Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Ore mineral genesis'

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Gamsberg Zn-Pb deposit is a metamorphosed and multiply deformed sediment-hosted base metal deposit in the central Namaqua Province of South Africa. The deposit is hosted by the Bushmanland Group, a late Palaeoproterozoic (2000-1600 Ma) supracrustal succession of quartzite, metapelitic schist and interbedded metavolcanic rocks. Mineralisation occurs within the central part of the Gams Formation, a heterogeneous sequence of metamorphosed metalliferous sediments and fine-grained organic-rich shales. The ore horizon is subdivided into a lower unit of metapelite-hosted ore, an intermediate layer of phosphorite-hosted ore, and an upper unit of banded garnet-apatite ore. The ore body is enveloped by unmineralised silicate-, carbonate- and oxide-facies metalliferous rocks, which originally represented mixtures of Fe-Mn-rich hydrothermal precipitates, authigenic carbonate, and variable concentrations of detrital material. Based on mineralogical and geochemical characteristics, the metalliferous host rocks are subdivided into iron formations, coticules, Fe-Mn silicates, impure marbles and barite/Ba-rich quartzite. Minerals of the Gams Formation mostly represent solid solution between the Fe and Mn end-members of garnet, pyroxene, pyroxenoid, amphibole, olivine, spinel and ilmenite. Calcium-rich rock types are a typical feature and characterized by the occurrence of manganoan calcite, clinopyroxene, andradite-rich garnet and titanite. A successive increase in the (Mn+Ca):Fe value of rocks and minerals is evident with increasing distance from the ore horizon. Amphibole is restricted to Fe-rich ore-bearing assemblages, whereas orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene, Fe-rich pyroxenoid and olivine are present in intermediate assemblages, and Mn-rich rhodonite and pyroxmangite in the most manganiferous assemblages. These variations are mimicked by an increase in the Mn:Fe value of coexisting garnet and ilmenite group minerals with increasing distance from ore. LA-ICP-MS analyses have been used to constrain the REE patterns of garnet and apatite. In the ore-body, these minerals display a positive Eu anomaly, which is interpreted to reflect a distinct hydrothermal signature. In contrast, garnet and apatite in unmineralised metalliferous rocks display nil or a negative Eu anomaly. Primary features of the Gams Formation, such as REE patterns, the banded nature of garnet-apatite ore, the presence of diagenetic apatite nodules, and the distribution of the redox-sensitive elements Ba and Mn have been used to constrain palaeo-environmental conditions. The results indicate that metapelitehosted ore has been deposited in a stratified ocean that was characterised by anoxic bottom waters and precipitation of Fe and Zn sulphides into organic matter-rich shales. These rocks were superceded by phosphorite-hosted ore, garnet-apatite ore and metalliferous host rocks that developed in a suboxic to oxic environment. The large size of the deposit, the internal lamination of the ores and the predominance of sphalerite and barite are consistent with a vent-distal setting and precipitation of the ore-forming constituents from dense and reduced hydrothermal fluids, which originated due to reactivation of dormant growth faults. Collectively, the geological evidence indicates that Gamsberg is bridging the gap betweenthe SEDEX and BHT classifications. The relationships demonstrate that differences between these two classes of sediment-hosted Zn-Pb deposits are predominantly related to environmental conditions within localised third order basins and not to fundamental differences in ore-forming processes.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Gamsberg Zn-Pb afsetting is ‘n meerfasig vervormde en gemetamorfiseerde sedimentgesetelde onedel metaal afsetting in die sentrale Namakwa Provinsie van Suid Afrika. Die afsetting word geherberg deur die Boesmanland Groep, ‘n laat Paleoproterosoïse (2000 – 1600 Ma) bokors-opeenvolging van kwartsiet, metapelitiese skis en tussengelaagde metavulkaniese gesteente. Mineralisasie word gevind in the sentrale deel van die Gams Formasie. Die Gams Formasie is ‘n heterogene opeenvolging van gemetamorfiseerde metaalhoudende sediment en fynkorrelrige organiese skalie. Die erts horison word onderverdeel in ‘n onderste laag van metapeliet-gesetelde erts, n sentrale laag van fosforiet-gesetelde erts, en ‘n boonste laag van gebande granaat-apatiet erts. Die erts-liggaam word omhuls deur ongemineraliseerde silikaat-, karbonaat- en oksied-fasies metal-ryke rotse. Hierdie gesteentes word geinterpreteer as oorspronklike mengsels van Fe-Mn-ryke hidrotermale partikels, outigeniese karbonaat, en verskeie hoeveelhede detritale materiaal. Gebaseer op mineralogiese en geochemiese kenmerke word hierdie rotse onderverdeel in ysterformasies, „coticules“, Fe-Mn silikate, onsuiwer marmer en barite/Ba-ryke kwartsiet. Minerale van die Gams Formasie form meestal soliede oplossingsreekse tussen die Fe en Mn endlede van granaat, pirokseen, piroksenoid, amfibool, olivien, spinel en ilmeniet. Kalsium-ryke rots tipes is ‘n tipiese kenmerk van die Gams Formasie en word gekenmerk deur mangaan-ryke kalsiet, klinopirokseen, andradiet-ryke granaat en sfeen. Daar word ‘n stapsgewyse vergroting van die (Mn+Ca):Fe verhouding in gesteentes en minerale gevind met toeneemende afstand van die erts horison. Amfibool is beperk tot Fe-ryke ertsdraende gesteentes, ortopirokseen, klinopirokseen, Fe-ryke piroksenoid en olivien tot intermediêre gesteentes, en Mn-ryke rodoniet en piroksmangiet tot Mn-ryke gesteentes. Hierdie variasies gaan gepaard met vergroting van die Mn:Fe verhouding in granaat en ilmeniet-groep minerale met toeneemende afstand van die erts. LA-ICP-MS analises was gebruik om die skaars-aarde element patrone van granaat en apatiet te bepaal. In die erts-liggaam wys hierdie minerale ‘n positiewe Eu anomalie, wat geinterpreteerd word as ‘n hidrotermale kenmerk. In ongemineraliseerde gasheer gesteentes wys granaat en apatiet geen of ‘n negatiewe Eu anomalie. Primêre kenmerke van die Gams Formasie, soos skaars-aarde patrone, the gebande voorkoms van granaat-apatiet erts, die teenwoordigheid van diagenetiese apatiet knolle, en die verspreiding van die redox-sensitiewe elemente Ba en Mn, was gebruik om afleidings oor die paleo-omgewing te maak. Die resultate het gewys dat metapeliet-gesetelde erts afgeset was onder anoksiese bodem water deur presipitasie van Fe en Zn sulfiedes in organiese skalie. Hierdie erts gaan oor in fosforiet-gesetelde erts, granaat-apatiet erts en metaal-ryke gasheer gesteente wat in ‘n suboksiese tot oksiese omgewing ontstaan het. Die grootte van die afsetting, die interne gelaagdheid van die erts, asook die teenwoordigheid van sfaleriet en bariet dui op ‘n distale omgewing relatief tot die hidrotermale bron en presipitasie van die ertsuit digte en gereduseerde hidrotermale vloeistowwe, wat ontstaan het deur die heraktiveering van rustende groeiverskuiwings. Gesaamentlik bewys die geologiese kenmerke van Gamsberg dat gemetamorfiseerde SEDEX en Broken Hill-tipe mineralisasie binne die perke van ‘n enkele afsetting kan voorkom. Die geologiese verhoudings dui aan dat verskille tussen hierdie twee tipes van sedimentgesetelde afsettings meestal veroorsaak word deur omgewings-toestande binne in gelokaliseerde derde orde komme en nie deur fundamentele verskille in ertsvormende prosesse nie.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Em trabalho de prospecção geoquímica regional por concentrado de bateia (PEREIRA e SANTOS, 1983) foi evidenciado na região de Cacaria, município de Piraí, ocorrências de scheelita. Com o objetivo de investigar a possível fonte litológica desta ocorrência, foram realizadas amostragens de sedimentos de corrente e concentrado de bateia além de investigações de campo para sua fonte. Elaborouse ainda um mapa geológico em escala de detalhe 1:25.000. As unidades estratigráficas base utilizadas no mapa foram definidas em trabalhos da empresa RIOFINEX (1977) durante pesquisas para mineralizações de Pb-Zn na região de Rio Claro. Ensaios laboratoriais envolvendo descrição de lâminas petrográficas, difratometria de raios X, fluorescência de raios X, espectrometria Raman, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e o auxílio do mineralight de ondas curtas. As mineralizações scheelitíferas encontradas foram classificadas segundo um modelo do tipo sedimentar exalativo, localmente com possíveis contribuições de atividades metassomáticas tardias, concentrando a mineralização, assim como proposto para algumas ocorrências já descritas no nordeste brasileiro.
In a mineral exploration panning concentrate programme PEREIRA AND SANTOS (1985) identified in the Cacaria region, near the Piraí City, occurences of scheelite. With the objective to investigate the lithological origin of this mineral a nonsystematic sampling by stream sediments and panning concentrate, was carried out to identify the tungsten mineralization source. A geological map was also executed at detailed scale of 1:25.000. The stratigraphic division applied to this map was defined in projects of RIOFINEX (1977) company during investigation of Pb-Zn mineralization in Rio Claro. Laboratorial trials involving description of petrography, Xray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, electronic microscopy scanning and short wave mineralight. The scheelite-bearing mineralization was classified according to a exhalative sedimentary model with possible contributions of a late metasomatic activities concentrating the mineralization as proposed for some occurrences observed in northeast part of Brazil.

L'etude petrogenetique des minerais de chessy-les-mines a permis de preciser la nature de la mineralisation et l'etude des deformations, de retracer l'evolution geologique complexe. Il est apparu que les metamorphismes ont amene une homogeneisation et une purification chimique des mineraux du minerai alors que leur recristallisation lors de la mise en place du granite a entraine un rajeunissement chimique. Cette approche petrogenetique et geochimique renforce la parente genetique entre chessy-les-mines et saint bel

Le gisement de beddiane appartient au district de touissit-bou beker, "chaine des horsts", maroc oriental. Il est encaisse dans la serie alleno-bajocienne, discordante sur le socle paleozoique, et se caracterise, par rapport aux gisements voisins, par sa richesse exceptionnelle en plomb, des concentrations exploitables de cuivre et peu de zinc. L'analyse sedimentologique de la formation carbonatee encaissante a permis de mettre en evidence des sequences transgressives et regressives, traduisant un environnement geologique instable: subsidences saccadees et emersions temporaires, suivies de phenomenes de dissolution-karstification pendant et apres le depot de la formation. L'examen petrographique a permis de distinguer plusieurs types de dolomies et de mettre en evidence deux phases principales de dolomitisation: un diagenetique precoce et une autre epigenetique, tardive. La lithogeochimie, effectuee a partir des carottes de sondages, a montre que toutes les assises carbonatees, sont fortement anormales en pb, zn et cu et plus particulierement les facies micritiques. Trois phases de mineralisations zn, pb et cu ont ete distinguees. La zonalite verticale et horizontale des mineralisations au sein du gisement et la geometrie des karsts mineralises suggerent que les solutions salines hydrothermales (100**(o)c) aient circule d'ouest en est dans cette couverture carbonatee. La presence dans le socle sous-jacent de filons a pb-cu pourrait temoigner d'une origine plus profonde des fluides mineralisateurs

On etudie l'indice cuprifere de santa blandina (bresil) provenant de l'alteration d'un skarn porteur d'une mineralisation sulfuree a chalcopyrite et bornite. Les produits argilomorphes provoquent l'epigenie des mineraux du skarn et des solutions percolantes provoquent l'evolution mineralogique de ces produits. Les analyses mineralogiques et cristallochimiques determinent la nature exacte de ces phases argilomorphes et montrent la difficulte de l'incorporation du cuivre dans un reseau regulier d'argile

Quatre parageneses successives decrivent la mise en place des mineralisations sulfurees de cambounes. Les 3 premieres sont dues a la remobilisation in situ d'une mineralisation stratiforme cambrienne lors de la deformation hercynienne majeure. La paragenese a antimoine, tardihercynienne est associee a des fluides hydrocarboniques et hypersalins. La paragenese a cu-pb est complexe et depend de la temperature de formation et de la proximite des mineralisations preexistantes

Cette etude porte sur les conditions des gisements d'uranium du saskatchewan de la region de waterbury lake, qui sont associes a la discordance entre le socle archeen/aphebien et la couverture sedimentaire helikienne. Deux episodes tardi-hudsoniens gouvernent la remobilisation in situ de l'uranium: une retromorphose (facies schiste vert) et une alteration hydrothermale affectant les zones tectonisees du socle. Les donnees isotopiques des phyllites revelent que la diagenese des gres est realisee en presence d'une saumure qui est egalement a l'origine du fluide mineralisateur

The base metal massive sulfide deposits of the Aggeneys-Gamsberg (A-G) District are hosted within the Mesoproterozoic Bushmanland Group of the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Complex in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The district displays an apparent eastward trend in the economic concentration of base metals (+ barite) from relatively Cu-Pb-rich, Ba-poor mineralisation at Black Mountain to Zn- and Ba-rich ores at Gamsberg. Base metal sulfides at Gamsberg are restricted to the so called Gams (Iron) Formation which comprises a sulfidic mineralized unit (“B”) enveloped within a sequence of meta-sedimentary units (“A” and “C”). The aim of the study was to shed further light on the genesis and chemical evolution of the sulfide mineralisation at Gamsberg in the context of the entire A-G District, by interrogating further the apparent district-wide trend in base metal distribution. The Gams Iron Formation was sampled and studied from one key drill core intersection (“G1”) which intersects the largest part of it as described elsewhere; a small number of additional samples from a second drill core (“G2”) complemented the main sample suite. Minerals that make up the silicate assemblages across the studied section include quartz, garnet, pyroxene, pyroxenoid, phyllosilicates, carbonates, amphiboles, oxides (chiefly magnetite) and graphite. In a stratigraphic context, the mineralogical variations conform directly to those documented in the relevant literature from the Gamsberg locality. These are coupled, where possible, with mineral-chemical profiles of selected silicate species which replicate those of bulk-rock compositions, particularly with respect to Mn, Fe and Ca in the upper C Unit of the studied section. These signals collectively track the characteristic transition from a terrigenous, siliciclastic sediment-dominated footwall to an exhalative sediment-dominated hanging wall to the sulfide mineralisation as also seen in similar deposits elsewhere, particularly with respect to the characteristic Mn-rich signature increasingly observed in the hanging wall C Unit. The foregoing suggests that the examined section faithfully records the interpreted primary stratigraphy of the deposits, despite the complex structural and metamorphic overprint that characterises the region. This facilitates a stratigraphic analytical approach on the sulfidic Unit B, through a combination of mineral-chemical and stable isotope analyses. Dominant sulfides in Unit B are sphalerite and pyrite, with lesser pyrrhotite and minor galena. Sphalerite shows high and generally invariant contents of Fe (mean 12.18wt%, as FeS) whereas Zn anti-correlates with Mn (mean 5.58wt%, as MnS). Isotopic analyses for S, Fe and Zn in hand-picked sphalerite and pyrite separates were used with a view to providing new evidence for chemical and isotopic variation within the sulfide ore-body in a vertical (i.e. stratigraphic) sense, discuss the implications thereof, and ultimately interpret the new data in light of similar existing data from the A-G District and elsewhere. The δ³⁴S data for pyrite (plus a single pyrrhotite grain) and sphalerite from both cores G1 and G2 show comparable compositional ranges between 22.9 and 30.4‰ and between 27 and 30.1‰ respectively. The δ⁵⁶Fe data for pyrite show a range between -1.85 and 0.19‰, whereas seven sphalerite separates have a very narrow range of δ⁶⁶Zn from 0.06 to 0.20‰. The atypically high sulfur isotope data reported in this study are interpreted to reflect sedimentary deposition of primary sulfide ore at Gamsberg from an isotopically highly evolved seawater sulfate source through large-scale Rayleigh fractionation processes. Thermogenic sulfate reduction is proposed to have been the main reductive mechanism from seawater sulfate to sulfide, given the absence of very low δ³⁴S data for sulfides anywhere in the A-G District. By contrast, the δ⁶⁶Zn values for sphalerite are for all intents and purposes invariant and very close to 0‰, and therefore suggest little Zn isotope fractionation from an original exhalative fluid source. On this evidence alone, Zn isotopes therefore appear to hold little promise as a proxy of the chemical and isotopic evolution of SEDEX deposits in space and time, although this can only be verified through further application in the broader A-G District and similar deposits elsewhere. The apparent decoupling of Zn and S isotopes in the Gamsberg sulfide deposit, however, points towards diverse sources of these two components, i.e. ascending metalliferous brines versus seawater respectively. Finally, pyrite δ⁵⁶Fe data do show a stratigraphic trend of generally declining values up-section, which are interpreted to reflect the influence of broadly coeval precipitation of isotopically heavy Fe-oxides on a broader-scale – now preserved as abundant magnetite through metamorphism. Further work on the iron isotope composition of silicate-and oxide-hosted Fe on a local-to-district scale will assist in testing this interpretation.

La repartition dans les profils des concentrations cobaltiferes est controlee par deux mecanismes qui interferent: le premier consiste en une accumulation progressive du cobalt dans une tranche donnee de profil correspondant au toit des alterites silicatees, au fur et a mesure de l'approfondissement de l'alteration; le second consiste en une migration progressive du cobalt depuis les zones hautes vers les depressions du toit silicate, formees par la roche en cours d'alteration. Le cobalt est porte par des produits noirs caracteristiques des divers milieux de depot

Nickel silicate laterite deposits developed on ultra-mafic rocks are similar in many general respects but they vary considerably in detail. The mineralogy of these surficial deposits is very complex and difficult to determine because of the fine grained nature and solid solution characteristics of the hydrous secondary minerals and because many of the phases are actually mineraloids that are poorly ordered or amorphous. To try some new approaches toward clarification of these phases, 24 samples from New Caledonia and Puerto Rico ranging from the ophiolite-ultramafic olivine-pyroxene-chromite-serpentine substrate rocks upward through intermediate phases of weathering to the final oxide -hydroxide iron cap phase were analyzed with the infrared spectrophotometer (IR -10) and with the automated X –ray diffractometer. Four limonite samples were also mineralogically analyzed. Goethite, secondary quartz, cryptomelane, hematite, chromite, talc, thuringite, and garnierite have been identified in various samples as weathering profile products.

Trois evenements d'intensite, d'importance et d'interet metallogenique differents sont reconnus: 1) l'ensemble des series viseennes est affecte d'abord par une alteration a chlorite-albite-anatase. 2) les rejeux tardifs de la zone de cisaillement marche-combrailles provoquent d'intenses fracturations auxquelles sont associees d'importantes circulations de fluides hydrothermaux. Plusieurs episodes successifs d'alteration et de mineralisation sont enregistres dans la zone des farges. 3) des reouvertures tardives du systeme permettent des circulations de fluides responsables de la cristallisation de calcite, de quartz microcristallin et de pyrite

Use of Re-Os systematics in sulfides from the Bagdad porphyry Cu-Mo deposit provide information on the timing of mineralization and the source of the ore -forming elements. Analyzed samples of pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite mainly from the quartz monzonite and porphyritic quartz monzonite units are characterized by a moderate to strong potassic alteration (secondary biotite and K- feldspar). Rhenium concentrations in molybdenite are between 330 and 730 ppm. Two molybdenite samples from the quartz monzonite and porphyritic quartz monzonite provide a Re-Os isotope age of 71.7 ± 0.3 Ma. A third sample from a molybdenite vein in Precambrian rocks yields an age of 75.8 ± 0.4 Ma. These molybdenite ages support previous suggestions of two mineralization episodes in the Bagdad deposit. An early event at 76 Ma and a later episode at 72 Ma. Pyrite Os and Re concentrations range between 0.008-0.016 and 3.9-6.8 ppb, respectively. Chalcopyrite contains a wide range of Os (6 to 91 ppt) and Re (1.7 to 69 ppb) concentrations and variable ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratios that range between 0.13 to 22.27. This variability in the chalcopyrite data may be attributed to different copper sources, one of them the Proterozoic volcanic massive sulfides in the district, or to alteration and remobilization of Re and Os. Analyses from two pyrite samples yield an eight point isochron with an age of 77 ± 15 Ma and an initial ¹⁸⁷Os/¹⁸⁸Os ratio of 2.12. This pyrite Re-Os isochron age is in good agreement with the molybdenite ages. We interpret the highly radiogenic initial 1870s/188Os as an indication that the source of Os and, by inference, the ore-forming elements for the Bagdad deposit, was mainly the crust. This conclusion agrees with previous Pb and Nd isotope studies and supports the notion that a significant part of the metals and magmas have a crustal source.

Des ensembles d'alterations sont distingues, et les processus majeurs de formations des horizons type isalterite a kaolinite, gibbsite, hematite et goethite sont decrits. Les mineralisations en or associees a ces formations sont de differents types. Une methode de prospection de l'or dans les materiaux lateritiques en milieu equatorial humide est proposee

Les mécanismes de concentration de l'uranium dans les formations sédimentaires sont étudiés dans le but de modéliser les gisements de type tabulaire. De nouveaux traceurs de l'uranium sont proposés grâce à l'utilisation de la cathodoluminescence et des deséquilibres isotopiques dans la famille de l'#2#3#8U. Dans le gisement de coutras (Gironde, France), situé dans des sables lutetiens, l'uranium se concentre au cours de la diagénèse précoce, en formant des complexes d'uranyle avec la matière organique. Au cours d'une simulation expérimentale de la diagénèse thermique, ces complexes d'uranyle se détruisent, l'uranium est réduit par l'hydrogène de la matière organique et l'uraninite se forme. Dans les gisements du plateau du Colorado (Etats-Unis), situés dans des grés jurassiques, les dépôts urano-vanadifères se sont mis en place au cours de la diagénèse profonde (100#OC environ)

Mise au point et réalisation d'une méthode de prélèvement des gaz volcaniques qui permet de reconstituer la composition élémentaire d'une source gazeuse à haute température. Cette résolution est basée sur la minimisation de l'enthalpie globale du système par calcul sur une banque de données. Cette méthode a été testée sur plusieurs volcans : Mt St Helens, l'Etna, le mont Usu. La modélisation de l'évolution physico-chimique des gaz volcaniques lors de leur refroidissement permet de relier la composition des gaz magmatiques à la genèse des aérosols atmosphériques, à la formation des incrustations fumerolliennes ou à la genèse de certains gîtes métallifères

The Goldstrike property is located in northern Nevada and contains one of the largest and highest-grade Carlin-type gold deposits. The majority of the Eocene Au mineralization (e.g., Ore I) is hosted in intensely altered Paleozoic lower-plate impure carbonate rocks, and is characterized by strong to moderate silicification, higher calculated pyrite and ore-related element concentrations (e.g., As, Cu, Hg, Ni, Tl, Sb, W, and Zn) than Ore II, which is weakly altered. However, both ore types contain similar Au concentration in whole rock and pyrite chemistry analyses. Lithogeochemical and microprobe data suggest that the Paleozoic sedimentary rocks may have been a major source of Cd, Mo, Ni, U, V, and Zn and minor As, Cu, Hg, and Se. The Jurassic lamprophyre dikes might have been a significant source of Ba, Co, and Se, and minor Au, and some of the Jurassic and Eocene intrusive rocks may have provided some Fe. Moreover, the Eocene magmas are interpreted to be the main source of auriferous mineralizing fluids and ore-related elements. Trace element abundances and ratios of the Jurassic intrusive rocks suggest that they are shoshonitic and formed from a metasomatized mantle-derived magma, crystal fractionation, and crustal contamination. The Eocene dikes, also shoshonitic, are considerably more evolved and contaminated than the studied Jurassic rocks. Furthermore, Ar-Ar results show that the Jurassic intrusive rocks were negligibly affected by the Eocene thermal event, and that temperature of mineralizing fluids were below the closure temperature of biotite (> 3500C). A magmatic-related model is proposed to explain the formation of the Carlin-type gold deposits at the studied area. In this model, Au and the ore-related elements were exsolved along with volatiles by degassing of a deep and large plutonic complex during its early stage of crystallization. As these magmatic-hydrothermal fluids moved upward along major conduits (e.g., NNW-striking faults), they may have interacted with a Fe-rich fluid, pervasively altering the Paleozoic impure carbonate rocks (e.g., carbonate dissolution, silicification, pyritization) and forming Ore I. Subsequently, these fluids moved laterally further away from the major conduits, became cooler, less acidic, and depleted in ore-related elements and interacted with the Fe-bearing host rocks (e.g., sulfidation), favoring the precipitation of Ore II.
Thesis (Ph.D, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-25 21:37:33.76

PhDENV (Geology)
Department of Mining and Environmental Geology
The study focused on the geology, structural setting and mineralisation of copper-sulphide deposits in the Musina area, located in the Central Zone of the Limpopo Mobile Belt of South Africa. The Messina copper deposits are located in the eastern part of Limpopo Province near the border with Zimbambwe. The deposits stretch from northeastern to southwestern direction for about 15 km. Previous copper mining in the area took place at Artonvilla, Messina, Harper, Campbell and Lilly copper deposits. The current study, however, focused on two main deposits, Campbell and Artonvilla. The origin, nature and mode of formation of the Cu-sulphide deposits in the Musina area have not been established with certainty. Two principal hypotheses on the origin of the Messina copper sulphide deposits have been proposed, viz; a magmatic-hydrothermal model, and meteoric waters model. Consequently, the mode of formation and mineralisation style of the Messina Cu-sulphide deposits remain contentious. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to investigate the nature and mode of formation of Cu-sulphide deposits in the Musina area. Different research methods have been applied in the current study so as to unpack the contradictory positions on the genesis of the Messina copper deposits. This included fieldwork, remote sensing data acquisition, laboratory work, and data analysis and interpretation. Fieldwork involved soil geochemical survey as well as rock and ore sampling within the study area. A total of 295 soil samples, 33 rock specimens and 21 ore samples were collected for laboratory investigation. Laboratory work consisted of a range of methods that included; geochemical analysis, petrographic and cathodoluminescence microscopy, ore mineralogy and ore microscopy, fluid inclusion geothermometry and isotope geochemistry. The work was done in different laboratories including: Mining and Environmental Geology Laboratory, Unviersity of Venda; Department of Geology Laboratory, University of Johannesburg; MINTEK Laboratory in Johannesburg; Société Générale de Surveillance Laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa; Department of Applied Geology, Geoscience Institute, Göttingen University, Germany and Department of Geology, University of Georgia, Athens, United States of America. Remote sensing data was acquired from Southern Mapping Company, Johannesburg, South Africa. Interpretation of Remote sensing data was done at the University of Applied Sciences, Oswestfalen-Lippe, Germany. Data analysis and interpretation of laboratory results involved the use of: Desktop ArcGIS 10.4.1 for geochemical data interpretation; ENVI 5.1 and ArcGIS 10.4.1 Softwares for remote sensing data; and Triplot version 4.1.2 software for ternary plot for compositional variation of rocks. Soil geochemical survey revealed geochemical anomalies for Pb, Zn, Cu, As and Ni over the known copper deposits in the area as well as over six other areas that have not been associated with any sulphide mineralisation. Such new anomalous areas have been identified as target areas for future exploration of sulphide ore mineralisation. Petrographic studies of the rocks confirmed the host rocks to be amphibolite-quartz granulite, biotite-garnet-quartz granulite, amphibolite, quartzite, hornblende gneiss, quartzo-feldspathic gneiss, potassium-feldspathic gneiss and cal-silicate gneiss. These rocks were subjected to hydrothermal alteration during ore mineralisation within the area. It was further noted that epidote alteration was quite intensive in ore samples, while in unmineralised rock samples it was less intensive. Remote sensing data interpretation revealed spatial distribution and intensity of epidote alteration within the study area and in places coincided either with the known copper deposits or structural features, thus led to the identification of target areas for future mineral exploration in the Musina area. The current study established that the process of ore mineralisation in the Messina copper deposits took place in two distinct phases: first the formation of garnet, graphite, magnetite and hematite during regional metamorphism of the Limpopo Mobile Belt; and secondly, sulphide ore mineralisation resulting in the formation of copper ore comprising, veined, disseminated and brecciated ores. Sulphide ore mineralisation consisted mainly of pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, bornite, chalcocite and minor pyrrhotite and galena as well as traces of pentlandite, tennantite, mollybdenite, cobaltite and tetrahedrite. This confirms that the Messina copper deposits had complex sulphide ore mineralisation that is typical of hydrothermal mode of ore mineralisation from a magmatic source. The study further establishes the paragenitic sequence of ore mineralisation, comprising four stages: Stage I (Garnet- graphite – Fe oxides); stage II (Quartz- pyrite); stage III (Pyrite- sphalerite - chalcopyrite); and stage IV (Carbonates). Stage III represented the main stage of sulphide ore mineralisation in the area, while Stage IV comprising calcite, dolomite and ankarite marked the final stage of hydrothermal ore mineralisation. Paragenetic sequence identified three generations of quartz; first generation being associated with garnet, graphite, magnetite and hematite, second generation with pyrite and third generation with pyrite, sphalerite and chalcopyrite. Previous studies, however, indicated that there was only one generation of quartz that formed at the temperature between 210o to 150°C, but the current study established that the entrapment temperature of first generation quartz ranges from 315o to 200°C; second generation quartz from 235o to 135°C and third generation quartz from 240o to 115°C. At the same time, sulphur isotope investigation of chalcopyrite-pyrite pair from Campbell deposit registered a temperature of 359°C. The study therefore concluded that the temperature of ore formation within the Messina copper deposits ranged between 359°C and 115°C. The presence of halite and calcite as daughter minerals within the fluid inclusions was noted and this apparently is indicative of high salinity of fluid inclusions, which is considered as a product of direct exolution of crystalizing magma. Raman spectroscopy revealed the composition of gases in the fluid inclusions to be CH4 and N2 with 80% and 20% composition respectively, however, some inclusions were gas-poor. The presence of gases in the fluid inclusions is an indication that there was boiling at the time of entrapment. A narrow range of 34S values of -0.5 to 0.5‰ obtained in this study further confirms the magmatic source of Sulphur as Sulphur from the host rock was found to have high 𝛿34S value of 8.2‰. A genetic model for copper ore mineralisation within Musina area is proposed. The deposits are of polymetallic vein type that are genetically associated with porphyry copper deposits. According to this model, copper ore bodies were formed from hydrothermal fluids originating from magma and were epigenetic in nature. Geological structures in the area acted as conduits for hydrothermal fluids that resulted in the alteration of the host rocks and mineralisation of copper sulphide ore. Thus, the Messina coper deposits are of magmatic hydrothermal origin although the apparent location of a batholith is still unknown and the study recommends further viii research work on the location of the batholith that is presumed to have been the magmatic source. The study further recommend dating of later rocks as well as orebody s it is essential for understanding the process of ore formation in this area. For further exploration, areas that have undergone “moderate” to “high” degree of epidote alteration and lie in close proximity to geological structures such as faults and thrust folds that could have acted as conduits for hydrothermal fluids and resulted in sulphide ore mineralisation and registered high geochemical anomalies for Pb, Zn, As and Ni should be targeted. In support of further mineral exploration within the study area, the study recommend a detailed geostatistical application for the purpose of delineating homogeneous areas based on the combination of lineaments, interpolated soil geochemical maps and thematic maps.
NRF