Fluid evolution,wallrock alteration,and ore mineralization associated with the Rodalquilar epithermal gold-deposit in southeast Spain

At Rodalquilar gold mineralization is found in Late Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Sierra del Cabo de Gata and is related to a caldera collapse. Radial and concentric faults were preferred sites for gold deposition. Hydrothermal activity produced a specific alteration zoning around gold-bearing vein structures, grading from an innermost advanced argillic via an argillic into a more regionally developed propylitic zone. Advanced argillic alteration with silica, pyrophyllite, alunite, and kaolinite extends down to several hundred m indicating a hypogene origin. High-grade gold mineralization in vein structures is confined to the near-surface part of the advanced argillic alteration. Fine-grained gold is associated with hematite, jarosite, limonite, or silica. At a depth of about 120 m, the oxidic ore assemblage grades into sulfide mineralization with pyrite and minor chalcopyrite, covellite, bornite, enargite, and tennantite. Two types of fluids from different sources were involved in the hydrothermal system. Overpressured and hypersaline fluids of presumably magmatic origin initiated the hydrothermal system. Subsequent hydrothermal processes were characterized by the influx of low-salinity solutions of probable marine origin and by interactions between both fluids. Deep-reaching, advanced argillic alteration formed from high-salinity fluids with 20–30 equiv. wt% NaCl at about 225°C. Near-surface gold precipitation and silification are related to fluids with temperatures of about 175°C and 3–4 equiv. wt% NaCl. Gold was transported as Au(HS) ₂ ^– , and precipitation resulted from boiling with a concomitant decrease in temperature, pressure, and pH and an increase in fO₂. All features of the Rodalquilar gold deposit reveal a close relationship to acid-sulfate-type epithermal gold mineralization.     

Porphyry to epithermal transition in the Agua Rica polymetallic deposit, Catamarca, Argentina: An integrated petrologic analysis of ore and alteration parageneses

Agua Rica (27°26′S–66°16′O) is a world class Cu–Au–Mo deposit located in Catamarca, Argentina. In the E–W 6969400 section examined, the Seca Norte and the Trampeadero porphyries that have intruded the metasedimentary rock are cut by interfingered igneous and hydrothermal heterolithic and monolithic breccias, and sandy dikes. Relic biotite and K-feldspar of the early potassic alteration (370° to > 550 °C) with Cu (Mo–Au) mineralization are locally preserved and encapsulated in a widespread, white mica + quartz + rutile or anatase halo (phyllic alteration) with pyrite + covellite that suggests fluids with temperatures ≤ 360 °C and high f(S₂). The Trampeadero porphyry and the surrounding metasedimentary rock with phyllic alteration have molybdenite in stringers and B-type quartz veinlets and the highest Mo grades (> 1000 ppm).Multistage advanced argillic alteration overprinted the earlier stages. Early andalusite ± pyrite ± quartz is preserved in the roots of the argillic halo rimmed by an alumina–silica material and white micas. This alteration assemblage is considered to have been formed at temperatures ≥ 375 °C from condensed magmatic vapor. At higher levels, pyrophyllite replaces muscovite and illite in clasts of hydrothermal breccias in the center and east sector of the study section, suggesting temperatures of 280 to 360 °C. Clasts of vuggy silica in the uppermost levels of the central breccia, indicates that at lower temperatures (< 250 °C), fluids reached very low pH (pH < 2). In this early stage of the advanced argillic alteration, hydrothermal fluids seem to have not precipitated sulfides or sulfosalts.Hydrothermal brecciation was concurrent with fluid exsolution (↑? V), which precipitated intermediate-temperature advanced argillic alunite (svanbergite + woodhouseite) ± diaspore ± zunyite as breccia cement along with abundant covellite + pyrite + enargite ± native sulfur ± kuramite at intermediate depths and in lateral transitional zones to unbrecciated rocks. This mineral assemblage indicates temperatures near 300 °C, oxidized and silica-undersaturated hydrothermal fluids with high sulfur fugacity to prevent gold precipitation. Multiple generations of pyrite, emplectite, colusite, Pb- and Bi-bearing sulfosalts, and native sulfur with Au and Ag, accompanied by alunite introduction in the upper level breccias, probably occurred at lower temperatures, but still high sulfur and oxygen activity. An independent Zn and Pb (as galena) mineralization stage locally coincides with Au–Ag and sulfosalts, and advanced at depth, controlled by fractures and overprinting much of the previous mineralization. A later paragenesis of veinlets of alunite + woodhouseite + svanvergite + pyrite ± enargite that cut the phyllic halo suggests temperatures ~ 250 °C and without woodhouseite + svanvergite, temperatures ~ 200 °C. Kaolinite occurs in the phyllic halo as a late mineral in clots and in veinlets thus, in this zone, the fluid had cooled enough for its formation.     

西藏多龙矿集区典型矿床(点)矿化特征与成矿作用对比研究

西藏多龙矿集区是近年来中国新发现的具有世界级潜力的铜金矿集区。该矿集区现已查明多不杂、波龙、拿若和铁格隆南4个大型-超大型矿床,并新发现地堡那木岗和拿顿矿点。文章对上述矿床(点)脉体、蚀变、矿化和流体特征开展了系统研究和对比。结果表明,多不杂、波龙和拿若矿床矿化类型以斑岩型为主,同时钾硅酸盐化、绢英岩化、青磐岩化等蚀变广泛发育,而铁格隆南矿床除上述蚀变类型外,还叠加有高级泥化蚀变,并发育与之相关的浅成低温热液型矿化。根据脉体特征对比和流体包裹体温压计算推测,上述4个矿床矿化类型的差异可能由剥蚀深度的差异所引起(前三者剥蚀深度约为2～3 km,后者约为1～1.5 km)。此外,地堡那木岗矿点蚀变类型以绢英岩化、泥化为主,该矿点发育与斑岩型金矿中类似的深色条带状石英脉,指示该地区可能存在斑岩型金矿。拿顿矿点为典型的高硫型浅成低温热液型矿化,铜金矿体赋存于角砾岩筒中。野外地质调查表明,上述矿点地表蚀变岩盖(Lithocaps)发育,并且蚀变岩盖空间分布位置与下伏铜金矿体表现出良好的匹配关系,可有效地指导找矿勘查工作。流体包裹体实验进一步表明,铜金元素在斑岩型矿化中的沉淀可能与温度降低和氧逸度的变化有关,而在浅成低温热液型矿化中的沉淀则受控于温度的降低和流体的不混溶作用。最后,在前人年代学研究基础上,结合本次实验结果构建了该地区与成矿作用有关的时空演化模型。     

Evolution of hydrothermal fluids of HS and LS type epithermal Au–Ag deposits in the Seongsan hydrothermal system of the Cretaceous Haenam volcanic field,South Korea

The Haenam volcanic field was formed in the southern part of the Korean peninsula by the climactic igneous activity of the Late Cretaceous. The volcanic field hosts more than nine hydrothermal clay deposits and two epithermal Au–Ag deposits. This study focuses on the relationship between hydrothermal clay alteration and epithermal Au–Ag mineralization based on the geology, alteration mineralogy, geochronology, and mineralization characteristics.These clay and epithermal Au–Ag deposits are interpreted to have formed by the same hydrothermal event which produced two distinct types of mineral systems: 1) Au-dominant epithermal Au–Ag deposit and 2) clay-dominant hydrothermal clay deposit. The two types of mineral systems show a close genetic relationship as suggested by their temporal and spatial relationships. The Seongsan hydrothermal system progressively evolved from a low-intermediate sulfidation epithermal system with Au–Ag mineralization and phyllic alteration to an acid–sulfate high-sulfidation system with Au–Ag mineralization and/or barren advanced argillic/argillic alteration. The Seongsan system evolved during post volcanic hydrothermal activity for at least 10 Ma in the Campanian stage of the late Cretaceous.The Seongsan hydrothermal system shows the rare and unique occurrence of superimposed high to low (intermediate) sulfidation episodes, which persisted for about 10 Ma.     

Mineralogical and sulfur isotopic characteristics of Archean greenstone belt-hosted gold mineralization at the Tau deposit of the Mupane gold mine,Botswana

The Mupane gold deposit, which is one of the numerous gold occurrences in the Tati Greenstone Belt in the northeastern part of Botswana, consists of four orebodies, namely Tau, Tawana, Kwena, and Tholo deposits. The present research, which focuses on the genesis of the Tau deposit, was based on ore petrography, mineral chemistry of sulfides, and sulfur isotope data. Mineralogical characteristics of the host rocks indicate that banded iron formation at the Tau deposit includes iron oxides (magnetite), carbonates (siderite and ankerite), silicates (chlorite and amphibole), and sulfides (arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite). The deposit features arsenopyrite-rich zones associated with biotite-chlorite veins, which are indicative of the precipitation of arsenopyrite concomitant with potassic alteration. The replacement of magnetite by pyrrhotite in some samples suggests that sulfidation was likely the dominant gold precipitation mechanism because it is considered to have destabilized gold-thiocomplexes in the ore-forming fluids. Based on textural relationships and chemical composition, arsenopyrite is interpreted to reflect two generations. Arsenopyrite 1 is possibly early in origin, sieve textured with abundant inclusions of pyrrhotite. Arsenopyrite 1 was then overgrown by late arsenopyrite 2 with no porous textures and rare inclusions of pyrrhotite. Gold mineralization was initiated by focused fluid flow and sulfidation of the oxide facies banded iron formation, leading to an epigenetic gold mineralization. The mineralogical assemblages, textures, and mineral chemistry data at the Tau gold deposit revealed two-stage gold mineralizations commencing with the deposition of invisible gold in arsenopyrite 1 followed by the later formation of native gold during hydrothermal alteration and post-depositional recrystallization of arsenopyrite 1. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric analysis of arsenopyrite from the Tau deposit revealed that the hydrothermal event responsible for the formation of late native gold also affected the distribution of other trace elements within the grains as evidenced by varying trace elements contents in arsenopyrite 1 and arsenopyrite 2. The range of δ³⁴S of gold-bearing assemblages from the Tau deposit is restricted from +1.6 to +3.9‰, which is typical of Archean orogenic gold deposits and indicates that overall reduced hydrothermal conditions prevailed during the gold mineralization process at the Tau deposit. The results from this study suggest that gold mineralization involved multi-processes such as sulfidation, metamorphism, deformation, hydrothermal alteration, and gold remobilization.     

Geology and Hydrothermal Alteration of the Low Sulfidation

Abstract. The Pantingan Gold System (PGS) is a vein-type epithermal prospect exposed within the summit caldera of Mount Mariveles, Bagac, Bataan (Luzon), Philippines. It consists of nine major veins, eight of which trend NW-WNW and distributed in an en echelon array. The eastern tips of these veins appear to terminate near the NE-NNE trending Vein 1, which is located in the easternmost portion of the prospect. Metal assay results on vein and wall rock samples indicate concentrations of 0.01 to 1.1 g/ton Au, trace to 34 g/ton Ag and 0.003 to 0.02 % Cu. Andesite lava flow deposits host the PGS. Potassium-Argon isotopic dating of these andesites yields anarrow age range of 0.88± 0.13 to 1.13 ± 0.17 Ma. The surface exposures of the veins (up to 5 m wide) are encountered at different levels between 590–740 masl. These commonly display a massive texture although banding prominently occurs in Vein 1. The veins consist of gray to cream-colored crystalline and chalcedonic quartz and amorphous silica. Pyrite is the most ubiquitous sulfide mineral. It occurs either as fine-grained disseminations and aggregates in quartz or as infillings in vugs. Calcite, marcasite and bornite are also occasionally noted in the deposit. The prospect shows silicic, argillic, propylitic and advanced argillic alteration zones. Silicic and argillic alterations are confined in the immediate wall rocks of the quartz veins. Argillic alteration grades to a propylitic zone farther away from the veins. The advanced argillic alteration zone, indicated by a suite of acidic clay minerals that include kaolin-ite, dickite, pyrophyllite and alunite, might have been imprinted during the late stages of gold deposition. As a whole, the PGS displays geological and mineralogical features typical of gold mineralization in a low sulfidation, epithermal environment. It is also representative of a young, tectonically undisturbed gold deposit.     

Mineral Paragenesis of the Lepanto Copper and Gold and the Victoria Gold Deposits, Mankayan Mineral District, Philippines

Abstract: Mineral paragenesis of the alteration, ore and gangue minerals of the Lepanto epithermal copper‐gold deposit and the Victoria gold deposit, Mankayan Mineral District, Northern Luzon, Philippines, is discussed. The principal ore minerals of the Lepanto copper‐gold deposit are enargite and luzonite, with significant presence of tennantite‐tetrahedrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, native gold/electrum and gold‐silver tellurides. Pervasive alteration zonations are commonly observed from silicification outward to advanced argillic then to propylitic zone. The ore mineralogy of the Lepanto copper‐gold deposit suggests high f_S2 in the early stages of mineralization corresponding to the deposition of the enargite‐luzonite‐pyrite assemblage. Subsequent decrease in the f_S2 formed the chalcopyrite‐tennantite‐pyrite assemblage. An increase in the f_S2 of the fluids with the formation of the covellite‐digenite‐telluride assemblage caused the deposition of native gold/electrum and gold‐silver tellurides. The principal ore minerals of the Victoria gold deposit are sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite and native gold/electrum. The alteration halos are relatively narrow and in an outward sequence from the ore, silica alteration grades to illitic‐argillic alteration, which in turn grades to propylitic alteration. The Victoria gold mineralization has undergone early stages of silica supersaturation leading to quartz deposition. Vigorous boiling increased the pH of the fluids that led to the deposition of sulfides and carbonates. The consequent decrease in H₂S precipitated the gold. Gypsum and anhydrite mainly occur as overprints that cut the carbonate‐silica stages. The crosscutting and overprinting relationships of the Victoria quartz‐gold‐base metal veins on the Lepanto copper‐gold veins manifest the late introduction of near neutral pH hydrothermal fluids.     

The physical and chemical evolution of low-salinity magmatic fluids at the porphyry to epithermal transition: a thermodynamic study

Fluid-phase relationships and thermodynamic reaction modelling based on published mineral solubility data are used to re-assess the Cu–Au-mineralising fluid processes related to calc-alkaline magmatism. Fluid inclusion microanalyses of porphyry ore samples have shown that vapour-like fluids of low to intermediate salinity and density (~2–10 wt% NaCl eq.; ~0.1–0.3 g cm^–3) can carry percentage-level concentrations of copper and several ppm gold at high temperature and pressure. In epithermal deposits, aqueous fluids of similar low to intermediate salinity but liquid-like density are ubiquitous and commonly show a magmatic isotope signature. This paper explores the physical evolution of low-salinity to medium-salinity magmatic fluids of variable density, en route from their magmatic source through the porphyry regime to the near-surface epithermal environment, and investigates the chemical conditions required for effective transport of gold and other components from the magmatic to the epithermal domain. Multicomponent reaction modelling guided by observations of alteration zonation and vein overprinting relationships predicts that epithermal gold deposits are formed most efficiently by a specific succession of processes during the evolution of a gradually cooling magmatic–hydrothermal system. (1) The low-salinity to medium-salinity fluid, after separating from the magma and possibly condensing out some hypersaline liquid in the high-temperature porphyry environment, must physically separate from the denser and more viscous liquid, and then cool within the single-phase fluid stability field. By cooling under adequate confining pressure, such a vapour will evolve above the critical curve and contract, without any heterogeneous phase change, to an aqueous liquid of the same salinity. (2) High concentrations of gold, transported as stable Au bisulphide complexes supporting >1 ppm Au even at 200°C, can be maintained throughout cooling, provided that the fluid initially carries an excess of H₂S over Cu+Fe on a molal scale. This condition is favoured by an initially high sulphide content in a particularly low-salinity magmatic fluid, or by preferential partitioning of sulphur into a low-salinity vapour and partial removal of Fe into a hypersaline liquid at high temperature. (3) Acid neutralisation further optimises gold transport by maximising the concentration of the HS^– ligand. This may occur by feldspar destructive alteration along pyrite±chalcopyrite±sulphate veins, in the transition zone between the porphyry and epithermal environments. An alternative acid/base control is the dissolution of calcite in sediments, which may enable long-distance gold transport to Carlin-type deposits, because of the positive feedback between acid neutralisation and permeability generation. The three physical and chemical transport requirements for high-grade epithermal gold mineralisation are suggested to be the common link of epithermal gold deposits to underlying magmatic–hydrothermal systems, including porphyry-Cu–Au deposits. Both mineralisation types are the result of gradual retraction of isotherms around cooling hydrous plutons in similar tectonic and hydrologic environments. As magmatic fluid is generated at increasing depths below the surface the importance of vapour contraction increases, leading to the typical overprinting of potassic, phyllic and advanced argillic alteration and their related ore styles.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

Cikidang Hydrothermal Gold Deposit in Western Java, Indonesia

Abstract. The Cikidang gold deposit, discovered in 1991, is located within the Bayah dome, a Tertiary-Quaternary volcanic zone at west end of Java, which is well known as a gold district (e.g., Pongkor and Cikotok mines). Typical low-sulfidation quartz-adularia-sericite(-calcite) vein deposits represent the gold deposit in the district.
The Cikidang vein system comprises four sub-parallel quartz-adularia-sericite(-calcite) veins that are rich in manganese oxide and limonite with very poor amount of sulfides. These vary from 0.5 to 2.7 m thick and extend for up to 1,000 m long. The vein trends roughly N-S and dip 60 to 86° toward west. The ore grades vary from trace to 74.9 g/t Au and 1.2 to 225.0 g/t Ag. A K/Ar age determination on adularia yielded 2.4 Ma for the Cikidang vein.
The ore minerals are represented by electrum, argentite, aguilarite and pyrite. Electrum shows the compositional ranges of Ag (50–65 atom %). The gangue minerals are dominated by quartz with variable amounts of calcite, sericite, adularia, clay minerals, manganese oxide and limonite. The vein textures are so variable as banded, colloform, comb, brecciated and massive. Host rocks, composed of Miocene lapilli tuff and breccia, suffered from pervasive hydrothermal alterations. Wall rocks adjacent to the vein are characterized by argillic and propylitic alteration.
The fluid inclusion study of the Cikidang vein shows homogenization temperatures ranging from 170 to 260°C. Salinities are low, generally below 3 wt% NaCl equivalent. Oxygen isotope results suggest meteoric water in origin for ore fluids responsible for the Cikidang deposit.     

Fluid inclusion study of the bournac polymetallic (Sb-As-Pb-Zn-Fe-Cu...) vein deposit (montagne noire,France)

Mineralogical studies demonstrate that the Hercynian polymetallic antimony-rich deposit of Bournac can be described by four stages of ore deposition and one of partial ore remobilization. Fluid inclusion data permit calculation of the composition and temperature of the fluids associated with each stage of hydrothermal mineralization and concomitant wall-rock alteration. Stages I and II (Fe-As and Zn) are represented by moderate-salinity H₂O-CO₂-(NaCl) inclusions which correlate closely with early carbonate deposition. Stage III fluids which are responsible for the deposition of Pb-Sb ores are characterized by low-salinity H₂O-(NaCl) inclusions. During the final stage of mineralization (IV), corresponding to the main phase of stibnite deposition, abundant aqueous inclusions confirm the continued involvement of low-salinity fluids and the intense development of potassic clays and secondary silica in the wall rocks. Homogenization temperatures suggest that the whole cycle of mineralization took place during a gradual decrease in fluid temperature of 380°–140°C. Stibnite deposition is restricted to the interval of 230°–140°C thus confirming an essentially epithermal environment. Stage V (partial remobilization) is distinguished by the presence of high-salinity CaCl₂-rich inclusions which are tentatively related to Triassic barite mineralization in the region and therefore postdate the Bournac antimony ores. Homogenization temperatures for this stage range 140°–60°C.     

Major's Creek,N.S.W., Australia — A Devonian epithermal gold deposit

Mineralized veins at Major's Creek consist of preponderant quartz and carbonate gangue with gold, Au-Ag tellurides and base metal sulphides within silicified and sericitized dykes or granodiorite of the Braidwood Granite. Fluid inclusion studies indicate deposition throughout the range 350–80°C by low salinity fluids. Significant Au-Ag telluride mineralization took place at a temperature of about 155°C. Mineral deposition was due to the separation of a liquid CO₂ phase from an originally CO₂-rich aqueous fluid. Observed argillic alteration is a consequence of acid leaching above the boiling zone. Mineralization is epithermal in character and probably formed during the existence of a hydrothermal convective system. A relationship with similar epithermal gold deposits in the adjacent Eden-Yalwal Rift zone is inferred.     

Pingüino In-bearing polymetallic vein deposit,Deseado Massif,Patagonia, Argentina: characteristics of mineralization and ore-forming fluids

The Pingüino deposit, located in the low sulfidation epithermal metallogenetical province of the Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina, represents a distinct deposit type in the region. It evolved through two different mineralization events: an early In-bearing polymetallic event that introduced In, Zn, Pb, Ag, Cd, Au, As, Cu, Sn, W and Bi represented by complex sulfide mineralogy, and a late Ag–Au quartz-rich vein type that crosscut and overprints the early polymetallic mineralization. The indium-bearing polymetallic mineralization developed in three stages: an early Cu–Au–In–As–Sn–W–Bi stage (Ps₁), a Zn–Pb–Ag–In–Cd–Sb stage (Ps₂) and a late Zn–In–Cd (Ps₃). Indium concentrations in the polymetallic veins show a wide range (3.4 to 1,184 ppm In). The highest indium values (up to 1,184 ppm) relate to the Ps₂ mineralization stage, and are associated with Fe-rich sphalerites, although significant In enrichment (up to 159 ppm) is also present in the Ps₁ paragenesis associated with Sn-minerals (ferrokesterite and cassiterite). The hydrothermal alteration associated with the polymetallic mineralization is characterized by advanced argillic alteration within the immediate vein zone, and sericitic alteration enveloping the vein zone. Fluid inclusion studies indicate homogenisation temperatures of 308.2–327°C for Ps₁ and 255–312.4°C for Ps₂, and low to moderate salinities (2 to 5 eq.wt.% NaCl and 4 to 9 eq.wt.% NaCl, respectively). δ³⁴S values of sulfide minerals (+0.76‰ to +3.61‰) indicate a possible magmatic source for the sulfur in the polymetallic mineralization while Pb isotope ratios for the sulfides and magmatic rocks (²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, ²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios of 17.379 to 18.502; 15.588 to 15.730 and 38.234 to 38.756, respectively) are consistent with the possibility that the Pb reservoirs for both had the same crustal source. Spatial relationships, hydrothermal alteration styles, S and Pb isotopic data suggest a probable genetic relation between the polymetallic mineralization and dioritic intrusions that could have been the source of metals and hydrothermal fluids. Mineralization paragenesis, alteration mineralogy, geochemical signatures, fluid inclusion data and isotopic data, confirm that the In-bearing polymetallic mineralization from Pingüino deposit is a distinct type, in comparison with the well-known epithermal low sulfidation mineralization from the Deseado Massif.     

Geochemistry and Fluid Inclusions Analysis of Vein Quartz in the Multiple Hydrothermal Systems of Mankayan Mineral District,Philippines

Several high‐sulfidation epithermal gold orebodies in the Mankayan Mineral District were formed in an environment that has been already affected by earlier porphyry‐type mineralization. This study reports the geologic and geochemical characteristics of the Carmen and Florence epithermal orebodies, which are located in the south of the Lepanto main enargite–gold orebody. The gold‐bearing epithermal quartz veins in the Carmen and Florence areas are of two types: (i) the enargite‐rich veins and (ii) the quartz–pyrite–gold (QPG) veins. The two types of veins are mainly hosted by the Cretaceous Lepanto Metavolcanics basement rocks, with minor veins cutting the Pleistocene Imbanguila Dacite Pyroclastics. The mineral assemblages and homogenization temperatures of fluid inclusions indicate that the Carmen and Florence orebodies were deposited by fluids varying from high to very high sulfidation state. The enargite and QPG epithermal veins of Carmen and Florence cut porphyry‐type quartz veinlet stockworks and veins that host polyphase hypersaline fluid inclusions that did not homogenize at or below 400°C. These high‐temperature quartz exhibits distinctly different mineral chemistry from the quartz of the QPG and enargite‐rich epithermal veins. In particular, the Ti content of quartz of the porphyry‐type veinlet stockwork is elevated (>100 ppm), whereas the Ti concentration of the epithermal vein quartz crystals are below detection limits. The Fe concentration of quartz is high in epithermal vein quartz (>300 ppm), whereas nearly undetected in the porphyry‐type stockwork veinlet quartz. Multiple generations of quartz with different mineral chemistry, fluid inclusions morphology, temperature, salinity and bulk gas compositions, and stable isotopic ratios indicate the variable hydrothermal conditions throughout the mineralization history of the Mankayan District. The temperature, pH, sulfidation state, oxidation state, and fluid composition vary among the orebodies in Carmen and Florence areas. Furthermore, the characteristics of earlier alteration affected the apparent characteristics of subsequent mineralization.     

Mineralogy and ore formation conditions of the Bugdaya Au-Bearing W-Mo porphyry deposit, Eastern Transbaikal Region, Russia

The Bugdaya Au-bearing W-Mo porphyry deposit, Eastern Transbaikal Region, Russia, is located in the central part of volcanic dome and hosted in the large Variscan granitic pluton. In its characteristics, this is a Climax-type deposit, or an Mo porphyry deposit of rhyolitic subclass. The enrichment in gold is related to the relatively widespread vein and veinlet gold-base-metal mineralization. More than 70 minerals (native metals, sulfides, sulfosalts, tellurides, oxides, molybdates, wolframates, carbonates, and sulfates) have been identified in stockwork and vein ores, including dzhalindite, greenockite, Mo-bearing stolzite, Ag and Au amalgams, stromeyerite, cervelleite, and berryite identified here for the first time. Four stages of mineral formation are recognized. The earliest preore stage in form of potassic alteration and intense silicification developed after emplacement of subvolcanic rhyolite (granite) porphyry stock. The stockwork and vein W-Mo mineralization of the quartz-molybdenite stage was the next. Sericite alteration, pyritization, and the subsequent quartz-sulfide veins and veinlets with native gold, base-metal sulfides, and various Ag-Cu-Pb-Bi-Sb sulfosalts of the gold-base-metal stage were formed after the rearrangement of regional pattern of tectonic deformation. The hydrothermal process was completed by argillic (kaolinite-smectite) assemblage of the postore stage. The fluid inclusion study (microthermometry and Raman spectroscopy) allowed us to establish that the stockwork W-Mo mineralization was formed at 550–380°C from both the highly concentrated Mg-Na chloride solution (brine) and the low-density gas with significant N2 and H2S contents. The Pb-Zn vein ore of the gold-base-metal stage enriched in Au, Ag, Bi, and other rare metals was deposited at 360–140°C from a homogeneous Na-K chloride (hydrocarbonate, sulfate) hydrothermal solution of medium salinity.     

Rosia Poieni copper deposit,Apuseni Mountains,Romania: advanced argillic overprint of a porphyry system

The Rosia Poieni deposit is the largest porphyry copper deposit in the Apuseni Mountains, Romania. Hydrothermal alteration and mineralization are related to the Middle Miocene emplacement of a subvolcanic body, the Fundoaia microdiorite. Zonation of the alteration associated with the porphyry copper deposit is recognized from the deep and central part of the porphyritic intrusion towards shallower and outer portions. Four alteration types have been distinguished: potassic, phyllic, advanced argillic, and propylitic. Potassic alteration affects mainly the Fundoaia subvolcanic body. The andesitic host rocks are altered only in the immediate contact zone with the Fundoaia intrusion. Mg-biotite and K-feldspar are the main alteration minerals of the potassic assemblage, accompanied by ubiquitous quartz; chlorite, and anhydrite are also present. Magnetite, pyrite, chalcopyrite and minor bornite, are associated with this alteration. Phyllic alteration has overprinted the margin of the potassic zone, and formed peripheral to it. It is characterized by the replacement of almost all early minerals by abundant quartz, phengite, illite, variable amounts of illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals, minor smectite, and kaolinite. Pyrite is abundant and represents the main sulfide in this alteration zone. Advanced argillic alteration affects the upper part of the volcanic structure. The mineral assemblage comprises alunite, kaolinite, dickite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, aluminium-phosphate-sulphate minerals (woodhouseite-svanbergite series), zunyite, minamyite, pyrite, and enargite (luzonite). Alunite forms well-developed crystals. Veins with enargite (luzonite) and pyrite in a gangue of quartz, pyrophyllite and diaspore, are present within and around the subvolcanic intrusion. This alteration type is partially controlled by fractures. A zonal distribution of alteration minerals is observed from the centre of fractures outwards with: (1) vuggy quartz; (2) quartz + alunite; (3) quartz + kaolinite ± alunite and, in the deeper part of the argillic zone, quartz + pyrophyllite + diaspore; (4) illite + illite-smectite mixed-layer minerals ± kaolinite ± alunite, and e) chlorite + albite + epidote. Propylitic alteration is present distal to all other alteration types and consists of chlorite, epidote, albite, and carbonates. Mineral parageneses, mineral stability fields, and alteration mineral geothermometers indicate that the different alteration assemblages are the result of changes in both fluid composition and temperature of the system. The alteration minerals reflect cooling of the hydrothermal system from >400 °C (biotite), to 300–200 °C (chlorite and illite in veinlets) and to lower temperatures of kaolinite, illite-smectite mixed layers, and smectite crystallization. Hydrothermal alteration started with an extensive potassic zone in the central part of the system that passed laterally to the propylitic zone. It was followed by phyllic overprint of the early-altered rocks. Nearly barren advanced argillic alteration subsequently superimposed the upper levels of the porphyry copper alteration zones. The close spatial association between porphyry mineralization and advanced argillic alteration suggests that they are genetically part of the same magmatic-hydrothermal system that includes a porphyry intrusion at depth and an epithermal environment of the advanced argillic type near the surface.Editorial handling: B. Lehmann     

河南西峡石板沟金矿成矿流体地球化学及矿床成因讨论

石板沟金矿是近年在豫西南发现的一个剪切带容矿的脉状金矿。根据流体包裹体地球化学研究,分析了矿床成矿流体地球化学特征,讨论了金的沉淀机制和矿床成因。构造蚀变岩型金矿的形成主要与热液蚀变作用有关,石英脉型金矿的形成,则可能主要与岩浆热液与变质热液的混合作用有关。矿质主要源自晋宁期岩浆岩,成矿流体和热能主要来自海西期花岗岩。矿床为剪切带容矿的中低温热液金矿床。     

蚀变岩帽的特征、成因以及在华南的分布探讨

Sillitoe（1995）蚀变岩帽（Lithocap）的定义为大范围富黄铁矿的硅化、高级泥化和泥化蚀变,在地质环境上位于古地表和浅成中-酸性岩浆侵入体之间。蚀变岩帽往往显示为突出的正地形,有助于寻找隐伏的斑岩矿化体。但蚀变岩帽在地表的范围往往多达几十个平方千米,又常常掩盖下覆斑岩矿床的蚀变矿化特征及其地球化学印记,因此大型的蚀变岩帽又给勘探工作带来一定的挑战。蚀变岩帽相关矿床的勘探需以地质填图为基础,结合近红外光谱分析（SWIR）进行蚀变填图,以及全岩地球化学以及矿物地球化学表现的元素或元素组合异常,来帮助定位热源或深部斑岩体。遥感和地球物理中的激电响应,也可以辅助定位岩体。华南地区的蚀变岩帽主要分布于长江中下游成矿带和东南沿海火山岩带。前人对安徽庐枞盆地中的矾山蚀变岩帽进行了系统研究,确定了矾山蚀变岩帽形成于白垩纪,与围岩砖桥组火山岩年龄一致。同位素和流体包裹体工作证明了形成矾山蚀变岩帽的流体主要为深部岩浆热液中的酸性气体与浅部大气降水的混合,在浅部高渗透率的火山岩及其岩性界面反应,广泛发育了一套硅化和高级泥化蚀变,指示与矾山相关可能存在斑岩和高硫型浅成低温热液铜金矿床。福建紫金山地区有中国最大的高硫型浅成低温热液矿床,主要赋存于紫金山蚀变岩帽中。紫金山蚀变岩帽的地质特征和蚀变分带已经研究的较为详细,但目前深部的侵入体还没有发现。浙江的蚀变岩帽是中国非金属矿产的重要来源,包括明矾石矿、地开石矿和红柱石矿等,这些蚀变岩帽与金属矿化的关系尚未有相关研究。根据目前的资料总结,有较多的蚀变岩帽分布在中国华南,这些蚀变岩帽特征典型,但目前的研究程度尚浅。现有的研究结果表明,华南的蚀变岩帽的成矿潜力巨大,可能存在一条巨型的斑岩-浅成低温矿床成矿带,具有广阔的找矿勘查前景,建议加强蚀变岩帽及相关矿床的找矿与研究工作。     

贵州簸箕田金矿单矿物稀土元素和同位素地球化学特征

簸箕田金矿位于灰家堡背斜东头倾覆端,是灰家堡卡林型金矿田重要的组成部分。金矿床具有低温成矿特征,出现硅化、白云石化、黄铁矿化等围岩蚀变和特征的Au-As-Hg元素组合。成矿期方解石具有MREE富集和正Eu异常特点,显示矿热液是一种MREE相对富集以及具有正Eu异常的还原性流体,来源于深部或至少经历过对富含斜长石源区的水-岩反应。成矿期方解石的δ~(13)C为-6‰～-0.1‰,成矿期后方解石的δ~(13)C为0.2‰～3.2‰,显示成矿期碳来源于地幔碳和地层碳的混合,成矿期后碳主要来自于地层。矿床硫同位素变化于0.73‰～5.86‰,组成均一化较高,具有接近幔源硫的特征,反映了成矿物质可能主要来自于深源岩浆。总之我们推测成矿物质主要来源于深部,在燕山期区域构造作用下沿深大断裂上涌,当成矿流体运移至背斜核部时,由于成矿条件的聚变,金被快速富集沉淀,形成簸箕田金矿床。     

加拿大霍普布鲁克金矿矿床地质特征

霍普布鲁克(Hope Brook)金矿床是加拿大第六大金矿床,产于新元古界的阿巴拉契亚山脉阿瓦隆区岩体中,地表出露面积为3000×400m2,向深部逐渐变小。该矿具有复杂的岩脉构造,与浅水体为主的火山碎屑序列的长英质、镁铁质火山碎屑岩密切相关。矿床赋存于大范围的热液蚀变区中,蚀变区内普遍有酸浸现象,并具有大量的泥质蚀变特点。同位素年代学证据表明,成矿时代为早—中寒武世(576±10Ma),是多期次热液作用,同时伴有侵入岩浆以及火山作用产生的凝灰岩共同影响的产物,属于典型的高硫化的浅成低温热液金矿床。     

Hydrothermal fluid geochemistry at the Chah-Firuzeh porphyry copper deposit,Iran: Evidence from fluid inclusions

The Chah-Firuzeh porphyry copper deposit is located in 35 km north of Shahre Babak (Kerman province). It is associated with granodioriteic intrusive of Miocene age which intruded Eocene volcanosedimentary rocks. Copper mineralization was accompanied by both potassic and phyllic alteration. Field observations and petrographic studies demonstrate that the emplacement of Chah-Firuzeh pluton took place in several intrusive pulses, each with associated hydrothermal ore fluid formation that was also associated with hydrostatic pressure increasing respect to that of lithostatic pressure (and fracturing development-relative boiling) by circulated fluid. Copper is concentrated as a very early hydrothermal mineralized phase in the evolution of the hydrothermal system. Early hydrothermal alteration produced a potassic assemblage (orthoclase–biotite) in the central deep part of the stock. Alteration ore fluids could be classify into two groups of liquid-reach, containing solid phases, high temperature (390 to 500 °C) high salinity (more than 60 wt.% NaCl equiv.) and gas-rich, high temperature (311 to 570 °C), no solid phase and with low salinities. These magmatic source fluids illustrate sever boiling process and also are the responsible for the both potassic alteration, quartz group I and II veins and chalcopyrite deposition. Propylitic alteration occurred by the liquid-rich, low temperature (241 to 390 °C) and Ca-rich fluid with meteoric origin. Continuous decreasing temperature let the meteoric water diffusion into the system, mixed with magmatic fluids and descending the salinities down to the 1 wt.% NaCl equiv. and leaching the Cu from vein groups II and III by sever thermodynamic anarchies from potassic to the phyllic alteration zones. Phyllic alteration and copper leaching resulted from the inflow of oxidized and acidic meteoric waters with decreasing temperature of the system followed by the incursion of this fluid into and its convection in upper part of the system. A late episode of boiling occurred in the apical the phyllic zone, and was associated with significant copper deposition. Based on the field observation on sharp alteration and related mineralization, it is possible to conclude that all these procedures have been controlled by local faults that could be active even before the pluton injection. These faults and the new form ones (which have been formed after injection), could crash the hosted rocks, and act as physical dams to restrict and limit the mineralization in special strikes and zones within the Cah-Firuzeh ore deposit.