CHARAKTERYSTYKA GEOCHEMICZNA MINERAŁÓW SREBRA WYSTĘPUJĄCYCH W ZŁOŻU RUD MIEDZI NA MONOKLINIE PRZEDSUDECKIEJ

Abstract

GEOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTIC OF Ag-BEARING MINERALS OCCURRING IN COPPER ORE DEPOSIT AT THE FORE-SUDETIC MONOCLINEAbstract. Silver is the most important associated element in the copper ore deposit of the Fore-Sudetic Monocline. Besides its own minerals, such as native silver, amalgams, stromeyerite, mackinstryite, jalpaite and Cu-Fe-Ag system sulphides, the silver occurs as isomorphic substitutions in copper minerals. The aim of this work included geochemical characterization of Ag-bearing minerals and correlation of the occurrence of Ag-enriched Cu sulphides with the areas of native silver and amalgam mineralization. Distribution of silver in the ore deposit distinctly correlates with Cu concentrations, and the areas of the strongest Cu mineralization are accompanied by high silver concentrations. Results of the scanning electron microscopy and electron microprobe analysis indicate that the Cu sulphides contain up to several wt.% Ag as isomorphic substitutions. Distribution of Ag in Cu sulfides does not show regularity, as demonstrated by wide diversity of Ag contents in various minerals, ranging from 0.0X to dozen wt.% Ag.