The first direct indication of hydrocarbon occurrence in Remanso do Fogo area (Minas Gerais State, Brazil) was the existence of microseepages. However, Quaternary sedimentary cover in the area made the identification of new occurrences and associated controlling structures quite difficult. This study investigated the spatial distribution of hydrocarbon related gases in shallower to intrasedimentary depths in Remanso do Fogo area, using airborne gamma-ray spectrometry and magnetic data. The geophysical data were processed using techniques designed to suppress the influence of regional geological signatures. Known and possible new occurrences of microseepages were detected by mapping low residual potassium values and high uranium residual values in relation to potassium, termed as DRAD values, which resulted from the subtraction of potassium from uranium residual values, using a Thorium (Th)-normalizing approach. The validation of these occurrences was done based on existing gas geochemistry data in the soil. For the magnetic data, the amplitude of the analytic signal, combined with the total horizontal gradient of the subtraction between the 1200- and 400-meter upward continuations, enhanced the northwest–southeast and east–west magnetic lineaments, which are partially related to the microseepages and the drainage of the area. The distinction of near-surface and deep signatures also allowed the general identification of intrasedimentary and basement structures, which are potentially controlling the occurrences of seepages in the area.

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Abstract:The Proterozoic Vazante zinc silicate district in Minas Gerais, Brazil, hosts world-class hypogene willemite deposits in dolomitic rocks interbedded with siliciclastic rocks deposited in subtidal to supratidal environments. Willemite ore bodies are structurally controlled along regional NE-trending structures which are interpreted as being active during the Neoproterozoic Brasiliano orogeny. The hydrothermal alteration is characterized by an early stage of Fe-dolomite, which replaced the host dolomitic rocks, followed by precipitation of minor sphalerite and then hematite and willemite. Elements commonly enriched in the zinc ore include As, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Fe, Ge, In, Mo, Ni, Sb, Se, U, V and W. Mineralogical, fluid inclusion and isotopic data indicates that mixing of S-poor metalliferous saline fluids with meteoric water favored the formation of willemite ore. Carbonaceous phyllites from the underlying thick siliciclastic sequence show evidence of early enrichment in zinc (and ore-related metals) and remobilization, respectively, prior to and during the Brasiliano orogenic event. This unit is interpreted as a possible source of ore-related elements. It is proposed that during the Brasiliano orogeny, hot (T > 170 • C) saline fluids (>15 wt % eq. NaCl) leached metals from siliciclastic source rocks and precipitated willemite ore in the overlying dolomitic sequence along structures that favored mixing with oxidizing meteoric water.

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