CHARAKTERYSTYKA I GENEZA ZŁOTONOŚNEJ MINERALIZACJI ARSENOWO-POLIMETALICZNEJ W ZŁOŻU CZARNÓW (SUDETY ZACHODNIE)

Abstract

THE CHARACTERISTIC AND GENESIS OF THE GOLD-BEARING ARSENIC POLYMETALLIC MINERALIZATION IN THE CZARNÓW DEPOSIT (WESTERN SUDETES)

Abstract. Detailed geochemical-mineralogical studies of ore samples from the Czarnów deposit revealed the presence of ores with different composition and texture of gold-bearing sulphide polymetallic ores. They are hosting by quartz vein and its country rocks (schists, amphibolites and calc-silicate rocks). An average content of Au is 1.06 ppm, of As – 5.6% and of Cu – 0.75% (n = 47). The range of gold contents in sulphide ores is from 1 to 2.5 ppm (max. 12.6 ppm) at As contents 3 to 15% and Cu 1 to 4%. In massive arsenopyrite ore As concentration reaches up to 20–30%. In polymetallic ores a single high contents of Ag (max. 380 ppm), Bi (max. 0.55%) and Sn (max. 0.4%) were documented. Gold precipitation underwent at least in 2 separate stages. The first one was connected with submicroscopic gold (<1 μm in size) mostly bound in arsenopyrite and minor in pyrrhotite in the range of a high temperature (380– 490°C) determined by application of the arsenopyrite geothermometer and of fluid inclusions study of grey and/or grey-white quartz (330– 420°C). The second stage was related to gold redistribution from arsenopyrite and precipitation of microscopic gold (>1μmin size) in paragenetic association with base metal sulphides, and Bi, Au, Ag and Te minerals and crystallization of milky-white quartz in the temperature range 250–320°C. Next stage of ore precipitation was connected with crystallization of transparent quartz and younger generation of calcite, associated by galena and variable composition sulphosalts, in temperature range 130–210°C. The youngest stage is connected with weathering processes and is marked by replacement of primary sulphides by secondary minerals. Genesis of auriferous mineralization in the Czarnów deposit was related to at least two separate stages of ore minerals precipitation from hydrothermal fluids connected with post-magmatic-tectonic evolution of the Karkonosze granite along its contact with the Eastern metamorphic cover. Source of gold, arsenic, copper, sulphur (δ S³⁴ CDT in sulphides range from 0.07 to 4.33‰), and other metals, beside Variscan granites, were credibly rocks related to Lower Paleozoic magmatic-volcanic processes in
the Kowary–Czarnów unit. For the first time the following minerals have been recognized in the deposit: argentite, joseite, matildite, treasurite, stannite and most probably hessite and protojoseite.