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Gold and trace element zonation in pyrite using a laser imaging technique: Implications for the timing of gold in orogenic and Carlin-style sediment-hosted deposits

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posted on 2023-05-17, 01:51 authored by Ross LargeRoss Large, Leonid Danyushevsky, Hollitt, CP, Maslennikov, V, Sebastien MeffreSebastien Meffre, Gilbert, SE, Stuart BullStuart Bull, Robert ScottRobert Scott, Emsbo, P, Thomas, HV, Singh, B, Foster, J
Laser ablation ICP-MS imaging of gold and other trace elements in pyrite from four different sediment hosted gold-arsenic deposits has revealed two distinct episodes of gold enrichment in each deposit: an early synsedimentary stage where invisible gold is concentrated in arsenian diagenetic pyrite along with other trace elements, in particular, As, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ag, Mo, Te, V, and Se; and a later hydrothermal stage where gold forms as either free gold grains in cracks in overgrowth metamorphic and/or hydrothermal pyrite or as narrow, gold-arsenic rims on the outermost parts of the overgrowth hydrothermal pyrite. Compared to the diagenetic pyrites, the hydrothermal pyrites are commonly depleted in Ni, V, Zn, Pb, and Ag with cyclic zones of Co, Ni, and As concentration. The outermost hydrothermal pyrite rims are either As-Au rich, as in moderate- to high-grade deposits such as Carlin and Bendigo, or Co-Ni rich and As-Au poor as in moderate- to low-grade deposits such as Sukhoi Log and Spanish Mountain. The early enrichment of gold in arsenic-bearing syngenetic to diagenetic pyrite, within black shale facies of sedimentary basins, is proposed as a critical requirement for the later development of Carlin-style and orogenic gold deposits in sedimentary environments. The best grade sediment-hosted deposits appear to have the gold climax event, toward the final stages of deformation-related hydrothermal pyrite growth and fluid flow.

History

Publication title

Economic Geology and The Bulletin of The Society of Economic Geologists

Volume

104

Issue

5

Pagination

635-668

ISSN

0361-0128

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Economic Geology Publ Co

Place of publication

Littleton, USA, Co, 80120-1942

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Precious (noble) metal ore exploration

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