Evolution of the Magmatic-Hydrothermal System at the Santa Rita Porphyry Cu Deposit, New Mexico, USA: Importance of Intermediate-Density Fluids in Ore Formation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subaru Tsuruoka ◽  
Thomas Monecke ◽  
T. James Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Fluid Inclusion ◽  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Quartz Crystals ◽  
Potassic Alteration ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Host Rocks ◽  
Intermediate Density ◽  
Porphyry Cu Deposit

Abstract The Santa Rita porphyry Cu deposit in New Mexico, USA, is characterized by a stockwork of three vein types that differ in morphology, mineralogy, and associated alteration assemblages. Early quartz veins associated with potassic alteration are composed of recrystallized granular quartz grains that host ubiquitous hypersaline liquid and vapor-rich fluid inclusions. The early quartz likely formed at high (≳500°C) temperatures and lithostatic pressures. Hypogene Cu mineralization at Santa Rita is in sulfide veins that reopened or crosscut the early quartz veins. The sulfide veins are surrounded by alteration halos containing chlorite and K-feldspar. Rare quartz crystals are present in some of these chalcopyrite and pyrite veins. The cores of the quartz crystals contain hypersaline liquid and vapor-rich fluid inclusions, whereas the rims mostly contain hypersaline liquid inclusions. The quartz crystals are interpreted to have formed close to the ductile-brittle transition as a result of the pressure drop from lithostatic to hydrostatic conditions. Formation of the quartz crystals was postdated by the deposition of Cu sulfides. Grain boundaries between the quartz and the sulfide minerals are irregular in shape, with sulfide crosscutting growth zones in the quartz. The Cu sulfides are interpreted to have formed from intermediate-density fluids that form secondary fluid inclusion assemblages in all earlier-formed quartz types. Microthermometric investigations showed that these fluid inclusion assemblages homogenize at ~385° to 435°C by critical or near-critical behavior and have salinities of <10 wt % NaCl equiv. The precipitation of Cu sulfides occurred as a result of cooling of these fluids following their escape from the lithostatic into the hydrostatic realm. Retrograde quartz solubility caused the corrosion of earlier-formed quartz during Cu sulfide deposition. The youngest veins at Santa Rita are composed of quartz and pyrite. These veins are associated with intense sericite alteration that overprinted all earlier alteration assemblages. The late quartz hosts primary and secondary liquid-rich fluid inclusions, but no intermediate-density fluid inclusions were identified. This quartz vein type formed at temperatures <360°C and hydrostatic pressures. The paragenetic relationships show that hypogene Cu mineralization at Santa Rita postdated potassic alteration of the host rocks. The Cu mineralization was formed by cooling intermediate-density fluids with critical or near-critical densities as they escaped from lithostatic to hydrostatic conditions.

PIXE and SEM analyses of fluid inclusions in quartz crystals from the K-alteration zone of the Rosia Poieni porphyry-Cu deposit, Apuseni Mountains, Rumania

1996 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 1081-1096 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Damman ◽  
Saskia M. Kars ◽  
Jacques L.R. Touret ◽  
E. Christiaan Rieffe ◽  
Johannes A.L.M. Kramer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Alteration Zone ◽  
Quartz Crystals ◽  
Apuseni Mountains ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Porphyry Cu Deposit ◽  
Sem Analyses

scholarly journals Mineralogical and Fluid Inclusions Study of Epithermal Type Veins Intruding the Volcanic Rocks of the Kornofolia Area, Evros, NE Greece.

2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 202
Author(s):  
Foteini Aravani ◽  
Lambrini Papadopoulou ◽  
Vasileios Melfos ◽  
Triantafillos Soldatos ◽  
Triantafillia Zorba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Fluid Inclusion ◽  
Hydrothermal Alteration ◽  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
The Other ◽  
Calc Alkaline ◽  
Ft Ir ◽  
Host Rocks

The volcanic rocks of Kornofolia area, Evros, host a number of epithermal-type veins. The host rocks are Oligocene calc-alkaline andesites to rhyo-dacites. The andesites form hydrothermal breccias and show hydrothermal alteration. The veins comprise mainly silica polymorphs such as quartz, chalcedony and three types of opal (milky white, transparent and green). Amethyst also forms in veins at the same area. Apart from the silica polymorphs, the veins are accompanied by calcite and zeolites. The main aim of this study is the characterization of the silica polymorphs. Using FT-IR analyses, variations in the crystal structure of the three opals were recognized. The green opal is found to be more amorphous than the other two types. Fluid-inclusion measurements were performed in calcite and were compared with amethyst from previous studies. The Th is between 121-175 °C and the Te between -22.9 and -22.4 °C. The salinities range from 0.9 to 4.5 wt % NaCl equiv.

scholarly journals Amethyst Occurrences in Tertiary Volcanic Rocks of Greece: Mineralogical, Fluid Inclusion and Oxygen Isotope Constraints on Their Genesis

Minerals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Panagiotis Voudouris ◽  
Vasilios Melfos ◽  
Constantinos Mavrogonatos ◽  
Alexandre Tarantola ◽  
Jens Gӧtze ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Inclusion ◽  
Open System ◽  
Volcanic Rocks ◽  
Hydrothermal Fluids ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Low Salinity ◽  
Moderate Salinity ◽  
Host Rocks ◽  
Of Greece

Epithermally altered volcanic rocks in Greece host amethyst-bearing veins in association with various silicates, carbonates, oxides and sulfides. Host rocks are Oligocene to Pleistocene calc-alkaline to shoshonitic lavas and pyroclastics of intermediate to acidic composition. The veins are integral parts of high to intermediate sulfidation epithermal mineralized centers in northern Greece (e.g., Kassiteres–Sapes, Kirki, Kornofolia/Soufli, Lesvos Island) and on Milos Island. Colloform–crustiform banding with alternations of amethyst, chalcedony and/or carbonates is a common characteristic of the studied amethyst-bearing veins. Hydrothermal alteration around the quartz veins includes sericitic, K-feldspar (adularia), propylitic and zeolitic types. Precipitation of amethyst took place from near-neutral to alkaline fluids, as indicated by the presence of various amounts of gangue adularia, calcite, zeolites, chlorite and smectite. Fluid inclusion data suggest that the studied amethyst was formed by hydrothermal fluids with relatively low temperatures (~200–250 °C) and low to moderate salinity (1–8 wt % NaCl equiv). A fluid cooling gradually from the external to the inner parts of the veins, possibly with subsequent boiling in an open system, is considered for the amethysts of Silver Hill in Sapes and Kassiteres. Amethysts from Kornofolia, Megala Therma, Kalogries and Chondro Vouno were formed by mixing of moderately saline hydrothermal fluids with low-salinity fluids at relatively lower temperatures indicating the presence of dilution processes and probably boiling in an open system. Stable isotope data point to mixing between magmatic and marine (and/or meteoric) waters and are consistent with the oxidizing conditions required for amethyst formation.

scholarly journals Rhenium - rich molybdenites in Thracian porphyry Mo±Cu occurrences, NE - Greece

2001 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Β. ΜΕΛΦΟΣ ◽  
Π. ΒΟΥΔΟΥΡΗΣ ◽  
Κ. ΑΡΙΚΑΣ ◽  
Μ. ΒΑΒΕΛΙΔΗΣ
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Hydrothermal Alteration ◽  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Mineral Chemistry ◽  
Rare Element ◽  
Alteration Zones ◽  
Porphyry Cu ◽  
Mineral Assemblages ◽  
Host Rocks

The present study correlates both the mineralogy of the hydrothermal alteration and the mineral chemistry of molybdenites from three porphyry Mo ± Cu occurrences in Thrace: Melitena, Pagoni Rachi/Kirki and Ktismata/ Maronia. The mineralisations are genetically related to calcalkaline, subvolcanic bodies of Tertiary age. According to their mineralogical and chemical composition the host rocks are characterized as dacite (Melitena), dacitic andésite (Pagoni Rachi) and porphyry microgranite (Ktismata/Maronia). The molybdenites occur in disseminated form, as fracture fillings, as well within quartz stockworks crosscuting the central alteration zones of the intrusives. They are accompanied by the following mineral assemblages: quartz, sericite, pyrophyllite, diaspore, Ca-Ba-rich alunite, pyrite (Melitena); quartz, albite/K-feldspar, biotite, actinolite, magnetite (Pagoni Rachi); and sericite, kaolinite, pyrophyllite, chlorite (Ktismata). Preliminary microthermometric results showed homogenisation temperatures from 352° to 390 °C for Pagoni Rachi area and from 295° to 363 °C for Melitena area. The salinities range between 4.5 and 6.1 wt% eq. NaCl and between 2.7 and 3.4 wt% eq. NaCl, respectively. Detailed study on over 400 fluid inclusions from the porphyry Cu-Mo deposit in Maronia area revealed formation temperatures from 300° to 420 °C, whereas salinities are distincted in two different groups from 6 to 16 wt% eq. NaCl and from 28 to 55 wt% eq. NaCl. The chemical composition of the molybdenites from the three porphyry Mo±Cu deposits in Thrace was studied with 155 microprobe analyses. The results revealed unusual high and variable Re concentrations in the studied molybdenites. Re content in molybdenite from Melitena area vary from 0.21 to 1.74 wt%, 0.79 wt% on average. The highest values were measured in samples from Pagoni Rachi (0.45-4.21 wt%, 1.98 wt% on average). Finally, microprobe analyses from molybdenite in Ktismata/Maronia showed Re content between 0.12 and 2.88 wt% (0.76 wt% on average). Rhenium is a very rare element with many definite uses, and is mainly associated with molybdenite in porphyry type deposits. According to the data published so far the Re content in molybdenite reaches up to 0.42 wt%. It is obvious therefore that such high Re concentrations (0.12 to 4.22 wt%) from the studied molybdenites in Thrace, are very ineresting for a possible future exploitation.

scholarly journals Ore Forming Fluid of Epithermal Quartz Veins at Cisuru Prospect, Papandayan District, West Java, Indonesia

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
Kha Yay Oo ◽  
Wayan Warmada ◽  
Anastasia Dewi Titisari ◽  
Koichiro Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Inclusion ◽  
Melting Temperature ◽  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Measurement Data ◽  
Homogenization Temperature ◽  
Salinity Range ◽  
Ice Melting ◽  
West Java ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Lapilli Tuff

The Cisuru area is located in Talegong Sub-district, Garut Regency, West Java, Indonesia which is belongs to the central part of Southern Mountain Slope. The aim of this research is to understand the nature and characteristic of fluid inclusion from quartz veins (especially drill core samples) in the study area. Rock units in the area are characterized by Tertiary volcanic rocks and volcaniclastic sequence which is mainly composed of andesite, andesitic breccia, volcanic breccia, lapilli tuff, dacite and related to the intrusion of diorite. The Cisuru epithermal mineralization is dominantly hosted by andesite, dacite, breccia and lapilli tuff, and would probably be controlled by both permeable rocks and NS and NE-SW trending strike-slip faults. The mineralization is shown as void filling and replacement within the silica zone, veinlets along with the open space/fractures and dissemination. Fluid inclusion from quartz veins was studied to know nature, characteristics and origin of hydrothermal fluids. Microthermometric measurements of fluid inclusions were realized by using a Linkam THMSG 600 combined freezing and heating stages. Homogenization temperature and final ice melting temperature were measured for primary two-phase inclusion from quartz veins. Base on the study of the fluid inclusion, the value of homogenization temperature (Th) range from 200 ºC to 395 °C and ice melting temperature range from -0.1 to - 4.5 where salinity range from 0.2 to 7.2 wt. % NaCl equivalent. Fluid inclusion petrography and microthermometric measurement data exhibit that fluid mixing, dilution and boiling were main processes during the hydrothermal evolution.  The formation temperature of each quartz vein is 260 ºC to 290 ºC and also their formation depth is estimated between 560m to 925m respectively. Combination of fluid inclusions petrography, microthermometric measurement, and estimate paleo depth from Cisuru area were suggested under the epithermal environment.

Chronology and orientation of N2–CH4, CO2-H2O, and H2O-rich fluid-inclusion trails in intrametamorphic quartz veins from the Cuiabá gold district, Brazil

1990 ◽  
Vol 54 (375) ◽  
pp. 245-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. S. de Alvarenga ◽  
M. Cathelineau ◽  
J. Dubessy
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Inclusion ◽  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Fluid Circulation ◽  
Raman Spectrometry ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Three Generations ◽  
Inclusion Trails

AbstractThe upper Proterozoic Cuiabá group of Mato Grosso, Brazil, is composed of low-grade clastic meta-sediments which have been folded by several successive tectonic events. Three generations of quartz veins are associated with the structural evolution of this area. The first veins are deformed by the main tectonic phases and show a complex deformational patterns. The second set is parallel to the cleavage and was formed syntectonically during the main folding phase, whilst the last quartz veins are related to a later stage of deformation. A systematic study of fluid inclusions in relation with a statistical study of microstructural markers (fluid inclusion trails, opened microcracks) was carried out on quartz veins from three localities. On the basis of microthermometric studies and Raman spectrometry analysis, four differents types of fluids have been distinguished, each trapped in specific fluid inclusion trails: (i) CO2-rich liquids and vapours (Lc, Vc) at Casa de Pedra, (ii) Lc and Vc inclusions with variable amounts of CO2, CH4, N2 in the vapour phase at BR-70, (iii) CH2-N2-rich vapours (Vn-m), and (iv) aqueous inclusions (L) with variable salinities representing the last fluid generations at all localities.At Casa de Pedra and BR-70, most fluids are observed within the three generations of quartz veins, indicating an important fluid circulation associated with the last phase of brittle deformation. Fluid inclusions of type (iii) and (iv) are oriented along several well defined directions. The study shows the importance of integrated microstructural and fluid-inclusion studies for understanding the geometry and chronology of fluid circulation.

Fluids in Hercynian Au veins from the French Variscan belt

1990 ◽  
Vol 54 (375) ◽  
pp. 231-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Boiron ◽  
M. Cathelineau ◽  
J. Dubessy ◽  
A. M. Bastoul
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Fluid Inclusions ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Hydrothermal Systems ◽  
Gold Deposition ◽  
Variscan Belt ◽  
Quartz Veins ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Montagne Noire ◽  
Host Rocks

AbstractFluids, together with alteration and ore mineral assemblages, were studied in representative hydrothermal gold-bearing quartz veins from the western part of the Variscan belt in France (La Bellière, Montagne Noire district, Villeranges-Le Châtelet district, and Limousin province). Petrographic studies of the relationships between ores, fluid inclusions, microfracturing and quartz textures show that chronological and genetic relationships between gold deposition and fluid trapping may be very complex and difficult to establish for veins which show multi-stage fracturing and shearing. Systematic studies of secondary fluid inclusions in microcracks and recrystallized zones of the early quartz veins indicate two contrasting physical-chemical conditions: 1 relatively high temperature (250–400°C) and pressure (>1 kbar) event with CO2-CH4-H2S-N2 (±H2O-NaCl)-rich fluids related to the early sulphide deposition; 2 lower temperature (150–250°C) and pressure with aqueous fluids related to the late native-gold-sulphide (or sulphosalt) assemblage, which constitutes the economic ores in some deposits.In deposits where gold occurs predominantly in a combined state within arsenopyrite and pyrite (Châtelet and Villeranges), primary fluid inclusions in authigenic quartz combs cogenetic with arsenopyrite are almost purely aqueous (H2O-NaCl) and have a low salinity (1–4 wt. % NaCl). P-T conditions (150–250°C), nearly hydrostatic pressures) are similar to those of the second stage in the multi-stage quartz veins.Consideration of chemical equilibria in the C-O-H-N-S system using microthermometric and Raman spectrometric analysis for the fluids, together with data obtained from mineralogical studies, show that during gold deposition, fO2 was below hematite-magnetite buffer at Villeranges and around the Ni-NiO buffer at La Bellière and Montagne Noire. fS2 calculations based on H2S analyses are in good agreement with mineral assemblage estimates and close to that fixed by the pyrite-pyrrhotite boundary at high temperature. Ore fluid pH was significantly lower than in the host rocks as shown by the complete alteration of the host rocks into a quartz-K-mica assemblage. The data illustrate that during the late Hercynian, fluid circulation evolved from high P-T conditions, in some cases linked to late magma intrusions, towards conditions typical of later hydrothermal systems of the geothermal type.

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