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Ore mineral relations in the Cuyuna sulfide deposit, Minnesota

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Abstract

The Cuyuna sulfide deposit is located in south central Aitkin County in an outlying area of the Cuyuna Iron Range, Minnesota. The principal ore minerals are pyrrhotite and pyrite, whereas magnetite and marcasite are subordinate. In addition, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, ilmenite, covellite, hematite, and goethite are present in minor quantities. Four generations of pyrite two generations of marcasite and three generations of Magnetite have been recorded. The genetic and textural relations displayed by the ore minerals indicate that an iron formation, originally containing sedimentary sulfide and carbonate facies, was profundly modified through subsequent metamorphic and supergene events.

Zusammenfassung

Die Sulfidlagerstätte von Cuyuna liegt im Aitkin County, Minnesota, in einem Seitenzweig der Cuyuna Iron Range. Magnetkies und Pyrit sind die häufigsten Minerale, während Magnetit und Markasit untergeordnet vorkommen, neben geringeren Mengen von Zinkblende, Kupferkies, Arsenopyrit, Ilmenit, Covellin, Hämatit und Goethit. Vier Generationen von Pyrit, zwei von Markasit und drei von Magnetit wurden beobachtet. Ihre Herkunft ist abgeleitet und die gegenseitigen Beziehungen gedeutet, insbesondere eine hier zum erstenmal festgestellte Relation zwischen Markasit und bestimmten Pyritgenerationen. Aus den Gefügemerkmalen dieser Erze wird ihre Entstehung wie folgt gedeutet: Es handelt sich um eine ursprüngliche Eisenerzformation mit sulfidischer und carbonatischer Facies; diese Formation wurde umgestaltet durch metamorphe und deszendente Prozesse.

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Han, TM. Ore mineral relations in the Cuyuna sulfide deposit, Minnesota. Mineral. Deposita 3, 109–134 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00207100

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