Charakterystyka mineralogiczno-geochemiczna mineralizacji kasyterytowo-siarczkowej w historycznych sztolniach św. Jana i św. Leopolda w paśmie łupkowym Starej Kamienicy (Sudety Zachodnie)
Abstract
The geochemical-mineralogical characteristic of cassiterite-sulphide mineralization in the historic Saint John and Saint Leopold shafts in the Stara Kamienica shist belt (Western Sudetes).
A b s t r a c t. Drifts historical of St. John and St. Leopold historical tin mine in Krobica, located within the Stara Kamienica shist belt of the Sudetes Mountains were a subject of intermittent exploitation from the 16th through the 20th centuries. Initial X-ray examinations inside historical ore excavations using a field portable pXRF spectrometer and laboratory geochemical analysis by WD-XRF, ISP-MS and GF-AAS methods were carried out. These studies showed elevated concentrations of a range of elements (Bi, Hf, In, Pd, Pt, Sc, Sb,W, As, Ag, Cd, Re, Zn, Pb and some REE), which are recognized as critical for the European Union economy. The reflected-light microscopic examination has confirmed the occurrence of a cassiterite-sulfide mineralization that was exploited in historical times. A number of analyses was performed using an electron microprobe (EMPA). This allowed us to recognize a series of minerals (mainly ore minerals) as carriers of the above-mentioned elements. The following ore minerals were identified in the samples examined: chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, gersdorffite, as well as mimetite and xenotime.
A b s t r a c t. Drifts historical of St. John and St. Leopold historical tin mine in Krobica, located within the Stara Kamienica shist belt of the Sudetes Mountains were a subject of intermittent exploitation from the 16th through the 20th centuries. Initial X-ray examinations inside historical ore excavations using a field portable pXRF spectrometer and laboratory geochemical analysis by WD-XRF, ISP-MS and GF-AAS methods were carried out. These studies showed elevated concentrations of a range of elements (Bi, Hf, In, Pd, Pt, Sc, Sb,W, As, Ag, Cd, Re, Zn, Pb and some REE), which are recognized as critical for the European Union economy. The reflected-light microscopic examination has confirmed the occurrence of a cassiterite-sulfide mineralization that was exploited in historical times. A number of analyses was performed using an electron microprobe (EMPA). This allowed us to recognize a series of minerals (mainly ore minerals) as carriers of the above-mentioned elements. The following ore minerals were identified in the samples examined: chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, gersdorffite, as well as mimetite and xenotime.