The Kultuma Au–Cu–Fe-Skarn Deposit (Eastern Transbaikalia): Magmatism, Zircon Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Age, Formation Conditions and Isotope Geochemical Data

The Kultuma deposit is among the largest and most representative Au–Cu–Fe–skarn deposits situated in Eastern Transbaikalia. However, its genetic classification is still a controversial issue. The deposit is confined to the similarly named massif of the Shakhtama complex, which is composed mainly of quartz monzodiorite-porphyry and second-phase monzodiorite-porphyry. The magmatic rocks are characterized by a low Fe2O3/FeO ratio, low magnetic susceptibility and belong to meta-aluminous, magnesian high-potassic calc-alkalic reduced granitoids of type I. The results of 40Ar-39Ar and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U-Pb dating showed that the formation of magmatic rocks proceeded during the Late Jurassic time: 161.5–156.8 Ma. Relatively low Ce/Ce*, Eu/Eu* and Dy/Yb ratios in the zircons indicate that the studied magmatic rocks were formed under relatively reduced conditions and initially contained a rather low amount of magmatic water. A mineralogical–geochemical investigation allowed us to outline five main stages (prograde skarn, retrograde skarn, potassic alteration, propylitic (hydrosilicate) alteration and late low-temperature alteration) of mineral formation, each of them being characterized by a definite paragenetic mineral association. The major iron, gold and copper ores were formed at the stage of retrograde skarn and potassic alteration, while the formation of polymetallic ores proceeded at the stage of propylitic alteration. The obtained timing of the formation of retrograde skarn (156.3 Ma) and magmatic rocks of the Shakhtama complex, along with the direct geological observations, suggest their spatial–temporal and genetic relationship. The data obtained on the age of magmatic rocks and ore mineralization are interpreted as indicating the formation of the Kultuma deposit that proceeded at the final stages of collision. Results of the investigation of the isotope composition of S in sulfide minerals point to their substantial enrichment with the heavy sulfur isotope (δ34S from 6.6 to 16‰). The only exclusion with anomalous low δ34S values (from 1.4 to 3.7‰) is pyrrhotite from retrograde skarns of the Ochunogda region. These differences are, first of all, due to the composition of the host rocks. Results of the studies of C and O isotope composition allow us to conclude that one of the main sources of carbon was the host rocks of the Bystrinskaya formation, while the changes in the isotope composition of oxygen are mainly connected with decarbonization processes and the interactions of magmatic fluids, host rocks and meteoric waters. The fluids that are responsible for the formation of the mineral associations of retrograde skarns and the zones of potassic alteration at the Kultuma deposit were reduced, moderately hot (~360–440 °С) and high-pressure (estimated pressure is up to 2.4 kbar). The distinguishing features of the fluids in the zones of potassic alteration at the Ochunogda region are a lower concentration and lower estimated pressure values (~1.7 kbar). The propylitic alteration took place with the participation of reduced lower-temperature (~280–320 °C) and lower-pressure (1–1.2 kbar) fluids saturated with carbon dioxide, which were later on diluted with meteoric waters to become more water-rich and low-temperature (~245–260 °C). The studies showed that the main factors that affected the distribution and specificity of mineralization are magmatic, lithological and structural–tectonic ones. Results of the studies allow us to classify the Kultuma deposit as a Au–Cu–Fe–skarn deposit related to reduced intrusion.

Fluid-Rock Interactions in a Paleo-Geothermal Reservoir (Noble Hills Granite, California, USA). Part 1: Granite Pervasive Alteration Processes away from Fracture Zones

Only few data from geothermal exploited reservoirs are available due to the restricted accessibility by drilling, which limits the understanding of the entire reservoir. Thus, analogue investigations are needed and were performed in the framework of the H2020 MEET project. The Noble Hills range, located along the southern branch of the Death Valley pull-apart (CA, USA), has been selected as a possible granitic paleo-reservoir. The aim is to characterize the pervasive alteration processes affecting this granite, away from the influence of the faults, in terms of mineralogical, petrophysical and chemical changes. Various methods were used as petrographic, geochemical and petrophysical analyses. Mineral changes, clay mineralogy, bulk rock chemical composition, calcite content and porosity were determined on different granite samples, collected in the Noble Hills granite, far from the faults and in the Owlshead Mountains, north of the Noble Hills, considered as its protolith. In order to complete the granite characterization, the metamorphic grade has been studied through the Noble Hills granite body. This complete characterization has allowed distinguishing the occurrence of three stages of alteration: (1) a pervasive propylitic alteration characterized by calcite-corrensite-epidote-K-white mica assemblage, (2) a more local one, only present in the Noble Hills granite, producing illite, kaolinite, illite/smectite, calcite and oxides, characteristic of the argillic alteration, which overprints the propylitic alteration and (3) weathering evidenced by the presence of montmorillonite in the Owlshead Mountains, which is considered as negligible in both granites. Alteration was also outlined by the correlation of the loss on ignition, representing the hydration rate, to porosity, calcite content and chemical composition. Moreover, the Kübler Index calculated from illite crystals allowed to identify a NW-SE temperature gradient in the Noble Hills.

Eksplorasi Geokimia untuk Menentukan Daerah Prospek Mineralisasi Emas Tipe Urat Epitermal: Studi Kasus di Daerah Tompaso, Kabupaten Minahasa Selatan, Sulawesi Utara

ABSTRAK Sulawesi Utara termasuk daerah Tompaso, Kabupaten Minahasa Selatan merupakan jalur magmatik yang potensial menghasilkan endapan bijih hidrotermal. Penelitian ini bertujuan menentukan daerah prospek mineralisasi emas khususnya tipe urat epitermal berdasarkan eksplorasi geokimia meliputi geokimia batuan dan sedimen sungai, khususnya metode BLEG (Bulk Leach Extractable Gold). Metode penelitian meliputi pemetaan geologi, alterasi dan jalur urat, percontoan (bijih/batuan dan sedimen sungai), dan analisis geokimia. Sampel bijih dianalisis dengan metode FA/AAS untuk emas dan metode AAS untuk unsur lain, sedangkan analisis sampel sedimen sungai dilakukan dengan metode cyanide leach dan AAS. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan batuan induk mineralisasi berupa lava andesit dan intrusi diorit. Batuan ini mengalami alterasi silica-clay, argilik, dan propilitik. Perpaduan antara pemetaan geologi, zona alterasi, dan jalur urat dengan eksplorasigeokimia batuan dapat menentukan daerah prospek mineralisasi yaitu Prospek Asam dan Polangkok. Pada Prospek Asam, sampel bijih memiliki kandungan emas sampai 0,03 ppm dengan anomali emas pada sampel BLEG menunjukkan nilai threshold 13,52 ppb Au. Pada Prospek Polangkok ditemukan 2 jalur urat (P1 dan P2) berarah baratlaut-tenggara dengan lebar sampai 5 m. Urat P1 memiliki kadar Au mencapai 0,31 ppm dan pada urat P2 mencapai 0,16 ppm Au. Mineralisasi pada Prospek Polangkok didukung oleh anomali Ag pada sampel BLEG dengan nilai threshold 67,18 ppb. Kedua daerah prospek tersebut direkomendasikan untuk eksplorasi lanjut (follow-up exploration). ABSTRACT North Sulawesi, including the Tompaso region, South Minahasa district, is a part of the magmatic belts hosting potential hydrothermal ore deposits. This study is aimed to determine the prospect area for epithermal vein-type gold mineralization, based on geochemical exploration including rock and BLEG (Bulk Leach Extractable Gold) stream sediment geochemistry. Mapping of geology, alteration and vein direction, sampling (ore/rock and stream sediment), and geochemical analysis were performed. Gold in rock samples was analyzed by FA/AAS, and other elements were detected by AAS, while BLEG samples were analyzed using the cyanide leach and AAS methods. The study area is occupied by andesitic lava and diorite, which are suffered by silica-clay, argillic and propylitic alteration. An integration of geological mapping, alteration zones and vein direction with lithogeochemical survey enables to determine the prospect areas, which consist of Asam and Polangkok prospects. At the Asam prospect, the ore sample contains gold up to 0.03 ppm, where the gold anomaly in BLEG samples show a threshold of 13.52 ppb Au. At the Polangkok prospect, two NW-SE trending veins (P1 and P2 Veins) were discovered with a width of up to 5 m. Vein P1 and P2 contains of up to 0.31 and 0.16 ppm Au, respectively. Mineralization at the Polangkok prospect coincides with Ag anomaly of BLEG samples with a threshold of 67.18 ppb. The two prospect areas are recommended for follow-up exploration.

Rapid alteration of fractured volcanic conduits beneath Mt Unzen

The nature of sub-volcanic alteration is usually only observable after erosion and exhumation at old inactive volcanoes, via geochemical changes in hydrothermal fluids sampled at the surface, via relatively low-resolution geophysical methods or can be inferred from erupted products. These methods are spatially or temporally removed from the real subsurface and thus provide only indirect information. In contrast, the ICDP deep drilling of the Mt Unzen volcano subsurface affords a snapshot into the in situ interaction between the dacitic dykes that fed dome-forming eruptions and the sub-volcanic hydrothermal system, where the most recent lava dome eruption occurred between 1990 and 1995. Here, we analyse drill core samples from hole USDP-4, constraining their degree and type of alteration. We identify and characterize two clay alteration stages: (1) an unusual argillic alteration infill of fractured or partially dissolved plagioclase and hornblende phenocryst domains with kaolinite and Reichweite 1 illite (70)-smectite and (2) propylitic alteration of amphibole and biotite phenocrysts with the fracture-hosted precipitation of chlorite, sulfide and carbonate minerals. These observations imply that the early clay-forming fluid was acidic and probably had a magmatic component, which is indicated for the fluids related to the second chlorite-carbonate stage by our stable carbon and oxygen isotope data. The porosity in the dyke samples is dominantly fracture-hosted, and fracture-filling mineralization is common, suggesting that the dykes were fractured during magma transport, emplacement and cooling, and that subsequent permeable circulation of hydrothermal fluids led to pore clogging and potential partial sealing of the pore network on a timescale of ~ 9 years from cessation of the last eruption. These observations, in concert with evidence that intermediate, crystal-bearing magmas are susceptible to fracturing during ascent and emplacement, lead us to suggest that arc volcanoes enclosed in highly fractured country rock are susceptible to rapid hydrothermal circulation and alteration, with implications for the development of fluid flow, mineralization, stress regime and volcanic edifice structural stability. We explore these possibilities in the context of alteration at other similar volcanoes.

Lithogeochemical exploration for delineating primary gold occurrences in West Kao area, North Halmahera District, North Maluku Province

Halmahera Island retains several gold deposits. One of the gold deposits is called as low sulphidation epithermal (LSE) quartz veins which is currently being mined and is situated in the Gosowong goldfield. The veins mostly originated in N-S and NNE-SSW direction. This study is aimed to determine the prospect area in the northern portion of Gosowong goldfield covering the West Kao sub district based on surface mapping and rock/float- and BLEG stream sediment survey. A total of 16 rock/vein float and 120 BLEG samples were analyzed by FA/AAS and CNO2 cyanide leach methods, respectively. The study area is occupied by tuffaceous sandstone, andesite, porphyritic andesite and lava andesite units. In the eastern part, tuffaceous sandstone is suffered from argillic and propylitic alteration, which may be controlled by the NW-SE-trending structures. The gold grade of rock/float samples is up to 0.044 ppm. BLEG data indicates a calculated threshold of 10 ppb for Au and 72 ppb for Ag. The highest Au and Ag contents (anomalies) are identified in the eastern part of the study area. This is spatially (and maybe genetically) related to the argillic-altered tuffaceous sandstone, structures and occurrences of quartz vein floats. To follow up this finding, a detailed exploration is recommended to be conducted within the prospect area.

Mineralization Study of Volcanic Rocks in Colo Volcano Tojo Una-Una Central Celebes

Colo Volcano is an active volcano located on Una-Una Island, Tojo Una-Una Regency, Central Sulawesi Province. Volcanism and magmatism of Mount Colo are still in progress, and this has certainly triggered mineralization in volcanic rocks which is interesting for study. This research aims to reveal the mineralization characteristics of volcanic rocks in the study area. This research was conducted through investigative methods in the form of field observations and laboratory through petrographic and rock chemistry (X-Ray Defraction analysis) to reveal the presence of alteration minerals as a characteristic of mineralization. The results of this study indicate that the volcanic rocks present are tuff and volcanic breccia in the form of pyroclastic deposits associated with alluvial material and andesite rocks. Identification of alteration minerals through XRD test shows the presence of hydrothermal alteration minerals with a formed temperature of 300 ° C such as Quartz, Calcite, Clinochlore, Albite, Dickite, Andesine, and K-Feldspar which are classified into Argillic and Propylitic alteration types.

Duration of Hydrothermal Alteration and Mineralization of the Don Manuel Porphyry Copper System, Central Chile

The Don Manuel porphyry copper system, located in the Miocene–Pliocene metallogenic belt of central Chile, contains spatially zoned alteration styles common to other porphyry copper deposits including extensive potassic alteration, propylitic alteration, localized sericite-chlorite alteration and argillic alteration but lacks pervasive hydrolytic alteration typical of some deposits. It is one of the youngest porphyry copper deposits in the Andes. Timing of mineralization and the hydrothermal system at Don Manuel are consistent with emplacement of the associated intrusions (ca. 4 and 3.6 Ma). Two molybdenite samples yielded consistent ages of 3.412 ± 0.037 and 3.425 ± 0.037 Ma. 40Ar/39Ar ages on hydrothermal biotites (3.57 ± 0.02, 3.51 ± 0.02, 3.41 ± 0.01, and 3.37 ± 0.01 Ma) are associated with potassic alteration. These ages are younger than the youngest intrusion by ~300 k.y. recording the cooling of the system below 350 °C. Such a time gap can be explained by fluxing of hot magmatic fluids from deeper magmatic sources.

The Geology, Geochemistry, and Origin of the Porphyry Cu-Au-(Mo) System at Vathi, Serbo-Macedonian Massif, Greece

The Vathi porphyry Cu-Au ± Mo mineralization is located in the Serbo-Macedonian metallogenic province of the Western Tethyan Metallogenic Belt. It is mainly hosted by a latite and is genetically associated with a quartz monzonite intrusion, which intruded the basement rocks of the Vertiskos Unit and the latite, 18 to 17 Ma ago. A phreatic breccia crosscuts the latite. The quartz monzonite was affected by potassic alteration, whereas the latite was subjected to local propylitic alteration. Both styles of alteration were subsequently overprinted by intense sericitic alteration. M-type and A-type veins are spatially associated with potassic alteration, whereas D-type veins are related to the sericitic alteration. Three ore assemblages are associated with the porphyry stage: (1) pyrite + chalcopyrite + bornite + molybdenite + magnetite associated with potassic alteration; (2) pyrite + chalcopyrite related to propylitic alteration; and (3) pyrite + chalcopyrite + native gold ± tetradymite associated with sericitic alteration. A fourth assemblage consisting of sphalerite + galena + arsenopyrite + pyrrhotite + pyrite ± stibnite ± tennantite is related to an epithermal overprint. Fluid inclusion data indicate that the A-type veins and related porphyry-style mineralization formed at 390–540 °C and pressures of up to 646 bars (<2.6 km depth) from boiling hydrothermal fluids. A later condensation of vapor-rich inclusions resulted in a moderately saline fluid (8.4–11.2 wt % NaCl equiv) at temperatures between 311 and 392 °C, which were related to sericitic alteration, D-type veins, and associated metallic mineralization. Subsequent dilution of the moderately saline fluid at lower temperatures (205–259 °C) produced a less saline (1.4–2.9 wt % NaCl equiv.) fluid, which is likely associated with the late epithermal overprint.

Alteration Mineralogy of the Zhengguang Epithermal Au-Zn Deposit, Northeast China: Interpretation of Shortwave Infrared Analyses During Mineral Exploration and Assessment

Alteration mineralogy from shortwave infrared (SWIR) spectroscopy was compared with X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses for samples from the Zhengguang intermediate sulfidation epithermal Au-Zn deposit, eastern Central Asian orogenic belt, northeast China. The SWIR and XRD analyses indicate that alteration minerals in the vein-adjacent halo mainly comprise quartz, illite, and locally pyrite (QIP) and chlorite, whereas samples from the pervasive propylitic alteration of host basaltic andesite lava contain epidote, chlorite, carbonate, montmorillonite, and locally illite. SWIR mineral identifications from automated mineral identification software may not always be accurate; thus, the results should be validated by the user. The wavelength position of the Al-OH (~2,200 nm; wAlOH) absorption feature can be used to approximate the composition of illite or white mica. However, caution is required when using the wAlOH value to assess paleotemperatures, as the composition of illite can be influenced by the composition of the host rocks or the hydrothermal fluid. In addition, values of the illite spectral maturity (ISM; ratio of the depth of the ~2,200 nm minima divided by the ~1,900 nm minima) can be affected by the presence of other hydrous minerals, quartz-sulfide veins, and absorption intensity (which can be a function of rock coloration). Despite these cautions, the spatial distribution and variation of the wAlOH and ISM values for illite suggest that the high paleotemperature hydrothermal upflow zones related to the Zhengguang Au-Zn deposit were located below ore zones I and IV, which are predicted to be proximal to the intrusive center of the system.

Mineralogy and geochemistry of rare earth elements in the Moyil Valley alteration zones, Meshkinshahr (northwest Iran)

Sabalan Mountain (northwest Iran) witnessed intense volcanic activity during the Cenozoic (Plio-Pleistocene). The result of this manifests itself in the conical geometry of the Sabalan stratovolcano and ahigh hydrothermal gradient around it, which can be detected by geological phenomena such as hot springs, smoke gases and steam outlet pores. The high hydrothermal slope and upward migration of hot water in this area have caused extensive alteration zones in the host rocks. A mineralogical study of alteration zones in thewells drilled in the Moyil Valley to the northwest of Sabalan Mountain has revealed the presence of phyllic, argillic, calcitic and propylitic alterations in volcanic rocks (trachyandesite) and alteration phyllic and propylitic ones in monzonite rocks. In chondrite-normalised rare-earth-element diagrams, trachyandesite rocks exhibit an HREEs enrichment when compared to MREEs and LREEs in propylitic and calcitic alteration zones. This result can be explained by the acidic nature of hydrothermal fluids containing complex ions such as (SO-2, Cl-). The (La/Yb)cn, (La/Sm)cn and (Tb/Yb)cn ratios for argillic, phyllic, propylitic and calcitic alteration zones have revealed that they are higher in fresh rocks compared to altered rocks, suggesting the enrichment of HREEs in comparison to LREEs and MREEs. The anomalies of Eu do not change remarkably in the argillic and propylitic alteration zones of trachyandesite rocks; apparently, alteration hadno effect on them. Such behaviour reflects the presence of gold cations in Eu+3 formed at temperatures below 250°C. Eu anomalies increased in propylitic alteration zones in monzonite rocks and calciticand phyllic alteration zones in trachyandesiterocks.