Isotopic and geochemical constraints on lead and fluid sources of the Pb-Zn-Ag mineralization in the polymetallic Tighza-Jbel Aouam district (central Morocco), and relationships with the geodynamic context

International audienceThe Wsingle bondAu, Pbsingle bondZnsingle bondAg, and Sbsingle bondBa mineralizations of the polymetallic Tighza-Jbel Aouam district (central Meseta, Morocco), are hosted in Paleozoic rocks surrounding late-Carboniferous granitic stocks. The Pbsingle bondZnsingle bondAg Tighza deposit formed at 254 ± 16 Ma, and is clearly disconnected from the late-Variscan Wsingle bondAu deposit (295-280 Ma). The Pbsingle bondZnsingle bondAg mineralization precipitated from a complex hydrothermal fluid. It displays air-normalized 3He/4He ratio (0.018–0.103) typical of the upper crust. This crustal component is confirmed by the oxygen and carbon isotope compositions (δ18O = +19 to +25‰; δ13C = −3.6 to −11.2‰) and the ɛNd values (−4.84 to −9.01) of gangue carbonates, which show mixing of (i) fluids that have interacted with late-Carboniferous magmatic rocks, and (ii) fluids in equilibrium with the Paleozoic metasediments. In addition, the Pbsingle bondZnsingle bondAg mineralization has 40Ar/36Ar values in the range 284–315 typical of a meteoric fluid. The radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions (207Pb/204Pb = 15.70–15.80 and 206Pb/204Pb = 18.30–18.50) suggest leaching of Pb from the surrounding Paleozoic metasediments and late-Variscan granites, whereas the low radiogenic signatures (207Pb/204Pb = 15.40 and 206Pb/204Pb = 18.05) provide evidence of a deeper source attributed to the lower crust.Crustal thinning related to extensional tectonics in late-Permian and Early-Triassic lead to high-K calc-alkaline to alkaline magmatic activity, which is evidenced by a dense SW-NE-trending dike network that pre-dated the Atlantic Ocean opening (early Liassic times). This magmatic event induced a regional heat flux increase that triggered the circulation of a complex hydrothermal fluid, which has a strong crustal component, but also a meteoric and a lower crustal components. The polymetallic district of Tighza-Jbel Aouam thus results from superposition of an intrusion related porphyry-gold mineralization (Wsingle bondAu, 286 Ma) followed by a Pbsingle bondZnsingle bondAg epithermal mineralization (254 Ma), during two distinct magmatic-hydrothermal events.The proposed metallogenic model for the Pbsingle bondZnsingle bondAg Tighza-Jbel Aouam deposit provides new constraints for the Pbsingle bondZnsingle bondAg exploration in the Moroccan Meseta. Exploration targets must take into account the following geological features: (i) Permo-triassic high-K calk-alkaline to alkaline dikes, (ii) extensional tectonics and reactivation of ancient crust-scale faults and shear zones, and (iii) Paleozoic series containing organic matter (e.g., black shales) subjected to low grade metamorphism (e.g., greenschist facies)

Late-Hercynian Intrusion-related gold deposits: an integrated model on the Tighza polymetallic district, central Morocco

International audienceLate-Hercynian Intrusion-related gold deposits: an integrated model on the Tighza polymetallic district, central Morocco, African Earth Sciences (2015), doi: http://dx.Gold have been recently recognized in the Tighza (formerly Jebel Aouam) district, in the Hercynian belt of central Morocco. This district has long been known for its W mineralization, as well as major Pb-Ag-Zn, and minor Sb-Ba deposits, all geographically associated with late-Hercynian calc-alkaline magmatism. Gold mineralization in the district is mainly hosted by thick W-Au quartz veins located around the “Mine granite” small granitic plug. Within the veins, gold grade is highest (up to 70 g/t) close to the granite but rapidly decreases going outward from the granite, defining a perigranitic zoning. Anomalous gold grades have also been measured in hydrothermal skarn layers close to two other granitic plugs (Kaolin granite and Mispickel granite), associated with disseminated As-Fe sulfides. The paragenetic sequence for the W-Au quartz veins shows three stages: 1) an early oxidized stage with wolframite-scheelite associated with early quartz (Q1), 2) an intermediate Bi-As-Te-Mo-Au sulfide stage with loellingite, bismuth minerals and native gold with a later quartz (Q2), restricted to a narrow distance from the granite, and 3) a late lower temperature As-Cu-Zn–(Pb) stage with abundant massive pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite and sphalerite, locally forming independent veins (“pyrrhotite vein”). Both Q1 hyaline and Q2 saccharoidal gold-bearing quartz display aqua-carbonic fluids with minor H2S and Cu and an homogeneous composition (81 mole% H2O, 18 mole% CO2 and about 1 mole% NaCl). The trapping pressure is estimated to 1.5 to 2 kbar with temperature ranging from 300° to 350°C. Q1 inclusions have exploded indicating an uplift of the Tighza block, that lead to saccharoidal Q2 quartz deposition with multiphase NaCl-saturated fluid inclusions. 40Ar/39Ar dating demonstrates that the “Mine granite”, tungsten skarnoid, scheelite-molybdenite veins, and very likely gold-bearing veins are coeval, emplaced at 286 ± 1 Ma. Multiple and widespread metal sources are indicated by radiogenic isotope studies. Nd and Sr isotope compositions of scheelite and granites suggest the participation of a juvenile component while lead isotopes demonstrate a major participation of the basement.Both gold mineralization and zoning suggest that the system developed at the end of the magmatic activity, accompanying a major transition in magmatic fluid composition. The morphology of the gold-bearing mineralization is dependent of the permeability and the reactivity of host-rocks: focus circulation of fluids through pre-existing tectonic corridors, reactivated by late-Hercynian intrusions favor the formation of large W-type gold veins, while infiltration of fluid within reactive stratigraphic layers gives rise to skarn mineralization. A 40Ar/39Ar date (W1 north vein: 291.8 ± 0.3 Ma) indicates that hydrothermal circulation predates gold and tungsten deposition in open fractures as well as Mine granite emplacement.The W-Au mineralization preceded the onset of a large convective hydrothermal cell around the intrusion that led to the formation of the Pb-Ag-Zn mined veins. The Tighza polymetallic district displays numerous similarities with the R-IRG model that was defined in the American Cordillera, such as thermal and zonation patterns, carbonic hydrothermal fluids and chronology of intrusion and related deposits, but also provides new insight to the R-IRG model such as wide Au-quartz veins instead of sheeted Au-veins, oxidation state of the magma, and Sr-Nd isotopic data. These results establish a major magmatic contribution and discard a direct genetic relationship between gold mineralization and major neighboring Pb-Ag-Zn veins. A large number of classic Pb-Zn district of the Western Hercynides belong to the same clan

Les minéralisations aurifères du district polymétallique de Tighza (Maroc central) : un exemple de mise en place périgranitique tardi-hercynienne

Tighza (ou Jebel Aouam) est un important district minier hercynien exploité pour Pb-Ag-Zn mais également riche en or et tungstène. Les structures aurifères majeures sont des filons quartzeux en transpression sénestre N70 °E à N 110 °E qui montrent 1) un quartz hyalin Q1a à tungstène, cataclasé en quartz saccharoïde Q1b, 2) un quartz Q2 (rare) à sulfures (löllingite -arsénopyrite) et or, et 3) un stade à pyrrhotite -sphalérite (chalcopyrite). La zonalité périgranitique est très nette, les teneurs en or diminuant rapidement en s'éloignant du granite de la mine. Les skarns du granite du mispickel montrent 4 stades de développement à andradite dominante vésuvianite\ud fluorée, hédenbergite, hydrogrossulaire fluoré, et actinote fluorée. Les sulfures marquent l'infiltration de fluides minéralisés aurifères, et non pas une évolution rétrograde du skarn. Les quartz hyalin et saccharoïde montrent des fluides aquo-carboniques calciques, à H2S et cuivre, de composition constante (X H20 :\ud 81 mole%; X C02: 18 mole%; X NaCI : 1 mole % environ). La pression de piégeage est de l'ordre de 1,5 à 2 kbars avec une température moyenne de 300 à 350°C. Ces inclusions précoces subissent des explosions, traduisant une remontée du bloc de Tighza et amenant la recristallisation d'un quartz saccharoïde Q2, à inclusions multiphasées sursaturées. Les datations 40Ar/39Ar démontrent le synchronisme à 286 +/-1 Ma du granite de la mine, des skarnoïdes à tungstène et des filons à scheelite -molybdénite, et suggèrent l'antériorité du filon aurifère W1 nord (291,8 +/- 0,3 Ma) par rapport au granite de la mine. La morphologie des minéralisations aurifères semble fonction de la perméabilité et de la réactivité de l'encaissant: une fracture précoce ouverte réactivée donne les filons aurifères, tandis qu'un encaissant plus réactif donne les disséminations aurifères et les skarns. Les arguments de terrain et les compositions isotopiques du plomb excluent une parenté entre les minéralisations pIombo-argentifères et aurifères

Application of the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of carbonates as a genetic tool in the hydrothermal environment

The mineralogy and mineral chemistry of carbonates from various hydrothermal deposits, including volcanic-hosted Au-Cu epithermal, “Chilean Manto-type” Cu(-Ag), stratabound Mn, and Ag-Ba vein deposits from Spain and Chile, were investigated. Dolomite-ankerite (±siderite) was found in variable amounts within the epithermal deposits and associated hydrothermal alteration, whereas calcite was found either within barren veins or disseminated within the regional alteration. Calcite is the major gangue phase within the stratabound deposits, which tend to lack dolomite/ankerite and siderite. Carbonates precipitated from hydrothermal ore fluids are typically Mn-rich, up to 3.55 at. % in siderite, 2.27 at. % in dolomite/ankerite, and 1.92 at. % in calcite. In contrast, calcite related to very low-grade metamorphism or regional low-temperature alteration is Mn-poor but sometimes Mg-rich, possibly related to a higher temperature of formation. Chemical zonation was observed in the hydrothermal carbonates, although no unique pattern and chemical evolution was observed. This study suggests that the chemical composition of carbonates, especially the Mn content, could be a useful vector within ore-forming hydrothermal systems, and therefore constitutes a possible tool in geochemical exploration. Furthermore, Mn-poor calcites detected in some deposits are suggested to be linked with a later episode, maybe suggesting a predominance of meteoric waters, being not related to the main ore stage formation, thus avoiding misunderstanding of further isotopic studies.Spanish projects BTE-2003-06265 and CGL2006-02594-BTE (Ministry of Science and Technology/ Ministry of Science and Innovation/Ministry of Education and Science and FEDER)RNM 131 of Junta de AndalucíaChilean FONDECYT Project 103100

Le district filonien à Pb-Zn-Ag et carbonates du Jebel Aouam (Maroc central)

The Jebel Aouam district is the site of a succession of veins containing Sb, W and Pb-Zn-Ag. The latter mineralizations are concentrated in two major veins extending over several kilometres at depths up to 850 m. Four mineral formations may be distinguished within the Signal vein : (1) siderite-sphalerite-argentiferous galena, quartz and Ni-Co minerals. Anhydrite and adularia have also been identified. This formation was emplaced during an ENE-WSW compression ; (2) calcite I-ankerite-galena, corresponding to a sporadic tension opening ; (3) barite, galena ; (4) calcite II, pyrite. The fluid inclusions of the quartz and sphalerite of formation (1) display low temperature homogeneizations and high salinities. The Pb-Zn mineralized carbonates present very high contents in rare earth elements, contrasting with the barren carbonates. This may reflect a leaching of the elements at depth.Le district du Jebel Aouam montre une succession de filons à Sb, W puis Pb-Zn-Ag. Le dernier groupe est représenté par 2 filons majeurs de longueur plurikilométrique, avec des dénivelés atteignant 850 m. Quatre formations minérales sont distinguées dans le filon du Signal : (1) sidérite-blende-galène argentifère, quartz et minéraux de Ni-Co, anhydrite et adulaire sont mis en évidence. Cette formation se met en place au cours d'une compression ENE-WSW ; (2) calcite I-ankérite -galène, correspondant à une ouverture saccadée en tension ; (3) barytine, galène, au sein des formations précédentes ; (4) calcite II, pyrite terminale. Les inclusions fluides du quartz et de la blende de la formation (1) montrent des homogénéisations à basse température et des salinités élevées. Les carbonates minéralisés en Pb-Zn présentent des teneurs très élevées en terres rares qui les opposent aux carbonates stériles, ce qui pourrait témoigner d'un lessivage de ces éléments en profondeur.Jébrak Michel. Le district filonien à Pb-Zn-Ag et carbonates du Jebel Aouam (Maroc central). In: Bulletin de Minéralogie, volume 108, 3-4, 1985. Minéralogie dans les Sciences de la Terre et l'Industrie - Hommage à François Permingeat