Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dsjbd Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-27T19:53:16.673Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Mineralogical aspects of interstratified chlorite-smectite associated with epithermal ore veins: A case study of the Todoroki Au-Ag ore deposit, Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

T. Yoneda*
Affiliation:
Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
T. Watanabe
Affiliation:
Niigata College of Nursing, Joetsu, 943-0147, Japan
T. Sato
Affiliation:
Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-8628, Japan
*

Abstract

Chlorite (C)-corrensite (Co)-smectite (S) seriesminerals occur as vein constituents in the two epithermal ore veins, the Chuetsu and Shuetsu veins of the Todoroki Au-Ag deposit. The characteristics of the C–Co–S seriesminerals indicate that the clays may be products of direct precipitation from hydrothermal fluids and subsequent mineralogical transformations during and/or after vein formation. The minerals from the Chuetsu vein are characterized by ‘monomineralic’ corrensite showing an extensive distribution throughout the vein, and trioctahedral smectite occurring locally. The Shuetsu vein minerals are characterized by C-Co series minerals which can be divided into three different types: a I type including discrete chlorite with minor amounts of S layers, a II type comprising interstratified C/Co and discrete chlorite, and a III type characterized by segregation structures of C and Co layers. The C-Co series minerals show slightly different spatial distributions in the Shuetsu vein. Different epithermal environments during the vein formations and possible kinetic effects may have played a role in the formation and conversion of Co-C series at the Shuetsu vein and S-Co series at the Chuetsu vein.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2016

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Footnotes

This work was originally presented during the session ‘The many faces of chlorite’, part of the Euroclay 2015 conference held in July 2015 in Edinburgh, UK.

References

Barnes, H.L. & Kullerud, G. (1961) Equilibria in sulfur-containing aqueous solutions in the system Fe-S-O, and their correlation during ore deposition. Economic Geology, 56, 648685.Google Scholar
Barton, P.B. Jr & Toulmin, P. (1964) The electrum-tarnish method for the determination of fugacity of sulfur in laboratory sulfide systems. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 28, 619640.Google Scholar
Barton, P.B. Jr & Toulmin, P. (1966) Phase relations involving sphalerite in Fe-Zn-S system. Economic Geology, 61, 815849.Google Scholar
Beaufort, D., Baronnet, A., Lanson, B. & Meunier, A. (1997) Corrensite: A single phase or a mixed-layer phy llo silicate in the saponite-to-chlorite conversion series? A case study of Sancerre-Couy deep drill hole (France). American Mineralogist, 82, 109124.Google Scholar
Beaufort, D., Rigault, C., Billon, S., Billault, V., Inoue, A., Inoue, S. & Patrier, P. (2015) Chlorite and chloritization processes through mixed layer mineral series in low-temperature geological systems — A review. Clay Minerals, 50, 497523.Google Scholar
Bence, A.E. & Albee, A.L. (1968) Empirical correction factors for the electron microanalysis of silicates and oxides. The Journal of Geology, 76, 382403.Google Scholar
Bettison-Varga, L. & Mackinnon, I.D.R. (1997) The role of randomly mixed-layered chlorite/smectite in the transformation of smectite to chlorite. Clays and Clay Minerals, 45, 506516.Google Scholar
Buatier, M.D., Fruh-Green, G.L. & Karpoff, A.M. (1995) Mechanisms of Mg-phy llo silicate formation in a sedimented ridge (Middle Valley, Juan de Fuca). Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 122, 134151.Google Scholar
Drits, V.A., Ivanovskaya, T.A., Sakharov, B.A., Zviagina, B.B., Gor'kova, N.V., Pokrovskaya, E.V. & Savichev, A.T. (2011) Mixed-layer corrensite-chlorites and their formation mechanism in the glauconitic sandstone — clayey rocks (Riphean, Anabaru Uplift). Lithology and Mineral Resources, 46, 566593.Google Scholar
Fukui, M. & Yoshimura, T. (1999) Chlorite/smectite mixed-layer minerals in Aosawa basalts distributed in the Dewa hill, Yamagata Prefecture. Journal of the Clay Science Society of Japan, 39, 1936.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Hasegawa, K., Mitani, K., Sugimoto, R., Futamae, K. & Hayakawa, F. (1976) Geology and ore deposits of the Todoroki and Meiji district in Shikaribetsu province, Hokkaido. Reports of Geological Survey of Hokkaido, 48, 3360.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Helgeson, H.C. (1969) Thermodynamics of hydrothermal systems at elevated temperatures and pressures. American Journal of Science, 267, 729804.Google Scholar
Helgeson, H.C. & Kirkham, D.H. (1974) Theoretical prediction of the thermodynamic behavior of aqueous electrolytes at high pressures and temperatures. I. Summary of the thermodynamic/ electrostatic properties of the solvent. American Journal of Science, 274, 10891198.Google Scholar
Helgeson, H.C., Delany, J.M., Nesbitt, H.W. & Bird, D.K. (1978) Summary and critique of the thermodynamic properties of rock-forming minerals. American Journal of Science, 278 A, 1229.Google Scholar
Inoue, A. & Utada, M. (1991) Smectite-to-chlorite transformation in thermally metamorphosed volcano-clastic rocks in the Kamikita area, northern Honshu, Japan. American Mineralogist, 76, 628640.Google Scholar
Japan Mining Industry Association (1968) Todoroki mine. Pp. 2150153 in: List of Ore Deposits of Japan. Japan Mining Industry Association, Tokyo, Japan (in Japanese).Google Scholar
Kakinoki, J. & Komura, Y. (1952) Intensity of X-ray by a one-dimensionally disordered crystal. Journal of Physical Society of Japan, 7, 3035.Google Scholar
Kogure, T., Drits, Y.A. & Inoue, S. (2013) Structure of mixed-layer corrensite-chlorite revealed by high-resolution transmission electron microcopy (HRTEM). American Mineralogist, 98, 12531260.Google Scholar
Leoni, L., Lezzerini, M., Battaglia, S. & Cavalcante, F. (2010) Corrensite and chlorite-rich Chl-S mixed layers in sandstones from the ‘Macigno’ Formation (northwestern Tuscany, Italy). Clay Minerals, 45, 87106.Google Scholar
Lonker, S.W., Franzson, H. & Kristmannsdottir, H. (1993) Mineral-fluid interaction in the Reykjanes and Svartsengi geothermal systems, Iceland. American Journal of Science, 293, 605670.Google Scholar
Meunier, A. (2003) Clays. Springer, Berlin, pp. 329415.Google Scholar
Nagasawa, K., Shirozu, H. & Nakamura, T. (1976) Clay minerals as constituents of hydrothermal metallic vein-type deposits. Mining Geology Special Issue, 7, 7584.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Reyes, A.G. & Cardile, C.M. (1989) Characterization of clay scales forming in Philippine geothermal wells. Geothermics, 18, 429446.Google Scholar
Reynolds, R.C (1980) Interstratified clay minerals. Pp. 249303 in: Crystal Structures of Clay Minerals and their X-ray Identification (G.W. Brindley & G. Brown, editors). Monograph 5, Mineralogical Society, London.Google Scholar
Robinson, D., Schmidt, S.T. & Santana de Zamora, A. (2002) Reaction pathways and reaction progress for the smectite-to-chlorite transformation: evidence from hydrothermally altered metabasites. Metamorphic Geology, 20, 167174.Google Scholar
Sato, M. (1965) Structure of interstratified (mixed-layer) minerals. Nature, 208, 7071.Google Scholar
Sato, M. (1987) Interstratified (mixed layer) structures and their theoretical X-ray powder patterns. I. Theoretical aspects. Clay Science, 7, 4148.Google Scholar
Sawai, O., Yoneda, T. & Itaya, T. (1992) K-Ar ages of the Chitose, Todoroki and Teine Au-Ag vein-type deposits, southwest Hokkaido, Japan. Mining Geology, 42, 323330.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Schiffman, P. & Fridleiffson, G.O. (1991) The smectite to chlorite transition in drillhole NJ-15, Hesjavellir geothermal field, Iceland: XRD, BSE and electron microprobe investigations. Journal of Metamorphic Geology, 9, 679696.Google Scholar
Shau, Y.H. & Peacor, D.R. (1992) Phyllosilicates in hydrothermally altered basalts from DSDP Hole 504B, Leg 83 - - a TEM and AEM study. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, 112, 119133.Google Scholar
Shikazono, N. (2003) Geochemical and Tectonic Evolution of arc-Backarc Hydrothermal Systems. Elsevier, Amsterdam. pp. 83—201.Google Scholar
Shimizu, T. (2014) Reinterpretation of quartz textures in terms of hydrothermal fluid evolution at the Koryu Au-Ag deposit, Japan. Economic Geology, 109, 20512065.Google Scholar
Shirozu, H. (1978) Chlorite minerals. Pp. 243264 in: Clays and Clay Minerals of Japan (T Sudo & S. Shimoda, editors). Developments in Sedimentology 26, Elsevier, Amsterdam.Google Scholar
Shirozu, H., Sakasegawa, T., Katsumoto, N. & Ozaki, M. (1975) Mg-chlorite and interstratified Mg-chlorite/ saponite associated with kuroko deposits. Clay Science, 4, 305321.Google Scholar
Sudo, T. & Shimoda, S. (1977) Interstratified clay minerals — mode of occurrence and origin. Minerals Science and Engineering, 9, 324.Google Scholar
Taguchi, S. & Watanabe, T. (1973) Clay minerals especially interstratified chlorite/saponite associated with gold ores of the Fuke mine, Kagoshima prefecture. Science Reports, Department of Geology, Kyushu University, 11, 243250.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Takeuchi, K. (1984) Clay minerals in Arakawa No. 4 vein of the Kushikino mine. Mining Geology, 34, 335342.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Vaughan, D.J. & Craig, J.R. (1997) Sulfide ore mineral stabilities, morphologies, and intergrowth textures. Pp. 367434 in: Geochemistry of Hydrothermal ore Deposits Third Edition (H.L. Barnes, editor). John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York.Google Scholar
Velde, B. (1985) Clay Minerals. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 104191.Google Scholar
Watanabe, T. (1977) X-ray line profile of interstratified chlorite/saponite. Science Reports, Department of Geology, Kyushu University, 12, 303309.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Watanabe, T. (1988) The structural model of illite/smectite interstratified mineral and the diagram for its identification. Clay Science, 7, 97117.Google Scholar
Watanabe, T., Nakamuta, Y. & Shirozu, H. (1974) An interstratified mineral of chlorite and saponite from the Wanibuchi mine. Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Japan, 11, Special Issue No. 1, 123—130 (in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
White, N.C. & Hedenquist, J.W. (1990) Epithermal environments and styles of mineralization: variations and their causes, and guideline for exploration. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 36, 445—474. Google Scholar
Yoneda, T. (1994) Applied mineralogical study of clays from hydrothermal ore deposits. PhD thesis, Kyushu University, Japan (in Japanese).Google Scholar
Yoneda, T. & Watanabe, T. (1981) Clay minerals in the gold-silver ore of the Chuetsu-hi vein of the Todoroki mine, Hokkaido, Japan. Mining Geology Special Issue, 10, 143149.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Yoneda, T. & Watanabe, T. (1989) Chemical composition of regularly interstratified chlorite/smectite in the ores from some Neogene gold-silver vein-type deposits in Japan. Mining Geology, 39, 181190.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar
Yoneda, T. & Watanabe, T. (1994) Chlorite/smectite mixed-layer mineral having a 20 Å reflection from the Todoroki epithermal gold-silver ore-vein. Journal of Clay Scociety of Japan, 34, 7179.(in Japanese with English abstract).Google Scholar