Mineralogical and Genetical Aspects of the Doyashiki Kuroko Deposits, Hokuroku Basin, Japan

Abstract. A detail investigation of ore and gangue minerals was performed on the Doyashiki Kuroko deposits, Hokuroku basin, Japan for the first time. Main ore minerals are sphalerite, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite-tennantite and digen-ite. Small amounts of enargite, wittichenite, electrum, covellite, bornite, marcasite and hematite are also observed. Quartz, barite and gypsum are common gangue minerals. Homogenization temperatures and salinities of fluid inclusions in quartz, sphalerite and barite range from 190 to 240C and 3.0 to 5.5 wt% NaCl equivalent, respectively. The FeS contents of sphalerite and Ag contents of electrum were 0.12 to 0.18 mol %, 39.0 to 39.6 atom %, respectively. The chemical composition of digenite as a primary mineral shows high sulfur contents.
These data indicate that ore fluid responsible for digenite and associated ore minerals was characterized by a range of high sulfur fugacity with a moderate formation temperature. This is concordant with the mineral assemblage of bornite-pyrite and chalcopyrite, which shows high sulfur fugacity conditions. It seems that the mineralization closely associated with acidic volcanism has occurred around 13 Ma of Middle Miocene on the seafloor at the depth of about 1500 m.     

Exploration Indices and Mineral Potential Map of the Kuroko Deposits in Northeast Japan

Abstract. Recent discoveries of seafloor hydrothermal mineralization in submarine volcanic centers of felsic magma in western Pacific island arcs are regarded as modern analogues of Kuroko type deposits. Studies of these deposits and their surrounding geology raised question whether the exploration activity for the Kuroko deposits on land which peaked in the 1960's was adequate or not. However, such an evaluation is not easy because the exploration data are about to be lost as a result of the closure of all the Kuroko mines in the area since 1994.
The Metal Mining Agency of Japan (MMAJ), therefore, decided to compile existing data on about 180 Kuroko deposits and related mineral occurrences in northeast Japan as a new Kuroko database.
This study extends a concept called "exploration indices" which was developed based on a case study of the thoroughly surveyed Hokuroku district to draw a potential map of the Kuroko occurrences for the entire northeast Japan quantitatively with a Geographical Information System (GIS). Effective exploration indices include: 1) distribution of dacitic-rhy-olitic submarine volcanic rocks of the Nishikurosawa and Onnagawa stages, 2) distribution of intrusive rocks of pre- and post-Kuroko horizon, 3) low aeromagnetic anomaly caused by hydrothermal alteration of magnetite, 4) low gravity anomaly which suggests depressions in the basement rocks such as a tectonic basin and/or caldera, and 5) nearby existence of vein type deposits. It is concluded that about 33 % of known Kuroko deposits fall within the high potential zone (score=4 and 5) that occupies only 4 % of the entire northeast Japan arc. The Kuroko potential map is, therefore, useful for limiting the target area for Kuroko type deposits in an island arc setting.     

Benthic Foraminifera in Siliceous Black Ore from the Ezuri Kuroko Deposit, Hokuroku District, Japan

Abstract: Abundant benthic foraminifera have been identified in thin sections of the siliceous black ore in the Ezuri Kuroko deposit, Hokuroku, Japan. By treating samples with conventional hydrofluoric acid digestion techniques, sponge spicules and radiolaria have also been recognized in the residue. Under microscopic observations, 94 individual foraminiferal specimens have been detected. However, as it is difficult to identify species or genera by means of microscope observations alone, only a small number of genera have been identified based on morphology. The foraminiferal assemblage is composed predominantly of agglutinated species (83%) with subordinate calcareous species (17%), and is assigned to the Cyclammina Assemblage based on the preponderance of Cyclammina (57%). The foraminifera are generally well preserved within micro‐crystalline to cryptocrystalline quartz, and exhibit no obvious features related to compaction or secondary deformation. Textural observations suggest that the siliceous component of this rock was not derived from an allochthonous block but instead constitutes autochthonous proto‐Kuroko sediment. The Cyclammina Assemblage in the ore is different from recently described foraminiferal assemblages in the vicinity of present deep‐sea hydrothermal vents, but is identical to those found in black shales of the Onnagawa to Funakawa stages in the Green Tuff region. The proto‐Kuroko sediment is assumed to have been deposited in an oxygen‐deficient environment within a closed, deep‐seated basin. The existence of siliceous microfossils suggests that the silica in the siliceous ore did not originate from silica sinter deposits produced by submarine hydrothermal activities, but from a biogenic siliceous ooze, probably composed of diatoms. Sulfide mineralization in the interstices of some of the microfossils is inferred to relate primarily to bacterial sulfate reduction associated with the decomposition of organic matter. The later sulfide mineralization associated with larger crystals (which contain fluid inclusions with homogenization temperatures of approximately 250C) cuts across the siliceous masses and foraminiferal septa, and may have been formed after consolidation of the siliceous ooze, accompanying the formation of acidic intrusive rocks during the late Onnagawa stage.     

黑矿型矿床成矿物质来源：日本上向黑矿铼—锇和氦同位素证据

上向黑矿（Uwamuki Kuroko)是日本最典型的黑矿型矿床，它形成于日本岛弧中新世矢折岛弧裂谷环境，产于双峰式岩石组合的长英质火山岩系中。矿床由下部筒状硅矿带和上部块状黑矿带构成，后者显示典型的上黑（黑矿）下黄（黄矿）金属分带。为探索研究长期争议的成矿物质来源，系统测定了矿石和主岩的Os,He同位素组成。含矿流纹岩系的R／RA值介于0．93－1．14间，证实该岩浆可能主要来源于陆壳重熔。上向黑矿的上部块状黑矿矿石具较高的^187Os/^188Os值（2．246－7．608），反映矿石Os主体来源于壳源沉积物或矿区基底岩系；下部脉状－网脉状硅矿、块状黄矿和少量黑矿则具低^187Os/^188Os值（0．423－0．793），证实矿石Os具两源性，估计幔源物质贡献约57％－89％，壳源物质贡献约11％－43％。此外，在上部块状黑矿带内部，矿石 ^187Os/^188O显示清楚的垂向韵律性变化，揭示了成矿流体及成矿物质的周期性混合，据此，本文提出了一个新的两阶段成矿模式。     

Jusa and Barsuchi Log Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposits from the Southern Urals of Russia: Devonian Analogs of the Kuroko Deposits of NE Honshu, Japan

Chemical analysis of 60 samples from the Jusa and Barsuchi Log volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry shows that, on average, the Jusa deposit is more enriched in the chalcophilic elements than the Barsuchi Log deposit, whereas the Barsuchi Log deposit is more enriched in the lithogenous elements and Te. In addition, the yellow ores in these deposits are more enriched on average in Cu, As and Mo and the black ores more enriched in Zn, Ga, Cd, Sb, Ba , Hg and Pb relative to each other. Both these deposits are similar in composition to the Kuroko deposits of NE Honshu and may be considered to be analogs of these deposits. The Kuroko deposits, however, contain much higher concentrations of As, Ag, Sb, Ba, Hg and lower contents of Te on average than the Jusa and Barsuchi Log deposits. Based on the higher contents of Te in the Barsuchi Log deposit compared to the Jusa deposit, as well as on textural considerations, it is concluded that the Barsuchi Log deposit is intermediate between the Urals- and Kuroko-type deposits, whereas the Jusa deposit is more analogous to the Kuroko-type deposits. Based on the compositional data presented here, the Jusa and Barsuchi Log deposits may be described as Zn-Pb-Cu-Ba deposits rather than as Zn-Cu-Ba deposits, as the Baimak-type deposits of the west Magnitogrosk zone have previously been described.     

Germanium-bearing Colusite in Siliceous Black Ore from the Ezuri Kuroko Deposit, Hokuroku District, Japan

Abstract. Germanium‐bearing colusite occurs with sphalerite, galena, tetrahedrite‐tennantite, chalcopyrite and pyrite in microdruses and veinlets in the siliceous black ore from the Ezuri Kuroko deposit in the Hokuroku district of Japan. X‐ray microdiffractometry of this mineral gives strongest lines at 1.60, 1.32 and 1.09 Å, which are consistent with the known powder diffraction data of colusite. On the basis of 32 S atoms per formula unit, electron microprobe analyses yield empirical chemical formulae of (Cu_{24 0}Fe_0.3Zn_1.0)_σ25.3V_1.9(A_s4.8Sb_0.2)_σ5.0Ge _1.3S₃₂ for Ge‐bearing colusite in close association with sphalerite, and (Cu_24.6Fe_0.9)_σ25.4V_1.8(A_s4.1 Sb_0.2)_σ4.3Ge_1.7S₃₂ for that coexisting with chalcopyrite, consistent with the ideal formula of Cu_24+xV₂(As, Sb)_6‐x(Sn, Ge)_xS₃₂ (x = 0 to 2) proposed by Spry et al. (1994) for this mineral species. The Ge‐bearing colusite mineralization is suggested to have occurred concurrently with consolidation of the siliceous black ore, possibly during hydrothermal modification in association with the igneous activity of the Ohtaki quartz diorite of the later Onnagawa stage. It is likely that biogenic siliceous ooze, a possible precursor of the siliceous black ore, may have served as an in situ source of Ge as well as other essential rare elements, leading to the formation of Ge‐bearing colusite during transformation or recrystallization of biogenic opal into a‐quartz.     

Trace Fossils and Sulfur Isotopes in Mudstones around the Kuroko Deposits in the Hokuroku Basin, Northeast Japan: An Attempt to Delineate the Depositional Environment

Abstract. A comprehensive investigation was carried out on the distribution of both trace fossils and sulfur isotopes in mud-stones in the Hokuroku district, northeast Japan, in the hope of delineating the depositional environment of the mudstones in which the Kuroko deposits are embedded. The mudstones are generally massive in structure and usually contain large trace fossils, being indicative of an aerobic biofacies. On the other hand, some mudstones in and above the Kuroko ore horizon are partly laminated and usually contain smaller trace fossils, being assignable to an anaerobic or dysaerobic biofacies. The δ³⁴S values of sulfides in the mudstones above and below the ore horizon range from -40 to -12 %o, indicating mostly oxic depositional conditions in equilibrium with the inferred aerobic biofacies. In the mudstones in the ore horizon, the δ³⁴S values exhibit regionally discriminated variations: -44 to -12 %o in areas far (>1 km) from the known Kuroko deposits and -24 to +6 %o in areas closer to them. The latter high δ³⁴S group implies the temporal occurrence of local anoxic basins in the vicinity of the known Kuroko deposits. At the time of late Nishikurosawa Stage (i.e. the currently assumed Kuroko metallogenic epoch), an intense oceanic stagnation is suggested to have taken place to form the local anoxic basins responsible for the formation and preservation of Kuroko deposits. This oceanic environmental event is considered to be most likely due to increasing biological productivity primarily triggered and enhanced by upwelling of NADW in the paleo-Sea of Japan at that time.     

塔西南缘铅锌矿带典型矿床的矿石组构特征

通过对位于西昆仑北带奥依塔格-库尔良晚古生代(弧后)裂陷盆地塔西南缘铅锌矿带典型矿床矿石结构构造特征进行研究,总结出该矿带各个矿床(点)之间具有相同或相似的矿物共生组合(黄铁矿-方铅矿-闪锌矿-黄铜矿)以及相似的组构特征。主要结构包括草莓状结构、骸晶结构、自形晶结构、固溶体分离结构、交代结构及揉皱结构等;构造包括浸染状构造、流动构造、条带状构造、脉状构造及角砾状构造等,这些组构特征的共性表明成矿作用均具有多期多阶段的特征,并指示出热水沉积成矿兼有后期热液改造的结构构造特征。结合野外地质特征,该区铅锌矿床形成经历了同生沉积与后期改造过程。     

Mineralogy and composition of Kuroko deposits from northeastern Honshu and their possible modern analogues from the Izu-Ogasawara (Bonin) Arc south of Japan: Implications for mode of formation

The Kuroko deposits of NE Honshu are a key type deposit for the study of volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. However, these deposits have not been studied in detail since the early 1980's and knowledge of their mode of formation is now dated. In this study, we present the analysis of 12 samples of the Kuroko deposits, 12 samples of submarine hydrothermal minerals from the Sunrise deposit and 6 samples from Suiyo Seamount, both of which are located on the Izu-Ogasawara (Bonin) Arc, for 27 elements. For the Kuroko deposit, Cd>Sb>Ag>Pb>Hg>As>Zn>Cu are highly enriched, Au>Te>Bi>Ba>Mo are moderately enriched, In>Tl are somewhat enriched and Fe is not significantly enriched relative to the average continental crust. Within each of these deposits, a similar pattern of element associations is apparent: Zn–Pb with As, Sb, Cd, Ag, Hg, Tl and Au; Fe–Cu–Ba with As, Sb, Ag, Tl, Mo, Te and Au; Si–Ba with Ag and Au; CaSO₄. The enrichment of the chalcophilic elements in these deposits is consistent with hydrothermal leaching of these elements from the host rocks which are dominantly rhyolite–dacite in the case of the Kuroko deposits, rhyolite in the case of the Sunrise deposit and dacite–rhyolite in the case of the Suiyo Seamount deposit. However, this pattern of element enrichment is also similar to that observed in fumarolic gas condensates from andesitic volcanoes. This suggests that there may be a significant magmatic contribution to the composition of the hydrothermal fluids responsible for the formation of the Kuroko deposits, although it is not yet possible to quantify the relative contributions of these two sources of elements.The compositional data show that Sunrise and Suiyo Seamount deposits are much closer compositionally to the Kuroko deposits from NE Honshu than are the submarine hydrothermal deposits from the JADE site in the Okinawa Trough which contain, on average, significantly higher concentrations of Pb, Zn, Sb, As and Ag than each of these deposits. In spite of the greater similarity in tectonic setting of the Hokuroku Basin in which the Kuroko deposits formed to the Okinawa Trough (intracontinental rifted back-arc basin) compared to Myojin Knoll and Suiyo Seamount (active arc volcanoes), it appears that submarine hydrothermal deposits from Myojin Knoll and Suiyo Seamount are closer analogues of the Kuroko deposit than are those from the Okinawa Trough. The present data are consistent with the magmatic hydrothermal model for the formation of Kuroko-type deposits as formulated by Urabe and Marumo [Urabe, T., Marumo, K., 1991. A new model for Kuroko-type deposits of Japan. Episodes 14, 246–251].     

甘肃省阳山金矿带金矿成矿特征及矿床成因研究

阳山金矿带位于川陕甘“金三角”地带,长约60km,主要包括四个矿段,即葛条湾矿段、安坝矿段、高楼山矿段和阳山矿段,截止目前累计提交资源量达220 t。通过对区域地质背景和矿床地质特征的深入研究,总结金矿成矿特征,阐明了金矿成因为具有“三多”(成矿物质多来源、成矿热液多类型及成矿地质作用的多期多阶段性与多样性)的特点。     

矿床空间分布的分形研究及其找矿意义——以三江南段银铅锌矿床分布为例

矿床的空间分布规律对地质勘查和找矿工作具有指导作用,三江南段地区是我国重要的多金属成矿区带,因此在该地区使用现代数学理论来研究矿床的空间分布规律具有重要意义. 本文在深入研究三江南段地区银铅锌成矿机理、成矿地质背景以及数盒子法(Box - counting method)的基础上采用近年来广泛使用的关联维数来研究该地区银铅锌矿床的空间分布规律.首先借助GIS技术量测了13个银铅锌矿床之间的距离,用不同的标度r及其对应的关联函数C(r)得到一点对序列( r,C(r)),然后通过在平面坐标下作出(lnr,lnC(r))的散点图,使用最小二乘法拟合直线来估算关联维数,整体拟合得到的关联维数D=0.875 ;分段拟合得到的关联维数D1=0.184、D2=1.00.研究结果表明三江南段地区的银铅锌矿床在空间上具有分形丛集分布的特征.依据本次研究,将该地区划分为三个银铅锌矿密集区,并就该地区找矿工作提出指导意见,同时也探讨了关联维数与盒子维数的差异.     

安徽宣城茶亭铜金矿床隐爆角砾岩特征及其成矿意义

安徽宣城茶亭铜金矿床是近年来在长江中下游浅覆盖区之南陵—宣城中—新生代火山—沉积盆地中新发现的一个大型矿床。文章以赋矿石英闪长玢岩侵入体内发育的隐爆角砾岩为对象,通过详细的钻孔岩心观察和显微岩相学研究,确定其地质特征并探讨其与成矿的关系。根据钻孔岩心观察确定的岩石构造特征及钻孔剖面圈定的角砾岩空间分布特征,茶亭铜金矿床发育的隐爆角砾岩呈上大下小的不规则筒状体,被隐伏的石英闪长玢岩侵入体包孕。根据角砾特征以及角砾间的裂隙和胶结物特征,可将隐爆角砾岩划分为隐爆浆屑角砾岩、隐爆热液角砾岩和隐爆破裂角砾岩三类,三类隐爆角砾岩空间上有规律地分布,以隐爆浆屑角砾岩为中心向外或向上依次过渡为隐爆热液角砾岩→隐爆破裂角砾岩→石英闪长玢岩。基于隐爆角砾岩与蚀变和矿化的关系推测,岩浆—气液隐蔽爆破作用所产生的大量裂隙为后期含矿岩浆热液和大气降水热液的运移、交代、混合乃至卸载、沉淀成矿提供了有利的构造空间。茶亭铜金矿床的矿体赋存于浅成斑岩侵入体中,其围岩蚀变类型与分带,以及矿化呈细粒浸染状和细脉—网脉状等地质特征显示其与斑岩型矿床极为相似,但矿化富集部位与隐爆角砾岩筒（体） 的一致,且矿床同时发育角砾状、脉状、团块状矿化,矿脉中发育热液硬石膏甚至形成硬石膏岩等地质特征又明显不同于斑岩型矿床。因此,文章将茶亭铜金矿床确定为一个与中酸性浅成斑岩侵入体密切相关的隐爆角砾岩型矿床。     

广西云开地区成矿系列及成矿谱系研究

广西云开地区是广西境内重要的铅锌金银多金属资源富集区之一。运用矿床成矿系列的理论和方法,对广西云开地区进行矿床成矿系列和成矿谱系研究,以典型矿床地质特征分析为基础,根据各矿种在区域内的演化归结为成矿谱系,初步厘定了3个矿床系列和2个亚系列。指出了该区燕山期成矿作用强烈,以与构造岩浆活动有关的金、银、铅锌矿床为主,以沉积岩容矿的层控热液型金、汞、锑、铅锌的大量发育为特征。广西云开地区成矿系列和成矿谱系的划分,对深入研究该地区区域成矿规律,指导矿产勘查工作具有重要意义。     

Source Diversity of Ore Sulfur from Mesozoic-Cenozoic Mineral Deposits in the Korean Peninsula Region

Abstract: Sulfides from the Daebo Jurassic granitoids and some ore deposits from Korean Peninsula and Sikhote Alin occurring in different basement settings were analyzed for δ³⁴S values. Highly positive values were obtained from Jurassic Mo skarn deposit at Geumseong of the Ogcheon belt (average +13. 0%), Au‐quartz vein deposits at Unsan, North Korea (+6. 7%), and late Paleozoic Sn‐F deposit at Votnesenka (+8. 2%), Khanka massif, Russia. Together with published data of that region, regional variation of δ³⁴S values is shown across Korean Peninsula. Sulfur isotopic data published are compiled on 88 ore deposits, whose mineralization epochs belong to Cretaceous (58 deposits), Jurassic (25 deposits) and Precambrian (4 deposits) in South Korea. Average sulfur isotopic values vary across South Korea as follows: Cretaceous deposits in the Gyeongsang basin, +4. 8% ranging +1.2 ? +12.7‰ (n=28); Jurassic and Cretaceous deposits in the Sobaegsan massif, +3. 5% ranging 0.0 ? +7.8‰ (n=20); those of the Ogcheon belt, +6. 4% ranging ‐0.5 ? +15.4‰(n=19); those of the Gyeonggi massif, +5. 5% ranging +2.1 ? +9.0‰(n = 21). The δ³⁴S values of South Korea tend to be concentrated around +5. 5 permil, exhibiting little, if any, a systematic variation across the geotectonic belts. This tendency is seen also in North Korea and Northeast China within the Cino‐Korean Block, and may be called as Cino‐Korean type. Sulfur of this type is derived mostly from the crystalline basement. Khanka massif of Russia seems to have features of the Cino‐Korean type. In contrast, paired positive/negative belts corresponding to magnetite‐series/ilmenite‐series granitic belts are overwhelming in the Japanese Islands, especially in Southwest Japan. The similar trend is also seen in southern Sikhote Alin and northern Okhotsk Rim, which may be called as Japanese type. Source of the sulfur in this type is likely in the subducting oceanic slab for positive value and accreted sedimentary complex for the negative value, respectively. The Daebo granitoids have an average rock δ³⁴S value of +5. 3 permil, which should have reflected that of the source rocks in the continental crust. The ore sulfur heavier than this value may have been originated in other granitoids having even higher δ³⁴S values, or the ore fluids interacted directly with sulfate sulfur of the host evaporites or carbonate rocks. Rock isotopic values of granitoids and basement rocks need to be examined in future from the above point of view in mind.     

广东石栏坑顶帚状构造特征及其控矿规律

石栏坑顶帚状构造为旋涡式左旋压扭性帚状构造,在它周围分布着许多中型钨多金属矿床及矿点,其构造体系也控制了该区锡铅锌多金属成矿带的分布。在对帚状构造的表现特征、成因机制、控矿机理进行了调查研究后,认为帚状构造是本区锡铅锌多金属矿体的控矿构造,本区找矿重点应放在该帚状构造向北东撒开的位置。     

湖南锡田钨锡多金属矿田燕山期NE向断层演化历史及其成矿意义

为了确定湖南锡田矿田燕山期NE向断层演化历史、蚀变特征及与钨锡成矿关系本文调查了矿田内燕山期断层野外宏观特征,对断层中充填石英脉进行了显微鉴定、阴极发光、含矿元素分析,结果显示:(1)断层以NE60°～70°平行分布于茶汉盆地南北两侧,均倾向茶汉盆地,断层的陡倾、棱角状角砾及梳状石英等指示了断层的张性性质;(2)断层经...     

安徽月山矿田成矿流体的迁移速率和规模

安徽月山铜、金矿田成矿流体从深部向浅部沿断裂、裂隙以及多孔介质(含微裂隙)运移,运动速率分别为1.4m/s、9.8×10~(-1)～9.8×10~(-7)m/s、3.6×10~(-7)～4.6×10~(-7)m/s,流体运移通道介质性质的变化引起流体运移速率的变化是导致成矿物质在介质接触界面中沉淀的主要原因之一。成矿流体在高温时主要迁移方向向上,流体通量为n×10~4～n×10~5mol/cm~2,中低温时运移方向多样,大气降水介入岩浆热液体系导致流体通量增大,流体通量为n×10~5～n×10~6mol/cm~2;成矿流体中所携带的成矿物质具备形成大型铜矿床的潜力。     

A Low‐Sulfidation Epithermal Mineralization in the River Reef Zone,the Poboya Prospect,Central Sulawesi,Indonesia: Vein Textures,Ore Mineralogy,and Fluid Inclusions

The Poboya Prospect lies along the North Northwest ‐ South Southeast Palu‐Koro Fault Zone in the central part of the West Sulawesi Arc. The geology of the area consists of the Palu Metamorphic Complex overlain by the Paleogene‐Neogene Tinombo Formation of volcanosedimentary rocks, the Celebes Molasse sediment, and Late Cenozoic granitic rocks. Petrography, scanning electron microscope with energy‐dispersive spectrometry (SEM‐EDS), electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA), and fluid inclusion microthermometry were carried out to examine vein textures, ore mineralogy, and characteristics of the ore‐forming fluid responsible for mineralization in the River Reef Zone, the Poboya Prospect. Textures of quartz‐carbonate veins in the River Reef Zone include massive micro‐comb, moss, colloform, crustiform, mosaic, feathery, flamboyant, lattice bladed, ghost bladed, parallel bladed, and saccharoidal textures representing primary growth, recrystallization, and replacement. The homogenization temperature and fluid salinity are 240–250°C and 0.3–0.7 wt% NaCl eq., respectively. Ore minerals precipitated in the early stage consist of electrum, naumannite‐aguilarite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, marcasite, sphalerite, and pyrrhotite. Apart from pyrrhotite, these ore minerals were also precipitated in the late stage along with selenopolybasite, freibergite, argyrodite, pyrargyrite, and galena. Selenium more preferably occurs as the crystallographic replacement of sulfur in naumannite‐aguilarite, argyrodite, pyrargyrite, selenopolybasite, and freibergite instead of as independent selenide minerals. The low‐sulfidation epithermal deposit in the River Reef Zone, the Poboya Prospect, illustrates the potential of the West Sulawesi Arc, particularly along the Palu‐Koro Fault Zone, to host epithermal gold mineralization.     

Invisible Gold from the Hishikari Epithermal Gold Deposit, Japan: Implication for Gold Distribution and Deposition

Abstract. The presence of invisible gold was confirmed in arsenian pyrite from the Hishikari epithermal gold deposit, Kagoshima, Japan, by means of EPMA and SIMS analyses. The relative concentration of invisible gold may be positively correlated with As contents (0.01 to 10.37 wt%) of fine-grained arsenian pyrite which commonly occurs in the auriferous quartz veins. Although arsenian pyrite occurs widely in any mineralization stage with electrum and other sulfide, sulfosalts, selenide or telluride minerals, arsenian pyrites having higher As contents accompanied by invisible gold occur dominantly in the middle stage of fine-adularia-quartz and in the late stage of coarse-quartz rather than in the early stage of columnar-adularia.