Base

1 Geol 481: Geology of Earth Resources El-Shazly, A. K.
, 2004
Base metal lode (vein) deposits

Base metal lodes are closely related to porphyry Cu or porphyry Mo deposits, and in many cases are observed to occur on their periphery. As such, the ore is restricted to veins, networks of veins (lodes), or breccia pipes characterized by open space rather than replacement textures. Unlike the PCD's, in which the ore occurs either disseminated or in veins in the igneous intrusion and the country rocks, base metal lodes (BML) are concentrated in the country rock, and are not as disseminated. Their spatial distribution relative to PCD's as well as data from fluid inclusions seem to suggest that they form at T ~ 250 - 350C, placing them in the category of "mesothermal" deposits of Lindgren. Accordingly, it is perhaps appropriate to list some of the general characteristics of mesothermal deposits before we describe the base metal lode deposits. General characteristics of Mesothermal deposits: 1- Unlike hypothermal deposits which are characterized by replacement type textures, mesothermal deposits tend to have both replacement and open space filling textures, with the latter more common in shallower deposits. 2- Whereas hypothermal deposits tend to have diffuse outlines grading laterally into igneous or metamorphic rocks, mesothermal deposits have sharper contacts with the country rocks which are either igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic. 3- Alteration patterns are very characteristic and well developed, with the propylitic alteration almost ubiquitous. 4- The most abundant ore minerals are: chalcopyrite, bornite, enargite, tetrahedrite, sphalerite and galena. 5- The source of metals in many cases is unresolved; it could be igneous intrusions or the intruded country rock. Characteristics of Base metal lode deposits: Source of fluid: Mostly meteoric water Tonnage and Grade: Grade is generally much higher than PCD's (they are more concentrated); e.g. the base metal lodes of Butte, Montana, are characterized by grades of 3% for Cu, 5% Pb, and 11% Zn. Tonnage is also very large, with hundreds of millions to billions of tonnes. Geological environment, regional distribution and age: similar to PCD's, but less widely distributed. They also occur along the peripheries of PCD's, and appear to have formed at shallower depths. Mode of occurrence: In veins and fractures characterized by open space filling rather than replacement textures. Host rocks: variable Gangue minerals: Most commonly quartz and/or calcite; somewhat dependent on the host rock type. Ore minerals and ore mineral zoning: Zoned from Cu -rich central ore zones, to Zn rich intermediate zones to peripheral zones rich in Pb, Ag and Mn. This pattern follows closely that expected from the relative stability of chloride and sulfur salt complexes in brines and hydrothermal solutions (see previous handout on hydrothermal solutions). Despite the high grade of many base metal lodes, veins in general are not considered a
2 Geol 481: Geology of Earth Resources El-Shazly, A. K., 2004
primary economic source of Cu; the best metal to be extracted from veins remains the Au (and/ or Ag). Ore minerals include spahlerite (which is ubiquitous in all zones), enargite, tennantite, bornite, chalcocite, and galena. Unlike PCD's, ore mineral zonation is from covellite and chalcocite bearing assemblages in the core of the lodes or veins, to pyrite + chalcopyrite in the fringe. Considering the log fS2 vs. T diagram (Fig. 8 of PCD handout) this zonation can be explained by either an increase in T from the vein centre towards the periphery of the lode, or by an isothermal decrease in fS2. Fluid inclusion data support the latter explanation. Alteration zones: As was the case for the PCD's, there is a close spatial, temporal and genetic relationship between alteration and ore mineral formation. However, unlike PCD's, BML's have their own characteristic alteration patterns, which from "core" to fringe can be described as: advanced argillic (with kaolinite, pyrophyllite, quartz and alunite) sericitic (with sericite + chlorite) argillic (with K-spar + montmorillonite + kaolinite) propylitic zone or to a zone of fresh rock. This pattern can be explained by an isothermal increase in a K+/aH+, as can be seen on a Hemley diagram (T vs. log aK+/aH+). Such a trend indicates that the fluid, originally quite acidic with very strong leaching capabilities, becomes progressively more buffered or neutralized by the wall rock towards the periphery. Origin: BML's form from a fluid with a major meteoric water component, which may represent the upper or shallower level expression of PCD's. The source of metal is unresolved, but is believed to be either the igneous intrusions of the associated PCD's or the intruded country rock leached by the highly acidic nature of the fluids.

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1 Geol 481: Geology of Earth Resources El-Shazly, A. K.

Base metal lode (vein) deposits

2 Geol 481: Geology of Earth Resources El-Shazly, A. K., 2004

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