Characterization of Pb – Zn – Ag –(Cu) mineralization of the

Manto Italia mine area, Morococha District, Perú

Ms. Roshelly Paliza P.

Graduate Student, Minerals Engineering Department

Advisor: Dr. William X. Chávez, Jr.

The Morococha District represents a historically important polymetallic mining area

in central Perú. This world-class mining area comprises a major producer of silver, lead,
and zinc, with subordinate yet significant gold, copper, and associated minor metals. Ores
are hosted by limestones that have been intruded by felsic porphyries, including the adjacent
Toromocho porphyry system. Ore bodies consist of veins and crudely stratiform mantos,
similar in some ways to the famous chimney-manto Ag-Pb-Zn deposits of northern México
(e.g., Santa Eulalia, Bismark).

My M.S.-level thesis studies are based on underground mapping, logging of core

from within and adjacent to the Manto Italia ore bodies, and petrographic assessment of the
ore and alteration mineralogy of mantos, veins, and host rock; the sample preparation
consist on lab polishing sample for the different type of required preparation as thin and
polished transparent secton, probe samples, and polished samples.

Results–to–date indicate that ore-grade Ag + Pb + Zn (+/- Au, Cu) bodies consist of

ubiquitous pyrite and/or pyrrhotite, with variable low- and high-Fe sphalerite with scant
copper and lead rich displays as chalcopyrite disease and some galena dots within the
sphalerite specially the one which is Fe-rich, galena, minor chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, and
Cu-sulfosalts. Attendant with formation of these ore minerals are precursor and coeval
alteration assemblages comprising variably-developed marbleized limestone, actinolite-
tremolite, talc, serpentine, chlorite, epidote-zoicite and silica/quartz. Silicified rock volumes
 within the former limestones tends to be pyritic and of low tenor. Sphalerite found in
mantos tends to be more Fe-rich than that found in veins that cut the manto which use to
present a cinnamon color.

DDH 051-U-05/32.10m, galena destroying

DDH 051-U-05/32.10m, galena been pyrite crystals
replaced by tetrahedrite

DDH 150-U-05/249.80, (Reflected light),

DDH 150-U-05/157.10m, (Reflected light), galena replacing marmatite; arsenopyrite
Pyrite crystals been replaced by chalcopyrite deposited over galena
and brownish sphalerite, appears to be two
kind of sphalerite in contact one copper rich
(right hand) and the other one (left hand)
copper poor.

Figure 1: Ore mineralogy of manto Italia (reflected light microscopic photographs of

polished sections).
Abbreviations: py: pyrite, po: pyrrhotite; gn: galena; sl: sphalerite; cp: chalcopyrite; mc:
marcasite; asp: arsenopyrite, tt: tetrahedrite
 Ore targeting could take advantage of distal alteration assemblages that envelop mantos,
especially the occurrence of marble-serpentine-amphibole zoning within otherwise
unaltered limestones; the presence of pyrite +/- calcite veins, even if barren of base metals,
suggests that ore metals are present within tens of meters.

DDH-197-U-06/ 133.80-136.90m/bleaching DDH-197-U-06/ 210-214m/ black limestone

evidence, black fine grain limestone is been with several calcite veins and calcite patches,
recrystallized to marble showing permeability some graphite veins are folded.
of the rock to the hydrothermal fluids .
 Diamond Drill Core DDH 069 -U – 05
The follow core logging shows a clear transition from an unaltered black fine grain
carbonate rock with some skeletal fossils pieces replaced by a marbleized carbonate
(bleaching), where the fine grain carbonate has recrystallized in coarse white grayish
carbonate, follow by a dolomitization phase and finally altered by tremolite-talc
assemblage.
Sulfide minerals found along this core comprise euhedral disseminated pyrite crystals
probably as diagenetic product, abundant granular aggregates of pyrrhotite, dark brown
sphalerite copper rich displays as chalcopyrite disease, scarce masses of magnetite and
chalcopyrite and scant small masses of galena.
This core shows a significant geochemical hydrothermal alteration and sulfide replacement
located mainly in the tremolite-talc area.

Sample DDH – 069 – U – 05 / 40.0m CT

(Carbonate characterization and fossil identification)
Black unaltered micritic rock where several pieces of broken fossils are disseminated and
have been replaced by sparry coarsely calcite crystals; at least three different events of
calcite veinlets are crosscutting the rock
The rest of fossils present are pieces of braquiopods, foraminifers, gastropods, and some
other peloids.

Sample DDH - 069 - U- 05 / 60.0m CT

Black fine grain limestone with distinct beds or intervals of massive bedded richly
fossiliferous banks (trash beds), which have been replaced by coarsely calcite; with small
patches of recrystallized coarse carbonate white in color with rombohedral cleavage
The most abundant skeletal fossils are foraminiferous, conodonts, and other peloids a
stromatolite is found in the center of the section making a division between rich skeletal
fossil areas and another without many skeletal fossils.

Sample DDH – 069 –U -05 / 76.40m CT

Fine grain black carbonate rock, at least three carbonaceous zones are present, one compose
mainly by cloudy brownish micrite which is been recrystallized to a marbleized whither
coarsely sparitic carbonate (bleaching area), this one is in contact with a black muddy
carbonate, in this area there are some eyes of sparry calcite.
Late calcite veinlets from different thickness are across the rock. Some pyrite crystals are
emplaced where the contact between fine and coarsely carbonate; other few pyrite grains
are distributed along the rock.
None skeletal fossils were found in this sample compared to the one at 60.0m

DDH 069 - U – 05 / 91.50m CP

(Sulfide identification and paragenesis)(Manto)
Sulfides comprise pyrrhotite 60-65 %-vol, sphalerite 6-8 %-vol, pyrite 2 %-vol,
chalcopyrite (scant masses).
Pyrrhotite has a brown pinkish color, and high anisotropy from yellowish to grayish blue, is
the most abundant sulfide present as granular aggregates; sphalerite has a dark brownish
gray color, with reddish internal reflection, it is present as irregular masses; pyrite has a
yellowish white color and weakly anisotropy orange to yellow, it is present as irregular
masses; chalcopyrite has the typical deep yellow color and it is present as scant
disseminated small masses. Apparently all those sulfides were deposited at the same time or
very close each other because it is not possible to identify a paragenetic relationship
between those.

DDH 069 – U – 05 / 100.65m probe

(Black limestone with marmatite, describe sphalerite composition)
Sulfide comprise pyrrhotite 7-10 %-vol, sphalerite 3-5 %-vol, scant chalcopyrite.
Masses of irregular dark gray sphalerite (marmatite) doesn't present any internal reflexion,
and appears to be coeval with the rest of sulfides, all the rock present a fibrous texture
including sulfide minerals product of the hydrothermal silicates hostrock alteration mineral.

Sample DDH 069 – U – 05 / 106.4m CT

Moderately altered recrystallized coarse carbonate rock (marble), well developed carbonate
crystals showing twining. Incipient alteration mineral is present composed by lots of
tremolite – actinolite and scant chlorite; probably this tremolite came along with the
carbonate fluid because those carbonate crystals are very clear with some aluminum rich to
form actinolite; several tourmaline? Or fine rutile? Acicular high relieve brown crystals.
Seven millimeters stringer sulfide-carbonate vein cross the rock, and comprise pyrite5 %-
vol, galena 1%-vol, chalcopyrite, sphalerite with chalcopyrite disease 10%-vol, and
pyrrhotite 3%-vol. Sphalerite is the most abundant mineral with distinct dark brow color;
galena is fractures within pyrrhotite. This sulfide vein adds a total 20%-vol of the rock,
other scarce disseminated sulfide grains are along the rock, and late brownish carbonate
veinlets are cutting the rock

Sample DDH – 069 – U- 05 / 136.00m CTP

(Description of magnetite replacing pyrite, which is the relation between those two
minerals)
Moderately altered carbonate rock with abundant rest of carbonate and some dolomite
crystals; the alteration assemblage consists of tremolite – talc. Late carbonate veins cut the
rock; almost all the dolomite clasts have been surrounded by talc and in the central zone
have been replaced by talc-tremolite and scant opaque minerals.
60%-vol of the rock is occupied by opaque minerals, and comprises: 57%-vol pyrite, <1%-
vol chalcopyrite, 2%-vol magnetite, and galena. Most abundant mineral is pyrite showing
well developed diamond crystals, those crystals usually have halos of tremolite+quartz and
some carbonate, this halo has small disseminated grains of chalcopyrite and magnetite. The
pyrite crystals are surrounded by magnetite. Few small masses of chalcopyrite and traces of
galena are disseminated along the rock.
The paragenetic sequence of the sulfide appears to be:
 Diamond Drill Core DDH – 203 – U – 05

Five representative samples were took from this core, with the main objective of identify
the paragenetic sequence of ore minerals, and the sequence and types of hydrothermal
alteration assemblages in the hostrock.
In resume this core cuts the Pucara limestones with several ore replacement beds; the
hostrock shows an early marbleization of the fine grain carbonate, follow by a weakly
epidote-zoicite<sphene, with an serpentine-talc overprint alteration, then by a temolite-talc
replacement and finally a carbonate event as crosscutting veins along the rock.
Sulfide minerals recognized are pyrrhotite, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, galena, magnetite,
pyrite; the ratio change from the top to the bottom of the core, the first meters of the core is
pyrrhotite richer and in the bottom part is magnetite rich; sphalerite is more abundant where
the pyrrhotite is located by other hand pyrite and chalcopyrite are more abundant in the
magnetite rich areas.

DDH 203 – U – 05 / 7.3m

(Manto, deposition paragenesis of sphalerite, pyrrhotite)
Sulfides comprise pyrrhotite 10-15 %-vol, galena and chalcopyrite add < 1%-vol, sphalerite
5-7 %-voll.
Small masses of galena and chalcopyrite are always associated so those could be coeval,
and are found in both sphalerite and pyrrhotite, the sphalerite has very dark grayish brown
color with some copper and lead enriched displayed as small dots of galena and
chalcopyrite disease; irregular masses of pyrrhotite are the most abundant sulfide mineral, it
is very difficult to establish the paragenetic relationship between sphalerite and pyrrhotite
because one is found inside the other one then probably those are coeval.
The apparently sulfide paragenesis in this sample is:
Sample DDH – 203 – U -95 / 19.70m CT
(Carbonate identification and alteration minerals paragenesis, are there any pyroxenes
mineral?)
Carbonatic rock showing the contact between a cloudy brownish micritic area with a clear
fine recrystallized sparry carbonate marbleized zone. The mineral alteration assemblage is
characterized by a weakly epidotization and incipient small masses of serpentine which is
colorless and present fibrous acicular crystals with medium to low relieve.
At least two events of calcite veins are found across the rock; some of those veins have been
replaced by serpentine + talc principally the veins of the first event.
Less tan 1%-vol disseminated euhedral pyrite grains are distributed along the rock which
are apparently from a diagenetic origin.

Sample DDH – 203 – U – 06 / 22.40m CT

(Green minerals identification)
Very altered fine grain carbonate rock, where the principal alteration assemblage mineral
are greenish talc+tremolite<serpentine. Small disseminated euhedral crystals of olive
tabular zoicite and rombohedral sphene were found along the rock.
The opaque minerals just add a total of 0.6%-vol of the total rock; comprise pyrite and some
traces of chalcopyrite.

DDH 203 – U – 05 / 88.50m CP

(Sulfide paragenesis)
Sulfides in this sample comprise pyrite 20-30 %-vol, chalcopyrite 15-20 %-vol.
Pyrite is present as subhedral to anhedral coarse crystals, showing an anomalous high
anisotropy from yellow to brownish orange, was the first emplaced sulfide which is been
crosscut and weakly replaced by chalcopyrite with deep yellow color present as irregular
granular aggregates.

DDH 203 – U – 05 /107.70m CP

(Sulfide mineral paragenesis)
Sulfide minerals comprise: pyrite 5%-vol, pyrrhotite 3 %-vol, Chalcopyrite 2 %-vol,
magnetite 90 %-vol, sphalerite <1 %-vol.
Very porous rock as result of the mineral replacement, where pyrite is replacing pyrrhotite
shows high anisotropy going from yellow to light orange, and particular esferulitic texture
and colloforme structures from medium to low relieve; apparently the gray mineral was the
last emplaced because is cutting all sulfides probably sphalerite, magnetite is replacing
pyrite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite; the probably paragenetic sequence is:
Pyrrhotite

Pyrite

Chalcopyrite

Sphalerite ?

Magnetite
Time

Diamond Drill Core DDH 158 – U – 05

Very altered core, almost impossible to determine the protolith, where some few rest of
phenos especially plagioclase suggesting an igneous origin, where the principal alteration
assemblage is an intermediated argillic composed by white phyllosilicates, epidote, zoicite;
chlorite, and an abundant dolomite fluid replacement with the formation of some
rhodocrosite, and a latest tremolite-talc incipient replacement.
Sulfide comprasised in this core consist on pyrite, cinnamon sphalerite, less galena and
chalcopyrite and very scarce amount of folded molybdenite.

Sample DDH – 158 – U – 05 / 62.80m CT

(Intrusive rock, identification and datation)
Altered rock, impossible to identify the protolith per sure; the most abundant mineral is
quartz of different size grains from very fine grain to well developed coarsely crystals. The
alteration mineral assemblage consists mainly in white phyllosilicates replacement and
scant bluish tint chlorite, late carbonate is present as irregular overprint patches all over the
rock. Some serpentine-talc veins are found across the rock.
Couple of plagioclase was found and seems that other feldspars were replaced by epidote-
zoicite minerals and carbonate, indicating a probably igneous origin.
By the alteration minerals present in this rock the assemblage can be call intermediate
argillic alteration.
Opaque minerals comprise pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite and scant galena. The most
abundant is pyrite in less amount chalcopyrite and sphalerite; most of those sulfides are
concentrated in a stringer pyrite vein associated with quartz and scant grains of chalcopyrite
and sphalerite.
Sample DDH -158 – U – 05 / 71.10m CT
(Alteration minerals identification, is chlorite present?)
High altered rock, with abundant dolomite replacement and quartz introduction, dolomite
well developed crystals are present with especial baroque texture with sweeping extinction.
Two alteration mineral assemblages are in contact. One shows well developed dolomite
crystal with weakly talc-serpentine replacement as irregular patches, and developed of
quartz crystal; the other one is composed by not well developed dolomite crystals, the
quartz grains are finer and present high alteration degree with abundant brownish material
probably dirty fine grain carbonate emplaced in all the zone, patches of talc-serpentine are
more abundant and just few small dolomite-carbonate crystals are present; in the contact
between those two areas is located a 5mm thick sulfide vein, composed mainly by sphalerite
80%-vol, in the central area and 10%-vol pyrite-galena in the vein boundaries; sphalerite
shows cinnamon color with red internal reflection with some copper in it displayed as dots
of chalcopyrite (2%-vol). Few disseminated sulfides are along the sample especially in the
first alteration assemblage which consists in pyrite and folded molybdenite (1%-vol), with
grayish white color, weak light brown bireflectance, intense grayish brown to whitish
anisotropy, and no internal reflections.

Sample DDH – 158 – U- 05 / 77.00m CT

(Is there rhodonite, K-feldspar? identify mineral deposition paragenesis)
Strongly altered rock, the rock has been replaced by early low iron zoicite-epidote,
overprint by an incipient tremolitization versus a carbonate-quartz area (rodhocrosite
+quartz) and scant chlorite as disseminated dots with a green bluish tint; some late white
phyllosilicates are replacing part of the quartz crystals.
Seems that lot of aluminum was added to the system expressed by the abundant epidote
crystals.
Some rest of plagioclase appears to be present indicating a possible igneous origin.
The opaque minerals add 2%-vol of the rock, most of them are located in the epidote rich
area, and comprise sphalerite with scant chalcopyrite disease, galena, pyrite; the sphalerite
has a cinnamon color and is the most abundant sulfide follow by the small masses of galena
and then the euhedral diamond pyrite crystal; and stringer cinnamon sphalerite+pyrite
veinlet is crossing the rodhocrosite+quartz area.

The paragenetic sequence:

Pyrite

Sphalerite

Galena

Time
Sample DDH – 158 – U -05 / 78.70m CT
(Alteration minerals identification and history of deposition)
Strongly epidote-zoicite rock replacement, some carbonate patches present weakly
alteration by tremolite-talc and in less amount chlorite; some disseminated quartz grains are
present.
Sulfides add a total of 4-5 %-vol and comprise euhedral to subhedral diamond pyrite
crystals 2 %-vol, small masses of galena 1%-vol, and patchy masses of cinnamon sphalerite
1-2%-vol with chalcopyrite disease.

Diamond Drill Core 090 – U – 05

Sample DDH – 090 – U – 06 / 7.8m CT

(Rock identification and alteration rock type)
Micritic rock showing a cloudy brownish mass with some eyes of recrystallized coarsely
carbonate crystals. The rock has a weakly alteration composed mainly by talc-tremolite.
Later carbonate veins are across the rock.
Opaque minerals add a total of 1%-vol of the sample, and comprise subhedral to anhedral
pyrite grains; those are probably from a diagenetic origin.

Sample DDH – 090 – U – 05 / 9.90m CT

(Alteration mineral identification, green mineral identification)
Altered carbonatic rock intruded by hydrothermal quartz fluid that later was altered by
white phyllosilicates. The rest of the carbonate present is been replaced by fibrous brownish
mass of tremolite-talc.
Stringer pyrite vein cuts the rock with 4mm halo in each size composed by dirty cloudy
carbonate which has been replaced by tremolite. Different events of carbonate veins are
across the rock, some came before and other after the sulfide minerals deposition.
The opaque add a total of 3%-vol, and comprise mainly pyrite, scarce chalcopyrite grains
and insignificant amount of galena.

Sample DDH – 090 – U – 05 / 51.30m CT

(Black limestone with a pyrite vein crosscutting the rock, identify type of vein and its
mineralization)
Weakly to moderate altered fine grain black carbonate rock with patches of marbleized and
silicified carbonate and an incipient tremolite-talc replacement cut by many carbonate and
dolomite veins; some of those veins show weakly serpentinization by the vein boundaries.
A stringer 2.5mm pyrite-carbonate vein cut the rock associated with scarce galena, this
sulfide vein came along with one event of carbonate which has an incipient tremolite-talc
alteration.
Scant small isolated pyrite grains less than 1%-vol, are disseminated along the rock those
could be from a diagenetic origin.
 Diamond Drill Core DDH 042 – U – 05

DDH – 042 – U – 06 / 83.90m

Altered carbonate rock, where three different alteration minerals assemblage are present, the
first alteration emplaced was a marblelization of the limestone, under the microscope shows
a cloudy brownish recrystallized mass of carbonate, following this, a weakly tremolite-talc
has been altered the marble, showing small fibrous aggregates. A later muscovite??? Vein
0.5mm, intruded the rock which has strong birefringence with colors from second to third
order, and fairly high relieve, this vein has been disseminated in one area, forming a contact
between the rich muscovite area with the weakly serpentine carbonate, finally a replacement
of the muscovite by tremolite-talc was emplaced, characterized by the sulfide presence, just
some eyes of carbonate are still present in this area.
The rock has been fractured by different brownish carbonate veinlets.
The opaque minerals add a total of 4%-vol, and comprise mainly pyrite with scant dots of
galena within the pyrite grains.

DDH 042 – U -05 / 102.50m

(Pyrite vein characterization, is chlorite present?, type of rock alteration)
Cherty rock as a replacement product of limestone, just some dots of carbonate are still
present in the rock, two types of alteration assemblages in contact have been recognized,
one composed by weakly fine grain talc – tremolite replacement been in contact with
another strong with coarsely fibrous grains of talc+tremolite-amphibol replacement, the
contact between those two areas shows a cloudy high relieve mass of brownish garnet.
Some quartz-talc, and quartz-sulfides veins are crosscutting the rock and filling open space
fractures; the principal type of vein present are D type, those are composed by quartz-
pyrite=galena, this vein is surrounded by a thin layer of calcite which is been replaced by
talc, and a fine quartz grain halo partially altered by sericite (0.9mm each side); see graph.
Some disseminated pyrite grains are found in the tremolite area.

DDH 042 – U – 05 / 138.10m CT

(intrusive rock, alteration type identification)
Very altered rock, impossible to determine the protolith, approximately 30 – 40%-vol of the
rock are quartz crystals from different size, and some of them area metamorphic showing a
particular stretch texture, the rest of the rock present two type of alteration assemblages, the
first one composed by fine grain muscovite (sericite), and the second stage conformed by
talc – tremolite fibrous crystals.
Sulfides comprise 2 -3%-vol, mainly anhedral to subhedral pyrite crystals.
 Diamond Drill core DDH 038 – U – 05

DDH 038 – U – 05 / 11.50m

(sulfide paragenesis, explain the affinity of sulfide with serpentine, and the composition of
alteration halos)
Moderately altered fine grain carbonate, the alteration assemblage consist on
talc<<tremolite (fine grain), some voids along the rock are filled by well developed fibrous
tremolite-talc crystals. Several brownish green tremolite-cinnamon sphalerite veinlets are
crosscutting the rock as grates.
The first event of sulfide consist on well developed diamond pyrite crystals adding 1%-vol,
follow by those cinnamon sphalerite, galena and chalcopyrite dots, appear those came
associated with the talc-tremolite fluid; the diamond pyrite crystals are all surrounded by a
cloudy talc halo and some of them are corroded by the rest of sulfides, the sphalerite,
galena, chalcopyrite are all coeval adding a total of 2-3%-vol.

DDH 038 – U – 05 / 19.10m

(why sulfides are related with the green minerals, which is the favorable environment for
this)
Altered fine grain limestone which shows at least three different alteration events with very
sharp contacts, and a last sulfide+carbonate-quartz event. The first event consist on
carbonate replacement by medium fine grain epidote crystals with some garnet as brow high
relieve patches (found at the bottom and top of the section), the second stage is compose
mainly by fine talc crystal, the contact between those two stages is composed by
tremolite<<talc and dirty brownish carbonate; the third stage is composed by
sulfide+quartz+coarse carbonate<<tremolite as scant dots, the sulfide present comprise
cinnamon sphalerite 4%-vol with some copper and lead in it, as chalcopyrite disease and
galena dots; galena 0.5%-vol, and pyrite add 1.5%-vol, appears all those sulfides are coeval.
An other late carbonate event was last emplaced.

Sample DDH 038-U-06/52.30m (CTP) check same as bellow

Very altered carbonate rock, with abundant patchy yellow brown to greenish-brown chlorite
associated with talc-tremolite and some white phyllosilicates, seems to be an late tremolite
event cutting the pyrite and sphalerite.
Sulfides comprise: masses of pyrite, irregular fine grained masses of cinnamon sphalerite,
with reddish internal reflections, and some chalcopyrite disease, silvery whitish galena;
magnetite apparently was first emplaced follow by pyrite; sphalerite and galena appears to
be coeval and they are replacing part of the magnetite, replacing and fracturing pyrite.
Overall sulfides paragenesis is roughly
MagnetiteÆPyriteÆgalenaÆ sphalerite+chalcopyrite disease+galena

Sulfide modal estimates: Cinnamon sphalerite 25%-vol, pyrite 8%-vol, galena 1%-vol,
chalcopyrite <0.5%-vol, magnetite <0.5%-vol
Polished sample
Almost all the rock has been replaced by opaque minerals which comprise as most abundant
disseminated masses of sphalerite rich in chalcopyrite disease, as the most abundant
mineral; follow by irregular masses of galena, subhedral to anhedral grains of pyrite, and in
less amount scarce masses of magnetite; sphalerite appears to be replacing pyrite crystal;
galena, pyrrhotite and sphalerite probably are coeval or very close each other, because it is
not possible to identify the paragenetic relationship between they, apparently pyrite is
replacing magnetite

Sample DDH 038-U-06/52.30m

Very altered carbonate rock, with abundant patchy yellow brown to greenish-brown chlorite
associated with talc-tremolite, seems to be a late tremolite event cutting the pyrite and
sphalerite.
Sulfides present are: masses of pyrite, cinnamon sphalerite occurs as masses, with redish
internal reflections associated with some chalcopyrite disease, silvery whitish galena, seems
pyrite was the first emplace sulfide that was intruded by galena and galena was found inside
the sphalerite; galena and sphalerite both are found inside orange brownish masses of
magnetite.
Overall sulfides paragenesis is roughly
PyriteÆ galenaÆ sphalerite+chalcopyrite diseaseÆ other sulfide
Sulfide modal estimates: Cinnamon sphalerite 25%-vol, pyrite 8%-vol, galena 1%-vol,
chalcopyrite <0.5%-vol, magnetite <0.5%-vol

DDH 038 – U – 05 / 54.0m CT

(characterization of pyrite vein associated with green minerals, crossing a silicified area)
Silicificated micriticic rock, weakly altered by epidote, showing different events of calcite
veinlets across the rock; later 1mm stringer pyrite-calcite vein (D type) is along the rock,
presenting a fine quartz-carbonate halo with some patches of tremolite (1.5mm each side)

Sample DDH 038-U-06/74.10m (Probe)

This probe sample comprises 35 to 40%-vol of sulfide minerals, the rest area silicates; the
most abundant sulfide present is pyrite, follow by galena, in less amount cinnamon
sphalerite with abundant chalcopyrite disease; pyrite is present as euhedral to subhedral
crystals which have been fractured and replaced by galena and fractured by silicates, this
galena is present as irregular disseminated masses along the rock, sphalerite came last an
appears be rounding and replacing part of galena and pyrite.
Overall sulfide paragenesis is roughly:
Modal estimates: Pyrite 25%-vol, galena 10%-vol, sphalerite+chalcopyrite disease 5%-vol

Sample DDH 038-U-06/82.20m (CTP)

Very altered carbonated rock, 90%-vol of the rock is altered, seems there is present two
alteration events, the first one emplaced in the central part and one edges of the section,
compose by tremolite, talc, garnets, carbonate, serpentine, and different size quartz grains;
those high relief euhedral to subhedral greenish yellow garnets grains are always rounded
by carbonate and quartz, some chlorite is also related to this alteration assemblage; the
second alteration assemblage is found in the rest of the section, where just few carbonate
vugs are still present, this assemblage is mainly compose by talc, tremolite; few calcite–
tremolite veins are across the section, some of them associate with chalcopyrite and
piroxenes?.
Most sulfides are associate with the first alteration assemblage, those are compose by very
well develop diamond crystals of pyrite, masses of deep yellow chalcopyrite, masses of
brownish sphalerite with chalcopyrite disease, and scant small disseminated galena grains, it
is impossible to determine the paragenetic relationship between those sulfide because none
of them are in contact.

Modal estimates: Pyrite 1%-vol, chalcopyrite 0.7%-vol, sphalerite 0.5%-vol, galena <0.3%-
vol

Sample DDH-038-U-06 / 85.60m (Probe)

Probe sample which comprise 67%-vol of sulfides, the most abundant is pyrrhotite that
occurs as irregular masses, follow by masses of sphalerite that appears to be coeval with
pyrrhotite, and just few small masses of chalcopyrite and in less amount traces of
disseminated amorphous galena, most of the galena seems to be associated with
chalcopyrite maybe as an exsolution product.

Modal estimates : Pyrrhotite 50%-vol, sphalerite 15%-vol, chalcopyrite 1%-vol, galena

<1%-vol
 Diamond Drill Core DDH 098 – U – 05

Simple DDH-098-U-06/ 1.00m (Probe)

The sulfide minerals comprise by this probe sample add a total of 80%-vol of the rock, they
are, disseminated irregular masses of pyrrhotite and sphalerite, those tow are the most
abundant minerals; pyrite is present as stringer vein and is being replaced and fractured by
pyrrhotite and sphalerite, indicating pyrite precedes the other sulfides; in less amount scant
masses of chalcopyrite which apparently is always associate with pyrrhotite, perhaps they
are coeval; pyrrhotite found within sphalerite, and sphalerite within pyrrhotite that is why I
believe they have been deposited coeval or very close each other.
Overall sulfide paragenesis is roughly

Modal estimates: Pyrite 5%-vol, sphalerite 30%-vol, pyrrhotite 43%-vol, chalcopyrite 2%-
vol

Sample DDH-098-U-06/ 21.50m (CTP)Check description bellow

(Why the white area does not has mineralization compared to the green area, paragenesis)
Very altered carbonate rock, 90 %-vol altered, the most abundant mineral is fibrous talc as
58%-vol, in contact with tremolite+chlorite+quartz as 37%-vol, there are still some traces of
carbonate mainly concentrate in the talc zone; apparently there was an early alteration
assemblage composed by talc – serpentine ± tremolite, cut by tremolite – chlorite veinlets
carrying some sphalerite as stringer vein; the other alteration assemblage is compose by
tremolite –chlorite.
Almost all the sulfide (5%-vol), is present in the contact between those two alteration
assemblage, and in the tremolite - chlorite assemblage, those are irregular disseminated
masses of pyrrhotite, fine grained masses of cinnamon sphalerite, scant chalcopyrite, those
minerals apparently are emplaced at the same time; just few disseminated grains of
pyrrhotite are in the talc area.

Modal estimates : Pyrrhotite 3%-vol, cinnamon sphalerite 2%-vol, chalcopyrite <0.5%-vol.

Sample DDH-098-U-06/ 21.50m

(Why the white area does not has mineralization compared to the green area, paragenesis)
Very altered carbonate rock, 90 %-vol altered, the most abundant mineral is fibrous talc as
58%-vol, in contact with tremolite+chlorite as 37%-vol, there are still some traces of
carbonate along the rock; seems there was an early alteration assemblage composed by talc
–serpentine –tremolite follow by some sulfide veinlets which are composed by stringer
sphalerite with some quartz –tremolite.
Almost all the sulfide (5%-vol), is present in the alteration minerals contact, and in the
tremolite- chlorite alteration assemblage, and just few disseminated grains in the talc area.

Modal estimates: Pyrite 3%-vol, cinnamon sphalerite + pyrite and some chalcopyrite
associated to the sphalerite.

Sample DDH 098-U-06/33.50m (CTP)

(Which is the relation between rodhocrosite and the rest of minerals?)
Altered dirty dolomitic carbonate rock, medium grain size; well developed dolomite crystals
are present along the section in contact with a brown pinkish material that seems to be
rodhocrosite, few amount of specular carbonate is present along the dolomite; the alteration
minerals assemblage is compose by talc – serpentine - tremolite, present as patches in the
dolomite, which has pale amber to very light green color, some carbonate veinlets
associated with quartz are across the dolomite crystals, some quartz grains along with the
opaque minerals have tendency to emplace where patches of talc –serpentine – tremolite are
replacing the dolomite, and in the rodhocrosite area.
The sulfide present are, euhedral diamond shape pyrite crystals cut by the silicates of
alteration product; coarse grained aggregates of deep green alabandite (translucid light) and
dark green internal reflections; scant grey brownish sphalerite grains with chalcopyrite
disease is found within the alabandite; some pyrite crystals are rounded by tremolite and
others by alabandite, apparently as the alabandite is replacing pyrite.
Overall sulfides paragenesis is roughly:
Sphalerite + chalcopyrite disease Æ pyriteÆalabandite, probably pyrite crystals came
before sphalerite, but there is not a real place where you can see this.

Modal estimates: Rodhocrosite 10%-vol, quartz 3%-vol, talc-trem 5%-vol, dolomite 49%-
vol, calcite 15%-vol, pyrite 10%-vol, alabandite 7%-vol, sphalerite <0.5%-vol

Sample DDH–098–U-06/ 38.60m (CTP)

(Black mineral associated with rodhocrosite an pyrite?)
Dolomitic carbonate rock in contact with lots of quartz grains from different sizes and some
carbonate and white phyllosilicates replacing part of the dolomite, patches of tremolite-talc
distributed along the section, the quartz grains seem to be metamorphic because of the
stretch texture; modal estimates: dolomitic carbonate 45%-vol, quartz 35%-vol, tremolite
10%-vol, opaques 10%-vol, within the 50%-vol dolomite is considered some white
phyllosilicates and talc as a weakly alteration product; apparently the dolomite is a later
event, maybe there was an early dolomite but this one is a second stage dolomite.
Sulfides present are euhedral diamond shape pyrite 8%-vol, white silvery galena (0.5%-vol)
found inside the pyrite, and grey brownish sphalerite (1.5%-vol) with chalcopyrite disease
cutting and within pyrite grains; the galena and sphalerite seems to come at the same time or
very close each other.
Overall sulfides paragenesis is roughly
PyriteÆsphalerite+chalcopyrite diseaseÆ galena.
DDH 098 – U – 06 / 51.60m CT
(mineral alteration events, white a green minerals identification, which alteration event
bring the sulfides?)
Altered carbonate rock, which present at least three alteration events; the first one mainly
composed by tremolite, the second event is mainly composed by talc which is in contact
with the tremolitized area showing talc-tremolite well developed fibrous crystals contact;
the third event consist on coarse carbonate-sulfide flow with just some quartz crystals,
finally a quartz<<carbonate fluid get into the rock marking a contact with the talc-tremolite
area, this contact shows several acicular dark brown anphibol, the carbonate present a
weakly tremolite alteration, the quartz size crystal are better developed where the sulfide-
carbonate vein is located (see graph)
sulfide minerals add a total of 5%-vol, and comprise pyrite, cinnamon sphalerite,
chalcopyrite, galena; the most abundant is pyrite 3%-vol follow by sphalerite and in less
amount galena and chalcopyrite, apparently all those sulfides are coeval.

Sample DDH-098-U-06/ 59.40m (probe)

Probe sample which comprises very well developed dark sphalerite crystals with abundant
chalcopyrite disease, euhedral diamond pyrite crystals are replaced by sphalerite; stringer
chalcopyrite veins are distributed along sphalerite crystals contact, scarce anhedral pyrite
grains found as stringer veins in sphalerite crystals contact; scant dots of galena inside
sphalerite probably have been due to exsolution from sphalerite.
Overall sulfides paragenesis is roughly:

In summary apparently there are two events of pyrite one very early and the other later
distributed as veins along sphalerite grains contact, in similar way there at least two events
of chalcopyrite one came together with sphalerite as chalcopyrite disease and the other later
as stringer veins along grain contacts.
PyriteÆ sphalerite + chalcopyrite disease Æ pyrite, chalcopyriteÆ galena

Modal estimates : Pyrite 5.5%-vol, sphalerite 93%-vol, Chalcopyrite 1%-vol, galena 0.5%-
vol