TY - JOUR

T1 - Alteration zones as exploration parameter for stratiform Pb-Zn-Ag-Ba deposits in the Graz Paleozoic (Eastern Alps, Austria)

AU - Rohrhofer, Sandro

AU - Geringer, Annika

AU - Melcher, Frank

AU - Schuster, Ralf

PY - 2024/9/26

Y1 - 2024/9/26

N2 - In the Graz Paleozoic in the Eastern Alps (Austria), stratiform Pb-Zn-Ag-Ba deposits have been mined in the past. They are classified as sedimentary-exhalative (SEDEX) deposits and are hosted by polyphase deformed greenschist facies metasediments and volcanics of the Schönberg Formation (Schöckel nappe; Drauzug-Gurktal nappe system), which is upper Silurian to Lower Devonian in age. The stratiform ore horizons are dominated by galena, sphalerite, barite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and magnetite and are accompanied by chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, fahlore, pyrargyrite, tetradymite, cobaltite, ullmannite, breithauptite, electrum, and others. The project MRI_SEDEXPOT investigates these deposits to evaluate their exploration potential by focusing on hydrothermal alteration zones occurring in the footwall and hanging wall of the ore. Such alteration zones are globally used as exploration tools not only for SEDEX deposits. The investigated alteration zones show distinct mineralogical and geochemical characteristics. They contain Fe rich carbonates and chlorite, K‑ and Ba-feldspars, Ba bearing white mica, fluorapatite, REE and HFSE minerals. Disseminated sulphides are widespread, and albitization is typical below sulphide rich horizons. Geochemical profiles correlate well with the observed mineralogy. Ongoing investigations of these alteration zones should lead into defining proximity indicators to the ore and evaluation of the exploration potential of the stratiform Pb-Zn-Ba-Ag deposits of the Graz Paleozoic.

AB - In the Graz Paleozoic in the Eastern Alps (Austria), stratiform Pb-Zn-Ag-Ba deposits have been mined in the past. They are classified as sedimentary-exhalative (SEDEX) deposits and are hosted by polyphase deformed greenschist facies metasediments and volcanics of the Schönberg Formation (Schöckel nappe; Drauzug-Gurktal nappe system), which is upper Silurian to Lower Devonian in age. The stratiform ore horizons are dominated by galena, sphalerite, barite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, and magnetite and are accompanied by chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, fahlore, pyrargyrite, tetradymite, cobaltite, ullmannite, breithauptite, electrum, and others. The project MRI_SEDEXPOT investigates these deposits to evaluate their exploration potential by focusing on hydrothermal alteration zones occurring in the footwall and hanging wall of the ore. Such alteration zones are globally used as exploration tools not only for SEDEX deposits. The investigated alteration zones show distinct mineralogical and geochemical characteristics. They contain Fe rich carbonates and chlorite, K‑ and Ba-feldspars, Ba bearing white mica, fluorapatite, REE and HFSE minerals. Disseminated sulphides are widespread, and albitization is typical below sulphide rich horizons. Geochemical profiles correlate well with the observed mineralogy. Ongoing investigations of these alteration zones should lead into defining proximity indicators to the ore and evaluation of the exploration potential of the stratiform Pb-Zn-Ba-Ag deposits of the Graz Paleozoic.

U2 - 10.1007/s00501-024-01509-w

DO - 10.1007/s00501-024-01509-w

M3 - Article

VL - 169.2024

SP - 567

EP - 576

JO - Berg- und hüttenmännische Monatshefte : BHM

JF - Berg- und hüttenmännische Monatshefte : BHM

SN - 0005-8912

IS - 10

ER -