Mineralogy and trace element geochemistry of the Co- and Cu-bearing sulfides from the Shilu Fe–Co–Cu ore district in Hainan Province of South China

Wang, Zhilin; Xu, Deru; Zhang, Zhaochong; Zou, Fenghui; Wang, Li; Yu, Liangliang; Hu, Ming-Yue

doi:10.1016/j.jseaes.2015.08.019

Cited by 15 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…These compositional differences, in particular the low Co and Ni concentrations in chalcopyrite studied here, suggest that the hydrothermal system associated with Cerro Pabellón is possibly linked to a relatively more felsic magmatic source [38,39] than at Reykjanes, as proposed by [37] based on the Co/Ni ratios of pyrite. Therefore, and considering that Co/Ni ratios in chalcopyrite may be indicative of source components of hydrothermal fluids, further analytical studies in different ore-forming environments should be undertaken to complement the existing data [19,[42][43][44].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silver-Rich Chalcopyrite from the Active Cerro Pabellón Geothermal System, Northern Chile

et al. 2020

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Active subaerial geothermal systems are regarded as modern analogues of low- to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal Au–Ag deposits, where minor amounts of Cu are mostly present as chalcopyrite. Although trace element data concerning sulfides are scarce in active geothermal systems at convergent settings, studies in several other environments have demonstrated that chalcopyrite is a relevant host of Ag and other trace elements. Here, we focus on the active Cerro Pabellón geothermal system in the Altiplano of northern Chile, where chalcopyrite-bearing samples were retrieved from a 561 m drill core that crosscuts the high-enthalpy geothermal reservoir at depth. A combination of EMPA and LA-ICP-MS data shows that chalcopyrite from Cerro Pabellón is silver-rich (Ag > 1000 ppm) and hosts a wide range of trace elements, most notably Se, Te, Zn, Sb, As, and Ni, which can reach 100 s of ppm. Other elements detected include Co, Pb, Cr, Ga, Ge, Sn, Cd, and Hg but are often present in low concentrations (<100 ppm), whereas Au, Bi, Tl, and In are generally below 1 ppm. Chalcopyrite shows a distinct geochemical signature with depth, with significantly higher Ag concentrations in the shallow sample (494 m) and increasing Cd and In contents towards the bottom of the studied drill core (549 m). These differences in the trace element contents of chalcopyrite are interpreted as related to temperature gradients during the waning stages of boiling at Cerro Pabellón, although further studies are still needed to assess the precise partitioning controls. Our data provide evidence that chalcopyrite may play a relevant role as a scavenger of certain metals and a monitor of fluid changes in hydrothermal systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silver-Rich Chalcopyrite from the Active Cerro Pabellón Geothermal System, Northern Chile

et al. 2020

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“…Occasional studies have, however, measured high concentrations of Co and Ni in chalcopyrite (e.g. Bajwah et al , 1987; Thole, 1976; Wang et al , 2015 a ; Wang et al , 2015 b ). Despite the above observations, mechanisms of trace-element incorporation into covalent structures represents a significant research gap and further study is needed to understand partitioning controls.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regardless of their limitations, the prior studies cited above, and indeed other more thorough investigations of chalcopyrite composition (e.g. Huston et al , 1995; Maslennikov et al , 2009; Revan et al , 2014; Wang et al , 2015 b ; George et al , 2016), provide a valuable background for understanding chalcopyrite as a trace-element carrier and serve as a broad foundation for the present study. The maximum reported concentrations of various trace elements in chalcopyrite from different deposit types is summarized in Table 1.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thole (1976) recorded up to 2700 ppm Co and 3300 ppm Ni in chalcopyrite from the Shamrocke mine, Zimbabwe. Wang et al (2015 a ) measured up to 1700 ppm Co and 4100 ppm Ni in chalcopyrite from the Xiaozhen Cu deposit, Shaanxi Province, China, while Wang et al (2015 b ) also reported chalcopyrite containing 6178 ppm Co and 2496 ppm Ni from the Shilu Fe-Co-Cu ore district in the Hainan Province of South China.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Trace elements in hydrothermal chalcopyrite

et al. 2018

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Concentration data are reported for 18 trace elements in chalcopyrite from a suite of 53 samples from 15 different ore deposits obtained by laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Chalcopyrite is demonstrated to host a wide range of trace elements including Mn, Co, Zn, Ga, Se, Ag, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Hg, Tl, Pb and Bi. The concentration of some of these elements can be high (hundreds to thousands of ppm) but most are typically tens to hundreds of ppm. The ability of chalcopyrite to host trace elements generally increases in the absence of other co-crystallizing sulfides. In deposits in which the sulfide assemblage recrystallized during syn-metamorphic deformation, the concentrations of Sn and Ga in chalcopyrite will generally increase in the presence of co-recrystallizing sphalerite and/or galena, suggesting that chalcopyrite is the preferred host at higher temperatures and/or pressures. Trace-element concentrations in chalcopyrite typically show little variation at the sample scale, yet there is potential for significant variation between samples from any individual deposit. The Zn:Cd ratio in chalcopyrite shows some evidence of a systematic variation across the dataset, which depends, at least in part, on temperature of crystallization. Under constant physiochemical conditions the Cd:Zn ratios in co-crystallizing chalcopyrite and sphalerite are typically approximately equal. Any distinct difference in the Cd:Zn ratios in the two minerals, and/or a non-constant Cd:Zn ratio in chalcopyrite, may be an indication of varying physiochemical conditions during crystallization.Chalcopyrite is generally a poor host for most elements considered harmful or unwanted in the smelting of Cu, suggesting it is rarely a significant contributor to the overall content of such elements in copper concentrates. The exceptions are Se and Hg which may be sufficiently enriched in chalcopyrite to exceed statutory limits and thus incur monetary penalties from a smelter.

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Variation of trace elements in chalcopyrite from worldwide Ni-Cu sulfide and Reef-type PGE deposits: implications for mineral exploration

2022

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Mineralogy and trace element geochemistry of the Co- and Cu-bearing sulfides from the Shilu Fe–Co–Cu ore district in Hainan Province of South China

Cited by 15 publications

References 61 publications

Silver-Rich Chalcopyrite from the Active Cerro Pabellón Geothermal System, Northern Chile

Silver-Rich Chalcopyrite from the Active Cerro Pabellón Geothermal System, Northern Chile

Trace elements in hydrothermal chalcopyrite

Variation of trace elements in chalcopyrite from worldwide Ni-Cu sulfide and Reef-type PGE deposits: implications for mineral exploration

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