Geochemical distribution and supergene behavior of Indium at the Pingüino epithermal polymetallic vein system, Patagonia, Argentina

LOPEZ, LUCIANO; JOVIC, SEBASTIÁN; GUIDO, DIEGO; PERMUY VIDAL, CONRADO; PAEZ, GERARDO; RUIZ, REMIGIO

ORE GEOLOGY REVIEWS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2015 vol. 64 p. 747 - 755

0169-1368

The Pingüino deposit, located in the low sulphidation epithermal metallogenetical province of the Deseado Massif, Patagonia, Argentina, represents a distinct deposit type in the region. It evolved through two different mineralization events: an early In-bearing polymetallic event that introduced In, Zn, Pb, Ag, Cd, Au, As, Cu, Sn, W and Bi represented by a complex sulphide mineralogy, and a late Ag?Au quartz-rich vein type that crosscut and overprints the early polymetallic mineralization. Three In-bearing mineralization stages were defined in the polymetallic event. Fe-rich sphalerite of the second stage is the main indium carrier in the deposit. The spatial distribution of In in the veins shows the maximum media values in the Marta Centro and Ivonne Norte veins, similar to Zn distribution, showing a spatial relation with the concealed Kasia intrusions complex. At vein scale, in the hypogene zone, the indium distribution is associated with the temperature changes of the fluids. The vertical distribution of indium in the veins exhibits constant values behaviour over the oxidation level, with similar behaviour to Pb and Sn, suggesting that indium behaves as an immobile element.