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The case for metamorphic base metal mineralization: pyrite chemical, Cu and S isotope data from the Cu-Zn deposit at Kupferberg in Bavaria, Germany

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Abstract

The stratiform Cu-Zn sulfide deposit at Kupferberg in Germany represents Bavaria’s largest historic base metal producer. The deposit is hosted by Early Paleozoic volcano-sedimentary strata at the margin of a high-grade allochthonous metamorphic complex. The present paper reports on the first Cu and S isotope data as well as trace element analyses of pyrite from this unusual deposit. The new data point to syn-orogenic mineralization that was driven by metamorphic fluids during nappe emplacement. Primary Cu ore occurs as texturally late chalcopyrite within stratiform laminated pyrite in black shale in two different tectonostratigraphic units of very low and low metamorphic grade, respectively, that were juxtaposed during the Variscan orogeny. Trace element contents of different pyrite types suggest the presence of at least one hydrothermal pyrite generation (mean Co/Ni = 35), with the other pyrite types being syn-sedimentary/early diagenetic (mean Co/Ni = 3.7). Copper isotope analyses yielded a narrow δ65Cu range of −0.26 to 0.36‰ for all ore types suggesting a hypogene origin for the principal chalcopyrite mineralization. The ore lenses in the two different tectonostratigraphic units differ with regard to their δ34S values, but little difference exists between poorly and strongly mineralized domains within a given locality. A genetic model is proposed in which syn-sedimentary/early diagenetic pyrite with subordinate chalcopyrite and sphalerite formed in black shale beds in the two different stratigraphic units, followed by late-tectonic strata-internal, hydrothermal mobilization of Fe, Cu, and Zn during syn-orogenic thrusting, which concentrated especially Cu to ore grade. In agreement with this model, Cu distribution in stream sediments in this region shows distinct enrichments bound to the margin of the allochthonous complex. Thus, Kupferberg can be considered a rare example of a syn-orogenic Cu deposit with the Cu probably being derived from syn-sedimentary/early diagenetic pyrite contained in Early Paleozoic shale units.

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Acknowledgements

We thank U. Schüßler for sharing his lifelong experience with the geology of the Kupferberg area, as well as H. Kliesch and R. Holhut from the Bergbau-Museum e.V. Kupferberg and M. Mäuser from the Naturkunde-Museum Bamberg for providing samples. H. Brätz assisted with the ICP-MS analyses. VD and WD thank Jeroen De Jong and Nadine Mattielli for managing the Nu-Plasma laboratory. Constructive criticism from two anonymous reviewers and the editors T. Monecke and B. Lehmann greatly improved the original version of the manuscript. Financial support was provided by the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung e.V., the Oberfrankenstiftung (P-No. 04236), and the Hartsteinwerke Schicker OHG. VD thanks the FRS-FNRS and ERC StG “ISoSyc” for current funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bavarian Georesources Centre (BGC), Institute of Geography & Geology, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany

    S. Höhn, H.E. Frimmel & L. Kuulmann

  2. Laboratoire G-Time, Université libre de Bruxelles, Avenue F.D. Roosevelt 50, 1050, Bruxelles, Belgium

    V. Debaille & W. Debouge

  3. Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00, Prague, Czech Republic

    J. Pašava

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  1. S. Höhn
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Correspondence to S. Höhn.

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Höhn, S., Frimmel, H., Debaille, V. et al. The case for metamorphic base metal mineralization: pyrite chemical, Cu and S isotope data from the Cu-Zn deposit at Kupferberg in Bavaria, Germany. Miner Deposita 52, 1145–1156 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-017-0714-z

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