Academic literature on the topic 'Pb-Zn ore formation'

The coexistence of numerous Mississippi Valley-type (MVT) Pb–Zn deposits and oil/gas reservoirs in the world suggests a close genetic relationship between mineralization and hydrocarbon accumulation. The Wusihe MVT Pb–Zn deposits are located along the southwestern margin of the Sichuan Basin. Based on the spatiotemporal relation between Pb–Zn deposits and paleo-oil/gas reservoirs, ore material sources, and processes of mineralization and hydrocarbon accumulation, a new genetic relationship between mineralization and hydrocarbon accumulation is suggested for these deposits. The Wusihe Pb–Zn deposits are hosted in the Ediacaran Dengying Formation dolostone, accompanied by a large amount of thermally cracked bitumen in the ore bodies. The Pb–Zn deposits and paleo-oil/gas reservoirs are distributed along the paleokarst interface; they overlap spatially, and the ore body occupies the upper part of the paleo-oil/gas reservoirs. Both the Pb–Zn ore and sphalerite are rich in thermally cracked bitumen, in which µm sized galena and sphalerite may be observed, and the contents of lead and zinc in the bitumen are higher than those required for Pb–Zn mineralization. The paleo-oil/gas reservoirs experienced paleo-oil reservoir formation, paleo-gas reservoir generation, and paleo-gas reservoir destruction. The generation time of the paleo-gas reservoirs is similar to the metallogenic time. The source rocks from the Cambrian Qiongzhusi Formation not only provided oil sources for paleo-oil reservoirs but also provided ore-forming metal elements for mineralization. Liquid oil with abundant ore-forming metals accumulated to form paleo-oil reservoirs with mature organic matter in source rocks. As paleo-oil reservoirs were buried, the oil underwent in situ thermal cracking to form overpressure paleo-gas reservoirs and a large amount of bitumen. Along with the thermal cracking of the oil, the metal elements decoupled from organic matter and H2S formed by thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) and minor decomposition of the organic matter dissolved in oilfield brine to form the ore fluid. The large-scale Pb–Zn mineralization is mainly related to the destruction of the overpressured paleo-gas reservoir; the sudden pressure relief caused the ore fluid around the gas–water interface to migrate upward into the paleo-gas reservoirs and induced extensive metal sulfide precipitation in the ore fluid, resulting in special spatiotemporal associated or paragenetic relations of galena, sphalerite, and bitumen.

In Viet Nam, non-sulfide zinc ore in the Cho Dien deposit has been exploited for a long time. Up to the present, zinc ore remains the major exploited ore in Cho Dien. There are numerous studies of Pb-Zn ore in Cho Dien. However, most of the studies have dedicated only to description of mineralogical and chemical composition of Pb-Zn ore. There has been no publication on this non-sulfide zinc ore. Based on the mineralogical studies, the content of Pb and Zn in groundwater determined by reflective microscope, SEM, EPMA and ICP-MS methods, the study explained the formation of secondary non-sulfide zinc ore in the Cho Dien deposit. Strong weathering process makes the upper part of ore bodies completely oxidized. Difference in geochemical behavior of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in the oxidation process of Pb-Zn ore is the reason to form non-sulfide zinc ore in the Cho Dien deposit. Oxidation of primary Pb-Zn ore is mainly sphalerite, pyrite, galena minerals which creates a low pH environment and transforms of zinc from immobile (sphalerite - ZnS) to mobile (Zn2+) and retained in solution under acid pH conditions whereas lead has the tendency to form soluble minerals (anglesite, cerussite). The acid neutralization actions of the surrounding rocks make zinc precipitate, to form secondary non-sulfide zinc minerals.ReferencesAndreas Nuspl, 2009. Genesis of nonsulfide zinc deposits and their future utilization (www.geo.tu-frei berg.de/oberseminar/OS_09/Andreas_Nuspl.pdf.Boland M.B., et al., 2003. The Shaimerden supergene zinc deposit, Kazakhstan: Economic Geology, 98(4), 787-795.Chau N.D., Jadwiga P., Adam P., D.V. Hao, L.K. Phon, J. Paweł, 2017. General characteristics of rare earth and radioactive elements in Dong Pao deposit, Lai Chau, Vietnam, Vietnam J. Earth Sci., 39(1), 14-26.Dao Thai Bac, 2012. Characteristics and distribution law of lead-zinc metallogenic fomations in Viet Bac region. Doctoral thesis.Heyl A.V., Bozion C.N., 1962. Oxidized zinc deposits of the United States, Part 1. General Geology: U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin 1135-A.Hoa T.T., et al., 2010. By-products in lead-zinc and copper ores of Northeast Vietnam. J. Sci. of the Earth, 289-298 (in Vietnamese).Hoang Minh Thao, Tran Thi Hien, Dao Duy Anh, Pham Thi Nga, 2017. Mineralogical characteristics of graphite ore from Bao Ha deposit, Lao Cai Province and proposing a wise use. Vietnam J. Earth Sci., 39(4), 324-336.Jurjovec J., et al., 2002. Acid neutralization mechanisms and metal release in mine tailings: A laboratory column experiment: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 66, 1511-1523.Large D., 2001. The geology of non-sulphide zinc Deposits - an Overview: Erzmetall, 54(5), 264-276.Maria Boni, 2003. Nonsulfide Zinc Deposits: a new - (old) type of economic mineralization. Society for geology applied to mineral deposits (SGA) News, Number 15. https://www.e-sga.org/fileadmin/sga/newsletter/news15/art01.html.McPhail D.C., et al., 2003, The geochemistry and mobility of zinc in the regolith: in Roach, I.C., ed., Advances in Regolith, 287-291.Murray W. Hitzman, et al., 2003. Classification, genesis, and exploration guides for non-sulfide zinc deposits: Economic Geology, 98(4), 685-714.Nguyen V.P., 2013. Wet tropical wethering in Viet Nam. Natural Science and Technology Publisher.Nicola Mondillo, 2013. Supergene Nonsulfide Zinc-Lead Deposits: The Examples of Jabali (Yemen) and Yanque (Peru). Doctoral thesis.Nordstrom D.K., Alpers C.N., 1999. Geochemistry of acid mine waste. Review in Economic Geology, the environmental geochemistry of ore deposits/Eds. G.S.Plumlee, M.J. Logsdon. Part A: Processes, techniques, and health issues, 6A, 133-160.Reynolds N.A., et al., 2003. The Padaeng Supergene Nonsulfide Zinc Deposit, Mae Sod, Thailand. Economic Geology, 98(4), 773-785.Sangameshwar S.R., Barnes H.L., 1983. Supergene Processes in Zinc-Lead-Silver Sulfide Ores in Carbonates: Economic Geology, 78, 1379-1397.Stumm W., Morgan J.J., 1996. Aquatic Chemistry, Third Edition. John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.Takahashi T., 1960. Supergene alteration of zinc and lead deposits in limestone: Economic Geology, 55, 1083-1115.Thornber M.R. and Taylor G.F., 1992. The mechanisms of sulphide oxidation and gossan formation, in: Butt, C.R.M., and Zeegers H., (Eds.)., Regolith exploration geochemistry in tropical and subtropical terrains, in Govett G.J.S., ed., Handbook of exploration geochemistry: Amsterdam, Elsevier, 4, 119-138.Tran Trong Hoa, 2005. Potential assessment of By- products in lead-zinc and copper deposits of Northeast Vietnam. Final report.Tran Tuan Anh, 2010. Studying accompanying component in the types of potential deposits of basic metals and precious - rare metals of north Viet Nam to improve the efficiency of mining and environmental protection. Final report. KC.08.24/06-10.Tran Tuan Anh, et al., 2011. Mineralogical and geochemical characteristics and forming conditions of lead - zinc deposits in Lo Gam structure, northern Vietnam. J. Sci. of the Earth, 33(3DB), 393-408 ( in Vietnamese).Vito Coppola et al., 2009. Nonsulfide zinc deposits in the Silesia - Cracow district, Southern Poland. Springer Link, 44, 559-580.Vito Coppola, et al., 2007. Non-sulfide zinc deposits in Upper Silesia, Southern Poland. Proceeding of the Ninth Biennial SGA Meeting, Dublin, 1401-1404.Williams P.A., 1990. Oxide zone geochemistry: Ellis Horwood Ltd., Chichester, UK, 286p.

The Jiashengpan Zn–Pb deposit is located in the Langshan-Zhaertai region of the North China Craton. Zinc-lead mineralization at the Jiashengpan shows characteristics of shear-zone controlled syn-metamorphic mineralization. The 39Ar/40Ar ages of syn-ore hydrothermal muscovite averages at ~380 Ma, suggesting that the Zn–Pb mineralization took place in the Devonian. These results agree with zircon U–Pb ages of post-ore granite, which constrain the ore formation to be older than 277 ± 2 Ma. Ore formation was coeval with the emplacement of regional orogenic belts that formed as result of subduction associated with the closure of the eastern Paleo-Asian Ocean (~400 Ma). The Jiashengpan deposit provides evidence for base metal mineralization associated with metamorphogenic and shear-zone controlled characteristics during continental-continental collision, stressing the significance of orogenic activities for enrichment of base metals.

Recent mineralogical, chemical, physical, and crystallographic investigations of the Boranja orefield showed very complex mineral associations and assemblages where sulfosalts have significant role. The sulfosalts of the Boranja orefield can be divided in four main groups: (i) Pb-Sb(As)-S system with ?Fe and ?Cu; (ii) Cu(Ag)-Fe(Zn)-Sb(As)-S system; (iii) Ag(Pb)-Bi(Sb)-S; (iv) and Pb-Bi-S(Te) system. Spatially, these sulfosalts are widely spread, however, they are the most abundant in the following polymetallic deposits and ore zones: Cu(Bi)-FeS Kram-Mlakva; Pb(Ag)-Zn-FeS2 Veliki Majdan (Kolarica-Centralni revir-Kojici); Sb-Zn-Pb-As Rujevac; and Pb-Zn-FeS2-BaSO4 Bobija. The multi stage formation of minerals, from skarnhydrothermal to complex hydrothermal with various stages and sub-stages has been determined. All hydrothermal stages and sub-stages of various polymetallic deposits and ore zones within the Boranja orefield are followed by a variety of sulfosalts.

Pb-Zn deposits and specifically Sedimentary-Exhalative (SEDEX) deposits are frequently found in deformed and/or metamorphosed geological terranes. Ore bodies structure is generally difficult to observe and its relationships to the regional structural framework is often lacking. In the Pyrenean Axial Zone (PAZ), the main Pb-Zn mineralizations are commonly considered as Ordovician SEDEX deposits in the literature. New structural field analyzes focusing on the relations between mineralization and regional structures allowed us to classify these Pb-Zn mineralizations into three types: (I) Type 1 corresponds to minor disseminated mineralization, probably syngenetic and from an exhalative source. (II) Type 2a is a stratabound mineralization, epigenetic and synchronous to the Variscan D1 regional deformation event and (III) Type 2b is a vein mineralization, epigenetic and synchronous to the late Variscan D2 regional deformation event. Structural control appears to be a key parameter in concentrating Pb-Zn in the PAZ, as mineralizations occur associated to fold hinges, cleavage, and/or faults. Here we show that the main exploited type 2a and type 2b Pb-Zn mineralizations are intimately controlled by Variscan tectonics. This study demonstrates the predominant role of structural study for unraveling the formation of Pb-Zn deposits especially in deformed/metamorphosed terranes.

The Baiyinnuoer skarn Zn–Pb deposit, located in the Southern Great Xing’an Range, Northeast China, is the largest Zn–Pb deposit of the northern China, with a total reserve of 32.74 Mt at average grades of 5.44% Zn and 2.02% Pb. The Zn–Pb ore bodies are hosted in the Lower Permian Huanggangliang Formation. The results of zircon U–Pb geochronology show that the ore-associated granodiorite porphyry, granodiorite, and diorite were emplaced at 248 ± 1.3, 251 ± 1.8, and 249 ± 1.4 Ma, respectively. The granodiorites and granodiorite porphyry have low P2O5 (0.13–0.23 wt %) and A/CNK (0.79–1.05) values, and their SiO2 and P2O5 contents are negatively correlated, indicating I-type affinity. The positive εNd(t) values (+1.3 to +1.8) and young two-stage model ages (TDM2) (880–916 Ma) of the Baiyinnuoer intrusive rocks suggest that they might have formed by the mixing of both mantle and crustal materials. The variations in the major elements, Rb, Sr, and Ba, and the negative Nb–Ta–Ti anomalies indicate that fractional crystallization might have occurred during magma ascent. In combination with the regional geology, the new geochronological, geochemical, and isotopic data reveal that the ore-associated intrusive rocks at Baiyinnuoer were formed in a post-collision setting in the Late Permian.

This paper described the wallrock alteration and mineralization of Pb-Zn deposits in the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou border area Southwest China, and summarized the wallrock alterations what are obvious, which include dolomitization, calcitization, pyritization, carbonation, ferritization, silicification and decolourization. In addition to dolomitization and calcitization,other wallrock alteration are associated with the formation and enrichment of Pb-Zn ore. Meanwhile, based on statistic analysis in mineralization age, and combined with the characteristics of Pb isotope, we confirmed four stages of mineralization in study area.

Abstract The newly discovered Shuangjianzishan Ag-Pb-Zn deposit, with 145 Mt of ore grading 128.5 g/t Ag (locally up to 32,000 g/t) and 2.2 wt % Pb + Zn, is located in the Great Hinggan Range metallogenic belt, northeastern China, and is currently the largest Ag deposit in Asia. The Ag-Pb-Zn orebodies occur as veins and are hosted primarily by a Permian slate. Recent drilling and core logging have identified a partially Mo mineralized granite porphyry intrusion adjacent to the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralized veins. This well-preserved magmatic-hydrothermal system therefore offers an excellent opportunity to evaluate the possible temporal and genetic relationship between Mo-mineralized porphyry intrusions and Ag-Pb-Zn veins. Three primary paragenetic stages of veining have been recognized: (I) early pyrite + quartz ± K-feldspar, (II) main ore sulfide + sulfosalt + quartz + calcite + sericite + chlorite ± epidote, and (III) post-ore quartz. The silver mineralization occurs mainly in the late paragenetic part of Stage II, in which canfieldite (Ag8SnS6), argentite (Ag2S) and freibergite [(Ag, Cu)12Sb4S13] are the dominant Ag-bearing ore minerals. A combination of ore mineral chemical and sulfur isotope geothermometers and physicochemical calculations suggest that the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization took place at a temperature of 250° to 200°C, a pH of 6.7 to 5.6, and a Δlogfo2 (HM) of –2.4 to –8.7. A conspicuous enrichment of Sn and Se in the ore, which is represented by minerals containing the metal suite Ag-Pb-Zn-(Cu-Sn-Se-Sb), likely reflects a close genetic association between the base metal mineralization and a magma. In situ analyses show that the δ34S values of the sulfides and Ag-bearing sulfosalts from the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralized veins vary from –4.67 to +2.44‰; the mean value is –2.11 ± 1.49‰ (n = 77). The calculated mean δ34SH2S value of the ore-forming fluid is –1.65 ± 0.83‰, which is indicative of a magmatic sulfur source. In situ Pb isotope analyses of the ore minerals yielded a narrow range of values (206Pb/204Pb of 18.243–18.310, 207Pb/204Pb of 15.503–15.563 and 208Pb/204Pb of 38.053–38.203, n = 59). Comparisons to corresponding isotopic data for the various rock units in the area and sulfides from nearby ore deposits indicate that there were substantial contributions of Pb and other metals (e.g., Ag and Zn) to the Shuangjianzishan deposit from a Mesozoic granitic source. Diorite-granodiorite dikes and dacite are crosscut by the Ag-Pb-Zn veins, and therefore, predate ore formation. These rock units have zircon U-Pb ages of 250.2 ± 2.0 and 133.9 ± 1.4 Ma, respectively. A concealed, weakly Mo mineralized granite porphyry intrusion proximal to the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralized vein system yielded zircon U-Pb ages of 134.4 ± 1.0 (MSWD = 0.1) and 134.4 ± 1.0 Ma (MSWD = 0.2), for coarse- and fine-grained facies, respectively. These ages are indistinguishable within the uncertainty from the zircon ages for the dacite and a granite intrusion ~2 km north of the mineralized veins, which has a weighted mean zircon U-Pb age of 135.2 ± 1.4 Ma (MSWD = 0.78). Molybdenite from three quartz vein/veinlet samples hosted by slate immediately above the porphyry intrusion yielded Re-Os model ages from 136.3 ± 0.9 to 133.7 ± 1.2 Ma and a weighted mean Re-Os age of 134.9 ± 3.4 Ma. Finally, three pyrite samples separated from the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralized veins have a weighted mean Re-Os model age of 135.0 ± 0.6 Ma. The very similar zircon U-Pb ages for the Mo-mineralized granite porphyry and dacite, and Re-Os ages for molybdenite and pyrite in the Shuangjianzishan ore district indicate that the Mesozoic magmatic-hydrothermal activity was restricted to a relatively short time interval (~136–133 Ma). They also suggest that the weakly Mo mineralized granite porphyry was likely the source of the fluids and metals that produced the Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization. Based on our geological observations and an extensive analytical database, a model is proposed for the genesis of the giant Shuangjianzishan Ag-Pb-Zn deposit in which the ore-forming fluid and its metals (i.e., Ag, Pb, and Zn) were exsolved during crystallization of the final phase of a composite granite porphyry intrusion. This fluid transported metals to the distal parts of the system, where they were deposited in preexisting faults or fractures created by the withdrawal of magma during the waning stages of the magmatic-hydrothermal event. The present study of the Shuangjianzishan Ag-Pb-Zn deposit and those of other magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits in the region provide compelling evidence that the widespread Mesozoic felsic magmatism and Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization in the southern Great Hinggan Range took place in an intracontinental extensional tectonic setting, which was synchronous with, and spatially associated to, Paleo-Pacific slab rollback and lithospheric delamination and thinning.

Lead and Zinc deposits are very much important economic booster for the country all over the world. Economic geologists are engaged in the search of these economy booster minerals and rocks for three decades. Lead and zinc are profuse resources in the Lasbela-Khuzdar belt of Balochistan province of Pakistan, with reserves of about 50 million tons all over the country. In this paper, we have presented field observations of the Dudder mine area and summarised the work of earlier papers to provide the salient features of these ore mineralizations and deposits. The tectonic settings and important ore controls have been discussed based on field observations and previous work. The Pb-Zn dominantly occupied by exposures of rocks of the Ferozabad Group of Jurassic age in the Mor range, which is comprised of Lower-Middle-Upper Jurassic carbonates and deep-marine siliciclastics rock sequence. This group contains syngenetic and epigenetic Pb-Zn mineralization classified as a stratiform replacement, and vein-type fissure fillings observed at various places of Duddar, Gunga, and Surmai deposit areas. Generally, these deposits are hosted pyrites nuggets with fine-grained sphalerite matrix with galena in black shale, argillaceous limestone, and mudstone. We construct a Pb-Zn deposit predictive tectonic model that regards mineralization as the primary factor and the ore rock as secondary. The tectonics were more active when sedimentation of the Anjira Formation started in a disturbing third-order basin. The Hydrothermal solution comes into the basin along faults and gave rise to syngenetic mineralization of sulfides in the Anjira Formation, and epigenetic one in the underlying Spingwar and Loralai Formations. These deposits are considered as SEDEX deposits according to the distribution of Pb-Zn deposits, we concluded that a multi-period, multi-cycle orogenic environment is the most positive for lead-zinc deposit growth. With this, we analyze the association between tectonic evolution, geological mineralization, and Pb-Zn metallogenic epoch. The tectonic and mineralization mechanism models are expected to ease the detailed study on the geological and geochemical conditions of mineralization in the Ferozabad Group and economic assessment of the resources.

Orefield structures of Fankou lead-zinc deposit in Guangdong province is complex and have been argued about for years. By means of comprehensive study of indoor and outdoor,The lambda-type structure made of major fault of F203 of strike northwest and branch fault of F3, F4 of strike northnortheast is ore-controlling structure, which not only controls the shape, the occurrence and spatial distribution of the ore body, but also controls the formation and distribution of the deposit.Key region of next prospecting is near fault of northnortheast direction of hangingwall block of the F203.Key words:Pb-Zn ore deposit;Ore-controlling structure;Fankou in Guangdong Province, China

The Falun pyritic Zn-Pb-Cu-(Au-Ag) sulphide deposit, situated in the Palaeoproterozoic (1.9–1.8 Ga) Bergslagen lithotectonic unit in the south-western part of the Fennoscandian Shield, is one of the major base and minor precious metal sulphide deposits in Sweden. Host rocks to the deposit as well as the ores and altered rocks were metamorphosed and affected by heterogeneous ductile strain during the Svecokarelian orogeny the total duration of which was 2.0–1.8 Ga. These processes both reworked the mineral assemblages of the original hydrothermal alteration system and reshaped the structural geometry of the deposit, following formation of the ores and the associated hydrothermal alteration.In order to study primary geological and ore-forming processes at Falun, it is necessary firstly to investigate the nature of the tectonothermal modification. In this licentiate thesis, a three-dimensional modelling approach is used in order to evaluate geometric relationships between lithologies at the deposit. This study demonstrates the polyphase character (D1 and D2) of the strong ductile deformation at Falun. The major rock-forming minerals in the silicate alteration rocks are quartz, biotite/phlogopite, cordierite, anthophyllite, chlorite, and minor almandine and andalusite. On the basis of microstructural investigations, it is evident that these minerals grew during distinct periods in the course of the tectonic evolution, with major static grain growth between D1 and D2, and also after D2. Furthermore, the occurrence of F2 sheath folds along steeply south-south-east plunging axes is suggested as a key deformation mechanism, forming cylindrical, rod-shaped ore bodies which pinch out at depth. The sheath folding also accounts for the same stratigraphic level (footwall) on both the eastern and western sides of the massive sulphide ores. A major, sulphide-bearing high-strain zone defines a tectonic boundary at the deposit and bounds the massive sulphide ores to the north.The geological evolution in the Falun area involved emplacement of felsic sub-volcanic intrusive and volcanic rocks and some carbonate sedimentation; followed by hydrothermal alteration, ore formation and the intrusion of dykes and plutons of variable composition after burial of the supracrustal rocks. Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) U-Pb (zircon) geochronology of key lithologies in and around the Falun base metal sulphide deposit indicates a rapid sequence of development of different magmatic pulses with individual age determinations overlapping within their uncertainties. The intense igneous activity, as well as the feldspar-destructive hydrothermal alteration and ore formation are constrained by two 207Pb-206Pb weighted average (zircon) ages of 1894 ± 3 Ma for a sub-volcanic host rock not affected by this type of alteration and 1891 ± 3 Ma for a felsic dyke, which cross-cuts the hydrothermally altered zone and is also unaffected by this alteration. All other ages, including the granitic plutonic rocks, fall in the interval between these ages.The lithological, structural and geochronological observations have implications for the environment and the conditions of ore formation at the Falun deposit. Several aspects argue for an ore system resembling a classic volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) system in terms of type of alteration, metal zonation, the pyritic character of massive sulphides and an inferred vent-proximal location in relation to the convection-driving magmatic system. The bowl-shaped, sub-seafloor feeder part of such a system might have served as an initial inhomogeneity in the strata for the later development of strong stretching along steep axes and sheath fold formation during ductile strain. Possible discordant relationships along the margins of the massive sulphide ores, coupled with the syn-magmatic, pre-tectonic timing of ore formation are in accordance with a general VMS-type model for the Falun base metal sulphide deposit. These results provide a compromise solution to the previous debate around two opposing models of strictly syn-genetic vs. epigenetic, post-deformational carbonate-replacement processes for ore formation at the deposit.
The Falun pyritic Zn-Pb-Cu-(Au-Ag) sulphide deposit, situated in the Palaeoproterozoic (1.9–1.8 Ga) Bergslagen lithotectonic unit in the south-western part of the Fennoscandian Shield, is one of the major base and minor precious metal sulphide deposits in Sweden. Host rocks to the deposit as well as the ores and altered rocks were metamorphosed and affected by heterogeneous ductile strain during the Svecokarelian orogeny (2.0–1.8 Ga). These processes both reworked the mineral assemblages of the original hydrothermal alteration system and reshaped the structural geometry of the deposit, following formation of the ores and the associated hydrothermal alteration.In order to study primary geological and ore-forming processes at Falun, it is necessary firstly to investigate the nature of the strong tectonothermal modification. In this licentiate thesis, a three-dimensional modelling approach is used in order to evaluate geometric relationships between lithologies at the deposit. This study demonstrates the polyphase character (D1 and D2) of the ductile deformation at Falun. The major rock-forming minerals in the silicate alteration rocks are quartz, biotite/phlogopite, cordierite, anthophyllite, chlorite, and minor almandine and andalusite. On the basis of microstructural investigations, it is evident that these minerals grew during distinct periods in the course of the tectonic evolution, with major static grain growth between D1 and D2, and also after D2. Furthermore, the occurrence of F2 sheath folds along steeply south-south-east plunging axes is suggested as a key deformation mechanism, forming cylindrical, rod-shaped ore bodies which pinch out at depth. The sheath folding also accounts for the same stratigraphic level on both the eastern and western sides of the massive sulphide ores. A major, sulphide-bearing high-strain zone defines a tectonic boundary inside the deposit and bounds the massive sulphide ores to the north. A precursor to this zone can have played a central role as a metal-bearing fluid conduit during ore genesis, prior to reactivation of the zone in the ductile regime.The geological evolution in the Falun area involved emplacement of felsic volcanic and sub-volcanic rocks and some carbonate sedimentation, followed by ore formation and hydrothermal alteration as well as the intrusion of dykes and plutons of variable composition. U-Pb zircon geochronology of key lithologies in and around the Falun base metal sulphide deposit indicates a rapid sequence of development of different magmatic phases with individual age determinations overlapping within their uncertainties. The igneous activity is constrained between a zircon U-Pb concordia age of 1899 ± 7 Ma for a sub-volcanic host rock and a zircon 207Pb-206Pb weighted average age of 1891 ± 3 Ma for a felsic dyke, with all other reliable ages, including the quartz-rich plutonic rocks, falling in the interval between them. This interval also included the hydrothermal alteration and ore formation at Falun.It is suggested that the bowl-shaped, sub-seafloor feeder part of a high-sulphidation and Au-bearing volcanogenic massive sulphide ore system, with replacement of carbonates and (sub)-volcanic rocks, served as an initial inhomogeneity in the strata for the later development of strong stretching along steep axes and sheath fold formation during ductile strain. The observation of discordant relationships along the margins of the massive sulphide ores, coupled with the syn-magmatic, pre-tectonic timing of ore formation, corroborate this hypothesis, providing a compromise solution to the previous debate around two opposing models of strictly syn-genetic vs. epigenetic, post-deformational carbonate-replacement processes of ore formation at the Falun base metal sulphide deposit.
Godkänd; 2015; 20150212 (tobkam); Nedanstående person kommer att hålla licentiatseminarium för avläggande av teknologie licentiatexamen. Namn: Tobias Christoph Kampmann Ämne: Malmgeologi/Ore Geology Uppsats: 3D Structural Framework and Constraints on the Timing of Hudrothermal Alteration and Ore Formation at the Falun Zn-Pb-Cu-(Au-Ag) Sulphide Deposit, Bergslagen, Sweden Examinator: Professor Pär Weihed Institutionen för samhällsbyggnad och naturresurser, Avdelning Geovetenskap och miljöteknik, Luleå tekniska universitet Diskutant: Docent, adjungerad professor Pietari Skyttä, University of Turku, Department of Geography and Geology, Turun Yliopisto, Finland Tid: Torsdag 23 april 2015 kl 10.00 Plats: F531, Luleå tekniska universitet
Structural evolution, hydrothermal alteration and tectonic setting of the Falun base metal and gold deposit, Bergslagen region, Sweden

Data on geology of the Oleninskoe deposit, and results of mineralogical and geochemical investigations of ores and altered rocks are presented. Mineralization is connected with granite porphyry sills, an end member of gabbrodiorite-diorite-granodiorite complex of minor intrusions. The main alteration processes are diopsidization and biotitization, formation of quartz-muscovite-albite, quartz-aresenopyrite-tourmaline, and quartz metasomatic rocks. More than 50 ore minerals (sulfides, sulfosalts, tellurides, and native metals) were identified in the ore, including 20 minerals of silver and gold. Mineral associations in the ore and sequence of mineral formation are defined. Five generations of gold-silver alloys are identified, its composition covers spectrum from native silver to high-grade gold. Mineralized fluids in the deposit are of high salinity (sodium and calcium chlorides), and rich in As, Sb, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Ag. The Oleninskoe deposit is classified as an epithermal metamorphosed gold deposit.The book is of interest for specialists in economic geology, mineralogy and geochemistry of ore deposits.

Abstract Peñasquito is an Au-Ag-Zn-Pb deposit and currently the principal Au-producing mine in Mexico. It is the most recent major discovery in the historically important Concepción del Oro mining district. Current Au reserves plus historic production at Peñasquito stand at 12.67 Moz, in addition to 527 Moz Ag, 3,600 lb Pb, and 8,000 lb Zn in remaining proven and probable reserves. Mineralization is centered on the Peñasco and Brecha Azul diatreme breccias, which cut an Upper Jurassic to Upper Cretaceous marine carbonate-dominated sedimentary sequence, which underwent folding during the Laramide orogeny. The diatreme breccias and associated mineralization are associated with early Oligocene quartz-feldspar porphyries dated at 34.4 ± 0.4 to 33.7 ± 0.4 Ma and thus 3 to 10 m.y. younger than the other skarn and polymetallic deposits known in the district. The Peñasco diatreme is about 1 km in diameter and hosts epithermal-style disseminated mineralization, whereas the contiguous Cretaceous carbonaceous and calcareous siltstone and interbedded sandstone of the Caracol Formation is the principal host for stockwork and manto-type, massive base metal sulfide mineralization. Skarn-type mineralization is Cu-Zn rich, extends to the current depth of drilling some 2 km below the premine surface, and is hosted by the Jurassic-Cretaceous sequence beneath the Caracol Formation. In addition, weakly developed stockwork Mo (±Cu) mineralization has also been intersected by drilling at depths of nearly 2 km.

A comprehensive study of Mississippi Valley-type base-metal deposits across the Canadian Cordillera was done to compare and contrast their features. Extensive dissolution of host rocks is followed by multiple generations of dolomite cements from early, low-temperature, fine-grained to coarser, higher temperature types that overlap with Zn-Pb sulfide minerals; late-stage calcite occludes residual porosity. Dolomite is generally chemically stoichiometric, but ore-stage types are often rich in Fe (<1.3 weight per cent FeO) with small sphalerite inclusions. Sphalerite-hosted fluid inclusions record ranges for homogenization temperatures (77-214°C) and fluid salinity (1-28 weight per cent equiv. NaCl±CaCl2). These data suggest fluid mixing with no single fluid type related to all sulfide mineralization. In situ secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) generated delta-18OVSMOW values for carbonate minerals (13-33 permille) reflect dolomite and calcite formation involving several fluids (seawater, basinal, meteoric) over a large temperature range at varying fluid-rock ratios. Sphalerite and pyrite SIMS delta-34SVCDT values vary (8-33 permille) but in single settings have small ranges (<2-3 permille) that suggest sulfur was reduced via thermochemical sulfate reduction from homogeneous sulfur reservoirs. Collectively, the data implicate several fluids in the mineralizing process and suggest mixing of a sulfur-poor, metal-bearing fluid with a metal-poor, sulfide-bearing fluid.

The unmetamorphosed and nearly undeformed late Mesoproterozoic Borden Basin on northern Baffin Island exhibits sag, rift, and foreland-basin-like phases. A thin, partly subaqueous basal basalt is overlain by mature shallow-marine quartz arenite, upward-deepening siltstone and shale (marking the beginning of rifting), a complex suite of rift-delineated carbonate units containing two dramatic internal unconformities, and a flysch-molasse-like succession containing evidence of sediment derivation from the Grenville Orogen. Geochronological data indicate that deposition of most of the succession took place ca. 1100 to 1050 Ma. One of the carbonate intervals, Nanisivik Formation, is the main host of regional Zn-Pb showings including the past-producing Nanisivik orebody, which formed in the late Mesoproterozoic from low-temperature fluids, and which was emplaced under strong structural and stratigraphic controls. Minimal postdepositional deformation is limited to the emplacement of mafic dykes ca. 720 Ma and repeated reactivation of basement-rooted normal faults.