scholarly journals Trace Element Composition of Igneous and Hydrothermal Magnetite from Porphyry Deposits: Relationship to Deposit Subtypes and Magmatic Affinity

2019 ◽  
Vol 114 (5) ◽  
pp. 917-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Wen Huang ◽  
Anne-Aurélie Sappin ◽  
Émilie Boutroy ◽  
Georges Beaudoin ◽  
Sheida Makvandi

Abstract The trace element composition of igneous and hydrothermal magnetite from 19 well-studied porphyry Cu ± Au ± Mo, Mo, and W-Mo deposits was measured by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and then classified by partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to constrain the factors explaining the relationships between the chemical composition of magnetite and the magmatic affinity and porphyry deposit subtypes. Igneous magnetite can be discriminated by relatively high P, Ti, V, Mn, Zr, Nb, Hf, and Ta contents but low Mg, Si, Co, Ni, Ge, Sb, W, and Pb contents, in contrast to hydrothermal magnetite. Compositional differences between igneous and hydrothermal magnetite are mainly controlled by the temperature, oxygen fugacity, cocrystallized sulfides, and element solubility/mobility that significantly affect the partition coefficients between magnetite and melt/fluids. Binary diagrams based on Ti, V, and Cr contents are not enough to discriminate igneous and hydrothermal magnetite in porphyry deposits. Relatively high Si and Al contents discriminate porphyry W-Mo hydrothermal magnetite, probably reflecting the control by high-Si, highly differentiated, granitic intrusions for this deposit type. Relatively high Mg, Mn, Zr, Nb, Sn, and Hf but low Ti and V contents discriminate porphyry Au-Cu hydrothermal magnetite, most likely resulting from a combination of mafic to intermediate intrusion composition, high chlorine in fluids, relatively high oxygen fugacity, and low-temperature conditions. Igneous or hydrothermal magnetite from Cu-Mo, Cu-Au, and Cu-Mo-Au deposits cannot be discriminated from each other, probably due to similar intermediate to felsic intrusion composition, melt/fluid composition, and conditions such as temperature and oxygen fugacity for the formation of these deposits. The magmatic affinity of porphyritic intrusions exerts some control on the chemical composition of igneous and hydrothermal magnetite in porphyry systems. Igneous and hydrothermal magnetite related to alkaline magma is relatively rich in Mg, Mn, Co, Mo, Sn, and high field strength elements (HFSEs), perhaps due to high concentrations of chlorine and fluorine in magma and exsolved fluids, whereas those related to calc-alkaline magma are relatively rich in Ca but depleted in HFSEs, consistent with the high Ca but low HFSE magma composition. Igneous and hydrothermal magnetite related to high-K calc-alkaline magma is relatively rich in Al, Ti, Sc, and Ta, due to a higher temperature of formation or enrichment of these elements in melt/fluids. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis on hydrothermal magnetite compositions from porphyry Cu, iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG), Kiruna-type iron oxide-apatite (IOA), and skarn deposits around the world identify important discriminant elements for these deposit types. Magnetite from porphyry Cu deposits is characterized by relatively high Ti, V, Zn, and Al contents, whereas that from IOCG deposits can be discriminated from other types of magnetite by its relatively high V, Ni, Ti, and Al contents. IOA magnetite is discriminated by higher V, Ti, and Mg but lower Al contents, whereas skarn magnetite can be separated from magnetite from other deposit types by higher Mn, Mg, Ca, and Zn contents. Decreased Ti and V contents in hydrothermal magnetite from porphyry Cu and IOA, to IOCG, and to skarn deposits may be related to decreasing temperature and increasing oxygen fugacity. The relative depletion of Al in IOA magnetite is due to its low magnetite-silicate melt partition coefficient, immobility of Al in fluids, and earlier, higher-temperature magmatic or magmatic-hydrothermal formation of IOA deposits. The relative enrichment of Ni in IOCG magnetite reflects more mafic magmatic composition and less competition with sulfide, whereas elevated Mn, Mg, Ca, and Zn in skarn magnetite results from enrichment of these elements in fluids via more intensive fluid-carbonate rock interaction.

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 671
Author(s):  
Constanza Rivas-Romero ◽  
Martin Reich ◽  
Fernando Barra ◽  
Daniel Gregory ◽  
Sergio Pichott

Porphyry Cu-Mo deposits are among the world’s largest source of Cu, Mo, and Re, and are also an important source of other trace elements, such as Au and Ag. Despite the fact that chalcopyrite, bornite, and pyrite are the most common sulfides in this deposit type, their trace element content remains poorly constrained. In particular, little is known about minor and trace elements partitioning into Cu-(Fe) sulfides as a function of temperature and pH of the hydrothermal fluid. In this study, we report a comprehensive geochemical database of chalcopyrite, bornite, and pyrite in the super-giant Chuquicamata porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in northern Chile. The aim of our study, focused on the new Chuquicamata Underground mine, was to evaluate the trace element composition of each sulfide from the different hydrothermal alteration assemblages in the deposit. Our approach combines the electron microprobe analysis (EMPA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) of sulfide minerals obtained from six representative drill cores that crosscut the chloritic (propylitic), background potassic, intense potassic, and quartz-sericite (phyllic) alteration zones. Microanalytical results show that chalcopyrite, bornite, and pyrite contain several trace elements, and the concentration varies significantly between hydrothermal alteration assemblages. Chalcopyrite, for example, is a host of Se (≤22,000 ppm), Pb (≤83.00 ppm), Sn (≤68.20 ppm), Ag (≤45.1 ppm), Bi (≤25.9 ppm), and In (≤22.8 ppm). Higher concentrations of Se, In, Pb, and Sn in chalcopyrite are related to the high temperature background potassic alteration, whereas lower concentrations of these elements are associated with the lower temperature alteration types: quartz-sericite and chloritic. Bornite, on the other hand, is only observed in the intense and background potassic alteration zones and is a significant host of Ag (≤752 ppm) and Bi (≤2960 ppm). Higher concentrations of Ag and Sn in bornite are associated with the intense potassic alteration, whereas lower concentrations of those two elements are observed in the background potassic alteration. Among all of the sulfide minerals analyzed, pyrite is the most significant host of trace elements, with significant concentrations of Co (≤1530 ppm), Ni (≤960 ppm), Cu (≤9700 ppm), and Ag (≤450 ppm). Co, Ni, Ag, and Cu concentration in pyrite vary with alteration: higher Ag and Cu concentrations are related to the high temperature background potassic alteration. The highest Co contents are associated with lower temperature alteration types (e.g., chloritic). These data indicate that the trace element concentration of chalcopyrite, bornite, and pyrite changed as a function of hydrothermal alteration is controlled by several factors, including temperature, pH, fO2, fS2, and the presence of co-crystallizing phases. Overall, our results provide new information on how trace element partitioning into sulfides relates to the main hydrothermal and mineralization events controlling the elemental budget at Chuquicamata. In particular, our data show that elemental ratios in chalcopyrite (e.g., Se/In) and, most importantly, pyrite (e.g., Ag/Co and Co/Cu) bear the potential for vectoring towards porphyry mineralization and higher Cu resources.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 316
Author(s):  
Ze-Guang Chang ◽  
Guo-Chen Dong ◽  
Alireza K. Somarin

The Gujiao ore field, located in the middle segment of the Lüliang Mountain in central North China Craton (NCC), is one of iron skarn deposits of western iron belt in China. The U–Pb dating results of zircon by LA-ICP-MS suggest that the ore-related monzonite from the Guojialiang deposit was formed at 129.7 ± 1.7 Ma, early Cretaceous, which is consistent with the timing of iron skarn deposits in the Handan–Xingtai district of western iron belt. The zircons of monzonite present notable positive Ce anomalies (Ce/Ce* = 23.38–45.85), high Ce4+/Ce3+ values (154–385) and relatively high oxygen fugacity (fO2 = −13.09 to −15.36), and yield relatively low Ti-in-zircon temperatures. The physico-chemical conditions of the Guojialiang deposit were quite similar to these of ore-bearing plutons in the Handan-Xingtai district. The ore-bearing magmas are derived from the enriched lithospheric mantle with crustal material contribution, which played key role in oxidation state of the magma and the iron mineralization in the western iron belt.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Chiaradia

<p>Porphyry deposits are the major natural source of copper and a significant natural source of gold, which are essential metals for our society. Porphyry deposits form at convergent margins both during subduction (syn-subduction, Andean-type deposits) and in post-subduction to post-collision and extensional geodynamic settings (post-subduction deposits). Syn-subduction porphyry deposits are typically associated with calc-alkaline magmas often characterized by high Sr/Y values (~50-150). In contrast, post-subduction deposits are mostly associated with variably alkaline magmas having lower Sr/Y values (~25-75). The reasons of the association of porphyry deposits with magmas having different geochemical affinities and of their widely variable Cu and Au endowments (from <1 to >100 Mt for Cu and from few tens to >2500 tons for gold) remain unconstrained.</p><p>Porphyry Cu-Au deposits define two distinct trends in plots of Au versus Cu endowments and Au endowment versus duration of the ore process (Chiaradia, 2020): one trend (Cu-rich) is characterized by steep Cu/Au endowment values (Cu/Au~250000) and an average low rate of Au deposition (~100 tons Au/Ma); the other trend (Au-rich) is characterized by low Cu/Au endowment values (Cu/Au~12500) and an average high rate of gold deposition (~4500 tons Au/Ma). The Au-rich trend is defined to the greatest extent by seven, alkaline magma-related, porphyry gold systems (>1100 tons Au) and subordinately by numerous calc-alkaline systems (<1300 tons Au). The Cu-rich trend is defined only by calc-alkaline magma-related porphyry systems.</p><p>Modelling of petrological and metal precipitation processes using a Monte Carlo approach suggests that, whereas Cu-rich porphyries are formed by large volumes of magma, Au-rich porphyries result from a better precipitation efficiency of Au. The specific association of the largest Au-rich porphyry deposits with variably alkaline magmas also points out that alkaline magma chemistry favours an upgrade of Au endowments.</p><p> </p><p><strong>References</strong></p><p><em>Chiaradia, M. (2020) Gold endowments of porphyry deposits controlled by precipitation efficiency. Nature Communications 11, 248, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-14113-1.</em></p>


1998 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 355-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Belousova ◽  
W. L. Griffin ◽  
N. J. Pearson

AbstractZircon frequently occurs as a minor mineral in kimberlites, and is recognised as a member of a suite of mantle-derived megacryst minerals. Cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy and laser ablation ICPMS analysis were used to study the internal structure and chemical composition of zircon crystals from southern African kimberlites. Zoning revealed by CL ranges from fine oscillatory to broad homogeneous cores and overgrowths. The ICPMS data show that kimberlite zircons have distinctive trace element contents, with well defined ranges for REE, Y, U, Th, P and some other trace elements. Both low REE contents (ΣREE < 50 ppm), and distinctive chondrite-normalised REE patterns with low and flat HREE are characteristic of kimberlite zircons. Samples or zones with yellow CL have higher Th, U, Y, and REE than those with blue-violet CL. Variations in the concentrations of a range of trace elements lead to different amounts of lattice defects, creating the possibility for different levels of direct excitation of luminescence centres, and therefore different CL colours. The distinctive CL and compositional features described here can rapidly identify kimberlite zircons in prospecting samples taken during exploration for kimberlite bodies.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Ediar Usman

A study of geochemical characteristic of major elelemnt of granitoid in Western Indonesia Region was carried out at Natuna, Bangka, Singkep and Sibolga. The SiO2 contents of the granites are 71.16 to 73.02 wt%, 71.77 to 75.56wt% and 71.16 to 73.02wt% at Natuna, Bangka, and Singkep respectively, which are classified as acid magma. While in Sibolga the SiO2 content from 60.27 to 71.44wt%, which is classified as intermediate to acid magma. Based on Harker Diagram, the granites from Natuna, Bangka and Singkep as a co-genetic. In other hand the Sibolga Granite show as a scatter pattern. Granites of Natuna, Bangka and Singkep have the alkaline-total (Na2O + K2O) between 6.03 to 8.51 wt% which are classified as granite and alkali granite regime. K2O content ranges from 3.49 to 5.34 wt% and can be classified as calc-alkaline type. The content of alkaline-total of Sibolga granite between 8.12 to 11.81 wt% and classified as a regime of syenite and granite. The range of K2O is about 5.36 to 6.94wt%, and assumed derived from high-K magma to ultra-potassic types. Granites of Natuna, Bangka and Singkep derived from the plutonic rock types and calc-alkaline magma, while Sibolga granite magma derived from K-high to ultra-potassic as a granite of islands arc. Based on the chemical composition of granite in Western Indonesian Region can be divided into two groups, namely Sibolga granite group is representing the Sumatera Island influenced by tectonic arc system of Sumatera Island. Granites of Bangka and Singkep are representing a granite belt in Western Indonesian Region waters which is influenced by tectonic of back arc.Keywords: magma, geochemical characteristic, major element and Western Indonesian Region Kajian karakteristik geokimia dari unsur utama granitoid di Kawasan Barat Indonesia telah dilakukan di daerah Natuna, Bangka, Singkep dan Sibolga. Kandungan SiO2 granit Natuna antara 71,16 - 73,02%, Bangka antara 71,77 - 75,56%, Singkep antara 72,68 - 76,81% termasuk dalam magma asam. Granit Sibolga memiliki kandungan SiO2 antara 60,27 - 71,44% termasuk dalam magma menengah - asam. Berdasarkan Diagram Harker, granit Natuna, Bangka dan Singkep mempunyai asal kejadian yang sama (ko-genetik), sedangkan granit Sibolga membentuk pola pencar. Granit Natuna, Bangka dan Singkep mengandung total alkalin (K2O+Na2O) antara 6,03 - 8,51% termasuk dalam jenis rejim granit dan alkali granit. Berdasarkan kandungan K2O antara 3,49 - 5,34 %berat, bersifat kalk-alkali. Granit Sibolga mengandung total alkali antara 8,12 - 11,81% termasuk dalam rejim syenit dan granit, dan berdasarkan kandungan K2O antara 5,36 - 6,94% berasal dari jenis magma K-tinggi sampai ultra-potassik. Granit Natuna, Bangka dan Singkep berasal dari jenis batuan beku dalam dan magma kalk-alkalin yang berhubungan dengan penunjaman, sedangkan granit Sibolga berasal dari jenis magma K-tinggi - ultra-potassik sebagai granit busur kepulauan. Berdasarkan komposisi unsur kimia utama, granit di Kawasan Barat Indonesia dapat dibagi dalam dua, yaitu granit Sibolga yang mewakili P. Sumatera, dipengaruhi oleh sistem tektonik busur P. Sumatera. Granit Bangka dan Singkep dapat mewakili suatu jalur granit di perairan Kawasan Barat Indonesia yang dipengaruhi oleh tektonik busur belakang. Kata kunci: jenis magma, karakteristik geokimia, unsur utama, dan Kawasan Barat Indonesia


Author(s):  
Fan Guochuan ◽  
Sun Zhongshi

Under influence of ductile shear deformation, granulite facies mineral paragenesis underwent metamorphism and changes in chemical composition. The present paper discusses some changes in chemical composition of garnet in hypers thene_absent felsic gnesiss and of hypersthene in rock in early and late granulite facies undergone increasing ductile shear deformation .In garnet fetsic geniss, band structures were formed because of partial melting and resulted in zoning from massive⟶transitional⟶melanocrate zones in increasing deformed sequence. The electron-probe analyses for garnet in these zones are listed in table 1 . The Table shows that Mno, Cao contents in garnet decrease swiftly from slightly to intensely deformed zones.In slightly and moderately deformed zones, Mgo contents keep unchanged and Feo is slightly lower. In intensely deformed zone, Mgo contents increase, indicating a higher temperature. This is in accord with the general rule that Mgo contents in garnet increase with rising temperature.


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