Genetic Aspects of the Noble-Metal Mineralization at the Poperechnoe Deposit, Lesser Khingan, Russia

Abstract

Bodies of cryptovolcanic rocks (fluidolites) play a significant role in the structure of the Poperechnoe ferromanganese deposit, Lesser Khingan, Russia. Fe-Mn ores in association with fluidolites are localized in ancient carbonate rocks. PGM, gold, and silver minerals up to tenths of a millimeter in size are established in the rocks and ores of the deposit. Characteristic admixtures in the platinum are iron (9-11%), with less common copper, iridium, and osmium. An intergrowth of isoferroplatinum polycrystal with forsterite is observed. There are also individual grains of Os-Ir-Ru-Rh intermetallides. The gold grains (up to 93% Au) are characterized by dendritic and clumpy morphology, frequently showing faceting elements. The grains are frequently rounded and sometimes have an almost perfect spherical shape. Native silver is distributed among the dolomites, as well as in the dolomitic fragments from the fluidolites. Ubiquitous admixtures in the silver are copper, iron, and more rarely zinc; single grains contain admixtures of molybdenum, nickel, gold, and palladium. PGM and high-fineness gold are related to the fluidolites, which are the only magmatic rocks in the studied range of the deposit. Silver, its minerals, low-fineness gold, and sulfides are confined to the rocks and ores subjected to the regional dolomitization, low-temperature hydrothermal reworking, and silicification. Samples contain up to 11.3 g/t platinum, 2.35 g/t gold, 296.2 g/t silver, which allows us to consider the studied object as economically promising for noble metals.