Thermoluminescence of quartz from Shihu gold deposit, western Hebei province, China: some implications for gold exploration

Abstract

Thermoluminescence (TL) of monomineralic separates have been widely used in various geosciences fields in order to trace the thermal history and aid in prospecting for gold deposits. Quartz is a ubiquitous mineral in the Shihu gold deposit, which is situated in the northern part of the Taihang orogenic belt in the North China craton (NCC). The deposit is hosted by ductile-brittle faults within an Archean metamorphic core complex of the Fuping Group. This deposit is characterized by gold-bearing quartz-polymetallic sulfides and quartz veins. New TL results have been obtained for quartz, in which four type-TL glow curves were identified. The gold-bearing quartz present type III glow curves that consist of two peak glow curves at the middle and high peak temperatures with the similar TL intensity. In addition, the cross-sections of peak temperatures and TL intensity highlight the valuable area where the Au-bearing quartz present weak TL intensity and low-middle peak temperatures. Our results significantly enhance the usefulness of quartz in metallogenic studies of the North China craton and as an indicator mineral in mineral exploration of the Taihang Mountain region.

Formation of the Miaoan Au-Polymetallic Deposit in the Northern Taihang Mountain, North China Craton: Ore Geology, Geochronological and Geochemical Perspectives

“…The S isotopic compositions of the Au and Cu deposits in the northern TM determined by previous studies are also displayed in Figure 8. The δ 34 S values of the Shihu Au deposit range from −2.2‰ to 3.0‰ [13,62,63], the Yixingzhai Au deposit from −0.3‰ to 3.6‰ [24], and the Mujicun Cu-Mo deposit from −3.5‰ to 4.3‰ [64][65][66]. The δ 34 S values of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite in the Liyuan Au deposit range from 0.9‰-4.3‰, and those of galena range from −12.8‰ to 1.4‰ [67].…”

“…These results possibly mean that the ore-forming fluids mainly originated from magma but involved other fluids. [64][65][66], the Shihu gold deposit [13,62,63], the Yixingzhai gold deposit [24], and the Liyuan gold deposit [67]).…”

“…The results show that ore and calcite have similar C-O isotope compositions. They lie in the field between magmatic rocks and marine carbonates, suggesting multiple [64][65][66], the Shihu gold deposit [13,62,63], the Yixingzhai gold deposit [24], and the Liyuan gold deposit [67]).…”

“…Previous studies on the S isotopic compositions of Au-Cu (Mo) deposits in the central and northern TM regions have a small difference (Table 3) and a tower distribution (Figure 8), indicating that the main fluid sources of gold and nonferrous metal deposits in this area are similar. The δ 34 S values of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite were predominantly between −3.5‰ and 4.3‰ [13,24,27,[62][63][64][65][66][67], displaying characteristics of deep-seated magmatic sulfur. The variation of pH or oxygen fugacity in hydrothermal systems may be responsible for the fractionation of S isotopes [27,67].…”

Study of thermoluminescence response of purple to violet amethyst quartz from Balikesir, Turkey

“…Over the past few decades, many papers have been published that describe the thermoluminescence analysis as well as suitability of quartz and amethyst quartz for dosimeters [29,30,18,43,40,9,5,44]. Attempts were made to examine amethyst for thermoluminescence characteristics and it was determined that both natural and artificial pressure and thermal effects may be of considerable importance in modifying the thermoluminescence of amethyst [36].…”