ASTER spectral analysis for alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization

This study presents classifications of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) imagery based on spectral analysis of alteration minerals associated with gold mineralization in Abo Marawat area which is located in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Spectral analysis of continuum removed reference spectra of alteration minerals alunite, kaolinite, sericite, and calcite from USGS and JPL spectral libraries show shifts in position, shape, and strength most probably related to changes in sample purity and particle size of analyzed samples. Spectral Information Divergence (SID) classification method proved successful for mapping sericite, calcite, and clay minerals. Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) classification identified only sericite and calcite alteration minerals. The identified alteration zones are coincidence with the field sampling and geological map of the study area. The microscopic examination of samples collected from the quartz veins and hydrothermally altered wall-rocks from near surface and subsurface at Abu Marawat gold mine shows sericitization, argillaceous, and carbonatization alteration zones. Gold occurs as very fine inclusions in pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite and also found filling the fractures between chalcopyrite grains. This study concludes that ASTER image classifications using reference spectra are a stable and reproducible technique for mapping gold related hydrothermal alteration zones in areas with no dominant vegetation cover.     

Hydrothermal alteration and ore-forming fluids associated with gold-tellurium mineralization in the Dongping gold deposit,China

The Dongping gold deposit hosted in syenites is one of the largest hydrothermal gold deposits in China and composed of ore veins in the upper parts and altered zones in the lower parts of the ore bodies. Pervasive potassic alteration and silicification overprint the wall rocks of the ore deposit. The alteration minerals include orthoclase, microcline, perthite, quartz, sericite, epidote, calcite, hematite and pyrite, with the quartz, pyrite and hematite assemblages closely associated with gold mineralization. The phases of hydrothermal alteration include: (i) potassic alteration, (ii) potassic alteration - silicification, (iii) silicification - epidotization - hematitization, (iv) silicification - sericitization - pyritization and (v) carbonation. Mass-balance calculations in potassic altered and silicified rocks reveal the gain of K₂O, Na₂O, SiO₂, HFSEs and transition elements (TEs) and the loss of REEs. Most major elements were affected by intense mineral reactions, and the REE patterns of the ore are consistent with those of the syenites. Gold, silver and tellurium show positive correlation and close association with silicification. Fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures in quartz veins range from 154 °C to 382 °C (peak at 275 °C–325 °C), with salinities of 4–9 wt.% NaCl equiv. At temperatures of 325 °C the fluid is estimated to have pH = 3.70–5.86, log fO₂ = − 32.4 to − 28.1, with Au and Te transported as Au (HS)₂⁻ and Te₂^2 − complexes. The ore forming fluids evolved from high pH and fO₂ at moderate temperatures into moderate-low pH, low fO₂ and low temperature conditions. The fineness of the precipitated native gold and the contents of the oxide minerals (e.g., magnetite and hematite) decreased, followed by precipitation of Au- and Ag-bearing tellurides. The hydrothermal system was derived from an alkaline magma and the deposit is defined as an alkaline rock-hosted hydrothermal gold deposit.     

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.     

Low-thermal-gradient Hercynian metamorphism in the eastern Pyrenees

Abstract Fluids with compositions in the system CO₂-H₂O-NaCl were trapped in quartz veins enclosed in low-grade metamorphic rocks (chlorite zone) on the southern flank of the Canigó Massif, eastern Pyrenees. The veins, which also contain arsenopyrite crystals, were formed contemporaneously with the main Hercynian foliation and metamorphism. Volumetric properties of the fluid and the results of arsenopyrite geothermometry suggest P-T trapping conditions of 4.6–6 kbar and 450–530° C. This implies that an episode of metamorphism with an average geothermal gradient of 25° C km⁻¹ occurred during the main deformation event. This episode preceded the low- P /high- T metamorphism described around domes and to date considered as characteristic of the Hercynian orogeny in the Pyrenees.     

胶东牟平照岛山金矿蚀变矿化阶段及控矿要素

照岛山金矿位于胶东牟平-乳山成矿带北段,矿体产于中生代燕山期昆嵛山二长花岗岩中,主要受NNE向金牛山断裂带的控制。对金的成矿背景、矿床地质、控矿因素和矿体隐伏特征的研究结果表明：围岩蚀变从近矿到远矿依次发育黄铁绢英岩化、绢英岩化和钾长石化;金的成矿分为黄铁矿石英、石英黄铁矿、多金属硫化物、石英碳酸盐矿物4个阶段;昆嵛山岩体和荆山群变质岩的接触带附近易于成矿;金牛山主断裂走向NE的拐折地段、不同期次断裂交会处和多期断裂破碎带部位都易于成矿;金品位高值区呈近似等距分布,32线以南有向SW侧伏的趋势,40线以北有向NE侧伏的趋势。总结了照岛山金矿的控矿因素,初步推测了深部找矿方向。     

胶东牟平照岛山金矿蚀变矿化阶段及控矿要素

照岛山金矿位于胶东牟平-乳山成矿带北段,矿体产于中生代燕山期昆嵛山二长花岗岩中,主要受NNE向金牛山断裂带的控制。对金的成矿背景、矿床地质、控矿因素和矿体隐伏特征的研究结果表明:围岩蚀变从近矿到远矿依次发育黄铁绢英岩化、绢英岩化和钾长石化;金的成矿分为黄铁矿石英、石英黄铁矿、多金属硫化物、石英碳酸盐矿物4个阶段;昆嵛山岩体和荆山群变质岩的接触带附近易于成矿;金牛山主断裂走向NE的拐折地段、不同期次断裂交会处和多期断裂破碎带部位都易于成矿;金品位高值区呈近似等距分布,32线以南有向SW侧伏的趋势,40线以北有向NE侧伏的趋势。总结了照岛山金矿的控矿因素,初步推测了深部找矿方向。     

Hydrothermal alteration associated with Mesozoic granite-hosted gold mineralization at the Sanshandao deposit,Jiaodong Gold Province,China

The Sanshandao gold deposit (reserves of more than 200 t Au and average grade of 3.96 g/t), located at northwestern edge of the Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern North China Craton, is one of the largest gold deposits in the Jiaodong gold province. In this deposit, disseminated- and stockwork-style ores are hosted in Mesozoic granitoids; mineralization and alteration are largely controlled by the regional Sanshandao–Cangshang fault. Host granitic rocks for the deposit display a complex paragenetic sequence of alteration and mineralization. Activities of the Sanshandao–Cangshang fault created structurally controlled permeability allowing for infiltration of hydrothermal fluids, leading to diffusive K-feldspar alteration on the two fault planes. Later, large scale diffusive sericitization symmetrically developed across the main fault, and partially overprinted the earlier K-feldspar alteration. Following the sericitization, relatively small scale silicification occurred, but now it is only retained in the hanging wall of the main fault. Subsequently, the fault gouge formed as a “barrier layer”, which is impermeable for later fluids to move upward. After that, strong pyrite–sericite–quartz alteration occurred only in the footwall of the main fault, and was accompanied by gold precipitation. The last stage carbonation and quartz-carbonate veins marked the waning of gold-related hydrothermal activity. Mass-balance calculations indicate complex behaviors of different types of elements during fluid–rock interaction. Most major elements were affected by intensive mineral replacement reactions. As expected, the fluid-mobile elements, LILE and LREE, generally show moderate to high mobility. It is notable that even the commonly assumed fluid-immobile elements, such as HREE and HFSE, tend to be changed to various degrees. In addition, Y–Ho, Zr–Hf and Nb–Ta fractionations are observed in altered domains. Studies on alteration assemblages and fluid inclusions suggest that the ore-forming fluids were characterized by low salinity (≤ 8.4 wt.% NaCl equiv.), moderate temperature (300–400 °C), weakly acidic (pH: 3–5), and relatively reducing (log f_O2: ~–28) characteristics. In this type of fluids, gold was most likely transported as Au(HS)₂⁻ complex. With alteration going on, log (a_K⁺/a_H⁺) of fluids generally decreased due to significant formation of secondary K-bearing minerals. In addition, there might be a decrease of f_O2 from pre-gold alteration stage to the main gold mineralization stage, and decrease of f_O2 was probably one of the factors controlling gold precipitation. The Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of hydrothermal minerals, combined with previous H–O and He–Ar isotopic studies, indicate that the hydrothermal fluids were mainly derived from crustal sources (e.g., degassing of felsic magmas and meteoric water), but with involvement of mantle derived components. The gold mineralization event just coincided with reactivation of the North China Craton, as marked by asthenosphere upwelling, voluminous igneous rocks, and high crustal heat flow, which may have provided sufficient heat energy and fluid input required for the formation of the gold deposits.     

Hydrothermal alteration associated with gold mineralization in the southern Apuseni Mountains, Romania: preliminary Sr isotopic data

Precious-metal mineralization in the southern Apuseni Mountains of western Romania is hosted by mid-Miocene (∼14 Ma) andesitic stocks and lava flows. The mineralized veins are surrounded by aureoles of hydrothermal alteration, consisting of quartz, sericite, K-feldspar, pyrite and calcite. The alteration process caused a total homogenization of initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in the rocks. Ages determined for the hydrothermal alteration are 13.7–15.7 Ma, indicating that hydrothermal alteration immediately followed igneous activity. Furthermore, a large influx of radiogenic Sr took place during alteration, this Sr probably being derived from the hydrothermal leaching of continental meta-sedimentary rocks in the basement. Received: 5 December 1997 / Accepted: 26 February 1998     

吉东杜荒岭金矿区围岩蚀变与金矿化关系

杜荒岭金矿赋存于燕山晚期的石英闪长（斑）岩中，严格受近EW向断裂构造带控制。主要蚀变类型有硅化、绢云母化、绿泥石化、黄铁矿化、褐铁矿化、高岭土化和碳酸盐化等。具较明显的蚀变分带，自中心向外可分为黄铁绢英岩、石英娟母云母和青磐岩带。蚀变演化可划分为早成矿期、中成矿期和晚成矿期蚀变。金矿化与蚀变关系密切，尤其与硅化、黄铁矿化和绢英岩化最为密切，为典型的破碎蚀变岩型金矿。     

胶东三山岛北海域金矿床热液蚀变作用研究

三山岛北海域金矿床位于胶东金矿省的西北缘,是2015年新发现的超大型金矿床（储量470 t、Au品位4.30 g/t）,金矿体赋存于中生代玲珑式花岗岩中,主矿体受三山岛-仓上断裂带控制。中生代含矿的玲珑式花岗岩显示了复杂的蚀变、矿化共生组合关系。三山岛-仓上断裂的活动使热液流体发生渗透,导致断裂带两侧发生广泛的钾化蚀变。随后,大规模的绢云母化沿主断裂两侧形成。随着断层泥的形成,其作为"阻挡层"使含矿流体不能运移到断裂带上盘,成矿流体在下盘发生强烈的绢云母-石英-黄铁矿蚀变并伴有金的析出。最后石英-碳酸盐脉的形成标志着与金成矿相关热液活动减弱。钾化和绢英岩化岩石的平衡计算揭示了SiO2、MgO和CaO带入,TiO2、K2O基本不变,而Na2O表现为带出;大多数主量元素受强烈的矿物反应影响。Au、Ag、Bi、As、Pb、Zn等相关成矿元素呈带入特征,它们之间多呈正相关关系且与黄铁绢英岩化有密切关系,显示出在水岩反应过程中不同类型的元素具有复杂的地球化学行为。蚀变组合和流体包裹体研究表明,成矿流体以中低温（126~351℃）、中低盐度（1.02%~10.48% NaCleqv）为特征,属于CO2-H2O-NaCl±CH4体系。在热液流体中,金可能主要以Au（HS）2-络合物的形式运移;黄铁绢英岩化过程中,硫化作用使Au（HS）2-络合物失稳分解导致Au沉淀富集成矿。华北克拉通的重新活化导致软流圈上涌和大量火成岩的形成,也为胶东发生大规模金成矿作用提供了充足的的热能和流体输入。     

Geochemical specifics of ongonites in the Ary-Bulak Massif, eastern Transbaikalia

A genetic model for magmatic rocks of the Ary-Bulak Massif is discussed based on a detailed geological map of the massif (prepared by the authors) and on original data of the authors on the petrography of the massif, its compositional zoning, trace-element geochemistry, physicochemical parameters of its crystallization, and melt inclusions in its minerals. The Ary-Bulak Massif was determined to be zonal, with the predominance (approximately 70% by area) of porphyritic topaz ongonites (central facies), which grade toward contacts into weakly porphyritic ongonites bearing topaz and, occasionally, fluorite (margin facies). Aphyric rocks with fluorite (inner-contact facies) occur as a stripe 50–80 m wide at the southwestern inner contact of the massif. Analysis of petrographic and geochemical data indicates that subvolcanic rocks of the Ary-Bulak Massif differ from typical elvanes (as they occur in the Cornwall province) but are similar to classic ongonites in the central and marginal facies of the massif. Rocks in the southwestern inner-contact zone are unusual high-F and high-Ca varieties, whose analogues have never been found in any rare-metal provinces with ongonites and which provide evidence of a complicated evolutionary history of the Ary-Bulak Massif. The geochemical evolution of this massif was determined to be characterized by the enrichment of the older inner-contact facies rocks in CaO, K₂O, F, and Rb, Cs, B, Ba, Sr, Sn, and Ta, whose concentrations decrease in the ongonites of the central facies. The central-facies ongonites thereby have much higher Na₂O and Li concentrations than those in the inner-contact facies rocks. It is demonstrated that the intense heating and melting of crustal material in this region at the Jurassic-Cretaceous boundary could have been induced by subalkaline basaltic magma. The chemical composition of the rocks, which is unusual for typical ongonites in, for example, high Ca and Sr concentrations, could be caused by the possible assimilation by the magma of limestones, which occur in the territory at a certain depth in the Ust’-Borzya Formation that hosts the Ary-Bulak Massif. The genesis of most rocks in the massif was controlled by the magmatic differentiation of crustal granitic magma, with the residual melts forming Li-F granites enriched in several trace elements (Li, Rb, Cs, B, Ba, Sr, etc.) and ongonites as their subvolcanic analogues.     

Pseudotachylyte and the development of ultramylonite bands in the Saint-Barthélemy Massif,French Pyrenees

In mylonitic gneisses of the Saint-Barthelemy Massif in the French Pyrenees, evidence was found that ultramylonite bands developed by ductile deformation of pseudotachylyte.In the gneiss a mylonitic shape fabric was produced by a continuous structural event during retrogression from amphibolite to upper greenschist facies. Decrease in temperature caused gradual hardening in the gneiss which led to the development of pseudotachylyte bands by intermittent seismic slip. These acted as weak zones in which ductile deformation was concentrated. A microstructure typical of ultramylonite was produced in these deformed pseudotachylyte bands.     

Geochemistry and alteration facies associated with epithermal precious metal mineralization in an active geothermal system,northern Lesbos,Greece

Hydrothermal quartz veins associated with gold and silver mineralization and variable amounts of base metal sulfides have been discovered within an active geothermal system in the Megala Therma area of northern Lesbos. This geothermal system is probably a late evolutionary stage in the formation of this mineralization. The veins are hosted in Upper Miocene volcanic rocks of andesitic composition and consist of quartz, adularia, chlorite, sericite, illite, kaolinite, baryte, small amounts of jarosite and alunite, and native gold, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, covellite and goethite. The principal types of alteration which occur in the studied area are: silicification, propylitization, argillic alteration and potassic, phyllic alteration.     

内蒙古大井锡-多金属矿床伴生金矿化特征及矿床成因

大井矿床是我国北方重要的锡，铜，银，铅，锌等多矿种大型矿床，矿床铜，锡矿化即有关，又有分离，伴生的金矿化局部较好，可能与铜矿化阶段的黄铁矿化有关，浮选铜矿尾砂中的Au含量较高，有潜在的经济价值，独立的黄铁矿（毒砂）脉中的金，银矿资源应予评价，大井矿床东北约10km处叶腊石（巴林石）矿床中金矿化的发现为高S型浅成低温热液银-金-多金属矿床找矿提供了重要线索，说明大井外围有着较好的银-金-多金属矿找矿前景，大井矿床是次火山热液型锡-铜-多金属矿床，成矿物质可能来自基底及燕山期岩浆岩。     

Strata-bound As-Au mineralization in pre-Caradocian rocks from the Vall de Ribes,Eastern Pyrenees,Spain

In the lower part of a pre-Caradocian series associated with volcanics there are disseminations and lenses of arsenopyrite and pyrite with gold and Bi-Ag-Cu-Pb-Zn-W minerals. These ores are accompanied by veins and epigenetic masses of the same mineralogical composition. The disseminations are found in psammopelitic rhythmites and dolomites which also contain cmthick lenses. The epigenetic bodies, also enclosed in the rhythmites and dolomites, are interpreted as reconcentrations of preexisting disseminations and lenses caused by subsequent phases of deformation.     

Stable isotope constraints on the origin of the Cabo de Creus garnet-tourmaline pegmatites,Massif des Alberes,Eastern Pyrenees,Spain

Pegmatite dyke swarms are exposed within the easternmost Pyrenees at Cabo de Creus. These dykes were emplaced into high-grade metamorphosed sedimentary strata of Cambro-Ordovician age, but lack obvious field relationship to Hercynian intrusive rocks. Together with structural and geochemical data, equilibrium oxygen isotope fractionations at temperatures of ≈ 600°C, the lack of obvious subsolidus exchange, and the H- and O-isotopic signatures of water in equilibrium with pegmatite mica and quartz are interpreted to indicate a derivation from anatexis of a metapelitic source at shallow crustal levels.     

Petrography,geochemistry and geochronology of granite hosted rhyodacites associated with a disseminated pyrite mineralization (Arnolz,Southern Bohemian Massif,Austria)

Mineralogy and Petrology - The study focuses on a subvolcanic rhyodacite dyke intruding a fine grained biotite granite and paragneisses of the South Bohemian Massif, part of the Variscan Orogenic...     

Stratigraphic record of thrust propagation, Carboniferous foreland basin, Pyrenees, with emphasis on Pays-de-Sault (France/Spain)

The Carboniferous culm of the Pays-de-Sault is divided into two diachronous and synshortening series. These series are dated Late Visean (Pic d'Ourtiset series in a northern overthrust unit) and Early Namurian E2 (La Fajolle series in a southern underthrust unit) from an association of foraminifers, algae, and microproblematica identified in clasts of conglomerates. According to structural positions and facies criteria, these two series are interpreted as two turbiditic depocenters which were generated by southward thrust propagation during Late Visean and Early Namurian. At the scale of the Pyrenean Hercynian range, this evolution is consistent with a thrust and depocenter sequence propagating on the wedge-top depozone of a foreland basin system from the northeast (Mouthoumet subpyrenean massif) to the southwest (end of the High Primary Range) during Late Visean to Westphalian C time interval.     

Research on the February 18, 1996 earthquake in the caves of Saint-Paul-de-Fenouillet area, (eastern Pyrenees,France)

Abstract

Eight caves have been investigated near Saint-Paul- de-Fenouillet after the earthquake of 5.2 magnitude of February 1996 which occurred in the eastern Pyrenees (France) and caused moderate damage at the ground surface. The earthquake has been associated with the movement of an E-W fault. The caves had not been visited since the earthquake. Some damage, mainly collapses of soda straws and small rocks, could be attributed to this earthquake. The most interesting cave in the epicentral area is the Paradet cave which is situated on a recently activated fault plane. In this cave, soda straw falls could be attributed to the earthquake, but other more ancient damage was also observed. Analysis of the azimuth of fallen speleothems, which are natural pendulums, may indicate the directions, and an estimation of their mechanical properties gives the threshold of the seismic ground motion amplitude responsible for their collapse, thus supplying information to calibrate damage due to past earthquakes. A statistical study indicates that the main direction of the collapsed soda straws is E–W. Numerical simulations confirm that soda straws are relatively strong objects that may break under certain conditions during earthquakes. © Elsevier, Paris     

A review of Middle Ordovician sedimentation in the St. Lawrence Lowland,eastern Canada

Middle Ordovician sediments of the St. Lawrence Lowland, eastern Canada, and its northeastward extension to St-Siméon, are subdivided into the numerous formations of the Chazy, Black River and Trenton Groups. Details of each formation and interpretation of environments of deposition are presented and a coherent model for the development of the upper Middle Ordovician Trenton Group throughout the region is presented. In the southwest, around Montreal, a complete and continuous Middle Ordovician sequence is present and Trenton Group sediments overlie well-developed tidal flat and lagoonal (Black River Group) and mixed shallow subtidal (Chazy Group) sediments. This sequence was deposited on a slowly subsiding, essentially flat, broad shelf environment. Northeastward from Montreal, toward the Montmorency Promontory of the Quebec City area, basal Middle Ordovician sediments become younger and the extent of the shelf area narrowed significantly. The latter resulted in skeletal shoal sediments (lower Trenton Group) developing closer to shore and concomitant less well-developed clastic-rich lagoonal sediments (Black River Group and basal Trenton Group). At Montmorency Promontory the shoal sediments (basal Trenton Group) accumulated along an irregular and rugged coastline. Northeast of the Promontory a steep onshore to offshore profile and rapidly deposited basal inshore clastics (Black River Group) precluded the deposition of skeletal shoals and rapid submergence promoted the early development of deeper shelf (middle and upper Trenton Group) and slope and basin (top Trenton Group, Saint Irénée Formation) sediments. In contrast, corresponding offshore sediments (middle and upper Trenton Group) in the southwest reflect a lower depositional gradient and more gradual subsidence. These patterns of deposition were determined by the interaction of the changing nature of the Ordovician coastline southwest, at, and northeast of the Montmorency Promontory and the variable subsidence rates influenced by the eastward evolving Taconic Orogen.