Mineralogy of the Au-Ag mineralization from the Finsterort and Anton vein system, Štiavnické vrchy Mts. (Slovakia)

Abstract

The Finsterort and Anton vein system is located in the central zone of the Middle Miocene Štiavnica Stratovolcano between Vyhne and Hodruša-Hámre villages. The vein system contains several partial veins and veinlets and has generally NNE - SSW strike with moderate to steep eastward dip. Kinematics of the veins is characterised by older dextral strike-slip movement replaced by younger normal faulting. The mineralization is associated with the normal faults and the veins contain interesting paragenesis of Au-Ag bearing minerals. Minerals of precious metals are represented by argentotetrahedrite-(Zn) and rozhdestvenskayaite-(Zn), Au-Ag alloys, members of polybasite-pearceite and pyrargyrite-proustite solid solutions, acanthite and uytenbogaardtite. Au-Ag mineralization is accompanied by older paragenesis comprising mainly pyrite, galena, sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Besides quartz, carbonates (calcite, siderite and dolomite) are the main gangue minerals.