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Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements...
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Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2021) | Viewed by 47059

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Galina Palyanova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
2. Department of Geology and Geophysics, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
Interests: ore-forming processes; experiment; thermodynamic modeling; minerals-indicators; fluid−mineral−rock interactions; gold mineralization; gold deposits; mechanisms of ore formation; reconstruction of T,P,X-conditions
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The mineralogy of gold and other noble metals is very diverse. The articles published in the Special Issue of 2019 do not cover all the stated problems of the specified topic and, hence, it is expedient and relevant to continue it and release a 2nd volume. At present, a significant part of the reserves of gold and other noble metals are primary deposits of sulfide ores. Many sulfide ores are referred to as refractory ores by technologists. Knowledge of the mineralogy of these ores, including data on their own minerals (micro, nano-) and invisible forms of noble metals, is the key factor in developing rational schemes of their processing and enrichment. The aim of the new volume is to attract the attention of researchers from many fields to gain new knowledge for solving fundamental and applied tasks.

Dr. Galina Palyanova
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Mineralogy of gold and other noble metals in sulfide ores
  • New minerals of noble metals
  • The geochemistry of noble metals
  • Chemistry and scales of processes of dissolution, transport and deposition of noble metals
  • “Invisible” speciations of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium in sulfides and other minerals
  • Processes of consolidation, aggregation, and mechanisms of formation of noble metal nuggets
  • Models for the formation of deposits of noble metals
  • Chemical composition of native gold
  • Technologies for the extraction of noble metals from refractory sulfide ores
  • Noble metal biogeochemistry

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Published Papers (13 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 174 KiB  
Editorial
Editorial for Special Issue “Mineralogy of Noble Metals and ‘Invisible’ Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II”
by Galina Palyanova
Minerals 2021, 11(8), 817; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11080817 - 28 Jul 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1329
Abstract
The articles published in the 2019 Special Issue “Mineralogy of Noble Metals and ‘Invisible’ Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems” [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

21 pages, 2264 KiB  
Article
Types of Tellurium Mineralization of Gold Deposits of the Aldan Shield (Southern Yakutia, Russia)
by Larisa A. Kondratieva, Galina S. Anisimova and Veronika N. Kardashevskaia
Minerals 2021, 11(7), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11070698 - 29 Jun 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3750
Abstract
The published and original data on the tellurium mineralization of gold ore deposits of the Aldan Shield are systematized and generalized. The gold content is related to hydrothermal-metasomatic processes caused by Mesozoic igneous activity of the region. The formation of tellurides occurred at [...] Read more.
The published and original data on the tellurium mineralization of gold ore deposits of the Aldan Shield are systematized and generalized. The gold content is related to hydrothermal-metasomatic processes caused by Mesozoic igneous activity of the region. The formation of tellurides occurred at the very late stages of the generation of gold mineralization of all existing types of metasomatic formations. 29 tellurium minerals, including 16 tellurides, 5 sulfotellurides and 8 tellurates have been identified. Tellurium minerals of two systems predominate: Au-Bi-Te and Au-Ag-Te. Gold is not only in an invisible state in sulfides and in the form of native gold of different fineness, but also is part of a variety of compounds: montbrayite, calaverite, sylvanite, krennerite and petzite. In the gold deposits of the Aldan Shield, three mineral types are distinguished: Au-Ag-Te, Au-Bi-Te, and also a mixed one, which combines the mineralization of both systems. The decrease in the fineness of native gold is consistent with the sequence and temperatures of the formation of Te minerals and associated mineral paragenesis from the epithermal–mesothermal Au-Bi-Te to epithermal Au-Ag-Te. The conducted studies allowed us to determine a wide variety of mineral species and significantly expand the area of distribution of Au-Te mineralization that indicates its large-scale regional occurrence in the Aldan Shield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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17 pages, 8483 KiB  
Article
The Features of Native Gold in Ore-Bearing Breccias with Realgar-Orpiment Cement of the Vorontsovskoe Deposit (Northern Urals, Russia)
by Sergey Y. Stepanov, Roman S. Palamarchuk, Dmitry A. Varlamov, Darya V. Kiseleva, Ludmila N. Sharpyonok, Radek Škoda and Anatoly V. Kasatkin
Minerals 2021, 11(5), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11050541 - 19 May 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4591
Abstract
This paper describes native gold in ore-bearing breccias with realgar-orpiment cement from the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit (Northern Urals, Russia). Particular attention is paid to the morphological features of native gold and its relation to other minerals. The latter include both common (orpiment, barite, [...] Read more.
This paper describes native gold in ore-bearing breccias with realgar-orpiment cement from the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit (Northern Urals, Russia). Particular attention is paid to the morphological features of native gold and its relation to other minerals. The latter include both common (orpiment, barite, pyrite, prehnite, realgar) and rare species (Tl and Hg sulfosalts, such as boscardinite, dalnegroite, écrinsite, gillulyite, parapierrotite, routhierite, sicherite, vrbaite, etc.). The general geological and geochemical patterns of the Turyinsk-Auerbakh metallogenic province, including the presence of small non-economic copper porphyry deposits and general trend in change of the composition of native gold (an increase in the fineness of gold from high-temperature skarns to low-temperature realgar-orpiment breccias) confirm that the Vorontsovskoe deposit is an integral part of a large ore-magmatic system genetically associated with the formation of the Auerbakh intrusion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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26 pages, 5065 KiB  
Article
Native Gold in the Chudnoe Au-Pd-REE Deposit (Subpolar Urals, Russia): Composition, Minerals in Intergrowth and Genesis
by Galina Palyanova, Valery Murzin, Andrey Borovikov, Nikolay Karmanov and Sergei Kuznetsov
Minerals 2021, 11(5), 451; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11050451 - 25 Apr 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2881
Abstract
Composition of native gold and minerals in intergrowth of the Chudnoe Au-Pd-REE deposit (Subpolar Urals, Russia) was studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis. Five varieties of native gold have been identified, based on the set of impurity elements [...] Read more.
Composition of native gold and minerals in intergrowth of the Chudnoe Au-Pd-REE deposit (Subpolar Urals, Russia) was studied using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis. Five varieties of native gold have been identified, based on the set of impurity elements and their quantities, and on intergrown minerals. Native gold in rhyolites from the Ludnaya ore zone is homogeneous and contains only Ag (fineness 720‰, type I). It is in intergrowth with fuchsite or allanite and mertieite-II. In rhyolites from the Slavnaya ore zone, native gold is heterogeneous, has a higher fineness, different sets and contents of elements: Ag, Cu, 840–860‰ (type II); Ag, Cu, Pd, 830–890‰ (III); Ag, Pd, Cu, Hg, 840–870‰ (IV). It occurs in intergrowth with fuchsite, albite, and mertieite-II (type II), or albite, quartz, and atheneite (III), or quartz, albite, K-feldspar, and mertieite-II (IV). High-fineness gold (930–1000‰, type V) with low contents of Ag, Cu, and Pd or their absence occurs in the form as microveins, fringes and microinclusions in native gold II–IV. Tetra-auricupride (AuCu) is presented as isometric inclusions in native gold II and platelets in the decay structures in native gold III and IV. The preliminary data of a fluid inclusions study showed that gold mineralization at the Chudnoe deposit could have been formed by chloride fluids of low and medium salinity at temperatures from 105 to 230 °C and pressures from 5 to 115 MPa. The formation of native gold I is probably related to fuchsitization and allanitization of rhyolites. The formation of native gold II-V is also associated with the same processes, but it is more complicated and occurred later with a significant role of Na-, Si-, and K-metasomatism. The presence of Pd and Cu in the ores and Cr in fuchsite indicates the important role of mafic-ultramafic magmatism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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31 pages, 6679 KiB  
Article
Disseminated Gold–Sulfide Mineralization in Metasomatites of the Khangalas Deposit, Yana–Kolyma Metallogenic Belt (Northeast Russia): Analysis of the Texture, Geochemistry, and S Isotopic Composition of Pyrite and Arsenopyrite
by Maxim V. Kudrin, Valery Yu. Fridovsky, Lena I. Polufuntikova and Lyudmila Yu. Kryuchkova
Minerals 2021, 11(4), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11040403 - 12 Apr 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4070
Abstract
At the orogenic gold deposits of the Yana–Kolyma metallogenic belt (northeast Russia) both Au–quartz-sulfide mineralization with native gold and disseminated sulfide mineralization with invisible Au developed. The textural and mineralogical-geochemical features, isotope-geochemical characteristics of gold-bearing sulfides from proximal metasomatites, and possible forms of [...] Read more.
At the orogenic gold deposits of the Yana–Kolyma metallogenic belt (northeast Russia) both Au–quartz-sulfide mineralization with native gold and disseminated sulfide mineralization with invisible Au developed. The textural and mineralogical-geochemical features, isotope-geochemical characteristics of gold-bearing sulfides from proximal metasomatites, and possible forms of Au occurrence in pyrite and arsenopyrite have been studied using electron microprobe, atomic absorption, LA-ICP-MS trace element, isotope analysis, and computed microtomography. Four generations of pyrite (Py1, diagenetic; Py2, metamorphic; Py3, metasomatic; Py4, veined) and two generations of arsenopyrite (Apy1, metasomatic; Apy2, veined) have been identified at the Khangalas deposit. In the proximal metasomatites, the most common are Py3 and Apy1. Studying their chemical composition makes it possible to identify the features of the distribution patterns of typochemical trace elements in pyrite and arsenopyrite, and to establish the nature of the relationship between Au and these elements. In Py3 and Apy1, structurally bound (solid solution) Au+ prevails, isomorphically entering the crystal lattice or its defects. Isotope characteristics of hydrothermal sulfides (δ34S = −2.0 to −0.6‰) indicate that mantle/magmatic sulfur was involved in the formation of the deposit, though the participation of sulfur from the host rocks of the Verkhoyansk clastic complex cannot be ruled out. The Khangalas deposit has much in common with other gold deposits of the Yana–Kolyma metallogenic belt, and from this point of view, the results obtained will help to better reveal their gold potential and understand their origin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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23 pages, 6197 KiB  
Article
Criteria for Determining the Genesis of Placers and Their Different Sources Based on the Morphological Features of Placer Gold
by Zinaida Nikiforova
Minerals 2021, 11(4), 381; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11040381 - 2 Apr 2021
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3315
Abstract
Based on the identified typomorphic features of placer gold, a set of determined morphogenetic criteria is proposed to identify the genesis of placer gold content and different sources in the platform areas, which allow more correctly selecting search methods and improving the efficiency [...] Read more.
Based on the identified typomorphic features of placer gold, a set of determined morphogenetic criteria is proposed to identify the genesis of placer gold content and different sources in the platform areas, which allow more correctly selecting search methods and improving the efficiency of forecasting ore and placer gold deposits. Gold particles larger than 0.25 mm with signs of wind-worn processing indicate the formation of autochthonous aeolian placers. Gold particles with signs of wind-worn processing with a size of 0.1–0.25 mm, forming an extensive halo of dispersion, indicate the formation of allochthonous placers in Quaternary deposits. Deflationary (autochthonous) placers of native gold can be found by the halo of its distribution of toroidal and spherical hollow forms, which, of course, are the search morphogenetic criterion of aeolian placers. The presence of disc-shaped and lamellar gold particles with ridgelike edges in alluvial placers is typical for placers of heterogeneous origin, formed due to deflation of proluvial placers. The discovery of pseudo-ore gold in alluvial placers indicates the arrival of gold from intermediate gold-bearing sources of different ages and not from primary sources, which is a morphogenetic criterion for determining different sources of the placer. In modern gold placers, the presence of gold of a pseudo-ore appearance can serve as a search criterion for the discovery of gold-bearing conglomerates with high gold content. The developed method for diagnosing the genotype of placer gold by its morphological characteristics (alluvial, aeolian, pseudo-ore) can be successfully used by industrial geological organizations to search and explore ore and placer gold deposits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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18 pages, 3293 KiB  
Article
Experimental Study of Pt Solubility in the CO-CO2 Fluid at Low fO2 and Subsolidus Conditions of the Ultramafic-Mafic Intrusions
by Alexander Simakin, Tamara Salova, Anastassia Y. Borisova, Gleb S. Pokrovski, Olga Shaposhnikova, Oksana Tyutyunnik, Galina Bondarenko, Alexey Nekrasov and Sergey I. Isaenko
Minerals 2021, 11(2), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11020225 - 23 Feb 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2940
Abstract
The solubility of Pt in CO-CO2 fluid was studied experimentally at P = 50–200 MPa and T = 950 °C. A mixture of MgC2O4 and MgCO3 was used as a source of the fluid. Upon the reaction of [...] Read more.
The solubility of Pt in CO-CO2 fluid was studied experimentally at P = 50–200 MPa and T = 950 °C. A mixture of MgC2O4 and MgCO3 was used as a source of the fluid. Upon the reaction of the Pt capsule walls and the fluid, a carbonyl of platinum is formed. The use of the high-temperature quartz ceramics as a fluid trap avoids the effect of mechanical contamination with Pt from the eroded capsule walls. The total content of platinum in the porous fluid traps was measured by the Electrothermal Atomic Absorption (ET-AAS) method. In some experiments, the local analysis of traps was carried out by the Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) method. The composition of fluid in bubbles captured in an albite glass trap was studied by micro-Raman spectroscopy. On the capsule walls and MgO, Pt “whiskers” of submicron diameter were observed, which were formed as a product of carbonyl decomposition during quenching. About 5–15% of carbonyl withstands quenching resulting in 1.5 to 2 ppm Pt soluble in acetone (runs at P = 200 MPa) in a quartz glass trap. The amount of Pt soluble in acetone from the capsule walls corresponds to a concentration of up to 8 ppm in the fluid. A high content of soluble Pt of 2000–3000 ppm was determined in a carbon coated MgO matrix. Our study demonstrated that the solubility of Pt in the CO-CO2 fluid is 15–150 ppm, presumably in the form of Pt3(CO)62− under conditions corresponding to the conditions of the subsolidus stage of layered ultramafic-mafic and ultramafic-alkaline intrusions formation. Our preliminary data showed that this solubility will increase with the addition of water at low fO2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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21 pages, 48133 KiB  
Article
Gold in the Oxidized Ores of the Olympiada Deposit (Eastern Siberia, Russia)
by Sergey A. Silyanov, Anatoly M. Sazonov, Yelena A. Zvyagina, Andrey A. Savichev and Boris M. Lobastov
Minerals 2021, 11(2), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11020190 - 11 Feb 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4401
Abstract
Native gold and its satellite minerals were studied throughout the 300 m section of oxidized ores of the Olympiada deposit (Eastern Siberia, Russia). Three zones are identified in the studied section: Upper Zone ~60 g/t Au; Middle Zone ~3 g/t Au; Lower Zone [...] Read more.
Native gold and its satellite minerals were studied throughout the 300 m section of oxidized ores of the Olympiada deposit (Eastern Siberia, Russia). Three zones are identified in the studied section: Upper Zone ~60 g/t Au; Middle Zone ~3 g/t Au; Lower Zone ~20 g/t Au. Supergene and hypogene native gold have been found in these zones. Supergene gold crystals (~1 μm), their aggregates and their globules (100 nm to 1 μm) predominate in the Upper and less in Middle Zone. Relic hypogene gold particles (flattened, fracture and irregular morphology) are sporadically distributed throughout the section. Spongiform gold occurs in the Lower Zone at the boundary with the bedrock, as well as in the bedrock. This gold formed in the process of oxidation of aurostibite, leaching of impurities and its further dissolution. Hypogene gold is commonly isolated but for supergene gold typically associated with ferric (hydr)oxides. New formation of gold occurred due to oxidation of sulfide ores and release of “invisible” gold, as well as dissolution, mobilization and re-deposition of metallic hypogene gold. A model for the formation of oxidized ores with the participation of meteoric and low-temperature hydrothermal waters has been proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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20 pages, 9120 KiB  
Article
Au‐Ag‐S‐Se‐Cl‐Br Mineralization at the Corrida Deposit (Russia) and Physicochemical Conditions of Ore Formation
by Elena E. Kolova, Nataly E. Savva, Tatiana V. Zhuravkova, Anton N. Glukhov and Galina A. Palyanova
Minerals 2021, 11(2), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11020144 - 30 Jan 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3042
Abstract
The mineral and chemical compositions of ores from the Corrida epithermal Au-Ag deposit (Chukchi Peninsula, Russia) were studied using the optical and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy-dispersion microanalysis. The deposit was formed at the time close to the period when the basic [...] Read more.
The mineral and chemical compositions of ores from the Corrida epithermal Au-Ag deposit (Chukchi Peninsula, Russia) were studied using the optical and scanning electron microscopy with X-ray energy-dispersion microanalysis. The deposit was formed at the time close to the period when the basic volume of acid magmas had been emplaced within the Okhotsk–Chukotka belt (84 to 80 Ma). The Au–Ag mineralization is distinguished with Au-Ag sulphides and selenides (uytenbogaardtite-fischesserite solid solution, Se-acanthite, S-naumannite) and Ag halides of the chlorargyrite-embolite-bromargyrite series. The ores were formed in two stages. Using microthermometric methods, it has been established that the ore-bearing quartz was formed in the medium-temperature environment (340–160 °C) with the participation of low-salt (3.55 to 0.18 wt.% NaCl eq.) hydrotherms, mostly of the NaCl composition with magnesium, iron and low-density СО2. According to our results of thermodynamic modeling at temperatures from 300 to 25 °C and data on mineral metasomatic alterations of the host rocks, the Au-Ag-S-Se-Cl-Br mineralization was formed at decreasing temperature and fugacity of sulphur (logƒS2 from −6 to −27), selenium (logƒSe2 from −14 to −35), and oxygen (logƒО2 from −36 to −62), with near-neutral solutions replaced by acid solutions. Analysis of the obtained data shows that the Corrida refers to the group of the LS-type epithermal deposits. This deposit is a new example of epithermal deposits with significant quantities of Au–Ag chalcogenides (acanthite, uytenbogaardtite, fischesserite, naumannite and others). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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27 pages, 17510 KiB  
Article
Porphyry-Related Metamorphosed Au-Ag and Cu-Mo Deposits in the Precambrian of the Fennoscandian Shield
by Arkadii A. Kalinin and Nikolay M. Kudryashov
Minerals 2021, 11(2), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11020139 - 29 Jan 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3383
Abstract
The Pellapahk Cu-Mo and Oleninskoe Au-Ag deposits in the western segment of the Russian Arctic in the Kolmozero–Voronya greenstone belt are considered two parts of an Archean (2.83–2.82 Ga) porphyry-epithermal system, probably the oldest one defined in the Fennoscandian Shield. Formation of the [...] Read more.
The Pellapahk Cu-Mo and Oleninskoe Au-Ag deposits in the western segment of the Russian Arctic in the Kolmozero–Voronya greenstone belt are considered two parts of an Archean (2.83–2.82 Ga) porphyry-epithermal system, probably the oldest one defined in the Fennoscandian Shield. Formation of the Oleninskoe Au-Ag deposit at the epithermal stage of the system is indicated by the spatial and genetic relationships with the sills of granite porphyry, the geochemical association of ore elements (Au, Ag, Cu, Pb, Sb, As), an Au/Ag ratio of <0.2, and the multiplicity of silver mineralization with different Ag, Cu, Pb, Sb sulfosalts. The geological–structural characteristics of the Oleninskoe and the Pellapahk, i.e., their location in a shear zone, the morphology and size of ore bodies, the scale of the deposits, and the intensity and zoning of rock alteration, do not oppose this model. Mineralized rocks of the Pellapahk Cu-Mo and Oleninskoe Au-Ag deposits were amphibolite metamorphosed in the Neoarchean and again in the Paleoproterozoic. Structures of sulfide melt crystallization formed in the ores during metamorphism, those are fine intergrowths of galena, argentotetrahedrite, pyrargyrite, pyrrhotite, ullmannite, stutzite, and other mineral phases of low-melting-point metals such as Ag, Cu, Pb, Sb, As, Bi. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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19 pages, 8861 KiB  
Article
Gold Mineralization at the Maletoyvayam Deposit (Koryak Highland, Russia) and Physicochemical Conditions of Its Formation
by Evgeny G. Sidorov, Andrey A. Borovikov, Nadezhda D. Tolstykh, Daria S. Bukhanova, Galina A. Palyanova and Valery M. Chubarov
Minerals 2020, 10(12), 1093; https://doi.org/10.3390/min10121093 - 5 Dec 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3168
Abstract
Microthermometry study of fluid inclusions in quartz veins of the Maletoyvayam deposit (Koryak Highland, Russia) was carried out. This epithermal gold deposit contains unique Au compounds including maletoyvayamite, which has not been reported anywhere else. Two paragenetic mineral associations (pyrite-quartz and maletoyvayamite-quartz) with [...] Read more.
Microthermometry study of fluid inclusions in quartz veins of the Maletoyvayam deposit (Koryak Highland, Russia) was carried out. This epithermal gold deposit contains unique Au compounds including maletoyvayamite, which has not been reported anywhere else. Two paragenetic mineral associations (pyrite-quartz and maletoyvayamite-quartz) with quartz of different generations corresponding to different pulses were also described. Only early generations of quartz (Q1) include ore minerals: pyrite for the first mineral assemblage, and in Au-bearing minerals, sulfosalts, bismuthinite, and others—for the second assemblage. A study on fluid inclusions in quartz showed a salinity (mainly NaCl + KCl) range from 0.2 to 4.3 wt.% NaCl eq., increasing from the first mineral association to the second due to boiling fluids. The obtained temperature variations for quartz crystallization were 295–135 °C, the fluid pressure ranged from 79 to 4 bar. On the other hand, the range of conditions obtained for the gold productive ore association is more narrow: salinity of the fluid inclusions is 4.3 wt.% NaCl eq., the temperatures vary from 255 °C to 245 °C, and the pressure from 39 to 32 bar. These physicochemical characteristics of the Maletoyvayam ore deposit greatly coincide with other HS-type epithermal deposits; however, within the Central Kamchatka Volcanic Belt it is so far the only deposit of this type reported. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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19 pages, 8014 KiB  
Article
Geochemistry of Tourmaline from the Laodou Gold Deposit in the West Qinling Orogen, Central China: Implications for the Ore-Forming Process
by Xiaoye Jin and Jixiang Sui
Minerals 2020, 10(8), 647; https://doi.org/10.3390/min10080647 - 22 Jul 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4317
Abstract
The Laodou gold deposit, located in the West Qinling Orogen of central China, is a newly recognized intrusion-related gold deposit. It consists of auriferous quartz-sulfide-tourmaline and minor quartz-stibnite veins that are structurally controlled by fault zones transecting the host quartz diorite porphyry. Two [...] Read more.
The Laodou gold deposit, located in the West Qinling Orogen of central China, is a newly recognized intrusion-related gold deposit. It consists of auriferous quartz-sulfide-tourmaline and minor quartz-stibnite veins that are structurally controlled by fault zones transecting the host quartz diorite porphyry. Two types of tourmaline were identified in this study: Type 1 tourmaline occurs as quartz-tourmaline nodules within the quartz diorite porphyry, whereas type 2 tourmaline occurs as quartz-sulfide-tourmaline veins in auriferous lodes. Here, we present a major and trace element analysis by electron microprobe and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry on these two types of tourmaline. Both tourmaline types fall into the alkali group, and are classified under the schorl-dravite solid solution series. The substitutions of FeMg–1, FeAl–1, AlO((Fe, Mg)(OH)) –1, and X-site vacancyCa–1 are inferred by the variations of their major element compositions. Field and mineralogy observations suggest that type 1 tourmaline is a product of the late crystallization process of the quartz diorite porphyry, whereas type 2 tourmaline coexists with Au-bearing arsenopyrite and is crystallized from the ore-forming fluids. Their rare earth element compositions record the related magmatic hydrothermal evolution. The Co and Ni concentrations of the coexisting type 2 tourmaline and arsenopyrite define a regression line (correlation coefficient = 0.93) with an angular coefficient of 0.66, which represents the Co/Ni ratio of the tourmaline and arsenopyrite-precipitating fluids. This value is close to the Co/Ni ratios of the host quartz diorite porphyry, indicating a magma origin of the ore-forming fluids. The substitution of Al3+ by Fe3+ in both tourmaline types shows that type 1 tourmaline approaches the end member of povondraite whereas type 2 tourmaline occurs in opposite plots near the end member of Oxy-dravite, reflecting a more oxidizing environment for type 2 tourmaline formation. Moreover, the redox-sensitive V and Cr values of type 2 tourmaline are commonly 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than those of type 1 tourmaline, which also suggests that type 2 tourmaline forms from more oxidizing fluids. Combined with gold occurrence and fluid properties, we propose that the increasing of oxygen fugacity in the ore-forming fluids is a trigger of gold precipitation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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Review

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69 pages, 23883 KiB  
Review
Noble Metal Speciations in Hydrothermal Sulphides
by Ilya Vikentyev, Olga Vikent’eva, Eugenia Tyukova, Maximilian Nikolsky, Julia Ivanova, Nina Sidorova, Dmitry Tonkacheev, Vera Abramova, Vyacheslav Blokov, Adelina Spirina, Diana Borisova and Galina Palyanova
Minerals 2021, 11(5), 488; https://doi.org/10.3390/min11050488 - 3 May 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4612
Abstract
A significant part of the primary gold reserves in the world is contained in sulphide ores, many types of which are refractory in gold processing. The deposits of refractory sulphide ores will be the main potential source of gold production in the future. [...] Read more.
A significant part of the primary gold reserves in the world is contained in sulphide ores, many types of which are refractory in gold processing. The deposits of refractory sulphide ores will be the main potential source of gold production in the future. The refractory gold and silver in sulphide ores can be associated with micro- and nano-sized inclusions of Au and Ag minerals as well as isomorphous, adsorbed and other species of noble metals (NM) not thoroughly investigated. For gold and gold-bearing deposits of the Urals, distribution and forms of NM were studied in base metal sulphides by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and by neutron activation analysis. Composition of arsenopyrite and As-pyrite, proper Au and Ag minerals were identified using electron probe microanalysis. The ratio of various forms of invisible gold—which includes nanoparticles and chemically bound gold—in sulphides is discussed. Observations were also performed on about 120 synthetic crystals of NM-doped sphalerite and greenockite. In VMS ores with increasing metamorphism, CAu and CAg in the major sulphides (sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrite) generally decrease. A portion of invisible gold also decreases —from ~65–85% to ~35–60% of the total Au. As a result of recrystallisation of ores, the invisible gold is enlarged and passes into the visible state as native gold, Au-Ag tellurides and sulphides. In the gold deposits of the Urals, the portion of invisible gold is usually <30% of the bulk Au. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mineralogy of Noble Metals and “Invisible” Speciations of These Elements in Natural Systems, Volume II)
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