V. Yu. Prokofiev

Gold–Silver Mineralization in Porphyry–Epithermal Systems of the Baimka Trend, Western Chukchi Peninsula, Russia

Mineralogical, fluid inclusion, and geochemical studies of precious metal mineralization within the Baimka trend in the western Chukchi Peninsula have been preformed. Porphyry copper–molybdenum–gold deposits and prospects of the Baimka trend are spatially related to monzonitic rocks of the Early Cretaceous Egdygkych Complex. Four types of precious metal-bearing assemblages have been identified: (1) chalcopyrite + bornite + quartz with high-fineness native gold enclosed in bornite, (2) low-Mn dolomite + quartz + sulfide (chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, tennantite-tetrahedrite) ± tourmaline with low-fineness native gold and hessite, (3) rhodochrosite + high-Mn dolomite + quartz + sulfide (chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, tennantite- tetrahedrite) with low-fineness native gold, electrum, acanthite, Ag and Au–Ag tellurides, and Ag sulfosalts, and (4) calcite + quartz + sulfide (chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena) with low-fineness native gold, Ag sulfides and selenides, and Ag-bearing sulfosalts. Study of fluid inclusions from quartz, sphalerite, and fluorite have revealed that hydrothermal ores within the Baimka trend precipitated from fluids with strongly variable salinity at temperatures and pressures ranging from 594 to 104°C and from 1200 to 170 bar, respectively. An indicator of vertical AgPbZn/CuBiMo geochemical zoning is proposed. The value range of this indicator makes it possible to estimate the erosion level of the porphyry–epithermal system. The erosion level of the Baimka deposits and prospects deepens in the following order: Vesenny deposit → Pryamoi prospect → Nakhodka prospect → Peschanka deposit → III Vesenny prospect.

Quartz-sericite and argillic alterations at the Peschanka Cu-Mo-Au deposit, Chukchi Peninsula, Russia

The porphyry Peschanka copper-molybdenum-gold deposit and the Nakhodka ore field located in the Baimka ore trend on the western Chukchi Peninsula are spatially related to monzonitic rocks of the Early Cretaceous Egdykgych Complex. Two types of quartz-sericite metasomatic rocks (QSR) have been identified at both the deposits and the ore field: (I) chlorite-quartz-muscovite rock with bornite and chalcopyrite (porphyry type) and (II) tourmaline-quartz-carbonate-muscovite ± phengite rock accompanied by veins with base-metal mineralization (subepithermal or transitional type), as well as carbonate-quartz-illite rock (argillic alteration) accompanied by veins with precious metal mineralization (epithermal type). The QSR I chlorite evolves from chamosite to clinochlore, which is caused by increasing H2S activity in mineralizing fluid and precipitation of sulfide minerals. The QSR I clinochlore is significantly depleted in silica as compared with that from the rocks affected by argillic alteration. The chemical composition of muscovite from both quartz-sericite alterations is similar. The QSR II carbonates evolve from calcite through dolomite to siderite, which results from the increasing activity of CO2 followed by the decreasing activity of H2S in mineralizing fluid. The Mn content in dolomite is similar to that in beresite (quartz-muscovite-carbonate-pyrite metasomatic rock) of the intrusion-related gold deposits. Illite from argillic alteration is depleted in Al as compared with that of postvolcanic epithermal Au-Ag deposits. However, carbonates from the discussed argillic alteration rhodochrosite and Mn-rich dolomite are similar to those from quartz-illite rock at postvolcanic epithermal Au-Ag deposits.

Genesis of apatite-fluorite rock in the Burpala pluton

Burpala is a unique peralkaline pluton known to the world. Alkaline pegmatites of the pluton contain about 70 rare-metal minerals. A new scheme of rock crystallization is offered: shonkinite → nepheline syenite → alkali syenite → quartz syenite → vein rocks: mariupolite, rare-metal pegmatite, apatite-fluorite, and alkali granite. Investigation of fluid inclusions in fluorite from the apatite-fluorite rocks established the high temperatures (520–560°C) of homogenization of multiphase salt inclusions. Fluids from inclusions are dominated by hydrocarbonates and chlorides as anions and sodium and calcium as cations; microelements include strontium, barium, boron, iron, manganese, lithium, rubidium, and cesium, i.e., components characteristic of magmatogenic fluids. These rocks are analogous to foskorites of carbonatite complexes in the high calcium content, but calcite is replaced with fluorite along with other foskorite minerals such as apatite, magnetite, mica, and pyroxene.

Ore-forming processes in the Drazhnoe gold–quartz deposit (Eastern Yakutia, Russia)

Themobarogeochemical investigations revealed that quartz from the Drazhnoe deposit was formed in mesothermal conditions at depths of 3–4 km from carbon dioxide–water fluids with wide salinity variations and an admixture of methane. Several types of fluids are distinguishable on the basis of the composition of extracts: hydrocarbonate–sodium, highly diluted, and late sulfate–hydrocarbonate–sodium with elevated salinity. Ore minerals precipitated in the thermostatic environments against the background of fluid heterogenization due to a probably significant pressure drop and mixing of different solutions. Metamorphic processes related to the early collision stage provided no substantial impact on the composition and potential of gold ore mineralization.

Fahlore and Sphalerite from the Darasun Gold Deposit in the Eastern Transbaikal Region, Russia: I. Mineral Assemblages and Intergrowths, Chemical Composition, and Its Evolution

The mineral assemblages, mode of occurrence, and chemical compositions of coexisting fahlore and sphalerite from the Darasun gold deposit have been described. Three generations of fahlore and three generations of sphalerite have been recognized. The FeS content in sphalerite coexisting with fahlore ranges from 0.8 to 9.4 mol %. The complete solid solution series Fe-tetrahedrite–Zn-tetrahedrite–Fe-tennantite–Zn-tennantite reflected in Sb/(Sb + As) and Fe/(Fe + Zn) ratios ranging from 0 to 0.97 and from 0.07 to 1.00, respectively, with a predominant negative relationship between these ratios has been identified for the first time at the deposit. Stepped, oscillatory, and combined stepped-oscillatory growth zonings within fahlore grains and heterogeneous aggregates of fahlore have been found. Fahlore is enriched in As with respect to Sb, and Zn-tetrahedrite is followed by Fe- and Zn-tennantite from early to late generation; Zn-tetrahedrite is followed by Fe-tennantite in zoned grains and overgrown rims; sphalerite crystallized at decreased temperature and sulfur fugacity. The evolution of the chemical composition of fahlores was caused by the evolving temperature, fluid salinity, and conditions of metal migration.

The mineral–geochemical evidence of contact transformation of ores of the Dzhusinskoe pyrite–polymetallic deposit (Southern Urals)

The Dzhusinskoe pyrite–polymetallic deposit is characterized by an abundant concentration of dykes of basic and intermediate rocks. Thermal metamorphism of ore-host rocks and the recrystallization of ore minerals are associated with the intrusion of post-ore dykes. A regular increase in the homogenization temperature from 156° at a distance from a dyke to 287–305°C in the contact zone was established. Highly saline (6.4–15.7 wt % NaCl eq.) CO2–H2O–NaCl fluids under high pressure (up to 1500 bar) can be associated with the processes of contact and regional metamorphism.

Fahlore and Sphalerite from the Darasun Gold Deposit in the Eastern Transbaikal Region, Russia: II. Fe and Zn Partitioning, Fluid Inclusions, and Formation Conditions

The partitioning of Fe and Zn between coexisting fahlore and sphalerite and fluid inclusions in sphalerite from the Darasun gold deposit have been studied. These data were used to estimate the formation temperature of the minerals by the sphalerite–fahlore geothermometer. The calculated crystallization temperature of 175–355°С is close to the homogenization temperature of fluid inclusions in sphalerite of 225–385°С.The estimated pressure for fluid inclusion trapping ranged from 340 to 1420 bar. The sulfur fugacity obtained from the FeS content in sphalerite associated with pyrite and the calculated temperature ranges from 10–5.5 to 10–11 bar.

First Data on Formation Conditions of the Zhilnoye Au–Ag Epithermal Gold Deposit (Eastern Chukotka, Russia)

The first data on study of individual fluid inclusions in the Zhilnoye deposit have been obtained. It has been found that the gold-bearing quartz veins of the deposit were formed by heterogeneous hydrothermal fluids with low salt concentrations (0.2–3.6 wt% equiv. NaCl under intermediate temperature conditions of 246–350°C). The fluid pressure was 80–160 bar corresponding to 0.3–0.6 km depths of formation under hydrostatic conditions. The parameters of the mineral-forming fluids of the Zhilnoye deposit correspond to typical parameters of the fluids of epithermal deposits.

Features of Ore Mineralization of Alyarmaut Rise (Western Chukotka)

The Au mineralization of Alyarmaut Rise was formed from the ore-forming fluids of two types strongly differing in pressure. The first type of fluid is similar to fluids of the orogenic Au–quartz deposits in terms of the physicochemical parameters and composition. These fluids were formed at a high pressure from heterogeneous, carbon dioxide–aqueous fluids with a low salinity at a depth of 5–7 km. The second type of fluid, which is also heterogeneous, has a shallower origin with a wide range of salinity variation and a small amount of carbon dioxide. This type of fluid is similar to the fluids of epithermal deposits. The wide range of pressure variation characterizing the mineralization of the rise indicates the vertical displacement of the block of the host rocks followed by erosion. Judging by the presence the secondary halos of Au, Ag, As, Sb, Pb, Zn, and Cu in the Upper Paleozoic carbonate–terrigenous rocks of the Alyarmaut Rise, there are prospects to reveal sites with new epithermal Au–Ag mineralization, which are essential for the area and unusual for the Anyui-Chukotka Fold System.

Chemical composition of melts of the Early Eocene volcanic center at Cape Khairyuzova, western Kamchatka: Evidence from inclusions in minerals

Original authors’ data on the mineralogy and composition of melt inclusions in two samples show that the Early Eocene magmatic rocks at Cape Khairyuzova were formed by mixing melts of mafic, intermediate, and acid composition, which were derived from different sources. The mafic melt was rich in MgO, and its temperature was 1100–1150°C. The temperature of the acid melt varied from 1070 to 1130°C. The melts are also different in concentrations of trace elements and in their ratios. All three melt types are enriched in LILE and LREE and depleted in HFSE and were likely derived in suprasubductional environments. The mafic and intermediate magmas were formed by melting a mantle wedge and subsequent fractionation of the melts. The acid melts could be formed by melting crustal rocks when they were overheated in the newly formed orogen of significant thickness. When ascending, the mantle melts could mix in variable proportions with acid melts in crustal chambers.