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Conditions of formation of Au–Se–Te mineralization in the Gaching ore occurrence (Maletoyvayam ore field), Kamchatka, Russia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2018

Nadezhda Tolstykh ,
Anna Vymazalová ,
Marek Tuhý  and
Mariya Shapovalova
Nadezhda Tolstykh*
Affiliation:
VS Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 3 Koptyuga Avenue, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
Anna Vymazalová
Affiliation:
Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic
Marek Tuhý
Affiliation:
Czech Geological Survey, Geologická 6, 152 00 Prague 5, Czech Republic Institute of Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Mineral Resources, Charles University, Albertov 6, 128 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
Mariya Shapovalova
Affiliation:
VS Sobolev Institute of Geology and Mineralogy of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 3 Koptyuga Avenue, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia Novosibirsk State University, 1 Pirogova, Novosibirsk 630090, Russia
*
*E-mail: tolst@igm.nsc.ru
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Abstract

The Gaching high-sulfidation epithermal deposit in the Maletoyvayam ore field features a wide range of Se-containing minerals and selenides, as well as complex gold oxides, Au tellurides (calaverite, krennerite) and native gold typical for epithermal deposits. Pyrite included in quartzites and quartz-alunite rocks was probably formed during an early stage of the ore-forming process. During the following Au-rich stage, the $f_{{\rm S}{\rm e}_{\rm 2}}$/$f_{{\rm S}_{\rm 2}}$ increased with $f_{{\rm O}_{\rm 2}}$ being relatively high, resulting in the formation of very rare compounds that have not been previously described in nature. These include Au2Te4(Se,S)3, Se3Te2, AuSe and Au(Te,Se,S) phases. The Au2Te4(Se,S)3 compounds have some variations in composition: the complete isomorphic series between Au2Te4Se3 and Au2Te4S3 was observed. The gold and Au-minerals at the main ore stage can be stable within a range of log$f_{{\rm O}_{\rm 2}}$ of −27.3 and atmospheric oxygen (?); log$f_{{\rm S}{\rm e}_{\rm 2}}$ between −12.4 and −5.7; log$f_{{\rm T}{\rm e}_{\rm 2}}$ between −10.5 and −7.8; and log$f_{{\rm S}_{\rm 2}}$ between −12.8 and −6.8 (at 250°C). The increasing oxygen fugacity during the final stage of mineralization resulted in the formation of complex Sb,As,Te,S-bearing Au oxides. Gold-oxide formation occurs due to oxidation of Au-tellurides. The final products of this process are newly-formed secondary mustard gold and Te–Se solid solutions.

Keywords

epithermal gold depositGaching ore occurrenceAuSeAu(Te,Se,S)Au2Te4(Se,S)3 unnamed phasesAu oxideoxygen fugacitytellurium fugacityselenium fugacitysulfur fugacity
Type
Article
Information
Mineralogical Magazine , Volume 82 , Special Issue 3: Special Issue dedicated to the work and memory of Professor Hazel M. Prichard (1954–2017) , June 2018 , pp. 649 - 674
Copyright
Copyright © Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2018 

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Footnotes

Associate Editor: Stephen Barnes

This paper is published as part of a thematic set in memory of Professor Hazel M. Prichard

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