Physicochemical modeling of the coupled behavior of gold and silver in hydrothermal processes: Gold fineness, Au/Ag ratios and their possible implications

Chemical Geology

Volumn 255, Issue 3-4, 2008, Pages 399-413

  Pal'yanova, Galina ^a  

^a SOBOLEV INSTITUTE OF GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY   (Russian Federation)

Author keywords

Au(Ag) bearing pyrite; Au Ag ratios; Gold fineness; Hydrothermal gold deposits; Ore geochemistry; Thermodynamic modeling

Indexed keywords

AQUEOUS SOLUTION; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; CONCENTRATION (COMPOSITION); ECONOMIC GEOLOGY; GEOCHEMISTRY; GOLD; HYDROTHERMAL DEPOSIT; ORE DEPOSIT; P-T CONDITIONS; PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTY; SILVER; TEMPERATURE EFFECT;

EID: 52249097201     PISSN: 00092541     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2008.07.010     Document Type: Article

References (107)

1. Ahmad M., Solomon M., and Walshe J.L. Mineralogical and geochemical studies of the Emperor gold telluride deposit, Fiji. Econ. Geol. 82 (1987) 345-370
2. Akinfiev N.N., and Zotov A.V. Thermodynamic description of chloride, hydrosulphide, and hydroxocomplexes of Ag(I), Cu(I), and Au(I) at temperatures of 25-500 °C and pressures of 1-2000 bar. Geochem. Int. 39 10 (2001) 990-1006
3. Ashley P.M., Creagh C.J., and Ryan C.G. Invisible gold in ore and mineral concentrates from the Hillgrove gold-antimony deposits, NSW, Australia. Miner. Depos. 35 (2000) 285-301
4. Bardina N.Yu., and Popov V.S. Systematization of Metasomatic Rocks and Metasomatism Facies of Small Depths. Sovetskaya geology 6 (1991) 48-56 (in Russian)
5. Barton P.B. The Ag-Au-S system. Econ. Geol. 75 (1980) 303-316
6. Belevantsev V.I., Kolonin G.R., Vasil'eva N.G., Shironosova G.P., Shamovskaya G.I., and Peschevitsky B.I. The possible species and solubility of gold in ore-forming solutions. Trans. IGiG SB AS SSSR 505 (1982) 83-117 (in Russian)
7. Benning L.G., and Seward T.M. Hydrosulfide complexing of Au (I) in hydrothermal solutions from 150-400 °C and 500-1500 bars. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 60 (1996) 1849-1872
8. Berger B.R., and Bonham H.F. Epithermal gold-silver deposits in the western United States: time-space products of evolving plutonic, volcanic and tectonic environments. J. Geochem. Explor. 36 (1990) 103-142
9. Bessinger B., and Apps J.A. The Hydrothermal Chemistry of Gold, Arsenic, Antimony, Mercury and Silver (2003). http://repositories.cdlib.org/lbnl/LBNL-57395 http://repositories.cdlib.org/lbnl/LBNL-57395
10. Borisenko A.S., and Obolenskii A.A. Concentration of ore-forming solutions as a factor of formation of superlarge deposits. Geotecton. Metallogen 18 3-4 (1994) 1-4
11. Bortnikov N.S., Gamyanin G.N., Alpatov V.A., Naumov V.B., Nosik L.P., and Mironova O.F. Mineralogy, geochemistry and origin of the Nezhdaninsk gold deposit (Sakha-Yakutia, Russia). Geol. Ore Depos. 40 2 (1998) 121-138
12. Boyle R.W. The geochemistry of gold and its deposits. Canada Geol. Surv. Bull. 280 (1979) 584pp
13. Boyle R.W. The geochemistry of silver and its deposits. Canada Geol. Surv. Bull. 160 (1968) 264pp
14. Cambel B., Stresko V., and Skerencakova O. The Contents of Gold in Pyrites of Various Genesis. Geologicky zbornik. Geologica Carpathica 31 (1-2) (1980) 139-159
15. Charoy B., and Gonzalez-Partida E. Analyse des phases fluides ascciees a la genese des amas sulphures et des filons Au-Ag de la province de Taxco - Guanajuato (Mexique). Bull. Miner. 107 2 (1984) 285-305
16. Chouinard A., Paquette J., and Williams-Jones A.E. Crystallographic controls on trace-element incorporation in auriferous pyrite from the Pascua epithermal high-sulfidation deposit, Chile-Argentina. Can. Miner. 43 (2005) 951-963
17. Cole D.R., and Drummond S.E. The effect of transport and boiling on Ag/Au ratios in hydrothermal solutions: a preliminary assessment and possible implications for the formation of epithermal precious-metal ore deposits. J. Geochem. Explor. 25 (1986) 45-79
18. Cook N.J., and Chryssoulis S.L. Concentrations of "invisible" gold in the common sulfides. Canad. Mineral. 28 (1990) 1-16
19. Dill H.G., Weiser T., Bernhardt I.R., and Riera Kilibarda C. The composite gold-antimony deposit at Kharma (Bolivia). Econ. Geol. 90 (1995) 51-66
20. Distanov E.G., Stebleva A.T., Obolenskij A.A., Kochetkova K.V., and Borisenko A.S. Genesis of Uderei gold-antimonic deposit in Yeniseisk mountain-ridge. Geol. Geophys. 8 (1975) 19-27 (in Russian)
21. Emsbo P., Hutchinson R.W., Hofstra A.H., Volk J.A., Bettles K.H., and Baschuk G.J. Syngenetic Au on the Carlin trend: implications for Carlin-type deposits. Geology 27 1 (1999) 59-62
22. Emsbo P., Hofstra A.H., Lauiia E.A., Griffin G.L., and Hutchinson R.W. Origin of high-grade gold ore, source of ore fluid components and genesis of the Meikle and neighboring Carlin-type deposits, northern carlin trend, Nevada. Econ. Geol. 98 (2003) 1069-1105
23. Ettlinger A.D., and Meinert L.D. Gold skarn mineralization and fluid evolution in the Nickel plate deposit, British Columbia. Econ. Geol. 87 (1992) 1541-1565
24. Fernandez, D.C., Fuertes-Fuente, M., Martin-Izard, A., 2001. Fluid inclusions in the Ortosa Au-skarns, Asturias (northwestern of Spain). Abstracts. XVI ECROFI Europ. Curr. Resear. on fluid inclusions. Porto, 49-52.
25. Fisher N.H. Applications of gold fineness to the search for ore. Proc. Aust. Int. Min. Metall. (1950) 185-190
26. Frueh A.J., and Vincent E.A. Silver (1974), Springer-Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg 47B1-47O4
27. Gammons C.H., and Williams-Jones A.E. Hydrothermal geochemistry of electrum: thermodynamic constraints. Econ. Geol. 90 (1995) 420-432
28. Genkin A.D., Bortnikov N.S., Cabri L.J., Wagner F.E., and Stanley C.J. A multidisciplinary study of invisible gold in arsenopyrite from four mesothermal gold deposits in Siberia, Russian Federation. Econ. Geol. 93 (1998) 463-487
29. 0) at 350 to 450 °C and 500 bars. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 62 (1998) 2931-2947
30. Goldschmidt V.M. The principles of distribution of chemical elements in minerals and rocks. J. Chem. Soc. London (1937) 655-672
31. Groves D.I., Goldfarb R.J., Gebre-Mariam M., Hagemann S.G., and Robert F. Orogenic gold deposits: a proposed classification in the context of their crystal distribution and relationship to other gold deposits types. Ore Geol. Rev. 13 (1998) 7-27
32. Hannington M.D., Tivey M.K., Larocque A.C., Petersen S., and Rona P.A. The occurrence of gold in sulphide deposits of the hydrothermal field, Mid-Atlantic ridge. Canad. Mineral. 33 (1995) 1285-1310
33. Harris D.C. The mineralogy of gold and its relevance to gold recoveries. Miner. Depos. 25 1 (1990) 3-7
34. 2S-bearing aqueous solutions at 250-350 °C. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 55 (1991) 2111-2126
35. Hayba D.O., Bethke P.M., Heald P., and Foley N.F. Geologic, mineralogic and geochemical characteristics of volcanic-hosted epithermal precious metal deposits. Rev. Econ. Geol. 2 (1986) 129-167
36. Heald P., Foley N.K., and Hayba D.O. Comparative anatomy of volcanic-hosted epithermal deposits: acid-sulphate and adularia-sericite types. Econ. Geol. 82 1 (1987) 1-25
37. Hedenquist J.W., and Lowenstern J.B. The role of magmas in the formation of hydrothermal ore deposits. Nature 370 (1994) 519-527
38. Helgeson N{cyrillic}.S{cyrillic}., Kirkham D.H., and Flowers G.C. Theoretical prediction of the thermodynamic behavior of aqueous electrolytes at high pressures and temperatures. IV. Calculation of activity coefficients, osmotic coefficients, and apparent molal and standard and relative partial molal properties to 600 °C and 5 kbar. Am. J. Sci. 281 (1981) 1241-1256
39. Hodgson C.J., Love D.A., and Hamilton J.V. Giant mesothermal gold deposit: descriptive characteristics, genetic model and exploration are selection criteria. Giant ore deposits. SEG SP-2 (1995) 157-206
40. Huston D.L. Gold in volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: distribution, genesis, and exploration. SEG Rev. 13 (2000) 401-426
41. Huston D.L., and Large R.R. A chemical model for the concentration of gold in volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits. Ore Geol. Rev. 4 (1989) 171-200
42. Huston D.L., Bottrill R.S., Creelman R.A., Zaw K., and Ramsden T.R. Geological and geochemical controls on the mineralogy and grain size of gold-bearing phases, eastern Australian volcanic-hosted massive sulphide deposits. Econ. Geol. 87 (1992) 542-563
43. Izawa E., Urashima Y., Ibaraki K., Suzuki R., Yokoyama T., Kawazaki K., Koga A., and Taguchi S. The Hishikari gold deposit: high-grade epithermal veins in Quarternary volcanics of southern Kyushi, Japan. J. Geochem. Explor. 36 (1990) 1-56
44. Johnson T.W., and Meinert L.D. Au-Cu-Ag skarn and replacement mineralization in the McLaren deposit, New World District, Park Country, Montana. Econ. Geol. 89 (1994) 969-991
45. Johnson J.W., Oelkers E.H., and Helgeson H.C. SUPCRT-92. Comput. Geosci. 18 7 (1992) 899-947
46. Kesler S.E. Ore-forming fluids. Elements 1 (2005) 13-18
47. 2S. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 53 (1989) 2143-2155
48. Kolonin G.R., and Pal'yanova G.A. Native gold fineness as a possible indicator of composition and temperature of the ore-forming fluid. Dokl. Earth Sci. 373 (2000) 1000-1003
49. Konstantinov M.M., Nekrasov E.M., Sidorov A.A., and Strujkov S.F. Gold giants of Russia and world. Moscow. Sci. World 272 (2000) (in Russian)
50. Korzhinskii D.S. Physicochemical Basis of the Analysis of the Paragenesis of Minerals. AN SSSR, Moscow, 1957 (1959), Consultants Bureau, New York
51. Kovalenker V.A., Zalibekjan M.A., Laputina I.P., Malov V.S., Sandomirskaja S.M., and Garasko M.I. Sulphide-telluridic mineralization of Megradsor deposit in Armenia. Geol. Ore Depos. 3 (1990) 65-81
52. Kozlov, V.K., 1983. The research of hydrothermal equilibriums in silver-containing systems. Abstract of PhD Thesis, NEISRI, FEB of Rus. Acad. Sci. 23p. (in Russian).
53. Kretschmar V., and Scott S.D. Phase relations involving arsenopyrite in system Fe-As-S and their application. Canad. Mineral. 14 (1976) 364-386
54. Leitch C.H.B. Bralorne, a mesothermal, shield-type vein gold deposit of Cretaceous age in south-western British Columbia. CIM. Bull. 83 941 (1990) 53-80
55. Lodeischikov V.V. Technology of Gold and Silver Extraction from Resistant Ores (1999) (OAO Irgiredmet, Irkutsk). (in Russian)
56. Melent'yev B.N., Ivanenko V.V., and Pamfilova L.A. Solubility of some ore-forming sulphides under hydrothermal conditions. Geochem. Int. 7 (1969) 416-460
57. Mikucki E.J. Hydrothermal transport and depositional processes in Archean lode-gold systems: a review. Ore Geol. Rev. 18 (1998) 307-321
58. Mikucki E.J., and Ridley J.R. The hydrothermal fluid of Archaean lode-gold deposits at different metamorphic grades: compositional constraints from ore and wallrock alteration assemblages. Miner. Depos. 28 (1993) 469-481
59. Morrison G.W., Rose W.J., and Jareith S. Geological and geochemical controls on the silver content (fineness) of gold in gold-silver deposits. Ore Geol. Rev. 6 (1991) 333-364
60. Mueller A.G., and Groves D.I. The classification of Western Australian greenstone-hosted gold deposits according to wallrock-alteration mineral assemblages. Ore Geol. Rev. 6 (1991) 291-331
61. Myers G.L. Alteration zonation of the Fortitude gold skarn deposit, Lander County, NV. Min. Engin. 4 (1990) 360-368
62. Naumov G.B., Ryzhenko B.N., and Khodakovsky I.L. Handbook of Thermodynamic Data (1974), NTIS, Springfield, Va., USA (PB-226 722/7GA), 373
63. Nekrasova A.N., Oreshin V.Yu., and Chizhova I.A. Classification of gold-silver deposits on the base of logical-informational analysis. Rudy Met. 5 (1997) 33-43 (in Russian)
64. Novozhilov J.I., and Gavrilov A.M. Gold-Sulphide Deposits in Carbonaceous-Terrigenous Rock Mass (1999) Moscow. ZNIIGRI. 175. (in Russian)
65. Oberthur T., Weiser T., Amanor J.A., and Chryssoulis S.L. Mineralogical siting and distribution of gold in guartz veins and sulphide ores of the Ashanti mine and other deposits in the Ashanti belt of Ghana: genetic implications. Miner. Depos. 32 (1997) 2-15
66. Oelkers E.H., and Helgeson H.C. Triple-ion anions and polynuclear complexing in supercritical electrolyte solutions. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 54 (1990) 727-738
67. Pal'yanova, G.A., 2005. The physicochemical features of gold and silver behavior in processes of hydrothermal ore formation. PhD Thesis, UIGGM, SB Rus. Acad. Sci. 372. (in Russian).
68. Pal'yanova G.A., and Kolonin G.R. Arsenopyrite-bearing mineral associations - an indicators of physical-chemical conditions of hydrothermal ore formation. Geokhimiya 10 (1991) 1481-1492 (in Russian)
69. Pal'yanova G.A., and Kolonin G.R. Geochemical mobility of Au and Ag during hydrothermal transfer and precipitation: thermodynamic simulation. Geochem. Int. 45 8 (2007) 744-757
70. Pal'yanova G.A., and Kolonin G.R. Physicochemical features of the behavior of gold and silver in processes of hydrothermal ore formation. Dokl. Earth Sci. 394 1 (2004) 100-103
71. 0: thermodynamic analysis of the available and new experimental data. Exp. Geosci. 8 2 (1999) 43-45
72. Pal'yanova G.A., Shvarov Yu.V., Shironosova G.P., and Laptev Yu.V. Methodological approaches to the assessment of gold fineness during thermodynamic modeling of hydrothermal systems. Geochem. Int. 43 12 (2005) 1247-1251
73. Prokof'ev V.Yu. Main Principles of Hydrothermal Deposit Typification Based on Fluid Inclusion Study: the Case of Gold. Trans. Russian Academy of Sciences/Earth Science Section 354 (4) (2003) 2,553-2,555
74. Reynolds T.J., and Beane R.E. Evolution of hydrothermal fluid characteristics at the Santa Rita, New Mexico, porphyry copper deposit. Econ. Geol. 80 (1985) 1328-1347
75. Richards J.P., and Kerrich R. The Porgera gold mine Papua New Guinea: magmatic hydrothermal to epithermal evolution of an alkalic-type precious metal deposit. Econ. Geol. 88 (1993) 1017-1052
76. Robert F., and Kelly W.C. Ore-forming fluids in Archean gold-bearing quartz veins at the Sigma mine, Abitibi greenstone belt, Quebec, Canada. Econ. Geol. 82 (1987) 1464-1482
77. 5 Pascals) pressure and at higher temperatures. US Geol. Surv. Bull. 2131 (1995) 461pp
78. Roedder E. Fluid inclusions: reviews in mineralogy. Min. Soc. Amer. 12 (1984) 644pp
79. Ryzhenko B.N., Barsukov V.L., Krainov S.R., and Shvarov Yu.V. Fluids in the Earth's crust: chemical properties (composition, pH, and Eh) and Controlling Factors. Petrology 8 6 (2000) 557-570
80. Safonov Yu.G. Hydrothermal gold deposits: distribution, geological-genetic types, and productivity of ore-forming systems. Geol. Ore Depos. 39 1 (1997) 20-32
81. Savva N.E., and Pal'yanova G.A. Genesis of gold and silver sulphides at the Ulakhan deposit (northeastern Russia). Russ. Geol. Geophys. 48 (2007) 799-810
82. Sazonov V.N., Murzin V.V., and Grigor'ev N.A. Vorontsovsk gold deposit: an example of carlin-type mineralization in the Urals, Russia. Geol. Ore Depos. 40 2 (1998) 139-151
83. Scherbakov Yu.G., Pavlova L.K., Melnikova R.D., and Zimbalist V.G. Geochemistry of Gold in Sinyukha Skarn Gold Deposit (Mountain Altai). Trans. Institute of Geology and Geophysics 149 (1972) 7-20 (in Russian)
84. Scherban I.P. The Formation Conditions of Low-temperature Near Ore Metasomatites (1975), Nauka, Novosibirsk 198pp. (in Russian)
85. Scherbina V.V. About geochemical value of a quantitative ratio of gold and silver. Geochemiya 3 (1956) 56-63 (in Russian)
86. Seward T.M. The hydrothermal geochemistry of gold. In: Foster R.P. (Ed). Gold Metallogeny and Exploration (1991), Blackie & Son, Glasgow 37-62
87. Shi P. Fluid fugacities and phase equilibria in the Fe-Si-O-H-S system. Am. Mineral. 77 (1992) 1050-1066
88. Shikazono N. A comparison of temperatures estimated from the electrum-sphalerite-pyrite-argentite assemblage and filling temperatures of fluid inclusions from epithermal Au-Ag vein-type deposits in Japan. Econ. Geol. 80 (1985) 1415-1424
89. Shikazono N., and Shimizu M. The Ag/Au ratio of native gold and electrum and the geochemical environment of gold deposits in Japan. Miner. Depos. 22 (1987) 309-314
90. Shock E.L., Sassani D.C., Willis M., and Sverjensky D.A. Inorganic species in geologic fluids: correlations among standard molal thermodynamic properties of aqueous ions and hydroxide complexes. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 61 (1997) 907-950
91. Shvarov, Yu.V., Bastrakov, E., 1999. HCh: a software package for geochemical equilibrium modeling: User's Guide (AGSO RECORD 1999). Canberra: Austral Geol. Surv. Organisation, Dept. of Industry, Science and Resources, 57p.
92. Sillitoe R.H., and Thompson J.F.H. Intrusion-related vein gold deposits: types, tectono-magmatic setting and difficulties of distinction from orogenic gold deposits. Resour. Geol. 48 (1998) 237-250
93. Simon G., Kesler S.E., and Chryssoulis S. Geochemistry and textures of gold-bearing arsenian pyrite, Twin Creeks, Nevada: implications for deposition of gold in Carlin-Type deposits. Econ. Geol. 94 (1999) 405-422
94. Spycher N.F., and Reed M.H. Evolution of a broad lands-type epithermal ore fluid along alternative P-T paths: implications for the transport and deposition of base, precious and volatile metals. Econ. Geol. 84 (1989) 328-359
95. Stefansson A., and Seward T.M. Experimental determination of the stability and stoichiometry of sulphide complexes of silver (I) in hydrothermal solutions to 400 °C. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 67 (2003) 1395-1413
96. Stefansson A., and Seward T.M. The hydrolysis of gold (I) in aqueous solutions to 600 °C and 1500 bar. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 67 (2003) 1677-1688
97. Stefansson A., and Seward T.M. Gold (I) complexing in aqueous sulphide solutions to 500 °C at 500 bar. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 68 (2004) 4121-4143
98. Stoffregen R. Genesis of acid-sulphate alteration and Au-Cu-Ag mineralization at Summitville, Colorado. Econ. Geol. 82 (1987) 1575-1591
99. 2S solubility in sulfide solutions up to 250 °C. Geochem. J. 21 (1987) 291-305
100. Sverjensky D.A., Shock E.L., and Helgeson H.C. Prediction of the thermodynamic properties of aqueous metal complexes to 1000 °C and 5 kb. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 61 (1997) 1359-1412
101. Tagirov B.R., Salvi S., Schott J., and Baranova N.N. Experimental study of gold-hydrosulphide complexing in aqueous solutions at 350-500 °C, 500 and 1000 bars using mineral buffers. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 69 8 (2005) 2119-2132
102. - at 25-250 °S{cyrillic}. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 70 14 (2006) 3689-3701
103. Vetluzhskix V.G., and Kim A.A. Geological-Economic Types of Gold Deposits of Southern Yakutia. Otechestvennaya Geology 1 (1997) 16-24 (in Russian)
104. Walsh J.F., Kesler S.E., Duff D., and Cloke P.L. Fluid inclusions geochemistry of high-grade, vein-hosted gold ore at the Pamour mine, Porcupine camp, Ontario. Econ. Geol. 83 (1988) 1347-1367
105. Weir R.H., and Kerrick D.M. Mineralogic, fluid inclusion, and stable isotope studies of several gold mines in the Mother Lode, Tuolumne and Mariposa Countries, California. Econ. Geol. 82 (1987) 328-344
106. White J.L., Orr R.L., and Hultgren R. Thermodynamic properties of silver-gold alloys. Acta Metall. 5 (1957) 747-760
107. Zharikov V.A., Rusinov V.L., Marakushev A.A., Zaraiskii G.P., Omel'yanenko B.I., Pertsev N.N., Rass I.T., Andreeva O.V., Abramov S.S., and Podlesskii K.V. Metasomatism and Metasomatic Rocks (1998) Moscow, Scientific world, 492p. (in Russian)