Abstract
This paper is concerned with the geochemical features and conditions of generation for Paleozoic Au–Ag mineralization in the pre-accretionary Kedon (D2-3) volcano-plutonic belt (KVB), which is situated within the Omolon cratonic terrane (Northeast Russia). We present new data on the compositions and concentrations of trace elements and rare-earth elements (REEs) in the host rocks and volcanogenic ores of epithermal Au–Ag fields. The ores are found to be enriched in a wide range of trace elements. The general features of the ores under study include a low level of REE concentrations, an obvious enrichment in light REEs, and considerable variations in europium anomalies, ranging from low negative to low- and strongly positive. Fluid inclusions were studied to show that the ore-forming solutions were hydrocarbonate potassium in composition. The mineral content of the fluid increases toward later, low-temperature phases of the mineralization. We found a tendency of potassium increasing from the earlier oreless quartz to productive quartz going to great depth, as well as a slow decrease in the concentrations of Na+, Ca++, and Cl–. The productive quartz shows direct correlation in Ag–K and a reverse correlation in Ag–Na. The results indicate andesite magmas and meteoric water as the most likely sources of the fluids that have formed epithermal Au–Ag ores in the KVB deposits.
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Original Russian Text © A.V. Volkov, A.A. Sidorov, N.E. Savva, V.Yu. Prokof’ev, E.E. Kolova, K.Yu. Murashov, M.I. Zemskova, 2016, published in Vulkanologiya i Seismologiya, 2016, No. 6, pp. 3–21.
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Volkov, A.V., Sidorov, A.A., Savva, N.E. et al. Epithermal mineralization in the Kedon Paleozoic volcano-plutonic belt, Northeast Russia: Geochemical studies of Au–Ag mineralization. J. Volcanolog. Seismol. 11, 1–19 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1134/S0742046316060075
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S0742046316060075