Characterization of Galena and Vein Paragenesis in the Penjom Gold Mine,Malaysia:Trace Elements,Lead Isotope Study and Relationship to Gold Mineralization Episodes

The Penjom Gold Mine is located 30 km from the Bentong-Raub Suture at the western boundary of the Central Belt in Peninsular Malaysia. Gold mineralization hosted within the vein system is associated with pyrite, arsenopyrite, and minor base metals including galena. Trace element and lead isotope analysis was undertaken on nine samples that represent two stages of galena formed during two tectonic events. Both the Pb isotopes and the trace elements show that the first stage galena within the mineralized areas at the footwall has different geochemical characteristics compared with galena in non mineralized areas in the hanging wall, suggesting that galena crystallized from two different ore fluids and probably at two different times. Higher Te, Se and Bi in the galena from the mineralized area may indicate hydrothermal fluids that migrate through the structural conduit and leached out the metal along the pathway that consist of dominant carbonaceous unit. The Pb isotopic ratio composition are transitional between the bulk crustal growth and an upper crustal growth curve, indicating that derivation was from arc rocks associated with continental crust or a crustal source that includes arc volcanic and old continental sedimentary rocks.

Lead Isotope Studies of Massive Surphur-Iron-Gold Deposits in the Tongling Area, Anhui Province

Pb isotope ratios and their variation have been measured and explained on ores of massive S-Fe-Au depos-its hosted in the Middle-Upper Carboniferous, on feldspars from diorite bodies closely related tomineralization and on whole rocks from ore-hosting strata (carbonate rocks) in the Tongling area, Anhui Prov-ince. Through a comparison of Pb isotope features of these geological bodies, it has been suggested that oresubstances of the deposits were derived from ore-hosting strata. In the meanwhile, the measurement of ore Pbisotopes of different mineralization types of the same deposit indicates that different mineralization types havedistinct Pb isotope characteristics, showing the potentiality of the Pb isotopic method used in mineral explora-tion.

Equilibrium mercury and lead isotope fractionation caused by nuclear volume effects in crystals

To investigate equilibrium mercury(Hg)and lead(Pb)isotope fractionation caused by the nuclear volume effect(NVE)in crystals,the electron densities at nuclei(i.e.,|Ψ(0)|2)for Hg-or Pb-bearing crystalline compounds were investigated by using the relativistic spin orbit zeroth-order regular approximation(ZORA)method with a three-dimensional periodic boundary condition based on the density functional theory(DFT).Many isotope fractionation factors of crystalline compounds are provided for the first time.Our results show,even at1000℃,NVE-driven Hg and Pb isotope fractionation are meaningfully large,i.e.,range from 0.12‰to 0.49‰(202Hg/^(198)Hg),from-0.20‰to 0.17‰(208Pb/^(206)Pb)and from-0.08‰to 0.06‰(207Pb/^(206) Pb)relative to Hg0 vapor and Pb0 vapor,respectively.Specifically,the fractionations range from-0.06‰to-0.20‰(208Pb/^(206)Pb)and from-0.02‰to-0.08‰(207Pb/^(206)Pb)for Pb2+-bearing species,from 0.10‰to 0.17‰(208Pb/^(206)Pb)and from 0.04‰to 0.06‰(207Pb/^(206)Pb)for Pb4+-bearing species in crystals.All calculated Hg-bearing species in crystals will enrich heavier isotope(202Hg)relative to Hg0 vapor.Meanwhile,Pb4+-bearing species enrich heavier Pb isotopes(208Pb and 207Pb)than Pb^(2+)-bearing species in crystals,which the enrichment can be up to 0.37‰(208-Pb/^(206)Pb)and 0.14‰(207Pb/^(206)Pb)at 1000℃,due to their NVEs are in opposite directions.The NVE-driven MIFs of Hg isotopes,which are compared to the Hg202-Hg198baseline,are up to-0.158‰(ΔNV199Hg),-0.024‰(ΔNV200Hg)and-0.094‰(ΔNV201Hg)relative to Hg0 vapor at5000 C.For all studied Hg-bearing species in crystals,the MIFs of two odd-mass isotopes(i.e.,ΔNV199Hg andΔNV201Hg)will be changed proportionally and their ratio(i.e.,ΔNV199Hg/ΔNV201Hg)will be a constant 1.67.The NVE can also cause mass-independent fractionations for 207Pb and 204 Pb compared to the baseline of 208Pb and 206Pb.The largest NVEdriven MIFs are 0.043‰(ΔNV207Pb)and-0.040‰(ΔNV204Pb)among all the studied species relative to Pb0 vapor at 5000 C.The magnitudes of odd-mass isotope MIF(ΔNV207Pb)and even-mass isotope MIF(ΔNV204Pb)are almost the same but with opposite signs,leading to the MIF ratio of them(i.e.,ΔNV207Pb/ΔNV204Pb)is-1.08.

Sulphur and Lead Isotope Compositions of the Dajiangping Deposit in Western Guangdong Province

The Dajiangping pyrite deposit located in the middle sector of the Yunkai uplift in western Guangdong is a stratiform sulphide deposit occurring in Sinian marine clastic and fine clastic rocks. The formation of the deposit was related to submarine exhalation and hot brine deposition. A part of it was reformed by late-stage hydrothermal solution. The δ34S values of pyrite vary from - 25.55‰ to +21.07‰, which are inversely proportional to the content of organic carbon in ore and pyrite. Passing from striped fine-grained pyrite ore to massive coarse-grained pyrite ore, i.e. from south to north, the sulphur isotopic composition changes from the light sulphur-enriched one to the heavy sulphur-enriched one. The lead isotopic composition of striped ore is consistent with that of the country rocks of orebodies and the lead is radiogenic lead derived from the upper crust. The lead isotopic composition of massive ore is relatively homogeneous and its 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb ratios are a bit lower than those of striped ore;the lead result from mixing of synsedimentary ore lead with that derived from basement migmatlte brought by late-stage hydrothermal solutions.

Lead Isotope and Rock Geochemistry of Zaibian Mafic-Ultramafic Rock,Southeast Guizhou Province,China

The Zaibian mafic-ultramafic rock is located in the transitional zone of the Yangtze craton and south China fold system,where is the southwest of Jiangnan orogenic belt(Zeng et al.,2003;Wang et al.,in press).

Lead Isotopic Composition and Lead Source in the Bainiuchang Ag-polymetallic Deposit, Yunnan Province, China

The Bainiuchang deposit in Yunnan Province, China, is located geographically between the Gejiu ore field and the Dulong ore field. In addition to the 〉7000 t Ag reserves, the deposit also boasts of large-scale Pb, Zn and Sn reserves with a lot of dispersed elements （In, Cd, Ge, Ga, etc.）. We have determined systematically the Pb isotope composition of the deposit. The Pb isotope ratios of the ores that are of sea-floor exhalative sedimentary origin in the northwest of the mining district, are 206pb/204pb = 17.758-18.537, 207pb/204pb = 15.175-15.862 and 206pb/204pb = 37.289-39.424, while those of ores that are of magmatic hydrothermal superimposition origin in the southeast of the mining district, are 206pb/204pb = 17.264-18.359, 207pb/204pb = 14.843-15.683 and 208pb/204pb = 36.481-38.838, respectively. In terms of the Pb isotope composition of feldspar in magmatic rocks or magmatic whole- rock samples from the mining district, we have determined the Pb isotope composition and acquired the Pb isotope ratios as： 206pb/204pb -- 18.224-18.700, 207pb/204pb -- 15.595-15.797 and 208pb/204pb -- 38.193-39.608. Then, in the light of the Pb isotope composition of metamorphic rock samples from the Proterozoic basement exposed in the Dulong ore field, we have determined the Pb isotope composition and obtained the isotope ratios as： 206pb/204pb -- 18.434-19.119, 207pb/204pb -- 15.644-15.693, and 208pb/204pb = 38.514-38.832. And the Pb isotope ratios of Cambrian sedimentary rocks, which are exposed in the Bainiuchang mining district, are 206pb/204pb = 18.307-19.206, 207pb/204pb = 15.622-15.809, and 208pb/204pb = 38.436-39.932. By comparing the two types of ores with respect to their Pb isotope compositions, it is indicated that lead in the Bainiuchang deposit was derived largely from the lower-crust granulite which is earlier than Neoproterozoic in age, but the Yanshanian magmatic hydrothermal fluids probably provided a part of ore-forming elements such as Sn for the ore blocks in the south of the mining district.

Isotopes and Geochronology of the Meixian-type Pb-Zn-(Ag)Deposits,Central Fujian Rift,South China:Implications for Geological Events

Central Fujian Rift is another new and important volcanogenic massive sulfide Pb-Zn polymetallic metallogenetic belt. In order to find out the material genesis and mineralization period of Meixian-type Pb-Zn-Ag deposits, S and Pb isotope analysis and isotope geochronology of ores and wall rocks for five major deposits are discussed. It is concluded that the composition of sulfur isotope from sulfide ore vary slightly in different deposits and the mean value is close to zero with the 834S ranging from -3.5‰ to ＋5.6‰ averaging at ＋2.0‰, which indicates that the sulfur might originate from magma or possibly erupted directly from volcano or was leached from ore-hosted volcanic rock. The lead from ores in most deposits displays radioactive genesis character （206pb/204pb〉18.140, 207Pb/204pb〉15.584, 208pb/204pb〉38.569） and lead isotope values of ores are higher than those of wall rocks, which indicates that the lead was likely leached from the ore-hosted volcanic rocks. Based on isotope data, two significant Pb-Zn metallogenesis are delineated, which are Mid- and Late-Proterozoic sedimentary exhalative metailogenesis （The single zircon U-Pb, Sm-Nd isochronal and Ar-Ar dating ages of ore- hosted wall rocks are calculated to be among 933-1788 Ma.） and Yanshanian magmatic hydrothermal superimposed and alternated metallogenesis （intrusive SHRIMP zircon U-Pb and Rb-Sr isochronal ages between 127-154 Ma）.

Every Cloud has a Silver Lining: Using Silver Concentration to Identify the Number of Sources of Lead used in Shang Dynasty Bronzes

The use of lead, some of which is characterized by a highly radiogenic signature, sharply distinguishes Bronze Age China from the rest of Eurasia. Scholars have long hypothesized that silver can offer an independent proxy to characterize lead minerals. The summary of silver distribution associated with Shang and Western Zhou bronzes in this paper reveals an important difference between the south(Sanxingdui, Hanzhong, Jinsha, Panlongcheng, Xin’gan) and the Central Plains. Correlating silver with lead content as well as with the isotopic signature indicates that south China and the Central Plains had different lead sources during the late Shang period, and also that the highly radiogenic and common lead used at Anyang come from geochemical environments which cannot be distinguished by the level of silver.

Lead Isotopic Steep-Dipping Zone and Mineralization—An Example from Mineral Deposits Concentrated Area in East Qinling,China

Lead isotopic geochemical steep-dipping zone usually exists on inhomogeneous boundaries of earth blocks. Its crossing with the geophysical gradient zone often convergently occurs at giant deposits. Deep structures or concealed structural planes obviously have the coupling relationship with the convergent area of mineral deposits. The geochemical steep-dipping zone is usually distributed along the boundary of ancient continental blocks. Its crossing effect with geophysical gradient zone is usually presented as depression or swell of Moho discontinuity on the crossing direction with the ancient continental margin, which would lead to form deep fractures of earth crust at block margins or lead to adjustment of earth crust texture. The deep hydrothermal liquid would rise up along the structural planes to form the convergent areas of mineral deposits. For example, Luonan- Luanchuan area in east Qinling is a typical crossed area of the geochemical steepdipping zone and geophysical gradient zone. The mineral deposit belt extends along EW direction. It was controlled by the geochemical steepdipping zone equidistantly distributed along NE direction like a string of beads controlled by a gravity gradient zone in NE direction and a mantle depression slope. Along a plunging mantle syncline on EW plunging direction, from the east to the west, checkform was distributed which controls synergic crustmantle granoporphyry rocks. Therefore, a convergent mineralization area of Mo, W, Zn and Au giant deposits occurred.

The Background of Regional Lead Isotopic Compositions and Its Application in the Lower and Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River and Neighbouring Areas

The paper systematically deals with the background of regional isotopic compo-sitions in the lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze River and neighbouring areas. It isshown that the lead isotopic compositions of different geological formations and units are con-trolled by the primary mantle heterogeneity, dynamic process of crust-mantle interchange,abundances of uraninm, thorium and lead of various layers of the earth and timing. Studies onthe background of regional isotopic compositions may offer significant information forgeochemical regionalization, tracing of sources of ore-forming materials, and regionalprognosis of ore deposits.

Genesis of the Sinongduo Carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn-Ag Deposit in the Central Lhasa Terrane,Tibet

The Sinongduo mining region includes two types of mineralizations:the epithermal and the carbonate-hosted PbZn-Ag deposits.Despite being studied for many years,the ore formation process and genesis of the carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn-Ag deposits remain poorly understood.The Pb-Zn-Ag ore bodies occur as veins and are hosted by limestone and dolostone of the Permian Xiala Formation.Three sulfide mineralization substages have been identified at the Sinongduo carbonatehosted deposit.Indium coupled with Cu,Co and Sn was incorporated into sphalerite as substitutions:2Zn^(2+)?Cu^(+)+In^(3+),(3n/2+1)Zn^(2+)?Co^(2+)+n In^(3+)or(2n+1)Zn^(2+)?Co^(2+)+n(Cu^(+)+In^(3+))(n>1)and 4Zn^(2+)?Sn2++2In^(3+).Sphalerite and pyrite in the mineralization stage displayδ^(34)S values in a narrow range of+5.7‰to+11.3‰,which are similar to those of Palaeocene igneous rocks,indicative of a magmatic source of sulfur.We present systematic carbon-hydrogen-oxygen isotope results that further support a magmatic source for the ore-forming fluids that were influenced by meteoric water.Furthermore,the Pb isotope compositions of sulfide minerals in the Sinongduo carbonate-hosted deposit overlap with the values of coeval Linzizong volcanic rocks and are similar to those of Indian Ocean sediments,indicating upper crustal sources of metals.We conclude that the Sinongduo carbonate-hosted Pb-Zn-Ag deposit is a medium-to low-temperature magmatic-hydrothermal deposit related to Linzizong magmatism.

Source of Ore-Forming Fluid and Material in the Baiyun Gold Deposit, Liaoning Province, NE China: Constraints from H-O-S-Pb Isotopes and in-situ Analyses of Au-Bearing Pyrites

The Baiyun deposit is a large gold deposit at the western end of the Liaoji rift zone in Liaoning Province, which has produced both auriferous quartz-vein type and altered-rock type mineralization. The ore bodies are mainly hosted in schist from the Gaixian Formation of the Liaohe Group. A detailed field geological survey showed that the quartz-vein type gold ore bodies are distributed in the near EW-trending and occur in the extensional tectonic space of schist in the Gaixian Formation, and the altered-rock type gold ore bodies are distributed in the near EW-trending structural belt and occur near in the Gaixian Formation of biotite schist, biotite granulite, marble and the upper footwall of dike. To further elucidate the source of ore-forming fluid and material in the Baiyun gold deposit, the H-O isotopes for quartz, S and Pb isotopes, in-situ trace elements for sulfides from quartz-vein and altered-rock type mineralization were studied. The H-O isotopic δD_(V-SMOW) and δ^(18)O_(H2O) values of the auriferous quartz range were from-88.8‰ to-82.2‰ and-1.95‰ to 4.85‰, respectively, suggests that the ore-forming fluids were mainly magmatic water with minor meteoric water. The distribution ranges of in-situ S isotopic compositions of Au-bearing pyrite in the quartz-vein type and altered-rock type ores were-8.38‰–-10.47‰(with average values of-7.89‰) and 11.38‰– 17.52‰(with average values of 11.55‰), respectively, indicating that the S isotopic compositions of the two ore types were clearly different. The in-situ Pb isotopic ratios changed almost uniformly, which showed that they had the same lead isotopic source. Based on the analysis of S and Pb isotopic compositions, the metallogenic materials in the Baiyun gold deposit were primarily from deep magma, and some wall rock materials may have been mixed in the metallogenic process. Co/Ni diagram shows that most Au-bearing pyrites have magmatic-hydrothermal or sedimentary alteration properties, and Au/As ratios were between 0.001 and 0.828(the average value was 0.07), indicating that the ore-forming fluid in the Baiyun gold deposit may have been deep magma. Combining the geological, trace element, and isotopic data, as well as data from previous studies, we propose that the Baiyun gold deposit is a magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposit.