scholarly journals The Distribution of Precious Metals in High-Grade Banded Quartz Veins from Low-Sulfidation Epithermal Deposits: Constraints from µXRF Mapping

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Tharalson ◽  
Thomas Monecke ◽  
T. Reynolds ◽  
Lauren Zeeck ◽  
Katharina Pfaff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Precious Metals ◽  
Thermal Waters ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Epithermal Deposits ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
Low Sulfidation ◽  
Hand Specimen ◽  
Black Color ◽  
Representative Samples

High-grade ore zones in low-sulfidation epithermal deposits are commonly associated with the occurrence of banded quartz veins. The ore minerals in these veins are heterogeneously distributed and are mostly confined to ginguro bands, which can be identified in hand specimen based on their distinct dark gray to black color. Micro-X-ray fluorescence element maps obtained on representative samples of banded quartz veins show that Au occurs together with Ag minerals in some of the ginguro bands, but Au can also be present in quartz bands that are light gray to white and cannot be macroscopically distinguished from barren bands. The occurrence of compositionally distinct ginguro and gankin bands, the latter being a new term coined here for colloform quartz bands containing primarily electrum or native gold, can be explained by temporal changes in the composition of the ore-forming thermal waters or variations in the conditions of ore deposition. Textural relationships, including the dendritic shape of ore minerals that appear to have grown in a matrix of silica microspheres, suggest that the ginguro and gankin bands have formed as a result of rapid deposition associated with vigorous boiling or flashing of the thermal waters.

Textural Characteristics of Barren and Mineralized Colloform Quartz Bands at the Low-Sulfidation Epithermal Deposits of the Omu Camp in Hokkaido, Japan: Implications for Processes Resulting in Bonanza-Grade Precious Metal Enrichment

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren R. Zeeck ◽  
Thomas Monecke ◽  
T. James Reynolds ◽  
Erik R. Tharalson ◽  
Katharina Pfaff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Precious Metal ◽  
Precious Metals ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Metal Enrichment ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Epithermal Deposits ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Precursor Phase ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
Low Sulfidation

Abstract The Miocene low-sulfidation epithermal deposits of the Omu camp in northeastern Hokkaido, Japan, are small past-producers of precious metals and represent significant exploration targets for high-grade Au and Ag ores. The quartz textures of ore samples and the distribution of ore minerals within quartz veins were studied to identify the processes that resulted in the bonanza-grade precious metal enrichment in these deposits. In the high-grade vein samples, which are crustiform or brecciated in hand specimen, ore minerals exclusively occur within colloform quartz bands. High-magnification microscopy reveals that ore-bearing colloform bands consist of fine-grained quartz exhibiting relic microsphere textures and quartz having a mosaic texture that formed through recrystallization of the microspheres. The presence of relic microspheres is evidence that the microcrystalline quartz hosting the ore minerals formed through recrystallization of a noncrystalline silica precursor phase. The ore-hosting colloform bands composed of agglomerated microspheres alternate with barren colloform quartz bands that are composed of fibrous chalcedonic quartz and mosaic quartz formed through recrystallization of the chalcedony. The findings of this study are consistent with previous models linking bonanza-grade precious metal enrichment and the formation of bands of noncrystalline silica in low-sulfidation epithermal veins to episodic vigorous boiling or flashing of the hydrothermal system in the near-surface environment.

scholarly journals Textural Characteristics of Noncrystalline Silica in Sinters and Quartz Veins: Implications for the Formation of Bonanza Veins in Low-Sulfidation Epithermal Deposits

Minerals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tadsuda Taksavasu ◽  
Thomas Monecke ◽  
T. Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Precious Metal ◽  
Precious Metals ◽  
Fused Silica ◽  
Silica Microspheres ◽  
Textural Characteristics ◽  
Epithermal Deposits ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
Low Sulfidation ◽  
Ore Deposition

Silica sinters forming at the Wairakei geothermal power plant in New Zealand are composed of noncrystalline opal-A that deposited rapidly from cooling geothermal liquids flashed to atmosphere. The sinter is laminated with alternating layers of variably compacted silicified filamentous microbes encased by chains of fused silica microspheres. Microscopic inspection of bonanza quartz vein samples from the Buckskin National low-sulfidation epithermal precious metal deposit in Nevada showed that colloform bands in these veins exhibit relic microsphere textures similar to those observed in the silica sinters from the Wairakei power plant. The textural similarity suggests that the colloform bands were originally composed of noncrystalline opal-A that subsequently recrystallized to quartz. The colloform bands contain dendrites of electrum and naumannite that must have grown in a yielding matrix of silica microspheres deposited at the same time as the ore minerals, implying that the noncrystalline silica exhibited a gel-like behavior. Quartz bands having other textural characteristics in the crustiform veins lack ore minerals. This suggests that ore deposition and the formation of the colloform bands originally composed of compacted microspheres of noncrystalline silica are genetically linked and that ore deposition within the bonanza veins was only episodic. Supersaturation of silica and precious metals leading to the formation of the colloform bands may have occurred in response to transient flashing of the hydrothermal liquids. Flashing of geothermal liquids may thus represent a key mechanism in the formation of bonanza precious metal grades in low-sulfidation epithermal deposits.

scholarly journals The Ag- and Au-bearing phases in the Escondida epithermal vein, Cerro Moro deposit, Santa Cruz, Argentina

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana C. Mugas Lobos ◽  
María Florencia Márquez-Zavalía ◽  
Laura B. Hernández
Keyword(s):  
Partial Substitution ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Santa Cruz ◽  
Epithermal Deposits ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Epithermal Mineralization ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Low Sulfidation

ABSTRACT The Cerro Moro deposit is located at 48°5′55″S, 66°39′1.6″W and 100 m.o.s.l. in Santa Cruz province, southern Argentina. It is a low sulfidation Au-Ag epithermal mineralization hosted by numerous NW–SE structurally controlled quartz veins developed in close spatial and temporal proximity to the products of Jurassic extension and magmatism. The Escondida vein is the most significant mineralized structure, as it hosts the base metal-rich and Au-Ag high grade mineralization. In this vein and the Zoe ore-shoot, ore minerals are abundant (sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, acanthite, and less abundant pyrite and marcasite) and frequently related to dark grey, fine-grained quartz with massive, porous, crustiform, and banded textures; variable quantities of fine-grained flakes of muscovite are locally present. The Ag- and Au-bearing mineral association is represented by acanthite, argyrodite, polybasite, pearceite, stromeyerite, mckinstryite, and jalpaite. Abundant acanthite occurs commonly associated with gold and silver; copper enrichments were detected and interpreted as nanoinclusions of Cu-bearing minerals. The occurrence of Se- and Te-enriched minerals (acanthite, argyrodite, polybasite, pearceite, stromeyerite, and mckinstryite), rather than silver selenides and/or tellurides, indicates the presence of reduced mineralizing fluids and may be ascribed to partial substitution of S by Se or Te. Polybasite and pearceite were differentiated by their chemistry. Although the presence of argyrodite in epithermal deposits with silver sulfosalts is relatively common, this first mention in Cerro Moro is highly encouraging for exploration for germanium, a critical element, which is also considered strategic by countries such as the USA and China.

scholarly journals Geology, Geochemistry and Hydrothermal Fluid Characteristics of Low Sulfidation Epithermal Deposit in the Sangon Area, Kokap, Special Region of Yogyakarta

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 48
Author(s):  
Pranayoga Pramumijoyo ◽  
Arifudin Idrus ◽  
I Wayan Warmada ◽  
Kotaro Yonezu
Keyword(s):  
Normal Fault ◽  
Wall Rock ◽  
Geological Condition ◽  
Alteration Zones ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
Ore Mineralization ◽  
Wall Rock Alteration ◽  
Low Sulfidation ◽  
Special Region

On the basis of the previous studies and reconnaissance survey in the studyarea covering Sangon, Kalirejo, Kokap Sub-district, Kulon Progo Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, it reveals some facts of the occurrence of quartz veins with massive, crustiform, comb, drusy cavity, saccharoidal, granular, and reniform/mammillated textures, the appearance of lattice bladed barite and hydrothermal breccia veins. Referring to those characteristics, the deposit type in the study area is interpreted to be low sulfidation epithermal type. This study is aimed to understand and characterize the geological condition, rock and ore geochemistry and the mineralizing fluids. The alteration and ore mineralization are almost observed in entire rock units particularly the intrusive andesite 1. Their formation is controlled by the tension fractures (NW–SE and NE–SW) which associate with sinistral strike slip faults (NE–SW), dilational jog (NNW–SSE), oblique normal fault (WNW–ESE), and predictable normal fault at the NE of study area (NW–SE). The alteration zones are developed to be silica-clay (quartz-illite-kaolinite-kaolinite/smectite), argillic (smectite-illite/smectite), and propylitic (chlorite-calcite±epidote). The precipitationof ore minerals is controlled by boiling, mixing, and wall-rock alteration, and canbe found in the quartz veins (quartz-adularia-sericite) and disseminated in the alteration zones, which their high variability is only can be found in the quartz veins, including pyrite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, marcasite, and arsenopyrite. Based on the ICPAES measurement of 5 quartz vein samples, the Cu, Zn, Pb, and As grade reach about 5,171 ppm, 8,995 ppm, 6,398 ppm, 34.1 ppm, and 1,010.5 ppm, respectively. Gold is not detected. Fluid inclusion microthermometric analysis shows Th of 242.1–257.6 °C and salinity of 1.57–3.87 wt.% NaCl equiv., which indicate a depth below the paleosurface of 384–516 m, and pressure of 101.7–136.6 bar. The ore deposit in the study area is interpreted to be a deep basemetal low sulfidation epithermal type. Gold might be depleted in this epithermal type.

scholarly journals Gold Mineralization at the Maletoyvayam Deposit (Koryak Highland, Russia) and Physicochemical Conditions of Its Formation

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1093
Author(s):  
Evgeny G. Sidorov ◽  
Andrey A. Borovikov ◽  
Nadezhda D. Tolstykh ◽  
Daria S. Bukhanova ◽  
Galina A. Palyanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Fluid Pressure ◽  
Volcanic Belt ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Epithermal Deposits ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Mineral Associations ◽  
Epithermal Gold Deposit ◽  
Ore Minerals

Microthermometry study of fluid inclusions in quartz veins of the Maletoyvayam deposit (Koryak Highland, Russia) was carried out. This epithermal gold deposit contains unique Au compounds including maletoyvayamite, which has not been reported anywhere else. Two paragenetic mineral associations (pyrite-quartz and maletoyvayamite-quartz) with quartz of different generations corresponding to different pulses were also described. Only early generations of quartz (Q1) include ore minerals: pyrite for the first mineral assemblage, and in Au-bearing minerals, sulfosalts, bismuthinite, and others—for the second assemblage. A study on fluid inclusions in quartz showed a salinity (mainly NaCl + KCl) range from 0.2 to 4.3 wt.% NaCl eq., increasing from the first mineral association to the second due to boiling fluids. The obtained temperature variations for quartz crystallization were 295–135 °C, the fluid pressure ranged from 79 to 4 bar. On the other hand, the range of conditions obtained for the gold productive ore association is more narrow: salinity of the fluid inclusions is 4.3 wt.% NaCl eq., the temperatures vary from 255 °C to 245 °C, and the pressure from 39 to 32 bar. These physicochemical characteristics of the Maletoyvayam ore deposit greatly coincide with other HS-type epithermal deposits; however, within the Central Kamchatka Volcanic Belt it is so far the only deposit of this type reported.

scholarly journals Origin of the Kyaukmyet Low-Sulfidation Epithermal Gold Prospect, Monywa District, Central Myanmar

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (1E) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Toe Oo ◽  
Agung Harijoko ◽  
Lucas Setijadji
Keyword(s):  
Magmatic Fluid ◽  
Epithermal Gold ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Mineral Assemblages ◽  
Epithermal Gold Deposit ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
Ore Mineralization ◽  
Alteration Minerals ◽  
Homogenization Temperatures ◽  
Low Sulfidation

The Kyaukmyet prospect is one of the principal epithermal gold prospects in the Monywa District, Central Myanmar; its gold- and base metal-bearing quartz veins contain around 3 g/t gold. Ore minerals are mainly hosted by volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the Late Oligocene to Middle Miocene Magyigon Formation. The distribution of magmatic intrusions in the area is controlled by ENE-WSW trending faults; these faults are likely related to ore mineralization. Common ore minerals at the Kyaukmyet prospect include pyrite, sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, and electrum. They occur in mineralized crustiform-textured brecciated quartz veins and banded (colloform) and massive quartz veins. Mineralized rock is accompanied by silicification and propylitic and argillic alterations. The alteration mineral assemblages include quartz, adularia, calcite, chlorite, illite/smectite, sericite, and illite. Fluid inclusions in the quartz veins have homogenization temperatures ranging from 148 °C to 304 °C and salinities from 0.35 wt % to 2.75 wt % NaCl equiv. The quartz in the mineralized quartz veins was most likely precipitated at a depth ranges165-256 m below the paleosurface. The precipitation of gold at the Kyaukmyet prospect may have been formed by mixing large amounts of meteoric fluid with small amounts of magmatic fluid. The coexistence of liquid-rich and vapor-rich inclusions and presence of adularia and bladed calcite indicate that fluid boiling is caused the main mechanism of ore formation. The vein textures, ore mineral assemblages, alteration minerals and fluid inclusion data suggest that the Kyaukmyet prospect is a polymetallic low-sulfidation epithermal gold deposit.

The Witwatersrand pyrites and metamorphism

1983 ◽  
Vol 47 (345) ◽  
pp. 473-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. K. Hallbauer ◽  
K. von Gehlen
Keyword(s):  
Trace Element ◽  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Depositional Environment ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Fine Grained ◽  
Mineral Inclusions ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
Hand Specimen

AbstractEvidence obtained from morphological and extensive trace element studies, and from the examination of mineral and fluid inclusions in Witwatersrand pyrites, shows three major types of pyrite: (i) detrital pyrite (rounded pyrite crystals transported into the depositional environment); (ii) synsedimentary pyrite (round and rounded aggregates of fine-grained pyrite formed within the depositional environmen); and (iii) authigenic pyrite (newly crystallized and/or recrystallized pyrite formed after deposition). The detrital grains contain mineral inclusions such as biotite, feldspar, apatite, zircon, sphene, and various ore minerals, and fluid inclusions with daughter minerals. Most of the inclusions are incompatible with an origin by sulphidization. Recrystallized authigenic pyrite occurs in large quantities but only in horizons or localities which have been subjected to higher temperatures during the intrusion or extrusion of younger volcanic rocks. Important additional findings are the often substantial amounts of pyrite and small amounts of particles of gold found in Archaean granites (Hallbauer, 1982) as possible source rocks for the Witwatersrand detritus. Large differences in Ag and Hg content between homogeneous single gold grains within a hand specimen indicate a lack of metamorphic homogenization. The influence of metamorphism on the Witwatersrand pyrites can therefore be described as only slight and generally negligible.

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