Geophysical Expression of Low Sulphidation Epithermal Au-Ag Deposits and Exploration Implications –Examples from the Hokusatsu Region of SW Kyushu, Japan–

Abstract: Low sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag deposits constitute a major exploration target for many mining companies worldwide. These deposits are commonly characterized by quartz vein systems which formed at temperatures often in the range 150–250°C giving rise to major alteration halos. Accompanying mineralization and associated alteration is the destruction and redistribution of magnetite in the host rocks and the formation of various K-bearing minerals such as adularia, illite and alunite. These alteration halos can often cover an area of at least several square kilometres and as such have the potential to be detected during reconnaissance geological surveys utilizing high resolution airborne aeromagnetic and radiometric sensors.
Analysis of airborne magnetic and radiometric data recently acquired over the Hokusatsu Region of SW Kyushu indicates that major low sulphidation epithermal Au-Ag deposits are characterized by several distinct geophysical features varying with the degree of post-mineralization cover and level of erosion. Several deposits coincide with extensive magnetic "flat" and high radiometric K–counts. In addition, several workers have shown that a very close association exists between Bouguer gravity highs and epithermal Au mineralization in the Hokusatsu Region. The combined use of areomagnetics, radiometrics and gravity data therefore provides an exceptionally effective approach to exploration for low sulphidation epithermal Au–Ag deposits in the Hokusatsu Region of Japan.     

Intrusion–Related Vein Gold Deposits: Types, Tectono-Magmatic Settings and Difficulties of Distinction from Orogenic Gold Deposits

Abstract: A spectrum of intrusion-related vein gold deposits is recognized. Representative examples are described of the following geochemical associations: Au-Fe oxide–Cu, Au–Cu–Mo–Zn, Au–As–Pb–Zn–Cu, Au–Te–Pb–Zn–Cu and Au–As–Bi–Sb. The associated intrusions range from small outcropping stocks to complex batholiths. The different vein associations are believed to reflect the compositions of related intrusions, which themselves characterize distinct tectonic settings. The Au-Fe oxide–Cu and Au–Cu–Mo–Zn associations belong to two broad groups of deposits, Fe oxide–Cu–Au and porphyry Cu–Au, both of which are related to highly oxidized calc-alkaline intrusions emplaced in sub–duction–related arcs. The Au–As–Pb–Zn–Cu association seems to be linked to somewhat less oxidized intrusions emplaced in a similar setting. The Au–Te–Pb–Zn–Cu association, which possesses well-known epithermal counterparts, is also found with highly oxidized intrusions, but of alkaline composition and back-arc location. In contrast, the Au–As–Bi–Sb association, part of a newly recognized class of intrusion-hosted Au–Bi–W–As deposits, is related to relatively reduced intrusions, spanning the boundary between the magnetite– and ilmenite–series. Such intrusions, which may host major bulk-mineable gold deposits, were emplaced along the landward sides of arcs, possibly during lulls in subduction, as well as in continental collision settings. Therefore, a variety of geological environments is prospective for vein and, by extrapolation, other styles of gold mineralization, not all of them fully appreciated in the past. Several features of vein gold deposits, including imprecise relationships to individual intrusive phases, poorly developed mineral and metal zoning, apparent time gaps between intrusion and mineralization and presence of low–salinity, CO₂–rich fluid inclusions, are commonly taken to indicate a non-igneous origin and to be more typical of orogenic (mesothermal) gold deposits generated during accretionary tectonic events. However, several or all of these features apply equally to some intrusion– related vein gold deposits and, therefore, do not constitute distinguishing criteria. The currently popular assignment of most gold-rich veins to the orogenic category requires caution, because of the geological convergence that they show with some intrusion-related deposits. A proper distinction between intrusion-related and orogenic gold deposits is crucial for exploration planning.     

Mineral Potential of Myanmar

Abstract: Myanmar is rich in mineral resources, and of potential importance are the deposits of antimony, chromium, nickel, PGM, copper, gold, lead, zinc, silver, tin and tungsten, which form district metallogenic provinces within the six geomor–phic–tectonic units. In terms of past production and potential mineral wealth Myanmar ranks high among Asian countries. The last few decades witnessed a dramatic fall in mineral production, but undoubtedly, the high level of mineral potential remains unrealized. This paper reveals mineral belts with a high level of economic potential which form attractive targets for mineral exploration and some individual mineral deposits of significant magnitude and grade, creating opportunities for development and mining investment.     

Tectono–Magmatic Evolution and Metallogenesis along the Northeast Jiangxi Deep Fault, China

Abstract: From the southernmost part of Jiangsu province to the northeastern part of Jiangxi province, China, the Northeast Jiangxi Deep Fault runs for about 400 km length with a width of 30 to 40 km. This fault marks the suture zone of two ter-ranes of Proterozoic age. At the both sides of the fault, Yanshanian granitic activity is recognized. That is, the Dexing-Wuyuan porphyry belt on the NW side of the fault, and the Damaoshan-Lingshan granite belt on the SE side. The former activity is characterized by the occurrence of small stocks of granodioritic composition, rich in siderophile elements but poor in LIL elements. No distinct Eu anomaly is recognized in the REE pattern, and a low initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratio is reported. Magnetite, sphene and apatite are observed as accessory minerals. On the contrary, granitic activity on the SE side of the fault is characterized by the occurrence of composite batholiths, in general of granitic to monzogranitic composition, rich in LIL and alkali elements but poor in siderophile and alkali earth elements. A strong Eu anamaly is recognized in the REE pattern, and initial ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr ratios are as high as 0. 716. Fluorite, zircon and REE minerals are observed as accessory minerals. These two contrasting granitic activities are refered to as syntexis– and transformation–types, respectively, following the classification commonly used in China, and have similar petrochemical characteristics to those defined for the magnetite– and ilmenite–series, and I– and S-type granitoids. Considering that the above igneous activity occurred far from the supposed subduction zone along the East Coast of China, intracontinental A-type (continent to continent) subduction is proposed to have occurred northwestwards along the NE Jiangxi Deep Fault during Yanshanian time due to a strong compressional stress from SE to NW. A-type subduction introduced the continental slab to some depth, and resulted in the production of the paired granitic activity observed on both sides of the fault. Many mineral deposits are associated with both granitic belts. In the Dexing-Wuyuan porphyry belt, the Dexing porphyry Cu and Yinshan polymetallic deposits are representative, whereas in the Damaoshan-Lingshan granite belt, several tens of rare metal deposits are known such as the Geyuan Nb–Ta–W–Sn deposits. Metal assemblages of those deposits reflect the source materials of magmas in both granitic belts.     

Determination of the Platinum-Group Elements and Gold in Twenty Rock Reference Materials by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) after Pre-Concentration by Nickel Sulfide Fire Assay

The platinum-group elements (PGE) and gold have been determined in twenty international rock reference materials by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after pre-concentration by a nickel sulfide fire assay. It was possible to achieve determination limits for a 50 g sample that ranged from 1 pg g^-1 (Rh) to 23 pg g^-1 (Au). Compared to published certified and recommended values for rock reference materials, the trueness of the method was found to be good. However, in some cases we observed large deviations for all elements in the sub 10 ng g^-1 range within individual reference sample splits. Our results show that the PGE and Au are inhomogeneously distributed in the reference materials analysed here, where they are present in low concentrations, using 50 g test portions.     

吉林夹皮沟金矿稳定同位素地质及找矿方向

吉林夹皮沟金矿床成因,多年来一直存在变质热液和岩浆热液之争。在金矿带北侧海西期花岗岩内和南侧白山镇一带变质岩地区进行外围找矿始终没有突破性进展。在前人研究基础上,通过一些补测工作对夹皮沟金矿稳定同位素地质给予新的认识。Ｓ和Ｃ、Ｈ、Ｏ流体主要来自地幔,部分Ｓ和Ｓｉ、Ｐｂ、Ａｕ主要来自花岗岩和古老变质层状岩系,成矿远景区应重点选定在夹皮沟—大砬子深大断裂两侧中生代脉岩体附近。     

稀矿山式铁铜矿床与奥林匹克坝式铜多金属矿床的对比研究

东川稀矿山式铁铜矿床与奥林匹克坝式铜、铀、金、稀土矿床对比研究表明,有其相似的地质构造背景和某些相近的成矿特征,但在某些成矿条件和矿化特征上又存在较大的差异。因此,在我国某些地质构造环境有利,稀矿山式铜多金属矿发育的地区,提出寻找类似奥林匹克坝式超大型铜多金属矿床,同时也应该注意稀矿山式铁铜矿床的成矿特征和评价标志。     

江西茅排金矿床地质特征及找矿方向

茅排金矿是我省近年发现、探明的又一小—中型岩金矿床。震旦纪—早古生代火山沉积建造提供主要成矿物质,多期次构造活动为成矿主要的控制因素,同期岩浆活动也促进了矿化富集。可注意沿北东—北北东向韧－脆性断裂带旁侧,多期次构造－岩浆发育地段寻找类似金矿。     

遗迹化石与潮控滨线海泛面的识别及准层序相组合──以塔里木盆地下志留统塔塔埃尔塔格组为例

塔里木盆地下志留统塔塔埃尔塔格组主要由潮坪沉积组成。根据遗迹化石与沉积特征,固底控制的遗迹化石Ｇｙｒｏｌｉｔｈｅｓ常常与沉积性不连续面（海泛面）有关,潮控滨线中的准层序由三类岩相组成,其中含砾砂岩相（相Ａ）为潮道沉积,未见遗迹化石;含交错层理细砂岩相（相Ｂ）为砂坪沉积,仅见少量的遗迹化石Ｓｋｏｌｉｔｈｏｓ;强生物扰动粉砂岩、泥岩相（相Ｃ）为砂、泥混合坪沉积,发育有丰富的遗迹化石,代表Ｓｋｏｌｉｔｈｏｓ－Ｃｒｕｚｉａｎａ混合遗迹相。     

川西南孔玉—会理地区内生金矿床成矿规律

从区域大地构造演化角度阐述了研究区的金矿成矿大地构造环境,及在不同成矿地质环境中产出的主要金矿床类型,代表性金矿床地质特征。从金成矿的地质背景、构造环境和岩浆活动等方面,结合地质事件和成矿作用的时间演化,总结了金矿成矿地层控矿规律、构造控矿规律、岩浆岩控矿规律和矿床时间分布规律。