The Geological Characteristics of Xiachahe Au Deposit Zhenyuan, Yunnan

Please?refer?to?the?attachment(s)?for?more?details.     

Physicochemical Conditions of Differential Mineralization of Au and As in Gold Deposits,Southwest Guizhou Province,China

The conditions under which gold and arsenic are enriched separately during mineralization in gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou Province were described and the thermodynamic calculations gave: 200–150°C at 400 × 10⁻⁶ -300 × 10⁶ Pa (corresponding to a depth between 1.6 km and 1.2 km); lgf o₂,−40 to -35 Pa; lgf s₂, -20 to−16 Pa; pH 5.0 -4.2 and Eh -0.53 V. This project was jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Open Lab. of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences.     

Petrogenesis and metallogenic setting of porphyries of the Duobuza porphyry Cu–Au deposit,central Tibet,China

Given that the Duobuza deposit was the first porphyry Cu–Au deposit discovered in central Tibet, the mineralization and mineralized porphyry in this area have been the focus of intensive research, yet the overall porphyry sequence associated with the deposit remains poorly understood. New geological mapping, logging, and sampling of an early granodiorite porphyry, an inter-mineralization porphyry, and a late-mineralization diorite porphyry were complemented by LA–ICP–MS zircon dating, whole-rock geochemical and Sr–Nd isotopic analyses, and in situ Hf isotopic analyses for both inter- and late-mineralization porphyry intrusions. All of the porphyry intrusions are high-K and calc-alkaline, and were emplaced at ca. 120 Ma. The geochemistry of these intrusions is indicative of arc magmatism, as all three porphyry phases are enriched in light rare earth elements and large ion lithophile elements, and depleted in heavy rare earth elements and high field strength elements. These similar characteristics of the intrusions, when combined with the relatively high (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i, negative ε_Nd(t), and positive ε_Hf(t) values, suggest that the magmas that formed the porphyries were derived from a common source region and shared a single magma chamber. The magmas were generated by the mixing of upwelling metasomatized mantle-wedge-derived mafic magmas and magmas generated by partial melting of amphibolite within the lower crust.The inter-mineralization porphyry has the lowest ε_Nd(t) and highest (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr)_i values, suggesting that a large amount of lower-crust-derived material was incorporated into the melt and that metals such as Cu and Au from the enriched lower crust were scavenged by the parental magma. The relative mafic late-mineralization diorite porphyry phase was formed by the residual magma in the magma chamber mixing with upwelling mafic melt derived from metasomatized mantle. The magmatic–hydrothermal evolution of the magma in the chamber released ore-forming fluid that was transported mainly by the inter-mineralization porphyry phase during the mineralization stage, which ultimately formed the Duobuza porphyry Cu–Au deposit.These porphyritic intrusions of the Duobuza deposit have high Mg^# and low (La/Yb)_N values, and show some high LILE/HFSE ratios, indicating the magma source was enriched by interaction with slab-derived fluids. Combined with age constraints on the regional tectonic evolution, these dating and geochemical results suggest that the Duobuza porphyry Cu–Au deposit formed in a subduction setting during the final stages of the northward subduction of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean.     

Tourmaline Composition of the K??lada? Au Deposit, U?ak, Turkey

Please refer to the attachment(s) for more details     

Geochemical Studies of Au—bearing Formation in Jiaodong Peninsula,Shandong Province

Geochemical characteristics of the Upper Archean-Lower Proterozoic Jiaodong Group-the host rocks of the famous Jiaodong gold deposit are described in this paper.It is shown that the Jiaodong Group is an important Au-bearing formation containing 19.5 ppb Au on average, about 5 times as much the abun-dance in the crust.It is also found that the distribution of gold in the strata is uneven and that plagioclase amphibolite is the prospective Au -bearing rock.In the processes of regional metamorphism, migmatization and fault -remelting ,gold in the source bed was remobilized and concentrated to from various types ofgold deposits in this province.     

Later stages of evolution of an epithermal system: Au–Ag mineralizations at Apigania Bay, Tinos Island, Cyclades, Hellas, Greece

Precious metals accompany all types of epithermal deposits. In general, the largest of these deposits occur in intrusive or extrusive rocks of alkaline or calc-alkaline affinity. The Apigania Bay vein system and Au–Ag mineralization is hosted in Mesozoic marbles and schists, and is composed primarily of five nearly parallel, high-angle quartz veins that extend for at least 200 m. Gold–silver mineralization, in association with more than thirty ore and vein minerals, is developed in three stages and occurs at the contact of marbles and schists. Zones of epidote–chlorite–calcite and sericite–albite alteration are associated with precious metal-bearing milky and clear quartz veins. Fluid inclusion studies suggest that hydrothermal mineralization was deposited under hydrostatic pressures of ~100 bars, at temperature of 120–235°C, from low to moderate, calcium-bearing, saline fluids of 0.2 to 6.8 equiv. wt.% NaCl. Calculated isotope compositions (δ¹⁸O?=??4.7‰ to 1.7‰ and δD?=??120‰ to ?80‰) for waters in equilibrium with milky and clear quartz are consistent with mixing with dilute, low temperature meteoric ore fluids. Calculated δ ¹³C_CO2 (0.6‰ to 1.1‰) and δ ³⁴S_H2S (?7.3 to ?0.3‰) compositions of the ore fluids indicate exchange, in an open system, with a metasedimentary source. Gold and silver deposition was associated with degassing of hydrogen due to intense uplift of the mineralizing area. The physicochemical conditions of mineralization stages I to III range between 200°C and 150°C, $f_{{\text{S}}_2 } = 10^{ - 18.1} $ to 10^?16.8, $f_{{\text{O}}_2 } = 10^{ - 44.0} $ to 10^?41.5, pH?=?6.9 to7.6, $f_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{S}}} = 10^{ - 3.4} $ to 10^?2.6 and $a_{{\text{H}}_{\text{2}} {\text{S}}} = 10^{ - 2.7} $ to 10^?2.6. Apigania Bay could be possibly considered the latest evolutional phase of Tinos hydrothermal system.     

Peculiarities of Ore Formation at the Teploe Ag–Au Deposit,Northeast Russia

The mineralogical–geochemical and thermobarogeochemical features of the Teploe Ag–Au epithermal deposit are considered. The dissolution and redeposition of ore minerals are a result of thermal metamorphism. The redistribution of Ag leads to the formation of lenaite and exsolution structures in minerals of the Cu–Ag–S system; abundant stromeyerite, jalpaite, and mckinstryite compose a significant amount of ores. The atypical physicochemical parameters of the formation of ores include high (for epithermal mineralization) temperatures and low salinity and density of the fluid typical of a dry vapor. The results of fluid inclusion study ascribe the Teploe deposit to an intermediate class of epithermal deposits.     

Petrogenesis and timing of emplacement of porphyritic monzonite,dolerite, and basalt associated with the Kuoerzhenkuola Au deposit,Western Junggar,NW China: implications for early Carboniferous tectonic setting and Cu–Au mineralization prospectivity

ABSTRACT

The Kuoerzhenkuola epithermal Au deposit is located in the northern part of the West Junggar region of NW China and is underlain by a recently discovered porphyritic monzonite intrusion that contains Cu–Au mineralization. Zircon LA-ICP-MS U–Pb dating of this intrusion yielded an age of 350 ± 4.7 Ma. The porphyritic monzonite is calc-alkaline and is characterized by high concentrations of Sr (583–892 ppm), significant depletions in the heavy rare earth elements (HREE; e.g. Yb = 0.96–2.57 ppm) and Y (10.4–23.3 ppm), and primitive mantle-normalized multi-element variation diagram patterns with positive Sr and Ba and negative Nb and Ti anomalies, all of which indicate that this intrusion is compositionally similar to adakites elsewhere. The composition of the porphyritic monzonite is indicative of the derivation from magmas generated by the melting of young subducted slab material. The area also contains Nb-enriched basalts that are enriched in sodium (Na₂O/K₂O = 1.20–3.90) and have higher Nb, Zr, TiO₂, and P₂O₅ concentrations and Nb/La and Nb/U ratios than typical arc basalts. The juxtaposition of adakitic rocks, Nb-enriched basalts, and dolerites in this region suggests that the oceanic crust of the expansive oceans within the West Junggar underwent early Carboniferous subduction. Magnetite is widespread throughout the Kuoerzhenkuola Au deposit, as evidenced by the volcanic breccias cemented by late hydrothermal magnetite and pyrite. In addition, the zoned potassic, quartz-sericite alteration, and propylitic and kaolin alteration in the deeper parts of the porphyritic monzonite are similar to those found in porphyry Cu–Au deposits. These findings, coupled with the mineralogy and geochemistry of the alteration associated with the Kuoerzhenkuola Au deposit, suggest that the mineralization in this area is not purely epithermal, with the geology and geochemistry of the porphyritic monzonite in this area suggesting that a porphyry Cu–Au deposit is probably located beneath the Kuoerzhenkuola Au deposit.     

He–Ar Isotopic Tracing of Pyrite from Ore-forming Fluids of the Sanshandao Au Deposit, Jiaodong Area

The Sanshandao Au deposit is located in the famous Sanshandao metallogenic belt, Jiaodong area. To date, accumulative Au resources of 1000 t have been identified from the belt. Sanshandao is a world-class gold deposit with Au mineralization hosted in Early Cretaceous Guojialing-type granites. Thus, studies on the genesis and ore-forming element sources of the Sanshandao Au deposit are crucial. He and Ar isotopic analyses of fluid inclusions from pyrite(the carrier of Au) indicate that the fluid inclusions have 3 He/4 He=0.043–0.21 Ra with an average of 0.096 Ra and 40 Ar/36 Ar=488–664 with an average of 570.8. These values represent the initial He and Ar isotopic compositions of ore-forming fluids for trapped fluid inclusions. The comparison of H–O isotopic characteristics combined with deposit geology and wall rock alteration reveals that the ore-forming fluids of the Sanshandao Au deposit show mixed crust–mantle origin characteristics, and they mainly comprise crust-derived fluid mixed with minor mantle-derived fluid and meteoric water during the uprising process. The ore-forming elements were generally sourced from pre-Cambrian meta-basement rocks formed by Mesozoic reactivation and mixed with minor shallow crustal and mantle components.     

Geological and Geochemical Constraints on the Trinity Pattern of Au Deposits in Ciemas, West Java, Indonesia

Please refer to the attachment(s) for more details     

The Constraints on the Differential Enrichment of Au and As During Hydrothermal Mineralization,Southwest Guizhou,China

The differential enrichment of gold and arsenic observed in As-bearing hydrothermal gold deposits in Southwest Gizhou is induced by vapor-liquid separation in response to changing physico-chemical conditions during the hydrothermal evolution and is a reflection of the geochemical behavior of the two elements.     

Genesis of Middle Miocene Yellowstone hotspot-related bonanza epithermal Au–Ag deposits,Northern Great Basin,USA

Epithermal deposits with bonanza Au–Ag veins in the northern Great Basin (NGB) are spatially and temporally associated with Middle Miocene bimodal volcanism that was related to a mantle plume that has now migrated to the Yellowstone National Park area. The Au–Ag deposits formed between 16.5 and 14 Ma, but exhibit different mineralogical compositions, the latter due to the nature of the country rocks hosting the deposits. Where host rocks were primarily of meta-sedimentary or granitic origin, adularia-rich gold mineralization formed. Where glassy rhyolitic country rocks host veins, colloidal silica textures and precious metal–colloid aggregation textures resulted. Where basalts are the country rocks, clay-rich mineralization (with silica minerals, adularia, and carbonate) developed. Oxygen isotope data from quartz (originally amorphous silica and gels) from super-high-grade banded ores from the Sleeper deposit show that ore-forming solutions had δ ¹⁸O values up to 10‰ heavier than mid-Miocene meteoric water. The geochemical signature of the ores (including their Se-rich nature) is interpreted here to reflect a mantle source for the “epithermal suite” elements (Au, Ag, Se, Te, As, Sb, Hg) and that signature is preserved to shallow crustal levels because of the similar volatility and aqueous geochemical behavior of the “epithermal suite” elements. A mantle source for the gold in the deposits is further supported by the Pb isotopic signature of the gold ores. Apparently the host rocks control the mineralization style and gangue mineralogy of ores. However, all deposits are considered to have derived precious metals and metalloids from mafic magmas related to the initial emergence of the Yellowstone hotspot. Basalt-derived volatiles and metal(loid)s are inferred to have been absorbed by meteoric-water-dominated geothermal systems heated by shallow rhyolitic magma chambers. Episodic discharge of volatiles and metal(loid)s from deep basaltic magmas mixed with heated meteoric water to create precious metal ore-forming fluids. Colloidal nanoparticles of Au–Ag alloy (electrum), naumannite (Ag₂Se), silica, and adularia, likely nucleated at depth, traveled upward, and deposited where they grew large enough to aggregate along vein walls. Silica and gold colloids have been reported in hot springs from Yellowstone National Park, suggesting that such processes may continue to some extent to the present. However, it is possible that the initial development of the mantle plume led to a major but short-lived “distillation” process which led to the mid-Miocene bonanza ore-forming event.

Intermetallic compounds,copper and palladium alloys in Au–Pd ore of the Skaergaard pluton,Greenland

Copper–palladium intermetallic compounds and alloys (2314 grains) from the Au–Pd ore of the Skaergaard layered gabbroic pluton have been studied. Skaergaardite PdCu, nielsenite PdCu₃, (Cu,Pd)_β, (Cu,Pd)_α, (Pd,Cu,Au,Pt) alloys, and native palladium have been identified as a result of 1680 microprobe analyses. The average compositions and various chemical varieties of these minerals are characterized, as well as vertical and lateral zoning in distribution of noble metals. The primary Pd–Cu alloys were formed within a wide temperature interval broadly synchronously with cooling and crystallization of host gabbro and in close association with separation of Fe–Cu sulfide liquid. In the course of crystallization of residual gabbroic melt enriched in iron, noble and heavy metals and saturated with the supercritical aqueous fluid, PGE and Au are selectively concentrated in the Fe–Cu sulfide phase as Pd–Cu and Cu–Au alloys.     

Formation of the Vysoká–Zlatno Cu–Au skarn–porphyry deposit, Slovakia

The central zone of the Miocene Štiavnica stratovolcano hosts several occurrences of Cu–Au skarn–porphyry mineralisation, related to granodiorite/quartz–diorite porphyry dyke clusters and stocks. Vysoká–Zlatno is the largest deposit (13.4 Mt at 0.52% Cu), with mineralised Mg–Ca exo- and endoskarns, developed at the prevolcanic basement level. The alteration pattern includes an internal K- and Na–Ca silicate zone, surrounded by phyllic and argillic zones, laterally grading into a propylitic zone. Fluid inclusions in quartz veinlets in the internal zone contain mostly saline brines with 31–70 wt.% NaCl eq. and temperatures of liquid–vapour homogenization (Th) of 186–575°C, indicating fluid heterogenisation. Garnet contains inclusions of variable salinity with 1–31 wt.% NaCl eq. and Th of 320–360°C. Quartz–chalcopyrite veinlets host mostly low-salinity fluid inclusions with 0–3 wt.% NaCl eq. and Th of 323–364°C. Data from sphalerite from the margin of the system indicate mixing with dilute and cooler fluids. The isotopic composition of fluids in equilibrium with K-alteration and most skarn minerals (both prograde and retrograde) indicates predominantly a magmatic origin (δ¹⁸O_fluid 2.5–12.3‰) with a minor meteoric component. Corresponding low δD_fluid values are probably related to isotopic fractionation during exsolution of the fluid from crystallising magma in an open system. The data suggest the general pattern of a distant source of magmatic fluids that ascended above a zone of hydraulic fracturing below the temperature of ductile–brittle transition. The magma chamber at ∼5–6 km depth exsolved single-phase fluids, whose properties were controlled by changing PT conditions along their fluid paths. During early stages, ascending fluids display liquid–vapour immiscibility, followed by physical separation of both phases. Low-salinity liquid associated with ore veinlets probably represents a single-phase magmatic fluid/magmatic vapour which contracted into liquid upon its ascent.     

Triassic Epithermal Au and Porphyry Related Cu-Mo Mineralization of the Chatree Deposit, Central Thailand

Please refer to the attachment(s) for more details     

Geology,mineralogy, geochemistry and δ34S of sedimentary rock-hosted Au deposits in Song Hien structure,NE Vietnam

The Song Hien rift basin is considered to be one of the most important regions of gold mineralisation in North East Vietnam. A number of gold deposits in the Song Hien rift basin are hosted in Triassic and Devonian sedimentary formations of the basin. The largest among them are the Bo Va, Tham Riem and Khung Khoang deposits. The Bo Va deposit is hosted in carbonaceous sedimentary rocks of Triassic age, whereas the Tham Riem and Khung Khoang deposits are hosted in carbonaceous sedimentary rocks of Devonian ages. Based on the mineral composition of the ores, the deposits can be divided into to two types: (i) pyrite dominated and (ii) pyrite-arsenopyrite dominated. The Khung Khoang is of the first type and the Bo Va and Tham Riem deposits belong to the second type. The isotopic composition of pyrite and arsenopyrite in the Tham Riem deposit however, is close to that for the ores of the Bo Va deposit. The δ³⁴S value for pyrite ranging from −3.7‰ to −7.4‰ and for arsenopyrite ranging from −3.2‰ to 7.4‰. The δ³⁴S of pyrite in the ore from the Khung Khoang deposit however, has a much heavier isotopic composition of +18.9 to +20.2‰. A narrow range of the variation of sulfur isotopic composition of pyrite and arsenopyrite, the presence of visible gold as inclusions, the presence of chalcopyrite, sphalerite and other inclusions in arsenopyrite and pyrite, the large size of the grains of major ore minerals allow us to assume that the primary gold ores of the Bo Va and Tham Riem deposits underwent metamorphic transformations. The absence of arsenic, antimony, mercury and other characteristic elements in the ores of the Khung Khoang deposit, and substantially heavier isotopic composition of sulfur similar to the sulfur isotopic composition of marine sulfates in the Devonian, allow us to assume another source of the ore components, not connected with the Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Song Hien rift.     

Specific composition of native silver from the Rogovik Au–Ag deposit,Northeastern Russia

The first data on native silver from the Rogovik Au–Ag deposit in northeastern Russia are presented. The deposit is situated in central part of the Okhotsk–Chukchi Volcanic Belt (OCVB) in the territory of the Omsukchan Trough, unique in its silver resources. Native silver in the studied ore makes up finely dispersed inclusions no larger than 50 μm in size, which are hosted in quartz; fills microfractures and interstices in association with küstelite, electrum, acanthite, silver sulfosalts and selenides, argyrodite, and pyrite. It has been shown that the chemical composition of native silver, along with its typomorphic features, is a stable indication of the various stages of deposit formation and types of mineralization: gold–silver (Au–Ag), silver–base metal (Ag–Pb), and gold–silver–base metal (Au–Ag–Pb). The specificity of native silver is expressed in the amount of trace elements and their concentrations. In Au–Ag ore, the following trace elements have been established in native silver (wt %): up to 2.72 S, up to 1.86 Au, up to 1.70 Hg, up to 1.75 Sb, and up to 1.01 Se. Native silver in Ag–Pb ore is characterized by the absence of Au, high Hg concentrations (up to 12.62 wt %), and an increase in Sb, Se, and S contents; the appearance of Te, Cu, Zn, and Fe is notable. All previously established trace elements—Hg, Au, Sb, Se, Te, Cu, Zn, Fe, and S—are contained in native silver of Au–Ag–Pb ore. In addition, Pb appears, and silver and gold amalgams are widespread, as well as up to 24.61 wt % Hg and 11.02 wt % Au. Comparison of trace element concentrations in native silver at the Rogovik deposit with the literature data, based on their solubility in solid silver, shows that the content of chalcogenides (S, Se, Te) exceeds saturated concentrations. Possible mechanisms by which elevated concentrations of these elements are achieved in native silver are discussed. It is suggested that the appearance of silver amalgams, which is unusual for Au–Ag mineralization not only in the Omsukchan Trough, but also in OCVB as a whole, is caused by superposition of the younger Dogda–Erikit Hg-bearing belt on the older Ag-bearing Omsukchan Trough. In practice, the results can be used to determine the general line of prospecting and geological exploration at objects of this type.     

Sulfur isotope and fluid inclusion geochemistry of metamorphic Cu–Au vein deposits,central Cobar area,NSW, Australia

Vein-type, structurally controlled Cu–Au mineralisation hosted by turbidites of late Silurian to earliest Devonian age, forms an important resource close to the eastern margin of the Cobar Basin. Here we report 103 new sulfur isotope analyses, together with homogenisation temperatures and salinity data for 545 primary two-phase fluid inclusions for the mineralised zones from the central area of the Cobar mining district. A range in δ³⁴S values from 3.8 to 11.2‰ (average 7.9‰) is present. Sulfur is likely to have been derived from rock sulfur/sulfide in basin and basement rocks, but there may be an additional connate-derived component. Homogenisation temperatures (T_h) for inclusion fluids trapped in quartz and minor calcite veins range from near 150°C to 397°C. Fluid inclusions are characterised by a low CO₂ content and low, but variable salinities (2.1–9.1 wt% NaCl equivalent). Generations of inclusion fluids correspond to six paragenetic stages of vein quartz deposition and recrystallisation at the Chesney mine. Primary fluid inclusions in the first two stages were subjected to re-equilibration resulting from increased confining pressure. Their T_h range (151–317°C) is considered a minimum for the temperature of these fluids. Sulfide and gold deposition at Chesney appears to be related to fluids of moderately high T_h (range 270–397°C) associated with the final paragenetic stage. T_h for the ore-related fluids may be close to the solvus of the H₂O–NaCl–CO₂ system and hence near trapping temperatures. Late-stage entry of a hot, moderately saline ore-forming fluid is implicated as the origin of the Cu–Au mineralisation. However, comparison with geochemical data for the vein-style Zn–Pb–Ag deposits at Cobar demonstrates that differences in metal content for individual zones cannot be attributed to major differences in fluid temperature or salinity. Rather, these differences are probably due to variations in source-rock reservoirs and structural pathways along which the ore-forming fluids moved.