Textural evidence for quartz and feldspar dissolution as a mechanism of formation for Maggs Pipe,Zaaiplaats tin mine,South Africa

Shallowly plunging and branching pipe systems in Lease and Bobbejaankop Granite at the Zaaiplaats mine are host to major tin mineralization. Detailed textural study of Maggs Pipe indicates that dissolution of the granite was a major process in the formation of open space which provided permeability for the passage of hydrothermal fluids, and sites for the precipitation of ore and gangue minerals. The pipe formation process initiates with the dissolution of granite quartz and subsequently extends to feldspar dissolution, particularly in the central portion of Maggs Pipe. Spaces created by mineral dissolution are filled by hydrothermal phases and the relict feldspar matrix becomes progressively more altered toward the centre of the pipe. The distribution of alteration and infill minerals defines a zoning pattern which, from the outer margin to the central core, includes calcite-quartz, chlorite (± cassiterite, albite, fluorite) and synchisite-calcite zones. It is postulated that quartz and feldspar dissolution resulted from interaction between the granite and hydrothermal fluids containing alkali-chloride, -fluoride or -carbonate complexes which had separated from the granite magma during crystallization. Preliminary observations on several other pipes at Zaaiplaats indicate that quartz and feldspar dissolution was a major procress in forming the pipe systems.