Unusual Ore Mineralization of Siliceous Rocks in the Southern Kambalny Central Thermal Field (Kamchatka)

Abstract

Samples of siliceous rocks of the Southern Kambalny Central Thermal Field (SKC) containing a unique ore mineralization were studied. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, X-ray diffraction, ICP-MS, and Raman spectroscopy were used in this study. High concentrations and a wide range of rare and rare-earth elements were found in siliceous rocks. Silicates (quartz, moganite, and opal-crystobalite/tridymite opal), oxides (hematite and anatase), hydroxides (goethite), carbonates (calcite with Fe and Mn impurities), sulfates (barite with Sr impurity and gypsum), sulfides (pyrite, marcasite, chalcopyrite, and chalcocite), phosphates (xenotime-Y, YPO₄ with impurities of lanthanides, S, Ca, and As; berlinite, AlPO₄ with the V impurity), and apatite were identified. Structures of anatase replacement by quartz often in association with pyrite were identified. The mineralization of SKC siliceous rocks reflects the physicochemical specificity of deep metal-bearing solutions.