The micro-chemistry of uraniferous laterites from Brazil: A natural example of inorganic chromatography

Numerous small deposits of U-rich laterites are found in the northwestern border of the Paraná Basin. Detailed mineralogy and chemistry of the uranium lateritic ores from the Iporá-Amorinopolis region were studied using classic petrographic techniques, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, atomic absorption, infrared and Mössbauer spectrography, autoradiography, electron microprobe and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The ore mineral assemblage is formed by goethite, lepidocrocite, hematite, quartz, calcedony, variscite, wavelite, apatite, collophane, barite, gypsite, renardite, meta-autunite I, uranophane, fourmarierite, koninchite, ranquilite, phospho-uranilite, meta-uranocircite I, meta-uranocircite II, metatyuyamunite, sklodowskite, parsonite and an hydrated Ca-silicate of uranium. The mineralization can be weakly disseminated in the laterite matrix with U probably adsorbed in the lepidocrocite; in pockets and impregnations of yellowish uranium phosphated within the laterite (U₃O₈10%) and in nodules with U₃O₈ ranging from 25% to 55%. The nodules are the most common ore type, being typically concentric with a white porous barite-gypsite-apatite core, followed by a compact greenish-yellow rim with colloform uranophane and ranquilite, a yellow aggregate of meta-autunite I, renardite and koninchite and an outer brownish-yellow shell of goethite with disseminated fourmarierite, renardite and koninchite. Size, shape and chemistry of the nodules indicate replacement of brachiopods and chitinozoa that are abundant in the Ponta Grossa Fm. by a primary uraninite-pyrite assemblage that is found in drill cores from fresh rock. The U enrichment is accompanied by enrichment of Ba, Ca, Sr, Pb, Ce and Nd in sulphate, phosphate, hydrous silicate or vanadate phases. The efficient separation of metals like Ce and Nd in individual phases on the surface of barite illustrates a clear example of a natural chromatographic separation. Such a process may be an important mechanism to explain the varying microchemistry within a laterite profile where each successive microsystem represents a chromatographic column through which the solubilities of metals will vary slightly in the continuum of Eh- and pH-values.     

Indium Mineralization in the Yejiwei Sn‐Polymetallic Deposit of the Shizhuyuan Orefield,Southern Hunan,China

The Y ejiwei deposit, which is located in the southern H unan W –Sn –Pb –Z n M etallogenic B elt in south C hina, is a large‐scale porphyry–skarn–veinlet‐type deposit containing 806 t I n. M ineralization occurs as porphyry‐type S n (stockworks), skarn‐type S n–C u, marble‐hosted‐type S n–C u (veinlet), and vein‐type P b–Z n ores. Thirty‐five ore samples were collected from the Y ejiwei deposit for bulk and mineral chemical composition, microscopic observation and electron microprobe analyses. The porphyry‐type S n ores contain variable amounts of I n (2.3–76 ppm; mean of 17.4 ppm) with local I n enrichment (226 ppm) and 1000 × I n/Z n values are 3.8–52.4. The skarn‐type C u–S n ore is richest in I n (12.3–214 ppm; mean of 114 ppm), and 1000 × I n/Z n values are 2.4–117. In contrast, the In content of the marble‐hosted‐type C u–S n ores is relatively low (7.4–34.9 ppm; mean of 20.3 ppm), and 1000 × I n/Z n is in the range of 0.61–5.5, and the vein‐type P b–Z n ores in the external zone contain the lowest I n contents (7.2–17.0 ppm; mean of 12.1 ppm) with 1000 × I n/Z n values of 0.07–0.09. The ore minerals in the deposit include pyrite, pyrrhotite, cassiterite, and I n‐bearing minerals of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and stannite. Although only trace amounts of sphalerite are hosted in the porphyry ores, the sphalerite contains the highest I n content (0.27–10.1 wt.% I n) in the deposit. We observed the highest I n contents of all I n‐bearing sphalerite reported in C hina. The I n contents of sphalerite in the skarn‐type ore range from 0.15 to 0.56 wt.%, whereas the marble‐hosted‐, and vein‐type ores have lower I n contents (0.00–0.04, and 0.03–0.06 wt.%, respectively). The In resources of the Y ejiwei deposit are mainly hosted in skarn ores of the No. 31 and No. 32 orebodies. The genesis of I n in the Y ejiwei deposit was closely related to the shallow intrusive environment of related igneous rocks. As W –S n–M o–B i–C u–P b–Z n–A g mineralization is widespread in south H unan, this study would suggest a focus on skarn‐type S n–Z n deposits for the future prospecting of I n resources.     

西昆仑赞坎铁矿床地质特征、形成时代及高品位矿石的成因

新疆赞坎铁矿床位于西昆仑塔什库尔干地块西段,是近年新发现的一个大型沉积变质型磁铁矿床。赋矿岩系布伦阔勒群主要由黑云母石英片岩、斜长角闪片岩、变粒岩、硅质岩及磁铁石英岩等组成。目前探明工业矿体4条,单个矿体长度大于2.5km,矿体厚10~70m;局部见高品位铁矿段(mFe50%),长度达900m,厚度40m左右。矿石类型主要为2种,一种为原生的条纹-条带状磁铁矿(为主);另一种为热液改造形成的块状(高品位铁矿石)及浸染状磁铁矿。矿石稀土元素配分(PAAS)表明,原生条纹-条带状铁矿石Ce和Y元素异常不明显(~1.15、~0.94),Eu具正异常(~1.69),Y/Ho平均值为25,稀土配分模式与沉积变质型铁矿相似。而受改造的矿石中,浸染状矿石具有较高的稀土总量,明显富集轻稀土,La和Ce显示正异常(~1.46、~1.17),Y显示负异常(=0.66~0.72),Eu表现为强烈的正异常(~4.37),稀土配分模式明显不同于原生条纹-条带状铁矿石。矿体围岩斜长角闪片岩(变沉积岩)中的碎屑锆石U-Pb年龄为591±1Ma,结合前人对矿区内侵入体的年代学研究(霏细斑岩,533Ma),大致反映沉积铁矿的形成时代为新元古代至早寒武世。电子探针显示,条带状磁铁矿中的TiO_2、AL_2O_3、MgO、MnO含量较低,标型组分含量与沉积变质型磁铁矿颇为接近,在磁铁矿单矿物成因图解中,条带状磁铁矿整体显示磁铁矿为沉积变质型铁矿;浸染状矿石和块状矿石的组成与典型沉积变质型铁矿的偏离反映了后期岩浆-构造热事件对条带状铁矿石的改造;上述结果显示赞坎铁矿整体属于沉积变质型铁矿(BIF)。调查发现赞坎高品位铁矿体与早寒武世侵入的霏细斑岩联系密切,高品位矿石及其围岩发育一定程度的矽卡岩化,如阳起石化、碳酸盐化和黄铁矿化。本文推测高品位铁矿石的成因可能为霏细斑岩的岩浆热液溶解并运移早期沉积变质铁矿中的含铁物质,在构造发育处充填交代形成块状磁铁富矿石。在早寒武世侵入到矿区中部的霏细斑岩体中,同时发育有角砾状磁铁矿和脉状磁铁矿,因此,岩浆热液改造原生条带状铁矿石形成高品位铁矿石的时代应为早寒武世。     

Genesis for Rare Earth Elements Enrichment in the Permian Manganese Deposits in Zunyi,Guizhou Province,SW China

The Zunyi manganese deposits, which formed during the Middle to Late Permian period and are located in northern Guizhou and adjacent areas, are the core area of a series of large-medium scale manganese enrichment minerogenesis in the southern margin and interior of the Yangtze platform, Southern China. This study reports the universal enrichment of rare earth elements(REEs) in Zunyi manganese deposits and examines the enrichment characteristics, metallogenic environment and genesis of REEs. The manganese ore bodies present stratiform or stratoid in shape, hosted in the silicon–mud–limestones of the Late Permian Maokou Formation. The manganese ores generally present lamellar, massive, banded and brecciated structures, and mainly consist of rhodochrosite, ropperite, tetalite, capillitite, as well as contains paragenetic gangue minerals including pyrite, chalcopyrite, rutile, barite, tuffaceous clay rock, etc. The manganese ores have higher ΣREE contents range from 158 to 1138.9 ppm(average 509.54 ppm). In addition, the ΣREE contents of tuffaceous clay rock in ore beds vary from 1032.2 to 1824.5 ppm(average 1396.42 ppm). The REEs from manganese deposits are characterized by La, Ce, Nd and Y enriched, and existing in the form of independent minerals(e.g., monazite and xenotime), indicating Zunyi manganese deposits enriched in light rare earth elements(LREE). The Ce_(anom) ratios(average-0.13) and lithofacies and paleogeography characteristics indicate that Zunyi manganese deposits were formed in a weak oxidation-reduction environment. The(La/Yb)_(ch), Y/Ho,(La/Nd)_N,(Dy/Yb)_N, Ce/Ce* and Eu/Eu* values of samples from the Zunyi manganese deposits are 5.53–56.92, 18–39, 1.42–3.15, 0.55–2.20, 0.21–1.76 and 0.48–0.86, respectively, indicating a hydrothermal origin for the manganese mineralization and REEs enrichment. The δ~(13) C_(V-PDB)(-0.54 to-18.1‰) and δ~(18) O_(SMOW)(21.6 to 26.0‰) characteristics of manganese ores reveal a mixed source of magmatic and organic matter. Moreover, the manganese ore, tuffaceous clay rock and Emeishan basalt have extremely similar REE fractionation characteristic, suggesting REEs enrichment and manganese mineralization have been mainly origin from hydrothermal fluids.     

Study on the element geochemical charactersitics of the Shazi large-sized anatase ore deposit in Qinglong,Guizhou Province

The Shazi anatase ore deposit in Qinglong, Guizhou Province, is a large-sized anatase deposit that has been recently explored. The characteristics of major oxides in the ore are similar to those of modem laterite weath- ering crust and laterite in the laterite-type gold deposits in the western part of Guizhou Province. Studies on the REE characteristics of basalts and anatase ores in the study region showed that both of them do have extremely strong affinities. There are two groups of trace elements in the ores, i.e., Au-Ag-As-Sb-Hg-Tl association and Sc-TiO2-Cu-Fe-Mn association, reflecting that the formation of anatase ore is related to the formation of siliceous claystone at the early stage of eruption of the Emeishan basaltic magma. The siliceous claystones are the major country rocks for the formation of laterite-type gold ores and anatase ores. In the region anatase ores are rich in Sc and the basalts enriched in Fe, Mn, Ti and Sc are the material source of metallogenesis.     

Fluid inclusion,rare earth element geochemistry,and isotopic characteristics of the eastern ore zone of the Baiyangping polymetallic Ore district,northwestern Yunnan Province,China

The Baiyangping Cu–Ag polymetallic ore district is located in the northern part of the Lanping–Simao foreland fold belt, which lies between the Jinshajiang–Ailaoshan and Lancangjiang faults in western Yunnan Province, China. The source of ore-forming fluids and materials within the eastern ore zone were investigated using fluid inclusion, rare earth element (REE), and isotopic (C, O, and S) analyses undertaken on sulfides, gangue minerals, wall rocks, and ores formed during the hydrothermal stage of mineralization. These analyses indicate: (1) The presence of five types of fluid inclusion, which contain various combinations of liquid (l) and vapor (v) phases at room temperature: (a) H₂O (l), (b) H₂O (l) + H₂O (v), (c) H₂O (v), (d) C_mH_n (v), and (e) H₂O (l) + CO₂ (l), sometimes with CO₂ (v). These inclusions have salinities of 1.4–19.9 wt.% NaCl equivalents, with two modes at approximately 5–10 and 16–21 wt.% NaCl equivalent, and homogenization temperatures between 101 °C and 295 °C. Five components were identified in fluid inclusions using Raman microspectrometry: H₂O, dolomite, calcite, CH₄, and N₂. (2) Calcite, dolomitized limestone, and dolomite contain total REE concentrations of 3.10–38.93 ppm, whereas wall rocks and ores contain REE concentrations of 1.21–196 ppm. Dolomitized limestone, dolomite, wall rock, and ore samples have similar chondrite-normalized REE patterns, with ores in the Huachangshan, Xiaquwu, and Dongzhiyan ore blocks having large negative δCe and δEu anomalies, which may be indicative of a change in redox conditions during fluid ascent, migration, and/or cooling. (3) δ³⁴S values for sphalerite, galena, pyrite, and tetrahedrite sulfide samples range from −7.3‰ to 2.1‰, a wide range that indicates multiple sulfur sources. The basin contains numerous sources of S, and deriving S from a mixture of these sources could have yielded these near-zero values, either by mixing of S from different sources, or by changes in the geological conditions of seawater sulfate reduction to sulfur. (4) The C–O isotopic analyses yield δ¹³C values from ca. zero to −10‰, and a wider range of δ¹⁸O values from ca. +6 to +24‰, suggestive of mixing between mantle-derived magma and marine carbonate sources during the evolution of ore-forming fluids, although potential contributions from organic carbon and basinal brine sources should also be considered. These data indicate that ore-forming fluids were derived from a mixture of organism, basinal brine, and mantle-derived magma sources, and as such, the eastern ore zone of the Baiyangping polymetallic ore deposit should be classified as a “Lanping-type” ore deposit.     

REE redistribution during hydrothermal alteration of ores of the Kalahari Manganese Deposit

The Kalahari Manganese Deposit (KMD) is the largest land-based manganese deposit, hosting approximately 80% of the world's known, mineable manganese resources. The deposit, located near Kuruman in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, is one of five erosional relics of the Paleoproterozoic (ca. 2.2 Ga) Hotazel Formation, with sedimentary manganese ores occurring as up to 50 m thick beds interbedded with banded iron-formation (BIF) and hematite lutite.The study focuses on the manganese ores of the Nchwaning–Gloria mining area of the northern KMD. In this area, pronounced mineralogical and major element alteration was imparted on the sedimentary manganese ores by a structurally-controlled hydrothermal fluid flow event. Most notable effects of hydrothermal alteration are the decomposition and leaching of Ca- and Mg-carbonate, and marked residual enrichment of manganese. On the basis of mineral assemblage, grade, texture and geochemical characteristics, three ore types were distinguished in the studied sample set, classified into least altered (LA), partially altered (PA) and advanced altered (AA) types. Advanced altered ores may be further classified into five different types, based on mineral assemblages that contain hausmannite and/or braunite as significant minerals. The rare earth element (REE) geochemistry of these fundamental ore types was studied in detail, to document REE mobility during hydrothermal alteration.Total REE concentrations in LA ores were found to be very low (14–22 ppm) and remarkably uniform, within the range typically observed for BIF. Hydrothermal alteration results in residual enrichment and a much larger scatter in REE contents. A small Ce anomaly observed in the protolith remains similar in magnitude when observed in PAAS-normalised REE plots. The data define, however, a power trend in the (Ce/Ce*) vs (Pr/Pr*) diagram. Such behaviour is interpreted in terms of a conservative system that was predominantly protolith-buffered. Local remobilisation of REE during hydrothermal alteration is attributed to the dissolution of diagenetic apatite and redistribution of hydrothermal trace minerals, including neoformed apatite, monazite and cerianite.     

Geochemistry of peridotite and granite xenoliths during the early stage of weathering in the Nyos volcanic region (NW Cameroon): Implications for PGE exploration

Peridotite and granite xenoliths, in the early stage of weathering, occur in the Nyos volcanic region (NW Cameroon). Geochemical data shows that peridotites are marked by high concentrations of MgO (42.30 wt.%, with SiO₂/MgO ∼ 1), chromium (2100 ppm), nickel (2100 ppm) and cobalt (104 ppm), as well as by low lanthanide contents (ΣREE: 7.41 ppm). Granites display SiO₂ contents (70–73 wt.%), and are mostly peraluminous (1.40 > A/CNK < 1.6). They are also characterized by low contents in chromium (<24 ppm), nickel (ranging from 6 to 15 ppm) and cobalt (ranging from 3 to 6 ppm). Granites possess high lanthanide contents (ΣREE varying between 248.00 and 463.00 ppm), particularly in light lanthanides (LREE/HREE ratios ranging from 21 to 32). The chondrite-normalized patterns of the studied xenoliths are characterized by: (i) LREE enrichments in both rock types; (ii) negative Eu anomalies ([Eu/Eu*] ranging from 0.45 to 0.64) and weak positive Ce anomalies ([Ce/Ce*] ranging from 1.06 to 1.46) in granites. The weathering process provokes a remobilization of several trace elements notably light lanthanides.The geochemical survey of Platinum-Group Elements (PGE) done in these rocks in the early stage of weathering shows that PGE contents are less than 7 ppb in the peridotites. The highly concentrated elements are ruthenium (6.26 ppb) and platinum (5.53 ppb). The total PGE content is 14.57 ppb. These concentrations normalized with respect to chondrites display a flat spectrum from iridium to platinum. PGE contents in the granites are below detection limit except for two samples (LNY01 and LNY02) whose platinum content is close to 0.23 ppb.     

Structural,textural, geochemical and isotopic signatures of synglaciogenic Neoproterozoic banded iron formations (BIFs) at Bafq mining district (BMD), Central Iran: The possible Ediacaran missing link of BIFs in Tethyan metallogeny

The Neoproterozoic magnetite–apatite–hematite–pyrolusite–jaspilite deposits in the Bafq mining district (BMD) contain more than 1.7 Gt ores with an average grade of 50 wt.% Fe and 0.01 to 7.78 wt.% P and were probably formed between 635 and 547 Ma in a riftogenic felsic submarine exhalative sequence of the Esfordi Formation. The ore zones occur in proximal zone of magnetite-rich albitized rhyolite (keratophyres), interdistal zone of rhyolitic tuff–tuffaceous sediments and distal zone of pyrolusite–jaspilite. These sequences are covered by the diamictites and cap carbonates. The BIFs are linked to the altered rhyolites–rhyodacites, jaspilites and diamictites and contain magnetite, hematite and apatite. The presence of Spriggina, Dickinsonia, Medusites and Persimedusites chahgazensis (Sennewald and Krüger, 1979; Hahn and, Pflug; McCall, 2006) in the Kushk shale member of the Esfordi Formation conforms to the Australian fauna of the Ediacaran period (635–540). This relative age is supported by some reliable Pb isotopic data (635–547 Ma) on galena, monazite and apatite (Huckriede et al., 1962; Torab, 2008; Stosch et al., 2011). The most frequent structures–textures in the ore zones include felsic autobrecciation, massive, colloidal, banded, detrital and glaciogenic. The BIFs are highlighted by high values of LREE fractionation and no significant Eu and Ce anomalies. The ores show high values of Fe₂O₃ (14–60%), and SiO₂ (4–34%), and low contents of Al (3.32%), Cr (21.48 ppm), Co (42.82 ppm), Ni (125 ppm), V (868 ppm), and Ti (0.13%) similar to those of the Ediacaran–Rapitan BIFs. The cap carbonates show depletion in δ¹³C, with a range from − 0.43 to − 6.6 per mil and then return to near excursion of about + 2.97‰ in the Lower Cambrian carbonates. These are followed by δ¹⁸O values, which range from − 6.64 to − 11.86‰. The presence of jaspilites, diamictites, C and O isotopic signatures, REE patterns, and immobile element relationships highlights a glaciogenic BIF. Importantly, the glaciogenic structures–textures and jaspilites do not support the misconception of the previously proposed magmatic–carbonatitic and metasomatic–hydrothermal IOCG–Kiruna ore deposits.     

辽宁弓长岭铁矿床磁铁矿稀土元素特征及其地质意义

辽宁弓长岭铁矿床是我国著名的沉积变质型铁矿床,其二矿区的磁铁富矿达大型规模,属国内之最.为探讨弓长岭铁矿床铁矿的物质来源、形成环境和富矿成因,本文以二矿区六个铁矿体的贫铁矿石和富铁矿石中磁铁矿单矿物为研究对象,利用电感耦合等离子体质谱进行了系统的稀土元素测试.结果表明,所有样品中磁铁矿的稀土元素总量(∑REEs)和Y具有非常一致的特征:稀土元素总量较低,Y/Ho比值较高;经太古界后平均澳大利亚页岩( PAAS)标准化呈现重稀土相对富集、轻稀土相对亏损的分馏模式,大部分呈现La正异常,所有样品都有明显的Eu和Y正异常,这些特征表明研究区的磁铁矿成矿物质主要来源于海底高温热液和海水;虽然磁铁矿的Ce/Ce*为0.69～ 0.97,但大多数样品缺乏真正意义的Ce负异常,这暗示其沉积于还原的海水环境;富铁矿石磁铁矿的稀土元素总量和Eu含量明显高于贫铁矿石的磁铁矿,而且含富矿的上含铁带Eu异常明显较高,表明富铁矿石磁铁矿具有更明显的热液特征,是在贫铁矿石的基础上受热液活动形成的.     

海南石碌铁矿北一南六矿体地球化学特征

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

Geology,geochemistry and genesis of the Godar Sabz Mn deposit in the Baft region,Iran

The Godar Sabz Mn deposit is located in the Nain-Baft ophiolitic belt in the northeast margin of the Sanandaj-Sirjan zone, Iran. The Nain-Baft back-arc extensional basin resulted from the subduction of the oceanic crust of Neo-Tethys under the southern margin of the Iranian Plate in the Early Cretaceous and hosts several mineral deposits, including volcanogenic massive sulfide, chromite, and Mn deposits. The mineralization in the Godar Sabz Mn deposit occurred predominantly as stratabound, massive, banded, layered, and lenticular orebodies in radiolarian cherts within Baft ophiolitic complex. The main ore minerals are pyrolusite, braunite, with minor amounts of todorokite. The significant geochemical features of the Godar Sabz ores, such as the high MnO content (21.82–80.65 wt%, average = 64.91 wt%), high Mn/Fe (average = 278), Si/Al ratios (average = 92.6), high Ba contents (average = 4495.6 ppm), the low average contents of Cu (81.8 ppm), Ni (106.2 ppm), Co (29.4 ppm), LREE > HREE, and trace element discrimination diagrams indicate a hydrothermal-exhalative source for mineralization. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns of studied ores have negative Ce and slightly positive Eu anomalies, which are similar to hydrothermal Mn deposits. The REE patterns of Mn ores coincide with basaltic lavas, suggesting that the Mn-mineralization in the Godar Sabz deposit was genetically related to the leaching of basaltic lavas. The Godar Sabz Mn deposit has many similarities with the main characteristics of the hydrothermal exhalative Mn deposits, including tectonic setting, host rock type, the morphology of orebodies, ore textures, mineralogy, and chemical features of ores.     

青城子层状/脉状铅锌矿床稀土元素地球化学特征及地质意义

位处华北板块北缘东段的辽吉裂谷带内发育有多处中、小型铅锌矿床,其中,同时发育层状和脉状铅锌矿的青城子矿床是典型的代表。为了探讨青城子层状铅锌矿和脉状铅锌矿矿质来源及成因的异同及其所代表的地质意义,利用ICP-MS对层状铅锌矿及其围岩、脉状铅锌矿及其围岩和后期穿矿脉岩进行了稀土元素测试。结果表明,所有样品均具有轻稀土元素（LREE）富集和明显分异的特点。层状铅锌矿及其围岩具有Eu正异常和较弱的Ce负异常,表明其成矿物质均来自上升的深部热水流体与海水的混合热液,在高温、还原流体和海水的参与下成矿。脉状铅锌矿及其围岩稀土元素配分模式与层状铅锌矿及其围岩相似,但其Eu为负异常和Ce异常不明显,部分样品出现较弱的Ce正异常,对比分析穿矿脉岩明显的Eu负异常和Ce正异常以及二者稀土元素总量稍大于层状铅锌矿的特点,文章认为青城子层状矿石为沉积成矿,成矿热液为深部热水流体与海水的混合热液,但后期受到岩浆侵入叠加改造的影响而在局部形成脉状铅锌矿体,引起了Eu负异常和局部Ce正异常的出现以及稀土元素总量的增加。     

Precambrian iron formations from the Cauvery Suture Zone,Southern India: Implications for sub-marine hydrothermal origin in Neoarchean and Neoproterozoic convergent margin settings

Thick horizons of iron formations including Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) and Banded Silicate Formations (BSFs) occur as E–W trending bands in the eastern part of Cauvery Suture Zone (CSZ) in the Sothern Granulite Terrane of India. Some of these occur in close association with the Neoarchean-Neoproterozoic suprasubduction zone complexes, where as some others are associated with metamorphosed accretionary sequences including pyroxene granulites and other high grade rocks. The iron formations are highly deformed and metamorphosed under amphibolite to granulite facies conditions and are composed of quartz–magnetite–hematite–goethite–garnet–pyrite together with grunerite and pyroxene. Here we report the geochemical characteristics of twenty representative samples from the iron formations that reveal a widely varying composition with Fe₂O₃^(t) (22–65 wt.% as total iron) total- Fe₂O₃/TiO₂ (205–6532), MnO/TiO₂ (0.25–12.66) and SiO₂ (33–85 wt.%), broadly representing the two types of iron formations. These formations also show very low Al/(Al + Fe + Mn) ratio (0.001–0.01), Al₂O₃ (0.07–0.76 wt.%), Al₂O₃/TiO₂ ratio (2.7–21), MgO (0.01–4.41 wt.%), CaO (0.1–1.24 wt.%), Na₂O (0.01–0.05 wt.%) and K₂O (0.01 wt.%) together with low total REE (3.38–31.63 ppm). The trace and REE elemental distributions show wide variation with high Ni (274 ppm), and Zn contents (up to 87 ppm) when compared to mafic volcanics of the adjoining areas. Tectonic discrimination plots indicate that the iron formations of the Cauvery Suture Zone are of hydrothermal origin. Their chondrite normalized patterns show slight positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* = up to 1.77) and relatively less fractionation of REE with slight LREE enrichment compared to HREE. However, the PAAS (Post Archean Average of Australian Sediments) normalized REE patterns display significant positive Eu anomaly (Eu/Eu* up to 2.32) with well represented negative Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* = 0.66–1.28). The above results together with petrological characteristics and available geochronology of the associated lithologies suggest that the iron formations can be correlated to Algoma-type. The Fe and Si were largely supplied by medium to high temperature sub-marine hydrothermal systems in Neoarchean and Neoproterozoic convergent margin settings.     

Geochemistry and origin of the Cretaceous sedimentary kaolin deposits,Red Sea,Egypt

This work reports, for the first time, the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the Cretaceous sedimentary kaolin deposits in the Red Sea area, Egypt and sheds the light on their source. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses of both bulk deposits and the sand and clay fractions of these deposits indicated that they are composed of kaolinite (average of 75 wt.%) and quartz (average of 22 wt.%). Traces of anatase (average of 1 wt.%) were identified in all kaolin samples, while traces of halite (average of 2 wt.%) and hematite (average of 1 wt.%) were reported in the majority of the analyzed samples. The clay fractions show relatively high contents of TiO₂ (average of 2.1%), Ni (average of 103 ppm), Nb (average of 98 ppm), Y (average of 67 ppm), and Zr (average of 630 ppm). Sum of the rare earth elements (ΣREE) in the clay fractions varies between 193 and 352 ppm. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns show enrichment of the light REE relative to the heavy REE ((La/Yb)_N = 9) and negative Eu anomaly (Eu*/Eu = 0.67).     

Rare earth elements in apatite and magnetite in Kiruna-type iron ores and some other iron ore types

An investigation of the content and distribution of REE in apatite and magnetite in the iron ores of Kiruna type and some other iron ores is presented. REE in apatite and magnetite in different ore types show characteristic patterns which are related to different modes of formation of the ores.The magnetite-apatite iron ores of the world can be divided into two types: (a) Kiruna iron ores proper which occur in volcanic rocks, and (b) iron ores connected with deuteric processes and/or related to intrusive rocks. Apatite of the Kiruna ores proper in Fennoscandia (e.g. Kiirunavaara, Malmberget and Grängesberg) shows a common pattern with 2000–7000 ppm REE, a weak to moderate LREE/HREE fractionation and negative Eu anomalies. In the Kiruna area, apatite of the main, P-poor ores and of the later, hydrothermal-exhalative P-rich ores, have the same REE distribution which indicates a common source. There is a similar REE distribution in magnetite-apatite trachytic-rhyodacitic host rock which confirms a close magmatic relationship. Apatite in phosphorites (such as the Paleoproterozoic Påläng deposit in northern Sweden) has a different composition (< 1000 ppm REE with Ce depletion) which excludes a sedimentary origin of the Kiruna apatite.Apatite in other volcanogenic magnetite-apatite ores outside Fennoscandia differ by a stronger LREE/HREE fractionation and by a medium to large Eu depletion, partly indicating a relationship to alkaline intrusions. The Avnik apatite, Turkey, shows a weak differentiation in combination with a pronounced negative Eu anomaly, indicating provenance from silicic magmatic sources.The REE pattern of apatite in the deuteric-hydrothermal apatite-bearing iron ores is in general similar to that of apatite in the Kiruna iron ores proper. The similarity indicates a common process of formation for both ore types.The apatite-iron ores of the Kiruna type proper were formed by a late-magmatic differentiation. The ores of the Kiruna area are, in similarity with some other magnetite-apatite ores, emplaced along regional fracture-fault lines and close to an older basement. In general the REE pattern of apatite in the different deposits shows an affinity to alkaline or sub-alkaline magmas, indicating a rifting environment. The alkaline, trachytic volcanics hosting the Kiruna ores in northern Sweden are clearly related to an extensional setting where rifting was important. A probable source for this large-scale ore-forming process was partial melting of deep-seated rocks. The ores evolved in an intracontinental setting with magma generation caused by underplating of older crust.The process giving rise to magnetite-apatite ores of the Kiruna type has occurred during the time span from Paleoproterozoic to Tertiary. The Proterozoic ores occur mainly in cratonized areas, whereas the younger ones occur in fold belts. The amount of ore formed in post-Proterozoic time is as large as that formed in Proterozoic time.     

Oldest volcanic-hosted submarine iron ores in South China: Evidence from zircon U–Pb geochronology and geochemistry of the Paleoproterozoic Dahongshan iron deposit

The Dahongshan iron deposit is hosted in the Paleoproterozoic submarine metavolcanic rocks of the Dahongshan Group in the Yangtze Block, South China. LA-ICP-MS dating of hydrothermal zircon grains from the genetically associated albitite and dolomite albitite show ca. 2008 Ma ages that are consistent with the zircon ages from the host metavolcanic rocks (ca. 2012 Ma), and postdated the post-ore diabase dike (ca. 1724 Ma), marking the Dahongshan iron deposit as the oldest submarine volcanic-hosted deposit so far as known. The ore-hosting metavolcanic rocks in the Dahongshan deposit have low Ni (9.1–77.4 ppm), Cr (1.0–63.0 ppm) and Co contents (5.6–62.9 ppm), suggesting the fractionation of olivine, clinopyroxene and plagioclase within the magma chamber. The major and trace element features of the alkaline to tholeiitic metavolcanic rocks are consistent with high-degree partial melting of the mantle wedge metasomatized by melts enriched in high field strength elements (HFSEs), which were derived from the subducted slab in volcanic arc setting. Based on an evaluation of the morphology of orebody, ore fabrics, petrology and melt-fluid inclusions, as well as the geochemical characteristics of the major ore mineral (magnetite), we correlate the iron mineralization in the Dahongshan deposit with hydrothermal process induced by the high-temperature, high-salinity and Fe-rich brines derived through magmatic exsolution. The similar characteristic of Ce and Eu anomalies of the Dahongshan iron deposit and banded iron formations (BIFs) suggest that the Dahongshan deposit was formed in reducing environment, although the two types of iron ores were generated through distinct processes with hydrothermal processes dominating for the submarine volcanic-hosted iron deposits whereas the BIFs were formed through chemical precipitation.     

Rare Earth Element Enrichment in Late Archean Manganese Deposits from the Iron Ore Group,East India

The major, trace and rare earth element (REE) composition of Late Archean manganese, ferromanganese and iron ores from the Iron Ore Group (IOG) in Orissa, east India, was examined. Manganese deposits, occurring above the iron formations of the IOG, display massive, rhythmically laminated or botryoidal textures. The ores are composed primarily of iron and manganese, and are low in other major and trace elements such as SiO₂, Al₂O₃, P₂O₅ and Zr. The total REE concentration is as high as 975 ppm in manganese ores, whereas concentrations as high as 345 ppm and 211 ppm are found in ferromanganese and iron ores, respectively. Heavy REE (HREE) enrichments, negative Ce anomalies and positive Eu anomalies were observed in post‐Archean average shale (PAAS)‐normalized REE patterns of the IOG manganese and ferromanganese ores. The stratiform or stratabound shapes of ore bodies within the shale horizon, and REE geochemistry, suggest that the manganese and ferromanganese ores of the IOG were formed by iron and/or manganese precipitation from a submarine, hydrothermal solution under oxic conditions that occurred as a result of mixing with oxic seawater. While HREE concentrations in the Late Archean manganese and ferromanganese ores in the IOG are slightly less than those of the Phanerozoic ferromanganese ores in Japan, HREE resources in the IOG manganese deposits appear to be two orders of magnitude higher because of the large size of the deposits. Although a reliable, economic concentration technique for HREE from manganese and ferromanganese ores has not yet been developed, those ores could be an important future source of HREE.     

Field and petrographic aspects of the iron ore mineralizations of Gandhamardan hill,Keonjhor, Orissa and their genetic significance

Banded iron formations of the Iron Ore Group (Archean greenstone belts) of Jharkhand-Orissa region, India host a good number of large iron ore deposits (Fe wt %> 62). Iron ore mineralization of Gandhamardan hill is one of them where iron ores occur in two stratigraphic horizons. One is strictly confined within banded iron formation (stratabound mineralization) with irregular geometry, and show fracture filling and replacement vein-type mineralization along the fringes of hard massive ores of the core. This type of mineralization is exposed along the western slope of the hill. Hard massive and laminated ores dominate this mineralization. The other type occurs as low dipping sheet like body above banded iron formation and covered by laterites forming the top of the hill. Flaky ores dominate this mineralization with formation of hard goethitic crust near the top. Both the mineralizations contain mineralized banded iron formation corestones surrounded by hard massive or flaky iron ores. Hard massive ores are entirely represented by martite-microplaty hematite mineralogy. Hard laminated ores contain microplaty hematite and few martite grains representing early magnetites of the banded iron formation. Flaky ores are high porosity ores produced by leaching of silica, martite and microplaty hematite. Hard goethitic ores are developed due to replacement of martite and microplaty hematite or precipitation of goethite in the pore spaces.     

Platinum-group element distribution in the oxidized Main Sulfide Zone, Great Dyke, Zimbabwe

In the Great Dyke mafic/ultramafic layered intrusion of Zimbabwe, economic concentrations of platinum-group elements (PGE) are restricted to sulfide disseminations in pyroxenites of the Main Sulfide Zone (MSZ). Oxidized ores near the surface constitute a resource of ca. 400 Mt. Mining of this ore type has so far been hampered due to insufficient recovery rates. During the oxidation/weathering of the pristine ores, most notably, S and Pd are depleted, whereas Cu and Au are enriched. The concentrations of most other elements (including the other PGE) remain quite constant. In the oxidized MSZ, PGE occur in different modes: (1) as relict primary PGM (mainly sperrylite, cooperite, and braggite), (2) in solid solution in relict sulfides (dominantly Pd in pentlandite, up to 6,500 ppm Pd and 450 ppm Pt), (3) as secondary PGM neoformations (i.e., Pt–Fe alloy and zvyagintsevite), (4) as PGE oxides/hydroxides that replace primary PGM as the result of oxidation, (5) hosted in weathering products, i.e., iron oxides/hydroxides (up to 3,600 ppm Pt and 3,100 ppm Pd), manganese oxides/hydroxides (up to 1.6 wt.% Pt and 1,150 ppm Pd), and in secondary phyllosilicates (up to a few hundred ppm Pt and Pd). In the oxidized MSZ, most of the Pt and Pd are hosted by relict primary and secondary PGM; subordinate amounts are found in iron and manganese oxides/hydroxides. The amount of PGE hosted in solid solution in sulfides is negligible. Considerable local variations in the distribution of PGE in the oxidized ores complicate a mineralogical balance. Experiments to evaluate the PGE recovery from oxidized MSZ ore show that using physical concentration techniques (i.e., electric pulse disaggregation, hydroseparation, and magnetic separation), the PGE are preferentially concentrated into smaller grain size fractions by a factor of 2. Highest PGE concentrations occur in the volumetrically insignificant magnetic fraction. This indicates that a physical preconcentration of PGE is not feasible and that chemical, bulk-leaching methods need to be developed in order to successfully recover PGE from oxidized MSZ ore.