Chemical composition of ores from the Takara volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, central Japan

Abstract

The Takara volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit occurs in Miocene formation of the Misaka Mountain, the South Fossa Magna region, central Japan. The tectonic setting of the Misaka Mountain is reconstructed to be a part of the paleo Izu-Ogasawara arc which collided with the Honshu arc and to form accreted body in the present position. The Takara deposit, therefore, is considered to have formed in the paleo Izu-Ogasawara arc. The ores from the Takara deposit are classified into pyrite-type ore, chalcopyrite-type ore, and sphalerite-type ore on the basis of chemical composition and their mineral assemblages. Some pyrite-type ores are characterized by their high Au content. The Au content is hardly recognized in the chalcopyrite-type and sphalerite-type ores. The ores from the Takara deposit have intermediate bulk chemical composition between those from the Besshi-type deposits and the Kuroko-type deposits that are two representative VMS deposits. However, the bulk chemical composition is closer to that from the Kuroko-type deposits. And moreover, chemical composition of tetrahedrite-tennantite series minerals (tetrahedrite) is similar to that from the Kuroko-type deposits. The bulk chemical composition (Cu, Zn, Co, Pb, and As contents) of ores is affected by the chemical composition of volcanic rocks associated with VMS deposits.