Understanding heavy mineral enrichment using a three‐dimensional numerical model

Layered deposits of relatively light and heavy minerals can be found in many aquatic environments. Quantification of the physical processes which lead to the fine‐scale layering of these deposits is often limited with flumes or in situ field experiments. Therefore, the following research questions were addressed: (i) how can selective grain entrainment be numerically simulated and quantified; (ii) how does a mixed bed turn into a fully layered bed; and (iii) is there any relation between heavy mineral content and bed stability? Herein, a three‐dimensional numerical model was used as an alternative measure to study the fine‐scale process of density segregation during transport. The three‐dimensional model simulates particle transport in water by combining a turbulence‐resolving large eddy simulation with a discrete element model prescribing the motion of individual grains. The granular bed of 0·004 m in height consisted of 200 000 spherical particles (D50 = 500 μ m). Five suites of experiments were designed in which the concentration ratio of heavy (5000 kg m⁻³) to light particles (i.e. 2560 kg m⁻³) was increased from 6%, 15%, 35%, 60% to 80%. All beds were tested for 10 sec at a predefined flow speed of 0·3 m sec⁻¹. Analysis of the particle behaviour in the interior of the beds showed that the lighter particles segregated from the heavy particles with increasing time. The latter accumulated at the bottom of the domain, forming a layer, whereas the lighter particles were transported over the layer forming sweeps. Particles below the heavy particle layer indicated that the layer was able to armour the particles below. Consequentially, enrichment of heavy minerals in a layer is controlled by the segregation of a heavy mineral fraction from the light counterpart, which enhances current understanding of heavy mineral placer formation.     

The sum of component concentrations as a quality indicator in X-ray electron probe microanalysis of minerals

X-ray electron probe microanalysis is a complete mineral analysis technique. Therefore, the sum of obtained concentrations can be used as an indicator of the quality of analysis. There are two kinds of errors of the sum of concentrations. The first is related to the deviation of the sum from the basic value and can be called a difference error. The second is the scattering of results around the mean value and can be called an averaging error. The difference error characterizes the reproducibility of the measurements and equals 0.41% at the current precision level. The averaging error characterizes the repeatability of the measurements and equals 0.23%. The difference error can be used as a quality indicator directly during analysis, while the averaging error can be used after analysis of a batch of specimens. According to the modified three-sigma rule, the acceptable sum values of separate analyses are in the range 98.8-100.8%. This range is obviously valid only for an ideal model with a basic sum value of 100%. In real analyses, the basic value deviates from 100% because of the presence of elements which are not detected in the analysis and elements with a variable valence. According to the three-sigma rule, the acceptable scattering of the sum of concentrations around the average value is ± 0.7%.     

K–Ar dating of authigenic minerals in siliciclastic sequences: an example from the south Sanfranciscana Basin (Western Minas Gerais,Brazil)

K–Ar dating was applied on authigenic potassic minerals which are abundant in sandstones from the south of the Sanfranciscana Basin, Western Minas Gerais State, central Brazil. The Quintinos Member fluvial sandstones (Três Barras Formation, Areado Group) contain significant amounts of authigenic K‐feldspar as microcrystals of adularia and sanidine habits. The ages of these microcrystals cluster into three groups: 106.1 ± 2.2, 89.9 ± 1.9 and 88.8 ± 1.8 Ma (from Albian to Coniacian). The older age of 106.1 ± 2.2 Ma was obtained from the coarse fraction analysed (10–20 µm) that can contain a mixture of detrital potassic minerals (K‐feldspar, muscovite, biotite and illite) and different authigenesis of K‐feldspar (overgrowths and microcrystals). Thus, only the younger ages were interpreted as precipitation of K‐feldspar microcrystals during the Late Cretaceous into the Quintinos Member sandstones. Moreover, these ages can document the formation of microcrystals within a few million years after deposition of the sandstones. The ages of authigenic illite from the Capacete Formation epiclastic sandstones (Mata da Corda Group) range from 88.5 ± 1.9 to 71.5 ± 1.9 Ma (Coniacian–Campanian). These results suggest the timing of the illitization event in these sandstones as well as a synchrony with K‐feldspar authigenesis in the Quintinos Member sandstones. These results are well constrained and are in agreement with stratigraphic, biostratigraphic and radiometric ages previously reported for the Sanfranciscana Basin. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

内蒙古准苏吉花矿区岩矿石物性与地震波组特征研究

在金属矿地震勘探中,岩矿石弹性参数尤为重要。为更好地开展金属矿地震方法技术试验研究,本文对内蒙古准苏吉花矿区的钻孔岩心标本进行了密度和速度测试,在此基础上,开展了金属矿地震方法试验。根据获得的试验区岩矿石弹性参数测试结果,讨论了不同岩矿石的反射系数和速度与密度之间的关系。研究结果表明:花岗闪长岩(岩体)与变质粉砂岩(围岩)之间的反射系数较弱,不足以产生能够识别的反射信号。在花岗闪长岩(岩体)内部,闪长岩(脉)、矿化花岗闪长岩、铜钼矿体与花岗闪长岩之间具有较强的反射系数,能够产生可识别的反射波。铜钼矿化花岗闪长岩的密度较高,速度较低,表明在金属矿区,矿石的速度并不一定随密度的增加而增加。利用所获得岩矿石弹性参数和地质资料,对获得的试验地震剖面进行了解释,根据L2试验剖面上的地震波组特征,认为在该剖面以外NE一侧,有可能寻找到深部隐伏金属矿。     

三氯化铝浸取-火焰原子吸收光谱法测定水系沉积物中低含量的碳酸铁

传统的氯化铵浸取-重铬酸钾滴定法(邻二氮菲比色法)可有效分析试样中较高含量的碳酸铁(7.5%~80%),但试剂消耗量大、测定步骤冗长、分析误差相对较大,水系沉积物中碳酸铁含量较低,采用此方法分析时其他含铁矿物的干扰易引入测量误差。本研究采用三氯化铝水浴加热浸取,建立了火焰原子吸收光谱法(FAAS)测定水系沉积物中低含量碳酸铁(0.1%~6.0%)的分析方法。使用80 m L浓度为100g/L的三氯化铝溶液水浴加热60 min,可完全浸取试样中的碳酸铁;在标准曲线中加入与待测样品浓度相同的三氯化铝,有效地避免了浸取剂三氯化铝的基体干扰。碳酸铁的检出限为0.015μg/m L,精密度为2.3%~4.0%(n=12),加标回收率为95.0%~107.5%。沉积物中常见的含铁矿物(如赤铁矿和磁铁矿)对碳酸铁的测定干扰可忽略,磁黄铁矿的干扰可通过加入氯化汞消除。本法比传统化学分析方法的操作简便,准确度和精密度高,解决了其他含铁矿物的干扰问题。     

藏南查拉普金矿床载金矿物特征与金的赋存状态

黄铁矿和毒砂是卡林型和造山型金矿床重要的载金矿物。文章通过电子探针(EPMA)分析研究了藏南查拉普金矿床不同类型黄铁矿和毒砂中Au、As、S、Fe等元素的含量变化和分布规律,发现不同阶段的黄铁矿具有不同的结构特征和元素组成特点。沉积成岩期黄铁矿(Py1)主要呈草莓状、胶状,常构成环带状黄铁矿的核心,其中金的含量最高,显示了金在沉积成岩期的大量富集。热液期早阶段黄铁矿(Py2)主要呈自形-半自形的立方体,与Py1元素(S、Fe、As)组成相近,显示了一定的继承演化关系。热液期主阶段黄铁矿(Py3)与毒砂共生,多呈自形-半自形的五角十二面体、立方体,常包裹早期的黄铁矿形成环带结构。Py3中As的含量明显升高,其增加量近似等于S的减少量,说明As主要进入黄铁矿晶格替代了S的位置。各个阶段的黄铁矿和毒砂中Au的分布在EPMA微束的分辨率下均显示是不均匀的,Au在Py1和大部分Py2中主要以纳米级自然金(Au0)的形式存在;而在Py3中主要以(Au+)的形式存在,少部分以纳米级自然金(Au0)形式存在。Py1的结构及元素组成与典型卡林型金矿和造山型金矿沉积成岩期黄铁矿的特点相似,而Py3的大量发育则符合卡林型金矿的特征。     

Gold and Silver Prospection Using Magnetic,Radiometry and Microgravity Methods in the Kışladağ Province of Western Turkey

The study area lies in the K??lada? province of western Turkey. The site has an approximate dimension of 1.5 to 2 km north‐south length and 3 km east‐west width. Combined methods from the fields of geology, geochemistry and geophysics were applied to elucidate the regional geologic framework and identify favorable environs for mineralization. There are a few volcanic hills in the center of the K??lada? caldera, which is actually a field of interest. Magnetics (M), Magnetic Total Field Gradient (Mg), Radiometry (Ra), Microgravity (MG) and Microgravity Gradient (MGG) methods were used to prospect the terrains and boundaries of gold and silver deposition in the area. The observed mineralized zones are characterized by low magnetization, low radiation, and high density contrast. Such zones appear to exist outside and beneath a magnetized cap rock. The locations of proposed drill holes were determined with varying depths. Following completion of geophysical and geochemical exploration, an open cut mine with a yearly production rate of about 5 to 6 tons of gold minerals at depths varying between 50 to 225 m has been operational.     

卡林型金矿自然重砂特征及其找矿意义——以黔西南地区为例

黔西南地区是中国西南低温成矿域中卡林型金矿最重要的矿化集中区,由于该地区金的粒径极小,难以构成自然重砂异常,故不能直接运用自然金矿物来指示寻找黔西南的卡林型金矿。在贵州省矿产资源潜力评价项目的工作过程中,对黔西南地区的自然重砂矿物特征进行了较为系统的研究,发现采用细粒黄铁矿(载金矿物)、砷矿物(伴生矿物)、锑矿物和汞矿物的自然重砂组(综)合异常对寻找黔西南地区的卡林型金矿具有一定的指导作用和找矿意义。     

Potash Mineral Characteristics and Geochemical Studies in the West of Bieletan Section

正Qarhan Salt Lake is located in the eastern part of the Qaidam Basin,which is first discovered the large potash deposit in the late 1950s.The Bieletan section is located in the west of Qarhan Salt Lake,where saline sediment