Evidence for,and implications of,a primary FeS phase in the lead-zinc bearing sediments at Mount Isa

Quantitative mineral data from the lead-zinc bearing sediments at Mount Isa were studied using linear correlation analysis and R-mode cluster analysis. Pyrrhotite was found to be preferentially associated with galena and sphalerite. It is postulated that during sedimentation, formation of lead and zinc sulphides depleted an already limited sulphur supply to the point where the field of FeS stability was entered. The primary iron monosulphide formed was, or has since become, pyrrhotite. This hypothesis is in contrast to the widely held opinion that pyrrhotite in stratiform ores formed by metamorphic decomposition of pyrite. Empirical support for the sedimentary formation of pyrrhotite is provided by textural and qualitative mineralogical data from Mount Isa and other stratiform lead-zinc deposits.