ISSN 10757015, Geology of Ore Deposits, 2015, Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 42–63. © Pleiades Publishing, Ltd., 2015.

Original Russian Text © O.Yu. Plotinskaya, A.I. Grabezhev, R. Seltmann, 2015, published in Geologiya Rudnykh Mestorozhdenii, 2015, Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 48–70.

Fahlores Compositional Zoning in a Porphyry–Epithermal System:

Biksizak Occurrence, South Urals, Russia as an Example
O. Yu. Plotinskayaa, A. I. Grabezhevb, and R. Seltmannc
a
Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Staromonetny per. 35, Moscow, 119017 Russia
b Institute of Geology and Geochemistry, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences,
Pochtovy per., 7, Yekaterinburg, 620075 Russia
c Center for Russian and Central EurAsian Mineral Studies (CERCAMS),
Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD UK
Received June 25, 2014

Abstract—Variations in the chemical composition of fahlores at the Biksizak occurrence, Birgilda–Tomino

ore cluster, South Urals has been studied. Carbonate replacement basemetal mineralization is related to the
Paleozoic porphyry–epithermal system. The composition of fahlores ranges from Ferich tennantite to Zn
rich tetrahedrite with variable content of Ag. The grains of fahlores are complexly zoned with a progressively
increasing concentration of Sb and Ag over time. A strong positive correlation between Sb and Ag has been
established. On a diagram of Ag/(Ag + Cu) versus Sb/(Sb + As), the compositions of fahlores are fitted by
lines with individual slope for each sample. The slope of lines corresponding to the samples from the eastern
location located close to the intrusion of porphyry diorite that is the center of porphyry–epithermal system
is the lowest, whereas that corresponding to the samples from the western location more than one km distant
of the center is the highest. It is shown that the composition of fahlores and its evolution could be used as an
important exploration guide for porphyry–epithermal oreforming systems.
DOI: 10.1134/S1075701515010031

INTRODUCTION where several porphyry–epithermal systems are

Fahlores (Cu,Ag)10(Fe,Zn,Cd,Hg…)2(Sb,As,Bi, located. It is situated in the East Uralian volcanic ter
Te)4(S,Se)13 are an important indicator of mineral rane of the South Urals (Grabezhev et a., 1998; 2000;
forming conditions at various types of hydrothermal Plotinskaya et al., 2014). This area is comprised of
deposits (Sakharova, 1966; Mozgova and Tsepin, (Fig. 1a) Lower to Middle Ordovician basalts of bimo
1983; Kovalenker and Bortnikov, 1985; Spiridonov, dal series, Middle Ordovician to Silurian limestone,
1985, 1987; Sack et al., 2003; etc.). Furthermore, Upper Devonian to Lower Carboniferous dacite and
chemical variations of fahlores are one of the key char andesite, and Lower Carboniferous andesitic tuff
acteristics of the subtle mineralogical and geochemical intercalated with marble. The igneous rocks are diorite
zoning at various types of deposits (Chesnokov and and andesite porphyries of the Late Devonian to Early
Popova, 1972; Gamyanin et al., 1988; Prokofiev et al., Carboniferous Birgilda–Tomino igneous Complex
1988; Staude et al., 2010; Krismer et al., 2011; Catch (Grabezhev et al., 1998) and the Chelyabinsk grani
pole et al., 2012; Vassileva et al., 2014; etc.). In partic toid pluton of Early Carboniferous to Triassic age
ular, there are some papers devoted to the chemical (Osipova et al., 2010). A few deposits and occurrences
variation in fahlores in space and time at epithermal of porphyry copper (Tomino, Kalinovskoe, Birgilda)
deposits (Nekrasova and Sandomirskaya, 1979; Kov and epithermal Au–Ag (Bereznyakovskoe ore field,
alenker et al., 1980; Kovalenker and Rusinov, 1986; Michurino occurrence) types related to the intrusions
Spiridonov et al., 1990; Filimonov et al., 2005; Hack of the Birgilda–Tomino Complex (Grabezhev et al.,
barth and Petersen, 1984; Lynch, 1989; and many oth 1998) are known in this area. The genetic relations of
ers). However, papers in which the composition of various types of ore mineralization to diorite are sup
fahlores from different assemblages is examined ported by the petrochemical features of diorite and
within the unified porphyry–epithermal system are altered wall rocks (Grabezhev t al., 1998), geochemis
extremely rare. try of trace elements and REE, and isotopic composi
tions of Sr and Nd (Grabezhev, 2009; Grabezhev and
The Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster, located approxi Krasnobaev, 2009).
mately 20 km SW of Chelyabinsk, exemplifies an area
Each deposit or occurrence in the Birgilda–
Corresponding author: O.Yu. Plotinskaya. Email: [email protected] Tomino cluster appears to have been formed within an

42
 FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM 43

(a) (b) km
3
2
1

1
2
5
7
4
7 3

1
6 1 2

4 3
2
4

5 5

8
61° E
Chelyabinsk a b 9
55° N

3
N
terran lian

10
terra ralian
e
ra

ne
East U

a b 11
su
Tran

3 km 20 km 1 12

Fig. 1. (a) Simplified geological map of Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster and location of deposits in generalized geological section of
the district, modified after Grabezhev et al. (2000). (1) Early Carboniferous andesite tuff and marble; (2) volcanosedimentary
rocks of Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous Bereznyakovskaya formation; (3) Middle to Late Devonian sediments; (4) Sil
urian limestone; (5) Middle Orovician to Early Silurian sandstone, siltstone, and marble; (6) Early to Middle Ordovician basalt
and its tuff; (7, 8) Chelyabinsk Complex: (7) Late Carboniferous to Late Permian granite, (8) Early to Middle Carboniferous gra
nodiorite; (9) Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous Birgilda–Tomino igneous Complex: (a) porphyry diorite, (b) porphyritic
andesite; (10) gabbro–quartz–diorite–plagiogranite of Middle to Late Ordovician Voiznesenka Pluton; (11) faults: (a) nearver
tical, (b) thrusts; (12) deposits and occurrences: (1) Biksizak, (2, 3) epithermal: (2) Michurino, (3) Bereznyakovskoe, (4–7) por
phyry copper: (4) Tomino, (5) Kalinovskoe, (6) Yaguzak, (7) Birgilda. In the inset gray rectangle is territory of district.

independent porphyry–epithermal system developing tion is formed at depths below 2 km (Fig. 1b). This is
around a stock of porphyry diorite or andesite. The consistent with the fluid inclusion data from the
structure of a system of such complexity is described in Bereznyakovskoe epithermal (Plotinskaya et al., 2009)
detail (e.g. Kovalenker, 2007; Sillitoe, 2010). Accord and Kalinovskoe porphyry (Plotinskaya et al., 2014)
ing to existing concepts, epithermal Au–Ag mineral deposits. Carbonate rocks in the section result in the
ization is formed at a depth of less than 1.5 km, formation of skarn and related basemetal mineraliza
whereas porphyry copper–molybdenum mineraliza tion as illustrated by the Biksizak occurrence in the

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

44 PLOTINSKAYA et al.

(a)
Fhl1:
4/129.5,
Fhl3:
4/125.5, 1
4/126.6,
4/126.7, Fhl2,
4/127.8 grains 13–17
2
I 4
3

21 I 4
a b
Bs/279.7
Fhl3,
grain 1 Fhl1, 5
grain 1
Fhl2,
grains 1–6
Fhl4, 6
grain 1 Fhl2,
grains 7–12 4
400 m a b 7

(b)
m I 4 I
0

–100

–200

–300 400 m

Fig. 2. (a) Simplified geological map of the Biksizak occurrence and (b) section I–I, modified after Grabezhev et al. (1998), and
Snachev and Kuznetsov (2009). (1) Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous volcanosedimentary rocks; (2) Middle Orovician to
Early Silurian limestone and marble; (3) Early to Middle Ordovician basalt and its tuff; (4) Devonian to Early Carboniferous Bir
gilda–Tomino igneous Complex: (a) andesite and (b) diorite porphyries; (5) ore bodies; (6) faults; (7) drill holes: (a) plan and (b)
section.

studied territory (Grabezhev and Shirobokova, 1991; the Biksizak formation. Aphyric basalts of the Ordov
Plotinskaya et al., 2010). Further, tectonic movements ician Sargazy formation are in the bottom of the sec
and different erosion level caused the exhumation of tion (Fig. 2). These rocks are intruded by andesite and
mineralization referred to different levels of the por diorite porphyries of the Birgilda–Tomino complex
phyry–epithermal system (Grabezhed et al., 2000). (Grabezhev and Shirobokova, 1991; Puzhakov, 1999;
The aim of this study is to examine the chemical Snachev and Kuznetsov, 2009; Seravkin and Snachev,
evolution of fahlores from the center to the margins of 2012). In the eastern part, the intrusion of porphyry
the porphyry–epithermal system. Therefore, we have diorite hosts copper–molybdenum mineralization
selected the Biksizak occurrence owing to the great and limestone at the contact are skarned (Puzhakov,
lateral extension of its mineralized zone. 1999). This intrusion apparently was a center of the
Biksizak porphyry–epithermal system, whose eastern
part was eroded.
BRIEF GEOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTIC
Western and eastern occurrences, which differ in
The Biskizak occurrence is located in the central localization, chemistry and mineralogy of ores, are
part of the Birgilda–Tomino ore cluster. The area of distinguished at the Biksizak occurrence (Grabezhev
this occurrence (ca. 3 × 3 km) comprises Upper Devo et al., 1998; Snachev and Kuznetsov, 2009). Interlayers
nian to Lower Carboniferous andesite–dacite tuffs of silicified and ankeritized andesite–dacite tuffs are
underlain by Late Ordovician to Silurian limestone of impregnated and veined with basemetal mineraliza

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

 FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM 45

Chalcopyrite–
Assemblage

chalcopyrite

Ag sulfosalts
arsenopyrite
Hematite–
magnetite

Fahlore–
sphalerite

telluride
Pyrite–

Gold–
Mineral

Hematite
Magnetite ? ?
Pyrrhotite ?
Arsenopyrite
Pyrite
Fahlore 1 2 3 4
Chalcopyrite
Siegenite ?
Sphalerite
Galena
Native gold
Tellurides
Au, Ag, Pb, Bi
Native silver
Pearceite–polybasite
Acanthite–argentite
Quartz
Tourmaline
Muscovite–paragonite
Barite ?
Chlorite
Dolomite–ankerite
Siderite
Calcite

East Х Х – Х Х Х Х Х Х
West Х Х Х Х Х Х Х – –
Х Х Х Predominant Х Х Found Х Rare – Not found

Fig. 3. Paragenetic sequence of mineralization at Biksizak, modified after Plotinskaya et al. (2010, 2014).

tion at the western location. Chalcopyrite, fahlores, while the western location has a higher grade of Cu
and pockets of barite are abundant in the central zone, and Ag (Puzhakov, 1999).
whereas pyrite, chalcopyrite, hematite, and galena are
abundant at the margins of this location (Plotinskaya
et al., 2010). Mineralization of the eastern location MINERAL ASSEMBLAGES
forms interlayers of impregnated, less frequent massive AND PARAGENTIC SUCCESSION
chalcopyrite–sphalerite ores of up to a few meters in Six major mineral assemblages were identified at
thickness within the Silurian limestone (Grabezhev the occurrence (Fig. 3): (1) hematite–magnetite,
et al., 1998). The stratiform or lenticular ore bodies (2) pyrite–arsenopyrite, (3) chalcopyrite–sphalerite,
are conformable with the host rock (Fig. 2b). In gen (4) fahlore–chalcopyrite, (5) gold–telluride, and
eral, the ore deposit, 700–1000 m in length and 400– (6) silver–sulfosalt (Plotinskaya et al., 2010, 2014).
800 m in width in plan view, gently plunges westward The succession of these assemblages is not always pos
(Grabezhev et al., 1998). The eastern location is char sible to establish and, probably, these assemblages are
acterized by an appreciably higher grade of Zn and Pb, of a facial rather than stage character.

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

46 PLOTINSKAYA et al.

The hematite–magnetite assemblage found at the 40 s for Se, Ag, Hg, Te and Bi; the signals used were Kα
bottom of ore bodies is magnetite and hematite for S, Cu, As, Fe, and Zn; Lα for Se, Ag, Hg, Te, and
impregnated in quartz. The pyrite–arsenopyrite Cd; Lβ for Sb; and Mα for Bi. The following standards
assemblage identified at the eastern location is were used: CuFeS2 (S, Cu, Fe), HgS (Hg), GaAs (As),
quartz–carbonate–arsenopyrite veinlets. In addition InSb (Sb), PbTe (Te), CdS (Cd), ZnS (Zn), and
to arsenopyrite, rare pyrite and fahlore 1 were found. chemically pure elements for Ag, Bi, and Se. Detec
Minerals of the chalcopyrite–sphalerite assemblage tion limits were as follows (wt %): 0.08 Se, 0.07 S, 0.10
found only at the eastern location are sphalerite, chal Ag, 0.36 Hg, 0.14 Cu, 0.2 As, 0.32 Sb, 0.06 Te, 0.1 Cd,
copyrite, pyrite, fahlore 2, and rare native gold. Min 0.17 Bi, 0.05 Fe, and 0.1 Zn. At the NHM, operation
erals of the fahlore–chalcopyrite assemblage (fahlore 3, the conditions were: counting time 20 s for S, Fe, Cu,
pyrite, chalcopyrite, and galena are common; siege and Zn and 60 s for other elements; the signals used
nite and arsenopyrite are rare) occur in the central were Kα for S, Cu, Fe, and Zn; Lα for Se, Ag, As, Sb,
zone of the western location. The occasional gold–tel Te, and Cd; and Mα for Bi and Hg. The following stan
luride assemblage is sporadic grains of gold and tellu
dards were used: HgTe (Hg), GaAs (As), InSe (Se),
rides (petzite, Bi tellurides), overgrowing earlier sul
fides, among which galena and fahlores are the most BiTe (B, Te), CdS (Cd), ZnS (Zn, S), and chemically
frequent. The silver–sulfosalt assemblage composed pure metals for Fe, Ag, Cu, and Sb. Detection limits
of native silver, acanthite–argentite, and Ag sulfosalts were (wt %): 0.04 Se, 0.05 S, 0.09 Ag, 0.09 Hg, 0.06
is sporadic at the eastern location. Cu, 0.03 As, 0.05 Sb, 0.07 Te, 0.03 Cd, 0.07 Bi, 0.03
Fe, and 0.06 Zn. In addition, several grains were
The formation temperature of the pyrite–chlo
examined on a Jeol JSM5600LV scanning electron
rite–sericite altered wall rock estimated by the chlorite
geothermometer of Kranidiotis and MacLean (1987) microscope equipped with a LinkISIS EDS at Insti
is 332–311°С and 391–344°С at the western and east tute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Miner
ern location, respectively. The formation temperature alogy, and Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Sci
of pyrite–arsenopyrite assemblages ranges from 321 to ences, analyst N.V. Trubkin. Electron microprobe data
233°C (Plotinskaya et al., 2014). The homogenization are given in Table 1.
temperature of fluid inclusions in barite of the western
location and sphalerite of the eastern location is 280–
248°С and 231–148°С, respectively (Plotinskaya et CHEMICAL FEATURES OF FAHLORES
al., 2010; 2014). Thus, at the occurrence, minerals
precipitated within a wide range of temperature, but Four generations of fahlores, members of different
ore assemblages were deposited at relatively low tem assemblages differing in chemical composition, were
peratures that ranged from 250 to 180°С, pressure cor identified. The first generation, as occasional small grains
rected. associated with arsenopyrite, was found in marble at the
western occurrence. It is Ferich tennantite containing
up to 1.6 wt % Sb and ca. 3.5 wt % Zn with the formula
ANALYTICAL TECHNIQUES Cu9.9(Fe1.2,Zn0.8)2(As3.8,Sb0.2)4S13 (Fig. 4a). The fahlore
Seventeen grains of fahlores from three samples found in the hematite–magnetite assemblage is later
from East Biksizak collected at different distances than the latter (Fig. 4b) and is referred to the same gener
from the diorite intrusion and twelve grains from seven ation. It is also Ferich tennantite with the average for
samples from West Biksizak, including five samples mula (Cu9.9,Ag0.1)10(Fe1.5,Zn0.4)1.9(As2.7,Sb1.3)4S13.1.
selected from the drill hole no. 4, have been investi
gated (Fig. 2a). This collection allows the character More abundant fahlores of the second generation
ization of lateral compositional variations of fahlores are found in the chalcopyrite–sphalerite assemblage.
from East to West Biksizak and the identification of These fahlores are overgrown by sphalerite and galena
the chemical zoning of fahlores within one ore body (Figs. 4c, 5, 6, 7). Fahlores of the third generation are
along drill hole no. 4. in the fahlore–chalcopyrite assemblage and occur
The chemical composition of the fahlores was only at West Biksizak (Figs. 4d, 8, 9). The composition
determined with a Cameca SX100 electron micro of fahlores 2 and 3 is discussed in detail below. Fahlores
probe at the Technical University of Clausthal (TU of the fourth generation occur as rare small (10 to
Clausthal), Germany, analyst A.R. Cabral, and the 20 µm) grains in a silver–sulfosalt assemblage. They
Natural History Museum in London (NHM), UK, replace pyrite and arsenopyrite (Fig. 4e) and are Fe
analyst J. Spratt. At both laboratories, electron micro tennantite, (Cu8.5,Ag0.9)9.4(Fe2.1,Zn0.6)2.7(As3.9,Sb0.1)4S12.9,
probes operated at acceleration voltage 20 kV, current which is close to fahlore 1, but differs in its higher con
intensity 20 nA, and beam diameter 1 µm. At the TU tent of Ag, 5.9 wt %. The amount of bivalent metals
Clausthal, the operating conditions were: counting higher than stoichiometric is probably caused by adja
time 10 s for S, Cu, As, and Sb; 20 s for Fe and Zn; and cent sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and arsenopyrite.

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

 FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM 47

Ank Dol
Hem Qtz
Qtz
Fhl1

Fhl1 Qtz Ccp

Asp
Dol

Asp
Cal + Chl
Ccp Hem
Fhl1
Qtz

(a) 200 µm (b) 200 µm

Dol Qtz

Fhl2 Asp
Fhl4
Ccp
Gn
Fhl3
Au Ccp
Sp

Dol Fhl3
Asp
Sp

(c) 20 µm (d) 200 µm (e) 20 µm

Fig. 4. Photomicrographs of fahlorebearing assemblages at the Biksizak occurrence, reflected light. (a) Fahlore 1 (Fhl1) asso
ciated with arsenopyrite (Asp) enclosed in aggregate of quartz (Qtz), ankerite (Ank), and chlorite (Chl), sample 21/249, West Bik
sizak; (b) fahlore 1 (Fhl1) associated with chalcopyrite (Ccp) and hematite (Hem) enclosed in aggregate of dolomite and anker
ite (Dol), sample 4/129.5, West Biksizak; (c) fahlore 2 (Fhl2, grain 1 in Table 1) hosted in dolomite (Dol) is overgrown by galena
(Gn) accompanied with native gold (Au) and sphalerite (Sp), East Biksizak; (d) fahlore 3 overgrows chalcopyrite (Ccp), sample
4/126.6, West Biksizak; (e) fahlore 4 replaces chalcopyrite and arsenopyrite (Asp) in quartz, East Biksizak.

Fahlores of chalcopyrite–sphalerite assemblage (Fig. 5b). Fahlore 2b has an approximately equal pro
Fahlores of chalcopyrite–sphalerite assemblage portion of Sb and As (1.0–2.5 and 1.6–2.9 apfu,
(fahlore 2) are the most abundant at East Biksizak and respectively), the content of Zn is slightly higher than
occasionally occur at West Biksizak. Fahlores together in fahlores 3a (1.2–1.9 apfu). The content of Cd and
with chalcopyrite and galena mostly replace large Se is similar to that of fahlore 2a, whereas the concen
crystals of pyrite along fractures and in pores or occur tration of Bi reaches 1.6 wt % in some grains. The con
as small grains intergrown with sphalerite (Fig. 4c), tent of Ag is much higher, up to 0.9 wt %. The broadest
but sometimes fahlore 2 forms individual grains reach rims demonstrate oscillatory zoning (Figs. 6d, 6e, 6f,
ing a few mm in size (Fig. 5). Backscattered electron 6g), caused by variable contents of Sb and As. Like
images show a complex zoning of fahlore 2 (Figs. 5b, fahlores 2a, fahlores 2b correspond to Zn and Sbrich
5d). The core of the grains (generation 2a), relatively tennantite, although some compositions fall into the
homogeneous in chemical composition, is character field of Astetrahedrite (Fig. 10). In sporadic grains
ized by predominant As (2.1–3.4 apfu) and Zn (1.2– (Figs. 7c, 7d), the oscillatoryzoned rim is richer in As
1.7 apfu) corresponding to Zn and Sbrich tennantite than the core (2.1–3.2 apfu in the rim as compared
(Fig. 10). Places with elevated content of As (up to with 1.7 apfu in the core); these rims we regard as gen
3.8 apfu) are observed. eration 2c.
A small admixture of Ag (up to 0.6 wt %) and Bi
(0.8–1.3 wt %) is typical of fahlores 2; Cd and Se (up Fahlores of the fahlore–chalcopyrite assemblage
to 0.1 wt %) are occasional. Fahlore 2a is replaced and Fahores of the fahlore–chalcopyrite assemblage
rimmed by fahlore 2b (Figs. 5b, 5d, 6). Sphalerite and (fahlore 3) found in silicified limestone at the western
chalcopyrite are occasionally enclosed in the latter location occur as clusters with chalcopyrite, Fepoor

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

 Table 1. Chemical composition of fahlores from Biksizak occurrence
48

Content, wt %
Sample,
grain, Average formula (for 29 a.p.f.u.)
generation num Cu Ag Fe Zn Cd As Sb Bi S Se
ber

Generation 1, West Biksizak

Sample min–max 43.08– 0.12– 4.71– 3.48– 19.41– 1.50– 28.54–

43.24 0.18 4.73 3.48 19.68 1.60 28.74
21/249 3 n.d. n.d. n.d. Cu9.9(Fe1.2Zn0.8)2(As3.7Sb0.2)3.9S13
Grain 1
average 43.18 0.15 4.72 3.48 19.59 1.55 28.63

Sample min–max 39.32– 0.65– 5.46– 1.50– 11.39– 9.72– 27.16– 0.06–
42.08 0.93 7.83 1.56 13.68 13.07 27.78 0.11
4/129.5 5 n.d. n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe1.5Zn0.4)1.9(As2.7Sb1.3)4S13
Grain 1
average 41.15 0.73 6.07 1.52 12.92 10.91 27.56 0.07
Generation 2, East Biksizak

min–max 40.01– 0.31– 1.10– 6.79– n.d.– 10.28– 9.63– 26.76–

Grain 1 40.99 0.62 1.39 7.23 0.13 13.65 14.80 27.58
2 4 n.d. n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As2.5Sb1.5)4S13
average 40.61 0.44 1.26 6.98 12.00 12.03 27.10

min–max 41.70– 0.19– 1.11– 7.03– 16.84– 4.83– 27.73– n.d.–

PLOTINSKAYA et al.

Grain 2 42.02 0.25 1.21 7.26 17.13 5.22 28.04 0.09

2 (relic) 3 n.d. n.d. Cu9.9(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As3.4Sb0.6)4S13
average 41.86 0.21 1.18 7.12 16.97 5.08 27.89

min–max 40.79– 0.37– 0.89– 6.46– n.d.– 13.07– 8.84– 26.96– n.d.–
2a (core) 41.41 0.52 1.52 7.28 0.11 14.52 10.82 27.49 0.10
6 n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.4Zn1.6)2(As2.8Sb1.2)4S13
average 41.08 0.45 1.38 6.71 13.87 9.74 27.27

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS

min–max 41.40– 0.27– 1.50– 6.13– 0.11– 15.46– 6.34– 27.35–
Grain 3 41.91 0.41 1.92 6.54 0.11 16.12 7.68 28.02
2a (core) 5 n.d. n.d. Cu10.0(Fe0.5Zn1.5)1.9(As3.2Sb0.9)4.1S13

Vol. 57
average 41.54 0.34 1.76 6.28 0.11 15.78 7.12 27.68

min–max 40.07– 0.48– 0.68– 6.65– 0.10– 11.11– 9.76– 26.57–

No. 1
2b 40.73 0.72 1.28 7.48 0.11 13.56 13.98 27.37
6 n.d. n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As2.5Sb1.6)4.1S13
average 40.35 0.62 0.94 7.12 0.10 12.09 12.24 26.95

2015
 Table 1. (Contd.)

Content, wt %
Sample,
grain, Average formula (for 29 a.p.f.u.)
generation num Cu Ag Fe Zn Cd As Sb Bi S Se
ber

Grain 4 42.77 0.11 1.53 6.84 0.13 19.20 2.05 n.d. 28.28 n.d.
1 Cu10(Fe0.4Zn1.5)2(As3.8Sb0.2)4S13
2

min–max 40.50– 0.24– 1.04– 6.09– n.d.– 13.76– 7.15– 27.19–

41.44 0.45 1.82 7.20 0.13 15.60 9.85 27.58
2a (core) 10 n.d. n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.4Zn1.6)2(As2.9Sb1.1)4S13

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS

average 41.10 0.38 1.41 6.63 14.29 9.03 27.38

min–max 39.68– 0.36– 0.62– 6.55– n.d.– 9.83– 9.81– 26.62– n.d.–
2b rim 40.82 0.65 1.41 7.41 0.13 13.60 15.29 27.22 0.08

Vol. 57
9 n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As2.4Sb1.6)4S13
n=9
average 40.27 0.53 0.92 7.15 11.53 12.92 26.93

No. 1
min–max 40.97– 0.30– 1.02– 6.22– n.d.– 13.43– 8.89– 26.94–
Grain 5 41.67 0.59 1.75 7.29 0.11 14.25 10.22 27.46
9 n.d. n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.4Zn1.6)2(As2.8Sb1.2)4S13
2a (core)
average 41.35 0.46 1.57 6.52 13.72 9.86 27.30

2015
2b 1 40.05 0.70 0.61 7.56 10.35 14.65 n.d. 26.40 n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.2Zn1.8)2(As2.2Sb1.9)4.1S12.9

min–max 40.74– 0.44– 0.85– 7.02– n.d.– 13.43– 9.29– 26.94–

Grain 6 41.29 0.47 1.05 7.52 0.14 13.89 10.15 27.40
4 n.d. n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As2.8Sb1.2)4S13
2a (core)
average 41.03 0.46 0.97 7.24 13.66 9.75 27.21

min–max 38.74– 0.44– 0.60– 7.37– n.d.– 8.27– 10.96– 26.15–

40.75 0.87 1.16 7.67 0.15 12.62 17.47 26.79
2b 9 n.d. n.d. (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.2Zn1.8)2(As2Sb2)4S13
average 39.62 0.66 0.80 7.53 9.85 15.11 26.45

min–max 40.60– 0.13– 2.42– 5.73– 0.06– 12.77– 9.39– 0.98– 27.10– 0.05–
Grain 7 40.86 0.18 2.63 5.78 0.07 13.19 10.10 1.09 27.64 0.09
3 Cu9.9(Fe0.7Zn1.7)2(As2.7Sb1.2Bi0.1)4S13
2a (core)
average 40.76 0.15 2.52 5.75 0.07 13.02 9.79 1.03 27.39 0.07
FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM

min–max 39.10– 0.19– 1.91– 5.81– 0.07– 9.07– 11.32– 1.15– 26.68– 0.05–
39.99 0.30 2.29 6.24 0.10 11.90 15.53 1.49 27.15 0.08
2b (rim) 4 Cu9.8(Fe0.6Zn1.4)2(As2.2Sb1.7Bi0.1)4S13
average 39.65 0.25 2.11 5.99 0.09 10.65 13.31 1.27 26.95 0.07
49
 Table 1. (Contd.)
50

Content, wt %
Sample,
grain, Average formula (for 29 a.p.f.u.)
generation num Cu Ag Fe Zn Cd As Sb Bi S Se
ber

min–max 40.26– 0.12– 2.28– 5.72– 0.07– 12.68– 9.50– 1.06– 27.33– 0.08–
Grain 8 40.78 0.22 2.48 5.89 0.08 13.23 10.69 1.19 27.75 0.10
5 Cu9.8(Fe0.7Zn1.3)2(As2.7Sb1.2Bi0.1)4S13
2a (core)
average 40.50 0.18 2.40 5.80 0.07 12.97 9.97 1.13 27.50 0.09

min–max 39.15– 0.23– 1.69– 5.95– 0.08– 7.95– 12.94– 0.90– 26.28– 0.05–
39.97 0.41 2.16 6.35 0.12 11.17 17.86 1.24 27.26 0.10
2b (rim) 10 Cu9.8(Fe0.5Zn1.5)2(As2.1Sb1.9Bi0.1)4.1S13
average 39.59 0.29 1.98 6.12 0.10 9.86 14.93 1.12 26.85 0.07

min–max 40.24– 0.04– 2.92– 5.35– 0.08– 16.28– 4.56– 1.20– 27.58– 0.08–
Grain 9 41.23 0.08 2.97 5.54 0.09 16.50 4.70 1.30 27.64 0.11
2 Cu9.8(Fe0.8Zn1.3)2.1(As3.3Sb0.6Bi0.1)4S13
2a (core)
average 40.74 0.06 2.95 5.45 0.09 16.39 4.63 1.25 27.61 0.10

min–max 40.09– 0.10– 2.39– 5.91– 0.08– 13.12– 8.25– 1.42– 26.86– 0.07–
40.13 0.14 2.55 6.15 0.11 13.73 9.40 1.59 27.28 0.08
2b (rim) 2 Cu9.8(Fe0.7Zn1.4)2.1(As2.8Sb1.1Bi0.1)4S13
PLOTINSKAYA et al.

average 40.11 0.12 2.47 6.03 0.10 13.43 8.83 1.51 27.07 0.08

min–max 39.44– 0.03– 1.95– 5.37– 0.04– 10.47– 5.01– 0.73– 27.15– 0.06–
Grain 10 40.99 0.14 3.18 6.32 0.10 16.42 13.88 1.31 28.73 0.10
12 Cu9.7(Fe0.6Zn1.4)2(As2.5Sb1.4Bi0.1)4S13
2b
average 40.04 0.08 2.29 5.93 0.08 11.97 11.27 1.00 27.56 0.08

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS

min–max 41.03– n.d. 3.02– 5.34– 0.06– 15.83– 4.79– 1.06– 27.56– 0.08–
Grain 11 41.42 3.48 5.57 0.07 16.22 5.66 1.28 28.15 0.12
3 Cu9.8(Fe0.9Zn1.3)2.1(As3.2Sb0.7Bi0.1)4S13
2a (core)

Vol. 57
average 41.16 3.19 5.48 0.07 16.04 5.15 1.15 27.85 0.11

min–max 38.66– 0.04– 2.04– 5.80– 0.05– 9.83– 8.09– 0.72– 26.72– 0.05–

No. 1
41.32 0.17 2.75 6.38 0.11 14.56 15.26 1.27 28.18 0.09
2b (rim) 13 Cu9.8(Fe0.7Zn1.4)2.1(As2.4Sb1.5Bi0.1)4S13
average 40.13 0.10 2.35 6.04 0.07 11.86 11.57 1.00 27.24 0.07

2015
 Table 1. (Contd.)

Content, wt %
Sample,
grain, Average formula (for 29 a.p.f.u.)
generation num Cu Ag Fe Zn Cd As Sb Bi S Se
ber

Grain 12, 42.21 0.06 3.16 5.29 0.06 16.85 4.73 0.78 28.40 0.10
1 Cu9.9(Fe0.8Zn1.2)2(As3.3Sb0.6Bi0.1)4S13
2a

min–max 40.42– 0.06– 2.20– 5.70– 0.07– 11.09– 9.84– 0.65– 27.54– 0.07–
Grain 5 41.18 0.14 2.54 6.06 0.09 13.40 13.67 0.95 27.95 0.09
5 Cu9.8(Fe0.7Zn1.6)2(As2.5Sb1.4Bi0.1)4S13.1
2b

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS

average 40.86 0.09 2.45 5.86 0.08 12.24 11.57 0.81 27.74 0.08

min–max 38.91– 0.62– 0.85– 7.00– 0.05– 7.97– 18.61– 0.07– 26.50– 0.05–

Vol. 57
Grain 13 39.08 0.66 0.90 7.05 0.06 8.09 18.74 0.09 26.87 0.06
2 (Cu9.7Ag0.1)9.8(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As1.7Sb2.4)4.1S13
2b
average 39.00 0.64 0.88 7.03 0.06 8.03 18.68 0.08 26.69 0.06

No. 1
min–max 38.27– 0.19– 1.17– 6.10– 0.03– 9.95– 6.88– n.d.– 26.39– 0.05–
40.49 0.51 2.00 6.92 0.07 16.04 15.95 0.12 28.47 0.08
2c 8 (Cu9.7Ag0.1)9.8(Fe0.4Zn1.6)2(As2.4Sb1.7)4.1S13

2015
average 39.66 0.40 1.46 6.55 0.05 11.77 12.92 27.23 0.07

min–max 39.29– 0.51– 0.89– 7.11– 0.06– 8.64– 17.02– n.d.– 26.35– 0.05–
Grain 14 39.77 0.65 1.03 7.21 0.08 8.97 17.78 0.09 26.86 0.07
3 (Cu9.8Ag0.1)9.9(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As1.9Sb2.2)4.1S13
2b
average 39.47 0.57 0.95 7.14 0.07 8.83 17.35 26.59 0.06

39.44– 0.51– 0.74– 7.13– 0.06– 7.36– 15.75– n.d.– 25.78– 0.05–
min–max
Grain 15 39.97 0.72 1.06 7.35 0.07 9.55 19.05 0.09 26.47 0.07
5 (Cu9.9Ag0.1)10(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As1.7Sb2.3)4S12.9
2b
average 39.60 0.60 0.90 7.19 0.07 7.99 18.13 26.08 0.06

38.70– 0.44– 0.83– 7.05– 0.05– 7.73– 18.23– 0.08– 25.88– 0.04–
min–max
Grain 16 39.37 0.63 0.90 7.15 0.08 8.25 19.37 0.10 26.54 0.08
5 (Cu9.8Ag0.1)9.9(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As1.7Sb2.4)4.1S13
2b
average 39.10 0.55 0.86 7.10 0.06 8.03 18.70 0.09 26.20 0.06
FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM

40.19– 0.45– 1.12– 6.88– 0.04– 9.63– 12.88– n.d.– 26.04– 0.05–
min–max
Grain 17 40.91 0.64 1.31 7.02 0.07 11.94 16.07 0.07 26.73 0.09
8 (Cu10Ag0.1)10.1(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As2.2Sb1.9)4.1S12.8
2b
average 40.52 0.56 1.21 6.94 0.05 10.68 14.54 26.28 0.07
51
 Table 1. (Contd.)
52

Content, wt %
Sample,
grain, Average formula (for 29 a.p.f.u.)
generation num Cu Ag Fe Zn Cd As Sb Bi S Se
ber

Generation 3, West Biksizak

Sample 4/125.5
min–max 37.88– 2.73– 0.84– 7.10– 12.33– 26.03–
Grain 1 38.52 2.82 1.54 7.25 13.26 26.60
3 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. (Cu9.5Ag0.4)9.9(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As2.3Sb1.7)4.1S13
3a (core)
average 38.20 2.78 1.09 7.18 12.85 26.25
min–max 36.57– 4.00– 0.63– 7.04– n.d.– 7.11– 18.06– 0.39– 25.58–
3b 36.98 4.13 0.75 7.36 0.12 7.39 18.79 0.47 25.80
4 n.d. (Cu9.4Ag0.6)10(Fe0.2Zn1.8)2(As1.6Sb2.4)4S13
(rim 1)
average 36.87 4.05 0.68 7.21 7.25 18.37 0.43 25.69
3c 37.56 3.44 1.13 7.07 n.d. 9.70 14.94 0.29 26.38
1 n.d. (Cu9.4Ag0.5)9.9(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As2.1Sb1.9)4S13
(rim 2)
min–max 38.93– 2.44– 0.85– 6.93– n.d.– 11.42– 11.60– 0.28– 26.49–
Grain 2 39.14 2.70 1.03 7.25 0.13 12.04 13.07 0.72 26.68
5 n.d. (Cu9.6Ag0.4)10(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As2.4Sb1.6)4.1S13
3a (core)
average 39.02 2.54 0.91 7.06 11.66 12.35 0.45 26.58
PLOTINSKAYA et al.

min–max 35.91– 3.70– 0.61– 6.94– n.d.– 6.38– 16.66– 0.33– 24.94–
3b 37.39 4.22 0.88 7.11 0.14 8.62 19.41 0.44 26.03
7 n.d. (Cu9.4Ag0.6)10(Fe0.2Zn1.8)2(As1.6Sb2.5)4.1S13
(rim 1)
average 36.65 3.93 0.72 7.03 7.20 18.48 0.37 25.51
min–max 38.01– 2.99– 0.78– 6.89– 0.12– 9.51– 14.39– 0.13– 25.93–
3c 38.29 3.31 0.87 7.03 0.15 10.30 15.26 0.19 26.16
4 n.d. (Cu9.5Ag0.5)10(Fe0.2Zn1.7)1.9(As2.1Sb1.9)4S13
(rim 2)

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS

average 38.18 3.10 0.83 6.97 0.13 9.99 14.86 0.17 26.09
min–max 28.47– 10.12– 1.07– 5.44– 2.47– 25.07– 24.23–
3d* 28.85 11.37 1.31 6.03 3.10 25.67 25.66
2 n.d. n.d. n.d.

Vol. 57
(Cu7.8Ag1.7)9.5(Fe0.4Zn1.5)1.9(As0.6Sb6.6)4.2S13.4
(rim 3)
average 28.66 10.75 1.19 5.74 2.79 25.37 24.95
min–max 24.89– 14.35– 0.74– 5.60– 26.60– 21.94–

No. 1
3e* 26.69 16.18 0.88 6.34 29.22 23.40
3 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. (Cu7.3Ag2.6)9.9(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2Sb4.2S13
(rim 4)
average 25.55 15.27 0.83 6.08 27.94 22.88

2015
 Table 1. (Contd.)

Content, wt %
Sample,
grain, Average formula (for 29 a.p.f.u.)
generation num Cu Ag Fe Zn Cd As Sb Bi S Se
ber

Sample 4/126.6
min–max 34.83– 4.22– 0.84– 6.59– 0.13– 7.38– 12.15– 0.14– 25.30– n.d.–
Grain 1 37.49 6.32 1.55 6.97 0.21
27 10.80 18.17 3.69 26.72 0.05 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb Bi ) S
9.1 0.8 9.9 0.3 1.7 2 2.0 1.9 0.1 4 13
3b
average 36.23 5.20 1.04 6.77 0.17 9.23 14.60 1.61 26.11

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS

min–max 34.16– 4.24– 0.60– 7.00– 0.13– 6.00– 15.98– 0.12– 24.78– n.d.–
Grain 2 36.79 6.97 0.82 7.20 0.26
18 8.94 20.09 0.57 26.47 0.05 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb ) S
9.1 0.8 10 0.2 1.8 2 1.7 2.3 4 13
3b
average 35.70 5.59 0.74 7.09 0.16 7.87 17.48 0.27 25.68

Vol. 57
Sample 4/126.7
min–max 38.08– 1.61– 1.11– 6.68– 0.09– 9.17– 13.59– 0.14– 26.36– n.d.–

No. 1
Grain 1 39.34 2.29 1.28 6.78 0.14
8 10.90 16.40 0.21 26.84 0.06 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb ) S
9.6 0.3 9.9 0.3 1.7 2 2.1 2.0 4.1 13
3a (core)
average 38.69 1.91 1.19 6.74 0.12 9.86 15.32 0.18 26.61

2015
min–max 36.13– 2.85– 0.82– 6.77– 0.11– 5.06– 20.62– 0.12– 25.41–
3b 37.00 3.46 1.31 6.93 0.15 6.47 23.06 0.20 25.98
7 n.d. (Cu9.3Ag0.5)9.8(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As1.3Sb2.9)4.2S13
(rim)
average 36.61 3.16 0.97 6.87 0.13 5.81 21.74 0.17 25.73
min–max 38.33– 2.03– 1.76– 5.90– 0.11– 8.89– 15.10– 0.10– 25.89– n.d.–
Grain 2 38.74 2.29 1.85 6.01 0.14
2 10.13 17.25 0.11 27.06 0.04 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb ) S
9.6 0.3 9.9 0.5 1.5 2 2.0 2.1 4.1 13
3a (core)
average 38.54 2.16 1.81 5.96 0.13 9.51 16.18 0.11 26.48
min–max 36.51– 2.36– 1.48– 6.02– 0.11– 5.95– 17.87– 0.09– 25.34– n.d.–
3b 38.14 3.45 1.67 6.18 0.19
5 8.41 21.87 0.12 26.66 0.05 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb ) S
9.4 0.4 9.8 0.5 1.5 2 1.6 2.5 4.1 13
(rim)
average 37.34 2.89 1.58 6.09 0.15 7.40 19.45 0.10 26.10
min–max 38.11– 2.02– 1.11– 6.70– 0.13– 8.75– 14.50– 0.17– 26.59– n.d.–
Grain 3 38.55 2.30 1.43 6.80 0.15
3 10.66 17.10 0.19 27.10 0.04 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb ) S
9.5 0.3 9.8 0.4 1.6 2 2.1 2.0 4 13
3a (core)
average 38.31 2.19 1.29 6.74 0.14 9.84 15.61 0.18 26.88
FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM

min–max 36.15– 2.52– 0.91– 6.78– 0.10– 5.24– 17.63– 0.11– 25.28–
3b 37.82 3.44 1.26 6.94 0.14 8.44 22.78 0.21 26.76
10 n.d. (Cu9.3Ag0.5)9.8(Fe0.3Zn1.7)2(As1.3Sb2.8)4.1S13
(rim)
average 36.75 3.15 1.04 6.86 0.13 6.22 21.12 0.15 25.88
53
 Table 1. (Contd.)
54

Content, wt %
Sample,
grain, Average formula (for 29 a.p.f.u.)
generation num Cu Ag Fe Zn Cd As Sb Bi S Se
ber
Sample 4/127.8
min–max 33.66– 5.89– 0.78– 7.04– 0.15– 10.09– 9.66– 0.42– 26.18– n.d.–
Grain 1 35.97 8.26 1.06 7.18 0.18 12.49 13.84 1.46 26.70
4 0.06 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb Bi ) S
8.8 1.1 9.9 0.3 1.7 2 2.4 1.5 0.1 4 13.1
3b
average 34.88 7.14 0.88 7.11 0.17 11.40 11.65 0.84 26.44
min–max 35.13– 6.24– 0.89– 7.11– 0.15– 11.56– 11.05– 0.89– 26.30– n.d.–
3c 2 35.55 6.94 0.90 7.13 0.19 11.93 11.61 0.93 26.49 0.04 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb ) S
8.9 1.0 9.9 0.3 1.7 2 2.5 1.5 4 13
average 35.34 6.59 0.90 7.12 0.17 11.75 11.33 0.91 26.40
min–max 28.86– 12.28– 0.66– 6.86– 0.18– 6.35– 18.49– 0.56– 24.72–
3d 2 29.56 13.23 0.93 6.99 0.22 6.47 19.05 0.65 24.87 n.d. (Cu7.8Ag2.0)9.8(Fe0.2Zn1.8)2(As1.4Sb2.6)4S13
average 29.21 12.76 0.80 6.93 0.20 6.41 18.77 0.61 24.80
min–max 33.71– 6.94– 0.91– 6.98– 0.18– 9.96– 10.47– 0.62– 25.91– 0.04–
Grain 2 34.93 8.04 1.03 7.19 0.21 11.50 13.10 2.33 26.24
4 0.07 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb Bi ) S
8.7 1.7 9.8 0.3 1.7 2 2.3 1.6 0.1 4 13
3b
average 34.32 7.50 0.99 7.07 0.20 10.52 12.25 1.36 26.10 0.05
min–max 31.09– 10.23– 0.72– 6.99– 0.20– 7.65– 16.99– 0.75– 25.29– n.d.–
PLOTINSKAYA et al.

3d 2 31.58 11.07 1.02 7.14 0.21 7.75 17.23 0.86 25.30 0.05 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb ) S
8.2 1.6 9.8 0.3 1.8 2.1 1.7 2.3 4 13
average 31.34 10.65 0.87 7.07 0.21 7.70 17.11 0.81 25.30
Sample Bs/279.7
min–max 37.29– 1.94– 1.04– 6.65– 0.06– 5.96– 20.60– 0.43– 25.85– n.d.–
Grain 1 37.74 2.05 1.10 6.76 0.09 6.44 20.95 0.47 26.09
4 0.04 (Cu Ag ) (Fe Zn ) (As Sb ) S

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS

3b 9.5 0.3 9.8 0.3 1.7 2.0 1.3 2.8 4.1 13
average 37.45 1.99 1.07 6.72 0.08 6.15 20.80 0.46 25.96
Generation 4, East Biksizak

Vol. 57
min–max 35.37– 5.92– 6.71– 2.78– í.î. 18.75– 0.83– í.î. 27.04–
Grain 1 35.56 6.31 7.69 2.98 19.22 0.95 28.11
2 n.d. (Cu8.5Ag0.9)9.3(Fe2.0Zn0.7)2.6(As3.9Sb0.1)4S13.1
4

No. 1
average 35.47 6.12 7.20 2.88 18.99 0.89 27.58
EDS analysis, Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, analyst N.V. Trubkin.

2015
 FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM 55

Fhl2

Py Fhl2a
Fhl2
Fhl2a
Py
Dol
Ccp
Sp
Dol Sp
Dol

(a) 500 µm (b) 300 µm

Qtz

Fhl2
Qtz

Sp Fhl2a
Ccp
Sp
Fhl2b
Ccp Fhl2b

(c) 500 µm (d) 200 µm

Fig. 5. Fahlores of second generation, East Biksizak. (a) Veinlet of fahlore (Fhl2a) with pyrite (Py) and sphalerite (Sp) in dolo
mite; (b) backscattered electron image of dark relic in fahlore 2a (grain 2 in Table 1); magnified fragment of (a); (c) photomi
crograph of veinlet of fahlore in dolomite containing ultra fine stringer of sphalerite and chalcopyrite, reflected light (grain 3 in
Table 1); (d) backscattered electron image of fahlore 2b and sphalerite overgrowing fahlore 2a, magnified fragment of (c).

sphalerite, and galena. This fahlore frequently con electron image shows the homogeneity of the outer
tains less Cd (up to 0.2 wt %) and Bi (0.1–3.7 wt %), rim (fahlore 3c), which is Znrich tennatnite–tetrahe
while the concentration of Se does not exceed the drite with a lower content of Ag and Bi than that of the
detection limit. A high content of Ag (up to 16.2 wt %) earlier generation. Compositionally it corresponds to
is a characteristic feature of fahlore 3. (Cu9.5,Ag0.5)10(Fe0.3,Zn1.7)2(As2.1,Sb1.9)4S13, which is
Zoned grains of fahlores 3 consist of a relatively close to fahlore 3a, but in contrast to the latter, it does not
homogeneous core and a complex rim. For example, contain mineral inclusions. Grains of fahlores 3a, 3b, and
in sample 4/125.5 (Figs. 8a, 8b), the grain cores (fahl 3c are occasionally overgrown by a thin (usually 2 µm,
ore 3a) are porous because of small inclusions of rarely thicker) rim of fahlore with a different composition
quartz and paragonite and are Zn and Sbrich ten (Figs. 8c, 8d, 8e). The chemical composition of the rim
nantite with the average formula (Cu9.6,Ag0.4)10(Fe0.3, was examined only with EDS because of the small size.
Zn1.7)2(As2.4,Sb1.6)4S13. The approximately 10–50 µm The rim is complex (Fig. 8e): its inner zone (generation 3d)
wide rim (fahlore 3b) is Zn and Asrich tetrahedrite with maximum thickness of 5 µm, occurs as thin veinlets
with a much higher content of Ag and lower Bi: in fahlore 3c. It is characterized by a high content of Ag
(Cu9.4,Ag0.6)10(Fe0.2,Zn1.8)2(As1.6,Sb2.4)4.1S13. It is oscil (10–11 wt %) and chemically corresponds to tetrahedrite
latory zoned owing to rhythmic variations in Sb and As (Cu7.9,Ag1.7)9.6(Fe0.3,Zn1.6)1.9(As0.6,Sb3.6)4.2S13.3. The
content (Figs. 8f, 8g, 8h, 8i, 8j). The backscattered outer zone of the rim (fahlores 3f) with a higher con

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

56 PLOTINSKAYA et al.

(c)

(b) Fhl2a
Fhl2
Sp

Sp Fhl2b
Ccp
Sp
Ccp
(b) 500 µm

(d)–(g)
Sp

Ccp
Dol
Fhl2b
Fhl2a
Sp
Qtz Sp
(a) 500 µm (c) 50 µm
SbLα AsLα ZnKα AgLα

(d) (e) (f) (g)

Fig. 6. Zoning of secondgeneration fahlores, East Biksizak. (a) Photomicrograph of ultra fine stringer of fahlore 2 (grain 4 in
Table 1) with sphalerite in dolomite, reflected light; (b) backscattered electron image of fahlores 2a overgrown by fahlores 2b and
sphalerite (Sp), magnified fragment of (a); (c) backscattered electron image of weakly oscillatory zoned fahlore 2a, magnified
fragment of (b); (d, e, f, g) SbLα, AsLα, ZnKα, and AgLα Xray images, respectively.

centration of Ag (14–16 wt %) is Asfree; its formula the variation of the Zn concentration in fahlores 3 at
is (Cu7.5,Ag2.5)10(Fe0.2,Zn1.7)1.9(As0.0,Sb4.1)4.1S13. West Biksizak is comparable with that in fahlores 2
(1.4–1.8 apfu as compared with 1.2–1.9 apfu).
A significant positive correlation between Ag/(Ag + Cu)
DISCUSSION and Sb/(Sb + As ± Bi), and Zn/(Zn + Fe ± Cd) and
At the East Biksizak occurrence, a few hundred Sb/(Sb + As ± Bi) is established in the secondgener
meters from the diorite intrusion, the content of Ag in ation fahlores of East Biksizak, while Ag/(Ag + Cu)
fahlores is insignificant (up to 0.9 and 6.1 wt % in the and Zn/(Zn + Fe ± Cd) are strongly positive corre
second and fourth generation, respectively). At the lated (Table 2). It is characteristic that no dramatic
West Biksizak occurrence, located more than one km difference in the chemical composition of grains col
away from the intrusion, the content of Ag in fahlores lected at various places of East Biksizak was found.
is much higher and its variation is wider (from 0.1 to A linear correlation test of Ag/(Ag + Cu), Sb/(Sb +
0.9 wt % in the firstgeneration fahlores and from 1.6 As ± Bi), and Zn/(Zn + Fe ± Cd) indicated (Table 2)
to 16.2 wt % in the thirdgeneration fahlores). The that Ag/(Ag + Cu) and Sb/(Sb + As ± Bi) are weakly
same is true for Sb (1.2–4.0 apfu at the western loca positive correlated in fahlores 3 for all samples from
tion and 0.2–2.5 apfu at the eastern location). This West Biksizak, whereas Zn/(Zn + Fe ± Cd) and
indirectly indicates variable PTx conditions at the Sb/(Sb + As ± Bi), and Ag/(Ag + Cu) and Zn/(Zn +
margins of the hydrothermal system. At the same time, Fe ± Cd) are not correlated. However, a strong positive

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

 FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM 57

Fhl2

Qtz
Fhl2 Fhl2b

Fhl2a

Dol Sp Ccp

Fhl2b
(d)
(a)
Py 300 µm (b) 100 µm

Ccp

Sp
Fhl2c
Fhl2
Ccp

Fhl2b
Dol
Fhl2

500 µm Py 100 µm
(c) (d)

Fig. 7. Zoning of secondgeneration fahlores, East Biksizak. (a) Numerous grains of fahlores enclosed in dolomite; (b) backscat
tered electron image of fahlore 2b (grain 7 in Table 1) that overgrows and replaces fahlores 2a to form complex spotty zoning,
magnified fragment of (a); (c) fahlore with chalcopyrite and sphalerite enclosed in dolomite; (d) backscattered electron image (c) + Bi
dark oscillatoryzoned fahlore (grain 14 in Table 1) rimming fahlores 2b.

correlation between Ag/(Ag + Cu) and Sb/(Sb + As ± (ca. 0.05) was established for sample 4/129.5 collected
Bi) is observed in each individual sample from West in the bottom of the ore body. The lowest slope
Biksizak (the correlation coefficient is two or more (ca. 0.015) is typical of fahlore 2 from East Biksizak.
times greater than the minimum significant coeffi
cient). Generations 3d and 3e from West Biksizak are not
in equilibrium with the earlier generations 3a, 3b, and
Figure 11 shows that the compositions of each 3c (Fig. 8e). Despite the small size of the grains of both
sample from West Biksizak are well approximated by generations and the failed precise measurement, Fig
straight lines on a Sb/(Sb + As + Bi) versus Ag/(Ag + Cu) ure 11 shows that the regression line has a higher slope
plot. These lines have different slopes, which decrease (ca. 0.55 and 0.51 for samples 4/127.8 and 4/122.5,
with increasing Ag content and as they approach the respectively). This implies that fahlores 3d and 3e pre
margins of the porphyry system. This is true for grains cipitated from later fluid with different geochemical
of the same generation, where chemical variations are characteristics. We suggest that the time of precipita
caused by oscillatory or smooth growth zoning, i.e., tion of generations 3d and 3e is matched with that of
for the eastern location and generations 3a, 3b, and 3c silver–sulfosalt assemblage at East Biksizak.
at the western location.
A complementary increase of Sb and Ag content in
The slopes are nearly equal (ca. 0.1) for generations 3a, fahlores from early to late generation was previously
3b, and 3c from three samples collected at distances of reported (Kovalenker and Bortnikov, 1985; Muller
one meter or less from each other (4/125.5, 4/126.6, and Craig, 1983; Dimitrova et al., 2007; Vassileva
4/126.7) at West Biksizak. The regression line of sam et al., 2014). Hackbarth and Petersen (1984) described
ple 4/127.8 collected in the central part of ore body in detail this feature at some epithermal vein base
has the highest slope (ca. 0.25). A lower slope metal deposits at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, United

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

58 PLOTINSKAYA et al.

Qtz Ccp
Py
Ccp
Gn Ccp Py Fhl3
Py
Ccp

Fhl3a

Ccp
Py Cal

Ccp
Fhl3b

(a) 100 µm (b) 200 µm

3c
3b (e) (g)–(j)
Par 3d 3e
(f) 3c
(d) 3e
3d
Qtz
Fhl3a Fhl3c
Fhl3a 10 µm
(d)

3d
Fhl3b
3c
3e

(c) 100 µm (e) 10 µm 3d (f) 20 µm

(g) AsLα (h) SbLα (i) AgLα (j) ZnKα

Fig. 8. Fahlores of fahlore–chalcopyrite assemblage (third generation), West Biksizak. (b) is photomicrograph in reflected light,
other figures are backscattered electron images. (a) Zoned grain of fahlores 3a saturated in inclusions of gangue constituents
(quartz, mica, carbonates) and rimmed by fahlores 3b overgrows chalcopyrite (sample 4/125.5, grain 1 in Table 1); (b) fahlores 3
intergrown with chalcopyrite are hosted in calcite (sample 4/125.5, grain 2 in Table 1); (c) fahlores 3a, 3d, and 3c, magnified frag
ment of (b); (d, e, f) generations 3d and 3e, magnified fragments of (c); (g, h, i, j) AsLα, SbLα, AgLα, and ZnKα Xray images,
respectively of fragment of (f).

States, and Orcopampa and Julcani, Peru, where a the zoning established is caused by the evolution of
correlation between the contents of Sb and Ag was fluid, i.e., when fahlores enriched in As and Cu firstly
established. Similar to Biksizak, the slopes of lines on precipitate from the fluid moving from center towards
the Sb/(Sb + As) versus Ag/(Ag + Cu) diagram the margins of hydrothermal system that result in
increase toward the margins of the deposits. Recently, enrichment of residual fluid in Sb and Ag. Therefore,
Catchpole et al. (2012) reported a similar pattern at fahlores of the assemblages latest and furthest from
the basemetal deposits in the Maracocha district, center are enriched in Sb and Ag. In other words, the
Peru. Hackbarth and Petersen (1984) suggested that evolution of Sb/As and Ag/Cu ratios in the first place

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

 FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM 59

9.5 Cu
apfu
9.0
Py ~
~ A
2.5 As Sb
2.0
1.5 Zn
1.0 Ag
Ccp B
0.5 Fe
Fhl3
0
A B

Fhl3

Dol
Qtz
(a) 200 µm (b) 100 µm

Gn

Ccp

Fhl3
Fhl3

Gn
Ccp
Ccp

(c) 300 µm (d) 100 µm

Fig. 9. Zoning of fahlore of fahlore–chalcopyrite assemblage (generation 3b). (a) Fahlore 3 overgrows chalcopyrite; (b) back
scattered electron image of combined spotty and oscillatory zoning (sample 4/126.6, grain 1 in Table 1), magnified fragment of
(a); in the incertion, variations in content of major elements along profile A–B show undulating behavior of Ag and Cu, and As
and Sb at constant Fe and Zn; (c) fahlore 3 with chalcopyrite hosted in aggregate of dolomite–ankerite and quartz; (d) backscat
tered electron image of fragment of (c) (sample 4/126, grain 1 in Table 1).

is determined by the evolution of these ratios in the the same as at East Biksizak, i.e., the content of Sb and
fluid. By contrast, the composition of the residual fluid Ag increases.
is determined by the amount of crystallized fahlores.
This model implies a unidirectional monotonous CONCLUSIONS
zoning in individual grains of fahlores. At East Bik A higher content of Ag and Sb in fahlores is
sizak, content of Sb (and to less extent that of Ag) observed distant of the center of the porphyry system,
increases in fahlores 2. At West Biksizak, the evolution i.e., at West Biksizak, whereas the highest content of
of fahlores 3 is more complex; an appreciable decrease As was found at East Biksizak adjacent to an intrusion
of porphyry diorite. The content of Ag and Sb gradually
of content of Sb and Ag from 3b to 3c (in fahlores 3b increases toward late generation with a strong positive
this trend is complicated by oscillatory zoning) is fol correlation between Ag/(Ag + Cu) and Sb/(Sb + As).
lowed by an explosion of Sb and Ag from 3c to 3d and This feature is pronounced at West Biksizak, which is
3e. However, the general trend of chemical evolution is furthest from the center of the porphyry system.

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

60 PLOTINSKAYA et al.

Zn/(Zn + Fe + Cd) (a)

1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6 1 (Asp)
1 (Hem)
0.5 2a
2b
0.4 2c
3a
0.3 3b
3c
0.2 3d
3e
0.1 4

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Sb/(Sb + As + Bi)
Ag/(Ag + Cu) (b)
0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Sb/(Sb + As + Bi)
Ag/(Ag + Cu) (c)
0.30

0.25

0.20

0.15

0.10

0.05

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Zn/(Zn + Fe + Cd)

Fig. 10. Diagrams showing chemical composition of fahlores at Biksizak occurrence: (a) Sb/(Sb + As + Bi) versus Zn/(Zn + Fe + Cd),
(b) Sb/(Sb + As + Bi) versus Ag/(Ag + Cu), (c) Zn/(Zn + Fe + Cd) versus Ag/(Ag + Cu).

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

 FAHLORES COMPOSITIONAL ZONING IN A PORPHYRY–EPITHERMAL SYSTEM 61

Ag/(Ag + Cu)
0.30

East
West y = 0.5127x – 0.2532
4/125.5
0.25
4/126.6
4/126.7
4/127.8 y = 0.5487x – 0.1446
4/129.5
0.20

0.15
y = 0.247x + 0.012

0.10 y = 0.119x + 0.0186

y = 0.1023x + 0.0022

0.05 y = 0.0962x – 0.0173

y = 0.0457x – 0.0052
y = 0.0151x – 0.0005

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0
Sb/(Sb + As + Bi)
Fig. 11. A Sb/(Sb + As + Bi) versus Ag/(Ag+Cu) plot for fahlores from five samples collected from drill hole 4 at West Biksizak
and all samples from East Biksizak; solid lines represent linear leastsquare regressions through the data.

Table 2. Correlation coefficients between major parameters of second and thirdgeneration fahlores
Correlation coefficient
Location, generation Number Ag/(Ag + Cu)– Zn/(Zn + Fe ± Cd)– Ag/(Ag + Cu)–
min
Sb/(Sb + As ± Bi) Sb/(Sb + As ± Bi) Zn/(Zn + Fe ± Cd)
East, generation 2 159 0.58 0.46 0.85 0.19
West, generation 3a, 3b, 113 0.44 0.05 0.22 0.19
and 3c, all compositions
Sample 4/125.5 24 0.98 0.63 0.58 0.40
Sample 4/126.6 35 0.76 0.90 0.54 0.35
Sample 4/126.7 35 0.97 0.43 0.34 0.35
Sample 4/127.8 14 0.98 0.30 0.31 0.53
Min denotes minimal significant correlation coefficient at confidence figure 0.05. Significant correlation coefficients are bolded; strong
values are italic bolded.

GEOLOGY OF ORE DEPOSITS Vol. 57 No. 1 2015

62 PLOTINSKAYA et al.

The slope of the line matching compositions from Grabezhev, A.I., Kuznetsov, N.S., and Puzhakov, B.A.,
one sample on the Ag/(Ag + Cu) versus Sb/(Sb + As) Rudnometasomaticheskaya zonal’nost' mednoporfirovoi
diagram increases, first, as distance from the center kolonny natrievogo tipa (paragonitsoderzhashchie oreoly,
increases and second, towards the central part of the Ural) (Ore–Metasomatic Zonation of SodiumType Por
phyry Copper Column (ParagoniteBearing Aureoles,
ore body. Urals), Yekaterinburg: UGGGA, 1998.
Thus, the composition of fahlores and its evolution Grabezhev, A.I., Sazonov, V.N., Murzin, V.V., et al., The
could be used as important guide to the exploration of Bereznyakovsk gold deposit (South Urals, Russia), Geol.
porphyry–epithermal oreforming systems. Ore Deposits, 2000, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 33–46
Grabezhev, A.I., Sr–Nd–C–O–H–S isotope–geochemi
cal characteristics of porphyry copper fluid–magmatic sys
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS tems in the South Urals: Probable sources of matter, Lito
sfera, 2009, no. 6, pp. 66–69.
We thank J. Spratt (Natural History Museum,
London), A.R. Cabral (TU Clausthal) and Hackbarth, C.J. and Petersen, U., A fractional crystalliza
tion model for the deposition of argentian tetrahedrite,
N.V. Trubkin (Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Econ. Geol., 1984, vol. 79, pp. 448–460.
Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Russian
Kovalenker V.A., Bortnikov N.S. Chemical composition
Academy of Sciences) for their assistance with micro and mineral associations of sulphosalts in the precious
probe analysis. N.S. Bortnikov and V.A. Kovalenker metal deposits from different geological environment, Geol.
(Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Carpathica, 1985, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. 283–291.
Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Kovalenker, V.A. and Rusinov, V.L., Goldfieldite: chemical
Sciences) are thanked for their comments in the prep features, paragenetic assemblages, and conditions of forma
aration of manuscript. This study was partially sup tion, Mineral. Zh., 1986, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 57–70.
ported by the Natural History Museum (CERCAMS Kovalenker, V.A., Conditions of formation and factors of
Fellowship Program), Russian Foundation for Basic largescale concentration of gold at porphyry and epither
Research (project nos. 130500622a, 140500725a), mal deposits, in Krupnye i superkrupnye mestorozhdeniya
the Presidium of Russian Academy of Sciences (program rudnykh poleznykh iskopaemykh. Tom 2. Strategicheskie vidy
no. 27), DAAD (grant no. A/11/04284), and is contribu rudnogo syr’ya (Large and SuperLarge Ore Deposits. Vol
tion to IGCP592 sponsored by UNESCO–IUGS. ume 2. Strategic Minerals), Moscow: IGEM RAN, 2007,
pp. 143–214.
Kovalenker, V.A., Troneva, N.V., and Dobronichenko, V.V.,
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