Correlations between trace elements in pyrite and gold mineralization of gold deposits on the North China platform

By studying both the microscopic physical and chemical typomorphic characteristics of typical mineral pyrite samples associated with representative gold deposits on the north-central margin of the North China Platform,this paper seeks to identify macroscopic metallogenic mechanisms of gold deposits and to reveal the formation mechanism of lattice gold in pyrite.Typomorphic characteristics of pyrite reveal that pyrite grain size has a negative correlation with gold content.Cubic pyrite,as the dominant crystal form,contains more gold than pentagonal dodecahedral pyrite.Both pyrite crystal forms and chemical compositions indicate that the replacement style of gold deposit formed in a low saturability,low sulfur fugacity,and at temperatures either much higher or much lower than its best forming temperature;comparatively,that of the quartz vein style of gold deposit occurred under conditions with the best temperature,rich in sulfur,and with high sulfur fugacity.The Au/Ag ratios of the pyrites show that both the replacement and quartz vein styles of deposits are mesothermal and hypothermal,while the Co/Ni ratios of the pyrites indicate that the quartz vein style is of magmatic-hydrothermal origin.The X-ray diffraction intensity of pyrite rich in gold is lower than that of pyrite poor in gold at the quartz vein style.In general,with an increase in gold content in pyrite,the total sum intensityΣI decreases.The pyroelectricity coefficient has a negative correlation trend with the values of(Co+Ni+Se+Te)-As and(Co+Ni+Se+Te)/As.The pyrite pyroelectricity of the replacement style is N-type,indicating that it formed under low sulfur fugacity,while that of the quartz vein style is a mixture of P-N types,indicating that it formed under high sulfur fugacity.On the pyroelectricity-temperature diagram,pyrite of the replacement style is mainly distributed between 200 and 270°C,while that of the quartz vein style varies between 90–118 and274–386°C,demonstrating a multistage forming process.In contrast to previous researchers'conclusions,the authors confirm the existence of lattice gold in pyrites through the use of an electron paramagnetic resonance(EPR)test.Au in the form of Au~+,entering pyrite as an isomorph and producing electron–hole centers,makes the centers produce spin resonance absorption and results in EPR absorption peak II.The intensity of auriferous pyrite absorption peak II has certain direct positive correlations with pyrite gold content.The#I and#III absorption peaks of pyrites possibly result from the existence of Ni^(2+)and/or Cu^(2+).γ1,γ2,andγ3 are the strongest and most typical absorption peaks of the infrared spectra of the pyrites.Generally,with the increase in gold content in the pyrite samples,γ1,γ2,andγ3 tend to shift to higher wavenumbers,and the gold content in the pyrite samples has a positive correlation with their relative absorbance.

LA-ICP-MS in situ analyses of the pyrites in Dongyang gold deposit,Southeast China:Implications to the gold mineralization

The Dongyang gold deposit is a newly discovered epithermal deposit in Fujian Province,Southeast China,along the Circum-Pacific metallogenic belt.Herewith,the authors present mineralogical,scanning electron microscope,and laser ablation inductively coupled clasma mass spectrometry analysis to reveal the relations between Au and Te,As,S,Fe,etc.,and discuss the gold precipitation process.The pyrites in this deposit are Fe-deficient,and are enriched in Te and As.The authors infer that As was mainly in form of As-complexes,and Te-Au-Ag inclusions/solid solution also exsits in the Py I.Along with the depletion of Te and As,they were less active chemically in the Py II,and Au may be incorporated into As-rich and Fe-deficient surface sites by chemisorption onto As-rich growth surfaces.Because of the incorporation of new fluid,Te and As became the most active chemically in the Py III,which was the main elements precipitation stage,and As dominantly substituted for S in the lattice of pyrite,due to the more reducing condition.The authors propose Au was in form of invisible gold,and the incorporation of gold can be considered as post-pyrite event,while the Au-bearing minerals were result of post incorporation of gold in arsenian pyrite.

Mineral chemistry and isotope geochemistry of pyrite from the Heilangou gold deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, Eastern China

The Heilangou gold deposit is located in the northern QixiaePenglai gold belt, which is one amongst the three large gold belts in the eastern Shandong Province （Jiaodong Peninsula）. The ore body has formed within the Guojialing granite. In this study, we report the mineral chemistry of pyrite, as well as the S, Pb, and HeO isotope data of the Heilangou gold deposit. The chemical composition of pyrite in the Heilangou gold deposit indicates that the associated gold deposit is a typical magmatic hydrothermal one. The geochemical signatures and crystal structure of pyrite show that the ore-forming materials have been derived from the crust. The S isotope data of the pyrites from Heilangou show an overall range from 5.5 to 7.8＆amp;and an average of 6.7＆amp;. The S isotope data in this deposit are similar to those from the deposits in the Jiaodong gold belt. The Pb and S isotope variations are small in the Heilangou gold deposit. The 206Pb/204Pb, 207Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb ratios are 17.4653e17.5958, 15.5105e15.5746 and 38.0749e38.4361, respec-tively. These data plot between the lower crust and the orogenic belt. The Pb isotope data in the Heilangou gold deposit are similar to those in the Linglong gold deposit. From the Qixia gold area （the Liukou and Majiayao gold deposits） to the MupingeRushan gold belt （Rushan gold deposit） to the ZhaoeYe gold belt （the Linglong, Sanshandao and Jiaojia gold deposits）, the 206Pb/204Pb ratios progressively increase. The DeO isotope data obtained from quartz separates suggest that the ore-forming fluid was similar to a mixture of magmatic and meteoric waters. These results suggest that the ore-forming elements were primarily from source fluids derived from the lower crust.

The Occurrence Mechanism of Gold in Pyrite from the Qiucun Gold Deposit in Fujian Province, China

1 Introduction Precipitation and enrichment of gold is an important subject in the study of gold deposits.As the most common sulphide in gold deposits,pyrite is not only a good indicator of the evolution of mineralizing fluids,but also the important gold-bearing mineral.In this paper,

Existing forms of REE in gold-bearing pyrite of the Jinshan gold deposit,Jiangxi Province,China

Rare earth element(REE) is widely used in various fields of geology.Study of the existing forms of REE in geological objects is a necessity for us to solve geological problems related with REE.This paper tried to make it clear the existing forms of REE in gold-bearing pyrite in Jinshan gold deposit by stepwise dissolution test with ICP-MS analysis.Results showed that content of REE in fluid-inclusions of gold-bearing pyrite was very low,which only took about 0.07%–0.70% of the ΣREE,and that of pyrite phase ...

Rare Earth Element and Trace Element Features of Gold-bearing Pyrite in the Jinshan Gold Deposit,Jiangxi Province

Jinshan gold deposit is located in northeastern Jiangxi,South China,which is related to the ductile shear zone.It has a gold reserve of more than 200 tons,with 80%of gold occurring in pyrite. The LREE of gold-bearing pyrite is as higher as 171.664 ppm on average,with relatively higher light rare earth elements（LREE;159.556 ppm） and lower HREE（12.108 ppm）.TheΣLREE/ΣHREE ratio is 12.612 and（La/Yb）_N is 11.765.These indicate that pyrite is rich in LREE.The（La/Sm）_N ratio is 3.758 and that of（Gd/Yb）_N is 1.695.These are obvious LREE fractionations.The rare earth element（REE） distribution patterns show obvious Eu anomaly with averageδEu values of 0.664,andδCe anomalies of 1.044.REE characteristics are similar to those of wall rocks（regional metamorphic rocks）,but different from those of the Dexing granodiorite porphyry and Damaoshan biotite granite.These features indicate that the ore-forming materials in the Jinshan gold deposit derived from the wall rocks, and the ore-forming fluids derived from metamorphic water.The Co/Ni ratio（average value 0.38） of pyrite suggests that the Jinshan gold deposit formed under a medium-low temperature.It is inferred from the values of high-field strength elements,LREE,Hf/Sm,Nb/La,and Th/La of the pyrite that the ore-forming fluids of the Jinshan gold deposit derived from metamorphic water with Cl〉F.

Geochemistry of Pyrite from the Gangcha Gold Deposit, West Qinling Orogen, China: Implications for Ore Genesis

The Gangcha gold deposit was discovered in 2011 in the Xiahe-Hezuo region, West Qinling Orogen, China. Five types of pyrite have been identified in the ore according to the detailed mineral paragenetic studies. Geochemical data are presented for type I pyrite （pyl） rim-core zonation and for the different types of pyrite based on in-situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （LA-ICP-MS） and electron probe microanalysis （EPMA）. The results show that pyrites are characterized with heterogeneous Au concentrations, which indicate that Au occurs mainly as micro- or nano-particle native inclusions. Time-resolved depth profiles demonstrate that As, Co and Ni occur as solid solutions in pyrite, whereas Cu, Pb, Zn and Ag occur mainly as inclusions. Trace element concentrations differ between rims and cores in pyl, and the differences also exist within different pyrite types. These differences indicate complex chemical evolution of the ore-forming fluids, and the overall geology, geochronology, and stable isotope and pyrite data suggest that the ore-forming fluids were closely linked to magmatic activity during the Triassic Period in West Qinling orogenic belt.

Timing of mineralization at the Shihu gold deposit in the middle segment of the Taihang Mountain, China

The Shihu gold deposit, located in the middlesouth section of the core of the Fuping mantle branch structure, is hosted in the Archean Fuping Group and adjacent to the quartz diorite porphyrite. The gold deposit is the only large gold deposit with reserves of more than 30 tons gold discovered in western Hebei Province so far. In order to constrain the timing of mineralization of this ore deposit, this paper focuses on the isotopic dating of zircon and pyrite. Zircons in gold-bearing quartz veins are magmatic in origin and no hydrothermal zircon has been found in such quartz veins, indicating that zircons were derived from the wall rocks. U–Pb ages of zircons fall mainly in the two domains: 2492 ± 82 and 136 ± 4 Ma, respectively,indicative of the contribution of the Fuping-Group TTG gneiss and Yanshanian igneous rocks, respectively. The Re–Os isotopic compositions of pyrites in the gold-bearing quartz veins yield an isochron age of 127 ± 31 Ma. Combined with other dating results, we suggest that the main metallogenic age of the Shihu gold deposit is 120–127 Ma.

In-situ sulfur isotope and trace element of pyrite constraints on the formation and evolution of the Nibao Carlin-type gold deposit in SW China

The fault-controlled Nibao Carlin-type gold deposit,together with the strata-bound Shuiyindong deposit,comprise a significant amount of the disseminated gold deposits in southwestern Guizhou Province,China.Five main types and two sub-types of pyrite at the Nibao deposit(Py1a/Py1b,Py2,Py3,Py4,Py5)were distinguished based on detailed mineralogical work.Py1,Py2and Py3 are Au-poor,whereas Py4 and Py5 are Au-rich,corresponding to a sedimentary and hydrothermal origin,respectively.Through systematic in situ analyses of NanoSIMS sulfur isotopes,the framboid pyrite Py1a with negative δ^34S values(-53.3 to-14.9%)from the Nibao deposit were found to originate from bacterial sulfate reduction(BSR)processes in an open and sulfate-sufficient condition while the superheavy pyrite Py1b(73.7–114.8%)is probably due to the potential influence of closed-system Rayleigh fractionation or the lack of preservation of deepsea sediments.Data of Py2 and Py3 plot within the area of S isotope compositions from biogenic and abiogenic sulfate reduction.In view of few coeval magmatic rocks in the mining district,the near zero δ^34S values of the Au-rich pyrites(Py4 and Py5)may discount the potential involvement of magmatic but metamorphic or sedimentary origin.LA-ICP-MS and TEM work show that Au in ore-related pyrite is present as both nanoparticles and structurally bound.LA-ICP-MS analyses show that the Au-rich pyrite also contains higher As,Cu,Sb,Tl and S than other types of pyrite,which inferred a distal manifestation of deep hydrothermal mineralization systems.

Rb-Sr Dating of Pyrite and Quartz Fluid Inclusions and Origin of Ore-forming Materials of the Jinshan Gold Deposit, Northeast Jiangxi Province, South China

The Jinshan gold deposit is located in the Northeast Jiangxi province,South China,which related to the ductile shear zone.It contains two ore types,i.e.the alteration-type ore and the goldbearing quartz vein ore.Rb-Sr age dating is applied to both gold-bearing pyrite in the alteration-type ore and fluid inclusion in the gold-bearing quartz vein to make clear the time of the gold mineralization of the Jinshan deposit.Analytical results of this study yielded that the age of the alteration-type ore bodies is about 838±110Ma,with an initial 87Sr/86Sr value of 0.7045±0.0020.However,the age of the gold-bearing quartz vein-type ore is about 379±49Ma,and the initial 87Sr/86Sr is 0.7138±0.0011.Based on the age data from this work and many previous studies,the authors consider that the Jinshan gold deposit is a product of multi-staged mineralization,which may include the Jinninian,Caledonian,Hercynian,and Yanshanian Periods.Among them,the Jinninian Period and the Hercynian Period might be the two most important ore-forming periods for Jinshan deposit.The Jinninian Period is the main stage for the formation of alteration-type ore bodies,while the Hercynian Period is the major time for ore bodies of gold-bearing quartz vein type.The initial values of the 87Sr/86Sr from this study,as well as the previous isotope and trace element studies,indicate that the ore-forming materials mainly derived from the metamorphic wall rocks,and the ore-forming fluids mainly originated from the deep metamorphic water.

Geochemical characteristics of pyrite in Duolanasayi gold deposit, Xinjiang

The Duolanasayi gold deposit, 60 km NW of Habahe County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is a mid-large-scale gold deposit controlled by brittle-ductile shearing, and superimposed by albitite veins and late-stage magma hydrothermal solutions. There are four types of pyrite, which are contained in the light metamorphosed rocks (limestone, siltstone), altered-mineralized rocks (chlorite-schist, altered albite-granite, mineralized phyllite), quartz veins and carbonatite veinlets. The pyrite is the most common ore mineral. The Au-barren pyrite is present mainly in a simple form and gold-bearing pyrite is present mainly in a composite form. From the top downwards, the pyrite varies in crystal form from {100} and {210}+{100} to {210}+{100}+{111} to {100}+{111}. Geochemical studies indicate that the molecular contents of pyrite range from Fe-{1.057}S-2 to Fe-{0.941}S-2. Gold positively correlates with Mn, Sr, Zn, Te, Pb, Ba and Ag. There are four groups of trace elements: Fe-Cu-Sr-Ag, Au-Te-Co, As-Pb-Zn and Mn-V-Ti-Ba-Ni-Cr in pyrite. The REE characteristics show that the total amount of REE (ΣREE) ranges from {32.35}×10{-6} to {132.18}×10{-6}; LREE/HREE, {4.466}-{9.142}; (La/Yb)-N, {3.719}-{11.133}; (Eu/Sm)-N, {0.553}-{1.656}; (Sm/Nd)-N, {0.602}-{0.717}; La/Yb, {6.26}-{18.75}; δEu, {0.628}-{2.309}; δCe, {0.308}-{0.816}. Sulfur isotopic compositions ({δ{}{34}S}={-2.46‰}-{-7.02‰}) suggest that the sulfur associated with gold mineralization was derived from the upper mantle or lower crust.

Geological significance of componential characteristics of pyrite from Shibaqinghao gold deposit in central Inner Mongolia, China

There are two types of gold ore in Shibaqinghao gold deposit, mylonite ore and quartz vein ore. Pyrite accompanying with native gold in mylonite ore has Fe from 43.66 to 45.32 wt 96 and S from 52.64 to 53.55 wt%. It is clear that this kind of pyrite is poor in both sulphur and iron. That means that the mylonite oremay be related to metamorphic water. Pyrite in the quartz vein ore has Fe from 44.38 to 45.30 wt% and S from 53.08 to 54.00 wt%. It means that this kind of pyrite is poor in iron but rich in sulphur, while the quartz vein ore may be related to magma water.

Characteristics of the genetic mineralogy of pyrite and its significance for prospecting in the Denggezhuang gold deposit,Jiaodong Peninsula,China

This paper reports the variation rules for the typomorphic parameters of the pyrite and the gold enrichment rules of the Denggezhuang quartz vein gold deposit at a large-depth scale, providing the mineral signs for deep prospecting prediction through detailed study of the characteristics of crystal＇ habits, chemical composition, the thermoelectricity of pyrites, and min- eralogical mapping. This paper primarily discusses the correlation between the mineralization intensity and the space-time evolution of the mineralogical parameters, clarifies the physicochemical conditions during gold mineralization, and provides information useful for deep mineralization prediction. We demonstrate that the crystal habits of the pyrites are very complex, primarily occurring as （ 100）, （210）, and their combinate form. （210） and （ 100）＋（210） have positive correlations with gold mineralization, and （ 100）＋（210） therefore can be useful for locating rich ore segments. The composition of pyrites is charac- teristically poor in S and rich in As. Their typical trace elements are composed of Mo, As, Pb, Cu, Bi, Zn, Au, Co, Se, Sb, Ag, Ni, Cr, and Te. The average contents of trace elements in pyrites from various stages show that the crystallizing temperature gradually decreased from an early stage to the metallogenic episodes. The precipitation and accumulation of Au and Ag occur primarily in the quartz-pyrite stage （III） and the polymetal minerals stage （IV）. The occurrence rate of P-type pyrites （P（%）） is 83.52%. There is a larger dispersion of the thermoelectrical coefficient of pyrite （a） in the Denggezhuang gold deposit than in other deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula. The electrical conductivity assemblage of pyrites from I to V is characterized by P〉N〉P〉N〉P〉〉N〉P〉〉N〉P〉N, which is usually considered beneficial for mineralization. The relative contents of As＋Sb＋Se＋Te and Co＋Ni are closely correlated to P-type and N-type average values and their occurrence rates. According to the crystallizing temperature of pyrite, the mineralization intensity, and the denudation degree, the mineralization temperature of the Denggezhuang gold deposit is in the range of 150-322~C and is of a medium-low temperature. The orebody has already become denuded to the top-middle of the orebody, and the size of the orebody is larger than 900 m. Based on the vertical zon- ing of the thermoelectrical coefficients of pyrites and P-type pyrite mapping, it is suggested that the segment between -425 and -800 m may have exploration potential to the northeast of line 94 of the No. I2.2 orebody.

Genesis of the Wulong gold deposit,Liaoning Province,NE China:Constrains from noble gases,radiogenic and stable isotope studies

The Wulong lode deposit contains over 80 tonnes of gold with an average grade of 5.35 g/t.It is one of the largest deposits in Dandong City,Liaoning Province in northeast China.Previous studies on the deposit focused on its geological characteristics,geochemistry,fluid inclusions,and the timing of gold mineralization.However,controversy remains regarding the origin of the ore-forming fluids and metals,and the genesis of the gold deposit.This paper presents zircon U-Pb and pyrite Rb-Sr ages and S,Pb,He,and Ar isotopic results along with quartz H and O isotopic data for all litho-units associated with the deposit.Laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometry measurements yielded zircon U-Pb dates for samples of pre-mineralization rocks like granite porphyry dike,the Sanguliu granodiorite,fine-grained diorite,and syn-mineralization diorite,as well as post-mineralization dolerite,and lamprophyre;their emplacement ages are 126±1 Ma,124±1 Ma,123±1 Ma,120±1 Ma,119±2 Ma,and 115±2 Ma,respectively.The pyrite Rb-Sr isochron age is 119±1 Ma,indicating that both magmatism and mineralization occurred during the Early Cretaceous.The δ18OH2 O values of ore-forming hydrothermal fluids from the quartz-polymetallic sulfide vein stage vary from 4.8‰to 6.5‰,and the δDv-SMOW values are between-67.7‰and-75.9‰,indicating that the ore-forming fluids were primarily magmatic.The noble gas isotope compositions of fluid inclusions hosted in pyrite suggest that the ore-forming fluids were dominantly derived from crustal sources with minor mantle input.Sulfur isotopic values of pyrite vary between 0.2‰and 3.5‰,suggesting that S was derived from a homogeneous magmatic source or possibly from fluids derived from the crust.The Pb isotopic compositions of sulfides（207 Pb/204 Pb=15.51-15.71,206 Pb/204 Pb=17.35-18.75,208 Pb/204 Pb=38.27-40.03） indicate that the Pb of the Wulong gold deposit is a mixture of crust and mantle components.Geochronological and geochemical data,together with the regional geological history,indicate that Early Cretaceous magmatism and mineralization of the Wulong gold deposit occurred during the rollback of the subducting Paleo-Pacific Plate,which resulted in lithospheric thinning and the destruction of the North China Craton（NCC）,which indicates that the deposit is of magmatic-hydrothermal origin.

Geochronology and Geochemistry of the Granite Xenolith within the Lamprophyre at the Zhenyuan Gold Deposit(Yunnan Province, SW China)

The xenoliths in host rocks of hydrothermal gold deposits can generally provide much geochemical information of the deep rocks, which may have an implication for the sources of ore-forming materials. Geochronology and geochemical characteristics are reported for a granite xenolith, which is enclosed by the lamprophyre in the Zhenyuan gold deposit(Yunnan Province, SW China). This granite xenolith mainly consists of K-feldspar, quartz, and plagioclase with trace amounts of magnetite, titanite, apatite, zircon, and sulfides. Zircons from the granite xenolith yield a weighted average U-Pb age of 281.1 ± 1.3 Ma(MSWD = 2.1), which could represent the crystallization age of this granite xenolith. The Ti-in-zircon geothermometer and the Mn concentration in apatite calculate that this granite xenolith formed at 685 ± 43℃ with the logf_(O2) values ranging from NNO + 3.7 to NNO + 6.4. The zircons in the granite xenolith have a restricted range of positive ε_(Hf)(t) values ranging from +9.4 to +10.8, and the corresponding Hf TDM2 model ages range from 588 to 678 Ma. The zircon U-Pb age and the Hf isotopic compositions indicate this granite xenolith within the lamprophyre is mainly derived from partial melting of juvenile crustal rocks before the completed closure of the Ailaoshan Ocean. The pyrites in the granite xenolith have higher Bi concentrations, and lower As, Sb, and Tl concentrations than the gold-bearing pyrites of the ores in the Zhenyuan gold deposit. The low Au concentrations of the pyrites together with the ore-forming age of the Zhenyuan gold deposit(Oligocene) indicate the granite xenolith may have limited contribution to the gold mineralization of the Zhenyuan gold deposit.

Source and possible tectonic driver for Jurassic-Cretaceous gold deposits in the West Qinling Orogen, China

The West Qinling Orogen(WQO) in Central China Orogenic Belt contains numerous metasedimentary rock-hosted gold deposits(>2000 t Au), which mainly formed during two pulses: one previously recognized in the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic(T3 - J1) and one only recently identified in the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous(J3 - K1). Few studies have focused on the origin and geotectonic setting of the J3 - K1 gold deposits.Textural relationships, LA-ICP-MS trace element and sulfur isotope compositions of pyrites in hydrothermally altered T3 dykes within the J3 - K1 Daqiao deposit were used to constrain relative timing relationships between mineralization and pyrite growth in the dykes, and to characterize the source of ore fluid. These results are integrated with an overview of the regional geodynamic setting, to advance understanding of the tectonic driver for J3 - K1 hydrothermal gold systems. Pyrite in breccia-and dykehosted gold ores at Daqiao have similar chemical and isotopic compositions and are considered to be representative of J3 - K1 gold deposits in WQO. Co/Ni and sulfur isotope ratios suggest that ore fluids were derived from underlying Paleozoic Ni-and Se-rich carbonaceous sedimentary rocks. The geochemical data do not support the involvement of magmatic fluids. However, in the EQO(East Qinling Orogen), J3 - K1 deposits are genetically related to magmatism. Gold mineralization in WQO is contemporaneous with magmatic deposits in the EQO and both are mainly controlled by NE-and EWtrending structures produced by changes in plate motion of the Paleo-Pacific plate as it was subducted beneath the Eurasian continent. We therefore infer that the J3 - K1 structural regime facilitated the ascent of magma in the EQO and metamorphic fluids in the WQO with consequent differences in the character of contemporaneous ore deposits. If this is correct, then the far-field effects of subduction along the eastern margin of NE Asia extended 1000's of km into the continental interior.

Trace elements of pyrite and S,H,O isotopes from the Laowan gold deposit in Tongbai,Henan Province,China:implications for ore genesis

The Laowan deposit is a large gold deposit in the Qinling-Dabie orogenic belt where pyrite is the main Au-bearing mineral phase.We present results from the occurrences of gold,trace elements and sulfur isotopes of pyrite,and hydrogen and oxygen isotopes of quartz and calcite to elucidate the sources of ore-forming fluid;the genesis of pyrite and the ore-forming process.From field observations,five generations of pyrite are identified;one formed in a metamorphic-diagenetic epoch(PyI),and the others during four mineralization stages:1)the coarse-grained pyrite-quartz stage(PyII),2)the quartz and medium-to fine-grained pyrite stage(PyIII),3)the polymetallic sulfide stage(PyIV),and 4)the carbonate-quartz stage(PyV).Gold mainly occurs in PyIII and PyIV.We find that Au,Ag,Pb,and Cu are incorporated into pyrite as micro-/nano-inclusions and that Co,Ni,As,and Se enter the pyrite lattice via isomorphous replacement.The Co/Ni values and Se concentrations indicate that PyI formed from metamorphic hydrothermal fluids and that pyrites(PyII,PyIII,and PyIV)from the ore-forming stages typically reflect a hydrothermal genesis involving magmatic fluid.Theδ^34S values of PyI(1.45‰-2.09‰)are similar to that of plagioclase amphibole schist,indicating that S was primarily derived from wall rock,while those of PyII,PyIII,and PyIV(3.10‰-5.55‰)suggest that S was derived from the Guishanyan Formation and the Laowan granite.The four mineralization stages show a systematic decrease inδD(from−77.1‰to−82.8‰,−84.7‰,and−102.7‰),while theδ^18OH2O values showed a gradual decrease from 5.7 to 2.7‰,1.0‰,and−1.3‰.These data show that the ore-forming fluid was similar to a mixture of magmatic and meteoric waters.Thus,we conclude that the Laowan gold deposit is related to magmatic-hydrothermal fluid.

Depth profiling of arsenian pyrite in Carlin-type ores through wet chemistry

Enrichment of As and Au at the overgrowth rims of arsenian pyrite is a distinctive feature of Carlin-type gold ores.Revealing distribution of such key elements in high resolution is of fundamental importance yet often proves challenging.In this study,repeated non-oxidative acid etching of ore samples from Shuiyindong gold deposit was applied to enable elemental depth profiling of goldbearing arsenian pyrite grains.ICP-OES and AAS were used to determine the dissolved Fe,As,and Au concentrations in each of the etching solutions,and XPS was carried out to exam the etched mineral surfaces.In contrast to conventional ion beam etching that may cause substantial sample damage,our acid etching method does not seem to significantly alter the composition and chemical state of the samples.The etched depths directly converted from the measured elemental concentrations can reproducibly reach a very high resolution of~1 nm,and can be conveniently controlled through varying the etching time.While the Fe and As depth profiles consistently reflect the surface oxidation property of arsenian pyrite,the Au profile displaying an obvious upward trend reveals the ore fluid evolution at the late stage of mineralization.Based on our experimental results,we demonstrate that our wet chemistry method is capable of effective depth profiling of gold ore and perhaps other geological samples,with advantages surpassing many instrumental techniques including negligible sample damage,nanoscale resolution as well as isotropic etching.

The Rb-Sr isochron of ore and pyrite sub-samples from Linglong gold deposit, Jiaodong Peninsula, eastern China and their geological significance

Here we report the first direct Rb-Sr dating of pyrites and ores using sub-sampling from lode gold deposits in Linglong, Jiaodong Peninsula, which is a supra-large lode gold deposit and propose this as a useful geochronological technique for gold mineralization with poor age constraint. The Rb-Sr data of pyrites yield an isochron age of (121.6±8.1) Ma, whereas those of ore and ore-pyrite spread in two ranges from 120.0 to 121.8 Ma and from 110.0 to 111.7 Ma. Studies of characteristic of gold deposit and microscopy of pyrite and quartz indicate that the apparent ages of ore and ore-pyrite are not isochron ages, only mixed by two end members, i.e. the primitive hydrothermal fluids and wall rocks, whereas the isochron age of pyrite sub-samples constrains the age of gold mineralization (121.6±8.1) Ma, i.e. early Cretaceous, which is in good agreement with the published SHRIMP zircon U-Pb ages.

Re-Os dating of auriferous pyrite from the Zhenyuan super-large gold deposit in Ailaoshan gold belt,Yunnan Province,Southwestern China

Zhenyuan gold deposit is the largest super large gold deposit in the Ailaoshan gold belt,but its precise mineralization age is still lack.Re-Os isotopic age of the auriferous pyrite from the Zhenyuan gold deposit was determined by using a high-resolution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(HR-ICP-MS).The pyrite samples were decomposed in carius tubes,Os was separated by distillation and Re was extracted by acetone,respectively.The results show that the Re-Os isochron age is 229±38 Ma(MSWD=2.0,confidence level is 95%),with an initial 187 Os/188 Os value of 0.68±0.24 and a corresponding Os value of 442±91.The Re/Os ratios of the pyrite vary from 40.8 to 100.5.The data suggest that at least one important ore-forming event was occurred during Indosinian epoch,and the ore-forming materials probably derived from mixed sources of crustal and mantle,while the later dominated.The Ailaoshan composite orogen experienced complicated evolutional processes,including formation of Precambrian-Early Paleozoic basement,subduction and orogenesis of Late Paleozoic era,collisional orogenesis of Late Hercynian-Indosinain epoch,and extensional or striking orogenesis of Yanshainan-Cenozoic epoch.The polycycle tectonic evolution and magmatism in this area caused multi-stage and superposition metallization characteristics of the Zhenyuan gold deposit:the mineralization probably occur mainly during the Indosinian collisional orogeny,while the minor gold ores of altered granite-porphyry and altered lamprophyre may be formed in the late superposition metallization.