ISSN 1344-1698

CODEN: REGEFQ

Resource Geology
VOL. 56 No. 1 2006

CONTENTS
Original Articles
Magmatic Fluid Inclusions from the Zaldvar Deposit, Northern Chile: The Role of Early Metal-bearing Fluids in a Porphyry Copper System ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Eduardo A. CAMPOS, Jacques L. R. TOURET and Igor NIKOGOSIAN 1 Helium Isotope Geochemistry of Ore-forming Fluids from Furong Tin Orefield in Hunan Province, China ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zhao-li LI, Rui-zhong HU, Jian-tang PENG, Xian-wu BI and Xiao-min LI 9 SHRIMP U-Pb Zircon Age of the Inishi Migmatite around the Kamioka Mining Area, Hida Metamorphic Complex, Central Japan ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Masatoshi SAKODA, Takashi KANO, C. Mark FANNING and Takaaki SAKAGUCHI 17 Statistical Features of Vein Systems in the Hishikari Epithermal Gold Deposit, Japan ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Munetake SASAKI 27 Sulfur Isotope Study on Hg and Sb Deposits in Japan ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Akira IMAI, Naotatsu SHIKAZONO, Masaaki SHIMIZU and Hidehiko SHIMAZAKI 37

Short Communication
A Possible Role of Boiling in Ore Deposition: A Numerical Approach ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kenichi HOSHINO, Toru ITAMI, Ryouta SHIOKAWA and Makoto WATANABE 49

Notes
Mode of Occurrence and Characteristics of Mn-ore Bodies in Iron Ore Group of Rocks, North Orissa, India and Its Significance in Resource Evaluation ...... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patitapaban MISHRA, Birendra K. MOHAPATRA and Prem P. SINGH Factors Controlling the Hydrothermal Sulphur Ore Deposition in Keiborlu Mine Area (SW Turkey). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Abullah Mete ZGNER Differential Alteration of Ilmenite in a Tropical Beach Placer, Southern India: Microscopic and Electron Probe Evidences ...... . . . . . . . . . . . Ajith G. NAIR, D. S. SURESH BABU, K. L.VIVEKANANDAN and Silvio R. F. VLACH

55 65

75

Review
Abiogenic Origin of Hydrocarbons: An Historical Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Geoffrey P. GLASBY Abstract of Papers Published in Shigen Chishitsu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reviewers of Manuscript. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 97 98

The Society of Resource Geology

Nogizaka Building 641, Akasaka 9-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
E-mail : srg@kt.rim.or.jp Home page : http://www.kt.rim.or.jp/~srg/
This publication is supported in part by the Grant-in-Aid for Publication of Scientific Research Result from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 18, 2006

Magmatic Fluid Inclusions from the Zaldvar Deposit, Northern Chile: The Role of Early Metal-bearing Fluids in a Porphyry Copper System

Eduardo A. CAMPOS, Jacques L. R. TOURET* and Igor NIKOGOSIAN*

Departamento Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad de Concepcin, Casilla 160-C, Concepcin, Chile [e-mail: ecampos@udec.cl] * Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands Received on April 5, 2005; accepted on August 30, 2005 Abstract: The occurrence of a distinct type of multi-solid, highly-saline fluid inclusions, hosted in igneous quartz phenocrysts from the Llamo porphyry, in the Zaldvar porphyry copper deposit of northern Chile is documented. Total homogenization of the multi-solid type inclusions occurs at magmatic temperatures (over 750C), well above the typical temperatures of hydrothermal fluids (less than 600C) usually recorded in porphyry copper systems. The analysis of this type of fluid inclusions, using a combination of non-destructive microthermometry, Raman and PIXE techniques and the identification of daughter minerals by SEM method, indicates that the trapped fluid was a dense, complex chloride brine in which Cl, Na, K, Fe, Cu, and Mn are dominant. The high chlorine and metal contents indicate that the metals were separated from the crystallizing magma as homogeneous aqueous chloride-rich solutions that represent the primary magmatic fluids exsolved at high temperatures and depth during the crystallization of the parental intrusive. The multi-solid type inclusion illustrates the mechanism by which ore components are sequestered from the crystallizing parental magma and concentrated in the exsolved magmatic aqueous fluids. These fluids are significant with respect to the origin of porphyry copper deposits, as they are responsible for the first enrichment of metals and represent the precursors of metal-bearing hydrothermal fluids in a porphyry copper system. Keywords: porphyry copper deposits, fluid inclusions, metal-bearing fluids, magmatic hypersaline fluids, Zaldvar porphyry deposit

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 915, 2006

Helium Isotope Geochemistry of Ore-forming Fluids from Furong Tin Orefield in Hunan Province, China

Zhao-li LI1, Rui-zhong HU, Jian-tang PENG, Xian-wu BI and Xiao-min LI

Key Laboratory of Ore Deposit Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550002, China [e-mail (RZH): huruizhong@vip.gyig.ac.cn or (ZLL): lizhaoli3@tom.com] 1 Also with a position at Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100039, China Received on March 25, 2005; accepted on December 2, 2005 Abstract: The Furong tin orefield, located in southern Hunan, China, is a newly-discovered super-large tin orefield. In contrast to most other tin deposits associated with S-type granites, the Furong tin deposit is closely associated with the Qitianling A-type granite. The 3He/4He ratios of fluid inclusions in pyrite and arsenopyrite from this orefield range from 0.13 to 2.95 Ra. The influence of various post-mineralization processes on the helium isotopic composition of ore-forming fluid inclusions are estimated negligible. Thus, the analytical values of helium isotopic composition basically represent the original values of ore-forming fluids at the time they were trapped. The 3He/4He ratios of ore-forming fluids from the Furong orefield indicate the existence of mantle-source components. It supports the idea that both the Furong tin orefield and Qitianling granite formed under the geodynamic background of mantle upwelling and crustal extension. Keywords: helium, tin orefield, fluid inclusions, A-type granites

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 1726, 2006

SHRIMP U-Pb Zircon Age of the Inishi Migmatite around the Kamioka Mining Area, Hida Metamorphic Complex, Central Japan

Masatoshi SAKODA, Takashi KANO*, C. Mark FANNING** and Takaaki SAKAGUCHI*, 1

Metals Technology Center, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Kosaka-kozan, Kosaka-machi, Akita 0170202, Japan [e-mail: mtcjogmec2@ink.or.jp] * Department of Earth Sciences, Yamaguchi University, Yoshida 1677-1, Yamaguchi 753-8512, Japan ** Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia 1 Present address: Technology Research Center, Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, Chiba City 261-0025, Japan Received on October 15, 2003; accepted on September 27, 2005 Abstract: SHRIMP U-Pb ages were determined on single zircons separated from the Inishi migmatite in the Kamioka mining area, Hida metamorphic complex, central Japan. Twenty one determinations were distributed within the age of 234.21.8 Ma, excluding one inner core of a grain. As the analyzed crystals were mostly euhedral igneous zircons, the age indicates the crystallization of zircons from granitic melt during the formation of Inishi migmatite. The age of ca. 234 Ma corresponded to the later stage of the major regional metamorphic event in the Hida complex, while the age of ca. 265 Ma determined in a grain suggested the inherited age of the earlier phase of the metamorphism. Keywords: SHRIMP U-Pb zircon age, Inishi migmatite, Kamioka mine, Hida gneiss

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 2736, 2006

Statistical Features of Vein Systems in the Hishikari Epithermal Gold Deposit, Japan

Munetake SASAKI
Geological Survey of Japan, AIST, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8567, Japan [e-mail: sasaki-munetake@aist.go.jp] Received on August 25, 2005; accepted on September 30, 2005 Abstract: The Hishikari epithermal gold deposit consists of parallel vertical veins hosted by the Quaternary volcanic rocks (QVR) and Cretaceous sedimentary rocks (CSR) at the shallow and deep levels, respectively. In order to reveal the lithological influence on the evolution of vein systems in the Hishikari field, vein density, width, spacing and position were statistically examined using cores sampled from three boreholes. The statistical features of the veins identified were summarized as follows. (i) The QVR have lower mean vein densities than the CSR. (ii) The former has smaller deformation degrees (ratios of total vein width per length) than the latter. (iii) Cumulative frequencies of vein density obey negative-exponential distributions in both the types of rocks. (iv) Cumulative frequencies of vein width obey power-law distributions with exponents of about -1 in both the types of rocks, but consist of two segments in the CSR. (v) Cumulative frequencies of vein spacing obey lognormal distributions with coefficients of variation between 1.8 and 3.5 in both the types of rocks. And (vi) fractal dimensions of vein position are between 0.45 and 0.52 at measure lengths between 0.1 and 10 m without distinctive difference between the two types of rocks. The feature (i) indicates higher ductility of the QVR against fracturing than the CSR. The feature (ii) implies that large deformation was accumulated in rocks themselves (e.g., alteration zones) in addition to the veins examined in the QVR compared to only the veins in the CSR. The feature (iv) suggests that the vein systems in the CSR reached a stage at which the several selected large veins grew as main conduit, that potentially provided pathways for ore-forming fluids to ascend from deep levels. The coefficients of variation of vein spacing and fractal dimensions of vein position (features v and vi) indicate clustered distribution of the veins in the field. This study might be helpful for a better understanding of lithological influence on the evolution of vein systems not only in the Hishikari field but also in other fields. Keywords: statistics, vein systems, Hishikari deposit

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 3748, 2006

Sulfur Isotope Study on Hg and Sb Deposits in Japan

Akira IMAI, Naotatsu SHIKAZONO1, Masaaki SHIMIZU* and Hidehiko SHIMAZAKI2

Geological Institute, University of Tokyo Present address: Department of Earth Resource Engineering, Kyushu University, 6-10-1 Hakozaki, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8581, Fukuoka, Japan [e-mail: imai@mine.kyushu-u.ac.jp] * University Museum, University of Tokyo Present address: Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Toyama University, Gofuku 3190, Toyama 9308555, Toyama, Japan 1 Present address: Department of Applied Chemistry, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 2238522, Kanagawa, Japan 2 Present address: Tokiwadaira-Nishikubo, Matsudo 270-2266, Chiba, Japan Received on September 18, 2005; accepted on October 20, 2005 Abstract: Sulfur isotope ratios of cinnabar from Hg deposits and stibnite, jamesonite and berthierite from Sb deposits in Japan are examined in order to understand metallogeneses of Hg and Sb deposits in Japanese island arcs. The studied Hg and Sb deposits include the Hg deposit at Yamato-suigin (Honshu) and the Sb deposit at Ichinokawa (Shikoku) in the Southwest Japan arc. In addition, Hg deposits including Itomuka and Ryushoden in central Hokkaido and Hg and Sb mineralizations in Northeast Japan arc are examined. The 34S values of cinnabar from the Hidaka-Kitami district, central Hokkaido, including the Itomuka and Ryushoden deposits range widely, from 10 to +16 , the highest values encountered at the Samani deposit. The 34S values of cinnabar from other areas in Japan range from 12 to +5 , having 34S values higher than +2 from southwestern Hokkaido (Meiji deposit), Shikoku (Suii deposit) and Kyushu (Hasami and Yamagano deposits). On the other hand, the 34S values of stibnite from all areas in Japan range from 14 to +5 , having positive 34S values higher than +2 up to +5 from southwestern Hokkaido (Yakumo, Toyotomi and Teine deposits) and eastern-central Honshu (Hachiman and Daikoku deposits). The variation in 34S values of Hg and Sb deposits may reflect the variation in 34S values of country rocks or variation in mixing ratio of sulfur extracted from the country rocks, sulfur derived from seawater sulfate, and sulfur derived from magmatic emanations. The relatively high 34S values of cinnabar and stibnite higher than +2 from southwestern Hokkaido, eastern-central Honshu and Kyushu are probably caused by contribution of volcanic emanation from arc magmas having positive 34S values, whereas the positive 34S values of cinnabar higher than +2 from Suii deposit in Shikoku may be attributed to structurally substituted sulfate in limestone country rocks and/or sulfur derived from seawater sulfate. However, the wide range of the 34S values of cinnabar from the Hidaka-Kitami district, central Hokkaido, is difficult to explain at this moment. Other relatively low, negative 34S values of cinnabar and stibnite, berthierite from other areas in Japan may be attributed to 1) incorporation of isotopically light sedimentary sulfur or sulfur derived from ilmenite-series silicic magma, or 2) less contribution of volcanic emanation from arc magmas having positive 34S values. Keywords: cinnabar, mercury, stibnite, antimony, sulfur isotope, Japan, metallogeny

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 4954, 2006

Short Communication
A Possible Role of Boiling in Ore Deposition: A Numerical Approach
Kenichi HOSHINO, Toru ITAMI1, Ryouta SHIOKAWA and Makoto WATANABE
Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan [hoshino@geol.sci.hiroshima-u.ac.jp] 1 Present address: NextCom, 3-26 Kanda-Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0054, Japan Received on April 28, 2005; accepted on October 1, 2005 Abstract: A possible role of boiling of the H2O-NaCl-CO2(-H2S) fluid in ore deposition has been examined numerically by using the equations of state (EOS) of Duan et al. (1995, 1996), a modified EOS of Bowers and Helgeson (1983) and the water-rock interaction simulator MIX99 (Hoshino et al., 2000). The following three models are examined to evaluate an efficiency of boiling on mineral precipitation: (1) hypothetical non-boiling process, (2) hypothetical boiling process with sulfur partitioned only in liquid phases and (3) boiling process in which partition ratios of H2S between liquid and vapor phases are assumed to be the same as those of CO2. The processes are simulated from 450C and 900 bar to 310C and 620 bar with an analytical step of 10C / 20 bar. Boiling occurs below 400C in the latter two processes when the initial composition (in mole fraction) of the fluid is: XH2O = 0.84, XNaCl = 0.10 and XCO2 = 0.06. Ore deposition occurs abruptly at a boiling point when the partition ratios of total sulfur (Xvap/Xliq) are as high as s s those of total carbon during boiling. A decrease of concentration of sulfur in the liquid phase during boiling leads to an increase of pH of the solution, resulting in propelling mineral precipitation. It has been made clear that a possible role of boiling in ore formation mainly depends on the partition ratios of sulfur between the liquid and vapor phases, although they cannot be estimated accurately by the currently available EOS. Keywords: boiling, ore deposition, equation of state (EOS), water-rock interaction, simulation

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 5564, 2006

Note
Mode of Occurrence and Characteristics of Mn-ore Bodies in Iron Ore Group of Rocks, North Orissa, India and Its Significance in Resource Evaluation
Patitapaban MISHRA, Birendra K. MOHAPATRA and Prem P. SINGH*
Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar, India [e-mail (BKM): bkmohapatra@rrlbhu.res.in or bk_mohapatra@yahoo.com] * Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, India Received on July 4, 2005; accepted on July 29, 2005 Abstract: Several meso-scale manganese ore bodies, scattered within Jones horse-shoe shaped synclinorium, in Bonai-Keonjhar region of north Orissa are well known in the mineral map of India. Different grades of manganese ores are being exploited from this region by various agencies over a few decades. However, deceptive nature of ore bodies and complexity in control of mineralisation greatly confuse the exploration geologists for evaluation of these resources. In a recent study, the authors have classified Mn-ore bodies of this region into three broad categories such as stratiform, stratabound (-replacement) and lateritoid types based on mode of occurrence and their other chemical characteristics. Mn-ore bands occur in close association with BIF and iron ores. Volcaniclastic shale in large geographic extension encloses these ore bodies. In the stratiform category of ore bodies (BMnF, analogous of BIF), manganese and shale bands, in variables thickness, alternate with each other and extend to a great depth. Such ore bodies generally constitute marginal to low-grade ores, are characterised by low Mn/Fe ratio (~2) and have relatively lower abundance of trace (1500 to 2500 ppm) and relatively higher REE constituents. The stratabound-replacement types of ore bodies are of intra-stratal nature, occurring within tuffaceous shale. These are mostly shear-controlled ore bodies extending along a zone of certain width. Increase in average Mn/Fe ratio (~6) and trace content (5000 to 8500 ppm) by 5 to 2.5 order of magnitude respectively or more above stratiform category are characteristic of these deposits. The lateritoid ore bodies have limited depth persistency. Such deposits are usually very low in Mn/Fe ratio (<1), trace (<2000 ppm) and REE contents. Different methods of exploration techniques are suggested for various categories of Mn-ore bodies. In this context, the above findings would be the database for the exploration geologists to evaluate the potential of newer/existing Mn-ore resources in this part of north Orissa. Keywords: manganese ore, Iron Ore Group, north Orissa, Mn-ore exploration

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 6574, 2006

Note
Factors Controlling the Hydrothermal Sulphur Ore Deposition in Keiborlu Mine Area (SW Turkey)

Abdullah Mete ZGNER

Mineral Research and Exploration, Ankara, Turkey [e-mail: meteozguner@yahoo.com] Received on August 9, 2005; accepted on October 16, 2005 Abstract: Replacement-type subsurface sulphur ores of Keiborlu are situated in fault controlled and metasomatically altered fragmental ophiolite media between alkaline Pliocene volcanics of Isparta and Afyon regions, SW Turkey. Subsurface volcanic sulphur-mineralising fluids and gases were brought up along the sulphur-hosting oblique slip fault zone into the oxidising meteoric water-saturated media and the sulphur-ore bodies were developed at more porous, cross-fault locations. Chemically the sulphotaric alteration of the parent rock and sulphur ore formation is characterised by outward volcanic gas and sulphuric acid leaching and oxidation to sulphur from the crushed porous centres. Consequently, concentric pyritiferous, opaline and argillaceous zones developed adjacent to the sulphur ores. The inner alteration zones progressed and widened toward the outer zones through time and the central sulphur ore developed during a single, continuous phase of mineralisation in the water saturation zone such that the alteration zones do not cross each other. Keywords: Keiborlu sulphur mine, oblique slip fault, metasomatic alteration zones, water saturation media, alkaline subsurface volcanism, ophiolitic host rock.

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 7581, 2006

Note
Differential Alteration of Ilmenite in a Tropical Beach Placer, Southern India: Microscopic and Electron Probe Evidences

Ajith G. NAIR, D. S. SURESH BABU, K. L.VIVEKANANDAN* and Silvio R. F. VLACH**

Geosciences Division, Centre for Earth Science Studies, Thiruvananthapuram- 695 031, Kerala, India [e-mail: ajith.nair@mailcity.com] * Department of Geology, Sree Narayana College, Thiruvananthapuram- 695 587, Kerala, India ** Departamento de Mineralogia e Geotectnica, Instituto de Geocincias, Universidade de So Paulo, CEP. 005508-090, So Paulo, Brazil Received on September 27, 2005; accepted on November 12, 2005 Abstract: The study based on microscopic and microprobe techniques reveals that ilmenite of Manavalakurichi deposit has generally reached the alteration phase of 'leached ilmenite'. The XRD and bulk chemical analysis confirm the limited alteration undergone by ilmenite grains. Ilmenite alteration has been found to be a process of continuous leaching of iron from the mineral lattice and hydroxylisation. The enrichment of trace elements with progressive alteration is discussed. Si and Al are enriched by more than 100 fold. The prevalence of reducing environment at present in the deposit indicates that the oxidation of ferrous iron leading to pseudorutile formation would have occurred during transportation of sediments. Keywords: Manavalakurichi, placer, alteration, ilmenite, pseudorutile, leucoxene

RESOURCE GEOLOGY, vol. 56, no. 1, 8396, 2006

Review
Abiogenic Origin of Hydrocarbons: An Historical Overview

Geoffrey P. GLASBY
Laboratory for Earthquake Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan [e-mail: g.p.glasby@talk21.com] Contact address: 42, Warminster Crescent, Sheffield S8 9NW, U.K. Received on October 6, 2005; accepted on October 26, 2005 Abstract: The two theories of abiogenic formation of hydrocarbons, the Russian-Ukrainian theory of deep, abiotic petroleum origins and Thomas Gold's deep gas theory, have been considered in some detail. Whilst the Russian-Ukrainian theory was portrayed as being scientifically rigorous in contrast to the biogenic theory which was thought to be littered with invalid assumptions, this applies only to the formation of the higher hydrocarbons from methane in the upper mantle. In most other aspects, in particular the influence of the oxidation state of the mantle on the abundance of methane, this rigour is lacking especially when judged against modern criteria as opposed to the level of understanding in the 1950s to 1980s when this theory was at its peak. Thomas Gold's theory involves degassing of methane from the mantle and the formation of higher hydrocarbons from methane in the upper layers of the Earth's crust. However, formation of higher hydrocarbons in the upper layers of the Earth's crust occurs only as a result of Fischer-Tropsch-type reactions in the presence of hydrogen gas but is otherwise not possible on thermodynamic grounds. This theory is therefore invalid. Both theories have been overtaken by the increasingly sophisticated understanding of the modes of formation of hydrocarbon deposits in nature. Keywords: abiogenic hydrocarbons, Russian-Ukrainian theory, Thomas Gold