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Regional sulfate–hematite–sulfide zoning in the auriferous Mariana anticline, Quadrilátero Ferrífero of Minas Gerais, Brazil

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Abstract

The distribution of mineral deposits, characterised as barite deposits, hematite-rich auriferous deposits and auriferous tourmaline–sulfide deposits, displays a regional sulfate–hematite–sulfide zoning along the thrust-delineated limbs of the Mariana anticline, in the south-eastern part of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Cross-cut relationships of barite veins and sulfide lodes indicate that sulfidation occurred in a late-tectonic context, which is here attributed to the collapse of the ∼0.6-Ga Brasiliano thrust front. Reconnaissance S-isotopic data from barite and pyrite (Antônio Pereira barite deposit and its adjacent gold deposit, respectively), and arsenopyrite (Passagem de Mariana gold deposit), suggest a new interpretation for the hydrothermal fluid overprint in the Mariana anticline. The Antônio Pereira barite has Δ33S values that are near zero, constraining the sulfate source to rocks younger than 2.45 Ga. The barite-δ34S values are between +19.6 and +20.8 ‰. The Passagem arsenopyrite and tourmaline have Co/Ni ratios that define a positive linear trend with the Antônio Pereira pyrite. The latter has homogenous δ34S values, between +8.8 and +8.9 ‰, which are compatible with thermochemical reduction of aqueous sulfate with the S-isotopic composition of the Antônio Pereira barite.

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Acknowledgments

Two anonymous reviewers and the Associate Editor Thomas Wagner are gratefully acknowledged for their thoughtful comments, which substantially improved the manuscript. The senior author expresses his gratitude to the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, Project CA 737/1-1) for his stay at the Technische Universität Clausthal, Germany. Paul Linton (AngloGold-Ashanti) kindly read the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lagerstätten und Rohstoffe, Technische Universität Clausthal, Adolph-Roemer-Str. 2A, 38678, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany

    Alexandre Raphael Cabral

  2. Lehrstuhl für Geodynamik und Geomaterialforschung, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074, Würzburg, Germany

    Nikola Koglin

  3. Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Corrensstr. 24, 48149, Münster, Germany

    Harald Strauss

  4. GeoZentrum Nordbayern, Schloßgarten 5a, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Helene Brätz

  5. Vale S.A., Departamento de Tecnologia Mineral, Rodovia BR 381, km 450, 33040-900, Santa Luzia, MG, Brazil

    Rogerio Kwitko-Ribeiro

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  1. Alexandre Raphael Cabral
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Correspondence to Alexandre Raphael Cabral.

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Cabral, A.R., Koglin, N., Strauss, H. et al. Regional sulfate–hematite–sulfide zoning in the auriferous Mariana anticline, Quadrilátero Ferrífero of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Miner Deposita 48, 805–816 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-013-0481-4

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