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Abstract: The Neoproterozoic Vazante Group at the western border of the São Francisco Craton, Brazil, hosts the largest Zn–Pb district in South America. Several authors have classified this mineral district as Mississippi Valley-type (MVT), based on the intimate association with carbonates and the epigenetic character of most ore bodies. In this paper, we present 47 new lead isotope data from four deposits located along the 300 km N–S Vazante–Paracatu–Unai linear trend. Pb isotope ratios indicate sources with relatively high U/Pb and Th/Pb ratios. Considering the 206Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb ratios as indicative parameters for the source, we suggest an upper crustal source for the metals. The small variation on the Pb isotope ratios compared to those observed in the classical MVT deposits, and other geological, fluid inclusion and sulphur isotopic data indicates a metallogenic event of long duration. It was characterized by focused circulation of hydrothermal fluids carrying metals from the basement rocks and from the sedimentary pile. The data obtained are more compatible with an evolution model similar to that of IRISH-type deposits. The existence of three Pb isotopic populations could be the result of regional differences in composition of the source rocks and in the fluid–rock interaction since the mineralization is a long-term process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Jacobina Range mountain chain is located in the northeastern part of Bahia state, Brazil. It is 250 km long, with N–S direction located at the eastern border of the Gavião-Lençóis block, and corresponds to the northern portion of the Contendas-Mirante-Jacobina Lineament. There are several structurally controlled Au-bearing quartz veins hosted by metasedimentary rocks of the siliciclastic Jacobina Group and Vale do Coxo metaultramafic schists that are exploited by artisanal miners. Four of these deposits were mapped. They are hosted by two Paleoproterozoic fault systems, named from east to west, as Pindobaçu and Maravilha. The Pindobaçu fault system, D1 phase, second-order thrust, and reverse faults hosts both central and oblique mineralized veins at Morro da Palmeirinha and Maravilha deposits, respectively. The Maravilha fault system, D2 phase, second-order transpressive fault, hosts the mineralized central shear vein at the Jaqueira deposit. The D3 phase, second-order normal faulting hosts mineralized central shear vein at Mina Velha. The sericitic alteration is dominant in the D1 and D2 phase deposits, while sulfidation prevails in the D3 phase. Gold grades are lower at the deposits with schist as host rocks when compared to deposits were quartzite is the predominant host rock. Chlorite geothermometry showed that the hydrothermal system temperature conditions ranged between 303 °C and 346 °C at Jaqueira and the primary H 2 O + CO 2 +NaCl (type I) and H 2 O + NaCl (subtype II.a) fluid inclusion assemblage seems to be heterogeneously entrapped during the phase separation, which was triggered by a decrease in pressure, with retrometamorphic conditions, during the orogenic uplift at the Jacobina Range. Later, this assemblage was reequilibrated according to the hydrothermal system temperature conditions. The vapor-rich H 2 O + NaCl fluid inclusion assemblage subtype II.d suggests a possible magmatic contribution in fluid composition at the Mina Velha deposit. The H 2 O + NaCl, secondary subtypes II.b and II.c fluid inclusion assemblages from Jaqueira and Mina Velha deposits are of uncertain origin. The hydrothermal mineralization at Jacobina Range is interpreted as an orogenic mineral system, and the following elements were characterized: (1) participation of orogenic and possibly magmatic fluid composition; (2) the fault systems in a compression-driven fluid flow type acted as conduits of the mineralizing fluids, and the second-order structures were the throttle of the hydrothermal system; (3) the later phases of tectonic evolution were the driver; (4) the inductor of gold precipitation was fluid-rock interaction; (5) dispersion in the gold content occurred when schist host rocks are present. • Structurally controlled Au-bearing quartz veins hosted by fault systems. • Classic Q-S-P (quartz-sericite-pyrite) sericitic and sulfidation (massive pyrite) hydrothermal assemblages. • Hydrothermal system temperature conditions were between 303 °C and 346 °C. • The deposits represent a Paleoproterozoic orogenic hydrothermal mineral system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Morro do Engenho lateritic nickel deposit results from the action of weathering processes on the alkaline mafic-ultramafic rocks that make up the Cretaceous zoned intrusive body belonging to the Goiás Alkaline Province. Historically, the deposit is classified as a silicate one, and mineralization is present especially in phyllosilicates such as serpentine and chlorite. By identifying Ni-bearing phases and providing the lithogeochemical characterization of weathering profiles, this study aims to provide further insights into the metallogenetic processes and controls acting on the mineralization of the Morro do Engenho lateritic Ni deposit. The following methods were used: petrographic studies, SEM-EDS, XRD and lithogeochemical characterization of the weathering profiles developed on each of the parent rocks that make up the body. The Morro do Engenho intrusive massif is formed by a dunite core, surrounded by a peridotite/pyroxenite zone, an alkaline gabbro zone and more externally by a syenite-nepheline zone. The lateritic profile constitutes eight weathering horizons, stacked one upon another from the bedrock namely: (i) saprock, (ii) lower saprolite, (iii) ferruginous saprolite, (iv) ocher saprolite, (v) plasma zone, (vi) lateritic duriccrust, (vii) silcrete and (viii) topsoil. Most Ni mineralization occurs in the lower saprolite, ferruginous saprolite and ocher saprolite zones. The findings pointed to the presence of Ni in silicate mineral phases, represented by serpentine, chlorite, smectite, as well as in Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides. The depressed area, located between the two major topographic elevations, has the highest Ni enrichments, which according to mass balance calculations can account for up to 40%. Hydrodynamic factors, by dissolution/precipitation of silicates in saprolite horizons of dunite core, are suggested as possible agents in the remobilization of Ni, among other mobile elements, to topographically flat zones. The geometry of the Morro do Engenho deposit show that lateral redistribution by hydrodynamic factors could also account for the mineralization of areas peripheral to the dunite core, composed of pyroxenite and gabbro-derived lateritic profiles. The direction of regional groundwater flow, strongly influenced by topography, would also be an important factor in the remobilization of Ni, as well as the mechanical transport of lateritic materials. Silicate mineralization predominates in the Morro do Engenho deposit, concentrated in Mg hydrosilicates and clay minerals; oxide mineralization also occurs, mostly in Fe and Mn oxyhydroxides. The findings discussed in this paper can broaden the understanding of metallogenetic processes involved in the genesis of lateritic nickel deposits.. • Lateritic profiles derived from serpentinized dunite, pyroxenite and gabbro containing Ni mineralization. • Presence of oxide–silicate mineralization of Ni. • Ni concentrations affected by hydrodynamics and mechanical transport of lateritic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper aims at establishing a tectonic and temporal framework to characterize the metallogenic processes that contributed to the origin of the mineral provinces in the northern São Francisco Craton. Many Archean mineralizations (eg. massive sulfide zinc, lead, zinc and copper, besides magnesite–talc, iron–titanium–vanadium, iron, chromite and manganese) were generated before the assembly of the Craton. Deposits of chromite, nickel, gold and emerald were produced during the Paleoproterozoic orogenic cycle, when the Craton was amalgamated into the Atlantica paleocontinent. An extension event is recorded in the Neoproterozoic, during the breakup of Rodinia, associated with deposits of phosphorite and uranium. Kimberlite diamond and gold mineralization were generated during the Brasiliano orogenic cycle, coeval with the amalgamation of West Gondwana. A long-lasting and rather uniform crustal stress is recorded in the area during the Cambrian period. Resetting of the isotopic and magnetic systems that affected the Neoproterozoic sediments of the Irecê Basin at about 520 Ma was attributed to the regional-scale fluid migration and mineralization in the aftermath of the Brasiliano orogenic cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A reverse fault provides a new stratigraphic framework for the Vazante Group. [•] A new Mesoproterozoic Re–Os age is assigned to an upper Vazante Group shale. [•] Fe-speciation supports rapidly changing redox conditions during deposition. [•] The Vazante Group remains the only known glacial deposit from this era. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Greenstone belts and volcano-sedimentary sequences are essential features to understand the tectonic framework of Precambrian terranes worldwide. The São Francisco Craton, eastern Brazil, hosts several of these supracrustal belts related to its Archean-Paleoproterozoic evolution. The Rio Salitre Complex (RSC) is a Paleoproterozoic greenschist-metamorphosed volcano-sedimentary sequence deposited over Archean orthogneisses of the northern São Francisco Craton. Here, we present a tectonic model for the Rio Salitre Complex, integrated with regional and global contexts, based on geology, structures, whole-rock geochemistry, U–Pb zircon geochronology, and Lu–Hf isotopes. The RSC comprises the Baixo Vale do Rio Salitre (BVRS), formed by Lower and Upper Subunits, and the Sobradinho Unit. The BVRS Lower Subunit is composed of ultramafic, mafic, and felsic metavolcanic rocks, chemical, and minor clastic metasedimentary rocks. The BVRS Upper Subunit comprises clastic metasedimentary rocks, while the Sobradinho Unit consists of chemical and clastic metasedimentary rocks. The RSC units display evidence of shallow to deep marine platformal deposition in an intra-cratonic rift (abundance of pelitic facies, presence of phosphorites, iron formations, graywackes, arkoses, and cross-bedded quartzites). RSC phosphorites are a register of a global Paleoproterozoic phosphogenic event. The volcanics of the Rio Salitre Complex compose a bimodal suite. The mafic and ultramafic metavolcanics exhibit komatiitic, tholeiitic, and alkaline affinities. Enriched REE, trace elements patterns, and incompatible element ratios indicate a continental rift environment for the mafic and ultramafic metavolcanic rocks. These features also suggest enriched mantle-derived melts, with a variable crustal contribution. The porphyritic rhyolites and aphyric high-silica rhyolites have subalkaline to alkaline features, with enriched REE and trace element profiles and negative Eu, Nb, and Ti anomalies. U–Pb SHRIMP dating of porphyritic rhyolite resulted in a concordia age of 2161.1 ± 4 Ma (MSWD: 1.1). Archean Lu–Hf T DM ages with negative εHf (t) values (from −8.90 to −2.70), and an isolated Paleoproterozoic T DM age (2440 Ma) with positive εHf (t) value (+3.96), related to the geochemical features, indicate that RSC felsic metavolcanics were originated from melting of multiple Archean crustal sources (continental and slab), with minor contributions of Paleoproterozoic juvenile material, and emplaced in a continental rift environment. 2.0 Ga foliated metagranites and metagranodiorites (locally augen) intrude the RSC rocks, resulting in local hornblende-hornfels metamorphism. The RSC supracrustal lithotypes register D 1 ', D 1 ″, and D 2 structures. D1′ structures are mainly represented by N–S high-dip angle schistosity, N and SSE plunge folds, and high-rake mineral stretching lineation (Lx'); while D 1 ″ corresponds to NE-SW transpressional shear zones, NE-SW low-dip angle crenulation cleavage, and medium to low-rake mineral stretching lineation (Lx 1 ″). The D2 structures are related to, locally quartz-filled, fractures, in addition to NE-SW and ENE-WSW oriented faults. The structural framework reflects a two-phase deformation, with a ductile to ductile-brittle, W-E frontal to NW-SE oblique D 1 phase, and a late brittle, NE-SW D 2 phase. Late hydrothermal activity resulted in quartz veins and pyrite-pyrrhotite-(chalcopyrite) concentrations. The documented aspects of the Rio Salitre Complex are consistent with evolution in a Rhyacian-Orosirian continental rift basin, inverted by the influence of orogenic belts, approaching from northwest and southeast. [Display omitted] • A tectonic model for the Rio Salitre Complex, in the global context, is proposed. • This work brings unprecedented U–Pb age and Lu–Hf for the Rio Salitre Complex. • The petrogenesis of the bimodal volcanic suite is discussed. • The data show that the sequence was deposited in a Paleoproterozoic rift basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]