Rodney L. Allen

Timing of volcanism, hydrothermal alteration and ore formation at Garpenberg, Bergslagen, Sweden

The timing of Palaeoproterozoic magmatism in the Garpenberg area in the Bergslagen region of the Fennoscandian shield has been constrained by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Pb zircon dating of metamorphosed igneous rocks. Volcanism is constrained by igneous crystallisation ages of 1895 ± 4 Ma for a syn-volcanic rhyolite porphyry intrusion and 1893 ± 3 Ma for a rhyolitic pumice breccia. Granite and microgranodiorite, which intruded into the stratigraphy, are dated at 1895 ± 3 and 1894 ± 4 Ma, respectively. The identical U–Pb ages suggest rapid geological evolution from the emplacement of volcanics, their burial and subsidence to 2–5 km depths and intrusion by granitoids. The timing of metamorphism and the extent of metamorphic resetting of titanite have been evaluated. SIMS titanite 207Pb–206Pb ages from the same samples as the zircon yield younger ages. Although errors are large in individual analyses and fractions, a weighted average of 59 analyses from four samples yields a 207Pb–206Pb age of 1858 ± 14 Ma, interpreted as the age of regional metamorphism. The results add constraints to the timing of sulphide and iron oxide mineralisation at Garpenberg. The rhyolite porphyry is intruded into a syngenetic iron formation. Its crystallisation age provides a minimum age for syngenetic iron oxide deposits at Garpenberg. The major Zn–Pb sulphide deposits are accompanied by alteration envelopes. Units formed before alteration yield similar igneous crystallisation ages as intrusions post-dating alteration. It is concluded that both iron oxide and sulphide mineralisation formed within the same age-span as the dated units.

Facies architecture of the Palaeoproterozoic VMS-bearing Maurliden volcanic centre, Skellefte district, Sweden

Abstract The four Maurliden massive to network sulphide deposits are hosted by a silicic volcanic succession in the Palaeoproterozoic Maurliden domain in the central part of the Skellefte district, northern Sweden. The bedrock in the Maurliden domain can be divided into primary volcanic rocks and volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks. The primary volcanic rocks comprise coherent rhyolitic, dacitic, andesitic and mafic volcanic facies and their related autoclastic and pumiceous breccia facies. The volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks include monomict to slightly polymict breccia-conglomerates, which are related to terrestrial to shallow marine erosion of domes, and sandstone turbidites and mudstones, which indicate submarine settings below wave base. The primary volcanic rocks and volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks collectively define a submarine volcanic centre. This volcanic centre was characterized by the emplacement of rhyolitic domes and cryptodomes, accompanied by subordinate explosive activity. It was developed in the ensialic back-arc or intra-arc basin of the Skellefte district. The facies architecture shows that prior to massive sulphide deposition, feldspar porphyritic rhyolitic volcanism, and both terrestrial/shallow marine and below wave base environments characterized the volcanic centre. At the time of massive sulphide deposition the Maurliden volcanic centre was characterized by quartz-feldspar porphyritic rhyolite volcanism and below wave base environment. This volcanism resulted in strongly quartz-feldspar porphyritic rhyolite cryptodomes, domes and quartz-feldspar porphyritic pumice breccia-sandstone (QFP pumice unit). The QFP pumice unit erupted explosively and was rapidly sedimented on the sea floor as a series of subaqueous mass-flows. All four Maurliden sulphide deposits are hosted within this QFP pumice unit, which suggest a genetic connection between eruption of the QFP pumice unit and formation of the sulphide deposits.

The importance of different types of magmatism in VHMS mineralisation: evidence from the geochemistry of the host volcanic rocks to the Benambra massive sulphide deposits, Victoria, Australia

SummaryThe Wilga and Currawong Cu-Zn massive sulphide deposits in southeastern Australia are hosted by a deformed sequence of Upper Silurian basaltic to rhyolitic volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The syn-volcanic mineralisation occurs immediately above a thick package of rhyolitic volcanic rocks and volcaniclastic rocks (Thorkidaan Volcanics), and is overlain by relatively thin intercalated sills, intrusive domes and flows of basalt, andesite and dacite (Gibsons Folly Formation). The Thorkidaan Volcanics haveεNd(420Ma) = -2.2 to - 9.8 and are considered to have been derived by partial melting of older crustal rocks, whereas the basalt-andesite-dacite hangingwall sequence hasε(Nd(415Ma) = -0.5 to + 2.0 suggesting derivation from a relatively undepleted mantle source. Relatively high-Ti andesitic to dacitic rocks from the Bumble Creek area haveεNd(415Ma) = +5.2 to +5.9 suggesting affinities with Ordovician volcanic rocks elsewhere in the Lachlan Fold Belt. The Thorkidaan Volcanics display a limited silica range (73 to 79 wt.%), but have distinctive minor and trace element variations indicating a substantial fractionation history involving feldspar and several accessory phases. Major and trace element compositions of the basalt-andesite-dacite suite display regular variations consistent with a cogenetic relationship by fractional crystallisation. The basaltic rocks mostly have low TiO2 (< 0.8 wt.%) and other chemical characteristics such as high Zr/Nb and La/Nb which suggest formation in a subduction-related setting; probably an embryonic back-arc basin developed on stretched continental lithosphere, or in small pull-apart basins developed adjacent to a transtensional margin. The magmatic history and paleogeography reflect an extensional tectonic and magmatic cycle comprising uplift, rhyolitic magmatism from crustal melting, extension, subsidence, and penetration of a mantle-derived basalt-andesite-dacite suite up extensional faults to the sea floor. Massive sulphide ores are located exactly at the stratigraphic change from rhyolitic to more mafic mantle-derived magma types. Consideration of the types of mineralisation associated with crustal, S-type granitoids, coupled with thermal constraints limiting the capacity of small bodies of silicic magma to initiate and sustain hydrothermal convection cells of reasonable size, suggests that in the absence of coeval mafic magmatism, S-type crustal-derived silicic volcanic packages are likely to be barren of VHMS deposits. Mineralisation occurs in association with mantle-derived basalt-andesite-dacite suites that either provide the necessary heat to facilitate leaching of the footwall volcanic rocks, or contribute metal-rich hydrothermal solutions during fractional crystallisation, or both.ZusammenfassungDie massiven Cu-Zn-Sulfid-Lagerstätten von Wilga und Currawong in Südostaustralien treten in einer tektonisch beanspruchten Abfolge von obersilurischen, basaltischen bis rhyolitischen Vulkaniten und Sedimenten auf. Die syn-vulkanische Vererzung ist unmittelbar oberhalb einer mächtigen Abfolge von rhyolitischen Vulkaniten und Vulkanoklastiten (Thorkidaan Vulkanite) zu finden, darüber folgen relativ dünne wechsellagernde G≯e, Intrusiv-Dome und Ergüsse von Basalt, Andesit und Dacit (Gibsons Folly Formation). Die Thorkidaan Vulkanite habenεNd(420Ma) =-2,2 bis - 9,8 und dürften durch partielle Aufschmelzung älterer krustaler Gesteine entstanden sein. Die Basalt-Andesit-Dacit-Abfolge im Hangenden hat jedochεNd(415Ma) = -0,5 bis + 2,0, was auf Herkunft aus einer relativ wenig verarmten Mantelquelle hinweist. Relativ Ti-reiche andesitische bis dacitische Gesteine aus dem Gebiet vom Bumble Creek zeigenεNd(415) = +5,2 bis + 5,9. Dies weist auf Beziehungen mit Ordovicischen Vulkaniten in anderen Teilen des Lachlan-Gürtels hin. Die Thorkidaan Vulkanite zeigen SiO2-Gehalte von 73 bis 79 Gew. %, und charakteristische Variationen der Haupt- und Spurenelementgehalte. Diese lassen eine signifikante Fraktionierung erkennen, an der Feldspäte und verschiedene andere Nebengemengteile beteiligt waren. Die Haupt- und Spurenelementzusammensetzungen der Basalt-Andesit-Decit-Abfolge zeigt normale Variationen, die auf co-genetische Beziehungen mit fraktionierter Kristallisation hinweisen. Die basaltischen Gesteine haben niedrige Gehalte an TiO2 (< 0, 8 gew. %) sowie hohe Zr/Nb und La/Nb Verhältnisse, die auf Bildung in einem Subduktionsbereich, wahrscheinlich in einem embryonischen Back-Arc Becken, das sich auf ausgedünnter kontinentaler Lithosphäre oder in einem kleinen Pull-Apart Becken in der Nähe eines transtensionalen Randes entwickelt hat, hinweisen. Die magmatische Entwicklungsgeschichte und die Palägeographie weisen auf Dehnungs-Tektonik und auf einen magmatischen Zyklus hin, der Hebung,rhyolitischen Vulkanismus infolge von Krustenaufschmelzung, Extension, Absenkung und Durchdringung mit einer vom Mantel bezogenen Basalt-Andesit-Dacit-Suite entlang von Verwerfungen auf den Meeresboden erkennen läßt. Massive Sulfiderze kommen genau an der stratigraphischen Grenze von rhyolitschen zu mafischen Magmatypen mit Mantel-Ursprung vor. Hier ist es erforderlich, die Vererzungstypen, die zusammen mit krustalen S-Typ Granitoiden vorkommen, ebenso zu erwägen, wie die thermalen Aspekte, die die Fähigkeit kleiner saurer Magmenkörper limitieren, hydrothermale Konvektionszellen ausreichender Größe in Gang zu setzen und zu erhalten. Das weist darauf hin, daß bei Fehlen von gleichaltrigem mafischem Magmatismus saure vulkanische Abfolgen mit Krustenherkunft sehr wahrscheinlich keine VHMS-Lagerstätten führen können. Diese Vererzungen sind an Basalt-Andesit-Dacit-Abfolgen mit Mantelherkunft gebunden, die entweder die notwendige Wärmequelle für die Auslaugung vulkanischer Gesteine im Liegenden lieferten und/oder metallreiche hydrothermale Lösungen während fraktionierter Kristallisation verfügbar machten.

The importance of different types of silicic magmatism in VHMS mineralisation: evidence from the host volcanics to the Benambra massive sulfide deposits, Victoria, Australia

SummaryThe Wilga and Currawong Cu-Zn massive sulphide deposits in southeastern Australia are hosted by a deformed sequence of Upper Silurian basaltic to rhyolitic volcanic and sedimentary rocks. The syn-volcanic mineralisation occurs immediately above a thick package of rhyolitic volcanic rocks and volcaniclastic rocks (Thorkidaan Volcanics), and is overlain by relatively thin intercalated sills, intrusive domes and flows of basalt, andesite and dacite (Gibsons Folly Formation). The Thorkidaan Volcanics haveεNd(420Ma) = -2.2 to - 9.8 and are considered to have been derived by partial melting of older crustal rocks, whereas the basalt-andesite-dacite hangingwall sequence hasε(Nd(415Ma) = -0.5 to + 2.0 suggesting derivation from a relatively undepleted mantle source. Relatively high-Ti andesitic to dacitic rocks from the Bumble Creek area haveεNd(415Ma) = +5.2 to +5.9 suggesting affinities with Ordovician volcanic rocks elsewhere in the Lachlan Fold Belt. The Thorkidaan Volcanics display a limited silica range (73 to 79 wt.%), but have distinctive minor and trace element variations indicating a substantial fractionation history involving feldspar and several accessory phases. Major and trace element compositions of the basalt-andesite-dacite suite display regular variations consistent with a cogenetic relationship by fractional crystallisation. The basaltic rocks mostly have low TiO2 (< 0.8 wt.%) and other chemical characteristics such as high Zr/Nb and La/Nb which suggest formation in a subduction-related setting; probably an embryonic back-arc basin developed on stretched continental lithosphere, or in small pull-apart basins developed adjacent to a transtensional margin. The magmatic history and paleogeography reflect an extensional tectonic and magmatic cycle comprising uplift, rhyolitic magmatism from crustal melting, extension, subsidence, and penetration of a mantle-derived basalt-andesite-dacite suite up extensional faults to the sea floor. Massive sulphide ores are located exactly at the stratigraphic change from rhyolitic to more mafic mantle-derived magma types. Consideration of the types of mineralisation associated with crustal, S-type granitoids, coupled with thermal constraints limiting the capacity of small bodies of silicic magma to initiate and sustain hydrothermal convection cells of reasonable size, suggests that in the absence of coeval mafic magmatism, S-type crustal-derived silicic volcanic packages are likely to be barren of VHMS deposits. Mineralisation occurs in association with mantle-derived basalt-andesite-dacite suites that either provide the necessary heat to facilitate leaching of the footwall volcanic rocks, or contribute metal-rich hydrothermal solutions during fractional crystallisation, or both.ZusammenfassungDie massiven Cu-Zn-Sulfid-Lagerstätten von Wilga und Currawong in Südostaustralien treten in einer tektonisch beanspruchten Abfolge von obersilurischen, basaltischen bis rhyolitischen Vulkaniten und Sedimenten auf. Die syn-vulkanische Vererzung ist unmittelbar oberhalb einer mächtigen Abfolge von rhyolitischen Vulkaniten und Vulkanoklastiten (Thorkidaan Vulkanite) zu finden, darüber folgen relativ dünne wechsellagernde G≯e, Intrusiv-Dome und Ergüsse von Basalt, Andesit und Dacit (Gibsons Folly Formation). Die Thorkidaan Vulkanite habenεNd(420Ma) =-2,2 bis - 9,8 und dürften durch partielle Aufschmelzung älterer krustaler Gesteine entstanden sein. Die Basalt-Andesit-Dacit-Abfolge im Hangenden hat jedochεNd(415Ma) = -0,5 bis + 2,0, was auf Herkunft aus einer relativ wenig verarmten Mantelquelle hinweist. Relativ Ti-reiche andesitische bis dacitische Gesteine aus dem Gebiet vom Bumble Creek zeigenεNd(415) = +5,2 bis + 5,9. Dies weist auf Beziehungen mit Ordovicischen Vulkaniten in anderen Teilen des Lachlan-Gürtels hin. Die Thorkidaan Vulkanite zeigen SiO2-Gehalte von 73 bis 79 Gew. %, und charakteristische Variationen der Haupt- und Spurenelementgehalte. Diese lassen eine signifikante Fraktionierung erkennen, an der Feldspäte und verschiedene andere Nebengemengteile beteiligt waren. Die Haupt- und Spurenelementzusammensetzungen der Basalt-Andesit-Decit-Abfolge zeigt normale Variationen, die auf co-genetische Beziehungen mit fraktionierter Kristallisation hinweisen. Die basaltischen Gesteine haben niedrige Gehalte an TiO2 (< 0, 8 gew. %) sowie hohe Zr/Nb und La/Nb Verhältnisse, die auf Bildung in einem Subduktionsbereich, wahrscheinlich in einem embryonischen Back-Arc Becken, das sich auf ausgedünnter kontinentaler Lithosphäre oder in einem kleinen Pull-Apart Becken in der Nähe eines transtensionalen Randes entwickelt hat, hinweisen. Die magmatische Entwicklungsgeschichte und die Palägeographie weisen auf Dehnungs-Tektonik und auf einen magmatischen Zyklus hin, der Hebung,rhyolitischen Vulkanismus infolge von Krustenaufschmelzung, Extension, Absenkung und Durchdringung mit einer vom Mantel bezogenen Basalt-Andesit-Dacit-Suite entlang von Verwerfungen auf den Meeresboden erkennen läßt. Massive Sulfiderze kommen genau an der stratigraphischen Grenze von rhyolitschen zu mafischen Magmatypen mit Mantel-Ursprung vor. Hier ist es erforderlich, die Vererzungstypen, die zusammen mit krustalen S-Typ Granitoiden vorkommen, ebenso zu erwägen, wie die thermalen Aspekte, die die Fähigkeit kleiner saurer Magmenkörper limitieren, hydrothermale Konvektionszellen ausreichender Größe in Gang zu setzen und zu erhalten. Das weist darauf hin, daß bei Fehlen von gleichaltrigem mafischem Magmatismus saure vulkanische Abfolgen mit Krustenherkunft sehr wahrscheinlich keine VHMS-Lagerstätten führen können. Diese Vererzungen sind an Basalt-Andesit-Dacit-Abfolgen mit Mantelherkunft gebunden, die entweder die notwendige Wärmequelle für die Auslaugung vulkanischer Gesteine im Liegenden lieferten und/oder metallreiche hydrothermale Lösungen während fraktionierter Kristallisation verfügbar machten.

Correlation between distribution and shape of VMS deposits and regional deformation patterns, Skellefte district, northern Sweden

The Skellefte district in northern Sweden is host to abundant volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits comprising pyritic, massive, semi-massive and disseminated Zn–Cu–Au ± Pb ores surrounded by disseminated pyrite and with or without stockwork mineralisation. The VMS deposits are associated with Palaeoproterozoic upper crustal extension (D1) that resulted in the development of normal faults and related transfer faults. The VMS ores formed as sub-seafloor replacement in both felsic volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks and partly as exhalative deposits within the uppermost part of the volcanic stratigraphy. Subsequently, the district was subjected to deformation (D2) during crustal shortening. Comparing the distribution of VMS deposits with the regional fault pattern reveals a close spatial relationship of VMS deposits to the faults that formed during crustal extension (D1) utilising the syn-extensional faults as fluid conduits. Analysing the shape and orientation of VMS ore bodies shows how their deformation pattern mimics those of the hosting structures and results from the overprinting D2 deformation. Furthermore, regional structural transitions are imitated in the deformation patterns of the ore bodies. Plotting the aspect ratios of VMS ore bodies and the comparison with undeformed equivalents in the Hokuroko district, Japan allow an estimation of apparent strain and show correlation with the D2 deformation intensity of the certain structural domains. A comparison of the size of VMS deposits with their location shows that the smallest deposits are not related to known high-strain zones and the largest deposits are associated with regional-scale high-strain zones. The comparison of distribution and size with the pattern of high-strain zones provides an important tool for regional-scale mineral exploration in the Skellefte district, whereas the analysis of ore body shape and orientation can aid near-mine exploration activities.

A comment on the occurrence of gallium and germanium in the Zinkgruvan Zn-Pb-Ag-(Cu) sulphide deposit, Bergslagen, Sweden

Abstract The Zinkgruvan deposit has been included in compilations of exceptionally Ga- and Ge-endowed deposits in Sweden. Available published data sets do, however, not support a substantial enrichment in Ga and Ge. In this contribution, we investigate the Ga- and Ge-endowment based on a whole-rock lithogeochemical data and ore grade analyses from the deposit. Based on our results, we find it highly unlikely that a Ga-endowment exists in the ore. A Ge-endowment may exist, but we find no evidence of Ge grades at the 1000 ppm level that have been reported previously.