Chapter C: Hydrothermal Enrichment of Gallium in Zones of Advanced Argillic Alteration-Examples from the Paradise Peak and McDermitt Ore Deposits, Nevada

Rytuba, James J.; John, David A.; Foster, Andrea; Ludington, Steven D.; Kotlyar, Boris

Abstract:

Gallium is produced as a byproduct from bauxite and zinc sulfide ores and rarely from primary Ga ores. High Ga contents (>60 ppm) can occur in zones of advanced argillic alteration consisting of alunite+kaolinite+quartz associated with quartz-alunite (high sulfidation Au-Ag) deposits. In a magmatic-hydrothermal environment, the zones of advanced argillic alteration associated with quartz-alunite (high sulfidation) Au-Ag deposits have the highest Ga contents (max 120 ppm). In these Au deposits, Ga is enriched in the zone of alunite+kaolinite alteration and depleted in the zone of quartz-rich alteration within acid-leached rocks. Peripheral zones of argillic alteration have Ga contents and Al/Ga ratios similar to those in unaltered volcanic rocks. The zones of advanced argillic alteration that formed in a steam-heated environment in association with hot-spring-type Hg-Au deposits are not Ga enriched, and residual silicified zones have very low Ga contents. The McDermitt Hg and Paradise Peak Au-Hg deposits, Nev., have zones of advanced argillic alteration that are Ga enriched. At the Paradise Peak Au-Hg deposits, Ga is enriched in the zone of alunite+jarosite alteration that formed in a magmatic-hydrothermal environment. Ga is depleted in the zone of opal+alunite alteration formed in a steam-heated environment, in residual silicified zones formed in a magmatic-hydrothermal environment, and in zones of supergene jarosite alteration. At the McDermitt Hg deposit, Ga is enriched in the zone of alunite+kaolinite alteration below the zone of adularia-quartz alteration that coincides with the Hg ore body. The spatial relation of Ga enrichment to alunite-kaolinite alteration suggests that formation in a magmatic-hydrothermal environment. X-ray-absorption spectra of Ga-enriched samples from the McDermitt Hg deposit are similar to that of gallium sulfate and support the association of Ga enrichment with alunite alteration.

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USGS Numbered Series

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54226

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Rytuba, James J.; John, David A.; Foster, Andrea; Ludington, Steven D.; Kotlyar, Boris

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Western Mineral Resources

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Version 1.0

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ENGLISH

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Contributions to Industrial-Minerals Research

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iii, 16 p.

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Bulletin

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2209-C

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Chapter C: Hydrothermal Enrichment of Gallium in Zones of Advanced Argillic Alteration-Examples from the Paradise Peak and McDermitt Ore Deposits, Nevada; 2003; B; 2209-C; Contributions to Industrial-Minerals Research; Rytuba, James J.; John, David A.; Foster, Andrea; Ludington, Steven D.; Kotlyar, Boris