Mineralogical and S isotopic features of the supergene profile of the Zapadno-Ozernoe massive sulphide and Au-bearing gossan deposit, South Urals

摘要

The profile of the supergene zone of the Zapadno-Ozernoe massive sulphide Cu-Zn deposit differs from the classic model (Emmons, 1917) in that it includes a prominent dark sooty subzone rich in secondary sulphides. This subzone is situated above residual pyrite sands, which overlie the massive sulphide body and below quartz-baryte leached sands. It contains a diverse mineral assemblage which Consists of secondary sulphides such as galena, sphalerite, metacinnabar, Se-hearing pyrite-dhzarkenite series, tiemannite, native Au, native S and native Se, and unidentified sulphosalts of Ag and Hg. The very light S isotope composition of the secondary sulphides (lowest values delta~(34)S= -17.2 per thousand VCDT) in comparison with primary pyrite approx 0 per thousand and baryte +18.4 per thousand is indicative of bacterial sulphate reduction. The overlying oxidized part of the supergene column contains minerals of the jarosite-beudantite-segnitite series. The maximum concentrations of Au, up to 150 ppm, occur in the lower part of the profile. The atypical structure, mineral assemblage and S isotope composition of the secondary Sulphides in the dark layer of the supergene profile are indicative of particular geochemical conditions due to the existence of a stagnant water body that gave rise to intense bacterial activity, in turn controlled by fluctuations in the redox boundary.