Variations of Ag/Au ratios in hydrothermal ore bodies

The analysis of the Ag and Au contents in ore bodies of different formation types reveals that the Ag/Au ratio functionally depends on the relative sulfide index of the ores (the ratio between the product of the Pb, Zn, and Cu content and the gold content). The functional dependence is best approximated by a power function. Based on 85 geochemical characteristics of 29 deposits, it is shown that the Ag/Au ratios differ in the ore bodies of volcanic and volcano-plutonic types.