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New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits
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New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2023) | Viewed by 9286

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Majid Ghaderi

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Guest Editor
Department of Economic Geology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-175, Iran
Interests: economic geology; isotope and trace element geochemistry; exploration geochemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Huan Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Key Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of Nonferrous Metals and Geological Environment Monitoring, Ministry of Education, School of Geosciences and Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: W-Sn-Nb-Ta and Cu-Pb-Zn mineralization; vein-type Sb-Au; gold mineralization
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Kotaro Yonezu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Earth Resource Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
Interests: precious and rare metals; experimental geochemistry; geothermal geology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Porphyry, epithermal, and skarn deposits are major deposit types in the world, producing large amounts of Cu, Au, Ag, Fe, W, Sn, Mo, Pb, and Zn, as well as other critical, nonferrous, and precious metals each year. At present, the study of these deposits mainly focuses on two aspects. First, the genesis of mineralization-associated granitic rocks, including the determination of major/trace elements and Sr-Nd isotopes of the rocks and Hf-O isotopes of related accessory minerals (such as zircon and apatite). These studies provide a good way of understanding the tectonic background of deposits, the source and evolutionary processes of magmas, ore-forming factors (such as redox environment, water content, sulfur fugacity, temperature, and pressure conditions), and the close relationship between magmas and ores. Second, with the development of in situ analysis, the texture, trace elements, and non-traditional isotopes (e.g., Cu, Ag, Fe, Sn, Mo, and Zn isotopes) of a variety of metal minerals related to mineralization have been studied, which helps us understand multi-stage mineralization processes. This Special Issue aims to focus on recent advances in the understanding of porphyry, epithermal, and skarn mineralization, including but not limited to various topics (such as magma sources and evolutionary processes of mineralization-related granites; in situ analysis of metal-bearing and skarn minerals; fluid exsolution and mineral precipitation processes; and the geochemistry/geochronology of typical porphyry, epithermal, and skarn deposits worldwide).

Prof. Dr. Majid Ghaderi
Prof. Dr. Huan Li
Dr. Kotaro Yonezu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • porphyry deposits
  • epithermal deposits
  • skarn deposits
  • in-situ analysis
  • Cu-Au deposits

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 17665 KiB  
Article
Genesis of the Mahour Base Metal Deposit, Iran: Constraints from Fluid Inclusions and Sulfur Isotopes
by Zahra Moradiani, Majid Ghaderi, Hossein-Ali Tajeddin and Pura Alfonso
Minerals 2024, 14(4), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14040435 - 22 Apr 2024
Viewed by 321
Abstract
The Mahour base metal deposit is located northeast of Badroud in the middle of the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic arc in the Isfahan province of Iran. The main host rocks to the ores are Eocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks. Hypogene ore minerals constituting the main [...] Read more.
The Mahour base metal deposit is located northeast of Badroud in the middle of the Urumieh–Dokhtar magmatic arc in the Isfahan province of Iran. The main host rocks to the ores are Eocene volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks. Hypogene ore minerals constituting the main ore body are galena, sphalerite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. In addition to gangue quartz, a variety of supergene minerals comprising gypsum, goethite, hematite, “limonite”, malachite, azurite, covellite, and chalcocite are also present; gangue minerals are quartz, barite, calcite, sericite, and chlorite. Silicification, intermediate argillic, and propylitic are the main wall-rock alteration types. The presence of fluid inclusions with different vapor/liquid ratios in quartz and sphalerite could indicate a boiling process. The primary liquid-rich fluid inclusions suggest that the homogenization temperature was between 107 and 298 °C from fluids with salinities from 1.5 to 13.7 wt.% NaCl equiv. These data suggest that the ore-forming fluids were magmatic with a contribution from meteoric waters. The δ34S values of sulfides range from 1.9 to 3.4‰, those of barite range from 12.1 to 13.2‰, and those of gypsum range from 4.3 to 5.6‰. These data suggest that sulfur was mostly of magmatic origin with a minor contribution from sedimentary rocks. Our data suggest that the boiling of fluids formed an intermediate-sulfidation style of epithermal mineralization for the Mahour deposit. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits)
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18 pages, 3512 KiB  
Article
Distinctive Features of the Major and Trace Element Composition of Biotite from Igneous Rocks Associated with Various Types of Mineralization on the Example of the Shakhtama Intrusive Complex (Eastern Transbaikalia)
by Yury Redin, Anna Redina, Alexandra Malyutina, Vladislav Dultsev, Yuri Kalinin, Bair Abramov and Alexander Borisenko
Minerals 2023, 13(10), 1334; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13101334 - 16 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1026
Abstract
This article presents data on the composition of biotite from igneous rocks of the Shakhtama complex, which are associated with various types of mineralization in Eastern Transbaikalia: Au-Cu-Fe-skarn, skarn-porphyry, Mo-porphyry, rare-metal–greisen, Au-polymetallic and Au-Bi. The major element and halogen contents were determined by [...] Read more.
This article presents data on the composition of biotite from igneous rocks of the Shakhtama complex, which are associated with various types of mineralization in Eastern Transbaikalia: Au-Cu-Fe-skarn, skarn-porphyry, Mo-porphyry, rare-metal–greisen, Au-polymetallic and Au-Bi. The major element and halogen contents were determined by EPMA. The content of trace elements was determined by means of LA-ICP-MS. As a result, the specific traits of the composition of the biotite of igneous rocks associated with specific types of mineralization of the Eastern Transbaikalia were determined. The biotites of rare-metal–greisen deposits are characterized by the maximum content of fluorine (>2 wt. %) and low chlorine content (<0.04 wt. %). In addition, such biotites are characterized by high XFe (>0.47). Within Eastern Transbaikalia, igneous rocks developed at the Bystrinsky deposit are potentially ore-bearing for the “classic” porphyry type of mineralization. They have the highest values of IV(F/Cl) (4.9–7.1) and IV(F) (2–2.8) and the lowest values of Log(XMg/XFe) (0.1–0.4). The trace element composition clearly distinguishes biotites from rare-metal–greisen deposits and is identified by the highest contents (ppm) Ga > 65, Li > 600, Sn > 20, Mn > 2000, Cs > 50, Zn > 600. Biotites of Au-polymetallic and Au-Bi deposits occupy an average position between rare-metal–greisen and Mo-porphyry ones. Biotites of Mo-porphyry deposits differ in minimum values (ppm) of Sn < 3, Zn < 160, and low values of Li (150–290), V (290–440), and Ga (39–48). In general, the chemical composition of biotites shows that the degree of igneous rock fractionation of deposits increases in the series: porphyry–skarn–polymetallic–rare-metal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits)
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57 pages, 12168 KiB  
Article
Genesis and Evolution of the Yolindi Cu-Fe Skarn Deposit in the Biga Peninsula (NW Turkey): Insights from Genetic Relationships with Calc-Alkaline Magmatic Activity
by Mustafa Kaya, Mustafa Kumral, Cihan Yalçın and Amr Abdelnasser
Minerals 2023, 13(10), 1304; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13101304 - 09 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1133
Abstract
The current work investigates the impact of magmatic fluids and metasomatic processes on the Yolindi Cu-Fe skarn deposit in the Biga Peninsula, Turkey. It traces the stages of skarn evolution, from prograde to retrograde alterations, and investigates findings within a broader geological, mineralogical, [...] Read more.
The current work investigates the impact of magmatic fluids and metasomatic processes on the Yolindi Cu-Fe skarn deposit in the Biga Peninsula, Turkey. It traces the stages of skarn evolution, from prograde to retrograde alterations, and investigates findings within a broader geological, mineralogical, and geochemical framework. Additionally, it assesses the evolutionary history of the Yolindi deposit in relation to calc-alkaline magmatic activity in an island-arc environment and compares its mineral compositions and genesis with other global and regional Cu-Fe skarn deposits. The Yolindi Cu-Fe skarn deposit in the Biga Peninsula was formed by the intrusion of Şaroluk quartz monzonite pluton into Upper Paleozoic Torasan Formation rocks such as phyllite, schists, hornfels, marble, and serpentinites. During skarnification, reactions between the magmatic fluids from the Şaroluk quartz monzonite pluton and the Torasan Formation produced skarn minerals associated with metals such as Fe and Cu. Initially, these reactions formed prograde skarn minerals such as augite-rich pyroxenes and andradite garnets with magnetite and pyrite. As the system cooled, these initial minerals underwent retrograde alteration, leading to the formation of minerals such as epidote, actinolite, and chlorite, as well as other copper and iron minerals including chalcopyrite, bornite, secondary magnetite, and specular hematite. Therefore, four main stages influenced the formation of the Yolindi Cu-Fe deposit: metamorphic bimetasomatic, prograde metasomatic, and retrograde metasomatic stages. Later, oxidation and weathering resulted in supergene minerals such as cerussite, malachite, and goethite, which serve as examples of the post-metamorphic stage. The mineralogical shifts, such as the andradite–grossular transition, reflect changing hydrothermal fluid compositions and characteristics due to the addition of meteoric fluids. Importantly, the formation of magnetite after garnet and clinopyroxene during the retrograde stage is evidenced by magnetite crystals within garnet. The mineral associations of the Yolindi Cu-Fe skarn deposit align with the global skarn deposits and specific Turkish skarns (e.g., Ayazmant Fe-Cu and Evciler Cu-Au skarn deposits). The Yolindi Cu-Fe skarn deposit, in association with ore-bearing solutions having magmatic origins, developed in an island-arc setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits)
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16 pages, 4420 KiB  
Article
Petrogenesis of the Qiongduojiang Gabbro in Tethys Himalaya and Its Metallogenetic Implication
by Jianzhong Li, Yong Huang, Qingsong Wu, Li Zhang, Tao Xiong, Bing Wang, Zhiqiang Liang, Huawen Cao, Wei Liang and Zuowen Dai
Minerals 2023, 13(6), 721; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13060721 - 24 May 2023
Viewed by 1262
Abstract
With the northward subduction and final closure of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust, the Indian and Eurasian plates finally collided together and underwent a strong collision orogenic event, resulting in large-scale crust–mantle magmatic interactions. In order to clarify the controversies about tectono-magmatic activities after [...] Read more.
With the northward subduction and final closure of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic crust, the Indian and Eurasian plates finally collided together and underwent a strong collision orogenic event, resulting in large-scale crust–mantle magmatic interactions. In order to clarify the controversies about tectono-magmatic activities after the Indian–Eurasian continental collision, we report the newly dated Eocene Qiongduojiang gabbro explored in the Tethyan–Himalaya belt, southern Tibet. LA-ICP-MS zircon U-Pb dating shows that the crystallization age of the Qiongduojiang gabbro is 46.1 ± 1.7 Ma. The whole-rock major and trace elements, as well as Rb-Sr, Sm-Nd, and Pb isotopic data results, show that the Qiongduojiang gabbro is apparently depleted in Nd isotopes, is enriched in Pb isotopes, and has maintained a consistent 87Sr/86Sr(t) value. This paper argues that the E-MORB-like Qiongduojiang gabbro originated from asthenosphere upwelling caused by slab breakoff of the Neo-Tethyan oceanic plate. This event caused large-scale magmatic activities, a magmatic mixing process between ancient crust and deep mantle, and wild distribution of Eocene Gangdese plutons along the Yarlung–Tsangpo Suture Zone, and it rendered the subduction-modified Tibetan lithosphere fertile from the Gangdese porphyry Cu deposits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits)
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29 pages, 18304 KiB  
Article
Petrogenesis of Eagle Lake Granite and Its Associated Cu–Mo–Au Mineralization, Southwestern New Brunswick, Canada
by Fazilat Yousefi, David R. Lentz, Kathleen G. Thorne, Christopher R. M. McFarlane and Brian Cousens
Minerals 2023, 13(5), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13050594 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1279
Abstract
The NE-trending multiphase Late Devonian Eagle Lake granite (ELG) in southwestern New Brunswick is mineralized, consisting of hypabyssal porphyritic stocks and dikes that intruded Silurian metabasic volcanic rocks; however, its various phases, ages, and associations with notable stockwork Cu–Mo–Au mineralization and alteration have [...] Read more.
The NE-trending multiphase Late Devonian Eagle Lake granite (ELG) in southwestern New Brunswick is mineralized, consisting of hypabyssal porphyritic stocks and dikes that intruded Silurian metabasic volcanic rocks; however, its various phases, ages, and associations with notable stockwork Cu–Mo–Au mineralization and alteration have yet to have been studied. The ELG suite is predominantly composed of phenocrysts and a microcrystalline groundmass of quartz, K-feldspar, and plagioclase, with minor biotite and accessory minerals. In situ LA ICP-MS U–Pb zircon dating of this pluton yielded 360 ± 5 Ma (Late Devonian), so this pluton is considered part of the Late Devonian granitic series in southwestern New Brunswick. The isotopic analysis of two granitic samples yielded an initial 143Nd/144Nd of 0.512164 and 0.512184, initial 87Sr/86Sr of 0.70168 and 0. 70675, and initial 176Hf/177Hf of 0.282619 and 0.282631. The εNd (360 Ma) is −0.37 to +0.03, whereas the εHf (360 Ma) values are +2.1 and +2.5. Pb isotopic analysis yielded a 206Pb/204Pb of 18.49 and 18.72, 207Pb/204Pb of 15.62 and 15.63, and 208Pb/204Pb of 38.26 and 38.37, indicative of a relatively radiogenic source contaminating a primitive mantle melt. Potassic alteration and pyrite-quartz stockwork Cu–Mo–Au veining is evident in some parts of these porphyries. Petrographic and geochemical evidence indicates that this composite pluton is a low-T, I-type granite with zircon saturation temperatures between 720° and 825 °C, with emplacement depths of 10.3 to 4.4 km. ELG was emplaced along a major structural trend manifested by contemporaneous faults and shear zones, i.e., the Belleisle Fault Zone in southern New Brunswick. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits)
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15 pages, 24752 KiB  
Article
Hydrothermal Alteration and Element Migration Patterns in the Zhangjiawu Uranium Deposit, Northern Zhejiang Province, China
by Wengao Zhang, Bo Wang, Yifei Tang, Wei Li, Xiaohu Wang, Zhenghua Xu, Xun Liu and Zhengle Chen
Minerals 2023, 13(3), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13030335 - 27 Feb 2023
Viewed by 1157
Abstract
The Zhangjiawu uranium deposit is the largest volcanic rock-type uranium deposit in the northern Zhejiang Province, China. The deposit has developed hydrothermal alteration, with obvious alternating zoning phenomena from the mineralized center to the fresh surrounding rocks. Based on detailed field and petrographic [...] Read more.
The Zhangjiawu uranium deposit is the largest volcanic rock-type uranium deposit in the northern Zhejiang Province, China. The deposit has developed hydrothermal alteration, with obvious alternating zoning phenomena from the mineralized center to the fresh surrounding rocks. Based on detailed field and petrographic observations of typical ore bodies, the uranium mineralized section of the Zhangjiawu uranium deposit was divided into mineralized central, ore-side alteration, near-ore alteration and far-ore alteration zones, whose hydrothermal alteration intensity decreases sequentially. Using the standardized Isocon diagram method, the results show that CaO, MgO, Na2O, P2O5, LOI, Zn, Co, Cu, Pb and heavy rare earth elements (HREE) show gain during uranium mineralization, while K2O, Cs, Rb and Tl show loss, which is consistent with the development of hematite mineralization, sodic feldsparization and carbonation in the mine area. A negative correlation of MnO and MgO in the alteration zone indicates a possible elemental convective equilibrium migration mode in the ore zone. The migration mechanism of the elements indicates that the migration of P2O5 and HREE indicates the deep source nature of the mineralizing fluids, and that alteration can lead to a reduction in the activity of uranyl complexes, the formation of a reducing environment and a neutral to weak alkaline environment favorable for uranium precipitation, which can lead to uranium precipitation and enrichment of mineralization. The study of hydrothermal alteration and elemental migration patterns of the deposit provides supporting evidence for a better understanding of the process of uranium mineralization in Zhangjiawu, and also provides a basis for the next step of mineral search and exploration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits)
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13 pages, 4044 KiB  
Communication
Bi-Ag-Sulfosalts and Sulfoarsenides in the Ruwai Zn-Pb-Ag Skarn Deposit, Central Borneo, Indonesia
by Cendi D. P. Dana, Andrea Agangi, Arifudin Idrus, Chun-Kit Lai and Doly R. Simbolon
Minerals 2022, 12(12), 1564; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12121564 - 04 Dec 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1965
Abstract
The Ruwai skarn deposit is located in the Schwaner Mountain complex within the central Borneo gold belt and is currently considered the largest Zn skarn deposit in Indonesia. The deposit has been known to host Zn-Pb-Ag mineralization in the form of massive sulfide [...] Read more.
The Ruwai skarn deposit is located in the Schwaner Mountain complex within the central Borneo gold belt and is currently considered the largest Zn skarn deposit in Indonesia. The deposit has been known to host Zn-Pb-Ag mineralization in the form of massive sulfide ore bodies; however, the occurrence of Ag-bearing minerals has not been identified yet. This study documents the mineralogical characteristics of several Bi-Ag sulfosalts and sulfoarsenides, as well as their chemical compositions. Ten Bi-Ag sulfosalts were identified, including native bismuth, tetrahedrite, cossalite, tsumoite, bismuthinite, joseite-B, Bi6Te2S, Bi-Pb-Te-S, Bi-Ag-S, and Bi-Te-Ag. Three sulfoarsenides were identified, including arsenopyrite, glaucodot, and alloclasite. The occurrence of Bi-Ag sulfosalts is typically associated with massive sulfide mineralization, although tsumoite can also be found associated with massive magnetite. In terms of sulfoarsenides, both arsenopyrite and glaucodot are associated with massive sulfide mineralization, whereas alloclasite is associated with massive magnetite mineralization. The Bi-bearing minerals are characterized by irregular, bleb-like texture or patch morphology, and occur either as free grains or inclusions within sulfides, such as galena or pyrite. Tetrahedrite typically has an anhedral shape with a rim or atoll texture surrounding sphalerite or galena. In contrast, sulfoarsenides are typically found as euhedral–subhedral grains where glaucodot typically is rimmed by arsenopyrite. Both Bi-Ag sulfosalt and sulfoarsenides were formed during the retrograde stage under high oxidation and a low sulfidation state condition. The ore-forming temperature based on arsenopyrite geothermometry ranges from 428 °C to 493 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Porphyry, Epithermal, and Skarn Deposits)
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