Specific features and composition of the Akkermanov manganese deposit

New data on the Akkermanov deposit characterized by specific structure and composition of primary (carbonate) and secondary (manganese oxide) ores are presented. Distribution of mineralization in host rocks and weathering crusts is considered. It is shown that manganiferous carbonate rocks, which host orebodies, formed in a marine basin with well-aerated bottom waters. Oxide ores are mainly composed of crystalline pyrolusite produced by multiple processes of the oxidation of manganese compounds. In this respect, the Akkermanov deposit differs drastically from all manganese deposits developed in Russia and Ukraine.     

Manganese deposits: Communication 1. Genetic models of manganese ore formation

Major regularities in the formation of manganese rocks and ores have been established on the basis of available published and original data. The proposed genetic classification of main manganese deposits (with model examples) is as follows: sedimentary-diagenetic (Nikopol, Bol’she-Tokmak; Ukraine), (volcanogenic) hydrothermal-sedimentary (deposits of the Atasui area, Kazakhstan; Magnitogorsk Trough, South Urals), epigenetic (catagenetic) (deposits of the Kalahari manganese ore field, South Africa; Usinsk deposit, Kuznetsk Alatau), and supergene (residual, infiltrational, cavern filling, and pisolitic deposits in India, Brazil, South Africa, and Australia). The results suggest the following conclusions: (1) all primary manganese rocks and ores at the known deposits are hydrothermal- and diagenetic-sedimentary formations of marine environments; (2) manganese concentrations achieve the size of deposits at postsedimentary stages of the initial manganiferous sediment and manganese rock transformation (diagenesis, catagenesis, and retrograde diagenesis); (3) indispensable participation of the isotopically light carbon dioxide related to the destruction of organic matter (OM) is a characteristic feature of manganese carbonate formation during diagenesis; and (4) the role of organic carbon in manganese ore formation becomes notable since early stages of Mn accumulation in the Precambrian sedimentary basins (terminal Archean-initial Early Proterozoic).     

Geochemistry and formation model of manganiferous rocks in jaspers of the South Urals

Specific features of the geochemistry of manganiferous siliceous rocks confined to Devonian volcanogenic complexes of the Magnitogorsk belt in the South Urals are discussed. It is shown that with respect to the distribution of the major petrogenic and rare earth elements, as well as base and rare metals, manganese rocks are comparable with rocks of the low-temperature hydrothermal sources in active volcanic zones of the World Ocean. Our results agree well with the existing concepts about the hydrothermal-sedimentary origin of manganese deposits in the South Urals and corroborate this hypothesis with new independently obtained data.     

贵州水城 - 纳雍锰矿地球化学特征

贵州水城-纳雍锰矿属表生氧化锰类的锰帽型矿床。通过对锰矿石和矿胚层岩石中常量元素、微量元素及稀土元素等地球化学的研究,均具有热水沉积的特征,硅质灰岩、含硅质灰岩和生物碎屑灰岩是锰帽型矿石最主要的矿胚层。它们是在茅口晚期黔中台沟相带内中-低温热水中沉积的,锰质主要来自茅口期玄武岩。纯硅质岩仅见于地表,是含硅质的矿胚层岩石,在地表经强烈氧化作用形成氧化锰矿石同时产生的"副产品"。     

Supergene sulphides and related minerals in the supergene profiles of VHMS deposits from the South Urals

The mineralogy and structure of the supergene profile in recently-exploited volcaniс hosted massive sulphide (VHMS) deposits of Cyprus, Uralian and Kuroko type in the South Urals, Russia, have been studied. Specific subzones enriched in secondary sulphides and associated minerals have been distinguished in residual pyrite and quartz–pyrite sands at the Gayskoye, Zapadno-Ozernoye, Dzhusinskoye and Alexandrinskoye deposits. Besides minerals which are common to the cementation subzones (covellite, chalcocite and acanthite), non-stoichiometric colloform and framboidal pyrite, pyrite–dzharkenite, pyrrhotite-like and jordanite-like minerals, metacinnabar, sphalerite, selenium-enriched tetrahedrite and unidentified As-, Sb sulphosalts of Pb or Hg and Ag, sulphur-bearing clausthalite, naumannite and tiemannite were also found. Secondary sulphide minerals in VHMS deposits of the South Urals region are characterized by light sulphur isotope compositions (− 8.1 to − 17.2‰). Superposition of the advanced oxidation of colloform pyrite, an enrichment in impurities (sphalerite, galena, and tennantite) from the primary ores, stagnant water conditions, an elevation of the water table during oxidation, and bacterial activity led to supergene concentrations of the base metals as sulphide, selenides or sulphosalts.     

Geochemistry of the kaolin deposits of Swat (Pakistan)

Kaolin deposits of the Swat District in Pakistan are indicated to have derived by hydrothermal alteration of more feldspathic parts of felsic intrusives, which occur enclosed in orthoamphibolites and orthogneisses of the Cretaceous Kohistan Island Arc terrane. These latter “country rocks” formed under epidote–amphibolite conditions that prograde northwards to amphibolite facies, and locally manifest slight metamorphic differentiation. The felsic intrusives exhibit a general decrease in siliceous character from west to east, but are less siliceous than most hosts of world kaolins. They are composed of chemically allied quartz diorite, tonalite, trondhjemite and pegmatoids, which evolved mainly by an orthomagmatic crystal fractionation. These parental rocks are calc-alkaline in nature, and kaolinization has proceeded in Ca-richer environment. This is in variance with the occurrence of most known kaolin deposits over potassic granites or rhyolites. Ca-metasomatism of the “host rocks” is in evidence. Kaolin formation by a supergene process is not displayed.The raw kaolin with contained unaltered plagioclase is characterized by a rather low silica (46.54–50.93%) and potash (<1%), and high alumina (23.54–26.77%), Fe₂O₃ (1.73–5.45%) and lime (8.13–16.93%) content. Kaolinization proceeded with a decrease in SiO₂ and concomitant increase in Al₂O₃. The same trend is followed with fineness of grain size of washed fractions, in resemblance to other known kaolin deposits of primary as well as secondary origin.     

湘中“桃江式”锰矿含锰岩系的定量研究及其找矿意义

本文从分析地质体数学特征的思想出发,来研究“桃江式”锰矿的含矿母岩－“含锰岩系”的数学特征。含锰岩系主要由五种岩石组成：粘土岩、黑色页岩、条带状页岩、含锰灰岩和碳酸锰矿层,其数学特征研究包括其统计特征分析、结构特征分析和空间特征分析。文最后讨论了这些数学特征在寻找同类锰矿中的意义。     

Geochemical Characteristics of Sinian Manganese Deposits in China

Sinian is one of the main periods of the formation of manganese deposits in China. Sinian manganesedeposits are mainly hosted in carbon-rich black shale and siliceous shale formed during the Sinian interglacial period. The composition of manganese ore is simple. The main ore mineral is manganiferous carbonates. The grade of manganese ore is about 16-25%, with Mn/Fe>5 and P/Mn=0.006-0.14. Based on the tectonic setting and geological and geochemical characteristics of manganese deposits, this paper discusses the process of migration and concentration of manganese and ore-forming conditions of Sinian manganese deposits in China.     

Geological setting and mineral composition of Famennian manganese ores in the Lemva zone of Pai-Khoi: Evidence from ore occurrences of the Nizhny Silov group

The results of geological-mineralogical study of stratificated manganese ores in Famennian rocks of the Lemva facies in Pai-Khoi are presented. Carbonate manganese ores make up conformable stratified and lenticular bodies (up to 0.6 m thick) in the interval between the Gromashor and Silovayakha formations that are composed of jasperoids and carbonate-siliceous rocks. Ores are characterized by fine wavy bedding and development of transverse quartz veinlets. The ores are mainly composed of kutnahorite. Secondary minerals are represented by dolomite, calcite, pyrite, ransayite, and cryptomelane (?). Mn-muscovite, micro-cline, pyrophanite, galena, barite, apatite, and monazite are accessory minerals. The average MnO content is 23.81 wt %. The interval also includes a long (up to 40 m) lens of rhodonite rocks (Silovayakha occurrence) that replace carbonate ores along the strike. The major minerals in these rocks are represented by rhodochrosite, rhodonite, pyroxmangite, and quartz. Secondary minerals are observed as tephroite, alleghanyite, friedelite, caryopilite, neotocite, sussexite, pyrite, and supergene manganese oxides. Spessartine, albandine, barite, and apatite are accessory minerals. Based on the analysis of factual material, we suggest that ore material was derived from hydrothermal paleoceanic systems associated with Devonian volcanism. Ore concentration in the sedimentation zone was related to the stagnant reduced setting of bottom water. Ore deposition was promoted by the delivery of fresh portions of ocean water. Ore matter was accumulated mainly by chemogenic mechanism and partly with the’ participation of bacteria. It is suggested that boundary between the Gromashor and Silovayakha formations should be corrected to unite rocks of the Famennian manganiferous association into a single formation.     

与火山活动有关的热水沉积锰矿——以贵州二叠纪锰矿为例

贵州产于中二叠统茅口组第二段的锰矿、铁锰矿、含锰菱铁矿,均分布在茅口晚期黔中台沟内。东部遵义一带为碳酸盐锰矿床,西部宣威—水城一带主要为锰帽型次生氧化锰矿床。笔者目的在于探讨黔中台沟锰矿成矿条件,以期扩大找矿远景。研究表明,区内各类锰矿石和矿胚层岩石都是在热水中生成的,证据是：①有大量热水沉积的标志性矿物;②常量、微量元素及稀土元素均具有热水沉积的特征;③流体包裹体均一温度达90～275℃等。锰矿的形成可能与峨眉地幔柱演化的中晚期阶段密切相关。茅口期玄武岩的喷出活动,有利于黔中台沟内硅灰泥锰质组合的形成。东部遵义一带的锰矿,被严格限制在热水喷发形成的硅质角砾岩分布区内,结合其他特征等,说明该区锰矿形成可能与强烈的热水活动有关。     

Nature and origin of the protolith succession to the Paleoproterozoic Serra do Navio manganese deposit,Amapa Province,Brazil

Until its closure in 1997, the Serra do Navio deposit, located in Amapá Province, Brazil, was one of the most important sources of high-grade manganese ore to the North American market. The high-grade manganese oxide ores were derived by lateritic weathering from metasedimentary manganese protoliths of the Serra do Navio Formation. The local geological context and nature of this protolith succession are not well understood, due to poor surface outcrop conditions, and intense deformation. However, based on similar age, regional tectonic setting and lithology the Paleoproterozoic volcanosedimentary succession that includes the Serra do Navio Formation is widely believed to be similar in origin and laterally equivalent to the Birimian Supergroup in West Africa. For the present investigation several diamond drill cores intersecting the protolith succession were studied. Detailed petrographic and whole rock geochemical studies permit distinction of two fundamental lithological groups comprising of a total of five lithotypes. Biotite schist and graphitic schist lithotypes are interpreted as former metapelites. A greywacke or pyroclastic protolith cannot be excluded for the biotite schist, whereas the graphitic schist certainly originated as a sulfide-rich carbonaceous mudstone. Rhodochrosite marble, Mn-calcite marble and Mn-silicate rock are grouped together as manganiferous carbonate rocks. Manganese lutite constitutes the most probable protolith for rhodochrosite marble, whereas Mn-calcite marble was derived from Mn-rich marl and Mn-silicate rock from variable mixtures of Mn-rich marl and chert.The sedimentary succession at the Serra do Navio deposit is similar to that encountered at many other black shale and chert-hosted Mn carbonate deposits. A metallogenetic model is proposed, predicting deposition of manganese and closely associated chert in intra-arc basins, in environments that were bypassed by distal siliciclastic (carbonaceous mud) and proximal pyroclastic/siliciclastic detritus. Positive Ce anomalies and δ¹³C_VPDB values of − 4.3 to − 9.4 per mill suggest that manganiferous carbonates derived during suboxic diagenesis from sedimentary Mn⁴⁺ oxyhydroxide precipitates. Metamorphic alteration of manganese carbonate–chert assemblages resulted in the formation of Mn-silicates, most importantly rhodonite and tephroite; porphyroblastic spessartine formed where Mn-carbonate reacted with aluminous clay minerals. Microthermometric studies of fluid inclusions in spessartine porphyroblasts suggests that peak metamorphic conditions reached the upper greenschist facies (1–2 kbars and 400–500 °C). Retrograde metamorphism is marked by partial re-carbonation, expressed by the formation of small volumes of rhodochrosite, and Mn-calcite that are closely associated with quartz, chlorite and minor amounts of sulfides related to post-metamorphic veinlets. It is this metamorphosed succession that sourced the high-grade manganese oxide ores during prolonged lateritic weathering.     

Iron–phosphorus relationship in the iron and phosphorite ores of Egypt

Iron and phosphorite ores are very common in the geological record of Egypt and exploitable for economic purposes. In some cases these deposits belong together to the same geographic and geologic setting. The most common deposits include phosphorites, glauconites, and iron ores. Phosphorites are widely distributed as a belt in the central and southern part of Egypt. Sedimentary iron ores include oolitic ironstone of Aswan area and karstified iron ore of Bahria Oasis. Glauconites occur in the Western Desert associated with phosphorites and iron ores. As these ores are exploitable and phosphorus in iron ores and iron in phosphorites are considered as gangue elements, the iron–phosphorus relationship is examined in these deposits to clarify their modes of occurrences and genetic relationship based on previously published results.Phosphorus occurs mainly as carbonate fluorapatite (francolite). Iron, on the other hand, occurs in different mineralogical forms such as glauconites, hematite, limonite and goethite.In P-rich rocks (phosphorites) no relationship is observed between iron and phosphorus, which in turn indicates that the FeP model is unlikely to interpret the origin of the late Cretaceous phosphorites and the association of phosphorites and glauconites in Egypt. In Fe-rich rocks (iron ores and glauconites) also no relationship between iron and phosphorus is observed. The present work, therefore, does not support the hypothesis that there is a genetic relationship between phosphorus and iron in sedimentary rocks.     

Association of manganese ore and phosphorite-bearing facies in sedimentary sequences: Communication 1. Parastereses and parageneses of phosphorus and manganese in Mesozoic-Cenozoic and Upper Paleozoic rocks

It is shown that cooccurrences (parastereses) of chemical elements, minerals, sedimentary rocks, facies, and formations should be distinguished from their parageneses, which represent geological formations related to a single geological process. It has been established that phosphorus is concentrated in sedimentary manganese ores and is not accumulated in volcanosedimentary and hydrothermal deposits. Parageneses of Mn and P in sedimentary deposits are characterized. Parastereses of manganese ore and phosphorite-bearing facies in Oligocene rocks of southwestern Eurasia, Mesozoic and Upper Paleozoic sections of the Urals, and Mesozoic- Cenozoic sequences of Morocco are considered.     

The origin of major talc deposits in the Eastern Desert of Egypt: relict fragments of a metamorphosed carbonate horizon?

Detailed geochemical and mineralogical investigation of four talc deposits in the Eastern Desert of Egypt (Atshan, Abu Gurdi, Darhib and Kashira) suggests that the deposits form a distinct lithological unit within the Shadli metavolcanic rocks. The talc crystallized from the replacement of siliceous carbonate beds locally intercalated with clastic sediments. Th/Yb vs. Ta/Yb ratios of the rocks suggest that the sediments and the host volcanic rocks formed in an active continental margin (ACM) environment. Thus, the talc deposits may represent relict fragments of an ancient, regionally extensive carbonate horizon within the arc-related metavolcanics. The talc-rich rocks, which contain relict carbonate, serpentinized olivine and tremolite, have low (<3 wt%) Al₂O₃, Cr, Ni (<20 ppm), Co and Sc (<15 ppm) concentrations, precluding mafic or felsic igneous protoliths. The deposits were locally affected by contact metamorphism, giving rise to pyroxene-hornfels and granulite facies assemblages, and by regional metamorphism which produced greenschist-amphibolite grade assemblages. Disseminated sulfides commonly occur in the talc-tremolite-rich rocks (having low Al₂O₃ concentrations), suggesting that the metals were probably present in the original carbonate beds, but were remobilized and reconcentrated during the various metamorphic events.     

Phosphorites of the Chiatura manganese deposit and specific features of their formation

The paper presents results of the detailed study of phosphorites from manganiferous beds of the Chiatura deposit. The relatively high-grade (P₂O₅ 20–28%) phosphorites are represented by various rocks ranging from the variety dominated by massive phosphates with a rare aleuritic admixture of quartz and feldspar grains to rocks mainly composed of terrigenous material with phosphates in the matrix. Phosphates make up the matrix of various organic remains: differently preserved diatom algae and microbial species. Some relatively large organic remains (in particular, sponge spicules) are typically composed of iron minerals (with manganese admixture) rather than phosphates. Manganese ores comprise phosphorite fragments composed of phosphatized cyanobacterial mat. Phosphorites of the Chiatura deposit were likely formed in a shallow-water zone away from the continental land.     

The geological setting of lode-gold deposits in the central southern Urals: a review

The late-Paleozoic Uralides represent one of the largest lode-gold metallogenic provinces in the world. In the southern Urals, gold distribution is heterogeneous and is confined mainly to two tectonostratigraphic zones, namely the Main Uralian fault and the East Uralian zone. The important lode-gold districts within and in the immediate hangingwall of the first-order crustal suture of the Main Uralian fault are characterized by a complex tectonic history of earlier compressional tectonics involving thrusting, folding and reverse faulting and later transcurrent shearing. Gold mineralization is hosted by second- and third-order brittle to brittle–ductile strike-slip faults that developed late during the kinematic history of the Main Uralian fault. Strike-slip reactivation of earlier compressional structures was related to the late-stage docking of the passive margin of the East European platform with island-arc complexes of the southern Urals, an event that is tentatively related to changes in plate motion during the final stages of terrane accretion during the upper Permian and lower Triassic. Gold mineralization was controlled by the permeability characteristics of the hydrothermal conduits, as well as by competence contrasts and geochemistry of the mainly volcanic host rocks. Mineralization occurred at relatively shallow crustal levels (2–6 km) and largely post dates peak-metamorphism of the host rocks. The large and very large (up to 300 to Au) gold deposits of the East Uralian zone are hosted by upper-Paleozoic granitoid massifs. Gold mineralization is temporally associated with the main phase of regional-scale compressional tectonics and granite plutonism during the upper Carboniferous and lower Permian. Controlling structures have a dominantly east–west strike and occur as hybrid shear-tensional vein systems in competent granitoids subjected to east/west-directed regional shortening. Deformation textures and alteration mineral assemblages indicate lower-amphibolite-facies conditions of mineralization close to peak metamorphic conditions that are associated with the mid-Permian regional metamorphism and tectonism. Gold deposits in the southern Urals are, therefore, polygenetic and are temporally and genetically distinct in each of the two major mineralized tectonostratigraphic zones of this well-preserved collisional orogenic belt. The different timing of ore fluid generation and fluid discharge is interpreted to be the result of the different tectonic, metamorphic and magmatic evolution of terranes in the southern Urals.     

The Late Paleozoic porphyry–epithermal spectrum of the Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster in the South Urals,Russia

The Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster in the East Uralian zone, South Urals, Russia, hosts a variety of Late Paleozoic porphyry copper deposits (Birgilda, Tomino, Kalinovskoe, etc.), high- and low sulfidation epithermal deposits (Bereznyakovskoe, Michurino), and skarn-related base metal mineralization (Biksizak) in carbonate rocks. The deposits are related to quartz diorite and andesite porphyry intrusions of the K–Na calc-alkaline series, associated to a subduction-related volcanic arc. We report microprobe analyses of ore minerals (tetrahedrite–tennantite, sphalerite, Bi tellurides and sulfosalts, Au and Ag tellurides), as well as fluid inclusion data and mineral geothermometry. On the basis of these data we propose that the Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster represents a porphyry–epithermal continuum, with a vertical extent of about 2–3 km, controlled by temperature decreases and fS₂ and fTe₂ increase from deeper to shallow levels.     

Biostratigraphy of the Upper Pleistocene (Upper Neopleistocene)–Holocene deposits of the Lemeza River valley of the Southern Urals region (Russia)

Numerous caves and terraces with late Late Pleistocene (Upper Neopleistocene according to the Russian stratigraphic scale)–Holocene deposits are located in the Lemeza River valley in the surroundings of the Atysh waterfall, the native reserve territory of the Bashkortostan Republic. Lemeza River runs in the southern part of the western slope of the Urals and belongs to the Belaya River valley system (Russian Federation). A summary of the biostratigraphical investigations between 1992 and 2007 in this area is given. Deposits of cave and fluvial origin are characterized in the framework of the regional stratigraphy. The results of mammalian investigations and radiocarbon dating provide the basis for the stratigraphical subdivision. Palynology, mollusca, fishes, amphibian and reptiles are used for the reconstruction the palaeoenvironments. The Southern Urals stratigraphic subdivisions are correlated with Western European (Weichselian-Holocene), Eastern European (Russia) (Leningrad–Ostashkov–Shuvalov) and Uralian (Nevyansk–Polar Urals–Gorbunovsky) stratigraphic schemes.     

Ore Genesis and Geochemical Characteristics of Carbonate‐Hosted Talc Deposits in Nangarhar Province,Afghanistan

Talc deposits in Nangarhar Province, are hosted by Paleoproterozoic carbonate rocks, metamorphosed to amphibolite facies in the east–west (E–W) trending Spinghar Fault Block. Many deposits in this province have potential economic importance. However, detailed geologic and petrological studies on ore genesis are still lacking. In this study, eight talc deposits and two prospects of the Spinghar Fault Block were investigated. Talc is mainly formed by alteration of the host dolomite marble, magnesite rocks, and tremolitite. Talc ore bodies occur parallel to subparallel to the beddings of the host carbonate rocks. Dolerite occur as dikes and sills and are mostly metamorphosed to amphibolite. Although the amphibolite occurs mostly parallel to subparallel to the beddings of the host carbonate rocks, and talc orebodies, it partly crosscuts the host rocks. Massive layers of tremolitite were observed with most of the talc ore bodies. Quartz veins occur along the gneissosity of gneiss all over the study area. SiO₂ and MgO content in talc rocks from all deposits ranged from 49.1 to 65.1 wt% and from 26.1 to 32.9 wt%, respectively. CaO content in talc rocks and magnesite rocks are less than 1 wt%. ƩREE content in talc rocks ranged from 0.1 to 8.9 ppm. Chemical compositions of host carbonate rocks are close to the ideal composition. Concentrations of Al, Ta, Hf, Zr, Th, Cr, Ni, Co, and ƩREE in talc ores and host carbonate rocks were very low and inconsistent with mafic and ultramafic rocks protolith. Therefore, the metamorphosed sedimentary carbonate rocks were likely to be the protolith of the talc ores. The occurrence of parallel to subparallel quartz veins to the gneissosity of gneiss, as well as the presence of hydrous minerals in host carbonate rocks, suggested that hydrothermal fluids were most probably supplied through the gneiss.     

湘黔地区中奥陶世海平面上升的沉积响应

中奥陶世克拉道克阶(Caradocian)在全球范围内为海侵期,体现在全球范围广泛的黑色页岩沉积及笔石动物的大规模繁盛,湘黔地区这一时期地层发育完全,从碳酸盐台地-斜坡-外陆架盆地均有不同程度的响应。在台地区表现为碳酸盐台地的淹没,斜坡区表现为碳酸盐重力流及黑色页岩、粉砂岩沉积,形成碳酸盐与陆源碎屑的混合沉积,而在外陆架盆地区表现为黑色岩系大规模发育及笔石的大量繁盛。