The Miguel Auza mine, located in Zacatecas State, Mexico, is a vein-type polymetallic epithermal deposit hosted in deformed argillite, siltstone and greywacke of the Cretaceous Caracol Formation. Silver-rich base metal veins (0.2 m to >1.5 m wide) are spatially associated with NE-striking, steeply SE- dipping (70-80º) faults over a strike length of 1.6 km and a depth of 460 m. Three distinct structural stages are correlated with hydrothermal mineral deposition: Stage I is characterized by normal faulting and early hypogene alteration of the sedimentary rock. Stage II is associated with reverse-sense reactivation of early normal faults, dilation of bedding planes/fractures, and deposition of barren calcite + pyrite veinlets. Sub-stages IIA and IIB are related to the development of reverse-fault-hosted quartz-carbonate sulphide veins and characterize the main stage of mineralization. Associated hydrothermal minerals during the main stage of mineral deposition are quartz, muscovite, and calcite. Stage III involves late NW-SE striking block faulting, brecciation and calcite veining. Later supergene oxidation of veins led to deposition of Fe-oxides and hydroxides. The main Ag-bearing minerals comprise pyrargyrite, tetrahedrite- freibergite, polybasite-antimonpearceite, and acanthite, with associated sulphides including galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and pyrite. In the main ore zone, base metal sulphides are commonly intergrown with the Ag-bearing sulfosalts. Compositions of Ag-rich tetrahedrite + pyrargyrite + sphalerite indicate a primary depositional temperature around 325-350ºC for the late phase of sub-stage IIB. 40Ar/39Ar dating of wall-rock illite associated with stage I alteration yields an age of 46.58 ± 0.30 Ma. Ages of 46.01 ± 0.55 Ma, and 44.55 ± 0.22 Ma were obtained for vein muscovite related to the main stage (sub-stage IIB) of ore deposition. These ages correspond to the later stage of the Laramide orogeny in Northern Mexico. The geometric relationship between the various structures, vein types, and the regional Miguel Auza fault zone suggest episodic reverse-sense reactivation of normal faults. Based on (1) the tectonic setting, (2) spatially related igneous rocks, (3) ore and gangue mineralogy, and textures (4) geochemical signature, and (5) inferred temperature of formation, the Miguel Auza deposit is interpreted to be an intermediate-sulfidation type deposit. / Thesis (Master, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2010-04-15 13:04:06.104

The Alto Chicama district, Central Andean Cordillera Occidental, La Libertad, northern Perú, hosts the 14 M oz, Miocene Lagunas Norte high-sulphidation epithermal Au-(Ag) deposit (Latitude 7° 56ʹ30ʺ S; Longitude 78°14ʹ50ʺ W), in addition to several important, epithermal and mesothermal precious ± base-metal vein systems and porphyry Cu-Au-(Mo) deposits and prospects. The district is underlain by lower Oligocene-to-Middle Miocene, subaerial, Calipuy Supergroup volcanic rocks, unconformably overlying Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous marine sedimentary strata affected by late Eocene-early Oligocene thin-skinned fold and thrust deformation. Mineralization at Lagunas Norte is largely hosted by intensely-folded Valanginian Chimú Formation quartz arenite, but extends into overlying, weakly-deformed, Lower Miocene dacitic volcaniclastic deposits. Fold- and thrust-related deformation at the deposit, and subsequent magmatic and hydrothermal activity, were localized along a long-lived, crustal-scale cross-strike discontinuity. Hydrothermal activity at Lagunas Norte was associated with local extension within an overall regional compressive regime. Ore formation occurred during the terminal stages of andesitic-to-dacitic magmatism in the deposit area, immediately following the sector collapse of an adjacent volcanic centre, and during eruption of late-stage peripheral dacitic domes. Intense advanced-argillic alteration occurred in at least two major pulses over a ~ 0.9 m.y. period, implying repeated magma influx in a shallow subjacent chamber. The ensuing Au-(Ag)-pyrite-enargite deposition resulted from mixing of magmatic vapour with oxidized groundwaters, a process stimulated by the contiguous incision of a steep-walled valley-pediment. The local volcanic rocks record a transition from “normal arc” to higher-pressure “adakitic” magmatism, initiated during ore deposition at Lagunas Norte, but exhibited by the entire Calipuy arc in northern Perú, and interpreted to reflect the destabilization of plagioclase and stabilization of garnet in inferred lower-crustal magmas. The progressive depletion of 18O and D in meteoric water recorded in late Oligocene-to-Late Miocene hypogene and supergene minerals is in permissive agreement with major uplift from ~ 1000 m to over 3000 m a.s.l. during hydrothermal activity. Hydrothermal activity and related ore deposition at Lagunas Norte unambiguously predated, by at least 2 m.y., the impingement of the aseismic Nazca Ridge at the Perú Trench and the ensuing flattening of the subducting slab / Thesis (Ph.D, Geological Sciences & Geological Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2012-04-05 11:09:14.751

Disseminated precious-metal mineralization occurs at the Morning Star deposit, in the upper-plate of the Morning Star thrust which represents intermediate age (105 and 90 Ma) faulting along the Mesozoic foreland fold and thrust belt (MFFTB). Deformation along the Morning Star thrust consists of both ductile and brittle events, and is different than deformation on other structures in the MFFTB in the northeastern Mojave Desert. The different style and episodic nature of deformation, together with the spatial relationship to the Teutonia batholith, accounts for mineralization on the Morning Star thrust and the absence of mineralization on other thrusts in the belt. Two stages of mineralization have been identified in the Morning Star deposit. Six distinct types of electrum have been identified. Electrum occurs as free grains, fracture fillings, or as inclusions in minerals during primary mineralization, and as rims around early electrum or as intergrowths with covellite and acanthite during secondary mineralization. Textures and compositions of the electrum and Ag+Au-sulfides indicate Au and Ag remobilization was isochemical in the lower portions of the deposit, while remobilization at upper levels of the deposit resulted in gold enrichment. Hydrothermal fluids (H₂O-CO₂-6 wt.% NaCl), that were driven by Late Cretaceous igneous activity, scavenged metals from the host rocks to form the Morning Star mineralization. Early mineralization is syn-tectonic, but the bulk of the mineralization is post-tectonics. The bulk of the main stage mineralization was precipitated into open spaces at temperatures between 280° and 330°C by a combination of reduction and increased acidity of the fluid due to wall rock reactions. Ore grades have subsequently been increased by Au and Ag remobilization. / Ph. D.

This thesis study is concerned with the genetic investigation of two epithermal gold deposits (Madendag and Kartaldag) in &Ccedil / anakkale, NW Turkey. The methodology comprises field and integrated laboratory studies including mineralogic-petrographic, geochemical, isotopic, and fluid inclusion analysis. Kartaldag deposit, hosted by dacite porphyry, is a typical vein deposit associated with four main alteration types: i) propylitic, ii) quartz-kaolin, iii) quartz-alunitepyrophyllite, iv) silicification, the latter being characterized by two distinct quartz generations as early (vuggy) and late (banded, colloform). Primary sulfide minerals are pyrite, covellite and sphalerite. Oxygen and sulfur isotope analyses, performed on quartz (&delta / 18O: 7.93- 8.95 &permil / ) and pyrite (&delta / 34S: -4.8 &permil / ) separates, suggest a magmatic source for the fluid. Microthermometric analysis performed on quartz yield a temperature range of 250-285 &ordm / C, and 0-1.7 wt % NaCl eqv. salinity. Madendag deposit, hosted by micaschists, is also vein type associated with two main alteration types: illite and kaolin dominated argillization and silicification, characterized by two distinct quartz phases as early and late. Oxygen isotope analyses on quartz (&delta / 18O: 9.55-18.19 &permil / ) indicate contribution from a metamorphic source. Microthermometric analysis on quartz yield a temperature range of 235-255 &ordm / C and 0.0-0.7 wt % NaCl eqv. salinity. The presence of alunite, pyrophyllite and kaolinite, vuggy quartz and covellite suggest a high-sulfidation epithermal system for Kartaldag. On the other hand, Madendag is identified as a low- sulfidation type owing to the presence of neutral pH clays and typical low temperature textures (e.g. colloform, comb, banded quartz).

The Copiapó region in northern Chile contains numerous intrusion- and volcanichosted IOCG vein systems. These veins share many features with larger IOCG systems in the region (e.g., Candelaria, Punta del Cobre), including abundant hydrothermal magnetite or hematite ± Cu, Au, REE, and other elements, and exhibit similar styles of mineralization including voluminous breccias, stockwork, and massive veins. The relatively simple geometries and small size of veins offer advantages for study of zoning and genesis in an IOCG system; and, they also provide an interesting counterpoint to classic epithermal Ag-Au veins. The vein systems exhibit systematic patterns in the alteration and mineralization zoning in both time and space. Deeper exposures are characterized by high-temperature styles of sodic and sodic(-calcic) alteration with Fe and Cu depleted vein fill assemblages. This passes upwards through a proximal zone of magnetite-dominated vein fill with sparse to absent copper, and into a magnetite-dominated, copper-bearing portion of the vein. Copper is best developed at intermediate to shallow levels in association with the hematite-dominated portions of the system. More distal, carbonate dominated facies with minor hematite and chalcopyrite are also present. Shallow levels of the vein system may be characterized by a low-sulfur style of advanced argillic alteration, that may be stratabound, in discordant breccia bodies, or structurally controlled on faults. The assemblages differ from other ore forming environments by their lack of sulfide and/or sulfate minerals, and the abundance of hypogene iron oxide phases (hematite and/or magnetite). Vein systems are dominated by brecciation events that record repeated, cyclic pulses of mineralizing fluids. Stable and radiogenic isotopic analyses, combined with fluid inclusion and mineral phase equilibria indicate the fluids were hypersaline brines (generally >40 wt% NaCl(eq)) over a temperature range of 200º-450ºC. The shallow formation, structural styles, repeated mineralization events, and size of the IOCG vein systems have many parallels to the classic precious-metal rich Ag-Au epithermal systems. Nonetheless, the two types of veins differ in their geochemistry, reflecting the large differences in fluid salinities, commonly <10 wt% NaCl(eq) in epithermal settings as compared to 15 to > 50 wt% NaCl(eq) in IOCG systems.

Master of Science / Department of Geology / Matthew E. Brueseke / Previous studies of the northern Great Basin have indicated that mid-Miocene epithermal gold and silver ore deposits distributed regionally are temporally related to the magmatic activity associated with the onset of widespread extension and the Yellowstone hotspot (Saunders and Crowe, 1996; Kamenov et al., 2007). This study is focused on the volcanic rocks and ore deposits from the Silver City district (SCD), ID to address the petrogenesis and magmatic evolution that was influential in forming local precious metal deposits. The goal is to understand the tectonomagmatic conditions that contributed to the petrogenesis of the volcanic suite in the Silver City district, which can be used to provide details on the relationship between coeval mid- Miocene magmatism and mineralization across the northern Great Basin and Oregon Plateau. In order to better constrain the magmatic evolution of the SCD and potential sources of the precious metals, we have undertaken detailed sampling of local crust and mid-Miocene volcanic units to constrain their physical, geochemical, isotopic, and geochronological characteristics, as well as provide constraints on the petrogenesis of the mid-Miocene volcanic package. Prior studies of the local volcanism have yielded K-Ar and [superscript]40Ar/[superscript]39Ar ages of ~16.6 to 14 Ma (Bonnichsen, 1983), while others have dated adularia from one SCD mineral vein and obtained [superscript]40Ar/[superscript]39Ar ages of between 15.6 and 16.3 Ma (Hames et al., 2009; and Aseto et al., 2011). Field observations are consistent with earlier work (Lindgren, 1900; Asher, 1968; Pansze, 1975; Halsor et al., 1988; Bonnichsen and Godchaux, 2006; Camp and Ross, 2009) and reveal a sequence of basalt consisting of regionally prevalent Steens Basalt that pre-dated precious metal mineralization. Some of the basalt appears to have been erupted locally, based on the presence of mafic dikes and thick pyroclastic deposits similar to other regional mid-Miocene magmatic systems. Stratigraphically overlying this lower basalt suite is a complex package of rhyolite flows and domes, thin silicic pyroclastic units, additional basaltic lava flows, intermediate lava flows, and mafic/silicic shallow intrusives. Geochemical analysis indicates that the basaltic and basaltic andesite lava flows are locally erupted flows of Steens Basalt while the intermediate and silicic volcanism in SCD can be classified into nine distinct units including two andesites, one dacite, four rhyolites and two rhyolite tuffaceous units. Geochemical modeling suggest that the intermediate and silicic magmas were formed by a combination of open system processes, including low pressure partial melting and assimilation of mid to upper crustal granitoid basement rock, and magma mixing between silicic and basaltic endmembers. The formation of silicic volcanism in the SCD is similar to other regional mid-Miocene silicic volcanic systems (e.g. Santa Rosa-Calico volcanic field and Jarbidge Rhyolite). Based on new [superscript]40Ar/[superscript]39Ar geochronology of both volcanic units and epithermally emplaced mineralization, SCD volcanism appears to have erupted over a relatively short amount of time that overlaps with local epithermal Au-Ag mineralization.

Master of Science / Department of Geology / Matthew E. Brueseke / Mid-Miocene epithermal Au-Ag ores of the northern Great Basin USA are related to magmatism associated with the inception of the Yellowstone hotspot. The geochemical chemical connection between these ores and spatially and temporally related volcanism is not well understood, but has been suggested (Kamenov, 2007; Saunders et al., 2015). These Cu- and Pb- isotope studies show that the ore and associated gangue minerals have different sources of Pb, which supports evidence that the metal(loids) originate from a deep magmatic source (Saunders et al., 2008). Cu isotopes as a tool for exploring linkages between ore deposits and related volcanic rocks is a new and evolving field. A suite of mid-Miocene Northern Great Basin (NGB) and Snake River Plain (SRP) volcanic rocks was analyzed by aquaregia leach for their δ⁶⁵Cu compositions. These samples have all been previously characterized and include basalts, trachybasalt, basaltic andesites, and basaltic trachyandesites that are representative of regional flood basalt magmatism and younger basalt eruptions in central Idaho. Included are rocks from the Santa Rosa-Calico volcanic field, NV (e.g., Buckskin-National district); Owyhee Mountains, ID (Silver City District); Midas, NV region, near Jarbidge, NV; and a locality proximal to Steens Mountain, OR. Also included are two Pleistocene basalts from the central Snake River plain unequivocally related to the Yellowstone hotspot volcanism (McKinney Basalt and Basalt of Flat Top Butte), and one Eocene basalt from the Owyhee Mountains that is related to pre-hotspot arc volcanism. International rock standards ranging from ultramafic to intermediate were also analyzed in this study for comparison. Our new δ⁶⁵Cu data greatly expands the range of known Cu isotopic compositions for basalts, with values ranging from -0.84‰ to +2.61‰. These values overlap with the δ⁶⁵Cu of regional ores, further suggesting a link between the source(s) of the ores and the NGB rocks. The range of δ⁶⁵Cu values also overlaps with mantle rock values, suggesting that the Cu isotopic composition may be a signature derived from the mantle source. Fractionation mechanisms that cause such a broad range in Cu isotopes are still unclear but liquid-vapor transitions and mantle metasomatism are being explored. Furthermore, δ⁶⁵Cu values of international rock standards reported in this study did not agree with previously reported data (Archer and Vance, 2004; Bigalke et al., 2010; Moeller et al., 2012; Liu et al., 2014, 2015) suggesting that aquaregia leach may not be a preferable technique when analyzing volcanic rocks.

Essa tese teve como objetivo o estudo das mineralizações de ouro e metais base do Projeto Coringa, localizado na porção sudoeste da Província Mineral do Tapajós, no Cráton Amazônico. A mineralização é composta por diversos veios e zonas de vênulas hospedadas em zonas de falhas em vulcânicas e vulcanoclásticas félsicas cálcio-alcalinas de ca. 1,97 Ga, anteriomente consideradas como pertencentes ao Grupo Uatumã. O estudo permitiu a caracterização de unidades vulcânicas riolíticas, incluindo grandes volumes de rochas vulcanoclásticas e epiclásticas, bem como corpos de andesitos, dacitos e riodacitos, de granitos granofíricos e de pórfiros de composições e idades diversas. Como embasamento das rochas supracrustais foram identificados granitos e granodioritos plutônicos de idade de ca 2,0 Ga. As rochas vulcânicas constituem predominantemente domos de riolito com raros derrames associados e, subordinadamente, diques. Geoquimicamente foram caracterizados como formados em ambiente de margem continental ativa por magmas originados predominantemente na crosta inferior, com possíveis contaminações crustais. Dois conjuntos de riolitos foram identificados, nomeados como Riolito I e Riolito II. O primeiro, de idade de cristalização variando entre 1975 e 1967 Ma (U?Pb SHRIMP em zircão), se caracteriza por sua cor escura, predominantemente negra. Esses compõem predominante os domos. O Riolito II, de idade de ca. 1966 Ma (U-Pb SHRIMP em zircão), é rico em lithophysae e tem cores marrom-avermelhadas e ocorrem predominantemente como diques. As rochas vulcanoclásticas são predominantemente brechas e aglomerados vulcânicos, lapilli-tufos e tufos líticos e de cristais. Subordinadamente foram verificados corpos de welded-tuffs reológicamente deformados formados por fluxos de ignimbritos. Nas vulcanoclásticas predominam fragmentos de riolitos, com ocorrência de um dos tipos de riolito em alguns depósitos ou de ambos em outros, mas também estão presentes fragmentos de rochas hidrotermalizadas e, mais raramente, de rochas andesíticas, dacíticas e riodacíticas. Os cristais e fragmentos de cristais são predominantemente de feldspato potássico e de quartzo, comumente com relíquias de hábito bipiramidado e com fraturas conchoidais resultantes de atividades explosivas. A matriz foi muitas vezes vítrea, conforme atestado pelas texturas esferulíticas cristalizadas. Uma idade U-Pb SHRIMP em zircão obtido para essas rochas resultou em ca. 1966 Ma. As rochas vulcânicas e vulcanoclásticas estudadas foram anteriormente cartografadas como pertencentes ao Grupo Iriri, mas as idades indicam que esse evento vulcânico antecedeu esse magmatismo em pelo menos 90 Ma. Três tipos dos pórfiros foram idenficados, com composições variando de riolítica a riodacítica, com granulação grossa a fina e com matriz muito fina a afanítica. Esses se associam a estruturas circulares menores em planta, com fraturas radiadas, sugerindo comporem pequenos stocks. Suas idades de cristalização variam entre 1959 e 1980 Ma (U-Pb SHRIMP em zircão), indicando, dentro dos erros, formação contemporânea ao mesmo evento que gerou as rochas vulcânicas. Entretanto, as variações composicionais e geoquímicas sugerem fontes de magmas distintas. Em alguns corpos observam-se xenólitos de vulcânicas e de granito granofírico fino, assim como fragmentos de pórfiros nas rochas vulcanoclásticas, indicando ter havido diversos estágios de intrusão de pórfiros na região. Também ocorrem diversos corpos de granitos intrusivos nas sequências vulcânicas, mas outros corpos parecem ser anteriores ao vulcanismo. Suas idades variam entre 1959 e 1980 Ma (U-Pb SHRIMP em zircão). O principal corpo formado por granito é granofírico com abundantes cavidades miarolíticas, indicando ambiente crustal de colocação rasa. Um corpo de granodiorito de granulação grossa, de idade semelhante (ca. 1955 Ma, U-Pb SHRIMP em zircão), com características típicas de ambiente de cristalização mais profundo, foi também identificado na área. Essas rochas constam nos mapas geológicos como pertencentes às suítes Parauari e Maloquinha, mas as idades são mais antigas que as das rochas da Suite Intrusiva Parauari, e suas características geoquímicas cálcio-alcalinas e as idades não permitem correlações com as rochas da Suíte Intrusiva Maloquinha. O embasamento das unidades vulcânicas na região consta nos mapas geológicos como sendo formado por rochas da Suite Intrusiva Parauari e, mais a sudoeste, aflorariam rochas da Suíte Intrusiva Creporizão, formada basicamente por tonalitos e granodioritos. No entanto, no embasamento das rochas vulcânicas foram identificados granitos finos cinzas a levemente rosados, com idades variando de ca. 2123 Ma a ca. 2023 Ma (U-Pb SHRIMP em zircão), também mais antigas que as unidades previamente consideradas, além de granodioritos. Os pórfiros, as rochas vulcânicas e vulcanoclásticas, e em menor grau os granitos, foram hidrotermalizados em extensos sistemas hidrotermais, tendo sido reconhecidas zonas com metassomatismo potássico e alterações propilítica, sericítica (por vezes com adulária) e argílicas, além de carbonatização com calcita manganesífera e silicificação, todas em intensidades muito variadas. Nas zonas mineralizadas e nas suas proximidades, a alteração hidrotermal é, tipicamente, representada por forte alteração sericítica, com carbonatos subordinados em algumas áreas. As mineralizações se associam predominantemente com forte alteração sericítica com adulária, silicificação, sulfetização e, mais localmente, carbonatização. As alterações hidrotermais nos riolitos e nas rochas vulcanoclásticas e, em parte, também nos pórfiros, ocorrem nos estilos pervasivo e, principalmente, fissural. O metassomatismo potássico foi caracterizado pela associação de feldspato potássico + biotita secundária ± quartzo, a alteração propilítica por clorita + epidoto + quartzo + albita ± carbonatos ± pirita, a alteração sericítica por quartzo + sericita + sulfetos ou quartzo + sericita + adulária, a alteração argílica por argilo-minerais com com illita predominante, a alteração carbonática pela calcita manganesífera e a sulfetização por pirita predominante, com calcopirita, bornita, calcocita, esfalerita e galena subordinados. Entretanto, pode haver concentração de um ou mais desses minerais em algumas áreas ou veios. A mineralização de ouro e de metais de base ocorre predominantemente em veios e vênulas de quartzo estruturalmente controlados por falhas rúpteis. Apresenta caráter polimetálico polifásico, tendo comumente a associação galena + pirita + calcopirita ± esfalerita ± ouro ± electrum ± prata. Os veios mineralizados parecem se concentrar nos domos do Riolito I e nas suas proximidades, o que, conjuntamente com o tipo epitermal da mineralização, sugere uma relação genética entre a formação dos domos e a intrusão dos pórfiros com a deposição dos metais preciosos e de base. Entretanto, diques do Riolito II hidrotermalizados podem também ocorrer associados às mineralizações. Adicionalmente, zonas de stockworks intensamente hidrotermalizadas e com indícios de sulfetos de metais de base estão presentes na área, sugerindo também potencial para ocorrência de mineralizações do tipo pórfiro nesse evento magmático datado em ca. 1,97 Ga. A mineralogia, os modos de ocorrência, a associação com as hospedeiras, os zonamentos e a evolução fluidal são típicas de sistemas magmáticos-hidrotermais epitermais rasos. A presença de adulária nas mineralizações permite caracterizar esses sistemas mineralizantes como epitermais low-sulfidation e a presença de carbonatos manganesíferos e a abundância de metais de base evidenciam gradações para sistemas intermediate-sulfidation. / This thesis had as objective the study of the gold and base metal mineralization of the Coringa Prospect, located in the southwest portion of the Tapajós Mineral Province in the Amazonian Craton. The mineralization is hosted in a fault zone with vein and veinlets associated to volcanic and volcanoclastic calc-alkaline rocks with ca. 1.97 Ga, before considered related to the Uatuma Group. This study allowed to characterize rhyolitic volcanic units, (including volcanoclastic and epiclastic components), as well as andesites, dacites and rhyodacites, granophyric granite, and porphyries of different composition and ages. Plutonic rocks ca. 2,0 Ga were identified, where granites and granodiorites represent the basement of this volcanic sequence. The volcanic rocks comprise predominantly rhyolite domes with associated unusual flows) and subordinate dikes. They were formed in active continental margin, with magmas generated predominantly in the lower crust, with possible crustal contamination. Two sets of rhyolites have been identified, named Rhyolite I and Rhyolite II. The first occurs as domes, and is characterized by its dark color, predominantly black, and has U-Pb SHRIMP ages in zircon between 1975 and 1967 Ma.. The Rhyolite II, whose age is ca. 1966 Ma, occurs in dikes, is enriched in lithophysae and it has reddish-brown color. The volcaniclastic rocks encompass breccias, volcanic agglomerates, lapilli-tuff and tuff with lithic and crystal fragments and, subordinate, rheologically-deformed welded tuffs by ignimbrite flows. The rhyolite fragments predominate in the volcanoclastic rocks, with occurrence of one type of rhyolite in some deposits or both in others. Fragments of hydrothermally altered rocks and, more rarely, of andesitic, dacitic and rhyodacitic rocks and porphyries have been also recognized. The crystals and crystal fragments are predominantly of potassic feldspar and quartz, often with remains as result of explosive activities. The groundmass is proven by spherulitic textures. An U-Pb SHRIMP age in zircon obtained for these rocks resulted in ca. 1966 Ma. Volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks, before considered related to Iriri Group, show ages 90 Ma older than this volcanic event. Three porphyry samples were dated, varying from rhyolitic to rhyodacitic, coarse to fine-grained and aphanitic matrix. They are associated to small circular structures, with radial fractures, suggesting the presence of small stocks. Crystallization ages between 1959 and 1980 Ma (U-Pb SHRIMP in zircon), indicate, within the age errors, that the porphyries and volcanic rocks are coeval and may be formed in the same event. However, the compositional variations and geochemistry data suggest different sources. In some bodies is possible to find xenoliths of volcanics and fine-grained granophyric granite. Also were described porphyry fragments in volcaniclastic rocks and as intrusions in fine-grained granophyric granite, indicating different events of porphyry intrusion in the region. Several bodies of granitic intrusive rocks in the volcanic sequences have been also characterized, and their ages vary between 1959 and 1980 Ma (U-Pb SHRIMP in zircon). The main granophyric granite body with abundant miarolitic cavities indicates its emplacement in shallow crustal environment. A coarse-grained granodiorite of similar age (ca. 1955 Ma, U-Pb SHRIMP in zircon), shows typical characteristics that reflect emplacement in deep crustal environment. These rocks of this region were considered as part of the Parauari and Maloquinha suites, but their ages indicate that these rocks are older than those suites and their calc-alkaline geochemistry patterns and age do not allow correlation with the rocks of Maloquinha suite. The basement of the volcanic units has been previously attributed to the Parauari Intrusive Suite and to the Creporizão Intrusive Suite, composed mainly of tonalite and granodiorite. However, in the Coringa area, the basement is represented by fine-grained, gray to pinkish granite with ages ranging from ca. 2123 Ma to ca. 2023 Ma, which are also older than the units previously considered. Porphyries, volcanics, volcanoclastics and granites were altered by hydrothermal fluids in different type and styles, including potassium metasomatism, propylitic, sericitic (sometimes with adularia) and argillic alteration. Also were identified carbonate with manganoan calcite and variable intensity of silicification. At mineralization zones and in its vicinity, hydrothermal alteration is typically represented by strong sericitic alteration, with carbonates in some places. The mineralized zones are associated with sericitic alteration (with adularia), silicification, sulfidization and carbonation. Hydrothermal alteration occurs in pervasive style, but mainly in fissural style, and it is associated to both types of rhyolites and volcanoclastic rocks, and partially affects the porphyry lithotypes. Potassium metasomatism is evidenced by association of potassium feldspar + biotite ± quartz, propylitic alteration by chlorite + epidote + quartz + albite ± carbonate ± pyrite, sericitic alteration by quartz + sericite + quartz + sulfide or sericite + adularia, argillic predominantly with illite carbonate by manganoan calcite, silicification and sulfide formation, with chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, sphalerite and garnet. The gold and base metal mineralization occurs predominantly in veins and quartz veinlets, which are structurally controlled by brittle faults. The mineralization is polymetallic and polyphasic, and commonly is represented by pyrite + galena + chalcopyrite ± sphalerite ± gold ± silver ± electrum. The mineralized veins seem to focus in the Rhyolite I domes and its neighbor areas, which, together with the type of epithermal mineralization suggest a genetic relationship between the formation of domes and the intrusion of porphyries with the precious and base metals deposition. However, dikes of Rhyolite II hydrothermalized occur associated to mineralization. Additionally, intense hydrothermally-altered stockwork zones with evidences of base metal mineralization have been identified, suggesting a potential for the occurrence of porphyry-type mineralization related to this ca. 1.97 Ga magmatic event. The mineralogy, the occurrence mode, the relationship with the host rocks, the zoning and fluid evolution are typical of shallow epithermal magmatic-hydrothermal systems. The presence of adularia in mineralization allows its classification as low-sulfidation epithermal. Additionally, the presence of manganoan carbonates and the abundance of base metals point to gradations to intermediate-sulfidation epithermal systems.

No mundo de hoje, onde o uso da radiação de diversas naturezas está generalizado, a quantificação da energia depositada por essas diferentes radiações se tornou uma atividade de grande importância, principalmente quando a faixa de energia é considerada elevada, estas altas energias de radiação estão presentes, geralmente, em aceleradores de partículas, reatores nucleares e em irradiadores industriais, por exemplo. Este trabalho tem como objetivo medir altas doses de radiação de raios gama, feixes de elétrons e feixes de prótons utilizando duas variedades de um silicato natural (água-marinha e goshenita) e medir altas doses de nêutrons epitérmicos de alta fluência utilizando dosímetros de Fluoreto de Lítio dopados com Mg, Cu e P (MCP). A técnica utilizada para medir a dose absorvida por esses materiais foi a termoluminescência. As irradiações com raios- &gamma; provenientes de fontes de 60Co foram de 100 kGy a 2000 kGy para a água-marinha e de 600 kGy a 2000 kGy para a goshenita, os resultados de intensidade TL vs Dose mostram que a partir de certa dose - 250 kGy e 1234,8 kGy para água-marinha e goshenita, respectivamente - o sinal TL começa a decrescer. Foi observado neste trabalho que, estes materiais quando irradiados com tais doses e posteriormente irradiados com doses baixas de alguns Gys até cerca de 400-500 Gy, o sinal TL decresce regularmente, podendo ser utilizado na dosimetria das radiações nessa faixa de dose. Para a irradiação de feixe de prótons e de feixe de elétrons foram utilizados dosímetros em placa de goshenita e dosímetros de pastilhas de água-marinha, a carga do feixe de prótons vai de 20 a 216 &mu;C e a dose do feixe de elétrons vai de 10 kGy a 70 kGy. As irradiações com nêutrons epitérmicos utilizando LiF: Mg, Cu, P foram realizadas no reator IEA-R1/IPEN com fluências de 1014 a 1017 n/cm² e a quantificação das doses absorvidas foram realizadas utilizando o método UHTR (Ultra High Temperature Ratio). / In the present days the usage of ionizing radiation from several different sources is spread all over the world. The measurement of the absorbed energy from these radiations became a very important task, mainly when the dose range is considered being in a very high level. These high energies of radiation are associated with particles accelerators, nuclear reactors and industrial irradiators, for example. This work is concerned for measuring high-doses of gamma radiation, electron beams and proton beams using two varieties of a natural silicate (aqua-marine and goshenite) and measuring effects of high-fluence neutrons using LiF: Mg, Cu, P (MCP) detectors. Thermoluminescence was employed to measure the absorbed dose for irradiations with gamma rays ranging from 100 kGy up to 2000 kGy for aquamarine and from 600 kGy and 2000 kGy for goshenite. The TL intensity reaches maximum at 250 kGy in aquamarine and at 1234 kGy for goshenite; this means that for doses larger than 250 kGy in aquamarine and 1234 kGy in goshenite the TL intensity drops. However, the descending part can be used in very high dose dosimetry. Furthermore, has been observed in this study that starting with aquamarine irradiated with 250 kGy and goshenite with 1234 kGy, the subsequent irradiation with doses from low to 400-500 Gy produces a regularly decreasing TL intensity, so that it can be used in radiation dosimetry from low to 400-500 Gy doses. For proton beams, goshenite were used. The beam charge ranges from 20 a 216 &mu;C. For electron beams small pressed pellets of aquamarine were used. The dose ranges from 10 kGy to 70 kGy. The epithermal neutron irradiation was performed at IEA-R1 research reactor at IPEN and MCP-LiF detectors were used to measure the absorbed dose. A method called UHTR (Ultra High Temperature Ratio) was employed for calculating the amount of energy absorbed by the dosimeter. The fluence of epithermal neutrons ranges from 1014 a 1017 n/cm².

O Distrito Aurífero de Marmato é um distrito mineiro de grande dimensão localizado na borda da Cordilheira Ocidental dos Andes Colombianos. A geologia da região é balizada de acordo com o Sistema de Falhas Romeral, uma de escala regional que corta a Colômbia de norte a sul. Nesta localidade o embasamento é composto por xistos anfibolíticos, xistos quartzo sericíticos e anfibolitos pertencentes ao Complexo Arquia. A cobertura sedimentar é composta por arenitos, conglomerados e pelitos da Formação Amagá. Estas duas unidades são intrudidas por corpos vulcânicos a subvulcânicos da Formação Combia, constituída por depósitos piroclásticos e corpos intrusivos de composição dacítica a andesítica, dentre os quais o Stock de Marmato, um corpo subvulcânico gerado no Mioceno tardio. Este stock, de idade miocênica, é hospedeiro da maioria significativa da mineralização aurífera, que também ocorre subordinadamente nas rochas do Complexo Arquia. O sistema mineral é descrito como um depósito epitermal low sulfidation de Au e Ag. A mineralização ocorre associada a veios distensionais, zonas de stockworks e disseminada pela rocha hospedeira. O processo de mineralização possui idade de 5.6±0.6 Ma, obtida através da datação de plagioclásio sericitizado, idade que coincide com um episódio de reativação do Sistema de Falhas de Romeral (5.6±0.4 Ma).O presente trabalho buscou caracterizar o comportamento das razões isotópicas de Pb (\'ANTPOT. 206 Pb\'/\'ANTPOT. 204 Pb\',\' ANTPOT. 207 Pb\'/\' ANTPOT. 204 Pb\' e \'ANTPOT. 208 Pb\'/\' ANTPOT. 204 Pb\') de acordo com a profundidade dos veios mineralizados e as alterações hidrotermais presentes nesta mineralização aurífera. Para tanto foram estudadas amostras de diferentes cotas colhidas tanto em galerias como em testemunhos de sondagem. Os resultados isotópicos obtidos mostram que os níveis superficial e intermediário apresentam razões isotópicas heterogêneas enquanto o nível mais profundo apresenta uma variação neste padrão, com razões isotópicas homogêneas. Este comportamento pode ser atribuído a maior quantidade de água meteórica na parte superior do sistema mineralizante em relação ao nível mais profundo, em que o fluido tem origem associada à intrusão. Estes dados mostram que o nível mais profundo da mineralização aurífera de Marmato apresenta assinatura isotópica característica de mineralizações pórfiras e os níveis mais superficiais apresentam assinatura epitermal. Três tipos de alterações hidrotermais foram descritas em Marmato, são elas: alteração propilítica, alteração sericítica e alteração argílica. A alteração propilitica é caracterizada por clorita + calcita + epidoto como mineralogia de alteração. Na alteração sericítica todos os minerais, a exceção do quartzo e a da apatita, são afetados e transformados em sericita, com clorita subordinada. Esta alteração ocorre geralmente em cotas mais profundas. A alteração argílica ocorre na porção superficial do depósito e é composta principalmente por argilominerais. O principal mineral de minério é a pirita, e a relação de Au:Ag nestes minerais varia entre 2:1 e 1:1. Também são observados minerais ricos em Te, Se e Bi. / The auriferous district of Marmato is a large-scale mining district located on the edge of the Western Cordillera of the Colombian Andes. The geology of the region is marked out according to the Romeral Fault System, a regional scale suture that cuts Colombia from north to south. In this locality the basement consists of amphibolites schists, quartz schists and sericitic amphibolites belonging to Arquia Complex. The sedimentary cover is composed of sandstones, conglomerates and pelites representing the Amagá Formation. These two units are intruded by volcanic bodies to subvolcanic of Combia Formation, composed of pyroclastic deposits and intrusive bodies composition dacitic to andesitic, among which the Stock Marmato a subvolcanic body generated in the late Miocene. This stock host of the most significant gold mineralization, which also occurs in the subordinate Arquia Complex rocks. The mineral system is described as an Au and Ag low sulfidation epithermal deposit. Mineralization occurs associated with extensional zones, stockworks and disseminated by the host rock. The process of mineralization dates 5.6 ± 0.6 Ma, with age obtained by dating sericitizado plagioclase, age coinciding with an episode of reactivation of the Romeral Fault System (5.6 ± 0.4 Ma) .The present study aimed to characterize the behavior of the reasons isotopic Pb (\' ANTPOT. 206 Pb\' /\' ANTPOT. 204 Pb \', \'ANTPOT 207 Pb\' /\'ANTPOT 204 Pb\' and \'ANTPOT.208 Pb\' /\'ANTPOT. 204 Pb\') according to the depth of the mineralized veins and hydrothermal alterations present in this gold mineralization. Samples of different levels were studied both in galleries and in drill core. The isotopic results show that the surface and intermediate levels have heterogeneous isotope ratios while the deepest level has homogeneous isotopic ratios. This behavior can be attributed to the greater amount of meteoric water in the upper part of the mineralizing system relative to a deeper level, wherein the fluid source is associated with the intrusion. These data show that the deepest level of gold mineralization Marmato presents isotopic signature feature of porphyry mineralizations and the most superficial levels have epithermal signature. Three types of hydrothermal alterations have been described in Marmato, those alterations are: propylitic alteration, sericitic alteration and argillic alteration. The propylitic alteration is characterized by chlorite + epidote + calcite as alteration mineralogy. In the sericitic alteration all minerals, except quartz and apatite, are affected and transformed into sericite, with subordinate chlorite. This change usually occurs in deeper dimensions. Argillic alteration occurs in the superficial portion of the deposit and is mainly composed of clay minerals. The main mineral is a pyrite ore, and the Au ratio Ag these minerals varies between 2: 1 and 1: 1. There were also observed minerals rich in Te, Se and Bi.