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Salars with lithium-rich brines are a characteristic feature of the Central Andes, but knowledge about the main sources of lithium and the mobilization processes of lithium in the salar deposits is still incomplete. This work focuses especially on the Salar de Diablillos (southern Puna) as part of a larger area that includes the neighboring Salar Centenario and Salar de Ratones. Building on the ability of Li as a tracer of silicate weathering, we investigate the Li content and isotope composition of samples from the depocenter and catchment of the Diablillos basin (3-D) and conduct a surface reconnaissance in the Centenario and Ratones depocenters to identify the key metallogenic processes. Radiogenic Sr and Nd isotope compositions are also provided to discriminate the main local Li sources. The isotope data in all three depocenters show that most of the Li in the brines and evaporite deposits are derived from Cenozoic volcanic rocks, despite the dominance of the Paleozoic basement in the catchment. In the Centenario and Ratones depocenters, near-surface chemical weathering appears to be the dominant Li mobilization process. In contrast, hydrothermal mobilization of Li also plays a role in the Salar de Diablillos, possibly related to the presence of a fractured basement with pressure zones and artesian conditions in the aquifer at depth. These fluids also show a larger element contribution from the basement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Huayra Huasi Volcanic Complex of Miocene age (11.88 ± 0.15 Ma U–Pb zircon) was emplaced in the Northern Puna plateau of Argentina, spatially associated with ignimbrites erupted from Altiplano–Puna Volcanic Complex calderas. The complex comprises biotite-bearing dacites and low-SiO2 rhyolites in the northern area and high-SiO2 rhyolites in the south, all with peraluminous compositions (A/CNK > 1.0–1.22). The units have broadly similar initial Sr and Nd isotopic ratios (87Sr/86Sr ∼ 0.71013–0.71225 and εNd ∼ −5.4 to −7.0) and are composed of plagioclase, quartz, sanidine and biotite as the main phenocryst phases. All units host macroscopic microgranular enclaves and xenoliths of sillimanite–biotite schists, sillimanite- and sillimanite–garnet gneisses, as well as fibrous alumina-rich microxenoliths, the latter being especially abundant in the southern rhyolites. Petrographic, mineral and whole-rock geochemistry, geothermometric and isotopic data indicate that all units of the complex originated by contamination of andesite magmas through assimilation of upper crustal lithologies in early stages of magma evolution. The fibrous alumina-rich microxenoliths are composed almost entirely of refractory minerals (sill + Kfsp ± Pl ± Bt) and interpreted as peritectic or restitic products of partial melting of assimilated metasedimentary rocks similar to the unmodified metamorphic xenoliths in the complex. Geochemical modeling indicates that, after early-stage contamination, each magmatic unit evolved separately. Whereas the northern dacites and low-SiO2 rhyolites underwent assimilation and fractional crystallization throughout their history, the southern rhyolites mainly evolved via fractional crystallization of felsic phases alone. This study shows that the peraluminous nature of felsic magmas do not necessarily originate by partial melting of crustal material but can be acquired by metaluminous magmas during later evolution. The processes shown here of assimilation and fractional crystallization and pure fractional crystallization has relevance for other igneous bodies of similar compositions in the Puna backarc and worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Upper Oligocene–Lower Miocene rocks. [•] Northern Argentine Puna–Southern Bolivian Altiplano. [•] Paleomagnetism. [•] Vertical axis rotations. [•] Southern Central Andes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Coyaguayma ignimbrite is a strongly peraluminous (SP), sillimanite, garnet-bearing silicic rhyolite which erupted in the northern Puna segment of the central Andean plateau in the Upper Miocene (~11Ma), a period that was characterized by the eruption of voluminous (100s to 1000s km3) dacitic ignimbrites of high-K calc-alkaline affinity. In this region, the SP magmatic rocks are both rare and small, but their importance is potentially much greater as rocks of this type are usually interpreted as products of crustal melting and therefore useful for addressing mantle addition vs crustal recycling in the central Andes. The phenocryst assemblage of the Coyaguayma ignimbrite comprises plagioclase (An26-18), quartz, Ba-rich and Ba-poor sanidine, minor Al-rich ferromagnesian minerals (AlT- and AlVI-rich biotite, almandine–spessartine garnet) and sillimanite, as well as accessory zircon and monazite. Textural relations suggest that the accessory and ferromagnesian phases crystallized before quartz and feldspars. Mineral equilibria suggest that crystallization of the rhyolite magma began at ~5kbar and 800°C, and continued almost isobarically to 720°C, causing the residual liquid to increase H2O contents from ~4–5% to ~7.5% before eruption. Most major features (e.g., high SiO2, A/CNK >1.3, low CaO, MgO, TiO2 and FeO) and trace element patterns (low Ba, Sr, Th, LREE and Eu/Eu*; high Rb, U, Y and Nb), along with the thermobarometric constraints on magmatic P, T and water contents are consistent with an origin by mica dehydration melting of metapelitic sources (e.g., typical biotite-muscovite gneisses from the outcropping S Puna basement). However, the relatively low initial 87Sr/86Sr (~0.7125), and high 143Nd/144Nd (~0.512200) ratios invalidate a pure crustal origin. Instead, we propose contamination of calc-alkaline dacitic magmas similar to typical Puna ignimbrites by metapelite at mid-crustal settings (≥18km depth). Geochemical modeling that satisfies the chemical and isotopic data suggests mixing of 70% dacite and ~30% of metapelite partial melts, followed by extensive (70%) fractionation of plagioclase, K-feldspar, quartz and biotite, with minor magnetite and apatite from the hybrid magma. Sillimanite in the Coyaguayma rhyolite is interpreted as a restite mineral or a product of incongruent melting of the metapelite, which was preserved intact in the hybrid melt due to local equilibrium. This petrogenetic model explains most characteristics of crystal-poor SP rhyolites from the Puna plateau (e.g., Tocomar, Ramadas rhyolites) and it may be more generally applicable to occurrences of SP magmas in Andean-type continental arcs dominated by calc-alkaline magmatism. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Upper Miocene Cerro Morado Andesites constitutes a mafic volcanic field (∼100km2) composed of andesite to basaltic andesite rocks that crop out ∼75km to the east from the current arc, in the northern Puna of Argentina. The volcanic field comprises lavas and scoria cones resulting from three different eruptive phases developed without long interruptions between each other. Lavas and pyroclastic rocks are thought to be sourced from the same vents, located where orogen-parallel north-south faults crosscut transverse structures. The first eruptive phase involved the effusion of extensive andesitic flows, and minor Hawaiian-style fountaining which formed subordinate clastogenic lavas. The second phase represents the eruption of slightly less evolved andesite lavas and pyroclastic deposits, only distributed to the north and central sectors of the volcanic field. The third phase represents the discharge of basaltic andesite magmas which occurred as both pyroclastic eruptions and lava effusion from scattered vents distributed throughout the entire volcanic field. The interpreted facies model for scoria cones fits well with products of typical Strombolian-type activity, with minor fountaining episodes to the final stages of eruptions. Petrographic and chemical features suggest that the andesitic units (SiO2 >57%) evolved by crystal fractionation. In contrast, characteristics of basaltic andesite rocks are inconsistent with residence in upper-crustal chambers, suggesting that batches of magmas with different origins or evolutive histories arrived at the surface and erupted coevally. Based on the eruptive styles and lack of volcanic quiescence gaps between eruptions, the Cerro Morado Andesites can be classified as a mafic volcanic field constructed from the concurrent activity of several small, probably short-lived, monogenetic centers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In typical Andean arc magmas, amphibole appears as a phenocryst phase only after considerable differentiation. However, some near-primitive volcanic rocks (high-Mg andesites and basalts) from monogenetic centers in the Puna plateau of Argentina also contain amphibole phenocrysts, implying special conditions of hydrous magma generation in this back-arc setting. This study documents typical examples from Southern and Northern Puna regions and uses the major and trace-element compositions of amphibole to constrain a petrogenetic model for the hydrous magmas. There are significant differences in the nature of amphiboles and their host lavas depending on location of the volcanic centers in the Southern and the Northern Puna regions. In the Southern Puna, basaltic andesitic lavas have Sr/Y values >40 and amphiboles show skeletal forms and occur in an assemblage with olivine and pyroxene. The amphibole compositions are relatively Al- and Ti-poor compared to the Northern Puna. Thermobarometry indicates amphibole crystallization temperatures of 960–1000 °C at moderate pressure (< 5 kbar). In contrast, the mafic lavas from centers in the Northern Puna show Sr/Y ratios lower than 20 and amphiboles in these rocks coexist with a plagioclase-orthopyroxene assemblage. The Northern Puna amphiboles have higher Ti and Al contents than those in the southern region and the thermobarometry estimates imply generally higher crystallization temperatures (>1000 °C) and pressures (6–8 kbar). Furthermore, the chemical composition of amphibole phenocrysts in the Northern Puna Campo Negro center suggests an alkaline affinity of the parental magmas which, together with radiogenic isotope data from earlier studies, indicates a significant contribution of the enriched lithosphere in the magma source. The new data collectively suggest high pressure evolution of hydrous magmas in the Southern Puna, whereas the Northern Puna magmas underwent more differentiation at higher levels in the crust. This contrast in the evolution history of magmas below both regions can be connected with their position relative to partial melting zones in the mid-upper crust, which are larger and longer-lived in the north than in the south, thus favoring a slower ascent of magmas in that region. • Few monogenetic centers of the Puna produced mafic rocks with amphibole phenocrysts. • Amphiboles are compositionally diverse between Southern and Northern Puna. • Chemical contrasts reveal high vs low pressure differentiation of hydrous magmas. • High concentration of Cu during amphibole crystallization in the Southern Puna. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salars of the Andean Plateau in the Central Andes are the largest lithium deposits on Earth. The most notorious are the Chilean Salar de Atacama, and Uyuni in the Bolivian Altiplano. Despite the relevance of the region concerning the lithium resources, there is still scarce scientific literature on the hydrochemistry of lithium deposits in the Argentine portion of the Andean Plateau. In this article we present new hydrochemical data from the first regional-scale reconnaissance exploration of the four major salars in the northernmost Argentine Andes. Data revealed that brines in the studied salars are characterized by mean Li concentrations ranging between 82 and 1014 mg L −1 , and mean Li:Mg ratios from 0.92 to 0.54. The size of the study salars becomes a potential limitation for the whole Li resources in comparison with the giant Atacama and Uyuni. Nonetheless, when considering the Li grade and the Li:Mg ratio of brines, the Northern Puna salars turn out to be very remarkable lithium prospects. Data emerged from this survey represent a valuable tool for: 1) private investment projects by defining Li mining targets, 2) for the administration of natural resources and the definition of the State's politics, and 3) for scientific purposes, especially in investigations meant to better understand the processes involved in the formation of Li brine deposits, salars, and endorheic basins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unravelling the 3D architecture of ore shoots and its evolution through time, thereby moving towards a 4D understanding of mineralization processes, requires an interdisciplinary approach based on the capability of carrying out extensive trenching and drilling as well as effectively integrating structural and geochemical analyses. Such conditions are offered in La Paloma district of the Deseado Massif, Argentina. Here, eight epithermal Au Ag veins are hosted in Middle Jurassic volcanic rocks (Bajo Pobre Formation). The Au Ag (Zn, Pb, Mo and Cu) Sulfuro Vein, representing the main ore body in the district, is a 750 m long, N to NW striking structure extending 230 m at depth. The geometry and distribution of ore shoots within the Sulfuro Vein are controlled by: (i) lithological and structural features, (ii) metal concentration, (iii) temperature of the fluids at the time of ore deposition, and (iv) remobilization processes. The highest values of Au, Ag, Cu, Mo, Pb, Zn and Sb are concentrated at depths between 50 and 100 m.a.s.l., while high Mo values occur also at greater depths in the southern segment of the vein. Molybdenum distribution in shallower sectors of the vein is controlled by its remobilization by later infill stages. The Au, Ag and Cu ore shoots are widely distributed in the southern and central segments of the vein, as are the areas of greater vein thickness. These ore shoots exhibit a sub-horizontal geometry consistent with dominant extensional faulting during mineralization. In the northern segment of the vein, the Au, Ag and Cu ore shoots are discontinuous and small, and show gentle to moderate plunges probably associated with variable fault kinematics and depletion of the fluid in these metals. Ore-shoots of Mo, Pb and Zn display high values along the longitudinal section and sub-horizontal geometry in the central and northern sectors of the vein, with high-grade Mo ore shoots decreasing to the north. The fact that Pb and Zn high grades extend up to the tip of the northern vein segment suggests that these metals continued to precipitate at lower temperatures, favoured by the permeability of the volcaniclastic units. All of the ore shoots exhibit steeper plunges towards the southern termination of the vein. Here, upward fluid flow may have been enhanced by the dilation associated with oblique-slip along the N-S striking segment of the steeply dipping Sulfuro Vein. The geochemical distribution of metals shows a slight vertical zonation and a distinct lateral zonation, which suggest hydrothermal fluids flowed northward from deeper zones in the southern sector of the vein. • Multiple factors interact in the Au-Ag-Cu-Mo-Pb and Zn ore-shoots formation. • Extensional faulting generated sub-horizontal ore-shoots between 0 and 100 m depth. • Rock permeability and fluid composition favoured large Pb Zn ore shoots to the north. • Pb/Cu values and metal zonation indicate fluid flow from the vein southern tip. • Steepening and deepening of ore shoots confirm upward fluid flow from the south. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Lindero gold deposit is located in the Southern Puna plateau, northwest Argentina. The deposit is centered in a cluster of six subvolcanic intrusions emplaced at the margin of the Arizaro Basin. Three alteration types were recognized: (i) Ca–Na silicate (clinopyroxene + magnetite + K-feldspar + quartz + calcite ± plagioclase), (ii) K-silicate (K-feldspar + quartz + magnetite ± biotite ± anhydrite) and (iii) chlorite-calcite alteration. The highest ore grades are linked to the K-silicate alteration. The proven plus probable reserves of Lindero are 84,226 t with average grades of 0.63 g/t Au and 0.11% Cu. A previous study assigned Lindero to the iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) deposit type but many features of Lindero suggest that it is a porphyry gold deposit, including (i) the temporal and spatial link between alteration and the intrusive bodies, (ii) the alteration distribution pattern, particularly the small volume of rock affected by Ca–Na silicate alteration, (iii) the Au-rich and Cu-poor mineralization style. The magmatic complex at Lindero comprises an early-mineral unit (FPD), four inter-mineral units (CPD1, PBFD, CPD2 and DDP) and one post-mineral unit (PMI). In-situ U/Pb SIMS dating of the oldest (FPD), an intermediate (PBFD) and the youngest (DDP) intrusive units, confirms a middle Miocene age. The weighted mean ages of the oldest and youngest units are indistinguishable, with 15.36 ± 0.13 Ma (n = 21) and 15.47 ± 0.11 Ma (n = 16), respectively. Individual ages from each unit range by ~1 m.y. and the overall spread of zircon ages is 15.92 ± 0.23 to 14.44 ± 0.33 Ma. We suggest that emplacement of the subvolcanic stocks took place within this span time, likely at the lower end of this range (15.0–14.4 Ma). Two 40Ar/39Ar ages of hydrothermal biotites from the K-silicate alteration (14.99 ± 0.16 Ma and 14.93 ± 0.12 Ma) indicate that hydrothermal alteration began practically simultaneously with the emplacement of the porphyry units. All of the intrusive units are similar compositionally. They show a fine- to medium-grained porphyric texture (1–4 mm) comprising plagioclase, amphibole, clinopyroxene and scarce quartz phenocrysts (40–55 vol % of phenocrysts) in a K-feldspar ± quartz microcrystalline (0.02–0.07 mm) groundmass, except in the post-mineral unit which has a cryptocrystalline groundmass. Whole-rock analyses reveal a narrow range of dioritic composition (58.6–61.9 wt % SiO 2) and high-K calc-alkaline character for all units. Trace element features (low Ba/Nb ratios, high Nb) of the Lindero magmas indicate a back-arc affinity, similar to those from the Southern Puna and distinct from the Central Volcanic Zone (CVZ) frontal arc. The Sr and Nd isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr = 0.706042 to 0.706607; 143Nd/144Nd = 0.512501 to 0.512582) from Lindero intrusives are also similar to Southern Puna back-arc volcanic rocks. The Pb isotope ratios of Lindero (206Pb/204Pb = 18.79 to 18.83; 207Pb/204Pb = 15.60 to 15.63; 208Pb/204Pb = 38.66 to 38.74) overlap with both back-arc and arc magmas in the CVZ. The narrow age range, spatial association and uniform chemical and isotopic composition of Lindero porphyry units suggest that were derived from a common magma source, which underwent fractionation and/or crustal assimilation before emplacement as suggest by the low concentrations of Mg, Cr, Ni and Sr. The Lindero porphyry units show chemical and isotopic similarities with those from porphyry gold deposits in the Maricunga belt, Chile, and with the porphyry copper deposits of Argentina located in a back-arc setting; however, they differ from porphyry copper deposits in the frontal-arc setting of Chile, notably by the lack of an adakite-like signature (high Sr/Y ratio). • Petrography, geochemistry and age dating were carried out at Lindero deposit. • Subvolcanic complex was affected by K-silicate and Ca–Na-silicate and alterations. • Lindero magmas have dioritic high-K cal-alkaline composition with back-arc affinity. • Stocks emplacement was close in time and the hydrothermal event was simultaneous. • Lindero deposit is the first porphyry gold deposit defined in Argentina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lithium-rich brines of the Salar de Olaroz in the Central Andes of NW Argentina are considered to be of great economic and strategic interest. This study focused on the fluid source(s) and geochemical processes governing the chemical and isotopic characteristics of the surficial waters of Olaroz (residual brines, ephemeral lakes, rivers and tributary streams), aiming to define the mechanisms leading to such a huge Li reservoir. The chemistry of the Rosario River, which is one of the main sources of recharge of the Salar de Olaroz, is mostly controlled by fluid inputs from hydrothermal systems located north of the salar (in the volcanic areas of Rosario de Coyaguayma, Pairique, and Cono Panizo). The hydrothermal fluids are characterized by relatively high Li concentrations, as they interact with Li-rich rocks pertaining to Miocene – Pliocene volcanic formations, Ordovician sedimentary deposits, and, possibly, pre-Ordovician crystalline basement. In the salar, the hyperarid climate regulates the relative proportion between supplied waters and evaporation, inducing deposition/dissolution of salts, which controls the concentrations of main ions in brines and ephemeral lakes. Hence, the peculiar combination of a Li-rich primary source, the hydrothermal scavenging by geothermal fluids that feed the Rosario River, and secondary concentration processes affecting the surficial water within the salar leads to the formation of the huge Li reservoir characterizing this area. • This investigation reports the ion sources and geochemical processes that control the features of the Salar de Olaroz waters. • The chemistry of the Rosario river is influenced by the ions of the waters that emerge from the Pairique Volcanic Complex. • The Rosario River has Li 16 mg/L and significantly contributes to the chemical characteristics of the brines. • Brines are of the Na-Cl type with concentrations of Li+ up to 1,500 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]