Polymetallic Mineralization at the Nakakoshi Copper Deposits, Central Hokkaido, Japan

Abstract: Polymetallic mineralization at the Nakakoshi deposits, Kamikawa town, central Hokkaido, occur as fracture-filling veins in Cretaceous slate of the Hidaka Supergroup. Ten veins have been recognized in NE-SW and E-W directions. Sericite in altered slate which is the host of the deposits, was dated at 31. 1 Ma, Oligocene in age.
No. 9 vein consists of massive chalcopyrite ore with various kinds of minerals such as pyrite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, Ag-minerals and Cu–Zn–Fe–In–Sn–S minerals, quartz and sericite. Chalcopyrite and pyrite contain sphalerite star and sphalerite with chalcopyrite emulsions. Maximum indium contents of sphalerite and the Cu–Zn–Fe–In–Sn–S minerals are 1. 8 and 16. 3 wt%, respectively. The sulfur isotopic ratios, δ³⁴S of ore minerals, range from –12. 9 to –9. 6%. Formation temperatures of the sulfide minerals are estimated as 300–500°C, based on the paragenesis and chemical compositions of the minerals.     

Inferred Indium Resources of the Bolivian Tin‐Polymetallic Deposits

Tin‐polymetallic base metal deposits of Miocene age in the Eastern Cordillera in Bolivia were studied by ICP/MS and EPMA for major and minor elements, paying an attention to indium concentration of the ore deposits. The highest indium content and 1000 In/Zn ratio of individual ore deposits are 5,740 ppm and 22.2 for the Potosi deposits, 2,730 ppm and 7.4 for Bolivar deposit, 2,510 ppm and 17.5 for Siete Suyos–Animas deposits, and 1,290 ppm and 3.3 for San Vicente deposit. The same content and ratio of composite samples of the studied deposits are up to 292 ppm and 4.0 for Potosi deposits, 3,080 ppm and 11.3 for Huari Huari deposit, 100 ppm and 0.3 for Tuntoco deposit, 152 ppm and 1.8 for Porco deposit, 103 ppm and 59.2 for Animas deposit, and 1,160 ppm and 3.7 for Pirquitas deposit. Those of zinc concentrates are as follows: 1,080 ppm and 2.1 at San Lorenzo; 584 ppm and 1.7 at Bolivar; 499 ppm and 1.23 at Porco; 449 ppm and 1.21 at Reserva, and 213 ppm and 0.61 at Colquiri deposit. Indium occurs mostly in dark colored sphalerite and that of the Potosi deposit was found to have one of the highest concentrations, containing up to 1.27 wt% In. Petrukite was discovered in the Potosi deposit, and indium minerals are expected to occur in the Huari Huari deposit and others with the high 1000 In/Zn ratios. The indium contents of the zinc concentrates and composite samples were applied to the produced and remaining ores, then the total amounts of indium in the Bolivian tin‐polymetallic base metal deposits are speculated to be more than 12,000 tons In, which is bigger than that of South China (11,000 tons) and the Japanese Islands (9,000 tons). Sphalerites of the Potosi deposit have one of the highest ranges of indium, similarly to those of the San Vicente deposit. Both the San Vicente and Potosi deposits are rich in silver, implying significance of both silver‐polymetallic and tin‐polymetallic environments for the concentration of trace amounts of indium.     

Granitoid Types Related to Cretaceous Plutonic Au-Quartz Vein and Cu-Fe Skarn Deposits, Kitakami Mountains, Japan

Abstract. Early Cretaceous granitic intrusions are associated with Au‐quartz veins and Cu‐Fe skarns in the the Kitakami Mountains, which are underlain by the late Paleozoic of continental margin‐type sedimentary rocks and Mesozoic accretionary complexes. The plutonic rocks are divided into potassic, high‐Sr/Y calc‐alkaline and low‐Sr/Y calc‐alkaline series. All the metallic mineral deposits are spatially associated with small stocks and plugs; they show no consistent association with the larger plutonic bodies. The plutonic rocks generally belong to the magnetite series but less oxidized in the southwestern part of the Kitakami Mountains where Au‐quartz veins occur. The gold deposits are classified into high and low sulfide types. The high sulfide type contains a high volume of sulfide minerals mostly of chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite with low bulk Au/Ag ratios. This type occurs almost exclusively in and surrounding the Orikabe pluton, including two most important gold deposits (Oya and Kohoku) of the Kitakami Mountains. The pluton is composed of potassic gabbroids, potassic granitoids of the shoshonite ‐ high‐K calc‐alkaline series (Orikabe type), and less potassic Sasamori‐type granodiorite. All these rocks belong to a moderately oxidized magnetite series. The Orikabe pluton has one of the lowest initial Sr ratio (0.70392) in the Kitakami Mountains, and the Au‐Cu‐dominant ore components of the high sulfide type Au deposits are considered magmatic in origin carried by the juvenile magmas from the upper mantle. The low sulfide type is generally plain quartz vein with a low volume of sulfides and a high bulk Au/Ag ratio. The associated minerals are often scheelite and/or arsenopyrite and pyrrhotite. The ore deposits include historically famed Au‐quartz veins at Shishiori and Ogayu. They are widespread in the southwestern Kitakami Mountains and may be later than the high sulfide type in age, and are hosted most commonly in the sedimentary rocks, which surround small weakly oxidized magnetite‐series plutons of low to intermediate Sr/Y series. These less differentiated intrusions typically include quartz dior‐ite and granodiorite. Some ore components of this type may have derived from the host sedimentary rocks. Among other mineral deposit types in the region, the largest ore deposit is Kamaishi Cu‐Fe skarn (magnetite ores of 58 MT, Fe 50–64 %; Cu 143 KT). It is related to the high‐Sr/Y series Ganidake granodiorite stock, which is a strongly oxidized magnetite‐series body. In contrast, the second largest deposit in the mountains, Akagane deposit, is a similar‐type skarn but associated with an intrusion classified as less oxidized, ilmenite to intermediate series, and that is intermediate in Sr/Y of calc‐alkaline series granodiorite. Degree of magmatic differentiation appears to be not critical factor in the formation of Au‐quartz vein and Cu‐Fe skarn deposits in the region, but is definitely significant for controlling the distribution of the Mo‐mineralization to the east.     

Resource Evaluation and Some Genetic Aspects of Indium in the Japanese Ore Deposits

Abstract. There have been two primary sources for industrial indium; one from massive sulfides, while the other is dissemination-veins and skarns, related to felsic igneous rocks. The latter group of the In-bearing deposits is abundant in the Japanese Islands. Indium occurs as In-minerals such as sakuraiite, roquesite, laforetite and many unidentified minerals, but the majority is contained as an impurity in sphalerite, and tin and copper sulfides. Average grades of the ores from which indium has been extracted vary from a few ppm (e.g., Kosaka mine) to more than 300 ppm (Toyoha mine). The amount of indium in all the major basemetal deposits is estimated by analyzing representative samples. The main indium deposits are subvolcanic and tin-poly-metallic vein types. The largest one is Toyoha mine (4,700 tons hi) and the Ashio mine (ca. 1,200 tons In) was found to be the second largest. Many small occurrences, were recognized in the Miocene magnetite-series belt, besides the classic occurrences in the ilmenite-series granitic terrains of SW Japan, including the Ikuno and Akenobe tin(-tungsten) polymetallic veins, located in the northern margin of the late Cretaceous Sanyo ilmenite-series province. Magnetite-series magmas with deep source are necessary to concentrate sulfur in the magma chamber but sedimentary source rocks and their reducing agents are needed to collect and to precipitate indium. The Japanese islands are essentially accretionary terrains intruded by various deep oxidized magmas; thus forming magnetite/ilmenite-series paired belts, which are sometimes mixed. This unique geologic setting may be the most fundamental reason why indium is rich in vein-type deposits of the Japanese Island arcs.     

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.     

Reconstruction of Physicochemical Environment of Hydrothermal Mineralization at Malanjkhand Copper Deposit,Central India: Constraints from Sulfur Isotope Ratios in Pyrite,Molybdenite and Chalcopyrite

δ³⁴S values of pyrite, molybdenite and chalcopyrite were determined from the Malanjkhand copper deposit. These minerals constitute the primary sulfide phases that were deposited after the initial magnetite deposition in the main orebody and host granitoid. Pyrite exhibits a depleted range of values (?2.63 to ?0.56‰), chalcopyrite, a very narrow range of values around zero (?0.039 to 0.201‰) and molybdenite furnishes a range of enriched values (0.68 to 1.98‰). On back calculation of the δ³⁴S values of H₂S in the fluid from which the minerals were likely to have precipitated, using standard expressions for equilibrium fractionation at the temperature range obtained from fluid inclusion and mineral fluid equilibria, it is observed that H₂S in the fluid at pyrite deposition was depleted and gradually became enriched towards molybdenite and chalcopyrite deposition. This trend is best explained as being due to inorganic reduction of SO₄^2? in the fluid and is very much in agreement with the paragenetic sequence indicating increasing activity of H₂S in the fluid. The very restricted range in the δ³⁴S values of sulfide minerals in the fluid does indicate a single, possibly magmatic, source of sulfur that also agrees well with the earlier deduced model of genesis of the deposit as an ancient geothermal system associated with granitic magmatism.     

A Proposal of Caldera-Related Genesis for the Roseki Deposits in the Mitsuishi Mining Area, Southwest Japan

Abstract: Geology of the largest Roseki (pyrophyllite–clay)–mineralized, Mitsuishi mining area was re–examined, and a composite caldera model (Wake caldera) was proposed. Evidence for the caldera formation is (1) Existence of huge volume of rhyolitic tuffs in the mining area, (2) A basin structure in rhyolitic tuffs surrounded by the Permo-Triassic basement rocks, (3) Arc-like distribution of the Roseki deposits along the eastern edge of the proposed caldera, (4) Tectonic disturbance and intrusive bodies along the caldera wall, and (5) Presence of meso– and mega-breccias at the bottom of the caldera wall. The proposed caldera, sizing NNW-SSE 23 km by ENE-WSW 15 km, may have younger, Inner caldera (15 by 15 km), defined by Lower Member of the late Cretaceous rhyolitic tuffs, thus composite in character. The Roseki deposits were formed after the Inner caldera collapse by hydrothermal fluids ascended through the caldera wall, then spread into the permeable horizon. This caldera proposal bears a significant change in the regional exploration strategy for the Roseki deposits.     

Fractionated Ilmenite-series Granites in Southwest Japan: Source Magma for REE-Sn-W Mineralizations

Abstract. Various leucocratic biotite granites, low-temperature I-type, from the middle zone of the Sanyo ilmenite-series granitic terrane were studied chemically. These granites are locally associated with REE-Sn-W mineralizations, and were compared with unmineralized granites and batholithic Ryoke granites in three areas of the Chubu, Kinki and Chugoku Districts. They are unique in the region because they have extremely low ferromagnesian components but high Rb/Sr and 10000Ga/Al ratios. These granites are divided petrographically into the main phase, finer-grained marginal phase and younger sheets and dikelets. These rocks have increasing of HREE+Y and Nb+Ta contents in this order, which is also followed by decreasing zircon saturation temperature from 780 to 725C. Together with the mode of occurrence of these granites, the leucogranitic magmas are considered to have formed by in-situ fractionation of the host granitic magmas near the top of the magma chambers. The concentration of HREE, Y, Nb and Ta in these Sanyo Belt leucogranites is principally controlled by magmatic fractionation.     

Comparative geochemical,magnetic susceptibility,and fluid inclusion studies on the Paleoproterozoic Malanjkhand and Dongargarh granitoids,Central India and implications to metallogeny

The Malanjkhand granodiorite (MG) hosting economic copper mineralization and the hitherto barren Dongargarh granitoids (DG) have subtle differences in their petrographic and bulk geochemical features. The two plutons are contiguous and occur in the northern part of the Bhandara Craton in Central India with intervening volcanosedimentary sequence of the Dongargarh Supergroup amidst older gneisses. The Dongargarh granitoids studied in two smaller units have higher bulk magnetic susceptibility than the Cu-bearing MG; the majority of samples studied from the latter being ilmenite-series rocks. DG crystallized at higher pressures compared to MG. Plagioclase composition ranges from albite to high bytownite in MG, whereas its compositional range is restricted to high andesine in DG. However, both intrusions give identical temperature ranges estimated by binary feldspar thermometry. Biotite in MG shows higher Fe/Mg ratios, as well as a greater range of compositional variation, than that in DG. MG has a moderately fractionated rare earth element distribution pattern without any significant Eu anomaly, showing depletion in mid-range rare earth elements (REE) and no depletion in heavy REE. DG is characterized by a prominent negative Eu anomaly. Geochemical features indicate subtle differences in the nature of source rocks and/or melting processes responsible for the generation of the two granitoids. MG displays more consistent bulk chemical features and is possibly a result of crystallization from a homogeneous granodioritic melt. DG displays a greater diversity and possibly incorporated a significant felsic crustal component that contributed to the parent melt. A fluid inclusion study of quartz grains from the granitoids and barren quartz veins occurring in MG indicates identical low-temperature nature of the fluid in both cases. They differ from the fluid in the mineralized zone in MG in the absence of a high-temperature component and CO₂ in the fluid. Late-stage fluids in DG and associated barren quartz veins compare well with those from MG. The hydrothermal activity following the granite emplacement seems to have operated under identical temperature conditions, and the aqueous fluid at the two occurrences seems to have been broadly similar. In both cases, internal evolution of the exsolved fluid to low temperatures and moderate salinity are visualized. Based on the existing information, the lack of ore potential in DG may be attributed to the metal and volatile (water + halogens) deficient nature of the parental granitic melt.