scholarly journals Critical Metal Particles in Copper Sulfides from the Supergiant Río Blanco Porphyry Cu–Mo Deposit, Chile

Minerals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 519 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Crespo ◽  
Martin Reich ◽  
Fernando Barra ◽  
Juan Verdugo ◽  
Claudio Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Noble Metals ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Alteration Zone ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Potassic Alteration ◽  
Copper Sulfides ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Critical Metal ◽  
Te Inclusions

Porphyry copper–molybdenum deposits (PCDs) are the world’s most important source of copper, molybdenum and rhenium. Previous studies have reported that some PCDs can have sub-economic to economic grades of critical metals, i.e., those elements that are both essential for modern societies and subject to the risk of supply restriction (e.g., platinum group elements (PGE), rare earth elements (REE), In, Co, Te, Ge, Ga, among others). Even though some studies have reported measured concentrations of Pd and Pt in PCDs, their occurrence and mineralogical forms remain poorly constrained. Furthermore, these reconnaissance studies have focused predominantly on porphyry Cu–Au deposits, but very limited information is available for porphyry Cu–Mo systems. In this contribution, we report the occurrence of critical metal (Pd, Pt, Au, Ag, and Te) inclusions in copper sulfides from one of the largest PCDs in the world, the supergiant Río Blanco-Los Bronces deposit in central Chile. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) observations of chalcopyrite and bornite from the potassic alteration zone reveal the presence of micro- to nano-sized particles (<1–10 μm) containing noble metals, most notably Pd, Au, and Ag. The mineralogical data show that these inclusions are mostly tellurides, such as merenskyite ((Pd, Pt) (Bi, Te)2), Pd-rich hessite (Ag2Te), sylvanite ((Ag,Au)Te2) and petzite (Ag3AuTe2). The data point to Pd (and probably Pt) partitioning in copper sulfides during the high-temperature potassic alteration stage, opening new avenues of research aimed at investigating not only the mobility of PGE during mineralization and partitioning into sulfides, but also at exploring the occurrence of critical metals in porphyry Cu–Mo deposits.

scholarly journals Critical metal particles in copper sulfides from the supergiant Río Blanco porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, Chile

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Crespo ◽  
Martin Reich ◽  
Fernando Barra ◽  
Juan José Verdugo ◽  
Claudio Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Noble Metals ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Alteration Zone ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Potassic Alteration ◽  
High Resolution Data ◽  
Copper Sulfides ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Critical Metal

Porphyry copper-molybdenum deposits (PCDs) are the world’s most important source of copper, molybdenum and rhenium. Previous studies have reported that some PCDs can have sub-economic to economic grades of critical metals, i.e., those elements that are both essential for modern societies and subject to the risk of supply restriction (e.g., platinum group elements (PGE), rare earth elements (REE), In, Co, Te, Ge, Ga, among others). Even though some studies have reported measured concentrations of Pd and Pt in PCDs, their occurrence and mineralogical form remain poorly constrained. Furthermore, these reconnaissance studies have focused predominantly on porphyry Cu-Au deposits, but very limited information is available for porphyry Cu-Mo systems. In this contribution, we report the occurrence of critical metal (Pd, Pt, Au, Ag, and Te) inclusions in copper sulfides from the world’s largest PCD, the supergiant Río Blanco-Los Bronces deposit in central Chile. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) observations of chalcopyrite and bornite from the potassic alteration zone reveal the presence of micro- to nano-sized particles (&lt;1-10 μm) of noble metals, most notably Pd, Au, and Ag. The high-resolution data show that these inclusions are mostly tellurides, such as merenskyite [PdTe2], Pd-rich hessite [Ag2Te], sylvanite [(Ag, Au)Te2] and petzite [Ag3AuTe2]. The data point to Pd (and probably Pt) partitioning in copper sulfides during the high-temperature potassic alteration stage, opening new avenues of research aimed at investigating not only the mobility of PGE during mineralization and partitioning into sulfides, but also at evaluating the potential of porphyry Cu-Mo deposits as a source for noble metals.

Occurrence and Distribution of Silver in the World-Class Río Blanco Porphyry Cu-Mo Deposit, Central Chile

2020 ◽  
Vol 115 (8) ◽  
pp. 1619-1644
Author(s):  
Jorge Crespo ◽  
Martin Reich ◽  
Fernando Barra ◽  
Juan José Verdugo ◽  
Claudio Martínez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Alteration ◽  
Mass Spectrometry Data ◽  
Alteration Zone ◽  
Critical Element ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Central Chile ◽  
Potassic Alteration ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
The World ◽  
World Class

Abstract Porphyry Cu-Mo deposits (PCDs) are the world’s major source of Cu, Mo, and Re and are also a significant source of Au and Ag. Here we focus on the world-class Río Blanco PCD in the Andes of central Chile, where Ag is a by-product of Cu mining. Statistical examination of an extensive multielemental inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry data set indicates compositional trends at the deposit scale, including Ag-Cu (r = 0.71) and Ag-In (r = 0.53) positive correlations, which relate to Cu-Fe sulfides and Cu sulfosalts in the deposit. Silver is primarily concentrated in Cu ores in the central core of the deposit, and significant variations in the Ag concentration are related to the different hydrothermal alteration types. The concentration of Ag is highest in the potassic core (avg 2.01 ppm) and decreases slightly in the gray-green sericite (phyllic) zone (avg 1.72 ppm); Ag is lowest in the outer propylitic alteration zone (avg 0.59 ppm). Drill core samples from major hydrothermal alteration zones were selected for in situ analysis of Ag and associated elements in sulfide and sulfosalt minerals. To ensure representativeness, sample selection considered the spatial distribution of the alteration types and ore paragenesis. Chalcopyrite is the most abundant Cu sulfide in Río Blanco, with Ag concentration that ranges from sub-parts per million levels to hundreds of parts per million. The highest concentration of Ag in chalcopyrite is associated with the high-temperature potassic alteration stage. Bornite is less abundant than chalcopyrite but has the highest Ag concentration of all studied sulfides, ranging from hundreds of parts per million up to ~1,000 ppm. The Ag concentration in bornite is higher in lower-temperature alteration assemblages (moderate gray-green sericite), opposite to the behavior of Ag in chalcopyrite. Pyrite has the lowest Ag content, although concentrations of other critical elements such as Co, Ni, and Au may be significant. The highest Ag concentrations, i.e., thousands of parts per million up to weight percent levels, were detected in late-stage Cu sulfosalts (enargite, tennantite, and tetrahedrite). The Ag content in these sulfosalts increases with increasing Sb concentrations, from the Sb-poor enargite to the Sb-rich tetrahedrite. The earliest Ag mineralization event is related to the potassic alteration stage represented by early biotite and transitional early biotite-type veinlets and where the predominant sulfides are chalcopyrite and bornite. Silver mineralization during this stage was predominantly controlled by crystallization of Cu-Fe sulfides. The second Ag mineralization event at Río Blanco is associated with the transitional Cu mineralization stage, which is represented by the gray-green sericite alteration (C-type veinlets). In this alteration type, Ag was partitioned preferentially into chalcopyrite, bornite, and to a lesser extent pyrite. The last Ag mineralization event is related to the late quartz-sericite alteration stage, characterized by D- and E-type veinlets with pyrite-chalcopyrite and enargite-tennantite-tetrahedrite. Our data indicate that Ag was associated with several Cu mineralization episodes at Río Blanco, with Ag concentration apparently controlled by cooling, changes in pH, fO2 and fS2 of the hydrothermal fluids, and the intensity of alteration. Overall, our results provide information on critical metal partitioning between sulfides, plus the distribution of critical element resources at the deposit scale. Knowledge of the mineralogical occurrence of critical metals in PCDs is necessary to better assess their resources and evaluate the potential for their recovery.

scholarly journals Geology, Rock Geochemistry and Ore Fluid Characteristics of the Brambang Copper-Gold Porphyry Prospect, Lombok Island, Indonesia.

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-73
Author(s):  
Arifudin Idrus ◽  
Aji Syailendra Ubaidillah ◽  
I Wayan Warmada ◽  
Syafruddin Maula
Keyword(s):  
Meteoric Water ◽  
High Salinity ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Magmatic Fluid ◽  
Mass Balance Calculation ◽  
Potassic Alteration ◽  
Copper Sulfides ◽  
Sunda Arc ◽  
Copper Gold ◽  
Fluid Characteristics

Brambang is one of the porphyry copper-gold prospects/deposits situated along eastern Sunda arc. This study is aimed to understand geological framework, alteration geochemistry and ore fluid characteristics of the prospect. Fieldworks and various laboratory analyses were performed including petrography, ore microscopy, rock geochemistry, chlorite chemistry and fluid inclusion microthermometry. The prospect is composed of andesitic tuff and diorite which are intruded by tonalite porphyries. Tonalite porphyries are interpreted as ore mineralisation-bearing intrusion. Various hydrothermal alterations are identified including potassic, phyllic, propylitic, advanced argillic and argillic types. Ore mineralisation is characterized by magnetite and copper sulfides such as bornite and chalcopyrite. Potassic alteration is typified by secondary biotite, and associated with ore mineralisation. Mass balance calculation indicates SiO2, Fe2O3, K2O, Cu and Au are added during potassic alteration process. Ore forming fluid is dominated by magmatic fluid at high temperature (450-600ºC) and high salinity (60-70 wt. % NaCl eq.). Hydrothermal fluid was diluted by meteoric water incursion at low-moderate temperature of 150-400ºC and salinity of 0.5-7 wt. % NaCl eq.

scholarly journals Complex Concentrated Alloys for Substitution of Critical Raw Materials in Applications for Extreme Conditions

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1197
Author(s):  
Dumitru Mitrica ◽  
Ioana Cristina Badea ◽  
Beatrice Adriana Serban ◽  
Mihai Tudor Olaru ◽  
Denisa Vonica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Raw Materials ◽  
Extreme Environment ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Level Of Involvement ◽  
General Evaluation ◽  
Critical Metal ◽  
Critical Raw Materials

The paper is proposing a mini-review on the capability of the new complex concentrated alloys (CCAs) to substitute or reduce the use of critical raw materials in applications for extreme conditions. Aspects regarding the regulations and expectations formulated by the European Union in the most recent reports on the critical raw materials were presented concisely. A general evaluation was performed on the CCAs concept and the research directions. The advantages of using critical metals for particular applications were presented to acknowledge the difficulty in the substitution of such elements with other materials. In order to establish the level of involvement of CCAs in the reduction of critical metal in extreme environment applications, a presentation was made of the previous achievements in the field and the potential for the reduction of critical metal content through the use of multi-component compositions.

scholarly journals Rare and Critical Metals in Pyrite, Chalcopyrite, Magnetite, and Titanite from the Vathi Porphyry Cu-Au±Mo Deposit, Northern Greece

Minerals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 630
Author(s):  
Christos L. Stergiou ◽  
Vasilios Melfos ◽  
Panagiotis Voudouris ◽  
Lambrini Papadopoulou ◽  
Paul G. Spry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Mineral Chemistry ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Inductively Coupled ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Quartz Monzonite ◽  
Ore Minerals ◽  
Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The Vathi porphyry Cu-Au±Mo deposit is located in the Kilkis ore district, northern Greece. Hydrothermally altered and mineralized samples of latite and quartz monzonite are enriched with numerous rare and critical metals. The present study focuses on the bulk geochemistry and the mineral chemistry of pyrite, chalcopyrite, magnetite, and titanite. Pyrite and chalcopyrite are the most abundant ore minerals at Vathi and are related to potassic, propylitic, and sericitic hydrothermal alterations (A- and D-veins), as well as to the late-stage epithermal overprint (E-veins). Magnetite and titanite are found mainly in M-type veins and as disseminations in the potassic-calcic alteration of quartz monzonite. Disseminated magnetite is also present in the potassic alteration in latite, which is overprinted by sericitic alteration. Scanning electron microscopy and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analyses of pyrite and chalcopyrite reveal the presence of pyrrhotite, galena, and Bi-telluride inclusions in pyrite and enrichments of Ag, Co, Sb, Se, and Ti. Chalcopyrite hosts bornite, sphalerite, galena, and Bi-sulfosalt inclusions and is enriched with Ag, In, and Ti. Inclusions of wittichenite, tetradymite, and cuprobismutite reflect enrichments of Te and Bi in the mineralizing fluids. Native gold is related to A- and D-type veins and is found as nano-inclusions in pyrite. Titanite inclusions characterize magnetite, whereas titanite is a major host of Ce, Gd, La, Nd, Sm, Th, and W.

scholarly journals Sb- Bi-Bearing Metallogeny of the SerboMacedonian-Rhodope Metallogenic Belt (SRMB)

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ananias Tsirambides ◽  
Anestis Filippidis
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Mineral Assemblage ◽  
Balkan Peninsula ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Rare Metals ◽  
Ore Deposit ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Metallogenic Belt ◽  
Critical Metal ◽  
The Eu

Various types of deposits such as carbonate-replacement Pb-Zn-Ag-Au, porphyry Cu-Mo-Au, stratiform volcano-sedimentary, isolated magmatic-hydrothermal and skarns compose the Serbomacedonian-Rhodope Metallogenic Belt (SRMB), which intersects with a NNW-SSE trend the Balkan Peninsula. This arcuate belt is about 500 km long and 130-180 km wide. Sb-Bi alloys and Ag-Cu-Pb-Sb-Bi sulfosalts have been discovered in some metal assemblages in the SRMB. The European Union (EU) is highly dependent on critical and rare metals, such as Sb and Bi, which are very important for a sustainable development. Greece is one of the EU countries with the most potential for supplying the strategic metal Sb in the future, since it hosts a significant ore deposit at Rizana/Lachanas (central Macedonia). Here, the stibnite reserves are 5,000 t (proven) and 50,000-100,000 t (indicated). Both have average Sb=0.3 wt%. In addition, at the same district, there are 1000 t (proven) of wolframite. Another promising Sb-bearing mineral assemblage exists at Alshar (North Macedonia). Here, the stibnite reserves are >20,000 t (indicated) with average Sb=0.5 wt%. At both mineralization districts further investigations are needed to determine the grade and the proven reserves of the critical metal Sb. Until today none encouraging site has been located in the SRMB for remarkable Bi-bearing ore.

Electrochemical product engineering towards sustainable recovery and manufacturing of critical metals

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunting Wang ◽  
Yudong Xue ◽  
Chunhui Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Modern Society ◽  
Supply Risk ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Central Focus ◽  
Critical Metal ◽  
Product Engineering ◽  
Metal Products ◽  
Uncertain Supply ◽  
Sustainable Recovery

Critical metal products play an irreplaceable role in all aspects of modern society, however, uncertain supply risk pushed their sustainable recycling and manufacturing falling in the central focus. Compared to...

scholarly journals Tracking Cobalt, REE and Gold from a Porphyry-Type Deposit by LA-ICP-MS: A Geological Approach towards Metal-Selective Mining in Tailings

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Germán Velásquez ◽  
Daniel Carrizo ◽  
Stefano Salvi ◽  
Iván Vela ◽  
Marcial Pablo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Precious Metals ◽  
Copper Deposit ◽  
Mineral Deposit ◽  
Critical Metals ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Gold Silver ◽  
Selective Mining ◽  
Mineral Characterization

High-resolution mineral characterization performed on mine material from a giant porphyry copper deposit shows that critical and precious metals, such as cobalt, lanthanum, gold, silver, and tellurium, are concentrated in pyrite in the form of visible micro-inclusions, invisible mineral nano-inclusions, and trace metals in the mineral lattice. Visible and invisible inclusions consist of Ag-Au-Te sulfosalt and monazite-(La) particles. Trace metal concentrations grade up to 24,000 g/t for cobalt, up to 4000 g/t for lanthanum, and up to 4 g/t for gold. Pyrite, considered a waste material, is removed from the valuable copper ore material and sent to the tailings. Thus, tailings with high contents of pyrite can represent a prime target to explore for critical metals in the porphyry copper mining operations, transforming it into a new source of supply for critical metals. We propose that high-resolution mineral characterization is the key to evolve from a quasi-single-metal (copper) operation to a multi-metals business by developing metal-selective mining. To address this challenge, we coined the Metal-Zone concept to identify zones enriched in a specific metal within a mineral deposit, instead of zones enriched in an ore mineral.

scholarly journals Geological and Chronological Constraints on the Long-Lived Eocene Yulong Porphyry Cu-Mo Deposit, Eastern Tibet: Implications for the Lifespan of Giant Porphyry Cu Deposits

2017 ◽  
Vol 112 (7) ◽  
pp. 1719-1746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Chang ◽  
Jian-Wei Li ◽  
David Selby ◽  
Jia-Cheng Liu ◽  
Xiao-Dong Deng
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Copper Deposit ◽  
Granite Porphyry ◽  
Radiometric Dating ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Economic Significance ◽  
Vein Formation ◽  
Porphyry Cu Deposit

Abstract The Yulong porphyry Cu-Mo deposit, the third largest porphyry Cu deposit in China, contains proven reserves of > 6.5 million metric tons (Mt) Cu and 0.4 Mt Mo. Previous radiometric dating studies have provided numerous ages for this deposit, but the timing and duration of the process governing the deposition of Cu and Mo remains not well constrained. In this paper, we first document multiple stages of mineralization and hydrothermal alteration associated with distinct magmatic pulses at Yulong by field and textural relationships, and then present high-precision molybdenite Re-Os ages of 14 quartz-molybdenite ± chalcopyrite veins representing these stages to precisely constrain the timing and duration of Cu-Mo mineralization. The ore-hosting Yulong composite stock consists of three successive porphyry intrusions: (1) monzonitic granite porphyry (MGP), (2) K-feldspar granite porphyry (KGP), and (3) quartz albite porphyry (QAP). The vein formation, Cu-Mo mineralization, and ore-related alteration are grouped into early, transitional, and late stages with respect to the intrusive history. The first two porphyry intrusions are followed by cyclical sequences of veining that are mainly associated with potassic alteration and have formed (1) ME vein/USTT, (2) EBE/T veins, (3) A1E/T veins, (4) A2E/BT veins, and (5) A3E/T veins. A2E/BT and A3E/T veins of the early and transitional stages are dominated by quartz and chalcopyrite ± pyrite, respectively, and represent the main Cu-Mo mineralization events. More than 80% of Cu and Mo at Yulong were deposited in the early stage with the remainder being formed in the transitional stage. The late-stage pyrite-quartz veins (DL), which are characterized by sericitic alteration halos, postdate the intrusion of QAP dikes and have no economic significance. Molybdenite Re-Os ages of A2E and BT veins indicate that sulfide deposition at Yulong was episodic over a prolonged history lasting over 5.13 ± 0.23 m.y. (1σ). However, the bulk Cu-Mo ores formed in a shorter time interval of 1.36 ± 0.24 m.y. (1σ) with most Cu precipitated in a more restricted timespan of 0.82 ± 0.24 m.y. (1σ) in the early stage. These results, combined with geochronologic data from porphyry copper deposits elsewhere, confirm that multiple magmatic-hydrothermal pulses with a lifespan of tens to hundreds of thousands of years are sufficient to form a giant porphyry copper deposit. Factors such as metal concentration, volume, and focusing efficiency of ore-forming fluids could have played important roles in producing a giant porphyry Cu deposit regardless of a short- or long-lived magmatic-hydrothermal system.

scholarly journals Mapping Hydrothermal Zoning Pattern of Porphyry Cu Deposit Using Absorption Feature Parameters Calculated from ASTER Data

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 1729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengjuan Wu ◽  
Kefa Zhou ◽  
Quan Wang ◽  
Jinlin Wang
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Porphyry Copper ◽  
Copper Deposit ◽  
Geological Mapping ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Absorption Feature ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Feature Parameters ◽  
Porphyry Cu Deposit

Identifying hydrothermal zoning pattern associated with porphyry copper deposit is important for indicating its economic potential. Traditional approaches like systematic sampling and conventional geological mapping are time-consuming and labor extensive, and with limitations for providing small scale information. Recent developments suggest that remote sensing is a powerful tool for mapping and interpreting the spatial pattern of porphyry Cu deposit. In this study, we integrated in situ spectral measurement taken at the Yudai copper deposit in the Kalatag district, northwestern China, information obtained by the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), as well as the spectra of samples (hand-specimen) measured using an Analytical Spectral Device (ASD) FieldSpec4 high-resolution spectrometer in laboratory, to map the hydrothermal zoning pattern of the copper deposit. Results proved that the common statistical approaches, such as relative band depth and Principle Component Analysis (PCA), were unable to identify the pattern accurately. To address the difficulty, we introduced a curve-fitting technique for ASTER shortwave infrared data to simulate Al(OH)-bearing, Fe/Mg(OH)-bearing, and carbonate minerals absorption features, respectively. The results indicate that the absorption feature parameters can effectively locate the ore body inside the research region, suggesting the absorption feature parameters have great potentials to delineate hydrothermal zoning pattern of porphyry Cu deposit. We foresee the method being widely used in the future.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document