6 Romanian Journal ofMineral Deposils. 79. Supp/. }.

2000

GEOPHYSICAL CONSlDERA TIONS ABOUT A POSSIBLE

ROMANIAN CARLIN

J. ANDRE I
Geological Institute of Romania, 1 Caransebes Street, 79678, Bucharest 32. Romania

lntroduction. The gold ores disseminated by substitution in carbonated rocks, of Carlin

type, present specific features. They are formed by magmatic, tectonic and lithologic controlling
factors action, as follows: the approximately stratiform aspect; an advanced degree of
sulfidisation; the ore association with sil icifi cations; the pronounced fracturation of the host rocks
and the high pefineability ; the closest neighborhood of porphyry rocks and less closer of an acid
plutonite; the presence of a dense fractured field ; the presence of so me structural lraps, relaining
the mineralization, and of some host rocks with carbonates and organic-carbonaceous or
bituminous substances, favouring sili ca, sulfides and gold precipitation, at 150-200 oC
(Berbeleac, 1985 , 1998).
Objective and premises of the study. During the last 6 years, the author was concerned
with the possibility of the identification of Carlin-type gold mineralizations in Romania . After a
detailed analysis, based on the geological and geophysical knowledge of the Tertiary magmatites
with metall ogenous potential, some opti mal possibilities for the ex istence of such
mineralizations in the concealed acid banatitic pl utonic area, from Ilidia - Moldova Noua, and
especially rrom Stinapari - Carbunari section, have been identified. In co nfo rmity with the
magnetometric data, the peak ofthis pluton is placed in the vicinity ofthe Oravita line.
In Stinapari - Carbunari area, the geological data show the following favourable factors:
the presence of a suite of hypabyssal banatitic bodies, consisting of granodiorites and
quartzdiorite and their porphyry varieties too, often with a pronounced western fa ll , settled in
predominantly carbonated formations of Neoj urasic - Eocretaceous age, strongly affected by
thermal and hydrothermal metamorphism (see the plate) ;
under these conditions the banatitic intrusions are accompanied by an important
metallogenetic activity of skarn copper magnetite and porphyry copper; in ilS western
extremity, the Getic Nappe cover is overthrust by the Sasca - Gornjak Nappe, constituted of
Permian, Triassic and Jurassic formations, strongly scaled here and there;
the Spathian - An isian formations of these nappes are constitllted of carbonated rocks
(dolomites, limestones and bituminous limestones) able to warrant an exce ll ent lithologic
contro l of some eventual mineralizations of Carlin type.
The aero- and ground magnetometric im ages as well as the geoe lectric ones (IP and ra)
are suggesting a series of structllral-magmatic and metallogenetic information, able to complete
the direct geological data (see the plate). Thi s information presents a high confidence degree, due
to some favourab le contrasts of physical properties. So, the magnetometry shows the spatial
disposition of the hypabyssal banatitic bodies and also the presence of some dykes probably
constituted of porphyry banati tic rocks. The lP maximum evidences the dissemination of slllfides,
and also their spatial distribution (Stoica et al. , 1972, unpubli shed data, in GIR achives). Taking
into account that in the Carl in-type mineralizations, the slllfidisation processes are closely
correlated with the silicification ones, in the investigated area 2 1 anomalous couples Ma maximal
- ra maximal have been selected, which can reflect some possible mineralizali ons of the above-
mentioned type, some of them characterized by a special degree of sll lfidi sation.
 Romanian Journal o{Mineral Deposits. 79. Suppl. }. 2000 7

TINPARI-CRBUNARf AREA-LOCVA MOUNTAfNS

STRUCTURAL- METALLOGENETIC MAP AS INFERREO FROM GEOLOGICAL .GEOPHYSICAL
ANO GEOCHEMICAL DATA
o

}! VN.I
:. i _ _"
SII
L E C E
-. . ~-

A. 6't!'o/Q!tC.11 ~I'v
c p O/tJjl/Ccll I'ncll' Co//Nh!r/ $t"/Ct7tMITN e/,K(IJIf.I),
lf/.;".siGts Nnv, R<!/t-rr J'P~}, N'J/iY d'~/{/.I ?J). ,,(I1d'rt'/ 1"1~/. f /J?J)

PLE/sr{JCEA'F UQ Dt"l/ur,irl o't'jXJsils

.ut!hllY ~ tf'cldlmn; JO'/lQs!O/l1'
urc APT/liN ~ )//o/.:.r lti7Jeslo/ll'S
EM/Y,iPfIAN -
&./,f,fE,uIAN ~ Roj1.9 hm~Jlon~s
~ biJJeS!OMS Wth dJf'r!
f A tAN6/NI,AN ~ {'tirIM m.1r1s

THEANiI' NI T.lNQ,f'A1'/ -.VV

~ tY"r~/t'sJ !JQmkls
( c:=:=J ,JA'arnes
d.

Il ti't'mM,U /'JIiYrM' /iQm j'N~.vtc>/.;/l(!'5MdPnJ1c.r/ d;>-t? 1/J,i"?o/L''oAtw.6t-0'1:vr.1/c:1hQj't'Dcn6'n/ld rci'W dJl? .,cct?rdin9 14

tit'o/tJ.?tccll //l.>h/u~ 01" RomMAi ~/l(t J.t: I'r(J5jJt'~ullI- '.tA
J'r/170Q/ flrim,;rj' m/ormrl//O/J Possio!e 9~o/q!ic3/ /TIe~n;/l9
C::::':"": l !fes/duell ;eromoyne!teJMIWIr MtI/ IY l71.yor tll4dbYSI./I 6Jmllk OPo1' fiJ(H;(fr;-',f Wt,:u (~m.Y/]E'I/I(!') t'kd
" ..,, ' II ,p/l}(/n(/yeom.?l.f'~!J~"/}(/m.11" d) ,fAi/hUl I!idl~n hqt!f lJulltnlf i~ff()W .Mo>l' /~ d~ /ftr('cpon
(.>/ . Qh/l~ hotir
b) l7?t!'p luotl~/f botJf Oi///;nt!'
--- r. /il'l{'~ryrou/ld,5'('o~.;n~/ic (i'/JQm~1r
J. il/Ilo 1.
l . !Jy,U of IMMltlt' ';j''' ,(JqlJlhrric mus
3. HyI'.1byJSJ/ ""MIt#~U !/"./(lrMIMI kdl' IV/IA ,POlJ7l;rr c<7j)pt!'r
vedtpaPl
~. SN/hw IhdtfmI'urp/lrrr cOfJI7I'r On' Qt;PQs//otdbne

.1. /p m,/)'lmvm(l!me (/o;",,/? grcldlml; 5. Su// iu'lj;:;;7u/I.;ra,.> ,;uIJm,l<?/J/tct',1,. S/#/ildbO/J (j/oSJJ#y lO'dl/l
i/fj"t'CI!Qh I!mt> .: ?Str.}cQ/"f'k/t 'tI w l/I; IYjlt' occ(//t'!1cej
f',, ~.l'fmVm _ .1)/01#' .Jullitli.$.3hm .. /;) ml'rftum JullidiSO'/4JiJ ; e) 1;/,5'11
,,) tIf"" < IIms~. ;!J)/J<".vti'<"I;mJ~. .rvl/jd/sa/Jon ; dJ yer,. /lp/l sv!lil/'lstlhm
C) lli O: ii; < Um.S('i ; ti; il.7_-cStJ m N 'e
8 Romanian .Journal o{Mineral Deposils. 79. Suppl. 1. 2000

Geological-geophysical correlation . The elaborated structural-metall ogenetic map renders

evident a series of control factors in the mentioned obj ectives:
The Iithologic control: on the Anisian formations ofthe Sasca - Gornjak Nappe - 60bj ecti ves
with high degree of sulfidisation ( 1 VHS, 2 HS , 3 MS) ; on the inner scale of the Getic Nappe
cover - 7 objectives (2 HS, 4 MS , ILS), out of which four , the most intensively mineralized
ones, are on limestone with cherts; on the second scale of the Getic Nappe cover (with
pyrometamorphic products and banatitic bodies) - 8 obj ectives (2 HS , 2 MS , 4 LS) .
The structural-magmatic control is evident, 16 objectives being di sposed, as fo llows: a) at
the periphery of the fa ll en segment ofthe Stinapari body (9), b) in the roofand the periphery of
the buried body in the western part of Bolborosu Valley (5), c) in the neighbourhood of the
Ogasu Ungureanu porphyry copper minerali zed body (2) . In hoth cases a dike contro l call be
observed.
fJO Tectonic control: 7 obj ectives on overthrust lines alld 2 obj ectives in the neighbourhood of an
anticl ine ax is.
Verifying ways and otlter possible mineralized areas. The surest modality to verify the
outlined situations is to carry out geochemical investigations, especially for Au, Ag, As, Sb, Hg.
Ba, Pb, Zn. In the area of the Cioaca Inalta banatitic structure, especially in the western part, some
similar o bj ecti ves have been identified. Although the major magmatic and tectonic control is
obvious (the neighbourhood of an anticline ax is), we cannot attri bute to these mineralization
interesti ng perspecti ves, the IP data suggesting a LS minerali zati on. Another interesting situation
fo r Carlin-type minerali zati ons could appear for the Supragetic Nappe of Locva, west of
Florimunda, also associated with the Spathian-Ani sian formations. Unfortunately here lhe
electrometri c data are mi ssing.

THE PROSPECT OF GOLD MINERALIZATIONS RELATED TO TURCOAIA-

PIATRA ROSIE - SACAR BAlR - CIVCUROVA ALKALINE GRANITES
ALIGNMENT (NORTH DOBROGEA, ROMANIA) DEDUCED FROM
GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL DATA
J . ANDR EI, M. TATU
Geo logical Institute of Romania, I Caransebes Street , 79678, Bucharest 32, Romania

Geological setting
As part of the Carpathian foreland, the North Dobrogean territory is located between lhe
Moesian Platfonn to the south and the Scythian Pl atfo rm to the north. Thi s domain is composed
of four major Alpine tectonic units: Macin, Consul, N iculitel and Tulcea. Each of them includes
the pre-Triassic basements ( Precambri an and Paleozo ic series), as well as the Mesozoic covers.
Situated in the south-western part of the Mcin Unit the alkaline with in-pl ate Hercyn ian
magmati sm is emplaced in the Paleozoic deposits (Silurian Cerna Formation, Early Devonian
Buj oarele Formation and Early Carboniferous Carapelit Formation) and is present in the
Turcoaia - Cuciurova alignrnent. Thi s magmatism is made up of two distinct plutonic and
hypabyssal associations intruded in a short range of time . The Turcoaia massif has a concentric
structure in which, from the core to the periphery, quartz-syenites, monzogranites, alkali-granites
and alkali-rhyolites occur. The plutonic complex is cut by doleritic and rhyolitic dykes of the
billl odai Triassic dyke-swarms.
Romanian Journal o{Mineral Deposits. 79. Suppl. 1. 2000

Structural map of Turcoaia - Ciucurova zone based on the geological and geophysical data.
Sources: geological maps of GIR, scale 1: 200 OOO;(Mirut et al. 1967, Seghedi et al. 1988,
Mihileseu et al. 1988),Andrei et al. 1989,1990.
o 6km
~.-~--'---"
LEGEND

Holoccnc
~ Al1uvial
~ deposits
Molm
o Limsloncs

Plcistoc,-~c
IQ'DI
l...ocso~d
~ dcPOSllS
Doggcr
LO\\lcr
o Aiorman
Formation
Carapclit
0 '}oo,ojmnn
~ SCfi~s
C arooni fcrolls ~ Formntion
l.owcr nujo nrcl c
lanciln Dc\'onirm ~ Fomlnti o ll
ecmn
qh
Silurian CD Formation
Lowcr }
Crunbrinn - ~ Hi s trin
Uppcr ~ Foml.ttion
Precambrian
BocJugcn
lJppcr (B) { Group
Prcc:unbrian Mcgina
Nb(prm )
Group

100

VAC~
S,. C OI.C OR a

Y(ppm)

10 100 1000

Structural elemcnts aficr

gravimetric andlor
magnctometric data

- .,. AIkaIinc granite

- ... ;J pluton (dccp bordcr)
Satcllitc hypaby ....J body
<:::::;) a) undcrcxposcd
- - - ) b) covcrcd by the
- - - Neogene deposits
:::;;~ CilTjelari rhyolite
--o,
_o_J'
bod
Y qp
GTeci typc dioritc (?)
(--.0) or Eojurasic spiJitic
. - basalts 'o
\
- ......... Metabasic rocks \ qp -,
"

~ ..; fTom Mcgina Group

_ _ _ Major faul!
Magnetic and gravilic simulation models and hypothctical gooJogical cross section
f-- - - i Model section on the prollJc I - 2 Mngurcle - Crjclari - SE Horea (a fier Andrei ct al. J 990).
L 2 prn
Fonnations prcscntcd on
section I - 2
~ SandstonC':s,
~ sbalcs
~Spilitic
~ basalt.
:1
-2

.,
ZlkmJ
5 00fJU CG S
J
01 -.--82'0~g /C~ :JB -'- _1~"" .
Magnetic
model

Upper ~ Greci type - 10 2.74 ,-.;,n~~. . . . . . . .

2.63g/c m' 2. 63
271 g/ c m 1 Gravitic
Palacozoic~ diotites - 20 9/
c mJ
] ~--.--------'------ model
_,o - -.______ .. _______ ... _,_ .____ . ____
2.74 g/cm l

sv Z lkrn) (Hason.'a rJ , NE

01r. .og~~.,~ Me~ f1ru II H.!ugUiofa PMorolE~ni(or2

Hypothetical
_1 ~ geological
Ptl Cb,;;. ~
-2 ,g tP eross seetion
L -_______________________ . . l ~h~lk~m~I
S
_____________________________________________________________________ ~
10 Ramanian Jaurnal of Mineral Depasits, 79, Suppl. }, 2000

The presence of rare metal concentrations in the pegmalItlc pockets show that the
mineralized granites are late in the magmatic stage, Pegmatitic pockets, very di ffe rent in shapes
and dimensions, occur in the alkaline granites; their content in REE mineral phases (xenotime,
allanite and perrierite-chevkinite) is relatively hi gh. The greisen associations (fluorine,
tourmaline, Li-micas and cassiterite) are scarse in alkali - granites.
The Iglicioara - Carjelari rhyolitic alignment is coeval with the plutonic assemblage.
Related to this hypabyssal facies, the scarse Cu-Fe sulphides Au mineralisations, as veins and
disseminations at Iglicioara Micii , Dealu lui Manole and Hasanlar (Sacarbair), occur.
The geochemical data suggest that the evolution of the alkali complex is characterised by
two tendencies: on the one hand, low- evo lved syenitic magma and ,on the other hand ,an
evolved granitic trend. The Nb- and Y- enriched peralkaline rocks suggest a within-plate (Fig. 1).
Geochemical and mineralogical data suggest a direct evolution from mantle-derived
magmas for the syen itic member and a deep crustal SOllrce for the granitic rocks.

Metallogenetic and magmatic-geostructural considcrations deduced from geophysical data

Favourable physical contrasts permit a good gravimetric and/or electrometric mapping of
the major intrusive body of Turcoaia - Atmagea alkaline granite, also of related porphyry
apophyse train. Figure 1 points out, .tirst of ali, the extension of the menti oned alignment, hidden
by recent deposits up to 90%, more than 45 Km , from north of once Serban Lake nearby
Cillcurova. Moreover, the ground magnetometry data show that the acid alkaline porhyric
apophyse, cropping out at Iglicioara and Bujorul Bul garesc, are very extended, like two flanking
strips NE and much more SW of the pllltonic ali gnment. The chance of identitying hydrotennal
gold deposits can be related with:
@ alkaline porphyric apophyse (Iglicioara Mica - Dealu lu i Mano le type)
@ upper part of plutonic body consisting of alkaline microgranites ( Hasanlar - Sacarbair type)
@ contact area of plutonic alignment and Carjelari-type rhyolite body ( see the gravimetric-
magnetometric model in Fig.l)
It is possible to identity and investigate this type of mineralizations by geochemical methods
followed by IP electrometric investigations for the geochemical anomal ous area.

A REVIEW OF MINERALOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL PECULIARITIES

OF ALLUVIAL DEPOSITS IN ROMANIA

A. BALA BAN
S.c. PROSPECTI UN I S.A., I Caransebes SI., Bucharest, E-mail : prospecl @sunu.rnc.ro

AlIuvial deposits were studied as a part of the research for heavy mineral di stribution in the
main Romanian river basins.
The aim of the study is to characterise the mineralogical composition of alluvial deposits, to
investigate variations in geochemical composition (for different fractions) and to interpret
relationships between the gold content and the spatial distriblltion.
The total number ofsamples was 210 (26 from ballast-pits).
Reprezentative samples were selected and analysed by different methods: optical, X-ray
fluorescence (XRF) and chemical.
 Romanian Journal o(Mineral DeDosits, 79, SUPDI, }, 2000 Il

Tab le I

Sampling a,'ea Ti0 2 ZI'02 Fe C"u/C"u+C"g' 100

(%) (%) (%) Ratio
Variation (fro m - tol
Olt basi n
Sinc3 530-580
l-Irse ni 780
Porull1b3cu 575-780
Prunclu 0,5-0 ,8 0,02-0,05 1-1. 5
Fiscalia 0,2-0 ,5 0,02-0, I 1.5- ?
;\Iot,'u ba s in
Alunul 800-8~0
Jiu b as in
Ro si:t 0,2 -0.4 0,0- 0, 1
Arge ba sin
Rm.\',ilcca
Fusea 0~-0,:1 0,0 1-0,02
lalomip ba5in
C0111isani 0,1-0,3 0,01-0,02 0,5- 1
Dmb o \'i!a basin
Viioara 0.4-0,9 0,01-0,05 4-4,5 780 -800
Tinls ba s in
LllgO.i~I 0,5 -2 ,7 0, 1-0.4 4 -5
J li ('~l 0.4 -0 ,5 0,01 -0,02 780 -920
Topolni!a bas in
l-blam:3 0,2-2,5 0,1 -0,3 6-7 780-800
I'\CT&l ba s in
D :1 lb05e [ 0,3-0.4 0,0 1-0,02 2-2 ,8
Naidas 750-920
Zlmita 800-9"0
A. rie basil!
Mihai V iteazu 0,-+-0,9 0,01 -0 ,02 3-3,3 570-850
Unirea 0,3 -0,9 0,01 -0,03 570-800
Mure b as in
Bflrzava 0,7 -0,8 0.01 -0 ,03 800-85 0
C riul Alb b:l s in
Rap5ig 0,6-0,7 0,01 3-4
12 Romanian Journal of Mineral Deposits. 79. Suppl. 1. 2000

The mineralogical composition of recent alluvial deposits consists of various assemblages;

the means of correlations are limited. Generally, the mineral assemblages consist of: ilmenite,
rutile, anatase, magnetite, martite, hematite, zircon, monazite, garnets, amphiboles, piroxenes,
go ld, quartz, feldspar, micas and others.
The titanium oxides and gold presence are the most important discriminant for the typology
of the alluvi al deposits (Table).
The gold particles from older terraces or fro m alluvium after long transport in river water
are characterized by relative1y high purity (fineness between 850-950) spongious surfaces and
absence of crystallized forms (Mures, Nera, Olt basins).
The "younger" alluvial gold particl es (with short transport in river water) as well as the gold
fro m the present river channels show various morphological typology (grains, wires, leaflets,
spheres, fin e threads) and conta ins sulphides, quartz and carbonates as inclusions (Cris, Somes,
Jiu, Olt basins). Its fineness ranges between 570 and 920.
The gol d source (as iso lated grains or incl uded in quartz) is hydrothermal (Neogene
volcanic rocks) for alluvial gold of Mures, Somes and Aries basins.
For Nera and upper Olt basins, the gold sources are unknown. The gold content in alluvial
deposits of these rivers is between O - and several git.
The minor elements (Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Te, Fe, Sb) contained by go ld particles show different
leve ls of concentration, variable for each occurrence. Different localities of alluvial gold were
investigated . They show a relatively weak correlation between the mineralogical compositions.
the geochem ical particularities and the morpho logical aspects.
For a long time, the alluvial go ld was exploited from rivers in the western and north-
western part of the Apuseni Mountains. Today, thi s activity is reduced . The gold pat1icles
presence, as isolated or associated grains with quartz, calci te, hematite in allllvial deposit, is
considered a very important indi cator 111 go ld, base metal or copper geo logical
prospecting!exploration.

SA WING GRANITE - A TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC PROBLEM

M. BALINT, M. FECIORU, E. JIANU, G. BLU

Dacia Synthetic Diamond Factary, Bucharest, 77350, Romania

The use of natural stone for decoration of buildings is increased around the wo r1d . This is
due, in part, to the excellent properties of the material , such as resistance to environmental
inflllences, its hard ness and decorative qualities .
In the last years, the architects ali over the world realised that gran ite is a better bu ildi ng
material than marble, mainly due to their improved wear and weather resistance.
But sawing granite was not an easy to solve problem. In order to altain the econom ically
best saw tools selection, the following criteria are considered to be of the utmost importance:
metal bond and diamond grit characteristics
segment manufacturing method and parameters
quality of "segment-to-metal core" joint
blade tensioning
sawing conditions
 Romanian Journa/ o(Minera/ Deposits. 79. Supp/. 1. 2000 13

machine conditions
workpiece properties
operator's skills.
Depending on the mineral composition ofthe stone, the wear of diamond crystals and ofthe
tool matri x is different. One mechanism which directly affects the diamond is the abrasive effect
of the swarf generated by desintegrating the stone material , which causes the crystals to wear. The
properties of the abrasive swarf depend on the composition of the stone. For example, swarf
consisting of particles of metamorphic and deep-seated rock has smaller grains than the tool
material. During the cutting process, sedimentary rock fractures mainly along its grain boundaries
because of the low strength of its bind ing material. This results in swarf consisting of small and
hard grains, which determines the erosion ofthe matrix.
Because of the extreme hardness of granite, diamonds must be of very high quality, very
strong and sharp. The harder the stone to cut, the stronger the diamond grit type to be selected.
Furthermore, diamond crystals must wear in a controlled manner during cutting. AII these
requirements were possi ble to satisfy only when developments in synthetic diamonds industry
had led to the manufacture of a high quality diamond range of products, called saw grits. The
properties of saw grits which make them useful in sawing granite are detailed in the paper.
The introduction of saw grits, as well as the application of modern powder metallurgy
methods to segment fabrication and laser-welding of segments to the steel core have substantially
improved productivity in granite sawing. This fact had consequences detailed in the paper:
development of new quarries all over the world
modernization of sawing technique
reduction of granite cost and price.
The decrease of granite blocks and tiles prices and the better properties of granite than of
the marble in the cladding and flooring have determined the development of granite production.
For example, granite production had an increase ofnearly four times between 1976 (1.26 millions
m 3 ) and 1991 (4.28 mllions m 3 ), whilst marble production had an increase ofonly 40%.
The applications of granite were consequently diversified. In 1993, about 70% of produced
granite was used in construction - including interior decorations - 25% for tombstones and 5%
for technical stone and sculptures. The modern techniques permit sawing of well-shaped blocks,
grinding to very small dimensional tolerances, manufacturing of tiles for interior decorations by
gluing very thin granite tiles (3-6 mm) onto a backing which reduces the weight per square meter.
In conclusion, a technical development like industrial fabrication of high quality diamonds
has leaded to the opening of new possibilities and to the development of dimensional stone
industry.

References
Daniel, P. (1986) More granites succumb to diamond wire. Industrial Diamond Review, 5.
Konstanty, J. (1991) The materials science of stane sawing. Industrial Diamond Review, 1.
Picker, H. (1993) Granite international. Industrial Diamond Review, 4.
Wright, D. N. (1986) The predictian ofdiamond wear in the sawing ofstone./ndustrial Diamond Review, 5.