Geology and Skarn Cu–Bi–Au Mineralization at Shwe Min Bon Area, Kalaw Township, Southern Shan State, Myanmar

Abstract

The Shwe Min Bon Cu–Au skarn deposit lies within one of the largest Au–Cu belts in Myanmar. The deposit is situated along the Shan scarp zone, which marks the boundary between the Myanmar central basin to the west and the Shan plateau to the east. The Shwe Min Bon deposit comprises skarn-type metasomatic alteration, and the Cu–Au mineralization occurs along the contact face between the Nwabangyi Dolomite and Shweminbon Formation and the Cretaceous dioritic rocks. The metasomatic process resulted in pro- and retrograde mineral assemblages in exoskarn. Hydrothermal activities in the Shwe Min Bon deposit are classified into prograde, retrograde stage I, and retrograde stage II. The prograde skarn is classified into a proximal garnet skarn with minor clinopyroxene and a distal wollastonite skarn. Chlorite, epidote, and tremolite–actinolite were formed during the retrograde stage I. Cu–Au mineralization mainly occurred in retrograde stage I, which was characterized by moderate temperatures (260–320 °C) and fluid with a moderate salinity (5.0–6.0% NaCl equiv.). Low temperature (180–200 °C) and low salinity (2.0–3.0% NaCl equiv.) were responsible for retrograde stage II. Au mineralization is mainly associated with chalcopyrite and tennantite in retrograde stage I and with tellurobismuthite in retrograde stage II.