Origin of Palaeoproterozoic, sub-seafloor Zn-Pb-Ag skarn deposits, Sala area, Bergslagen, Sweden

Unravelling the genesis of metamorphosed mineral deposits can be complicated due to difficulties in separating between primary features and features that formed during the metamorphic overprint. Such uncertainty exists for stratabound and dolomite- and skarn-hosted Zn-Pb-Ag sulfide deposits in 1.89 Ga rocks in the Bergslagen lithotectonic unit (BLU) of Sweden, where a metasomatic vs. regional metamorphic origin for skarns has long been discussed. By integrating geological mapping with new lithogeochemical, mineralogical, and stable isotope data (C, O, S), we show that complexly zoned garnet and clinopyroxene skarns in the Sala area of the central BLU predate mineralization. Sphalerite-galena mineralization formed after the deposition of a younger, more Mn-rich ferroan diopside and andradite-grossular garnet, and is associated with phlogopite, tremolite-actinolite, chlorite, serpentine, and calcite. Mineralization in conjunction with a transition from high-T metasomatism to hydrolytic alteration is inferred. An average δ34SV-CDT of 1.6 ± 1.9‰ in sulfides is consistent with a primordial sulfur source. Trends defined by negative shifts in δ18OV-SMOW and δ13CV-PDB in dolomite and calcite are consistent with fluid infiltration at 300–500 °C. The alteration system is sharply truncated by unaltered, c. 1.89 Ga calc-alkaline granite and porphyritic intrusions, which along with F1 folding of the alteration zones and mineralization suggest that mineralization predate regional metamorphism. The Sala deposits are interpreted as Zn skarn deposits formed in conjunction with the emplacement of intrusions into penecontemporaneous marine volcanic and dolomitized limestone strata. The unusually Mg-rich mineralogy in relation to Zn skarns worldwide most likely reflects the dolomitic precursor.

Petrogenesis of a late-stage calc-alkaline granite in a giant S-type batholith: geochronology and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes from the Nomatsaus granite (Donkerhoek batholith), Namibia

The late-tectonic 511.4 ± 0.6 Ma-old Nomatsaus intrusion (Donkerhoek batholith, Damara orogen, Namibia) consists of moderately peraluminous, magnesian, calc-alkalic to calcic granites similar to I-type granites worldwide. Major and trace-element variations and LREE and HREE concentrations in evolved rocks imply that the fractionated mineral assemblage includes biotite, Fe–Ti oxides, zircon, plagioclase and monazite. Increasing K2O abundance with increasing SiO2 suggests accumulation of K-feldspar; compatible with a small positive Eu anomaly in the most evolved rocks. In comparison with experimental data, the Nomatsaus granite was likely generated from meta-igneous sources of possibly dacitic composition that melted under water-undersaturated conditions (X H2O: 0.25–0.50) and at temperatures between 800 and 850 °C, compatible with the zircon and monazite saturation temperatures of 812 and 852 °C, respectively. The Nomatsaus granite has moderately radiogenic initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7067–0.7082), relatively radiogenic initial εNd values (− 2.9 to − 4.8) and moderately evolved Pb isotope ratios. Although initial Sr and Nd isotopic compositions of the granite do not vary with SiO2 or MgO contents, fSm/Nd and initial εNd values are negatively correlated indicating limited assimilation of crustal components during monazite-dominated fractional crystallization. The preferred petrogenetic model for the generation of the Nomatsaus granite involves a continent–continent collisional setting with stacking of crustal slices that in combination with high radioactive heat production rates heated the thickened crust, leading to the medium-P/high-T environment characteristic of the southern Central Zone of the Damara orogen. Such a setting promoted partial melting of metasedimentary sources during the initial stages of crustal heating, followed by the partial melting of meta-igneous rocks at mid-crustal levels at higher P–T conditions and relatively late in the orogenic evolution.

Release of Uranium from Uraninite in Granites Through Alteration: Implications for the Source of Granite-Related Uranium Ores

Uraninite is the main contributor to the bulk-rock uranium concentration in many U-rich granites and is the most important uranium source for granite-related uranium deposits. However, detailed textural and compositional evolution of magmatic uraninite in granites during alteration and associated uranium mobilization have not been well documented. In this study, textures and geochemistry of uraninites from the Zhuguangshan batholith (South China) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The geochemical data indicate that the Longhuashan and Youdong plutons are peraluminous leucogranite, the Changjiang pluton is highly fractionated high-K calc-alkaline granite, and the Jiufeng pluton belongs to a high-K calc-alkaline association. Uraninites from the Longhuashan and Youdong granites have lower concentrations of ThO2 (0.9–4.0 wt %) and rare earth elements (REE)2O3 (0.1–1.0 wt %) than those from the Changjiang and Jiufeng granites (ThO2 = 4.4–7.6 wt %, REE2O3 = 0.7–5.1 wt %). Uraninites observed in the Longhuashan, Youdong, Changjiang, and Jiufeng granites yielded chemical ages of 223 ± 3, 222 ± 2, 157 ± 1, and 161 ± 2 Ma, respectively. The samples (including altered and unaltered) collected from the Longhuashan, Youdong, and Changjiang granites are characterized by highly variable whole-rock U concentrations of 6.9 to 44.7 ppm and Th/U ratios of 0.9 to 7.0, consistent with crystallization of uraninite in these granites being followed by uranium leaching during alteration. Alteration of uraninite, indicated by altered domains developing microcracks and appearing darker in backscattered electron (BSE) images compared to unaltered domains, results in the incorporation of Si and Ca and mobilization of U. In contrast, the least altered samples of the unmineralized Jiufeng granite have low U concentrations (5.3–16.4 ppm) and high ΣREE/U (13.6–49.4) and Th/U ratios (2.1–5.6), which inhibit crystallization of uraninite, as its crystallization occurs when the U concentration is high enough to exceed the substitution capacity of other U-bearing minerals. These results indicate that the Longhuashan, Youdong, and Changjiang granites were favorable uranium sources for the formation of uranium deposits in this area. This study highlights the potential of uraninite alteration and geochemistry to assist in deciphering uranium sources and enrichment processes of granite-related uranium deposits.