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Part III
METAMORPHIC DEPOSITS
Metamorphism Mineral Deposits
Hosted by Metamorphic Rocks
Skarn Deposits
Greisen Deposits
METAMORPHISM
Metamorphism is the mineralogical, chemical, and structural
adjustment of solid rocks to physical and chemistry conditions
which have generally been imposed at depth below the surface
zones of weathering and cementation, and which differ from the
conditions under which the rocks in question originated.
Dynamic metamorphism is the total processes and effects of
orogenic movements and differential stresses in producing new
rocks from old, with market structural and mineralogical changes
due to crushing and shearing at low temperatures extending to
higher temperatures.
Dynamically metamorphosed rocks are typically developed in
narrow zones, such as major faults, and thrusts, where particularly
strong deformation has occurred.
Epigenetic ores developed in dilatant zones along faults, often
show signs of dynamic effects (brecciation, plastic floage etc.)
Metamorphism
Contact metamorphic rocks crop out at or near the contacts of
igneous intrusions and in some cases the degree of metamorphic
change can be seen to increase as the contact is approached.
In contact metamorphism or thermal metamorphism the main agent
of metamorphism in these rocks is the heat supplied by the intrusion.
Regional Metamorphism
Regionally metamorphosed rocks occur over large tracts of the earths
surface. They are not necessarily associated with either igneous
intrusions or thrust belts, but these characteristics may be present.
Regionally metamorphosed rocks suffered metamorphism about the
time they were intensely deformed. Consequently they contain
structures as
cleavages, schistosity, foliation or lineation, which can be seen
in macroscopic and microscopic scales.
Metamorphism
Metamorphism is in principle isochemical, but temperature and
pressure changes may result in the production of gaseous phases
(CO2; CH4; S; H2O;) which are liable to move out the area in which
they are formed, and hence, change the overall composition.
Metassomatism where the transport of material is essential.
Recognition of metamorphosed ores
In contact and regionally metamorphosed areas these rocks
generally show:
- The development of metamorphic textures
- A change of grain size usually an increase
- The progressive development of new minerals.
METAMORPHIC FACIES
METAMORPHIC FACIES
This figure shows how a halo of new minerals can form around
an igneous intrusion due to the high temperatures.
This is an example of a contact metamorphic deposit.
SKARN DEPOSITS
SKARN DEPOSITS
The orebodies are characterized by the development of calcsilicate minerals such as diopside, wollastonite, andradite, garnet
and actinolite.
The skarn deposits are relatively small and extremely irregular in
shape. Tongues of ore may project along any available planar
structure bedding, joints, faults, etc.
The principal materials produced from skarns deposits are:
- iron, copper, tungsten,
- graphite, zinc, lead, molybdenium, tin,
- uranium, garnet, talc and wollastonite.
Exoskarn and endoskarn may contain ore
SKARN DEPOSITS
Skarn
This figure shows how a halo of new minerals can form around
an igneous intrusion due to the high temperatures.
This is an example of a contact metamorphic deposit.
GREISEN DEPOSITS
GREISEN DEPOSITS
Greisen are usually developed at the upper contacts of granite
intrusions and are sometimes accompanied by stockwork development.
Greisen are important mainly for their production of tin and tungsten.
Usually one element is predominant but there may be by product
output of the other
Ore minerals may include cassiterite, wolframite, scheelite,
molybdenite, bismuth, and bismuthinite, accompanied in some deposits
by pyrrhotite and sphalerite, in additiion to chalcopyrite and other
sulfides.
Typical greisen deposits include:
Erzgebirge Czech Republic (tin greisen)
Tin deposits of Cornwall
Ardlethan, Lachlan Fold Belt, Australia (tin-antimony greisen deposit)
Timbarra, Lachlan Fold Belt, Australia (gold greisen deposit)