The Puy-les-Vignes breccia pipe (Massif Central, France): a unique occurrence of polymetallic W-Nb±Ta-HREE-Bi-Cu-As±Au-Ag mineralization in the Variscan belt

International audienceThe Puy-les-Vignes deposit (Limousin, French Massif Central) represents an uncommon occurrence in the West European Variscan belt of a hydrothermal tungsten mineralization associated with a breccia pipe structure. A new study of this atypical quartz-wolframite-tourmaline deposit has been possible, allowing to revisit the mineral paragenesis and to identify four main successive stages of mineralization: (i) W-As -Nb±Ta stage corresponding to the historically economic mineralization hosted in quartz-wolframite-arsenopyrite veins; (ii) Fe-Cu-Zn±Mo stage represented by the deposition of base metal sulphides; (iii) Nb-Y-HREE stage associated with a late hydrothermal paragenesis in a tourmaline, adularia and chlorite matrix; (iv) Bi±Au-Ag stage, related to the late-Variscan regional metallogenic event in the Limousin

Le magmatisme de la région de Kwyjibo, Province\ud du Grenville (Canada) : intérêt pour les\ud minéralisations de type fer-oxydes associées

The granitic plutons located north of the Kwyjibo property in Quebec’s Grenville Province are of\ud Mesoproterozoic age and belong to the granitic Canatiche Complex . The rocks in these plutons are calc-alkalic, K-rich,\ud and meta- to peraluminous. They belong to the magnetite series and their trace element characteristics link them to\ud intraplate granites. They were emplaced in an anorogenic, subvolcanic environment, but they subsequently underwent\ud significant ductile deformation. The magnetite, copper, and fluorite showings on the Kwyjibo property are polyphased\ud and premetamorphic; their formation began with the emplacement of hydraulic, magnetite-bearing breccias, followed by\ud impregnations and veins of chalcopyrite, pyrite, and fluorite, and ended with a late phase of mineralization, during\ud which uraninite, rare earths, and hematite were emplaced along brittle structures. The plutons belong to two families:\ud biotite-amphibole granites and leucogranites. The biotite-amphibole granites are rich in iron and represent a potential\ud heat and metal source for the first, iron oxide phase of mineralization. The leucogranites show a primary enrichment in\ud REE (rare-earth elements), F, and U, carried mainly in Y-, U-, and REE-bearing niobotitanates. They are metamict and\ud underwent a postmagmatic alteration that remobilized the uranium and the rare earths. The leucogranites could also be\ud a source of rare earths and uranium for the latest mineralizing events

Structure of late Variscan Millevaches leucogranite massif in the French Massif Central: AMS and gravity modelling results

In the Limousin area, Variscan leucogranitic plutons are spatially associated with normal faults and major strike-slip shear zones that are a continuation of the South Armorican shear zone. Our study focuses on the large N-S-trending Millevaches granitic massif (Massif Central, France), and intends to highlight, through gravity modelling, structural and anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility (AMS), the massif structure at depth and to discuss the mode of emplacement of granites within a strike-slip tectonic context. The mica subfabric suggests that the magnetic foliations display a general NW-SE sub-horizontal pattern on both sides of the N-S Pradines dextral wrench fault zone that deforms the core of the massif on 5 km width. The magnetic lineation trend exhibits a sigmoïdal pattern, N-S in the Pradines fault zone and NW-SE on both sides of it, which are consistent with a dextral wrench component. The horizontal magnetic foliations and lineations are consistent with the thin granite laccolith model. There is no significant imprint of the extensional Variscan belt collapse on the internal fabric of Millevaches granites than the tectonic dextral transcurrent movement prevailing in this area. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

A multidisciplinary study of a syntectonic pluton close to a major lithospheric-scale fault: relationships between the Montmarault granitic massif and the Sillon Houiller Fault in the Variscan French Massif Central. Part II: Gravity, aeromagnetic investigations and 3D geologic modeling.

International audienceNew gravity and aeromagnetic investigations have been carried out to understand the emplacement mechanisms of a granitic pluton and the relationships with a nearby lithospheric-scale fault. This paper concerns the second part of a methodological multidisciplinary study and complements previous geochronologic and Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility (AMS) studies on the same pluton. In the northern part of the Variscan French Massif Central (FMC), the Montmarault massif crops out along the Sillon Houiller Fault (SHF). Bouguer and aeromagnetic anomaly maps imply thickening of the pluton along the SHF and suggest laccolitic spreading northwestwards. Based on petrophysical measurements, direct 2D joint gravity and magnetic modeling has been performed along 10 cross-sections. In order to quantitatively constrain the 3D pluton geometry and its relationships with surrounding geologic units, these geophysical cross-sections, new structural information (field and AMS measurements) and petrophysical data have been integrated into a regional 3D geological and geophysical model. Altogether, the results obtained from geochronology, petro-magnetic fabrics (Part I), gravity and aeromagnetic investigations as well as 3D modeling (Part II), demonstrate that the Montmarault pluton was emplaced during the Namurian period along the SHF. Our results further show that, at that time, in response to a NW-SE regional extension, if the SHF existed, it behaved as a normal fault. Mylonites attesting for synmagmatic normal motion on the northeastern part of the Montmarault pluton strengthen this tectonic scheme. During the Late Carboniferous, the FMC experienced NE-SW extension along the SHF by 80 km of brittle left lateral wrench offset. This second tectonic event is well recorded in the Stephanian coal basins which were formed along NW- SE listric brittle faults and constrain the present-day shape of the Montmarault pluton

Transpressional tectonics and Carboniferous magmatism in the Limousin, Massif Central, France: Structural and ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar investigations

New structural, microstructural, and 40Ar/39 Ar data from the NW Massif Central (France) provide additional constraints on the timing and tectonic setting of late Variscan granite magmatism. Previous studies had emphasized the role of late orogenic extension in the emplacement of granite plutons in the Limousin region. In contrast, the new data set is consistent with syntectonic emplacement of magma in a dextral simple shear active from 350 to 300 Ma in a transpressional regime. As an alternative hypothesis to late orogenic extension, we propose that magmas migrated into tensional bridges between active P shears associated with a lithospheric shear zone comparable to a pop-up structure. The Galician region, in the western end of the Ibero-Armorican tectonic arc, exhibits major left-lateral ductile shear zones which can be interpreted as conjugate structures to the Limousin and Armorican shear zones. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union

Editorial for the Special Issue “Development of W-Sn and Rare-Metal Metallogenic Systems in an Orogenic Belt”

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Uranium and Thorium Resources and Sustainability of Nuclear Energy

International audienc

Felsic magmatism and uranium deposits

International audienceThe strongly incompatible behaviour of uranium in silicate magmas results in its concentration in the most felsic melts and a prevalence of granites and rhyolites as primary U sources for the formation of U deposits. Despite its incompatible behavior, U deposits resulting directly from magmatic processes are quite rare. In most deposits, U is mobilized by hydrothermal fluids or ground water well after the emplacement of the igneous rocks. Of the broad range of granite types, only a few have U contents and physico-chemical properties that permit the crystallization of accessory minerals from which uranium can be leached for the formation of U deposits. The first granites on Earth, which crystallized uraninite, dated at 3.1 Ga, are the potassic granites from the Kaapval craton (South Africa) which were also the source of the detrital uraninite for the Dominion Reef and Witwatersrand quartz pebble conglomerate deposits. Four types of granites or rhyolites can be sufficiently enriched in U to represent a significant source for the genesis of U deposits: peralkaline, high-K metaluminous calc-alkaline, L-type peraluminous and anatectic pegmatoids. L-type peraluminous plutonic rocks in which U is dominantly hosted in uraninite or in the glass of their volcanic equivalents represent the best U source. Peralkaline granites or syenites are associated with the only magmatic U-deposits formed by extreme fractional crystallization. The refractory character of the U-bearing minerals does not permit their extraction under the present economic conditions and make them unfavorable U sources for other deposit types. By contrast, felsic peralkaline volcanic rocks, in which U is dominantly hosted in the glassy matrix, represent an excellent source for many deposit types. High-K calc-alkaline plutonic rocks only represent a significant U source when the U-bearing accessory minerals (U-thorite, allanite, Nb oxides) become metamict. The volcanic rocks of the same geochemistry may be also a favorable uranium source if a large part of the U is hosted in the glassy matrix. The largest U deposit in the world, Olympic Dam in South Australia is hosted by highly fractionated high-K plutonic and volcanic rocks, but the origin of the U mineralization is still unclear. Anatectic pegmatoids containing disseminated uraninite which results from the partial melting of uranium-rich metasediments and/or metavolcanic felsic rocks, host large low grade U deposits such as the Missing and Husab deposits in Namibia. The evaluation of the potentiality for igneous rocks to represent an efficient U source represents a critical step to consider during the early stages of exploration for most U deposit types. In particular a wider use of the magmatic inclusions to determine the parent magma chemistry and its U content is of utmost interest to evaluate the U source potential of sedimentary basins that contain felsic volcanic acidic tuffs

Evolution et origine des saumures dans les bassins protérozoïques au voisinage de la discordance socle/couverture (l'exemple de l'environnement des gisements d'uranium associés aux bassins Kombolgie (Australie) et Athabasca (Canada))

La nature, l'évolution et l'origine des fluides circulant à la base de deux bassins gréseux protérozoïques (Kombolgie et Athabasca) associés à des minéralisations uranifères de type discordance ont été caractérisées. L'étude multitechnique (microthermométrie, Raman, LlBS) des inclusions fluides piégées dans différents types de quartz a permis de reconstituer la composition chimique détaillée des paléofluides impliqués dans le dépôt des minéralisations. L'évolution P, T, x de ces fluides à l'interface socle/couverture gréseuse a été reconstituée. Le modèle de circulation de fluides et de relation fluides-minéraux proposé pour les deux bassins est le suivant : La diagenèse siliceuse précoce s'est produite en présence d'une saumure chlorurée, principalement sodique (15 - 20 wt. % NaCI + 4-12 wt. % CaCI2), oxydante (équilibrée avec l'hématite), expulsée de niveaux évaporitiques. La circulation d'une saumure chlorurée, riche en calcium (25-30wt.%CaCI2+0-10wt%NaCI) est responsable du dépôt de quartz secondaire et de dravite dans les grès, à l'émergence des failles ancrées dans le socle. Le caractère très calcique de cette saumure résulte très probablement de l'évolution de la saumure sodique par échange Na Ca lors de l'altération des roches du socle. Un fluide peu salé réchauffé dans les roches du socle, présentant des traces de méthane, a été observé à la base du bassin Kombolgie (Australie), où il dilue les saumures à la faveur de réactivations tectoniques et des bréchifications hydrauliques associées. Les fluides des bassins Kombolgie et Athabasca sont très semblables. Dans les deux districts, l'évolution d'une saumure à dominante sodique vers une saumure plus calcique, ainsi que des mélanges entre ces deux pôles ont été mis en évidence. Les températures et profondeurs estimées pour les deux bassins sont comparables: 160 + ou - 20ʿC et 4 à 6 km. Cependant, les saumures observées à la base du bassin Athabasca sont sensiblement plus concentrées que celles du bassin Kombolgie. Le fluide peu salé est très rare dans l'environnement des gisements canadiens. Il est tardif par rapport aux saumures et ne se mélange pas avec elles. Il circule probablement après une première phase se minéralisations puisqu'il est fortement contaminé par H2 et 02, qui sont produits par radiolyse de l'eau au contact de l'uranium. La genèse des gisements d'uranium canadiens semble davantage lié aux interactions entre les saumures et les lithologies réductrices du socle, qu'à des processus de mélanges entre les saumures et un fluide réducteur. En revanche, ces derniers sont très probablement à l'origine de la formation des gisements australiens. La présence de niveaux évaporitiques ayant pu générer des saumures chlorurées fortement concentrées représente un paramètre majeur dans le processus global de genèse de telles concentrations en uranium.NANCY1-SCD Sciences & Techniques (545782101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Caractéristiques géochimiques originelles et transferts de matière lors de l'altération des roches volcaniques acides associées aux minéralisations uranifères

Des minéralisations uranifères associés au volcanisme acide existent sur tous les continents et dans tous les environnements géodynamiques et sont d'âges très variables du Protérozoïque à l'Actuel. Ces minéralisations sont d'importance également très variable depuis quelques centaines à plusieurs centaines de milliers de tonnes d'uranium. Les processus pouvant conduire à de telles concentrations ont été étudiés dans le cadre de cette thèse sur la base de plusieurs exemples dont les volcanites de Ben Lomond (Australie), de la Sierra Peña Blanca (Mexique), de Macusani (Pérou), de Dornot (Mongolie), de Xiangshan (Chine), de McDermitt (USA) et d'Olympic Dam (Australie). L'analyse des inclusions magmatiques a permis de déterminer les typologies et les compositions initiales des magmas rhyolitiques (notamment U, métaux, éléments incompatibles et volatils) avant toute modification. La mise en place et l'altération des roches volcaniques induisent des pertes et/ou des gains d'éléments qu'il a été possible de quantifier par calcul de bilan de masse entre inclusions magmatiques et roches altérées. De fortes émissions de volcanisme peralcalin rhyolitique, riches en fluor, développées dans des calderas en contexte géodynamique post-orogénique, enregistrant une longue activité magmatique, représentent les cibles les plus favorables à la formation de gisements uranifères de classe mondiale en contexte volcanique.Uranium deposits related to acidic volcanism are known on every continent, ranging in age from Proterozoic to present. These mineralizations show variable metal content from a few hundred to several hundred thousand metric tons of uranium. The processes that could lead to such concentrations have been studied in the present Ph.D. work, based on several examples including the volcanics from Ben Lomond (Australia), the Sierra Peña Blanca (Mexico), Macusani (Peru), Dornot (Mongolia), Xiangshan (China), McDermitt (USA) and Olympic Dam (Australia). Analyses of melt inclusions made it possible to determine magma typologies and initial compositions (U, metals, incompatible elements and volatiles) before postmagmatic overprint. Emplacement of volcanic rocks and their subsequent alteration induce losses and/or gains of elements which can be quantified by mass balance calculations between melt inclusions and altered rocks. Huge outflows of F-rich peralkaline volcanics and their subsequent long-term hydrothermal alteration in a caldera context are the most favorable for the formation of giant uranium deposits in volcanic settings.NANCY1-SCD Sciences & Techniques (545782101) / SudocSudocFranceF