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Exploration for Skarn Deposits !

Larry Meinert Department of Geosciences Smith College Northampton, MA 01063 USA Email: LDmeinert@gmail.com
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UNESCO Skarn Deposit Short Course!

Exam Questions "

Based upon the two samples on the left: What metals are likely to be present? Is there ore potential and if so, what is the possible tonnage and grade? What direction and how far away is the intrusion? What direction and how far away is the ore zone?

Skarns and Skarn Deposits !

1)! General processes of skarn formation 2)! Examples of major skarn types: W, Cu, Zn, Fe, Au 3) Mineralogy and petrogenesis 4) Zonation models & guides for exploration

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Processes - metamorphism and metasomatism!

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Interpretation of Skarn Deposits ! ! ! ! ! !

Depth Temperature Oxidation State Mineralogy Alteration Stages
Intrusive textures, stratigraphy, mineral equilibria Mineral equilibria, fluid inclusions Igneous and skarn mineralogy, wall rock composition Mineral composition, association, timing Igneous, metamorphic, prograde, retrograde

Depth of Formation - W Skarns! ! ! ! ! !

Tonnage and grade Igneous Composition 63 Mt of 0.95 WO3 calc-alkaline granodiorite to granite

Igneous geometry c.g. batholith with pegmatite, megacrysts Igneous alteration Fresh, minor myrmekite, Ca endoskarn Metamorphism and (bimetasomatism) Extensive metamorphic aureole (km) with high T mineral assemblages reaction skarns

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Depth of Formation - Cu Skarns! ! ! ! ! !

Tonnage and grade Igneous Composition 500 Mt of 0.8% Cu calc-alkaline diorite to quartz monzonite

Igneous geometry m.g. to porphyritic stocks and dikes Igneous alteration K-silicate, sericitic, epidote endoskarn Metamorphism assemblages Variable metamorphic aureole (cm to km) lacks high T mineral

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Distal Features - Zn Skarns!

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Tonnage and grade 50 Mt of 10% Zn, 5% Pb, 150 g/t Ag Igneous Composition granodiorite to granite to unknown Igneous geometry Igneous alteration Metamorphism batholith to stocks to dikes to unknown Extensive epidotegarnet endoskarn Bleaching and recrystallization, no high T metamorphic aureole

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Fluid escape structures!

stylolites!

Distal features!

Carbon veins!

Distal brown pyroxene skarn!

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Calcite vein cut & offset by stylolite uid escape structure!

SR 173-133m!

Stylolite uid escape structure!

Red uorescence partly reects Mn!

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