Ore Minerals and Metal Distribution in Tailings of Sediment-Hosted Stratiform Copper Deposits from Poland and Kazakhstan

Abstract

This study, carried out in tailings from two sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposits in the Lublin-Głogów Copper District in Poland (Kupferschiefer-type deposit) and Zhezkazgan (cupriferous sandstone-type deposit) in Kazakhstan, analysed the mineralogy of copper, zinc, and lead minerals as related to metal accumulation in sediments. Microscopic study in reflected light and SEM–EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope—Energy Dispersive Spectrometer) analysis, as well as chemical diversity in the used INAA (Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis), ICP (Inductively Coupled Plasma), and AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) methods in 35 samples from Kazakhstan and 35 from Poland were examined due to their diversity. In both tailing deposits in Kazakhstan and Poland, heavy fractions were dominated by copper sulphides: chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4). and chalcocite (Cu2S). Moreover, sphalerite, galena, and cerussite have been recognized as a carriers of Zn and Pb. Their geochemistry was dominated by Cu, showing a mean content of 2500 ppm, in both Poland and Kazakhstan. Zinc and lead also occurred, showing a content of approximately 200 ppm and 500 ppm in Poland, and 1500 ppm Zn and 2500 ppm Pb in Kazakhstan, respectively. Grain size analysis indicated that the dominant grain size in both districts corresponded to the silt and fine sands fractions. Copper, zinc and lead sulphides accumulated in fine fractions in tailings from Kazakhstan (in sandstones and quartz grains), and mainly in coarse fractions in Poland (within carbonates, sandstones, and black shales). Mineralogical and geochemical features should be taken into consideration when assessing potential metal sources of technogenic materials.

Cu and Au Mineralization of the Tolparovo Ore Occurrence: Evidence for the Formation of Redbed Copper Occurrences in Neoproterozoic Deposits of the Southern Urals

“…Bismuth minerals in the ores of Cu formations similarly belong to relatively rare minerals [10,49]. Wittichenite is most often found among the bismuth minerals of copper deposits, usually intergrowing with bornite and chalcocite and often forming larger nests and flasers in quartz-calcite veins [49].…”

“…At the same time, in the western part of the Bashkirian uplift (Inzer synclinorium and Alatau anticlinorium), stratiform ore occurrences of copper have been found in Neoproterozoic redbed deposits (see Figure 1a,b, ore occurrences are indicated by numbers [24][25][26][27]29), which are referred to as sedimentary-diagenetic formations [2,4,5]. At present, stratiform copper deposits play an important economic role [8][9][10][11]. They contain about 20% of the world's copper reserves [12].…”

On the matter of composition and technological properties of uranium ores of the Semizbai deposit (North Kazakhstan)

“…The geological and mineralogical features of deposits and their economic minerals are the main ones in choosing a rational mining technology and extracting associated valuable components from them. Such indicators are the basis for choosing a technology for the development of both technogenic [ [8], [9]] and natural ores [ [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21]]. Industrial uranium mineralization of the Semizbai deposit is represented by stratiform ore bodies, which are established in the lower part of the section of the Semizbai suite -from its basal layers to the silt-sand horizon inclusive.…”