Valence variation of arsenic in bioleaching process of arsenic-bearing gold ore

The concentration and variational trend of As3 +and As 5+,the bacterial resistance for the As 3+and As 5+and converting conditions from As3 +to As 5+were analyzed.The additive was used to prompt the bacterial leaching efficiency by changing valence state of arsenic.The results show that the concentration of As 3+ is larger than that of As 5+ in the lag phase.The concentration of As 3+ decreases in the log phase,and is lower than that of As5 +.HQ-0211 typed bacteria express better resistance for As 3+and As 5+and remain growing when the concentrations of As3 +and As 5+are above 6.0 g/L and 12.0 g/L,respectively.It is found that Fe 3+cannot oxidize As3 +singly as strong oxidant in the leaching system,but can cooperate with pyrite or chalcopyrite to do that.The oxidation of As 3+ is prompted with addition of H2O2.The bacterial activity is improved in favor of bacterial leaching efficiency.NaClO restrains the bacterial growth to depress leaching efficiency because of the chloric compounds affecting bacterial activity.

Characteristics of Gold Mineralization at the Baguiomo Gold Panning Site, Koudougou Region, Burkina Faso, West Africa

The Birimian Baguiomo formations are located in the northern part of the Boromo greenstone belt. In this belt, the volcanic rocks (tholeiitic basalt, calcalkaline basalt, andesite) hosting the gold mineralization are located in the Kwademen-Baguiomo shear zone. This mineralization, located only a few kilometers from the Kwademen gold deposit, is uncharacterized and, together with the latter, could constitute a gold potential capable of being economically exploitable. It is in this sense that this work is carried out with a view to characterizing the gold mineralization of the Baguiomo gold panning site. To carry out this work, we have made direct field measurements, combined with microstructures, and combined all this with data from geochemical rock analysis of the basalts that are the main host formations. Geochemical data show that tholeitic basalts formed from a mantle plume that was emplaced in an oceanic plateau context. Calc-alkaline basalts and andesites are comparable to Paleoproterozoic tholeitic basalts (PTH3), which are slightly enriched in light rare earths. Fertility tests show that these basalts concentrate between 3 and 6 ppb of gold at the time of accretion, which is sufficient for remobilization of this primary gold during the Eburnian orogeny to yield a deposit of around 4 - 5 Moz. Gold mineralization is associated with pyrite crystals when the latter are disseminated in the rock mass, whereas it is associated with hematite in quartz veins concordant with S1 shear deformation. It is mainly the pyrite crystals in the pressure shadows that contain the gold grains, whose development would be synchronous with micro-shear zone reactivation during the first phase of D1B deformation. The second phase of D2B deformation, which is a crenulation or fracture schistosity, does not significantly affect the shear deformation that controls mineralization.

Influence of copper minerals on cyanide leaching of gold

The paper thermodynamically examined the behavior of various copper minerals in cyanide solu tions and investigated the influence of copper minerals on cyanide leaching of gold. In elucidating the influence of copper minerals on cyanide leaching of gold, copper minerals were classified into two types according to their solubility in cyanide solutions by proposing two concepts, cyaniding easily soluble copper (E Cu ) and cyaniding insoluble copper. The former involves copper occurrence in metal, oxides and secondary sulfides, and the latter refers mainly to primary sulfides. Experimental results show that not all the total copper in an ore affected cyanide leaching of gold, while cyaniding easily soluble copper turns out to be the decisive factor that interferes with gold cyanidation by causing decrease in gold cyanidation recovery and increase in cyanide consumption. When cyaniding easily soluble copper content ( w E(Cu) ) lies in the range of 0 0.25%, it linearly affects gold cyanidation recovery ( R ) as well as cyanide consumption ( m c). The regression equations have been worked out to be R (%)=94.177 5-142.735 7 w E(Cu) with a correlation coefficient of -0.902 and m c=5.590 7+33.572 9 w E(Cu) with a correlation coefficient of 0.945, respectively.

Comprehensive recovery of gold and base-metal sulfide minerals from a low-grade refractory ore

The comprehensive recovery of small amounts of valuable minerals such as gold and base-metal sulfide minerals from a low-grade refractory ore was investigated. The following treatment strategy was applied to a sample of this ore： gold flotation-gold concen- trate leaching-lead and zinc flotation from the gold concentrate leaching residue. Closed-circuit trials of gold flotation yielded a gold concen- trate that assayed at 40.23 g·t-1 Au with a recovery of 86.25%. The gold concentrate leaching rate was 98.76%. Two variants of lead-zinc flotation from the residue--preferential flotation of lead and zinc and bulk flotation of lead and zinc--were tested using the middling processing method. Foam from the reflotation was returned to the lead rougher flotation or lead-zinc bulk flotation, whereas middlings from reflotation were discarded. Sulfur concentrate was a byproduct. The combined strategy of flotation, leaching, and flotation is recommended for the treatment of this kind of ore.

Novel technology on preparation of double-layered pellets for sulfur and arsenic-bearing gold concentrates

Double-layered pellet （DLP） roasting is a novel pretreatment method for sulfur and arsenic-bearing gold concentrates. In this process, preparation of DLPs is a fundamental step which is required to produce DLPs with favorable mechanical strength and thermal stability. Studies were carried out to investigate the affecting factors and conditions on the preparation and properties of DLPs. The results show that moisture content has significant influence on DLPs preparation. With the increase of moisture content in the range of no more than 9.8%, drop resistance and compressive strength of green DLPs are raised and the pelletizing dynamics is improved accordingly. The optimum conditions are determined as moisture content of 9.8%, coating time of 14-16 min, drying temperature 〈80 ℃and drying gas velocity 〈1.2 m/s. When DLPs prepared under these conditions are roasted at 600 ℃ for 1 h, favorable removal and solidifying rates can be obtained, in which the removal rates of arsenic and sulfur are 94.38% and 82.55%, and the solidifying rates of arsenic and sulfur reach 99.62% and 99.79%, respectively. These results promise industrial application of DLP roasting.

Tetrahedrite-Group Minerals in the Jinjitai Gold Deposit,Western Sichuan

There are quite a few tetrahedrite-group minerals in the Jinjitai gold deposit, western Sichuan, which occur in an interstratified fractured zone of Middle Devonian carbonate rock series. The gold ore consists of pyrite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite-group minerals, galena, sphalerite and gold-silver series minerals, with an element association of Au-Cu-Ag-Pb-As-Sb-Bi. Electron microprobe analyses of the tetrahedrite-group minerals gave the following results: copper 40.04 to 42.27% (average 40.04%), iron 1.24 to 7.78% (average 4.13%), zinc 0.39 to 7.06% (average 3.58%), arsenic 5.41 to 17.40% (average 8.84%), antimony 2.70 to 20.46% (average 15.87%), and silver 0.02 to 0.73% (average 0.28%). The mineral varieties include zinc-antimony-tetrahedrite, iron-antimony-tetrahedrite, iron-tennatite and zincotennatite. These data show that there is a complete isomorphous series between Sb and As. From above downwards tetrahedrite varies from zinc- and antimony-rich to iron- and arsenic-rich compositions. Their occurrence and zonal features are very important for exploration of the same type of gold deposits in western Sichuan.

Lithostructural Control of the Gold Mineralization of the Douta Permit of African Star Resources (Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier, Southeastern Senegal)

The Douta permit of African Star Resources/Thor Explorations, located in the southeast of Senegal, in the Kédougou-Kéniéba Inlier (western part of the West African Craton), is dominated to the East by metasedimentary formations such as greywackes, shales, graphitic shales, quartzites, cherts, claystones and breccias characteristic of the Dialé-Daléma basin. To the West, the mafic formations of the Mako volcanic belt are the most common. Metasedimentary rocks are associated with metavolcanosedimentary terms found at the contact zones between the two (2) Birimian groups. These different geological formations are cut by mafic dolerite and gabbro sills and/or dykes, as well as quartz and microgranite veins. The Douta gold project is crossed from North to South by the MTZ (Main Transcurrent Zone), generally oriented NE-SW and becoming N-S towards the North. The permit is characterized by several shear corridors. The rocks are affected by brittle, brittle-ductile to ductile deformations. The gold mineralization is hosted by a NE-trending shear corridor called the Makosa corridor (Makosa shear zone), therefore sub-parallel to the MTZ. It has a subvertical dip (75˚ to 85˚ to the NW). It is associated with a hydrothermal phase characterized by quartz-sericite-epidote-fine, disseminated pyrite and arsenopyrite ± albite ± chlorite paragenesis. These minerals testify to the existence of a low degree of metamorphism (greenschist facies, epizonal domain) in the area. However, metamorphism reaches amphibolite facies in some places, particularly in the vicinity of intrusive bodies, with the presence of hornblende (amphiboles) and plagioclase. The gold mineralization is mainly hosted by two (2) metasedimentary lithological units: meta-greywackes and shales.

Characteristics of Gold and Its Mineralization Style in the Boulon Djounga Eastern Perimeter of Liptako Mining Company (Central Southwestern Niger)

The Boulon Djounga eastern perimeter is part of the Tiawa operating permit of the Société des Mines du Liptako (SML), located in the central southwestern part of Liptako (Niger). In this study, we used field data, Reverse Circulation (RC) surveys and chemical analyzes of gold to determine the characteristics of gold and its mineralization style. The eastern perimeter of Boulon Djounga is represented by a succession of metabasalts and metasediments both intersected by intrusions of quartz and dolerite dykes, and covered by sandstone and clayey rocks. Gold is present in low contents (0.00 - 0.30 ppm) in the sedimentary cover and in medium (0.30 - 1.00 ppm) or high contents (1.00 - 4.534 ppm) in the metasediments, and in the gray quartz veins and locally in the volcanics. It exists in a disseminated state or in a concentrated state in the surrounding areas in the form of discrete grains associated with sulphurous minerals (pyrite: FeS2, chalcopyrite: CuFeS2 or arsenopyrite: FeAsS). The presence of gold in the quartz veins, and the NE-SW and NW-SE orientations of the ore bodies suggest that the eastern Boulon Djounga gold mineralization would be established during a late magmatic extensive phase.

Gold Mineralisation in the Intiédougou Prospect (Diébougou District) in Southwest Burkina Faso, West African Craton

The Intiédougou located in the Houndé Birimian greenstone belt has been the subject of several mining and geoscience studies that have led to the discovery of mineralized gold targets. One of these mineralized targets has prompted work that raises the issue of control factors for the gold mineralization of the prospect. The methodology used in this study combines a study of core drill hole data located in the area and laboratory studies. The Intiédougou sector is based on andesito-basaltic, andesitic interstratified volcanoclastite rocks and Tarkwaïen type detrital sedimentary rocks caught in a vice in the volcano-sedimentary unit. Lithostructural analysis of the sector shows that the subvolcanic rocks bearing gold mineralization are subjected to heterogeneous ductile to brittle deformations and affected by hydrothermalism evolving at stages marked by large fissure fillings. These hydrothermal phases evolve in the zones of expansion created by the brittle deformations that have contributed to the deposits of different types of gold-enriched sulphides. These different phases of hydrothermal destabilization generally of low degree accompany the tardi to post-eburnean brittle tectonics. This deformation system is favorable to the establishment of gold mineralization in the form of vein bodies. The overimposition of deformed and altered areas suggests a genetic relationship between deformation and hydrothermal activity. In conclusion, the mineralization of Intiédougou in vein styles, set up in a volcanic arc environment with a paragenesis of gold-pyrite deposit ± chalcopyrite would be controlled by the structural aspect and accompanied by hydrothermal alteration.

Genetic Type and Metallogenic Mechanism of Bankuan Gold Deposit in Special Reference to the Studies of Fluid Inclusions and Isotopes in Minerals

Auriferous quartz veins in the Bankuan gold deposit occur in the interlayer broken zone of thebasaI conglomerate of the Tietonggou Formation or at the unconfondty between the Tietonggou Formation and the crystalline basement. The composition of fluid inclusions in the minerals indicates thatthe nature and composition of ore-forming hydrothermal solutions show a drashca1 change soon afterthe solutions reached the Tietonggou Formation from the crystailine basement, resulhng in go1d pre -cipitation. So the Bankuan gold deposit can be assigned to the conglomerate strata-bound-type depo-sits. 137 thermometric data are concentrated in the three ranges 400-340℃, 330-220℃ and180-160℃, represenhng three episodes of metallogenesis. Oxygen isotope studies demonstrate theevolution of ore-forming hydrothermal solutions from early metamorphic to late meteoric. Diversity oforoforming materials dominated by deep-source material is supportal by sulphur and lead isotope da-ta. From the above discussions it may be concluded that the deposit formed by metamorphism in-duced as a result of Mesozoic northward intracontinental subduction along the Machaoying fault.

Typomorpic Characteristics of the Major Minerals in the Puziwan Gold Deposit,Datong,Shanxi,China

Utilizing theories of minerageny and prospecting mineralogy, the authors studied the attitude, morphotype and chemical composition of metallic minerals of pyrite, gold, chalcopyrite, galena and sphalerite, non-metallic minerals of quartz, carbonate, dolomite and rutile in the Puziwan gold deposit. The study shows the following results. （1） The mineral assemblage is complex and the species of sulfide are abundant with occurrences of sulfosalt minerals. （2） The composition in the minerals is complex and there rich micro elements, including As, Sb, Bi, Se, Te, Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cr, Ni, V. The typomorphic characteristics of the association of the elements and their specific value suggest that gold mineralization is associated with shallow magmatic hydrothermal activity, the oreforming fluid is the mixture of abundant rising alkali magmatic water originating from the mantle or the lower crust and the descending acid atmospheric water. （3） Ankerite, Fe-rich sphalerite, granular Ti-rich rutile are widely distributed, which indicate great denudation depths, high mineralization temperature. The deposit is found in the middle and shallow positions of the porphyry series. The deep layers are not favorable for gold mineralization. （4） Copper minerals are rich in the ores and sulfides have high content of copper, suggesting possible porphyry-type Cu （Au） mineralization in deep positions and the surrounding areas.

Fluid Inclusions and Daughter Minerals of Taibai Gold Deposit, ShaanXi Province, China

A discovery of daughter minerals in fluid inclusions of Taibai gold deposit, Shaanxi province has been focused on, which is a unique breccia-cemented gold-bearing system. The breccia zone strikes NWW-SEE, occurring in Devonian strata of Southern Qinling Mountains. The cement is mainly composed of ankerite, pyrite, calcite and quartz, which may be divided into four main tectonic-mineralizing stages. Gold mainly occurs in pyrite and ankerite of stage II and IV. It is found that three types of fluid inclusions can be distinguished: (1) aqueous inclusions (type B); (2) CO2-rich inclusions (type C); (3) daughter minerals-containing inclusions (type A). LRM. (Laser Raman Micro-probe) analyses shows that the content of CO2 occupies 54.4%-70.7% (mole fraction, so as the follows) in vapor phases of different type fluid inclusions. CH4 (5.2%-7.3%) and H2S (6.0%-12.7%) exist in both vapor and liquid phases. Many daughter minerals in fluid inclusions of ankerite and quartz have been found. Several kinds of daughter minerals, including ankerite, pyrite, arsenopyrite and halite, were determined by using SEM (scanning electron microscope)/EDS (energy dispersive spectrometer) technique. EPMA (electron probe micro-analysis) technique was also applied to study the daughter minerals exposed to the surface of polished thin sections.

Fe-bearing minerals and implications for gold mineralization for the Wangu deposit in Central Jiangnan Orogen

Hydrothermal alteration with bleaching of host rocks is the most important prospecting indicator for gold deposits in the Jiangnan Orogen Belt.The alteration has been identified as pre-ore carbonate(siderite)-sericitization and the Fe of siderite in the alteration zone is derived from the host rocks rather than fluids.In addition,such alteration decreases in intensity and width with depth and gold mineralization also occur in the non-bleached rocks,casting doubt on the reliability of the prospecting indicator.Detailed petrographic work and SEM analysis on the Wangu deposit indicate that there are two types of siderites,i.e.,Sd1 and Sd2.Among them,Sd1 grains are relatively small and distributed along the planes of unaltered host rocks,while Sd2 grains,only occurring in the altered slates,are commonly larger.Both types of siderites were altered by auriferous fluids,producing porous cores and minerals such as pyrite,quartz,and ankerite.Compared with unaltered parts,the altered parts have lower Fe,but higher U,Pb,and REE.In addition,Sd1 and Sd2 are similar in Mn,Na,V,and Sr concentrations but different in Fe and Mg.The occurrence and geochemical compositions of both siderites indicate that Sd1 could be transformed into Sd2 by pre-mineralization alteration through dissolution-reprecipitation.Chlorite is another important Fe-bearing mineral in the host rocks,and EPMA analysis suggests that it is ripidolite with relatively high Fe contents.Consequently,chlorite can also provide Fe to form the pre-ore carbonate(siderite)-sericitization.Geochemical modeling demonstrates that both ripidolite and siderite can result in sulfidation and therefore gold precipitation.As a result,this study demonstrates that pre-ore alteration with characterized bleaching is not a prerequisite for gold mineralization despite of its prominent features.Due to the presence of Fe-bearing Sd1 and chlorite,gold mineralization could still occur through sulfidation in the unaltered rocks.

Characterization of Gold Bearing Placers and Associated Minerals in the Elogo Region (North-West Congo Republic)

The Elogo region has been subjected to craft industry and semi-industrial mining for gold-bearing placers, since the colonial times. It is actually undergoing an intensive exploration for a primary gold deposit. The goal of this study is to contribute to the exploration of the primary gold deposit in the Elogo Region (North-West of Congo Republic). The methodology consisted of characterization of placers deposits by their lithology, mineralogy and the gold grains shape, in order to constrain the source of gold with the respect to the local geology. The results obtained show that alluviums are polygenic and yields seventeen mineral species composed of zircon, olivine, magnetite, ilmenite, gold, garnet, rutile, coltan, cassiterite, monazite, apatite, amphibole, tourmaline, pyrite, limonite, chromite, and amphibole. The morphoscopy of gold grain shows single grains and grains with quartz inclusions that suggest their relationship with quartz veins. The gold grains are flattened, sub-flattened, and rounded. The northern region of Elogo characterized by a dominance of coarser quartz-included gold grains indicates a proximal proparte origin (less than 50 m), while the southern region, showing less coarse and more evolved grains with choc marks, appears to be associated with a distal pro-parte origin (more than 300 m). The multivariate statistical analysis shows seven classes of samples corresponding to the mineralogical paragenesis suggesting various sources, consisting of high-grade metamorphic, granitoids, pegmatites, basic and ultrabasic rocks, and BIFs that provided minerals to the placers. Gold mainly comes from hydrothermal quartz veins and probably from the peptization of gold from the weathering of sulfides occurring in the BIF. In the Elogo region, gold exploration for primary deposits should look for and follow the hydrothermal system developed in this region. Chemical analysis for the gold grains and associated minerals is necessary to better guide the proposed geochemical prospecting.

Mineralogical Characteristics and its Prospecting Significance of Gold-Mercury Minerals in Davao Gold Placer in Mindanao Islands, Philippines

This paper has systematically researched mineral assemble and the characteristics of gold-mercury minerals in Davao Placer in Mindanao Islands, Philippines. The results show that reflection force of gold-mercury minerals has a strong-weak-strong of changes features as mercury＇s content in minerals increased. Otherwise their hardness of gold-mercury minerals reduced. While the hardness of gold-mercury minerals, which have isometric crystal structure, they are gradually become larger, the goldmalgam and r-Goldmalgamite just be found to exist as natural edge of gold-mercury mineral grains. Overall, mercury content is gradually reduced from the edge to the centre of gold-mercury minerals particles, but mercury-bearing in edge of the grains is lower than in the middle. Combination of the background of geological mineralization, this paper suggests that there are mantle-derived deposits such as Platinum, chromium in Philippines, which accompanied ultramafic-mafic magmation. It＇s most likely to found some large or extra large scale polymetallic deposits of gold and mercury, as well as coastal placers of gold, platinum, etc.

Alteration and mineralization styles of the orogenic disseminated Zhenyuan gold deposit, southeastern Tibet: Contrast with carlin gold deposit

Orogenic disseminated and Carlin gold deposits share much similarity in alteration and mineralization.The disseminated orogenic Zhenyuan Au deposit along the Ailaoshan shear zone,southeastern Tibet,was selected to clarify their difference.The alteration and mineralization from the different lithologies,including meta-quartz sandstone,carbonaceous slate,meta-(ultra)mafic rock,quartz porphyry and lamprophyre were researched.According to the mineral assemblage and replacement relationship in all types of host rocks,two reactions show general control on gold deposition:(1) replacement of earlier magnetite by pyrite and carbonaceous material;(2) alteration of biotite and phlogopite phenocrysts in quartz porphyry and lamprophyre into dolomite/ankerite and sericite.Despite the lamprophyre is volumetrically minor and much less fractured than other host rocks,it contains a large portion of Au reserve,indicating that the chemically active lithology has played a more important role in gold precipitation compared to structure.LA-ICP-MS analysis shows that Au mainly occurs as invisible gold in fine-grained pyrite disseminated in the host rocks,with Au content reaching to 258.95 ppm.The diagenetic core of pyrite in meta-quartz sandstone enriched in Co,Ni,Mo,Ag and Hg is wrapped by hydrothermal pyrite enriched in Cu,As,Sb,Au,Tl,Pb and Bi.Different host rock lithology has much impact on the alteration and mineralization features.Carbonate and sericite in altered lamprophyre show they have higher Mg than those developed in other of host rocks denoting that the carbonate and sericite incorporated Mg from phlogopite phenocrysts in the primary lamprophyre during alteration.The ore fluid activated the diagenetic pyrite in meta-quartz sandstone leading the hydrothermal pyrite enriched in Cu,Mo,Ag,Sb,Te,Hg,Tl,Pb and Bi,but the hydrothermal pyrite in meta-(ultra)mafic rock is enriched in Co and Ni as the meta-(ultra)mafic rock host rock contain high content of Co and Ni.However,Au and As shear similar range in both types of host rocks indicating that these two elements most likely come from the deep source fluid rather than the host rocks.It was shown in the disseminated orogenic gold deposit that similar hydrothermal alteration with mineral assemblage of carbonate (mainly dolomite and ankerite),sericite,pyrite and arsenopyrite develops in all types of host rocks.This is different from the Nevada Carlin type,in which alteration is mainly dissolution and silicification of carbonate host rock.On the other hand,Au mainly occur as invisible gold in both disseminated orogenic and Carlin gold deposits.

Mineralization during Collisional Orogenesis and Its Control of the Distribution of Gold and Other Deposits in the Junggar Orogen, Xinjiang, China

The Junggar orogen, Xinjiang, China, is an important part of the Ural-Mongolian orogen.The collisional orogenesis in this region occurred primarily in the Carboniferous and Permianwith an evolutional process of early compression and late extension. Mineralization of gold andother metals in the Junggar orogen occurred mainly in the Permian and in a few cases in theLate Carboniferous. The deposits are largely distributed in areas where collisional orogenesiswas intensive and formed in a transitional stage from compression to extension. Therefore, goldmineralization in the Junggar orogen is fully consistent with the collisional orogenesis in time,space and geodynamic setting. This indicates that the mineral deposit model of collisionalorogenesis is applicable to prospecting and study of ore deposits in the Junggar orogen.Furthermore, the factual distribution of gold and other deposits in this region is just the same asthe collisional orogenic model presents.

A scale-integrated exploration model for orogenic gold deposits based on a mineral system approach

Concept-based orogenic gold exploration requires a scale-integrated approach using a robust mineral system model.Most genetic hypotheses for orogenic gold deposits that involve near-surface or magmatic-hydrothermal fluids are now negated in terms of a global mineral system model.Plausible models involve metamorphic fluids,but the fluid source has been equivocal.Crustal metamorphic-fluid models are most widely-accepted but there are serious problems for Archean deposits,and numerous Chinese provinces,including Jiaodong,where the only feasible fluid source is sub-crustal.If all orogenic gold deposits define a coherent mineral system,there are only two realistic sources of fluid and gold,based on their syn-mineralization geodynamic settings.These are from devolatilization of a subducted oceanic slab with its overlying gold-bearing sulfide-rich sedimentary package,or release from mantle lithosphere that was metasomatized and fertilized during a subduction event,particularly adjacent to craton margins.In this model,CO_2 is generated during decarbonation and S and ore-related elements released from transformation of pyrite to pyrrhotite at about 500 ℃.This orogenic gold mineral system can be applied to conceptual exploration by first identifying the required settings at geodynamic to deposit scales.Within these settings,it is then possible to define the critical gold mineralization processes in the system:fertility,architecture,and preservation.The geological parameters that define these processes,and the geological,geophysical and geochemical proxies and responses for these critical parameters can then be identified.At the geodynamic to province scales,critical processes include a tectonic thermal engine and deep,effective,fluid plumbing system driven by seismic swarms up lithosphere-scale faults in an oblique-slip regime during uplift late in the orogenic cycle of a convergent margin.At the district to deposit scale,the important processes are fluid focussing into regions of complex structural geometry adjacent to crustal-scale plumbing systems,with gold deposition in trap sites involving complex conjugations of competent and/or reactive rock sequences and structural or lithological fluid caps.Critical indirect responses to defined parameters change from those generated by geophysics to those generated by geochemistry with reduction in scale of the mineral system-driven conceptual exploration.

Geology and mineralization of the Sanshandao supergiant gold deposit(1200 t)in the Jiaodong Peninsula,China:A review

The Jiaodong Peninsula in Shandong Province,China is the world’s third-largest gold metallogenic area,with cumulative proven gold resources exceeding 5000 t.Over the past few years,breakthroughs have been made in deep prospecting at a depth of 500‒2000 m,particularly in the Sanshandao area where a huge deep gold orebody was identified.Based on previous studies and the latest prospecting progress achieved by the project team of this study,the following results are summarized.(1)3D geological modeling results based on deep drilling core data reveal that the Sanshandao gold orefield,which was previously considered to consist of several independent deposits,is a supergiant deposit with gold resources of more than 1200 t(including 470 t under the sea area).The length of the major orebody is nearly 8 km,with a greatest depth of 2312 m below sea level and a maximum length of more than 3 km along their dip direction.(2)Thick gold orebodies in the Sanshandao gold deposit mainly occur in the specific sections of the ore-controlling fault where the fault plane changes from steeply to gently inclined,forming a stepped metallogenic model from shallow to deep level.The reason for this strong structural control on mineralization forms is that when ore-forming fluids migrated along faults,the pressure of fluids greatly fluctuated in fault sections where the fault dip angle changed.Since the solubility of gold in the ore-forming fluid is sensitive to fluid pressure,these sections along the fault plane serve as the target areas for deep prospecting.(3)Thermal uplifting-extensional structures provide thermodynamic conditions,migration pathways,and deposition spaces for gold mineralization.Meanwhile,the changes in mantle properties induced the transformation of the geochemical properties of the lower crust and magmatic rocks.This further led to the reactivation of ore-forming elements,which provided rich materials for gold mineralization.(4)It can be concluded from previous research results that the gold mineralization in the Jiaodong gold deposits occurred at about 120 Ma,which was superimposed by nonferrous metals mineralization at 118‒111 Ma.The fluids were dominated by primary mantle water or magmatic water.Metamorphic water occurred in the early stage of the gold mineralization,while the fluid composition was dominated by meteoric water in the late stage.The S,Pb,and Sr isotopic compositions of the ores are similar to those of ore-hosting rocks,indicating that the ore-forming materials mainly derive from crustal materials,with the minor addition of mantle-derived materials.The gold deposits in the Jiaodong Peninsula were formed in an extensional tectonic environment during the transformation of the physical and chemical properties of the lithospheric mantle,which is different from typical orogenic gold deposits.Thus,it is proposed that they are named“Jiaodong-type”gold deposits.

SHRIMP zircon U-Pb dating of the mafic and felsic intrusive rocks of the Saza area in the Lupa goldfields, southwestern Tanzania: Implication for gold mineralization

The Lupa Goldfield (LGF) is one of the eight structural terranes in the NW – SE striking Ubendian Belt of SW Tanzania. The LGF is comprised of granitic gneisses with bands of amphibolites which are intruded by mafic intrusions including gabbros, granodiorites, diorites;and various granites as well as metavol-canics. These rocks are cross-cut by narrow mafic dykes and aplites. SHRIMP zircon U-Pb data are presented for the granodiorite and a mafic dyke that cross-cut the granodiorites in the Saza area of the LGF, with the aim of constraining the mafic and felsic magmatism and their implication to gold mineralization. The zircon U-Pb data shows that the Saza granodiorites were emplaced at 1924 ± 13 Ma (MSWD = 2.6) whereas the cross-cutting mafic dyke yielded a zircon U-Pb age of 1758 ± 33 Ma (MSWD = 0.88). The dated granodiorite sample was in sheared contact with an altered mafic intrusive rock, most likely a diorite, along which an auriferous quartz vein occurs. The 1924 ± 13 Ma age of granodiorites is within error of the reported molybdenite Re-Os age of 1937 Ma determined for the gold mineralization event in Lupa Goldfields. Although auriferous quartz veins are younger than the granodiorites, the more or less similar ages between the emplacement of granodiorites and the mineralizing event indicate that the granodiorites might be the heat source (or driver) of hydrothermal fluids responsible for gold mineralization in the Lupa goldfields. This would further suggest that gold mineralization in the LGF is intrusion-related type. The mafic dykes represent the youngest rocks to have been emplaced in the area and hence the 1758 ± 33 Ma age of the mafic dykes conclude the magmatic evolution in the Lupa goldfields during the Palaeoproterozoic.