Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106308
{"title":"Multiple generations of garnet and their genetic significance in the Niukutou cobalt-rich Pb-Zn-(Fe) skarn deposit, East Kunlun orogenic belt, western China","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106308","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106308","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Niukutou deposit, situated within the Qimantagh ore-concentrated area of the East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB), represents a typical skarn-type Pb-Zn-(Fe) deposit that is also associated with cobalt (Co) mineralization. The main ore minerals include galena, sphalerite, magnetite, hematite, Co-bearing arsenopyrite, cobaltite and glaucodot. This study conducted geochronological and chemical composition analyses of multi-generational garnets from the deposit, aiming to elucidate their genetic significance in the mineralization process. Field and mineralogical observations indicate the presence of three generations of garnets: Grt-I, Grt-II, and Grt-III. The earliest garnet generation (Grt-I) formed during the prograde stage, typically in garnet skarns, and is often replaced by epidote. The second generation (Grt-II), which coexists with pyroxene, also formed during the prograde stage, whereas the third generation (Grt-III) is associated with pyrrhotite stockworks, suggesting its formation during the sulfide stage. Using <em>in-situ</em> LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating, garnets yield ages of approximately 230–234 Ma, which aligns with the age of 231.8 ± 7.5 Ma obtained from hydrothermal titanite in the deposit. These ages, combined with those of the previous studies, indicate major magmatic and metallogenic activity of 220–240 Ma in the Qimantagh area. Each generation of garnets displays oscillatory zoning characterized by alternating andradite and grossular compositions. The variations in Sn and high field-strength element (HFSE) contents across different garnet generations indicate an increasing trend in oxygen fugacity as mineralization progresses. The high Sn contents in the Niukutou garnets provide geochemical clues for the potential of Sn-W mineralization in this deposit, which should pay attention to in future exploration. Additionally, the high As concentrations in the Niukutou garnets suggest an As-rich hydrothermal fluid, which, owing to the stronger affinity of cobalt for sulfarsenides over sulfides, provides a geochemical indicator for the formation of abundant Co-bearing sulfarsenides rather than cobaltiferous sulfides in the deposit.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142553564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106310
{"title":"Mineralogy and geochemical controls on the distribution of REY-Ga-Se-Nb enrichment in the No. 6 Coal Seam, Soutpansberg Coalfield, South Africa","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106310","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106310","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coal is being explored as a potential alternative source for rare earth elements (REY + Sc), which are critical for advancing modern technology. Previous research has mainly focused on assessing the concentration and distribution of REY + Sc in coals from South Africa. However, the modes occurrence of these elements in coal is yet to be investigated. This study offers new insights on the mineralogy and inorganic geochemistry of the No. 6 Seam coal from the Soutpansberg Coalfield (South Africa). The objective is to investigate the distribution, enrichment, and modes of occurrence of critical elements such as Ga, Se, Nb, and REY + Sc within this coal. The No. 6 Seam is a medium rank-B, moderate vitrinite (avg. 41.5 vol%) coal, and contains major minerals such as kaolinite, quartz, and minor minerals including muscovite, siderite, dolomite, pyrite, and calcite. The total REY + Sc concentrations in the coal samples range from 79.9 to 332.1 mg/kg (avg. 213.2 mg/kg; whole-coal/rock basis), higher than global averages for hard coal. The upper continental crust (UCC) normalized concentration coefficients (CC) of the coal shows enrichment of La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Yb, and Y. Distinct REY + Sc enrichment patterns are observed across different coal horizons, divided into two categories: light-REY (LREY) and medium-REY (MREY) in the bottom horizon coal [bottom-upper (BU) and bottom-lower (BL)], whereas the middle horizon coal [middle-upper (MU) and middle-lower (ML)] are enriched in medium-REY (MREY) and heavy-REY (HREY). The BU and BL samples show greater REY + Sc enrichment relative to the MU and ML samples. The samples also contain elevated concentrations of Ga (max. 106.1 mg/kg), Se (max. 50.9 mg/kg), and Nb (max. 14.8 mg/kg), exceeding the average values reported for Chinese coals.</div><div>When considering the correlations between REY + Sc and major oxide elements, minerals, and organic petrographic assemblages, REY + Sc appears to be more closely associated with inorganic fraction, particularly aluminosilicate (such as kaolinite) and carbonate minerals (like dolomite), rather than with the organic fraction. The kaolinite and dolomite represent mostly detrital input and epigenesis, respectively. Gallium in the coal is primarily associated with aluminium oxide-hydroxide, Nb with minerals such as clay, rutile/anatase, and zircon; and Se with pyrite. Redox-sensitive elemental ratios of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/TiO<sub>2</sub> andTiO<sub>2</sub>/Zr suggest that the detrital components of the No. 6 Seam coals were predominantly derived from a source consisting of felsic-intermediate rocks. These materials likely represent the weathering products of magmatic rocks from the passive-continental margin tectonic framework of the Limpopo Mobile Belt. Paleoclimatic conditions are inferred to be warm-humid to hot, with the peat deposited under suboxic-to-oxic environments. High values of critical REY percentage (REY<sub><strong>def,re","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142553563","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106275
{"title":"A synthesis of the REE-Fe-polymetallic mineral system of the REE-line, Bergslagen, Sweden: New mineralogical and textural-paragenetic constraints","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106275","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106275","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rare earth elements (REE) have gained increasing significance for numerous technologies, particularly in today’s rapidly expanding “green transition” applications such as wind generators and electric vehicle traction engines. Among the more well-known REE mineralisation types in Sweden, together with alkaline intrusions and apatite-iron oxide ores, is the classic yet enigmatic REE-Fe-polymetallic mineral system of Bastnäs-type. The mineralisation type is regional in context and occurs in a discontinuous SW–NE-striking belt (the REE-line) in the west-central part of the Palaeoproterozoic Bergslagen ore province, Sweden. This contribution is aimed at integrating and synthesising existing geological, mineralogical, and textural features with new observations from both well-known and several lesser-known, underexplored or previously unrecognised REE-enriched occurrences within this belt, and to discuss key features within the context of mineral systems modelling. A considerable diversity in both the style and abundance of REE mineralisation as well as in discrete REE mineralogy is evident both regionally across the entire REE-line and locally within different ore districts or mine fields. These variations also extend laterally within or across different stratigraphic levels, and within different host rocks, primarily skarn-altered metacarbonates but also variably altered felsic metavolcanic rocks. Many of the mineralisations share similar textural features, which record a protracted evolution with multiple stages of formation or replacement of REE-minerals. The earliest recognised REE assemblages feature fine-grained cerite-(CeCa) with minor bastnäsite-(Ce) – bastnäsite-(La) or fluorbritholite-(Ce) – fluorbritholite-(Y) or locally britholite-(Ce) – britholite-(Y) minerals. Such assemblages typically display anhedral-granoblastic textures appearing in folded assemblages, all suggesting recrystallisation and ductile deformation during regional metamorphism of REE-minerals that had formed during an early stage of the Svecokarelian orogeny. Overprinting overgrowths and cross-cutting vein-like features of allanite-group minerals likely represent different stage(s) of REE mineralisation and (re)-mobilisation during this orogenic evolution. Several of the REE-enriched occurrences contain variably abundant and diverse polymetallic Cu-Mo-Bi-(Co) sulphide mineralisation that typically occur in late paragenetic positions and show a prevalence to REE-rich assemblages, often dominated by different allanite-group minerals. Sulphide and REE mineralisation are locally strongly associated with metamorphic minerals formed during metamorphism of variably Mg-(Fe)-altered metavolcanic rocks. The diversity in style and intensity of the REE mineralisations, along with variations in textures and specific mineralogy, suggest slight differences in the ore-forming conditions or environment at the time of mineralisation. Additionally, these differences may also reflec","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142553568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106304
{"title":"Distribution of Co, Te, Se in porphyry copper systems: A case study of the Tonglvshan deposit, Eastern China","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106304","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106304","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Porphyry copper systems contain porphyry Cu, skarn, carbonate-replacement and epithermal deposits, and presently supply nearly all the Te and Se, and have the potential to produce Co as by-product in the future. However, few studies have investigated the distribution of Co, Te, and Se in the specific porphyry-skarn deposit. Detailed mineralogical and geochemical analyses were conducted to investigate the distribution of Co, Te, and Se across porphyry, skarn, and carbonate-replacement ore types in the Tonglvshan porphyry-skarn Cu-Fe-Au deposit, Eastern China. The early sulfide stage in three ore types is characterized by Co-bearing pyrite (Py1a, Co up to 1.3 wt%) + droplet-like tetradymite ± hessite ± cattierite. The texture transition from coarse-grained, pore-free to porous Py1a in porphyry and skarn type ores suggests a shift from stable physico-chemical conditions to gentle fluid boiling, resulting in the precipitation of Co- and Te-bearing minerals. In contrast, fine-grained euhedral Py1a in carbonate-replacement type ores implies rapid cooling from high-temperature fluid interaction with marble.</div><div>The late sulfide stage, which only occurs in skarn and carbonate-replacement type ores, is characterized by Co-rich pyrite (Py2) + carrollite + hessite + Bi-sulfosalts. In skarn type ores, tetradymite-kawazulite solid solution (<em>TKSS</em>) + hessite + native Te + naumannite reflects intense boiling, leading to an increase in <em>f</em>O<sub>2</sub> and pH that precipitates Py2b (Co up to 19.2 wt%) and carrollite, while Te and Se may precipitate through vapor phase condensation. Conversely, the presence of fine-grained carrollite, zoned Py2a, sphalerite, and galena in carbonate-replacement type ore suggests that rapid cooling and increasing pH, resulting from fluid mixing, played a significant role in the precipitation Co and Te. Furthermore, the porous texture resulting from coupled dissolution-reprecipitation (CDR) during the late sulfide stage also provided favorable conditions for the formation of micro-nano sized critical metal particles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142586143","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106302
{"title":"Genesis of the Haopinggou breccia-hosted Au deposit, western Henan Province, China","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106302","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106302","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Breccia-hosted Au deposits within the North China Craton (NCC) exhibit a complex genesis, with some breccias being genetically linked to Au mineralization and others unrelated. Understanding the origin of these breccias is crucial for elucidating the genesis of associated ore deposits and guiding exploration strategies. The Haopinggou deposit in the Xiong’ershan district, on the southern margin of the NCC, comprises quartz-carbonate vein-hosted Ag–Pb–Zn–Au deposits and related breccia pipe in metamorphic rocks of the late Archean to early Paleoproterozoic Taihua Group. The origin of the Haopinggou breccia is crucial to understand the Xiayu Ag-Pb-Zn-Au mineralization (5640 t Ag). In this study, we examine the genetic relationship between breccia and Ag‒Pb‒Zn‒Au mineralization, drawing on new insights from the characteristics of the Haopinggou deposit, breccia features, breccia‒hosted Au mineralization, and isotopic data. These findings enhance our understanding of the Haopinggou Ag‒Pb‒Zn‒Au hydrothermal systems and refine exploration models for discordant breccia pipes. Recent underground tunnel surveys and drill-core logging reveal a close spatial link between the breccia and hidden granite porphyry. Juvenile magmatic clasts (granite porphyry) and cement (K-feldspar and quartz crystallized from granite porphyry) are present in the breccia pipe above a granite porphyry apophysis, indicating that the breccia was formed by phreatomagmatic brecciation caused by emplacement of the granite porphyry. Fluidization at the cm- to 100-m-scale reveals that the movement direction of clasts inside the breccia pipe was from northwest to southeast after crypto-explosion, creating a northwest-trending breccia zone. Anhedral monazite (131.2 ± 7.6 Ma) encapsulated in pyrite from the breccia constrains the upper limit of brecciation. The δ<sup>34</sup>S values of pyrite in rock flour and hydrothermal cements range from 3.8 ‰ to 5.3 ‰ (mean: 4.8 ‰) and 2.7 ‰ to 7.5 ‰ (mean: 5.2 ‰), respectively, with δ<sup>34</sup>S-sphalerite in hydrothermal cement ranging from 5.7 ‰ to 6.1 ‰ (mean: 5.9 ‰) and δ<sup>34</sup>S-chalcopyrite ranging from − 0.9 ‰ to 5.6 ‰ (mean: 2.9 ‰). The S isotope characteristics of vein-hosted and breccia-hosted mineralization zones are consistent, with complete alignment of the sulfide assemblages and alteration features. These pieces of evidence collectively indicate that both vein- and breccia-hosted mineralization zones are products of magmatic activity. The metallogenic model for the Haopinggou breccia pipe underscores its unique formation mechanism, driven by pre-existing northwest-striking structural weaknesses and fluidization. This model implies a predominant northwest‒to‒southeast transport of clasts and raises the hypothesis of an underlying porphyry‒type Au mineralization system at depth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142586146","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106323
{"title":"In-situ trace element and sulfur isotope compositions of Multi-Stage sulfides in the Buzhu orogenic gold (Antimony) Deposit, southern Tibet: Implications for the metallogenic process","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Buzhu gold (antimony) deposit, located within the gold-antimony polymetallic belt of southern Tibet in the Tethys Himalayan belt, is a recently discovered medium-sized gold polymetallic deposit. The orebody consists primarily of gold-bearing quartz sulfide veins. Currently, the metallogenic mechanism of the deposit remains largely unexplored. Utilizing results from the mineralogical observation of principal ore minerals, LA-ICP-MS trace element analysis, and in-situ sulfur isotope analysis of pyrite, investigations reconstruct the evolution process of pyrite-arsenopyrite and constrain the metallogenic process of the Buzhu gold (antimony) deposit. It has been discovered that the gold-bearing sulfides in the Buzhu gold (antimony) deposit are primarily pyrite and arsenopyrite. Pyrite can be categorized into six generations: framboidal pyrite Py0, dissolution cavity pyrite Py1a (some exhibiting oscillatory zoning), disseminated pyrite Py1b, euhedral pyrite Py2a, irregular pyrite Py2b, and Py3. Arsenopyrite, on the other hand, can be classified into three generations: early arsenopyrite Apy0, disseminated arsenopyrite Apy1, and euhedral Apy2. The analysis of δ<sup>34</sup>S in pyrite throughout the ore-forming process indicates sulfur derives from multiple sources, with Py0 indicative of a biological sulfur source. The evolutionary process of pyrite, supported by trace element analysis, suggests that the remaining pyrite derives from sedimentary fluid transformation, with sulfur primarily sourced from metamorphic sediments. Elemental spectrum analysis and BSE observations indicate that the Buzhu gold (antimony) deposit primarily undergoes two distinct stages of mineralization: the initial stage is the gold-antimony mineralization phase, during which antimony precipitates in the fissures of Py1a as stibnite, while gold is primarily found in Py1-Apy1 as invisible gold, with the highest gold content in Apy1 (28.20–60.13 ppm, average 40.51 ppm). The subsequent stage of mineralization is characterized by gold mineralization, with gold primarily residing in the internal fissures of Apy2 as micron silver gold ore. The evolution characteristics of gold-bearing sulphide and the solubility curve of Au indicate that gold mainly derives from gold-bearing unsaturated fluid, rather than from early framboidal pyrite Py0 (0.52–1.06 ppm, average 0.79 ppm). Only a minor fraction of gold (originating from early sediments) in Py0 was liberated and integrated into subsequent pyrites. The content of antimony in Py0 significantly reduces after dissolution, suggesting that antimony predominantly originates from Py0 (206–440 ppm, average 335 ppm). Throughout the genesis of the Buzhu gold (antimony) deposit, the gold constituent underwent a sequence of pre-enrichment, re-enrichment, liberation, and precipitation. The processes of coupled dissolution-reprecipitation (CDR) and boiling fostered the reactivation and reenrichment of gold. The recrystallization into cu","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142593397","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106306
{"title":"Multistage fluid mixing events induced Sn polymetallic super-enrichment at Dulong in Yunnan Province, South China","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106306","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106306","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dulong Sn polymetallic deposit is a world-class skarn tin deposit situated at the Youjiang basin with a reserve of 0.4 Mt Sn at 0.56 %, 5.0 Mt Zn at 5.12 %, together with 7 kt In. The deposit predominantly occurs within the Neoproterozoic Xinzhaiyan Formation and is controlled by NS-trending faults. Based on elaborate field and petrographic observations, the Dulong Sn polymetallic deposit was divided into four mineralization stages: stage 1 (prograde stage), stage 2 (retrograde stage), stage 3 (quartz-sulfide stage) and stage 4 (carbonate stage). Tin mineralization primarily occurs as cassiterite during stage 2, with additional cassiterite-stannite formation noted in stage 3. Analysis of fluid inclusions across these stages reveals the evolutionary history of the mineralizing fluids and the precipitation mechanisms at Dulong. During stage 1, diopside hosts both daughter-bearing multiphase inclusions and vapor-rich inclusions. The daughter-bearing multiphase inclusions exhibit homogenization temperatures ranging from 510 to 574 °C and salinities between 44.7 and 49.6 wt% NaCl equiv., whereas the vapor-rich inclusions display homogenization temperatures of 573–586 °C and salinities from 2.9 to 4.0 wt% NaCl equiv., indicating a boiling fluid process. Cassiterite (stage 2) features primarily liquid-rich two-phase inclusions, with homogenization temperatures of 351–410 °C and salinities of 6.3–9.6 wt% NaCl equiv. These inclusions document the mixing of magmatic fluid with meteoric water, which is likely the principal mechanism driving initial tin mineralization. Similarly, the same type of inclusions is also recorded in cassiterite of stage 3. The homogenization temperature of the inclusions in cassiterite is 290–334 °C and the salinities of the inclusions is 3.4–8.4 wt% NaCl equiv. Comparatively, the temperature continued to decrease in stage 3, indicating that fluid mixing may have persisted during this stage which could also explain the occurrence of cassiterite and stannite in this stage. In addition, redox reaction where CO<sub>2</sub> and/or As (III) serve as oxidants may also be another mechanism to exact cassiterite from ore-forming fluid. Our Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data suggests that cassiterite of the Dulong deposit involves a variety of complex substitutional mechanism. Due to the differing geochemical properties of the elements and variations in their concentrations, there is an indication that two phases distinct mineralizing fluids may have been present. The varying geochemical properties and concentrations of elements such as Nb, Ta, Zr, Fe, In, and Ga align with microthermometric results, indicating a reduction in magmatic hydrothermal fluid contribution and/or a transition from high to low temperatures in the hydrothermal system. This variation is also likely attributable to fluid mixing processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142553566","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-11-01DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106311
{"title":"Assessing the W-Sn ore formation potential of large granite batholiths: Insights from zircon U-Pb and muscovite Ar-Ar geochronology of the Tianmuchong W-Sn deposit in the Nanling region, South China","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106311","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106311","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Nanling region in South China represents one of the giant tungsten-tin (W-Sn) metallogenic belts on Earth, reserving a variety of W-Sn deposits associated with highly differentiated small granitic stocks. In contrast, large granite batholiths, characterized by a low degree of fractionation and a high degree of erosion/exhumation, are considered less favorable for forming W-Sn deposits. However, some W-Sn deposits are found to be related to large granite batholiths spatially and genetically, and the reasons remain a mystery. In this research, we take the Tianmuchong polymetallic W-Sn deposit as an example to assess the W-Sn ore formation potential of a large granite batholith. This deposit forms at the contact boundary between the Tashan granite batholith and wall rock. It is spatially related to the fourth intrusive unit (tourmaline granite) of the Tashan batholith, which contains abundant tourmaline and muscovite. Zircon U-Pb analysis on the tourmaline granite shows an age of 209.9 ± 2.2 Ma, in agreement with muscovite Ar-Ar age of 208.5 ± 2.07 Ma associated with W-Sn ores. The similar ages indicate that the emplacement of tourmaline granite and the W-Sn mineralization are coeval. The dated zircons display elevated U, Th, and Hf contents and negative Eu anomalies, implying an origin of highly differentiated magma. The occurrence of tourmaline and muscovite indicates that the Tashan tourmaline granite is volatile-rich (e.g., B and F), which facilitates the W-Sn enrichment under prolonged differentiation of the granitic magma. Additionally, the W-Sn ore mineralizations occur along the contact zones controlled by fault structures, which provide a favorable pathway for the upward intrusion of highly differentiated melt and the migration of W-Sn-bearing hydrothermal fluids. Therefore, the late phase of the large granite batholith that exhibits highly evolved characteristics also demonstrates a considerable potential to form W-Sn deposits, especially along the margins of the batholith with country rocks where faults are extensively developed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142572170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-10-26DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106307
{"title":"Formation mechanism of Fe oxyhydroxides and behavior of metals during the oxidation of submarine sulfides at the Wocan-1 hydrothermal field, Carlsberg Ridge","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106307","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106307","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hydrothermal sulfides undergo complex oxidation process under seawater conditions, which has the potential to impact resource values and marine environments. However, the oxidation process is not fully explored, particularly regarding the transformation of minerals and the behavior of metals. In this paper, we conducted detailed mineralogical and geochemical analyses on a series of samples with varying degrees of oxidation, collected from the Wocan-1 hydrothermal field, Carlsberg Ridge, Northwest Indian Ocean. The principal purpose is to illuminate the formation and transformation of Fe (oxyhydr)oxides, and further to reveal the migration and redistribution of key metals throughout the oxidation process. We identified four types of Fe(−Si) (oxyhydr)oxides with two distinct formation mechanisms. Three Fe (oxyhydr)oxides are the direct oxidation products of pyrite and marcasite, while Fe-Si (oxyhydr)oxide precipitates from low-temperature hydrothermal fluids. Thin Fe (oxyhydr)oxide forms as the secondary product of euhedral pyrite at the early stage of oxidation. Pseudomorphic Fe (oxyhydr)oxide with low Fe contents, occurs as the replacement of euhedral marcasite. Filamentous Fe (oxyhydr)oxide, enriched in trace metals, is attributed to the uniform oxidation of subhedral pyrite-marcasite intergrowth. Moreover, major and trace elements occur multiple migrations and redistributions among primary sulfides, secondary products, and seawater. Notably, Fe (oxyhydr)oxides, through the sequestration mechanism, not only retain Cu and Zn released by the oxidation of primary sulfide minerals, but also scavenge Cu from seawater. However, the dissolution of Pb, As, Mo, and Co exceeds the amount retained during the oxidation, indicating that the potential release of toxic metals into the environment could pose a threat to the local ecosystem. These new insights can provide an initial foundation for the effect of submarine oxidation on economic values of sulfides and ecological environments of deep sea.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142535069","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ore Geology ReviewsPub Date : 2024-10-22DOI: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106303
{"title":"Framboidal pyrite in Dongsheng sandstone-hosted uranium deposit, northern Ordos Basin: Implications for fluid evolution and uranium mineralization","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106303","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.oregeorev.2024.106303","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Occurrence characteristics, internal morphology patterns, size variations and trace elements contents for framboidal pyrite in the sandstone of middle Jurassic Zhiluo Formation hosting U deposit in the northern Ordos Basin collectively demonstrate three types of framboids: (i) Py1 is the synsedimentary origin, characterized by the close association with clay minerals, equal-sized microcrystals with globular or octahedral shape, the diameter of framboids and microcrystals ranging from 2.1 to 9.3 µm (mean = 5.9 µm) and from 0.1 to 1.4 µm (mean = 0.5 µm), respectively, and relatively low trace element contents (mean = 0.83 wt% of Co, Ni, As, Mo in total); (ii) Py2 is the early diagenetic origin, characterized by equal-sized pyritohedral microcrystals while other substance also occurs within the framboid, or non-uniform size and morphology of microcrystals with the diameter of framboids and microcrystals ranging from 7.3 to 26.3 µm (mean = 11.8 µm) and from 0.3 to 1.9 µm (mean = 0.8 µm), respectively, and similar trace element compositions with Py1; and (iii) Py3 is the U ore-stage origin, characterized by equal-sized cubic microcrystals in the loosely packed pattern with U-bearing minerals filling between microcrystals, the diameter of framboids and microcrystals ranging from 7.6 to 27.4 µm (mean = 15.9 µm) and from 0.7 to 3.2 µm (mean = 1.5 µm), respectively, and the highest trace element contents (mean = 1.07 wt% of Co, Ni, As, Mo and Se in total). During mineralization, Py1 and Py2 are dissolved by the interlayer oxidation fluid, providing S source and trace elements for the precipitation of Py3 with larger diameter. Its strong reducing ability, large specific surface area and abundant internal porosity facilitate the fixation of U in the interstices of Py3 through reduction or adsorption. Negative sulfur isotope compositions suggest biogenic redox processes for U mineralization. The formation and transformation relationship of different stages of framboidal pyrite indicates the complex evolution process of synsedimentary, early diagenetic and U ore-forming fluids.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":19644,"journal":{"name":"Ore Geology Reviews","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142535068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}