Multigenetic origin for the secondary enrichment in the Las Cruces VMS deposit, iberian Pyrite Belt

摘要

The Iberian Pyrite Belt is a world famous volcanic massive sulphide province with considerable potential for new discoveries. Las Cruces, a hidden, secondary enriched volcanic massive sulphide deposit, was discovered beyond the conventional limits of the Pyrite Belt in 1994. The deposit has a major secondary zone, which provides the main economic target. Unlike other deposits in the Pyrite Belt, this secondary mineralisation has been well preserved by a thick Tertiary cover. Mineralogy and geochemistry of the secondary mineralisation point to a multi-genetic origin, spanning alteration by a seawater hydrothermal system during primary deposition, to post Tertiary weathering.