Temperature-Controlled Ore Evolution in Orogenic Gold Systems Related to Synchronous Granitic Magmatism: An Example from The Iron Quadrangle Province, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendell Fabricio-Silva ◽  
Hartwig E. Frimmel ◽  
Maria Emília Shutesky ◽  
Carlos A. Rosière ◽  
Armando J. Massucatto
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Heat Engine ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold ◽  
Oscillatory Zoning ◽  
Granitic Magma ◽  
Iron Quadrangle ◽  
Granitic Magmatism ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract Against the background of an ongoing debate on the genetic relationship between orogenic gold and granitic magmatism, we studied the evolution of a gold-mineralizing system in shear zone-hosted veins that are spatially associated with a syn- to late tectonic 2.69 Ga granite at the Satinoco deposit in the Archean Pitangui greenstone belt (Iron Quadrangle, Brazil). Detailed underground mine mapping, petrography, laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), and elemental mapping of sulfide grains revealed a complex polyphase history, with at least three gold-bearing stages: (1) A syntectonic arsenopyrite (Apy1)-löllingite-pyrrhotite assemblage I that formed during prograde metamorphism from ca. 475° to 650°C at 3 to 4 kbars; (2) further fluid circulation during syn- to late tectonic retrograde metamorphism from ca. 510° to 445°C, which led to a pyrrhotite-arsenopyrite (Apy2) ± löllingite ± galena assemblage II; and (3) a pyrite-pyrrhotite-galena ± chalcopyrite ± sphalerite ± ullmannite assemblage III formed during a later post-tectonic brittle deformation event from ca. 350° to 300°C at 1 to 2 kbars. Ascending granitic magma acted as a heat engine for peak metamorphic temperatures locally, that is at the immediate contact, reaching as much as 730°C and, together with the dehydration of mafic and ultramafic host rocks, generated the sulfide assemblage I. Crosscutting field relationships, together with existing S isotope data, indicate a metamorphic origin for all the sulfide stages with a contribution from granite-derived magmatogenic fluids to the mineralizing system at stage II. New X-ray element maps together with LA-ICPMS spot analyses document oscillatory zoning of As, Fe, and Ni in Apy1 and enrichment in Ni, Mn, Zn, and V. The large amount of pyrrhotite in assemblage II is explained by granite-related Fe metasomatism. This stage led to an enrichment in Co, Sb, and Pb and the redistribution of Au. Assemblage III involved the formation of pyrite veins and precipitation of free gold and Pb-Sb-Cu-Zn sulfides in microfractures of this pyrite. This stage was likely responsible for the remobilization of Ni, Cu, Zn, and Bi-Te minerals. Based on existing geochronological data, at least most of the gold formed between ~2.72 and 2.68 Ga. This study revealed that gold mineralization took place over a wide range of temperatures—a finding that might be not only specific to the Satinoco deposit but possibly to other orogenic-type gold deposits elsewhere as well.

scholarly journals Oxygen Fugacity and Volatile Content of Syntectonic Magmatism in the Neoarchean Abitibi Greenstone Belt, Superior Province, Canada

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 966
Author(s):  
Baptiste Madon ◽  
Lucie Mathieu ◽  
Jeffrey H. Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Oxygen Fugacity ◽  
Greenstone Belt ◽  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Hydrothermal Systems ◽  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Temporal Association ◽  
Volatile Content ◽  
Abitibi Subprovince

Neoarchean syntectonic intrusions from the Chibougamau area, northeastern Abitibi Subprovince (greenstone belt), may be genetically related to intrusion related gold mineralization. These magmatic-hydrothermal systems share common features with orogenic gold deposits, such as spatial and temporal association with syntectonic magmatism. Genetic association with magmatism, however, remains controversial for many greenstone belt hosted Au deposits. To precisely identify the link between syntectonic magmas and gold mineralization in the Abitibi Subprovince, major and trace-element compositions of whole rock, zircon, apatite, and amphibole grains were measured for five intrusions in the Chibougamau area; the Anville, Saussure, Chevrillon, Opémisca, and Lac Line Plutons. The selected intrusions are representative of the chemical diversity of synvolcanic (TTG suite) and syntectonic (e.g., sanukitoid, alkaline intrusion) magmatism. Chemical data enable calculation of oxygen fugacity and volatile content, and these parameters were interpreted using data collected by electron microprobe and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The zircon and apatite data and associated oxygen fugacity values in magma indicate that the youngest magmas are the most oxidized. Moreover, similar oxygen fugacity and high volatile content for both the Saussure Pluton and the mineralized Lac Line intrusion may indicate a possible prospective mineralized system associated with the syntectonic Saussure intrusion.

A Tentative Study of Relationship between Mantle Plumes, Supercontinents and Orogenic Gold Deposits

2013 ◽  
Vol 734-737 ◽  
pp. 265-268
Author(s):  
Jun Hao Cui ◽  
Tao Ren
Keyword(s):  
Mantle Plume ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold ◽  
Upper Crust ◽  
Orogenic Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold Deposit ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Tectonic Environment ◽  
The Relationship

On the basis of predecessors study, this paper found that outbreak frequency of mantle plume is increase, while scale is reduce. The mantle plume provides ore-forming minerals to orogenic gold deposits, as well as affords force to supercontinent formation and decomposition, for the more controls the global tectonic. Supercontinent is the movement of upper crust that could be cause by combine factors of cold and heat mantle plume. Supercontinent supply suitable tectonic environment for orogenic gold deposits. Further, we discuss the relationship between mantle plume, supercontinent and orogenic gold deposit on space and time. With the evolution of the earth, especially the energy loss, the frequency of orogenic gold mineralization is increasing, while the scale is reducing.

Gold-bismuth-telluride-sulphide assemblages at the Viceroy Mine, Harare-Bindura-Shamva greenstone belt, Zimbabwe

2008 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 953-970 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Oberthür ◽  
T. W. Weiser
Keyword(s):  
Native Gold ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold ◽  
Main Stage ◽  
Melting Temperatures ◽  
Native Bismuth ◽  
Gold Bearing

AbstractGold mineralization at the Viceroy Mine is hosted in extensional veins in steep shear zones that transect metabasalts of the Archaean Arcturus Formation. The gold mineralization is generally made up of banded or massive quartz carrying abundant coarse arsenopyrite. However, most striking is a distinct suite of Au-Bi-Te-S minerals, namely joseite-A (Bi4TeS2), joseite-B (Bi4Te2S), hedleyite (Bi7Te3), ikunolite (Bi4S3), ‘protojoseite’ (Bi3TeS), an unnamed mineral (Bi6Te2S), bismuthinite (Bi2S3), native Bi, native gold, maldonite (Au2Bi), and jonassonite (AuBi5S4). The majority of the Bi-Te-S phases is characterized by Bi/(Se+Te) ratios of >1. Accordingly, this assemblage formed at reduced conditions at relatively low fS2 and fTe2. Fluid-inclusion thermometry indicates depositional temperatures of the main stage of mineralization of up to 342°C, in the normal range of mesothermal, orogenic gold deposits worldwide. However, melting temperatures of Au-Bi-Te phases down to at least 235°C (assemblage (Au2Bi + Bi + Bi7Te3)) imply that the Au-Bi-Te phases have been present as liquids or melt droplets. Furthermore, the close association of native gold, native bismuth and other Bi-Te-S phases suggests that gold was scavenged from the hydrothermal fluids by Bi-Te-S liquids or melts. It is concluded that a liquid/melt-collecting mechanism was probably active at Viceroy Mine, where the distinct Au-Bi-Te-S assemblage either formed late as part of the main, arsenopyrite-dominated mineralization, or it represents a different mineralization event, related to rejuvenation of the shear system. In either case, some of the gold may have been extracted from pre-existing, gold-bearing arsenopyrite by Bi-Te-S melts, thus leading to an upgrade of the gold ores at Viceroy. The Au-Bi-Te-S assemblage represents an epithermal-style mineralization overprinted on an otherwise mesothermal (orogenic) gold mineralization.

scholarly journals Genesis of the Koka Gold Deposit in Northwest Eritrea, NE Africa: Constraints from Fluid Inclusions and C-H-O-S Isotopes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhao ◽  
Huazhou Yao ◽  
Jianxiong Wang ◽  
Ghebsha Fitwi Ghebretnsae ◽  
Wenshuai Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Deposit ◽  
Meteoric Water ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Igneous Origin ◽  
Ne Africa

The Koka gold deposit is located in the Elababu shear zone between the Nakfa terrane and the Adobha Abiy terrane, NW Eritrea. Based on the paragenetic study two main stages of gold mineralization were identified in the Koka gold deposit: 1) an early stage of pyrite-chalcopyrite-sphalerite-galena-gold-quartz vein; and 2) a second stage of pyrite-quartz veins. NaCl-aqueous inclusions, CO2-rich inclusions, and three-phase CO2-H2O inclusions occur in the quartz veins at Koka. The ore-bearing quartz veins formed at 268℃, from NaCl-CO2-H2O(-CH4) fluids averaging 5 wt% NaCl eq. The ore-forming mechanisms include fluid immiscibility during stage I, and mixing with meteoric water during stage II. Oxygen, hydrogen and carbon isotopes suggest that the ore-forming fluids originated as mixtures of metamorphic water, meteoric water and magmatic water, whereas sulfur isotope suggest an igneous origin. Features of geology and ore-forming fluid at Koka deposit are similar to those of orogenic gold deposits, suggesting the Koka deposit might be an orogenic gold deposit related to granite.

Gold Deposits of the ~15-Moz Ahafo South Camp, Sefwi Granite-Greenstone Belt, Ghana: Insights into the Anatomy of an Orogenic Gold Plumbing System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin Masurel ◽  
Paul Morley ◽  
Nicolas Thébaud ◽  
Helen McFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Rock Mass ◽  
Shear Zone ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Spatial Association ◽  
Sedimentary Rocks ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold ◽  
Plutonic Rocks

Abstract The ~15-Moz Ahafo South gold camp is located in southwest Ghana, the world’s premier Paleoproterozoic gold subprovince. Major orogenic gold deposits in the camp include Subika, Apensu, Awonsu, and Amoma. These deposits occur along an ~15-km strike length of the Kenyase-Yamfo shear zone, a major tectonostratigraphic boundary juxtaposing metamorphosed volcano-plutonic rocks of the Sefwi belt against metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary rocks of the Sunyani-Comoé basin. In this study, we document the geologic setting, structural geometry, and rheological architecture of the Ahafo South gold deposits based on the integration of field mapping, diamond drill core logging, 3-D geologic modeling, and the geologic interpretation of aeromagnetic data. At the camp scale, the Awonsu, Apensu, and Amoma deposits lie along strike from one another and share similar hanging-wall plutonic rocks and footwall volcano-sedimentary rocks. In contrast, the Subika gold deposit is hosted entirely in hanging-wall plutonic rocks. Steeper-dipping segments (e.g., Apensu, Awonsu, Subika) and right-hand flexures (e.g., Amoma, Apensu) in the Kenyase-Yamfo shear zone and subsidiary structures appear to have represented sites of enhanced damage and fluid flux (i.e., restraining bends). All gold deposits occur within structural domains bounded by discontinuous, low-displacement, sinistral N-striking tear faults oblique to the orogen-parallel Kenyase-Yamfo shear zone. At the deposit scale, ore-related hydrothermal alteration is zoned, with distal chlorite-sericite grading into proximal silica-albite-Fe-carbonate mineral assemblages. Alteration halos are restricted to narrow selvages around quartz-carbonate vein arrays in multiple stacked ore shoots at Subika, whereas these halos extend 30 to 100 m away from the ore zones at Apensu and Awonsu. There is a clear spatial association between shallow-dipping mafic dikes, mafic chonoliths, shear zones, and economic gold mineralization. The abundance of mafic dikes and chonoliths within intermediate to felsic hanging-wall plutonic host rocks provided rheological heterogeneity that favored the formation of enhanced fracture permeability, promoting the tapping of ore fluid(s). Our interpretation is that these stacked shallow-dipping mafic dike arrays also acted as aquitards, impeding upward fluid flow within the wider intrusive rock mass until a failure threshold was episodically reached due to fluid overpressure, resulting in transient fracture-controlled upward propagation of the ore-fluid(s). Our results indicate that high-grade ore shoots at Ahafo South form part of vertically extensive fluid conduit systems that are primarily controlled by the rheological architecture of the rock mass.

Trace-element geochemistry of pyrite and arsenopyrite: ore genetic implications for late Archean orogenic gold deposits in southern India

2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 661-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranjit Hazarika ◽  
Biswajit Mishra ◽  
Kamal Lochan Pruseth
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Pressure ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold ◽  
Southern India ◽  
Oscillatory Zoning ◽  
Trace Element Geochemistry ◽  
Element Geochemistry ◽  
Orogenic Gold Deposits ◽  
Micro Particles ◽  
Fault Valve

AbstractThe distribution of Au and associated trace elements in pyrite and arsenopyrite from late Archean Hutti and Hira-Buddini orogenic gold deposits, eastern Dharwar Craton, southern India was investigated by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. X-ray element maps acquired by electron probe microanalyser reveal oscillatory zoning of Co and As indicating the crystallization of pyrite and arsenopyrite in an episodic fluid flow regime in which fluid salinity fluctuated due to fault-valve actions. The absence of any relationship between Au and As in pyrite obviate the role of As in the incorporation of Au into pyrite, particularly here and may be generally the case in orogenic gold deposits. On the other hand, positive correlations of Au with Cu, Ag and Te suggest possible influence of these chalcophile elements in the enhanced gold concentrationin sulfides. Pb-Bi-Te-Au-Ag bearing micro-particles (<2 μm) are observed exclusively in micro-fractures and pores in arsenopyrite. The absence of replacement features and element gradient suggests direct precipitation of Pb, Bi, Te, Au and Ag from a fluid that was unreactive towards arsenopyrite. An intermittent fall in fluid pressure caused by the fault-valve action would have resulted in the sporadic precipitation of Au, Pb, Ag, Bi and Te.

scholarly journals Karakteristik Fluida Hidrotermal Endapan Emas Orogenik di Pegunungan Rumbia, Kabupaten Bombana, Provinsi Sulawesi Tenggara

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Hasria Hasria ◽  
Arifudin Idrus ◽  
I Wayan Warmada
Keyword(s):  
First Generation ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold ◽  
Salinity Range ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
The Third ◽  
Orogenic Gold Deposits ◽  
Gold Exploration ◽  
Calcite Veins

Recently, gold exploration activities  are not only focused along volcanic-magmatic belt but also starting to shift along metamorphicand sedimentary terrains. The purpose of this study is to analyses the characteristics hydrothermal fluids gold deposits t in the Rumbia Mountains, Bombana Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. There are three generations of veins identified including the first is parallel to the foliations, the second crosscuts the first generation of veins/foliations, and the third is of laminated deformed quartz+calcite veins at the late stage. Temperature of homogenization (Th) and salinity at Rumbia Mountain of the first vein vary from 220 to 355.30oC and 6.74 to 10.11 wt. % NaCl eq., respectively. The second generation vein was originated at Th of 157 to 255.50oC and salinity of 3.39 to 6.88 wt.%NaCl eq., whereas the third generation vein formed at lowest Th varying from 104.40 to 265.90oC and less saline fluid at salinity range between 0.18 and 6.30 wt.% NaCl eq. The result of temperature formation value correlation to the depth of the formation of orogenic gold deposits in Rumbia Mountain is indicated to form on sub-greenschist to greenschist facies at depth of about 4-8 kilometers and formation temperature between 104.40 - 355.30oC at zone epizonal and mesozonal. Based on characteristics fluids inclusion discussed above, the primary metamorphic-hosted gold mineralization type at Rumbia Mountain tends to meet the criteria of orogenic gold type.  Keyword : fluid iclusion, quartz veins, Rumbia mountain, orogenic gold deposits.

IN SITU DATING OF HYDROTHERMAL MONAZITE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GEODYNAMIC CONTROLS ON ORE FORMATION IN THE JIAODONG GOLD PROVINCE, EASTERN CHINA

2020 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 671-685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Deng ◽  
Kun-Feng Qiu ◽  
Qing-Fei Wang ◽  
Richard Goldfarb ◽  
Li-Qiang Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Analytical Techniques ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Ore Formation ◽  
Transient Event ◽  
Late Mesozoic ◽  
Gold Producer

Abstract The Jiaodong gold province, the largest gold producer in China, formed in a setting dominated by a 30-m.y. episode of Izanagi plate rollback and widespread extension, concomitant with late Mesozoic craton destruction. This study presents new high precision in situ sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) U-Th-Pb and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb ages for hydrothermal monazite from the largest of the Jiaodong gold deposits, which were previously dated as indicating ore formation over a few tens of millions of years when applying sericite Ar-Ar, zircon U-Pb, and less robust analytical techniques. Our U-Pb dating on monazite from the Jiaojia and Linglong deposits in western Jiaodong yielded consistent ages at ca. 120 Ma. The new geochronologic results, coupled with recently reported in situ monazite dates from smaller deposits in western Jiaodong, reveal that the deposits that host most of the ≥4,000-t Au resource formed during a relatively brief period at ca. 120 Ma. In eastern Jiaodong, the much smaller resource may have formed about 5 m.y. later, recorded by 114.2 ± 1.5 Ma gold mineralization at the Rushan deposit. The postsubduction opening of a slab gap at ca. 120 Ma is the most likely cause of the extensive gold mineralization in Jiaodong. The gap induced a local and rapid devolatilization of the hydrated mantle wedge at submelt temperatures. The transient event included release of a major volume of gold-transporting aqueous-carbonic fluid that was stored in the wedge into major NNE-trending structures in the overlying lithosphere.

Classification of pyrite types using fractal and stepwise factor analyses in the Chah Zard gold-silver epithermal deposit, Central Iran

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 496-508
Author(s):  
Hossein Kouhestani ◽  
Majid Ghaderi ◽  
Peyman Afzal ◽  
Khin Zaw
Keyword(s):  
Inductively Coupled Plasma ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Central Iran ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Icp Ms ◽  
Gold Silver ◽  
Log Ratio

The major target of this research is the classification of pyrite types using fractal and stepwise factor analyses in the Chah Zard ore deposit, Central Iran. The ore occurs within a breccia/vein type and the major ore mineral hosting gold mineralization is pyrite. In this study, data were selected using optical, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and backscattered electron observations as well as laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP–MS) analysis. Conventional interpretations represent four gold-bearing pyrite types of various textures including fractured and porous Py1, oscillatory-rimmed and simple-zoned Py2, colloform Py3 and inclusion-rich Py4. The stepwise factor process was performed on the centred log ratio (clr) transformed data in two phases and Au was grouped with As, Te, Ni and Co in the second factor from the second stage (F2-2). Also, C-N fractal modelling was performed on the As, Au, Te and F2-2 values, all of which demonstrate multifractal nature. Four populations were separated based on F2-2 values and the C-N log–log plot. The main gold mineralization starts from 32 ppm, 2.8%, 7.94 ppm and 1.26 for Au, As, Te concentrations and F2-2, respectively, based on the C-N fractal modelling. These values are correlated with inclusion-rich Py4 and simple-zoned and oscillatory-rimmed Py2. The results obtained in this study show that fractal interpretation of LA-ICP–MS data by stepwise factor analysis may provide a suitable tool for the recognition of ore mineralization in epithermal gold deposits.

scholarly journals Genesis of the Koka Gold Deposit in Northwest Eritrea, NE Africa: Constraints from Fluid Inclusions and C–H–O–S Isotopes

Minerals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhao ◽  
Huazhou Yao ◽  
Jianxiong Wang ◽  
Ghebsha Fitwi Ghebretnsae ◽  
Wenshuai Xiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gold Deposit ◽  
Gold Mineralization ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Gold Deposits ◽  
Orogenic Gold ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Three Phase ◽  
Igneous Origin ◽  
Ne Africa

: The Koka gold deposit is located in the Elababu shear zone between the Nakfa terrane and the Adobha Abiy terrane, NW Eritrea. Based on a paragenetic study, two main stages of gold mineralization were identified in the Koka gold deposit: (1) an early stage of pyrite–chalcopyrite–sphalerite–galena–gold–quartz vein; and (2) a second stage of pyrite–quartz veins. NaCl-aqueous inclusions, CO2-rich inclusions, and three-phase CO2–H2O inclusions occur in the quartz veins at Koka. The ore-bearing quartz veins formed at 268 °C from NaCl–CO2–H2O(–CH4) fluids averaging 5 wt% NaCl eq. The ore-forming mechanisms include fluid immiscibility during stage I, and mixing with meteoric water during stage II. Oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon isotopes suggest that the ore-forming fluids originated as mixtures of metamorphic water and magmatic water, whereas the sulfur isotope suggests an igneous origin. The features of geology and ore-forming fluid at the Koka deposit are similar to those of orogenic gold deposits, suggesting that the Koka deposit might be an orogenic gold deposit related to granite.

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