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Iron sulphides at the epithermal gold-copper deposit of Palai-Islica (Almería, SE Spain)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2018

F. J. Carrillo Rosúa ,
S. Morales Ruano  and
P. Fenoll Hach-Alí
F. J. Carrillo Rosúa
Affiliation:
Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada and Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Avda. Fuentenueva s/n. E-18002, Granada, Spain
S. Morales Ruano*
Affiliation:
Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada and Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Avda. Fuentenueva s/n. E-18002, Granada, Spain
P. Fenoll Hach-Alí
Affiliation:
Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada and Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Avda. Fuentenueva s/n. E-18002, Granada, Spain
*
* E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Au-Cu mineralization at Palai-Islica occurs as disseminations in massive silicified volcanic rocks and, more abundantly, in sulphide-bearing quartz veins. The major ore minerals in the deposit are pyrite ± chalcopyrite, sphalerite and galena and there is a great variety of accessory minerals, including Au-Ag alloys and native gold. Pyrite, the most abundant sulphide, is closely associated with gold. Seven different types of pyrite have been distinguished with a variable concentration of different trace elements. Among these, the only one free of trace elements (type IV) is related to Au-Ag alloys. Pyrite associated with these Au-Ag alloys has cubic and pentagonal dodecahedral habits, whereas pyrite with pentagonal dodecahedral habit only is from barren zones. In addition, there is no significant invisible gold in the pyrite, but there is a relatively large amount of Ag in collomorphic pyrite (up to 0.20 wt.%) or type III pyrite (up to 1.47 wt.%). Arsenic is the most abundant trace element in pyrite (up to 6.11 wt.%), present as a metastable solid solution or as a non-stoichiometric element. A variety of marcasite related to the gold levels also has a considerable amount of trace elements (As up to 1.15 wt.%, Sb up to 0.40 wt.%).

Keywords

pyritegoldepithermal depositSpain.
Type
Research Article
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 67 , Issue 5 , October 2003 , pp. 1059 - 1080
Copyright
Copyright © The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2003

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