A Combined EPMA and LA-ICP-MS Investigation on Bi-Cu-Au Mineralization from the Kizhnica Ore Field (Vardar Zone, Kosovo)

Abstract

This paper describes a newly discovered Bi-Cu±Au mineralization co-occurring with Pb-Zn-Ag hydrothermal mineralization within the Kizhnica-Hajvalia-Badovc ore field, central Kosovo, Vardar Zone. The mineralogy of two styles of Bi-Cu±Au mineralization was described using EPMA in combination with reflected and transmitted light microscopy. Hydrothermal Cu-Bi veinlets in the Kizhnica andesite quarry consist of Bi sulfosalts (bismuthinite, cosalite, aikinite, and krupkaite), pyrite, hematite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, and tetrahedrite group minerals. Disseminated Bi-Au-Cu-Te mineralization from the contact type of mineralization (hornfels) consists of Bi sulfosalts (cannizzarite, bismuthinite, galenobismutite, cosalite), associated with sulfarsenides (arsenopyrite, gersdorffite, and cobaltite), base metal sulfides (chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, pyrrhotite, and galena), native gold, native bismuth, and tetradymite. LA-ICP-MS analyses of sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and tetrahedrite indicate increased content of In and Sn in the Kizhnica Bi-Cu-Au mineralizing system, while LA-ICP-MS analyses in pyrites show the presence of many elements, e.g., Au, As, Co, Sb, Tl, Hg, Pb, Bi related to the structure of pyrite or controlled by nano-inclusions. The results suggest a connection between Bi-Cu±Au mineralization and the proximity to intrusive rocks, which may be helpful for Au exploration in Kosovo.

Mineralogy and in situ S and Pb isotope characteristics of ore minerals from polymetallic mineralization in the Gierczyn-Przecznica area, SW Poland

“…3C, D). Bis muth sulphosalts, base metal sulphides and tetrahedrite group min er als are of ten a result of hy dro ther mal ac tiv ity re lated to in tru sions (e.g., Mederski et al, 2021). Tex tures, the pres ence of bis muth ox ides and dissem i nated na tive bis muth in the sam ples de scribed here suggest they are rather a rem nant of pri mary sulphosalt min er al ization, af fected by re gional meta mor phism.…”