and granite including sericitisation, silicification, sulphidisation and minor carbonatisation. Ore mineralogy includes pyrite, arsenopyrite and subordinate galena, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and gold. Gold occurs in the quartz veins and adjacent wallrocks as inclusions in pyrite and arsenopyrite, blebs and globules associated with galena, fracture fillings in deformed arsenopyrite or as thin, wire-like rims within or around rhythmic goethite. Presence of refractory gold in arsenopyrite and pyrite is inferred from microprobe analyses. Clustered and intra-granular trail-bound aqueous–carbonic (L_CO2 + L_aq ± V_CO2) inclusions are common in cores of the less deformed quartz crystals, whereas carbonic (L_CO2 ± V_CO2) and aqueous H₂O–NaCl (L + V) inclusions occur along inter-granular and trans-granular trails. Clathrate melting temperatures indicate low salinities of the fluid (3–8 wt.% NaCl eq.). Homogenisation temperatures of the aqueous–carbonic inclusions range between 297 and 323°C, slightly higher than those of the intra-granular and inter-granular aqueous inclusions (263–304°C), which are likely formed during grain boundary migration. Homogenisation temperatures of the trans-granular H₂O–NaCl inclusions are much lower (130–221°C), implying different fluids late in the shear zone formation. Fluid densities calculated from aqueous–carbonic inclusions along a single trail are between 0.88 and 0.98 g/cm³, and the resulting isochores suggest trapping pressures of 2–2.6 kbar. Based on the arsenopyrite–pyrite–pyrrhotite cotectic, arsenopyrite (30.4–30.7 wt.% As) associated with gold inclusions indicates a temperature range of 325–344°C. This ore paragenesis constrains f _S2 to the range of 10⁻¹⁰ to 10^−8.5 bar. Under such conditions, gold was likely transported mainly as bisulphide complexes by low salinity aqueous–carbonic fluids and precipitated because of variations in pH and f _O2 through pressure fluctuation and CO₂ effervescence as the ore fluids infiltrated the shear zone, along with precipitation of carbonate and sericite. Wallrock sulphidation also likely contributed to destabilising the gold–bisulphide complexes and precipitating gold in the hydrothermal alteration zone adjacent to the mineralised quartz veins.     

Genesis of tin and tantalum mineralization in pegmatites from the Bynoe area,Pine Creek Geosyncline,Northern Territory

The tin‐ and tantalum‐bearing pegmatites of the Bynoe area are located in the western Pine Creek Geosyncline. They are emplaced within psammopelitic rocks in the contact aureole of the Two Sisters Granite. The latter is a Palaeoproterozoic, fractionated, granite with S‐type characteristics and comprises a syn‐ to late‐orogenic, variably foliated, medium‐grained biotite granite and a post‐orogenic, coarse‐grained biotite‐muscovite granite. The pegmatites comprise a border zone of fine grained muscovite + quartz followed inward by a wall zone of coarse grained muscovite + quartz which is in turn followed by an intermediate zone of quartz + feldspar + muscovite. A core zone of massive quartz is present in some occurrences. Feldspars in the intermediate zone are almost completely altered to kaolinite. This zone contains the bulk of cassiterite, tantalite and columbite mineralization. Fluid inclusions in pegmatitic quartz indicate that early Type A (CO₂ + H₂O ± CH₄) inclusions were trapped at the H₂O‐CO₂ solvus at P～100 MPa, T～300°C (range 240–328°C) and salinity ～6 wt% eq NaCl. Pressure‐salinity corrected temperatures on Type B (H₂O + ～20% vapour), C (H₂O + < 15% vapour) and D (H₂O + halite + vapour) inclusions also fall within the range of Type A inclusions. Oxygen and hydrogen isotope data show that kaolin was either formed in isotopic equilibrium with meteoric waters or subsequent to its formation, from hydrothermal fluid, underwent isotopic exchange with meteoric waters. Fluid inclusion waters from core zone quartz show enrichment in deuterium suggesting metamorphic influence. Isotope values on muscovite are consistent with a magmatic origin. It is suggested that the pegmatites were derived from the post‐orogenic phase of the Two Sisters Granite. Precipitation of cassiterite took place at about 300°C from an aqueous fluid largely as a result of increase in pH due to feldspar alteration.     

High CO2 content of fluid inclusions in gold mineralisations in the Ashanti Belt, Ghana: a new category of ore forming fluids?

Fluid inclusions were studied in samples from the Ashanti, Konongo-Southern Cross, Prestea, Abosso/Damang and Ayanfuri gold deposits in the Ashanti Belt, Ghana. Primary fluid inclusions in quartz from mineralised veins of the Ashanti, Prestea, Konongo-Southern Cross, and Abosso/Damang deposits contain almost exclusively volatile species. The primary setting of the gaseous (i.e. the fluid components CO₂, CH₄ and N₂) fluid inclusions in clusters and intragranular trails suggests that they represent the mineralising fluids. Microthermometric and Raman spectroscopic analyses of the inclusions revealed a CO₂ dominated fluid with variable contents of N₂ and traces of CH₄. Water content of most inclusions is below the detection limits of the respective methods used. Aqueous inclusions are rare in all samples with the exception of those from the granite-hosted Ayanfuri mineralisation. Here inclusions associated with the gold mineralisation contain a low salinity (<6 eq.wt.% NaCl) aqueous solution with variable quantities of CO₂. Microthermometric investigations revealed densities of the gaseous inclusions of 0.65 to 1.06 g/cm³ at Ashanti, 0.85 to 0.98 g/cm³ at Prestea, up to 1.02 g/cm³ at Konongo-Southern Cross, and 0.8 to 1.0 g/cm³ at Abosso/Damang. The fluid inclusion data are used to outline the PT ranges of gold mineralisation of the respective gold deposits. The high density gaseous inclusions found in the auriferous quartz at Ashanti and Prestea imply rather high pressure trapping conditions of up to 5.4 kbar. In contrast, mineralisation at Ayanfuri and Abosso/Damang is inferred to have occurred at lower pressures of only up to 2.2 kbar. Mesothermal gold mineralisation is generally regarded to have formed from fluids characterized by H₂O > CO₂ and low salinity ( ±  6 eq.wt.%NaCl). However, fluid inclusions in quartz from the gold mineralisations in the Ashanti belt point to distinctly different fluid compositions. Specifically, the predominance of CO₂ and CO₂ >> H₂O have to be emphasized. Fluid systems with this unique bulk composition were apparently active over more than 200␣km along strike of the Ashanti belt. Fluids rich in CO₂ may present a hitherto unrecognised new category of ore-forming fluids. Received: 30 May 1996 / Accepted: 8 October 1996     

Fluid inclusion and stable isotope evidence for the genesis of quartz-scheelite veins, Metaggitsi area, central Chalkidiki Peninsula, N. Greece

Scheelite mineralization accompanied by muscovite and albite, and traces of Mo-stolzite and stolzite occurs in epigenetic quartz vein systems hosted by two-mica gneissic schists, and locally amphibolites, of the Paleozoic or older Vertiskos Formation, in the Metaggitsi area, central Chalkidiki, N Greece. Three types of primary fluid inclusions coexist in quartz and scheelite: type 1, the most abundant, consists of mixed H₂O-CO₂ inclusions with highly variable (20–90 vol.%) CO₂ contents and salinities between 0.2 and 8.3 equivalent weight % NaCl. Densities range from 0.79 to 0.99 g/cc; type 1 inclusions contain also traces (<2 mol%) of CH₄. Type 2 inclusions are nearly 100 vol.% liquid CO_2, with traces of CH₄, and densities between 0.75 and 0.88 g/cc. Type 3 inclusions, the least abundant, contain an aqueous liquid of low salinity (0.5 to 8.5 equivalent weight% NaCl) with 10–30 vol.% H₂O gas infrequently containing also small amounts of CO₂ (<2 mol%); densities range from 0.72 to 0.99 g/cc. The wide range of coexisting fluid inclusion compositions is interpreted as a result of fluid immiscibility during entrapment. Immiscibility is documented by the partitioning of CH₄ and CO₂, into gas-rich (CO₂-rich) type 1 inclusions, and the conformity of end-member compositions trapped in type 1 inclusions to chemical equilibrium fractionation at the minimum measured homogenization temperatures, and calculated homogenization pressures. Minimum measured homogenization temperatures of aqueous and gas-rich type 1 inclusions of 220°–250 °C, either to the H₂O, or to the CO₂ phase, is considered the best estimate of temperature of formation of the veins, and temperature of scheelite deposition. Corresponding fluid pressures were between 1.2 and 2.6 kbar. Oxygen fugacities during mineralization varied from 10⁻³⁵ to 10⁻³¹ bar and were slightly above the synthetic Ni-NiO buffer values. The fluid inclusion data combined with δ¹⁸O water values of 3 to 6 per mil (SMOW) and δ¹³C CO₂₋ fluid of −1.2 to +4.3 per mil (PDB), together with geologic data, indicate generation of mineralizing fluids primarily by late- to post-metamorphic devolatilization reactions. Received: 8 April 1997 / Accepted: 8 July 1997     

Mineralogical, fluid inclusion, and stable isotope constraints on mechanisms of ore deposition at the Samgwang mine (Republic of Korea)—a mesothermal, vein-hosted gold–silver deposit

The Samgwang mine is located in the Cheongyang gold district (Cheonan Metallogenic Province) of the Republic of Korea. It consists of eight massive, gold-bearing quartz veins that filled NE- and NW-striking fractures along fault zones in Precambrian granitic gneiss of the Gyeonggi massif. Their mineralogy and paragenesis allow two separate vein-forming episodes to be recognized, temporally separated by a major faulting event. The ore minerals occur in quartz and calcite of stage I, associated with fracturing and healing of veins. Hydrothermal wall-rock alteration minerals of stage I include Fe-rich chlorite (Fe/(Fe+Mg) ratios 0.74-0.81), muscovite, illite, K-feldspar, and minor arsenopyrite, pyrite, and carbonates. Sulfide minerals deposited along with electrum during this stage include arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, galena, argentite, pyrargyrite, and argentian tetrahedrite. Only calcite was deposited during stage II. Fluid inclusions in quartz contain three main types of C–O–H fluids: CO₂-rich, CO₂–H₂O, and aqueous inclusions. Quartz veins related to early sulfides in stage I were deposited from H₂O–NaCl–CO₂ fluids (1,500–5,000 bar, average 3,200) with T _htotal values of 200°C to 383°C and salinities less than about 7 wt.% NaCl equiv. Late sulfide deposition was related to H₂O–NaCl fluids (140–1,300 bar, average 700) with T _htotal values of 110°C to 385°C and salinities less than about 11 wt.% NaCl equiv. These fluids either evolved through immiscibility of H₂O–NaCl–CO₂ fluids as a result of a decrease in fluid pressure, or through mixing with deeply circulated meteoric waters as a result of uplift or unloading during mineralization, or both. Measured and calculated sulfur isotope compositions (δ³⁴S_H2S = 1.5 to 4.8‰) of hydrothermal fluids from the stage I quartz veins indicate that ore sulfur was derived mainly from a magmatic source. The calculated and measured oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions (δ¹⁸O_H2O = −5.9‰ to 10.9‰, δD = −102‰ to −87‰) of the ore-forming fluids indicate that the fluids were derived from magmatic sources and evolved by mixing with local meteoric water by limited water–rock exchange and by partly degassing in uplift zones during mineralization. While most features of the Samgwang mine are consistent with classification as an orogenic gold deposit, isotopic and fluid chemistry indicate that the veins were genetically related to intrusions emplaced during the Jurassic to Cretaceous Daebo orogeny.     

Metamorphic charnockite in contact aureoles around intrusive enderbite from Natal, South Africa

In the Port Edward area of southern Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, charnockitic aureoles up to 10 m in width in the normally garnetiferous Nicholson's Point Granite, are developed adjacent to intrusive contacts with the Port Edward Enderbite and anhydrous pegmatitic veins. Mineralogical differences between the country rock and charnockitic aureole suggest that the dehydration reaction Bt + Qtz → Opx + Kfs + H₂O and the reaction of Grt + Qtz → Opx + Pl were responsible for the charnockitization. The compositions of fluid inclusions show systematic variation with: (1) the Port Edward Enderbite being dominated by CO₂ and N₂ fluid inclusions; (2) the non-charnockitized granite by saline aqueous inclusions with 18–23 EqWt% NaCl; (3) the charnockitic aureoles by low-salinity and pure water inclusions (<7 EqWt% NaCl); (4) the pegmatites by aqueous inclusions of various salinity with minor CO₂. As a result of the thermal event the homogenization temperatures of the inclusions in charnockite show a much larger range (up to 390 °C) compared to the fluid inclusions in granite (mostly <250 °C). Contrary to fluid-controlled charnockitization (brines, CO₂) which may have taken place along shear zones away from the intrusive body, the present “proximal” charnockitized granite formed directly at the contact with enderbite. The inclusions indicate contact metamorphism induced by the intrusion of “dry” enderbitic magma into “wet” granite resulting in local dehydration. This was confirmed by cathodoluminescence microscopy showing textures indicative for the local reduction of structural water in the charnockite quartz. Two-pyroxene thermometry on the Port Edward Enderbite suggests intrusion at temperatures of ∼1000–1050 °C into country rock with temperature of <700 °C. The temperature of aureole formation must have been between ∼700 °C (breakdown of pyrite to form pyrrhotite) and ∼1000 °C. Charnockitization was probably controlled largely by heat related to anhydrous intrusions causing dehydration reactions and resulting in the release and subsequent trapping of dehydration fluids. The salinity of the metamorphic fluid in the contact zones is supposed to have been higher at an early stage of contact metamorphism, but it has lost its salt content by K-metasomatic reactions and/or the preferential migration of the saline fluids out of the contact zones towards the enderbite. The low water activity inhibited the localized melting of the granite. Mineral thermobarometry suggests that after charnockite aureole genesis, an isobaric cooling path was followed during which reequilibration of most of the aqueous inclusions occurred. Received: 8 November 1998 / Accepted: 21 June 1999     

Evolution of metamorphic volatiles during exhumation of microdiamond-bearing granulites in the Western Gneiss Region, Norway

Fluid inclusions in garnet, kyanite and quartz from microdiamond-bearing granulites in the Western Gneiss Region, Norway, document a conspicuous fluid evolution as the rocks were exhumed following Caledonian high- and ultrahigh-pressure (HP–UHP) metamorphism. The most important of the various fluid mixtures and daughter minerals in these rocks are: (N₂ + CO₂ + magnesian calcite), (N₂ + CO₂ + CH₄ + graphite + magnesian calcite), (N₂ + CH₄), (N₂ + CH₄ + H₂O), (CO₂) and (H₂O + NaCl + CaCl₂ + nahcolite). Rutile also occurs in the N₂ + CO₂ inclusions as a product of titanium diffusion from the garnet host into the fluid inclusions. Volatiles composed of N₂ + CO₂ + magnesian calcite characterise the ambient metamorphic environment between HP–UHP (peak) and early retrograde metamorphism. During progressive decompression, the mole fraction of N₂ increased in the fluid mixtures; as amphibolite-facies conditions were reached, CH₄ and later, H₂O, appeared in the fluids, concomitant with the disappearance of CO₂ and magnesian calcite. Graphite is ubiquitous in the host lithologies and fluid inclusions. Thermodynamic modelling of the metamorphic volatiles in a graphite-buffered C-O-H system demonstrates that the observed metamorphic volatile evolution was attainable only if the f _O2 increased from c. −3.5 (±0.3) to −0.8 (±0.3) log units relative to the FMQ oxygen buffer. External introduction of oxidising aqueous solutions along a system of interconnected ductile shear zones adequately explains the dramatic increase in the f _O2. The oxidising fluids introduced during exhumation were likely derived from dehydration of oceanic crust and continental sediments previously subducted during an extended period of continental collision in conjunction with the Caledonian orogeny. Received: 15 December 1997 / Accepted: 25 May 1998     

Fluid evolution in the Kolar Gold Field: evidence from fluid inclusion studies

Gold mineralization in the Kolar schist belt of the Dharwar craton occurs dominantly in the form of a sulfide-poor Au-quartz lode (the Champion lode exposed in the Mysore and other mines) and sulfide-rich auriferous lodes (from the Nundydroog mine). Fluid inclusion microthermometric experiments were conducted on primary inclusions in quartz intimately associated with Au-mineralization. Homogenization studies on aqueous-biphase (L + V), aqueous polyphase (L + V+ halite) and aqueous-carbonic (L_CO2± V_CO2 + L_aq) inclusions from the Champion lode furnish a temperature range of 120 to 420 °C. Freezing of aqueous biphase inclusions and dissolution of halite in the aqueous polyphase inclusions provide salinity of 5 to 50 wt.% NaCl equivalent. Fluid inclusion thermobarometry from the total homogenization of aqueous-carbonic inclusions and from intersecting isochores of coeval pure-carbonic (L_CO2± V_CO2) and pure-aqueous inclusions constrain the P-T path of evolution of the fluid in the Champion lode. Gold precipitation was likely to have been brought about in response to a sharp fall in pressure with attendant unmixing of liquid-CO₂ from the parent H₂O-CO₂ fluid of possible metamorphic origin. This would imply transportation of gold by some pressure-sensitive complex such as the Au-carbonyl. Fluid characteristics are different in the sulfide-rich auriferous lodes, as indicated by the virtual absence of the CO₂-bearing and the halite-bearing inclusions. The fluid evolution path, as evident from the crude positive colinearity of temperature and salinity, is due to mixing of a low (≤200 °C) temperature-low saline (≤7 wt.% NaCl equivalent) fluid with a high temperature (≥400 °C)-high saline (≥50 wt.% NaCl equivalent) fluid. The lack of CO₂ and association of Au with sulfides indicate a different mode of gold transport, as chloride or bisulfide complexing, deposition of which was possibly brought about by fluid mixing. Received: 17 April 1997 / Accepted: 30 June 1998     

An experimental study of phase equilibria in the system H2O-CO2-NaCl at 800 °C and 9 kbar

Phase equilibria in the ternary system H₂O-CO₂-NaCl were studied at 800 °C and 9 kbar in internally heated gas pressure vessels using a modified synthetic fluid inclusion technique. The low rate of quartz overgrowth along the `b' and `a' axes of quartz crystals was used to avoid fluid inclusion formation during heating, prior to attainment of equilibrium run conditions. The density of CO₂ in the synthetic fluid inclusions was calibrated using inclusions in the binary H₂O-CO₂ system synthesised by the same method and measured on the same heating-freezing stage. In the two-phase field, two types of fluid inclusions with different densities of CO₂ were observed. Using mass balance calculations, these inclusions are used to constrain the miscibility gap and the orientation of two-phase tie-lines in the H₂O-CO₂-NaCl system at 800 °C and 9 kbar. The equation of state of Duan et al. (1995) approximately describes the P-T section of the ternary system up to about 40 wt% of NaCl. At higher NaCl concentrations the measured solubility of CO₂ in the brine is much smaller than predicted by the EOS. A “salting out” effect must be added to the equation of state to include coulomb interaction in the model of Anderko and Pitzer (1993) and Pitzer and Jiang (1996). The new experimental data together with published data up to 5 kbar (Shmulovich et al. 1995) encompass practically all subsolidus crustal P-T conditions. A feature of the new experimental results is the large compositional range in the H₂O-CO₂-NaCl system occupied by the stability fields of halite + CO₂-rich fluid ± H₂O-NaCl brine. The prediction of halite stability in equilibrium with CO₂-rich fluid in deep-crustal rocks is supported by recent petrological and fluid inclusion studies of granulites. Received: 29 June 1998 / Accepted: 17 March 1999     

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.     

“Extreme boiling” model for variable salinity of the Hokko low-sulfidation epithermal Au prospect, southwestern Hokkaido, Japan

The Hokko prospect is located in the Minamikayabe area southwestern Hokkaido, Japan, where gold-bearing quartz veins of Pliocene age are exposed at the surface. The alteration mineral assemblage is typical of low-sulfidation epithermal systems, with the quartz veins associated with adularia alteration overprinted on Late Miocene propylitic alteration. Fluid inclusion studies of the vein quartz reveal mean homogenization temperatures of approximately 220 °C, and the co-existence of low-salinity (<2 wt.% NaCl equivalent) and moderate salinity (2 to 12 wt.% NaCl equivalent) fluid inclusions within the same veins. The moderate salinity fluid inclusions (2–12 wt.% NaCl equivalent) typically have relatively low homogenization temperatures between 150° to 200 °C. The results obtained from stable isotope analysis of  δ¹⁸O in quartz vein material showed a gradual decrease in  δ¹⁸O signatures with increasing depth. The majority of the samples have calculated fluid source signatures (δ¹⁸O_H2O) between −8.0 and −10.0‰, but there is a significant change in the composition above 185 m drill depth. The shallower samples in particular show a wide range of oxygen isotope signatures that are associated with the moderate salinity fluid inclusions. We interpret that low-salinity inclusions within the Hokko system represent the composition of the liquid phase of the fluid, before boiling, and that the moderate-salinity inclusions are representative of the residual liquid phase, after extensive non-adiabatic boiling and vapor loss in an open system. This mechanism resulted in the entrapment of fluids with variable salinities at the same time, and in close proximity to each other. This is also reflected in the  δ¹⁸O_H2O values which become more variable and heavier where the moderate-salinity inclusions occur. Deposition of ore minerals within the Hokko vein system also occurred at this time as a result of boiling and gas loss. Received: 30 May 1997 / Accepted: 6 January 1998     

The Malanjkhand copper ( + molybdenum) deposit, India: mineralization from a low-temperature ore-fluid of granitoid affiliation

  Copper and subordinate molybdenum mineralization at Malanjkhand occurs within a fracture-controlled quartz-reef enclosed in a pink granitoid body surrounded by grey-granitoids constituting the regional matrix. Sulfide-bearing stringers, pegmatites with only quartz + microcline and sulfide disseminations, all within the pink-granitoid, represent other minor modes of occurrences. Despite this diversity in mode of occurrence, the mineralogy of ores is quite consistent and conform to a common paragenetic sequence comprising an early `ferrous' stage of precipitation of magnetite (I) and pyrite (I) and, the main-stage chalcopyrite mineralization with minor sphalerite, pyrite (II), magnetite (II), molybdenite and hematite. Both stages witnessed continuous precipitation of quartz ± microcline ± (chlorite, biotite and epidote). The enclosing pink-granitoid and the regional grey-granitoids display alteration features such as saussuritization of plagioclase, breakdown of hornblende and chloritization of biotite on a regional scale, indicating interaction with a pervasive fluid. Quartz and microcline precipitation mostly restricted within the pink granitoid, postdates this alteration. Four types of primary inclusions were encountered in quartz from ore samples: (1) type-I – aqueous-biphase(L + V) inclusions, the commonest variety in all ore types; (2) type-II – aqueous-carbonic(L_aq + L_carb ± V_carb); (3) type-III – pure-carbonic(L_carb ± V_carb) – type-II and III being restricted to stringer and pegmatitic ores, and (4) rare polyphase (L_aq + V_aq + calcite/gypsum) inclusions. Quartz in granitoids contain primary type-I inclusions only. Type-I inclusions from ore samples furnish a temperature range (after a rough pressure correction to the T _H  -maxima of 140–180 °C) of 150–275 °C and a moderately low salinity of 4–12 wt.% NaCl equivalent. This is inferred to represent the signature of the major component (F2) of the ore fluid. A few type-I inclusions of higher T _M (up to 380 °C) and low salinity and density represent the other (F1) identifiable component of the ore fluid present in low proportion. The T _H  -maxima and the total range in salinity of type-I inclusions in quartz from granitoids are strikingly similar to those from the ore samples. Composition of syn-ore chlorites furnished a temperature range of 185–327 °C, which conforms to the fluid inclusion microthermometric data. Pressure estimates using standard fluid inclusion geobarometric methods, vary from 550 to 1790 bar in the stringer ores. Observed temperature-salinity/density relationships are best explained by a two-stage evolution model of the ore fluid: the first stage witnessed mixing of the two components, F1 and F2 in unequal proportion, bringing about mineralization. The second stage of evolution was marked by the separation of a carbonic component on continued sulfide precipitation and attendant increase in salinity of the fluid. The F1 component emerged as a distinct, heated and (CO₂ + S)-charged entity due to steam-heating and contamination of the early-ingressed F2 fluid at the fracture zone. The pervasive fluid phase in the surrounding granitoids contributed the F2 component. Received: (10 August 1994), 15 August 1995 / Accepted: 12 January 1996