Feldspathic metasomatic rocks from the Lermontovo deposit,Primorye, Russia

Drill cores of metasomatic rocks and ores from the Lermontovo skarn scheelite-sulfide deposit (Lermontovo ore field, Primorsky krai) have been studied. Feldspar-apatite-scheelite-sulfide metasomatic rocks containing more than 10% WO₃ have been identified and characterized. The relationships of these altered rocks to skarn, greisen, and sulfide ore are shown and the implications of these rocks for the formation of ore are determined. In addition, some genetic problems of the deposit are discussed.     

The Gagarka gold deposit in the central Urals, Russia

The Gagarka gold deposit was formed in two stages. The gold-telluride ore of the main early stage was formed ～260 Ma ago synchronously with Permian collision, which was accompanied by retrograde metamorphism with mobilization of Au and Te from geochemically similar massive sulfide lodes in the rift zone. The Au-bearing argillic metasomatic rocks of the late stage presumably Mesozoic in age are distinguished by specific geochemistry and locally superposed on the ore related to the early stage. The upper part of the metasomatic column consists of quartz-kaolinite rock, which is confused in many cases with products of Mesozoic-Cenozoic weathering and because of this is not perceived as a guide for hidden Au-bearing argillic alteration, whose resource potential remains underestimated in the Urals.     

安徽铜陵凤凰山铜（金）矿床矽卡岩型与斑岩型复合成矿作用流体研究

凤凰山铜（金）矿床产于燕山晚期花岗闪长岩及石英二长闪长斑岩与三叠系碳酸盐岩的接触带，先后包括矽卡岩型和斑岩型两期矿化，并可细分为9个成矿阶段。矿石中广泛出现角砾状和细脉状、网脉状构造。流体包裹体特征及显微冷热台测温资料表明，成矿流体存在过沸腾和局部超高压等现象。两个成矿期都经历了从高温高盐度向低温低盐度的转变，成矿溶液的主要成分也由钾钠型变成了钠钙型。来源于岩浆热液的早期含矿流体与来自围岩的地下水热液的混合可以解释成矿流体的这种演化。     

Structure of magnetite lodes at the Estyunino iron deposit in the central Urals

The structure of magnetite lodes is determined by iron and sulfur distribution, as well as texture and structure of ore. These features have been revealed by documentation of cores from ore intervals in exploration boreholes penetrating two main lodes 21 and 22 of the Estyunino iron deposit. The documentation of cores was accompanied by sampling for microscopic examination of texture and structure of ore and selection of Fe and S contents in ore. Then these data were summarized as sections of the lodes. It was established that the structure of magnetite lodes is characterized by conformable ore layers distinguished by texture, structure, and Fe and S contents. Banded and spotty ores containing less than 50% magnetite are predominant. Layers of homogeneous massive ore are infrequent. The textural pattern indicates a volcaniclastic nature of host rocks. The spotty texture is characteristic of hyaloclastites with vitreous shards. The banded texture with oriented distribution of fiamme is inherent to volcaniclastic rocks. In both cases, magnetite selectively replaces dark-colored vitreous fragments and is also dispersed in the salic matrix and lava fragments. No indications of crosscutting superposed relationships are observed. The available data can be satisfactorily explained by an impregnation-metasomatic mode of ore deposition.     

Genesis of garnet-bearing rocks at the Berezitovoe deposit,Upper Amur Region,Russia

The geological position, composition of mineral assemblages, and typomorphism of major minerals from garnet-bearing rocks at the Berezitovoe gold-base-metal deposit in the Upper Amur Region have been studied in detail. These are ore-bearing metasomatic rocks and metamorphosed porphyritic dikes. The garnet-bearing metasomatic rocks reveal zoning, which is caused by various degrees of metasomatic transformation of the Paleozoic porphyritic granodiorite that hosts the ore zone. The metasomatic replacement of granodiorite was accompanied by loss of Na, Ca, Ba, Sr and gain of K, Mn, and Rb. Garnet-bearing metamorphosed intermediate dikes occur within the metasomatic zone. The PT conditions of metamorphism and metasomatism are similar and estimated at 3.9 kbar and 500°C from various mineral equilibria. The results of physicochemical simulation of garnet-bearing mineral assemblages carried out by minimizing the Gibbs free energy and the geological data show that garnet-bearing mineral assemblages arose at the Berezitovoe deposit as a result of local high-temperature thermal metamorphism of previously formed low-temperature metasomatic rocks close in composition to classic beresite. In this connection, we propose considering garnet-bearing metasomatic rocks as high-temperature metamorphosed beresites.     

Mineralogy and metamorphism conditions of manganese ore at the South Faizulino deposit, the southern Urals, Russia

The mineralogy of slightly metamorphosed manganese ore at the South Faizulino hydrothermalsedimentary deposit in the southern Urals has been studied; 32 minerals were identified. Quartz, hausmannite, rhodochrosite, tephroite, ribbeite, pyroxmangite, and caryopilite are major minerals; calcite, kutnahorite, alleghanyite, spessartine, rhodonite, clinochlore, and parsettensite are second in abundance. This mineralic composition was formed in the process of gradual burial of ore beneath the sequence of Middle Devonian-Lower Carboniferous rocks. The highest parameters of metamorphism are T ≈ 250°C and P ≈ 2.5 kbar. The relationships between minerals and their assemblages made it possible to reconstruct the succession of ore transformation with gradually increasing temperature and pressure. Manganese accumulated in the initial sediments as oxides and a gel-like Mn-Si phase. Rhodochrosite and neotocite were formed at the diagenetic stage. In the course of a further increase in temperature and pressure, neotocite was replaced with caryopilite; ribbeite, tephroite, pyroxmangite, and other silicates crystallized afterwards. In addition to the PT parameters, the formation of various metamorphic mineral assemblages was controlled by the Mn/(Mn + Si) ratio in ore and X _CO2 in pore solution. The latter parameter was determined by the occurrence of organic matter in the ore-bearing rocks. Ore veinlets as products of local hydrothermal redistribution of Mn, Si, and CO₂ were formed during tectonic deformations in the Middle Carboniferous and Permian.     

The Gumeshevo skarn-porphyry copper deposits in the Central Urals,Russia: Evolution of the ore-magmatic system as deduced from isotope geochemistry (Sr,Nd, C,O, H)

The Early Devonian Gumeshevo deposit is one of the largest ore objects pertaining to the dioritic model of the porphyry copper system paragenetically related to the low-K quartz diorite island-arc complex. The (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_t and (ɛ_Nd)_t of quartz diorite calculated for t = 390 Ma are 0.7038–0.7045 and 5.0–5.1, respectively, testifying to a large contribution of the mantle component to the composition of this rock. The contents of typomorphic trace elements (ppm) are as follows: 30–48 REE sum, 5–10 Rb, 9–15 Y, and 1–2 Nb. The REE pattern is devoid of Eu anomaly. Endoskarn of low-temperature and highly oxidized amphibole-epidote-garnet facies is surrounded by the outer epidosite zone. Widespread retrograde metasomatism is expressed in replacement of exoskarn and marble with silicate (chlorite, talc, tremolite)-magnetite-quartz-carbonate mineral assemblage. The ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios of epidote in endoskarn and carbonate in retrograde metasomatic rocks (0.7054–0.7058 and 0.7053–0.7065, respectively) are intermediate between the Sr isotope ratios of quartz dioritic rocks and marble (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr = 0.70784 ± 2). Isotopic parameters of the fluid equilibrated with silicates of skarn and retrograde metasomatic rocks replacing exoskarn at 400°C are δ¹⁸O = +7.4 to +8.5‰ and δD = −49 to −61‰ (relative to SMOW). The δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O of carbonates in retrograde metasomatic rocks after marble are −5.3 to +0.6 (relative to PDB) and +13.0 to +20.2% (relative to SMOW), respectively. Sulfidation completes metasomatism, nonuniformly superimposed on all metasomatic rocks and marbles with formation of orebodies, including massive sulfide ore. The δ³⁴S of sulfides is 0 to 2‰ (relative to CDT);⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of calcite from the late calcite-pyrite assemblage replacing marble is 0.704134 ± 6. The δ¹³C and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr of postore veined carbonates correlate positively (r = 0.98; n = 6). The regression line extends to the marble field. Its opposite end corresponds to magmatic (in terms of Bowman, 1998b) calcite with minimal δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values (−6.9 ‰, +6.7‰, and 0.70378 ± 4, respectively). The aforementioned isotopic data show that magmatic fluid was supplied during all stages of mineral formation and interacted with marble and other rocks, changing its Sr, C, and O isotopic compositions. This confirms the earlier established redistribution of major elements and REE in the process of metasomatism. A contribution of meteoric and metamorphic water is often established in quartz from postore veins.     

Oxygen isotopic composition of quartz veins and host rocks at the Sukhoi Log deposit,Russia

The relationships between the δ¹⁸O of quartz veins and veinlets pertaining to the main stage of gold mineralization at the Sukhoi Log deposit and metasomatically altered host slates are estimated. The oxygen isotopic composition of veined quartz and host slates is not uniform. The δ¹⁸O of quartz veins from the Western, Central, and Sukhoi Log areas of the deposit vary from +16 to + 18 ‰. The δ¹⁸O range of metasomatically altered slates in the Western and Sukhoi Log areas attains 6 ‰. The δ¹⁸O of quartz veins are always higher than those of host slates by 3–7‰. The regular difference in the δ¹⁸O between quartz veins and host slates indicates that the oxygen isotopic composition of the ore-bearing fluid forming the system of quartz veins and veinlets at the Sukhoi Log deposit could have formed as a result of interaction with silicate rocks, for instance, terrigenous slates enriched in δ¹⁸O. Such interaction, however, took place at deeper levels of the Sukhoi Log deposit. It is suggested that the fluid phase participating in the formation of the vein and veinlet system had initially high δ¹⁸O(>+10‰) due to interaction with the rocks enriched in δ¹⁸O at a low fluid/rock ratio. The oxygen isotope data indicate that the fluid participating in the formation of gold mineralization at the Sukhoi Log deposit was not in equilibrium with igneous rocks at high temperatures.     

Corundum-bearing metasomatic rocks in the Central Pamirs

The Muzkol metamorphic complex in the Central Pamirs contains widespread occurrences of corundum mineralization, sometimes with gem-quality corundum. These occurrences are spatially related to zones of metasomatic alterations in calcite and dolomite marbles and crystalline schists. The calcite marbles contain corundum together with muscovite, scapolite, and biotite; the dolomite marbles contain corundum in association with biotite; and the schists bear this mineral coexisting with biotite and chlorite. All these rocks additionally contain tourmaline, apatite, rutile, and pyrite. The biotite is typically highly aluminous (up to 1.9 f.u. Al), and the scapolite is rich in the marialite end member (60–75 mol %). The crystallization parameters of corundum were estimated using mineral assemblages at T = 600–650°C, P = 4–6 kbar, X _{CO 2} = 0.2–0.5 at elevated alkalinity of the fluid. The Sr concentration in the calcite and dolomite marbles is low (345–460 and 62–110 ppm, respectively), as is typical of recrystallized sedimentary carbonates. The variations in the ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio in the calcite and dolomite marbles (0.70852–0.70999 and 0.70902–0.71021, respectively) were controlled by the introduction of radiogenic ⁸⁷Sr during the metasomatic transformations of the rocks. The isotopic-geochemical characteristics obtained for the rocks and the results of numerical simulations of the fluid-rock interactions indicate that the corundum-bearing metasomatic rocks developed after originally sedimentary Phanerozoic carbonate rocks, with the desilication of the terrigenous material contained in them. This process was a manifestation of regional alkaline metasomatism during the closing stages of Alpine metamorphism. In the course of transformations in the carbonate reservoir, the juvenile fluid flow became undersaturated with respect to silica, which was a necessary prerequisite for the formation of corundum.     

Volkovsky deposit of titanomagnetite and copper-titanomagnetite ores with accompanying noble-metal mineralization, the Central Urals, Russia

The geology of the Volkovsky deposit, the composition of its rocks, titanomagnetite and copper-titanomagnetite ores with accompanying noble-metal mineralization, and their formation conditions are considered. Special attention is paid to the recently revealed noble-metal mineralization and its attendant character in respect to titanomagnetite ore is shown. Ore minerals and their relationships are characterized. Initially immiscible sulfide segregations are described and their evolution is traced up to interrelations with oxide and silicate cumulates. The distribution of noble metals (NM) in titanomagnetite and copper-titanomagnetite ores is discussed. Throughout ore formation, NM gradually accumulated in silicates, oxides, and sulfides. The highest NM concentrations are related to the sulfide schlieren and veinlike segregations in gabbroic rocks. It is suggested that the deposit was formed as a product of fractionation of basaltic magma. The copper-iron ore was deposited from the residual melt enriched in Cu, Fe, Ti, V and volatile P and S in a wide temperature range of 800 to 570°C. Noble metals concentrated in parallel with their own minerals (largely tellurides and native gold) at the final stage of crystallization of gabbroic intrusion.     

竹山下铀矿床碱交代岩特征与铀成矿关系

围岩与热液所发生的的置换作用称为交代作用,顾名思义碱交代作用就是钾、钠碱金属性化学物质参与交代作用。碱金属(钾、钠)带进热液蚀变岩称为碱交代岩。所以碱交代作用主要是以热液作用为主体,对金属元素成矿物质的迁移和富集成矿起到了很重要的作用。诠释了热液作用是成矿物质富集的驱动力。碱交代岩是竹山下铀矿床主要的蚀变类型之一。通过对竹山下碱交代型铀矿床的钻孔20-1碱交代岩进行野外踏勘采集样品、室内岩相学分析和电子探针成分分析研究,确定了竹山下地区碱交代作用对铀矿床的实质为钾交代作用,碱交代作用使得富铀岩石中的惰性铀成为活性铀,从而被活化迁移,富集成矿。     

四川九龙县里伍铜矿包裹体研究

成矿物质来源是矿床研究的重要内容。本文通过里伍铜矿含矿岩石中的石英流体包裹体的温度、成分和盐度测试分析,以及矿床地球化学特征研究,结合区域地质演化历史,揭示其成矿物质来源、成矿物质的运移和浓集机制,为解释里伍铜矿的成矿环境和成因提供依据。     

Palladium and gold minerals from the Baronskoe-Kluevsky ore deposit (Volkovsky complex, Central Urals, Russia)

Summary Drill cores from the newly discovered Baronskoe-Kluevsky Pd–Au deposit (Volkovsky massif, Central Urals) have been investigated by reflected-light and electron microscopy, and the ore minerals were analyzed by electron microprobe. The most abundant Platinum-group mineral (PGM) is vysotskite, ideally PdS, characterized by an unusual Pt,Ni-poor composition. Palladium also occurs in kotulskite (PdTe), stillwaterite (Pd₈As₃), and unknown Pd–As–Te compounds with vincentite-type Pd₃(As,Te), stillwaterite-type Pd₈(As,Te)₃, and Pd₇(As,Te)₂ stoichiometries. The main carrier of Au is Pd-rich electrum, approaching the composition Au₇₅Ag₁₅Pd₁₀, with minor Fe, Cu, Ni and Pt. The precious minerals are closely associated with minute blebs of chalcopyrite+magnetite disseminated throughout serpentinized olivine-apatite host rock. Paragenetic relationships among the ore minerals define a succession of crystallization events in the order: 1) Cu–Pd sulfides+electrum, 2) replacement by Pd–Te–As and late Pd–As PGM, 3) final replacement by magnetite. The paragenesis is tentatively related with cooling of a fluid phase in the late- to post-magmatic stage.