Origin of epithermal Ag–Au–Cu–Pb–Zn mineralization in Guanajuato, Mexico

Mango, Helen; Arehart, Greg B.; Орескес, Наоми; Zantop, Half

doi:10.1007/s00126-013-0478-z

Cited by 33 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Previously published δ 34 S VCDT data for sulphides in the Huanuni deposit are very scarce and ranged between −5.5% and −3.5% [59], whereas the data obtained in this study range between −7.5% and 1.0% . Such range of data is similar to those in the Oruro-Potosí region of the central Andean Tin Belt [9,56], in which the Huanuni deposit is found, and in other tin deposits elsewhere [60], and in intermediate-to low-sulphidation epithermal deposits in Cordilleran environments [61][62][63]. A range of values as the one obtained in this study is typically described to correspond to sulphur that was derived from a sedimentary or metasedimentary, and magmatic source (either from a direct contribution or by scavenging of sulphur from magmatic rocks).…”

Section: Sources For Sulphursupporting

confidence: 76%

Mineralogy and Distribution of Critical Elements in the Sn–W–Pb–Ag–Zn Huanuni Deposit, Bolivia

et al. 2019

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The polymetallic Huanuni deposit, a world-class tin deposit, is part of the Bolivian tin belt. As a likely case for a “mesothermal” or transitional deposit between epithermal and porphyry Sn types (or shallow porphyry Sn), it represents a case that contributes significantly to the systematic study of the distribution of critical elements within the “family” of Bolivian tin deposits. In addition to Sn, Zn and Ag, further economic interest in the area resides in its potential in critical elements such as In, Ga and Ge. This paper provides the first systematic characterisation of the complex mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the Huanuni deposit with the twofold aim of identifying the mineral carriers of critical elements and endeavouring plausible metallogenic processes for the formation of this deposit, by means of a multi-methodological approach. With In concentrations consistently over 2000 ppm, the highest potential for relevant concentrations in this metal resides in widespread tin minerals (cassiterite and stannite) and sphalerite. Hypogene alteration assemblages are hardly developed due to the metasedimentary nature of host rocks, but the occurrence of potassium feldspar, schorl, pyrophyllite and dickite as vein material stand for potassic to phyllic or advanced argillic alteration assemblages and relatively high-temperature (and low pH) mineralising fluids. District-scale mineralogical zonation suggests a thermal zonation with decreasing temperatures from the central to the peripheral areas. A district-scale zonation has been also determined for δ34SVCDT values, which range −7.2‰ to 0.2‰ (mostly −7‰ to −5‰) in the central area and −4.2‰ to 1.0‰ (mainly constrained between −2‰ and 1‰) in peripheral areas. Such values stand for magmatic and metasedimentary sources for sulfur, and their spatial zoning may be related to differential reactivity between mineralising fluids and host rocks, outwardly decreasing from the central to the peripheral areas.

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Section: Sources For Sulphursupporting

confidence: 76%

Mineralogy and Distribution of Critical Elements in the Sn–W–Pb–Ag–Zn Huanuni Deposit, Bolivia

et al. 2019

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“…The sulphur isotope composition (δ 34 S VCDT ) of sulphides in Poopó ranges between −5.9% and −2.8% , which is similar to those in several deposits of the central Andean tin belt, particularly those from the Santa Fe and Huanuni districts [46], in other tin deposits elsewhere [47], and in intermediateto low-sulphidation epithermal deposits in Cordilleran environments [48][49][50]. In such cases, hybrid sources for sulphur are suggested as most likely, in which part of the sulphur would come from magmatic sources (either from a direct contribution or by scavenging of sulphur from magmatic rocks) and another part would from sedimentary or metasedimentary sources.…”

Section: Sources For Sulphurmentioning

confidence: 83%

The Poopó Polymetallic Epithermal Deposit, Bolivia: Mineralogy, Genetic Constraints, and Distribution of Critical Elements

et al. 2019

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The tin-rich polymetallic epithermal deposit of Poopó, of plausible Late Miocene age, is part of the Bolivian Tin Belt. As an epithermal low sulfidation mineralisation, it represents a typological end-member within the “family” of Bolivian tin deposits. The emplacement of the mineralisation was controlled by the regional fault zone that constitutes the geological border between the Bolivian Altiplano and the Eastern Andes Cordillera. In addition to Sn and Ag, its economic interest resides in its potential in critical elements as In, Ga and Ge. This paper provides the first systematic characterisation of the complex mineralogy and mineral chemistry of the Poopó deposit with the twofold aim of identifying the mineral carriers of critical elements and endeavouring to ascertain plausible metallogenic processes for the formation of this deposit, by means of a multi-methodological approach. The poor development of hydrothermal alteration assemblage, the abundance of sulphosalts and the replacement of löllingite and pyrrhotite by arsenopyrite and pyrite, respectively, indicate that this deposit is ascribed to the low-sulphidation subtype of epithermal deposits, with excursions into higher states of sulphidation. Additionally, the occurrence of pyrophyllite and topaz has been interpreted as the result of discrete pulses of high-sulphidation magmatic fluids. The δ34SVCDT range in sulphides (−5.9 to −2.8‰) is compatible either with: i. hybrid sulphur sources (i.e., magmatic and sedimentary or metasedimentary); or ii. a sole magmatic source involving magmas that derived from partial melting of sedimentary rocks or underwent crustal assimilation. In their overall contents in critical elements (In, Ga and Ge), the key minerals in the Poopó deposit, based on their abundance in the deposit and compositions, are rhodostannite, franckeite, cassiterite, stannite and, less importantly, teallite, sphalerite and jamesonite.

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“…Previous studies in this area that are related at some extent with the formation of epithermal deposits deal with regional geological or structural aspects (Gross, 1975;Lapierre et al, 1992;Randall et al, 1994;Loriga, 1999;Aranda-Gómez et al, 2003) or with the mineralogy, the characteristics of mineralizing fluids and depositional environment of such deposits (Petruk and Owens, 1974;Gross, 1975;Buchanan, 1981;Mango et al, 1991Mango et al, , 2014Abeyta, 2003;Orozco-Villaseñor, 2010;. For a comprehensive succinct review of the geology of the Guanajuato district, see .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochronology of Mexican mineral deposits. II: Veta Madre and Sierra epithermal vein systems, Guanajuato district

Martínez-Reyes

Camprubí

Uysal

et al. 2015

BSGM

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This paper presents two new high-resolution geochronological determinations for the epithermal deposits in the World-class Guanajuato mining district, in central Mexico. These are a Rb-Sr isochron age in illite at 28.47 ± 0.55 Ma for the Villalpando and San Juan de Dios low sulfidation veins of the Sierra group of veins, and a 40 Ar/ 39 Ar plateau age in adularia ("valencianite") at 30.20 ± 0.17 Ma for the La Valenciana ore shoot of the famous Veta Madre intermediate sulfidation vein. These determinations have greater accuracy, precision and trueness than the preexisting K-Ar determinations for similar adularia samples. The accuracy of such determinations supports the idea of a diachronic emplacement of intermediate and low sulfidation deposits in this district, the former being older than the latter, similar to other epithermal deposits in Mexico. Also, the ~2 m.yr. span between the Veta Madre and Sierra groups of epithermal veins is in agreement with other case studies, regardless of the size of the deposit.

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Origin of epithermal Ag–Au–Cu–Pb–Zn mineralization in Guanajuato, Mexico

Cited by 33 publications

References 42 publications

Mineralogy and Distribution of Critical Elements in the Sn–W–Pb–Ag–Zn Huanuni Deposit, Bolivia

Mineralogy and Distribution of Critical Elements in the Sn–W–Pb–Ag–Zn Huanuni Deposit, Bolivia

The Poopó Polymetallic Epithermal Deposit, Bolivia: Mineralogy, Genetic Constraints, and Distribution of Critical Elements

Geochronology of Mexican mineral deposits. II: Veta Madre and Sierra epithermal vein systems, Guanajuato district

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