Characteristics of Element Migration in the Process of Wall-Rock Alteration in the Shibangou Gold Deposit,Western Henan

The Shibangou gold deposit in western Henan is associated with irregular quartz veinlets occurring in altered shear zones dissecting a dioritic intrusion. The altered shear zones are characterized by silicification, pyriti-zation, sericitization, chloritization and K-feldspar alteration. Zoning of altered rocks adjacent to the Au-bearing quartz veins is obviously exhibited. Fine-grained sulphides and quartz veinlets of different ages and small-scale fissures are widely distributed in the central part of the altered zones. Major mineralization types in this gold deposit are Au-bearing quartz vehlets and altered rocks in the shear zones. Samples were collected from drilling cores according to the alteration zoning and mineralization type and all samples were analyzed for major and trace elements. Mass balance, volume change (fv=97.3-71.9%) and major element variation sequences are studied in terms of major elements. The changes of mobile components (SiO2, K.2O, Fe2O3 and CaO) and immobile component (Al2O3     

Isotope Geochemistry of Gold Ore Deposits in the Gezhen Shear Zone, Qiongxi, Hainan Island

Gold deposits hosted in the Gezhen shear zone at Qingxi, Hainan Island occur in the Preeambrian metamorphic rock series and are regionally developed in the N-E direction along the tectonic zone. From northeast to southwest are distributed the Tuwaishan-Baoban gold mining district, the Erjia gold mining district and the Bumo gold mining district, making up the most industrially important gold metallogenesis zone on the Hainan Island. Isotope geochemical studies of the typical gold deposits in this metallogenesis zone indicate that their ore-forming materials stemmed largely from the Baoban Group migmatite series, though the involvement of some plutonic materials could not be ruled out. The ore fluids are the mixture of migrnatitized hydrothermal solutions and meteoric waters in addition to the involvement of local magmatic hydrothermal solutions. The superimposition of plutonie materials and magmatic hydrothermal solutions is controlled by the deformation environment of the shear zone and later magrnatic activities. Obvious variations are noticed in isotopic composition in the region studied, probably related to tectonic deformation, metamorphism and other evolutionary characteristics. This study is of great significance in understanding the relationship between the shear zone and gold metallogenesis,the rules of gold metallogenesis and gold ore prognosis.     

Geological Fluid Mapping in the Tongling Area： Implications for the Paleozoic Submarine Hydrothermal System in the Middle-Lower Yangtze Metallogenic Belt, East China

The Tongling area is one of the 7 ore-cluster areas in the Middle-Lower Yangtze metallogenic belt,East China,and has tectonically undergone a long-term geologic history from the late Paleozoic continental rifting,through the Middle Triassic continent-continent collision to the Jurassic-Cretaceous intracontinental tectono-magmatic activation.The Carboniferous sedimentary-exhalative processes in the area produced widespread massive sulfides with ages of 303-321 Ma,which partly formed massive pyrite-Cu deposits,but mostly provided significant sulfur and metals to the skarn Cu mineralization associated with the Yanshanian felsic intrusions. To understand the Carboniferous submarine hydrothermal system,an area of about 1046 km~2 was chosen to carry out the geological fluid mapping.Associated with massive sulfide formation,footwall sequences 948 m to 1146m thick,composed of the Lower Silurian-Upper Devonian sandstone,siltstone and thin-layered shale,were widely altered.This hydrothermal alteration is interpreted to reflect large- scale hydrothermal fluid flow associated with the late Paleozoic crustal rifting and subsidence.Three hydrothermal alteration types,i.e.,deep-level semiconformable silicification(S_1),fracture-controlled quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration(S_(2-3)),and upper-level sub-discordant quartz-sericite-chlorite alteration(D_3),were developed to form distinct zones in the mapped area.About 50-m thick semiconformable silicification zones are located at～1-km depth below massive sulfides and developed between an impermeable shale caprock(S_1)and the underlying Ordovician unaltered limestone. Comparisons with modern geothermal systems suggest that the alteration zones record a sub-seafloor aquifer with the most productive hydrothermal fluid flow.Fracture-controlled quartz-sericite-pyrite alteration formed transgressive zones,which downward crosscut the semiconformable alteration zones, and upwards grade into sub-discordant alteration zones that enveloped no economic stringer- stockwork zones beneath massive sulfides.This transgressive zone likely marks an upflow path of high- flux fluids from the hydrothermal aquifer.Lateral zonation of the sub-discordant alteration zones and their relationship to overlying massive sulfide lenses suggest lateral flows and diffusive discharging of the hydrothermal fluids in a permeable sandstone sequence.Three large-sized,14 middle-small massive sulfide deposits,and 40 massive sulfide sites have been mapped in detail.They show regional strata- bound characters and two major styles,i.e.,the layered sheet plus strata-bound stringer-style and the mound-style.Associated exhalite and chemical sedimentary rock suites include(1)anhydrite-barite,(2) jasper-chert,(3)Mg-rich mudstone-pyrite shale,(4)barite lens,(5)siderite-Fe-bearing dolomite,and (6)Mn-rich shale-mudstone,which usually comprise three sulfide-exhalite cyclic units in the area. The spatial distribution of these alteration zones(minerals)and associated massive sulfides and exhalites,and regional variation inδ~(34)S of hydrothermal pyrite and inδ~(18)O-δ~(34)C of hanging wall carbonates,suggest three WNW-extending domains of fluid flow,controlled by the basement faults and syn-depositional faults.Each fluid domain appears to have at least two upflow zones,with estimated even spacing of about 5-8 km in the mapped area.The repeated appearance of sulfide-sulfate or sulfide-carbonate rhythmic units in the area suggests episodically venting of fluids through the upflow conduits by breaking the overlying seals of the hydrothermal aquifer.     

Tectonic-mineralizing Fluids in the Kekesayi Gold Deposit,Qinghe, XinjiangEI北大核心CSCD

The Kekesayi gold deposit is located in the Buergen ductile shear zone in the southern margin of Altay, Qinghe County, Xinjiang. The deposit consists of altered mylonite type and gold-bearing quartz veins type ores. The main ore-bearing rocks are gray metamorphic tuffs of the Tuoranggekuduke Formation. The ores are mostly lenticular and vein, and are strictly controlled by shear bands. Through field investigation, sample collection and laboratory identification, the structural alteration characteristics are studied in detail. The microstructure of quartz is analyzed by SEM cathodoluminescence (SEM-CL). The fluid inclusions of the deposit were studied by means of micro-temperature measurement and laser Raman analysis, and the tectonic-fluid evolution characteristics were discussed. Our results showed that: (1) The gold mineralization is closely related to the structural alteration of the ductile shear zone. The mylonitization, subgrain deformation and fluid structure are developed in the mining area. The recrystallized texture, dissolution structure and multistage composite shear structure characteristics of SEM-CL show that the deformation and metamorphism are very strong. The tectonic-hydrothermal activity resulted in strong silicification and pyritization and closely related to gold mineralization. (2) The fluid inclusions of quartz veins in the mineralized rocks are distributed in groups and the morphology of the fluid inclusions are mostly oval and tadpole in shape. The primary fluid inclusions are distributed in disorder, and the secondary fluid inclusions distribute linearly along the fissures mostly elongated owing to the strong tectonic deformation. Fluid inclusions are not of uniform size, generally are 8-20 μm. The types of inclusions can be classified according to the petrography and micro temperature measurement: two phase aqueous solution type (LH2O-VH2O), carbon-rich type (LH2O-LH2O) and single phase aqueous solution type (LH2O). The evolution of the fluid is characterized by high temperature, low salinity and rich CO2 in the early stage. As the deformation of the shear zone increases in the middle and late stages, the fluid evolved into low temperature, low salinity rich H2O. (3) The Kekesayi gold deposit has the characteristics of orogenic gold deposit, and the evolutionary characteristics of tectonic-ore forming fluids are consistent with the evolution of shear zones. Structural alteration of shear zone is the main controlling factor of mineralization. And magmatic hydrothermal alteration may also play an important role in mineralization. © 2018, Science Press. All right reserved.     

Oxygen Isotope Characteristics of the Footwall Alteration Zones in the Hongtoushan Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide Deposit, Liaoning Province, China and Restoration of Their Formation Temperatures

The Hongtoushan Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Deposit (VMSD) occurs in the Hunbei granite-greenstone terrane, Liaoning Province, NE China. Rocks in the mining area have been metamorphosed around 3.0–2.8 Ga to upper amphibolite facies at temperatures between 600°C and 650°C. Cordierite-anthophyllite gneiss (CAG) in the Hongtoushan mining area, which occurs hundreds of meters below the ore horizon, corresponds to the metamorphosed semi-conformable alteration zone of the VMSD hydrothermal system, whereas the one immediately below the main ore layer represents the metamorphosed pipe-like alteration zone. Whole-rock oxygen isotope signatures were well preserved in both types of CAGs, although the mineral components have been entirely changed during regional metamorphism. Therefore, whole-rock oxygen isotopes can be used to estimate the formation temperature of both types of alteration zone. Calculations show that the semi-conformable and pipe-like alteration zones for the Hongtoushan submarine hydrothermal system were formed at 290–360°C and 285–320°C, respectively, whereas estimates for the former were slightly higher than that of the latter, indicating that the semi-conformable alteration zone represents the deep part of the Hongtoushan seafloor hydrothermal system, while the pipe-like alteration zone represents the discharge conduits for metal-rich fluids, which is closer to the seafloor.     

Discovery of Early Tertiary Hydrothermal Activity and Its Significance in Oil／Gas Geology,Dougpu Depression,Henan Province,China

Data from the super-deep wells(PS10,PS14 and YS1)led to the discovery of widespread met-al-bearing hydrothermal fluids (or hot brines) related to basic magmas in the Lower Tertiary clastic sequence in the Dongpu Depression .In terms of SEM and EDAX analyses, pore-casting thin section examination of sandstone ,the composition and forming temperature of fluid inclusions ,the trace ele-ment composition of mustone and kerogen and organic geochemical analyses, it is demonstrated that the hydrothermal fluids existing in the area studied are ejecting fluids, which have a close bearing on diagenesis and sedimentation, rather than intrusive veins along the tectonic fractures.The main indicators of hydrothermal activity are:(1)abnormal alteration of kerogen;(2) high-temperature altered mineral assemblage;(30abnormal distribution of hydrocarbons;(4) specific assemblages and abnormal contents of heavy metals in mudstone and kerogen;(5) specific composi-tion of complex compounds and assemblages of fluid inclusions in sandstone;(6) periodic basaltic magma activity.Results of geological observations and laboratory simulating experiments demonstrated that the hydrothermal fluids have a close bearing on hydrocarbon generation in the Dongpu Depression. Two aspects of the effect of hydrothermal fluids are noticed:hydrothermal hydrocarbon production and strong metal catalysis in oil and gas generation.     

Rare Earth Element Behaviour in theWunugetushan Copper - Molybdenum Deposit,Inner Mongolia, and Its Implications

Considering porphyry and wall rocks as a whole system, the behaviour of rare earth elements (REE) in hydrothermal alteration and mineralization of the exceedingly large Wunugetushan porphyry Cu-Mo deposit of Inner Mongolia has been studied. It has been found for the first time that there exists complementary REE variation in hydrothermal alteration between porphyry and wall rocks, and Eu depletion has certain significance in indicating mineralization. Based on an analysis of the variation in REE contents of relevant minerals during the hydrothermal alteration, the ore-forming fluids are inferred to be depleted in ∑REE, comparatively enriched in ∑Y and strongly depleted in Eu. In the intermediate-strong alteration zones, porphyry and wall rock took part in hydrothermal metasomatism and alteration almost in equal ratio mass. Furthermore, studies of REE and hydrogen and oxygen isotopes and fluid inclusions confirm the existence of hydrothermal convection and the possibility of supplying part of ore mater     

Analysis of the Ore-Controlling Structure of Ductile Shear Zone Type Gold Deposit in Southern Beishan Area, Gansu, Northwest China

The ductile shear zone-type gold deposit is a kind that both the ore-forming mechanism and ore-controlling factors are closely related to the ductile shear zone and its evolution. Ductile shear zone develops in Beishan area, Gansu of Northwest China, and develops especially well in the south belt. The controls of the ductile shear zone on gold deposits are as follows. (1) The regional distribution of gold deposits (and gold spots) is controlled by the ductile shear zone. (2) The ductile-brittle shear zone is formed in the evolution process of ductile shear zone and both are only ore-bearing structures and con- trol the shape, attitude, scale, and distribution of mineralization zones and ore-bodies. (3) Com- presso-shear ductile deformation results in that the main kind of gold mineralization is altered mylonite type and the main alteralization is metasomatic. (4) Ore-bearing fracture systems are mainly P-type ones, some D-type and R-type ones, but only individual R’-type and T-type ones. (5) Dynamic differen- tiation and dynamic metamorphic hydrothermal solution resulting from ductile deformation is one of the sources of ore-forming fluid of gold mineralization, and this is identical with that ore-forming ma- terials are mainly from metamorphic rocks, and ore-forming fluid is mainly composed of metamorphic water, and with the fluid inclusion and geo-chemical characteristics of the deposit. (6) There is a nega- tive correlation between the gold abundance and susceptibility anisotropy (P) of the altered mylonite samples from the deposit, which shows that the gold mineralization is slightly later than the structural deformation. All above further expound the ore-forming model of the ductile shear zone type of gold deposits.     

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1674987115000961

The Jiaodong gold deposits are currently the most important gold resources(with Au reserves of4000 t) in China,and the leading gold-producing country globally(with Au production of ~428 t in2013).Jiaodong is also considered as perhaps the only world-class to giant gold accumulation on the planet where relatively young gold ores(ca.130-120 Ma) were deposited in rocks that are 2 Ga older.The Xincheng world-class high-grade gold deposit,with a proven reserve of 200 t gold,is one of the largest deposits in the giant gold province of the Jiaodong Peninsula.It is located in the northwestern part of the jiaobei Uplift,and hosted by ca.132-123 Ma Xincheng quartz monzonites and monzogranites.Ore zones are structurally controlled by the NE-trending and NW-dipping Jiaojia Fault and subsidiary faults,and are mainly restricted to the footwall of the fault.The dominant disseminated- and stockworkstyle ores are associated with strong sericitization,silicification,sulfidation and K-feldspathization,and minor carbonate wallrock alteration halos.The four mineralization stages are pyrite-quartz-sericite(stage 1),quartz-pyrite(stage 2),quartz-polysulfide(stage 3) and quartz-carbonate(stage 4).Gold occurs dominantly as electrum,with lesser amounts of sulfide-hosted native gold and rare native silver and argentite,normally associated with pyrite,chalcopyrite,galena and sphalerite:the latter with proven resources of about 105 t Ag,713 t Cu,and 5100 t S.There are three types of ore-related fluid inclusions:type 1 aqueous-carbonate(H_2O-CO_2),type 2aqueous(liquid H_2O+vapor H_2O),and type 3 CO_2(liquid CO_2 and vapor CO_2) inclusions.Homogenization temperatures range from 221 to 304℃ for type 1 inclusions,with salinities of 2.4-13.3 wt.%NaCl eq.,and bulk densities of 0.858-1.022 g/cm~3.The δ~(34)S_(CDT) values of hydrothermal sulfides are 4.3-10.6‰and δ~(18)O values of hydrothermal quartz have a median value of 13.0‰.δD values of fluid inclusions in hydrothermal quartz have a median value of-75‰.Calculated δ~(18)Owater has a median value of 5.2‰.The timing of gold mineralization at the Xincheng gold deposit is younger than 123±1 Ma,and likely between 120.9 and 119.9 Ma.A minerals system genetic model for the probable epizonal orogenic Xincheng deposit suggests an initial medium temperature,CO_2-rich,and low salinity H_2O-CO_2 deeply sourced metamorphic ore fluid associated with dehydration and decarbonization of subducting Paleo-Pacific lithosphere.The Jiaojia Fault constrained the migration of ore-forming fluids and metals at the brittle-ductile transition.Fluid immiscibility,caused by episodic pressure drops,led to significant high-grade gold deposition in the giant Xincheng gold deposit.     

Genesis of the Gold Deposit in the Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo Suture Zone, Southern Tibet: Evidence from Geological and Geochemical Data

The Nianzha gold deposit,located in the central section of the Indus-Yarlung Tsangpo suture(IYS) zone in southern Tibet,is a large gold deposit(Au reserves of 25 tons with average grade of 3.08 g/t) controlled by a E-W striking fault that developed during the main stage of Indo-Asian collision(~65-41 Ma).The main orebody is 1760 m long and 5.15 m thick,and occurs in a fracture zone bordered by Cretaceous diorite in the hanging wall to the north and the Renbu tectonic melange in the footwall to the south.High-grade mineralization occurs in a fracture zone between diorite and ultramafic rock in the Renbu tectonic melange.The wall-rock alteration is characterized by silicification in the fracture zone,serpentinization and the formation of talc and magnesite in the ultramafic unit,and chloritization and the formation of epidote and calcite in diorite.Quartz veins associated with Au mineralization can be divided into three stages.Fluid inclusion data indicate that the deposit formed from H_2O-NaCl-organic gas fluids that homogenize at temperatures of 203℃-347℃ and have salinities of 0.35wt%-17.17wt%NaCl equivalent.The quartz veins yield δ~(18)O_(fluid) values of 0.15‰-10.45‰,low δD_(V-SMOW)values(-173‰ to-96‰),and the δ~(13)C values of-17.6‰ to-4.7‰,indicating the ore-forming fluids were a mix of metamorphic and sedimentary orogenic fluids with the addition of some meteoric and mantle-derived fluids.The pyrite within the diorite has δ~(34)S_(V-CDT) values of-2.9‰-1.9‰(average-1.1‰),~(206)Pb/~(204)Pb values of 18.47-18.64,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb values of 15.64-15.74,and ~(208)Pb/~(204)Pb values of 38.71-39.27,all of which are indicative of the derivation of S and other ore-forming elements from deep in the mantle.The presence of the Nianzha,Bangbu,and Mayum gold deposits within the IYS zone indicates that this area is highly prospective for large orogenic gold deposits.We identified three types of mineralization within the IYS,namely Bangbu-type accretionary,Mayum-type microcontinent,and Nianzha-type ophiolite-associated orogenic Au deposits.The three types formed at different depths in an accretionary orogenic tectonic setting.The Bangbu type was formed at the deepest level and the Nianzha type at the shallowest.     

黑龙江金厂金矿床18号矿体围岩蚀变及短波红外光谱特征

金厂金矿18号矿体围岩蚀变发育顺序从早到晚为:钾化、硅化、绿泥石化、绢云母化、碳酸盐化、高蛉土化,从内往外依次发育青磐岩化带、绢英岩化带和钾化带.矿化出现在泥化和绢英岩化叠加处,以及泥化和青磐岩化叠加处.通过短波红外光谱测试技术,识别出本矿区有26种蚀交矿物,其中白云母含量与金矿体呈正相关,说明绢云母化与金矿化关系密切;青磐岩化带蚀变矿物组合为绿泥石+绿帘石+伊利石±埃洛石±蒙脱石±石英;钾化带蚀变矿物组合为钾长石+高岭石+埃洛石±蒙脱石±石英;绢英岩化带蚀变矿物组合为绢云母+埃洛石±蒙脱石±高岭石±石英.     

Gold mineralization in the West Hoggar shear zone,Algeria

The Amesmessa gold prospect is located along a vertical N-S-trending crustal-scale ductile shear zone; stretching lineations are subhorizontal. This major shear zone is a Late Pan African dextral strike-slip fault of the Pharusian Belt of the Tuareg Shield (Algeria). The Amesmessa shear zone is asymmetric: strong thermal and deformational gradients are present along its western border where biotitic ultramylonites are in contact with a rigid Archean complex (In Ouzzal block), whereas there is a progressive gradation, through mylonite then protomylonite, to the Proterozoic gneiss of the Eastern block which displays co-axial Pan African structures. The Amesmessa shear zone is characterized by the presence of a felsic dike complex emplaced during shearing, and forming the most important parent material for ultramylonites. Basic magmas and carbonatites also intruded within the shear zone. The gold-rich quartz veins are located within the ultramylonitic western part of the shear zone. These N-S-trending laminated quartz veins formed during the late increments of shearing (plastic/brittle transition), by repeated syntectonic hydraulic fracturing along zones of rheological contrast parallel to foliation. The ore mineral association (pyrite, galena, native gold, sphalerite) crystallized in the deformed quartz matrix along late shear planes. Undeformed E-W trending banded quartz veins are present in the mylonitic eastern part of the shear zone; their gold content is low and no native gold has been observed. A strong hydrothermal alteration resulted in the development (along the walls of the N-S gold-bearing quartz veins) of a 5-m-wide carbonate-sericite-albite-pyrite secondary mineral association which implies an important CO₂ supply and moderate temperature conditions. There is no alteration halo around the E-W quartz veins. Ultramylonites, hydrothermally altered rocks and quartz veins display similar REE patterns characterized by strong LREE enrichments. Shear-related fluids could be likely parental fluids for the Amesmessa gold mineralization and the associated hydrothermal alteration. Hydrothermal fluids were drawn into dilation zones and filled opening fractures along the main planar discontinuity of the most deformed rocks. The supply of CO₂ may come from a deep-seated source as suggested by the presence of carbonatite dikes in the shear zones and the existence of CO₂-H₂O-rich fluid inclusions in quartz. The location of the gold-bearing quartz veins in the western part of the shear zone can be explained by the presence of strong thermal and rheological gradients.     

Genesis of the hydrothermal gold deposits in the Canan area,Lepaguare District,Honduras

The Canan area (Honduras) is characterized by a gold-bearing ore deposit that is associated with quartz-veined shear zones. Gold mineralization occurs in low-to medium-grade metamorphic host-rocks (graphitic and sericitic schists). Hydrothermal fluids, which are associated with the emplacement of Cretaceous-Tertiary granodioritic intrusions, are responsible for the formation of quartz veins and the hydrothermal alteration of wall-rocks. Three main altered zones have been detected in the wall-rocks as far as 150 cm from the quartz veins. The distal zone (up to 50-cm thick) contains quartz, chlorite and illite. The intermediate zone is the thickest (up to 80 cm) and is marked by quartz, muscovite, sulphides, kaolinite and native elements such as Au and Ag. The proximal zone, which is close to the quartz veins, is rather thin (up to 25 cm) and contains clay minerals, Al-oxides-hydroxides and sulphides. The transition from the distal to the proximal zone is accompanied by the enrichment of SiO₂ and the depletion of all other major elements, except for Fe₂O_3(tot). Precious metals occur in the highest concentrations in the intermediate zone (Au up to 7.6 ppm and Ag up to 11 ppm). We suggest that gold was transported as a reduced sulphur complex and was precipitated from the hydrothermal solution by the reaction of the sulphur complexes with Fe²⁺ from the alteration of the mafic minerals of the host-rock. Fluid–wall-rock interactions seem to be the main cause of gold mineralization. Genetic relationships with a strike-slip fault system, hydrothermal alteration zones within the metamorphic wall-rocks, and an entire set of geochemical anomalies are consistent with orogenic-type gold deposits of the epizonal class.     

Alteration Patterns Related to Hydrothermal Gold Mineralizaition in Meta-andesites at Dungash Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract: The hydrothermal alteration patterns associating with the gold prospect hosted by metavolcanics in the Dungash area, Eastern Desert of Egypt, were investigated in order to assign their relationship to mineralization. The metavolcanics of andesitic composition are generated by regional metamorphism of greenschist facies superimposed by hydrothermal activity. Epidote and chlorite are metamorphic minerals, whereas sericite, carbonates, and chlorite are hydrothermal alteration minerals. The auriferous quartz vein is of NEE‐SWW trend and cuts mainly the andesitic metavolcanics, but sometimes extends to the neighbouring metapyroclastics and metasediments. Quartz‐sericite, sericite, carbonate‐sericite, and chlorite‐sericite constitute four distinctive alteration zones which extend outwards from the mineralized quartz vein. The quartz‐sericite and sericite zones are characterized by high contents of SiO₂, K₂O, Rb, and As, the carbonate‐sericite zone is by high contents of CaO, Au, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Y, and the chlorite‐sericite zone is by high contents of MgO, Na₂O, Zn, Ba, and Co. Gold and sulphide minerals are relatively more abundant in the carbonate‐sericite zone followed by the sericite one. The geochemistry of the alteration system was investigated using volume‐composition and mass balance calculations. The volume factors obtained for the different alteration zones, mentioned above (being 1.64, 1.19, 1.17, and 1.07, respectively), indicate that replacement had taken place with a volume gain. The mass balance calculations revealed addition of SiO₂, K₂O, As, Cu, Rb, Ba, Ni, and Y to the system as a whole and subtraction of Fe2O3 from the system. Initial high aK+ and aH+ for the invading fluids is suggested. As the fluids migrated into wallrocks, they became more concentrated in Mg, Ca, and Na with increasing activities of CO₂ and S. The calculated loss‐gain data are in agreement with the microscopic observations. Breakdown of ferromagnesian minerals and feldspars in the quartz‐sericite, sericite, and chlorite‐sericite zones accompanied by loss in Mg, Fe, Ca, and Na under acidic conditions and low CO2/H2O ratio may obstruct the formation of carbonates and sulphides, and the precipitation of gold in these zones. The role of metamorphic fluids in the area is expected to be restricted to the liberation of Au and some associated elements from their hosts.     

甘肃李坝金矿围岩蚀变与金成矿关系

西秦岭地区是目前国内造山型和卡林型金矿找矿的热点地区之一,已发现的甘肃李坝造山型金矿为超大型规模。以李坝金矿6号矿带为例,系统地研究了其蚀变矿物组合、近矿围岩蚀变分带及相应的金矿化特征,总结了矿床(带)的蚀变分带模式。该模式具典型的中心式环带结构,可分为3个蚀变带,由中心向外依次为黄铁绢英岩化带、绢云母化带和绿泥石化带。蚀变矿物组合分别为黄铁矿+绢云母+石英±毒砂±白云母±电气石±方解石、绢云母+绿泥石+石英+黄铁矿±黑云母及绿泥石+黑云母±绢云母±黄铁矿;与这3个蚀变带相对应的是金的富集带、矿化带和无矿带。蚀变岩石物质组分迁移分析表明,围岩蚀变及其分带是热水流体/岩石反应时岩石化学组分发生迁移的结果,矿化伴随着蚀变发生,且金矿化与黄铁矿化和浸染状硅化关系最为密切。     

Geology and Metallogenesis of the Sawayaerdun Gold Deposit in the Southwestern Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang, China

The Sawayaerdun gold deposit, located in Wuqia County, Southwest Tianshan, China, occurs in Upper Silurian and Lower Devonian low‐grade metamorphic carbonaceous turbidites. The orebodies are controlled by a series of NE‐NNE‐trending, brittle–ductile shear zones. Twenty‐four gold mineralized zones have been recognized in the Sawayaerdun ore deposit. Among these, the up to 4‐km‐long and 200‐m wide No. IV mineralized zone is economically the most important. The average gold grade is 1–6 g/t. Gold reserves of the Sawayaerdun deposit have been identified at approximately 37 tonnes and an inferred resource of 123 tonnes. Hydrothermal alteration is characterized by silicification, pyritization, arsenopyritization, sericitization, carbonatization and chloritization. On the basis of field evidence and petrographic analysis, five stages of vein emplacement and hydrothermal mineralization can be distinguished: stage 1, early quartz stage, characterized by the occurrence of quartz veins; stage 2, arsenopyrite–pyrite–quartz stage, characterized by the formation of auriferous quartz veinlets and stockworks; stage 3, polymetallic sulfide quartz stage, characterized by the presence of auriferous polymetallic sulfide quartz veinlets and stockworks; stage 4, antimony–quartz stage, characterized by the formation of stibnite–jamesonite quartz veins; and stage 5, quartz–carbonate vein stage. Stages 2 and 3 represent the main gold mineralization, with stage 4 representing a major antimony mineralization episode in the Sawayaerdun deposit. Two types of fluid inclusion, namely H₂O–NaCl and H₂O–CO₂–NaCl types, have been recognized in quartz and calcite. Aqueous inclusions show a wide range of homogenization temperatures from 125 to 340°C, and can be correlated with the mineralization stage during which the inclusions formed. Similarly, salinities and densities of these fluids range for each stage of mineralization from 2.57 to 22 equivalent wt% NaCl and 0.76 to 1.05 g/cm³, respectively. The ore‐forming fluids thus are representative of a medium‐ to low‐temperature, low‐ to medium‐salinity H₂O–NaCl–CO₂–CH₄–N₂ system. The δ³⁴S_CDT values of sulfides associated with mineralization fall into a narrow range of ?3.0 to +2.6‰ with a mean of +0.1‰. The δ¹³C_PDB values of dolomite and siderite from the Sawayaerdun gold deposit range from ?5.4 to ?0.6‰, possibly reflecting derivation of the carbonate carbon from a mixed magmatic/sedimentary source. Changes in physico‐chemical conditions and composition of the hydrothermal fluids, water–rock exchange and immiscibility of hydrothermal fluids are inferred to have played important roles in the ore‐forming process of the Sawayaerdun gold–antimony deposit.     

Chloritization of the hydrothermally altered bedrock at the Igarapé Bahia gold deposit,Carajás,Brazil

The Igarapé Bahia gold deposit has developed from weathering of a near-vertical hydrothermal Cu (Au) mineralization zone. The unweathered bedrock composed of chlorite schists is mainly metamorphosed basalts, pyroclastic and clastic sedimentary rocks and iron formation. Contents and Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios of chlorites increase from distal country rock towards the mineralization zone, which can be attributed to different water/rock ratios and locations in a hydrothermal system. In the hydrothermal system high salinity fluids convected through basin-floor rocks, stripping metals from the recharge zones with precipitation in discharge zones. The chlorite with lower Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios indicates alteration by relatively unreacted Mg-rich fluids, occurring within recharge zones. By contrast, the chlorite with higher Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratios in the mineralization zone formed from solutions rich in Fe, Mn, Au, Cu, H₂S and SiO₂ within a discharge zone. The iron formation could also be formed within the discharge zone or on the basin floor from the Fe-rich fluids. The distal country rock with less chlorite content is a hydrothermal product at low water/rock ratios whereas the proximal country rock and the host rock with more chlorite content formed at high water/rock ratio conditions. The Al(IV) contents of chlorites indicate that the formation temperatures of these rocks range from 204 to 266 °C, with temperatures slightly increasing from distal country rock towards the mineralization zone.     

Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of the Cretaceous Duolong Gold‐Rich Porphyry Copper Deposit in the Bangongco Arc,Northern Tibet

The Early Cretaceous Duolong gold‐rich porphyry copper deposit is a newly discovered deposit with proven 5.38 Mt Cu resources of 0.72% Cu and 41 t gold of 0.23 g t^?1 in northern Tibet. Granodiorite porphyry and quartz diorite porphyrite are the main ore‐bearing porphyries. A wide range of hydrothermal alteration associated with these porphyries is divided into potassic, argillic and propylitic zones from the ore‐bearing porphyry center outward and upward. In the hydrothermal alteration zones, secondary albite (91.5–99.7% Ab) occurs along the rim of plagioclase phenocryst and fissures. Secondary K‐feldspar (75.1–96.9% Or) replaces plagioclase phenocryst and matrix or occurs in veinlets. Biotite occurs mainly as matrix and veinlet in addition to phenocryst in the potassic zone. The biotite are Mg‐rich and formed under a highly oxidized condition at temperatures ranging from 400°C to 430°C. All the biotites are absent in F, and have high Cl content (0.19–0.26%), with log (X_Cl/X_OH) values of ?2.74 to ?2.88 and IV (Cl) values of ?3.48 to ?3.35, suggesting a significant role of chloride complexes (CuCl₂^‐ and AuCl₂^‐) in transporting and precipitating copper and gold. Chlorites are present in all alteration zones and correspond mainly to pycnochlorite. They have similar Fe/(Fe+Mg), Mn/(Mn+Mg) ratios, and a formation temperature range of 280–360°C. However, the formation temperature of chlorite in the quartz‐gypsum‐carbonate‐chlorite vein is between 190°C and 220°C, indicating that it may have resulted from a later stage of hydrothermal activity. Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ ratios of chlorites have negative correlation with Al^IV, suggesting oxygen fugacity of fluids increases with decreasing temperature. Apatite mineral inclusions in the biotite phenocrysts show high SO₃ content (0.44–0.82%) and high Cl content (1–1.37%), indicating the host magma had a high oxidation state and was enriched in S and Cl. The highest Cl content of apatite in the propylitic zone may have resulted from pressure decrease, and the lowest Cl content of apatite in the argillic zone may have been caused by a low Cl content in the fluids. The low concentration of SO₃ content in the hydrothermal apatite compared to the magmatic one may have resulted from the decrease of oxygen fugacity and S content in the hydrothermal fluid, which are caused by the abundant precipitation of magnetite.     

阿希金矿主要蚀变类型及其与金矿化关系

阿希金矿床赋存于下石炭统大哈拉军山组陆相火山岩中,成矿与破火山口(火山机构)环状断裂构造系统有关,属典型的冰长石-绢云母型大型金矿.阿希金矿近矿围岩蚀变为硅化、绢云母化、冰长石化、叶腊石化、绿泥石化等,以主矿体为中心向两侧共划分出6个蚀变矿物组合带,其中强硅化带和绢英岩化带与金矿化关系密切.     

Geothermometry, geochronology, and mass transfer associated with hydrothermal alteration of a rhyolitic hyaloclastite from Ponza Island, Italy

A rhyolitic hyaloclastite from Ponza Island, Italy, was hydrothermally altered, producing four distinct alteration zones based on X-ray diffraction mineralogy and field textures: (1) nonpervasive argillic zone; (2) propylitic zone; (3) silicic zone; and (4) sericitic zone. The unaltered hyaloclastite is volcanic breccia with clasts of vesiculated obsidian in a matrix of predominantly pumice lapilli. Incomplete alteration of the hyaloclastite resulted in the nonpervasive argillic zone, characterized by smectite and disordered opal-CT. The other three zones exhibit more complete alteration of the hyaloclastite. The propylitic zone is characterized by mixed-layer illite-smectite (I-S) with 10 to 85% I, mordenite, opal-C, and authigenic K-feldspar (akspar). The silicic zone is characterized by I-S with ≥90% I, pure illite, quartz, akspar, and occasional albite. The sericitic zone consists primarily of I-S with ≥66% I, pure illite, quartz, and minor akspar and pyrite. K/Ar dates of I-S indicate hydrothermal alteration occurred at 3.38 ± 0.08 Ma.Oxygen isotope compositions of I-S systematically decrease from zones 1 to 4. In the argillic zone, smectite has δ¹⁸O values of 21.7 to 22.0‰ and I-S from the propylitic, silicic, and sericitic zones ranges from 14.5 to 16.3‰, 12.5 to 14.0‰, and 8.6 to 11.9‰, respectively. δ¹⁸O values for quartz from the silicic and sericitic zones range from 12.6 to 15.9‰. By use of isotope fractionation equations and data from authigenic quartz-hosted primary fluid inclusions, alteration temperatures ranged from 50 to 65°C for the argillic zone, 85 to 125°C for the propylitic zone, 110 to 210°C for the silicic zone, and 145 to 225°C for the sericitic zone. Fluid inclusion data and calculated δ¹⁸O_water values indicate that hydrothermal fluids were seawater dominated.Mass-transfer calculations indicate that hydrothermal alteration proceeded in a relatively open chemical system and alteration in the sericitic zone involved the most extensive loss of chemical species, especially Si. Systematic gains in Mg occur in all alteration zones as a result of I-S clay mineral formation, and systematic losses of Na, Ca, and K occur in most zones. With the exception of Ca, calculations of mass transfer associated with hydrothermal alteration on Ponza agree with chemical fluxes observed in laboratory experiments involving hydrothermal reactions of rhyolite and seawater. The anomalous Ca loss at Ponza may be due to hydrothermal formation of anhydrite and later low-temperature dissolution. On the basis of Mg enrichments derived from circulating seawater, we estimate the following minimum water/rock ratios: 9, 3, 6, and 9 for the argillic, propylitic, silicic, and sericitic zones, respectively. Hydrothermal fluid pH for the propylitic and silicic zones was neutral to slightly basic and relatively acidic for the sericitic zone as a result of condensation of carbonic and perhaps other acids.