The Yenefrito Pb-Zn mine (Spanish Central Pyrenees): an example of superimposed metallogenetic events

Three types of base metal deposits occur in the Devonian of the Central Pyrenees accompanying and post-dating the Hercynian orogeny. Since spatial and temporal relationships between mineralization can be recognized in the Yenefrito area, they have been incorporated into a metallogenetic model. Sedex-like ore, composed of sphalerite with minor galena, pyrite, arsenopyrite and magnetite, is enclosed within a carbonate-siltstone succession containing volcanic sills. Crust-type mineralization is linked to an unconformity landscape and made up by quartz and minor sphalerite, pyrite and galena. Finally, vein deposit cross-cutting these deposit types, contains galena, sphalerite and pyrite. Sedex-like and crust-type deposits are linked to Hercynian extensional tectonics which favoured the development of an unstable depositional environment mainly controlled by synsedimentary faults, being sedex mineralizations developed prior to crust-type. Both mineralization types suffered diagenesis and deformation during the Hercynian. The vein-type was generated by extensional movements related to early Alpine rifting. Received: 18 June 1998 / Accepted: 30 June 1998