Fe–Mg Interdiffusion in (Mg,Fe)O

We have performed a series of interdiffusion experiments on magnesiowüstite samples at room pressure, temperatures from 1,320° to 1,400°C, and oxygen fugacities from 10^?1.0 Pa to 10^?4.3 Pa, using mixed CO/CO₂ or H₂/CO₂ gases. The interdiffusion couples were composed of a single-crystal of MgO lightly pressed against a single-crystal of (Mg_1-x Fe _x )_1-δO with 0.07<x<0.27. The interdiffusion coefficient was calculated using the Boltzmann–Matano analysis as a function of iron content, oxygen fugacity, temperature, and water fugacity. For the entire range of conditions tested and for compositions with 0.01<x<0.27, the interdiffusion coefficient varies as $$\tilde D\, =\,2.9\times10^{ - 6}\,f_{{\text{O}}_2 }^{0.19}\,x^{0.73}\,{\text{e}}^{ - (209,000\, -\,96,000\,x)/RT}\,\,{\text{m}}^{\text{2}} {\text{s}}^{ -1} $$ These dependencies on oxygen fugacity and composition are reasonably consistent with interdiffusion mediated by unassociated cation vacancies. For the limited range of water activity that could be investigated using mixed gases at room pressure, no effect of water on interdiffusion could be observed. The dependence of the interdiffusion coefficient on iron content decreased with increasing iron concentration at constant oxygen fugacity and temperature. There is a close agreement between our activation energy for interdiffusion extrapolated to zero iron content (x=0) and that of previous researchers who used electrical conductivity experiments to determine vacancy diffusivities in lightly doped MgO.     

Chemical and sulphur isotope compositions of pyrite in the Jaduguda U (–Cu–Fe) deposit,Singhbhum shear zone,eastern India: Implications for sulphide mineralization

The Jaduguda U (–Cu–Fe) deposit in the Singhbhum shear zone has been the most productive uranium deposit in India. Pyrite occurs as disseminated grains or in sulphide stringers and veins in the ore zone. Veins, both concordant and discordant to the pervasive foliation, are mineralogically either simple comprising pyrite ± chalcopyrite or complex comprising pyrite + chalcopyrite + pentlandite + millerite. Nickel-sulphide minerals, though fairly common in concordant veins, are very rare in the discordant veins. Pyrite in Ni-sulphide association is commonly replaced by pentlandite at the grain boundary or along micro-cracks.     

Fe–Cu deposits in the Kangdian region,SW China: a Proterozoic IOCG (iron-oxide–copper–gold) metallogenic province

Numerous Fe–Cu deposits are hosted in the late Paleoproterozoic Dongchuan and Dahongshan Groups in the Kangdian region, SW China. The Dongchuan Group is composed of siltstone, slate, and dolostone with minor volcanic rocks, whereas the Dahongshan Group has undergone lower amphibolite facies metamorphism and consists of quartz mica-schist, albitite, quartzite, marble and amphibolite with local migmatite. Deposits in the Dongchuan Group are commonly localized in the cores of anticlines, in fault bends and intersections, and at lithological contacts. Orebodies are closely associated with breccias, which are locally derived from the host rocks. Fe-oxides (magnetite and/or hematite) and Cu-sulfides (chalcopyrite, bornite) form disseminated, vein-like and massive ores, and typically fill open spaces in the host rocks. The deposits have extensive albite alteration and local K-feldspar alteration overprinted by quartz, carbonate, sericite and chlorite. Deposits in the Dahongshan Group have orebodies sub-parellel to stratification and show crude stratal partitioning of metals. Fe-oxide ores occur as massive and/or banded replacements within the breccia pipes, whereas Cu-sulfide ores occur predominantly as disseminations and veinlets within mica schists and massive magnetite ores. Ore textures suggest that Cu-sulfides formed somewhat later than Fe-oxides, but are possibly within the same mineralization event. Both ore minerals predated regional Neoproterozoic metamorphism. Both orebodies and host rocks have undergone extensive alteration of albite, scapolite, amphibole, biotite, sericite and chlorite. Silica and carbonate alterations are also widespread. Ore-hosting strata have a LA-ICP-MS zircon U–Pb age of 1681 ± 13 Ma, and a dolerite dyke cutting the Fe-oxide orebodies has an age of 1659 ± 16 Ma. Thus, the mineralization age of the Dahongshan deposit is constrained at between the two. All ores from the two groups have high Fe and low Ti, with variable Cu contents. Locally they are rich in Mo, Co, V, and REE, but all are poor in Pb and Zn. Sulfides from the Fe–Cu deposits have δ³⁴S values mostly in the range of +2 to +6 per mil, suggesting a mix of several sources due to large-scale leaching of the strata with the involvement of evaporites. Isotopic dating and field relationships suggest that these deposits formed in the late Paleoproterozoic. Ore textures, mineralogy and alteration characteristics are typical of IOCG-type deposits and thus define a major IOCG metallogenic province with significant implications for future exploration.     

Fe–Ti–Au–U Mineralization of the Ozerninskii Ore Cluster (West Trans-Baikal Region,Russia)

Doklady Earth Sciences - Comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical studies of gold–brannerite nuggets have been carried out in alluvial deposits of Kamennyi Creek. Its source is located...     

Geochemistry,mineralogy and genesis of the Ayazmant Fe–Cu skarn deposit in Ayvalik, (Balikesir), Turkey

The Ayazmant Fe–Cu skarn deposit is located approximately 20 km SE of Ayval?k or 140 km N of Izmir in western Turkey. The skarn occurs at the contact between metapelites and the metabasites of the Early Triassic K?n?k Formation and the porphyritic hypabyssal intrusive rocks of the Late Oligocene Kozak Intrusive Complex. The major, trace, and rare earth-element geochemical analysis of the igneous rocks indicate that they are I-type, subalkaline, calc-alkaline, metaluminous, I-type products of a high-level magma chamber, generated in a continental arc setting. The ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar isochron age obtained from biotite of hornfels is 20.3 ± 0.1 Ma, probably reflecting the age of metamorphic–bimetasomatic alteration which commenced shortly after intrusion into impure carbonates. Three stages of skarn formation and ore development are recognized: (1) Early skarn stage (Stage I) consisting mainly of garnet with grossular-rich (Gr_75–79) cores and andradite-rich (Gr_36–38) rims, diopside (Di_94–97), scapolite and magnetite; (2) sulfide-rich skarn (Stage II), dominated by chalcopyrite with magnetite, andraditic garnet (Ad₈₄–₈₉), diopside (Di₆₅–₇₅) and actinolite; and (3) retrograde alteration (Stage III) dominated by actinolite, epidote, orthoclase, phlogopite and chlorite in which sulfides are the main ore phases. ⁴⁰Ar–³⁹Ar age data indicate that potassic alteration, synchronous or postdating magnetite–pyroxene–amphibole skarn, occurred at 20.0 ± 0.1 Ma. The high pyroxene/garnet ratio, plus the presence of scapolite in calc-silicate and associated ore paragenesis characterized by magnetite (± hematite), chalcopyrite and bornite, suggests that the bulk of the Ayazmant skarns were formed under oxidized conditions. Oxygen isotope compositions of pyroxene, magnetite and garnet of prograde skarn alteration indicate a magmatic fluid with δ¹⁸O values between 5.4 and 9.5‰. On the basis of oxygen isotope data from mineral pairs, the early stage of prograde skarn formation is characterized by pyroxene (Di_94–97)-magnetite assemblage formed at an upper temperature limit of 576 °C. The lower temperature limit for magnetite precipitation is estimated below 300 °C, on the basis of magnetite–calcite pairs either as fracture-fillings or massive ore in recrystallized limestone-marble. The sulfide assemblage is dominated by chalcopyrite with subordinate molybdenite, pyrite, cubanite, bornite, pyrrhotite, galena, sphalerite and idaite. Gold–copper mineralization formed adjacent to andradite-dominated skarn which occurs in close proximity to the intrusion contacts. Native gold and electrum are most abundant in sulfides, as fine-grained inclusions; grain size with varying from 5 to 20 µm. Sulfur isotope compositions obtained from pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena form a narrow range between ? 4.8 and 1.6‰, suggesting the sulfur was probably mantle-derived or leached from magmatic rocks. Geochemical data from Ayazmant shows that Cu is strongly associated with Au, Bi, Te, Se, Cd, Zn, Pb, Ni and Co. The Ayazmant mineralizing system possesses all the ingredients of a skarn system either cogenetic with, or formed prior to a porphyry Cu(Au–Mo) system. The results of this study indicate that the Aegean Region of Turkey has considerable exploration potential for both porphyry-related skarns and porphyry Cu and Au mineralization.     

The Nature of Tungstenite of the Bystrinskoe Porphyry-Skarn Au–Fe–Cu Deposit (Eastern Transbaikalia,Russia)

Doklady Earth Sciences - Tungstenite of unusual shapes (spheroids, rings, threads, spirals, etc.) was found in scheelite of gold-bearing quartz–carbonate–pyrite–chalcopyrite...     

Mineral Deposit Model of Cu–Fe–Au Skarn System in the Edongnan Region, Eastern China

Cu and Fe skarns are the world’s most abundant and largest skarn type deposits, especially in China, and Au-rich skarn deposits have received much attention in the past two decades and yet there are few papers focused on schematic mineral deposit models of Cu–Fe–Au skarn systems. Three types of Au-rich deposits are recognized in the Edongnan region, Middle–Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt: ~140 Ma Cu–Au and Au–Cu skarn deposits and distal Au–Tl deposits; 137–148 Ma Cu–Fe; and 130–133 Ma Fe skarn deposits. The Cu–Fe skarn deposits have a greater contribution of mantle components than the Fe skarn deposits, and the hydrothermal fluids responsible for formation of the Fe skarn deposits involved a greater contribution from evaporitic sedimentary rocks compared to Cu–Fe skarn deposits. The carbonate-hosted Au–Tl deposits in the Edongnan region are interpreted as distal products of Cu–Au skarn mineralization. A new schematic mineral deposit model of the Cu–Fe–Au skarn system is proposed to illustrate the relationship between the Cu–Fe–Au skarn mineralization, the evaporitic sedimentary rocks, and distal Au–Tl deposits. This model has important implications for the exploration for carbonate–hosted Au–Tl deposits in the more distal parts of Cu–Au skarn systems, and Fe skarn deposits with the occurrence of gypsum-bearing host sedimentary rocks in the MLYRB, and possibly elsewhere.     

Geochemical constraints on Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits in the Edong district,Middle–Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt,China

Copper and iron skarn deposits are economically important types of skarn deposits throughout the world, especially in China, but the differences between Cu and Fe skarn deposits are poorly constrained. The Edong ore district in southeastern Hubei Province, Middle–Lower Yangtze River metallogenic belt, China, contains numerous Fe and Cu–Fe skarn deposits. In this contribution, variations in skarn mineralogy, mineralization-related intrusions and sulfur isotope values between these Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits are discussed.The garnets and pyroxenes of the Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits in the Edong ore district share similar compositions, i.e., dominantly andradite (Ad_29–100Gr_0–68) and diopside (Di_54–100Hd_0–38), respectively. This feature indicates that the mineral compositions of skarn silicate mineral assemblages were not the critical controlling factors for variations between the Cu–Fe and Fe skarn deposits. Intrusions associated with skarn Fe deposits in the Edong ore district differ from those Cu–Fe skarn deposits in petrology, geochemistry and Sr–Nd isotope. Intrusions associated with Fe deposits have large variations in their (La/Yb)_N ratios (3.84–24.6) and Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.32–1.65), and have relatively low Sr/Y ratios (4.2–44.0) and high Yb contents (1.20–11.8 ppm), as well as radiogenic Sr–Nd isotopes (εNd(t) = − 12.5 to − 9.2) and (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7067 to 0.7086. In contrast, intrusions associated with Cu–Fe deposits are characterized by relatively high Sr/Y (35.0–81.3) and (La/Yb)_N (15.0–31.6) ratios, low Yb contents (1.00–1.62 ppm) without obvious Eu anomalies (δEu = 0.67–0.97), as well as (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i = 0.7055 to 0.7068 and εNd(t) = − 7.9 to − 3.4. Geochemical evidence indicates a greater contribution from the crust in intrusions associated with Fe skarn deposits than in intrusions associated with Cu–Fe skarn deposits. In the Edong ore district, the sulfides and sulfates in the Cu–Fe skarn deposits have sulfur isotope signatures that differ from those of Fe skarn deposits. The Cu–Fe skarn deposits have a narrow range of δ³⁴S values from − 6.2‰ to + 8.7‰ in sulfides, and + 13.2‰ to + 15.2‰ in anhydrite, while the Fe skarn deposits have a wide range of δ³⁴S values from + 10.3‰ to + 20.0‰ in pyrite and + 18.9‰ to + 30.8‰ in anhydrite. Sulfur isotope data for anhydrite and sedimentary country rocks suggest that the formation of skarns in the Edong district involved the interaction between magmatic fluids and variable amounts of evaporites in host rocks.     

Fe–S mineralization in the Jurassic biogenic remains (Częstochowa,Poland)

Various Fe–S minerals of the mackinawite–greigite–pyrite association, ubiquitous in biogenic remains from Jurassic mudstones, have been described in detail in an SEM–EDS study. Two diagenetic stages of Fe sulphide formation and preservation in the Jurassic organic skeletons are identified. In the first stage, pyrite formed as euhedra and framboids shortly after deposition, mainly in the interiors of the skeletons which still contained labile organic matter. The second stage of iron sulphide formation was related to the later stages of diagenesis, when the influence of the surrounding sediment was more dominant, although some organic matter was still present in the biogenic skeletons. A Fe-rich carbonate–aluminosilicate cement was then introduced between the earliest iron sulphides and later subsequently sulphidized, to form a metastable iron monosulphide of mackinawite composition and then greigite.     

Silurian U–Pb zircon age (LA-ICP-MS) of granitoids from the Zelenodol Cu–porphyry deposit,Southern Urals

The Zelenodol porphyry Cu-(Au, Mo) deposit located about 65 km SSW of the city of Chelyabinsk is confined to the western part of the West Uralian Volcanogenic Megazone. The concordant U-Pb age of zircons from ore-bearing island-arc diorite porphyryis 418.3 Â ± 2.9 Ma.     

U–Pb (zircon) and geochemical constraints on the age,origin, and evolution of Paleozoic arc magmas in the Oyu Tolgoi porphyry Cu–Au district,southern Mongolia

Uranium–Pb (zircon) ages are linked with geochemical data for porphyry intrusions associated with giant porphyry Cu–Au systems at Oyu Tolgoi to place those rocks within the petrochemical framework of Devonian and Carboniferous rocks of southern Mongolia. In this part of the Gurvansayhan terrane within the Central Asian Orogenic Belt, the transition from Devonian tholeiitic marine rocks to unconformably overlying Carboniferous calc-alkaline subaerial to shallow marine volcanic rocks reflects volcanic arc thickening and maturation. Radiogenic Nd and Pb isotopic compositions (ε_Nd(t) range from + 3.1 to + 7.5 and ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb values for feldspars range from 17.97 to 18.72), as well as low high-field strength element (HFSE) contents of most rocks (mafic rocks typically have < 1.5% TiO₂) are consistent with magma derivation from depleted mantle in an intra-oceanic volcanic arc. The Late Devonian and Carboniferous felsic rocks are dominantly medium- to high-K calc-alkaline and characterized by a decrease in Sr/Y ratios through time, with the Carboniferous rocks being more felsic than those of Devonian age. Porphyry Cu–Au related intrusions were emplaced in the Late Devonian during the transition from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline arc magmatism. Uranium–Pb (zircon) geochronology indicates that the Late Devonian pre- to syn-mineral quartz monzodiorite intrusions associated with the porphyry Cu–Au deposits are ~ 372 Ma, whereas granodiorite intrusions that post-date major shortening and are associated with less well-developed porphyry Cu–Au mineralization are ~ 366 Ma. Trace element geochemistry of zircons in the Late Devonian intrusions associated with the porphyry Cu–Au systems contain distinct Th/U and Yb/Gd ratios, as well as Hf and Y concentrations that reflect mixing of magma of distinct compositions. These characteristics are missing in the unmineralized Carboniferous intrusions. High Sr/Y and evidence for magma mixing in syn- to late-mineral intrusions distinguish the Late Devonian rocks associated with giant Cu–Au deposits from younger magmatic suites in the district.     

Re–Os and U–Pb geochronology of the Duobaoshan porphyry Cu–Mo–(Au) deposit,northeast China,and its geological significance

The large-scale Duobaoshan porphyry Cu–Mo–(Au) deposit is located at the north segment of the Da Hinggan Mountains, northeast China. Six molybdenite samples from the Duobaoshan deposit were selected for Re–Os isotope measurement to define the mineralization age of the deposit, yieldings a Re–Os isochron age of 475.9 ± 7.9 Ma (2σ), which is accordant with the Re–Os model ages of 476.6 ± 6.9–480.2 ± 6.9 Ma. This age is consistent with the age of the related granodiorite porphyry, which was dated as 477.2 ± 4 Ma by zircon U–Pb analysis using LA-ICP-MS. These ages disagree with the previous K–Ar age determinations that suggest a correlation of intrusive rocks of the Duobaoshan area with the Hercynian intrusive rocks of Carboniferous–Permian age. These ages demonstrate that the Duobaoshan granodiorite porphyry and related Cu–Mo deposit occurred in the Early Ordovician. The rhenium content of molybdenite varies from 290.9 to 728.2 μg/g, with an average content of 634.8 μg/g. The high rhenium content in molybdenite of the Duobaoshan deposit suggests that the ore-forming materials may be mainly of mantle source.     

Geological characteristics and genesis of the Laoshankou Fe–Cu–Au deposit in Junggar,Xinjiang, Central Asian Orogenic Belt

The Laoshankou Fe–Cu–Au deposit is located at the northern margin of Junggar Terrane, Xinjiang, China. This deposit is hosted in Middle Devonian andesitic volcanic breccias, basalts, and conglomerate-bearing basaltic volcanic breccias of the Beitashan Formation. Veined and lenticular Fe–Cu–Au orebodies are spatially and temporally related to diorite porphyries in the ore district. Wall–rock alteration is dominated by skarn (epidote, chlorite, garnet, diopside, actinolite, and tremolite), with K–feldspar, carbonate, albite, sericite, and minor quartz. On the basis of field evidence and petrographic observations, three stages of mineralization can be distinguished: (1) a prograde skarn stage; (2) a retrograde stage associated with the development of Fe mineralization; and (3) a quartz–sulfide–carbonate stage associated with Cu–Au mineralization. Electron microprobe analysis shows that garnets and pyroxenes are andradite and diopside-dominated, respectively. Fluid inclusions in garnet yield homogenization temperatures (T_h) of 205–588 °C, and salinities of 8.95–17.96 wt.% NaCl equiv. In comparison, fluid inclusions in epidote and calcite yield T_h of 212–498 and 150–380 °C, and salinities of 7.02–27.04 and 13.4–18.47 wt.% NaCl equiv., respectively. Garnets yield values of 6.4‰ to 8.9‰ δ¹⁸O_fluid, whereas calcites yield values of − 2.4‰ and 4.2‰ δ¹⁸O_fluid, and − 0.9‰ to 2.4‰ δ¹³C_PDB, indicating that the ore-forming fluids were dominantly magmatic fluids in the early stage and meteoric water in the late stage. The δ³⁴S values of sulfides range from − 2.6‰ to 5.4‰, indicating that the sulfur in the deposit was probably derived from deep-seated magmas. The diorite porphyry yields LA–MC–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb age of 379.7 ± 3.0 Ma, whereas molybdenites give Re–Os weighted mean age of 383.2 ± 4.5 Ma (MSWD = 0.06). These ages suggest that the mineralization-related diorite porphyry was emplaced during the Late Devonian, coincident with the timing of mineralization within the Laoshankou Fe–Cu–Au deposit. The geological and geochemical evidence presented here suggest that the Laoshankou Fe–Cu–Au deposit is a skarn deposit.     

Ni–Cu–(PGE) magmatic sulfide deposits in the Yangliuping area,Permian Emeishan igneous province,SW China

The Ni–Cu–PGE sulfide deposits in the Yangliuping area, SW China, are hosted in mafic–ultramafic sills. The four mineralized sills are located in the Yangliuping tectonic dome and intrude Devonian carbonaceous marble, graphitic schist. The sills are 200–300 m thick and 1,000–2,000 m in strike length and now consist chiefly of serpentinite, talc schist, tremolite schist, and meta-gabbro. Disseminated Ni–Cu sulfide mineralisation occurs in the serpentinite in the lower parts of the sills. Massive sulfide mineralisation is located in the base of the sills and in the footwall along fractures beneath the mineralized serpentinite. Although the sulfide ores have been modified by hydrothermal activity, there are relict cumulate textures in the disseminated sulfides indicating a magmatic origin for the ores. The Yangliuping Intrusions and the Dashibao Formation have similar primitive-mantle normalized trace element and platinum group element (PGE) patterns, indicating that they are derived from a common parental magma type. The positive correlation between Cu concentrations and Cu/Zr ratios of the Dashibao Formation basalts indicates that the chalcophile elements were removed before eruption. We propose that fractional crystallization of the Yangliuping magma accompanied by the introduction of S and CO₂ from the wall rocks caused the magma to become S-saturated leading to the segregation of magmatic sulfides that became enriched in Ni–Cu–(PGE). The sills acted as conduits for the overlying Dashibao Formation basalts with the sulfide liquid, along with early crystallizing olivine and pyroxene, segregating from the magma as it passed through the conduits prior to eruption.Editorial handling: H.E. Frimmel     

Different types of fine-grained sediments associated with acid mine drainage in the Libiola Fe–Cu mine area (Ligurian Apennines,Italy)

Different types of fine-grained chemical precipitates were characterized in the surroundings of the pyrite-chalcopyrite mine of Libiola (Northern Italy). Both water chemistry and sediment composition were used to investigate metal mobility near the mine area. Local drainage waters were very acidic (with a pH as low as 2.5) and were rich in dissolved metals (Fe, Al, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni). Sediments associated with low pH water (pH <4.5) were ochreous mixtures of schwertmannite and goethite with traces of jarosite. Their chemistry was dominated by Fe and they had, compared to other sediments investigated, low concentrations of other metals. When the acidity decreased gradually, other precipitates formed. At a pH of approximately 5, a poorly crystalline, whitish, Al-rich precipitate occurred. At a pH between 6 and 7, a poorly crystalline, blue, Cu (Zn) rich phase was present. These “sequential” precipitation events progressively reduced the metal loading typical of the acidic mine water when there was a gradual mixing with normal water. When a sudden mixing between normal waters (pH ∼8, Ca–HCO₃, low metal bearing) and acidic waters took place, a rapid flocculation occurred of mixed precipitates containing Fe, Al and trace elements.     

Gold–Telluride Mineralization in Pb–Zn–Fe Ores of the Aktash Skarn Deposit (Western Karamazar,Tajikistan)

Geology of Ore Deposits - The article describes magnetite–sulfide assemblages of minerals containing native gold and tellurides in the Pb–Zn–Fe ores of the Aktash skarn deposit in...