Metals distribution and correlations in polymetallic veins from Pingüino indium-bearing deposit, Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina

JOVIC, S.; LIÑÁN, P.; GUIDO, D.; PAEZ, G.; RUIZ, R.; SCHALAMUK, I.

Fredericton, Canadá

Simposio; 24th International Applied Geochemistry Symposium 2009; 2009

Association of Applied Geochemists (AAG)

The Pingüino deposit is characterized by the presence of In-rich polymetallic vein mineralization that represents an atypical epithermal occurrence for the low sulfidation epithermal mineralization from the Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina. Polymetallic veins display high In, Zn, Pb, Ag, Cd, Au, As, Cu, Sn, W and Bi values that are represented by complex sulfide mineralogy. This mineralization is developed in two main stages: an early Cu-Au-In-As-Sn-W-Bi stage, where indium is associated mainly with Sn mineralogy (ferrokesterite, stannite and cassiterite), and a late Zn-Pb-Ag-In-Cd-Sb stage with highest indium values related mainly with Zn (Fe-rich sphalerite).