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Exsolution in the Au–Ag–Cu System in a Gold-Rich Area

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Abstract

The study of exsolution textures in native gold from the Chudnoye deposit allowed us to clarify phase relationships in the Au–Ag–Cu system at low (near 100°C) temperature. The range of the studied compositions of the Au–Ag–Cu solid solutions spans the gold-rich area, for which phase diagram is presented. Depending on its composition, native gold, being a homogeneous Au, Ag, and Cu solid solution at high temperature, remains homogeneous with decreasing temperature or decomposes into two or three phases. Equilibrium phases are Au3Cu and Au–Ag-solid solution or AuCu and Au–Ag-solid solution during decomposition into two phases, or Au3Cu, AuCu, and Au–Ag-solid solution during decomposition into three phases. The best studied Au3Cu phase has a variable composition (varying Au/Cu ratio) controlled by the composition of initial Au–Ag–Cu solid solution and annealing temperature (low-temperature equilibrium). The copper content in Au3Cu phase is 23.9–29.6 at %. The high-temperature Au3Cu phase at the Chudnoye deposit contains more than 30 at % Cu and decomposes with release of excess copper in form of AuCu phase. At annealing temperature more than 100°С, which is recorded at other deposits, homogenous Au3Cu phase can contain over 30 at % Сu.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to E.M. Spiridonov for constructive comments and suggestions, which significantly improved manuscript.

Funding

The studies were carried out under government-financed research project of the Institute of Geology of the Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, and was partially supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (project no. 20-05-00393А).

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  1. Institute of Geology, Komi Scientific Center, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, 167982, Syktyvkar, Russia

    S. A. Onishchenko & S. K. Kuznetsov

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  1. S. A. Onishchenko
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  2. S. K. Kuznetsov
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Correspondence to S. A. Onishchenko or S. K. Kuznetsov.

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Translated by M. Bogina

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Onishchenko, S.A., Kuznetsov, S.K. Exsolution in the Au–Ag–Cu System in a Gold-Rich Area. Geochem. Int. 60, 657–671 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0016702922060064

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