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Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals

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A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Deposits".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 11412

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiaowen Huang

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Guest Editor

Institute of Geochemistry Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550001, China
Interests: indicator minerals in ore genesis and mineral exploration; mineral geochemistry; genesis of magmatic-hydrothermal Fe deposits; critical metals

Dr. Xinfu Zhao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Earth Resources, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430079, China
Interests: magmatic-hydrothermal Fe-Cu-(Au-REE) mineralising system; sediment-hosted Cu-Co deposits; carbonatite-related deposits; mineral chemistry and ore genesis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Iron is an important resource for human life. Iron resources are heterogeneously distributed in different countries with variable deposit types, deposit scales, and ore grades. There are different types of Fe deposits, including the magmatic, magmatic-hydrothermal, sedimentary, and metamorphic deposits. Among these, magmatic-hydrothermal Fe deposits such as iron oxide–copper–gold (IOCG), iron oxide–apatite (IOA), skarn Fe, and volcanic-hosted Fe deposits constitute major Fe resources in some countries, e.g., Kiruna-type IOA for Sweden and skarn and volcanic-hosted for China. In addition to iron resources, magmatic-hydrothermal Fe deposits also host economic resources of critical metals. For example, IOCG provides U and REE, whereas IOA provides REE. Skarn and volcanic-hosted Fe deposits are associated with critical metals such as Ga, In, Co, and Ni. Although extensive studies have been carried out on these deposits, there are still some important aspects unresolved, including detailed ore-forming process, the enrichment mechanism of iron and associated critical metals and their genetic relationship, and the occurrence of critical metals. In order to better understand the genesis of magmatic-hydrothermal Fe deposits and affiliated critical metals, this Special Issue is established to report recent advances in geology of new deposit, geochronology, mineralogy, and geochemistry. New analytical methods and experimental studies are also welcome. This Special Issue expects to report studies from regional to mineral scale, using advanced analytical techniques developed in recent years, and will provide a comprehensive understanding of magmatic-hydrothermal deposits and their associated critical metals.

Dr. Xiaowen Huang
Dr. Xinfu Zhao
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

magmatic-hydrothermal Fe deposits
critical metals
mineral geochemistry
geochronology
ore-forming process
iron oxide–copper–gold
iron oxide apatite
skarn Fe
volcanic-hosted Fe
EPMA
LA-ICP-MS

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

2 pages, 119 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial for the Special Issue “Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals”

by Xiaowen Huang

Minerals 2024, 14(1), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14010112 - 22 Jan 2024

Viewed by 607

Abstract

Steel is a foundation of national economic construction [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

26 pages, 13963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Magmatic–Hydrothermal Origin of Fe-Mn Deposits in the Lesser Khingan Range (Russian Far East): Petrographic, Mineralogical and Geochemical Evidence

by Nikolai Berdnikov, Pavel Kepezhinskas, Victor Nevstruev, Valeria Krutikova, Natalia Konovalova and Valery Savatenkov

Minerals 2023, 13(11), 1366; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13111366 - 26 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1140

Abstract

Iron and iron–manganese deposits form three closely spaced clusters within the Lesser Khingan Range of the Russian Far East. Fe-Mn mineralization is hosted in Vendian–Cambrian carbonates and composed of magnetite, hematite, braunite, haussmanite, rhodochrosite and pyrolusite. The iron–manganese ores are closely associated with explosive intermediate–felsic breccias, magnetite-rich lavas, dolerites and mineralized lithocrystalloclastic tuffs. Magmatic rocks display both concordant and discordant relationships with Fe-Mn mineralization and contain abundant xenoliths of host carbonates. Both magmatic rocks (with the exception of Nb-enriched dolerites) and Fe-Mn ores are characterized by variable enrichments in large-ion lithophile and light rare earth elements and strong depletions in high-field strength elements compatible with the broad subduction setting for explosive volcanism and associated hydrothermal Fe-Mn ore mineralization. Nd-Sr isotope systematics suggest contamination by both ancient and juvenile continental crust and the involvement of recycled pelagic sediment in the formation of Fe-Mn deposits in the Lesser Khingan Range of the Russian Far East. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals)

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22 pages, 8835 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trace Elements in Magnetite and Origin of the Mariela Iron Oxide-Apatite Deposit, Southern Peru

by Zhenchao Ye, Jingwen Mao, Cai Yang, Juan Usca and Xinhao Li

Minerals 2023, 13(7), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13070934 - 13 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1368

Abstract

To better understand the origin of the Andean iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits, we conducted a study on the geology and magnetite geochemistry of the Mariela IOA deposit in the Peruvian Iron Belt, central Andes. The Mariela deposit is hosted by gabbroic and dioritic intrusions. The major high-grade massive ores are primarily composed of magnetite and contain variable amounts of apatite and actinolite. Based on textural and geochemical characteristics, three different types of magnetite are recognized: Type I magnetite occurs in the massive magnetite ore, subclassified as inclusion-rich (I-a), inclusion-free (I-b), and mosaic (I-c); Type II magnetite is associated with abundant actinolite and titanite; and Type III magnetite is disseminated in altered host rocks. However, the magnetite geochemistry data for the Mariela deposit plot shows different genetic areas in [Ti + V] vs. [Al + Mn], Ti vs. V, and Fe vs. V/Ti discrimination diagrams, indicating a paradox of magmatic and hydrothermal origins. Our interpretation is as follows: Type I-a magnetite had an initial magmatic or high-temperature magmatic-hydrothermal origin, with slight modifications during transportation and subsequent hydrothermal precipitation (Types I-b and I-c). Type II magnetite is formed from hydrothermal fluid due to the presence of abundant actinolite. Disseminated magnetite (Type III) and veinlet-type magnetite formed after fluid replacement of the host rock. We stress that elemental discrimination diagrams should be combined with field studies and textural observations to provide a reasonable geological interpretation. A clear cooling trend is evident among the three subtypes of Type I magnetite (I-a, I-b, and I-c), as well as Type II and Type III magnetite, with average formative temperatures of 737 °C, 707 °C, 666 °C, 566 °C, and 493 °C, respectively. The microanalytical data on magnetite presented here support the magmatic-hydrothermal flotation model to explain the origin of IOA deposits in the Coastal Cordillera of Southern Peru. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals)

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14 pages, 2963 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trace Element Composition of Molybdenite: Deposit Type Discrimination and Limitations

by Mao Tan, Xiaowen Huang, Yumiao Meng and Houmingrui Tan

Minerals 2023, 13(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/min13010114 - 11 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1881

Abstract

Molybdenite is a common sulfide hosting many trace elements. Trace elements in molybdenite from individual deposits have been widely used to constrain the source and conditions of ore-forming fluids. However, the relationship between the trace element composition of molybdenite and deposit types has not been well investigated from a large dataset. Here, simple statistics and partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to determine whether different types of deposits can be distinguished by trace elements in molybdenite and what factors control the variations in trace element composition based on published laser ablation ICP–MS data. Molybdenite from porphyry deposits is separated from that from quartz veins, greisen Sn–W, granite vein Mo, and granodiorite Mo deposits. The former is characterized by relatively high Re, Cu, Ag, Se, Pb, Bi, and Te contents, whereas the latter has higher Ni, Co, Sn, Sb and W contents. Molybdenite from the quartz vein Au ± W deposits (Au-dominated), and porphyry Cu–Au–Mo (moderate Au) are separated from other deposits without gold due to positive correlations with Au, Sb, Te, Pb, and Bi for the former. Assemblages of Au–Sb–Te–Pb–Bi in molybdenite are thus useful to discriminate as to whether deposits contain gold and the degree of gold mineralization. Higher oxygen fugacity is responsible for the relative enrichment of W in molybdenite from greisen Sn–W deposits, whereas lower oxygen fugacity results in the relative enrichment of Re in molybdenite from porphyry Cu ± Mo ± Au and Mo ± Cu ± Au deposits. There are some limitations to using molybdenite as an indicator mineral because of the complex occurrences of elements in molybdenite, large compositional variations within a specific deposit type, and an imbalanced dataset. To develop molybdenite as an indicator mineral tool, further work should be carried out to overcome these limitations. This study provides an attempt to classify deposit types using molybdenite trace elements and has important implications for ore genesis research and mineral exploration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals)

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15 pages, 5208 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Involvement of Evaporite Layers in the Formation of Iron Oxide-Apatite Ore Deposits: Examples from the Luohe Deposit in China and the El Laco Deposit in Chile

by Dongwei Guo, Yanhe Li, Chao Duan and Changfu Fan

Minerals 2022, 12(8), 1043; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12081043 - 19 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2190

Abstract

Iron oxide-apatite (IOA) deposits are important sources of iron. The role of evaporite layers in the formation of IOA ore deposits remains controversial. The Luohe deposit in eastern China and the El Laco deposit in Chile are representative IOA deposits. In this study, the S isotope characteristics of these two deposits are revisited. The formation of the Luohe ore deposit is closely related to marine evaporite layers in the Middle Triassic Dongma’anshan Formation. At Luohe, most of the sulfides and sulfates have high δ³⁴S_V-CDT values (concentrated from 6‰ to 10‰ and 16‰ to 20‰, respectively). The δ³⁴S_V-CDT values of sulfates are similar to those of marine evaporite layers (28–30‰) in the Dongma’anshan Formation. Estimates show that 46–82% of sulfur in the Luohe deposit is derived from marine evaporite layers. Unlike the Luohe deposit, the El Laco ore deposit formed in close relation to terrestrial evaporite layers from the Cretaceous-Tertiary Salta Group. At El Laco, the sulfides and sulfates have lower δ³⁴S_V-CDT values of −2.3‰ to −0.9‰ and 6.8‰ to 10.5‰, respectively. The δ³⁴S_V-CDT values of sulfates from the El Laco deposit are similar to those of sulfates from terrestrial evaporite layers (9.5‰) in the Salta Group. Estimates reveal that more than 70% of sulfur comes from terrestrial evaporite layers. These results indicate that evaporite layers have been involved in IOA ore-forming systems of both hydrothermal and magmatic deposits. Evaporite layers are proposed to have played key roles in the ore-forming processes of the Luohe and the Laco deposits and in other IOA deposits elsewhere. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals)

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15 pages, 5128 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Discrimination of Mineralization Types of Skarn Deposits by Magnetite Chemistry

by Huan Xie, Xiaowen Huang, Yumiao Meng, Houmingrui Tan and Liang Qi

Minerals 2022, 12(5), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/min12050608 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3336

Abstract

There are different mineralization types for skarn deposits with various origins and ore-forming conditions. Magnetite is one of the main ore minerals in skarn deposits, but whether chemical compositions of magnetite can be used to discriminate different mineralization types remains unknown. This paper collects the published magnetite electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data of skarn deposits and investigates the relationship between magnetite geochemistry and mineralization types of skarn deposits using the partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). For EPMA data, magnetite from Fe-Zn skarn deposits can be roughly separated from that of Cu-Fe-Pb-Zn, Fe, Fe-Co-Bi-Ag, Fe-Cu, and Fe-Zn-Pb skarn deposits due to the relative enrichment of Al and Mn for the former. For LA-ICP-MS data, magnetite from Fe-Sn, Fe-Zn, and W-Mo-Pb-Zn-Fe-Cu skarn deposits can be roughly separated from that of other skarn deposits due to positive correlation with Mn, Zn, and Sn and the negative correlation with V for the former. The relative depletion of V for these mineralization types likely reflects higher oxygen fugacity than the other types of skarn deposits. Magnetite from Fe-Au skarn deposits is separated due to the relatively high Cr and Ga contents, whereas magnetite from Fe-Cu skarn deposits can be discriminated because of the relative enrichment of Mg and Co. The discrimination between different types of skarn deposits in the plot of Mg + Mn vs. (Si + Al)/(Mg + Mn) indicates that the chemical composition of magnetite is significantly affected by the fluid–rock interaction, where magnetite from Fe-Au skarn deposit shows the lowest fluid–rock ratios. The PLS-DA discrimination based on LA-ICP-MS data is better than that of EPMA data, and the main discriminant elements for the different mineralization types are Mg, Al, Ti, V, Mn, Co, Zn, Ga, and Sn. Based on the discriminant elements, we propose a plot of Mg+Mn vs. Ga+Sn to discriminate different mineralization types of skarn deposits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magmatic-Hydrothermal Fe Deposits and Affiliated Critical Metals)

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