K-rich rocks and their relation to mineralization in the Mátra Mountains (North Hungary)

Abstract

At the end of the 1960s scientists of the Geological Institute of the Hungarian Geological Survey described K-enrichments in different rock types exposed at surface in the Western and Central Matra Mts. At that time these K-rich rocks were not studied in detail. In the framework of a research project we indicated that the main K-bearing minerals are sanidine and orthoclase. The average K2O content of the different potassium-rich rock types reached 9.16%, whereas their K-content is 7.6%. In contrast to previous opinions no direct mineral paragenetic relationship could be established between hydrothermal ore mineralization and the formation of the K-rich rock types. K/Ar data obtained on K-rich rocks indicate that the K-rich rock types are older than the ore mineralization.