| 1. |
- Weihed, Jeanette Bergman, et al.
(författare)
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Geology, tectonic setting, and origin of the Paleoproterozoic Boliden Au-Cu-As deposit, Skellefte District, northern Sweden
- 1996
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Ingår i: Economic geology and the bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists. - : Society of Economic Geologists. - 0361-0128 .- 1554-0774. ; 91:6, s. 1073-1097
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Skellefte district in northern Sweden comprises more than 85 pyritic volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits which mainly occur within, and at the top of, a felsic-dominated volcanic unit overlain by a sedimentary sequence. The Boliden Au-Cu-As deposit was one of the first discovered in the district, and it has attracted a continuous interest since then due to its significant size and high gold grade (avg 15 ppm). The Boliden ore can be divided into massive ore, with arsenopyrite- and pyrite-dominated lenses, and vein ore which comprises a quartz-chalcopyrite-sulfosalt-dominated assemblage, occurring in brecciated parts of the arsenopyrite bodies, and quartz-tourmaline veins mainly in host rocks below the massive ore. As a rule, the gold is found in deformational structures in vein ore. Most gold is present as an Au-Ag-Hg alloy with variable compositions, from Au (sub 0.17) Ag (sub 0.68) Hg (sub 0.16) to Au (sub 0.93) Ag (sub 0.07) (in atomic proportions).For the last two decades, the approximately 1.88 Ga massive sulfide ores in the Skellefte district have collectively been interpreted as volcanic exhalative formations resembling the Miocene kuroko ores of Japan. However, this view has recently been challenged and a subsurface replacement origin has been proposed for some of the ores in the district.The Boliden ore is not bound to one particular host rock but occurs in feldspar porphyritic dacite, quartz porphyry, and basalt-andesite. Textural observations suggest that these rocks represent intrusions or lavas. Geochemically, they are typical calc-alkaline volcanic rocks, enriched in large ion lithophile elements, depleted in heavy rare earth elements, and with troughs for Th, Nb, Hf, and Ti. The ore zone, in its present setting, is in a more or less vertical position and oblique to lithological contacts. Ore-related hydrothermal and regional metamorphic processes (lower amphibolite facies) have created a complex alteration system around the ore. This forms a symmetric pattern with an inner sericite-rich zone, locally containing abundant andalusite, and an outer chlorite-dominated zone. The nature of the alteration is consistent with leaching of elements and a silica-alumina-rich residue--features which are often found in epithermal environments.Structural observations suggest that three ductile foliation-forming events have affected the rocks near the ore. These include a regional S (sub 1) foliation, formed during isoclinal folding, which was subsequently sheared causing formation of a strong cleavage S (sub s) and extensive deformation of the ore itself. A late S (sub 2) cleavage crenulated earlier fabrics.The available data and observations are not consistent with a volcanic exhalative model for the ore and the following scenario is favored. Shallow intrusions of dacite and andesite into unlithified sediments occurred around 1.87 Ga. At this time, the earlier marine environment had been lifted up to a shallow-marine or possibly subaerial position. Shortly thereafter, fluids which generated the massive ore at Boliden were focused along a fault, and arsenopyrite and pyrite lenses were precipitated in more than one host rock discordantly to lithological contacts. Regional deformation with folding and shearing, possibly at around 1.85 Ga, led to brecciation of previously formed ores and stretching of orebodies. In relation to this shearing event, Au was introduced and/or remobilized and concentrated in brecciated portions of the ore zone. Thereafter, ores and host rocks recrystallized during peak metamorphism at around 1.82 Ga, and a second deformation at around 1.80 Ga caused crenulation of early fabrics.The crosscutting nature of the ore with respect to the host rocks, the hydrothermal alteration pattern with strongly leached host rocks, and the ore association with early massive sulfides followed by gold, chalcopyrite, and sulfosalts in brittle structures all indicate that a modern analogue for ore formation may be a high-sulfidation epithermal environment. The epigenetic nature of the Boliden deposit has significant implications for exploration of gold deposits elsewhere in the region.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Weihed, Pär, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Post-deformation, sulphide-quartz vein hosted gold ore in the footwall alteration zone of the Palaeoproterozoic Långdal VHMS deposit, Skellefte District, northern Sweden
- 2002
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Ingår i: GFF. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1103-5897 .- 2000-0863. ; 124:4, s. 201-210
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Palaeoproterozoic, c. 1.88 Ga old Långdal VHMS deposit is situated in the eastern part of the Skellefte District, northern Sweden. In the stratigraphic footwall to the VHMS ore a sulphidequartz vein system with high gold grades was mined in the second half of the 1990’s. The Långdal VHMS ore is hosted by the uppermost part of the Skellefte Group volcanic rocks, close to the contact with an overlying fine-grained sedimentary unit. Regional structural studies indicate that bedding surfaces in volcanic rocks are parallel to the contact between the volcanic and the sedimentary rocks. Based on the differences in structural style on each side, the contact is interpreted as a major structural break. The Långdal ore is situated close to this break that may have focussed fluid flow during metamorphism and deformation. The orientation of the contact indicates that it either is a D2 structure or that it was at least active during D2. The structural development in the altered footwall rocks to the Långdal VHMS ore indicates that gold-bearing sulphide and sulphide-quartz veins both pre- and post-date the first deformation. Gold associated with the vein system can thus not only be attributed to syngenetic exhalative or replacement processes. The close spatial relationship with the massive sulphide deposits suggests, however, that the gold was remobilized from these syngenetic systems. It is concluded that sulphides were introduced at several stages during the geological evolution of the area as: a) syngenetic disseminations of sulphide and folded, pre-S1 stringer sulphide±quartz veins in the footwall related to the syngenetic VHMS deposit, b) syn-S1 sulphide veins in the footwall gold ore, c) main, post-S1, sulphide-quartz veins associated with the gold ore in the footwall rocks to the Långdal VHMS deposit, and d) post-S1 to pre-S2 galena and sphalerite rich veins post-dating the main, post-S1, sulphide-quartz vein system in the footwall to the Långdal ore. From these relationships it is suggested that gold was re-mobilized from the sulphide rich parts of the VHMS system into post-D1 structures during or slightly after the peak metamorphism. The timing of this event is poorly constrained to post-date the syngenetic ore emplacement by 20–80 m.y.
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| 4. |
- Weihed, Pär, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Relationship between 1.90–1.85 Ga accretionary processes and 1.82–1.80 Ga oblique subduction at the Karelian craton margin, Fennoscandian Shield
- 2002
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Ingår i: GFF. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1103-5897 .- 2000-0863. ; 124:3, s. 163-180
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The three main intrusive suites: early calc-alkaline, late I/Atype, and late S-type intrusive rocks in relation to the Svecokarelian orogeny (1.9–1.8 Ga) have been dated at the Archaean craton margin in the Palaeoproterozoic Skellefte district and surrounding areas in northern Sweden. In addition, new SIMS data have been obtained on a calcalkaline intrusion for which unusually young TIMS ages existed, compared to similar calc-alkaline intrusions elsewhere in the region. Titanite and zircon from a subvolcanic intrusion affected by a major N–S trending shear zone have also been dated to constrain the last ductile deformation in the area. The 1895+14–12 Ma zircon age for a calc-alkaline intrusion is interpreted as the crystallisation age and is significantly older than the existing 1825 Ma age on titanite from a pyroxene skarn in a marble horizon close to the contact. The latter age is instead interpreted as the age of peak metamorphism in this area. The 1798±4 Ma age for the S-type granite confirms that the S-type magmatism is largely coeval with the I/A type magmatism previously dated at 1803±6 Ma. At a larger scale, a zoned belt over 2000 km long with A/I-type magmatism in the west and S-type magmatism in the east can be inferred. Either mafic underplating or Cordilleran type settings can explain the magmatic belt, which trends oblique to the roughly NE-directed subduction that led to the accretion of volcanic arcs onto the older craton between 1.95 and 1.87 Ga. An intimate temporal relationship between the extensive 1.80 Ga magmatism and regional N–S-trending shear zones in the area is confirmed by the titanite age of c. 1.80 Ga from one such shear zone. Kinematics on this shear zone suggest E–W shortening. SIMS data from a calc-alkaline intrusion at Sikträsk indicate that the previously obtained conventional zircon ages of 1.85–1.86 Ga are actually mixed ages of 1.88 Ga magmatic zircons, and c. 1.80 to 1.82 Ga metamorphic overgrowths. This shows that the 1.80 Ga event was not only constrained to shear zones. It is argued that both the 1.80 to 1.82 Ga deformation and metamorphism discussed here is related to E-W shortening and the voluminous magmatism at 1.82–1.80 Ga. This is in contrast to the older c. 1.88 Ga deformation identified to the north and east within the Karelian craton that was related to Svecokarelian accretionary processes.
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| 5. |
- Weihed, Pär, 1959-, et al.
(författare)
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Structural Evolution of the Björkdal Gold Deposit, Skellefte District, Northern Sweden: Implications for Early Proterozoic Mesothermal Gold in the Late Stage of the Svecokarelian Orogen
- 2003
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Ingår i: Economic geology and the bulletin of the Society of Economic Geologists. - 0361-0128 .- 1554-0774. ; 98:7, s. 1291-1309
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Björkdal gold deposit is situated in the eastern part of the Paleoproterozoic Skellefte district in northern Sweden. The Skellefte district constitutes a 1.89 to 1.88 Ga volcanic arc with numerous volcanic massive sulfide deposits and lode gold deposits of which the Björkdal deposit is the largest, at ca. 20 Mt with 2.5 g/t Au. The gold at Björkdal is associated with centimeter- to meter-wide, subvertical quartz veins at the northwestern contact between a quartz-monzodioritic to tonalitic intrusion and the surrounding supracrustal rocks. The main quartz veins strike north-northeast, and a minor set of veins strike east-northeast. The quartz veins terminate against a major thrust duplex at the contact between the intrusion and the structurally overlying supracrustal rocks. The mylonitic thrust zone has a 20° to 40° dip toward north and trends approximately east-west. A few kinematic observations indicate reverse to obliquely reverse slip on the thrust. Deformed quartz veins exist in lithons between thrusts within the duplex. In the mine, the quartz veins in the footwall to the thrust are spatially and temporally associated with moderately to steeply west dipping reverse shear zones with a northeast strike. It is suggested here that the quartz veins and the steep reverse shear zones are related to the thrust duplex and formed more or less simultaneously. Fluid inclusion and isotopic results from previous studies indicate that juvenile magmatic fluids were responsible for the precipitation of quartz and sulfides at moderate temperatures and pressures. Furthermore, titanites from the quartz veins give ages of ca. 1.78 to 1.79 Ga, whereas the host pluton is dated at ca. 1.90 Ga, indicating a time gap of over 100 m.y. between the emplacement of the host rock and titanite growth in quartz veins. The regional deformation and metamorphism are poorly constrained in the area to some time between 1.87 and 1.80 Ga. As the quartz veins are virtually undeformed and do not exhibit metamorphic fluid inclusions or other evidence of premetamorphic origin, we interpret the titanite ages in the quartz veins as the age of emplacement of the veins. The ca. 1.78 to 1.79 Ga age is also constrained for the crustal-scale, north-south–striking shear zones in the area, and it is suggested here that the thrust duplex and steep reverse shear zones in the mine are third-order structures related to east-west shortening at ca. 1.80 Ga. Gravity data from the Björkdal area indicate the presence of a less dense body at depth beneath the Björkdal pluton. The geophysical signature is best explained by the presence of a 1.80 Ga Skellefte-type intrusion at depth. Magmatic fluids from this S-type granite may have interacted with the host pluton and precipitated gold in the more competent pluton during the east-west shortening. The common occurrence of scheelite in the quartz veins is further evidence for magmatic fluids derived from a younger pluton at depth.
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| 6. |
- Bauer, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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3D-modelling of the Central Skellefte District, Sweden
- 2009
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Ingår i: Smart science for exploration and mining. - : James Cook University of North Queensland. - 9780980558685
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The central part of the Palaeoproterozoic Skellefte District in northern Sweden is host to several VMS deposits. This area is dominated by upright folds with axial surfaces trending WNW - ESE. Northeast - SW trending faults crosscut WNW - ESE trending faults and impart a distinct fault pattern. Subvertical stretching as expressed by subvertical mineral lineations as well as gently W-plunging mineral lineations parallel to the F2 fold axes indicate not only significant vertical movement, but also pronounced lateral movement. The faults formed in an extensional stage and were reactivated during a compressional stage oblique to the earlier phase. This crustal shortening caused folding and development of the main foliation. Overturned, tight to isoclinal folds within the Vargfors meta-sediments coincide with 1st and 2nd order faults and are considered to be related to reactivation of the early normal and transfer faults. A three dimensional model taking into account the structures was constructed using the GoCAD 3D-modelling software.
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| 7. |
- Bauer, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Correlation between distribution and shape of VMS deposits, and regional deformation patterns, Skellefte district, northern Sweden
- 2014
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Ingår i: Mineralium Deposita. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0026-4598 .- 1432-1866. ; 49:5, s. 555-573
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Skellefte district in northern Sweden is host to abundant volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits comprising pyritic, massive, semi-massive and disseminated Zn–Cu–Au ± Pb ores surrounded by disseminated pyrite and with or without stockwork mineralisation. The VMS deposits are associated with Palaeoproterozoic upper crustal extension (D1) that resulted in the development of normal faults and related transfer faults. The VMS ores formed as sub-seafloor replacement in both felsic volcaniclastic and sedimentary rocks and partly as exhalative deposits within the uppermost part of the volcanic stratigraphy. Subsequently, the district was subjected to deformation (D2) during crustal shortening. Comparing the distribution of VMS deposits with the regional fault pattern reveals a close spatial relationship of VMS deposits to the faults that formed during crustal extension (D1) utilising the syn-extensional faults as fluid conduits. Analysing the shape and orientation of VMS ore bodies shows how their deformation pattern mimics those of the hosting structures and results from the overprinting D2 deformation. Furthermore, regional structural transitions are imitated in the deformation patterns of the ore bodies. Plotting the aspect ratios of VMS ore bodies and the comparison with undeformed equivalents in the Hokuroko district, Japan allow an estimation of apparent strain and show correlation with the D2 deformation intensity of the certain structural domains. A comparison of the size of VMS deposits with their location shows that the smallest deposits are not related to known high-strain zones and the largest deposits are associated with regional-scale high-strain zones. The comparison of distribution and size with the pattern of high-strain zones provides an important tool for regional-scale mineral exploration in the Skellefte district, whereas the analysis of ore body shape and orientation can aid near-mine exploration activities.
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| 8. |
- Bauer, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Crustal Scale Shear Zones Controlling Grade and Tonnage of VMS Deposits in the Skellefte District, Northern Sweden
- 2015
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Ingår i: Mineral Resources in a Sustainable World. - 9782855550664 ; , s. 45-48
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Skellefte district in northern Sweden hosts abundant Paleoproterozoic, volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. The deposits formed due to pull apart basin formation in a volcanic arc setting and utilized the syn-extensional faults as fluid conduits. By comparing the structural setting in distinct structural domains with the tonnage and Cu, Au, and Ag grades a clear coupling between VMS deposits and the size of structures becomes evident. This shows how major crustal fault zones acted as fluid conduits for the ore forming hydrothermal fluids during an extensional phase. The same structures were subsequently re-activated as shear zones and possibly enhanced secondary enrichment processes.
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| 9. |
- Bauer, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Fault-controlled sedimentation in a progressively opening extensional basin : the Palaeoproterozoic Vargfors basin, Skellefte mining district, Sweden.
- 2013
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Ingår i: International journal of earth sciences. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1437-3254 .- 1437-3262. ; 102:2, s. 385-400
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Vargfors basin in the central part of the Skellefte mining district is an inverted sedimentary basin within a Palaeoproterozoic (1. 89 Ga) marine volcanic arc. The fault-segmented basin formed from upper-crustal extension and subsequent compression, following a period of intense sub-marine volcanism and VMS ore formation. New detailed mapping reveals variations in stratigraphy attributed to syn-extensional sedimentation, as well as provenance of conglomerate clasts associated with tectonic activity at the transition from extension to compression. The onset of fan delta to alluvial fan sedimentation associated with basin subsidence indicates that significant dip-slip displacement accommodating rapid uplift of the intrusive complex and/or subsidence of the adjacent volcano-sedimentary domain took place along a major fault zone at the southern margin of the intrusive complex. Subsidence of the Jörn intrusive complex and/or its burial by sedimentary units caused a break in erosion of the intrusion and favoured the deposition of a tonalite clast-barren conglomerate. Clast compositions of conglomerates show that the syn-extensional deposits become younger in the south-eastern parts of the basin, indicating that opening of the basin progressed from north-west to south-east. Subsequent basin inversion, associated with the accretion to the Karelian margin, involved reverse activation of the normal faults and development of related upright synclines. Progressive crustal shortening caused the formation of break-back faults accompanied by mafic volcanic activity that particularly affected the southern contact of the Jörn intrusive complex and the northern contact of the Vargfors basin
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| 10. |
- Bauer, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Geological multi-scale modelling as a tool for modern ore exploration in the Skellefte mining district, Sweden
- 2011
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Ingår i: Proceedings IAMG 2011 Salzburg. - : cogeo@oeaw-giscience. ; , s. 759-
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Palaeoproterozoic Skellefte Mining District is host to abundant ore deposits. Geological 3Dmodelling was performed using the gOcad software platform. Geological methods such as field mapping, structural analysis and facies analysis combined with geophysical techniques such as reflection seismic investigations, resistivity, magnetic, electromagnetic and gravimetric studies and analysis of potential field data provide a framework for the reconstruction of the crustal geometry and geological history of the district as a tool for modern ore exploration. Results will be furthermore utilized for kinematic 4-dimensional modelling
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