Metasomatites of the Kara gold deposit (Eastern Transbaikalia)

Wall-rock metasomatites of the Kara gold deposit, a high-temperature medium-depth pneumatolytic-hydrothermal formation, have been studied. Gold mineralization is associated with the intrusion of granitoids of the Kara-Chacha massif (J3) and dikes of alkaline rocks (J3-K1), which include hybrid porphyries, “grorudites”, etc. They are characterized by telescoping of ores, expressed best of all on joints of ore-bearing sites.The origin of the Kara-Chacha massif (Amudzhikan-Sretensk complex) is connected with pre-ore areal propylitization. The propylites demonstrate a zonal pattern relative to the massif and ore veins. A composite metasomatic column of propylitized rocks has been compiled.The thickness of intensely altered wall rocks does not exceed 1.5–2.0 m and the structure of these zones is very heterogeneous. Syn-ore metasomatites are found in propylitized rocks. The major factor of syn-ore alteration of host rocks is the active behavior of alkaline elements. Albitization, silicification (in separate sites), tourmaline and pyrite alteration occur at the early quartz-pyrite-tourmaline stage of mineralization. Sodium is supplied at this stage. During the next quartz-actinolite-magnetite stage sodium and potassium are active. The host rocks demonstrate albitization, feldspar alteration, silicification, actinolitization, biotite alteration, and magnetite impregnation. Aegirine in veins is accompanied by occurrence of aegirine, alkaline amphibole, green biotite and, locally, quartz in host rocks. Potassium becomes more significant later, reaching the maximum activity at the quartz-sulfide stage. The development of quartz-arsenopyrite assemblage was accompanied by K-feldspatization, sericitization of host rocks, formation of green and tan biotites, and arsenopyrite impregnation. The formation of K-feldspar, sericitization, silicification, and sulfide impregnation are associated with quartz-sulfide ore. The final quartz-carbonate-polymetallic stage is accompanied by silicification and carbonate alteration of host rocks. Potassium becomes increasingly more active from outer zones of metasomatic columns to inner ones. The gold contents tend to increase with the potassium contribution in zones of hydrothermal alterations.The propylite alteration and syn-ore changes become more intense veinward. It can indicate that hydrothermal solutions with dissolved minerals penetrated through the most reworked zones. However, hydrothermal solutions during propylite alteration and later syn-ore changes of host rocks not always penetrated through the same zones of weakness, such as tectonic dislocations, contacts of various rocks, etc. The rocks, comprising inner zones of the metasomatic column of propylites are quite often observed at a certain distance from veins and accompanied inner zones of metasomatic columns of later syn-ore metasomatites. They sometimes are not associated with ore veins. However, they are demonstrate later superimposed threads and separate impregnations of syn-ore minerals.Abundant telescoping of mineralization and inheritance of mineralization stages complicate the structure of zones with syn-ore metasomatites. In the sites with telescoped mineralization the metasomatites contain minerals intrinsic to all stages of mineralization found at the deposit.     

Gold-bismuth-telluride mineralization in ores from the Serebryanoe deposit of the Lugokan ore cluster of Eastern Transbaikalia

The Au-Bi-Te mineralization is found and studied at the Serebryanoe deposit in Eastern Transbaikalia. The microprobe analyses of the native gold and sulfides and the sulfur isotopic composition of the sulfides are presented. The early gold-pyrite-arsenopyrite and late gold-polymetallic assemblages with sulfides, sulfotellurides and tellurides of Bi, native bismuth and gold, and Au-Bi intermetallide were distinguished. It is concluded that the Au-Bi-Te mineralization is genetically related to the porphyry monzonites of the Shakhtama complex on the basis of their ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar age.     

Composition and genesis of the Konevinsky gold deposit,Eastern Sayan,Russia

The Konevinsky gold deposit in southeast Eastern Sayan is distinguished from most known deposits in this region (Zun-Kholba, etc.) by the geological setting and composition of mineralization. To elucidate the cause of the peculiar mineralization, we have studied the composition, formation conditions, and origin of this deposit, which is related to the Ordovician granitoid pluton 445–441 Ma in age cut by intermediate and basic dikes spatially associated with metavolcanic rocks of the Devonian–Carboniferous Ilei Sequence. Four mineral assemblages are recognized: (1) quartz–pyrite–molybdenite, (2) quartz–gold–pyrite, (3) gold–polysulfide, and (4) telluride. Certain indications show that the ore was formed as a result of the superposition of two distinct mineral assemblages differing in age. The first stage dated at ~440 Ma is related to intrusions generating Cu–Mo–Au porphyry mineralization and gold–polysulfide veins. The second stage is controlled by dikes pertaining to the Devonian–Carboniferous volcanic–plutonic association. The second stage is characterized by gain of Hg and Te and formation of gold–mercury–telluride paragenesis.     

Carbonates and sources of fluids in ores and metasomatites of the Ermakovka fluorite-bertrandite-phenacite deposit (western Transbaikalia)

We present results of isotope-geochemical study of the Ermakovka F-Be deposit, including data on the oxygen and carbon isotope compositions in dolomite and calcite marbles and in carbonates accompanying skarns, of early and late stages of ore formation and of post-ore parageneses. To elucidate the sources of fluids participated in the ore formation, we calculated the oxygen isotope composition in water and the hydrogen isotope composition in hydroxyl-containing minerals. Phlogopite in marbleized dolomites, vesuvianite and amphibole in skarns, eudidimite and bertrandite in ore parageneses, and bavenite formed during post-ore processes are analyzed. Most of the ore-stage minerals are depleted in heavy oxygen. Their 5¹⁸O values are lower than 5-6%c (SMOW). Oxygen in carbonate minerals of the initial stage (dolomite and bastnaesite) is heavier (1.3-4.9%c) than that in calcite (+ 2 to -3.7%c). The 5¹⁸O values of water in equilibrium both with carbonate and with silicate minerals (-4 to -14%c) suggest the contribution of meteoric water to the mineral formation. A magmatic fluid (5¹⁸O from + 6 to + 9%c) participated in the skarn formation at the initial stage, and a meteoric fluid, at the final stage (5¹⁸O from -1 to -9%c). A meteoric source is confirmed by the depleted hydrogen isotope composition in minerals (5D from -119 to -192%c).     

新疆东准噶尔顿巴斯套金矿地质特征及矿床成因

新疆东准噶尔地区自北向南发育额尔齐斯、阿尔曼太、卡拉麦里三条大型构造带,南北两条构造带已发现大量造山型金矿,而阿尔曼太构造带与南北构造带具有相似的成矿地质背景,却未见造山型金矿的报道.因此,笔者等选取了该构造带最重要的金矿床——顿巴斯套金矿,开展了详细的岩相学、矿相学研究以及构造解析.研究表明,该矿床具有区域性断裂的次...     

新疆东准噶尔顿巴斯套金矿地质特征及矿床成因

新疆东准噶尔地区自北向南发育额尔齐斯、阿尔曼太、卡拉麦里三条大型构造带,南北两条构造带已发现大量造山型金矿,而阿尔曼太构造带与南北构造带具有相似的成矿地质背景,却未见造山型金矿的报道。因此,笔者等选取了该构造带最重要的金矿床——顿巴斯套金矿,开展了详细的岩相学、矿相学研究以及构造解析。研究表明,该矿床具有区域性断裂的次级断裂控矿、脆—韧性剪切带控矿、背斜核部控矿“三位一体”的控矿特征,其中,NW—SE向脆—韧性剪切带是最重要的控矿构造,金矿化显著晚于矿区赋矿岩浆岩——石英闪长玢岩,且该矿床与相邻构造带典型的造山型金矿地质地球化学特征相似。结合成矿流体具有中低温、富CO2的特征,综合认为顿巴斯套金矿是典型的造山型金矿。将该矿床成矿过程划分为3期：① 以产出草莓状黄铁矿为典型特征的沉积期;② 以黄铁矿压实、结核、重结晶为特征的成岩期;③ 以产出热液脉和金的矿化为典型特征的热液期。热液期进一步划分为两个阶段：以脆—韧性变形为主的铁白云石—石英—黄铁矿阶段和由脆—韧性变形向脆性变形转变的石英—钠长石—方解石阶段。黄铁矿可划分为6个世代、毒砂可划分为3个世代：① Py1为沉积成因的黄铁矿,具有草莓状、胶状等特殊结构;② Py2为成岩作用形成的黄铁矿,具有顺层分布、呈结核状等特征;③ 热液期毒砂Apy1,粒度20~50 μm,自形、半自形,常与金共生;④ 热液期毒砂Apy2,自形,粒度80~200 μm;⑤ 热液期黄铁矿Py3,他形—自形,粒度50~150 μm,以内部包体多、孔洞多为显著特征;⑥热液期黄铁矿Py4,半自形—自形,粒度100~250 μm,以包体多,孔洞少,发育压力影为特征;⑦ 热液期Py5,以背散射下亮度高、显著富As为特征;⑧ 热液期毒砂Apy3：以颗粒粗大、自形、内部包体少、发育碎裂结构和压力影为特征;⑨ 热液期黄铁Py6：以颗粒粗大、半自形到自形、内部包体少、发育碎裂结构和压力影为特征。随着脆—韧性变形作用进行,黄铁矿、毒砂的粒度有序递增,自形程度逐渐升高,而品位逐渐降低,金的沉淀主要发生在脆—韧性变形阶段,脆性变形阶段无金矿化。主成矿阶段标志性的铁白云石化蚀变、微细浸染状的黄铁矿化、毒砂化蚀变可以作为找矿标志。     

Impurity Elements in Quartz from Gold Deposits of the Darasun Ore Field (Eastern Transbaikalia,Russia): Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Data

The distribution of substitutional Al, Ti, and Ge impurities in quartz samples from the Darasun, Teremkinskoe, and Talatui gold deposits, located in the Darasun ore field, were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance. The relationship between the isomorphous substitution and dynamic recrystallization of quartz was studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy. It was found that analysis of the plots of interdependence between the concentrations of various substitutional impurities in quartz (isogens) can detect development trends of isomorphous substitution. Two isomorphous substitution stages were recognized, one associated with quartz crystallization, and the other, with its subsequent dynamic recrystallization. The first stage is characterized by incorporation of Al impurity into the quartz crystal lattice, and the second, by incorporation Ti impurity. A Ge impurity is a catalyst for isomorphous substitution, and its concentrations vary widely. It is noted that the second stage plays a decisive role, because it accounts for the incorporation of the larger part of substitutional impurities. This process is facilitated by the dynamic recrystallization of quartz. Four genetic quartz groups, described by individual isogens, have been recognized in the Darasun ore field. Two of them correspond to quartz crystallized directly from a magmatogenic fluid or redeposited with the melt’s participation, and the other two groups, to quartz crystallized from an altered fluid. It was found that substitutional Al concentrations are retained in quartz after redeposition, whereas substitutional Ti concentrations decrease dramatically Mineral formation processes at each gold deposit are reviewed. Two types of temperature zoning, normal and reverse, have been recognized at the Darasun deposit. Each is characterized by an individual genetic quartz group and the degree of closedness of the mineral formation system. The genetically similar magmatogenic quartz samples found at the Darasun and Talatui deposits indicate the uniformity of the mineralization process in the Darasun ore field. The established trends of isomorphous substitution in quartz are useful in studies of the ore formation histories of gold and other ore deposits.

     

High-temperature conductivity of magnetite ores in relation to their genesis and mineral composition (by the example of the Goroblagodatskoe skarn-magnetite deposit)

Samples of magnetite ores of different parageneses and mineral compositions from the Goroblagodatskoe skarn-magnetite deposit were studied by physical and mineralogo-petrographic methods. Electrical-resistance curves were obtained for an ore containing 80–90% magnetite for the temperature range 20–800 ºC. Three groups of samples were recognized according to the pattern of temperature curves and electrical resistance: sulfide-free, sulfide-containing (pyrrhotite), and variolitic ores. The parameters of high-temperature conductivity (activation energy E0 and coefficient of electrical resistance logR0) have been determined. A linear relationship between E0 and logR0 (logR0= a – bE0) has been established for magnetite ores of all mineral types. The coefficient a varies from 1.92 to 4.80 depending on the type and mineral composition of magnetite ores. The coefficient b is nearly constant for all studied samples, 6.65. The figurative points of the samples in the E0–logR0 coordinates lie in the field bounded by the straight lines logR0= 4.80 – 6.65E0 and logR0= 1.92 – 6.65E0. The samples of magnetite ores of the skarn and hydrosilicate paragenesis with visible pyrrhotite inclusions and samples of variolitic ores form an individual group in the above field. Within the group, the ores are also subdivided into garnet-magnetite (skarn paragenesis), epidote-chlorite-magnetite (hydrosilicate paragenesis), pyroxene-magnetite, and orthoclase-magnetite (variolitic ores).     

Bismuth mineralization in ores of the Skrytoe scheelite deposit (Primorye) and problems of its genesis

The mineral composition of ore veinlets at the Skrytoe deposit (Malinovsky ore node, Primorye) is scrutinized based on the study of core samples from boreholes. It has been established that high Bi and Te concentrations in ores are related to the presence of native bismuth, Ag-Pb-Bi sulfosalts of the lillianite-gustavite series (gustavite, schirmerite, treasurite, and others), bismuth sulfides (bismuthinite and ikunolite), and bismuth sulfotellurides (joseite-A). The chemical compositions of bismuth minerals and their structural interrelations, as well as the attributes of their similarity with mineralization at other compositionally identical deposits in the region, are considered. Problems of the genesis and formational affiliation of the deposit are discussed.     

New data on the age of gold mineralization of the Lugokan ore cluster (Eastern Transbaikalia)

The Lugokan ore cluster is located in the southeastern part of Transbaikalia within the Aga–Borzya structural–formational zone of the Mongol–Okhotsk orogenic belt. The ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dating of K-bearing minerals of syngenetic to ore parageneses has been carried out applying stepwise heating technique: it has been demonstrated that the earliest gold-ore mineral associations are Au–pyrite–arsenopyrite (163 ±1.9 Ma) and Au–chalcopyrite (160 ±2 Ma). The later parageneses encompass the Au–polymetallic (156.3 ± 1.8 Ma) and Au–Bi (155.9 ± 4.5 Ma) one. By their ages and position in the general scheme of the Late Jurassic magmatism of Eastern Transbaikalia, the Lugokan’s ore cluster gold-bearing mineral associations corresponds to the time of intrusion of the Shakhtama pluton (161 Ma) and the Porphyry Complex (159–155 Ma).     

Fluid inclusion evidence for barbotage and its role in gold deposition at the Darasun goldfield (Eastern Transbaykalia,Russia)

“Barbotage” is a process of gas penetration through a layer of liquid as a flow of dispersed small gas bubbles. Barbotage is widely used in technology particularly due to its high coefficients of interphase energy and material transfer. It promotes the heat- and mass-exchange processes as well as the chemical interactions in gas-liquid systems. Upon investigation of the fluid regime at the magmatic-hydrothermal system of Darasun goldfield (Eastern Transbaikalia, Russia) we have found evidences of barbotage as an effective mechanism resulting in the formation of vein gold deposits. In spite of the fact that early associations of gold ores in the Darasun goldfield deposits were formed from a heterogeneous fluid, their histograms of fluid salinity distributions are quite different. These differences can be explained by including into the ore-forming process the stage at which the vapour phase generated by boiling rose up as a stream of small bubbles. The corresponding scheme of the formation of the Darasun goldfield hydrothermal ore-bearing system is proposed and discussed. The possibility to use gallium fractionation and the fluid salinity distribution in hydrothermal systems as the indicators of barbotage participation in hydrothermal ore-forming processes is evaluated.