Spatial and Temporal Controls on the Distribution of Indium in Xenothermal Vein-Deposits: The Huari Huari District, Potosí, Bolivia

Torró, Lisard; Melgarejo, Joan Carles; Gemmrich, Laura; Mollinedo, Diva; Cazorla, Malena; Martínez, Álvaro; Pujol-Solà, Núria; Farré-de-Pablo, Júlia; Camprubí, Antoni; Artiaga, David; Torres, Belén; Alfonso, Pura; Arce, Osvaldo

doi:10.3390/min9050304

Cited by 21 publications

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References 58 publications

(120 reference statements)

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“…These analyses reveal variable concentrations of In that range between values below its detection limit and 1.61 wt.% in sphalerite grains with Fe concentrations that range between 1. Most of the studied homogeneous, pristine sphalerite crystals plot within the sphalerite-stannite-roquesite pseudoternary system [25,77], similar to sphalerite from the Huari Huari deposit [39] (Figure 15). Most sphalerite analyses from the Ánimas-Chocaya-Siete Suyos deposits are distributed along the sphalerite-stannite and sphalerite-roquesite tie-lines in the Zn + Fe + Cd + Mn vs. Cu + Ag vs. Sn + In ternary diagram (Figure 15).…”

Section: In-bearing Mineralsmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…A number of polymetallic mineral deposits from the central Andes in Peru, Bolivia, and northern Argentina are listed as major In hosts [11,34,35]. Chief among them are xenothermal polymetallic-vein deposits hosted by the Andean tin belt [29,[36][37][38][39]. Whole-rock geochemical analysis of ore samples (including composites) from SW Bolivia deposits has revealed In contents as high as 5740 ppm for Potosí, 3080 ppm for Huari Huari, 2730 ppm for Bolivar, and 2510 ppm for Ánimas-Siete Suyos deposits [37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the Santa Fe mining district, the contents of In in ore are up to 200 ppm and concentrations of In as high as 2.03 wt.% In were determined in sakuraiite [38]. In the Huari Huari deposit, an EPMA study that is based on a large number of ore samples distributed along the mineralized zones allowed for Torró et al [39] to determine that an early generation of sphalerite rich in Cu, and in part co-crystallized with stannite, was the main host for In, and pointed out that the highest concentrations of this metal are found in a central position of the deposit complex.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Such chemical determinations are systematically linked to petrographic observations and contextualized along thorough paragenetic sequences built for selected veins. By doing so, we seek a better understanding of the temporal and spatial distribution of In in xenothermal deposits hosted in volcanic-dome complexes following a similar research scheme as Torró et al [39] did for the Huari Huari sediment-hosted polymetallic vein deposit. The results of this research should serve as a basis for the exploration of In in other xenothermal vein deposits, in particular those that are hosted in volcanic-dome complexes, and they might be of help for the optimization of metallurgical flowsheets for ore processing with economic concentrations in this metal.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results of this research should serve as a basis for the exploration of In in other xenothermal vein deposits, in particular those that are hosted in volcanic-dome complexes, and they might be of help for the optimization of metallurgical flowsheets for ore processing with economic concentrations in this metal. This article corresponds to a group of papers of various Bolivian tin deposits with the same collective aim [33,[39][40][41]].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Indium Mineralization in the Volcanic Dome-Hosted Ánimas–Chocaya–Siete Suyos Polymetallic Deposit, Potosí, Bolivia

et al. 2019

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A volcanic dome complex of Miocene age hosts the In-bearing Ánimas–Chocaya–Siete Suyos district in SW Bolivia. Ore mineralization occurs as banded and massive infillings in sub-vertical, NE-SW striking veins. In this article, a detailed petrographic study is combined with in situ mineral geochemistry determinations in ore from the Arturo, Chorro and Diez veins in the Siete Suyos mine, the Ánimas, Burton, Colorada, and Rosario veins in the Ánimas mine and the Nueva vein in the Chocaya mine. A three-stage paragenetic sequence is roughly determined for all of them, and includes (1) an early low-sulfidation stage that is dominated by cassiterite, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, and high-Fe sphalerite (FeS > 21 mol. %); (2) a second intermediate-sulfidation stage dominated by pyrite + marcasite ± intermediate product, sphalerite (FeS < 21 mol. %), stannite, and local famatinite; and, (3) a late intermediate-sulfidation stage dominated by galena and Ag-Pb-Sn sulfosalts. Electron-probe microanalyses reveal high indium enrichment in stage-2 sphalerite (up to 9.66 wt.% In) and stannite (up to 4.11 wt.% In), and a moderate enrichment in rare wurtzite (up to 1.61 wt.% In), stage-1 sphalerite (0.35 wt.% In), cassiterite (up to 0.25 wt.% In2O3), and ramdohrite (up to 0.24 wt.% In). Therefore, the main indium mineralization in the district can be associated to the second, intermediate-sulfidation stage, chiefly in those veins in which sphalerite and stannite are more abundant. Atomic concentrations of In and Cu in sphalerite yield a positive correlation at Cu/In = 1 that agrees with a (Cu+ + In3+) 2Zn2+ coupled substitution. The availability of Cu in the mineralizing fluids during the crystallization of sphalerite is, in consequence, essential for the incorporation of indium in its crystal lattice and would control the distribution of indium enrichment at different scales. The highest concentrations of indium in sphalerite, which is found in the Diez vein in the Siete Suyos mine, occur in crustiform bands of sphalerite with local “chalcopyrite disease” texture, which has not been observed in the other studied veins. In stannite, the atomic concentrations of In are negatively correlated with those of Cu and Sn at Cu + In = 2 and Sn + In = 1. Thus, atomic proportions and correlations suggest the contextualization of the main indium mineralization in the sphalerite–stannite–roquesite pseudoternary system.

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Section: In-bearing Mineralsmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Indium Mineralization in the Volcanic Dome-Hosted Ánimas–Chocaya–Siete Suyos Polymetallic Deposit, Potosí, Bolivia

et al. 2019

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Trace element composition and U-Pb ages of cassiterite from the Bolivian tin belt

et al. 2021

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The Bolivian tin belt is a metallogenic province in the Eastern Cordillera of the Andes known for its Sn, W, Ag and base metal deposits. Cassiterite, which is a major constituent in many magmatic-hydrothermal ore deposits from the Bolivian tin belt, can incorporate dozens of elements within its crystal lattice, making it a useful geological tracer mineral, and also a potential host of critical elements. New U-Pb dating of cassiterite yields Late Triassic (Kellhuani deposit) and Late Oligocene to earliest Miocene (Viloco, Huanuni and Llallagua deposits) ages. These ages confirm that Sn mineralization in the Bolivian tin belt occurred at least in two separate events during two major magmatic episodes apparently triggered by mantle upwelling, decompression melting and basalt Man crip Wi ho Track ChangeClick here to access/download;Manuscript Without Track Changes;0_Gemmrrich et al_BTB_V3.doc 2 production promoting high heat flow into the overlying crust. The composition of studied hydrothermal cassiterite yields some geochemical trends that are attributed to its distance to the causative intrusion and/or level of emplacement. For example, cassiterite is generally enriched in Nb and Ta and yields higher Ti/Zr and Ti/Sc ratios in samples from xenothermal ore deposits located adjacent to intrusive complexes relative to shallow xenothermal and epithermal ore deposits. Therefore, these geochemical trends in cassiterite are useful tracers pointing to magmatic-hydrothermal centers. REE distribution in cassiterite was likely influenced by boiling processes, which resulted in tetrad-type irregularities. Cassiterite from the Bolivian tin belt is unattractive as a source for Nb (interquartile range [IQR] 4.84-0.037 ppm), Ta (IQR 0.0924-0.0126 ppm) and Ge (IQR 3.92-0.776 ppm). Some deposits, however, contain cassiterite relatively enriched in In (IQR 96.9-9.78 ppm, up to 1414 ppm) and Ga (IQR 92.1-3.03, up to 7437 ppm), that could constitute an attractive supplementary source for these elements in addition to sulfide minerals in the same deposits.

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Geology, mineralogy, and cassiterite geochronology of the Ayawilca Zn-Pb-Ag-In-Sn-Cu deposit, Pasco, Peru

et al. 2021

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The Ayawilca deposit in Pasco, Peru, represents the most significant recent base-metal discovery in the central Andes and one of the largest undeveloped In resources globally. As of 2018, it hosts an 11.7 Mt indicated resource grading 6.9% Zn, 0.16% Pb, 15 g/t Ag, and 84 g/t In, an additional 45.0 Mt inferred resource grading 5.6% Zn, 0.23% Pb, 17 g/t Ag, and 67 g/t In, and a separate Sn-Cu-Ag inferred resource of 14.5 Mt grading 0.63% Sn, 0.21% Cu, and 18 g/t Ag. Newly obtained U-Pb dates for cassiterite by LA-ICP-MS (22.77 ± 0.41 and 23.05 ± 2.06 Ma) assign the Ayawilca deposit to the Miocene polymetallic belt of central Peru. The polymetallic mineralization occurs as up to 70-m-thick mantos hosted by carbonate rocks of the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Pucará Group, and subordinately, as steeply dipping veins hosted by rocks of the Pucará Group and overlying Cretaceous sandstones-siltstones of the Goyllarisquizga Group. Relicts of a distal retrograde magnesian skarn and cassiterite (stage pre-A) were identified in the deepest mantos. The volumetrically most important mineralization at Ayawilca comprises a low-sulfidation assemblage (stage A) with quartz, pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, Fe-rich sphalerite, and traces of stannite and herzenbergite. Stage A sphalerite records progressive Fe depletion, from 33 to 10 mol% FeS, which is compatible with the observed transition from low-to a subsequent intermediate-sulfidation stage (B) marked by the crystallization of abundant pyrite and marcasite. Finally, during a later intermediate-sulfidation stage (C) sphalerite (up to 11 mol% FeS), galena, native bismuth, Cu-Pb-Ag sulfosalts, siderite, Mn-Fe carbonates, kaolinite, dickite, and sericite were deposited. This paragenetic evolution shows striking similarities with that at the Cerro de Pasco Cordilleran-type polymetallic deposit, even if at Ayawilca stage C did not reach high-sulfidation conditions. The occurrence of an early retrograde skarn assemblage suggests that the manto bodies at Ayawilca formed at the transition between distal skarn and skarn-free (Cordilleran-type) carbonate-replacement mineralization. Mineral assemblages define a T-fS2 evolutionary path close to the pyrrhotite-pyrite boundary. Buffering of hydrothermal fluids by underlying Devonian carbonaceous phyllites of the Excelsior Group imposed highly reduced conditions during stage A mineralization (logfO2 < − 30 atm). The low fO2 favored efficient Sn mobility during stages pre-A and A, in contrast to other known ore deposits in the polymetallic belt of central Peru, in which the occurrence of Sn minerals is minor. Subsequent cooling, progressive sealing of vein walls, and decreasing buffering potential of the host rocks promoted the shift from low-(stage A) to intermediate-sulfidation (stages B and C) states. LA-ICP-MS analyses reveal significant In contents in Fe-rich sphalerite (up to 1.7 wt%), stannite (up to 1908 ppm), and chalcopyrite (up to 1185 ppm). The highest In content was found in stage A sphalerite that precipitated along wi...

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Spatial and Temporal Controls on the Distribution of Indium in Xenothermal Vein-Deposits: The Huari Huari District, Potosí, Bolivia

Cited by 21 publications

References 58 publications

Indium Mineralization in the Volcanic Dome-Hosted Ánimas–Chocaya–Siete Suyos Polymetallic Deposit, Potosí, Bolivia

Indium Mineralization in the Volcanic Dome-Hosted Ánimas–Chocaya–Siete Suyos Polymetallic Deposit, Potosí, Bolivia

Trace element composition and U-Pb ages of cassiterite from the Bolivian tin belt

Geology, mineralogy, and cassiterite geochronology of the Ayawilca Zn-Pb-Ag-In-Sn-Cu deposit, Pasco, Peru

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