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Trace element contents in galena and sphalerite from ore deposits of the Alcudia Valley mineral field (Eastern Sierra Morena, Spain)

2005; Elsevier BV; Volume: 86; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.gexplo.2005.03.001

1879-1689

Fernando J. Palero-Fernández, Agustín Martín Izard,

Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping

The Alcudia Valley mineral field was an important lead ore producer in Spain during the 19th and the 20th centuries. Based on mineralogical, lithological, structural, morphological and geochemical characteristics, five main types of lead and zinc deposits have been defined in the district. The most important of these are Pb–Zn post-tectonic veins (type E), which represent 70% of the total number of mineral occurrences and include the biggest mines of the area. These deposits show a paragenetic zoning with respect to the Hercynian granites outcropping in the area, with deposits located closer to the granites having a more complex paragenesis than those located farther away and silver showing a decrease away from the granite along three silver corridors [Palero, F.J., Both, R.A., Arribas, A. Boyce, A.J., Mangas, J. and Martín-Izard, A., 2003. Geology and metallogenic evolution of the polymetallic deposits of the Alcudia Valley mineral field, Eastern Sierra Morena, Spain. Economic Geology, 98, 577–605]. Trace element contents in galena concentrates and, particularly, sphalerite concentrates from the Alcudia Valley deposits have allowed us to discriminate between the different ore deposit types. Statistical analysis indicates that trace elements in galena and sphalerite are present mainly as micro-inclusions of various minerals. Sulfides in type E deposits show the widest variety and highest contents in trace elements. The possibility of using trace elements as tools for the characterization of the different types of ore deposits and their regional zoning is the main conclusion reached in this paper. This conclusion may be applied to exploration for these types of ore deposits in other areas with comparable geological characteristics.