Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Metal and fluid sources in a potential world-class gold deposit: El-Sid mine, Egypt

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Earth Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Lode gold mineralization at the El-Sid mine area is associated with the ca. 600 Ma Fawakhir granite intrusion, which cuts the ~737 Ma ophiolite nappes in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt. The mineralized quartz veins are hosted by ~E- and NE-trending fault/fracture sets cutting the western boundary of the intrusion and sheared ophiolites. The results of electron microprobe analyses of gold-associated hydrothermal sulfide and silicate minerals suggest that Au was mobilized alongside Ni, Co, Cr and As from the adjacent ophiolitic serpentinite. After granite emplacement, hydrothermal fluids interacted with the sheared serpentinite, leaching metals and re-depositing them in the faults/fractures and adjacent wall rock in a cyclic process. Low-salinity aqueous-carbonic fluids with significant quantities of volatile species (CO2, CH4, and N2 ± H2S) leached and transported Au from deep to shallow crustal levels. Carbon dioxide had a buffering effect on the Au-bearing hydrothermal solution, maintaining its pH within a narrow near-neutral range, where elevated gold concentration was transported by complexation with reduced magmatic sulfur in a reducing environment. Gold deposition along fault/fracture conduits in the Fawakhir granite and adjacent serpentinite resulted from interplay of pressure drop, fluctuations in oxygen and sulfur fugacities, and exsolution of the volatile phases. Infiltration of meteoric water may have contributed to the formation of the late stage gold-sulfide mineralization that formed at shallower levels during terrane uplift. Sulfidation of the Fe-rich magmatic minerals was, on the other hand, the overriding process in the wall rock as evidenced by abundant disseminated sulfides with gold inclusions. Considering the structural control by regional shear zones (fluid conduits) and the voluminous granitic and ophiolitic rocks (metal sources), a high tonnage gold deposit amenable to open pit mining at the El-Sid mine area is very likely.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abd El-Rahman Y, Polat A, Dilek Y, Fryer BJ, El-Sharkawy M, Sakran Sh (2009) Geochemistry and tectonic evolution of the Neoproterozoic incipient arc-forearc crust in the Fawakhir area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. Precambrian Res 175:116–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akaad MK, Noweir MA (1980) Geology and lithostratigraphy of the Arabian Desert orogenic belt of Egypt between latitudes 25°35′S and 26°30′N. Bull Inst Appl Geol, King Abdul Aziz Univ, Jeddah 3:127–135

  • Andersen T, Austrheim H, Burke EAJ, Elvevold S (1993) N2 and CO2 in deep crustal fluids: evidence from the Caledonides of Norway. Chem Geol 108:113–132

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andresen A, El-Rus MA, Myhre PI, Boughdady GY (2009) U–Pb TIMS age constraints on the evolution of the Neoproterozoic Meatiq Gneiss Dome, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Int J Earth Sci 98:481–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Azbej T, Severs MJ, Rusk BG, Bodnar RJ (2007) In situ quantitative analysis of individual H2O–CO2 fluid inclusions by laser Raman spectroscopy. Chem Geol 237(3–4):255–263

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barra F, Ruiz J, Mathur R, Titley S (2003) A Re–Os study of sulfide minerals from the Bagdad porphyry Cu–Mo deposit, northern Arizona, USA. Miner Deposita 38:585–596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bence AE, Albee AL (1968) Empirical correction factors for the electron microprobe analysis of silicates and oxides. J Geol 76:382–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boyle RW (1979) The geochemistry of gold and its deposits. Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin No. 280, p 584

  • Burke EAJ (2001) Raman microspectrometry of fluid inclusions. Lithos 55:139–158

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caumon M, Robert P, Laverret E, Tarantola A, Randi A, Pironon J, Dubessy J, Girard J (2014) Determination of methane content in NaCl–H2O fluid inclusions by Raman spectroscopy. Calibration and application to the external part of the Central Alps (Switzerland). Chem Geol 378–379:52–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen JR, Chao ECT, Minkin JA, Black JM, Jones KW, Rivers ML, Sutton SR (1990) The uses of synchrotron radiation sources for elemental and chemical microanalysis. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res B49:533–543

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen YJ, Pirajno F, Qi JP (2005) Origin of gold metallogeny and sources of ore-forming fluids, Jiaodong Province, Eastern China. Int Geol Rev 47(5):530–549

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cook NJ, Chryssoulis SL (1990) Concentration of invisible gold in the common sulfides. Can Mineral 28:1–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Cox SF (1999) Deformational controls on the dynamics of fluid flow in mesothermal gold systems. In: McCaffrey KJW, Lonergan L, Wilkinson J (eds) Fractures, fluid flow and mineralisation. Geological Society of London Special Publication 155, pp 123–140

  • Crocket JH (1991) Distribution of gold in the Earth’s crust. In: Foster RP (ed) Gold metallogeny and exploration. Blackie, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Diamond LW (2001) Review of the systematics of CO2-H2O fluid inclusions. Lithos 55:69–99

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dubessy J, Poty B, Ramboz C (1989) Advances in C-O-H-N-S fluid geochemistry based on micro-Raman spectrometric analysis of fluid inclusions. Eur J Mineral 1:517–534

  • Dubessy J, Boiron MC, Moissette A, Monnon C, Sretenskaya N (1992) Determination of water, hydrates, and pH in fluid inclusions by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Eur J Mineral 4:885–894

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Bouseily AM, El-Dahhar MA, Arslan AA (1985) Ore-microscopic and geochemical characteristics of gold-bearing sulfide minerals, El-Sid gold mine, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Miner Deposita 20:194–200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Bouseily AM, Ghoneim MF, Arslan AA, Harraz HZ (1986) Primary dispersion and relative mobility of elements in the mineralized zone of the El-Sid gold mine, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Econ Geol 82:767–772

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Dahhar MA (1995) Mineralogic and wall-rock alteration studies in and around gold-bearing quartz veins at El-Sid gold mine area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Bull Fac Sci Alex Univ 35:151–168

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Gaby MS, List FK, Tehrani R (1988) Geology, evolution and metalogenesis of the Pan-African Belt in Egypt. In: El-Gaby S, Greiling RO (eds) The Pan-African belt of northeast Africa and adjacent area. Friedrich Vieweg & Sohn, Braunschweig, pp 17–68

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Sayed MM, Furnes H, Mohamed FH (1999) Geochemical constraints on the tectonomagmatic evolution of the late Precambrian Fawakhir ophiolite, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci 29:515–533

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Tokhi M, El-Muslem A (2002) Fluid inclusions in the gold-bearing quartz veins at Um Rus area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Chin J Geochem 21:131–139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emam A, Zoheir B (2013) Au and Cr mobilization through metasomatism: microchemical evidence from ore-bearing listvenite, South Eastern Desert of Egypt. J Geochem Explor 125:34–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Escayola MP, Proenza JA, van Staal C, Rogers N, Skulski T (2009) The Point Rousse Listvenites, Baie Verte, Newfoundland: altered ultramafic rocks with potential for gold mineralization? Current Research, Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey, Report 09-1, pp 1–12

  • Fabre D, Couty R (1986) Investigations in the density effects in the Raman spectrum of methane up to 3,000 bars. CR Paris Acad Sci 303:1305–1308

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleet ME, MacLean PJ, Barbier J (1989a) Oscillatory-zoned As–bearing pyrite from strata-bound and stratiform gold deposits: an indicator of ore fluid evolution. Econ Geol Monogr 6:356–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleet ME, Chryssoulis SL, MacLean PJ, Davidson R, Weisener CG (1993) Arsenian pyrite fom gold deposits: Au and As distribution investigated by SIMS and EMF, and color staining and surface oxidation by XPS and LIMS. Can Mineral 31:1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleet ME, MacLean PJ, Barbier J (1989b) Oscillatory-zoned As–bearing pyrite from strata-bound and stratiform gold deposits: an indicator of ore fluid evolution. Econ Geol Monogr 6:356–362

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler TJ (2001) Pan-African granite emplacement mechanisms in the Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci 32:61–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frezzotti ML, Selverstone J, Sharp ZD, Compagnoni R (2011) Carbonate dissolution during subduction revealed by diamond-bearing rocks from the Alps. Nat Geosci 4:703–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fritz H, Dallmeyer DR, Wallbrecher E, Loizenbauer J, Hoinkes G, Neumayr P, Khudeir AA (2002) Neoproterozoic tectonothermal evolution of the Central Eastern Desert, Egypt: a slow velocity tectonic process of core complex exhumation. J Afr Earth Sci 34:137–155

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabra ShZ (1986) Gold in Egypt: a commodity package: minerals, petroleum and groundwater assessment program: USAID project 363-0105. Geological Survey of Egypt, Cairo

    Google Scholar 

  • Garrabos Y, Tufev R, Le Neindre B, Zalczer G, Beysens D (1980) Rayleigh and Raman scattering near the critical point of carbon dioxide. J Chem Phys 72:4637–4651

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harraz HZ (1995) Primary geochemical haloes, El-Sid gold mine, Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci 20:61–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harraz HZ (2000) A genetic model for a mesothermal Au deposit: evidence from fluid inclusions and stable isotopic studies at El-Sid gold mine, Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Afr Earth Sci 30:267–282

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harraz HZ, Ashmawy MH (1994) Structural and lithogeochemical constraints on the localization of gold deposits at the El-Sid-Fawakhir gold mine area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Egypt J Geol 38(2):629–648

    Google Scholar 

  • Hassanen MA (1985) Petrology and geochemistry of ultramafic rocks in the Eastern Desert, Egypt, with special reference to Fawakhir area. Ph.D. dissertation, Alexandria University, Egypt

  • Helmy HM, Kaindl R, Fritz H, Loizenbauer J (2004) The Sukari gold mine, Eastern Desert, Egypt: structural setting, mineralogy and fluid inclusion study. Miner Deposita 39:495–511

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hussein AA (1990) Mineral deposits. In: Said R (ed) The geology of Egypt. A.A Balkema, Rotterdam, pp 511–566

    Google Scholar 

  • Keays R (1987) Principles of mobilization (dissolution) of metals in mafic and ultramafic rocks—the role of immiscible magmatic sulphides in the generation of hydrothermal gold and volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. Ore Geol Rev 2(1–3):47–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerkhof AM, Olsen SN (1990) A natural example of superdense CO2 inclusions: microthermometry and Raman analysis. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 54:895–901

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Klemm DD, Klemm R (2013) Gold and gold mining in ancient Egypt and Nubia. Springer, Berlin-Heidelberg

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Klemm DD, Klemm R, Murr A (2001) Gold of the Pharaohs—6,000 years of gold mining in Egypt and Nubia. Afr Earth Sci 33:643–659

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Langwieder G (1994) Die Geologie des Gebietes Wadi El-Sid/Um el Fawakhir und Geochemische Untersuchungen an Quarzgäangen des Goldlagerstäattenbezirkes El Sid/Fawakhir. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitäat Müunchen, 122 (In German)

  • Lee CA, Tredoux M (1986) Platinum-group element abundances in the lower and the lower critical zones of the eastern Bushveld complex. Econ Geol 81:1087–1095

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loizenbauer J, Neumayr P (1996) Structural control on the formation of the Fawakhir gold mine, El-Sid-Eastern Desert, Egypt. Abstr. Geological Survey of Egypt Centennial 106–111

  • Loizenbauer J, Neumayr P, Fritz H (2002) Genesis of the Fawakhir gold deposit in the Eastern Desert of Egypt: the result of late Pan-African transpressional tectonics. In: 19th Colloquium of African Geology—El Jadida, Morocco, Abstract volume 120–121

  • Mathur R, Ruiz J, Titley S, Gibbins S, Margotomo W (2000) Different crustal sources for Au-rich and Au-poor ores of the Grasberg Cu–Au porphyry deposit. Earth Planet Sci Lett 183:7–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDonough WF, Sun SS (1995) Composition of the Earth. Chem Geol 120:223–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mumin AH, Fleet ME, Chryssoulis SL (1994) Gold mineralization in As-rich gold ores of the Bogosu–Prestea mining district of the Ashanti gold belt, Ghana: remobilization of the “invisible gold”. Miner Deposita 29:445–460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neubauer WH (1962) Geologie der Goldlagerstätte von El-Sid in Oberaegypten mit einem Beitrag zur Geologie der zentralen Arabischen Wuste. Geologische Jahrbuch 80:117–160 (In German)

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips GN, Evans KA (2004) Role of CO2 in the formation of gold deposits. Nature 429:860–863

  • Ramboz C, Schnapper D, Dubessy J (1985) The P-V-T-X-fo evolution of H2O-CO2-CH4-bearing fluid in a wofframite vein: reconstruction from fluid inclusion studies. Geochim Cosmochim Acta 49:205–219

  • Ridley JR, Diamond LW (2000) Fluid chemistry of orogenic lode gold deposits and implications for genetic models. In: Hagemann SG, Brown PE (eds) Gold in 2000: Society of Economic Geologists, Reviews in Economic Geology 13, pp 141–162

  • Robert F, Kelly WC (1987) Ore-forming fluids in Archean gold-bearing quartz veins at the Sigma mine, Abitibi green-stone belt, Quebec, Canada. Econ Geol 82:1464–1482

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romberger SB (1988) Geochemistry of Gold in hydrotermal deposits. US Geol Survey Bull 1857-A:A9–A25

  • Sabet AH, Bessonenko VV, Bykov BA (1976) The intrusive complex of the central Eastern Desert of Egypt. Ann Geol Surv Egypt 6:53–73

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha I, Venkatesh AS (2002) Invisible Gold within sulfides from Archean Hutti-Maski schist belt, Southern India. J Asian Earth Sci 20:449–457

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sharara NA (1999) Stable isotopes and fluid inclusions of the gold mineralization at El Sukari District, central Eastern Desert, Egypt: genetic constraints. In: Proceedings of the 4th conference on geochemistry, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt, pp 317–339

  • Shaw CSJ, Penczak RS (1996) Barium-and titanium-rich biotite and phlogopite from the western and eastern gabbro, Coldwell Alkaline Complex, northwestern Ontario. Can Mineral 34:967–975

    Google Scholar 

  • Sibson RH, Robert F, Poulsen KH (1988) High angle reverse faults, fluid pressure cycling, and mesothermal gold-quartz deposits. Geology 16:551–555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takla MA, El-Dougdoug AA, Rasmy AH, Gad MA, El Tabbal HK (1990) Origin of Um Eleiga gold mineralization, South Eastern Desert, Egypt. Egypt Mineral 2:3–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilling RI, Gottfried D, Rowe J (1973) Gold abundance in igneous rocks: bearing on gold mineralization. Econ Geol 68:168–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh AS, Jose B, Srinivas T (2004) Fluid-Rock Interactions within the Palaeoproterozic Au Mineralization of the Sakoli Group, India. In: Wanty RB, Seal II, RR (eds) The proceedings of the eleventh international symposium on water-rock interaction, Saratoga Springs, New York. Taylor and Francis Group, London Proceedings 1, pp 311–316

  • Walshe JL (1986) A six-component solid solution model and the conditions of chlorite formation in hydrothermal and geothermal systems. Econ Geol 81:681–703

  • Williams NC (2007) The role of decarbonization and structure in the Callie gold deposit, Tanami Region of northern Australia. Miner Deposita 42:65–87

  • Wood SA, Samson IM (1998) Solubility of ore minerals and complexation of ore metals in hydrothermal solutions. In: Richards JP, Larson P (eds) Techniques in hydrothermal ore deposits geology. Reviews in economic geology, vol 10, Chap 2. Society of Economic Geologists, pp 33–80

  • Zoheir B (2012) Lode-gold mineralization in convergent wrench structures: examples from South Eastern Desert, Egypt. J Geochem Explor 114:82–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zoheir B, Moritz R (2014) Fluid evolution in the El-Sid gold deposit, Eastern Desert, Egypt. In: Garofalo PS, Ridley JR (eds) Gold-transporting hydrothermal fluids in the Earth’s crust. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 402. doi:10.1144/SP402.3

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate accessibility to the analytical facilities made possible through Profs. Chris Ballhaus, University of Bonn (Germany) and Robert Moritz, Geneva University (Switzerland). The early draft of this manuscript is greatly benefited from reviews and comments by Prof. D. Klemm and Dr. A. Asaah. We would like to thank both of them for helping us to improve the presentation and discussion of our data. The Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Wolf-Christian Dullo, is acknowledged for help in reaching to a readable paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Minia University, Minia, 61519, Egypt

    Hassan Helmy

  2. Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Benha University, Benha, 13518, Egypt

    Basem Zoheir

Authors
  1. Hassan Helmy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Basem Zoheir
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Basem Zoheir.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Helmy, H., Zoheir, B. Metal and fluid sources in a potential world-class gold deposit: El-Sid mine, Egypt. Int J Earth Sci (Geol Rundsch) 104, 645–661 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-014-1094-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00531-014-1094-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation