Controls on hydrothermal Fe oxide–Cu–Au–Co mineralization at the Guelb Moghrein deposit, Akjoujt area, Mauritania

The Guelb Moghrein Fe oxide–Cu–Au–Co deposit, with a total resource of 23.6 Mt at 1.88% Cu, 1.41 g/t Au, and 143 g/t Co, is hosted by an extensive metacarbonate body. However, it is restricted to up to 30-m wide tabular breccia zones developed parallel to discrete shear zones that transect the host metacarbonates. The Fe–Mg clinoamphibole–chlorite schists represent up to 1-m thick interlayer metasediments and localized viscous shearing in these shear zones. Siderite of the metacarbonate body was deformed into a breccia and was replaced by an ore and alteration assemblage comprised of Fe–Mg clinoamphibole, magnetite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, graphite, Fe–Co–Ni arsenides, arsenopyrite, cobaltite, uraninite, and Bi–Au–Ag–Te minerals. In contact with wall rock amphibolites, the metacarbonate body is enveloped by an alteration halo up to 40 m wide, consisting of biotite, actinolite, grunerite, chlorite, calcite, albite, and quartz. The Guelb Moghrein ore body is structurally controlled by shear zones that developed in the footwall of a regional thrust zone. This thrust separates greenschist facies quartz–sericite schists and biotite–garnet–quartz schists of the Sainte Barbe volcanic unit in the hanging wall from amphibolite facies metavolcanic rocks, metacarbonates, and the Guelb Moghrein ore body of the Akjoujt metabasalt unit in the footwall. Peak temperatures of the latter unit are estimated by hornblende–plagioclase thermometry at 580±40°C. Thrusting was retrograde for the Akjoujt metabasalt unit, but prograde for the Sainte Barbe volcanic unit at P–T conditions of about 410±30°C and 2–3 kbar (garnet–biotite thermometry). Structural and petrological evidences suggest that the ore fluids migrated along the shear zones and reacted with the siderite in the metacarbonate. This evolution and the setting of Guelb Moghrein in the fold-and-thrust belt of the Pan-African to Variscan Mauritanides (Mauritania, West Africa) resemble Proterozoic Fe oxide–Cu–Au–Co deposits such as examples from the Tennant Creek and Mount Isa Inliers, Australia.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Boiling and vertical mineralization zoning: a case study from the Apacheta low-sulfidation epithermal gold-silver deposit, southern Peru

The Au-Ag (-Pb-Zn) Apacheta deposit is located in the Shila district, 600 km southeast of Lima in the Cordillera Occidental of Arequipa Province, southern Peru. The vein mineralization is found in Early to Middle Miocene calc-alkaline lava flows and volcanic breccias. Both gangue and sulfide mineralization express a typical low-sulfidation system; assay data show element zoning with base metals enriched at depth and higher concentrations of precious metals in the upper part of the veins. Three main deposition stages are observed: (1) early pyrite and base-metal sulfides with minor electrum 1 and acanthite; (2) brecciation of this mineral assemblage and cross-cutting veinlets with subhedral quartz crystals, Mn-bearing calcite and rhombic adularia crystals; and finally (3) veinlets and geodal filling of an assemblage of tennantite/tetrahedrite + colorless sphalerite 2 + galena + chalcopyrite + electrum 2. Fluid inclusions in the mineralized veins display two distinct types: aqueous-carbonic liquid-rich Lw-c inclusions, and aqueous-carbonic vapor-rich Vw-c inclusions. Microthermometric data indicate that the ore minerals were deposited between 300 and 225 °C from relatively dilute hydrothermal fluids (0.6-3.4 wt% NaCl). The physical and chemical characteristics of the hydrothermal fluids show a vertical evolution, with in particular a drop in temperature and a loss of H₂S. The presence of adularia and platy calcite and of co-existing liquid-rich and vapor-rich inclusions in the ore-stage indicates a boiling event. Strong H₂S enrichment in the Vw-c inclusions observed at -200 m, the abundance of platy calcite, and the occurrence of hydrothermal breccia at this level may indicate a zone of intense boiling. The vertical element zoning observed in the Apacheta deposit thus seems to be directly related to the vertical evolution of hydrothermal-fluid characteristics. Precious-metal deposition mainly occurred above the 200-m level below the present-day surface, in response to a liquid/vapor phase separation due to an upward boiling front.     

山东七宝山角砾岩筒成矿流体构造动力学过程

山东七宝山角砾岩筒内外流体构造（岩）类型多样,具自身特有的时空结构。岩筒内角砾岩胶结胶体中的结晶矿物和矿体类型在空间分布上具规律性的结构特征,并与角砾岩体分布的结构相吻合。角砾岩筒结构,构造的构造动力学分析结果表明,角砾岩筒岩石的破裂形成于流体的双重致裂作用的脉动扩展,即：在流体的热应力和液压双重作用下形成性质不同的节理裂隙和上凸锥面状裂隙带,并脉动式往上扩展形成圆柱状压裂角砾岩体;锥面状裂隙带顶     

Geology and geochemistry of the Mammoth breccia pipe,Copper Creek mining district,southeastern Arizona: evidence for a magmatic–hydrothermal origin

The Copper Creek mining district, southeastern Arizona, contains more than 500 mineralized breccia pipes, buried porphyry-style, copper-bearing stockworks, and distal lead–silver veins. The breccia pipes are hosted by the Copper Creek Granodiorite and the Glory Hole volcanic rocks. The unexposed Mammoth breccia pipe, solely recognized by drilling, has a vertical extent of 800 m and a maximum width of 180 m. The pipe consists of angular clasts of granodiorite cemented by quartz, chalcopyrite, bornite, anhydrite, and calcite. Biotite ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates suggest a minimum age of 61.5 ± 0.7 Ma for the host Copper Creek Granodiorite and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar dates on hydrothermal sericite indicate an age of 61.0 ± 0.5 Ma for copper mineralization. Fluid inclusion studies suggest that a supercritical fluid with a salinity of approximately 10 wt.% NaCl equiv. condensed to a dilute aqueous vapor (1–2.8 wt.% NaCl equiv.) and a hypersaline brine (33.4–35.1 wt.% NaCl equiv.). Minimum trapping temperatures are 375°C and trapping depths are estimated at 2 km. Sulfur isotope fractionation of cogenetic anhydrite and chalcopyrite yields a temperature of mineralization of 469 ± 25°C. Calculated oxygen and hydrogen isotope values for fluids in equilibrium with quartz and sericite range from 10.2‰ to 13.4‰ and −60‰ to −39‰, respectively, suggesting that the mineralizing fluid was dominantly magmatic. Evidence from the stable isotope and fluid inclusion analyses suggests that the fluids responsible for Cu mineralization within the Mammoth breccia pipe exsolved from a gray porphyry phase found at the base of the breccia pipe.     

Cryptic sediment-hosted critical element mineralization from eastern Yunnan Province,southwestern China: Mineralogy,geochemistry, relationship to Emeishan alkaline magmatism and possible origin

A previous study briefly described the occurrence of a new type of Nb(Ta)-Zr(Hf)-REY-Ga (REY: rare earth elements and yttrium) polymetallic mineralization in eastern Yunnan, southwest China. In this paper, the mineralogical and geochemical features have been further advanced through a study of two regionally extensive and relatively flat-lying mineralized layers from No. XW drill core. The layers are clay-altered volcanic ash and tuffaceous clay, and are dominated by clay minerals (mixed layer illite/smectite, kaolinite, berthierine, and chamosite); with lesser amounts of quartz and variable amounts of anatase, siderite and calcite; along with trace pyrite, barite, zircon, ilmenite, galena, chalcopyrite, and REE-bearing minerals. The mineralized samples have higher Al₂O₃/TiO₂ values (13.7–41.4) and abundant rare metal elements (Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, REE, Ga, Th, and U) whereas less mineralized samples are rich in V, Cr, Co, and Ni and have lower Al₂O₃/TiO₂ values (2.32–7.67). The mineralized samples also have strong negative δEu in chondrite-normalized REE patterns. Two processes are most likely responsible for the geochemical and mineralogical anomalies of the mineralized samples: airborne volcanic ash and multi-stage injection of low-temperature hydrothermal fluids. Based on paragenetic analysis, this polymetallic mineralization is derived from the interaction between alkaline volcanic ashes and subsequent percolation of low-temperature fluids. The intense and extensive alkaline volcanism of the early Late Permian inferred from this study possibly originated from the coeval Emeishan large igneous province (ELIP). This unique Nb(Ta)-Zr(Hf)-REE-Ga mineralization style has significant economic and geological potential for the study of mineralization of the lowest Xuanwei Formation.     

鄂尔多斯盆地东北部砂岩型铀矿伴生矿物组合及其地质意义

特征矿物是地质作用的直接记录,研究铀矿物伴生组合类型和特征为探讨铀矿床成因提供直接信息.本文以鄂尔多斯盆地东北部杭锦旗-纳岭沟地区含铀岩系中侏罗统直罗组为研究对象,通过岩心观察、显微观察、扫描电镜和电子探针分析等,系统研究了含铀砂岩中铀矿物种类、赋存特征及典型矿物伴生组合类型,在此基础上,结合铀成矿过程中流体作用探讨了...     

REE Geochemical Characteristics of Apatite,Sphene and Zircon from Alkaline Rocks

The accessory minerals apatite and sphene are the main carriers of REE in alkaline rocks.Their chondrite-normalized REE patterns decline sharply to the right as those of the host rocks,In the patterns an obvious negative Eu anomaly and a positive Ce anomaly can be seen in apatite and sphene,respectively.Zircon from alkaline rocks is different in REE pattern,I,e,. a nearly symmetric“V“-shaped pattern with a maximum negative Eu anomaly.Compared with the equivalents from granites,apatite,sphene and zircon from alkaline rocks are all characterized by higher (La/Yb)N ratio and less Eu depletion,As to the relative contents of REE in minerals,apatite,sphene and zircon are enriched in LREE,MREE and HREE respectively,depending on their crystallochemical properties.     

Mineralogy and geochemistry of the sodium metasomatism-related uranium occurrence of Aricheng South, Guyana

The Aricheng South uranium occurrence is associated with Na metasomatism that affected the granitoids of the Kurupung Batholith in western Guyana. The mineral paragenesis indicates that late-magmatic albitization was followed by chlorite alteration of biotite. A minor amount of uraninite occurs in fractures in the newly formed albite crystals, often in company of calcite. The main mineralization stage occurred later than albitization and chloritization and is represented by brannerite disseminated in a groundmass of fine-grained hydrothermal zircon. Whole rock geochemistry supports the temporal dissociation of albitization from the main ore stage. Brannerite, zircon, and uraninite are often partially altered to secondary brannerite, zircon, and coffinite, respectively. Stable oxygen (chlorite, calcite) and hydrogen (chlorite) isotope compositions suggest that a highly evolved meteoric fluid, or at least one corresponding to a very high rock/fluid ratio (δ¹⁸O of approx. 3.4% to 4‰ and δD of approx. −80‰) may have caused the pre-ore alteration assemblage. The fluids in equilibrium with main ore stage zircon have δ¹⁸O of approx. 6.8‰ and appear to be of magmatic origin. The Aricheng occurrence geochemically, mineralogically, thermally, and paragenetically resembles the Valhalla U deposit in northern Australia despite differences between the deposits’ host lithologies, whereas the Lagoa Real and Espinharas U deposits in Brazil have host rock lithology that resembles that of Aricheng.     

四川冕宁里庄稀土元素矿床矿石类型及金云母Ar-Ar年龄

四川冕宁-德昌稀土元素成矿带长约270 km,宽15 km,该成矿带包括牦牛坪超大型、大陆槽大型、木落寨中型和里庄小型稀土元素矿床及一系列矿点和矿化点。里庄稀土元素矿床作为矿带中唯一矿化特征以细脉浸染状为主的矿床,该矿床细脉浸染状矿化特征的成因和围岩蚀变特征尚未得到详细研究。文章将通过详细野外调查和室内研究,总结矿石类型和碳酸岩、正长岩蚀变特征,揭示细脉浸染状矿化特征的成因。研究表明,里庄矿床矿石类型以细脉浸染状为主,兼有少量角砾状。细脉浸染状矿石呈致密块状,矿物共生组合主要为氟碳铈矿+方解石+萤石+天青石+金云母,大规模的氟碳铈矿形成于热液阶段晚期并叠加在早期方解石、萤石和天青石等脉石矿物之上。细脉浸染状矿石全岩稀土元素配分显示LREE富集(33430×10~(-6)～46530×10~(-6)),HREE亏损(160×10~(-6)～192×10~(-6)),稀土元素总量高(33620×10~(-6)～46690×10~(-6)),全岩稀土元素配分特征与碳酸岩和正长岩相似,但后两者稀土元素总量较低。与牦牛坪发育脉状矿化系统、大陆槽角砾岩筒系统相比,里庄矿化特征以细脉浸染状为主,其可能是由于张性裂隙不发育造成的。区内正长岩-碳酸岩杂岩体广泛发育强烈的蚀变作用。正长岩发育典型霓长岩化,这种蚀变以钾长石被钠长石交代为特征,并形成次生鳞片状黑云母,少量半自形氟碳铈矿叠加在钠长石和黑云母之上。碳酸岩广泛发育红化,其原生表面洁净的方解石被流体交代,大量氟碳铈矿叠加在蚀变方解石之上。矿区矿体赋存在正长岩-碳酸岩杂岩体中,BSE图像及显微镜观察显示氟碳铈矿叠加在蚀变碳酸岩-正长岩之上,结合已有数据发现矿石及部分脉石矿物与碳酸岩-正长岩在微量元素和Sr-Nd-Pb同位素组成特征的一致,表明碳酸岩-正长岩杂岩体提供了本矿床稀土元素矿化的物质来源。此次研究中发现,在里庄矿床中大量发育与氟碳铈矿密切共生的金云母。文章对该金云母进行了Ar-Ar同位素测年,获得金云母形成年龄为(26.0±1.1)Ma,误差范围内与已报道的氟碳铈矿SIMS Th-Pb年龄和正长岩的锆石SHRIMP U-Pb年龄一致,进一步说明REE成矿与正长岩-碳酸岩在成因上具有一致性。     

新疆洪古勒楞铜矿床地质特征及构造背景

洪古勒楞铜矿床位于新疆西准噶尔西北部和布克赛尔县,属于谢米斯台-沙尔布提成矿带。地质剖面测量和岩相学研究表明,矿区出露地层为中奥陶统布鲁克其组火山-沉积岩,岩性以玄武岩和安山岩为主,其次为安山质角砾岩、安山质集块岩和晶屑凝灰岩,矿化与玄武岩、安山岩、安山质角砾岩相关;矿区断裂构造发育,矿体赋存其中;矿区围岩蚀变发育,从矿体到围岩可分为内、中、外3个带,各带的共生矿物组合为:绿泥石+绿帘石+石英+黄铜矿±闪锌矿组合、绿泥石+绿帘石±黄铜矿组合和绿泥石±方解石等,矿化程度与蚀变程度正相关;矿化类型包括浸染状、气孔充填状、角砾状、细脉状、块状矿化,矿石矿物主要为黄铜矿,脉石矿物主要为绿泥石、绿帘石。矿区的火山岩地球化学分析表明,矿区岩石分为2类:类型1为钙碱性系列玄武岩和安山岩,岩石稀土元素配分曲线呈右倾型,亏损Nb、Ta元素,富集LILE,w(Nb)低,形成于岛弧环境。类型2为拉斑-钙碱性系列玄武岩和安山岩,与类型1相似,亏损Nb、Ta元素,富集LILE,但是REE模式呈平坦型,w(Th)、Nb/Y值、Th/Yb值、Nb/Yb值较低,可能受洋脊俯冲影响。     

Geology and geochemistry of telluride-bearing Au deposits in the Pingyi area, Western Shandong, China

Summary Telluride-bearing gold deposits of the Pingyi area, western Shandong, China, are located on the southeastern margin of the North China Craton. There are two main types of deposits: (i) mineralized cryptoexplosive breccia, e.g., Guilaizhuang; and (ii) stratified, finely-disseminated mineralization hosted in carbonate rocks, e.g., Lifanggou and Mofanggou deposits. In Guilaizhuang, the cryptoexplosive breccia is formed within rocks of the Tongshi complex and Ordovician dolomite. The mineralization is controlled by an E–W-trending listric fault. Stratified orebodies of the Lifanggou and Mofanggou deposits are placed along a NE-trending, secondary detachment zone. They are hosted within dolomitic limestone, micrite and dolomite of the Early-Middle Cambrian Changqing Group. The mineralization in the ore districts is considered to be related to the Early Jurassic Tongshi magmatic complex that formed in a continental arc setting on the margin of the North China Craton. The host rocks are porphyritic and consist predominantly of medium- to fine-grained diorite and pyroxene (hornblende)-bearing monzonite. SHRIMP U–Pb zircon dating of diorites give a ²⁰⁶Pb/²³⁸U weighted mean age of 175.7 ± 3.8 Ma. This is interpreted as representing the crystallization age of the Tongshi magmatic complex. Considering the contact relationships between the magmatic and host sedimentary rocks, as well as the genetic link with the deposits, we conclude that this age is relevant also for the formation of mineralization in the Pingyi area. We hence consider that the deposits formed in the Jurassic. The principal gold minerals are native gold, electrum and calaverite. Wall-rock alteration comprises pyritization, fluoritization, silicification, carbonatization and chloritization. Fluid inclusion studies indicate that all the analyzed inclusions are of two-phase vapor–liquid NaCl–H₂O type. Homogenization temperatures of the fluid inclusions vary from 103 °C to 250 °C, and the ice melting temperatures range from −2.5 °C to −13.5 °C, corresponding to a salinity range of 4.65 to 17.26 wt.% NaCl equiv. The δ³⁴S values of pyrite associated with gold mineralization exhibit a narrow range of −0.71 to + 2.99‰, implying that the sulfur was probably derived from the mantle and/or dioritic magma. The δ¹³C_PDB values of the fluid inclusions in calcite range from −7.3 to 0.0‰. The δ¹⁸O_SMOW values of vein quartz and calcite range from 11.5 to 21.5‰, corresponding to δ¹⁸O_fluid values of −1.1 to 10.9‰; δD values of the fluid inclusions vary between −70 and −48‰. The isotope data for all three deposits suggest mixing of ore-forming fluids derived from the mantle and/or magma with different types of fluids at shallow levels. Pressure release and boiling of the fluids, as well as fluid-rock interaction (Lifanggou and Mofanggou) and mixing of magmatically-derived fluids with meteoritic waters (Guilaizhuang) played an important role in the ore-forming processes.     

Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Study of Calcite and Dolomite in the Disseminated Au-Ag Telluride Bulawan Deposit, Negros Island, Philippines

Abstract: The disseminated Au‐Ag telluride Bulawan deposit, Negros island, Philippines, is hosted by dacite porphyry breccia pipes which formed in a Middle Miocene dacite porphyry stock. Electrum and Au‐Ag tellurides occur mostly as grains intergrown with or filling voids between sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena and tennantite. Calcite, quartz and rare dolomite are the principal gangue minerals. Four types of alteration were recognized in the deposit, namely; propylitic, K‐feldspar‐sericitic, sericitic and carbonate alteration. Carbonate alteration is correlatable to the gold deposition stage and occurs mostly along fault zones. The δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C compositions of calcite and dolomite in propylite zone and ore‐stage dacite porphyry breccia were determined. The δ¹⁸O values of calcite in propylitized andesite range from +12.2 to +14.7%, and their δ¹³C values range from ‐6.1 to ‐1.0%. The δ¹⁸O values of calcite and dolomite in sericite‐ and carbonate‐altered, mineralized dacite porphyry breccia and dacite porphyry rocks range from +15.1 to +23.1%, and the δ¹³C values of calcite and dolomite range from ‐3.9 to +0.9%. The δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C values of the hydrothermal fluids were estimated from inferred temperatures of formation on the basis of fluid inclusion microthermometry. The δ¹⁸O values of hydrothermal fluid for the propylitic alteration were calculated to be +8.5 ‐ +9.5%, assuming 375°C. On the other hand, the δ¹⁸O values of ore solutions for base metal and Au mineralization were computed to be +13.6 ‐ +14.6%, assuming 270°C. The hydrothermal fluids that formed the Bulawan deposit are dilute and ¹⁸O‐enriched fluids which reacted with ¹⁸O‐ and ¹³C‐rich wallrocks such as limestone.     

Composition and conditions of crystallization of zircon from the rare-metal ores of the Gremyakha–Vyrmes Massif,Kola Peninsula

The first data on the composition and inner structure of zircon, one of the main ore minerals of the rare-metal metasomatites of the Gremyakha–Vyrmes alkaline-ultramafic massif, are reported. Early zircon generations are enriched in Y and REE and contain numerous inclusions of rock-forming and accessory minerals of metasomatites, as well as syngenetic fluid inclusions of calcite, thorite and thorianite. Late generations differ in the elevated Hf content and contain no inclusions. The elevated concentrations of Ca and Th in the central zones of crystals are related to the presence of numerous micron-sized inclusions of calcite and thorium phases. All zircon varieties have extremely low U and Pb contents. Concentrations and distribution patterns of incompatible and rare-earth elements in zircon from the metasomatites of the Gremyakha–Vyrmes Massif are similar to those of syenite pegmatites and magmatic carbonatites around the world. Mineral from these associations shows a positive Ce anomaly and elevated HREE contents. According to the compositions of zircon and thorite inclusion in it and experimental data on the simultaneous synthesis of these minerals, the crystallization temperature of zircon was 700–750°С. Using Ti-in-zircon temperature dependence, late zurcon was formed at temperature of 700–750°С. The rare-metal metasomatites are formed at the final stages of the massif formation, presumably after foidolites. Carbonatites could initiate metasomatic reworking of foidolites and accumulation of trace metals in them. The evolution of the primary alkaline–ultramafic melt toward the enrichment in trace elements was mainly controlled by crystallization differentiation.     

智利Candelaria-Punta del Cobre铁氧化物铜金矿床地质和成矿作用

智利Copiapó附近海岸东部边缘有一宽5km、长20km的铁氧化物铜金矿床带,包括Candelaria矿床和位于其北东方向3km处的Punta del Cobre矿集区的中小型矿床。初步估计,该成矿带的铜矿石资源量可达7×108~8×10~8t(含铜量1%)。矿石矿物主要为黄铜矿、黄铁矿、磁铁矿、赤铁矿。矿石产状为脉状、角砾状、细脉状等。含矿围岩主要为Punta del Cobre组的火山岩及火山碎屑岩。该矿带中大部分大型矿脉位于北西—北北西向高角度脆性断层与块状火山岩和火山碎屑岩接触带交汇处。Candelairia矿区主要发育黑云母-钾长石±钙角闪石±绿帘石蚀变矿物组合。在Punta del Cobr矿集区,矿床深部的矿石围岩蚀变情况与Candelairia地区一致,但是浅部的矿石赋存于黑云母-钾长石或钠长石-绿泥石±方解石蚀变带中。     

On the Yangtze—type Copper Deposits and Their Polygentic Origin

The so-called“Yangtze-type”copper deposits include:（1）Cu-bearing massive pyrite bed ,(2)Cu-bearing skarn and magnetite-type ore deposits,with replacement Cu-vein-type deposits near the metasomatic zone,and (3)mineralized intrusive bodies and breccia pipes ,some of which are known as porphyry copper ores(e.g.Chengmenshan).This type of ore deposits is a typical example to verify the polygenesis of inost of the deposits in China,as has been promoted by Prof.Tu Guangchi in view of the polycyclic development of the geological history in China.This paper is con-cemed with one sub-type of such deposits.     

Hydrothermal alteration and magnetic properties of rocks in the Carolina de Michilla stratabound copper district,northern Chile

In the Carolina de Michilla district, northern Chile, stratabound copper mineralization is hosted by Jurassic volcanic rocks along the trace of the Atacama fault system. In this study, we present the overall effects of hydrothermal alteration on the magnetic properties of rocks in this district. Two types of metasomatic alteration associations occur, one of regional extent and the other of local hydrothermal alteration associated with copper mineralization (e.g., Lince–Estefanía–Susana). Regional alteration is interpreted as a low-grade “propylitic association” characterized by an epidote–chlorite–smectite–titanite–albite–quartz–calcite association. The local hydrothermal alteration is characterized broadly by a quartz–albite–epidote–chlorite–calcite mineral assemblage. The most pervasive alteration mineral is albite, followed by epidote and, locally, actinolite. These minerals contrast sharply against host rock minerals such as chlorite, calcite, zeolite, prehnite, and pumpellyite, but alteration is constrained to mineralized bodies as narrow and low contrast alteration halos that go outwards from actinolite–albite to epidote–albite, to epidote–chlorite, and finally to chlorite. Hydrothermal alteration minerals, compared to regional alteration minerals, show iron-rich epidotes, a lower chlorite content of the chlorite–smectite series, and a nearly total albite replacement of plagioclase in the mineralized zones. Opaque minerals associated with regional alteration are magnetite and maghemite, and those associated to hydrothermal alteration are magnetite, hematite, and copper sulphides. We present paleomagnetic results from nine sites in the Michilla district and from drill cores from two mines. Local effects of hydrothermal alteration on the original magnetic mineralogy indicate similar characteristics and mineralogy, except for an increase of hematite that is spatially associated with the Cu–sulphide breccias with low magnetic susceptibilities. Results indicate that it is impossible to magnetically differentiate mineralized bodies from unmineralized lavas, except for pyrite-rich hydrothermal breccias. In conclusion, for stratabound copper deposits of the Michilla type, the overall effect of hydrothermal alteration on the paleomagnetic properties of rocks is of low contrast, not clearly discernable even at a small scale. From an exploration point of view, magnetic exploration surveys should not discern mineralized bodies of Cu–sulphide breccias except in detailed ground surveys due to the small size of contrasting bodies. Unoriented drill cores with primary ore mineralization record a characteristic remanent magnetization of reverse polarity. Taking into account the azimuth and dip of the drill cores, we were able to compare the magnetization of the mineralized bodies with the characteristic directions from sites drilled in situ from Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous intrusives mostly. The characteristic direction recorded by the Pluton Viera is similar to the magnetization of the ore bodies of the Estefania mine. If copper mineralization mostly postdates the tilt of the volcanic flows, the low paleomagnetic inclinations suggest an age for the mineralization near 145 Ma, the time of the lowest paleolatitude for the South American plate during the Mesozoic.     

The age and thermal history of Cerro Rico de Potosi, Bolivia

 Cerro Rico de Potosi, Bolivia, is the world’s largest silver deposit and has been mined since the sixteenth century for silver, and for tin and zinc during the twentieth century, together with by-product copper and lead. The deposit consists primarily of veins that cut an altered igneous body that we interpret to be a dacitic volcanic dome and its underlying tuff ring and explosion breccia. The deposit is compositionally and thermally zoned, having a core of cassiterite, wolframite, bismuthinite, and arsenopyrite surrounded by a peripheral, lower-temperature mineral assemblage consisting principally of sphalerite, galena, lead sulfosalt, and silver minerals. The low-temperature assemblage also was superimposed on the high-temperature assemblage in response to cooling of the main hydrothermal system. Both the dacite dome and the ore fluids were derived from a larger magmatic/hydrothermal source at depth. The dome was repeatedly fractured by recurrent movement on the fault system that guided its initial emplacement. The dome was extruded at 13.8±0.2 Ma (2σ), based on U-Th-Pb dating of zircon. Mineralization and alteration occurred within about 0.3 my of dome emplacement, as indicated by a ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar date of 13.76±0.10 Ma (1σ) for sericite from the pervasive quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration associated with the main-stage, high-temperature, mineralization. The last thermal event able to reset zircon fission tracks occurred no later than 12.5±1.1 Ma (1σ), as indicated by fission-tract dating. Minor sericite, and magmatic-steam alunite veins, were episodically formed around 11 Ma and between 8.3 and 5.7 Ma; the younger episodes occurring at the time of extensional fracturing at Cerro Rico and widespread volcanism in the adjacent Los Frailes volcanic field. None of these younger events appear to be significant thermal/mineralizing events; the exceptionally flat thermal release pattern of ³⁹Ar from sericite and the results of the fission-tract dating of zircon show that none of the younger events was hot enough, and lasted long enough, to cause significant loss of Ar or annealing of zircon fission tracks. U-Th-Pb dating of zircon cores indicates a Precambrian progenitor for some zircons, and REE analyses of dated samples of hydrothermally altered dacite show the presence of a prominent positive Eu anomaly, which constrains interpretations of the origin and evolution of the magmatic/hydrothermal system. Received: 14 October 1995/Accepted: 29 January 1996     

Geology of the Renard 65 kimberlite pipe,Québec,Canada

Renard 65, a diamondiferous pipe in the Neoproterozoic Renard kimberlite cluster (Québec, Canada), is a steeply-dipping and downward-tapering diatreme comprised of three pipe-filling units: kimb65a, kimb65b, and kimb65d. The pipe is surrounded by a marginal and variably-brecciated country rock aureole and is crosscut by numerous hypabyssal dykes: kimb65c. Extensive petrographic and mineralogical characterization of over 700 m of drill core from four separate drill holes, suggests that Renard 65 is a Group I kimberlite, mineralogically classified as phlogopite kimberlite and serpentine-phlogopite kimberlite. Kimb65a is a massive volcaniclastic kimberlite dominated by lithic clasts, magmaclasts, and discrete olivine macrocrysts, hosted within a fine-grained diopside and serpentine-rich matrix. Kimb65b is massive, macrocrystic, coherent kimberlite with a groundmass assemblage of phlogopite, spinel, perovskite, apatite, calcite, serpentine and rare monticellite. Kimb65c is a massive, macrocrystic, hypabyssal kimberlite with a groundmass assemblage of phlogopite, serpentine, calcite, perovskite, spinel, and apatite. Kimb65d is massive volcaniclastic kimberlite with localized textures that are intermediate between volcaniclastic and coherent, with tightly packed magmaclasts separated by a diopside- and serpentine-rich matrix. Lithic clasts of granite-gneiss in kimb65a are weakly reacted, with partial melting of feldspars and crystallization of richterite and actinolite. Lithic clasts in kimb65b and kimb65d are entirely recrystallized to calcite + serpentine/chlorite + pectolite and display inner coronas of diopside-aegirine and an outer corona of phlogopite. Compositions are reported for all minerals in the groundmass of coherent kimberlites, magmaclasts, interclast matrices, and reacted lithic clasts. The Renard 65 rocks are texturally classified as Kimberley-type pyroclastic kimberlites and display transitional textures. The kimberlite units are interpreted to have formed in three melt batches based on their distinct spinel chemistry: kimb65a, kimb65b and kimb65d. We note a strong correlation between the modal abundances of lithic clasts and the textures of the kimberlites, where increasing modal abundances of granite/gneiss are observed in kimberlites with increasingly fragmental textures.

     

The geology and mineralogy of the Anuri kimberlite, Nunavut, Canada

The 613±6 Ma Anuri kimberlite is a pipelike body comprising two lobes with a combined surface area of approximately 4–5 ha. The pipe is infilled with two contrasting rock types: volcaniclastic kimberlite (VK) and, less common, hypabyssal kimberlite (HK).

The HK is an archetypal kimberlite composed of macrocrysts of olivine, spinel, mica, rare eclogitic garnet and clinopyroxene with microphenocrysts of olivine and groundmass spinel, phlogopite, apatite and perovskite in a serpentine–calcite–phlogopite matrix. The Ba enrichment of phlogopite, the compositional trends of both primary spinel and phlogopite, as well as the composition of the mantle-derived xenocrysts, are also characteristic of kimberlite. The present-day country rocks are granitoids; however, the incorporation of sedimentary xenoliths in the HK shows that the Archean granitoid basement terrain, at least locally, was capped by younger Proterozoic sediments at the time of emplacement. The sediments have since been removed by erosion. HK is confined to the deeper eastern parts of the Anuri pipe. It is suggested that the HK was emplaced prior to the dominant VK as a separate phase of kimberlite. The HK must have ascended to high stratigraphic levels to allow incorporation of Proterozoic sediments as xenoliths.

Most of the Anuri kimberlite is infilled with VK which is composed of variable proportions of juvenile lapilli, discrete olivine macrocrysts, country rock xenoliths and mantle-derived xenocrysts. It is proposed that the explosive breakthrough of a second batch of kimberlite magma formed the western lobe resulting in the excavation of the main pipe. Much of the resulting fragmented country rock material was deposited in extra crater deposits. Pyroclastic eruption(s) of kimberlite must have occurred to form the common juvenile lapilli present in the VKs. The VK is variable in nature and can be subdivided into four types: volcaniclastic kimberlite breccia, magmaclast-rich volcaniclastic kimberlite breccia, finer grained volcaniclastic kimberlite breccia and lithic-rich volcaniclastic kimberlite breccia. The variations between these subtypes reflect different depositional processes. These processes are difficult to determine but could include primary pyroclastic deposition and/or resedimentation.

There is some similarity between Anuri and the Lac de Gras kimberlites, with variable types of VK forming the dominant infill of small, steep-sided pipes excavated into crystalline Archean basement and sedimentary cover.     

Mineral zoning and gold occurrence in the Fortuna skarn mine, Nambija district, Ecuador

The Fortuna oxidized gold skarn deposit is located in the northern part of the Nambija gold district, southern Ecuador. It has been subdivided into four mineralized sites, covering a distance of 1 km, which are named from north to south: Cuerpo 3, Mine 1, Mine 2, and Southern Sector. Massive skarn bodies occur in K–Na metasomatized volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Triassic Piuntza unit. They appear to result from selective replacement of volcaniclastic rocks. Very minor presence of bioclast relicts suggests the presence of subordinate limestone. Endoskarn type alteration with development of Na-rich plagioclase, K-feldspar, epidote, actinolite, anhedral pyroxene, and titanite affects a quartz–diorite porphyritic intrusion which crops out below the skarn bodies in Mine 2 and the Southern Sector. Endoskarn alteration in the intrusion grades into a K-feldspar ± biotite ± magnetite assemblage (K-alteration), suggesting that skarn formation is directly related to the quartz–diorite porphyritic intrusion, the latter being probably emplaced between 141 and 146 Ma. The massive skarn bodies were subdivided into a dominant brown garnet skarn, a distal green pyroxene–epidote skarn, and two quartz-rich varieties, a blue-green garnet skarn and light green pyroxene–garnet skarn, which occur as patches and small bodies within the former skarn types. The proximal massive brown garnet skarn zone is centered on two 060° trending faults in Mine 2, where the highest gold grades (5–10 g/t) were observed. It grades into a distal green pyroxene–epidote skarn zone to the North (Cuerpo 3). Granditic garnet shows iron enrichment from the proximal to the distal zone. Diopsidic pyroxene exhibits iron and manganese enrichment from proximal to distal zones. The retrograde stage is weakly developed and consists mainly of mineral phases filling centimeter-wide veins, vugs, and interstices between garnet and pyroxene grains. The main filling mineral is quartz, followed by K-feldspar, epidote, calcite, and chlorite, with minor sericite, apatite, titanite, hematite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and gold. Metal and sulfur contents are low at Fortuna, and the highest gold grades coincide with high hematite abundance, which suggests that retrograde stage and gold deposition took place under oxidizing conditions. Fluid inclusions from pyroxene indicate precipitation from high temperature—high to moderate salinity fluids (400 to 460°C and 54- to 13-wt% eq. NaCl), which result probably from boiling of a moderately saline (∼8-wt% eq. NaCl) magmatic fluid. Later cooler (180 to 475°C) and moderate to low saline fluids (1- to 20-wt% eq. NaCl) were trapped in garnet, epidote, and quartz, and are interpreted to be responsible for gold deposition. Chlorite analysis indicates temperature of formation between 300 and 340°C in accordance with fluid inclusion data. It appears, thus, that gold was transported as chloride complexes under oxidizing conditions and was deposited at temperatures around 300°C when transport of chloride complexes as gold carriers is not efficient.