Hydrothermal alteration footprint of the Chelopech high-sulfidation Cu-Au epithermal deposit, Bulgaria
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The Chelopech high-sulfidation Cu-Au epithermal deposit is a part of Apuseni-Banat-Timok-Srednogorie Metallogenic Belt. The mineralization is related to a Upper Cretaceous magmatic complex, represented as transition from shallow intrusive-related phreatomagmatic environment to an underwater hydrothermal vent system. It is characterized by sulfide-sulphosalts-rich replacement with well-defined metal and alteration zonation. The core of the ore bodies is characterized by intense acid-sulfate alteration, including vuggy silica and APS minerals, laterally grading into silica-dickite-kaolinite alteration associated with Cu-Au-As-Ag-Te-Bi mineralisation. Kaolinite forms diffuse envelope surrounding high sulfidation mineralisation, transiting at depth into a diaspore-pyrophyllite dominated facies that marks the lower extent of Cu mineralization. A large phyllic halo surrounds the Cu-Au ore bodies, extending laterally and below, with relative Pb-Zn-Mn-Tl-Ag enrichment. Specific short-wave infrared spectral features provide a vectoring within a wide range of illite-sericite assemblages. The distal parts are presented by phengite-chlorite-smectite propilitic assemblage. Sr-K-Rb-Na-Ca-Mg-Fe data provides additional vector within this alteration footprint.
Authors: Mariana G. Trifonova, Anastasiya Stoyanova, Aneta Aleksieva, Beyhan Chaush, Betina Petkova, Georgi Ivanov, Hristomir Stanev, Ilian Atanasov, Ivan Petrov, Kuncho Kunchev, Miroslav Kavarimov, Ross Overall, Strahil Terziyski, Viktor Stoychev, Miglena Grigorova, Stefan Metodiev, Paul Ivascanu, Istvan Marton
Institution: Bulgarian Academy of Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4405565114