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Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and electron-probe microanalysis were used to investigate the trace-element contents of sphalerite, chalcopyrite and pyrite from the Plaka Pb–Zn–Ag deposit. Using petrographic observations, the analytical results could be linked to the temporal evolution of the Plaka ore-forming system. Sphalerite chemistry reliably records the temperature and fS2 evolution of the system, with estimated formation temperatures reproducing the microthermometric results from previous fluid-inclusion studies. Chalcopyrite chemistry also shows systematic variations over time, particularly for Cd, Co, Ge, In, Sn and Zn concentrations. Measurable pyrite was only found in association with early high-temperature mineralisation, and no clear trends could therefore be identified. We note, however, that As and Se contents in pyrite are consistent with formation temperatures estimated from co-existing sphalerite. Statistical analysis of the sphalerite data allowed us to identify the dominant geological controls on its trace-element content. The three investigated factors temperature, fS2, and sample location account for > 80% of the observed variance in Mn, Fe, Co, Ga, Ge, In, Sb and Hg concentrations, and > 60% of the observed variance in Cd and Sn concentrations. Only for Cu and Ag concentrations is the explained variance < 50%. A similarly detailed analysis was not possible for chalcopyrite and pyrite. Nevertheless, comparison of the results for all three investigated minerals indicates that there are some systematic variations across the deposit which may be explained by local differences in fluid composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic interest in indium (In) and other critical metals has accelerated efforts to understand how such elements occur in nature and the controls on their mineralogy. In this contribution, the distribution of In and other trace elements in the Dulong Zn–Sn–In deposit, China, is described, using a holistic approach which targets not only sulfides but also the potential for In and Sn within co-existing oxides and skarn silicates. Sphalerite is the most significant In carrier. Four distinct types of sphalerite are identified, which differ with respect to ore texture and the concentration of In (0.74–4572 ppm). Subordinate amounts of In also occur within chalcopyrite and within andradite garnet, an abundant mineral in the skarn at Dulong and possibly accounting for a significant proportion of total In. Tin is not especially concentrated in either sphalerite or chalcopyrite, occurring instead as cassiterite but with measurable concentrations also in magnetite and skarn silicates. The study confirms that the dominant substitution for In in sphalerite is 2Zn2+ ↔ Cu+ + In3+ but that Ag and Sn may also play a subordinate role in some sphalerite sub-types via the substitution: 3Zn2+ ↔ Ag+ + Sn2+ + In3+. The study highlights that concentrations of In in sphalerite are likely to be heterogeneous at scales from single mineral grains to that of the deposit. The observed partitioning of both In and Sn into skarn silicates, and to a lesser extent, oxides, is a critical factor that may significantly compromise estimations of by-product elements that would be economically recoverable during exploitation of sulfide ores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IOCG deposit at Olympic Dam (South Australia) is hosted within the Roxby Downs Granite, which displays a weakly mineralised contact to the orebody (hereafter 'outer shell'). In a mineralogical-geochemical characterisation of Fe-oxides from the outer shell, we show silician magnetite (Si-magnetite) and HFSE-bearing hematite define the early stages of alkali-calcic alteration. This association forms in the presence of hydrothermal K-feldspar and calc-silicates via overprinting of magmatic magnetite and ilmenite breakdown. Geochemical modelling, at ≥ 400 °C, shows such reactions occur at pH-fO2 conditions coinciding with shifts from K-feldspar to sericite, and ilmenite to rutile stability. The subsequent Si-magnetite+siderite association forms down-T in the absence of K-feldspar. Transition from granular to bladed morphologies in Si-magnetite is part of a series of Fe-oxide interconversions, followed by formation of zoned, U-W-Sn-Mo-bearing hematite. Enrichment in REE, Y and U in Si-magnetite and the prevalence of U-W-Sn-Mo-bearing hematite support a granite-derived fluid. Combined, petrographic and geochemical evidence show a transition among Fe-oxides from the outer shell to the orebody attributable to the evolution of the same fluid. Unusual massive magnetite intervals and Fe-oxide nodules in granite are considered due to either the presence of inherited lithologies, metasomatic products, or the result of magnetite-rich, crystal mush forming in the melt. We propose a model, corroborated by recently published data including high-precision U-Pb dating of magmatic zircon and hydrothermal hematite, in which an 'outer shell' is initiated at the 6–8 km depth of granite emplacement during volatile release from fluids ponding at intrusion margins. Granite cupola collapse at shallower levels (2–3 km?) follows via uplift along faults, facilitating intense brecciation and ore formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Gutaishan deposit is a slate-hosted lode Au–Sb deposit in the Xiangzhong Sb–Au metallogenic province, South China. The deposit has a proven reserve of ca. 9 -t gold at an average grade of 13-g/t and contains 2500-t Sb. The deposit represents the product of a complex ore-forming process, comprising four different stages, of which the third stage is the main gold–stibnite bearing stage. Scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry were used to investigate the occurrence of visible gold and the distribution of invisible gold in pyrite and arsenopyrite. Visible gold displays textural complexity with four distinct categories defined and assumed to have formed directly precipitated from ore-forming fluid and remobilized from pyrite and arsenopyrite. Pyrite and arsenopyrite occur as ten and four texturally distinct subtypes; all host invisible gold, which is lattice-bound. Trace element mapping of selected pyrite and arsenopyrite grains reveals a marked compositional zoning with respect to Au and other elements in both minerals. Observed decoupled behavior between Au and As in some grains contradicts the paradigm of coupled Au and As substitution. Evidence suggests that the Gutaishan deposit likely represents an evolving Au–Sb mineralization event recorded by the complex texture and geochemical signatures of visible gold, sulfides, and sulfosalts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bianjiadayuan Ag-Pb-Zn deposit (4.81 Mt. @157.4 g/t Ag and 3.94% Pb + Zn) is located in the Great Hinggan Range Pb-Zn-Ag-Cu-Mo-Sn-Fe polymetallic metallogenic belt, NE China. Vein type Pb-Zn-Ag ore bodies are primarily hosted by slate, adjacent to a Sn ± Cu ± Mo mineralized porphyry intrusion. The deposit is characterized by silver-rich ores with Ag grades up to 3000 g/t. Four primary paragenetic sequences are recognized: (I) arsenopyrite + pyrite + quartz, (II) main sulfide + quartz, (III) silver-bearing sulfosalt + quartz, and (IV) boulangerite + calcite. A subsequent supergene oxidation stage has also been identified. Hydrothermal alteration consists of an early episode of silicification, two intermediate episodes (propylitic and phyllic), and a late argillic episode. Silver mineralization primarily belongs to the late paragenetic sequence III. Freibergite is the dominant and most important Ag-mineral in the deposit. Detailed ore mineralogy of Bianjiadayuan freibergite reveals evidence of chemical heterogeneity down to the microscale. Silver-rich sulfosalts in the late paragenetic sequence III are largely derived from a series of retrograde and solid-state reactions that redistribute Ag via decomposition and exsolution during cooling, illustrating that documentation of post-mineralization processes is essential for understanding silver ore formation. Sulfur and lead isotope compositions of sulfides, and comparison with those of local various geological units, indicate that the ore-forming fluids, lead, and other metals have a magmatic origin, suggesting a close genetic association between the studied Ag-Pb-Zn veins and the local granitic intrusion. Fluid cooling coupled with decreases in fO2 and fS2 are the factors inferred to have led to a decrease of silver solubility in the hydrothermal fluid, and successively promoted extensive Ag deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Irish Orefield is characterised by the presence of both Zn-Pb- and Cu-Ni-As-rich deposits, prospects, and orebodies in similar structural and stratigraphic positions. However, the genetic relationships between these mineralisation types are still debated. In this article, we present new mineralogical, paragenetic, and mineral-chemical observations from the Cu-Ni-As-rich ores at the classic Lisheen deposit, County Tipperary. These observations indicate the intimate association and cogenetic nature of these ores with the more abundant Zn-Pb-rich mineralisation. Specifically, both mineralisation types appear to have formed at the same time, under similar physicochemical conditions, and from the same ore fluids. In addition, both types of mineralisation contain elevated Ge contents. The cogenetic nature of the two mineralisation types, the relative absence of Cu-Ni-As-rich ores from most of the larger Irish-type Zn-Pb deposits compared to expectations derived from probable ore fluid compositions, and finally, the known geological characteristics of larger Cu-Ni-As-rich ore bodies, like Gortdrum, indicate that significant Cu-Ni-As-rich mineralisation could be present at lower stratigraphic levels across the Irish Orefield. Areas with extensive known Zn-Pb mineralisation are expected to be particularly prospective for such ores, which may occur at stratigraphic levels as deep as the Old Red Sandstone. This may have additional implications beyond Ireland, and could point to the potential for undiscovered Cu-rich ores in low-temperature carbonate-hosted Zn-Pb districts elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]