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1.
Ross L. Andrew 《Journal of Geochemical Exploration》1984,22(1-3)
A comparative study of the gossans from ten base-metal deposits in southern Africa included the establishment of geochemical criteria for regional evaluation of gossans and ironstones. Factors such as ore composition, nature of gangue, element mobility, depth of weathering, degree of erosion and groundwater chemistry are discussed with respect to gossan geochemistry.Areal geochemical zonation, relative concentration ranges, element correlations for gossan versus sulphide and scattergrams comparing different gossans were all utilized to examine geochemical criteria for gossan classification. Of the elements studied, Ba (as barite) and Pb are the least mobile, Cu and Ag are variously retained in gossan, whereas Zn and Cd are generally dispersed.Gossans derived from such a wide variety of ore types contribute several multivariate populations to the total data set. Principal components analysis was consequently of little value in separating gossan suites from barren ironstones. Stepwise discriminant analysis successfully distinguished base-metal- from pyrite-derived gossans and ferricretes, discriminated among gossans from different ore provinces and classified individual gossans within base-metal provinces. Discriminant functions commonly comprised only 2 to 6 elements. Characteristic multi-element signatures for the various gossans were subsequently applied to the regional evaluation of ironstone in southern African exploration. 相似文献
2.
Mourad Essalhi Stanislas Sizaret Luc Barbanson Yan Chen France Lagroix François Demory José M. Nieto Reinaldo Sáez M. Ángeles Capitán 《Mineralium Deposita》2011,46(8):981-999
In the Rio Tinto district of the Iberian Pryrite Belt of South Spain, the weathering of massive sulfide bodies form iron caps,
i.e., true gossans and their subsequent alteration and re-sedimentation has resulted in iron terraces, i.e., displaced gossans.
To study the stucture and evolution of both types of gossans, magnetic investigations have been carried out with two foci:
(1) the characterisation and spatial distribution of magnetic fabrics in different mineralised settings, including massive
sulfides, gossans, and terraces, and (2) paleomagnetic dating. Hematite has been identified as the suceptibility carrier in
all sites and magnetic fabric investigation of four gossans reveals a vertical variation from top to bottom, with: (1) a horizontal
foliation refered to as “mature” fabric in the uppermost part of the primary gossans, (2) highly inclined or vertical foliation
interpreted as “immature” fabric between the uppermost and lowermost parts, and (3) a vertical foliation interpreted to be
inherited from Hercynian deformation in the lowermost part of the profiles. In terraces, a horizontal foliation dominates
and is interpreted to be a “sedimentary” fabric. Rock magnetic studies of gossan samples have identified goethite as the magnetic
remanence carrier for the low-temperature component, showing either a single direction close to the present Earth field (PEF)
direction or random directions. Maghemite, hematite, and occasionally magnetite are the remanence carriers for the stable
high-temperature component that is characterized by non PEF directions with both normal and reversed magnetic polarities.
No reliable conclusion can be yet be drawn on the timing of terrace magnetization due to the small number of samples. In gossans,
the polarity is reversed in the upper part and normal in the lower part. This vertical distribution with a negative reversal
test suggests remanence formation during two distinct periods. Remanence in the upper parts of the gossans is older than in
the lower parts, indicating that the alteration proceeded from top to bottom of the profiles. In the upper part, the older
age and the horizontal “mature” fabric is interpreted to be a high maturation stage of massive sulfides’ alteration. In the
lower part, the age is younger and the inherited “imature” vertical Hercynian fabric indicates a weak maturation stage. These
two distinct periods may reflect changes of paleoclimate, erosion, and/or tectonic motion. 相似文献
3.
4.
The Sarcheshmeh copper deposit is one of the world's largest Oligo-Miocene porphyry copper deposits in a continental arc setting with a well developed supergene sulfide zone, covered mainly by a hematitic gossan. Supergene oxidation and leaching, have developed a chalcocite enrichment blanket averaging 1.99% Cu, more than twice that of hypogene zone (0.89% Cu). The mature gossans overlying the Sarcheshmeh porphyry copper ores contain abundant hematite with variable amounts of goethite and jarosite, whereas immature gossans consist of iron-oxides, malachite, azurite and chrysocolla. In mature gossans, Au, Mo and Ag give significant anomalies much higher than the background concentrations. However, Cu has been leached in mature gossans and gives values close or even less than the normal or crustal content (< 36.7 ppm). Immature gossans are enriched in Cu (160.3 ppm), Zn (826.7 ppm), and Pb (88.6 ppm). Jarosite- and goethite-bearing gossans may have developed over the pyritic shell of most Iranian porphyry copper deposits with pyrite–chalcopyrite ratios greater than 10 and therefore, do not necessarily indicate a promising sulfide-enriched ore (Kader and Ijo). Hematite-bearing gossans overlying nonreactive alteration halos with pyrite–chalcopyrite ratios about 1.5 and quartz stringers have significant supergene sulfide ores (Sarcheshmeh and Miduk). The copper grade in supergene sulfide zone of Sarcheshmeh copper deposit ranges from 0.78% in propylitized rocks to 3.4% in sericitized volcanic rocks, corresponding to the increasing chalcopyrite–pyrite or chalcocite–pyrite ratios from 0.3 to 3, respectively. Immature gossans with dominant malachite and chrysocolla associated with jarosite and goethite give the most weakly developed enrichment zone, as at God-e-Kolvari. The average anomalous values of Au (59.6 ppb), Mo (42.5 ppm) and Ag (2.6 ppm) in mature gossans associated with the Sarcheshmeh copper mine may be a criterion that provides a significant exploration target for regional metallogenic blind porphyry ore districts in central Iranian volcano–plutonic continental arc settings. Drilling for new porphyry ores should be targeted where hematitic gossans are well developed. The ongoing gossan formation may result in natural acidic rock drainage (ARD). 相似文献
5.
菱铁矿很好地记录了过去地质流体的信息,能够用于示踪生物地球化学反应相关的成岩作用带。台湾国姓地区中新世海相泥页岩中发育自生的菱铁矿结核,其成因尚未厘清。野外观察发现菱铁矿以不连续透镜体平行散布于泥页岩中,主要由自生碳酸盐菱铁矿（78.63%）等矿物组成。菱铁矿的稀土元素配分模式为轻稀土亏损、中稀土富集,无Ce异常,指示菱铁矿形成于弱氧化的沉积环境,弱氧化的环境促进了菱铁矿在次氧化带的沉淀。菱铁矿的δ13CVPDB和δ18OVPDB值分别为-3.69‰~+0.08‰和-1.09‰~+0.25‰,指示菱铁矿形成于次氧化带,碳源很可能是海水和有机质降解混合产生。研究表明自生菱铁矿能够被用于识别沉积物中的生物地球化学过程和指示成岩作用带。 相似文献
6.
Lead isotope measurements on gossans may be used as an exploration tool for Pb-Zn-Cu deposits of the “stratiform” type. The method is based on the homogeneous isotopic composition of stratiform orebodies and the close fit of their ratios to the so-called “growth curve”. These features also characterize oxidized outcrops. (gossans) of the primary sulphide ore. The retention of homogeneous Pb isotope ratios during oxidation was tested and proved for true gossans derived from known mineralization in which there was a variation in vertical depth from gossan to primary sulphide, different ages and different geological environments. The deposits included Pb-Zn-Cu (Woodlawn), Pb-Zn (Broken Hill), Zn-Pb (Dugald River), Zn-Cu-Pb (Currawang).The method has been extended to distinguish true gossans from false (pseudo) gossans where the base metals and associated trace elements have been scavenged from the surrounding rocks. It has also been applied to a company exploration program in which a number of ironstone cappings had been drilled and other geochemical information was available. Diamond drilling indicated that five prospects were barren, i.e. underlain by iron sulphides devoid of significant base metal mineralization. On the Pb isotope data, three of the prospects would be rejected; a fourth shows a particularly high potential and is worthy of further exploration, whilst the fifth initially showed high potential but a comparison of gossan and sulphide Pb isotope data after drilling suggests that the drill hole was sited on the fringes of economic mineralization.The Pb isotope method may be utilized further in exploration at the drilling stage. If sulphides are intersected, Pb isotopes may be used to distinguish barren sulphides from those with economic potential, even though they both may contain similar base metal concentrations. 相似文献
7.
Mohamed G Abdelsalam Robert J Stern Woldegabriel G Berhane 《Journal of African Earth Sciences》2000,30(4):2037
Massive sulphide deposits in the Neoproterozoic Arabian-Nubian Shield are exposed at the surface as Fe-rich crusts termed gossans. Gossans are typically a few tens of metres across but are surrounded by wider clay- and Fe-rich alteration zones. Although Fe-rich gossans have characteristic reflectance spectra and surface roughness, they are often too small to be directly detected by Landsat TM or SIR-C images, both of which have about 30 m spatial resolution. In this paper, a procedure is described whereby gossans and the surrounding alteration zones can be identified and mapped by Landsat TM and SIR-C data using the Beddaho Alteration Zone and the Tebih Gossan in northern Eritrea as an example. Clay and Fe alteration index maps were generated by density slicing for Landsat TM band-ratios
and
, respectively. Landsat 5/7-4/5-3/1 TM images characteristically depict small (tens of pixels) gossans in blue and the more extensive alteration zones in pinkish purple. Chh-LhhLhh/Chh SIR-C images succeeded in identifying the gossan due to enhanced back-scattering of the radar shorter wavelength (6 cm) C-band by the rough gossan surfaces. This enhanced back-scattering might also be partially due to the characteristic dielectric property of the Fe-rich minerals forming the gossans. Choosing known gossans from both 5/7-4/5-3/1 Landsat TM and Chh-Lhh-Lhh/Chh SIR-C images as training sites for supervised classification helped to outline areas with reflectance spectra and radar back-scattering properties similar to those of the training sites. These results show significant correlation between supervised classifications based on the two data sets, suggesting a way to use combined visible and near infrared (VNIR) and radar imagery to explore for mineral deposits in arid regions. 相似文献
8.
《International Geology Review》2012,54(8):732-752
At the Justice mine, in the Ashanti goldfields of southwestern Ghana, chemical weathering of gold- bearing sulfide-rich lodes has produced a series of characteristic mineralogical and geochemical features that are diagnostic. In this type of gold mineralization, the most abundant sulfides are arsenopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and chalcopyrite with minor bornite and sphalerite. Gold occurs predominantly as native gold, spatially associated and chemically bound with arsenopyrite. Elsewhere gold-silver tellurides are present in quartz veins. During sulfide oxidation, arsenopyrite is replaced by amorphous and crystalline Fe-Mn arsenates, goethite, hematite, and arsenolite in box- and ladderwork textures. In the extremely weathered gossans exposed at surface or in exploration pits, goethite, hematite, and scorodite are present as pseudomorphs of oxidized arsenopyrite, which can be used as a visual pathfinder for gold-arsenic mineralization. As with arsenopyrite, pyrite and pyrrhotite alteration produces boxwork and ladderwork textures with the sulfide replaced by goethite, hematite, and a complex limonite. Copper sulfides and goethite replace bornite and chalcopyrite in ladder-type textures. With more intensive weathering, this assemblage is replaced by cuprite, goethite, and hematite. Gold mineralogy in the gossan is complex, with evidence of in situ precipitation of supergene gold as well as alteration of hypogene native gold. The concentration of pathfinder elements decreases in the gossan as a result of supergene leaching. Mass- balance calculations confirm that gossan production largely is in situ and, consequently, the hypogene geochemical dispersion patterns are preserved even though the proportion of many elements decreases as intensity of weathering increases. The problem remains of discriminating between auriferous and non-auriferous gossans, or those produced by pedological concentration of iron. Although mineral textures such as box-and ladderwork replacement and mineral pseudomorphs are useful field criteria, the most reliable guide for evaluation still is trace-element geochemistry. By use of multi-element discriminant analysis, gossans of different origins can be distinguished (along with their surface expression) from ironstones and barren lateritic soils. In regional reconnaissance studies, the evaluation of trace-element geochemistry as a discriminant along with field mapping may indicate gold potential of even extremely altered products of mineralization and, in so doing, provide a basis for the classification of weathered samples. 相似文献
9.
Siderite (FeCO3) is a widespread minor diagenetic mineral in clastic sedimentary basins. Although eodiagenetic authigenesis of siderite is well-known, siderite formed during burial diagenesis shows habits and chemical compositions that are poorly understood. This study tests the hypothesis that diagenetic siderite cements in sandstones in the Scotian Basin, offshore eastern Canada, show systematic variability in chemistry and habit that is a response to recrystallization and changing composition of basinal fluids. Mineral textures were determined from backscattered electron images, and chemistry mostly from electron microprobe analyses. Five chemical types of siderite are identified using k-means cluster analysis, based on the amount of substitution of Ca, Mg and Mn for Fe. Eodiagenetic microcrystalline coated grains, concretions and intraclasts in sandstones are principally Fe-rich siderite and locally have recrystallised to blocky equant crystals. Mesodiagenetic Mg-rich siderite partly replaced these equant crystals and also framework mica and K-feldspar grains, showing textural evidence for coupled dissolution–reprecipitation. Slender Mg-rich siderite rhombs (lozenges, bladed or wheat-seed siderite) have precipitated before and after the formation of quartz overgrowths in geochemical microenvironments. Magnesium substitution reflects Mg-rich formation waters resulting from smectite to illite conversion. Equivalent Ca-rich siderite occurs where sandstones overlie a Jurassic carbonate bank. Late Mn-rich siderite has complex textures resembling those of Mississippi-Valley type ores, with spheroidal rims, a honeycomb-like mesh and concentric infill around secondary pores. It also occurs in veins or replacing intraclasts, post-dating late ferroan-calcite cements in sandstones that show strong dissolution by hot basinal brines. The Ca, Mg and Mn content of diagenetic siderite, coupled with textural evidence for recrystallization, can thus be used to track changes in ambient formation fluids. Siderite habits and chemistry described from the Scotian Basin are found in many clastic basins, suggesting that the observed recrystallization textures and variation in chemical type are of broad application. 相似文献
10.
Effect of bacteria on the elemental composition of early diagenetic siderite: implications for palaeoenvironmental interpretations 总被引：3，自引：0，他引：3
Many ancient early diagenetic siderite concretions are thought to have been precipitated by microbially-mediated reactions, and their trace element chemistry has been used to infer palaeoenvironments of formation (e.g. marine versus freshwater). In this study, pure cultures of the microorganism Geobacter metallireducens were used to precipitate siderite in the laboratory at a range of temperatures (18–40°C). Magnesium and calcium, in three different ratios (3:1, as in seawater, 1:1, and 1:3 as in freshwater), or manganese were added to some cultures at each incubation temperature to study trace element incorporation. The siderite produced exhibited the rhombohedral crystal form typical of concretionary siderite. However, this microbial siderite did not simply retain the trace element chemistry of the water from which it precipitated, as is assumed in palaeoenvironmental interpretations. Instead, manganese and calcium incorporation were found to be inversely proportional to the rate of microbial activity, which itself is dependent upon the nutritional status of the microorganisms. Magnesium incorporation was found to be rate-independent, and at high Mg/Ca ratios, it caused inhibition of calcium incorporation. In short, the influence of microorganisms on the trace element composition of early diagenetic siderite must be taken into account in order to produce valid palaeoenvironmental interpretations. 相似文献
11.
自然界中碳酸盐的氧和碳同位素组成取决于形成这种碳酸盐的水体同位素组成,水体的氧、碳同位素组成又直接反映了成岩或含矿流体的性质和来源。菱铁矿是仅次于方解石和白云石的常见碳酸盐矿物,它作为成岩成矿的多相作用产物,在地层中广泛发育。本文试图通过它们的氧、碳同位素组成,探讨我国不同时代地层内层状和层控菱铁矿的成因问题,着重研究菱铁矿的形成环境和成矿作用。 相似文献
12.
Based on the analysis of siderite distribution,occurrence,chemical compositionk,structureal characteristics,carbon-oxygen isotopic characteristics and relationship between siderite and hematite,this paper presents a systematic study of siderite in the region studied.suggesting that the siderite in the Xuanlong area genetically resulted from organically reduced primary hematite during the diagenesis.The ferric and ferrous relations directly depend on organic contents.In the presence of organic matter ferrous iron can be converted to ferric iron through or ganic reduction.The above conclusion has also been proved by organic geochemistry.data. 相似文献
13.
菱铁矿是前寒武纪条带状铁建造(BIF)中重要的矿物组分和古海洋信息载体,但它可能具有原生、早期成岩和晚期成岩多种成因,这在一定程度上限制了其在古海洋条件分析中的应用。虽然前人对菱铁矿开展了广泛的地球化学分析,但在岩相学研究方面相对薄弱。为进一步揭示BIF中菱铁矿的成因机制,以山西代县羊角沟矿区新太古界柏芝岩组的BIF为研究对象,开展了系统的岩相学工作。研究表明,该BIF主要由厘米级交互的富铁与富硅条带构成,其中普遍缺少水体扰动沉积构造,偶见交错层理和风暴碎屑,表明主要沉积于风暴浪基面之下。菱铁矿的主要产出形式有3种:(1)亚毫米级条带,其内"悬浮"有风暴成因碎屑颗粒,具有水柱或沉积物/水界面的原生成因特征;(2)在富铁条带中的晶体间隙充填,可能为早期成岩成因;(3)富硅条带中存在绿泥石层间脉状充填或截切石英和铁白云石的脉体,具有晚期成岩成因。原生菱铁矿的产出,表明新太古代在风暴浪基面之下的海水强烈缺氧、富铁并具有低硫酸盐浓度的特征。尽管原生菱铁矿条带的产出表明菱铁矿具有反映海洋化学条件的潜力,但多种成因菱铁矿的同时产出,也要求在应用菱铁矿分析古海洋条件时应当分组构进行。 相似文献
14.
Pyrometallurgical relics from smelting of iron as well as base metal ores are mineralogically and chemically investigated and dated using the radiocarbon method and optically stimulated luminescence. This study addresses the question whether these pyrometallurgical remains may be used as an exploration tool enabling geologists to discriminate between false and true gossans. Moreover, these investigations make a historical contribution and demonstrate how mining and smelting activities spread across NE Bavaria, Germany. 相似文献
15.
The origin of high dissolved manganese concentrations in slightly acidic mine runoff from a surface mine operated by the Cumberland Coal Company in eastern Tennessee was investigated. Mineralogical and chemical analyses were performed on 31 samples of sandstone, shale, coal, and mudstone from the mine to identify the sources and stratigraphic distribution of high extractable manganese contents in the spoil materials. The samples were analyzed for their bulk mineral content by X-ray diffraction, net acid-base potential, and reaction to 2 or 4 chemical extraction procedures. A limited number of samples were analyzed for petrographic characteristics, clay mineral composition by X-ray diffraction, and mineral compositions by electron microprobe. Analysis of the data and consideration of the geochemical conditions at the mine were used to identify probable sources for the high extractable manganese contents.The results indicate 2 prominent, independent sources of extractable manganese. The first source is exchangeable manganese on clay minerals (mainly illite + muscovite and chlorite) and is concentrated in shale and mudstone rock types. The second and more significant source is manganese in siderite concretions and cement, mainly in shale and mudstone. Comparison to other coal-bearing strata indicates that manganese-rich siderite is common in fresh- to brackish-water subaqueous sediments that overlie coal. This is especially the case for coals formed in wet, tropical environments.Ratios of manganese to calcium and magnesium in mine runoff suggest that manganese from siderite is the major cause of the high dissolved manganese contents. A conceptual model is developed to explain the high manganese contents of the mine runoff. Oxidation of pyrite creates mildly acidic waters that are subsequently partially neutralized by reaction with impure siderite. Solubilized manganese remains dissolved in the slightly acidic runoff water, whereas dissolved iron precipitates as ferric hydroxide or goethite. Consideration of data from other coal mining regions suggests that similar reactions involving impure siderite may be responsible for high manganese concentrations in acidic to slightly acidic mine runoff. Geochemical reaction path modeling of pyrite and impure siderite with rainwater illustrate how resulting water compositions may vary depending on pyrite to siderite ratios in spoil materials. Spoil water compositions from the Cumberland mine are largely consistent with reaction of pyrite and impure siderite in proportions observed in the sediments; however, deviations may be explained by minor mixing with waters that reacted only with impure siderite or clay mineral exchange reactions. 相似文献
16.
对安徽新桥矿床进行系统的野外地质调查和矿相学研究发现,层状矿体中的胶状黄铁矿交代矽卡岩磁铁矿矿体,为探讨层状硫化物矿床是早期沉积成因还是岩浆热液成因提供了新的地质约束。对铜陵矿集区内的新桥矿床层状菱铁矿矿体和凤凰山矽卡岩型矿体中的菱铁矿开展了Fe同位素组成的对比研究,结果显示：新桥矿床菱铁矿与典型低温热液脉型矿床和沉积铁矿中的菱铁矿在Fe同位素组成特征上有所不同,而与凤凰山矽卡岩型矿床中的菱铁矿更为接近;新桥矿床中胶状黄铁矿和菱铁矿相对于磁铁矿富集Fe的轻同位素,表明磁铁矿不是过去认为的由胶状黄铁矿和菱铁矿矿胚层经热液改造形成,而是与典型的岩浆热液有关。新桥矿区层状硫化物矿体和矽卡岩型矿体中,近岩体矽卡岩和最早形成的金属矿物磁铁矿比岩体更为富集Fe的轻同位素,而赋矿围岩比岩体更为富集Fe的重同位素。同时,不同矿化阶段形成的含铁矿物和不同空间位置的硫化物中的Fe同位素组成呈现出时空分带现象,Fe同位素组成的时空演化特征与流体出溶、流体演化非常一致,并且符合同位素分馏的基本理论,表明层状硫化物矿体和矽卡岩型矿体具有相同的成矿物质来源,为同一流体体系演化的产物。新桥矿区岩相学的研究结果和Fe同位素组成特征均表明,新桥层状硫化物矿床不是海西期喷流沉积成矿作用的产物,而是燕山期热液成矿作用的产物,为一个典型的热液成因矿床。 相似文献
17.
A study of the trace-element content of ironstones of the Yilgarn Shield of Western Australia has shown that statistical groupings of Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Mn and Cr may be used to distinguish between nickel sulphide gossans from other ironstones. These groupings are supported by petrological and geological observations as well as drilling information. The paper also explains the use of Cu, Ni, Zn, Pb, Mn and Cr in establishing geochemical signatures for various lithologic types. 相似文献
18.
The concentration and distribution of metals were studied in metallophytes, growing on and in the vicinity of Pb–Zn gossans, NW Queensland. The study investigated the accumulation of metals in plant species and assessed their potential use as indicators in geobotanical and biogeochemical prospecting and as metal excluders in mine site rehabilitation. Plant species colonising the gossans tolerate high concentrations of metals. Total mean metal concentrations of soils ranged from minima of 14 ppm Cu, 28 ppm Pb and 34 ppm Zn in background areas to maxima of 660 ppm Cu, 12000 ppm Pb and 2100 ppm Zn over mineralised soils. Over the gossans, the grass species Eriachne mucronata forma, Enneapogon lindleyanus and Paraneurachne muelleri replace the characteristic grass Triodia molesta where the soils have high Pb and Zn concentrations. Of the 16 plant species identified, 3 of them, Hybanthus aurantiacus, Clerodendrum tomentosum and Bulbostylis barbata, were confined to the gossan sites. B. barbata appears to be of particular use in geobotanical prospecting as it indicates base metal mineralisation in the region. 相似文献
19.
The Eastern Highlands of Australia have probably been in existence since the Late Cretaceous or earlier and so there has been ample time for mature gossan profiles to form over outcropping volcanogenic Zn–Pb–Cu mineralisation in the eastern Lachlan Fold Belt. The mature gossan profiles are characterised by the upward progression from supergene sulfides to secondary sulfates, carbonates and phosphates into a Fe-oxide dominated surficial capping which may contain boxwork textures after the original sulfides (as at the Woodlawn massive sulfide deposit). However, the region has locally been subjected to severe erosion and the weathering profile over many deposits is incomplete (immature) with carbonate and phosphate minerals, especially malachite, being found in surficial material. These immature gossans contain more Cu, Pb and Zn but lower As, Sn (and probably Au) than the mature gossans. Although Pb is probably the best single pathfinder for Zn–Pb–Cu VHMS deposits of the eastern Lachlan Fold Belt, Ag, As, Au, Bi, Mo, Sb and Sn are also useful, with most of these elements able to be concentrated in substantial amounts in Fe oxides and alunite–jarosite minerals. 相似文献
20.
John C. Volesky Robert J. Stern Jan M. Peter Daniel Layton-Matthews Sarah Rice 《International Geology Review》2017,59(16):1975-2002
The Wadi Bidah Mineral District of Saudi Arabia contains more than 16 small outcropping stratabound volcanogenic Cu–Zn–(Pb) ± Au-bearing massive sulphide deposits and associated zones of hydrothermal alteration. Here, we use major and trace element analyses of massive sulphides, gossans, and hydrothermally altered and least altered metamorphosed host rock (schist) from two of the deposits (Shaib al Tair and Rabathan) to interpret the geochemical and petrological evolution of the host rocks and gossanization of the mineralization. Tectonic interpretations utilize high-field-strength elements, including the rare earth elements (REE), because they are relatively immobile during hydrothermal alteration, low-grade metamorphism, and supergene weathering and therefore are useful in constraining the source, composition, and physicochemical parameters of the primary igneous rocks, the mineralizing hydrothermal fluid and subsequent supergene weathering processes. Positive Eu anomalies in some of the massive sulphide samples are consistent with a high temperature (>250°C) hydrothermal origin, consistent with the Cu contents (up to 2 wt.%) of the massive sulphides. The REE profiles of the gossans are topologically similar to nearby hydrothermally altered felsic schists (light REE (LREE)-enriched to concave-up REE profiles, with or without positive Eu anomalies) suggesting that the REE experienced little fractionation during metamorphism or supergene weathering. Hydrothermally altered rocks (now schists) close to the massive sulphide deposits have high base metals and Ba contents and have concave-up REE patterns, in contrast to the least altered host rocks, consistent with greater mobility of the middle REE compared to the light and heavy REE during hydrothermal alteration. The gossans are interpreted to represent relict massive sulphides that have undergone supergene weathering; ‘chert’ beds within these massive sulphide deposits may be leached wall-rock gossans that experienced silicification and Pb–Ba–Fe enrichment from acidic groundwaters generated during gossan formation. 相似文献