This contribution explores the petrogenetic relationships between silicate and carbonatitic rocks in the Crevier Alkaline Intrusion (CAI, Québec, Canada). The CAI is located in the Proterozoic Grenville Province and is composed of a suite of undersaturated peralkaline rocks from ijolite to nepheline syenite and carbonatites. Petrogenetic relationships between different undersaturated alkaline igneous rocks, carbonate-bearing and carbonate-free nepheline syenite and carbonatites observed in the CAI suggest that (i) carbonate-bearing and carbonate-free silicate rocks are comagmatic with carbonatite, and that (ii) both silicate and carbonatitic liquids are fractionated from an ijolitic parental magma that has undergone liquid immiscibility. One of the observed facies is characterized by spectacular ocelli of carbonate-bearing nepheline syenite in a matrix of carbonatite. The younger nepheline syenite facies can be divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of magmatic carbonates. Both groups are characterized by the presence of pyrochlore-group minerals that carry the Nb-Ta mineralization. We specifically use accessory minerals such as zircon, pyrochlore and apatite to constrain the temporal and physicochemical parameters of the immiscibility process. By coupling (i) mineral textures, (ii) trace elements, (iii) Ti-in-zircon thermometry, and (iv) oxygen isotope compositions, we have traced the crystallization of zircon before, during and after the immiscibility process. The results allowed us to constrain the minimum temperature of this process at ∼815-865 °C. In addition, two magmatic populations of pyrochlore are identified through their petrographic and geochemical characteristics within the younger nepheline syenite facies. Pyrochlore from the earlier ocelli facies of carbonate-bearing nepheline syenite follow a Nb-Ta differentiation trend, whereas pyrochlore from the younger carbonate-free nepheline syenite follow a more classical Nb-Ti trend. Following the complete immiscibility between the silicate and carbonatitic liquids, the fractionation between Nb and Ta stopped while a new generation of Nb-rich pyrochlore grew, displaying a more classical Nb-Ti fractionation trend and a more constant Nb/Ta ratio in the nepheline syenite.

The giant Tizert copper deposit is considered as the largest copper resource in the western Anti-Atlas (Morocco). The site is characterized by Cu mineralization carried by malachite, chalcocite, covellite, bornite and chalcopyrite; azurite is not observed. The host rocks are mainly limestones (Formation of Tamjout Dolomite) and sandstones/siltstones (Basal Series) of the Ediacaran/Cambrian transition. The supergene enrichment is most likely related to episodes of uplift/doming (last event since 30 Ma), which triggered the exhumation of primary/hypogene mineralization (chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, chalcocite I and bornite I), generating their oxidation and the precipitation of secondary/supergene sulfides, carbonates and Fe-oxyhydroxides. The Tizert supergene deposit mainly consists of (i) a residual patchwork of laterite rich in Fe-oxyhydroxides; (ii) a saprolite rich in malachite, or “green oxide zone” where primary structures such as stratification are preserved; (iii) a cementation zone containing secondary sulfides (covellite, chalcocite II and bornite II). The abundance of Cu carbonates results from the rapid neutralization of acidic meteoric fluids, due to oxidation of primary sulfides, by carbonate host rocks. Chlorite is also involved in the neutralization processes in the sandstones/siltstones of the Basal Series, in which supergene clays, such as kaolinite and smectites, subsequently precipitated. At Tizert, as can be highlighted in other supergene Cu-deposits around the world, azurite is absent due to low pCO2 and relatively high pH conditions. In addition to copper, Ag enrichment is also observed in weathered rocks; Fe-oxyhydroxides contain high Zn, As, and Pb contents. However, these secondary enrichments are quite low compared to Cu in the whole Tizert site, which is therefore, considered as relatively homogeneous.

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In the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, sulfide deposits hosted by Neoproterozoic to Cambrian formations underwent significant weathering, leading to the formation of supergene profiles. In the Tazalaght Cu-As deposit, three mineralogical steps are distinguished: (1) the replacement of hypogene sulfides (chalcopyrite, pyrite, tennantite) by supergene sulfides (bornite, chalcocite) in the large cementation zone; (2) the formation of oxidized minerals (malachite, azurite, olivenite, and chenevixite, mainly) in a more oxidizing and neutral environment; and (3) the precipitation of goethite, hematite, and quartz in the gossan. In the Cu-As-Pb-V deposit of Agoujgal, the mineralogical units are spatially less confined than at Tazalaght. The narrow cementation zone hosts chalcocite, resulting from the weathering of hypogene chalcopyrite, pyrite, tennantite and galena, while the much more extended and diversified oxidized zone is rich in Cu and Pb carbonates, arsenates, sulfates, phosphates, vanadates, and oxides. Goethite, hematite, mottramite, and late calcite occur in the gossan. Both deposits are characterized by As-rich secondary ores that were formed through similar processes, despite some mineralogical and chemical variations highlighting the influence of the host rocks on weathering. The restricted oxidized mineralization at Tazalaght and the Agoujgal cementation zone most likely arise from the contrasting omnipresence of quartzite at Tazalaght that could not enable a fast and effective neutralization of the fluid’s acidity, and the large amounts of dolomitic host rocks that could be dissolved at Agoujgal. At both sites, the weathering of tennantite through a boxwork texture records the transition from the cementation zone (chalcocite), the oxidized zone (arsenates), and the gossan, and reflects the fluids evolution with time.

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