Application of the Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Carbonates as a Genetic Tool in the Hydrothermal Environment

Abstract

The mineralogy and mineral chemistry of carbonates from various hydrothermal deposits, including volcanic-hosted Au-Cu epithermal, “Chilean Manto-type” Cu(-Ag), stratabound Mn, and Ag-Ba vein deposits from Spain and Chile, were investigated. Dolomite-ankerite (±siderite) was found in variable amounts within the epithermal deposits and associated hydrothermal alteration, whereas calcite was found either within barren veins or disseminated within the regional alteration. Calcite is the major gangue phase within the stratabound deposits, which tend to lack dolomite/ankerite and siderite. Carbonates precipitated from hydrothermal ore fluids are typically Mn-rich, up to 3.55 at. % in siderite, 2.27 at. % in dolomite/ankerite, and 1.92 at. % in calcite. In contrast, calcite related to very low-grade metamorphism or regional low-temperature alteration is Mn-poor but sometimes Mg-rich, possibly related to a higher temperature of formation. Chemical zonation was observed in the hydrothermal carbonates, although no unique pattern and chemical evolution was observed. This study suggests that the chemical composition of carbonates, especially the Mn content, could be a useful vector within ore-forming hydrothermal systems, and therefore constitutes a possible tool in geochemical exploration. Furthermore, Mn-poor calcites detected in some deposits are suggested to be linked with a later episode, maybe suggesting a predominance of meteoric waters, being not related to the main ore stage formation, thus avoiding misunderstanding of further isotopic studies.

Anion Composition of Apatite in the Au-Cu Epithermal Deposit of Palai-Islica (Almería, SE Spain) as an Indicator of Hydrothermal Alteration

“…The ore mineralogy consists of pyrite with lower amounts of chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and galena along with Au-Ag alloy, native gold, and a range of Ag sulfides and sulfosalts as precious metal-bearing minerals [35][36][37]. The gangue consists mainly of quartz, muscovite, and chlorite, with lesser barite, gypsum, and dolomite [38]. Apatite crystals are also found in small quantities in three different positions: within the orebody, within the hydrothermally altered host rocks with sericitic-chloritic and propylitic alteration, and in the unaltered host volcanic rocks (calc-alkaline andesite and dacite).…”