EPITHERMAL OF HIGH AND LOW SULPHIDATION

INDEX

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 2
1. OBJETIVE...................................................................................................................................... 3
2. THEME DEVELOPMENT .................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.1. EPITHERMAL DEPOSITS .........................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.2. IMPORTANCE OF THE EPITHERMAL DEPOSITS ................................................................... 4
2.2.1. LOW SULPHIDATION EPITHERMAL ....................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
FEATURES: ....................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2.2. HIGH SULPHIDATION EPITHERMAL ...................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
FEATURES: .........................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
2.3. EPHITERMAL DEPOSITS IN PERU ......................................................................................... 7
3. CONCLUSIONS ...............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
4. BIBLIOGRAPHY...............................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

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EPITHERMAL OF HIGH AND LOW SULPHIDATION

INTRODUCTION

The important differences in the chemical properties of the fluids mineral suplement, responsible
for mineral deposition within the epithermal environment, are the criteria based on which the two
main types of epithermal deposits are established.

At one end is a set of small deep fluids and pH close to neutrality (in which sulfur is presented with
its - 2 oxidation state, that is, "low sulphidation"). These fluids are essentially in balance with the
host rocks altered, due to its rising relatively slowly, geothermal systems of this type are typically
located at a certain distance from the volcanic edifices which can be genetically associated, although
these systems can be found equally in areas without contemporary volcanic activity. In the majority
of cases, these systems are activated by intrusion located up to 5 or 6 km below the surface. This
group coincides roughly with the deposits of low sulphidation.

Low sulphidation (BS) fluids are a mixture of water-rain (meteoric waters) which have percolated to
subsurface and magmatic water (derived from a source of rock fused at greater depths in the Earth)
that have ascended to the surface.

At the opposite extreme, are volcanic-hydrothermals systems in proximal location at volcanic

openings for discharge of fumes to the surface is channeled. The main term on surface of these
systems are fumaroles of high temperature, and their condensates consisting of extremely acidic
waters. These fluids, eminently acid and oxidized, character "high sulphidation", in the form of SO2or
SO4=), are notoriously imbalance with rocks host, emphasising the magmatic character of the same.
This group coincides roughly with high sulphidation deposits.

High sulphidation (ACE) fluids are derived mainly from a magma source and deposited precious
metals near the surface when the fluid cools or diluted by mixing with meteoric waters.

In general, the precious metals in solution derive directly from the magma or can be leached of
volcanic rocks guests as fluids circulating through them.

These two types of systems have very centered between them, although both can co-exist side by
side. In some cases, a transition between both geochemical environments, only 1 or 2 km deep, in
which acids hypogene fluids rise up to pH-neutral systems can be identified. This transition is
typically represented by a hydrolysis, called "primary neutralization" area), located below the
epithermal environment.

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1. OBJETIVE
Meet the high and low sulphidation epithermal.

2. THEMATIC DEVELOPMENT
2.1. EPHITERMAL DEPOSITS
Lindgren defined deposits epithermal as "metalliferous deposits formed near the surface by thermal
waters emerging and genetically connected with igneous rocks". He estimated a temperature range
from 50 ° c to 200 ° C and a maximum depth of 1000 m for these deposits. Your deductions are
based on the limits of stability of certain minerals, such as adularia, similar with the textures of veins
of deposits "hot spring" (geothermal environments) and geologic reconstructions.

In a broad sense, epithermal deposits are defined as products related to volcanism with
hydrothermal activity to shallow and low temperatures, (Guilbert and Park,) 1986. Simmons and
others. (2005), specified that those deposits epithermal low depth, in high temperature
hydrothermal systems developed in volcanic arcs; Sillitoe (1977), on the other hand, ensures that,
in its entirety, epithermal deposits are associated directly to active subduction margins, at different
geological times.

Epithermal deposits are those that mineralization occurred within 1 to 2 Km of depth from the
ground surface and deposited from hot hydrothermal fluids. Fluids are estimated in the range from
< 100 ° C up to about 320 ° C and during the formation of the deposit these hydrothermal fluids can
reach the surface as springs. Epithermal deposits are preferred in areas of active volcanism around
the active margins of continents or Islands arches and the most important are those of precious
metals (Au, Ag), although they may contain varying amounts of Cu, Zn, Pb, Bi, etc.

Precious metal epithermal mineralization can be formed from two types of chemically different
fluids. The "low sulphidation" are small and have a pH close to neutral (the measure of hydrogen
ion concentration) and "high sulphidation" fluids, which are more acidic and oxidised. High and low
sulphidation terms were introduced by Hedenquist (1987) and refer to the sulphur oxidation state.
In the high-sulphidation sulphur is presented as S4 + in SO2 (oxidized) form and in the low-
sulphidation as S-2 in the form of H2S (reduced)

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2.2. IMPORTANCE OF THE EPITHERMAL DEPOSITS

Epithermal deposits contribute significantly to World Gold production and are targets of exploration
that should be carefully evaluated on the basis of the amount of metal that can provide and at what
cost. As we will see later, epithermal deposits may contain varying amounts of various metals
(mainly, Cu, Pb, Zn, Bi, Ag, etc.), although the most important are those of precious metals (Au
mostly and Ag). In fact, epithermal deposits contribute almost one-quarter of the gold produced
worldwide.

The amount of gold in any type of deposit is calculated based on the law and available tonnage.
While the bigger law, minor is the tonnage required to make an economic exploitation. A high-grade
deposit could have laws of 10 to 150 g/t Au, while that of low grade in the range of 1 to 5 g/t Au.

Low-grade deposits may possibly have more than 200 million tons (eg. La Coipa mine in the
Maricunga district with 52.1 Mt with 1.58 g/t Au and 60.3 g/t Ag; 1 g/t Au equivalent cut-off grade;
Oviedo et al., 1991), while those of high law are often smaller.

2.2.1. LOW SULFURATION EPITHERMALS

Associated with geothermal systems where surface waters are mixed with deeper and saline waters
that are heated by the intrusive, generating a convective cell that rises to the surface in a lateral
flow regime. The alteration corresponds to potassium and chlorite.

Precious metals have been transported in solution as complex ions bi-sulphide to epithermal levels;
And as complexes chloride to deeper levels.

The displacement of the "fluids" is through larger fractures. These deposits are located in boilers or
other volcanic environments, being able to be hosted from rhyolites to andesites with their
intrusives and associated sediments. The ore presents high values of gold and silver and variable
contents of copper and are located outside the source of heat.

Low sulphidation fluids are a mixture of rain-water (meteoric waters) that have percolated to
subsurface and magmatic waters (derived from a source of molten rock deeper into the earth) that
have ascended to the surface. Precious metals have been transported in solution as complex ions
(generally bi-sulphide at epithermal levels, chlorinated at deeper levels) and for low sulphidation
fluids, metal precipitation occurs when the fluid boils as it approaches the surface (boiling).

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CHARACTERISTICS:
- S-2 reduced in the form of H2S.
- Diluted fluids (0.5% NaCl eq.)
- Dominant meteoric waters.
- pH of neutral to alkaline fluid (6 - 8).
- Alteration adjacent to structures with quartz, adularia, sericite, illite  peripheral
propilítica.
- Low % of pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, acantite, silver sulfosalites.
- Au ± Ag (Pb, Zn, Cu; As, Te, Hg, Sb at high levels).
- Variable gold fineness; high fineness (Ag poor) in depth, low fineness (Ag rich).
- Veins: normally with crystalline phases in depth and banding in shallow levels.
- Pre-existing deep fractures, subsidiary structures high level dilatations, magmatic
breccias, diatoms and breccias of hydrothermal eruption.

2.2.2. HIGH SULFURATION EPITHERMALS

They are formed in connection with volcanic apparatuses, from acid solutions containing magmatic
residual volatile that give rise to advanced argillic alteration.

Fluids are derived primarily from a magmatic source and deposit precious metals near the surface
when the fluid is cooled or diluted by mixing with meteoric waters.

Precious metals in solution are derived directly from the magma or can be leached from the volcanic
rocks as the fluid's flow through them.

A convective cell incorporates magmatic and meteoric waters, and the elements in solution are
deposited as the fluids cool near the surface, forming a mineral deposit within the heat source.

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They are located in siliceous boilers or domes and they are mainly housed in riodacitas that conform
the domes and in tobaceos flows. The ore presents varying values of gold and silver with high copper
contents.

High sulphidation (AS) fluids are derived primarily from a magmatic source and deposit precious
metals near the surface when the fluid is cooled or diluted by mixing with meteoric waters. Precious
metals in solution are derived directly from the magma or can be leached from the guest volcanic
rocks as the fluids flow through them.

CHARACTERISTICS:

- S + 4 oxidized as SO2
- Saline fluid (4-21% NaCl eq.)
- Magmatic waters interacting with meteoric
- pH of the acidic fluid (1.7-2)
- Intense hydrolytic alteration from silica oquerosa  alunite  kaolin  illita 
montmorillonite  propylitic
- High% pyrite, enargite, luzonite, tenantite-tetrahedrite, covelin
- Au ± Cu (As; Te at high levels)
- Gold of high fineness (poor in Ag)
- Matrix of gaps in altered competent rocks and veins
- Dilatation structures and lithological control by permeability. Common diatre gaps
and groundwater gaps

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2.3. DEPOSITOS EPITERMALES EN PERU

3. CONCLUSIONS

Epithermal mineralization of precious metals can be formed from two chemically distinct types of
fluids. "Low sulphidation" are low and have a near-neutral pH (the measure of hydrogen ion
concentration) and "high sulfidation" fluids, which are more oxidized and acidic

High sulphidation (AS) deposits are derived primarily from a magmatic source and deposit precious
metals near the surface when the fluid is cooled or diluted by mixing with meteoric waters.

Low sulfur deposits are mainly present in areas of active volcanism associated with subduction
zones.

4. BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://es.scribd.com/presentation/350219394/DEPOSITOS-EPITERMALES

http://www.cec.uchile.cl/~vmaksaev/Dep%F3sitos%20Epitermales.pdf

http://www.scielo.org.ar/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1666-94792012000100007

http://tesis.uson.mx/digital/tesis/docs/20080/Capitulo8.pdf

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