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Major and trace element geochemistry and

40Ar/39Ar geochronology of Laramide plutons
associated with gold-bearing Fe skarn deposits in
Guerrero State, southern Mexico

Article in Journal of South American Earth Sciences · August 2003

Impact Factor: 1.37 · DOI: 10.1016/S0895-9811(03)00068-3

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 Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217
www.elsevier.com/locate/jsames

Major and trace element geochemistry and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology

of Laramide plutonic rocks associated with gold-bearing
Fe skarn deposits in Guerrero state, southern Mexico
D. Meza-Figueroaa,*, M. Valencia-Morenob, V.A. Valenciac, L. Ochoa-Landı́na,
E. Pérez-Seguraa, C. Dı́az-Salgadod
a
Departamento de Geologı́a, Universidad de Sonora, Rosales y Transversal, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000, Mexico
b
Instituto de Geologı́a, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Estación Regional del Noroeste, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000, Mexico
c
Department of Geosciences, University of Arizona; Tucson, Az 85721, USA
d
Escuela Regional de Ciencias de la Tierra, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero, AP 197, Taxco, Guerrero, Mexico
Received 30 June 2001; accepted 30 April 2003

Abstract
Fe – Au skarn deposits related to intrusive centers, mostly of granodioritic composition, are widespread in southern Mexico’s Guerrero
state. These intrusive rocks are largely associated with the NW– SE-oriented Laramide magmatic belt that extends across most of western
Mexico. The geochemical composition and ages of representative rocks from the Mezcala mining district in central Guerrero are studied to
evaluate the petrogenetic aspects of the ore-related magmas. Some major and trace elements display nearly linear silica variation trends,
which suggest a possible comagmatic origin. However, other elements have scattered distributions, possibly due to irregular mantle-to-crust
magma mixing ratios, heterogeneities in the composition of the assimilated crustal material, or modifications during the emplacement or
postemplacement processes. Major element chemistry indicates calc-alkalic metaluminous compositions, whereas trace element data suggest
a volcanic arc tectonic setting, confirming that these rocks evolved from magmas generated above a subduction zone. Compared with the
Laramide granites from the northern part of the belt in northwestern Mexico, which intruded a crust underlain by Proterozoic North American
rocks, the studied samples are similar but relatively low in Nb and high in Sr, the middle rare earth elements (REE), P, and Zr. They also
display minor Ti enrichments and a moderate depletion in the heavy REE. These characteristics may indicate a source of basaltic
composition. New 40Ar/39Ar dating of granodiorites and dacite porphyries shows a north-to-south age progression from 66.2 ^ 0.8 Ma in the
northern part of the belt to 62.2 ^ 0.7 Ma in the south. Moreover, the argon dates identify a younger postorogenic igneous event 35– 30 Ma
ago. This event is poorly documented and may have occurred after the extinction of the Laramide arc and prior to the mid-Tertiary Sierra
Madre Occidental ignimbrite flare-up. On the basis of limited geochemical data, these rocks appear to be depleted in P2O5 and Sr and
enriched in U relative to the studied Laramide granites. A Fe skarn deposit located in Buena Vista de Cuéllar, in the north central part of
Guerrero, suggests that this magmatic pulse took place after the ore development of the Mezcala district.
q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Fe skarn; Gold; Granitoids; Guerrero; Laramide; Southern Mexico

1. Introduction extends by western Mexico and is particularly well exposed

A large belt of late Mesozoic –early Tertiary batholithic
rocks related to the Laramide stage of the Farallon – North
American plate convergence occurs along most of south-
western North America. The southern part of the belt
* Corresponding author. Tel.: þ52-6622-59-21-10; fax: þ 52-6622-59-
21-11.
E-mail address: dmeza@geologia.uson.mx (D. Meza-Figueroa).
0895-9811/03/$ - see front matter q 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/S0895-9811(03)00068-3
in northwestern Mexico, where it has been relatively well
studied compared with the part located in southern Mexico
(e.g. Coney and Reynolds, 1977; Damon et al., 1983;
Valencia-Moreno et al., 1999, 2001). The scarce work in
southern Mexico includes a relatively local study of the
Laramide granitic rocks emplaced in the Xolapa complex
and the Mixteco terrane (Fig. 1) (de Cserna et al., 1974;
Morán-Zenteno et al., 1993; Morán-Zenteno, 1998; Martiny
et al., 2000).
206 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217
Fig. 1. Location map showing the main basement domains in Guerrero and neighbor states, as well as localities cited in the text. The inset map shows the
location of the study area at a more regional scale.
In the southwestern United States and northwestern
Mexico, the Laramide belt was largely emplaced in a
region underlain by a thick Proterozoic crust of North
American affinity. The Laramide plutons of southern
Mexico, in contrast, intruded a more chaotic crust of
tectonic blocks of diverse age and nature, which include
the Mixteco, Xolapa, and Guerrero terranes (Fig. 1).
Over its entire length, the Laramide belt developed
important centers of mineralization, which may have a
direct link with the intruded crust (Campa and Coney,
1983). Therefore, it is important to evaluate the
composition of the plutonic rocks and associated ores
according to the type of host terrain.
In this regard, the Mezcala mining district in the
central part of Guerrero state is interesting because of the
widespread ore, including the world-class Nukay Fe –Au
skarn deposit (Fig. 2). The district is located within the
Mixteco terrane, near the boundary with the Xolapa and
Guerrero terranes (Figs. 1 and 2). Despite its relative
importance, very limited work has been done to under-
stand the mineralizing process. Thus far, it seems clear
that the main stage of gold mineralization overprints the
prograde skarn mineralogy and is largely associated with
retrograde alteration (Jones and Jackson, 1999a); how-
ever, though apparently not economically significant,
some gold was also precipitated in the exoskarn zone
during prograde skarn development (de la Garza et al.,
1996).
2. Geological setting
In southern Mexico, the Laramide magmas intrude
crustal blocks whose affinity and boundaries remain largely
puzzling. Partial assimilation of these blocks by cooling
magmas may have modified the final magma composition,
as has been tested for the northwestern Mexico Laramide
granitic rocks (Valencia-Moreno et al., 2001). The present
work focuses on a group of intrusives that crops out in the
eastern part of the Mixteco terrane, approximately 160 km
southwest of Mexico City (Fig. 1). Slightly west of the
Mezcala district, the Mixteco terrane presumably lays
beneath thrust sheets of late Jurassic– Early Cretaceous
island arc-related volcanic and sedimentary rocks of the
Guerrero terrane (Campa and Coney, 1983) (Fig. 1). The
Guerrero terrane is the largest in Mexico and the most
studied (e.g. Talavera-Mendoza, 1990; Ortiz-Hernández
et al., 1991; Centeno-Garcı́a et al., 1993; Tardy et al., 1994;
Freydier et al., 2000).
Both the Guerrero and Mixteco terranes are unconform-
ably covered by a more than 2000 m thick sequence of
carbonate rocks that consists of moderately to strongly
folded Mesozoic limestone and clastic units of the Morelos,
Cuautla, and Mezcala Formations, as defined by Fries
(1960). These rocks display a series of N –S-trending
anticlines, synclines, and associated faults that dominate the
region’s structural pattern. The Albian – Cenomanian rocks
of the Morelos Formation consist of an upper unit of
 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217 207

Fig. 2. Map of the study area referred to in the text as the Mezcala mining district showing the lithological units and cited localities, as well as the studied
sample sites (sample ABC-07, collected in Buena Vista de Cuéllar, is off the map, but its location may be discerned through Fig. 1).

0.2 –1 m thick beds of gray limestone and cherty limestone.
The lower unit is composed of laminated to massive gray
and pinkish limestone, as well as dolomitic horizons up to
70 m thick. The Morelos Formation is conformably overlain
by the Cuautla Formation of Turonian age, which consists of
, 160 m of thinly bedded calcareous shale and limestone.
The Cuautla Formation in turn is conformably overlain by
the upper Cretaceous Mezcala Formation of Coniacian –
Campanian age, which consists of , 1200 m of thinly
bedded calcareous shale, mudstone, limestone, and
sandstone.
Late Cretaceous to early Tertiary plutons and younger
mid-Tertiary dacite plugs cut the carbonate sequence and
the locally developed Fe skarn deposits, which are some-
times accompanied by gold mineralization. Mid- to late
Tertiary volcanic rocks of the Sierra Madre Occidental
province, including rhyolite, trachyte, and minor andesite,
are unconformably deposited over these rocks.
The Mezcala mining district covers an area of , 50 km2
and comprises many intrusion-centered gold deposits,
particularly between the cities of Chilpancingo and Iguala
(Fig. 1). The most prominent mining localities are Nukay
and Bermejal (Fig. 2). The former contains resources
exceeding 4.8 million ounces of gold at an average of
2.56 g/ton Au (Chapleau Resources LTD, press release)
distributed in three main deposits: Nukay, Agüita, and Los
208 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217

Filos (Jones and Jackson, 1999b). The latter contains
resources of , 1 million ounces of gold in 34 million tons
of ore at 1.1 g/ton Au (de la Garza et al., 1996). The different
deposits are located within a 25 km long, NW – SE intrusive
belt from north of Balsas to Xochipala (Fig. 2). Hydrother-
mal alteration, including potassic, phyllic, propylitic, and
argillic envelopes, appears in most mineralized sites near
the intrusive contacts. Skarns, marble, and hornfels develop
at the contacts with limestones, sandstones, and shales of the
Morelos and Mezcala Formations.
3. Petrography
The studied rocks are mostly granodiorites and dacite
porphyries, classified on the basis of rock-thin section
petrography and major element geochemistry. Granodior-
ites consist of oligoclase, quartz, biotite, and hornblende,
with apatite, titanite, and zircon as the main accessory
phases. Most studied samples show slight to moderate
alteration to chlorite –calcite and sericite. Intrusive rocks in
the Balsas – Xochipala trend (Fig. 2) display hypidio-
morphic to porphyritic and sometimes granophyiric
textures. Dacite porphyries contain oligoclase, hornblende,
biotite, quartz, and feldspar, with zircon and titanite as
accessory minerals. Quartz phenocrysts are included in a
fine-grained matrix of plagioclase and quartz and commonly
show corrosion gulfs.
The studied intrusive rocks were affected by at least two
of the following alteration assemblages: (1) biotite ^
orthoclase (potassic alteration); (2) actinolite – epidote –
chlorite (propillitic alteration); (3) calcite þ quartz; or (4)
chlorite – iron oxide ^ sericite – calcite. The intrusives
located to the north in the Balsas– Xochipala trend show
no evidence of potassic alteration, whereas those emplaced
in the south display widespread hydrothermal biotite. The
skarn mineralogy near the contact with the intrusive rocks is
characterized by pyroxene, orthoclase, epidote, calcite, and
quartz.
4. Sample preparation, analytical techniques, and results
The samples were collected from the relatively fresher
parts of the exposures. The rocks were hammered to
fragments of about 4 in. wide in the sample site and
selectively handpicked to avoid highly altered fragments.
The fragments then were washed with distilled water. After
perfectly dried, the samples were crushed in a steel-jaw
crusher into one-half inch wide gravel. A representative

Table 1
Concentrations of major elements (wt %) and CIPW normative mineralogy

GM-51 GM-49 GM-46 GM-54 GM-63 GM-48 GM-11 GM-31 GM-13 TLA VAV-22 LS GM-33 ABC-07

SiO2 66.95 64.18 66.83 66.48 64.37 66.58 64.16 76.30 67.99 67.26 56.97 66.71 58.16 68.54
TiO2 0.56 0.84 0.63 0.63 0.83 0.61 0.83 0.05 0.53 0.61 1.35 0.68 0.65 0.48
Al2O3 15.80 15.91 15.36 15.52 15.12 15.55 15.76 12.70 15.88 14.52 14.65 15.70 13.53 14.50
Fe2O3 1.36 1.79 1.50 1.48 0.64 1.53 2.14 0.44 1.39 1.37 3.87 1.64 2.40 1.02
FeO 1.73 2.28 1.91 1.89 0.82 1.95 2.72 0.56 1.77 1.74 4.93 2.08 3.06 1.30
MnO 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.05 0.07 0.00 0.03 0.04 0.12 0.03 0.28 0.04
MgO 2.52 2.21 2.40 2.54 3.42 2.74 2.87 0.04 1.46 2.01 5.34 1.99 3.31 1.39
CaO 3.94 7.91 3.63 4.28 6.69 3.35 4.38 0.13 3.10 5.00 6.20 4.01 11.34 5.28
Na2O 4.09 2.08 4.20 3.90 3.91 4.40 3.74 0.29 4.60 3.60 3.37 3.83 6.20 2.87
K2 O 2.79 2.40 3.24 2.98 3.80 3.01 3.03 9.45 3.06 3.64 2.66 3.10 0.92 4.47
P2O5 0.22 0.37 0.24 0.26 0.37 0.22 0.29 0.02 0.19 0.21 0.53 0.22 0.16 0.11
LOI 3.20 7.80 0.40 4.50 2.15 3.75 0.50 0.70 0.70 0.75 0.80 0.80 4.00 1.30
TotalO 99.39 100.20 98.71 99.86 100.02 99.57 100.09 99.91 98.95 99.92 98.40 100.19 100.11 99.93
A/CNK 0.93 0.78 0.90 0.89 0.67 0.94 0.91 1.16 0.96 0.77 0.74 0.93 0.43 0.76

Qz 20.74 26.00 19.43 20.38 12.69 18.54 17.66 37.97 20.81 21.12 7.95 21.47 23.92
Co – – – – – – – 1.81 – – – – – –
Or 16.47 14.17 19.13 17.59 22.43 17.77 17.89 55.78 18.06 21.49 15.70 18.30 5.43 26.39
Ab 34.57 17.58 35.50 32.97 33.05 37.19 31.61 2.45 38.88 30.43 28.49 32.37 50.15 24.26
An 16.51 26.98 13.49 16.04 12.48 13.79 17.26 0.52 13.65 12.71 16.99 16.49 6.38 13.48
Ne – – – – – – – – – – – – 1.22 –
Di 1.27 7.86 2.35 2.78 14.28 1.11 2.06 0.00 0.40 8.54 8.26 1.57 23.61 9.03
Hy 6.86 3.14 6.14 6.27 1.90 7.68 8.13 0.68 4.71 2.08 13.17 5.59 – –
Hm – – – – 0.43 – – – – – – – – –
Mt 1.98 2.60 2.18 2.15 0.30 2.22 3.11 – 2.02 1.99 5.62 2.38 3.49 1.48
Il 1.07 1.60 1.20 1.20 1.58 1.16 1.58 0.64 1.01 1.16 2.57 1.29 1.24 0.91
Ap 0.48 0.81 0.52 0.57 0.81 0.48 0.63 0.10 0.41 0.46 1.16 0.48 0.35 0.24

Notes: analyses by ICP–MS in the SGS-XRAL Laboratories in Ont., Canada. Major oxide concentration recalculated on anhydrous basis to sum 100%.
The original totals (TotalO) and the loss on ignition (LOI) values are also indicated. A/CNK: molar ratio of Al2O3/(CaO þ Na2O þ K2O).
 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217 209

Fig. 3. Major element-silica variation diagrams showing the composition of the studied Laramide granitic rocks (solid diamonds) and younger mid-Tertiary
plutons (open squares). The shaded area represents the field of Laramide granites from northwestern Mexico (Roldán-Quintana, 1991; Valencia-Moreno et al.,
2001).

portion of the gravel was selected and powdered in an
agate mill for major and trace element analyses using
the rock-crushing facilities of the Escuela Regional de
Ciencias de la Tierra of the Universidad Autónoma de
Guerrero.
4.1. Major elements
Our argon geochronological data, which are described
subsequently, suggest the skarn mineralization observed in
the study area occurred during two temporally distinctive
magma pulses: one between 64.5 and 68 Ma ago and a
younger one between 30 and 35 Ma ago. We therefore
treated the studied sample rocks as two separate intrusive
groups, one referred to as the ‘Laramide granites’ (LG)
and the other one as the ‘Mid-Tertiary granites’ (MTG). The
major element analyses were commercially performed in the
XRAL Laboratories, Ont., Canada, by X-ray fluorescence;
the results and corresponding CIPW normative mineralogy
appear in Table 1. Major element oxides were recalculated
on an anhydrous basis to sum 100%. In the case of sample
GM-49, which yielded a loss on ignition value (LOI) of
7.8%, the results might not be good.
The studied samples range from 57.3 to 76.3 wt% SiO2,
though , 80% lie between 64.2 and 68.5 wt% SiO2. Most of
the major element oxides decrease with silica content, with
the exception of K2O, which vaguely increases (Fig. 3), and
Al2O3 and Na2O, which display a more erratic distribution.
Although the variations between the LG and the MTG do
not require much discussion, particularly because the MTG
are represented by only two samples, P2O5 appears more
depleted for the MTG (Fig. 3). In an AFM diagram, all but
one of the samples follow a typical calc-alkaline trend
(Fig. 4). The distinct sample (GM-31) is also of calc-
alkaline composition but has very low total iron as FeO
and MgO concentrations. The studied samples fall in
210 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217
Fig. 4. AFM diagram showing the calc-alkaline-tholeiitic series boundary
of Irvine and Baragar (1971) for the studied plutons of central Guerrero. A,
F, M: weight percentage of Na2O þ K2O, total iron as FeO and MgO,
respectively. Symbols are as in Fig. 3.
the medium and, particularly, high K regions of the K2O –
SiO2 diagram (Fig. 5). Also, they plot in the metaluminous
field on the basis of their relatively low molar alkali ratio
(Fig. 6), with the exception of the more silica-rich,
peraluminous granitoid (Table 1). The weight percentage
(Na2O þ K2O) versus SiO2 diagram shows dominantly
granodioritic compositions (Fig. 7). The two less silica-rich
samples lie in the diorite field. All the samples plot in the
subalkaline region; however, the more silica-rich sample
(GM-31) also plots in the alkali-granite region.
Compared with Laramide granites from northwestern
Mexico, which were emplaced in a crust underlain by
Proterozoic rocks of North American affinity, the studied
Fig. 5. K2O –SiO2 diagram showing the boundaries of Le Maitre et al.
(1989). Symbols are as in Fig. 3.
Fig. 6. Alkali ratio versus silica variation diagram showing the
peraluminous–metaluminous boundary of Shand (1947). A/CNK: molar
ratio of Al2O3/(CaO þ Na2O þ K2O). The symbols are as in Fig. 3. The
data for the northwestern Mexico granites are from Roldán-Quintana
(1991) and Valencia-Moreno et al. (2001).
rocks from central Guerrero are relatively more enriched in
MgO, Fe2O3, TiO2, and P2O5 (Fig. 3).
4.2. Trace elements
The concentrations of rare earth elements (REE) and
other geologically important trace elements in the studied
samples were analyzed by ICP – MS techniques in the SGS-
XRAL Laboratories, Ont., Canada; the results appear in
Table 2. The trace element concentrations of the studied
rocks show scattered distributions in silica variation plots
(Fig. 8). In general, no diagnostic differences between the
composition of the LG and the MTG are observed in Fig. 8;
however, strontium and uranium in the MTG appear to be
relatively low and high, respectively. Compared with the
compositional spectra of the Laramide granites from
northwestern Mexico, the studied LG samples are relatively
Fig. 7. Granitic rock classification based on the alkali versus silica diagram
of Wilson (1989) showing the alkalic–subalkalic rock boundary. Gb:
gabbro; Di: diorite; Gd: granodiorite; Gr: granite; AGr: alkali granite.
Symbols are as in Fig. 3. The data for the northwestern Mexico granites are
from Roldán-Quintana (1991) and Valencia-Moreno et al. (2001).
 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217 211

Table 2
Concentrations of some trace elements (ppm)

GM-51 GM-46 GM-54 GM-63 GM-48 GM-11 GM-31 GM-13 TLA VAV-22 LS GM-49 GM-33 ABC-07

La 33.00 45.00 38.00 35.00 32.00 39.00 12.80 33.00 25.00 53.00 40.00 43.00 16.50 34.00
Ce 69.00 92.00 80.00 92.00 64.00 80.00 27.00 67.00 55.00 122.00 79.00 91.00 35.00 74.00
Pr 8.30 10.90 9.60 13.10 7.90 9.90 3.40 8.50 7.10 16.30 9.40 11.00 4.40 9.20
Nd 34.00 45.00 40.00 59.00 31.00 39.00 12.20 34.00 29.00 68.00 37.00 46.00 18.90 37.00
Sm 5.60 7.20 6.40 10.30 5.40 6.80 3.00 5.90 5.30 12.80 6.50 7.30 4.10 7.90
Eu 1.50 1.82 1.66 2.51 1.54 1.76 0.31 1.42 1.38 2.45 1.63 1.90 1.39 0.92
Gd 4.10 5.50 4.50 7.30 4.10 5.60 3.10 4.10 4.30 10.30 4.70 5.10 4.20 8.20
Tb 0.40 0.50 0.40 0.70 0.50 0.60 0.50 0.40 0.40 1.10 0.50 0.50 0.60 1.20
Dy 2.00 2.80 2.40 3.90 2.30 3.20 3.20 2.00 2.50 6.50 2.70 2.60 3.70 8.00
Ho 0.34 0.46 0.37 0.63 0.39 0.55 0.61 0.35 0.41 1.10 0.43 0.42 0.67 1.51
Er 0.90 1.30 1.00 1.80 1.10 1.60 1.90 0.90 1.10 3.10 1.30 1.10 2.20 4.80
Tm 0.10 0.20 0.10 0.20 0.20 0.20 0.30 0.10 0.10 0.40 0.20 0.10 0.30 0.70
Yb 0.80 1.30 0.80 1.50 1.00 1.40 2.10 0.80 1.10 2.80 1.10 1.00 2.20 4.80
Lu 0.11 0.16 0.12 0.21 0.15 0.30 0.29 0.11 0.18 0.39 0.14 0.13 0.33 0.72
Y 10 13 10 14 9 14 14 8 9 32 12 11 22 37
Cs 4 6 8 2 2 7 2 4 3 4 2 4 5 4
Ba 1320 1540 1550 913 1110 1320 719 1430 924 1060 1510 713 102 546
Rb 70 87 72 100 66 80 227 72 75 76 79 62 39 132
Sr 969 1040 1160 919 777 901 74 1000 728 729 896 321 278 264
Th 8 10 8 12 9 9 8 8 9 8 9 8 6 16
U 3 3 3 3 3 2 4 2 3 2 2 2 2 5
Nb 5 9 6 8 7 8 7 6 7 12 8 7 6 10
Zr 157 193 173 247 177 199 58 136 166 230 190 191 119 154

Notes: analyses done by ICP–MS in the SGS-XRAL Laboratories in Ont., Canada.

Fig. 8. Silica variation diagrams of some trace element concentrations in ppm for the studied samples. Symbols are as in Fig. 3. The data for the Laramide
granitoids from northwestern Mexico (shaded area; open where data go out of the diagram field) are from Valencia-Moreno et al. (2001).
212 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217

depleted in Th, U, Nb, and Y but are clearly more enriched

in Sr (Fig. 8). The REE concentrations are similar to those of
the northwestern Mexico granites, but the LG have slightly
flatter chondrite-normalized slopes (mean CeN/YbN , 19)
with basin-shaped patterns that tend toward the heavy REE
side (Fig. 9a). The LG are also relatively more enriched in
middle REE, particularly without the negative europium
anomaly (mean EuN/(SmN £ GdN)0.5 , 0.9) that character-
izes the northwestern Mexico Laramide granitoids. The
GM-31 and VAV-22 samples, with notably higher and
lower silica contents (, 76 and , 57%, respectively),
display strikingly different REE slopes, so we consider
these samples not representative of the composition of the
main volume of the LG. The two samples of the MTG also
have quite different REE normalized patterns, particularly
more enriched in heavy REE (Fig. 9b). The overall REE
patterns of both samples are similar in shape; however,
sample ABC-07, which is approximately 10% richer in SiO2
(Table 1), plots clearly above and shows a well-developed
negative Eu anomaly.
In a multielemental spider diagram normalized to
chondritic values and ordered by compatibility with a
mantle melt, the studied samples show certain similarities
with the Laramide granites of northwestern Mexico
(Fig. 10a). In particular, the more incompatible elements
do not display strong differences among the groups of rocks,
though Nb is relatively depleted in the central Guerrero
granitoids (LG). Variations are more conspicuous in the
middle part of the element arrangement, including Sr, Nd, P,
Sm, and Zr, which are systematically more enriched in these
samples. Also, the more compatible elements to the right
side of the diagram show a relative enrichment in Ti,
coupled with a moderate depletion in heavy REE. The
Fig. 9. Chondrite-normalized REE patterns for studied samples. (a)
younger MTG intrusives show significant differences with
Laramide granitic rocks of the Mezcala mining district compared with
respect to the LG, which can be observed along the entire the REE spectra of the northwestern Mexico Laramide granites (shaded
range of selected elements (Fig. 10b). area) from Valencia-Moreno et al. (2001). (b) Chondrite-normalized
As observed in the northern part of the Mexican patterns of the two mid-Tertiary studied plutons compared with the main
Laramide belt, a volcanic arc environment is also revealed field of the Laramide intrusives of the Mezcala mining district from samples
GM-31 and VAV-22, which are considerably more and less silica-rich,
in the trace element composition of the granitic rocks of
respectively, and thus may not be representative of the intrusive rocks. The
central Guerrero, on the basis of the Rb versus (Y þ Nb) normalizing values are from Anders and Grevesse (1989).
tectonic discrimination diagram of Pearce et al. (1984).
However, sample GM-31, which is abnormally high in Rb
compared with the rest of the LG, plots in the syncollisional through step-heating processes. For each experiment, five
granite region (Fig. 11). fractions were collected at between 800 and 1500 8C.
The reported data, provided in Table 3, came from
4.3. Argon geochronology biotite separates from six samples, five of which were
collected from the NW – SE Balsas – Xochipala trend
Some of the studied samples were dated by argon (Fig. 2) and one from the area of Buena Vista de
isotope analyses performed in the thermochronology Cuéllar (ABC-07) (Fig. 1). A seventh sample corresponds
laboratory of the Centro de Investigación Cientı́fica y to a whole-rock from the area of Amatitlán (GM-33)
Estudios Superiores de Ensenada (CICESE), Ensenada, (Fig. 2). Biotites from the La Fundición, Nukay,
Baja California Norte, Mexico. Biotite separates were Xochipala, and Mochitlán plutons (Fig. 2) yielded
irradiated for 40 h in a nuclear reactor at the University plateau ages that average 64.5 Ma (Fig. 12). Most
of McMaster, Hamilton, Ont., Canada. The irradiated samples display a fairly flat age spectra, suggesting that
samples were analyzed using a MS-10 mass spec- the magma did not suffer a significant Ar loss and cooled
trometer. Biotite separates were analyzed by duplicates in a relatively short time.
 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217 213

Fig. 10. Chondrite-normalized multielement (spider) diagram of selected major and trace element concentrations of plutonic rocks arranged in order of
compatibility with a mantle melt. (a) Laramide granitic rocks of the Mezcala mining district (samples GM-31 and VAV-22 not shown) compared with the
spectra of the northwestern Mexico Laramide granites (shaded area) from Valencia-Moreno et al. (2001). (b) Mid-Tertiary studied plutons compared with the
main field of the Mezcala mining district Laramide intrusions. The normalizing values are from Anders and Grevesse (1989).

The age spectra for sample GM-33 is characterized by a

staircase pattern with poorly developed plateaus. This
pattern indicates Ar excess, and the ages—45 ^ 2 Ma and
41 ^ 4 Ma—it yields may be too old (Fig. 13). A younger
age is obtained from the upper limit of the sample, so the
best age estimate for this sample is 30 ^ 2 Ma. The sample
was collected from a cauldron-like structure north of
Amatitlán in the southern part of the study area (Fig. 2).
The 40Ar/39Ar spectrum for sample ABC-07, collected near
Buena Vista de Cuéllar (Fig. 1), similarly shows excess
argon with a geologically significant age at 35.5 ^ 0.6 Ma
(Fig. 13).

5. Discussion
Fig. 11. Rb 2 (Y þ Nb) tectonic discrimination diagram showing the fields
of Pearce et al. (1984) for the studied intrusive rocks. VAG: volcanic arc
40 39
Our new Ar/ Ar age data suggest that the most granites; syn-COLG: syncollisional granites; ORG: ocean-ridge granites;
productive metallogenetic stage in the Mezcala mining WPG: within-plate granites. Symbols are as in Fig. 3.
214 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217

Table 3
40
Ar/39Ar age data for intrusive rocks from the Mezcala mining district, Guerrero, Mexico
40
Sample Locality Rock Mineral Integrated Isochron Ar/36Ar Mean plateau
age (Ma) age (Ma) age (Ma)

LS Nukay Granodiorite Biotite 65.0 ^ 0.9 64.0 ^ 0.8 320 ^ 5 64.2 ^ 0.8
LS Nukay Granodiorite Biotite 64.2 ^ 0.8 64.0 ^ 0.8 293 ^ 25 64.0 ^ 0.8
GM-13 Chilpancingo Granodiorite Biotite 61.0 ^ 0.9 60.6 ^ 0.7 309 ^ 4 60.8 ^ 0.8
GM-13 Chilpancingo Granodiorite Biotite 61.9 ^ 0.7 62.1 ^ 0.6 302 ^ 18 62.2 ^ 0.7
GM-11 Bermejal Granodiorite Biotite 64.3 ^ 0.8 64.2 ^ 0.8 304 ^ 18 64.3 ^ 0.8
GM-11 Bermejal Granodiorite Biotite 65.2 ^ 0.9 64.5 ^ 0.9 316 ^ 4 64.6 ^ 0.9
GM-46 La Fundición Granodiorite Biotite 65.0 ^ 1.0 65.0 ^ 0.8 303 ^ 7 65.0 ^ 1.0
GM-46 La Fundición Granodiorite Biotite 66.0 ^ 0.9 65.9 ^ 0.9 312 ^ 9 66.0 ^ 0.9
GM-51 Cuetzala Dacite porph. Biotite 67.6 ^ 0.9 66.2 ^ 0.8 324 ^ 5 66.4 ^ 0.9
GM-51 Cuetzala Dacite porph. Biotite 68.0 ^ 1.0 68.0 ^ 1.0 320 ^ 6 68.0 ^ 1.0
GM-33 Amatitlán Dacite porph. Whole-rock 41.0 ^ 4.0 29.7 ^ 0.8 329 ^ 3 –
GM-33 Amatitlán Dacite porph. Whole-rock 45.0 ^ 2.0 29.0 ^ 2.0 341 ^ 7 –
GM-33 Amatitlán Dacite porph. Whole-rock – 30.0 ^ 2.0 – –
ABC-07 Buena Vista Granodiorite Biotite 37.0 ^ 0.7 35.1 ^ 0.6 334 ^ 11 35.5 ^ 0.6
ABC-07 Buena Vista Granodiorite Biotite 35.1 ^ 0.6 33.9 ^ 0.5 323 ^ 7 34.7 ^ 0.6

Fig. 12. 39Ar/40Ar data for Laramide granites (LG): GM-46 (Balsas-La Fundición), GM-13 (Chilpancingo), GM-51 (Cuetzala), GM-11 (Bermejal), and LS
(Nukay).
 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217
Fig. 13. 39Ar/40Ar data for mid-Tertiary granites (MTG): ABC-07 (Buena
Vista de Cuéllar) and GM-33 (Amatitlán).
district of central Guerrero occurred between 64.5 and
68 Ma ago. However, the younger pluton of Buena Vista de
Cuéllar (, 35 Ma) indicates that mineralization was not a
discrete event and that gold skarn mineralization is not
related, but it also occurred during a postorogenic period of
magmatic evolution. The Early –Late Cretaceous limestone
units that cover most of the Mezcala mining district were
critical for skarn-forming conditions, though the source of
the metals remains largely unknown. Gold is particularly
difficult to evaluate, because it appears to have been
introduced in the prograde skarn formation, as well as
during a retrograde alteration stage that mainly dealt with
supergene enrichment (de la Garza et al., 1996; Jones and
Jackson, 1999a,b). A mafic underlying source, such as a
basaltic crust, may explain the metal association in the skarn
deposits; however, very little is known regarding the
basement of the Mixteco terrane in this region. Fe –Au-
rich fluids from above the subducted slab might also be
a good source, but this theory must be tested by radiogenic
element studies.
The mid to high K, calc-alkaline, mostly metaluminous
compositions of the studied granodioritic and dacitic
plutons resemble the compositions of the Laramide granites
emplaced in crustal segments of North American affinity
(Figs. 5 and 6), which may suggest a similar subduction-
related environment. Excess Ti, P, Mg, Fe, and, in a lesser
proportion, Ca in the LG group may suggest a relatively
more mafic source than that of the Laramide granites of
northwestern Mexico (Fig. 3). Despite the lack of radiogenic
element information, this finding may point to a crust of
215
more juvenile character beneath central Guerrero. A similar
story might be argued for the MTG.
Trace element compositions are also interesting. Com-
pared with the Laramide granites of the northern part of the
belt, the LG are more enriched in strontium and more
depleted in niobium concentrations (Fig. 8), which appears
to confirm a more mafic source for the Guerrero granites.
However, this conclusion is unlikely for the MTG (Fig. 8),
particularly for Sr, and so may reflect differential
conditions in the petrogenetic evolution. The REE
compositions of the studied rocks also differ from those
of the Laramide rocks of northwestern Mexico, leading to
dissimilar chondrite-normalized patterns. However, our
data cannot provide a clear explanation for the observed
normalized REE slopes. One reason may involve charac-
teristics inherited from the source, or mineral fractionation
may be the cause. In the case of the LG, a likely
explanation involves melting of a light REE-enriched
basaltic source, in equilibrium with titanite, to produce the
observed middle REE enrichment and, with hornblende or
clinopyroxene, to develop the basin-shaped, heavy REE
ending (Fig. 9a) (e.g. Philpotts, 1990). The most silica-rich
LG (sample GM-31) displays a REE pattern characterized
by a relatively flatter slope and a deep negative Eu
anomaly, which may indicate a further differentiation
stage. In contrast, sample VAV-22, which has notably
lower silica content, displays a more enriched REE pattern
with a well-developed negative Eu anomaly (Fig. 9a). If
the studied LG samples evolved from a single magma
chamber, we cannot explain the systematically different
REE patterns observed in the samples with intermediate
silica compositions. However, progressive fractionation of
a REE-rich phase, culminating with strong Ca plagioclase
removal in the late magmatic stages (perhaps in equili-
brium with another mineral phase, such as garnet, to
selectively uptake the heavy REE over the light REE), may
explain this scenario.
The MTG REE patterns also differ from the main LG
REE spectra, suggesting more evolved magmatic products
(Fig. 9b). In a way, these younger samples resemble the
northwestern Mexico REE spectra and thus may indicate
higher rates of continental crust in the mantle. Two samples
may not be sufficient to elucidate the petrogenetic evolution
of these plutons. However, a highly speculative theory
suggests a low-silica initial member with relatively low total
REE concentrations, which became progressively richer in
silica and REE, and eventually left part of the europium in a
residual feldspar fraction.
In the extended multielement evaluation in Fig. 10, the
LG group displays enrichment in the elements in the middle
part of the diagram, which are relatively compatible with a
basaltic melt. In a sense, this may support the idea of a
source of this type for the LG. The MTG samples, however,
display systematic depletion in these elements, including
the light REE, which suggests they may have derived from
216 D. Meza-Figueroa et al. / Journal of South American Earth Sciences 16 (2003) 205–217
a different source. If they had a common basaltic source, the
final melt evolved in different conditions.
6. Conclusions
The gold-bearing Fe skarn deposits of the Mezcala
mining district in central Guerrero were developed mainly
during the Laramide episode of the Cordilleran arc
magmatic migration to mainland Mexico. Associated
plutons are mostly of granodioritic composition and display
mid to high K, calc-alkaline, I-type affinities. 40Ar/39Ar
dates indicate a productive skarn period between , 64 and
68 Ma ago. Compared with Laramide granites of north-
western Mexico, which were emplaced in a crust underlain
by Proterozoic North American rocks (Valencia-Moreno
et al., 2001), the relatively larger concentrations in Mg, Fe,
Ti, P, , Ca, Sr, P, and Ti, coupled with the relative depletion
in Nb, observed for the studied plutons suggest a different,
possibly basaltic, magma source. It also may explain the
presence of hydrothermal fluids rich in iron and gold that
permeate the skarnified Cretaceous limestone of
the Morelos – Guerrero platform. The younger mid-Tertiary
plutons in the study area developed different geochemical
characteristics, which suggests petrogenetical variations.
The skarn deposits associated with these plutons, such as
Buena Vista de Cuéllar, may have had a common origin.
However, the iron mineralization may have been (at least
partly) removed from previously mineralized ore bodies,
though the late hydrothermal gold-bearing stage was
apparently absent in these younger deposits.
Acknowledgements
Funding for this research was partially provided by the
Miranda Mining Development Corporation through Com-
pañı́a Minera Nukay and by SIBEJ-CONACyT grant
#980506037 to Victor A. Valencia. We thank to Dante
Morán-Zenteno and Oscar Talavera-Mendoza for revisions
to and excellent comments on a previous version of the
manuscript, which greatly improved the final version. We
express our appreciation to the University of Guerrero for
logistical support through the Escuela Regional de Ciencias
de la Tierra (ERCT). We are grateful to Ricardo Vega,
Jerónimo Rodrı́guez, Julio César de la Cruz, Angel Avilez,
and Gustavo Mellin for helpful discussions.
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