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Late Archean Cu-Au-Mo mineralization at Gameleira and Serra Verde, Carajàs Mineral Province, Brazil: constraints from Re-Os molybdenite ages

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Abstract

New Re-Os molybdenite ages provide constraints on the timing of Late Archean Cu-Au-Mo mineralization in the northern Carajás Mineral Province. Molybdenite from the Gameleira iron oxide Cu-Au-Mo deposit yielded an age of 2,614±14 Ma. This age overlaps within its analytical error with Re-Os ages of molybdenite from the Serra Verde Cu-Au-Mo vein deposit (2,609±13 Ma) and from the nearby small Garimpo Fernando gold mining operation (2,592±13 and 2,602±13 Ma), which is probably related to the latter. The geochronological data imply that the hydrothermal Cu-Au-Mo mineralization in these three deposits was epigenetic and coincides with a regional tectonic regime changing from dextral transtension and clastic sedimentation at 2.7–2.6 Ga to sinistral transpression and inversion at 2.6 Ga. Previously reported stable isotope and microthermometric data are compatible with a magmatic affiliation of the Cu-Au-Mo ores at Gameleira and Serra Verde. A genetic relationship of mineralization may therefore exist with 2.56–2.76 Ga Archean alkaline granitoids or with 2.6–2.7 calc-alkaline to tholeiitic volcanic-arc type magmatism.

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Acknowledgements

We thank DOCEGEO/CVRD and the owners of Serra Verde mine, and Garimpo Fernando for access to their properties and the samples. We particularly wish to thank L. Saboia, Mr. Murano, S. Guedes, and Mr. Muraia for their assistance. Thanks are also due to Phelps Dodge do Brasil Mineração Ltda. for the logistic support. Funding by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft for R. Marschik is gratefully acknowledged. This paper benefited greatly from constructive comments and suggestions by B. Lehmann, F. Tornos, and an anonymous reviewer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Enviromental Sciences, University of Munich, Luisenstrasse 37, 80333, Munich, Germany

    Robert Marschik

  2. Department of Geology, Juniata College, Huntingdon, PA, 16652, USA

    Ryan Mathur

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA

    Joaquin Ruiz

  4. Phelps Dodge Exploration Corporation, One North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    Richard A. Leveille

  5. Phelps Dodge do Brasil Mineração Ltda., Rua Voluntários da Pátria, 45 salas 403/404, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Antonio-José de Almeida

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  1. Robert Marschik
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Correspondence to Robert Marschik.

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Marschik, R., Mathur, R., Ruiz, J. et al. Late Archean Cu-Au-Mo mineralization at Gameleira and Serra Verde, Carajàs Mineral Province, Brazil: constraints from Re-Os molybdenite ages. Miner Deposita 39, 983–991 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-004-0450-z

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