scholarly journals The Discovery of the Romero VMS Deposit and Its Bearing on the Metallogenic Evolution of Hispaniola during the Cretaceous

Minerals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisard Torró ◽  
Joaquín Proenza ◽  
Julio Espaillat ◽  
Albert Belén-Manzeta ◽  
María Román-Alday ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Space ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Axial Position ◽  
Greater Antilles ◽  
Stratigraphic Sequence ◽  
Copper Mineralization ◽  
Seawater Sulfate ◽  
Extensional Tectonic ◽  
Volcaniclastic Rocks ◽  
Host Rocks

The recently discovered Romero deposit, located in the Tres Palmas district, Cordillera Central of the Dominican Republic, has probable reserves of 840,000 oz gold, 980,000 oz silver and 136 Mlb copper. Mineralization is hosted by intermediate volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the lower stratigraphic sequence of the Cretaceous Tireo formation. The andesitic host rocks yield a U-Pb zircon concordia age of 116 ± 10 Ma. Au–Ag–Cu(–Zn) mineralization is divided into: (1) an upper domain with stacked massive sulfide lenses and sulfide dissemination within a 20-m-thick level of massive anhydrite-gypsum nodules, and (2) a lower domain with a high-grade stockwork mineralization in the form of cm-scale veins with open space fillings of fibrous silica and chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite (+electrum ± Au–Ag tellurides). The δ34S values of sulfides from the upper (−7.6 and +0.9‰) and lower (−2.4 and +5.6‰) domains are consistent with a heterogeneous sourcing of S, probably combining inorganically and organically induced reduction of Albian-Aptian seawater sulfate. Despite this, a magmatic source for sulfur cannot be discarded. The δ34S (+19.2 and +20.0‰) and δ18O (+12.5 and +14.2‰) values of anhydrite-gypsum nodules are also consistent with a seawater sulfate source and suggest crystallization in equilibrium with aqueous sulfides at temperatures higher than 250 °C. These data point to a classification of Romero as a volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit formed in an axial position of the Greater Antilles paleo-arc in connection with island arc tholeiitic magmatism during a steady-state subduction regime. Circulation of hydrothermal fluids could have been promoted by a local extensional tectonic regime expressed in the Tres Palmas district as a graben structure.

scholarly journals Mineralization and Alteration of a Modern Seafloor Massive Sulfide Deposit Hosted in Mafic Volcaniclastic Rocks

2019 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 857-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa O. Anderson ◽  
Mark D. Hannington ◽  
Timothy F. McConachy ◽  
John W. Jamieson ◽  
Maria Anders ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Temperature ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Massive Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Remotely Operated Vehicle ◽  
Eruptive Fissure ◽  
Seawater Sulfate ◽  
Volcaniclastic Rocks ◽  
Seafloor Massive Sulfide

Abstract Tinakula is the first seafloor massive sulfide deposit described in the Jean Charcot troughs and is the first such deposit described in the Solomon Islands—on land or the seabed. The deposit is hosted by mafic (basaltic-andesitic) volcaniclastic rocks within a series of cinder cones along a single eruptive fissure. Extensive mapping and sampling by remotely operated vehicle, together with shallow drilling, provide insights into deposit geology and especially hydrothermal processes operating in the shallow subsurface. On the seafloor, mostly inactive chimneys and mounds cover an area of ~77,000 m2 and are partially buried by volcaniclastic sand. Mineralization is characterized by abundant barite- and sulfide-rich chimneys that formed by low-temperature (<250°C) venting over ~5,600 years. Barite-rich samples have high SiO2, Pb, and Hg contents; the sulfide chimneys are dominated by low-Fe sphalerite and are high in Cd, Ge, Sb, and Ag. Few high-temperature chimneys, including zoned chalcopyrite-sphalerite samples and rare massive chalcopyrite, are rich in As, Mo, In, and Au (up to 9.26 ppm), locally as visible gold. Below the seafloor, the mineralization includes buried intervals of sulfide-rich talus with disseminated sulfides in volcaniclastic rocks consisting mainly of lapillistone with minor tuffaceous beds and autobreccias. The volcaniclastic rocks are intensely altered and variably cemented by anhydrite with crosscutting sulfate (± minor sulfide) veins. Fluid inclusions in anhydrite and sphalerite from the footwall (to 19.3 m below seafloor; m b.s.f.) have trapping temperatures of up to 298°C with salinities close to, but slightly higher than, that of seawater (2.8–4.5 wt % NaCl equiv). These temperatures are 10° to 20°C lower than the minimum temperature of boiling at this depth (1,070–1,204 m below sea level; m b.s.l.), suggesting that the highest-temperature fluids boiled below the seafloor. The alteration is distributed in broadly conformable zones, expressed in order of increasing depth and temperature as (1) montmorillonite/nontronite, (2) nontronite + corrensite, (3) illite/smectite + pyrite, (4) illite/smectite + chamosite, and (5) chamosite + corrensite. Zones of argillic alteration are distinguished from chloritic alteration by large positive mass changes in K2O (enriched in illite/smectite), MgO (enriched in chamosite and corrensite), and Fe2O3 (enriched in pyrite associated with illite/smectite alteration). The δ18O and δD values of clay minerals confirm increasing temperature with depth, from 124° to 256°C, and interaction with seawater-dominated hydrothermal fluids at high water/rock ratios. Leaching of the volcanic host rocks and thermochemical reduction of seawater sulfate are the primary sources of sulfur, with δ34S values of sulfides, from –0.8 to 3.4‰, and those of sulfate minerals close to seawater sulfate, from 19.3 to 22.5‰. The mineralization and alteration at Tinakula are typical of a class of ancient massive sulfide deposits hosted mainly by permeable volcaniclastic rocks with broad, semiconformable alteration zones. Processes by which these deposits form have never been documented in modern seafloor massive sulfide systems, because they mostly develop below the seafloor. Our study shows how hydrothermal fluids can become focused within permeable rocks by progressive, low-temperature fluid circulation, leading to a large area (>150,000 m2) of alteration with reduced permeability close to the seafloor. In our model, overpressuring and fracturing of the sulfate- and clay-cemented volcaniclastic rocks produced the pathways for higher-temperature fluids to reach the seafloor, present now as sulfate-sulfide veins within the footwall. In the geologic record, the sulfate (anhydrite) is not preserved, leaving a broad zone of intense alteration with disseminated and stringer sulfides typical of this class of deposits.

Geology and geochemistry of the Dengjiashan Zn–Pb SEDEX deposit, Qinling Belt, China

2007 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 479-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guoliang Ma ◽  
Georges Beaudoin ◽  
Shaojun Zhong ◽  
Ying Li ◽  
Zhangren Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Sulfate Reduction ◽  
Sulfur Isotopes ◽  
Tectonic Setting ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Western Qinling ◽  
Crustal Rocks ◽  
Open Platform ◽  
Basement Rocks ◽  
Seawater Sulfate ◽  
Extensional Tectonic

Dengjiashan, with 25 Mt at 4.77% Zn, 1.27% Pb, and 14 g/t Ag, is one of the largest SEDEX (sedimentary-exhalative) Zn–Pb sulfide deposits in the western Qinling orogenic belt, China. The ore is hosted in chert stratigraphically conformable with underlying bioclastic micrite and overlying phyllite of an intensely folded and faulted Middle Devonian sedimentary sequence. The fact that the major orebodies are located between platformal limestone and overlying phyllite indicates that mineralization took place when the Dengjiashan sedimentary sub-basin subsided from an open platform to a shallow-marine basin within an extensional tectonic setting. The deposit comprises 16 sulfide orebodies, of which the #1 and #9 orebodies are the two largest and account for 95% of ore reserves. The massive sulfide lenses are mainly composed of sphalerite, pyrite, and galena, with minor chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite, cinnabar, pyrargyrite, freibergite, boulangerite, polybasite, and trace amounts of owyheeite and native gold. The gangue is dominated by quartz, calcite, barite, and ankerite, with minor amounts of sericite, chlorite, celsian, cymrite, and albite. The rare-earth element patterns of sulfide beds and host chert suggest that the mineralizing fluids were dominated by oxidized seawater that leached Eu from feldspar in basement rocks. Strontium isotopes also suggest that the hydrothermal fluids were composed of Devonian seawater that leached radiogenic Sr along the flow path. Lead isotope ratios form an array between the upper crust and orogene curves in the 207Pb/204Pb–206Pb/204Pb diagram, indicating that lead was leached from crustal rocks below the deposits. Sulfur isotopes indicate that bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) sulfide formed in a sub-basin restricted to sulfate where it mixed with heavy hydrothermal sulfur from thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) of Devonian seawater sulfate.

Mise‐a‐la‐masse survey for an auriferous sulfide deposit

Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. B. Bhattacharya ◽  
Dinesh Gupta ◽  
Buddhadeb Banerjee ◽  
Shalivahan
Keyword(s):  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Sulfide Deposit ◽  
Sulfide Mineralization ◽  
Gold Exploration ◽  
Copper Mineralization ◽  
Geophysical Surveys ◽  
Sulfide Content ◽  
Equipotential Map ◽  
Massive Sulfide Mineralization ◽  
Gold Bearing

A mise‐a‐la‐masse survey was carried out in Bhukia area, Banswara district, Rajasthan, India for auriferous sulfide occurrences. This area was originally surveyed for copper mineralization. Exploratory drilling, however, proved it to be economically not viable. The area was reopened for geophysical surveys when grab samples indicated the presence of gold. Initial geophysical surveys for copper mineralization showed electromagnetic, induced polarization, and resistivity anomalies. At first, one borehole was drilled for gold exploration on the basis of initial geophysical surveys. It encountered massive sulfide mineralization in association with gold. Borehole logging and a mise‐a‐la‐masse survey were carried out in this borehole. Three further boreholes drilled on the basis of the mise‐a‐la‐masse results encountered massive sulfide mineralization in association with gold. One of the three boreholes, 100 m from the first borehole along strike, was used for another set of mise‐a‐la‐masse measurements. A composite equipotential map was prepared using the results of mise‐a‐la‐masse results of both the boreholes. The equipotential contours show a north‐northwest‐south‐southeast trend of mineralization. The boreholes drilled on the basis of the mise‐a‐la‐masse results have delineated a strike length of more than 500 m of gold‐bearing sulfide mineralization. The sulfide content ranges from 10 to 40% and gold concentration ranges from 2 to 6 ppm. The dip and plunge of the lode, as anticipated from the mise‐a‐la‐masse results, are toward the west and north, respectively. Mise‐a‐la‐masse surveys are continuing in the adjoining areas.

scholarly journals 3D Geological Model of the Touro Cu Deposit, A World-Class Mafic-Siliciclastic VMS Deposit in the NW of the Iberian Peninsula

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 85
Author(s):  
Mónica Arias ◽  
Pablo Nuñez ◽  
Daniel Arias ◽  
Pablo Gumiel ◽  
Cesar Castañón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
3D Model ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Geological Model ◽  
Drill Core ◽  
World Class ◽  
Hinge Zone ◽  
Arc Setting ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Back Arc ◽  
Host Rocks

The Touro volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit is located in the NW of the Iberian Variscan massif in the Galicia-Trás-os-Montes Zone, an amalgamation of several allochthonous terrains. The Órdenes complex is the most extensive of the allochthone complexes, and amphibolites and paragneisses host the deposit, characterized as being massive or semimassive (stringers) sulfides, mostly made up of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. The total resources are 103 Mt, containing 0.41% copper. A 3D model of the different orebodies and host rocks was generated using data from 1090 drill core logs. The model revealed that the structure of the area is a N–S-trending antiform. The orebodies crop out in the limbs and in the hinge zone. The mineralized structures are mostly tabular, up to 100 m in thickness and subhorizontal. Based on the petrography, geochemistry and the 3D model, the Touro deposit is classified as a VMS of the mafic-siliciclastic type formed in an Ordovician back-arc setting, which was buried and metamorphosed in Middle Devonian.

scholarly journals Genesis of alpinotype fissure minerals from Thasos Island, Northern Greece - Mineralogy, mineral chemistry and crystallizing environment.

2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 468 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Voudouris ◽  
S. Constantinidou ◽  
M. Kati ◽  
C. Mavrogonatos ◽  
C. Kanellopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Chemistry ◽  
Core Complex ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Quartz Crystals ◽  
Widespread Occurrence ◽  
Mineral Deposition ◽  
Extensional Tectonic ◽  
Silicate Layers ◽  
Host Rocks ◽  
Metamorphic Core

Alpinotype fissure-minerals in Thasos Island are hosted in gneisses, amphibolites, Mn-rich schists and calc-silicate layers, and marbles of the Carboniferous-Permian Pangeon Unit, which represents the lower tectonostratigraphic unit of the southern Rhodope metamorphic core complex. Alpinotype fissures crosscut metamorphic fabrics and are closely related to the exhumation processes of the core complex during the Oligocene-Miocene. Most mineralized fissures occur close to a major detachment fault, which separates gneisses from marbles and amphibolites. The mineralogy of the alpinotype fissures is closely related to the host rocks: amphibolite-hosted fissures include adularia, albite, quartz, titanite, apatite, actinolite, chlorite, calcite, hematite and rutile. Fissures in para- and orthogneisses- and in metapegmatites are characterized by smoky and clear quartz, adularia, muscovite and hematite. Fissures within spessartite-piemontite schists contain quartz, chlorite, spessartite, hematite, rutile, albite, epidote and traces of zircon. Finally fissures in calc-silicate layers include Mn-grossular, quartz and Mn-clinozoisite. Hydrothermal alteration halos surrounding the fissures may suggest leaching of the wall rocks as a potential mechanism for mineral deposition. Scepter quartz crystals consist of a lower Tessinhabit crystal and several generations of upper prismatic quartz crystals, suggesting several stages of crystallization and changing P-T-x conditions with time. Chlorite geothermometry indicates temperatures of formation in the range between 286 and 366 °C. Tessin habit quartz was deposited from CO2-bearing fluids, probably at the transition from a compressional to an extensional tectonic regime and was later dissolved by meteoric water dominated fluids resulting in the formation of quartz scepters. Oxidizing conditions are indicated by the widespread occurrence of hematite in the mineralization. The studied area represents a unique mineralogical geotope. Its geological-mineralogical heritage should be protected through establishment of a mineralogical-petrological geopark that will also promote sustainable development of the area.

Downhole seismic imaging of a massive sulfide orebody with mode‐converted waves, Halfmile lake, New Brunswick, Canada

Geophysics ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilles Bellefleur ◽  
Christof Müller ◽  
David Snyder ◽  
Larry Matthews
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Data Migration ◽  
P Waves ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Additional Imaging ◽  
Mineralized Zone ◽  
Converted Waves ◽  
Host Rocks

Multioffset, multiazimuth downhole seismic data were acquired at Halfmile lake, New Brunswick, to image known massive sulfide lenses and to investigate the potential existence of a steeply dipping mineralized zone connecting them. The massive sulfide lenses, which have significantly higher elastic impedances than host rocks, produce strong scattering. The downhole seismic data show prominent scattered (P‐P and S‐S) and mode‐converted (P‐S and S‐P) waves originating from the deposit. Such complex scattering from massive sulfide ore was not observed previously in vertical seismic profiling data. Migration of the scattered and mode‐converted waves from several shot points imaged different parts of the deepest lens. The scattered S‐waves and mode‐converted waves provide additional imaging capabilities that should be considered when selecting downhole seismic methods for mining exploration.

scholarly journals Detailed mapping and lithogeochemistry of Neoarchean volcanic rocks: Beaulieu volcanic belt, Slave Craton, NWT

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelby Brandon Austin-Fafard ◽  
Michelle DeWolfe ◽  
Camille Partin ◽  
Bernadette Knox
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Volcanic Belt ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Density Currents ◽  
Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide ◽  
The South ◽  
Slave Craton ◽  
Volcaniclastic Rocks ◽  
Tuff Breccia

Neoarchean volcanic rocks of the Beaulieu River volcanic belt structurally overlie basement rocks of the Sleepy Dragon Complex (ca. 2.85 Ga), approximately 100 km east northeast of Yellowknife. The volcanic belt is comprised of complex lithofacies, including basalt, andesite, rhyolite, and associated volcaniclastic rocks, and hosts the Sunrise volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit. The absolute age of the volcanic strata is not known, nor is the stratigraphy well-defined; therefore, the Beaulieu River volcanic belt cannot be easily correlated to other greenstone belts within the Slave craton. The main objective of this study is to document the litho- and chemo-stratigraphy of the volcanic rocks, and particularly the rhyolite dome, located at the south end  of Sunset Lake to reconstruct their volcanic and petrogenetic evolution, and determine their relationship to the volcanic strata that hosts the Sunrise VMS deposit, located ~6km to the north of the study area. Detailed mapping (1:2000) was completed over two field seasons (2018 and 2019) and shows that the volcanic rocks in the south Sunset Lake area comprise a complex stratigraphy consisting of basaltic, andesitic and rhyolitic lithofacies. This includes massive to pillow basalt and andesite, with lesser amounts of massive to in-situ brecciated, weakly quartz-plagioclase porphyritic rhyolite, heterolithic tuff to lapilli- tuff and felsic tuff to tuff breccia. The felsic clasts within the felsic volcaniclastic rocks are similar in composition to the coherent rhyolite. Units have a trace element geochemical signatures that vary from tholeiitic to calc-alkaline, arc-like rocks. Volumetrically, the volcanic strata in the south Sunset Lake area has a significant amount of volcaniclastic rocks, ranging from tuff to tuff breccia units. The volcaniclastic rocks are interpreted to have been deposited by a series of debris flows and eruption-fed density currents. The stratigraphy of the volcanic rocks in south Sunset Lake is very similar to that of the stratigraphy that hosts the Sunrise VMS deposit. Evidence of a vent proximal environment (e.g. rhyolite dome, peperite, syn-volcanic intrusions) and porous, volcanic debris accumulating on the seafloor highlight conditions favourable for volcanogenic massive sulfide-type mineralization in the south Sunset Lake area.

scholarly journals Mineral Exploration in Mawat Region, Kurdistan-Iraq, Based on Satellite Data and Terrain Prospection

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 249-272
Author(s):  
Marinko Oluić ◽  
Sreten Romandić ◽  
Ratko Vasiljević
Keyword(s):  
Satellite Data ◽  
Mineral Exploration ◽  
Digital Processing ◽  
Field Work ◽  
Measured Concentration ◽  
Copper Mineralization ◽  
Rock Formations ◽  
Lithological Composition ◽  
Color Composite ◽  
Host Rocks

The main goal of the presented exploration was to estimate potential for mineralization in the Mawat ophiolitic massif in Kurdistan, Iraq. The aim of the study was to explore existing copper mineralization and assessor elements gold, platinoids and chromium. Geological exploration detected two types of Cu occurrence a) secondary Cu carbonates (malachite) and b) Cu sulfides (chalcopyrite-pyrite). The Mawat region is mostly built of ultrabasic and basic rocks: peridotites, gabbros, serpentinites and basalts which are heavily deformed, with faults mostly oriented NNW-SSE, and NE-SW. The first phase of exploration comprised digital processing of ASTER and QuickBird satellite images, with appropriate geometrical and radiometric corrections and transformation into coordinate system. Color composite images were produced in different scales. They served to define lithological composition, tectonic settings, location of the points of interest etc. The field work was designed to check satellite data in situ, with focus on perspective rock formations, which might host copper mineralization, and other elements. The host rocks of the ore occurrences are primarily gabbros and metagabbros intersected by diabase dykes, epidote and quartz veins. Secondary mineralization is the product of surficial weathering and it is represented by malachite and limonite. The geophysical survey was very useful in the detection of area with elevated induced polarization and low resistivity. Three perspective areas have been selected for detailed explorations: Waraz, Mirava-Chenara and Konjirin-Kuradawi. The concentration of copper varies highly in very wide ranges; the maximum measured concentration of Cu was determined in Waraz area 6.7%. Some rock samples also show concentration of gold from 0.36 to 2.59 ppm Au. Keywords: Mawat ophiolitic massif, geologic-geophysical explorations, copper mineralization, Kurdistan-Iraq

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