Bismuth mineralization in ores of the Skrytoe scheelite deposit (Primorye) and problems of its genesis

The mineral composition of ore veinlets at the Skrytoe deposit (Malinovsky ore node, Primorye) is scrutinized based on the study of core samples from boreholes. It has been established that high Bi and Te concentrations in ores are related to the presence of native bismuth, Ag-Pb-Bi sulfosalts of the lillianite-gustavite series (gustavite, schirmerite, treasurite, and others), bismuth sulfides (bismuthinite and ikunolite), and bismuth sulfotellurides (joseite-A). The chemical compositions of bismuth minerals and their structural interrelations, as well as the attributes of their similarity with mineralization at other compositionally identical deposits in the region, are considered. Problems of the genesis and formational affiliation of the deposit are discussed.