Geochemistry, mineral paragenesis and geothermal conditions of oreforming fluids from the Ain El Bey Cu–Fe deposit: potential occurrence of native gold and precious metal traces (North African orogenic belt, Northern Tunisia)

The Ain El Bey abandoned mine, in North-West Tunisia, fits into the geodynamic context of the European and African plate boundary. Ore deposit corresponds to veins and breccia of multiphase Cu–Fe-rich mineralization related to various hydrothermal fluid circulations. Petromineralogical studies indicate a rich mineral paragenesis with a minimum of seven mineralization phases and, at least, six pyrite generations. As is also the case for galena and native silver, native gold is observed for the first time as inclusion in quartz which opens up, thus, new perspectives for prospecting and evaluating the potential for noble metals associated with the mineralization. Scanning Electron Microscope--Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Transmission electron microscopy analyses show, in addition, a large incorporation of trace elements, including Ag and Au, in mineral structures such as fahlores(tetrahedrite-tennantite) and chalcopyrite ones. The mineral/mineral associations, used as geothermometers, gave estimated temperatures for the mineralizing fluids varying from 254 to 330 ℃ for phase Ⅲ, from 254 to 350 ℃ for phase Ⅳ, and from 200 to 300 ℃ for phases Ⅴ and Ⅵ. The seventh and last identified mineralization phase, marked by a deposit of native gold, reflects a drop in the mineralizing fluid’s temperature(< 200 ℃) compatible with boiling conditions. Such results open up perspectives for the development of precious metal research and the revaluation of the Cu–Fe ore deposit at the Ain El Bey abandoned mine, as well as at the surrounding areas fitting in the geodynamic framework of the Africa-Europe plate boundary.

Origin of Ore-Forming Fluids of Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) Pb-Zn Deposits in Kangdian Area, China

Analyses of fluid\|inclusion leachates from ore deposits show that Na/Br ratios are within the range of 75-358 and Cl/Br 67-394, respectively, and this variation trend coincides with the seawater evaporation trajectory on the basis of the Na/Br and Cl/Br ratios. The average Cl/Br and Na/Br ratios of mineralizing fluids are 185 and 173 respectively, which are very close to the ratios (120 and 233) of the residual evaporated seawater past the point of halite precipitation. It is suggested that the original mineralizing brine was derived from highly evaporated seawater with a high salinity. However, the inclusion fluids have absolute Na values of \{69.9\}-\{2606.2\} mmol kg\+\{-1\} and Cl values of \{106.7\}-\{1995.5\} mmol kg\+\{-1\}. Most of the values are much less than those of seawater: Na, 485 mmol kg\+\{-1\} and Cl, 566 mmol kg\+\{-1\}, respectively; the salinity measured from fluid inclusions of the deposits ranges from \{2.47 wt%\} to \{15.78 wt%\} NaCl equiv. The mineralizing brine has been diluted. The \{δ\{\}\+\{18\}O\} and δD values of ore\|forming fluids vary from \{-8.21‰\} to \{9.51‰\} and from \{-40.3‰\} to \{-94.3‰\}, respectively. The δD values of meteoric water in this region varied from \{-80‰\} to \{-100‰\} during the Jurassic. This evidenced that the ore\|forming fluids are the mixture of seawater and meteoric water. Highly evaporated seawater was responsible for leaching and extracting Pb, Zn and Fe, and mixed with and diluted by descending meteoric water, which resulted in the formation of ores.

Time scales and length scales in magma ?ow pathways and the origin ofmagmatic Ni-Cu-PGE ore deposits

Ore forming processes involve the redistribution of heat, mass and momentum by a wide range of processes operating at different time and length scales. The fastest process at any given length scale tends to be the dominant control. Applying this principle to the array of physical processes that operate within magma flow pathways leads to some key insights into the origins of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide ore deposits. A high proportion of mineralised systems, including those in the super-giant Noril'sk-Talnakh camp, are formed in small conduit intrusions where assimilation of country rock has played a major role. Evidence of this process is reflected in the common association of sulfides with varitextured contaminated host rocks containing xenoliths in varying stages of assimilation. Direct incorporation of S-bearing country rock xenoliths is likely to be the dominant mechanism for generating sulfide liquids in this setting. However, the processes of melting or dissolving these xenoliths is relatively slow compared with magma flow rates and, depending on xenolith lithology and the composition of the carrier magma, slow compared with settling and accumulation rates. Chemical equilibration between sulfide droplets and silicate magma is slower still, as is the process of dissolving sulfide liquid into initially undersaturated silicate magmas. Much of the transport and deposition of sulfide in the carrier magmas may occur while sulfide is still incorporated in the xenoliths, accounting for the common association of magmatic sulfide-matrix ore breccias and contaminated "taxitic" host rocks. Effective upgrading of so-formed sulfide liquids would require repetitive recycling by processes such as reentrainment, back flow or gravity flow operating over the lifetime of the magma transport system as a whole. In contrast to mafic-hosted systems, komatiite-hosted ores only rarely show an association with externally-derived xenoliths, an observation which is partially due to the predominant formation of ores in lava flows rather than deep-seated intrusions, but also to the much shorter timescales of key component systems in hotter, less viscous magmas. Nonetheless, multiple cycles of deposition and entrainment are necessary to account for the metal contents of komatiite-hosted sulfides. More generally, the time and length scale approach introduced here may be of value in understanding other igneous processes as well as non-magmatic mineral systems.

Ore Genesis of the Kalatongke Cu-Ni Sulfide Deposits, Western China: Constraints from Volatile Chemical and Carbon Isotopic Compositions

The Kalatongke Cu-Ni sulfide deposits located in the East Junggar terrane, northern Xinjiang, western China are the largest magmatic sulfide deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt （CAOB）. The chemical and carbon isotopic compositions of the volatiles trapped in olivine, pyroxene and sulfide mineral separates were analyzed by vacuum stepwise-heating mass spectrometry. The results show that the released volatiles are concentrated at three temperature intervals of 200-400°C, 400-900°C and 900-1200°C. The released volatiles from silicate mineral separates at 400-900°C and 900-1200°C have similar chemical and carbon isotopic compositions, which are mainly composed of H2O （av. ~92 mol%） with minor H2, CO2, H2S and SO2, and they are likely associated with the ore-forming magmatic volatiles. Light δ13CCO2 values （from -20.86‰ to -12.85‰） of pyroxene indicate crustal contamination occurred prior to or synchronous with pyroxene crystallization of mantlederived ore-forming magma. The elevated contents of H2 and H2O in the olivine and pyroxene suggest a deep mantle-originated ore-forming volatile mixed with aqueous volatiles from recycled subducted slab. High contents of CO2 in the ore-forming magma volatiles led to an increase in oxygen fugacity, and thereby reduced the solubility of sulfur in the magma, then triggered sulfur saturation followed by sulfide melt segregation; CO2 contents correlated with Cu contents in the whole rocks suggest that a supercritical state of CO2 in the ore-forming magma system under high temperature and pressure conditions might play a key role in the assemblage of huge Cu and Ni elements. The volatiles released from constituent minerals of intrusion 1# have more CO2 and SO2 oxidized gases, higher CO2/CH4 and SO2/H2S ratios and lighter δ13CCO2 than those of intrusions 2# and 3#. This combination suggests that the higher oxidation state of the volatiles in intrusion 1# than intrusions 2# and 3#, which could be one of key ore-forming factors for large amounts of ores and high contents of Cu and Ni in intrusion 1#. The volatiles released at 200-400°C are dominated by H2O with minor CO2, N2＋CO and SO2, with δ13CCO2 values （-25.66‰ to -22.98‰） within the crustal ranges, and are considered to be related to secondary tectonic-hydrothermal activities.

Genetic Types and Metallogenic Model for the Polymetallic Copper–Gold Deposits in the Tongling Ore District, Anhui Province, Eastern China

The Tongling ore district is one of the most economically important ore areas in the Middle–Lower Yangtze River Metallogenic Belt, eastern China. It contains hundreds of polymetallic copper–gold deposits and occurrences. Those deposits are mainly clustered(from west to east) within the Tongguanshan, Shizishan, Xinqiao, Fenghuangshan, and Shatanjiao orefields. Until recently, the majority of these deposits were thought to be skarn-or porphyry–skarn-type deposits; however there have been recent discoveries of numerous vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb-Zn deposits that do not fall into either of these categories. This indicates that there is some uncertainty over this classification. Here, we present the results of several systematic geological studies of representative deposits in the Tongling ore district. From investigation of the ore-controlling structures, lithology of the host rock, mineral assemblages, and the characteristics of the mineralization and alteration within these deposits, three genetic types of deposits(skarn-, porphyry-, and vein-type deposits) have been identified. The spatial and temporal relationships between the orebodies and Yanshanian intrusions combined with the sources of the ore-forming fluids and metals, as well as the geodynamic setting of this ore district, indicate that all three deposit types are genetically related each other and constitute a magmatic–hydrothermal system. This study outlines a model that relates the polymetallic copper–gold porphyry-, skarn-, and vein-type deposits within the Tongling ore district. This model provides a theoretical basis to guide exploration for deep-seated and concealed porphyry-type Cu(–Mo, –Au) deposits as well as shallow vein-type Au, Ag, and Pb–Zn deposits in this area and elsewhere.

An experimental study on metal precipitation driven by fluid mixing: implications for genesis of carbonate-hosted lead–zinc ore deposits

A type of carbonate-hosted lead–zinc(Pb–Zn)ore deposits, known as Mississippi Valley Type(MVT)deposits, constitutes an important category of lead–zinc ore deposits. Previous studies proposed a fluid-mixing model to account for metal precipitation mechanism of the MVT ore deposits, in which fluids with metal-chloride complexes happen to mix with fluids with reduced sulfur, producing metal sulfide deposition. In this hypothesis, however, the detailed chemical kinetic process of mixing reactions, and especially the controlling factors on the metal precipitation are not yet clearly stated. In this paper, a series of mixing experiments under ambient temperature and pressure conditions were conducted to simulate the fluid mixing process, by titrating the metal-chloride solutions, doping withor without dolomite, and using NaHS solution. Experimental results, combined with the thermodynamic calculations, suggest that H_2S, rather than HS^-or S^(2-),dominated the reactions of Pb and/or Zn precipitation during the fluid mixing process, in which metal precipitation was influenced by the stability of metal complexes and the pH. Given the constant concentrations of metal and total S in fluids, the pH was a primary factor controlling the Pb and/or Zn metal precipitation. This is because neutralizing or neutralized processes for the ore-forming fluids can cause instabilities of Pb and/or Zn chloride complexes and re-distribution of sulfur species, and thus can facilitate the hydrolysis of Pb and Zn ions and precipitation of sulfides. Therefore, a weakly acidic to neutral fluid environment is most favorable for the precipitation of Pb and Zn sulfides associated with the carbonate-hosted Pb–Zn deposits.

Fluid Inclusion Geochemistry of Metallic Ore Deposits in the South- Central Sector of theDa Hinggan Mountains in China

Physicochemical parameters of mineralization such as temperature, pressure, salinity, density, composition and boiling of ore fluids as well as pH, Eh, fo2 and reducing parameter in theprocess of mineralization of major ore deposits in the study district have been obtained by the authors through systematic observation and determination of characteristics and phase changes of fluid inclusions at different temperatures and analysis of gaseous and liquid phase compositions of the inclusions, thus providing a scientific basis for the division of mineralization-alteration stages, types of mineral deposits and minerogenetic series and the deepening of the knowledge about the ore-forming processes and mechanisms of mineral deposits. It is indicated that the deposits of the same type have similar fluid inclusion geochemical features and physicochemical parameters though they belong to different minerogenetic series, while the compositions of inclusions are not conditioned by deposit types but closely related to the minerogenetic series of deposits.

A Study of Occurrences of Ag in Pb-Zn-Cu Ore Deposits in China

A systematic study of occurrences of silver in 156 Pb-Zn-Cu ore deposits indicates that silver mainly occurs in nonferrous metal ore deposits in forms of association and paragenesis. It occurs mainly as independent minerals in nature and occasionally as ion adsorption, isomorphous or amorphous silver minerals. Nearly 190 silver minerals have been discovered in China. Their shapes, constituents, textures, grain sizes, embedded types, distribution patterns, mineral assemblages and metallogenic series suggest that these characteristics are closely related to geneses of deposits and dependent of ore-forming conditions. Pb, Zn and Cu sulphides are the main carrier minerals of silver. The partition of silver in ore is constrained by the mineralization intensity, grain size and embedded form of silver minerals and mineral assemblages.

Geochemical Trace of Silicon Isotopes of Intrusions and Ore Veins Related to Alkali-rich Porphyry Deposits in Western Yunnan, China

Western Yunnan is the well-known polymetallic province in China. It is characterized by copper-gold mineralization related to Cenozoic alkali-rich porphyry. This paper analyzes the silicon isotope data obtained from four typical alkali-rich porphyry deposits based on the dynamic fractionation principle of silicon isotope. The study shows that the ore materials should originate mainly from alkali-rich magmas, together with silicon-rich mineralizing fluids. The process of mineralization was completed by auto-metasomatism, i.e. silicon-rich mineralizing fluids (including alkali-rich porphyry and wall-rock strata) replaced and altered the country rocks and contaminated with crustal rocks during the crystallization of alkali-rich magmas. Such a process is essentially the continuance of the metasomatism of mantle fluids in crust's mineralization. This provides important evidence of silicon isotopic geochemistry for better understanding the mineralization of the Cenozoic alkali-rich porphyry polymetallic deposits

Analysis of Mineralization System and Prediction of New-Type Ore Deposits

The discovery of new-type ore deposits, an important approach to guarantee the mineral resources supply in the 21st century, often brings about a gigantic increase in the mineral resources reserves. The analysis of mineralization system is of great importance to the discovery of new type ore deposits. ① The understanding of the relationship among various ore deposit types within a mineralization system in a region can help us to locate the unknown ore deposit types from the known ore deposit types, evidence that has been proved in the mineral prospecting history of ore belts in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China. ② The understanding of the spatial structure of a mineralization system, especially of the vertical zonation, is helpful for the discovery of the concealed ore deposit types. ③ Clarifying the temporal structure of a mineralization system, including the iteration relationship between the mineral deposit types in the mineralization, leads to the location of the missing mineralization chains from the known mineralization chains (mineral deposit type), a method often proved to be effective in the magmatic hydrothermal mineralization system.④ Clarifying the factors restraining the diversity of mineral deposit types in mineralization system leads to the discovery of the potential of new type mineral deposits in relevant region. ⑤ Studying new mineralization setting and new ore forming processes leads to discovery of new type mineral deposit. More probabilities of discovery of new type mineral deposits are present in biogenic mineralization system, deep sea mineralization system, low temperature mineralization system, tectonic mineralization system and superimposed mineralization system.

PREDICTION OF LOCATION OF HIDDEN ORE DEPOSITS IN THE AGED ORE FIELDS: AN EXAMPLE FROM FENGHUANGSHAN ORE FIELD, TONGLING, CHINA

This paper discusses the strategy for successfully predicting the location of potential hidden ore bodies in aged ore field, and presents the result of location prediction of hidden ore bodies in Fenghuangshan ore field, Tongling. Innovative conceptual targeting procedures based on a genetic understanding of mineralization systems, carefully geological investigation and correct deduction, together with new geochemical and geophysical technology and integrating of comprehensive information are all very important for the successful prediction. In the aged Fenghuangshan ore field, through researching by application of the metallogenic theory of polygenetic compound ore deposits and triple frequency induced polarization method and exploration tectono geochemical method, we predicted location and quality of hidden ore bodies. According to the prediction, hidden high quality Cu Au ore bodies of skarn type and porphyry type have been discovered.

Dynamics of Ore-Forming Processesof the Stratabound Skarn Copper Depositsof Tongling, Anhui Province

The skarn and ore bodies of the stratabound skarn copper deposits of Tongling, Anhui Province, are both controlled by definite stratigraphic horizons, and they are concordant with the strata. They occur as layers and layer-like bodies in permeable carbonate rocks of the Middle-Upper Carboniferous Huanglong and Chuanshan Formations which are underlain by impermeable shale or siliceous rocks of the Upper Devonian Wutong Formation. The authors study the dynamics of ore-forming processes of the ore deposits with the dynamic model of coupled transport and reaction, and the following results are obtained: The salinity gradient and flow rate of the ore-forming fluids can both promote the mixing and reaction of juvenile water and formation water, and the permeable strata are favourable sites for the intense transport-reaction of mixing and the formation of deposits. (2) As isothermal transport-reaction took place along the bedding of strata, the moving transport-reaction front formed at the contact between the ore-forming fluids and the rocks advanced slowly along the permeable strata, and then stratiform skarn and ore bodies concordant with the strata were formed. (3) The gradient transport-reaction taking place across the isotherms in the cross-bedding direction caused the mineralogical composition to alter gradually from magnesian skarn to sulphide ore bodies.

The Major Ore Clusters of Super-Large Iron Deposits in the World, Present Situation of Iron Resources in China, and Prospect

The metamorphosed sedimentary type of iron deposits（BIF） is the most important type of iron deposits in the world, and super-large iron ore clusters of this type include the Quadrilatero Ferrifero district and Carajas in Brazil, Hamersley in Australia, Kursk in Russia, Central Province of India and Anshan-Benxi in China. Subordinated types of iron deposits are magmatic, volcanic-hosted and sedimentary ones. This paper briefly introduces the geological characteristics of major super-large iron ore clusters in the world. The proven reserves of iron ores in China are relatively abundant, but they are mainly low-grade ores. Moreover, a considerate part of iron ores are difficult to utilize for their difficult ore dressing, deep burial or other reasons. Iron ore deposits are relatively concentrated in 11 metallogenic provinces（belts）, such as the Anshan-Benxi, eastern Hebei, Xichang-Central Yunnan Province and middle-lower reaches of Yangtze River. The main minerogenetic epoches vary widely from the Archean to Quaternary, and are mainly the Late Archean to Middle Proterozoic, Variscan, and Yanshanian periods. The main 7 genetic types of iron deposits in China are metamorphosed sedimentary type（BIF）, magmatic type, volcanic-hosted type, skarn type, hydrothermal type, sedimentary type and weathered leaching type. The iron-rich ores occur predominantly in the skarn and marine volcanic-hosted iron deposits, locally in the metamorphosed sedimentary type（BIF） as hydrothermal reformation products. The theory of minerogenetic series of mineral deposits and minerogenic models has applied in investigation and prospecting of iron ore deposits. A combination of deep analyses of aeromagnetic anomalies and geomagnetic anomalies, with gravity anomalies are an effective method to seeking large and deep-buried iron deposits. China has a relatively great oresearching potential of iron ores, especially for metamorphosed sedimentary, skarn, and marine volcanic-hosted iron deposits. For the lower guarantee degree of iron and steel industry, China should give a trading and open the foreign mining markets.

Approaches to location prognosis of concealed ore deposits (bodies) of productive mines

This paper demonstrates the channels and methods for location prognosis of concealed ore deposits (bodies) in the deep seated and surrounding districts of productive mines in accordance with their special features. The system frame map is built, from quick exploration in the field to the rapid building of a model indoors. The main research points of location prognosis are also discussed in the paper, which include: 1) integrating the location with the surrounding geological areas, microscopic with macroscopic; 2) analyzing and synthesizing all geological information of different levels, depths and aspects; 3) laying stress on mineralization series; 4) paying attention to the study of the distribution law of ore bodies; 5) introducing the theory of nonlinear dynamics of ore forming processes to ordinary static prognosis; 6) the necessity of the geophysical me thod in recovering information of concealed ore bodies; 7) the combination of all kinds of geology, geophysics, geochemistry and remote sensing methods.

Oxygen Isotope Studies of Wolframite in Tungsten Ore Deposits of South China

Based on the oxygen isotopic compositions of 133 wolframite samples and 110 quartz sampleseollected from 30 tungsten ore deposits in south China,in conjunction with δD values and other data,thesc deposits can be divided into four types. （l）Reequilibrated magmatic water-hydrothermal tungsten ore deposits. The δ18O values ofwolframite and quartz samples from this type of tungsten ore deposits are about +5-+12‰,respectively.The calculated δ（18）OH2O values of ore fluids in equilibrium with quartz are about+65‰,and the δDH2O values of fluid inclusions in quartz range from -40 to-70‰. （2）Meteoric water-hydrothermal tungsten ore deposits.Theδ18O values of wolframite in this type oftungsten dePosits are around-1‰. （3）Stratiform tungsten ore deposits.In these deposits,theδ18O values of quartz and wolframite areabout+17 and+3‰,respectively.It is considered that these stratiform tungsten ore deposits aregenetically related to submarine hot—spring activities。 （4）Complex mid-hydrothermal tungsten ore deposits.These tungsten ore deposits arecharacterized by multi-staged mineralization.The δ18O values of early wolframite are around+5‰,butof later wolframite are lower than+4‰,indicating that the early wolframite was precipitated fromreequilibrated magmatic water-hydrothermal solutions and the late one from the mixture ofhvdrothermal solutions with meteoric waters or mainly from meteoric waters, Based on the δ18O values of the coexisting quartz and wolframite and temperature data,twocalibration equilibrium curves have been constructed,and the corresponding equations have beenObtained: 1000 lnaQ-Wf=2.565×107T-2—7.28×l04T-1+57.27 1000 In aWf-H20=-2.285×107T-2+7.49×104T-1-61.79.

Magmatic Evolution and Mineralization of Porphyry Copper-Gold Deposits in the Duolong Ore Concentration Area, Tibet

The Bangong Lake-Nujiang River metallogenic belt is located between the Qiangtang Block and Lhasa Block, and the Duolong ore concentration area is located in the western section of the Bangong Lake-Nujiang River metallogenic belt. Till now, several large and super large copper-gold deposits, such as Duobuza, Bolong, Dibaonamugang, Naruo and Rongna deposits have been discovered in this area, mainly porphyry copper-gold ones.

POLYGENETIC COMPOUND ORE DEPOSITS AND THEIR ORIGIN IN THE CONTEXT OF REGULARITIES IN CRUSTAL EVOLUTION

Polygenetic compound ore deposits are here defined as those ore deposits which evidently possess n1any sided genetic characteristics as a comprehensive result of more than one rnineralization stages, from many rnaterial sources, and of many genetic types. They are formed most commonly during the diwa (geo(lepression) stage in the process of crustal evolution and, therefore, spread most widely in diwa regions. At the present stage of our knowledge, they may be subdivided into three principal models and many types of metallogenesis, controlled by different geotectonic conditions and being distributed in time and in space according to the corresponding regularities. This is a newly rccognizcd, third gcnetic type of ore deposits, being not reasonable to be simply referred to either pure endogenic or pure exogenic origin. They are very important and are of great study significance, becausc they comrnonly are rich and have a large amount of reserve with high economic value.

KEY ROLE OF METALLOGENIC THEORY OF POLYGENETIC COMPOUND ORE DEPOSITS IN LOCATION PREDICTION OF HIDDEN ORE DEPOSITS IN DIWA REGIONS

The metallogenic theory of polygenetic compound ore deposit is the important basis for location prediction of hidden ore deposits in diwa regions. It can play an important role in each step of prediction research, targeting procedure, acquiring information and integrating information. In this paper, the authors discusses how to construct geological concept by using of the metallogenic theory of polygenetic ore deposits for predicting targeting area, to arrange investigation and detection for getting enough useful information, and to analyze and integrate information for reaching a trustful prediction conclusion. According to these strategies, we conduct a successful prediction of location of hidden ore bodies in the outer of the Fenghuangshan copper mine, a principal producing mine in Tongling Cu Au district.

The Mechanism of Structural Control of Ore Formation and Geochemical Characteristics in the Massive Sulfide Deposits of the Wushan Copper Ore Field,Jiangxi

The ore-controlling mechanism of the bedding fault system in the massive sulfide deposits of the Wushancopper orefield may be generalized as the control of ore deposition by optimum surface in an ore-formingstructural trap. The mechanism has three major features: (1) timing of mineralization; (2) positioning of hostformation; and (3) dependence of ore-controlling structure on properties of rocks. The 'optimum surface' is adivisional structural plane which marks obvious difference in physical, chemical and mechanical properties andis favorable for mineralization. It is also a unity of structures. lithofacies and orebodies. The structural and geochemical characteristics of the ore deposits indicate the migration trend of the ma-jor characteristic clements in the ore-controlling fault belt: elements with a small radius (Si, Fe, Mg and Al)moved towards and concentrated at the center of the belt while large-radius ones (Ca, K and Na) were remotefrom the center.